100 Years Ago Today

[Sailor Steve]

September 30, 1917

Air War:
0800 English RNAS pilot Harold Mellings, flying Sopwith Triplane N5431, shoots down an Albatros W.4 (floatplane version of the older D.I fighter) for victory number 2. This is exactly one year to the day after Mellings' first victory.

0900 Five RFC SPAD VII pilots share a victory over a German two-seater:
John Candy, England, B3615, victory number 2
Lt Delamere, B3589, unknown.
Richard Alexander Hewat, United States, A6662, number 1.
Frederick Sowrey, England, B6777, number 10.
Lt R.M. Strang, B1697, unknown.

1055 Canadian RNAS ace Joseph Fall, in Sopwith Camel B3898, shoots down an Albatros two-seater for victory number 24.

1100 French ace René Fonck, in a SPAD VII, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 15. Shared with an Akj Dupré.

1120 German ace Bruno Loerzer, in Albatros D.V 2229/17, shoots down Sopwith Camel B2398 for victory number 12.

1130 French ace René Montrion, fling a Nieport, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 6.

1130 René Montrion shoots down an Albatros two-seater for number seven, shared with Armand de Turenne, victory number 6.

1130 German pilot Franz Schmidt, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 1. This is Schmidt's only victory and he disappears from the records after this,

1145 German ace Heinrich Gontermann, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 37.

1150 German ace Rudolf Berthold, in Albatros D.III 2182/16, shoots down a Sopwith Pup for victory number 27.

1150 German ace Richard Runge, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Pup for victory number 7.

1155 German pilot Harald Auffarth, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Pup for victory number 5.

1155 German ace Julius Buckler, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith for victory number 15.

1155 German pilot Ernst Hamster, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down RE.8 A3731 for victory number 1. Sgt A. Stanley and AM1 A. Wardlaw are both killed.

1155 German ace Joseph Veltjens, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Pup for victory number 8.
(Four Pups claimeed, but only two lost - B2185, 2nd Lt J.G. Warter killed; and B1768, Lt J.W. Boumphrey taken prisoner.)

1200 English RNAS ace Albert Enstone, in Sopwith Camel B3841, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 9.

1200 German pilot Otto Förster, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 2.

1205 Ernst Hamster scores his second victory, RE.8 A3736. Lt E.H. Pember and AM2 A. Morley are both killed.

1250 Heinrich Gontermann scores his second kill of the day, a Letord three-seater, for number 38. MdL François de Villeneuve, Sgt Charles Durand and Cpl Gaston Deschamps are all listed as Missing.
(The Aerodrome and Jasta War Chronology both have this as a Caudron R.XI, but JWC's note and The French Air Service War Chronology both say it was a Letord)

1600 English RFC pilot Russell Winnicott, flying DH.5 A9218, shoots dwon an Albatros D.V for victory number 5.

1630 Russell Winnicott scores his second kill of the day, another Albatros D.V, for number 6.

[Jimbuna]

1st October 1917

Western Front

Five powerful German attacks repulsed between Ypres-Menin road and Polygon Wood and at Zonnebeke.

Between Chaume Wood and Bezonvaux (Verdun) temporary German success.

Eastern Front

German airmen bomb Oesel Island (Riga).

Southern Front

Austrian attack on Bainsizza Plateau repulsed.

Naval and Overseas Operations

East Africa: Fighting proceeding in Mbemkuru Valley; 75 miles south of Kondoa Irangi (north of Cent. Rly.) a German guerilla detachment surrenders.

British troops meet strong resistance 30 miles south-west of Lindi.

Aviation

French and British airmen bomb Rhine towns and Roulers; Dunkirk bombed by Germans, serious material damage.

London is again raided by aeroplanes, the 5th time this week, resulting in 14 deaths and 38 injuries.

Political, etc.

U.S. opens its 2nd Liberty Loan to raise $5 billion in bonds for the war effort.

French cafes and restaurants cannot serve milk or cream after 9 in the morning in an effort to conserve supplies.

The Max Planck Institute for Physics is founded in Berlin with Albert Einstein as its first director.

Great typhoon in Japan creates vast damage.

