100 Years Ago Today

[Jimbuna]

27th September 1918

Western Front

Great British attack on Cambrai front, extending from Sauchy l'Estrees to Gouzeaucourt.

Second battle of Cambrai and battle of St. Quentin begin.

Hindenburg Line pierced.

Beaucamp, Graincourt, etc., taken; Canadians capture Bourlon Wood.

Further Franco-American advance between Reims and Verdun, converging move on the Argonne. 23,000 prisoners taken.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

In Tafas, Syria, retreating Ottoman soldiers massacre 250 civilians, including women and children. T.E. Lawrence and his Arab allies find the massacre and attack the Ottoman soldiers, taking no prisoners.

Political, etc.

Reported from Christiana that British flag hoisted over (destroyed) German property at Spitsbergen.

Ship Losses:

En Avant (France) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 45 nautical miles (83 km) north of Ouessant, Finistère by SM U-54 ( Imperial German Navy).
Hatasu (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 50 nautical miles (93 km) north by west of Oran, Algeria (36°32′N 0°53′W) by SM UB-49 ( Imperial German Navy) with the loss of two of her crew.

[Sailor Steve]

September 27, 1918


Air War:

0720 English RAF ace pilot Samuel Thompson and ace observer Clifford Tolman, flying Bristol F.2b E2477, shoot down a Fokker D.VII. Victory number 30 for Thompson; number 8 for Tolman. Thompson and Tolman will be killed later this day, Either by Oskar Hennrich or Otto Schmidt.

0725 Two RAF Sopwith Dolphin pilots share a victory over a Pfalz D.EEE:
Roger Del'Haye, Canada, D5236, victory number 7.
Cecil Montgomery-Moore, Bermuda, B7855m victory number 1.

0845 English RAF ace Giu Wareing, in SE.5a C1133, destroys a German observation balloon for victory number 7.

0915 South African RAF Basil Moody, in SE.5a B8601, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 6.

1030 American RAF ace pilot August Iaccaci and English ace observer Arthur Newland, in Bristol F.2b E2213, claim two Fokker E.VIIs. Victories 16 and 17 for Iaccaci; 21 amd 22 fpr Mew;amd/

[Jimbuna]

28th September 1918

Western Front

Battle of Flanders begins. Successful Anglo-Belgian attack on a 23-mile front from Dixmude to Ploegsteert under King Albert; Houthhulst Forest captured and over 4,000 prisoners.

Further Franco-American progress; General Mangin advances in Champagne and on the Aisne.

Germans retire to the Ailette.

Italians force crossing of the Aisne east of Conde.

American line advanced to Exermont and Brieulles, many villages taken.

Long range bombardment of Dunkirk.

Southern Front

Bulgaria makes request for an Armistice with a view to peace negotiations.

Austrian attack in Val Giudicaria (Dol.) repulsed.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British troops under General Allenby cross the Upper Jordan at Jisr Benat Yakub and effect a junction with Arab forces near Deraa.

British cavalry at El Kuneitra, 40 miles from Damascus.

Naval and Overseas Operations

British ships and aeroplanes co-operate in attack on Zeebrugge.

Political, etc.

Germany refuses British proposal re: Prisoners agreement.

Ship Losses:

Baldersby (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 9 nautical miles (17 km) east of the Codling Bank Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM UB-91 ( Imperial German Navy) with the loss of two of her crew.
Benha (Egypt) The sailing vessel was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Ras el Dabas by an enemy submarine.

[Sailor Steve]

September 28, 1918


Air War:

0600 American ace Frank Luke flying a SPAD XIII after ten days without a victory, destroys a German observation balloon for victory number 14.

0810 German ace Fritz Höhn, with Jasta 60, destroys a French obseration balloon for victory number 14.

0815 Australian AFC ace pilot Edward Kenney and ace observer Leslie Sutherland, in Bristol F.2b C4626, shoot down a DFW C.V. Victory number 7 for Kenny; number 8 for Sutherland.

