100 Years Ago Today

[Jimbuna]

17th July 1918

Western Front

East of Reims French defeat Germans south of Prunay.

South-west of Reims French retake and lose Montvoison.

South-east of Villers-Bretonneux Australians advance line.

30 German divisions engaged.

Naval

RMS Carpathia, the ship known for saving survivors of the Titanic and currently used as a troop transport, is sunk by the German submarine U-55, resulting in 5 deaths.


Political, etc.

General Pershing, commanding U.S. Army, made G.C.B., and Generals Bliss and March G.C.M.G.

Ship Losses:

RMS Carpathia (United Kingdom) The troopship was torpedoed and sunk in the Celtic Sea 170 nautical miles (310 km) west by north of the Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly (50°25′N 10°49′W) by SM U-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of five of the 280 people on board. Survivors were rescued by HMS Snowdrop ( Royal Navy).
Harlseywood (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean south west of Hartland Point, Devon by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was beached but was later refloated.
Saint Georges (France) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 15 nautical miles (28 km) south west of Hartland Point (50°47′N 4°38′W) by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

July 17, 1918


Air War:
0620 Australian AFC pilot Leonard Thomas Eato Taplin, flying Sopwith Camel C8226, shoots down an Albatros two-seater for victory number 1.

0735 English RAF pilot Douglas Davies, in Sopwith Camel C1599, claims two Albatros D.Vs for victories 3 and 4.

0900 Douglas Davies scores his third kill of the day, shooting down another Albatros D.V for victory number 5.

1000 German pilot Johann Baur and Bavarian observer Georg Ritter von Hengl, in a Hannover CL.III, shoot down a SPAD. Victory number 1 for each.

1002 Johann Baur and Georg von Hengl score their second kill of the day, shooting down another SPAD. Number 2 for each.

[Jimbuna]

18th July 1918

Western Front

High-water mark of the War. Great Allied counter attack on 27-mile front between Fontenoy (6.5 miles north-west of Soissons) and Belleau (6 miles north-west of Chateau-Thierry). French reach Monte de Paris (1 mile from Soissons) and 5 miles of Crise Valley, east of Buzancy. South of Ourcq, French and Americans secure line Marizy-Hautvesnes-Belleau. South of Marne Germans reach St. Agneau. East of Reims French retake Prunay and defeat Prussian Guard east of Prosnes.

Aviation

Aeroplane raid on Kent; no casualties.

RAF officer training to fire a gun in a moving “cockpit”


Political, etc.

Debate in Reichsrat re: "German Course" of Austrian policy.

Japanese Diplomatic Council approves U.S.'s proposal for intervention in Siberia.

Following the assassination of Tsar Nicholas II and his family, Soviet Cheka agents execute several relatives of the Romanov family in Alapayevsk. Grand Duke Sergei Mikhailovich is shot, while the rest are thrown down a mining shaft and grenades are dropped in.

(Nelson) Rolihlahla Mandela is born in the village of Mvezo, South Africa.

Ship Losses:

HMT Lance II (Royal Navy) The naval trawler sank in the English Channel 3.2 nautical miles (5.9 km) south west of Newhaven, Sussex.

[Sailor Steve]

July 18, 1918


Air War:

0620 German ace Erich Löwenhardt, flying a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 38.

0629 German pilot Friedrich Schumacher, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots dwon a SPAD for victory number 5.

0650 German ace Gustav Dörr, with Jasta 45, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 11.

0700 German pilat Johann Schlimpen, with Jasta 45, shoots down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 2.

0705 Gustav Dörr scores his second kill of the day, shooting down a Bréguet 14 for number 12.

0735 German ace Alois Heldmann, flying a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 8. S/Lt Jean Bourhis of Spa 80 is killed.

0805 English RAF pilot Harry Goode, in Sopwith Camel B2363 over the Italian Front, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 2.

0810 German pilot Lt Bussmann (no first name given) with Jasta 1, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 2.

0815 German ace Hermann Göring, in Fokker D.VII 294/18, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 22. This is Göring's last aerial victory. He will spend the final four months of the war either with administrative duties or on leave. Surviving the war, Göring will go on to a somewhat checkered career with the reformed Germany. His involvement with the Nazi Party, command of the Luftwaffe, trial at Nuremburg and eventual suicide are all well documented.

