100 Years Ago Today

[Sailor Steve]

May 25, 1918


Air War:

1430 German ace Walter Kypke, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 8.

1945 English RAF pilot Eric Guy Brooks, in Sopwith Camel C8291, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1. This is probably Ltn Walter Angerund of Jasta 76, who was wounded this day.

1950 Canadian RAF pilot Alfred Leitch, in Sopwith Camel D1903, shoots down Albatros D.V 7221/17 for victory number 4. Ltn Karl Koller of Jasta 76 is taken prisoner.

French pilot Jean-Paul Favre de Thierrens, with Spa 62, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft for victory number 4.

[Jimbuna]

26th May 1918

Western Front

No infantry actions of importance; increased artillery activity at certain points north and south of the Avre.

Southern Front

Good progress made by Italian troops in mountain passes between Lake Garda and Swiss frontier (Monticello and Adamello region).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Transcaucasian Federal Government dissolved.

Georgia forms National Government.

Armenian National Council takes charge of Armenian affairs.

Naval and Overseas Operations

In Portuguese East Africa Germans driven south towards Upper Lurio river.

Political, etc.

The Democratic Republic of Georgia declares itself independent. The National Council Meeting in Tbilisi, Georgia declaring independence.

Ship Losses:

HMT Clara & Alice (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was lost on this date.
Dayspring (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was shelled andsunk in the North Sea off the coast of Norfolk by SM UB-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Eclipse (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was shelled and sunk in the North Sea off the coast of Norfolk by SM UB-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Fortuna (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the North Sea off the coast of Norfolk by SM UB-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Janvold (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Irish Sea 28 nautical miles (52 km) north west of Bardsey Island, Pembrokeshire by SM U-98 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four crew.
Kyarra (United Kingdom) The passenger ship was sunk in the English Channel 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) south south east of Anvil Point, Dorset by SM UB-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of six of her crew.
Le Gard (France) The passenger ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 88 nautical miles (163 km) north west of Cape Bengut, Algeria by SM UB-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of fourteen lives.
Princess Royal (United Kingdom) The passenger ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) west north west of St. Agnes, Cornwall (50°19′24″N 5°19′54″W) by SM U-101 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of nineteen crew.
Thames (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 6 nautical miles (11 km) south east by east of Seaham, County Durham by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four of her crew.
SM UB-74 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UB III submarine was depth charged and sunk in Lyme Bay (50°32′N 2°32′W) by HMY Lorna ( Royal Navy) with the loss of all 35 crew.

[Sailor Steve]

May 26, 1918


Air War:

0840 Italian pilot Amadeo Mecozzi, flying Hanriot HD.1 11435, shoots down an Austrian two-seater and an Austrian Albatros D.III for victories 2 and 3.

1600 German pilot Fritz Schwartz, with Jasta 33, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 2.

1700 English RAF pilot Clement Payton, in Sopwith Camel C62, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 3.

1835 South African RAF pilot Herbert Gordon Ross, in an SE.5a, shoots down a DFW C.V for victory number 1.

1945 Welsh RAF pilot Herbert Howell Beddow, in Bristol F.2b B1209 with Sgt J. Goodman as observer, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

English 7-victory RAF ace pilot Thomas Frederick Le Mesurier and observer 2nd Lt R. Lardner are killed when DH.9 D1693 is hit by flak. Le Mesurier manages to get to his own side of the lines, and the plane is only twenty feet (6.1 m) up when the port wing folds up and both men are killed.

[Jimbuna]

27th May 1918

Western Front

Third Battle of the Aisne begins; New German thrust for Paris. After heavy bombardment enemy deliver great attack on Aisne between Soissons and Reims; Allies' line pressed back; Germans carry Chemin des Dames Ridge; smaller attack between Locre and Voormezeele.

Long-range guns bombard Paris.

Southern Front

Italians storms Austrian positions at Capo Sile, north-east of Venice.

British air raid on Durazzo (Albania); Austrian torpedo-boat sunk.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Tatar National Council proclaims establishment of "Republic of Azerbaijan" (northern Persia).

Political, etc.

Interesting Parliamentary Paper (Cd. 9059) published on methods used by Germany in the past to influence British trade.

