100 Years Ago Today

[Sailor Steve]

April 18, 1918

Air War:

No aerial combat this day.

[Jimbuna]

19th April 1918

Western Front

Scarpe river British capture prisoners and machine guns.

Position restored at Givenchy.

Sharp fighting at Robecq.

North of Merville heavy shelling, but no infantry attacks.

Italy announces it will send reinforcements to the Allied lines defending against the German offensive in Picardy.

Eastern Front

Ukraine: Germans report occupation of two stations of main Sevastopol line.

Southern Front

Asiago Plateau: Successful minor action by British announced.

Macedonia: British withdraw from positions in Struma valley occupied on 15th.

Naval

German submarine SM UB-78, which sunk 2 ships during its career, hits a mine off Dover with loss of all 35 crew.

A dazzle-camouflaged American transport ship arriving with American troops at Brest.


Political, etc.

British Government announces right of search re: Dutch convoy of 16 April.

U.S.A. State Department says American landing in Vladivostok is merely police precaution.

Ship Losses:

Alice Taylor (United Kingdom) The coaster foundered on this date. Her crew were rescued.
Elka (Greece) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 50 nautical miles (93 km) off Cape Gati, Spain by SM U-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Lord Charlemont (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 22 nautical miles (41 km) north of the Isla de Alborán, Morocco (36°15′N 3°04′W) by SM U-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eight crew.
Salambo (French Navy) The naval trawler was torpedoed and sunk in the Ionian Sea (38°30′N 18°06′E) by SM U-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
SM UB-78 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UB III submarine struck a mine and sank in the Strait of Dover (51°01′N 1°17′E) with the loss of all 35 crew.
War Helmet (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) east by north of the Owers Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM UC-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

April 19, 1918

Air War:

1215 New Zealand AFC pilot Herbert Gilles Watson, flying Sopwith Camel B7406, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

[Jimbuna]

20th April 1918

Western Front

Minor operations near Hebuterne, Robecq and south of Scarpe go in favour of British.

North-east of Ypres German attempt fails.

At Seicheprey (Woevre) Germans gain partial success against French and Americans.

Eastern Front

Finland: Details of intentions of Finnish "White Party" are published in Stockholm.

Naval and Overseas Operations

British and German destroyers in contact in Heligoland Bight. One German destroyer damaged.

Aviation

Manfred von Richthofen, aka The Red Baron, shoots down his 79th and 80th victims marking his final victories before his death the following day.

Political, etc.

Great Britain: First National Emergency Proclamation, withdrawing exemptions up to 23.75 years, issued.

Nationalist M.P.s unanimously decide to oppose conscription; Irish Bishops support them.

South Africa: Governor-General (Lord Buxton) issues warning to Nationalists.

Ship Losses:

Florrieston (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 6 nautical miles (11 km) east of South Stack, Anglesey by SM U-91 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of nineteen of her crew.
Lowther Range (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km) west by north of South Stack (53°18′N 5°10′W) by SM U-91 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMT Numitor (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 4 (Ernst Berlin) and sank in the North Sea off Orfordness, Suffolk (52°07′N 1°45′E) with the loss of five of her crew.

[Sailor Steve]

April 20, 1918

Air War:

0940 Two French SPAD pilots from Spa 67 share a victory over a German two-seater:
Edmond Pillon, victory number 6.
Lt Rougevin-Baville (first name not given), victory number 1.

1005 French pilot Jean Bozon-Verduraz, in a SPAD XIII, whoots down a German two-seater for victory number 4.

1100 English RAF pilot Cedric Edwards, in Sopwith Camel D3331, shoots down a Fokker Dr.I for victory number 2.

1100 German pilot Otto Sporbert, with Jasta 62, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 2.

1405 German pilot Fritz Höhn, with Jasta 21, destroys a French observation balloon. Adj Renard, of the 75° Cie d’Aérostières. parachutes safely.

1500 German ace Hans Pippart, flying with Jasta 19, shoots down a French SPAD XIII for victory number 10. Lt Charles Boudoux dHautefeuille is listad as Missing. Pippart's claims this as a Bréguet 14.

1812 Two American pilots with the 103rd Aero Squadron share in the destruction of a German observation balloon:
William Thaw, victory number 4.
George Turnure, victory number 2.

