100 Years Ago Today

[Sailor Steve]

September 5, 1918


Air War:

1005 German ace Fritz Rumey, flying with Jasta 5, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 32.

1110 German ace Josef Mai, with Jasta 5, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 25.

1200 German ace Georg Meyer, with Jasta 37, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 16.

1210 German ace Bruno Loerzer, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 39.

1700 Welsh RAF ace pilot Herbert Beddow and observer William Upton Tyrrell, in Bristol F.2b D7998, shoot down an Albatros D.V. Victory number 10 for Beddow; number 1 for Tyrrell.

1700 English RAF ace pilot Frank Gibbons and observer Christopher Shannon, flying Bristol F.2b E2454, shoot down a Fokker D.VII. Victory number 11 for Gibbons; number 4 for Shannon.

1700 English RAF ace pilot Samuel Thompson and observer Ronald Fletcher, in Bristol F.2b E1143, are credited with two Fokker D.VIIs. Victories 27 and 28 for Thompson; numbers 24 and 25 for Fletcher.

1730 German ace Karl Schlegel, with Jasta 45, destroys a French observation balloon for victory number 22.

1840 German ace Paul Bäumer, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a DH.4 for victory number 23.

1845 Canadian RAF ace pilot Kenneth Conn and ace observer Bruce Digby-Worsley, in Bristol F.2b E2216, shoot down a Fokker D.VII. Victory number 11 for Conn; number 12 for Digby-Worsley.

1900 German ace Hermann Frommherz, flying with Jasta 27, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 21.

German ace Werner Preuss, with Jasta 66, shoots down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 15.

German ace Eduard von Schleich, with Jasta 23, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 32.

[Jimbuna]

6th September 1918

Western Front

Amiens-St. Quentin road British press forward.

Germans in full retreat from the Somme.

Ham and Chauny re-taken by French.

In north English troops advance north-west of Armentieres and re-take Bailleul.

Americans reach south bank of Aisne river.

Naval and Overseas Operations

In East Africa von Lettow's forces are overtaken on Upper Lurio river near Anguros and attacked by two British columns from south and south-east. Enemy retreat west after severe losses in killed and captured.

Ship Losses:

Almirante The United Fruit Company passenger-cargo ship sank in the Atlantic Ocean after colliding with the tanker USS Hisko ( United States Navy) 16 nautical miles (30 km) off the coast of New Jersey near Atlantic City at approximately 39°21′N 74°13′W. All but five to seven of the 105 passengers and crew survived.
Audax (United Kingdom) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 6.5 nautical miles (12.0 km) east by north of Robin Hood's Bay, Yorkshire (54°29′N 0°21′W) by SM UB-80 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three of her crew.
Milly (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 2.25 nautical miles (4.17 km) west by south of Tintagel Head, Cornwall (50°30′N 4°52′W) by SM UB-87 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.

[Sailor Steve]

September 6, 1918


Air War:

0830 American RAF ace pilot August Iaccaci and English ace observer Arthur Newland, flying Bristol F.2b E2213, shoot down a Fokker D.VII. Victor number 11 for Iaccaci and 16 for Newland.

0845 English RAF ace pilot Horace Lale and Canadian observer Harold Edwards, in Bristol F.2b E2181, claim two Fokker D.VIIs. Victories 16 and 17 for Lale; 4 and 5 for Edwards.

0855 August Iaccaci and Arthur Newland score their second kill of the day, another Fokker D.VII Number 12 for Iaccaci; number 17 for Newland.

1455 German ace Oskar Hennrich, with Jasta 46, destroys a British observation balloon for victory number 12.

1635 German ace Hans-Joachim Rolfes, with Jasta 45, shoots down a Salmson 2.A2 for victory number 15. Cpl Georges Nal and Sol Jeandemange, Sal 18, are both killed.

1645 Hans-Joachim Rolfes scores his second kill of the day, a French observation balloon, for number 16. Sgt Gaitz-Hocki, 83° Cie d’Aérostieres, parachutes safely.

1842 German ace Max Näther, with Jasta 62, shoots down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 12. Sgt Armand Blovac and Lt Pierre Millot, Br 260, are both killed.

German ace Paul Bäumer, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down Bristol F.2b D7906 for victory number 24. Lt E.N. Underwood and 2nd Lt C.M. Coleman, 11 Sqdn RAF, are both killed.

German ace Martin Hänichen, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots dwon Sopwith Camel D9484 for victory number 10. Lt A.H. Hiscox, 208 Sqdn RAF, is killed.