Ship Losses:

Carmela (Italy) The brigantine was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 80 nautical miles (150 km) south east of Formentera, Spain by SM UB-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Carskey (United Kingdom) The ketch sprang a leak and foundered. Her crew were rescued.
Forto (Norway) The cargo ship collided with another vessel and sank. Her crew were rescued.
Joseph Simone (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the English Channel north west of Fécamp, Seine-Maritime by SM UB-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Leasowe Castle (United Kingdom) The troopship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 104 nautical miles (193 km) west by north of Alexandria, Egypt (31°30′N 27°56′E) by SM UB-51 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 101 lives.
Merionethshire (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 120 nautical miles (220 km) north of the Azores, Portugal by SM U-62 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Molière (France) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 1 nautical mile (1.9 km) off Hartland Point, Devon, United Kingdom by SM U-101 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of twelve crew.
Petit Georges (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the English Channel north west of Fécamp (49°53′N 0°15′E) by SM UB-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Souvenir de Ste Marie (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the English Channel north west of Fècamp by SM UB-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Uganda (United Kingdom) The cargo liner was torpedoed and damaged in the Mediterranean Sea 90 nautical miles (170 km) north east of Algiers, Algeria (38°16′N 3°30′E) by SM UB-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She sank on 29 May 40 nautical miles (74 km) north east of Algiers. Her crew survived.
Wayside Flower (United Kingdom) The vessel was scuttled in the North Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km) north east by north of the mouth of the Humber by SM UC-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

[Sailor Steve]

May 27, 1918


Operation "Blücher", the German offensive on the Aisne begisn.


Air War:

1006 American pilot Douglas Campbell, flying a Nieuport 28, shoots down a Pfalz D.III for victory number 4. This is probably Ltn Walter Fritzsche of Jasta 65, who is killed.

1030 German pilot Otto Fitzner, with Jasta 65, shoots down Nieuport 28 N6142 for victory number 4. 1st Lt W.D. Hill, of the 94th Aero Squadron, is seriousl wounded in the leg. Fitzner claims this as a SPAD.

1055 English RAF pilot John Aldridge, in Sopwith Dolphin C3833, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 2.

1115 German pilot OfStv Tiedje (no first name given), with Jasta 65, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 1,

1125 English ace pilot Wilfred Beaver and ace observer Ernest Deighton, in Bristol F.2b C889, shoot down a Fokker Dr.I Victory number 15 for Beaver; number 7 for Deighton.

1127 Wilfred Beaver and Ernest Deighton score their second kill of the day, shooting down another Fokker Dr.I. Number 16 for Beaver; number 8 for Deighton.

1128 Wilfred Beaver and Ernest Deighton shoot down a third Fokker Dr.I. Victories number 17 and 9 respectively.

1130 French ace Lucien Gasser, with Spa 87, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 7. This is probably Ltn Max Thässler and Obltn Karl Röchling of FlAbt 276, both killed.

1320 German pilot Heinrich Krüger, with Jasta 70, shoots down a DH.4 for victory number 1.

1420 French pilot André Bosson, with Spa 62, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 3.

1425 Five RAF SE.5a pilots share a victory over a German two-seater:
Percy Clayson, England, C1114, victory number 10.
Ernest Tilton Sumpter Kelly, Canada, B130, victory number 1.
Duerson Knight, United States, C6479, victory number 1.
Harold Albert Kullberg, United States, D337, victory number 1.
Basil Henry Moody, South Africa, C1092, victory number 1.

1450 Five RAF SE.5a pilots share a victory over a German two-seater:
Percy Clayson, England, C1114, victory number 11.
Ernest Kelly, Canada, B130, victory number 2.
Duerson Knight, United States, C6479, victory number 2.
Harold Kullberg, United States, D337, victory number 2.
Basil Moody, South Africa, C1092, victory number 2.

1735 Four American pilots, in Nieuport 28s with the 95th Aero Squadron, share a victory over a German two-seater:
Edward Buford, victory number 2.
Edward Peck Curtis, victory number 1.
George F. Fisher 1.
Alexander H. McLanahan, victory number 1.
This is probably Ltns Hans Behringher and Wilhelm Wilhelm Ortegel of FlAbt 46, both killed.

1815 German ace Viktor von Pressentin gen von Rautter, in a Pfalz D.III, shoots down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 14. Sgts Louis des Salles and Jean Lingueglia are listed as Missing.