1817 William Thaw scorse his second kill of the day, shooting down a German "Scout" for victory number 5. This is Thaw's last aerial victory. He will survive the war and return home to become an insurance agent. He will die from pneumonia in 1934, at age 40.

1820 German pilot Gefr Gebhardt (no first name given), with Jasta 47, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 2. This ihs Gebhardt's last aerial victory. No other information available.

1840 German ace Hans Weiss, in a Fokker Dr.I, shoots down Sopwith Camel D6475 for victory number 17. 2nd Lt G.R. Riley is wounded but lands on his own side of the lines.

1840 German ace Manfred von Richthofen, flying Fokker Dr.1 425/17, shoots down Sopwith Camel D6439 for victory number 79. Major Richard Raymond-Barker is killed.

With six planes of jasta 11, I attacked a large enemy squadron. During the fightI observed that a Triplane was attacked and shot at from below by a Camel. I put myself behind the adversary and brought him down, burning, with only a few shots. The enemy plane crashed down near the forest of Hamel where it burned further on the ground."
-Manfred von Richthofen

1843 Manfred von Richthofen scores his second victory of the day, shooting down Sopwith Camel B7393 for victory number 80. 2nd Lt David Greswolde Lewis is taken prisoner.

Three minutes after I had brought down the first machine, I attacked a second Camel of the same enemy squadron. The adversary dived, caught his machine and repeated this manoeuvre several times. I approached him as near as possible when fighting and fired 50 bullets until the machine began to burn. The body of the machine was burned in the air, the remnants dashed to the ground, north-east of Villers-Bretonneaux.
-Manfred von Richthofen

1900 Fritz Höhn scores his second kill of the day, another French balloon. Adj Breyer and Cpl Guyot, of the 45° Cie d’Aérostières, both parachute safely. Höhn in severely wounded in the fight and will miss the next four months of the war.

American pilot James Alexander Connelly, flying a SPAD VII for the French Air Service, shoots down a German observation balloon for victory number 1.

French ace Gabriel Guérin, with Spa 15, shoots down a Rumpler two-seater for victory number 20.

German pilot Wilhelm Zorn, flying with Jasta 60, shoots down a DH.4 for victory number 5.

[ABBAFAN]

21 April 1918

Manfred Von Richthofen, the Red Baron is shot down over Morlancourt Ridge in the Somme valley. Initially credited to Captain Roy Brown of 209 squadron, most historians now consider the Baron to have fallen to ground fire.

[Jimbuna]

21st April 1918

Western Front

Position at Seicheprey restored.

Local fighting round Albert, Villers Brettonneux and Robecq.

Aviation

Great aerial activity and much bombing on whole front.

Result of 29 days' bombardment of Paris: 118 killed, 236 injured.

Manfred von Richthofen, known as the “Red Baron” with 80 aerial victories, is killed in action over Morlancourt Ridge near the Somme River.


Political, etc.

Australian Roman Catholic Bishops protest against Government action in Ireland.

New constitution of Versailles Council announced.

Ship Losses:

Bellview (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 16 nautical miles (30 km) east north east of Cape Bon, Tunisia (37°13′N 11°21′E) by SM U-32 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Delta A (Belgium) The trawler was stopped and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 18 nautical miles (33 km) south of St. Kilda, Inverness-shire, United Kingdom by SM U-19 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Landonia (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 27 nautical miles (50 km) north west by west of Strumble Head, Pembrokeshire by SM U-91 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 21 of her crew. One of the survivors was taken as a prisoner of war.
Normandiet (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 34 nautical miles (63 km) south west by west of the Calf of Man, Isle of Man by SM U-91 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of nineteen of her crew.
SM UB-71 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UB III submarine was depth charged and sunk in the Strait of Gibraltar (35°38′N 5°18′W) by HMML 413 ( Royal Navy) with the loss of all 32 crew.
Westergate (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 22 nautical miles (41 km) east of Start Point, Devon by SM UB-80 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 24 of her crew.

[Sailor Steve]

April 21, 1918

Air War:

0700 English RAF observer Charles Philip Harrison, riding in DH.9 C6108 with Lt A.M. Phillips as pilot, shoots down a Fokker Dr.I for victory number 1.

0715 English RAF ace Reginald Maxwell, in Sopwith Camel D6587, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 6.

0815 Four French SPAD pilots share a victory over a German two-seater:
Jean Bozon-Verduraz, victory number 5.
S/Lt Duret, victory number 2.
Adj Mion, victory number 3.
MdL Ouvard de Linière, victory number 1.

