100 Years Ago Today

[Sailor Steve]

October 5, 1918


Western Front:

Enemy falls back between La Catelet and Crevecoeur and burns Douai.

British carry Beaurevoir, etc. (East of Le Catelet)

End of Second Battle of Cambrai, and of Battle of St. Quentin.

Germans fall back towards the Suippe river; fighting on the Arnes (Champagne).

French occupy Moronvilliers Massif (east of Reims).

Stiff American fighting west of Meuse.

Much successful bombing by Allies.


Southern Front:

German troops reported withdrawn from Bulgar front.

Franco-Serbs take Vranya (50 miles south of Nish).

Dibra (Albania) occupied.

Italians active on their own mountain fronts.


Political, etc:

Prince Max speaks in the Reichstag. Messrs. Grober, Erzberger and Scheidemann Secretaries of State, and Dr. Solf Foreign Minister.

Figures re: U.S.A. forces in Europe published.

Formation of Yugo-Slav National Council at Laibach.


Air War:

0645 Australian AFC pilot Arthur Palliser, flying Sopwith Camel D7180, destroys a German observation balloon for victory number 2.

0814 Belgian ace Willy Coppens, in an Hanriot HD.1, destroys a German observation balloon for victory number 34.

0820 Willy Coppen scores his second kill of the day, flaming another German balloon for victory number 35.

0830 German ace Harald Auffarth, with Jasta 29, shoots down DH.9 D560 for victory number 21. Lt C.J. Knight and 2nd Lt J.H. Perring, 206 Sqdn RAF, are taken prisoner.

0830 American RAF ace Francis Gillett, in Sopwith Dolphin C4059, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 12.

1106 German ace Hermann Habich, flying with Jasta 49, shoots down SPAD XIII S15403 for victory number 6. S/Lt Roland Garros, Spa 26 (4 victories), the world's first fighter pilot, is killed.

1130 French ace Pierre Marinovitch, with Spa 94, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 16.

1217 German ace Max Kuhn, with Jasta 21, destroys a French observation balloon for victory number 12.

1310 German ace Hans Donhauser, with Jasta 17, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 11.

1605 German ace Hugo Schäfer, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down SPAD XIII S8519 for victory number 10. 1st Lt J.A. Sperry, 22nd Aero Sqdn USAS, is taken prisoner.

1715 German ace Julius Buckler, flying with Jasta 17, shoots down a Dorand AR.2 for victory number 34.

1730 French ace René Fonck, in a SPAD XIII, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 68.

1740 René Fonck scores his second kill of the day, shooting down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 69.

1815 Russian ace Paul d'Argueff, in a French SPAD XIII, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 14.

German ace Carl Degelow, with Jasta 40, shoots down DH.9 E8872 for victory number 24. 2nd Lts V.G.H. Phillips and A.F. Taylor, 211 Sqdn RAF, are both wounded.

German ace Gustav Dörr, flying with Jasta 45, shoots down a Dorand AR.2 for victory number 31.

German ace Alfons Nagler, with Jasta 81, shoots down a Salmson 2.A2 for victory number 10. Sgt Pierre CApelet, Escadrille Sal 262, is wounded; S/Lt Jean Lagarde is unharmed.

German ace Emil Thuy, with Jasta 28, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 33.

[Sailor Steve]

October 6, 1918


Western Front:

British take Fresnoy (north of Arras).

Second Battle of Le Cateau begins.

French press enemy back along Suippe front.

Italian advance north of Ostel (nine miles south of Laon); Laon on fire.

Stiff American fighting on Meuse-Argonne front continues.


Eastern Front:

British officials from Petrograd reach Swedish frontier.

Bolsheviks repulsed by Allied troops at Seletskaya (170 miles south of Archangel).


Southern Front:

65,000 Bulgars have surrendered altogether.

Prince Regent of Serbia accepts promotion to General.

Italians pushing on in Albania, north of Berat, towards Elbasan.


Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres:

Reported 79,000 prisoners taken since 18 September 1918.

Zahleh and Rayak (north-west of Damascus) occupied by British cavalry.

French and British warships find Beirut evacuated.


Naval and Overseas Operations:

HMS Otranto, carrying American troops, collides with HMS Kashmir off the Isle of Islay and sinks, 431 lost; destroyer HMS Mounsey rescues 596.