Ship Losses:

Carrabin (United Kingdom) The barque was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south of Daunt Rock by SM U-96 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Etna (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 110 nautical miles (200 km) south east of Madeira, Portugal (33°41′N 15°25′W) by SM U-151 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Ludovicos (United Kingdom) The sailing vessel was scuttled in the Mediterranean Sea 7 nautical miles (13 km) south of Pissouri, Cyprus by SM U-73 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Mersario (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (86 nautical miles (159 km) west by north of Cape Spartel, Morocco by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three crew.
USS Mohawk (United States Navy) The cutter collided with Vennacher ( United Kingdom) in the Atlantic Ocean off Sandy Hook, New Jersey and sank. Her crew were rescued.
Neuilly (France) The barque was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 450 nautical miles (830 km) south west of Penmarc'h, Finistère (46°14′N 13°07′W) by SM U-90 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Normanton (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 115 nautical miles (213 km) west of Cape Spartel (35°26′N 8°15′W) by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Saint Pierre (France) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 60 nautical miles (110 km) north west of Ouessant, Finistère (48°30′N 10°00′W) by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

[Sailor Steve]

October 1, 1917

Air War:

The Royal Navy tests their first compressed-air catapult, launching a Short 184 from the test ship HMS Slinger. The seaplane is launched without crew, the fabric removed from the fuselage and the engine replaced with ballast.

The Royal Navy makes the first launch from a capital ship, battlecruiser HMS Repulse. The pilot is Frederick Rutland, known as "Rutland of Jutland" for his activities in that battle. Rutland had previously made the first turret-top take-off from any ship, when he flies a Sopwith Pup off of a platform atop 'B' turret. Rutland had previously made the first such flight from any RN ship when he flew off a turret of light cruiser HMS Yarmouth on June 28th of this year.

1030-1130 English RFC pilot George Cecil Gardinger, flying a BE.12, shares his firse victory, an Albatros two seater with, 2nd Lt F.A. Buckley.

1100 Canadian RFC pilot Lumsden Cummings, in Nieuport 27 B6790, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 2.

1110 Three RFC Nieuport 27 pilots share a victory over a DFW C.V:
Robert Birkbeck, Scotland, B6753, vicory number 4.
Lumsden Cummings, Canada, B6790, number 3.
William Rooper, England, B6767, number 7.

[Jimbuna]

2nd October 1917

Western Front

Germans attack in Beaumont (Reims), and between Samogneux and Hill 344 (Verdun) gain footing. French counter-attacks all day fail to drive out Germans.

Southern Front

Austrian attack on slopes of San Gabriele (Isonzo) fail. Italians gain ground in counter-attack.

Naval and Overseas Operations

H.M.S. "Drake" torpedoed off the Irish Coast: 19 killed.


350 crewmen of the German dreadnought Prinzregent Luitpold stage a protest against the war (2 are later executed, the rest imprisoned).

Reichstag informed of mutiny at Wilhelmshaven.

Aviation

French and British airmen bomb towns in Metz region, Cambrai and Courtrai and St. Denis Westrem aerodrome.

Political, etc.

British Board of Trade announces 1.256 million jobs formerly held by men before the war are now done by women.

Britain prohibits exports to neutral Netherlands & Scandinavian countries without license to prevent goods entering Germany through them.

Russian Democratic Conference decides against Coalition Government.

Swedish Government resigns.

Ship Losses:

Almora (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 100 nautical miles (190 km) west by north of Cape Spartel, Morocco (35°37′N 7°46′W) by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMS Drake (Royal Navy) The Drake-class cruiser was torpedoed and sunk off Rathlin Island, County Antrim by SM U-79 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of nineteen of her 900 crew.
Hikosan Maru (Japan) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Cape Spartel (35°28′N 8°37′W) by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Imera (Italy) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Ionian Sea off Santa Maria di Leuca, Lecce by SM UB-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Lugano (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by
U 79 (Otto Rohrbeck) and sank in the Atlantic Ocean 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) south west of Bull Point, County Antrim. Her crew survived.
Nuceria (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 120 nautical miles (220 km) west of Cape Spartel (35°27′N 8°25′W) by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two crew.
Trafaria (Portugal) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 20 nautical miles (37 km) north north west of Cape Ortegal, Spain (45°35′N 9°3′W) by SM U-88 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Viajante (Portugal) The barque was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 170 nautical miles (310 km) north west of Porto Santo Island, Madeira (35°40′N 15°10′W) by SM U-151 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Willing Boys (United Kingdom) The fishing smack struck a mine laid by UC 14 (Helmut Lorenz) and sank in the North Sea with the loss of five of her crew.

