100 Years Ago Today

[Sailor Steve]

August 22, 1917

Air War:

0530 English RFC pilot Alwyne Lloyd, flying DH.5 A9211, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 4.

0900 French ace René Fonck, in a SPAD VII, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 11.

0905 RFC team of Canadian pilot Robert Dodds and English observer Thomas Tuffield, in Bristol F.2b A7222, shoot down an Albatros D.III. Victory number 2 for both.

0945 English RNAS pilot Geoffrey Hemming, in Sopwith Camel B3841, is credited with two Albatros D.Vs for victories 4 and 5.

0945 Canadian RNAS pilot Charles Robert Reeves Hickey, in Sopwith Camel N6347, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

0945 English RNAS pilot Adrian James Boswell Tonks, flying Sopwith Camel B3856, is credited with two Albatros D.Vs for victories 1 and 2.

0950 Geoffrey Hemming scores his third kill of the day, another Albatros D.V, for victory number 6.
This is Hemmings' last victory. He will survive the war and die in a flying accident in 1926.

1120 English RNAS pilot Edward Barfort Drake, in Sopwith Camel B3844, shoots down a Gotha G.IV bomber for victory number 1.

1216 German ace Otto Kissenberth, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Paul Schmidt two-seater for victory number 12.

1550 Canadian RNAS pilot George Anderson, in Sopwith Camel B3858, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 2.

1550 South African RNAS pilot Edwin Tufnell Hayne, flying Sopwith Camel B3895, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

1820 French pilot Henri de Slade, in a Nieuport, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 3.

1835 English RFC ace Philip Fullard, in Nieuport 17 B5430, shoots down a DFW C.V for victory number 27.

1835 German pilot Rudolf Wendelmuth, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Nieuport for victory number 5.

Austrian pilot Frank Linke-Crawford, in Hansa-Brandenburg D.I 28.40, shoots down a Pomilio PE for victory number 2.

German ace Eduard von Schleich, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Caudron for victory number 7.

German pilot Kurt Student, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Nieuport for victory number 5.

German pilot Karl Thom, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Dorand AR.2 for victory number 1.

[Jimbuna]

23rd August 1917

Western Front

South-west of Lens and north-east of Langemarck British line slightly advanced.

Southern Front

Battle continues. Italians carry new positions.

Political, etc.

British press criticizes the air service for not preventing German air raids. Manchester Guardian proposes an independent air ministry.

Suffragist Adela Pankhurst is arrested in Australia and sentenced to a month in prison for demonstrating against conscription.

Ship Losses:

Boniface (United Kingdom) The cargo liner was torpedeoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 7 nautical miles (13 km) north east by north of Arranmore, County Donegal (55°08′N 8°27′W) by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Carl F. Cressy (United States) The four-masted schooner was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 180 nautical miles (330 km) north west of Cape Finisterre, Spain by SM U-93 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Constance (France) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 142 nautical miles (263 km) north east of Malta (36°15′N 17°25′E) by SM U-14 ( Austro-Hungarian Navy).
Fratelli Danielli (France) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea south of Sicily, Italy by SM UC-67 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Peer Gynt (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) north of Pendeen Point, Cornwall, United Kingdom (50°23′N 5°20′W) by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four of her crew.
Veghtstroom (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 7 nautical miles (13 km) north west of the Godrevy Lighthouse, Cornwall (50°16′N 5°35′W) by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of five of her crew.
Winlaton (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 25 nautical miles (46 km) west of Cape Spartel, Morocco (35°40′N 6°25′W) by SM UB-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew. Her captain was taken as a prisoner of war.

[Sailor Steve]

August 23, 1917

Air War:

0705 German pilot Hans Auer, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down a SPAD VII for victory number 4.

0750 German ace Gisbert-Wilhelm Groos, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Sopwith Camel B3768 for victory number 6.

0835 German pilot Hans Hoyer, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Bristol F.2b A7204 for victory number 1. 2nd Lt H.G. Tambling and Sgt W. Organ are both taken prisoner.

0840 German pilot Hans Böhning, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Bristol F.2b B1101 for victory number 1. Sgt C.L. Randall and AM1 J.V. Hurley are both killed.

0840 English RFC team of Edward Denman Clarke and George Brooke, in Sopwith 1½ Strutter A1048, shoot down an Albatros D.V. Victory number 1 for Clarke, number 4 for Brooke.

1000 German ace Werner Voss, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down SPAD VII B3528 for victory number 38. Cpt Arthur Lionel Gordon-Kidd is seriously wounded, but manages to get his plane home safely. Four days later, on August 27, Gordon-Kidd dies of his wounds.

1825-2050 English RFC pilot Thomas Carlyon Luke, in Sopwith Pup B1703, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 1.

Hungarian pilot Friedrich Hefty, in Hansa-Brandenburg C.I 69.79, shoots down a Farman for victory number 1. Whether Hefty has an observer with him is unknown.

Austrian pilot Frank Linke-Crawford, in Hansa-Brandenburg D.I 28.40, shoots down a Pomilio PE for victory number 3.

[Jimbuna]

24th August 1917

Western Front

British advanced line forced back from positions gained on 22 August.

Enemy post capture near Lombartzyde (coast section).

French advance 1.5 miles on 2,000 yards front at Verdun, carrying Hill 304 and Bois Camard, reach south bank of Forges Brook, between Haucourt and Bethincourt, make progress north of Mort Homme.

Southern Front

Italians occupy summit of Monte Santo and continue their advance towards eastern border of Bainsizza Plateau.

Italian advance in this region four miles on 12.5 mile front.

Battle further south dies down. Italians consolidating positions.

Political, etc.

German Vice Chancellor Helfferich claims UK entered the war because it felt threatened by Germany’s increasing economic & military power.

156 African-American soldiers in Houston, Texas mutiny & riot after encountering segregation. 4 soldiers and 12 civilians are killed.

Ship Losses:

Henriette (France) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 230 nautical miles (430 km) north west of Penmarc'h, Finistère (48°00′N 14°45′W) by SM U-62 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Kilwinning (United Kingdom) The collier was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 94 nautical miles (174 km) east south east of Malta (35°26′N 16°30′E) by SM U-14 ( Austro-Hungarian Navy). Her crew survived.
Parana (France) The troopship was torpedoed and damaged in the Aegean Sea between Andros and Euboea, Greece by SM UC-74 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She consequently sank in Karystos Bay with the loss of seven lives.
Penelope (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Baltic Sea off the Swalfre Ort Lighthouse by a Kaiserliche Marine submarine.
Springhill (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) east north east of Scarborough, Yorkshire (54°21′N 0°22′W) by SM UB-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of five of her crew.

[Sailor Steve]

August 24, 1917

Air War:

Three Italian pilots, all in Nieuport 11s, share a victory over Austrian Albatros D.III 53.33:
Antonio Amantea, victory number 2
Antonion Riva, number 1
?? Tola, no information.



North Atlantic Ocean, west of the Bay of Biscay:
Ernst Hashagen, commanding U-62, torpedoes French freighter SS Henriette, 2,005 tons; 230 miles west of Penmarch, southern Brittany.



Aegean Sea:
Wilhelm Marschall, in UC-74, torpedoes French freighter SS Parana, 6,248 tons, carrying troops and war materials from Marseilles to Salonica; between Andros and Eubea. The damaged ship makes it to Karystos Bay and then sinks there. Marschall's score is now 12 ships and 37,189 tons.



Mediterranean Sea:
Georg von Trapp, in Austrian U-14, sinks British freighter SS Kilwinning, 3,071 tons, en route from Barry to Port Said with a load of coal plus general cargo; 94 miles east-southeast of Malta. His score is now 7 ships and 26,555 tons.

[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.)

[August]

1 Sept 1917

One hundred years ago today the Germans second attempt to take the city of Riga commenced this morning with a surprise river assault across the Dvina at Üxküll by three divisions. The 2nd Guard, 19th Reserve and straight up the middle my great-grandfathers division the 14th Bavarian.

http://i.imgur.com/lHrg4uw.png


River crossing
http://i.imgur.com/qInnKAc.jpg

Battlefield at Uxhull
http://i.imgur.com/nEQekZr.jpg

Great Grandfather August Karl in 1914. I wonder if he is one of those pictures above.
http://i.imgur.com/FWehMYf.jpg

Below is an excellent recap of the battle from History net.

The German divisions that were to lead the assault were moved to central Kurland, well behind the Riga front, where they spent two weeks rehearsing for the operation. Getting a large force across a heavily defended river required operational surprise to keep casualties at reasonable levels, and the Germans took every precaution to ensure that their attack on Riga would be a total surprise. It was the most complex operation they had yet undertaken on the Eastern Front, and success relied on sending the first wave as squad-size assault units across the 1,300-foot-wide river to establish a bridgehead. To get it right, German units rehearsed with their boats on Latvian lakes well away from the front. The heavy forests of Kurland were good for hiding troops and matériel from Russian aerial reconnaissance—which was generally ineffective. As a result, the Russians failed to spot the German buildup.
The attack called for the assault force to cross the Düna at Üxküll on September 1, then move forward and create a wide bridgehead on the flanks of the Russian defense line, which consisted of the 19th Reserve Division, the 14th Bavarian Rifle Division, and the 2nd Guards Rifle Division. At the same time, the Russian bridgehead would face a diversionary attack by one German division to focus enemy attention to the north. Once the Germans had established their own bridgehead on the far side of the river, a pontoon bridge was to be built in each division sector and the rest of the division, the support forces, and supporting artillery brought over. A second wave of three more divisions would follow on the same day.There is a lot more on this fascinating battle at:
http://www.historynet.com/prepare-battle-riga.htm

[Jimbuna]

1st September 1917

Western Front

Enemy attack on Havrincourt (SW of Cambrai), at first successful, beaten back later.

N.E. of Craonne, German counter-attack broken up.

Eastern Front

German attack on E. of Riga; their troops enter the city.

Dvina river evacuated by Russians, and crossed by Germans at Uxkull.

Southern Front

Julian front: slight Italian advance, taking 340 prisoners.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Jutland coast: British destroyers drive four German mine-sweepers ashore, two on fire.

Political, etc.

In German-occupied Poland, Polish judges are for the first time allowed to administer justice in the courts.

The Petrograd Soviet passes a resolution protesting the reestablishment of the death penalty in the Russian army.

Ship Losses:

Akaroa (Norway) The barque was sunk in the English Channel 70 nautical miles (130 km) west of the Casquets, Channel Islands by SM U-19 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Amiral Olry (France) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 38 nautical miles (70 km) north west of Cape Sidero, Crete, Greece (35°40′N 25°47′E) by SM UC-74 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Dront (Russia) The cargo ship was sunk in the Barents Sea 110 nautical miles (200 km) north west by north of the North Cape, Norway by SM U-28 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Fingal (United Kingdom) The cargo ship foundered on this date.
Erato (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by
UC 69 (Hugo Thielmann) and sank in the English Channel 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) south east of The Lizard, Cornwall. Her crew survived.
Peronne (France) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) south east of Berry Head, Devon, United Kingdom by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Tarapaca (France) The four-masted full-rigged ship was scuttled in the Bay of Biscay 65 nautical miles (120 km) west of the La Coubre Lighthouse, Charente-Maritime (45°55′N 3°12′W) by SM U-52 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

[Sailor Steve]

September 1, 1917

Air War:

British liner SS Lapland arrives at Liverpool, England carrying the US Army 1st Aero Squadron. The unit immedeately boards a train for Southampton.

0750 German ace Manfred von Richthofen, flying Fokker F.I 102/17, shoots down RE.8 B782 for victory number 60. Lt John Bristo Culley Madge is wounded and taken prisoner. 2nd Lt Walter Kember is killed.
(This is the first victory scored in the new Fokker Triplane. The first two, 102/17 and 103/17, are designated F.I. All subsequent Triplanes will be designated Dr.I. This aircraft is painted in standard Fokker cammoflage - olive streaked over bare linen with a brush above and turquoise belosw.)
Flying my Triplane for the first time, I attacked, together with four of my gentlemen, a very boldly flown artillery-reconnaissance aircraft. I approached and fired twenty shots from a distance of 50 metres, whereupon the adversary fell out of control and crashed this side, near Zonnebeke. Apparently the opponent had taken me for an English Triplane, because the observer in the machine stood upright without making a move for his machine gun.
- Manfed von Richthofen

0810 German pilot Karl Hammes, in Albatros D.V 2336/17, shoots down SPAD VII B3569 for victory number 2. 2nd E.M. Sant is taken prisoner.

0815 German ace Wilhelm Reinhard, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down an unidentified Sopwith Camel for victory number 6.

0920 Australian Flying Corps pilot Ross MacPherson Smith, in BE.12 A6311, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 1.

1940 Italian ace Francesco Baracca, in a SPAD VII, shoots down a Hansa-Brandenburg C.I for victory number 18.

Bohemia-born Austro-Hungarian pilot Eugen Bönsch, flying Austro-Albatros D.III 53.57, shoots down an Italia Nieuport for victory number 1.

[Jimbuna]

2nd September 1917

Western Front

Enemy attack unsuccessfully British advance posts near Havrincourt.

At Hurtebise (Aisne), four German attempts to recover lost positions crushed.

Aeroplane raid on Dover, one killed, six injured.

Eastern Front

Some Russian troops fall back to west of Riga; fighting on Mitau road.

Germans cross Dvina river 18 miles above town.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Naval airmen bomb Bruges Docks.

East Africa: British and Belgian operations drive German detachments from River Ruaha to Mahenge.

Political, etc.

British forces have taken 10,687 German prisoners since July 31st on the Western Front.

At Trades Union Congress at Blackpool, Stockholm programme partly settled, but strongly opposed.

Russian Premier Kerensky orders the arrest several military and civilian leaders on charges of a counter-revolutionary plot.