0830 Fritz Höhn scores his second kill of the day, flaming an American observation balloon for number 15.

0900 French ace Michel Coiffard, with Spa 154, destroys a German observation balloon for victory number 12.

0915 American pilot Edward Meeker Haight, flying a SPAD XIII, shoots down a Pfalz for victory number 1.

1010 Russian ace Paul d'Argueff, in a SPAD XIII with French Spa 124, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 12.

1030 French ace René Fonck, in a SPAD XIII, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 67.

1035 German ace Oliver Beaulieu-Marconnay, with Jasta 19, shoots down a DH.4 for victory number 21. 2nd Lt L.D. Warrender and 1st Lt H.C. Crumb, 9th Aero Sqdn USAS, are both wounded. Crumb later dies from his wounds.

1150 Scottish RAF ace Walter Carlaw, in Sopwith Camel B7162, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 7.

1230 German naval ace Theo Osterkamp, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down Sopwith Camel D8186 for victory number 27. Lt R.McI. Gordon, 204 Sqdn RAF, is wounded.

1255 American RAF ace Francis Gillett, in Sopwith Dolphin C4059, shoots down an Albatros two-seater for victory number 8.

1315 American RAF ace Frederic Lord, in sopwith Dolphin C4127, shoots down a Pfalz D.III for victory number 12.

1520 Paul d'Argueff scores his second victory of the day, shooting down a German two-seater for vicrory number 13.

1550 Frank Luke scores his second victory of the day, shooting down a Hannover two-seater for victory number 15.

1710 South African RAF ace Charles Ross, flying SE.5a C9071, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 14.

1730 Francis Gillett scores his second kill of the day, shooting down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 9.

1739 Charles Ross scores his second kill of the day, shooting down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 15.

1745 American ace George Vaughn, in sopwith Camel H828, shoots down an LVG two-seater for victory number 10.

1810 Theo Osterkamp scores his second kill of the day, shooting down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 28. W/O R.J.M.M. Cajot and Lt A.T.M. Bricoult, Belgian Escadrille 2, are taken prisoner.

German ace Franz Büchner, flying a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a Salmson 2.A2 for victory number 37. 2nd Lt H.W. Loud, 88th Aero Sqdn USAS, is killed; Capt G.T. Trickey is taken prisoner.

German ace Carl Degelow, with Jasta 40, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 19.

German ace Josef Jacobs, with Jasta 7, claims two SE.5as for victories 32 and 33.

German ace Franz Piechulek, with Jasta 56, shoots down DH.4 A7849 for victory number 13. Lt A.M. Stevens and 2nd Lt W.H.L. Halford, 202 Sqdn RAF, are both killed.

[Jimbuna]

29th September 1918

Western Front

Good progress of Anglo-Belgian attack; Dixmude, Passchendaele, Messines, Gheluvelt and other places occupied; Allies reach Roulers-Menin road. British reach outskirts of Cambrai and break Hindenburg Line on a 6-mile front. 22,000 prisoners taken in three days.

Stiff fighting by Australian and American troops about St. Quentin tunnel.

General Mangin reaches the Ailette.

At Marcoing, France, British Private Henry Tandey allegedly takes aim at Lance Corporal Adolf Hitler but chooses not to shoot him as an act of mercy.


Southern Front

Armistice between Bulgaria and Entente signed.

Serbs close to Bulgarian frontier south of Kustendil and storm Bulgarian position, 11 miles north-east of Veles.

French cavalry enter Uskub.

Severe fighting with Austrian rearguards in Albania.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Cavalry and car movement towards Damascus continues.

10,000 Turks, part of 2nd corps, 4th army, between Maan and Amman, surrender at Ziza (17 miles south of Amman).

Political, etc.

Japanese Cabinet formed under Mr. Kei Hara.

Czecho-Slovak resolution for liberty proclaimed at Prague.