0950 German ace Willi Gabriel, commander of Jasta 11, going against JG 1 commander Göring's director orders that he should command and not fly, takes up his Fokker Dr.I and shoots down a SPAD for victory number 8.

1000 Willi Gabriel scores his second kill of the day, shooting down another SPAD for number 9.

1022 Willi Gabriel gains a third victory, this time a Bréguet 14 for number 10. Upon his return Göring tells him he is grounded and not to fly again until further orders.

1120 French ace René Fonck, in a SPAD XIII, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 52.

1130 René Fonck scores his second kill of the day, shooting down another "Enemy Aircraft" for number 53.

1430 German ace Erich Löwenhardt, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 39.

1530 Willi Gabriel goes up in his Dr.I again and gains his fourth victory of the day, another SPAD, for a final total of 11. Göring relieves of command and later has him moved to a new poat. Gabriel will not see combat again. Gabriel will have a varied career after the war, even flying a Fokker Dr.I in two German movies. He will join the Lufwaffe in World War 2 and rise to the rank of Hauptman. Willi Gabriel will die in 1968, aged 74.

2040 Indian RAF ace Indra Roy, in Sopwith Camel B180, shoots down a DFW C.V for victory number 9.

German ace Karl Bolle shoots down a Bréguet 14 and a SPAD for victories 23 and 24. In the second combat Lt Pierre Daire of Spa 159 is killed.

French ace Fernand Chavannes, in a SPAD, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 6.

German 6-victory ace Moritz-Waldemar Bretschneider-Bodemer is killed. The Jasta Pilots says he was shot down by French ace Georges Madon, but The French Air Service War Chronology, by the same authors, doesn't have Madon scoring any kills this day. That book credits the kill to several Bréguet 14 crews, and it seems likely that he attacked a formation and got caught in the crossfire of several rear gunners.

[Jimbuna]

19th July 1918

Western Front

French and Americans advance on Soissons-Thierry line, taking Vierzy (north of Ourcq) and Neuilly St. Front (south of Ourcq). South of Marne, French retake Montvoison. British capture Meteren (west of Bailleul), taking 300 prisoners.

Naval and Overseas Operations

British Sopwith Camels launch from the aircraft carrier HMS Furious and attack the German base at Tondern (Tønder, Denmark), destroying 2 German zeppelins for the loss of one aircraft. The planes on the deck of the HMS Furious.


French liner "Australien" (Messageries Maritimes) torpedoed in Mediterranean, 20 lost.

American armoured cruiser USS San Diego hits a mine and sinks, resulting in 6 deaths. It is the only major US warship loss in the war.


"Justicia" (White Star liner) torpedoed off north coast of Ireland, 10 lost.

Political, etc.

Honduras declares War on Germany.

Ship Losses:

Adria 1 (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Strait of Sicily (37°10′N 11°12′E) by SM UB-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Australien (France) The passenger ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 26 nautical miles (48 km) north east of Cap Bon, Tunisia by SM UC-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three of her 951 passengers and seventeen of her crew.
HM CMB-50 (Royal Navy) The Coastal Motor Boat was lost on this date.
Eguskia (Spain) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 70 nautical miles (130 km) north of Bardia, Libya by SM UB-105 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Justicia (United Kingdom) The troopship was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean off Malin Head, County Donegal by SM UB-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was taken in tow but was torpedoed and sunk the next day (55°38′N 7°39′W) by SM UB-124 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of ten of her crew.
Ranger (United Kingdom) The auxiliary sailing vessel was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 20 nautical miles (37 km) north west of Barra Head, Outer Hebrides by SM UB-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
USS San Diego ( United States Navy) The Pennsylvania-class armored cruiser struck a mine laid by U 156 (Richard Feldt) and sank in the Atlantic Ocean off the Fire Island Lightship ( United States Navy) with the loss of six of her 830 crew.
SM UB-110 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UB III submarine was depth charged, rammed and sunk in the North Sea (54°39′N 0°55′E) by HMS Garry ( Royal Navy) with the loss of thirteen of her crew.

[Sailor Steve]

July 19, 1918


Air War:

0610 Two French pilots with Spa 49 share a victory over an Albatros fighter:
Jean Bouyer, victory number 10.
Paul Hamot, victory number 3.