Ship Losses:

Caracas (Norway) The auxiliary sailing vessel was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 130 nautical miles (240 km) north west of Cape Finisterre, Spain (46°00′N 11°04′W) by SM UB-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMS Dundee (Royal Navy) The armed boarding steamer was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean south west of the Isles of Scilly (48°50′N 9°20′W) by SM UC-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of nine lives. She sank the next day.
Ker Durand (France) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 70 nautical miles (130 km) west of Ar Men, Finistère by SM UC-69 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Olive Branch (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Barents Sea 85 nautical miles (157 km) north by east of the North Cape, Norway (72°34′N 27°56′E) by SM U-28 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Rytonhall (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 105 nautical miles (194 km) west of Ouessant, Finistère (47°45′N 7°28′W) by SM UC-69 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
SM U-28 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type U 27 submarine was sunk in the Barents Sea 85 nautical miles (157 km) north by east of the North Cape (72°34′N 27°56′E) by the explosion of the cargo of munitions aboard Olive Branch, ( United Kingdom) which it had attacked. All 39 crew were killed.
Wentworth (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay 36 nautical miles (67 km) (47°00′N 3°23′W) by SM U-52 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member. Three survivors were taken as prisoners of war.

[Sailor Steve]

September 2, 1917

Air War:

US Army 1st Aero Squadron crosses the Channel from Southampton to Le Havre, France.

0850 German pilot Helmut Dilthey, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down SPAD VII A312 for victory number 3. 2nd Lt W.A.L. Spencer is wounded and taken prisoner.

0915 English RFC pilot Hugh Elliott, in Bristol F.2b B1108 with 2nd Lt J.W. Ferguson as observer, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 4.

[Jimbuna]

3rd September 1917

Western Front

British front slightly advanced near St. Julien (Ypres).

Champagne: French raid gas tanks on Souain-Somme Py road.

Eastern Front

Riga finally evacuated by Russians, forts and bridges blown up, etc.

Germans claim many thousands of prisoners about 150 guns.

Southern Front

Pola bombed.

Aviation

Six German aeroplanes bomb Sheerness, etc.; 132 killed, 96 injured, mostly naval ratings.

Five Italian aeroplanes drop pamphlets over Vienna informing the people about the recent Italian victory on the Carso plateau.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Bruges again bombed.

German warships break into Gulf of Riga and shell Livonian villages.

Political, etc.

German Fatherland Party is founded by far-right militarists (the party will later popularize the “stab-in-the back” myth).

Ship Losses:

Agios Andreas (Greece) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Aegean Sea by SM UC-74 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Alentejo (Portugal) The cargo ship caught fire, exploded and sank at Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, France.
HMS Begonia (Royal Navy) The Azalea-class sloop departed on patrol in the Atlantic Ocean. She was subsequently sunk by enemy action with the loss of 94 crew.
HMT Italy (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was lost on this date.
La Negra (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 50 nautical miles (93 km) south south west of Start Point, Devon (49°29′N 3°53′W) by SM UC-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four of her crew.
Majoren (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean north west of Bloody Foreland, County Donegal, United Kingdom (55°14′N 8°56′W) by SM U-95 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Ragnhild (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 14 nautical miles (26 km) south by east of Flamborough Head, East Riding of Yorkshire by SM UB-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of fifteen crew.
Treverbyn (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by U 75 (Fritz Schmolling) and sank in the Atlantic Ocean 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) east south east of the Ushinish Lighthouse, South Uist, Outer Hebrides with the loss of 27 crew.
Van Allens-Broughton (United States) The five-masted schooner was abandoned in the Atlantic Ocean. She sank the next day.

[Sailor Steve]

September 3, 1917

Air War:

0725 Canadian RNAS ace Lloyd Breadner, flying Sopwith Camel B3782, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 8.

0730 Lloyd Breadner scores his second kill of the day, shooting down another Albatros D.V for victory number 9.

0730 English RNAS pilot William Hargrove Chisam, in Sopwith Camel B3909, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

0730 German ace Eberhard Mohnicke, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down Sopwith Pup B1754 for victory number 6. Lt K.W. McDonald is wounded and taken prisoner.

0735 German ace Manfred von Richthofen, in Fokker F.I 102/17, shoots down Sopwith Pup B1795 for victory number 61. Lt Algernon Frederick Bird is taken prisoner.
Along with five planes of Staffel 11, while engaged in a fight with a Sopwith single-seater, I attacked, at a height of 3,500 metres, one of the enemy machines. After a fairly long dogfight, I forced him to land near Bousbecque. I was absolutely convinced I had a very skillful pilot in front of me, who even at an altitude of 50 metres did not give up, but fired again, and opened fire on a column of troops while flattening out, then deliberately ran his machine into a tree.
The Fokker Triplane F.I No. 102/17 was absolutely superior to the British Sopwith.
-Manfred von Richthofen

0815 Canadian RFC pilot Robert Dodds and English observer Thomas Tuffield, flying Bristol F.2b A7222, shoot down two Albatros D.IIIs. Victories number 3 and 4 for both. One of these is German 7-victory ace Otto Hartmann, who is killed.

0825 German ace Paul Billik, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 6.

0830 German ace Walter von Bülow-Bothkamp, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 18.

0830 German ace Kurt Wüsthoff, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down Sopwith Pup A7333 for victory number 8.

0900 German ace Hermann Göring, in Albatros D.V 4424/17, claims a two-seater shot down near Lampernisse. Göring and six others from Jasta 27 did engage two separate flights of SPADS, but none of these seem to have been two-seaters and none were shot down. A DH.4 was attacked that day, but it got home safely. As with so many other claims, what actually happened may never be known.

0940 Canadian RFC pilot Conrad Lally and English AFC observer Basil Blackett, flying DH.4 A7477, shoot down an Albatros D.V. Victory number 4 for Lally, number 2 for Blackett. Blackett, though born in England, is listed as Australian Flying Corps.

0952 German ace Werner Voss, in the other new Fokker Triplane, F.I 103/17, shoots down Sopwith Camel 3917 for victory number 39. Lt Aubrey Talley Heywood is killed.

0955 German pilot Karl Hammes, in Albatros D.V 2336/17, shoots down a Sopwith Triplane for victory number 3.

1005 German pilot Carl-August von Schönebeck, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Sopwith Triplane for victory number 3.

1030 German pilot Eberhard von Stapenhorst, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Triplane for victory number 2.

1040 German pilot Hans Hoyer, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 2.

1100 German pilot Theodor Quandt, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a "Rumpf DD" (Fighter) for victory number 4.

1130 German pilot Otto Fruhner, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Sopwith Pup A7333 for victory number 1. Lt S. Williams is taken prisoner.

1210 German ace Kurt-Bertram von Döring, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 6.

1310 English RFC pilot Edward Clarke, in Sopwith Camel B2327, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 2.

1600 Otto Fruhner scores his second victory of the day, shooting down a Sopwith Camel for number 2 overall.

1710 Kurt Wüsthoff gets his second for the day, downing an RE.8 for number 9 overall.

1730 German ace Eduard von Schleich, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Dorand A.2 for victory number 9.

1730 German pilot Karl Thom, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Caudron for victory number 2.

1735 Eduard von Schleich scores his second victory of the day, bringing down a SPAD for number 10.

1830 Four RNAS Camel pilots share a victory over an Albatros D.V:
Joseph Fall, Canada, B3898, victory number 14.
Sub-Lt J.E. Scott, unknown, B3907, unknown.
Harold Stackard, England, B6204, number 4.
Arthur William Wood, England, B3884, number 1.

1930 Conrad Lally and Basil Blackett score their second victory of the day, shooting down an Albatros D.V. Number 5 for Lally and number 3 for Blackett. This is Conrad Lally's last aerial victory. He will survive the war, being wounded and spending 10 months recovering. In 1923 Lally became the town of Wainwright, Alberta, Canada's first postmaster. He will remain in that post until he dies in August 1941.

1950 German ace Hans von Adam, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down Nieuport 17 B1582 for victory number 14. 2nd Lt C. Pickstone is killed.

2000 German pilot Oskar von Boenigk, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 4.

[Aktungbby]

September 4, 1917: the American Expeditionary Forces in France suffered their first fatalities during World War I when a German plane attacked a British-run base hospital in Camiers. There was an unexpected windfall for the Allies when America joined the war—help with the enormous load of casualties in the 1917 campaign. The first American military installation in France during World War I was Base Hospital No.4 (Cleveland), which arrived on 25 May 1917 to cheering French crowds on, 19 days ahead of General Pershing and the nucleus of his American Expeditionary Force staff. Also known as the Lakeside Unit, the Cleveland unit served at Rouen throughout the war. American physicians, nurses, and enlisted men such as these would be the earliest AEF participants to face the possibility of death and destruction—actually months before the first American soldiers would see combat. Base Hospital No.4 treated 82,179; No. 10 treated 47,811; and No. 21 treated about 60,000. These numbers do not include the numbers of patients the Americans treated at the Casualty Clearing Stations or while working with British units. Overall, a daily average of approximately 800 officers, 600 nurses, and 1,100 soldiers was serving with the British. One of the hazards they faced was German night bomber raids, which attacked hospitals despite the Red Cross markings. Tragedy struck on 4 September 1917, when the Germans bombed Base Hospital No. 5 at Camiers, killing Lieutenant William T. Fitzsimmonshttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/36/William_T._Fitzsimons_HA-SN-99-00484.JPEG/170px-William_T._Fitzsimons_HA-SN-99-00484.JPEG (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:William_T._Fitzsimons_HA-SN-99-00484.JPEG) and Privates Oscar C. Tugo, Rudolph Rubino, Jr., and Leslie G. Woods, who became the first A. E. F. casualties by enemy action. http://www.ourstory.info/library/2-ww1/hospitals/bh5a.html (http://www.ourstory.info/library/2-ww1/hospitals/bh5a.html)

To the uninitiated reader, it may be of interest to know how the approach of the enemy planes is detected. Every one has heard at some time the droning of a gasoline or electric motor and is aware that different motors have different vibrations. Allied and enemy planes were accordingly tuned differently. At several points in the rear of the lines there were tuning forks adjusted to detect the vibration of enemy motors. As soon as a plane came within range the tuning fork would pick up the vibration, and the warning would be relayed immediately to points farther in the rear. https://cdn.theatlantic.com/assets/media/img/photo/2016/11/world-war-i-in-photos-technology/w_01/main_1200.jpg?1478808928
On the evening of September 3 an attempt by the Germans to raid the English coast was made but it was successfully repulsed by the coast defense guns. The following day, about noon, a photographic scouting plane came over our area. The weather was clear and the air crisp, thus making ideal conditions for photographic work. The anti-aircraft guns, both mobile and stationary, did valuable work in keeping the plane at a very high altitude. Some criticism was heard concerning Colonel Patterson's desire to have the Stars and Stripes flying over the hospital area from such a tall flag-pole. It is believed by some to be possible that a photograph of this camp, showing the United States flag flying overhead, was secured and that, as a warning to other Americans who were to follow us into the battlefields of France, we should be made the objective of an aerial attack in spite of the fact that we were a hospital unit and therefore classified as non-combatants.
Be that as it may, we know not what was in the minds of the Germans when, in the evening of September 4, they dispatched their mission of death, having as their objective an American Base Hospital caring for two thousand sick and wounded patients.
There had been an attempted raid on the English coast earlier in the evening which had apparently failed. At ten-thirty we received a warning that enemy planes were approaching along the coast. The anti-aircraft guns at Sainte Cecile Plage and at Neufchatel were actively employed for a few minutes but were soon quiet and the all-clear was sounded. At ten fifty-five P.M., without any warning whatsoever, and while all lights in the vast twelve thousand bed hospital area were illuminating the camp, an enemy aeroplane suddenly swooped down over the brim of the circle of high hills from the direction of Etaples. A few minutes prior to this incident a loud report as of the crashing of a bomb had been heard from that direction, but by those who had heard it, it was mistaken for the report of an anti-aircraft battery. Lieutenant William Fitzsimmons, who had recently been appointed adjutant of Base Hospital No. 5, was among those who heard the first report, and fearing the possible approach of enemy planes had summoned the sentry, Private Hiram Brower, to ascertain the cause of the violent explosion. Having answered the question of the adjutant, the guard resumed the patrol of his post. Scarcely a minute had elapsed when another more violent explosion occurred, caused by the dropping of an aerial torpedo on General Hospital No. 18. Fortunately no damage was done as it dropped in the center of the athletic field tearing a deep hole several yards in diameter. Then swinging his plane in a semicircular course, a bomb of the smaller type was dropped into the reception tent of No. 4 General Hospital, followed almost immediately by two bombs that dropped within eighteen inches of each other in front of Lieutenant Fitzsimmons' tent, two others at each end of Ward C-6 and another in the reception tent of No. 11 General Hospital. Lieutenant William Fitzsimmons was instantly killed by the first two bombs to be dropped on Base Hospital No. 5, while the flying fragments wounded Lieutenants Rae Whidden, Thaddeus Smith, Clarence McGuire and Private Hiram Brower. Fragments from the two bombs which were dropped on Ward C-6 killed Private Oscar Tugo and several patients, while other patients were wounded and large portions of the ward were wrecked. http://www.ourstory.info/library/2-ww1/hospitals/thumbs/bh5-20tn.jpg (http://www.ourstory.info/library/2-ww1/hospitals/images/bh5-20.jpg) <first American graves in France. Some very cool photos: https://www.theatlantic.com/projects/world-war-i-in-photos/ (https://www.theatlantic.com/projects/world-war-i-in-photos/)

[Jimbuna]

4th September 1917

Western Front

Verdun: Red Cross stations in rear of, bombed during night.

Aeroplane raid on London and south-east counties, 19 killed, 71 injured.

Eastern Front

Russians fall back 30 miles along Riga-Petrograd road.

Southern Front

Heavy fighting north-east of Gorizia and on southern Carso; Italians take positions round Monte S. Gabriele and 1,600 prisoners.

Italians fall back from, but recover, positions between Brestovica valley and sea.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Scarborough shelled by submarine; 30 rounds, 3 killed, 6 injured.

German warships in the Baltic pound Russian forces as they retreat 30 miles from Riga.

Political, etc.

Trades Union Congress declares against Stockholm Conference by overwhelming majority.

Mr Morel sent to prison.

U.S State Department clarifies they do not aim to unseat the Hohenzollern Dynasty, only to target “autocracy” in Germany.

Correspondence between Kaiser and Tsar (anti-British proposals) published.

