100 Years Ago Today

[Jimbuna]

15th December 1917

Western Front

Snow interferes with operations.

Germans repulsed at Chaume Wood (Verdun).

Eastern Front

Russian Armistice (28 days) agreement signed.

After six days' fighting, General Kaledin (Cossacks) enters Rostov; local Bolshevist chiefs flee to Black Sea fleet.

Southern Front

General Guillaumet succeeds General Surrail at Salonika as Commander-in-Chief.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British left centre in Palestine advanced 1.5 miles on five mile front.

Political, etc.

Bolshevist ultimatum to the Ukraine demands free passage for troops.

Ship Losses:

Bernard (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 180 nautical miles (330 km) west south west of the Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly (48°40′N 9°58′W) by SM U-94 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Dafni (Greece) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) north north east of Hartlepool, County Durham, United Kingdom (54°44′N 1°09′W) by SM UB-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Formby (United Kingdom) The passenger ship was sunk in the Irish Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km) north west of Bardsey Island, Pembrokeshire by SM U-62 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of all 35 crew.
Ioannina (Greece) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 150 nautical miles (280 km) north west of Madeira, Portugal (34°40′N 19°45′W) by SM U-156 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Maidag (Norway) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 22 nautical miles (41 km) south of the Wolf Rock, Cornwall, United Kingdom (49°36′N 5°36′W) by SM U-104 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three crew.

[Sailor Steve]

December 15, 1917


Air War:


No aerial activity this day.

[Jimbuna]

16th December 1917

Western Front

East of Avion (south of Lens) British position improved.

Southern Front

Italians regain some positions in Brenta valley.

Allied aeroplanes bomb depots at Cestovo (Macedonia).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

General Allenby made G.C.M.G.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Ionian Sea: French destroyer sinks two submarines.

Political, etc.

New Portuguese Government declare they will honour all Portuguese engagements.

Ship Losses:

HMS Arbutus (Royal Navy) The Anchusa-class sloop, operating as a Q-ship, was sunk in St. George's Channel (51°37′N 5°24′W) by SM UB-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of nine of her crew.
Bristol City (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 250 nautical miles (460 km) west of Ouessant, Finistère, France (46°38′N 10°28′W) by SM U-94 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 30 of her crew.
Foylemore (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 22 nautical miles (41 km) east of The Lizard, Cornwall (49°58′N 4°38′W) by SM UB-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Greenhill (United Kingdom) The collier was lost on this date.
New York (Italy) The brigantine was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Cape San Vito, Sicily (38°14′N 12°55′E) by SM UB-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
San Francesco di Paola (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Cape San Vito by SM UB-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

[Sailor Steve]

December 16, 1917

Air War:

1020 English RFC pilot James Coombe, flying Nieuport 27 B6821, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 3.

1025 English RFC pilot Reginald Howard Rusby, in a Nieuport, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

1400 Canadian RFC pilot Hilliard Brooke Bell, in Sopwith Camel B5223. shoots down an Albatros D.V fpr victory number 1. It should be noted that German records show no fighter aircraft lost this day.

1410 German ace Paul Bäumer, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 17.

1410 German ace Max von Müller, in Albatros D.V 1154/17, shoots down Sopwith Camel B2450 for victory number 36. Lt Kenneth Gordon Seth-Smith manages to crash unharmed on his own side of the lines.

[Jimbuna]

17th December 1917

Western Front

Fighting near the Ypres-Comines Canal.

Southern Front

Austrians repulsed on Upper Brenta.

Political, etc.

Armistice between Russia and the Central Powers signed on the 15th goes into effect, stopping fighting on the Eastern Front.

35,000 people march in Rome to celebrate the British capture of Jerusalem. The Pope says any Christian nation that would aid the Ottomans in retaking the city will be condemned.

Arthur C. Clarke (future British science fiction writer known for works such as 2001: A Space Odyssey) is born in Minehead, England.

Ship Losses:

Acoria (Portugal) The schooner was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean south east of the Azores (35°10′N 18°20′W) by SM U-156 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Coningbeg (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was sunk in the Irish Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km) south west of Bardsey Island, Pembrokeshire by SM U-62 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of all fifteen crew.
HMT Duster (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was wrecked in Scratten Cove, Portreath, Cornwall.
USS F-1 (United States Navy) The F-class submarine sank in the Pacific Ocean after a collision with USS F-3 ( United States Navy) off Point Loma, California. Nineteen of her 22 crew were killed.
Neptune (United Kingdom) The fishing smack struck a mine laid by U 80 (Karl Scherb) and sank in the Atlantic Ocean 4.5 nautical miles (8.3 km) north of Black Head, County Clare with the loss of four crew.
Nina (Greece) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea south east of Crete (34°36′N 27°16′E) by SM UB-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

[Sailor Steve]

December 17, 1917

Air War:

1115 Scottish RFC pilot Charles Davidson, flying Bristol F.2b A7192 with 2nd Lt A. Simmons as observer, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 3.