1915 Canadian RAF pilot William Gordon Claxton, in SE.5a B38, shoots down a Fokker Dr.I for victory number 1.

1920 Canadian RAF ace Charles Hickey, flying Sopwith Camel C74, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 6.

1920 Canadian RAF William Stanley Jenkins, in Sopwith Camel D3403, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

1940 Percy Clayson scores his third kill of the day, shooting down an Albatros D.V for number 12.

2030 German ace Franz Ray, with Jasta 49, shoots down RE.8 B4100 for victory number 11. Lt A.H. Maltby and 2nd Lt J.B.P. Simms land safely on their own side of the lines.

Two French Spa 15 pilots, in SPAD XIIIs, share a victory over a DFW C.V:
Bernare Artigau, victory number 8.
Armond Berthelot, victory number 4.

Thre French pilots flying with Spa 82 share a victory over a German scout:
François de Boigne, victory number 5.
MdL Faure (no first name given), victory number 1.
Adj Rimbaud (no first name given, victory number 3.

German ace Theodor Cammann, with Jasta 74, shoots down a Dorand A.2 for victory number 6.

Greman pilot Sgt Dittberner (no first name given), in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 1.

Cpl Gérard and Lt Charlet, in a Bréguet 14, shoot down an "Enemy Aircraft", a scout and a two-seater for victories 1, 2 and 3 each. The "Scout" is Hptm Rudolf Freiherr von Esebeck (1 victory), Commanding Officer of Jasta 17, who is killed.

French ace Henri Hay de Slade, with Spa 86, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 9.

German pilot Arthur Laumann, flying a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 1.

French ace Georges Madon, with Spa 38, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 26. This is possibly Vfw Willy Glander and Ltn Kurt Haese of FlAbt 244, bot kiled.

Georges Madon scores his second kill of the day, another "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 27. Possibly Uffz Wilhelm Weniger and Ltn Fritz Freit, FlAbt252, both killed.

American pilot John Mitchell, in a Nieuport 28, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 1.

German pilot Alfons Nagler, with Jasta 81, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 1.

German pilot Willy Peters, flying a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 1.

German naval pilot Ltn z.S. Schultze (no first name given), in an Albatros D.V with Marine Feld Jasta 1, shoots down a DH.4 for victory number 1.

German pilot Paul Turck, in a Fokker D.V, shoots down a SPAD and a Dorand AR. 2 for victories numbe 2 and 3.

German ace Rudolf Windisch, In Fokker D.VII (OAW) 2035/18, shoots down a SPAD two-seater for victory number 22. Windisch also comes down with a hole in his petrol tank. He is taken prisoner, giving rise to yet another controversy over the fate of a high-scoring ace. Windisch is reported as a prisoner several times, both by the Red Cross and by captured French pilots. On this basis he is awarded the Pour le Merite, the 'Blue Max'. After the war ends and it is time to be repatriated Windisch has disappeared. No trace of him is ever found. When, how, or even if he died is unknown.

[Jimbuna]

28th May 1918

Western Front

Enemy cross the Aisne on 18-mile front; battle of plateau between Aisne and Vesle, Allies fall back, Germans force passage of Vesle. Allies left and right wings make stand at Vregny plateau and heights of St. Thierry.

Line restored south of Ypres.

Big British R.A.F. raids into Germany.

Eastern Front

The Cossacks of the Don notify Ukraine Government of their opposition to the Soviets and of independence of the rest of Russia.

Colonel Semenov forced by Bolsheviks to retire to right bank of Onon (Mongolia).

Southern Front

Two Austrian counter-attacks repulsed at Capo Sile.

British aeroplanes bomb Cattaro.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Severe fighting near Alexandropol (90 miles south of Tiplis).

British advance two miles north from Jaffa.

Political, etc.

British Government opens negotiations with Germany for direct exchange of prisoners on lines of Franco-German Convention.

Further revelations of brutal treatment of British prisoners.

Ship Losses:

Cairnross (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 110 nautical miles (200 km) west north west of Flores Island, Azores by SM U-62 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Coronation (United Kingdom) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the North Sea 13 nautical miles (24 km) east south east of Flamborough Head, Yorkshire by SM UC-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Dronning Margrethe (Denmark) The coaster was sunk in the North Sea 140 kilometres (76 nmi) east of Dundee, Forfarshire, United Kingdom (56°30′N 1°54′E) by SM U-111 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Flora (France) The sailing vessel was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) off Tintagel, Cornwall, United Kingdom (50°46′N 4°41′W) by SM U-101 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

[Sailor Steve]

May 28, 1918


Air War:

0620 German pilot FlgMt Bieber (no first name given), flying with SeeFrontStaffel 2, shoots down DH.9 A8065 for victory number 3.