0840 German pilot Otto Wandelt, with Jasta 43, shoots down RE.8 C5037 for victory number 2. Lt E.H.N. Stroud and Capt C.G. White are both killed.

1025 Three RAF Sopwith Camel pilots share a victory over an Albatros two-seater:
Robert Foster, England, B3858, victory number 2.
Oliver LeBoutillier, United States, D3338, victory number 5.
Merrill Taylor, Canada, B7200, victory number 2.

1100 Canadian RAF ace Roy Brown, flying Sopwith Cameo B7270, is credited with shooting down Fokker Dr.I 425/17 for victory number 10. German 80-victory ace Manfred von Richthofen is killed. This is Brown's last victory claim. Nine days after this fight he was admitted to the hospital with influenza. In July he will suffer a crash that will put him back in the hospital for five months. Brown will leave the RAF in 1919 and return home to Canada, where he will found a small airline called General Airways Limited in 1928. Arthur Roy Brown will live until 1944 when he suffers a fatal heart attack at age fifty.
(as with almost every single famous ace of the First World War, von Richthofen's death is surrounded by controversy.)

1100 English ace pilot Douglas Cooke and Irish observer henry Crowe, in Bristol F.2b C4749, shoot down an Albatros D.V. Victory number 7 for Cooke, number 5 for Crowe.

1100 German pilot Carl Degelow, with Jasta 7, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 3.

1100 Canadian RAF ace Donald MacLaren, in Sopwith Camel B9153, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 16.

1100 English RAF pilot Francis Mellersh, in Sopwith Camel B6257, shoots down a Fokker Dr.I for victory number 4.

1115 Two RAF SE.5a pilots share a victory over a DFW C.V:
Acheson Goulding, Canada, B690, victory number 4.
Leslie Hamilton, England, B694, victory number 1.

1115 German ace Josef Jacops, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 14.

1140 German pilot Fritz Thiede, with Jasta 24, shoost down a SPAD for victory number 1.

1150 German ace Ulrich Neckel, with Jasta 12, shoots down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 10. Mdl David de Conflans and Asp Millardet are listed as Missing.

1200 Two Canadian RAF Camel pilots share a victory over a Rumpler two-seater:
Charles Hickey, B6350, victory number 5.
Ronald Keirstead, N6389, victory number 12.

1230 German pilot Rudolf Abt, flying with Jasta 69, shoots down a SPAD for his only victory.

1230 German ace Julius Buckler, in an Alobatros D.Va, shoots down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 32. There was only one Bréguet lost this day, also attributed earlier to Neckel.

1350 German ace Karl Gallwitz, in Fokker Dr.I 212/17, shoots down Sopwith Camel D6959 for victory number 10. Lt C.J. Mason is killed.

1400 Canadian RAF pilot John De Pencier, in Sopwith Dolphin C4019, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 4.

1530 German pilot Uffz Glatz (no first name given), with Jasta 18, shoots down a SPAD for his only victory.

1625 German pilot Friedrich Ehmann, flying with Jasta 47, shoots down SE.5a D269 for victory number 5. Lt C.E.L. Skeddon lands on his own side of the lines.

1720 German ace Walter Blume, with Jasta 9, shoots down a SPAD VII for victory number 7.

1725 German pilot Herbert Rolle, with Jasta 9, shoots down a SPAD VII for victory number 2.

1725 German pilot Ltn Bitsch (no first name given), shoots down a SPAD VII for his only victory. French Sgt Paul Marie, in S.VII 5404, and American Cpl Donald E. Stone, in S.VII 5358, are both killed when they collide trying to avoid the fire from several German planes. Several other French SPAD pilots are reported killed or missing this day.

1915 Canadian RAF ace Albert Carter, in Sopwith Dolphin C4017, shoots down a Pfalz D.III for victory number 21.

1915 English RAF pilot John Arthur Aldridge, in Sopwith Dolphin C3833, shoots down a Pfalz D.III for victory number 1.

1915 Canadian RAF pilot Gordon Irving, flying Sopwith Dolphin C3799, shoots down a Pfalz D.III for victory number 2.

1925 German pilot Kurt Legel, with Jasta 52, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 2.

2000 Irish RAF pilot William Cairnes, in an SE.5a, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 5.

French pilot S/Lt Brussaux and observer Lt Mognot, in a Sopwith 1½ Strutter, shoot down and Albatros D.V. Victory number 1 for both. This is possibly Ltn Rudolf Abt of Jasta 69, taken prisoner after scoring his first and only victory earlier in the day.