Ship Losses:

Bishopton (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 30 nautical miles (56 km) south by east of St. Catherine's Point, Isle of Wight (50°08′N 0°57′W) by SM UC-16 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
Peerless (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of the Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly (49°11′N 7°16′W) by SM U-52 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of five crew. Three survivors were taken as prisoners of war.
Sadi Carnot (France) The three-masted schooner was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 42 nautical miles (78 km) south south west of the Isles of Scilly by SM UC-69 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew were rescued by HMS Landrail ( Royal Navy) and Montana ( United States).
Theodora (Greece) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Santa Uxía de Ribeira, A Coruña, Spain (42°32′N 9°25′W) by SM UB-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

https://i.imgur.com/Kb0PlQv.jpg

[Sailor Steve]

September 4, 1917

Air War:

0805 German ace Kurt Wüsthoff, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down Nieuport 17 A6679 for victory number 10. 2nd Lt J.H. Binns is killed.

0825 German ace Rudolf Berthold, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down RE.8 A3778 for victory number 14. Lt B.K.B. Barber and Pvt A.W. Brimell are both killed.

0830 German ace Eberhard Mohnicke, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down Sopwith Pup B2197 for victory number 7. Cpt C.C. Sharp is wounded and taken prisoner.

0840 German pilot Eberhard Stapenhorst, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 3.

0915 French/American ace Raoul Lufbery, flying a Nieuport, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 11.

0915 German ace Rudolf Matthaei, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Martinsyde G.100 for victory number 6.

0925 French ace Gustave Douchy and Cpt Victor Ménard, flying Nieuports, share a victory over a German two-seater. Number 8 for Douchy, number 4 for Ménard. This is Ménard's last victory, but his story is a fascinating one.
https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://www.passionpourlaviation.fr/tag/victor-menard/&prev=search

0930 Five RFC pilots, in Sopwith Pups, share a victory over an Albatros two-seater:
Lt E. Armitage, B1837, unknown.
Lt C. Courtneidge, B1802, unknown.
Eric Yorath Hughes, Wales, B6188, victory number 1.
Charles Walter Odell, England, B1842, number 1.
Maurice Scott, England, B1843, number 6.

0940 American pilot Edwin Charles Parsons, flying a Nieuport for the French Air Service, shoots down a Rumpler teo-seater for victory number 1.

1045 Kurt Wüsthoff scores his second kill of the day, shooting down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 11.

1120 German pilot Viktor Schobinger, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 4.

1450 English RFC pilot Henry Michael Moody, In a Sopwith Camel, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 1.

1540 French pilot Bernard Artigau, in a Nieuport, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 1.

1630 German ace Julius Schmidt, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down RE.8 A3778 for victory number 13.

1700 Rudolf Berthold scores his second kill of the day, shooting down an RE.8 for victory number 15.

1700 English RFC pilot Arthur Stanley Gould Lee, in Sopwith Pup B1777, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory numbe 1.

1900 English RFC observer Valentine St. Barbe Collins, in Bristol F.2b with 2nd Lt W.D. Bostock as pilot, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

1935 French ace Georges Madon, in a Nieuport, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 16. German 6-victory ace Erich Hahn is killed.

1945 German ace Hans Bethge, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 15.

1950 Hans Bethge brings down a second Bristol F.2b for victory number 16.

2030 German ace Rudolf Wendelmuth, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down an SE.5 for victory number 6.

2140 Three RNAS pilots, in Sopwith Camels, share a victory over a DFW C.V:
Joseph Fall, Canada, B3898, victory number 15.
Sub-Lt J.E. Scott, B3907, unknown.
Harold Stackard, England, B6204, number 5.

French pilots Pierre Gustave Gaudermen and Sgt Baudry, both in Nieuports, share a victory over a German two-seater. Number 1 for both.

German ace Ludwig Hanstein, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 9.

French pilot Georges Lachmann, flying a SPAD VII, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 4.

Russian pilot Ivan Loiko, in a Nieuport 17, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 3.

German ace Eduard von Schleich, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Dorand AR.2 for victory number 11.

[Jimbuna]

5th September 1917

Eastern Front

Germans capture line of River Dvina to Friedrichstadt.

Southern Front

Struggle continues north-east of Gorizia.

Naval and Overseas Operations

East Africa: Germans lose 500 men altogether from 30 August to 2 September, and particularly severely in retreat to Mahenge.

Aviation

Air raids over British lines kill 37 and wound 43 German prisoners. They bomb 3 British hospitals and kill 19 and wound 26 patients in French hospital at Vadelaincourt, Meuse.

Political, etc.

"Bonnet Rouge" newspaper case being investigated: treasonable intrigue; French government accused of weakness in connection.

Crown Prince Wilhelm and Crown Princess Cecilie of Germany have a daughter Princess Cecilie of Prussia.

U.S. Justice Department makes raids on dozens of International Workers of the World meeting halls. 166 IWW leaders will be indicted.

The 3rd Zimmerwald Conference, an anti-war socialist conference, opens in Stockholm to discuss peace proposals.

Russian Premier Kerensky approves the use of force to suppress any pro-independence movement in Finland that threatens Russia.

Ship Losses:

SS Alesia (France) The passenger ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean 40 nautical miles (74 km) north west of Ouessant, Finistère by SM UC-69 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was sunk the next day by SM UC-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Echunga (United Kingdom) The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 40 nautical miles (74 km) north east of Ouessant by SM U-52 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of nine crew.
Emma (United Kingdom) The sailing vessel was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 8 nautical miles (15 km) north of Sept-Îles, Finistère, France by SM UC-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
HMT Eros (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 4 (Erich Hecht) and sank in the North Sea off Orfordness, Suffolk with the loss of two of her crew.
Florence Muspratt (United Kingdom) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) north of Sept-Îles by SM UC-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Frances (United Kingdom) The ketch was scuttled in the English Channel 8 nautical miles (15 km) north by west of Sept-Îles by SM UC-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Glynn (United Kingdom) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 32 nautical miles (59 km) north west of the Les Hanois Lighthouse, Guernsey, Channel Islands by SM UC-42 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Industry (United Kingdom) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the English Chaanel 20 nautical miles (37 km) north west of the Les Hanois Lighthouse by SM UC-42 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Jeannot (Belgium) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the North Sea off Lowestoft, Suffolk by SM UB-10 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Margaret (United Kingdom) The trawler struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Wick, Caithness with the loss of five of her crew.
Proletaire (France) The sailing vessel was scuttled in the Mediterranean Sea 59 nautical miles (109 km) off Cape Bougarouni, Algeria (37°45′N 5°45′E) by SM U-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Theodor (United Kingdom) The sailing vessel was scuttled in the English Channel 13 nautical miles (24 km) north by west of Sept-Îles by SM UC-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
SM U-88 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type U 87 submarine struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Terschelling, Friesland, Netherlands with the loss of all 43 crew.
Unity (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the North Sea 8 nautical miles (15 km) east of the Cross Sand Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM UB-10 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

September 5, 1917

Air War:

German 12-victory ace Walter Höhndorf is killed test-flying the second AEG D.I prototype (4401/17). The first prototype (no serial number) had crashed previously, and with this second incident the project was cancelled.

0800 Five RNAS Sopwith Camel pilots share a victory over an Albatros two-seater:
Fred Banbury, Canada, B3832, victory number 4.
Roy Brown, Canada, B3818, number 2.
Stearne Edwards, Canada, number 2.
Oliver Redgate, England s/n unknown, number 2.
Arthur Wood, England, B3897, number 2.

0906 German pilot Karl Steudel, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 4.

0955 German pilot Johannes Klein, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 2.

1000 German ace Kurt Wüsthoff, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 12.

1200 New Zealander RFC ace Keith Park and observer H. Lindfield, in Bristol F.2b A7182, shoot down an Albatros D.V. Victory number 13 for Park, number 3 for Lindfield. Sixteen days later, on September 21, the body of Ltn Franz Pernet washed ashore at Zeeland, The Netherlands. Pernet was the stepson of General Erich Ludendorff.

1430 German ace Werner Voss, flying Fokker F.I 103/17, shoots down Sopwith Pup B1842 for victory number 40. 2nd Lt Charles Walter Odell manages to crash safely on his own side of the lines.

1528 German ace Rudolf Berthold, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down DH.4 A7530 for victory number 15. Lt J.W. Neill and 2nd Lt T.M. Webster are both listed as Missing.

1530 German pilot Joachim von Busse, in Albatros D.III 2052/16, shoots down Sopwith Camel B3777 for victory number 2. Lt J.C. Huggard is taken prisoner.

1550 German pilot Erich Löwenhardt, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Sopwith Pup for victory number 3.

1630 Werner Voss makes his second claime of the day, a Caudron G.6. MdL Jacques Thabaud-Deshoulières and Lt Marcel Mulard are both killed. It is also possible that this plane was brought down by Uffz Krause of Kest 3.

1820 English RNAS pilot Leonard Rochford, flying Sopwith Camel B3807, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 4.

1840 New Zealander RNAS pilot Harold Beamish, in Sopwith Camel N6377, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 3.

1845 New Zealander RFC pilot Clive Collett, in Sopwith Camel B6234, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 9.

1900 German pilot Dieter Collin, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 4.

1900 Two RFC SE.5a pilots share a victory over an Albatros D.V:
John bonnicher Crompton, Canada, A8918, victory number 1.
Spencer Horn, England, A8936, number 6.

1845 German ace Reinhold Jörke, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 6.

French pilot Michel Joseph Callixte Marie Coiffard, in a Nieuport, shoots down an Albatros two-seater for victory number 1.

German pilot Ludwig Hanstein, in an Albatros D.V, destroys a French observation balloon. Observer Lt Gadel is unharmed.

German pilot Theodor Rumpel shoots down a Morane-Saulnier 'P' for victory number 2. Sgt Maurice Leroux and Lt Pierre Goutier are both killed.

German ace Eduard von Schleich, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 12.

German ace Emil Thuy, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 9.

[Jimbuna]

6th September 1917

Western Front

British detachments pressed back near Frezenberg (Ypres).

Eastern Front

12th Russian Army falls back clear of enemy.

Kaiser reviews troops in Riga.

Southern Front

Stubborn fighting north-east of Gorizia.

Naval and Overseas Operations

German force surrenders to British coloured troops at Kakera (N.N.E. of Kilossa).

Aviation

1917 French pilot Georges Guynemer shoots down 54th German aircraft.

Political, etc.

Petrograd and Moscow closed to strangers.

Ship Losses:

Agios Georgios (Greece) The barque was sunk in the Ionian Sea (36°15′N 21°44′E) by SM UC-74 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Elisabethville (Belgium) The passenger ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay (47°05′N 3°04′W) by UC-71 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of fourteen of the 313 people on board.
HMS Fiona (Royal Navy) The armed boarding steamer ran aground on the Pentland Skerries. She was towed off but broke in two.
Hammar II (Sweden) The cargo ship was scuttled in the North Sea by SM UB-62 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her eleven crew took to the lifeboats but were not rescued.
HMT Helgian (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 23 (Volkhard von Bothmer) and sank in the Gulf of Ruphani with the loss of ten of her twelve crew.
Moina (France) The auxiliary sailing vessel was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean west of Gibraltar (36°32′N 7°15′W) by SM UB-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Rosary (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the North Sea off the coast of Norfolk by SM UB-10 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Thisbe (France) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 6 nautical miles (11 km) west of The Lizard, Cornwall, United Kingdom (49°57′N 5°21′W) by SM UB-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Tuskar (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by
U 80 (Gustav Amberger) and sank in the Atlantic Ocean 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) off Eagle Island, County Mayo with the loss of ten of her crew.
Ville de Strasbourg (France) The cargo ship was sunk in the Aegean Sea off Cape Spati, Cythera, Greece (36°24′N 22°54′E) by SM UC-74 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

September 6, 1917

Air War:

0745 English RFC pilot Rothesay Nicholas Montagu Stuart Worley, flying a Bristol F.2b with 2nd Lt P.V. Burton as observer, shoots down a German two-seater and an Albatros D.V for victories number 1 and 2.

0800 Canandian RNAS pilot Wilfred Austin Curtis, in Sopwith Camel N6342, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

0910 German ace Walter Göttsch, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down an unidentified Sopwith for victory number 15.

1335 Five RNAS Camel pilots share a victory over an Albatros two-seater:
Joseph Fall, Canada, B3898 victory number 16.
Sub-Lt J.E. Scott, unknown nation, B3908, unknown victory.
Harold Stackard, England, unknown serial number, number 6.
Hazel LeRoy Wallace, Canada, B3892, number 1.
Arthur Wood, England, B3984, number 3.

1335 English RFC pilot Russell Winnicott, in DH.5 A9218, shoots down an Albatros two-seater for victory number 1.

1402 German ace Otto Kissenberth, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down a SPAD VII for victory number 13.

1403 German pilot Otto Pelz, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a SPAD VII for victory number 1.
(Two French SPADs were lost in this area - Sgt Henri Callinet, listed as Missing, and American Cpl Everett T. Buckley, fliying for N65, taken prisoner.

1535 German ace Werner Voss, in Fokker F.I 103/17, shoots down FE.2d B1895 for victory number 42. Lt John Oscar Pilkington and AM2 Herbert Frederick Williams are both killed.

1830 Two Italian pilots in SPAD VIIs share a victory over a Hansa-Brandenburg C.I:
Francesco Baracca, victory number 19.
Giovanni Sabelli, victory number 2.

German ace Paul Billik, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a SPAD VII for victory number 7.

German pilot Dieter Collin, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Nieuport for victory number 5. Collin is also wounded during this fight.

Russian pilot Ivan Loiko, in a Nieuport 17, shoots down a two-seater for victory number 5.

German ace Eduard von Schleich, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Nieuport 12 for victory number 13.

[Jimbuna]

7th September 1917

Western Front

A U.S. hospital on the French coast is bombed by a German aeroplane, causing 3 deaths—one of the first US Army deaths in France.

Southern Front

British activity on Struma front (eastern Macedonia).

Italians attack Monte S. Gabriele.

Austrians bomb Venice.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Health of troops in Mesopotamia reported greatly improved.

Aviation

First flight of the Port Victoria P.V.8.
https://i.imgur.com/kYRNQ5J.jpg

Political, etc.

U.S.A. contemplate seizing 400,000 tons of neutral shipping in American ports.

President Wilson bans the exportation of gold to Mexico, Spain, and Japan.