Political, etc:

Peaceful manifesto by King Boris.

Prince Max's letter of 12 January 1918 revealed.

France warns Germany re: crimes on French territory.

Canton Government declares war on President Hsuh Shih Chang.


Air War:

0715 American pilot William Erwin and observer Arthur Edmond Easterbrook, flying a Salmson 2.A2, shoot down an "Enemy Aircraft". Victory number 3 for Erwin; number 1 for Easterbrook.

0925 German ace Wilhelm Seitz, with Jasta 68, shoots down an Allied two-seater for victory number 12.

1059 American ace Hamilon Coolidge, in a SPAD XIII, destroys a German observation balloon for victory number 6.

1115 German ace Friedrich Noltenius, with Jasta 6, destroys an American observation balloon for victory number 14.

1810 German ace Otto Schmidt, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down an REA fro victory number 18.

[Sailor Steve]

October 7, 1918


Western Front:

British advance north of Scarpe river.

Heavy French fighting all along their line; they take Berry-au-Bac (Aisne river).

Americans drive enemy back south-east of Grand Pre.


Eastern Front:

M. Guchkov (late Minister of War) executed by Bolsheviks.


Southern Front:

Italians occupy Elbasan (Albania).


Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres:

British occupy Sidon (Saida).

British and French occupy Beirut.


Political, etc.

Poland declares independence from Russia.

USA solid views on answer to be given to Central Powers.

Sir E. Geddes and Naval Mission arrive New York.

Vice-Admiral Ritter von Mann German Naval Secretary.


Air War:

0635 Scottish RAF ace pilot Charles Findlay and English observer Ivan Agabeg, flying Bristol F.2b C4601, shoot down a Fokker D.VII. Victory number 12 for Findlay; number 4 for Agabeg.

0845 Scottish RAF ace Walter Carlaw, in Sopwith Camel B7162, claims two Fokker D.VIIs for victories 10 and 11.

0855 English RAF pilot Edgar Davies, in SE.5a E6030, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 4.

1130 German ace Carl Degelo, with Jasta 40, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 25.

1210 German ace Raven von Barkenow, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down Bristol F.2b E2591 for victory number 11. Sgts A.L. Cridlan and G.E. Fuller, 11 Sqdn RAF, are both killed.

1225 German ace Hans Donhauser, flying with Jasta 17, shoots down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 12.

German ace Josef Jacobs, with Jasta 7, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 40.

[Sailor Steve]

October 8, 1918


Western Front:

Second Battle of Cambrai begins. Great Allied (3rd and 4th British Armies, 30th U.S.A. Division and French) three-mile advance on St. Quentin-Cambrai 20-mile front; over 10,000 prisoners and 150 guns.

North of Scarpe British take Fresnes-Rouvroy line.

French drive Germans back on the Arnes, Aisne and Suippe.

Americans and French take Cornay and Consenvoye, and drive enemy back north of Verdun.


Eastern Front:

M. Trepov (ex-Premier) reported shot.


Southern Front

Greeks occupy Drama.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

26 Turkish Divisions reported wiped out in Syrian and Mesopotamian campaigns.:


Political, etc.:

President Wilson replies to Note of German Govermnent, and demands evacuation of occupied territories as first condition of armistice.

Polish manifesto summoning popular Government.

Spanish Cabinet (Sr. Maura) resigns.


Air War:

0750 German ace Otto Schmidt, flying a Fokker D.VII, shoots own an RE.8 for victory number 16.

0923 American RAF ace Cleo Pineau, in Sopwith Camel D1868, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 6.

1515 German ace Hans-Georg von der Marwitz, with Jasta 30, shoots down SE.5a C1133 for victory number 13. Lt J.P. Murphy, 20 Sqdn RAF, is taken prisoner.

1625 American RAF ace Francis Gillett, in Sopwith Dolphin C4059, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 13.

1630 Francis Gillett scores his second kill of the day, shooting down another Fokker D.VII for vicory number 14.

1640 German ace Walter Blume, flying with Jasta 9, shoots down Sopwith Dolphin E4378 for victory number 28. 2nd Lt F. Cornwell, 209 Sqdn RAF, is taken prisoner.

