100 Years Ago Today

[Jimbuna]

25th August 1917

Western Front

Enemy recapture some of positions lost on 19 August, but are driven out later in the day.

French progress north of Hill 304.

Eastern Front

Lull on Riga and Romanian fronts, some activity on Volhynia front.

Southern Front

Intense fighting Bainsizza Plateau.

Political, etc.

Since April, Allied forces have taken 167,780 Central Powers prisoners, excluding native African troops.

Russia receives another $100 million loan from the U.S. despite Russian internal instability and recent defeats.

British police raid the office & home of pacifist E.D. Morel. He will be sentenced to 6 months in prison.

Russian National Conference opened at Moscow by M. Kerenski, who warns extremists of the danger of their methods.

Ship Losses:

Cymrian (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 13 nautical miles (24 km) south east by south of the Tuskar Rock, Ireland by SM UC-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of ten of her crew.
Frigga (Norway) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 20 nautical miles (37 km) east south east of Portland Bill, Dorset, United Kingdom by SM UB-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Garm (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the English Channel 8 nautical miles (15 km) east north east of Start Point, Devon, United Kingdom (50°19′N 3°29′W) by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Heatherside (United Kingdom) The collier was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean north west of Cape Ortegal, Spain (46°14′N 10°57′W) by SM U-93 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 27 of her crew.
Junona (Russia) The cargo ship was sunk in The Minch (58°32′N 5°34′W) by SM U-80 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Malda (United Kingdom) The passenger ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 130 nautical miles (240 km) west of the Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly by SM U-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 64 lives.
Nascent (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 27 nautical miles (50 km) south of the Bishop Rock (49°32′N 6°25′W) by SM UC-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of six of her crew.
Nerma (Denmark) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 3.5 nautical miles (6.5 km) west of Berry Head, Devon by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of seven of her crew.
Ovar (Portugal) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (46°05′N 11°15′W) by SM U-93 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Sycamore (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 125 nautical miles (232 km) north west of Tory Island, County Donegal by SM UB-61 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eleven of her crew.

[Sailor Steve]

August 25, 1917

Air War:

The first installation of a Wolesley Viper engine on an SE.5a arrives at Martlesham for testing.

0600 Canadian RFC pilot Bernard Beanlands, flying DH.5 A9165, shoots down two German two-seaters for victories number 2 and 3. The second is shared with 2nd Lt W.B. Ives in DH.5 A0389.

0700 Welsh RNAS pilot Howard Saint, in Sopwith Triplane N6295, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 4.

0725 German pilot Joseph Mai, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down DH5 A9122 for victory number 2. Cpt J.S. de L. Bush is killed.

0805 German pilot Hans-Georg von der Osten, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down Sopwith Triplane N5367 for victory number 2. Sub-Lt A.D.M. Lewis is taken prisoner.

1835 English RFC pilot Oliver Campbell Bryson, flying SPAD VII B3569, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 1.

1925 New Zealand RFC ace Clive Collett, in Sopwith Camel B3889, and Scottish pilot John Gordon Cheetham Smith-Grant, in an unnamed Camel, share a victory over an "Enemy Aircraft". Number 8 for Collett, number 1 for Smith-Grant.

2040 German ace Hermann Göring, in an Albatros D.V, claims Sopwith Camel B3918 for victory number 12. 2nd Lt Orlando Clive Bridgeman is wounded but makes it safely back to his own base.

[August]

My Great-grandfather and the rest of the 8th Bavarian Infantry Regiment have been transferred from Lipsk to the Riga front where they have begun training in the new assault-troop (Stosstrupp) infiltration tactics in preparation for the coming offensive.

These tactics developed by Colonel Georg Bruchmüller, are characterized by bypassing and isolating strong points while special assault troops armed with light machine guns, grenades and flame throwers focus on quickly infiltrating the rear areas to disrupt communications and take out artillery.

[Jimbuna]

26th August 1917

Western Front

British capture enemy positions east of Hargicourt (north-west of St. Quentin) on front of over one mile to depth of 0.5 mile. Enemy recapture post lost on 24 August.

French make progress on right bank of Meuse, reaching outskirts of Beaumont.

Eastern Front

Renewed enemy attacks east of Czernowitz; Germans claim 1,000 prisoners.

Southern Front

Practically whole of Bainsizza Plateau in Italian hands; 23,000 prisoners to date; Italians fail at Jenelik.