0615 Jean Bouyer and Paul Hamot claim a second Albatros. Victory number 11 for Bouyer; number 4 for Hamot.

0630 French ace René Fonck, in a SPAD XIII, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 54.

0632 René Fonck scores his second kill of the day, shooting down another Fokker D.VII for number 55.

0740 German ace Bruno Loerzer, in a Fokker Dr.I, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 27.

0800 Four RAF SE.5a pilots over the Italian Front share a victory over an Albatros D.V:
Gerald Bell, Canada, B692, victory number 12.
Capt G.M. Brawley, B694, nationality and victory number unknown.
Arthur E. Jarvis, England, B30, victory number 5.
Lt W. Ridley, C9501, nationality and victory number unknown.

0915 English RAF pilot Sydney Carlin, in SE.5a D6922, destroys a German observation balloon for victory number 3.

0930 German ace Josef Jacobs, in a Fokker Dr.I, shoots down SE.5a E5948 for victory number 24. Lt A.M. Roberts is taken prisoner.

1025 Indian RAF ace Indra Roy, in SE.5a B180, shoots down a Hannover two-seater for victory number 10.

1130 German ace Erich Löwenhardt, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 40.

1150 German ace Josef Schwendemann, flying with Jasta 41, shoots down Sopwith Camel F6150 for victory number 10. Lt V.R.S.V.T. Irvine is killed.

1225 German ace Carl Menkhoff, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 39.

1245 Irish RAF ace George McElroy, in SE.5a C8869, shoots down and Albatros D.V for victory number 44.

1400 American pilot Leo H. Dawson, in a Nieuport 28, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 1.

1400 American pilot John MacArthur, in a Nieuport 28, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 6.

1400 American pilot Zenos Miller, flying a Nieuport 28, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 3.

1555 René Fonck scores his third victory of the day, a Fokker D.VII, for number 55.

1645 French ace Gabriel Guérin, with Spa 88, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 23.

1755 German ace Otto Könnecke, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 22.

1930 German ace Hans Pippart, with Jasta 19, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 19.

2050 Erich Löwenhardt scores his second kill of the day, shooting down a SPAD for number 41.

2125 German pilot Franz Kirchfeld, with Jasta 73, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 1.

German ace Rudolf Berthold, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 38.

German ace Franz Büchner, with Jasta 13, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 11.

American pilot Robert E. Hill, in a Nieuport 28, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 1.

French ace Armand Pinsard, with Spa 23, destroys a German observation balloon for victory number 22.

[Jimbuna]

20th July 1918

Western Front

Germans re-cross Marne. 20,000 prisoners and 400 guns since 18 July. British, French and Italians advance in Ardre valley, in Boise de Courton, and towards St. Euphraise.

Aeroplane raid on Kent; no damage.

Naval and Overseas Operations

British submarine HMS E34 hits a mine and sinks with all hands off the Frisian islands.


Ship Losses:

HMS E34 (Royal Navy) The E-class submarine struck a mine and sank in the Wadden Sea between Texel, North Holland and Vlieland, Friesland, Netherlands with the loss of all 30 crew.
Gemini (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 7 nautical miles (13 km) north west of the Godrevy Lighthouse, Cornwall (50°17′N 5°36′W) by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two crew.
Hermes (Denmark) The three-masted schooner was sunk in the North Sea 40 nautical miles (74 km) west of Bergen, Hordaland, Norway by SM U-113 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Kosseir (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 40 nautical miles (74 km) north east by north of Alexandria, Egypt (31°45′N 30°11′E) by SM UB-51 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 39 crew.
Orfordness (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 2.5 nautical miles (4.6 km) west by north of Newquay, Cornwall (50°24′N 5°11′W) by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two crew.
SM UB-124 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UB III submarine was depth charged and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Ireland. She was consequently scuttled with the loss of two of her crew.

[Sailor Steve]

July 20, 1918


Air War:

0730 Three RAF Camel pilots share a victory over an LVG two-seater:
Rupert Cyril D'Arcy Gilford, England, D1845, bictory number 1.
William Jordan, South Africa, D1844, victory number 35.
Lt Richards, first name, serial number and victory number not listed.

0830 English RAF pilot Sydney Carlin, in SE.5a D6922, destroys a German observation balloon for victory number 4.

0830 Englishe RAF observer William Dyke, in DH.4 A7931 with Lt R. Minors as pilot, shoots down a Pfalz D.III for victory number 5.