1645 Two French pilots with Spa 152 share in the destruction of a German observation balloon:
Leon bourjade, victory number 25.
Sgt Garin (no first name given), victory number 2.

1730 German ace Friedrich Altemeier, with Jasta 24, shoots down Bristol F.2b E2420 for victory number 19. Lt F.W. Ely and 2nd Lt J.G. McBride, 20 Sqdn RAF, are both killed.

1800 German ace Werner Preuss, with Jasta 66, shoots down a French Sopwith 1½ Strutter for victory number 19. MdL Couturier and Adj Guinsard, Sal 24, are listed as Missing.

German ace Paul Bäumer, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 42

German ace Carl Degelow, flying with Jasta 40, shoots down Sopwith Camel D3382 for victory number 26. 2nd Lt R.W. Hopper, 210 Sqdn RAF, is taken prisoner.

German ace Josef Jacobs, with Jasta 7, destroys an Allied observation balloon for victory number 41.

German ace Karl Plauth, with Jasta 51, shoots down Sopwith Camel N6376 for victory number 13. 2nd Lt E.B. Holden, 213 Sqdn RAF, lands safely on his own side of the lines.

German ace Friedrich von Röth, with Jasta 16, shoots down RE.8 C2894 for victory number 24. 2nd Lt J. Graham and Lt M.A. O'Callaghan, 7 Sqdn RAF, are both wounded. In his report von Röth claims this as a Bristol F.2b.

[Bilge_Rat]

october 8, 1918:

Corporal Alvin York, outnumbered and behind enemy lines, personally kills 25 German soldiers and captures another 132 to earn the Medal of Honor.

In an October 8, 1918 attack that occurred during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, his battalion aimed to capture German positions near Hill 223 (49.28558°N 4.95242°E) along the Decauville rail-line north of Chatel-Chéhéry, France, York's actions during this engagement earned him the Medal of Honor.[17] He recalled:[18]

Under the command of Sergeant Bernard Early, four non-commissioned officers, including recently promoted Corporal York,[19] and thirteen privates were ordered to infiltrate the German lines to take out the machine guns. The group worked their way behind the Germans and overran the headquarters of a German unit, capturing a large group of German soldiers who were preparing a counter-attack against the U.S. troops. Early's men were contending with the prisoners when German machine gun fire suddenly peppered the area, killing six Americans[20] and wounding three others.[21] The loss of the nine killed and wounded put York in charge of the seven remaining U.S. soldiers.[22] As his men remained under cover, guarding the prisoners, York worked his way into position to silence the German machine guns. York recalled:[23]

During the assault, six German soldiers in a trench near York charged him with fixed bayonets. York had fired all the rounds in his M1917 Enfield rifle,[24] but drew his M1911 semi-automatic pistol[25] and shot all six soldiers before they could reach him.[26]

German First Lieutenant Paul Jürgen Vollmer, commander of the First Battalion, 120th Landwehr Infantry, emptied his pistol trying to kill York while he was contending with the machine guns. Failing to injure York, and seeing his mounting losses, he offered in English to surrender the unit to York, who accepted.[27] By the end of the engagement, York and his seven men marched 132 German prisoners back to the American lines. Upon returning to his unit, York reported to his brigade commander, Brigadier General Julian Robert Lindsey, who remarked "Well York, I hear you have captured the whole damn German army." York replied "No sir. I got only 132." His actions silenced the German machine guns and were responsible for enabling the 328th Infantry to renew its attack to capture the Decauville Railroad.[28]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_York

[Sailor Steve]

October 9, 1918


Western Front:

British take Cambrai.

Advance continued. Since 21 August entire Hindenburg system broken through, 110,000 prisoners and 1,200 guns.

British arrive within two miles of Le Cateau.

North of Verdun French and Americans push beyond 1915 line.

Hostile counter-attacks on River Arnes repulsed.


Eastern Front:

Finnish Lantdag elects Prince Friedrich Karl of Hesse King of Finland.

Proclamation of Regency Council in favour of an independent and re-united Poland.


Southern Front:

Serbs enter Leskovats; fighting on River Toplitsa.

Greek troops enter Kavalia.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British armoured cars enter Baalbek and take 500 prisoners.