Two French SPAD pilots share a victory over a Pfalz D.III:
Jean Chaput, victory number 16.
Pierre Wertheim, victory number 4.

Four French SPAD pilots share a victory over an "Enemy Aircraft". This is possibly Ltns Otto Sille and Willibald Richter of FlAbt 223, both killed in this area:
Marius Hasdenteufel, victory number 4.
Lt Jochaux du Plessis, victory number 2.
André Petit-Delchet, victory number 1.
Pierre Le Roy de Boiseaumarie, victory number 3.

Two French SPAD pilots share a victory over a German two-seater. This is possibly Gefrs August Penske and Johannes Straub of Schlasta 33, both killed in this area:
Jacques Gerared, SPAD VII 4236. victory number 3.
MdL Lienhard, victory number 3.

German pilot Uffz Hess (no first name given), with Jasta 60, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 2.

German pilot Erich Sonneck, with Jasta 66, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 1.

German pilot Paul Turck, with Jasta 66, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 1.

German ace Rudolf Windisch, flying with Jasta 66, shoots down two SPADs for victories number 16 and 17.

German ace Wilhelm Zorn, with Jasta 60, shoots down a French Sopwith 1½ Strutter for victory number 6. Cpl Lafarge is killed; S/Lt Ponsard is wounded and taken prisoner.

Wilhelm Zorn scores his second kill of the day, shooting down an SE.5a for victory number 7.

[Jimbuna]

22nd April 1918

Western Front

Local fighting to British advantage in Albert, Robecq and Wytschaete sectors.

Near Villers Brettoneux and on Ancre river, enemy concentrations are dispersed.

Austrian troops reported to be arriving in Belgium.

Eastern Front

United Diets of Baltic Provinces request German Government to form them into a monarchy under King of Prussia.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Baluchistan: India Office announces unconditional surrender of Khotran Tribe.

Transcaucasian Council decides to declare independence and reopens negotiations with the Turks.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Brilliant Naval Raid on Zeebrugge and Ostend, night of 22-23 April; Zeebrugge entrance blocked by sinking ships.

Block-ships also sunk in Ostend Harbour.

Destroyer action in Adriatic.

Political, etc.

Severe tension reported between Holland and Germany.

Germany: "Das neue Europa" publishes estimate of German losses up to 31 July 1917 as exceeding 5,000,000.

Mr. Bonar Law introduces the Budget.

Denmark conducts its Parliamentary election, which is the first election Danish women are eligible to vote. The Venstre (Left) Party wins the most seats.

Ship Losses:

Baron Herries (Royal Navy) The naval tug was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 43 nautical miles (80 km) north by west of the Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly (50°27′N 7°06′W) by SM U-91 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three of her crew. One of the survivors was taken as a prisoner of war.
Dronning Maud (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 65 nautical miles (120 km) north north east of Cape Sigli, Algeria (38°00′N 4°56′E) by SM U-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Eric Calvert (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) south south west of St Anthony Head, Cornwall 50°04′30″N 5°01′45″W) by SM UB-103 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
USS Fenimore (United States Navy) The cargo ship was destroyed by fire in New York Harbor.
Fern (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) east of the Kish Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM U-104 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of thirteen crew.
Kheda Moulekar (France) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea (32°08′N 32°50′E) by SM UB-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Marshalla (United Kingdom) The sailing vessel was shelled sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 50 nautical miles (93 km) north of Port Said, Egypt (32°11′N 32°39′E) by SM UB-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
HMT Pursuit (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was lost on this date.
Sadika (France) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea (32°13′N 32°40′E) by SM UB-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
SM UB-55 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UB III submarine struck a mine and sank in the Strait of Dover (51°01′N 1°20′E) with the loss of 23 of her 29 crew.
Welbeck Hall (United Kingdom) The ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 75 nautical miles (139 km) north east by north of Port Said by SM UB-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four of her crew.

[Sailor Steve]

April 22, 1918

Air War:

0610 Five RAF Camel pilots share a victory over a DFW C.V:
Cecil Brock, Canada, s/n unknown, victory number 5.
Robert Foster, England, B3858, victory number 3.
Lt M.A. Harker, nationality, s/n and score unknown.
Oliver LeBoutillier, United States, D3338, victory number 6.
Merrill Taylor, Canada, s/n unknown, victory number 3.

