100 Years Ago Today

[Sailor Steve]

"I wouldn't dream of abandoning the throne because of a few hundred Jews and a few thousand workers. Tell that to your masters in Berlin!"
-Kaiser Wilhelm II, message from Spa to Prince Max, Nov 1 1918

[Jimbuna]

2nd November 1918

Western Front

Allied advance continued.

Germans retreat in Argonne Forest.

Americans capture Buzancy.

French capture south bank of Canal des Ardennes between Semuy and Neuville.

Eastern Front

Polish Regency Council orders formation of regular Standing Army.

Southern Front

Austrian retreat in Venetian Alps and plain continued.

Allies enter Belluno.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Von Lettow attacks Fife (frontier post of Rhodesia) and is repulsed.

Aviation

French pilot René Fonck makes his 75th victory, making him the most successful Allied flying ace and 2nd in the war behind von Richthofen (Red Baron).


Political, etc.

Publication of armistice terms with Turkey.

Mass meeting of Trade Unionists in London to consider Labour's part in the Peace.

Baron Flotow succeeds Count Andrassy as Minister for Austria-Hungarian Foreign Affairs.

Slovenes take over administration of Carniola.

Ship Losses:

HMT Charles Hammond (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was lost in the North Sea on this date.
Devonshire (United Kingdom) The ship was driven ashore east of swansea, Glamorgan. Her thirteen crew were rescued by the Mumbles Lifeboat.
Douro (Portugal) The schooner foundered with the loss of all hands.
Estrella (Brazil) The barque foundered in the Atlantic Ocean 16 nautical miles (30 km) off Camocim.
Murcia (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 12 nautical miles (22 km) north of Port Said, Egypt (31°26′N 32°21′E) by SM UC-74 ( Imperial German Navy) with the loss of a crew member.
HMT Riparvo (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was lost in the Mediterranean Sea on this date.
SMS S61 (Imperial German Navy) The S49-class torpedo boat was scuttled in the Terneuzen Canal, Belgium.
Surada (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Port Said (31°34′N 32°21′E) by SM UC-74 ( Imperial German Navy). Her crew survived.
SMS V47 (Imperial German Navy) The V43-class destroyer was scuttled in the Terneuzen Canal.
SMS V67 (Imperial German Navy) The V67-class destroyer was scuttled in the Terneuzen Canal.
SMS V77 (Imperial German Navy) The V67-class destroyer was scuttled in the Terneuzen Canal.
SMS V69 (Imperial German Navy) The V67-class destroyer was scuttled at Ghent, West Flanders, Belgium.[

[Jimbuna]

3rd November 1918

My sources show identical information (to the letter) of that reported yesterday as far as land warfare is concerned.

Ship Losses:

Motala Ström (Sweden) The cargo ship disappeared with all hands in the North Sea, east of Shetland, after the convoy she was part of was scattered by adverse weather. Several explosions were heard, so the ship likely had struck a mine. 18 casualties.

[Sailor Steve]

November 2, 1918


German reinforcements on their way from the Eastern to the Western Front mutiny.

In Vienna, the Hungarian Imperial Palace Regiment deserts, returning home to Hungary.

Lithuanian council rescinds the German-sponsored appointment of Prince Wilhelm as King and announces the establishment of a Republic. Bolshevik forces prepare to take over.

The Allied Supreme War Council, distrusting German intentions for an Armistice, approve plans for an invasion of Bavaria in the spring of 1919.

[Sailor Steve]

November 3, 1918


"The time is near when the first day of the world revolution will be celebrated everywhere."
Vladimir Lenin, Nov 3 1918, at a mass rally in Moscow supporting Austrian revolutionaries.

Austro-Hungarian Armistice is signed, to go into effect the next day. Meanwhile Allied naval forces capture Trieste.

Kiel: 3,000 German sailors and workers raise the Red Banner.

Kiel Governor Admiral Wilhelm Souchon orders loyal officer cadets to suppress the revolt. Eight mutineers are killed, with no effect on the mutiny itself. Souchon was the man who delivered the battlecruiser Goeben and light cruiser Breslau to Turkey at the beginning of the war and opened fire on Russian Black Sea ports a few weeks later, forcing Turkey into the war.