M. Ribot's ministry resigns.

Ship Losses:

Antonio Ferro (Russia) The tug foundered on this date with the loss of seven of her crew.
HMT By George (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 23 (Volkhard von Bothmer and sank in the Gulf of Ruphani (40°38′N 34°54′E) with the loss of two of her crew.
Casa Blanca (Portugal) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean by SM UB-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Clan Ferguson (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 15 nautical miles (28 km) off Cape Spartel, Morocco (35°50′N 6°10′W) by SM UB-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of ten crew.
Grelfryda (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the North Sea 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) south west by west of Flamborough Head, Yorkshire by SM UB-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was beached, but was later refloated, repaired and returned to service.
Haakon VII (Norway) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) east south east of Land's End, Cornwall, United Kingdom by SM UB-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three of her crew.
Hinemoa (United Kingdom) The four-masted barque was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 35 nautical miles (65 km) west south west of the Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly (49°30′N 7°08′W) by SM UC-16 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Hunsbridge (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 60 nautical miles (110 km) west south west of Cape Spartel (35°10′N 6°50′W) by SM UB-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three of her crew.
Minnehaha (United Kingdom) The ocean liner was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 12 nautical miles (22 km) south east of the Fastnet Rock (51°17′N 9°22′W) by SM U-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 43 lives.
Mont de Piete (France) The vessel was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off the mouth of the Loire by SM UC-71 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Myrmidon (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was damaged in the Mediterranean Sea (37°10′N 6°51′E by SM UC-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew. She was beached at Philippeville, Algeria but was later refloated.
Versailles (France) The fishing vessel was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 107 nautical miles (198 km) south by west of Ouessant, Finistère (47°49′N 7°38′W) by SM UC-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Vestfjeld (Norway) The four-masted barque was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 40 nautical miles (74 km) south west of the Bishop Rock by SM UC-16 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

September 7, 1917

Air War:

1040 German ace Emil Thuy, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down an unidentified SPAD for victory number 10.

[Jimbuna]

9th September 1917

Western Front

British take 600 yards of German trenches at Villeret (N.N.W. of St. Quentin).

Meuse, right bank: heavy fighting, Germans repulsed.

End of Third French offensive at Verdun.

Southern Front

Austrians claim 6,000 prisoners near Hermada (Carso).

French advance near Lake Ochrida (south-west Macedonia).

Naval and Overseas Operations

German submarine SM UB-49 runs out of fuel and is interned in Cadiz, Spain (it escapes Spain on October 6th).

Political, etc.

King's special decoration for 1914 campaign announced.

With German forces approaching Petrograd, partial evacuations of the city begin. The official reason blames food shortages.

Ship Losses:

Elsa (Denmark) The barque was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 6 nautical miles (11 km) off Kinsale, County Cork, United Kingdom by SM U-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of five crew.
Pluton (Norway) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 6 nautical miles (11 km) east south east of Start Point, Devon by SM UB-31 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of ten of her crew.
Storm (United Kingdom) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 1 nautical mile (1.9 km) off the Sunk Lightship ( United Kingdom) by a Luftstreitkräfte aircraft.
Swiftsure (United Kingdom) The coaster struck a mine laid by
UC 40 (Hermann Menzel) and sank in Shapinsay Sound, Orkney Islands with the loss of a crew member.

[Sailor Steve]

September 9, 1917

Air War:

1140 English RFC pilot Lovell Baker, flying SPAD VII B3510, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 2.

1247 German pilot Eberhard Stapenhorst, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down SPAD VII A6713 for victory number 4. 2nd Lt K.R. Sayers is listed as Missing.

1300 German pilot Ludwig Luer, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 2.

1315 English RFC ace pilot Harry Luchford and observer Richard Hill, in Bristol F.2b A7215, shoot down an Albatros D.V. Victory number 12 for Luchford, number 2 for Hill.

1500 German ace Rudolf Wendelmuth, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 7.

1520 German ace Julius Schmidt, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down Nieuport 17 B3558 for victory number 14.

1525 German pilot Paul Bäumer, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down RE.8 3597 for victory number 4. 2nd Lts A.G, Davidson and B.B. Bishop are both killed.

1615 New Zealander RFC ace Keith Park, in Bristol F.2b A7220 with AM2 H. Lindfield as observer, shoots down an Albatros D.V. Victory number 14 for Park, number 4 for Lindfield.

1615 Welsh RFC pilot Edward George Herbert Williams and English observer Bruce Stanley C. Jackman, in Bristol F.2b A7273, shoot down an Albatros D.V. Victory number 1 for both.

1630 Canadian RFC pilot Emerson Smith, in Sopwith Camel B3791, shoots down an Albatros two-seater for victory number 2.

1630 Canadian RNAS pilot George Trapp, flying Sopwith Camel B3922, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 4.

1635 Emerson Smith scores his second victory of the day, shooting down another Albatros two-seater for victory number 3.

1630 German ace Ernst Hess, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down Bristol F.2b A7207 for victory number 12. Sgts J.H. Hamer and G.E. Lambeth are both killed.

1705 New Zealander RFC ace Clive Collett, in Sopwith Camel B2341, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 10.

1725 Clive Collett scores his second victory of the day, another two-seater, for victory number 11.

1740-1845 English RFC ace Arthur Rhys Davids, in SE.5a B525, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 18.

1750 Clive Collett scores victory number 3 for the day, shooting down Albatros D.V 2336/17 for number 12. Ltn Karl Hammes is wounded.

1835 German ace Heinrich Kroll, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down Sopwith Triplane N5477 for victory number 9. Sub-Lt L.E. Adlam is killed.

1900 German ace Fritz Kosmahl, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down Sopwith Camel BB3928 for victory number 7. Lt N.C. Saward is taken prisoner.

1905 Two RNAS Camel aces share a victory over an Albatros D.V:
Joseph Fall, Canada, B3898, victory number 17.
Harold Stackard, England, B6204, number 7.

1905 German pilot Oskar von Boenigk, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 5.

1910 German pilot Karl Hammes, flying Albatros D.V 2336/17 shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 4. There is a discrepancy in the recorded times for this kill and Hammes' own wounding.

1930 German ace Max von Müller, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down Sopwith Camel B3916 for victory number 27. 2nd Lt Hugh Weightman is wounded, but manages to crash on his own side of the lines.

2055 German pilot Erich Löwenhardt, in an Albatros D.III, destroys a French observation balloon. Observer S/Lt Berthon is unharmed.

[Jimbuna]

10th September 1917

Western Front

British take 400 yards more trench at Villeret.

Mutiny breaks out in Étaples, France when British military police fires into an angry crowd of soldiers, killing a Scottish soldier.

Eastern Front

Russian Twelfth Army takes up position 30 miles north-east of Riga; German pursuit. Russian “Battalions of Death” counterattack German forces 32 miles northeast of Riga and manage to halt their advance in some areas.

Southern Front

French and Russian troops extend their occupation near Lake Ochrida.

Political, etc.

General Kornilov approaches Petrograd.

M. Kerenski assumes dictatorship.

Provisional Government resigns.

Ship Losses:

City of Nagpur (United Kingdom) The cargo ship ran aground on the Danae Shoal, off Lourenço Marques, Mozambique. She broke in two and was a total loss. All 259 passengers, and her crew, were rescued.
Eburoon (Belgium) The cargo ship was wrecked in Trepassey Bay, Newfoundland.
Jane Williamson (United Kingdom) The brigantine was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 20 nautical miles (37 km) north of St. Ives, Cornwall (50°32′N 5°20′W) by SM UC-51 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four of her six crew .
HMT Loch Ard (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 14 (Helmut Lorenz) and sank in the North Sea off Lowestoft, Suffolk (52°30′N 1°53′E) with the loss of five of her crew.
Margarita (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 40 (Hermann Menzel) and was severely damaged in the North Sea 1 nautical mile (1.9 km) south of the Bressay Lighthouse, Shetland Islands. She was repaired and returned to service in 1921.
Mary Orr (United Kingdom) The sailing vessel was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 8 nautical miles (15 km) north by east of the Pendeen Lighthouse, Cornwall (50°18′N 5°40′W) by SM UC-51 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Mary Seymour (United Kingdom) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 7 nautical miles (13 km) north north east of the Pendeen Lighthouse (50°16′N 5°39′W) by SM UC-51 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Moss Rose (United Kingdom) The three-masted schooner was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 7 nautical miles (13 km) north north east of the Pendeen Lighthouse (50°16′N 5°39′W) by SM UC-51 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Parkmill (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 1.25 nautical miles (2.32 km) south east of the Bressay Lighthouse by SM UC-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Sims (Russia) The tug sttruck a mine and sank in the Baltic Sea off Worms Island.
SM UC-42 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UC II submarine was sunk by the explosion of one of her own mines at Cork, Ireland (51°44′N 8°12′W) with the loss of all 26 crew.
Vikholmen (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the English Channel south east of the Isle of Wight, United Kingdom (50°11′N 1°22′W) by SM UC-71 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eight of her crew.
Water Lily (United Kingdom) The schooner was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 8 nautical miles (15 km) north north east of the Pendeen Lighthouse (50°18′N 5°40′W) by SM UC-51 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

September 10, 1917

Air War:

1615 German ace Ernst Hess, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down DH.5 A9435 for victory number 13.

1625 English RFC ace Albert Enstone, in Sopwith Camel B3841, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 8.

1650 German ace Werner Voss, in Fokker F.I 103/17, shoots down Sopwith Camel B3927 for victory number 43. 2nd Lt Arthur Jackson Smith Sisley is listed as Missing.

1655 Werner Voss scores his second victory of the day, shooting down Sopwith Camel B3787 for number 44. 2nd Lt Oliver Charles Pearson is listed as Missing.

1720 Australian RFC pilot Raymond James Brownell, in Sopwith Camel B2323, shoots down a DFW C.V for victory number 1.

1730 Canadian RFC pilot Emerson Smith, flying a Sopwith Camel, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 4.

1800 Five RNAS Camel pilots share a victory over a DFW C.V:
George Anderson, Canada, B3940, victory number 3.
Harold Beamish, New Zealand, N6377, number 4.
Sub-Lt G. Harrower, unknown, B3782, unknown.
Edward Hayne, South Africa, B3895, number 2.
Cmdr R.F. Redpath, unknown, B3786, unknown.
(Sources list Anderson and Hayne with the same serial number. Not possible, but it's all we have.)

1810 German ace Walter Göttsch, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a SPAD VII for victory number 16.

1815 Werner Voss scores his third kill of the day, ahooting down SPAD VII 1746 for number 45. Sgt Jules Tiberghien is listed as Missing.

1905 German ace Josef Jacobs, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down SPAD VII 2416 for victory number 7. French 9-victory ace Georges Matton is killed.

1930 German pilot Franz Ray, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 2.

[Jimbuna]

11th September 1917

Western Front

British bomb south of Lille and Roulers region heavily.

Southern Front

Austrian counter-attacks on Bainsizza Plateau and north-east of Gorizia heavily repulsed.

Naval and Overseas Operations

British seaplanes bomb Zeebrugge mole and air sheds.

British merchant ship “SS British Transport” rams & sinks German submarine U-49: First case in the war where a merchant vessel sinks a U-boat.

Political, etc.

First party of British prisoners from Switzerland arrives.

Russian crisis: M. Kerenski declares General Kornilov a traitor.

Despite being labeled a traitor by the Russian government, General Kornilov & his troops are 33 miles from Petrograd and closing.

Kaiser Wilhelm returns from the Riga battlefields to Potsdam with a severe cold.

Ship Losses:

Embleton (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 150 nautical miles (280 km) west of Cape Spartel, Morocco by SM U-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Luxembourg (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the Atlantic Ocean 3.5 nautical miles (6.5 km) north north east of the Pendeen Lighthouse, Cornwall (50°13′N 5°40′W) by SM UC-51 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Rosy Cross (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) north west by west of Crackington Haven, Cornwall by SM UC-51 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Tobol (Russia) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 70 nautical miles (130 km) east south east of Duncansby Head, Caithness, United Kingdom (58°10′N 1°00′W) by SM U-52 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
SM U-49 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type U 43 submarine was rammed, shelled and sunk in the Bay of Biscay (46°17′N 14°42′W) by British Transport ( United Kingdom) with the loss of all 43 crew.
Vienna (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay 340 nautical miles (630 km) west of Ouessant, Finistère, France (46°59′N 13°05′W) by SM U-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 25 crew. Her captain was taken as a prisoner of war.
William (United Kingdom) The schooner was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) north north west of Crackington Haven (50°56′N 5°39′W) by SM UC-51 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

September 11, 1917

Air War:

RFC observer Lt Albert Wear succumbs to wounds recieved on July 31.

0830 German ace Josef Jacobs, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 8.

0920 English RFC pilot Henry Moody, in a Sopwith Camel, shoots down a DFW C.V for victory number 2.

0950 German ace Karl Menckhoff, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 9.

1005 German pilot Max Wackwitz, in Albatros D.V 4545/17, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 2.

1015 Scottish ace RFC pilot James Binnie and English observer Thomas Tuffield, in Bristol F.2b A7220, shoot down a DFW C.V. Victory number 9 for Binnie and number 5 for Tuffield. This is also Binnie's last aerial victory. He will survive the war and live until 1962.

1020 German ace Kurt Wüsthoff, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 13.

1030 German ace Werner Voss claims a Sopwith Camel for victory number 46. That makes three claims for Camels at this time, the other two being Menckhoff and Wackwitz. Voss also fought Bristol F.2b at this time. Lt Raymond de Lacey Stedman got his plane home safely, with 2nd Lt Harry Edward Jones seriously wounded.

1030 German pilot Kurt Wissemann, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down SPAD XIII S504 for victory number 5. French 53-victory ace Georges Guynemer is killed. The plane and body are found, but not recovered due to heavy artillery fire. By the time the fighting has moved on both plane and body are gone, apparently destroyed by the barrage. Thus the Germans are unable to hold a funeral for their fallen enemy, and Guynemer is today still listed as Missing.
-Henri Bordeaux, Georges Guynemer: Knight of the Air, New Haven Yale University Press, 1918

1055 Four RFC Pup pilots share a victory over a German two-seater:
Lt E. Armitage, England, B1837, unknown victory.
Eric Hughes, Wales, A6188, number 2.
Arthur Lee, England, B1777, number 2.
Maurice Scott, England, B2191, number 7.

