100 Years Ago Today

[Sailor Steve]

December 4, 1917:

Air War:

English RFC ace William Pearson, flying SE.5a A9300, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 6. This is shared with 2nd Lt C.J. Howson in A9315.

1200 English RFC pilot Arthur Peck, in SE.5a B26 on the Palestinian Front, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 4.

1535 Two RNAS Camel pilots share a victory over a German two-seater:
George Chisholm MacKay, Canada, B6357, victory number 1.
John Pinder, England, N6335, number 5.

1605 German ace Heinrich Kroll, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 15.

German ace Otto Rosenfeld, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Caudron for victory number 6.

German pilot Walter Horn (1 victory) is shot down and killed.

[Jimbuna]

5th November 1917

Western Front

British airmen raid Zweibrucken and Saarbrucken.

Eastern Front

Negotiations at Brest-Litovsk re: Russian Armistice; preliminary suspension of hostilities signed.

Southern Front

Enemy progress at Asiago, storm M. Zomo and Castelgomberto and attack Melette, claiming 11,000 prisoners.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British take Sakaltutan Pass (on Deli Abbas-Kifri road) and 230 prisoners.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Successful British air-raids on Belgian coast.

Ship Losses:

Aigburth (United Kingdom) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) off Robin Hood's Bay, Yorkshire by SM UB-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eleven of her crew.
Armenia (United States) The cargo liner was torpedoed and damaged in the English Channel 20 nautical miles (37 km) east of Start Point, Devon, United Kingdom by SM UB-80 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was beached but was later refloated and returned to service.
Greenwich (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 9 nautical miles (17 km) south of the Île du Planier, Bouches-du-Rhône, France (43°04′N 5°12′E) by SM UC-67 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMT Helen Wilson (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was lost on this date.
Seaforth (United Kingdom) The ship struck the wreck of the Franklin ( United Kingdom) and foundered in the Bristol Channel. Her eleven crew were rescued. The wreck was raised in April 1918.

[Sailor Steve]

December 5, 1917:

Air War:

0855 Two RFC DH.5 pilots share a victory over a German two-seater:
William Pearson, England, A9300, victory number 7.
Walter Tyrrell, Ireland, B4916, number 5.

0925 Canadian RFC pilot Wilfred Beaver and English observer Malcolm Mather, in Bristol F.2b B883, shoot down an Albatros two-seater. Victory number 3 for Beaver, number 2 for Mather.

0925 English ace RFC pilot Frank Johnson and observer John Herbert Hedley, in Bristol F.2b A7144, shoot down a Halberstadt fighter. Victory number 7 for Johnson, number 1 for Hedley.

1015 English RFC pilot Sydney Oades and observer John Jones, in Bristol F.2b B1164, shoot down a German two-seater. Victory number 2 for Oades; number 1 for Jones.

German ace Karl Menckhoff, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 17.

1030 German pilot Otto Löffler, Flying an Albatros D.III or D.V, shoots down Nieuport 27 B6753 for victory number 1. Lt C.E. Ogden is taken prisoner.

1045 American pilot Charles John Biddle, flying a SPAD XIII for the French Air Service, shoots down an Albatros two-seater for victory number 1.

1100 German pilot Fritz Oppenhorst, in Albatros D.V 2225/16, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 1.

[Jimbuna]

6th December 1917

Western Front

London and south-east counties raided by 25 aeroplanes, two brought down; eight killed, 28 injured.

Eastern Front

Romania obliged to suspend hostilities in consequence of Russian action.

Southern Front

Austrians capture Mount Sisemol; attacks in Val Frenzela frustrated.

Naval and Overseas Operations

U.S. destroyer "Jacob Jones" torpedoed; 37 survivors.

Aviation

London is raided by 25 German aeroplanes, killing 8 and injuring 28. Two aeroplanes are brought down, and 2 German aviators are captured.

Political, etc.

U.S. resolution to declare war against Austria-Hungary goes to the House of Representatives.

Nationalisation of railways in U.S.A. announced.

Rising in Lisbon.

