100 Years Ago Today

[Sailor Steve]

November 17, 1917


Air War:

No aerial activity today.

[Jimbuna]

18th November 1917


Western Front

Artillery very active on both sides; German raids north-west of St. Quentin.

Southern Front

Italians driven from fortified positions on Mt. Tomba, but offer strong resistance.

Austrians attack in southern Albania and attempt to cross River Voyusa, 12 miles north of Valona.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Death from cholera of Sir Stanley Maude in Mesopotamia.

Naval and Overseas Operations

In East Africa force of 262 Germans and 700 Askaris surrdeners to British, 18 miles south-east of Chivata.

British patrol boat sunk in Mediterranean by enemy submarine, 9 killed.

Political, etc.

Petrograd completely held by Bolsheviks. Rumours current that Russia will shortly withdraw from war.

Ship Losses:

Antwerpen (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) south south west of the Runnel Stone (50°06′N 5°31′W) by SM UC-77 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMS Candytuft (Royal Navy) The Anchusa-class sloop was torpedoed off Bougie, Algeria by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She drifted ashore and sank with the loss of nine crew.
Gisella (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) south west by south of Skokholm, Pembrokeshire by SM UC-77 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
HMS K1 (Royal Navy) The K-class submarine collided with HMS K4 ( Royal Navy) off the coast of Denmark. All 56 crew were rescued by HMS Blonde, which scuttled the ship.
HMS Marsa (Royal Navy) The auxiliary minesweeper collided with another vessel and sank off Harwich, Essex.
SM UC-47 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UC II submarine was depth charged, rammed and sunk in the North Sea off Flamborough Head, Yorkshire, United Kingdom by the patrol craft PC-57 ( Royal Navy) with the loss of all 26 crew.
SM UC-57 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UC II submarine departed Hamnskär, Finland. No further trace, believed struck a mine and sank in the Baltic Sea with the loss of all 26 crew.

[Sailor Steve]

November 18, 1917

Air War:

1910 German ace Julius Buckler, flying an Albatros D.V, destroys a British observation balloon for victory number 27. Lt Dalrymple parachutes safely.

1920 German ace Paul Bäumer, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 13.

0925 Julius Buckler scores his second kill of the day, destroying a second balloon for victory number 28.

0925 German pilot Vfw Wawzin (no first name given), in either an Albatros D.V or a Pfalz D.III, shoots down SPAD VII B6817 for victory number 1. 2nd Lt A. Reid-Walker lands safely on his own side of the lines.

1045 Three RFC SPAD VII pilots share a victory over an Albatros two-seater:
Albert Carter, Canada, A8834, victory number 7.
Eric Olivier, England, A6714, number 4.
Lt A. Reid-Walker, B6817, nationality and victory number unknown. The times between Reid-Walker's shared kill and his own downing don't match, but that is not uncommon in records of the period.

1100 German pilot Wilhelm Papenmeyer, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down SPAD VII B3575 for victory number 1. 2nd Lt G.A. Cranswick is killed.

1105 Canadian RFC ace Bernard Beanlands, in DH.5 A9304, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 7.

1310 German ace Rudolf Wendelmuth, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down Bristol F.2b A7282 for victory number 14. 2nd lt W.S. McLaren later dies from wounds recieved in this fight. 2nd Lt D.W. Hardie is killed.

1415 Julius Buckler obtains his third victory of the day, downing RE.8 A3669 for victory number 28. 2nd Lts W.J.H. Courtis and E.T. Taylor land safely on their own side of the lines.

1445 English ace pilot Brian Baker and observer Bruce Jackman, in Bristol F.2b A7170, shoot down an Albatros D.III. Victory number 11 for Baker, number 5 for Jackman.

1530 Brian Baker and Bruce Jackman score their second victory of the day, shooting down another Albatros D.III. Number 12 for Baker, number 6 for Jackman. This is the last aerial victory for both. Brian Edmund Baker will survive the war, remain in the Royal Air Force and rise to the rank of Air Commodore in World War Two. He will finally become an Air Marshal, retire in 1950 and live until 1979. Bruce Stanley C. Jackman will become a pilot just after the end of the war and live until 1971.