Ship Losses:

Libourne (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) south of The Lizard, Cornwall (49°47′N 5°10′W) by SM U-54 ( Imperial German Navy) with the loss of three crew.
USS Minnesota (United States Navy) The Connecticut-class battleship struck a mine in the Atlantic Ocean 20 nautical miles (37 km) off the Fenwick Island Lighthouse, Delaware and was severely damaged. She was subsequently repaired and returned to service.
HMML 247 (Royal Navy) The motor launch was lost on this date.
Nyanza (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 10 nautical miles (19 km) north west by west of the Corsewall Lighthouse, Wigtownshire by SM UB-95 ( Imperial German Navy) with the loss of thirteen of her crew.
SM UB-115 (Imperial German Navy) The Type UB III submarine was depth charged and sunk in the North Sea 4.5 nautical miles (8.3 km) off Newton-by-the-Sea, Northumberland, United Kingdom (55°13′N 1°22′E by HMS Ouse, HMS Star, HMT Viola (all Royal Navy) and the R23X-class airship R27 ( Royal Air Force) with the loss of all 39 crew.

[Sailor Steve]

September 29, 1918


Air War:

0455 American pilot William Erwin, flying a Salmson 2.A2 with Lt B.V. Bacucom as observer, shoots down a Rumpler two-seater for victory number 2.

0755 Canadia RAF ace William Jenkins, in Sopwith Camel D8147, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 9.

0850 German ace Josef Mai, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down Bristol F.2b F5814 for victory number 30. 1st Lt T.T. Smith and Lt J.L. Bromley, 11 Sqdn RAF, are both killed.

0940 German ace Karl Odebrett, with Jasta 42, shoots down SE.5a C8841 for victory number 16. Lt L.N. Elworthy, 1 Sqdn RAF, is taken prisoner.

0945 English RAF pilot Douglas Cameron, in SE.5a H7257, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 2.

0945 French ace Paul Waddington, flying with Spa 31, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 12.

0955 English RAF pilot Edgar Davies, in SE.5a F853, destroys a German observation balloon for victory number 2.

1000 German ace Hans von Freden, with Jasta 50, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 13. Capt Paul Reverchon, Spa 31, is listed as Missing.

1010 American RAF ace Francis Gillett, in Sopwith Dolphin C4059, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 10

1010 Two RAF SE.5a pilots share in the destruction of a German observation balloon:
Sidney Highwood, England, E4071, victory number 12.
2nd Lt D.C. Rees, C9293, nationality and victory number unknown.

1011 Sidney Highwood scores his second kill of the day, flaming another German balloon for victory number 13.

1020 German ace Oskar Hennrich, with Jasta 46, shoots down SE.5a C9293 for victory number 19. 2nd Lt D.C. Rees, 84 Sqdn RAF, is killed.

1020 English RAF ace pilot Geoffrey Hooper and Canadian ace observer Harold Edwards, in Bristol F.2b E2536, shoot down a Fokker D.VII. Victory number 8 for Hooper; number 19 for Edwards.

1025 Geoffrey Hooper and Harold Edwars claim two more Fokker D.VIIs. Victories 9 and 10 for Hooper; numbers 20 and 21 for Edwards.

1025 English RAF ace pilot Thomas Traill and ace observer Leslie Burbidge, in Bristol F.2b E2370, shoot down a Fokker D.VII. Victory number 7 for Traill; number 6 for Burbidge.

1040 German ace Friedrich Altemeier, flying with Jasta 24, shoots down Bristol F.2b E2561 for victory number 18. 2nd Lts N.S. Boulton and C.H. Case, 20 Sqdn RAF, are both killed.

1230 English RAF pilot Rupert Gifford, in Sopwith Camel E7177, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 5.

1340 South African RAF pilot Robert Barbour, in DH.9a F1014 with Capt M.F.M. Wright as observer, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 4.

1340 Welsh RAF pilot Robert Chidlaw Roberts, in SE.5a E4086, destroys a German observation balloon for victory number 10.

1430 English RAF ace Augustus Orlebar, in sopwith Snipe E8024, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 6.

1640 Two RAF Camel pilots share a victory over a Fokker D.VII:
Donald MacLaren, Canada, F2137, victory number 52.
Cyril Sawyer, England, D9457, victory number 5.