0635 Ten RAF SE.5a pilots share a victory over two DFW C.Vs:
Lt H.B. Bradley, C1102, nationality and victory numbers unknown.
Percy Clayson, England, C1849, victories 13 and 14.
Lt E.M. Forsyth, B773, nationality and victory numbers unknown.
Lt C.B. Henderson, C1112, nationality and victory numbers unknown.
Duerson Knight, United States, C6479, victories 3 and 4.
Harold Kullberg, United States, B8254, victories 3 and 4.
Lt K.J.P. Laing, B8504, nationality and victory numbers unknown.
Basil Moody, South Africa, C1092, victories 3 and 4.
Ernest Owen, England, B8512, victories 2 and 3.
Lt A.F. Scroggs, C6416, nationality and victory numbers unknown.

0730 American RAF pilot Frederic Ives Lord, in Sopwith Dolphin C4182, destroys a German observation balloon for victory number 1.

0830 French ace Eugene Camplan, with Spa 65, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 6. This is possibly Flg Ackermann and Flg Jeschke of Schasta 5, both taken prisoner.

0845 German pilot Flg Kuhlmey (no first name given), with Jasta 28, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 1.

0815 American ace Frank Baylies, flying with French Escadrille Spa 3, shoots down a German "Scout" for victory number 10.

0850 German ace Paul Billik, in an Albatros D.Va, shoots down SE.5a C6455 for victory number 18. Lt W.P. Southall is killed.

0900 German pilot Otto sowa, with Jasta 52, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 3.

0931 American pilot Edward Rickenbacker, in a Nieuport 28, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 5.

0945 German ace Kurt Schönfelder, with Jasta 7, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 6.

1110 English RAF pilot Chester William McKinley Thompson and observer Hubert Cecil Hunt, flying Bristol F.2b C4894, shoot down a German two-seater. Victory number 1 for both.

1115 German pilot Oliver Freiherr von Beaulieu-Marconnay, in a Siemens-Schuckert D.III, shoots down a Dorand AR.2 for victory number 1.

1115 German ace Rudolf Berthhold, with JG 2, shoots down a Nieuport 27 for victory number 29.

1115 South African RAF pilot Arthur Eden Reed, in SE.5a D3563, shoots down a Pfalz D.III for victory number 1.

1120 German pilot Kurt Baier, with Jasta 18, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 1.

1120 Canadian RAF pilot Camille Lagesse, flying SE.5a D5969, shoots down a Pfalz D.III for victory number 1.

1120 German pilot Ernst Pabst, with Jasta 51, shoots down a DH.4 for victory number 4.

1145 Canadian RAF pilot William Claxton, in SE.5a B38, shoots down a Pfalz D.III for victory number 3/

1230 German ace Fritz Loerzer, with Jasta 29, shoot sdown a SPAd for victory number 11.

1245 German pilot Emil Koch, in a Fokker Dr.I, shoots down SE.5a B8394 for victory number 3. Lt R.S. Milani is wounded and taken prisoner.

1245 German pilot Uffz Marchner (no first name given), flying a Fokker Dr.I, shoots ddown an SE.5a for victory number 1.

1330 Three pilots flying SPAD VIIs for the French Air Service, share a victory over an LVG two-seater:
Thomas Gantz Cassady, United States, victory number 1.
Cpl Dequeker, France, Victory number unknown.
William Thomas Ponder, United States, victory number 1.

1355 Four French pilots with Spa 62, share a victory over a German two-seater:
Adj Blanc (first name not given), victory number 3.
André Bosson, victory number 4.
Adj Dupont (first name not given), victory number 1.
Adj Veau (first name not given), victory number 2.

1415 William Claxton, having switched aeroplanes to SE.5a D3927, shoots down a Pfalz D.III for victory number 3.

1500 German pilot Gustav Dörr, with Jasta 45, shoots down a Dorand AR.2 for 3/

1615 Two American Nieuport 28 pilots share a victory over a German two-seater:
John Hambleton, victory number 1. Hambleton is wounded during this fight.
William H. Taylor, victory number 1.

1730 German ace Friedrich Friedrichs, In Fokker D.VII, shoots down an observation balloon for victory number 6.

1830 American RAF pilot Alvin Andrew Callender, in SE.5a C1884, shoots down a Pfalz D.III for victory number 1.

2020 German pilot Friedrich Ehmann, with Jasta 47, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 7.

French pilot Jean Hnry Maurice Arpheuil, with Spa 151, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 1.