0835 German ace Paul Wenzel, with Jasta 6, destroys an Allied observation balloon for victory number 8.

0910 English RAF pilot Norman Mawle, in SE.5a D6917, estrosys a German observation balloon for victory number 2.

0915 Norman Mawle scores his second kill of the day, shooting down a Fokker D.Vii for victory number 3.

0920 French ace Jean Casale, with Spa 38, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 11.

0950 American RAF pilot Kenneth Unger, in Sopwith Camel D9608, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 5.

1005 Two French pilots with Spa 152 share a victory over a German two-seater:
Ernest Maunory, victory number 4.
Del Vial, victory number 8.

1015 German ace Joachim von Busse, with Jasta 20, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 7.

1015 Ernest Maunory and Del Vial share a second kill, a Rumpler two-seater. Victory number 4 for Maunory; number 8 for Vial.

1100 German ace Paul Billik, with Jasta 52, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 23.

1205 German ace Josef Mai, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down DH.4 B7865 for victory number 17. Lt J.T. Kirkland is killed; 2nd Lt E.J. Riley is taken prisoner.

1800 Two English RAF Camel pilots share a victory over a DFW C.V:
Leonard Rochford, D9518, victory number 22.
William Sidebottom, D9593, victory number 2.

1905 German ace Rudolf Berthold, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 39.

1930 American pilot Zenos Miller, flying a Nieport 28, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 4.

1940 Zenos Miller scores his second kill of the day, another Fokker D.VII, for number 5.

2025 German ace Heinrich Drekmann, with Jasta 4, shoots down DH.9 D7234 for victory number 9. Sgts S.J. Oliver and A. Davis are both taken prisoner.

2050 German ace Rudolf Klimke, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a Nieuport 28 for victory number 10.

2050 German pilot Wilhelm Neuenhofen, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a Nieuport 28 for victory number 4.
(Three Nieuport 28s are lost today, all from the US 27th Aero Sqdn: 6293, 6-victory ace John Knox MacArthurd, listed as Missing; Zenos Ramsey Miller, unknow serial number, 3 victories, taken prisoner; 6206, Fred W. Norton, made it home safely, therefore not listed as a kill, but died from wounds on July 23.)

German ace Bruno Loerzer, flying a Fokker Dr.I, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 28.

German ace Josef Schwendemann, with Jasta 41, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 11.
(Four French SPADs are lost this day: 7-victory ace Lt André Bosson, Spa 62, SPAD XIII, listed as Missing; Adj Théodore Cancel, Spa 99, SPAD XIII, listed as Missing; Lt Geroges Mazimann, Spa 159, SPAD XIII, killed; Brig René Vignes, Spa 151, SPAD VII, listed as Missing.)

[Jimbuna]

21st July 1918

Western Front

French recapture Chateau-Thierry.

Allied progress in Ardre valley continued; Bois de Courton captured.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Portuguese East Africa: battle between British and Germans at Namirrue (near confluence of Rivers Namirrue and Ligonya).

German submarine SM U-156 shells the town of Orleans, Massachusetts, sinking 1 tugboat and 4 barges. There were no casualties, but it is the only German attack on the mainland US and the first foreign shelling since 1846.

Two United States Navy seaplanes from Naval Air Station Chatham, Chatham, Massachusetts, attack a surfaced German submarine that is firing at a tug and three barges off Cape Cod, Massachusetts. One bomb strikes the submarine, but is a dud.

Political, etc.

Appeal of Ministry of Munitions to workers not to strike during critical battle.

Ship Losses:

Anna (Denmark) The barquentine was sunk in the North Sea 35 nautical miles (65 km) off Bergen, Hordaland, Norway by SM U-113 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Arvor (France) The coaster was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 27 nautical miles (50 km) north of Ouessant, Finistère (48°55′N 4°09′W) by SM UB-103 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Kongen (Norway) The sailing vessel was damaged in the North Sea 70 nautical miles (130 km) south west of Lindesnes, Rogaland by SM UB-113 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was abandoned by her crew. The derelict was scuttled on 5 August by HMS G1 ( Royal Navy).
Lansford (United States) The schooner barge was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) off Orleans, Massachusetts by SM U-156 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Mongolian (United Kingdom) The passenger ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) south east of Filey, Yorkshire (54°10′N 0°58′W) by SM UC-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 36 lives.
703 (United States) The schooner barge was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) off Orleans, Massachusetts by SM U-156 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
740 (United States) The schooner barge was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) off Orleans, Massachusetts by SM U-156 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
766 (United States) The barge was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) off Orleans, Massachusetts by SM U-156 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

July 21, 1918


Air War:

1000 German pilot Paul Lotz, flying with Jasta 44, shoots down Bristol F.2b C974 for victory number 5. 2nd Lts B.M. Batty and J. Gondre are taken prisoner.