1423 Canadian RFC ace Guy Moore, in Nieuport 27 B3628, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 6.

1500 British RFC crew of Lt J.L.M. Sandy and Sgt R.F. Hughes, in RE.8 A3816, shoot down attacking Albatros D.V 5390/17. Ltn Clauss (first name unlisted) is taken prisoner.

1600 German pilot Eugen Weiss, probably in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Nieuport for victory number 2.

1610 Eugen Weiss scores his second victory of the day, shooting down RE.8 A3816 for victory number 3. Lt J.L.M. Sandy and Sgt H.F. Hughes are both killed. Due to the time-zone differences used by the two sides this may have all been part of one combat. This is also Weiss' last aerial victory. He will survive the war, but further information remains unavailable.

[Jimbuna]

18th December 1917

Western Front

Aeroplane raid on London, Essex and Kent; 14 killed, 85 injured.

Heavy air fighting in Allies' favour on northern front.

Eastern Front

Area of civil war extends to the Ukraine. Rada rejects Bolshevist demands for passage.

Southern Front

Italian Fourth Army heavily attacked near Mt. Asolone (Mt. Grappa), Austrians claim 2,000 prisoners.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British clear ground south-east of Jerusalem, beyond Abu Dir.

Political, etc.

U.S. Congress proposes a Constitutional Amendment which institutes alcohol prohibition to be ratified by the states. House of Representatives voted 282 to 128, Senate voted 47 to 8.

The new Portuguese government, which came in power through an armed coup, pledges to the Allies that it will continue to honor treaties and will remain in the war against Germany.

In the Canadian federal election held yesterday, Unionists win 153 seats, while the Liberals win 82. The main issue of the election was over conscription, with the Unionists supporting it and the Liberals opposed.

Ship Losses:

Charles (United Kingdom) The sailing vessel was shelled and sunk in the English Channel by a Kaiserliche Marine submarine SM U-90 with the loss of three of her crew.
Riversdale (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 1 nautical mile (1.9 km) south of Prawle Point, Devon by SM UB-31 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.

[Sailor Steve]

December 18, 1917

Air War:

1140 German pilot Hans von Häbler, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down RE.8 B5899 for victory number 5. 2nd Lts F.G. Flower and C.W. Cameron are both killed.

1245 English RFC pilot Frank Gorringe, in Sopwith Camel B6426, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 2.

1245 German pilot Herbert Werner, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 1.

1415 English RFC pilots Godfrey Bremridge, in Sopwith Camel B6335, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

1425 Scottish RFC pilot John Gilmour, in Sopwith Camel B9166, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 4.

[Jimbuna]

19th December 1917

Eastern Front

The Ukraine defies the Bolsheviks; Odessa supports it.

Southern Front

Brisk fighting in Piave delta; enemy stopped.

British guns heavily engaged at Montello.

Political, etc.

Unionist success in Canadian elections.

Conscription Law becomes effective.

U.S Federal Food Administration set Wednesday as a “Wheat-less Day,” but it is largely a failure as it is not enforced, with bakeries and restaurants freely serving bread, pastries, and other wheat products.

Ship Losses:

HMT Annie (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was lost in the Mediterranean Sea on this date.
Arno (Denmark) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by U 80 (Karl Scherb) and sank in the North Sea east south east of Aberdeen, United Kingdom (57°20′N 1°00′W). Her crew survived.
Borgsten (Norway) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 30 nautical miles (56 km) off Barfleur, Manche, France by SM UC-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Ingrid II (Norway) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 6 nautical miles (11 km) off Trevose Head, Cornwall, United Kingdom (50°36′N 5°11′W) by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of ten crew.
S. Giuseppe B. (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea by SM UB-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Trevelyan (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the English Channel 20 nautical miles (37 km) north of Cap Barfleur, Manche by SM UC-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was beached and was consequently declared a constructive total loss. Later repaired and returned to service.
SM UB-56 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UB III submarine struck a mine and sank in the Strait of Dover (50°58′N 1°21′E) with the loss of all 37 crew.
Vinovia (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 8 nautical miles (15 km) south of the Wolf Rock, Cornwall (49°56′N 5°33′W) by SM U-105 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of nine crew.

[Sailor Steve]

December 19, 1917

Air War:

0945 English RFC pilots Frank Gorringe, flying Sopwith Camel B6424, and Frank Quigley, in Camel B2447, share a victory over an Albatros D.V. Number 3 for Gorringe; number 7 for Quigley.

1230 English RFC pilot Frederick Dudley Travers, in BE.12a A4046, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 1.

1300 English RFC pilot Gwilym Lewis, in SE.5a B24, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 3.

1335 German naval pilot Albin Buhl, in an Albatros D.III with the newly-formed SeeFrontStaffel, shoots down either a Handley-Page bomber or a DH.4 for victory number 1. Buhl claims a Handley-Page but none were lost that day, making the DH.4 more likely. This is also the first victory for the SFS.