1100 Canadian RNAS pilot George Anderson, in Sopwith Camel B3940, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 4.

1100 English RNAS pilot William Chisam, flying Sopwith Camel N6364, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 2.

1100 English RNAS pilot Thomas Le Mesurier and observer Horace Jackson, in DH.4 N5968, shoot down an Albatros D.V. Victory number 5 for Le Mesurier, number 4 for Jackson.

1101 German pilot Hans Böhning, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 2.

1150 Canadian RNAS ace Lloyd Breadner, in Sopwith Camel B3782, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 10. This is Breadner's last aerial victory. He will survive the war and join the Royal Canadian Air Force at its formation in 1924. In 1939 he will go to England as a technical advisor and become an Air Marshal in 1941. In 1943 he will become Commander of the RCAF overseas, becoming Air Chief Marshal, the highest rank ever awarded in the RCAF. He will retire in 1945 and die in Boston, Massachusetts in 1952.

1150 English RNAS ace Ronald Thornely, in Sopwith Camel B3845, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 9. This is Thornely's last aerial victory. He will survive the war and die in 1984, aged 95.

1235 German ace Julius Schmidt, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down a SPAD VII for victory number 15.

[Jimbuna]

12th September 1917

Western Front

French headquarters estimate German losses to end of July at four millions.

Southern Front

Italians hold on stubbornly north-east of Gorizia.

French and Russian troops cross River Devoli (Albanian frontier), driving back enemy twenty miles.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Gulf of Riga still controlled by Russian warships; bombard German batteries on Courland shores

Political, etc.

US Secret Service raid the home of Professor Scott Nearing, a pacifist and socialist activist, to find evidence of sedition.

M. Painleve forms ministry.

Russia on point of civil war. Russian Premier Kerensky also becomes Commander in Chief & mobilizes forces, including the Bolsheviks, in Petrograd to cement his rule.

Argentina hands passports to Count Luxburg.

Polish Regency Council created.

Ship Losses:

Agricola (United Kingdom) The schooner was scuttled in the Bristol Channel 15 nautical miles (28 km) west north west of Lundy Island, Devon by SM U-19 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMT Asia (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 40 (Hermann Menzel) and sank in the North Sea off Bressay, Shetland Islands with the loss of seven of her crew.
Deputé Pierre Goujon (France) The cargo ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off Belle Île, Morbihan (47°06′N 3°57′W) by SM U-103 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Gibraltar (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 100 nautical miles (190 km) south east of Cape Creus, Spain (41°17′N 5°50′E) by SM UC-27 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four of her crew.
Gisla (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) off Cape Palos, Murcia Spain (37°39′N 0°32′W) by SM U-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HS 3 and RB 10 (United Kingdom) The tug and refrigerated barge were scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 18 nautical miles (33 km) west by north of Cape Sines, Portugal by SM UB-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but four of them were taken as prisoners of war.
Reim (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Cape St. Vincent, Portugal by SM U-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
St. Margaret (United Kingdom) The passenger ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Norwegian Sea 30 nautical miles (56 km) south east of Lítla Dímun, Faroe Islands by SM U-103 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of five crew.
SM U-45 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type U 43 submarine was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean north west of the Shetland Islands, United Kingdom (55°48′N 7°30′W) by HMS D7 ( Royal Navy) with the loss of 43 of her 45 crew.
Urd (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 10 nautical miles (19 km) north by east of Cape Palos (37°52′N 0°28′W) by SM U-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three crew.
Wilmore (United States) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) north east of the Hornigas Lighthouse, Cape Palos (37°41′N 0°31′W) by SM U-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

September 12, 1917

Air War:

0800 German ace Kurt Wüsthoff, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 14.

1315 German ace Heinrich Kroll, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down SPAD VII B3506 for victory number 10. 2nd Lt S.W. Dronsfield is taken prisoner.

Russian pilot Ivan Loiko, in a Nieuport 17, shoots down a Hansa-Brandenburg C.I for victory number 5.

[Jimbuna]

13th September 1917

Western Front

German attack near Langemarck repulsed.

German raids west of Craonne.

Germans penetrate French advanced line north of Caurieres Wood (Meuse).

Eastern Front

Odessa and Black Sea tranquil; population sympathise with Provisional Government.

Political, etc.

General Alexeiev treats with General Kornilov. Latter's revolt fails; his commander, General Krimov, kills himself. General Kaledin and Cossacks revolt. Soviets ban Cadets.

New French Cabinet announced.

Ship Losses:

Arlequin (Tunisia) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Gulf of Gabès by SM UC-52 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Chère Rose' (Tunisia) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Gulf of Gabès by SM UC-52 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Comizianes da Graca (Portugal) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 6 nautical miles (11 km) north of Cape Sines by SM UB-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Correiro de Sines (Portugal) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Portugal by SM UB-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Ortigia (Tunisia) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Gulf of Gabès by SM UC-52 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
SM UC-21 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UC II submarine departed Zeebrugge, West Flanders, Belgium for the Bay of Biscay. No further trace, presumed lost with all 26 crew.
Vittoria (Tunisia) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Gulf of Gabès by SM UC-52 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

[Sailor Steve]

September 13, 1917

Air War:

US Army 1st Aero Squadron begins training at the French aviation school at Avord.

0810 German ace Walter von Bülow-Bothkamp, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down Sowpith Camel B3933 for victory number 19. Sub-Lt E.D. Abbott is wounded and taken prisoner.

0830 German ace Kurt Wüsthoff, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down Sopwith Triplane N5429 for victory number 15. Sub-Lt John R. Wilford is wounded and taken prisoner.

1430 Canadian RNAS pilot Fred Banbury, in Sopwith Camel B3832, shares a victory number 5 over an Albatros D.V with two other pilots:
Sub-Lt Ingleson in Camel B3817.
Sub-Lt Oakley, in Camel B3880.
Banbury's listings also include Stearne Edwards and John Hales, but none of the listings for those pilots credit them with victories on this date.

1520 German ace Karl Menckhoff, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 10.

[Aktungbby]

September 13, 1917

Air War:

0810 German ace Walter von Bülow-Bothkamp, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down Sowpith Camel B3933 for victory number 19. Sub-Lt E.D. Abbott is wounded and taken prisoner.

0830 German ace Kurt Wüsthoff, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down Sopwith Triplane N5429 for victory number 15. Sub-Lt E.D. Abbot is wounded and taken prisoner. (then ran off a string of 14 victories in September)

An amazing coincidence! E.D. Abbott, described as a 'former WWI pilot', went on to make gliders: the Abbott-Farnham glider https://scalesoaring.co.uk/VINTAGE/Documentation/Scud/images/image007.jpg and cars: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E._D._Abbott_Ltd (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E._D._Abbott_Ltd)

[Sailor Steve]

Thanks for pointing that out. Fixed. Also a nice find on Abbott's later career.

[Jimbuna]

14th September 1917

Western Front

French drive enemy out of Caurieres Wood (Verdun).

Eastern Front

Enemy approach trenches near Focsani; repulsed everywhere by Romanians.

Political, etc.

U.S.A. have spent $40,000,000 for naval construction in little over a year.

Elihu Root, former US Secretary of War and Secretary of State, says anyone who opposes the war are traitors.

Lord Reading arrives on financial mission.

Sir J. Allen on New Zealand spirit.

General Kornilov submits.

Ship Losses:

Amiral de Kersaint (France) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) off Cape Tortosa, Spain by SM U-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Ausonia (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Cape Tortosa (40°46′N 1°03′E) by SM U-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Chulmleigh (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 10 nautical miles (19 km) south west by west of Cape Salou, Spain (40°54′N 1°04′E) by SM U-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
USS D-2 (United States Navy) The D-class submarine sank at New London Naval Base, Connecticut. Her crew survived. She was subsequently refloated, repaired and returned to service.
Sado (Portugal) The ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 15 nautical miles (28 km) south west of Cape Sines by SM UB-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Zeta (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 8 nautical miles (15 km) south by west of Mine Head, County Cork by SM UC-51 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

September 14, 1917

Air War:

0850 Prussia-born German pilot Gustav Schneidewind, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down Sopwith Camel B2333 for victory number 2. 2nd Lt E.S.C. Sen is taken prisoner.

1424 English RFC pilot Edward Clarke, in Sopwith Camel B2327, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 3.

1635 French ace René Fonck, in a SPAD VII, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 12.

1645 Welsh RFC pilot Robert Leslie Chidlaw-Roberts, flying SE.5a B4864, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

1845 New Zealander RFC ace pilot Keith Park and English ace observer Hugh Owen, in Bristol F.2g A7227, are credited with two Albatros D.Vs at this time. Victories 15 and 16 for Park, 6 and 7 for Owen. One of these is Ltn Maximillian von Chelius, who is killed. This is Hugh Leslie Owen's last aerial victory. He will survive the war, but beyond his death at age 38 in 1930 not much information seems to be available.

1905 German ace Karl Menckhoff, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down SE.5a B516 for victory number 11. 2nd Lt N.H. Crow is killed.

Italian pilot Attilio Imolesi, in a Nieuport, shoots down a two-seater for victory number 2.

Transylvania-born Austro-Hungarian pilot Rudolf Weber, in a two-seater, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 5.

[Jimbuna]

15th September 1917

Western Front

Second phase of Third Battle of Ypres: London troops capture strong point north of Inverness Copse (Ypres).

Enemy repulsed by Portuguese at Neuve Chapelle.

Southern Front

Four successive Austrian counter-attacks on Bainsizza Plateau fail; Italians gain ground to south-east.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Hottest season on record at Baghdad.

Troops' health and spirits excellent.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Seaplanes successfully attack shipping between Blankenberghe and Ostend.

Aviation

German ace Kurt Wolff was shot down and killed in his Fokker airplane during a dogfight with Royal Flying Corps Sopwith Camels north of Wervicq, Belgium. His 33 kills tied him with compatriots Otto Koennecke and Heinrich Bongartz as the 20th-highest-scoring German ace of World War One.
https://i.imgur.com/iJRqGc9.jpg

Political, etc.

Provisional Council of 5 declares Russia a Republic under M. Kerenski; new War Cabinet formed.

Entire sugar industry in the United States is put under federal control to stabilize supply and prices.

Ship Losses:

Dependence (United Kingdom) The schooner was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean off The Lizard, Cornwall by SM UB-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Idomeneus (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the North Channel (56°40′N 10°50′W) by SM U-67 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four crew. She was beached but was later refloated.
Platuria (United States) The tanker was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Tangier, Morocco (35°08′N 9°15′W) by SM U-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of ten crew.
Rollesby (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 80 nautical miles (150 km) east north east of Muckle Flugga, Shetland Islands by SM U-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Santaren (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 40 nautical miles (74 km) north east of Muckle Flugga (61°36′N 0°14′W) by SM UB-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Sommeina (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 69 (Hugo Thielmann) and sank in the Atlantic Ocean 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) south east of The Manacles (50°01′N 4°57′W). Her crew survived.
Saint Jacques (France) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 51 (Hans Galster) and sank in the Irish Sea 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) south west of St. Ann's Head, Pembrokeshire, United Kingdom.

[Sailor Steve]

September 15, 1917

Air War:

0720 German ace Heinrich Gontermann, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down a French Caudron for victory number 36.

0805 German ace Eduard von Schleich, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Caudron for victory number 15.

1245 German pilot Hans-Georg von der Osten, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith for victory number 3.
(Per Jasta War Chronology. The Aerodrome has this as a DH.4.)

1300 Canadian RNAS pilot Roy Brown, in Sopwith Camel B3893, shoots down a DFW C.V for victory number 3.

1410 German ace Rudolf Berthold, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith for victory number 17.
(Again per Jasta War Chronology. The Aerodrome also has this as a DH.4.)

1610 French ace René Fonck, flying a SPAD VII, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 13.

1625 German ace Bruno Loerzer, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Nieuport 17 B1672 for victory number 7. 2nd Lt E.D. Tyzak is killed.

1650 English RNAS pilot Norman MacGregor, in Sopwith Camel B3833, shoots down Fokker F.I 102/17 for victory number 5. German 33-victory ace Obltn Kurt Wolff is killed. Wolff had borrowed this plane, one of two prototypes, from Manfred von Richthofen. As the production Dr.Is are not yet in service this leaves Werner Voss' 103/17 as the only Fokker Triplane at the front.

1710 English RFC pilot James Payne, in Nieuport 27 B3626, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 2.

1850 Scottish RFC pilot Herbert Henry Hartley, in FE.2b A7213 with 2nd Lt E.C. Birch as observer, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

1900 German ace Hans von Adam, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel B6250 for victory number 15. 2nd Lt J.B.H. Wyman is wounded and taken prisoner.

[Jimbuna]

16th September 1917

Western Front

German attack on Apremont Forest (St. Mihiel) fails.

Stuttgart, Colmar, Thionville and Saarburg bombed by French.

Naval and Overseas Operations

German position at Kalimoto (north of Mahenge) captured.

Belgian troops (Colonel Huyghe) pursue.

Political, etc.

General Kaledin, Hetman of Don Cossacks, declares loyalty to Government.

Ship Losses:

Annina Capano (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Gulf of Lion (42°50′N 3°29′E) by SM UC-27 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Ann J. Trainer (United States) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 30 nautical miles (56 km) off Ouessant, Finistère, France (48°44′N 5°39′W) by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Arabis (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 210 nautical miles (390 km) west by south of Ouessant (46°28′N 9°42′W) by SM U-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of twenty crew.
Eendracht VII (Netherlands) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the North Sea 8 nautical miles (15 km) off IJmuiden, North Holland by SM UC-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Facto (Norway) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in Mount's Bay (49°58′N 5°36′W) by SM UB-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the los of two of her crew.
HMS G9 (Royal Navy) The G-class submarine was rammed and sunk at night in the North Sea by HMS Pasley ( Royal Navy), after the submarine had mistaken Pasley for a U-boat and fired two torpedoes at her. All but one of her 31 crew were killed; the survivor rescued by HMS Pasley.
Quatre Frères (France) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 240 nautical miles (440 km) west of the French coast by SM UC-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Sandsend (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 6 nautical miles (11 km) south east by east of Mine Head, County Cork by SM UC-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three of her crew.