1425 German ace Gustav Dörr, with Jasta 45, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 13.

1745 French ace Henri Hay de Slade, with Spa 86, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 11.

1805 French ace Michel Coiffard, with Spa 154, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 17.

1905 French ace Maurice Boyau, with Spa 77, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 25. This is possibly 12-victory ace Otto Esswein, who was killed in this region.

1925 German ace Rudolf Franke, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 12.

1925 German pilot Vfw Hoppe (no first name given), in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a SPAD for his first and only victory.

1925 German ace Wilhelm Seitz, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 8.

2015 German ace Erich Löwenhardt, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 42.

2015 German pilot Wolfram von Richthofen, in a Fokker Dr.I, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 3.

2015 German ace Erich von Wedel, flying a Fokker Dr.I, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 8.
(RAF 54 Sqdn lost 3 Camels this day: B2103, Lt Rl.T. Cuffe killed; F2160, Lt F.W. Dougall killed; B2490, 2nd Lt B. Fisher killed.)

German ace Walter Blume, with Jasta 9, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 15.

German ace Harry von Bülow-Bothkamp, with Jasta 36, shoots down Sopwith Camel D1918 for victory number 6. Maj R.H. Freeman is killed.

German ace Arthur Lauman, with Jasta 66, shoots down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 13.

German ace Werner Preuss, with Jasta 66, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 8.
(The date for these last two is from Jasta War Chronology. Above the Lines, by the same authors, gives the date as the 22nd.)

[Jimbuna]

22nd July 1918

Western Front

Allies hold German counter-attacks between Ourcq and Marne, and cross Marne near Dormans at Chassons and Passy. Germans in retreat. General Gouraud re-occupies former positions between the Suippe river and Massiges.

Southern Front

Allied offensive in Albania checked.

Aviation

Indra Lal Roy, the only Indian flying ace in the war with 10 victories, is killed in action over Carvin, France.


Political, etc.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the US Assistant Secretary of the Navy, arrives in France on a trip to inspect Allied naval administrations.

Dr. von Seidler resigns Austrian Premiership.

Resignation of Lord Lee as Director-General of Food Production.

Ship Losses:

Delo Sovetov (Soviet Navy Red Movement) The gunboat was damaged by Czech Legion gunboats and was beached and abandoned on the Volga River.
HMT Ijuin (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Alexandria, Egypt (32°42′N 28°25′E) by SM UB-51 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
L 1 (Royal Navy) The barge was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea (32°37′N 28°39′E) by SM UB-51 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Robert & Richard (United States) The schooner was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 60 nautical miles (110 km) south east of Cape Porpoise, Maine by SM U-156 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

July 22, 1918


Air War:

0540 English RAF pilot John Edgcume Doyle, flying SE.5a E1288, shoots down a Pfalz D.III for victory number 1.

9615 Australian AFC pilot Albert Tonkin and observer Leslie Sutherland, in Bristol F.2b B1276, shoot down a Rumpler two-seater. Victory number 5 for Tonkin; number 2 for Sutherland.

0640 German pilot Emil Koch, with Jasta 32, shoots down SE.5a D6183 for victory number 5 Lt J.E.C. MacVickar is killed.

0745 French ace Bernard Artigau, with Spa 15, shoots down a Rumpler two-seater for victory number 11.

0825 German pilot Christian Mesch, with Jasta 26, shoots down SPAD VII 5152 for victory number 4. MdL Richard Mevious is killed.