0840 English RAF pilot Famuel Frederick Henry Thompson and observer George Charles Gass, in Bristol F.2b B1136, shoot down an Aobatros D.V. Victory number 1 for both.

0945 English RAF ace Gerald Gibbs, in SE.5a B694 over the Macedonian Front, shoots down a DFW C.V for victory number 8.

1158 German ace Hans Weiss, in a Fokker Dr.I, shoots down Sopwith Camel B6248 for victory number 16. Capt G.A. Magor is killed.

1200 German ace Hans Joachim Wolff, in a Fokker Dr.I, shoots down Sopwith Camel N6377 for victory number 8. 2nd Lt W.H. Easty is killed.

1250 German pilot Karl Pech, flying with Jasta 29, shoots down a Sopwith Camel from No 201 Squadron for victory number 3. Claimed as a SPAD.

1330 German pilot Max Hermann Kiep, with Jasta 43, shoots down an Armstrong-Whitworth FK.8 for victory number 1.

1615 English RAF ace pilot Euan Dickson and observer Charles Robinson, in DH.4 A7739, shoot down a Fokker Dr.I. Victory number 9 for Dickson; number 2 for Robinson.

1620 Canadian RAF pilot William Boyd Elliott, in DH.4 A7561 with AM1 G. Smith as observer, shoots down a Fokker Dr.I for victory number 1.

1805 French ace René Fonck, in a SPAD XIII, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 36.

1840 German pilot Paul Knopf, flying with Jasta 72, shoots down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 1.

1840 German ace Karl Menckhoff, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 25.

2020 German pilot Ludwig Luer, with Jasta 62, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 5.

2020 German pilot Otto Sporbert, with Jasta 62, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 3.

Three Italian pilots in Macchi M.5 flying boat fighters share a victory over an Austro-Hungarian Lohner TL flying-boat fighter:
Umberto Calvello, victory number 1.
Pagliacci, first name and victory number unknown.
Rivieri, first name and victory number unknown.

French ace Gabriel Guérin, flying a SPAD, shoots down a Rumpler two-seater for victory number 21.

[Jimbuna]

23rd April 1918

Western Front

Violent artillery fire from Avre river to Albert, followed by heavy infantry attacks at Albert and in region between Somme and Avre.

Special despatch from Sir Douglas Haig mentions 14 divisions: 102 German divisions employed against British alone during great offensive.

Eastern Front

Finland: Finnish Western White Army reported to have reached Russian frontier.

Bolshevik Government against protests against union of Bessarabia and Romania.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Palestine: War Office reports progress in Hejaz.

Bayazid (Armenia) occupied by Turks.

Aviation

Paris raided by one aeroplane, which is brought down.

Paul Frank Baer becomes the first American serving in the U.S. military to become a flying ace.


Naval and Overseas Operations

British Royal Navy conducts a large raid against the German-held ports of Zeebrugge and Ostend but fail to cause significant damage. British suffer 583 casualties, while Germans suffer 24.

Durazzo (Albania) bombed by Naval aircraft:- only one warship seen in harbour.

Political, etc.

Ireland launches a general strike to protest the British government’s decision to extend military conscription to the Irish.

Newfoundland: Conscription Bill introduced.

Japan: Viscount Motono succeeded by Baron Goto as Foreign Minister.

Major-General Bridges, Military Adviser to Lord Reading in U.S.A.

Guatemala declares war on Germany.

Ship Losses:

HMS Brilliant (Royal Navy) The Apollo-class cruiser was scuttled as a blockship at Ostend, West Flanders, Belgium.
HMS C3 (Royal Navy) Packed with explosives, the C-class submarine was rammed into the a viaduct connecting the mole to the shore at Zeebrugge, West Flanders, Belgium, and detonated in order to destroy the viaduct.
Frances (United Kingdom) The ketch was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean (46°33′N 12°05′W) by SM U-155 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
HMS Intrepid (Royal Navy) The destroyer was scuttled at Zeebrugge in an attempt to block the entrance to the Bruges Canal.
HMS Iphigenia (Royal Navy) The destroyer was scuttled at Zeebrugge in an attempt to block the entrance to the Bruges Canal.
Laurium (United Kingdom) The coaster struck a mine laid by UC 64 (Ferdinand Schwartz) and sank in the North Sea off the Inner Dowsing Lightship ( United Kingdom) with the loss of a crew member.
HMML 110 (Royal Navy) The motor launch was lost on this date.
HMML 424 (Royal Navy) The motor launch was lost on this date.
HMS North Star (Royal Navy) The Admiralty M-class destroyer was shelled and sunk at Zeebrugge by German shore-based artillery.
Peregrine (United Kingdom) The trawler was shelled and sunk in Yell Sound by SM U-19 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMT Plethos (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by U 80 (Karl Koopmann) and sank in the North Sea 40 nautical miles (74 km) east north east of Montrose, Forfarshire with the loss of four of her crew.
Restaurado (Portugal) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Portugal by SM UB-105 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
HMS Sirius (Royal Navy) The Apollo-class cruiser was scuttled as a blockship at Ostend.
HMS Thetis (Royal Navy) The Apollo-class cruiser was scuttled at Zeebrugge in an attempt to block the entrance to the Bruges Canal.
Tyne Wave (United Kingdom) The trawler was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 16 nautical miles (30 km) north east of Ronas Voe, Shetland Islands by SM U-19 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

April 23, 1918

Air War:

0830 German ace Erich Löwenhardt, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 17.

0900 Canadian RAF pilot Earl Hand, in Sopwith Camel B2430 over the Italian Front, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 3.

0900 Australian RAF pilot Cedric Howell, in Sopwith Camel B5238 over the Italian Front, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 3.

0955 Two American SPAD pilots share a victory over an Albatros D.V:
Paul Baer, victory number 5.
Charles Herbert Wilcox, victory number 1.

1115 French ace Alexandre Marty, in a SPAD, shoots down a Hannover CL two-seat fighter for victory number 6. This is probably Ltns Heinrich Ohler and Otto Hickmann of FlAbt 242, both killed.

1355 English RAF pilot Francis Mellersh, flying Sopwith Camel D3329, shoots down a DFW C.V for victory number 5. This is Mellersh's last aerial victory. He will survive the war and remain in the RAF, serving through World War 2. In May 1955 Mellersh will be killed in a bizarre accident involving a yacht and a helicopter.
http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/mellersh.php

1415 English RAF pilot Cyril Lowe, in SE.5a D275, shoots down a Pfalz D.III for victory number 3.

1415 English RAF ace Ronald Mark, in SE.5a C6417, shoots down a Pfalz D.III for victory number 13.

1430 German naval pilot FlgMstr M. Brenner, with Marine Feld Jasta I, shoots down a "Sopwith" for victory number 4. This is Brenner's last aerial victory. He is last mentioned serving with the land-plane division as of June 14, 1918.

1550 English RAF observer Philip Holligan, riding in DH.9 C6114 with Lt A.H. Curtiss as pilot, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 3.

1750 English RAF pilot Thomas Rose, in SE.5a C5393, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 2.

1820 Canadian RAF ace Albert Carter, flying Sopwith Dolphin C4017, is credited with shooting down two Pfalz D.IIIs for victories number 22 and 23.
The second is shared with Canadian pilot Gordon Irving in Sopwith Dolphin C3799, victory number 2.

1855 German pilot Egon Koepsch, with Jasta 4, shoots down SE.5a C1086 for victory number 2. English 8-victory ace Capt Kenneth William Junor is killed.

1920 English RAF ace Oliver Redgate, in Sopwith Camel B7250, shoots down a Pfalz D.III for victory number 13.

1930 English RAF observer William Middleton, riding in DH.4 A8071 with Lt G.E. Siedle as pilot, shoots down a Fokker Dr.I for victory number 2.

1940 English ace pilot Euan Dickson and observer Charles Robinson, in DH.4 A7739, shoot down a Fokker Dr.I. Victory number 10 for Dickson; number 3 for Robinson.

German ace Heinrich Arntzen, in OAW Albatros D.III 2480/17, claims a Bréguet 14 for victory number 11. This is possibly a Salmson 2A.2 flown by Capt Georges Flouch and Lt Henri di Barres, both killed.

Two French pilot share a victory over a German two-seater:
Jacques Gérard, SPAD VII S4236, victory number 4.
Mdl Gentil, SPAD, victory number 1.

