100 Years Ago Today

[Aktungbby]

HailRider!

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by HailRider

I recently found your thread. I must say I wish I had discovered it earlier. I have been reading the NYTimes daily, from 100years ago, for the past year and a half. This thread will help me see what actually occurred, and complement my readings.

In case anyone is interested, I am posting interesting articles from the NYtimes on my blood:

http://www.perceptiveart.com/thegreatwar

Welcome to SubSim matey, please feel free to add to this thread....the more the merrier

[Jimbuna]

22nd June 1915

Western Front

German gains recovered by French on the heights of the Meuse.

French occupy Sondernach (Lorraine).

Eastern Front

Russian forces begin retreating from Lemberg (Lviv), the capital of Galicia, as Austro-Hungarian forces advance to 6 miles from the city.

Southern Front

Italians repulse Austrian attacks at Freikofel (Trentino).

Naval and Overseas Operations

English Channel
QUAIL III (He – Quail II), Admiralty trawler, 162/1897, Kelsall Brothers & Beeching, Hull-reg H236, hired 1915 (D - 11/14; He - 1914) as minesweeper, 2-3pdr, Pennant No.645. (Other sources – 23 June, perhaps because her loss was close to midnight on the 22nd) - In collision with tug Bulldog, sank at 2340, 7 miles SW of Portland Bill, Dorset (wi - in 50.30N, 02.30W), no lives lost.

Political etc.

Ferenc Békássy, a Hungarian poet and member of King’s College, is killed in action.


Ship Losses:

Leo Usikanpunski ( Russia): The sailing vessel was sunk in the North Sea by SM U-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

Kiew (Denmark): The steamer (1,115 tons) was taken as a prize in the North Sea by U 32 (Edgar von Spiegel von und zu Peckelsheim) but later released and apparently released. Taken as prize then released. Taken as a prize again by surface ship on January 18, 1916 and retained.

[Sailor Steve]

June 22:

Air War: The fifth Fokker M5K/MG, s/n 3/15, leaves factory. It is shipped to FFA 62 at Douai, and earmarked for Oswald Boelke.



North Sea: Max Valentiner, in U-38, sinks the Russian sailing ship Leo (also given as Leo Usikanpunski), 269 tons, travelling from Moss to Canada in ballast. Valentiner now has 5 ships and 6,067 tons.



German East Africa: At 0840 hours HMS Severn anchors offshore for gunnery practice. At 1500 Severn ties up to the collier Kendal Castle, hands off 18 oil drums and receives 1,000 petrol tins.

At 1035 HMS Mersey receives another 1,000 kerosene tins from T.A. Joliffe. At 1220 the monitor anchors offshore for gunnery practice.

[Jimbuna]

Eastern Front

Austro-Germans checked on the Zurawno-Demeszknowiec line (Dniester front).

A combined Austro-Hungarian and German army captures Lemberg (Lviv), capital of Galicia, from the Russians.

Russian prisoners being led through Lemberg.


Naval

U.40 sunk by decoy combination trawler Taranaki/submarine C.24 off Aberdeen, first success by decoy ship against a U-boat.

Atlantic off NW Scotland
Bush, Admiralty trawler, 221/1908, Milford-reg, hired 5/15, 1-12pdr, Skipper G King, on patrol off Hebrides about 8 miles NNW of Butt of Lewis, two drifters fishing nearby, wind blowing hard, "considerable sea". Shell landed nearby and submarine sighted, returned fire, third shot fell near the U-boat which submerged, Bush slightly damaged by the six shells fired at her; Admiralty awarded £60 to the crew.

Aviation

The Royal Flying Corps decreed all aircraft with covered fuselages were to use the tricolor roundel, previously used on just the wings, on fuselage sides.

Political, etc.

Lloyd George, as Minister of Munition, orders a seven day campaign to recruit enough men to fill positions at armament factories.

Carl Frederick Muller becomes the 2nd man to be executed in the Tower of London for spying.

French government declares it will not issue passports to Americans of German origin due to the fear of spies.

Robert Lansing is officially made the new U.S. Secretary of State.