English 17-victory ace Reginald Makepeace is killed in a flying accident.

French pilot Charles Quette, with Spa 62, shoots down a German two-seatter for victory number 8.

French pilot Jean Charles Romatet, with Spa 76, shoots down an LVG two-seater. for victory number 1.

[Jimbuna]

29th May 1918

Western Front

Further Allied retreat. On left enemy sweep over Vregny Plateau, take Soissons; in centre gain heights south of the Vesle, make progress towards the Marne. On right, Allied troops covering Reims fall back behind Aisne Canal.

Enemy repulsed near Kemmel.

Bombs on Metz and Thionville.

Southern Front

Artillery actions on the Doiran-Vardar front and in Serbian sector.

Bad weather hampers activity.

Political, etc.

Report of Food Production Department issued, showing that four million acres have been added for tillage; and that four-fifths of country's food for the year will be home-grown.

Ship Losses:

Begum (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 270 nautical miles (500 km) west by south of the Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly (47°30′N 12°28′W) by SM U-90 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of fifteen of her crew.
Carlton (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 270 nautical miles (500 km) west by south of the Bishop Rock by SM U-90 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMT Dirk (Royal Navy) The coaster, operating as a naval trawler, was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off Flamborough Head, Yorkshire (54°08′N 0°11′E) by SM UC-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of twenty of her crew.
Missir (United Kingdom) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 80 nautical miles (150 km) west by north of Alexandria, Egypt by SM UB-51 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 34 crew.
Souvenir (Denmark) The barque was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (51°47′N 7°46′W) by SM U-101 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

May 29, 1918


Air War:

0815 American ace Frank Baylies, flying with French Escadrille Spa 3, shoots down a German "Scout" for victory number 11.

0815 French ace Jean Bozon-Verudaz, with Spa 3, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 8.

0815 Two Australian AFC Bristol F.2b crews share a victory over a Rumpler two-seater:
B1280, observer William Weir, victory number 3. Weir's listing has Carrick Paul as pilot, but Paul's records do not mention this fight.
C4623, George Peters, victory number 3, and James Traill, victory number 2.

0850 Canadian RAF pilot Alfred Leitch, in Sopwith Cammel D1903, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 5.

1600 German ace Friedrich Röth, with Jasta 16, shoots down the first of five observation balloons in a row; 2 Belgian, 2 British and 1 undescribed. Victory number 11.
1604 Friedrich Röth, victory number 12
1609 Friedrich Röth, number 13.
1612 Friedrich Röth, number 14.
1619 Friedrich Röth, number 15.

1630 English RAF ace Percy Clayson, flying SE.5a C1114, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 15.

1645 Percy Clayson scores his second kill of the day, a Halberstadt two-seater, for number 16.

1820 German ace Rudolf Berthold, flying with JG 2, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 30.

1825 Englsih ace pilot Wilfred Beaver and ace observer Ernest Deighton, in Bristol F.2b C889, shoot down a Fokker Dr.I. Victory number 18 for Beaver; number 10 for Deighton.

1830 German ace Josef Veltjens, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 14.

1840 Rudold Berthold scores his second kill of the day, shooting down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 31.

1840 English RAF pilot Thomas Cathcart Traill and Welsh observer Percy Jones, in Bristol F.2b C856, shoot down a Fokker Dr.I. Victory number 1 for Trail; number 3 for Jones. Thomas Traill only a distant relative of Australian observer James Traill.

1940 Irish RAF pilot Joseph Callaghan, in Sopwith Dolphin D3671, shoots down a Rumpler two-seater for victory number 2.

1940 Canadian RAF pilot Camille Lagesse, in SE.5a D5969, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 3.

2030 New Zealander pilot Malcolm McGregor, in an SE.5a, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 2.

2050 German pilot Wilhelm Kühne, flying with Jasta 18, destroys a British observation balloon for victory number 2.

2100 German pilot Raven von Barnekow, with Jasta 20, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 2.

German ace Karl Bolle, in a Fokker Dr.I with Jasta Boelke, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 12.

French ace Maurice Boyau, in a SPAD XIII, destroys a German observation balloon for victory number 14.

Maurice Boyau teams up with French ace Jean Sardier to defeat an Albatros D.V.
Boyau, victory number 15.
Sardier, victory number 9.