Italian forces capture the city of Trent.

The Allies agree to the German request for a formal Armistice.

[Jimbuna]

4th November 1918

Western Front

Great British (1st, 3rd and 4th Armies) and French offensive on 30-mile front from east of Scheldt at Valenciennes to Guise on Oise, reaching to east of Le Quesnoy, half way through Mormal Forest, past Landrecies on Sambre and across Sambre-Oise Canal. 10,000 prisoners and 200 guns captured.

Belgians advance to north-west and southern suburbs of Ghent.

French reach Le Chesne on Ardennes Canal.

Americans advance to Stenay on Meuse.

Southern Front

Hostilities between Austria-Hungary and Entente cease at noon.

Naval and Overseas Operations

German battleship mutiny at Kiel. German Navy sailors and workers led by Karl Artelt and Lothar Popp mutiny in Kiel, calling for “peace and bread.” 7 are killed and 29 injured when soldiers shoot on the demonstrators. Karl Artelt:


Italian occupation of Adriatic.

Italian ships Fiume and Zara, occupy Rovigno, isles of Lagosta, Meleda and Curzola, and ports of Dulcigno and Antivari (Montenegro).

Political, etc.

U.S.A. recognise Polish army as autonomous and co-belligerent.

Spread of revolution to Hamburg, etc.

Ship Losses:

Mimosa (Sweden) The cargo ship sank after a collision while in convoy from Tyne, destined for Gothenburg. The crew survived.
HMS P12 (Royal Navy) The P-class sloop collided with another vessel and sank in the English Channel (50°39′40″N 1°05′00″W).
War Roach (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 74 (Hans Schüler) and was damaged in the Mediterranean Sea off Port Said, Egypt (31°19′N 29°48′E). She was beached but was later refloated, repaired and returned to service.

[Sailor Steve]

November 4, 1918


Kiel: The 3,000 mutineers are joined by many more sailors, as well as more factory workers and 20,000 garrison troops.

Allied commanders plan an attack Lorraine for November 14, led by the French with six American divisions in support.

At the British assault on the Sambre Canal poet Wilfred Owen is killed.


Air War:

0810 Australian AFC pilot Ernest Davies, flying SE.5a E5765, shoots down an LVG two-seater for victory number 5.

1058 German ace Gerhard Hubrich, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 11.

1103 Gerhard Hubrich scores his second kill of the day, shooting down another Camel for victory number 12.

1110 Australian AFC ace James Wellwood, in SE.5a F5511, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 6.

1145 German ace Otto Könnecke, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a DH.4 for victory number 34.

1145 German ace Otto Schmidt, flying a Fokker D.VII, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 20.

1306 American RAF ace Francis Gillet, in Sopwith Dolphin C3584, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 17.

1310 James Wellwood scores his second kill of the day, shooting down another Fokker D.VII for victory number 7.

1320 German ace Ernst Bormann in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a Sopwith Snipe for victory number 16.

1415 English RAF ace pilot Stanley Wallage and ace observer Dennis Waight, in Bristol F.2b E2454, shoot down a Pfalz D.XII. Victory number 10 for Wallage; number 12 for Waight.

1530 German ace Erich Buder, flying with Jasta 16, shoots down a DH.9 for victory number 12.

1650 German ace Friedrich Noltenius, with Jasta 4, shoots down a DH.9 for victory number 21.

German ace Karl Bolle, in a Fokker D.VII, claims four Sopwith Snipes for victories 33, 34, 35 and 36.

German ace Carl Degelow, with Jasta 40, shoots down a DH.9 for victory number 40.

German ace Hermann Frommherz, with Jasta 27, claims two Bristol F.2bs for victories 30 and 31.

German ace Georg von Hantelmann, flying a Fokker D.VII, shoots down DH.4 32905 for victory number 27. 1st Lt D.E. Coates and 2nd Lt R.A. Thrall, 11th Aero Sqdn USAS, are both Killed.

German ace Otto Könnecke, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 35.

German ace Wilhelm Neuenhofen, with Jasta 27, claims two "Enemy Aircraft" for victories 14 and 35.