Ship Losses:

Ambiorix (Belgium) The cargo ship sank in the English Channel (49°59′N 1°13′W) after a collision with Primo ( Norway).
HMT Apley (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 71 (Ernst Steindorff) and sank in the English Channel east of the Isle of Wight (50°37′N 0°56′W) with the loss of eleven of her crew.
Asaba (United Kingdom) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) west south west of The Lizard, Cornwall by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of sixteen of her crew.
Braeside (United Kingdom) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) south of the Owers Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM UC-71 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of all eleven crew.
Curaca (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was sunk at Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada by the explosion of Mont-Blanc ( France) with the loss of 45 of her 46 crew. She was later refloated, repaired and returned to service.
Ilvington Court (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 8 nautical miles (15 km) north west by west of Cape Cherchell, Algeria (36°43′N 2°06′E) by SM U-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eight crew.
Imo (Norway) The cargo ship collided with Mont-Blanc ( France) at Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Mont-Blanc caught fire and was obliterated in a massive explosion that killed approximately 2,000 people and drove Imo ashore. Imo subsequently was refloated, repaired, and returned to service.
USS Jacob Jones (United States Navy) The Tucker-class destroyer was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off the Scilly Isles, United Kingdom (49°53′N 6°50′W) by U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Sixty four crew were killed, two were taken prisoner.
Leda (Netherlands) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea (54°12′N 0°08′W) by SM UB-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Mont-Blanc (France) The pyrocumulus cloud generated by the explosion of Mont Blanc, photographed an estimated 15 to 20 seconds after the explosion from an estimated 21 km (13 miles) away. The cargo ship collided with Imo ( Norway) at Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, causing Mont-Blanc to catch fire and explode. The explosion obliterated Mont Blanc, devastated Halifax′s Richmond district, and killed approximately 2,000 people.
Sambro (Canada) The tug was sunk by the explosion of Mont-Blanc ( France). She was refloated in 1927, repaired and returned to service.
Stella Maris (Canada) The tug was severely damaged by the explosion of Mont-Blanc ( France), which she was towing. Subsequently repaired and returned to service.
Tubereuse (French Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 38 (Hans Hermann Wendlandt) and sank in the Gulf of Patras with the loss of 24 of her crew.
SM UC-69 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UC II submarine collided with SM U-96 ( Kaiserliche Marine) at Barfleur, Manche, France (49°47′N 1°10′W) and sank with the loss of eleven of her crew.
Wyndhurst (United Kingdom) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 30 nautical miles (56 km) south of St. Catherine's Point, Isle of Wight by SM UC-71 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eleven of her crew.

[Jimbuna]

7th December 1917

Western Front

British line improved north of La Vacquerie.

End of Battle of Cambrai.

Southern Front

Asiago: Italians continue withdrawal to Melette lines.

Austrians claim 15,000 prisoners since 4 December.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Hebron (17 miles south of Jerusalem) captured.

Political, etc.

President Wilson signs declaration of war v. Austria-Hungary.

Ecuador breaks off relations with Germany.

8 family-owned soy businesses in Noda, Japan come together to form the Kikkoman company.

Ship Losses:

Earl of Elgin (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 10 nautical miles (19 km) west by south of the Caernarvon Bay Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM UC-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eighteen of her crew.
Highgate (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 2.5 nautical miles (4.6 km) east of Robin Hood's Bay, Yorkshire by SM UB-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Proba (United Kingdom) The schooner was scuttled in the English Channel 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) south east of The Lizard, Cornwall (49°56′N 5°08′W) by SM UB-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Simcoe Canada Foundered off Magdalen Islands. 44 people lost.[53]
W. C. McKay (Canada) The schooner was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean north east of the Azores, Portugal (40°57′N 18°16′W) by SM U-156 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of all six of her crew.

[Jimbuna]

8th December 1917

Western Front

Small actions west of Graincourt (south-western Cambrai).

Great artillery activity north-east of Verdun.

Southern Front

French and British join Italian line, latter in Montello district (Piave).

Combined airwork (150 planes) in Frenzela valley.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British, by cutting Jerusalem-Jericho and Shechem roads, isolate city. Local authorities arrange to surrender.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Germans capture Portuguese force at Ngoma (River Rovuma).

Ship Losses:

Consols (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Mediterranean Sea 40 nautical miles (74 km) north west of Cape Bon, Algeria by SM UB-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three of her crew. She was shelled and sunk the next day.
Corinto (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 26 nautical miles (48 km) north of Ouessant, Finistère, France (48°53′N 5°17′W) by SM UB-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Giuseppe Naccari (Italy) The brigantine was scuttled in the Mediterranean Sea 19 nautical miles (35 km) north of Marettimo (38°36′N 12°00′E) by SM UC-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
HMS Grive (Royal Navy) The armed boarding steamer was torpedoed and damaged in the North Sea off Lerwick, Shetland Islands. She was beached but subsequently foundered on 24 December 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) east north east of the North Ronaldsay Lighthouse, Orkney Islands whilst under tow.
Lampada (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) north of Whitby, Yorkshire by SM UB-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of five of her crew.
La Vittoria (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea south of Sardinia by SM UC-67 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Maindy Bridge (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) east north east of Sunderland, County Durham (55°01′N 1°18′W) by SM UC-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
Nonni (Russia) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Brest, Finistère (48°53′N 4°28′W) by SM UB-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
USS Rush (United States Navy) The patrol vessel struck a submerged log at League Island Navy Yard and sank. She was declared a total loss.