Ship Losses:

Elizabeth ( United Kingdom): The drifter was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 40 nautical miles (74 km) east north east of the Out Skerries, Orkney Islands by SM U-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Four ( United Kingdom): The drifter was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 45 nautical miles (83 km) north east by east of the Out Skerries by SM U-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Josephine ( United Kingdom): The drifter was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 40 nautical miles (74 km) north east by east of the Out Skerries by SM U-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Piscatorial ( United Kingdom): The drifter was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 41 nautical miles (76 km) east north east of the Out Skerries by SM U-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMT Quail III ( Royal Navy): The naval trawler collided with Bulldog ( United Kingdom) and sank in the English Channel 7 nautical miles (13 km) south west of Portland Bill, Dorset. Her crew survived.
Research ( United Kingdom): The drifter was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 42 nautical miles (78 km) north east of the Out Skerries by SM U-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Truma ( Norway): The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea south of the Shetland Islands, United Kingdom (59°54′N 0°09′E) by SM U-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Tunisiana ( United Kingdom: The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the North Sea off Lowestoft, Suffolk by SM UB-16 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She ran aground on the Barnard Sands and was a total loss. Her crew survived.
SM U-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine): The Type U 31 submarine was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off Eyemouth, Berwickshire, United Kingdom by HMS C24 ( Royal Navy) with the loss of 38 of her 41 crew.
Uffa ( United Kingdom): The drifter was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 40 nautical miles (74 km) east north east of the Out Skerries by SM U-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Ugiebrae ( United Kingdom): The drifter was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 35 nautical miles (65 km) east north east of the Out Skerries by SM U-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

June 23:

Former President Theodore Roosevelt writes a letter to Oscar King Davis condemning President Wilson's policy regrarding the sinking of RMS Lusitania.
https://www.gilderlehrman.org/collec...6-829113211463



Air War: Anthony Fokker demonstrates the E.II prototype at Douai.



North Sea: Max Valentiner, commanding U-38, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Truma, 1,557 tons, bound from Archangelsk to London with a cargo of wood. Valentinere then attacks a fishing fleet, sinking drifters Elizabeth, 97 tons; Four, 84 tons; Josephine, 85 tons; Piscatorial, 84 tons; Research, 89 tons; Uffa, 79 tons; and Ugiebrae, 79 tons. This brings his total to 14 ships and 8,142 tons.

Hans Valentiner, in UB-16, sinks British freighter SS Tunisiana, 4.220 tons, travelling from Montreal to Hull with a load of grain. His score is now 5 ships and 7,445 tons.

Note: I have searched every source I can find, and there is no mention of any relationship between the two captains with the same last name.

U-40, under the command of Gerhardt Fürbringer, surfaces to attack the trawler Taranaki. The British submarine C-24, commanded by Frederick Henry Taylor, is submerged nearby awaiting an event like this. The captain of Taranaki calls the captain of C-24 on a cabled telephone connection to inform him that the German boat is only fifteen hundred yards off his port beam. As the British sub starts to maneuver, the tow-rope release jams. Captain Taylor calls Taranaki to release the cable at her end. The cable snakes to the bottom, taking C-24 down with it. Taylor regains control of his boat, but now the cable has fowled his propellers. C-24 finally slips free and makes it to periscope depth. At 0955 C-24 fires a torpedo which sends U-40 to the bottom. Only captain Furbinger and one petty officer survive.



German East Africa: At 1400 hours HMS Mersey again holds gunnery practice.

Aboard HMS Severn the crew spend the day putting up armour plate and painting the ship.

[Aktungbby]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

June 23:Air War: Anthony Fokker demonstrates the E.II prototype at Douai.

The first production E.II on the day?!
The synchronizer> being synchronized>

[Jimbuna]

24th June 1915

Western Front

Germans repulsed in an attack on the heights of the Meuse.

Eastern Front

German and Austro-Hungarian armies force several crossings across the Dniester River to push the Russians eastward.

Political, etc.

British memorandum on neutral commerce handed to U.S. Ambassador. British Foreign Office sends an official reply to the US, stating there is no substantial grievance with its blockade on Germany.

Mr. Asquith announces forthcoming bill on the registration and organisation of national resources.