1640 English RAF ace Charles Odell, in Sopwith Camel F2166, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 7.

1705 American ace Frank Luke Jr, in a SPAD XIII, destroys a German observation balloon for victory number 16.

1710 Frank Luke scores his second kill of the day, flaming another German balloon for victory number 17.

1712 Frank Luke gains his third victory of the day, another balloon, for vumber 18.

1850 American pilot Lancing Colton Holden, flying a SPAD XIII, destroys a German observation balloon for victory number 1.

1900 German ace Hans Rolfes, with Jasta 45, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 18.

German ace Paul Bäumer, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 36.

Paul Bäumer scores his second kill of the day, shooting down Sopwith Camel D6572 for victory number 37. 2nd Lt N.F. Moxon, 46 Sqdn RAF, is taken prisoner.

Paul Bäumer gains his third victory of the day, Sopwith Camel F5960, for number 38. 2nd Lt A.M. Allan, 46 Sqdn RAF, is taken prisoner.

German naval ace Theo Osterkamp, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down a SPAD two-seater for victory number 29. MdL de Bellencourt and S/Lt François Le Clerc de Bussy, Spa 34, are both wounded.

American 18-victory ace Frank Luke Jr, attacking a fourth German balloon, is killed by defensive ground fire. Yet again a famous ace's death is surrounded by controversy.
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/show...&postcount=201

[Buddahaid]

Wow, the air battle is getting very intense again.

[Sailor Steve]

September 30, 1918


Western Front:
Important progress on St. Quentin-Cambrai Front. Thorigny-Guistain-Rumilly taken.

Cambrai fired by Germans.

General Gouraud, on a 20-mile front in Champagne, takes Ste. Marie-a-Py and surroundings.

General Mangin progresses on Aisne and Vesle.

Belgians take Dixmude and threaten Roulers.

Stiff American fighting in Argonne forest.

British progress north of Neuve Chapelle.


Southern Front:
Bulgaria surrenders at noon and accepts Allied terms.


Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters:
Damascus taken by British and Arabs. Seven Thousand prisoners taken.

End of Battle of Samaria.


Naval and Overseas Operations:
British seaplane squadron patrols Heligoland Bight.

USS Ticonderoga torpedoed. 121 soldiers lost.


Political, etc:
Chancellor of the Exchequer opens a "Feed-the-Guns" campaign to raise a second War Loan.

Mr Balfour speaks on the League Of Nations.

Armistice signed between Bulgaria and Entente Powers.

1200 Hostilities cease between Bulgaria and Entente powers.

Canadian contingent lands at Archangelsk to join Allied Expeditionary Force.

Count Hertling, German Imperial Chancellor, resigns.

Lieutenant-General Glichi Tanaka appointed Japanese Minister for War.


Air War:
1820 German ace Franz Ray, flying with jasta 49, shoots down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 17. Adj Albert Montel and Sgt Marcel Poclet, Br 123, are listed as Missing.

[Sailor Steve]

October 1, 1918


Western Front:

British progress and take ground south of Le Catelet; stiff fighting near Bony and south of Cambrai.

French retake part of St. Quentin.

Germans fall back from Reims-Aisne plateaux; steady French advance in Champagne; Flanders ridge occupied and Ledeghem seized by British.

Battle of the Canal du Nord ends.


Southern Front:

Austrians take defensive measures on their southern frontier in consequence of Bulgarian Armistice.

Berat, Albania, is retaken by Italian forces.


Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters:

Damascus occupied by British and Arab forces; 7,000 prisoners taken.


Naval and Overseas Operations:

Allies establish a net and mine barrage across the Strait of Otranto.

British flag hoisted at Ebeltoft Harbour, Spitsbergen.


Political, etc:

Wages (men and women) Committee begins.

German majority programme issued.

Baron Husarek (Austrian Prime Minister) on situation: open to Peace offers; great row in Reichsrath.

Milk to be controlled in Great Britain.


Air War:

0820 English RAF pilot Cyril Smythe and observer William Barnes, flying Bristol F.2b E2573, shoot down a Fokker D.VII. Victory number 4 for both.

0825 Cyril Smythe and William Barnes score their second kill of the day, shooting down another Fokker D.VII. Victory number 5 for both.