[Sailor Steve]

September 16, 1917

Air War:

1145 South African RNAS pilot Samuel Kinkead, flying Sopwith Triplane N5465, shoots down a DFW C.V for victory number 4.

1245 German ace Kurt-Bertram von Döring, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down Sopwith Camel B3836 for victory number 7. 2nd Lt L.F. Wheeler is wounded and taken prisoner.

1245 German ace Kurt Wüsthoff, in an Albatros D.V. shoots down Sopwith Camel B3753 for victory number 16. Lt G.B. McMichael is taken prisoner.)

1300 German pilot Franz Ray, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 3.

1415 German ace Reinhold Jörke, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Sopwith Pup for victory number 7.

1420 German pilot Viktor Schobinger, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Sopwith Pup for victory number 5.

1500 French ace Maurice Boyau, in a Nieuport, shoots down a German observation balloon for victory number 8.

1645 Three RNAS Camel pilot share a victory over a DFW C.V:
Joseph Fall, Canada, B3883, number 21.
Hazel Wallace, Canada, B3892, number 2.
Arthur Wood, England, B3905, number 6.

1650 German pilot Hans Auer, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Dorand AR.2 for victory number 5. This is his last victory, after which he disappears from the records.

1800 German ace Rudolf Berthold, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down RE.8 A4693 for victory number 18. 2nd Lt H. Haslam and LCpl A.J. Lindy are killed.

1800 German pilot August Hanko, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Martinsyde G.100 for victory number 5. This is Hanko's last aerial victory. He will take command of Jasta 64 from January 1918 until an illness forces his retirement in July of that year. There is a possibility that his "illness" was a cover for him being removed from command over two of his pilots defecting in April of that year. A fascinating discussion on this, including a post by noted author Greg VanWygarden, can be found here (http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21256).

1800 German ace Ernst Hess, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 14.

1825 Rudolf Berthold scores his second kill of the day, shooting down an RE.8 for victory number 19. 2nd Lt H.W. Weller and AM2 F. Farmer are both wounded, Farmer later dying from his injuries.

1830 Welsh RFC pilot Robert Chidlaw-Roberts, in SE.5a A8932, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 2. Ltn Alfred Bauer of Jasta 17 is killed.

1830 German ace Josef Veltjens, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 6.

1835 Australian RFC pilot Harold Alan Hamersley, flying SE.5a A8934, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 1.

1845 German pilot Otto Fitzner, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down SE.5a A8909 for victory number 2. 2nd Lt J.J.A Hawtrey is wounded and taken prisoner. He then dies from his wounds.

1845 German ace Eduard von Schleich, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Caudron for victory number 16.

1850 Eduard von Schleich scores his second victory of the day, shooting down a SPAD for number 17.

German pilot Harald Auffarth, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Sopwith for victory number 1.

German ace Rudolf Francke, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down an unidentified Sopwith for victory number 6.

German ace Walter Göttsch, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 17.

German pilot Walter Kypke, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a French-flown Sopwith 1½ Strutter for victory number 3. Brig Jean Marquis and SLt Paul Lavigne are listed as Missing.

German pilot Gustav Nestler, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a French-flown Sopwith 1½ Strutter for victory number 1. MdL Pierre Canivet and SLt Jean Blehaut are both taken prisoner. This is Nestler's only recorded victory.

German ace Otto Schmitt, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a French balloon for victory number 9. Observer SLt Perrissin-Pirasset is unharmed.

German pilot Hans Weiss, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Sopwith 1½ Strutter for victory number 1.

[Sailor Steve]

September 17 1917

Eastern Front:
On the Riga front, fighting continues between advance posts.

Political, etc:
Central Poweers decree appointing Polish Regency Council.

Germany apologises to Argentina over Count Luxburg affair.

9d loaf order in operation.

"Summer Time" ends at 2. am.

United States:
Aboard USS Huntington a kite balloon loses altitude when the temperature drops suddenly. The balloon is hauled in, but the basket is dragged into the water. Shipfitter First Class Patrick McGunigal climbs down the hull, jumps to the basked and untangles the ropes, freeing the observer, Lt (jg) H.W. Hoyt. McGunigal ties a bowline around Hoyt, who is hauled aboard. McGunigal then ties a rope around himself and is raised safely back to the ship. For this action Patrick McGunigal will become the third U.S. serviceman to be awarded the Medal of Honor in World War One.

Ships Lost:
Annina Capano (Italy): The sailing vessel was sunk in the Gulf of Lion (42°50'N 3°29'E) by SM UC-27 ( Kaiserliche Marine).


Ann J. Trainer (United States): The sailing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 30 nautical miles (56 km) off Ouessant, Finistère, France (48°44'N 5°39'W) by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.


Arabis (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 210 nautical miles (390 km) west by south of Ouessant (46°28'N 9°42'W) by SM U-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of twenty crew.


Eendracht VII (Netherlands): The fishing vessel was scuttled in the North Sea 8 nautical miles (15 km) off IJmuiden, North Holland by SM UC-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.


Facto (Norway): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in Mount's Bay (49°58'N 5°36'W) by SM UB-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the los of two of her crew.


HMS G9 (Royal Navy): The G-class submarine was rammed and sunk at night in the North Sea by HMS Pasley (Royal Navy), after the submarine had mistaken Pasley for a U-boat and fired two torpedoes at her. All but one of her 31 crew were killed; the survivor rescued by HMS Pasley.


Quatre Frères (France): The fishing vessel was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 240 nautical miles (440 km) west of the French coast by SM UC-31 ( Kaiserliche Marine).


Sandsend (United Kingdom): The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 6 nautical miles (11 km) south east by east of Mine Head, County Cork by SM UC-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three of her crew.

Air War:
0700 German ace Reinhold Jörke, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Sopwith Pup for victory number 8.

0720 German pilot Fritz Bachmann, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 1.

0800 German ace Ernst Udet, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a DH.5 for victory number 10.

0810 German pilot Emil Liebert, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a DH.5 for victory number 1.

1020 Italian pilot Giovanni Sabelli, in a SPAD VII, shoots down an Austrian Albatros D.III for victory number 3.

German pilot Karl Thom, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Dorand AR.2 for victory number 4.

[Sailor Steve]

September 18, 1917



Southern Front:
Italians capture 200 prisoners, etc., in Carzano (Val Sugana, Trentino).


Political, etc:
M. Painleve re-defines French War Aims: Alsace-Lorraine and reparation.



Ship Losses:
Arendal (Norway): The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 115 nautical miles (213 km) west of Cape Spartel, Morocco (35°27′N 8°20′W) by SM U-63 (Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Cachalot (Tunisia): The sailing vessel was shelled and sunk in the Gulf of Gabès off the Kerkennah Islands (35°14′N 11°08′E) by SM UC-52 (Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

HMS Contest (Royal Navy): The Acasta-class destroyer was torpedoed and sunk in the Western Approaches (48°54′N 7°03′W) by SM U-106 (Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 35 of her 75 crew.

HMS Glenfoyle (Royal Navy): The Q-ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of Ireland (50°46′N 11°04′W) by SM U-43 (Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eighteen crew.

Joseph Chamberlain (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 50 nautical miles (93 km) north by west of Muckle Flugga, Shetland Islands by SM UB-62 (Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eighteen of her crew. Two survivors were taken as prisoners of war.

Polar Prince (United Kingdom): The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 8 nautical miles (15 km) south west of Cape Spartel, Morocco (35°30′N 6°45′W) by SM UB-50 (Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but her captain was taken as a prisoner of war.

Port Kembla (United Kingdom): The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Farewell, Greenland. Her crew were rescued.


Air War:
0840 German ace Viktor Schobinger, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down RE.8 4319 for victory number 6.

1035 German ace Hans Bethge, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Caudron for victory number 17.

1040 German ace Eduard von Schleich, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Caudron for victory number 18.

1050 German pilot Karl Thom, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 5.

1120 German pilot Walter Ewers, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a DH.5 for victory number 1. Possibly A9208, 2nd Lt A.J. Chapman killed.

1105 German ace Reinhold Jörke, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a DH.5 for victory number 9. Possibly A9426, Lt H.F. McArdle killed.

1115 English RFC pilot Russell Winnicott, flying DH.5 A9218, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 2.

1430 German ace Emil Thuy, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 12.

1547 German pilot Rudolf Windisch, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Dorand AR.2 for victory number 2.

1607 German pilot Otto Stadter, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 1.

1655 Karl Thom scores his second victory of the day, shooting down a Dorand AR.2 for number 6 overall.

1720 Karl Thom gets his third kill of the day, downing a Caudron for number 7.

French SPAD pilots William Herisson and Robert de Marancour share a victory over a German two-seater. Victory number 3 for Herisson, number 5 for de Marancour.

Emil Thuy scores his second victory of the day, shooting down a Caudron for number 13 overall.

[Sailor Steve]

September 19, 1917

Eastern Front:
German infantry attack Lemburg (east of Riga) repulsed with loss by Letts.

Southern Front:
Fighting dying down on Italian front.

Political, etc:

M. Kerenski tries to limit powers of Extremists.

Vote of Confidence in French Government.

343,500 U.S.A. conscripts joined to date.



Ship Losses:
Blanche (France): The four-masted barque was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (47°00′N 10°30′W) by SM U-151 (Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eighteen crew.

Etal Manor (United Kingdom): The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 7 nautical miles (13 km) south by west of Hook Point, County Waterford by SM UC-48 (Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of six of her crew.

Hydra (Denmark): The three-masted schooner was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of the Orkney Islands, United Kingdom (59°33′N 7°37′W) by SM U-94 (Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of all six crew.

Marthe Marguerite (France): The three-masted barque was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean north west of Cape Finisterre, Spain (46°18′N 11°25′W) by SM U-54 (Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Montana (Norway): The cargo ship capsized and sank in the Mediterranean Sea off Tunis, Tunisia.

Saint Ronald (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 95 nautical miles (176 km) north north west of Tory Island, County Donegal (56°22′N 10°17′W) by SM U-82 (Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 24 of her crew.

Teresita (Italy): The sailing vessel was sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea by SM UC-53 (Kaiserliche Marine).



Air War:
0730 German pilot Hans Waldhausen, flying Albatros D.V 2284/17, shoots down a Sopwith 1½ Strutter for victory number 1.

0840 German ace Friedrich Gille, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Bristol F.2b A7130 for victory number 6. 2nd Lt H.T. Taylor and Lt G.W. Mumford are both wounded and taken prisoner. This is Gille's last victory. The rest of his war career, and indeed his life, is not available in any sources I've found, other than that he will die in Hamburg in 1953.

1000 German ace Hans von Adam, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down RE.8 B3427 for victory number 16. 2nd Lt J.S. Walthew an Lt M.C. Hartmen are both killed.

1000 German ace Rudolf Berthold, in an Albatros D.V, ahoots down an RE.8 for victory number 20.

1000 English RNAS pilot Hugh Bingham Maund, in Sopwith Camel B6211, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory mumber 1.

1005 Hans von Adam scores his second victory of the day, shooting down Sopwith Camel N6374 for number 17.

1005 German pilot Carl Galetschky, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 1.

1010 Canadian RNAS pilot Stanley Rosevear, in Sopwith Triplane N6299, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 4.

1047 German ace Erwin Böhme, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down RE.8 B5012 for victory number 14. Lt H.L. Devlin and 2nd Lt F.A. Wright are both killed.

1203 German pilot Richard Flashar, in Albatros D.V 2065/17, shoots down a Morane-Saulnier 'P' for victory number 2. Flashar only scored two victories in his career, but the first was back on November 5, 1914, when he and Oblt Demuth scored the first ever German aerial kill. Flashar is commanding Jasta 5 from June 10 to December 31 1917, and will again from January 14 to May 12 1918. Following this I can find no records.

1215 English RFC ace James McCudden, flying SE.5a B4863, shoots down a Rumpler two-seater for victory number 12.

1217 German ace Rudolf Matthaei, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Morane-Saulnier 'P' for victory number 7. No.3 Sqdn RFC reports two Moranes lost this day: A6655, 2nd Lts C.A. Sutcliffe and T. Humble both taken prisoner; and A235, Lt E. Golding killed and Cpl L. Goss wounded and taken prisoner. Goss will later die from his wounds.

1520 German pilot Harald Auffarth, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 2.

1640 German ace Otto Kissenberth, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a SPAD VII for victory number 14. This may have been Cpl Marcel Vassel of Esc N.80, listed as Missing.

1640 German pilot Theodor Rumpel, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a SPAD VII for victory number 3.

1755 German ace Fritz Kosmahl, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down Sopwith Triplane N5490 for victory number 8. Sub-Lt R.E. McMillan is taken prisoner.

1835 German ace Eduard von Schleich, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Caudron for victory number 19.

German pilot Hans Fritzsche, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down an unidentified Sopwith for victory number 2.

French pilot Georges Lachmann, in a SPAD VII, destroys a German observation balloon for victory number 5.

German pilot Martin Mallmann, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Caudron G.4 for victory number 2. Cpl Abraham and Sldt Mauvillier are listed as Missing.

German pilot Josef Schwendemann, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Dorand AR.2 for victory number 1.

German ace Karl Thom, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down two Dorand AR.2s for victories 8 and 9.

German pilot Johannes Werner, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 2.

[Jimbuna]

20th September 1917

Western Front

British advance east of Ypres and take Inverness Copse, Glencorse Wood, Veldhoek and part of Polygon Wood and 2,000 prisoners.

Eastern Front

Enemy attack thrice in Susitza Valley (Moldavia), repulsed by Romanians.

Southern Front

French and Albanian troops raid Austrians in Skumbi valley (Albania); 400 prisoners.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

General Cassini's column defeat Nuri Pasha at Zanzur (west of Tripoli City); enemy losses 1,600 etc.

Trans-Caucasia declares itself a Republic.

Political, etc.

Chambers of Commerce meets for better understanding of British war aims; addressed by Lord Northcliffe.

300,000 more conscripted Americans head to U.S. Army Camps to train for the war.

Executive Committee of the Petrograd Soviet resigns due to continued divisions within the fledgling Russian government.