[Jimbuna]

9th December 1917


Eastern Front

Definite truce on Romanian front begins.

Southern Front

Stiff fighting for bridgehead on Lower Piave (15 miles from Venice); Italians hold on.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Surrender of Jerusalem. Holy City surrounded by British troops.

Naval and Overseas Operations

German submarine SM UB-18, credited with sinking 126 ships, making it the 13th most successful U-boat of the war, is rammed and sunk by a British trawler.

Italian light boats enter Trieste Harbour and sink the "Wien" (old).

Political, etc.

Romania signs the Armistice of Focșani with the Central Powers, ending hostilities. The Russian revolution had left Romania isolated and without support.

Ship Losses:

Adour (Norway) The cargo shp was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) off the Isla Horminga Lighthouse, Spain (37°40′N 0°34′W) by SM U-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two crew.
Costas (Greece) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Cape Vaticano, Italy (38°44′N 15°34′E) by SM UC-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
SM UB-18 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UB II submarine was rammed and sunk in the English Channel (49°17′N 5°47′W) by HMT Ben Lawer ( Royal Navy) with the loss of all 24 crew.
Venetia (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) north north west of Whitby, Yorkshire (54°32′N 0°39′W) by SM UB-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
War Tune (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 1.5 nautical miles (2.8 km) south south east of Black Head, Cornwall (49°59′N 5°05′W) by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.

[Jimbuna]

10th December 1917

Western Front

Enemy post carried east of Boursies (Cambrai).

Verdun: German attacks on Chaume Wood, etc., checked.

Eastern Front

Bolsheviks defeat General Kornilov at Tamarovka (north of Kharkov).

Naval and Overseas Operations

British seaplanes bomb aerodromes near Ghent, and Bruges Docks.

Two Italian torpedo boats raid Austro-Hungarian ships near Trieste, sinking the SMS Wien with 46 of its crew.


Aviation

First flight: Junkers J 8, prototype of the Junkers CL.I


Political, etc.

Panama declares war against Austria-Hungary.

Ship Losses:

Antonio Magliulo (Italy) The sailing vessel was shelled and sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea west of Naples (40°35′N 13°18′E) by SM UC-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Crathorne (Norway) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Alicante, Spain (38°28′N 0°01′W) by SM U-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three of her crew.
Forward (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the North Sea off Aldeburgh, Suffolk by SM UB-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Øiekast (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the English Channel 25 nautical miles (46 km) north east of Barfleur, Manche, France by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Owasco (United States) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Alicante (38°28′N 0°13′W) by SM U-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
SM UB-75 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UB III submarine struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Scarborough, Yorkshire, United Kingdom with the loss of all 34 crew.
SMS Wien (Austro-Hungarian Navy) The Monarch-class coastal defense ship was torpedoed and sunk at Trieste, Italy by two Regia Marina torpedo boats with the loss of 46 of her 469 crew.

[Jimbuna]

11th December 1917

Eastern Front

Forces from Russian front sent against Don Cossacks.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

General Allenby enters Jerusalem and reads proclamation.

Naval and Overseas Operations

British airship lost (with crew of five) over the North Sea.

Political, etc.

Mr. Balfour announces receipt in September of German peace proposals.

Winston Churchill: “The longer Great Britain and America are fighting side by side the closer they will be drawn together. That is a tremendous fact, and it will make amends for what we are now suffering.”

U.S. troops in France donate $4000 for Christmas gifts to French refugee children settled in their sector.

Constituent Assembly meets at Petrograd.