Jacques Gerard scores a second victory, shooting down another teo-seater for number 5.

German pilot Uffz Hess (no first name given), with Jasta 60, shoots down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 3.

German ace Theo Osterkamp, in an Albatros D.V with MFJ II, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 9.

French pilot Gabriel Thomas, flying a SPAD, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 2. This is probably Uffz Otto Schenke and Obltn Georg Schmidt of FlAbt 254, both killed.

German ace Wilhelm Zorn, with Jasta 60, shoots down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 8. This is probably Cpl Guillaume Tilloy and Asp Léon Barbaut, who are both wounded but land safely on their own side of the lines. They also claimed an Albatros, victory number 1 for both, and Zorn crashed on their side and was taken prisoner.

[Jimbuna]

24th April 1918

Western Front

Violent attacks on junction of British and French in Amiens sector south of Somme; Villers-Bretonneux lost.

Battle very severe at Hangard; Germans finally capture village.

Attacks beaten off east of Robecq and north-east of Bailleul.

Heavy artillery fire in Woevre.

Eastern Front

Manchuria: Cossacks under Colonel Semenov defeat 500 armed Hungarian prisoners of war and drive them back towards Chita.

Southern Front

Macedonia: Lively fighting west of Doiran and in Cherna Bend.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

During past week, a 53-mile section of Hejaz railway south of Maan effectively occupied by Arab troops.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Naval aircraft over Zeebrugge and Ostend.

Political, etc.

Rectification of Anglo-Turkish agreement for exchange of prisoners announced.

French papers publish Lichnowsky memorandum in full.

Hungary: Count Serenyi tries to form Ministry; and fails next day.

Ship Losses:

Agnete (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) south by west of Start Point, Devon by a Kaiserliche Marine submarine with the loss of twelve of her crew.
Leonor (Portugal) The trawler was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Portugal by SM UB-105 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Mabrouska (France) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea (32°44′N 32°40′E) by SM UB-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

[Sailor Steve]

April 24, 1918


Air War:

1850 English RAF pilot Cedric Edwards, flying Sopwith Camel D3351, shoots down a Pfalz D.III for victory number 3.

[Jimbuna]

25th April 1918

Western Front

Very strong attack on British and French from Bailleul to Hollbeke.

Germans reach Mt. Kemmel; Allied line forced back.

South of Somme Allies recapture Villers-Bretonneux with 600 prisoners.

German tanks in action for first time.

In the Woevre, after heavy bombardment, German attack is stopped.

Eastern Front

Finland: Germans report junction with Finnish army 30 miles north of Helsingfors.

Ukraine: Germans announced to be near Sevastopol.

Southern Front

In Asiago basin British patrols force enemy detachments to retire.

Political, etc.

Mr. Churchill reviews work of Ministry of Munitions.

Lord Rothermere (Air Ministry) resigns.

Australia: Mr. Hughes and Mr. Cook appointed to represent Australia at War Conference.

Mr. Loudon, Dutch Foreign Minister, says relations with Germany difficult.

German demands for use of Limburg railway agreed to.

Ship Losses:

HMS Cowslip (Royal Navy) The Anchusa-class sloop was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Spartel, Morocco by SM UB-105 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of six of her 93 crew.
Joseph (France) The sailing vessel was sunk in the English Channel off Cherbourg, Seine-Maritime by SM UB-31 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Sevilla (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) north west of Berry Head, Devon, United Kingdom (50°24′N 3°23′W) by SM UB-80 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Sote (Sweden) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off Flamborough Head, East Riding of Yorkshire, United Kingdom[120] by SM UC-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
HMS St. Seiriol (Royal Navy) The auxiliary minesweeper struck a mine laid by UC 4 (Ernst Berlin) and sank in the North Sea off the Shipwash Lightship ( United Kingdom) with the loss of twelve of her crew.
SM U-104 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type U 57 submarine was depth charged and sunk in St. George's Channel (51°59′N 6°26′W) by USS Cushing ( United States Navy) and HMS Jessamine ( Royal Navy) with the loss of 41 of her 42 crew.
HMS Willow Branch (Royal Navy) The Q-ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Cabo Blanco, Mauritania (21°00′N 17°56′W) by SM U-153 and SM U-154 (both Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 58 of her crew.
HM Torpedo Boat 90 (Royal Navy) The torpedo boat capsized and sank off Gibraltar.