Political, etc.

Belgian officials protest German attempts to divide the occupied country into two between Flanders and Wallonia.

Bulgarian Premier demands annexations of Macedonia, Dobruja, and the Aegean coast for joining the Central Powers.

Ship Losses:

Assyria (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 34 nautical miles (63 km) north west by north of Tory Island, County Donegal (55°40′N 9°00′W) by SM UB-61 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Cassiar (Canada) The passenger ship ran aground on Trivet Isle, British Columbia and sank. All on board were rescued.
Chacma (Norway) The sailing vessel was sunk in the English Channel 50 nautical miles (93 km) west of the Casquets, Channel Islands by SM UC-62 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Durango (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 50 nautical miles (93 km) north west of Barra Head, Outer Hebrides (57°08′N 8°55′W) by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Eirini (Greece) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 47 (Paul Hundius) and sank in the Atlantic Ocean 2.75 nautical miles (5.09 km) west of Hartland Point, Devon, United Kingdom.
Feltre (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) south south east of Flamborough Head, Yorkshire, United Kingdom by SM UB-32 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Kenmore (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 30 nautical miles (56 km) north of Inishtrahull Island, County Donegal (55°57′N 7°30′W) by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of five crew.
Maria del Carmine (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea east of Sicily by SM UC-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Marmion (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 300 nautical miles (560 km) west by south of Ouessant, Finistère, France (46°18′N 11°40′W) by SM U-93 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 17 of her crew.
Maurizio P. (Italy) The coaster was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea (36°56′N 0°15′E) by SM UC-20 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Minas Queen (Canada) The three-masted schooner was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 350 nautical miles (650 km) north west of Cape Finisterre, Spain (46°23′N 10°24′W) by SM U-93 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of six of her crew.
Titian (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 170 nautical miles (310 km) south east of Malta (34°20′N 17°30′E) by SM U-14 ( Austro-Hungarian Navy). Her crew survived.
W. H. Dwyer (Canada) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 15 nautical miles (28 km) east by north of Berry Head, Devon, United Kingdom (50°18′N 3°11′W) by SM UB-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

August 26, 1917

Air War:

0540 Five RFC SPAD VIIs team up to shoot down a DFW C.V:
Lt H.C. Ainger, B3616, unknown.
Lt A.E. Boeree, B3520, unknown.
John Geoffrey Sadler Candy, England, B3532, victory number 1.
(The Aerodrome has this as s/n B3352, but UK Serials says that was an Armstrong-Whitworth FK.8.)
Lt R.L. Graham, B3618, unknown.
Alexander Pentland, England, B3620, number 5.

0645 German ace Karl Menckhoff, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a SPAD VII for victory number 7.

0655 German pilot Kurt Wissemann, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a SPAD VII for victory number 4.

0715 English RFC pilot Spencer Horn, in SE.5a A8936, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 5.

0730 German ace Manfred von Richthofen, in Albatros D.V 2059/17, shoots down SPAD VII B3492 for victory number 59. 2nd Lt Coningsby Philip Williams is listed as Missing.

During a fighter patrol with four gentlemen of Staffel 11, I saw beneath me a single SPAD flying at an altitude of 3,000 metres above a solid cover of cloud. The adversary was probably trying to find flying German artillery planes.
I attacked him, coming out of the sun. He tried to escape by diving, but in this moment I shot at him and he disappeared through the clouds. Upon pursuit, I saw him beneath the cloud, first plunge straight down, then at about 500 metres altitude explode in the air.
Due to the new, very poor incendiary ammunition my pressure line, intake manifold, exhaust, etc, were again so badly damaged that I would not have been able to pursue a merely wounded opponent. Consequently, he would have escaped and I had to see that I glided as far from the front as possible.
- Manfred von Richthofen.

0750 Two RNAS Sopwith Triplane pilots share a victory over a DFW C.V:
Stanley Rosevear, Canada, N6299, number 3.
Herbert Rowley, England, N6301, number 4.

1005 Karl Menckhoff scores his second kill of the day, shooting down an RE.8 for number 8.

1005 German pilot Wilhelm Reinhard, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 5.

1430 German ace Otto Schmidt, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a French observation balloon for victory number 7. The observer makes a safe descent.

1440 German pilot Kurt Petzinna, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a French observation balloon for victory number 2. The observer parachutes safely.

Italian pilot Antonio Chiri, flying a Nieuport 11, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 2.