1545 German pilot Marat Schummm, in a two-seater with observer UffZ Schuechl, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 1.

Italian pilot Antonio Amantea, in a Nieuport 11, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 3.

German ace Gotthard Sachsenberg, in an Albatros D.III with Marine Feld Jasta I, shoots down an unidentified Sopwith for victory number 7.

Austrian pilot Georg Kenzian, in Oeffag Albatros D.III 153.27, shoots down an Italian Nieuport for victory number 4.

Italian pilot Silvio Scaroni, flying a Nieuport 17, shoots down an enemy Scout for victory number 2.

German ace Rudolf Windisch, in Albatros D.V 1055/17, shoots down SPAD VII S.4268 for victory number 6. Portuguese Cpt O. de Montiero-Torres, flying for France, is listed as Missing.

[Jimbuna]

19th November 1917

Western Front

Hostile raids repulsed by British.

French success at Chaume Wood.

Southern Front

Italians make determined stand in the mountains and defeat Austrians' attacks.

Lower Piave enemy make no progress.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British advance further in the hills of Judea; arrive within six miles of Jerusalem.

Political, etc.

Mr. Lloyd George on Allied War Council in House of Commons.

Georgian National Council meets.

Bolsheviks issue offer to the nations for immediate armistice on all fronts for the purpose of discussing a democratic peace.

Ship Losses:

Amiral Zedu (France) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 22 nautical miles (41 km) south east of Carnsore Point, County Wexford, United Kingdom (52°01′N 6°06′W) by SM UC-77 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member. Survivors were rescued by Clangula ( United Kingdom and landed at Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, United Kingdom.
Aparima (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 6 nautical miles (11 km) south west by west of Anvil Point, Dorset (50°29′N 1°55′W) by SM UB-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 57 lives.
Clangula (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) south west by west of Hartland Point, Devon by SM UC-77 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of fifteen of her crew.
Farn (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) east by north of Start Point, Devon by SM UB-31 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Jutland (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 18 nautical miles (33 km) north east by north of Ouessant, Finistère, France (48°46′N 4°55′W) by SM UC-79 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 26 of her crew.
Minnie Coles (United Kingdom) The schooner was scuttled in the English Channel 30 nautical miles (56 km) north west by north of the Les Hanois Lighthouse, Guernsey, Channel Islands by SM UB-58 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMT Morococala (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 31 (Kurt Siewert) and sank in the Irish Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) south east by south of the Daunt Rock Lightship ( United Kingdom) with the loss of twelve of her crew.
HMT Newbridge (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was lost on this date.
Robert Brown (United Kingdom) The schooner was scuttled in the Bristol Channel 15 nautical miles (28 km) west north west of Lundy Island, Devon by SM UC-77 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Saint André (France) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of the Eddystone Lighthouse by SM UB-58 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

[Sailor Steve]

November 19, 1917

Air War:

1210 Canadian RFC pilot Alfred McKay, flying SPAD VII B3560, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 5.

1230 Alfred McKay scores his second kill of the day, bringing down another two-seater for number 6.

1520 Two RFC SE.5a pilots share victories over a pair of DFW C.Vs:
William Duncan, Canada, B608, victories number 2 and 3.
William Jenkins, England, B623, number 9 and 10.

1600 German ace Paul Bäumer, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 14.

English RNAS pilot Harold Mellings, in Sopwith Triplane N5431, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 3.

Italian pilot Silvio Scaroni, flying a Nieuport 17, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 3.

[Jimbuna]

20th November 1917

Western Front

Surprise British Advance at Cambrai. Third Army under Lt.-Gen. Byng attacks on ten mile front, between St. Quentin and River Scarpe. "Hindenburg Line" broken, numerous villages captured, over 8,000 prisoners taken.

Southern Front

Failure of enemy attacks along whole front.

the coast the Italian navy and British monitors co-operate with land forces.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Turks stubbornly defend road to Jerusalem.