0925 Australian AFC pilot Ernest Davies, in SE.5a D6860, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 3.

1015 German ace Karl bohnenkamp, with Jasta 22, shoots down a DH.9 for victory number 13.

1350 Two French pilots with Spa 152 share in the destruction of a German observation balloon:
Leon Bourjade, victory number 21.
ernest Maunoury, victory number 10

1355 Leon Bourjade and Ernest Maunoury score their second shared kill of the day, another German balloon. Victory number 22 for Bourjade; number 11 for Maunoury.

1620 German ace Oskar Hennrich, with Jasta 46, destroys a British observation balloon for victory number 20.

1620 German ace Eduard von Schleich, with Jasta 23, shoots down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 35.

1640 German ace Josef Veltjens, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 32.

1640 German ace Georg von Hantelmann, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 20.

1710 Canadian RAF ace William Jenkins, flying Sopwith Camel D8147, shoots down a Fokker d.VII for victory number 10.

1710 Thirteen RAF SE.5a pilots from 1 Sqdn share a victory over a Fokker D.VII:
Lt C.W. Aming, E4023, nationality and victory number unknown.
Lt ?? Boyd, C9065, nationality and victory number unknown.
Douglas Cameron, England, H7257, victory number 3.
Lt ?? Dickinson, C1812, nationality and victory number unknown.
2nd Lt W. Joffe B8427, nationality and victory number unknown.
Charles Lavers, England, C9292, victory number 9.
Basil Moody, South Africa, B8501, victory number 7.
Lt F.A.S. Nesbitt, B7881, nationality and victory number unknown.
Lt W. Newby, E1353, nationality and victory number unknown.
Capt W. Pallister, F5473, nationality and victory number unknown.
Lt H. Phinney, D6973, nationality and victory number unknown.
Wallace Smart, Scotland, D6973, victory number 4.
Lt F.M. Squires, C8336, nationality and victory number unknown.

1710 American RAF pilot Cleo Pineau, in Sopwith Camel F3238, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 5.

1715 English RAF ace Reginald Maxwell, in Sopwith Camel C8336, shoots down a DFW C.V for victory number 8.

1755 German ace Otto Schmidt, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down SE.5a B8427 for victory number 17. 2nd Lt W. Joffe, 1 Sqdn RAF, is killed.

1800 French ace Henri Hay de Slade, flying with Spa 149, claims a Gernam two-seater and an "Enemy Aircraft" for victories 16 and 17.

1810 German ace Max Kuhn, in a Fokker D.VII, destroys a French observation balloon for victory number 10.

1915 Max Kuhn scores his second kill of the day, bringing down an American balloon for victory number 11.

1930 American ace Edward Rickenbacker, in SPAD XII S4523, destroys a German observation balloon for victory number 13.

German ace Franz Büchner, with Jasta 13, ahoots down Salmson 2.A2 867 for victory number 38.

German ace Carl Degelow, flying a Fokker D.VII, shoots down SE.5a F5464 for victory number 20.

German ace Josef Jacobs, with Jasta 7, shoots down a DH.9 for victory number 37.

[Sailor Steve]

October 2, 1918


Western Front:
Germans withdraw on a wide front north and south of the La Bassee Canal. British recapture Armentieres.

French force the Germans from St. Quintin.

Allies advance north of the Vesle to Cormicy.

Lille is evacuated.

The French capture Challerange, in the Argonne.


Naval and Overseas Operations:
British and Italian warships bombard Durazzo, destroying the Austrian base and ships and two submarines.

German submarine shells and sinks Spanish SS Francoli off Cartagena.


Politics, etc:
Maxim Litinov arrives at Bergen.

Jan Kucharzewski is appointed Polish Prime Minister.

Allies recognise the belligerent status of Arab allies in Palestine and Syria.

Grand conference in Berlin under the Kaiser's presidency.

General Ludendorff sends a military representative to Berlin, informing the legislature the War is lost and negotiations should begin immediately.


Air War:

0710 American RAF ace Francis Gillett, flying sopwith Dolphin C4059, destroys a German observation balloon for victory number 11.