[Sailor Steve]

October 2, 1917

Air War:

1040 German ace Hans Klein, newly appointed commander of Jasta 10 and flying one of the first Pfalz D.IIIs, shoots down a DH.4 for victory number 17. This may be the very first victory for the new fighter.

1105 Canadian RFC pilot Guy Patrick Moore, flying Nieuport 17 B1508, shoots down a DFW C.V for victory number 1.

1150 English RFC observer Leslie Burbidge, riding in Bristol F.2b A7164 with Sgt F. Hooper as pilot, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 2.

1155 Leslie Burbidge and Sgt Hooper bring down a second Albatros D.V, number 3 for Burbidge, unknown for Hooper.

1330 German ace Rudolf Berthold, in Albatros D.III 2182/16, shoots down a DH.4 for victory number 28.

1330 German ace Richard Runge, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down a DH.4 for victory number 8.

1335 German ace Heinrich Gontermann, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 39.

1335-1340 Scottish RFC pilot David Hall and Irish observer Edward Patrich Hartigan, in DH4 A7568, are leading a flight of five DH.4s home from an attack on an airfield when they are jumped by a formation of Albatroses. Two DH.4s are lost, and Hall and Hartigan claim four German fighters shot down in shoot down in five minutes. Victories 2-5 for Hall and 1-4 for Hartigan.

[Jimbuna]

3rd October 1917

Western Front

German attack repulsed north of Menin road between Tower Hamlets and Polygon Wood (Ypres).

Preparations for German attack east of Reims broken up.

Violent artillery duel on Verdun front.

Eastern Front

Intense artillery duel in Jakobstadt region (Dvinsk).

Artillery stop fierce enemy attack 7 miles north of Romanian frontier (Bukovina).

Bulgars attack Romanians north of mouth of Buzeu river.

Southern Front

Italians repel continued Austrian attacks on San Gabriele.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Russians take Nereman village, 50 miles north of Mosul.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Italian airmen bomb vessels in harbour of Cattaro.

Political, etc.

Premier Lloyd George promises he will repay German bombings of Britain “with compound interest.”

Winston Churchill, Minister of Munitions, says British artillery fired 4 times more shells at Ypres than at the Somme for the same period.

War Revenue Act is signed by President Wilson to raise income taxes and lower exemptions to raise money for the war.

Ship Losses:

Annie F. Conlon (United States) The sailing vessel was damaged in the Atlantic Ocean 15 nautical miles (28 km) south east of the Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but she was subsequently declared a constructive total loss.
Baron Blantyre (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 60 nautical miles (110 km) north west by west of Cape Finisterre, Spain (43°15′N 10°30′W) by SM U-88 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Britannia (United Kingdom) The sloop foundered in the North Sea with the loss of a crew member.
Elisa (Italy) The brigantine was shelled and sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea off Cape Figari, Sardinia (41°07′N 9°47′E) by SM UC-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Ellerslie (United Kingdom) The collier was lost on this date.
Giuseppe Ferrante (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea off Isola del Giglio by SM UC-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Hurst (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in St. George's Channel 2.25 nautical miles (4.17 km) west by north of Skokholm, Pembrokeshire by SM U-96 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Jane Knox (United Kingdom) The schooner was wrecked in the Bristol Channel off Porthcawl, Glamorgan with the loss of all hands.
Jeanne (France) The three-masted schooner was sunk in the Bay of Biscay (46°43′N 13°23′W) by SM U-90 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of six of her crew.
Memling (United Kingdom) The 7,307-grt cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay off Brest, Finistère, France by an unknown Kaiserlich Marine submarine.
Saint Antoine (France) The schooner was sunk in the Bay of Biscay (47°30′N 9°40′W) by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Stella (France) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the Bay of Biscay (47°30′N 9°40′W) by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of ten crew.
Tasmania (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel 8 nautical miles (15 km) west of Prawle Point, Devon, United Kingdom by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
SM UC-14 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UC I submarine struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Zeebrugge, West Flanders, Belgium (51°31′50″N 3°08′45″E) with the loss of all fourteen crew.

[Sailor Steve]

October 3, 1917

Air War:

1150 Grman pilot Herbert Schröder, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down an Hanriot HD.1 for victory number 3.

1500 English RFC ace Arthur Taylor and observer William Benger, in Bristol F.2b A7271, shoot down an Albatros D.V. Victory number 7 for Taylor, number 3 for Benger.

French ace Georges Lachmann, in a SPAD VII, destroys a German observation Balloon for victory number 6.