1347 Albin Buhl scores his second kill of the day, shooting down DH.4 N6008 for victory number 2. Sub-Lt S.S. Richardson and AC1 R.A. Furby are both listed as Missing.

1430 German pilot Artur Weber, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 1.

1610 German pilot Paul Färber, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a British observation balloon for victory number 2.

[Jimbuna]

20th December 1917

Western Front

West of Messines, Germans capture British advanced post in fog.

Southern Front

Italians recapture part of M. Asolone.

Political, etc.

Tentative German peace terms in Washington.

M.J. Cambon, adviser for U.S.A. affairs in Paris.

Vladimir Lenin issues a decree establishing the Cheka, predecessor to the NKVD, as a secret police force.

Australia hold a referendum on whether to institute conscription. The “no” vote wins 53.79%.

Ship Losses:

Alice Marie (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 6 nautical miles (11 km) east north east of Start Point, Devon by SM UB-31 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Attualita (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Gulf of Genoa off Arma di Taggia, Liguria (43°49′N 7°53′E) by SM UB-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Eveline (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 9.5 nautical miles (17.6 km) south of Berry Head, Devon by SM UB-31 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Fiscus (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 10 nautical miles (19 km) north north east of Cape Ivi, Algeria by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Kintuck (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 8 nautical miles (15 km) north west by north of the Godrevy Lighthouse, Cornwall by a Kaiserliche Marine submarine with the loss of a crew member.
Noris (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) off Port-en-Bessin, Calvados, France by SM UB-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of fourteen crew.
Polvarth (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 35 nautical miles (65 km) west of Ouessant, Finistère, France (48°20′N 6°00′W) by SM U-86 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
Regin (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Gulf of Genoa 1 nautical mile (1.9 km) south of Cape Mele, Liguria by SM UB-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Suruga (United States) The cargo ship was damaged in the Gulf of Genoa by SM UB-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was beached at San Remo, Liguria. Later refloated, repaired and returned to service.
Warsaw (United Kingdom) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) south east by east of Start Point by SM UB-31 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of seventeen crew.
Waverley (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 33 nautical miles (61 km) north east of Cape Ivi (36°37′N 0°33′E) by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 22 crew.

[Sailor Steve]

December 20, 1917

Air War:

No aerial activity this day.

[Jimbuna]

21st December 1917

Western Front

Stiff fighting at Harmannsweilerkopf (Alsace).

Southern Front

Italians recapture whole of M. Asolone.

Political, etc.

Italian war industry establishments number 3,500 as against 125 in 1915.

Mr. Lloyd George appeals for increase of agricultural cultivation.

Chinese government at Harbin orders Russian Bolshevik headquarters in the city to disarm within 48 hours.

Ship Losses:

Boa Vista (Portugal) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) south west of the Île d'Yeu, Vendée, France (46°37′N 2°33′W) by SM U-89 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew. Survivors were rescued by Sauterelle ( French Navy).
City of Lucknow (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 50 nautical miles (93 km) north east by east of the Cani Rocks by SM UB-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMT Ocean Scout I (Royal Navy) The naval trawler collided with another vessel and sank in the Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland.
Orne (France) The coaster was sunk in the English Channel 25 nautical miles (46 km) west of Portland Bill, Dorset, United Kingdom by SM UB-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Spro (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) off the Glénan Islands, Finistère, France (47°36′N 4°04′W) by SM U-104 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of twelve crew.
Stromboli (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Gulf of Genoa off Cape Mele, Liguria (43°57′N 8°12′E) by SM UB-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

[Sailor Steve]

December 21, 1917

Air War:

French pilot Henri Péronneau, flying a SPAD, shoots down a DFW C.V for victory number 4.

[Jimbuna]

22nd December 1917

Western Front

Germans drive in British advanced posts on Ypres-Staden railway.

Eastern Front

Peace negotiations proceeding at Best-Litovsk.

Southern Front

Austrian massed attack carries hills near Valstagna.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Arabs under Sheikh Feisul capture Turkish troop train on Hejaz railway.

British advance north and east of Jaffa.

Political, etc.

Lord Rhondda's scheme for rationing by localities comes into force; main cause of queues removed.

U.S. Army during the past two months has court-martialed over 100 American soldiers at Camp Merritt, New Jersey, for pro-German views and activities.

Ship Losses:

Clan Cameron (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 23 nautical miles (43 km) south west of Portland Bill, Dorset by SM UB-58 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Colemere (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in St. George's Channel 35 nautical miles (65 km) west of the Smalls Lighthouse by SM U-105 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four crew.
Mabel Baird (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) west south west of The Lizard, Cornwall (49°57′N 5°17′W) by SM UB-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of five of her crew.
Piemonte (Italy) The cargo ship was damaged in the Gulf of Genoa south of Livorno, Tuscany by SM UB-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was beached but was later salvaged.