French pilots Gilbert de Guingand and René Montrion, both in unidentified Nieuports, share a victory over an Albatros D.III. Victory number 3 for each.

German ace Ludwig Hanstein, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a French observation balloon for victory number 8. Adj Glaize parachutes safely to the ground.

Italian pilot Attilio Imolesi, flying an unidentified Nieuport, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 1.

Austrian pilot Frank Linke-Crawford, in Hansa-Brandenburg D.I 28.40, shoots down a SPAD VII for victory number 4.

German ace Eduard von Schleich, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down a SPAD VII for victory number 8.

[Jimbuna]

27th August 1917

Western Front

Ypres region: British line advance 200 yards astride St. Julien-Poelcapelle road.

Renewed activity on the Aisne.

Right bank of Meuse heavy enemy counter-attack repulsed.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Publication of official communication regarding operations in East Africa; enemy slowly being pressed back, eight miles in Masasi district.

Belgian columns from Kilossa drive enemy to south bank Ruaha river.

Midway between Lake Nyassa and sea, considerable German force closely invested.

Political, etc.

At Russian National Conference, General Kornilov appeals for measures to restore discipline in the army.

Ship Losses:

Anna (Denmark) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 25 nautical miles (46 km) east of Lerwick, Shetland Islands, United Kingdom by SM U-87 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Aurora (Denmark) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 25 nautical miles (46 km) east south east of Lerwick (60°35′N 0°07′E) by SM U-87 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Hathor (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 50 nautical miles (93 km) off Cape Ténès, Algeria by SM UB-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member. Her captain was taken as a prisoner of war.

[Sailor Steve]

August 27, 1917

Air War:

German pilot Dietrich Averes, flying a Roland D.II, ahoots down an observation balloon for victory number 1.

[Jimbuna]

28th August 1917


Western Front

Verdun: French positions on this front almost completely restored to those before the great attack of February 1916.

Eastern Front

Enemy attack Focsani region (Romanian front); Russian defection (of a division) in face of enemy, who advance throughout day and penetrate positions in region of Vainitza. Heavy fighting in Ocna valley, Romanians stubbornly resisting.

Southern Front

Austrian counter-attacks on Bainsizza Plateau broken down. Italians claim 1,000 prisoners.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British aeroplanes successful about Maan (Hejaz railway).

Naval and Overseas Operations

German aeroplanes drop 90 bombs on Russian shipping in Gulfs of Riga and Finland.

Political, etc.

Official British casualties for the last week number 14,331 men killed, wounded, or missing.

U.S. government orders 1,074,000 gas masks to outfit the U.S. Army for around $1.40 each, not including raw materials.

Moscow National Conference closed.

General Kornilov, Russian Commander-in-Chief, warns that Russia will face ruin if domestic enemies are not dealt with.

Ship Losses:

Hidalgo (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Barents Sea 120 nautical miles (220 km) north east of the North Cape, Norway by SM U-28 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 15 crew.
Marselieza (Russia) The cargo ship was sunk in the Barents Sea 110 nautical miles (200 km) north west by north of the North Cape (72°30′N 29°00′E) by SM U-28 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Nairn (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 125 nautical miles (232 km) north by west of Benghazi, Libya (34°05′N 19°20′E) by SM U-14 ( Austro-Hungarian Navy). Her crew survived.
Pasqualino Carmela (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Strait of Messina by SM UC-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Scilla (Italy) The ferry struck a mine laid by UC 38 (Hans Hermann Wendlandt) and sank in the Strait of Messina.
Whitecourt (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Barents Sea 120 nautical miles (220 km) north north east of the North Cape (72°48′N 29°00′E) by SM U-28 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

August 28, 1917


No aerial activity today.

[Jimbuna]

29th August 1917

Eastern Front

Fighting continues in Focsani region.

Political, etc.

Russian Premier Kerensky states the Provisional Government “will suffer no counter revolutionary attempts…”

Polish State Council resigns.

U.S. reply to the Papal Peace Note.