Political, etc:

Talaat and Enver Pashas reported resigned, and replaced by Ahmed Tewfik and Izzet Pashas.

Milk controlled; jam to be rationed.

Spanish Premier remains; crisis over.


Air War:

0830 South African RAF ace Robert Barbour, flying DH.9a F1014 with Capt M.F.M. Wright as observer, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 6.

1440 German ace Otto Löffler, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a DH.9 for victory number 14.

1530 French ace Pierre Marinovitch, with Spa 94, shoots down a Rumpler two-seater for victory number 17.

1615 German ace Georg von Hantelmann, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 21.

1615 German ace Hugo Schäfer, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 11.

1640 French ace Armond Berthelot, flying with Spa 15, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 10.

1645 Armond Berthelot scores his second kill of the day, shooting down another EA for victory number 11.

1730 German ace Oliver von Beaulieu-Marconnay, with Jasta 19, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 24.

1730 Germa ace Wilhelm Seitz, with Jasta 68, shoots down an Allied two-seater for victory number 13.

1740 German ace Max Näther, with Jasta 62, destroys an American observation balloon for victory number 18. 1st Lt D.M. Reeves and Sgt H.O. Nichols, 7th Balloon Co USBS, both parachute safely.

1745 Max Näther scores his second kill of the day, shooting down a SPAD XIII for victory number 19. 1st Lt R. Phelan, 213th Aero Sqdn USAS, lands on his own side of the lines.

1752 American ace Edward Richenbacker, in SPAD XIII S4523, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 18.

German ace Harald Auffarth, with Jasta 29, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 22.

Harald Auffarth scores his second kill of the day, shooting down a SPAD VII for victory number 23. Lt J. Gothals, Belgian Escadrille 10e, is killed. Auffarth claims this as a Camel.

German ace Paul Bäumer, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down Bristol F.2b E2256 for victory number 43. Capt L. Campbell and 2nd Lt W. Hodgkinson, 62 Sqdn RAF, are both killed.

French ace Jean Bozon-Verduraz, flying with Spa 94, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 11.

German ace Gustav Dörr, with Jasta 45, shoots down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 32.

German ace Josef Jacobs, with Jasta 7, claims two Allied observations balloons for victories 42 and 43.

Canadian RAF ace Donald MacLaren, in Sopwith Camel F2137, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 54.

German ace Karl Plauth, flying with Jasta 51, shoots down a Salmson 2.A2 for victory number 14.

French ace Jean Sardier, with Spa 48, shoots down a Rumpler two-seater for victory number 14.

[Sailor Steve]

October 10, 1918


Western Front:

British take Le Cateau and Rouvroy (south-east of Lens) and Sallaumines. King's congratulations.

Germans forced back by French beyond Oise Canal and in Champagne (losing Grand Pre) and from part of the Chemin des Dames.

Argonne forest cleared.


Eastern Front:

Death of General Alexeiev.


Southern Front:

Allies approach Nish, held by Mackensen.

French occupy Prishtina, Serbia.


Naval and Overseas Operations:

The Irish mail-boat "Leinster" torpedoed in Irish Channel; 527 lost.

Von Lettow-Vorbeck reported moving to northern end of Lake Nyassa.


Political, etc:

Lord Grey on the League on Nations.

General von Scheuch succeeds von Stein as German War Minister.

Cuban troops offered to U.S.A.

French Socialist Congress passes a "Bolshevist" resolution.

Severe "flu" epidemic in South Africa.

Tuann Chi Jui, Chines Prime Minister, retired.


Air War:

0700 French ace Bernard Barny de Romanet, flying with Spa 167, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 12.

1010 German ace hans von Freden, with Jasta 50, shoots down SPAD VII S11282 for victory number 10. Cpl Le Bescou, Spa 57, is killed.

1203 German ace Max Näther, with Jasta 62, shoots down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 20.

1210 Three American pilots in SPAD XIIIs share a victory over a Halberstadt two-seater:
Lt O.B. Myers, victory number unknown.
Kenneth Porter, victory number 4.
Wilbert White, S7588, victory number 7.