0815 Scottish RAF ace pilot Charles Findlay and English observer Ivan Wilmot Frank Agabeg, in Bristol F.2b C4601, shoot down a Fokker D.VII. Victory number 10 for Findlay; number 1 for Agabeg.

0820 Charles Findlay and Ivan Agabeg score their second kill of the day, shooting down another Fokker D.VII. Nictory number 11 for Findlay; number 2 for Agabeg.

0910 Two American Camel pilots with the 17th Aero Sqdn USAS share a victory over a DFW C.V:
Howard Burdick, F2141, victory number 5.
George Vaughn, H828, victory number 11.

1015 German ace Walter Blume, flying with Jasta 9, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 27. Sgt Henri Durand, Spa 150, is killed.

1030 Three RAF Camel aces share a victory over a Fokker D.VII:
James Leith, england, H7279, victory number 9.
Donald MacLaren, Canada, F2137, victory number 53.
Cyril Sawyer, England, F1974, victory number 6.

German ace Josef Jacobs, with Jasta 9, shoots down a DH.9 for victory number 35.

1032 Josef Jacobs scores his second kill of the day, shooting down a SPAD for victory number 36.

1125 German ace Kurt-Bertram von Döring, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 10.

1130 German ace Oliver von Beaulieu-Marconnay, flying with Jasta 19, shoots down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 22.

1245 French pilot Roland Garros, in a SPAD XIII, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 4. Garros was a famous pre-war flyer, being the first to fly across the Mediterranean Sea. On April 1915 he became the world's first fighter pilot, using a deflector plate system designed by Raymond Saulnier and himself to shoot down three German two-seaters, on April 1st, 15th and 18th. He was then shot down and captured by ground gunners when he attacked a railway station. Garros was in a German prison camp until he escaped on February 14th of this year.

1520 Belgian ace Willy Coppens, in an Hanriot HD.1, destroys a German observation balloon for victory number 33.

1520 English RAF pilot Edgar Davies, in SE.5a C9071, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 3.

1520 South African RAF ace Charles Ross, in SE.5a E6030, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 16.

1730 Two American pilots from the 94th Aero Sqdn USAS share a victory over a Hannover CL two-seat fighter:
Reed Chambers, SPAD XIII, victory number 3.
Edward Rickenbacker, SPAD XIII S4623, victory number 14.

1740 Reed Chambers scores his second kill of the day, Shooting down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 4.

1740 Edward Rickenbacker scores his second kill of the day, shooting down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 15.

1815 Four American SPAD XIII pilots share a victory over a Halberstadt two-seater:
Hamilton Coolidge, 94th Aero, victory number 2.
Lt E.G. Gamsey, 94th Aero, victory number unknown.
Lt A.H. Jones, 94th Aero, victory number unknown.
Francis Simonds, 147th Aero, victory number 4.

German ace Michel Coiffard, in a SPAD XIII, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 33.

German ace Carl Degelow, flying with Jasta 40, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 21.

German ace Fritz Höhn, with Jasta 41, destroys a French observation balloon for victory number 21.

German ace Karl Plauth, with Jasta 51, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 11.

[August]

3 October 1918




One hundred years ago today on the western front my Great Grandfather Johann August Ferd Karl was killed in action in what has become known as the 5th Battle of Ypres or Advance of Flanders.

As a soldier of the Kaiser in the 6th Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Royal Bavarian Infantry Regiment since 1914 he had seen action in some of the wars most famous battles, including Verdun, Riga, Amiens and Vimy Ridge. When he fell his regiment was engaged north of Ypres and west of Roulers and had experienced heavy losses in since the beginning of the Allied offensive. It's shattered remains were pulled out of the line two days later.

As far as my Great Grandmother Pauline and his sons Josef, Bernard, Eduard, Leo and Johann (my Grandfather) were concerned that was all that happened on the Western Front today.

[Sailor Steve]

Wow. Just wow. That's quite a connection with history. I knew they took men of all ages at that time, but to leave so many young ones behind...

Any idea how old he was when he died?

[Sailor Steve]

October 3, 1918


Western Front:

Germans withdraw from Lens-Armentieres line and past La Bassee.