0825 English RAF pilot Gilbert Strange, flying SE.5a D3527, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 5.

0825 Canadian RAF pilot Claude Melnot Wilson, in SE.5a C9582, shoots down a Hannover two-seater for victory number 1.

0830 German ace Georg Meyer, with Jasta 37, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 9.

0835 German pilot Friedrich Jakobs, with Jasta 43, shoots down a DH.9 for victory number 1.

0925 English RAF ace Leonard Rochford, in Sopwith Camel D9585, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 23.

0930 German ace Harald Auffarth, flying with Jasta 29, shoots down RE.8 E136 for victory number 15. Lt A. Lewis and 2nd Lt A. Summerfelt are taken prisoner.

0930 German ace Carl Degelow, with Jasta 40, shoots down Bristol F.2b F5810 for victory number 12. 2nd Lts W.E. Coulson and W.H.E. Labatt are taken prisoner.

0940 Harald Auffarth scores his second kill of the day, an SE.5a, for number 16.

0940 German pilot Karl Gregor, with Jasta 29, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 2.

0940 German pilot Berhard Brunnecker, with Jasta 29, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 1.
(One of the above two is B180. Indian 10-victory ace Indra Lal Roy is killed. He was the only ace to come out of India.

1000 Uffz Reuss (no first name given), flying with Jasta 7, ahoots down DH.9 C1213 for victory number 1.

1030 German ace Hans Pippart, with Jasta 19, shoots down a Caudrone R.11 for victory number 20. This is probably from Escadrille R240; Sgt Vicaire, Asp René Roques and Sgt Chayle are all wounded.

1035 Hans Pippart scores his second kill of the day, shooting down a SPAD XIII. S/Lt Charles Robin is listed as Missing.

1035 Leonard Rochford scores his second kill of the day, ahooting down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 21.

1035 English RAF pilot William Sidebottom, in Sopwith Camel D9583, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 3.

1120 German pilot Adolf Gutknecht, flying a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 3.

1145 German pilot Ernst Wiehle, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 2.
(One of the above two is D9624, Lt A.E. Rudge killed.)

1250 German ace Max Näther, with Jasta 62, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 11.

1252 German pilot Otto Sporbert, with Jasta 62, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 4.

1305 German ace Otto Fitzner, with Jasta 65, destroys a French aboservation balloon for victory number 7. Mdl Bonnemaison of the 82° Cie d’Aérostiers parachutes safely

1307 German pilot Rudolf Neitzer, flying with Jasta 65, destroys an American observation balloon for victory number 1. 1st Lts Leo C. Ferrenback and Paul N.A. Roony, of the 4th Balloon Co. USBS both parachute safely.

1445 German pilot Heinrich Henkel, with Jasta 37, destroys a British observation balloon for victory number 2. Lts F.W. Smith and (first name not given) Hogg both parachute safely.

1530 French ace Maurice Boyau, with Spa 77, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 28.

1530 English RAF pilot Thomas Walter Nash, in Sopwith Camel B7176, shoots down a Rumpler two-seater for victory number 1.

1530 German pilot Richard Wenzel, with Jasta 6, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 4.

1620 German ace Franz Hemer, flying with Jasta 6, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 16.

1730 German ace Paul Billik, with Jasta 52, shoots down DH.4 A7862 for victory number 26. 2nd Lt H.C. Tussaud and Sgt L.G. Vredenburg are taken prisoner.

1805 American RAF pilot Bogart Rogers, in SE.5a C1856, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 1.

1810 American RAF pilot John Owen Donaldson, in SE.5a E1361, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 1.

1820 German pilot Ludwig Beckmann, with Jasta 56, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 3.

1820 American RAF pilot James Alfred Keating and observer Edward Arthur Simpson, flying DH.9 C2202, shoot down a Fokker D.VII. Victory number 1 for both.

1822 German pilot Ludwig Beckmann, with Jasta 56, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 4. No. 210 Sqdn lost two Camels this day: D0626, 2nd Lt E.H. Bullen taken prisoner, and F5914, Capt H.T. Mellings killed.

1910 German ace Karl Bolle, in a Fokker Dr.I, shoots down Sopwith Camel D9478 for victory number 25. Lt W.S.G. Kidder is wounded and taken prisoner.

1910 German pilot Egon Koepsch, with Jasta 4, ahoots down DH.9 D490 for victory number 4. 2nd Lts S.M. Feuer and H.B. Steckley are both killed.