1223 Max Näther scores his second kill of the day, shooting down a SPAD for victory number 21.

1407 French ace Marius Ambrohi, flying with Spa 90, destroys a German observation balloon for victory number 12.

1500 German ace Friedrich Noltenius, with Jasta 6, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 16.

1548 American pilot Reed Chambers, in a SPAD XIII, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 5.

1550 Wilbert White sees German ace Wilhelm Kohlbach on the tail of a rookie pilot. White's guns jam and he rams Kohlbach. Kohlbach parachutes safely and survives the war. White is killed. Both are awarded a victory by their respective nations: Number 6 for Kohlbach, number 8 for White.

1551 Two American SPAD XIII pilots share a victory over a Fokker D.VII:
Hamilton Coolidge, victory number 7.
William Palmer, victory number unknown.

1645 German ace Georg Meyer, flying with Jasta 37, destroys a British observation balloon for victory number 21.

1650 German ace Alois Heldmann, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 12.

1700 German ace Oliver Beaulieu-Marconnay, with Jasta 19, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 25.

1730 German ace Hermann Becker, with Jasta 12, shoots down SPAD XIII S4640 for victory number 21. 1st Lt G.O. West, 49th Aero Sqdn USAS, is killed.

1730 German ace Friedrich von Röth, with Jasta 16, claims one British and two French observation balloons for victories 25, 26 and 27.

French ace Henri Hay de Slade, flying with Spa 159, claims two German observation balloons for victories 18 and 19.

[Sailor Steve]

October 11, 1918


Western Front:

Strong German resistance north of River Selle (Le Cateau); Germans retreat from strong positions north of River Sensee; British close to Douai.

Enemy retreats on 38-mile front north of Rivers Arnes and Suippe.

Big French advance.

Germans strip Flanders coats of ships and aeroplanes.


Southern Front:

Heavy fighting on Asiago plateau; 500 prisoners.

General Jekor, Bulgarian Commander-in-Chief, dismissed.

Allied raid north of Monte Grappa.

Nish, Serbia, reoccupied by Allied forces.

Prizren, Serbia, retaken by French forces.


Naval:

The Imperial German Navy's air command proposes that merchant ships be converted into Germany's first aircraft carriers with flight decks.


Political, etc:

Herr Erzberger announces German militarism is dead.

Huge military appropriations demanded in U.S.A.

Emperor Karl receives nationality deputations at Reichsrat.

Dr. Wekerle, Hungarian Prime Minister, resigns.

Martial law in parts of Poland.

Feng-Kuo-Chang, President of China, retires.


Air War:

There is no air combat this day.

[Sailor Steve]

October 12, 1918


Western Front:

Fighting on River Selle.

End of Second Battle of Le Cateau.

French take Vouziers.

End of Champagne Battle (since 26 September); 21,500 prisoners and 600 guns taken.

French north of Craonne and within three miles of Laon.


Southern Front:

Serbs capture Nish after stiff fight.

French occupy Mitrovitsa and Prisrend.

90,000 Bulgars and 2,000 guns captured in 27 days.

Italians take Kavaya (Albania).


Political, etc:

German reply to President Wilson despatched.

Luxembourg begs President Wilson to protect her rights.

Polish National Army recognised by Allied Powers.

U.S. troops overseas number over 1,900,000.


Air War:

0945 Three American SPAD XIII pilots from the 147th Aero Squadron share a victory over a Hannover CL two-seat fighter:
Lt T.J. Abernathy, victory number unknown.
Kenneth Porter, victory number 5.
Francis Simonds, victory number 5.

German ace Hans von Freden, with Jasta 50, destroys a French observation balloon for victory number 17.

[Sailor Steve]

0ctober 13, 1918


Western Front:

More fighting on River Selle line; progress north-west of Douai.

French capture La Fere and Laon and push well on.

Stiff fighting on Meuse, north of Verdun.


Eastern Front:

French, British and Japanese troops enter Siberia.


Southern Front:

French cavalry enter Pirot.

Serbs storm enemy positions north of Nish.


Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres:

British advanced forces enter Tripoli, Syria.


Political, etc:

Izzet Pasha succeeds Talaat Pasha as Grand Vizier of Turkey. This marks the end of the war for Turkey.

Eleftherios Venizelos arrives in London for discussions on the war in the Balkans and Turkish surrender.