[Jimbuna]

5th November 1918

Western Front

Allied advance from Scheldt to Meuse continued.

Between Scheldt and Sambre British capture Le Quesnoy and Mormal Forest. Between Oise and Aisne French capture Chateau-Porcien (on Aisne) and Guise (on Oise). Between Aisne and Meuse French cross Ardennes Canal; Americans cross Meuse at Brieulles and Clery-le-Petit and take Beaumont.

Marshal Foch in supreme strategical direction.

Eastern Front

Resignation of Siberian Government in favour of "All-Russian Government".

Naval and Overseas Operations

Italians enter Pola.

The converted seaplane tender and aircraft carrier HMS Campania accidentally hits several ships while at anchor due to a violent squall and sinks. No lives are lost.


German troops are sent to Kiel to disperse the mutinous sailors, but many end up refusing orders or joining the revolutionaries. The city of Kiel falls under the control of the revolutionary sailors and workers.

Political, etc.

U.S.A. elections for Congress; Republican majority returned.

British Ministerial changes; Sir A. Geddes becomes President of Local Government Board in place of Mr. W. Hayes-Fisher, resigned.

Announcement of Mr. Lloyd-George in Commons re: Armistice.

President Wilson replies to Germany re: Armistice.

Ship Losses:

HMS Campania (Royal Navy) The seaplane tender collided with HMS Royal Oak and then HMS Glorious (both Royal Navy) in the Firth of Forth and sank. The wreck was cleared in 1923.
Epic (United Kingdom) The Admiralty tug was beached whilst attempting to refloat Lake Harris ( United States) at Penzance.
Lake Harris (United States) The armed cargo ship was beached near Penzance railway station, Cornwall after a gunfight in the Atlantic Ocean off Land's End with a surfaced German submarine.
Stavnos (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Egypt by SM UC-74 ( Imperial German Navy).
Wallacut (United States) The schooner was driven ashore at Marshfield, Oregon and wrecked.

[Sailor Steve]

November 5, 1918


Air War:

1010 German ace Richard Wenzl, flying with Jasta 6, shoots down DH.4 32910 for victory number 12. 1st Lt S.P. Mandell, 20th Aero Sqdn USAS, is killed; 2nd Lt R.B. Fulton is taken prisoner.

1035 German ace Alois Heldmann, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 14.

1035 German ace Erich von Wedel, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 13. It is unclear who shot down which plane, but the two SPADs are flown by Sgt J. André, Spa 88, and 1st Lt L.L. Carruthers, 93rd Aero Sqdn USAS, both taken prisoner.

[Jimbuna]

6th November 1918

Western Front

German armistice delegates leave Berlin for Western Front.

German retreat from Scheldt to Meuse becomes general.

British advance towards Mons, Mauberge and Avesnes.

French between Oise and Aisne capture Vervins and Rethel on Aisne.

Americans enter Sedan.

Main German lateral line of communications cut.

Eastern Front

Directorate of Polish Republic formed with seat at Cracow.

Naval

By evening, mutinous sailors control Lubeck, Hamburg, Cuxhaven, Bremen, Bremerhaven, Wilhelmshaven, and the garrisoned towns in Schleswig-Holstein. As the rebellion spreads, SPD and USPD representatives try to organize the sailors.

Political, etc.

Publication of terms of Austrian Armistice.

U.S.A. promises to exercise influence to secure for Romania political and territorial rights.

As the result of yesterday’s midterm elections in the United States, the Republicans take control over the House and Senate.

Ship Losses:

Bernisse (Netherlands) The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the Baltic Sea off Öland, Sweden. She was later raised, repaired and returned to service.
USS Jolly Roger (United States Navy) The patrol vessel was damaged beyond repair whilst being loaded aboard USS Kanawha ( United States Navy).

[Sailor Steve]

November 6, 1918


"Germany has caught fire and Austria is burning out of control."
-Vladimir Lenin, November 6, 1918

American Brigadier General Douglas MacArthur, Chief-of-Staff for the 42nd Division, is captured and taken prisoner...by his own side, specifically by men from the 1st Division, who mistake him for a German general.