Political, etc.

German Reichstag considers a bill for a 15 billion mark ($3.75 billion) loan to fund the war effort.

Conference between U.S. Mission, War Cabinet and Heads of Departments re: America's co-operation in War.

Ship Losses:

Commendatore Carlo Bruno (Italy) The coaster was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Cape Spartivento, Sardinia (38°21′N 8°41′E) by SM U-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Megrez (Netherlands) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 10 nautical miles (19 km) west of the Noord Hinder Lightship ( Netherlands) by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Nederland (Netherlands) The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 9 nautical miles (17 km) off the Noord Hinder Lightship ( Netherlands) by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Robert Morris (United Kingdom) The schooner was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 155 nautical miles (287 km) west south west of the Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly by SM U-90 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

November 20, 1917

Air War:

0800 Three RFC DH.5 pilots share a victory over an Albatros two-seater:
Arthur Claydon, England, A9300, vicrtory number 1.
Lt A.L. Cuffe, B4924, victory number unknown.
Walter Tyrell, Ireland, B4916, number 4.

0840 German pilot Josef Mai, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down Sopwith Camel B5159 for victory number 3.

1050 German ace Erwin Böhme, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Belgian Nieuport 27 for victorynumber 23. 1st Sgt Leon André Robert Ciselet is killed.

German pilot Rudolf Bertelsmeier, in an Albatros D.III on the Italian front, shoots down an SAML S.2 for victory number 3.

German pilot Ltn Kirscht (no first name given), in an Albatros D.III on the Macedonian front, shoots down a Nieuport for his only victory. No other information exists about this pilot.

German pilot Otto Splitgerber, flying an Albatros D.III on the Macedonian front, shoots down a Dorand AR.2 for victory number 5.

Scottish ace pilot David Sidney Hall and Irish ace observer Edward Patrick Hartigan set out out on a weather reconnaissance mission in their DH.4, and do not return. Three days later their bodies are found in their wrecked aircraft. The cause of the crash is unknown, but given the state of the weather on this day it seems likely they were caught in a storm.

English ace Thomas Frederick Stephenson is killed when his Bristol F.2b is hit by ground fire. Observer Lt William Morse survives the crash and is captured.

[Jimbuna]

21st November 1917

Western Front

British success continued; villages taken; British troops at Fontaine Notre Dame within 2.5 miles of Cambrai; more guns and prisoners captured.

French carry a salient on Craonne Plateau, south of Juvincourt.

Eastern Front

Bolsheviks dismiss General Dukhonin (Commander-in-Chief) for refusing to negotiate an armistice with enemy; Ensign Krilenko Commander-in-Chief.

Southern Front

Strong enemy attacks in mountains between the Brenta and Piave are everywhere repulsed by Italians, except at Mt. Fontana Secca.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

General Allenby's troops storm the Nebi Samwil ridge, five miles north of Jerusalem; fruitless counter-attacks by Turks.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Considerable captures of Germans in East Africa by British columns, at Simba and Nevala.

Political, etc.

House of Commons votes 209 to 171 to disenfranchise conscientious objectors to war.

Ukrainian Republic proclaimed and declared member of Russian Federal Republic.

Ship Losses:

Aros Castle (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 300 nautical miles (560 km) west by south of the Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly by SM U-90 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
Bilbster (United Kingdom) The collier was lost in the Atlantic Ocean on this date.
Maine (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) off Dartmouth, Devon by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Maine (France) The ship was sunk in the English Channel 30 nautical miles (56 km) off Newhaven, East Sussex, United Kingdom by SM UB-56 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Mossoul (France) The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Mediterranean Sea (37°04′N 11°30′E) by SM U-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine) and was abandoned. She came ashore on Pantelleria but was a constructive total loss.
Schuylkill (United States) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 15 nautical miles (28 km) east of Cape Ténès, Algeria(36°42′N 1°40′E) by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Sobral (Norway) The cargo ship was captured in the Atlantic Ocean south east of the Azores, Portugal by SM U-151 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was scuttled the next day (36°10′N 20°40′W).