Air War:

1607 American ace Hamilton Coolidge, flying a SPAD XIII, destroys a German observation balloon for victory number 7.

1805 Germnan ace Hans Donhauser, with Jasta 17, shoots down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 13.

[Sailor Steve]

October 14, 1918


Western Front:

Grand Allied attack in Flanders under King of Belgians; advance of five miles.

French storm Roulers and Sissonne.

German attacks on Selle river repulsed.

French advance on River Aisne west of Rethel.


Eastern Front

British, Indian and Turkoman troops attack Bolsheviks, and after severe Indian losses drive enemy from Dushak (90 miles west of Merv).

British troops from Vladivostok reach Irkutsk.


Southern Front

Italians take Durazzo from land side; enemy evacuate Jakova and retire on Ipek (Montenegro).


Naval and Overseas Operations

S.S. "Brussels" at Zeebrugge torpedoed by British destroyers.


Political, etc.

Announced that Germany refuses to ratify Prisoners of War Agreement. British reply.

President Wilson answers German Note of 12 October. Wilson insists he will only deal with a demcratic government.

Turkey's Peace Note received in U.S.A.

The King presents �10,000 to Red Cross.

Mr. Justice Younger's report on Prisoners of War in 1918 issued.

Spaniards take over seven German ships as compensation.

Izzet Pasha Grand Vizier and Minister of War.


Air War:

0705 Belgian ace Willy Coppens, flying an Hanrio D.1, destroys a German observation balloon for victory number 37, Ge us badkt wiybded ub tgus attack, making this his last aerial victory.

0710 Three American 17th Aero Camel pilots share a victory over a Halberstadt two-seater:
Howard Burdik, victory number 5.
Lt L. Myers, victory number unknown.
George Vaughn, victory number 12.

1010 Australian AFC ace Eric Cummings, in SE.5a C6473, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 6.

1015 Eric Cummings scores his second kill of the day, downing another Fokker D.VII for number 7.

1030 American RAF ace Francis Gillett, in Sopwith Dolphin H7244, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 16.

1310 Two French pilots from Spa 167 share a victory over a Gotha bomber:
Bernard Barny de Romanet, victory number 13.
S/Lt F. Dumas, victory number 2.

1425 Scottish RAF ace Walter Carlaw, in Sopwith Camel N7883, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 12.

1425 Francis Gillett scores his second kill of the day, shooting down another Fokker D.VII for victory number 16.

1430 English RAF ace George Hodson, in Sopwith Camel F3965, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 10.

1510 German ace Georg Meyer, with Jasta 37, destroys a British observation balloon for victory number 22.

1610 English/Australian AFC pilot Charles Stone, flying SE.5a D6919, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 3.

1630 Canadian RAF pilot Earl Crabb, in SE.5a E5792, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 3.

1640 English RAF pilot Thomas Horry, in SE.5a F859, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 2.

1630 English RAF ace James Robb, in SE.5a E3211, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 6.

1710 German ace Xavier Dannhuber, with Jasta 79, shoots down a Sopwith Dolphin for victory number 11. This is one year to the day since Dannhuber's last victory.

German ace Harald Auffarth flying with Jasta 29, shoots down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 24.

Harald Auffarth scores his second kill of the day, shooting down an SE.5a for victory number 25.

Harald Auffarth gains his third victory of the day, downing RE.8 E33 for number 26. Capt S.W. Cowper-Coles and 2nd Lt R.W. Davidson, 7 Sqdn RAF, are both killed.

German ace Josef Jacobs, with Jasta 7, destroys an Allied observation balloon for victory number 44.

German ace Wilhelm Neuenhofen, with Jasta 27, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 11.

German ace karl Plauth, flying with Jasta 51, shoots down Sopwith Camel F3116 for victory number 17. 2nd Lt C.C. Fountain, 210 Sqdn RAF, is killed.

German naval ace Reinhold Poss, in an Albatros D.V, destroys a Belgian observation balloon for victory number 10.

Reinhold Poss scores his second kill of the day, shooting down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 11.

German ace Werner Preuss, with Jasta 66, shoots down a Caudron for victory number 20.

German ace Friedrich von Roth, with Jasta 16, shoots down a DH.9 for victory number 28.