French pilot Gustave Daladier, flying with Spa 93, destroys a German observation balloon for victory number 5.

French pilot Pierre Desire Augustin Ducornet, with Spa 93, shoots down a Pfalz D.III for victory number 1.

German pilot Oskar Hennrich, with Jasta 46, destroys an Allied observation balloon for victory number 3.

German pilot Günther Keitsch, with Jasta 74, shoots down a French Sopwith 1½ Strutter for victory number 3.

German ace Gotthard Saschenberg, with Marine Feld Jasta 2, shoots down a DH.4 for victory number 12.

German pilot Gerhard Schulte, flying with Jasta 50, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 3.

[Jimbuna]

30th May 1918

Western Front

French hold enemy up south of Soissons, preventing further advance. In centre Germans capture Fere-en-Tardenois and Vezilly, increase their pressure towards Ville-en-Tardenois, reach the Marne near Jaulgonne, and gain some forts north-west of Reims.

Enemy claim capture of 35,000 prisoners and much war material.

British bomb various towns on German front.

Southern Front

Franco-Greek success at Srka di Legen, 1,500 prisoners taken (11 miles west of River Vardar).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British bomb Turks at Fatha (Tigris, above Tekrit) and at junction of Lesser Zab river.

Ship Losses:

Asiatic Prince (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 190 nautical miles (350 km) east by south of Malta by SM U-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Ausonia (United Kingdom) The passenger ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 620 nautical miles (1,150 km) west south west of the Fastnet Rock (47°59′N 23°42′W) by SM U-62 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 44 crew.
Aymeric (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 145 nautical miles (269 km) south west by west of Cape Matapan, Greece (34°53′N 20°15′E) by SM U-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Cyprus (Isle of Man) The fishing smack was scuttled in the Irish Sea 26 nautical miles (48 km) west north west of the Calf of Man by SM UB-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Glad Tidings (Isle of Man) The fishing smack was scuttled in the Irish Sea 26 nautical miles (48 km) west north west of the Calf of Man by SM UB-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Honey Bee (United Kingdom) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the Irish Sea 26 nautical miles (48 km) west north west of the Calf of Man by SM UB-64 (Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Jane Gordon (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the Irish Sea 26 nautical miles (48 km) west north west of the Calf of Man by SM UB-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Lloyd (Isle of Man) The fishing smack was scuttled in the Irish Sea 26 nautical miles (48 km) west north west of the Calf of Man by SM UB-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Marianne McCrum (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the Irish Sea 26 nautical miles (48 km) west north west of the Calf of Man by SM UB-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Never Can Tell (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the Irish Sea 26 nautical miles (48 km) west north west of the Calf of Man by SM UB-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Pietro Maroncelli (Italy) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea west of Sardinia (40°48′N 8°00′E) by SM UB-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Seabird (United Kingdom) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the Irish Sea 26 nautical miles (48 km) west north west of the Calf of Man by SM UB-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Sparkling Wave (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the Irish Sea 26 nautical miles (48 km) west north west of the Calf of Man by SM UB-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
St. Mary (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the Irish Sea 26 nautical miles (48 km) west north west of the Calf of Man by SM UB-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Waneta (United Kingdom) The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 42 nautical miles (78 km) south south east of the Old Head of Kinsale, County Cork by SM U-101 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eight crew.

[Sailor Steve]

May 30, 1918


Air War:

0700 English RAF ace Spencer Horn, flying SE.5a D6027, shoots down a Pfalz D.III for victory number 7.

0738 American ace Edward Rickenbacker, in a Nieuort 28, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 6.

0755 American pilot James Meissner, in a Nieuport 28 and German pilot OfStv Tiedje (no first name given), in an Albatros D.V, collide while in combat with each other. Both crash safely and both are awarded a victory, number 2 for each.

0800 Five American pilots, in Nieuport 28s, share a victory over a German two-seater:
Harold Robert Buckley, victory number 1.
Wilfred V. Casgrain, victory number 1.
John Hambleton, victory number 2.
Stuart E. McKeown, victory number 1.
John Mitchell, victory number 2.

0805 Stuart McKeown scores his second victory of the day, shooting down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number

1030 German ace Johann Janzen, flying with Jasta 6, shoots down SPAD VII 3635 for victory number 0. MdL Maurice Fuchs is listed as Missing.