German General Groener returns to Spa after a four-day tour of the front, and tells the Kaiser that an armistice must be signed by Novermber 9th.


Air War:

1130 German ace Ulrich Neckel, flying with Jasta 6, shoots down SPAD XIII 7528 for victory number 30. 1st Lt B.E. Brown, 28th Aero USAS, is taken prisoner.

1130 German ace Justus Grassmann, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 10.

1130 German ace Alois Heldmann, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 15.

1500 German ace Hans Nülle, with Jasta 39, cllaims two DH.9s for victories 10 and 11.

[Jimbuna]

7th November 1918

Western Front

Marshall Foch informs German armistice delegates they may advance to French outposts by Chimay-Fourmies-La Capelle-Guise road.

Allies' advance continues.

British make formal entry into Valenciennes, gain west outskirts of Avesnes, reach Haumont (three miles from Mauberge) and Elouges (9.5 miles south-west of Mons).

French and Americans threaten Charleville-Mezieres.

Naval and Overseas Operations

German naval revolt spreading.

Admiral Sir R. Wemyss appointed British Naval representative with Marshal Foch to receive German Delegates.

Political, etc.

(British) Appointment of Civil Department of Demobilisation and Re-settlement.

Health Ministry Bill introduced into Commons.

Yugo-Slav-Serbian Government to be formed.

Following Kiel, the German port of Wilhelmshaven also falls to revolutionary sailors and workers. Revolutionary sailors of battleship SMS Prinzregent Luitpold.

Friedrich Ebert, leader of the Social Democratic Party of Germany: “If the Kaiser does not abdicate, the social revolution is inevitable. But I do not want it, I even hate it like sin.”

Flight of King of Bavaria from Munich.

British and French Governments proclaim deliverance of Eastern peoples from Turkish oppression.

Ship Losses:

Conster (United Kingdom) The fishing smack struck a mine and sank in the English Channel off Rye, Sussex.
Trebiskin (United Kingdom) The ketch was lost on the Mixon Shoal, in the Bristol Channel with the loss of all hands.

[Sailor Steve]

November 7, 1918


German High Command sends a telegram to General Foch, informing him of the peace delegation traveling to France and asking for a cesation of hostilities. Foch ignores this.

News of German delegates on French soil starts rumors that the war has ended, leading to wild celebrations in th port of Brest. American journalist Roy Howard sends a telegram to the American press causing headlines that day stating that pease has come. Opera legend Enrico Caruso sings 'The Star-Spangled Banner' from his hotel balcony in New York. President Wilson, convinced the rumors are false, refuses to present himself to the public. Finally a telegram is sent from the United Press office in Paris to Roy Howard stating "Armistice report untrue. War Ministry issues absolute denial and declares enemy plenipotentiaries to be still on way through lines. Cannot meet Foch until evening."


Air War:

No aerial combat this day.

[Dowly]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

American journalist Roy Howard sends a telegram to the American press causing headlines that day stating that pease has come. Opera legend Enrico Caruso sings 'The Star-Spangled Banner' from his hotel balcony in New York.

Celebrations on Wall Street, November 7th 1918.

[Jimbuna]

8th November 1918

Western Front

Marshal Foch receives German armistice delegates at Rethondes (four miles from Compiegne), refuses request for provisional armistice, terms of armistice to be accepted or refused by 11 am on 11 November.

Allies continue advance: French reach outskirts of Hirson and Mezieres; French and Americans clear heights east of Meuse; British capture Avesnes and Maubeuge, advance towards Mons capturing Conde, cross Scheldt Canal and occupy west part of Tournai.

Over 18,000 prisoners taken by British since 1 November.

Eastern Front

Polish Government informs Austrian Premier that Polish sovereignty has been assumed over Galicia.

Political, etc.

Prince Max of Baden issues proclamation to Germans abroad declaring Germany beaten, and resigns Chancellorship.

Abdication of King of Wurttemberg and Duke Ernest of Brunswick.

Bavarian Republic declared at Munich.

(British) Minister of Blockade informs neutral countries that transfer of enemy ships to neutrals will not be recognised.