[Sailor Steve]

November 21, 1917

Air War:

Italian pilot Cosimo Rennella, flying a Nieuport 17, shoots down an "Enemy Scout" for victory number 2.

[Jimbuna]

22nd November 1917

Western Front

All gains on British front consolidated, except at Fontaine Notre Dame, which Germans retake.

Unsuccessful German counter-attack south of Juvincourt.

Eastern Front

Lenin authorises troops at front to negotiate peace with the enemy.

Southern Front

Fighting in mountains continues.

Lower Piave enemy make no progress.

Austrian attacks in Albania on Italian line between rivers Osum and Voyusa.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British troops capture Turkish post of Jabir, 15 miles from Aden.

Political, etc.

U.S.A. Mission under Colonel House leaves London for Paris.

Germany announces extension of the "barred zone" for shipping; Dutch indignation.

Ship Losses:

Clan Cameron (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel 23 nautical miles (43 km) south west by south of Portland Bill, Dorset by SM UB-58 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Conovium (United Kingdom) The sailing vessel was shelled and sunk in the Irish Sea 14 nautical miles (26 km) south east of the South Arklow Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM U-97 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Elsena (United Kingdom) The coaster was shelled and sunk in the Irish Sea 16 nautical miles (30 km) south east of the South Arklow Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM U-97 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Francesco Patrino (Russia) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Black Sea off Nowa Affonski by SM UB-42 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
King Idwal (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by U 75 (Fritz Schmolling) and sank in the North Sea 35 nautical miles (65 km) east of Girdle Ness, Aberdeenshire with the loss of a crew member.
Kohistan (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 25 nautical miles (46 km) west of Marettimo, Italy (37°48′N 11°38′E) by SM UC-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Krosfond (Norway) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 0.5 nautical miles (930 m) east south east of The Manacles (50°03′N 5°01′W) by SM UB-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of fifteen of her crew.
Siracusy (Imperial Russian Navy) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Black Sea off Nowa Affonski (43°05′N 40°49′E) by SM UB-42 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Start (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the English Channel 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) south of St. Alban's Head, Dorset (50°31′N 2°04′W) by SM UB-58 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of twelve of her crew.
Thor (Norway) The cargo ship foundered in the Pacific Ocean (approximately 34°N 161°W). Sixteen of her crew survived.
Tijuca (France) The four-masted barque was torpedoed, shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 200 nautical miles (370 km) south east of Santa Maria Island, Azores, Portugal (36°00′N 20°40′W) by SM U-151 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

[Sailor Steve]

November 22, 1917

Air War:

0840 German ace Otto Könnecke, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 9. This may have been B1747, 2nd Lt T.L. Atkinson POW.

0840 German pilot Josef Mai, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 4.

0910 German pilot Fritz Rumey, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down Sopwith Camel B6267 for victory number 3. Cpt G.B. Crole is wounded and taken prisoner.

1115 German ace Harald Auffarth, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 7.

1130 German ace Rudolf Matthaei, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down Sopwith Camel B2366 for victory number 9. 2nd Lt E.P. Marchand is taken prisoner.

1140 Australian AFC pilot Richard Watson Howard, flying DH.5 A9294, shoots down a DFW C.V for victory numer 1.

1145 English RFC pilot James Child, in SE.5a B562, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 6.

1150 James Child scores his second victory of the day, shooting down a DFW C.V for number 7. Richard Howard's listing says that he shared this victory. Child's listings say he was alone.

1530 German pilot Rudolf Bertelsmeier, in an Albatros D.III on the Italian Front, shoots down an Hanriot HD.1 for victory number 4.

French pilot Albert René Chabrier, in a Nieuport, shoots down an "Enemy Scout" for victory number 1.

Australian AFC pilot Roy Cecil Phillipps, flying DH.5 A9288, shoots down a DFW C.V for victory number 1.

German pilot Franz Piechulek, probably in a Pfalz D.III, shoots down a Nieuport for victory number 1.