Ship Losses:

Argus (Portugal) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Leixões by SM UB-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Bard (Norway) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off St. Agnes Head, Cornwall, United Kingdom (50°19′N 5°22′W) by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of seven crew.
D. A. Gordon (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Alicante, Soain (38°22′N 0°19′W) by SM U-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Ligeiro (Portugal) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Leixões by SM UB-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Minorca (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Cabo de las Huertas, Spain by SM U-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Oldfield Grange (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 30 nautical miles (56 km) north east of Tory Island, County Donegal (55°46′N 7°56′W) by SM U-62 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Persier (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 50 nautical miles (93 km) east of Cape Spartivento, Calabria, Italy (37°58′N 17°09′E) by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Portuguesa (Portugal) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Leixões by SM UB-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Vigneira or Virgeira ( Portugal)The fishing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Leixões by SM UB-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

[Jimbuna]

12th December 1917

Western Front

Enemy capture small salient between Bullecourt and Queant (west of Cambrai).

Eastern Front

Fighting between Cossacks and Bolsheviks at Rostov (River Don).

Romanians sign armistice.

Southern Front

Battle on Monte Grappa front between Brenta and Piave; heavy Austrian attacks.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British have taken 562 officers and 11,474 men prisoners in Palestine to date.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Royal Navy destroyer HMS Wolverine collides with the a sloop off the coast of Ireland and sinks.


Convoy to Norway sunk; three vessels also sunk off the Tyne.

Funchal (Madeira) shelled by submarine; much damage.

Political, etc.

Enquiry into the reverse at Cambrai ordered by Government.

French Government decides to bring M. Caillaux before Court Martial.

Cuban House of Representatives votes to declare war against Austria-Hungary. Cuba is already at war against Germany, and the island is currently under U.S. occupation.

Ship Losses:

Amadavat (United Kingdom) The trawler struck a mine laid by
U 71 (Otto Dröscher) and sank in the North Sea east of the Shetland Islands with the loss of nine crew.
Bellville (Sweden) The barque was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean south west of the Tuskar Rock[84] (51°42′N 6°19′W) by SM UB-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Charleston (United Kingdom) The collier was scuttled in St. George's Channel 30 nautical miles (56 km) west of The Smalls (51°37′N 5°59′W) by SM UB-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but two of them were taken as prisoners of war.
HMT Commander Fullerton (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was shelled and sunk in the Norwegian Sea by SMS G101, SMS G103, SMS G104 and SMS V100 (all Kaiserliche Marine).
Cordova (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Norwegian Sea 50 nautical miles (93 km) west of Bergen, Rogaland, Norway by SMS G101, SMS G103, SMS G104 and SMS V100 (all Kaiserliche Marine).
USS Elizabeth (United States Navy) The patrol vessel collided with Northland (United States) at Norfolk, Virginia and sank. She was subsequently salvaged, repaired and returned to service.
Emanuele C. (Italy) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Cape Bougaroun, Algeria (37°37′N 8°30′E) by SM U-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Emlyndene (United Kingdom) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel east of Start Point, Devon by SM UC-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of all fourteen of her crew.
Florida (Italy) The passenger ship collided with Caprera ( Regia Marina) off Armevilla and sank.
Francis Blanchflower (United Kingdom) The trawler was shelled and sunk in the North Sea by three Kaiserliche Marine destroyers with the loss of four of her eight crew.
John M. Smart (United Kingdom) The trawler was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 10 nautical miles (19 km) east of the mouth of the River Tyne by a Kaiserliche Marine torpedo boat destroyer with the loss of four of her crew.
Leonatus (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) east by south of the Bressay Lighthouse, Shetland Islands by SM UC-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMT Livingstone (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was torpedoed, shelled and sunk in the Norwegian Sea by SMS G101, SMS G103, SMS G104 and SMS V100 (all Kaiserliche Marine).
HMT Lord Alverstone (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was shelled and sunk in the Norwegian Sea by SMS G101, SMS G103, SMS G104 and SMS V100 (all Kaiserliche Marine).
Maracaibo (Denmark) The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Norwegian Sea 50 nautical miles (93 km) west of Bergen by SMS G101, SMS G103, SMS G104 and SMS V100 (all Kaiserliche Marine).
Nike (Sweden) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk with the loss of sixteen crew in the North Sea 8 nautical miles (15 km) east of Blyth, Northumberland by SMS B97 and SMS B111 (both Kaiserliche Marine).
HMS Partridge (Royal Navy) The Admiralty M-class destroyer was shelled and sunk in the Norwegian Sea by SMS G101, SMS G103, SMS G104 and SMS V100 (all Kaiserliche Marine). Twenty four survivors were rescued by the Germans.
St. Croix (Norway) The cargo liner was torpedoed and damaged in the Bristol Channel 13 nautical miles (24 km) north west of Hartland Point, Devon, United Kingdom (50°49′N 4°49′W) by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two crew. She was taken under tow but sank the next day 10 nautical miles (19 km) south west by west of Hartland Point.
HMT Tokio (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was shelled and sunk in the Norwegian Sea by SMS G101, SMS G103, SMS G104 and SMS V100 (all Kaiserliche Marine).
Torleif (Sweden) The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Norwegian Sea (59°43′N 4°10′E) by SMS G101, SMS G103, SMS G104 and SMS V100 (all Kaiserliche Marine).
HMS Wolverine (Royal Navy) The Beagle-class destroyer collided with HMS Rosemary ( Royal Navy) in the Atlantic Ocean north west of Ireland and sank.