Ship Losses:

Cooroy (United Kingdom) The four-masted barque was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 16 nautical miles (30 km) south south east of Ballycotton, County Cork by SM UC-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Laura C. Anderson (United States) The four-masted schooner was sunk in the English Channel 15 nautical miles (28 km) east of Barfleur, Manche, France (49°43′N 0°55′W) by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Lynburn (United Kingdom) The coaster struck a mine laid by UC 75 (Johannes Lohs) and sank in the Irish Sea 0.5 nautical miles (930 m) south east of the Arklow Lightship ( United Kingdom) with the loss of eight of her crew.
Milazzo (Italy) The bulk carrier was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 250 nautical miles (460 km) east of Malta (34°44′N 19°16′E) by SM U-14 ( Austro-Hungarian Navy).
Treloske (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 145 nautical miles (269 km) north north west of Cape Finisterre, Spain by SM U-93 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Vronwen (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km) north west by north of Gozo, Malta (36°12′N 13°56′E) by SM UC-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.

[Sailor Steve]

August 29, 1917

No aerial activity today.

[Jimbuna]

30th August 1917

Western Front

Attempted German night raid on British lines south-east of Lens repulsed.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British advance on front of 600 yards south-west of Gaza.

Political, etc.

Former President Roosevelt states pacifist Senators La Follette and William Stone should be sent to Germany, accusing them of pro-Germanism.

President Wilson exempts hospital interns and medical students from the draft.

Canada passes the Military Service Act to recruit more soldiers due to the heavy casualties suffered at the Somme.

Ship Losses:

Athinai (Greece) The coaster was shelled and sunk in the Kassos Strait south east of Cape Sidero, Crete by SM UC-74 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Eastern Prince (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 30 nautical miles (56 km) south west of the Eddystone Lighthouse (49°41′N 4°12′W) by SM U-62 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of five crew.
Grelhame (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) south west of Start Point by SM U-62 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Natal (France) The passenger ship collided with another French merchant vessel and sank in the Mediterranean Sea off Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône. All 520 people on board were rescued.
Noya (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 8 nautical miles (15 km) west south west of The Lizard, Cornwall (49°52′N 5°22′W) by SM U-62 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
HMT Ocean's Gift II (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was lost on this date.

[Sailor Steve]

August 30, 1917

No aerial activity today.

[Jimbuna]

31st August 1917

Western Front

Germans force British to evacuate advanced posts north of St. Julien-Poelcapelle road.

British air raid on aerodromes on Belgian coast.

French success near Hurtebise (Aisne).

Southern Front

Heavy fighting at Monte San Gabriele (north-east of Gorizia); Austrian counter-attacks repulsed.

Italians claim 27,000 prisoners since 19 August.

Naval and Overseas Operations

British seaplanes drop many bombs on aerodromes near Belgian coast.

Political, etc.

M. Malvy, French Minister of the Interior, resigns.

Ship Losses:

Eleni (Greece) The coaster was sunk in the Kassos Strait by SM UC-74 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Erissos (Greece) The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the English Channel 7 to 8 nautical miles (13 to 15 km) south east of Berry Head, Devon, United Kingdom by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was beached but was later refloated.
Marques de Mudela (Spain) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by
UC 21 (Reinhold Saltzwedel) and sank in the Bay of Biscay 14 nautical miles (26 km) off the La Coubre Lighthouse, Finistère, France (45°24′N 1°17′W). Her crew survived.
Miniota (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel (49°50′N 3°00′W) by SM U-19 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three of her crew.
Vernon (United Kingdom) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 22 nautical miles (41 km) south east by south of Spurn Head, Yorkshire by SM UB-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Westbury (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 8 nautical miles (15 km) south south east of the Fastnet Rock (51°18′N 9°22′W) by SM U-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

MERCHANT SHIPPING
British, Allied and Neutral ships lost to enemy submarines, mines and cruisers etc in the month - 208 ships of 523,000 tons gross. (Lloyd's War Losses).

[Sailor Steve]

August 31, 1917

Air War:

1910 German pilot Karl Hammes, flying Albatros D.V 2336/17, shoots down an unnamed SPAD for victory number 1. The only SPAD reported lost this day is flown by Cpl Nicolas Pavlovsky of French Escadrille N78. Pavlovsky is listed as Injured rather than Wounded, so there may be no connection.

1950 German ace Hans von Adam, in Albatros D.V 1148/17, shoots down Sopwith Pup B1794 for victory number 13. 2nd Lt E.S. Bacon is killed.
(The Aerodrome says the victim was an SE.5. Jasta War Chronology also says SE.5 and gives this serial number. The Aerodrome also has a serial number listing, which says this was a Pup. UK Serials website shows a Pup, as does a separate listing I stumbled across which gives every known listing involving that aircraft, including the note that it went missing on this date.)