British successfully attack on eight-mile front and take Le Catelet, etc.

Stiff fighting by French north of St. Quentin, north-west of Reims and in Champagne.

British capture Gheluwe; French and Belgians reach Hooglede.

Brutal order by Ludendorff re: prisoners.

Successful Allied air fighting, 55 German planes down.


Eastern Front:

The Ufa (southern Urals) loyal Government declare all Soviet treaties void and propose All-Russian Constituient Assembly.

Fighting in the Urals.

Japanese reported to have joined Semenov at Ruchlevo (Siberia); 1,500 Magyar prisoners.


Southern Front:

Allied forces in touch with Austro-Germans in southern Serbia; Serbs capture 7,000 Bulgars.

Big British raid on Asiago front.


Political, etc:

Germans witholding ratification of Prisoners of War Agreement because of Germans interned in China.

Sir G. Cave Chairman of Inder-departmenal Prisoners of War Committee.

General Moiner appointed Governor of Paris.


Air War:

0814 Belgian ace Willy Coppens, flying an Hanriot HD.1, destroys a German observation balloon for victory number 34.

0955 German ace Josef Veltjens, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 34.

1005 English RAF ace pilot Horace Lale and Scottish ace observer George Learmond, in Bristol F.2b E2488, shoot down a Fokker D.VII. Victory number 19 for Lale; number 6 for Learmond.

1125 English RAF ace Sidney Highwood, in SE.5a E4071, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 14.

1430 German ace Paul Bäumer, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 39.

1630 German ace Oliver vo Beaulieu-Marconnay, flying with Jasta 19, shoots down a SPAD XIII for victory number 23.

1630 German ace Hermann Becker, with Jasta 12, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 19.

1630 American pilot Hamilton Coolidge, in a SPAD XIII, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 3.

1635 Hamilton Coolidge scores his second kill of the day, destroying a German observation balloon for victory number 4.

1640 South African RAF pilot Robert Barbour, in DH.9a F1014 with Capt M.F.M. Wright as observer, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 5.

1640 American ace Edward Rickenbacker, flying a SPAD XIII, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 17.

1707 Three American SPAD XIII pilots, with two different units, share a victory over an LVG two-seater:
Hamilton Coolidge, 94th Aero, victory number 5.
Edward Curtis, 95th Aero, victory number 4.
Edward Rickenbacker, 94th Aero, victory number 16.
(Rickenbacker's victories are listed out of order, probably because of the days they were awarded.

1710 Scottish RAF ace Walter Carlaw, in Sopwith Camel B7176, claims two Fokker D.VIIs for victories 8 and 9.

1730 Canadian RAF ace Kenneth Conn, in Bristol F.2b E2216 with Lt A.B. Radford as observer, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 16.

1730 Australian RAF ace pilot Edgar Johnston and English observer Ivan Agabeg, in Bristol F.2b E2533, shoot down a Fokker D.VII. Victory number 20 for Johnston; number 3 for Agabeg.

1800 English RAF ace pilot Cyril Smythe and ace observer William Barnes, flying Bristol F.2b B8941, shoot down a Fokker D.VII. Victory number 6 for Smythe; number 9 for Barnes.

1815 Two RAF SE.5a pilots share a victory over a Fokker D.VII:
Lt J.C. Coots, F5489, nationality and victory number unknown.
Sidney Highwood, England, E4071, victory number 15.

1830 English RAF ace Rupert Gifford, in Sopwith Camel E7177, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 6.

German ace Carl Degelow, with Jasta 40, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 22.

German ace Gustav Dörr, with Jasta 45, shoos down a Salmson 2.A2 for victory number 30.

German ace Josef Jacobs, flying with Jasta 7, claims two SE.5as for victories 37 and 38.

German 21-victory ace Fritz Höhn is shot down and killed by an aircraft from Spa 67. The actual shooter is unknown.

[August]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Wow. Just wow. That's quite a connection with history. I knew they took men of all ages at that time, but to leave so many young ones behind...

Any idea how old he was when he died?

He was 35.