Russian ace Ivan Loiko, in a Nieuport 23, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 6.

[Jimbuna]

4th October 1917

Western Front

British advance on eight mile front, anticipating by a few minutes a German attack east of Ypres; 3,000 prisoners.

In counter-attack Germans regain some ground south-east of Polygon Wood.

Small German attack repulsed on Hill 344 (Verdun).

Political, etc.

German government orders cities in Western Germany to darken their lights at night to limit British air raids.

Ship Losses:

Bygdønes (Norway) The cargo ship was captured in the Atlantic Ocean by SM U-151 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was scuttled the next day 65 nautical miles (120 km) north west of Porto Santo Island, Madeira, Portugal. Her crew survived.
Citta di Bari (Italy) The passenger ship was sunk in the Ionian Sea 37 nautical miles (69 km) off Paxos, Greece by SM UB-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Constantinos Embiricos (Greece) The cargo ship was sunk in the Gulf of Lyon off the Île du Planier, Bouches-du-Rhône, France (42°47′N 4°10′E) by SM U-32 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Itasca (United States) The cargo ship foundered in the Atlantic Ocean.
Nicolaos Roussos (Greece) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Gulf of Lyon (42°46′N 4°11′E) by SM U-32 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Perseverance (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 15 nautical miles (28 km) west of the Eddystone Lighthouse by SM UB-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
USS Rehoboth (United States Navy) The patrol vessel sprang a leak in the English Channel. Her crew were rescued by HMS Castor ( Royal Navy, which scuttled the ship.
Rupee (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was shelled and sunk in the Bristol Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) north of Lundy Island, Devon by SM U-96 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four crew.
Stella (French Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 67 (Karl Neumann) and sank in the Mediterranean Sea off Cape Bougaroni, Algeria.
Young Clifford (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was shelled and sunk in the Bristol Channel 12 nautical miles (22 km) north of Lundy Island by SM U-96 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

October 4, 1917

Air War:

The main body of American cadets arrive at Foggia, Italy, accompanied by Cpt Fiorello LaGuardia, to begin training.

The first Fokker Dr.I to leave the factory, 115/17 is sent to Jasta 15 for testing and evaluation.

1130 Scottish RFC pilot Charles Dawson, flying Vickers FB.19 A5233, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 2.

French ace Georges Lachmann, in a SPAD VII, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 7.

Croatia-born Austro-Hungarian observer Roman Schmidt, riding in a Lloyd C.V with A Wiltsch as pilot, shoots down an unidentified Italian "Scout" for victory number 3.

[Jimbuna]

5th October 1917

Western Front

Number of German prisoners taken last five days on Ypres front totals 4,446. Congratulations from the King.

Naval and Overseas Operations

In Mbemkuru Valley (south-west Kilwa), enemy retiring before British, reach Nangano (35 miles south-east Liwali).

Column from Ruhuji river advance west.

Political, etc.

Louis Malvy, former French Interior Minister, is accused of treason for trying to give war plans to Germany.

Swedish Government protests against seizure of their ships lying in British ports.

Finland’s Diet reconvenes despite being banned by the Russian government for its pro-independence stance.

Ship Losses:

Apache (France) The auxiliary barque foundered on this date with the loss of fifteen of her nineteen crew.
Bontnewydd (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 60 nautical miles (110 km) north north east of Marsa Susa, Libya (33°53′N 22°19′E) by SM U-28 ( Austro-Hungarian Navy) with the loss of three of her crew.
Forestmoor (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 54 nautical miles (100 km) west north west of Cape Spartel, Morocco (35°57′N 7°03′W) by SM UB-51 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 22 crew.
Galley (United Kingdom) The ketch foundered on this date. Her crew survived.
SM UB-41 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UB II submarine struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Scarborough, Yorkshire, United Kingdom with the loss of all 22 crew.

[Sailor Steve]

October 5, 1917

Air War:

0750 German pilot Lt Wilde, flying an unnamed aircraft, shoots down Sopwith Triplane N5377 for his first and only victory. Sub-Lt Malcolm J. Watson is taken prisoner.

0800 German ace Erwin Böhme, in Albatros D.V 4578/17, shoots down Bristol F.2b B1133 for victory number 16. Cpt D.D. Walrend-Skinner and Pvt F.T. Jones are taken prisoner.

0820 German ace Bruno Loerzer, in Albatros D.V 2299/17, shoots down SE.5a B524 for victory number 13. Lt C.H. Jeffs is taken prisoner.