Ship Losses:

Commander ( United Kingdom): The trawler was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 40 nautical miles (74 km) east north east of the Out Skerries, Orkney Islands by SM U-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Drumloist ( United Kingdom): The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the White Sea.
J. M. & S. ( United Kingdom): The drifter was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 42 nautical miles (78 km) east north east of the Out Skerries by SM U-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Kyanite ( United Kingdom): The cargo ship came ashore at Hot Point, Cornwall. All but two of the crew were taken off by the tug Victor.
Lebanon ( United Kingdom): The trawler was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 40 nautical miles (74 km) east north east of the Out Skerries by SM U-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Monarda ( United Kingdom): The drifter was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 41 nautical miles (76 km) east north east of the Out Skerries by SM U-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Primrose ( United Kingdom): The drifter was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 40 nautical miles (74 km) north east by east of the Out Skerries by SM U-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Quiet Waters ( United Kingdom): The drifter was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 25 nautical miles (46 km) east of the Out Skerries by SM U-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Star of Bethlehem ( United Kingdom): The drifter was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 40 nautical miles (74 km) east north east of the Out Skerries by SM U-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Viceroy ( United Kingdom): The trawler was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 50 nautical miles (93 km) east north east of the Out Skerries by SM U-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Vine ( United Kingdom): The trawler was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 30 nautical miles (56 km) north east by east of the Out Skerries by SM U-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

June 24:

"Very little news. From what I can see, we are likely to be down here for at least another two weeks. I don't much mind, as in a way I would sooner be here for a little. The change though has rather worn off. Am not a bit comfortable, my billet being a horrible dirty place, with all sorts of weird odours. Food pretty fair, but none too clean, and all eating utinsils invariably very dirty."
-Harold Rosher, letter to his father, June 24, 1915

Air War: The first 'production' Fokker E.I, 8/15, leaves the factory.



North Sea: Max Valentiner, commanding U-38, finds another British fishing fleet and uses his deck gun to sink the trawlers Commander, 149 tons; Lebanon, 111 tons; Viceroy, 150 tons; and Vine, 110 tons; plus the drifters J.M. & S., 78 tons; Monarda, 87 tons; Primrose, 91 tons; Quiet Waters, 63 tons; and Star of Bethlehem, 77 tons. Valentiner ends his second war patrol with a total of 22 ships and 9,134 tons.



German East Africa: At 0915 HMS Mersey and Severn weigh anchor and head out for blind-firing practice over Barakuni Island.

At 1706 HMS Hyacinth records an aircraft flying over Mafia Island. This is the first recorded observation of the testing of the newly-arrived landplanes.

[Jimbuna]

25th June 1915

Western Front

Continued fighting north of Arras and on the heights of the Meuse.

French airmen bomb railway station at Douai.

Eastern Front

Russians fight a rearguard action at Bobrka.

Russia reinforces the line at the Dniester River, but falls back on in Poland.

Southern Front

Austrians repulsed in the Carnic Alps.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Bukoba (German port on L. Vict. Nyanza), destroyed by British column.

Aegean Sea
Heroic, Admiralty armed boarding steamer, 1,869/1906, hired 18/11/14, 2-12pdr, believed blockading Turkish coast, lowered two boats under command of Lt Macdonald and Sub-Lt William to examine five schooners at 1350. Maxim fire opened up from shore on the boats at 1400, boats recalled and covering fire given, men picked up and boats hoisted in around 1430, no doctor aboard, headed back and anchored by HMS Vengeance to transfer wounded; 3 ratings DOW (pg - 12 wounded, AB Wilson died). "Dardanelles: A Midshipman's Diary" reports for 26 June that "several Greek schooners have been seized and brought in (to Mudros) recently by our cruisers and boarding steamers in charge of a midshipman."

Gallipoli Campaign - Sea of Marmara
E.12, submarine, E-class, 667/807t, 5/9/14, 1-6pdr/5-18in with 10 torpedoes, Lt-Cdr Bruce, penetrated Dardanelles and now operating in eastern part of Sea of Marmara after spending two days repairing main engines, entered Gulf of Mudania and came across two small steamers towing five sailing vessels, turned out to be decoy vessels. Only 10yds from first steamer when a bomb was thrown which failed to explode, fired on with rifles and small masked gun, two towed vessels joined in and tried to foul E.12's propellers. E.12 returned fire, got clear and sank the two steamers and two of the towed sailing vessels. Engine problems now returned; one rating slightly wounded.