Ship Losses:

Fabian (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 30 nautical miles (56 km) off Cape Spartel, Morocco (35°45′N 6°40′W) by SM UB-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three of her crew.
Gioffredo Mameli (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 45 nautical miles (83 km) north west of Cape Spartel (36°05′N 6°15′W) by SM UB-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Kurdistan (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 27 nautical miles (50 km) east south east of Pantelleria, Italy (36°40′N 12°37′E) by SM U-32 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

September 20, 1917

Air War:
0940 German ace Hans von Adam, flying an Albartros D.V, shoots down DH.5 A9179 for victory number 18. 2nd Lt W.O. Cornish is wounded and taken prisoner, later dying from his wounds.

0950 Hans von Adam scores his second victory of the day, shooting down SE.5 A8931 for number 18. Sgt J.W. Bancroft is taken prisoner.

0950 German pilot Karl Stock, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Sopwith Triplane for victory number 1.

0950 German ace Rudolf Wendelmuth, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down Sopwith Triplane N6292 for victory number 8. Sub-Lt J.H. Winn is killed.

1030 English RFC pilot Philip August de Fontenay, in Nieuport 17 B1618, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 1.

1104 German ace Heinrich Kroll, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 11.

1105 German ace Friedrich Altemeier, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down SPAD VII B3493 for victory number 7. Lt F. Bullock-Webster is wounded and later dies.

1115 Canadian RNAS pilot John Manuel, in Sopwith Camel B3850, shoots down a German two-seater for victory 3.

1120 English RFC pilot Edward Clarke, in Sopwith Camel B2327, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 4.

1130 German ace Rudolf Berthold, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 21.

1130 Canadian RFC pilot Edward Borgfeldt Booth, flying Sopwith Camel B6206, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

1150 German ace Fritz Kosmahl, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Triplane for victory number 9.

1150 German ace Bruno Loerzer, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 8.

1155 English RFC pilot James Payne, in Nieuport 27 B326, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 3.

1200 Welsh RFC pilot Peter Carpenter, in Sopwith Camel B2314, Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

1200 Canadian RFC pilot John Crompton, flying SE.5 B543, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 2.

1210 Canadian RFC pilot Lumsden Cummings, in Nieuport 27 B3631, shoots down a DFW C.V for victory number 1.

1215 German ace Kurt Wüsthoff, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 17.

1320 German pilot Richard Runge, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Nieuport 27 for victory number 4.

1400 German pilot Fritz Bachmann, in an Albatros D.III, destroys an observation balloon for victory number 2.

1405 English RFC pilot Alwyne Lloyd, flying DH.5 A9211, shares a victory over an Albatros D.V with 2nd Lt P.E. Woods in DH.5 A9280. Number 5 for Lloyd.

1430 Kurt Wüsthoff scores his second kill of the day, shooting down a SPAD VII for number 17.

1510 Canadian RNAS pilot Roy Brown, in Sopwith Camel B3893, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 4.

1510 English pilot Ronald Sykes, in Sopwith Camel B3906, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 1.

1510 German pilot Paul Bäumer, in Albatros D.V 4409/17, shoots down Sopwith Camel B3906 for victory number 5. Sub-Lt Ronald Sykes is wounded and crashes in No-Man's Land, then is rescued by British troops.

1745 Alwyne Lloyed scores his second victory of the day, a German two-seater, shared with Lt E.A. Packe in DH.5 A9219. Number 6.

1820 German ace Eduard von Schleich, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Nieuport 12 for victory number 20.

1825 Three RFC Camel pilots share a victory over a German two-seater:
Raymond Brownell, Australia, number 2.
Henry Moody, England, number 3.
Emerson Smith, Canada, number 5.

German pilot Franz Ray, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 4.

German pilot Franz Schmitt, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Nieuport for victory number 3.

[Jimbuna]

21st September 1917

Western Front

Enemy's attacks on Tower Hamlets' ridge (Ypres) repulsed. Prisoners now exceed 3,000.

Eastern Front

After holding enemy here for 18 months, Russians retire north from Jakobstadt (River Dvina).

Southern Front

Second phase of Isonzo battle closed; neither side can hold Mte. S. Gabriele.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British bomb and cause surrender of Diwaniya (Euphrates).

Naval and Overseas Operations

German groups broken up west of Kilwa and Lindi; flee south to River Mbemkuru.

Political, etc.

General Alexeiev resigns.

Germany and Austria-Hungary accept Pope Benedict’s proposal for an immediate armistice in the war. The Allies had already rejected it.

Canada passes the Wartime Elections Act, which gives the vote to women in the military and to wives, mothers, & sisters of serving soldiers.

Ship Losses:

Aline Montreuil (France) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 22 nautical miles (41 km) north of Cap Barfleur, Manche (50°02′N 1°18′W) by SM UB-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Christina (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea by SM UC-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Kouang-si (France) The passenger ship was torpedoed and damaged in the English Channel 6 nautical miles (11 km) south east of The Lizard, Cornwall, United Kingdom by SM UC-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was beached but was later refloated.
Radaas (Denmark) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 18 nautical miles (33 km) west of Portland Bill, Dorset, United Kingdom (50°34′N 3°05′W) by SM UB-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Santo Nicola (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Aegean Sea by SM UC-23 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Spiridon (Greece) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Aegean Sea by SM UC-23 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

[Sailor Steve]

September 21, 1917

Air War:
0700 German pilot Walter Jumpelt, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down a DH.4 for victory number 1.

0715 German pilot Willi Rosenstein, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down an DH.4 for victory number 1.

0820 Three RFC Sopwith Pup pilots share a victory over a German two-seater:
Eric Hughes, Wales, A6188, victory number 3.
Arthur Lee, England, B1777, number 3.
Maurice Scott, B2191, number 8.

0821 Prussia-born German pilot Gustav Schneidewind, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 3. Lt W.J. Potts is killed.

0852 German ace Erwin Böhme, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down RE.8 A3617 for victory number 15. Cpt Robert Nicholas Fenwick Mills and Lt William Angus Browne are both killed.

0905 German ace Hermann Göring, flying Albatros D.V 4424/17, shoots down Bristol F.2b A7224 for victory number 14. English 13-victory ace pilot Lt Ralph Luxmore Curtis is wounded and taken prisoner, later dying from his wounds. English 13-victory ace observer Lt Desmond Percival Fitzgerald-Uniacke is taken prisoner.

0915 German pilot Ulrich Neckel, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Sopwith Pup A7321 for victory number 1. 2nd Lt R.S. Asher is killed.

0940 German pilot Harald Auffarth, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a SPAD VII for victory number 3.

0950 German ace Rudolf Berthold, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a SPAD VII for victory number 22.

0950 German pilot Richard Runge, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a SPAD VII for victory number 5.
(These three SPADs are all recorded, but it is unclear who shot down which one: A3533, 2nd Lt F.W. Kirby; B3557, 2nd Lt R.A. Inglis; B3642, 2nd Lt W.G. McRae, all three killed.)

1100 Welsh RNAS pilot Howard Saint, flying Sopwith Camel B6201, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 5.

1150 German pilot Paul Erbguth, in Albatros D.III 2140/16, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 2. This is Erbguth's last victory. He will command Jasta 54 from December 28, 1917 to May 18, 1918. After this nothing seems to be known.

1400 Scottish RFC pilot Graham Young, in SE.5a B533, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 2.

1445 German pilot Gustav Bellen, in an Albatros D.III, destroys a British observation balloon for victory number 1. This is Bellen's only aerial victory. He will be wounded on October 11 while flying Pfalz D.IIIa 8169/17, after which he will sit out the war. Bellen will live until January 1965.

1700 Canadian RNAS pilot Stearne Edwards, in Sopwith Camel B6217, and English RNAS pilot Oliver Redgate, in B3818, share a victory over a DFW C.V. Number 3 for both men.

1705 English RFC pilot Alfred John Brown, Flying DH.5 B362, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

1745 German pilot Rudolf Weckbrodt, in Albatros D.V 636/17, shoots down an Allied two-seater for victory number 2.

1750 German ace Paul Bäumer, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 6.

1815 Welsh RFC pilot Robert Chidlaw-Robers, in SE.5a A8932, and Lt I.O. Whiting, in B4864, share a victory over an Albatros D.V. Number 3 for Chidlaw-Roberts, unknown for Whiting.

1816 Robert Chidlaw-Roberts and I.O. Whiting shoot down a Germaan two-seater. Victory number 4 for Chidlaw-Roberts.

1830 Two French SPAD VII pilots share a victory over a German two-seater:
René Paul Louis Dousinelle, number 1.
René Montrion, number 4.

1835 German ace Eduard von Schleich, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Caudron for victory number 21.

1840 Canadian RFC ace Emerson Smith, in a Sopwith Camel, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 6.

1845 Eduard von Schleich scores his second victory of the day, shooting down a Dorand A.2 for victory number 22.

1925 German pilot Erich Löwenhardt, in an Albatros D.III, destroys an observation balloon for victory number 5.

German pilot Karl Bohnenkamp, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Dorand AR.2 for victory number 1.

Three French Nieuport pilots share a victory over an "Enemy Aircraft":
Jeam Casale, number 9.
Adj Melin, number 1.
SLt de Rochenchouart de Mortemart, number 3.
(This is possibly Ltn Friedrich Weber, killed in action overLouvemont at 1830.)

German pilot Fritz Kieckhäfer, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Bristol F.2b A7234 for victory number 2. Lt C.H.C. Woods and 2nd Lt T.W. McLean are both killed.

[Jimbuna]

22nd September 1917

Western Front

Stuttgart, Treves, Coblenz and Frankfurt bombed.

Southern Front

Slight Italian push in Marmolada region (Carnic).

Naval and Overseas Operations

Ostend attacked by British coast patrol.

Aviation

Ralph Curtis (pictured), British aerial ace with 15 victories, is killed in action in a dogfight with German pilot Hermann Göring.
https://i.imgur.com/g2PAp9Y.jpg

Political, etc.

Relations much strained between Germany and Argentina.

Severe shortage of paper in Germany leads to many newspapers unable to print the day’s editions.

Ship Losses:

Alkyon (Greece) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Oran, Algeria by SM UB-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Caroline (France) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 60 nautical miles (110 km) west of Asinara Island, Italy by SM U-32 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Garifaglia (Greece) The barque was scuttled in the Mediterranean Sea west of Crete (34°57′N 22°14′E) by SM UC-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Greleen (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 7 nautical miles (13 km) east by north of Berry Head, Devon (50°28′N 3°14′W) by SM UB-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of nineteen of her crew.
Inn (Austro-Hungarian Navy) The river monitor struck a Romanian mine laid by Danube ships ( Romanian Naval Forces) and sank near Brăila.
Italia (France) The coaster was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 11 nautical miles (20 km) north west of Cape Ortegal, A Coruña, Spain by SM UC-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
John Knudsen (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km) north of Cape Falcon, Algeria (36°00′N 1°01′W) by SM UB-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Mascotte (France) The schooner was sunk in the English Channel 114 nautical miles (211 km) off Ouessant, Finistère by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Primo (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) off the Fimara Grande Lightship ( Italy) by SM UC-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Trongate (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) north west of Flamborough Head, Yorkshire by SM UC-71 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
Ville de Valenciennes (France) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) south east of Flamborough Head by SM UC-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

September 22, 1917

Air War:
0830 Canadian RFC pilot John Henry Tudhope, flying Nieuport 24 B617, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

0900 German ace Rudolf Berthold, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down Bristol F.2b A7205 for victory number 23. 2nd Lts E.A. Bell and R.E. Nowell are both killed.

0900 English RFC pilot Rothesay Wortley, in Bristol F.2b A7118 with an unnamed observer, shoots down two Albatros D.Vs for victories number 3 amd 4.

[Jimbuna]

23rd September 1917

Aviation

German flying ace Werner Voss is shot down and killed during a dogfight with British pilots in the skies over Belgium.

Political, etc.

Bolsheviks accuse Russian Premier Kerensky of orchestrating the recent coup to crush the proletariat and the soviet council.

Costa Rica breaks off relations with Germany.

Ship Losses:

Agios Nicolaos (Greece) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea west of Crete (35°33′N 23°28′E) by SM UC-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Argietta (Italy) The brigantine was scuttled in the Tyrrhenian Sea by SM UC-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Giuseppina Concertina (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea by SM UC-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Gloire (France) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 240 nautical miles (440 km) off Ouessant, Finistère by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew were rescued by the fishing vessel Algesiras ( France).
Henry Lippitt (United States) The sailing vessel was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 200 nautical miles (370 km) west of Brest, Finistère (48°17′N 10°05′W) by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Hornsund' (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 2.5 nautical miles (4.6 km) east south east of Scarborough, Yorkshire by SM UC-71 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Irthington (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Gulf of Gioja 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) east north east of Cape Vaticano, Italy (40°35′N 15°01′E) by SM UC-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Jeune Mathilde (France) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 240 nautical miles (440 km) west of Ouessant by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew were rescued by Algesiras ( France).
Joaquina (Spain) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 8 nautical miles (15 km) off Cadaqués, Girona, Spain by SM UC-27 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Medie (France) The transport ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 120 nautical miles (220 km) north west of Cape Bougaroni, Algeria by SM UC-27 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 250 of the 626 people on board.
Nicholaos (Greece) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Aegean Sea by SM UC-23 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Perseverance (United Kingdom) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 14 nautical miles (26 km) north west by north of Saint-Valery-en-Caux, Seine-Maritime, France by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Rosehill (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and damaged in the English Channel 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) south west by south Fowey, Cornwall by SM UB-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was taken in tow but sank in Whitesand Bay (50°19′40″N 4°18′25″W). Her crew survived.
St. Dunstan (United Kingdom) The dredger struck a mine laid by UC 21 (Werner von Zerboni di Sposetti) and sank in the English Channel 12 nautical miles (22 km) north west by west of Portland Bill, Dorset with the loss of two of her crew.

[Sailor Steve]

September 23, 1917

Air War:
0730 Canadian RNAS pilot Stearne Edwards, flying Sopwith Camel B6217, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 4.

0815 Canadian RNAS pilot John Playford Hales, in Sopwith Camel B3832, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 1.

German ace Otto Kissenberth, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a SPAD VII for victory number 16.