German ace Alfred Lindenberger, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 10.

[Jimbuna]

7th September 1918

Western Front

Rapid British and French pursuit of Germans, who retreat towards "Hindenburg Line".

British take Roisel (railway junction for St. Quentin and Cambrai) and greater part of Havrincourt Wood.

Somme French capture Pithon, Dury and Ollezy, east of Ham, cross Crozat canal at Pont de Tugny and St. Simon after heavy fighting.

Lys front enemy display strong resistance.

Eastern Front

First instalment of Russian War Indemnity to Germany, consisting of �12,500,000 in gold and bank notes is sent from Moscow to the frontier.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Publication by Admiralty of names of commanders of 151 U-boats disposed of by Navy.

Ship Losses:

Bellbank (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 25 nautical miles (46 km) south south west of the Île du Planier, Bouches-du-Rhône, France (42°48′N 5°08′E) by SM UC-67 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Ruysdael (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 228 nautical miles (422 km) west by south of Ouessant, Finistère, France (46°53′N 10°07′W) by SM U-105 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of twelve crew.
Santa Maria (Portugal) The barque was destroyed by fire in the Atlantic Ocean (13°25′S 15°00′W). Her crew survived.
Sophia (Portugal) The schooner was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Newfoundland by SM U-155 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Vicenza (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea south of Salonica, Greece (39°42′N 23°18′E) by SM UB-42 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

[Sailor Steve]

September 7, 1918


Air War:

The US 1st Marine Aviation Force in the Calais area receives their first bomber.

1125 German ace Fritz Rumey, flying with Jasta 5, shoots down DH.4 A7587 for victory number 33. Lt D.J.T. Mellor, 205 Sqdn RAF, is killed; 2nd Lt J.C. Walker is taken prisonder.

1135 South African RAF ace Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor, in SE.5a D6856, destroys a German observation balloon for victory number 44,

1145 German ace Otto Schmidt, with Jasta 5, destroys a British observation balloon for victory number 13.

1230 German ace Albert Hausmann, with Jasta 13, shoots down a Salmson 2.A2 for victory number 13. 1st Lts A.W. Lawson and H.W. Verwoldt, 91st Aero Sqdn USAS, are taken prisoner.

1325 German ace Oliver von Beaulieu-Marconnay, with Jasta 19, shoots down a Salmson 2.A2 for victory number 14. MdL Clerc, Esc Sal 5, is killed; S/Lt Thirion is wounded.

1810 English RAF ace pilot Horace Lale and Canadian ace observer Harold Edwards, flying Bristol F.2b E2181, shoot down a Fokker D.VII. Victory numbe 18 for Lale; Number 6 for Edwards.

1945 German ace Erich von Wedel, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 12.

Three French pilots with Spa 154 share the destruction of a German observation balloon:
Michel Coiffard, victory number 26.
Theophile Condemine, victory number 2.
Sgt Peillard (first name not given), victory number 1.

[Jimbuna]

8th September 1918

Western Front

Enemy show increased resistance.

Violent fighting north and east of St. Simon.

Avesnes lost and re-taken by French, who also take Artemps, Happencourt, Fluquieres, Vaux and gain ground both sides of Oise river.

Over 19,000 prisoners taken by British in past week. Over 150,000 taken by Allies since 18 July.

Eastern Front

Representatives of neutral countries make strong protest against the wholesale arrests and executions carried out in Russia.

Junction of the Czecho-Slovaks at Olovyanna in Siberia with other Czech forces from the east.

Ship Losses:

HMS Nessus (Royal Navy) The Admiralty M-class destroyer collided with HMS Amphitrite ( Royal Navy) in the North Sea and sank.

[Sailor Steve]

September 8, 1918


Air War:

1235-1305 American pilot Jacques Michael Swabb, flying a SPAD XIII, shoots down a German two-seater and two Fokker D.VIIs during this half-hour time period, for victories 1, 2 and 3.

[Jimbuna]

9th September 1918

Western Front

After sharp fighting British gain high ground between Havrincourt and Gouzeaucourt, overlooking Hindenburg Line.

French push well across Crozat Canal towards St. Quentin and La Fere; main progress made east of St. Simon; they capture Grand Seraucourt, Montescourt, Remigny and Liez Fort.

Two strong counter-attacks at Laffaux (between Soissons and Laon) repulsed.

Eastern Front

Complete anarchy reported in Petrograd; Bolsheviks massacre the "bourgeoisie". Threat to execute British officials.