1930 Canadian RAF pilot Earl Frederich Crabb, in SE.5a C8896, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 1.

2030 German ace Erich Löwenhardt, flying a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 43.

Two French pilots with Spa 77 destroy two German observation balloons:
Maurice Boyau, victories 26 and 27.
François Guerrier, victories 2 and 3.

German pilot Helmut Brünig, in an Albatros D.Va, destroys a French observation balloon for victory number 5.

German ace Hans von Freden, in an Albatros D.Va, destroys a French observation balloon for victory number 7.

German pilot Herbert Knappe, with Jasta 81, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 5.

German pilot Reinhold Lüdecke, flying with Jasta 81, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 1.

German ace Karl Schlegel, with Jasta 45, shoots down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 8.

[Jimbuna]

23rd July 1918

Western Front

British take Marfaux (south-west of Reims).

French and Americans continue advance north and south of Ourcq, reaching Oulchy la Ville and occupying Bois du Chatelet.

North of Montdidier French occupy Mailly-Raineval, Sauvillers and Aubervillers.

Eastern Front

Appointment of Herr Helfferich (German ex-Minister of Interior) as Ambassador at Moscow.

Siberian Government at Vladivostok reigns; Proclamation of Siberian Government Council.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Retreat of Germans at Namirrue.

British armed mercantile cruiser "Marmora" torpedoed and sunk by German submarine, 100 lost.

Political, etc.

Munition workers' strike at Coventry.

Mr. Herbert Hoover (U.S. Food Controller) at Mansion House, London.

King visits Grand Fleet.

Rice riots begin in Toyama Province of Japan, as people protest rising rice prices (the protests spread across the country and lasted for 2 months, resulting in thousands of arrests).

Ship Losses:

Anna Sofie (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) north of Trevose Head, Cornwall by SM U-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
HMS Marmora (Royal Navy) The armed merchant cruiser was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south of Ireland (50°24′N 8°48′W) by SM UB-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of ten of her crew.
Messidor (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 73 nautical miles (135 km) south east by south of Port Mahon, Spain by SM UB-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.

[Sailor Steve]

July 23, 1918


Air War:

0715 English RAF pilot Alfred Haines, flying Sopwith Camel D9412 over the Italian Front, Shoots down an Aviatik two-seater for victory number 4.

0730 Twho English RAF Camel pilots over the Italian Front share a victory over an Albatros D.V:
Douglas Davies, C1599, victory number 6.
John Carberry Preston, D6643, victory number 1.

0830 Two RAF Camel pilots over the Italian Front share a victory over an Albatros D.V:
Arthur Jarvis, England, D8170, victory number 5. This is Jarvis' last aerial victory. He will survive the war and remain in the RAF, retiring as a Group Captain.
Thomas Williams, Canada, D6342, victory number 13.

0900 German ace Johann Pütz, with Jasta 34, shoots down Armstrong-Whitworth FK.8 D5108 for victory number 6. Lt H.W. Walker and 2nd Lt G.G. Ashton are both killed.

1115 John Preston scores his second kill of the day, a DFW C.V. It is his second overall as well.

German pilot Dietrich Averes, flying with Jasta 81, shoots down a SPAD XIII for victory number 3. Sgt Daniel Desgouttes of Spa 86 is killed.

[Jimbuna]

24th July 1918

Western Front

French and Americans advance south of Ourcq towards Fere-en-Tardenois and along Marne in Forest of Fere (between Charteves and Jaulgonne).

Southern Front

Successful French and Italian fighting in Albania.

Political, etc.

Dr. von Hussarek, Austrian Premier.

General Smuts in London re: future of South Africa.

65,000 munition workers in Birmingham go on strike to protest wage disparities. Minister for Labour George Henry Roberts warns that workers who persist in the strike will be called up to fight in the war.

Ship Losses:

Kilkis (Greece) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 6 nautical miles (11 km) off the South Gare Lightship ( United Kingdom) (54°42′N 1°01′W) by SM UC-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
HMT Lochiel (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was either torpedoed or struck a mine and sank in the North Sea (54°36′30″N 0°4′00″W) with the loss of twelve of her crew.
HMS Pincher (Royal Navy) The Beagle-class destroyer ran aground on the Seven Stones reef and was wrecked.
Rutherglen (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 50 nautical miles (93 km) east south east of Port Mahon, Spain by SM UB-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.