German pilot Hans von Puttkammer, probably in a Pfalz D.III, shoots down a Paul Schmitt for victory number 1.

Vfw Rausch (no first name given), in either an Albatros or a Pfalz, destroys an observation balloon for victory number 1.

German pilot Werner Wagener, probably in an Albatros D.III on the Southern Front, destroys an Italian observation balloon for victory number 5. This is Wagener's last aerial victory. He is wounded on November 25 and after that disappears from the records.

[Jimbuna]

23rd November 1917

Western Front

British attack in the night and advance on line south-east of Ypres.

Further advance on enemy positions west of Cambrai; British attack Bourlon Wood.

Byng promoted to General.

Eastern Front

Lenin Government issues decree for further disbandment of Russian army.

Political, etc.

German residents in the U.S. are barred from entering tall buildings in New York that gives them view of the New York Harbor or the rivers.

Ship Losses:

SMS A60 (Kaiserliche Marine) The A26-class torpedo boat struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off the coast of Belgium with the loss of seventeen of her crew.
La Blanca (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) south south east of Berry Head, Devon by SM U-96 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
Luigina (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea east of Sardinia (39°57′N 9°58′E) by SM UC-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of all hands.
Markella (Greece) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea north of Monastagem, Algeria (35°18′N 0°20′W) by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Ocean (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) east by north of Hartlepool, County Durham by SM UB-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Trombetas (Portugal) The three-masted schooner was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 200 nautical miles (370 km) south west of Santa Maria Island, Azores (35°30′N 20°40′W) by SM U-151 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Westlands (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 10 nautical miles (19 km) north of the Île Vierge, Finistère, France by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

November 23, 1917

Air War:

1025Canadian RFC ace Albert Carter, flying SPAD VII A8834, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 8.

1120 Canadian RFC ace Alfred McKay, in SPAD VII B3560, shoots down a DFW C.V for victory number 7.

1140 German ace Heinrich Bongartz, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down Sopwith Camel B2415 for victory number 24. 2nd Lt L. Marshall is killed. Bongartz claims a second Camel at the same time, but this is Unconfirmed.

1200 German pilot Fritz Rumey, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 4. Possibly N2396, Lt S.R. Hanafy wounded and taken prisoner, and later died from his wounds.

1210 German pilot Ernst Hamster, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 3. This is possibly B2409, Lt A. Rosenthal killed; or B5222, Lt C.F. Keller taken prisoner. Complicating matters is that these two are also believed to have collided during the combat. This is Hamster's last aerial victory. He survived the war, transferring to Jasta 65 on May 26, 1918 and serving there until the Armistice. Further records are unknown.

1220 Two RNAS Camel pilots share a victory over an Albatros D.V:
Fred Banbury, Canada, B6230, victory number 10.
John Hales, Canada, B3832, number 4.

1300 Fritz Rumey scores his second victory of the day, shooting down Armstrong-Whitworth FK.8 A2170 for victory number 5. 2nd Lt R. Main and AM1 G.P. Leach are taken prisoner.
(Some sources have this as B316 of No 8 Squadron)

1320 German ace Otto Könnecke, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 10.

1400 Canadian RNAS pilot Charles Hickey, in Sopwith Camel B6300, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 2.

1400 German ace Lothar von Richtofen, probably in an Albatros D.V (the Dr.Is are still sidelined while awaiting Idflieg recertification), shoots down Bristol F.2b B1116 for victory number 26. 2nd Lt Erland Dauria Perney and Lt Ewan John Blackledge are listed as Missing.

1400 German ace Manfred von Richthofen has been busy with administrative duties. In his first combat since September 3, flying Albatros D.V 4693/17, von Richthofen shoots down DH.5 A9299 for victory number 62. Lt James Alexander Vaseill Boddy is wounded in the head and crashes heavily, breaking both his legs. Another DH.5 pilot, Cpt Hnry Thornbury Fox Russell, who said his tail had been bloan off by a shell had crashed. Making his way back to his own lines Russell sees Boddy's plane come down and pulls him from the wreckage. A tank crew takes them both safely to their side. One of Boddy's legs has to be amputated, ending his combat flying career. He will serve in the Home Guard in World War 2 and live until 1954.
Von Richthofen's report mentions another plane downed, but he only filed a claim for the one.