Southern Front

Greek new advanced line heavily bombed in Struma Valley.

Ship Losses:

Dorisbrook (United Kingdom) The collier collided with HMS Orbita ( Royal Navy) and sank in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Peru. Her crew were rescued by HMS Orbita.
Helvetia (Norway) The sailing vessel was sunk in the North Sea 22 nautical miles (41 km) west south west of Lindesnes, Vest-Agder by SM U-80 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Missanabie (United Kingdom) The ocean liner was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 51°11′N 7°25′W) by SM UB-87 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 45 lives.
Taurus (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 1 nautical mile (1.9 km) north of Scarborough, Yorkshire, United Kingdom by SM UB-80 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of six of her crew.
SM U-92 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type U 87 submarine struck a mine in the North Sea (59°00′N 1°30′W) and sank with the loss of all 39 crew.
War Arabis (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 88 nautical miles (163 km) north by east of Cape Sigli, Algeria (38°08′N 5°30′E) by SM U-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

September 9, 1918


Air War:

German ace Eduard von Schleich, flying with Jasta 23, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 33.

[August]

100 Years ago today my great grandfathers regiment, the 8th Bavarian Infantry, was transferred to the 16th Bavarian Infantry Division.



The regiment, as part of the 14th BI Division, had participated in the Battle Amiens on the 8th of August and suffered heavy losses in what became known as the "Black Day of the German Army". The few remaining survivors had barely 8 days of rest before being sent back to the front lines north of Ypres in a frantic attempt to stem the allied tide.

[Jimbuna]

10th September 1918

Western Front

Local fighting in Epehy and Gouzeaucourt sectors.

British patrols make progress north-east of Neuve Chapelle.

East of Crozat Canal between St. Quentin and La Fere, French make further progress; they occupy Hinancourt and Travecy.

Special Order of the Day issued: 75,000 prisoners and 750 guns taken by British in four weeks.

Eastern Front

Fight for Kazan (Volga) and reported Soviet success.

Ship Losses:

SM UB-83 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UB III submarine was depth charged and sunk in the North Sea off the Orkney Islands, United Kingdom (58°28′N 1°50′W) by HMS Ophelia ( Royal Navy) with the loss of all 37 crew.

[Sailor Steve]

September 10, 1918


Air War:

0820 Australian AFC pilot Thomas Barkell, flying Sopwith Camel E7191, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 2.

1650 Amerian pilot Wendel Archibald Robertson, in a SPAD XIII, shoots down a Pfalz D.III for victory number 1.

[Jimbuna]

11th September 1918

Western Front

Sharp fighting on Cambrai front, where enemy make counter-attacks at Gouzeaucourt and Moeuvres.

British line advanced further south: Vermand, Attilly and Vendelles are taken.

British rush and hold the "Railway Triangle" position, south-west of La Bassee.

Counter-attacks round Laffaux repulsed by French.

Belgians gain ground north of Ypres.

Eastern Front

Arrival of American troops at Archangel announced.

Political, etc.

Prince Frederick Charles of Hesse (brother-in-law of the Kaiser), candidate for Kingdom of Finland.

[Sailor Steve]

September 11, 1918

There was no aerial combat this day.

[Jimbuna]

12th September 1918

Western Front

Battle of Epehy begins: British success on Cambrai front, Moeuvres, Havrincourt and Trescault taken; over 1,000 prisoners.

Battle of St. Mihiel begins: Americans supported by French, begin attack on St. Mihiel salient, south of Verdun; they advance five miles on a twelve-mile front; about 8,000 prisoners.

Heavy rain and high wind impedes air work.

Southern Front

Artillery activity on whole Struma front.

Naval and Overseas Operations

The Union-Castle liner "Galway Castle" torpedoed without warning in Channel; 143 lives lost.

Political, etc.

Blue Book (Cd. 9146) and (Cd. 8371) issued, describing German rule in south-west Africa and ill-treatment of the natives.

Ship Losses:

Galway Castle (United Kingdom) The ocean liner was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean 160 nautical miles (300 km) south west of the Fastnet Rock (48°50′N 10°40′W) by SM U-82 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was taken in tow but sank on 15 September with the loss of 143 lives.
Leixões (Portugal) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 200 nautical miles (370 km) off the coast of the United States by SM U-155 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
HMS Sarnia (Royal Navy) The armed boarding steamer was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Alexandria, Egypt (31°58′N 30°55′E) by SM U-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 55 crew.