0955 English RFC ace William Rooper, in Nieuport 27 B6767, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 8.

1625 German pilot Egon Patzer, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a DH.5 for victory number 2.

1635 Canadian RFC pilot Guy Moore, flying Nieuport 17 B1508, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 2.

1645 English RFC ace Philip Fullard, in Nieuport 27 B6789, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 28.

[Jimbuna]

6th October 1917

Western Front

German attack penetrates trenches at Hill 344 (Verdun), but French drive them out again.

Enemy attack at dusk on Polygon Wood (Ypres) repulsed; British take 380 prisoners.

Eastern Front

Heavy fighting 25 miles south of Czernovitz; no change, Russians take 750 prisoners.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Mbemkuru column (East Africa) reaches point 30 miles from Nangano; Belgian troops engaged north and north-east of Mahenge; British troops in close touch with enemy 50 and 25 miles further South.

Political, etc.

Feldmarschall-leutnant Artur von Mecenseffy is killed on the frontlines with Italy, the highest ranking Austro-Hungarian officer to be KIA.

Insurance premiums for American vessels traveling across the Atlantic is reduced by 25% due to successful measures against U-boats.

Peru breaks off diplomatic relations with Germany.

Socialist Conference at Bordeaux.

Georgia starts a separate Army.

Ship Losses:

Bedale (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 25 nautical miles (46 km) south east by south of Mine Head, Cornwall by SM U-96 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three of her crew.
Civilian (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 15 nautical miles (28 km) north of Alexandria, Egypt by SM UC-74 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
Lamartine (France) The barquentine was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 60 nautical miles (110 km) south west of The Lizard, Cornwall by SM UC-69 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
SMS T54 (Kaiserliche Marine) The S7-class torpedo boat struck a mine and sank in the Baltic Sea with the loss of seven of her crew.
Victorine (France) The barque was shelled and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean 96 nautical miles (178 km) north west of Cape Ortegal, Spain (44°50′N 9°30′W) by SM U-89 ( Kaiserliche Marine).She sank the next day.

[Sailor Steve]

October 6, 1917

Air War:

1030 German pilot Josef Funk, flying the new Pfalz D.III, shoots down SPAD VII B3508 for victory number 3. Lt George Robert Long is taken prisoner. This is Funk's last victory. He will survive the war, but squadron records don't include his later life.

[Jimbuna]

7th October 1917

Western Front

German attacks near Reutel (Ypres) repulsed.

Powerful German raid in Champagne repulsed by French.

Eastern Front

German attack 28 miles east-north-east of Riga repulsed.

Southern Front

Artillery active on Bainsizaa Plateau (Isonzo), and on Carso.

Austrian attack on Massif of Costabella repulsed.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Great artillery activity on Gaza front (Palestine).

Naval and Overseas Operations

German U.293, interned at Cadiz, escapes from Spain. Enquiry ordered by Spanish Prime Minister.

Political, etc.

M. Kerenski forms Coalition Government.

Uruguay breaks off diplomatic relations with Germany.

Paris Chamber announces scantiest harvest for 50 years in France. Luxuries cut down to make tonnage for import of grain.

Ship Losses:

Alcyon (United Kingdom) The sailing vessel was scuttled in the English Channel 12 nautical miles (22 km) west north west of Boulogne, Pas-de-Calais, France by SM UB-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Georgios (Greece) The barque was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea north east of Misrata, Libya by SM UC-73 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Reliance (United Kingdom) The drifter struck a mine laid by UC 14 (Adolf Feddersen) and sank in the North Sea with the loss of ten of her crew.
SM U-106 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type U 93 submarine struck a mine and sank in the North Sea 40 nautical miles (74 km) north of Terschelling, Friesland, Netherlands with the loss of all 41 crew.

[Sailor Steve]

October 7, 1917

Air War:

0635 English RFC ace Philip Fullard, flying Nieuport 27 B6789, shoots down a DFW C.V for victory number 29.

0800 Canadian RFC pilot Guy Moore, in Nieuport 17 B1508, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 3.

0810 German pilot Carl Galetschky, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 2.

0840 German pilot Hans Gottfried von Häbler, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Bristol F.2b A7280 for victory number 1. Lts J.C. Rush and W.W. Chapman are both killed.

1005 English RFC ace Frederick Sowrey, in SPAD VII B6777, shoots down a Fokker D.V for victory number 11.