1045 American RAF pilot James William Pearson, in Sopwith Dolphin C2834, shoots down an Albatros two-seater for victory number 1,

1115 English RAF pilot Dennis Henry Stacey ?Gilbertson, in Sopwith Camel C1648, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

1120 German ace Fritz Pütter, with Jasta 68, shoots down Bristol F.2b C871 for victory number 24. 2nd Lts W.B. Yuille and W.D. Davidson are both killed.

1130 English RAF pilot Edwin Swale, in Sopwith Camel D3392, shoots down a Pfalz D.III for victory number 1.

1200 German pilot Hans Kiessling, flying with Jasta 34, shoots down an Armstrong-Whitworth FK.8 for victory number 1,

1230 German pilot Emil Koch, with Jasta 32, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 4.

1300 Two French pilots with Spa 37 share the destruction of an observation Balloon:
Bernard Barny de Romanet, victory number 3.
Jacques Lostalot, victory number 1.

1300 English RAF ace pilot David Stewart and observer William Miller, in DH.4 A8038, shoot down a Pfalz D.III. Victory number 13 for Stewart; number 1 for Miller.

1305 Fritz Pütter scores his second kill of the day, shooting down a SPAD for victory number 25. MdL Jacques Lostalot of Spa 37 is listed as Missing.

1305 David Stewart and William Miller score their second victory of the day, another Pfalz D.III. Number 14 for Stewart; number 2 for Miller.

1410 French pilot Jean Dubois de Gennes, with Spa 57, destroys a German observation balloon for victory number 5.

1515 Irish RAF ace William Cairnes, in SE.5a C6443, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 6.

1515 Australian AFC pilot George Cox, in SE.5a D3451, shoots down a Pfalz D.III for victory number 1.

1545 German ace Franz Ray, with Jasta 49, shoots down a Sopwith Dolphin for victory number 12.

1745 English ace RAF pilot David Weston and observer Walter Noble, flying Bristol F.2b C979, shoot down a Pfalz D.III. Victory number 8 for Weston; number 5 for Noble.

1810 English RAF pilot Ronald Sykes, in Sopwith Camel B6378, shoots down a Fokker Dr.I for victory number 2.

1930 South African RAF pilot Philip Tudhope, in Sopwith Camel C1671, shoots down a Pfalz D.III for victory number 2.

2030 Irish RAF ace pilot Albert Waller and Australian observer Basil Blackette, in DH.4 A8018, shoot down a Fokker D.VII. Victory number 10 for Waller; number 4 for Blackett.

2035 German pilot Hans-Eberhardt Gandert, with Jasta 51, shoots down SE.5a C1862 for victory number 3. Capt E.L. Benbow is killed.

2050 German pilot Ltn Seewald (no first name given), flying with Jasta 54, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 3.

2050 Albert Waller and Basil Blackett score their second kill of the day, a Fokker D.VII. Number 11 for Waller; number 5 for Blackett. This is also the last aerial victory for both men. Albert Gregory Waller will survive the war and serve in the RAF Volunteer Reserve in World War 2 and live until 1967. Basil John Blackett will also survive the war but will die in 1927 at age 40.

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

German ace Walter Böning, with Jasta 76, is credited with shooting down two Sopwith Camels for victories 16 and 17. 2nd Lt P.T. Bruce (D1793) and Lt C.P. Macklin (D6483) are both killed.

French pilot André Bosson, with Spa 62, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 5.

[Jimbuna]

31st May 1918

Western Front

Germans reach Marne river from Chateau Thierry to Dormans and advance on Compiegne. French retire from River Ailette, drive Germans east of Sempigny, and recover Thillois (west of Reims).

British bomb Karlsruhe.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British bomb Turkish camps near Amman (Hejaz railway).

Naval and Overseas Operations

British destroyer HMS Fairy sunk in collision.

"President Lincoln", U.S.A. transport, torpedoed.

Fighting near Imagu Hills (160 miles north-east of Blantyre).

Political, etc.

Great fire at Constantinople for 27 hours.

Dutch Government refuses to tolerate British examination of convoyed ships.

Ship Losses:

Alert (United Kingdom) The sailing vessel was scuttled in the North Sea 6 nautical miles (11 km) north east of Boulmer, Northumberland by SM UB-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Attila (United Kingdom) The brig caught fire at Itaporã, Brazil. She was beached but was a total loss.
HMS Fairy (Royal Navy) The Gipsy-class destroyer foundered in the North Sea off Flamborough Head, Yorkshire after ramming and sinking SM UC-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
USS President Lincoln (United States Navy) The troopship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 600 nautical miles (1,100 km) off Brest, Finistère, France by SM U-90 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 26 of the 715 people on board. Survivors were rescued by USS Smith and USS Warrington (both United States Navy).
Pretty Polly (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of County Galway, Ireland by SM U-101 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of seven crew.
SM UC-75 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UC II submarine was rammed and sunk in the North Sea off Flamborough Head by Blaydonian ( United Kingdom) and HMS Fairy ( Royal Navy).