Political etc.

Riot occurs at the Amherst Internment Camp in Canada, resulting in five injuries and one prisoner death.

France charges that German spies are forging U.S. passports. U.S. government will investigate the claim.

Germany issues a statement disputing the claim that poison gas is inhumane.

By a vote 492 to 1, the French Chamber of Deputies pass a $1.12 billion appropriation bill to cover government expenses for 3 months.

Russian Council of Ministers decides to appoint a commission to carry out autonomy for Poland, even as German troops advance in the region.

U.S. Postoffice Department orders all mail to the Nordic countries to bypass the UK due to its censorship policies.

President Wilson meets with Edward M. House, his chief advisor on European affairs.

[Sailor Steve]

June 25:

German East Africa: HMS Mersey and Severn conduct gunnery practice in the morning. In the afternoon Severn's crew are putting up armour plating and both ship's crews are busy painting.

[Jimbuna]

26th June 1915

Western Front

Battle of the Argonne begins; Crown Prince attacks.

Eastern Front

Russians repulse heavy German attacks on Bukaczowce-Halicz front (eastern Galicia), but retreat.

Aviation

U.S. government announces plans to form a military air fleet with 4000 men and issues call for volunteers.

Political, etc.

Bishop of London calls the present conflict a “holy war” in response to the Pope’s position that war is unjustifiable.

Vladimir Sukhomlinov resigns as the Russian Minister of War for failing to provide enough munitions & other failures.


He is replaced by Alexei Polivanov.


Dutch government issues order preventing the press from reporting on German zeppelin flights for 24 hours.

German government suspends the publication of the Socialist newspaper “Vorwaerts” for appealing for peace.

Ship Losses:

Campania ( United Kingdom): The trawler was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 60 nautical miles (110 km) north of Hoy Head, Orkney Islands by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Torpedinere 5 pn ( Regia Marina): The torpedo boat was sunk in the Gulf of Venice by SM UB-1 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

[Sailor Steve]

June 26:

Celtic Sea: Walter Forstmann, commanding U-39, begins his second war patrol by stopping and sinking the trawler Campania, 167 tons.



Adriatic Sea: Franz Wäger, in UB-1, torpedoes the Italian Torpedo Boat Toredinier 5 Pn. This us UB-1's only sinking, and she is still on her acceptance trials. After this she will be handed over to the Austro-Hungarian Navy as U-10.



German East Africa: HMS Mersey and Severn are again practicing indirect firing over Barakuni Island. Other crew members aboard Severn are still rigging armour plate.

[Aktungbby]

POOR Alexei P. knew how to take care of business; Estimating that he had an estimated 1,000,000+ soldiers without rifles which were 'more precious than gold' he turned to America... about 300,000 were made on Russian military contract between 1915 and 1917. Of those, about 293 000 rifles reached the Russia before the revolution broke out. Small numbers of Winchester 1895 rifles, chambered for 7.62x54 mm R ammunition and fitted into military-type stocks, Compared to contemporary military-type bolt action rifles, Winchester M1895 rifles were slightly faster to operate, thanks to its lever-action system; in Russian pattern these rifles also were fitted with clip guides, which allowed for faster reloading. WHAA!!! you want a helmet now I suppose Comrade! http://www.nramuseum.org/media/940645/russian%201895.pdf (some Commie Winchester propaganda) @ Jimbuna: a lot of these made it into the Spanish Civil War!

[Catfish]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

June 25:
German East Africa: HMS Mersey and Severn conduct gunnery practice in the morning. In the afternoon Severn's crew are putting up armour plating and both ship's crews are busy painting.

As much as i like the thread, it continuously takes me wonder how only the Entente side is being quoted, and discussed. Not one word what the Koenigsberg crew did, what they did with the only german plane in DOA, that german civilian ships were attacked in neutral harbours (e.g. Mozambique) by english waships, how the crews managed to survive or flee to the Rufiji Delta, what the real 'African Queen' Graf Goetzen did a.s.o. a.s.o.

If i only had time ... and yes i still like it all the same