[Sailor Steve]

December 12, 1917

Air War:

0930 English RFC pilot Kenneth Seth-Smith, flying Sopwith Camel B2499, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 2.

[Jimbuna]

13th December 1917

Western Front

Moderate fighting on Ypres, Cambrai and Verdun fronts.

Eastern Front

General Kornilov's troops worsted by Bolsheviks near Bielgorod (southern Russia).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British line extended north-east of Jerusalem and advanced between latter and Jaffa.

Political, etc.

Constituent Assembly at Taurida Palace dispersed by Bolshevist troops.

Ship Losses:

Arnewood (United Kingdom) The collier struck a mine laid by
U 78 (Otto Dröscher) and sank in the Atlantic Ocean 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) east south east of Sleat Point, Skye (57°01′N 5°54′W). Her crew survived.
Bangarth (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 13 nautical miles (24 km) north north east of the mouth of the River Tyne by SM UB-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
Britannic (United Kingdom) The sailing vessel was scuttled in the English Channel 12 nautical miles (22 km) north north west of the Les Hanois Lighthouse, Guernsey, Channel Islands (49°36′N 2°53′W) by SM UB-31 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Chili (France) The barque was damaged in the Atlantic Ocean 100 nautical miles (190 km) west of Ouessant, Finistère by SM UB-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She sank the next day.
Garthwaite (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) east of Whitby, Yorkshire by SM UB-22 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of fourteen crew.
Karen (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) off Porto Anzio, Italy by SM UC-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Little Gem (United Kingdom) The schooner was sunk in the English Channell west of the Casquets, Channel Islands by SM U-87 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of five of her crew.
Noviembre (Spain) The cargo ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay 10 nautical miles (19 km) off the mouth of the Gironde River, France (45°24′N 1°37′W) by SM U-102 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Ottokar (United Kingdom) The coaster was sunk in the North Sea off Whitby by SM UB-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMS Stephen Furness (Royal Navy) The armed boarding steamer was sunk in the Irish Sea west of the Isle of Man by SM UB-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 101 lives.
SM U-75 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UE I submarine struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Terschelling, Friesland, Netherlands with the loss of 23 of her crew.

[Sailor Steve]

December 13, 1917
Air War:

1000 Italian pilot Attilio Imolesi, flying a Nieuport 27, shoots down an Austro-Hungarian two-seater for victory number 5.

Galicia-born Austro-Hungarian ace Godwin Brumowski, in Oeffag Albatros D.III 153.52, shoots down an Italian Balloon for victory number 29.

[Jimbuna]

14th December 1917

Eastern Front

Rostov occupied by Bolshevist troops.

Southern Front

Italians surrender Col Caprile (Valstagna, Brenta river); otherwise enemy repulsed.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Naval Allied Council to be created (Ministers of Marine and Chiefs of Staffs).

Political, etc.

Lord George says peace now would be a farce and that there is, “no half-way house between victory and defeat.”

Ship Losses:

Châteaurenault (French Navy) The protected cruiser was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea (38°15′N 20°22′E) by SM UC-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine). The 1,162 survivors were rescued by Lansquenet, Mameluck and Rouen (all French Navy).
Coila (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) south east of Canet Point, Spain (39°37′N 0°08′E) by SM U-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three of her crew.
Hare (United Kingdom) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 7 nautical miles (13 km) off the Kish Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM U-62 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of twelve crew.
Nor (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Irish Sea (52°45′N 5°43′W) by SM UB-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
SM UC-38 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UC II submarine was depth charged and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea (38°15′N 20°22′E) by Lansquenet ( French Navy). There were twenty survivors.
Volnay (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by
UC 64 (Erich Hecht) and sank in the Atlantic Ocean 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) south of The Manacles (50°04′N 5°03′W). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

December 14, 1917

Air War:

1015 Canadian RFC pilot Stanley Stanger, flying Sopwith Camel B6326 on the Italian Front, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.