MERCHANT SHIPPING

British, Allied and Neutral ships lost to enemy submarines, mines and cruisers etc in the month - 147 ships of 306,000 tons gross. (Lloyd's War Losses)

[Sailor Steve]

May 31, 1918


Air War:

0500 French ace Pierre Marinovitch, flying with Spa 94, shoots down a Fokker Dr.I for victory number 8.

0730 English RAF pilot Leslie Capel, in Bristol F.2b C4604 with Pbr F.J. Ralphs as observer, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 4.

0750 Two RAF Sopwith Dolphin pilots share a victory over a Pfalz D.III:
James Hardman, England, C3818, victory number 3.
Lewis Hector Ray, Canada, C4129, victory number 1.

0805 American pilot Douglas Campbell, in a Nieuport 28, shoots down a Rumpler two-seater for victory number 5.

1030 English RAF pilot Leslie King and Scottish observer James McDonald, in Bristol F.2b C4835, shoot down an Albatros D.V. Victory number 2 for King; number 1 for McDonald.

1100 English RAF pilot Charles John Warton, flying Sopwith Dolphin C4158, shoots down an LVG two-seater for victory number 1.

1110 Four RAF Camel pilots share a victory over a Fokker Dr.I:
Pruett Dennett, England, D1854, victory number 9.
Reginald Johns, England, s/n unknown, victory number 6.
John Jordan, South Africa, B1889, victory number 25.
John McDonald, England, s/n unknown, victory number 2.

1200 English RAF observer Eric Walker, in DH.4 A7990 with 2nd Lt J. Waugh ast pilot, is credited with two Fokker DR.Is for victories 1 and 2.

1705 German ace Otto Esswein, in a Fokker Dr.I, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 11.

1706 German pilot Christian Mesch, in a Fokker Dr.I, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 2. Mesch's first victory is listed as "1918", with no details at all.

[Jimbuna]

1st June 1918

Western Front

Germans advance down River Ourcq, taking Chouy and Neuilly St. Front.

French lose and retake Fort de la Pompelle (dominating Reims-Chalons Railway, south-east of Reims); French retreat between Oise and Aisne to line Carlepont Wood (south of Noyon) - Fontenoy (north of Soissons).

German bombardment of, and raid on, Paris.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Withdrawal of British in Kirkuk area (east of Tigris, between Mosul and Baghdad).

Naval and Overseas Operations

Germans retreat in East Africa, crossing River Lurio (to east of southern end of Lake Nyassa).

Fighting near Imagu Hills (160 miles north-east of Blantyre, Nyassaland).

Aviation

During the evening, the first of only two giant German Zeppelin-Staaken R.VI bombers lost to enemy action in World War I is shot down by anti-aircraft guns over the French lines. It becomes the first R.VI to be examined by the Allies.


Political, etc.

At Pittsburgh, expatriate Czech and Slovak leaders sign an agreement to form a united, independent country after the end of the war.

Ship Losses:

Angelina (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea west of Cape Granitola (approximately 37°N 12°E) by SM UB-68 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Egret (United Kingdom) The trawler was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) east by north of the Humber Lightship by a Kaiserliche Marine submarine with the loss of eleven of her crew.

[Sailor Steve]

June 1, 1918


Air War:

0650 German pilot Georg Weiner, flying with Kest 3, shoots down DH.4 A7482 for victory number 4. 2nd Lts L.deG. Godet and A. Haley are both killed.

0735 German ace Josef Jacobs, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down Bristol F.2b C4749 for victory number 18. Lt Thomas Traill and 2nd Lt Percy Jones crash safely on their own side.

0815 German ace Oskar von Boenigk, in a Pfalz D.III, shoots down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 7.

1100 German pilot Ludwig Laveuve, with Jasta 77, shoots down a DH.4 for victory number 1.

1235 German ace Johannes Werner, with Jasta 14, shoots down SE.5a D3530 for victory number 6. Australian 32-victory ace Roderic Stanley Dallas is killed.