"At 1400 hours, shortly after I had forced an Englishman to land at the west side of Bourlon Wood, I attacked a DH5 north of Fontaine at abut 100 metres height. After the first shots, the Englishman started to glide downwards, but then fell into the south-east corner of Bourlon Wood. I could not observe the plane hitting the ground."
-Manfred von Richthofen

1400 Englsih RNAS pilot Adrian Tonks, in Sopwith Camel B6243, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 4.

1500 German pilot Kurt Küppers, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down an unidentified "Sopwith" for victory number 5.

1525 Canadian RFC pilot Edward Carter Eaton, in Sopwith Camel B2413, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 1. Shared with two other pilots:
Lt B. Balfour, B5221.
Cpt L.S. Weedon, B2394.

1630 German ace Walter von Bülow-Bothkamp, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 26.

French pilot Louis Coudouret, flying a SPAD VII, shoots down an Albatros C.X two-seater for victory number 4. One source says this was a Rumpler two-seater.

Two Austro-Hungarian aces share victories over a pair of Italian Nieuports:
Godwin Brumowski, Galicia, Oeffag Albatros 153.45, victories number 26 and 27.
Frank Linke-Crawford, Austria, Oeffag Albatros 153.11, victories number 10 and 11.

German ace Bernhard Ultsch, in an Albatros D.III, destroys an observation balloon for victory number 8.

[Jimbuna]

24th November 1917

Western Front

Fierce fighting at Bourlon Wood and village; both change hands frequently.

British gains neat Moeuvres, Queant, Bullecourt, and Banteux.

Successful French attack on Verdun front.

Southern Front

Austrian assaults fail on Asiago Plateau; also attempts to cross Lower Piave.

General Sir Herbert Plumer appointed to command British forces in Italy.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Lt.-Gen. Sir W. R. Marshall succeeds Sir S. Maude in Mesopotamia.

Political, etc.

Bells of London, including the ones in St Paul’s Cathedral, ring for the first time since the war began in commemoration of the recent British advances.

Trotsky begins publication of Russian secret treaties with other Powers.

Ship Losses:

Actaeon (United States) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 150 nautical miles (280 km) north north west of Cape Finisterre, Spain by SM U-84 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four of her crew.
Dunrobin (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 49 nautical miles (91 km) south west by south of The Lizard, Cornwall by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 31 crew.
Enna (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea off Acciaroli, Campania by SM U-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
French Rose (United Kingdom) The coaster struck a mine laid by UC 11 (Ferdinand Schwartz) and sank in the North Sea 6 nautical miles (11 km) south by west of the Shipwash Lightship ( United Kingdom). Her crew survived.
Nyassa (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) east south east of The Lizard, Cornwall (49°56′N 5°08′W) by SM UB-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Pomone (France) The cargo ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain by SM UC-79 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Sabia (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 6 nautical miles (11 km) south south east of The Lizard (49°53′N 5°06′W) by SM U-96 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eleven of her crew.
SM U-48 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type U 43 submarine ran aground on the Goodwin Sands, Kent, United Kingdom. She was attacked by HMS Gipsy ( Royal Navy) and was scuttled with the loss of nineteen of her 36 crew.

[Sailor Steve]

November 24, 1917

Air War:

0845 Canadian RFC pilot Lumsden Cummings, flying Nieuport 27 B5816, shoots down an Albatros D.V fro victory number 5. This is Cummings' last aerial victory. He will survive the war, become a civil engineer and live until 1955.

0920 German pilot Walter Horn, probably in an Albatros D.V, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 1.

1200 Italian pilot Marziale Cerutti, in a Nieuport 27, shoots down an enemy scout and a two-seater for victories number 1 and 2.

1630 German ace Otto Splitgerber, in an Albatros D.III on the Macedonian Front, destroys an observation ballon for victory number 6.