American pilot Ralph Talbot and observer Robert Robertson, flying a DH.4 for the 1st Marine Aviation Force, are separated from the rest of their flight while on a bombing mission. When attacked by German fighters Robertson shoots down one before being severely wounded (one source says he was thit thirteen times). Talbot manages to shoot down another German plane, then gets across the lines, landing right in front of a Belgian hospital. Roberson will survive his wounds and they will become the first US Marine aviators to be awarded the Medal of Honor.

German ace Emil Thuy, with Jasta 28, claims two "Enemy Aircraft" for victories 34 and 35.

South African RAF ace pilot William Westwood and Scottish observer Alexander Tranter, in a Bristol F.2b, shoot down a Fokker D.VII. Victory number 6 for Westwood; number 1 for Tranter.

German naval ace Alexandre Zenses, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down S Sopwith Dolphin for victory number 12.

Alexandre Zenses scores his second kill of the day, shooting down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 13.

Alexandre Zenses gains his third victory of the day, dwstroying an Allied observation balloon for number 14.

[Sailor Steve]

October 15, 1918


Western Front:

Further advance in Flanders; British take Menin and close on Courtrai; Belgians close to Thourout.

British advance north-east of Lens.

French advance along River Serre and in the Argonne.


Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres:

British enter Homs (Syria).


Political, etc:

Yugo-Slav demand for peace based on popular rights issued.


Air War:

1515 French ace Claude Haegelen, flying with Spa 100, destroys a German observation balloon for victory number 20.

German ace Josef Jacobs, with Jasta 7, shoots down a DH.9 for victory number 47.

German naval ace Alexandre Zenses, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Dolphin for victory number 15.

German 8-victory ace Günther Dobberke, with Jasta 60, is injured when he crashes a brand-new Fokker D.VII he had just picked up at Flug Park 3.

German 11-victory naval ace Reinhold Poss, with MFJ 4, is shot down and taken prisoner.

[Sailor Steve]

October 16, 1918


Western Front:

Enemy retreats from Douai-Lille front, pursued by British.

Flanders army advances, taking part of Courtrai, etc.

Americans enter Grand Pre after hard fight.

Strong German counter-attack on River Selle.

Dunkirk finally shelled by long-range gun.


Eastern Front:

M. Lenin again wounded.

Bolsheviks try to stop Middlesex battalion at Zema (Siberia).


Southern Front:

Greece cleared of Bulgarians; Proclamation issued.


Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres:

Armenian General Andranik harassing Turkish communications about Erivan (Russian Armenia).


Political, etc:

Peace demonstrations in Berlin; public opinion much disturbed.

Manifesto by Emperor Karl granting autonomy to Yugo-Slavs.

Row in Hungarian Parliament.


Air War:

German 15-victory ace Albert Haussmann is killed while ground-strafing. When his plane is hit he pulls up to bale out, but his parachute fails to open in time, breaking his neck.

[Jimbuna]

17th October 1918

Western Front

Battle of the Selle begins.

British-American attack on nine-mile front carries line of Selle south of Le Cateau.

British enter Douai and capture Lille (stripped).

Belgians enter Ostend by land, their King and Queen and Sir R. Keyes by sea; Cavalry at gates of Bruges.

British reach outskirts of Tourcoing.

Americans fight west of Grand pre.

Eastern Front

British troops in Transcaspia capture Dushak, driving back Bolsheviks (announced).

Southern Front

Franco-Serbs occupy Knyazhevats and Krushevats.

Montenegrins rise against Austrians.

French capture Ipek.

Over half of Serbia cleared of enemy.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Tigris railway extended by British beyond Tekrit.

Political, etc.

British Government recognises Polish Army as autonomous.

Proclamation in Prague of Czech Republic, and at Agram of Yugo-Slav independence.

Bolshevik-German correspondence published in Washington.

London subscribes 31 million pounds National War Bonds in nine days.

Ship Losses:

Bonvilston (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 9.5 nautical miles (17.6 km) north west by west of Corsewall Point, Wigtownshire by SM UB-92 ( Imperial German Navy). Her crew survived.
Lucia (United States) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 1,200 nautical miles (2,200 km) off the coast of the United States (38°50′N 50°50′W) by SM U-155 ( Imperial German Navy) with the loss of four of her crew.

[Sailor Steve]

October 17, 1918


Air War:

There was no aerial combat this day.