I've been doing research off and on for awhile now. We still don't know where he's buried, somewhere in Belgium I expect, or if there is a marker on the grave.

[Sailor Steve]

October 4, 1918


Western Front

British and French heavy fighting St. Quentin to Cambrai.

French and Americans increase gains in Champagne as far as the River Arnes.

Announcement re: prisoners, etc.

American attack west of the Meuse gains ground north-east of Argonne Forest.

German guns being removed from Flanders coast.


Southern Front

Greek troops occupy Seres and Demir Hissar.

French and Serbs drive back Austrians in Vranya region, and French and Italians drive back Austrians in Albania.

Sharp fighting in Monte Grappa (Upper Brenta) region.


Naval and Overseas Operations

Japanese steamer "Hirano Maru" torpedoed off Ireland, 292 lost.


Political, etc.

Prince Max of Baden appointed German Imperial Chancellor, and succeeds Admiral von Hintze as Foreign Minister.

German and Austro-Hungarian Governments send Notes to President Wilson proposing armistice talks based on his 14 Points. The German note will be received by President Wilson on October 6th and the Austrian on October 7th. They have bypassed the British and French in favor of the Americans who they feel will be more lenient. Wilson, however, responds with a list of demands, including the German withdrawal from all occupied lands and the immediate cessation of all U-Boat attacks.

Ferdinand of Bulgaria abdicates; succeeded by his son Boris III, who signs decree for demobilisation of Bulgar Army.


Air War:

0700 German ace Wilhelm Frickart, flying with Jasta 65 on the Eastern Front, shoots down a two-seat SPAD XI for victory number 12. Sgt Wolff and Lt Jourdain, Spa 265, are both listed as Missing.

0705 American RAF pilot Evander Shapard, in an SE.5a, shoots down a Hannover two-seater for victory number 3.

0720 French ace Leon Bourjade, with Spa 152, destroys a German observation balloon for victory number 24.

0730 German ace Franz Piechulek, with Jasta 56, shoots down an Hanriot HD.1 for victory number 14. Sgt Max Martin, 11e Escadrille Belgium, is killed.

0800 Four RAF SE.5a pilots share a victory over a Hannover two-seater:
Thomas Stanley Horry, England, victory number 1.
Capt W.S. Wilcox, D6005 nationality and victory number unknown.
James Robb, England, F5666, victory number 5.
Evander Shapard, United States, victory number 4.

0915 German ace Hermann Becker, flying with Jasta 12, shoots down SPAD XIII S7264 for victory number 20. 1st Lt H.G. Armstrong, 13th Aero Sqdn USAS, is killed.

0835 South African RAF ace Charles Ross, in SE.5a E6030, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 17.

0955 German ace Hans von Freden, with Jasta 50, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 15.

0955 German ace Josef Veltjens, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down SPAD XIII S15132 for victory number 34. 1st Lt C.A. Kenney, 49th Aero Sqdn USAS, is killed.

1031 German ace Josef Jacobs, with Jasta 7, shoots down as SPAD for victory number 39.

1130 German ace Raven von Barnekow, flying a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 10.

1130 German ace Kurt-Bertram von Döring, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 11.

1150 German ace Paul Aue, in a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 10.

1155 French ace Gustave Daladier, with Spa 93, destroys a French observation balloon for victory number 12.

1250 Scottish RAF pilot Thomas Gillies Rae, in Bristol F.2b E2822 with 2nd Lt C.R. Pickering as pilot, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victory number 1.

1430 German ace Paul Bäumer, flying a Fokker D.VII, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 40.

1555 English RAF ace George Hodson, in sopwith Camel F3965, shoots down a Fokker D.VII for victoory number 9.

1750 English RAF pilot William Bland, in Sopwith Camel E1415, claims two Fokker D.VIIs for victories 2 and 3.

1755 Scottish RAF ace Arthur Randall, in SE.5a E5487, shoots down a DFW C.V for victory number 10.

Paul Bäumer scores his second kill of the day, shooting down an SE.5a for victory number 41.

German ace Carl Degelow, flying with Jasta 40, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 25/