0820 Stearne Edwards scores his second kill of the day, shooting down another Albatros D.V for victory number 5.

0910 French ace René Fonck, in a SPAD VII, shoots down an Albatros for victory number 14.

0930 Italian pilot Giovanni Sabelli, flying a SPAD VII, shoots down an Austrian Albatros D.III for victory number 4.

0930 German ace Werner Voss, in Fokker F.I 103/17, shoots down DH.4 A7643 for victory number 48. 2nd Lts Samuel Leslie John Bramley and John Matthew DeLacy are both killed.

0950 Otto Kissenberth scores his second victory of the day, shooting down a Sopwith 1½ Strutter for number 17.

1045 German ace Hans von Adam, in an Albatros d.V, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 20.

1055 German pilot Franz Ray, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 5.

1100 New Zealand-born RNAS pilot Harold Beamish, flying Sopwith Camel N6377, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 5.

1125 French ace Maurice Boyau, in a Nieuport scout, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 10.

1130 German ace Kurt-Bertram von Döring, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 8.

1130 Welsh RNAS ace Howard Saint, in Sopwith Camel N6341, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 6

1230 German pilot Konrad Mettlich, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down an unidentified Sopwith for victory number 5.
(per Jasta War Chronology. The Aerodrome says Nieuport.)

1230 German pilot Wilhelm Seitz, flying an albatros D.III, shoots down an unidentified Nieuport for victory number 4.

1230 German ace Rudol Wendelmuth, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down an unidentified Nieuport for victory number 9.

1250 French pilot Jules Covin, with Adj Poreaux and MdL de Freycinet, in a three-seater (probably Caudron R.4), shoot down a German two seater. Victory number 3 for Covin and Poreaux, number 1 for de Freycinet.
(Per the French Pilots webpage http://www.cieldegloire.com/004_covin_j_c.php. The French Air Service War Chronology and The Aeodrome website listings look like they may have been in individual fighters. The Nieuport Escadrille N31 seems to indicate the latter.)

1600 Scottish RFC pilot Charles Roberd Davidson, in a Vickers FB.19 on the Palestinian Front, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 1. Shared with Lt H.E. Sheppard.

1655 German pilot Hermann Becker, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down an unidentified Nieupprt for victory number 2.

1740-1835 Canadian RFC ace Reginald Hoidge, flying SE.5a B506, shoots down a Pfalz D.III for victory number 23.

1800 English RFC ace Arthur Rhys Davids, in SE.5a B.4863, shoots down Fokker F.I 103/17. German 48-victory ace Werner Voss is killed. What happened is fairly simple, yet there is still much controversy surrounding the fight.
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2514707&postcount=186

1800-1830 Arthur Rhys Davids scores his second kill of the day, shooting down an Albatros D.V for victory number 20. This may have been 14-victory ace Carl Menckhoff, and may have been the Albatros that tried to help Voss. If it was Menckhoff he landed unharmed.

1800-1830 English RFC ace James McCudden, in SE.5a B4863, ahoots down a DFW C.V for victory number 13.

1830 Rudolf Wendelmuth scores his second kill of the day shooting down DH.5 A9258 for victory number 10.
(Per The Aerodrome. Jasta War Chronology says it was a Sopwith, but gives no details.)

English 6-victory ace John Lancashire Barlow is killed in a flying accident while on patrol.

German pilot Walter Böning shoots down two Nieuports for victories 5 and 6.

German ace Walter von Bülow-Bothkamp, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Nieuport 23 for victory number 20.

Austrian pilot Frank Linke-Crawford, flying Austrian Albatros D.III 153.04, shoots down an Italian seaplane for victory number 5.

Hungarian pilot Ferdinand Udvardy, in a Hansa-Brandenburg D.I, shoots down a SPAD and a Pomilio for victories 3 and 4.

[Jimbuna]

24th September 1917

Western Front

German attack north of Bezonvaux, Fosses and Chaume Woods, Verdun (north-east), repulsed.

Southern Front

Captain Marchese di Laureati flies from Turin to London, non-stop, 650 miles, 7 hours 22 minutes.

Naval and Overseas Operations

British destroy German food depots west of Kilwa; Belgian column within ten miles of Mahenge.

Aviation

Aeroplane raid on London and south-east coast, 21 killed, 70 injured.

Political, etc.

Herbert Hoover, head of the U.S. Food Administration, recommends that people eat less candy to preserve sugar supplies.

Satisfactory Japanese Mission (Viscount Ishii) to U.S.A.

Great Britain apologises to Denmark for Jutland violation on 1 September 1917, and offers indemnity.

Ship Losses:

Europe (France) The four-masted barque was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean (46°37′N 11°30′W) by SM UC-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMT Hastfen (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 11 (Karl Dobberstein) and sank in the North Sea with the loss of four of her crew.
Iriston (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 7 nautical miles (13 km) south by west of Cape Camarat, Var, France (43°17′N 6°49′E) by SM U-32 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Leka (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 6 to 8 nautical miles (11 to 15 km) east of Flamborough Head, Yorkshire, United Kingdom by SM UC-71 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of seventeen of her crew.
Louis Bossert (Norway) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Bay of Biscay (45°11′N 9°35′W) by SM U-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Mimosa (France) The three-masted schooner was shelled and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean 25 nautical miles (46 km) north west of the Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member. Survivors abandoned ship and were rescued or reached St. Mary's in their lifeboats. Mimosa was later towed in to St Mary's.
Nuova Francesca (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea by SM UC-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Perseverance (France) The four-masted barque was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean by SM UC-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
S. Espedito (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea by SM UC-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

September 24, 1917

Air War:
0720 German ace Eduard von Schleich, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Dorand AR.2 for victory number 23.

0735 Eduard von Schleich scores his second kill of the day, shooting down a "Rumpf DD" (Biplane fighter) for number 24.

1030 Four RFC Sopwith Pup pilots share a victoy over an Albatros two-seater:
Lt. E. Armitage, B1837.
Lt C. Courtneidge, B1802.
Charles Walter Odell, B1842, victory number 2.
Maurice Scott, B1843, number 10.

1220 German ace Ernst Udet, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 11.

1300 German ace Bruno Loerzer, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 10.

Three French pilots, flying SPAD XIIs, share a victory over an Albatros two-seater:
Adj A. Bertrand.
Jean Alfred Fraissinet, number 1.
Charles Marie Joseph Nuville, number 1.

1445 German ace Hans Waldhausen, in Albatros D.V 2284/17, shoots down Martinsyde G.100 A3976 for victory number 2. 2nd Lt W. English is wounded and taken prisoner.

1530 German ace Franz Ray, in an OAW-built Albatros D.III, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 6.

1545 Three RNAS aces share a victory over an Albatros D.III:
Joseph Fall, Canada, B3892, victory number 22.
Harold Stackard, England, B3883, number 11.
Arthur Wood, England, aircraft unknown, number 7.

1610 English RNAS pilot Rowan Daly, in Sopwith Camel N6359, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 2.

1625 Joseph Fall scores his second victory of the day, shooting down another Albatros D.III for victory number 23.

1650 German ace Kurt Wüsthoff, in an OAW-built Albatros D.III, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 20.

1814 English RFC pilot Frank Harold Hobson, in Sopwith Camel B2305, shoots ddown an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

German ace Theo Osterkamp, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 6.

Italian pilot Cosimo Rennella, in a Nieuport 17, shoots down an unidentified "Scout" for victory number 1.

[Jimbuna]

25th September 1917

Western Front

Germans penetrate between Tower Hamlets ridge and Polygon Wood; repulsed later.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Russian detachments attack Turks successfully near Ortobo (Bitlis).

Naval and Overseas Operations

Ostend bombarded again.

Brigadier-General Northey's summary of his operations in East Africa published.

Aviation

South-east London raided by German aeroplanes; 9 killed, 23 injured.

Zeppelins attack Yorkshire and Lincolnshire coasts, 3 injured.

https://i.imgur.com/Z8bCOal.jpg
A bomb dropped from the Zeppelin attack on Kingston-upon-Hull, England last night

Political, etc.

New Fatherland's Party meeting and declaration of von Tirpitz's policy.

The Argentine Chamber of Deputies votes 53 to 18 to cut diplomatic ties with Germany over its use of U-boats.

Ship Losses:

Boynton (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) west north west of Cape Cornwall (50°05′N 5°55′W) by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 23 of her crew.
City of Swansea (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 15 nautical miles (28 km) east north east of Berry Head, Devon by SM UB-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
Dinorah (France) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (approximately 46°45′N 12°00′W) by SM UC-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Edouard Detaille (France) The barque was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (46°00′N 9°30′W) by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMT James Seckar (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (approximately 46°45′N 12°00′W) by SM UC-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of sixteen of her crew.
Marceau (France) The schooner was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (46°15′N 9°42′W) by SM U-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Paolina (United States) The barque was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 100 nautical miles (190 km) north west of Ouessant, Finistère, France (48°37′N 8°45′W) by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Unione Republicaine (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 100 nautical miles (190 km) west north west of Penmarc'h, Finistère (48°05′N 7°14′W) by SM U-90 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

[Sailor Steve]

September 25, 1917

Air War:
0950 German ace Friedrich Altemeier, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 8.

1130 English RFC pilot Michael Edward Gonne, in Sopwith Pup A6215, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 1.

1150 Scottish RFC pilot George Edwin Thomson, in Sopwith Pup B2196, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 1.

1200 Canadian RFC pilot John Crompton, in SE.5a B512, and Scottish pilot Graham Young, in B533, share a victory over an Albatros D.V. Number 3 for both.

1230 French pilot Henri de Slade, in a Nieuport, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 4.

1525 German ace Carl Menckhoff, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 12.

1630 German ace Rudolf Berthold, in an Albatros D.III 2182/16, shoots down SPAD VII B3520 for victory number 24. Lt B.A. Bowers is killed.

1630 English RFC pilot Edward Clarke, in Sopwith Camel B2327, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 5.

1730 Three French SPAD pilots share a victory over an Albatros two-seater:
William Herisson, number 5.
Rober de Marancour, number 6.
Lt Vernin, unknown.

1810 English RFC pilot Russell Winnicott, in DH.5 A9218, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 3.

1815 English RFC pilot Oliver Bryson, flying SPAD VII B3646, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 2.

1830 Vfw Bärwald, most likely in an Albatros D.V (Jasta 37's main aircraft at the time), shoots down a DH.5 for victory number 1. No other details available.

1830 English RFC pilot William Rooper, in Nieuport 27 B6767, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 6.

1835 Two RFC teams in Bristol F.2bs share a victory over an Albatros D.V:
A7225, Lt J.P. Dailey, unknown; William Joseph Benger, England, victory number 1.
B1111, Sgt F. Hopper, unknown; Leslie Williams Burbidge, England, number 1.

1835 German pilot Hans Waldhausen, in Albatros D.V 2284/17, shoots down a British observation balloon for victory numbber 3. Observers Lt W.Y. Walls and Sgt Moncrieff are unharmed.

1845 German ace Rudolf Matthaei, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down an SE.5 for victory number 8.

German pilot Uffz Goretski, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Dorand AR.2 for his only aerial victory.

German pilot Lt Breuer, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down an "Enemy fighter" for his only victory.

German ace Ludwig Hanstein, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Morane-Saulnier 'P' for victory number 11,

German ace Heinrich Kroll, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Pup for victory number 12,

German pilot Karl Meierdirks, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 1.

German pilot Uffz Tönges, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a DH.4 for his only victory.

[Jimbuna]

26th September 1917

Western Front

British advance on six-mile front east of Ypres; Polygon Wood cleared, Zonnebeke stormed; advance towards Passchendaele.

Four hostile counter-attacks fail after fierce fighting.

Southern Front

Fighting in Marmolada region.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Hejaz railway bridge destroyed near Maan; train derailed, 80 prisoners.

Naval and Overseas Operations

East Africa: enemy retire from strong post in Lukuledi valley (22 miles south-east of Lindi).

Political, etc.

Former President Roosevelt criticizes US military preparations, stating drafted men are drilling with broomsticks due to lack of rifles.

General Vladimir Sukhomlinov, the former Russian Minister of War, is sentenced to life in prison for leaving the Army unprepared for war.

Australian strike: 50,000 unemployed in Sydney, etc.

M. Venizelos resigns War portfolio.

Reichstag President denounces Mr. Wilson.

Central Georgian Council formed.

M. Kerenski resigns from Soviet.

Ship Losses:

Acorn (United Kingdom) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 20 nautical miles (37 km) south by east of Start Point, Devon by SM UC-69 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Ciro (Italy) The sailing vessel was scuttled in the Mediterranean Sea south of Sardinia by SM UB-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Heraklios (Greece) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Cape Cherchell, Algeria (36°38′N 1°50′E) by SM U-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Jacqueline (France)The barque was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 250 nautical miles (460 km) sout west of Ouessant, Finistère (46°21′N 9°44′W) by SM U-101 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of all 35 crew.
HMT Ocean Star (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 50 (Rudolf Seuffer) and sank in the English Channel off the Nab Lightship ( United Kingdom) with the loss of ten of her crew.
Okhotnik (Imperial Russian Navy) The General Kondratenko-class destroyer struck a mine and sank in the Iber Strait.
S.N.A. 3 (France) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 17 nautical miles (31 km) off Flamborough Head, Yorkshire, United Kingdom (53°54′N 0°07′E) by SM UB-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived; they were rescued by Portaferry ( United Kingdom).
SM UC-33 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UC II submarine was shelled, rammed and sunk in St. George's Channel (51°55′N 6°14′W) by the patrol boat PC-61 ( Royal Navy) with the loss of 27 of her 28 crew.

[Sailor Steve]

September 26, 1917

Air War:

German ace Fritz Kosmahl dies from a stomach wound recieved on the 22nd.

0720 German pilot Karl Stock, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down SPAD VII B3490 for victory number 2.

1040 Ltn Joschkowitz of Jasta 4 scores his only victory, over a SPAD VII. Further details of his life are unknown.

1040 German ace Kurt Wüsthoff, in an OAW-built Albatros D.III, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 21.

1100 English RNAS pilot Rowan Daly, in Sopwith Camel N6359, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 3. This is Daly's last victory for the RNAS. After the war he will serve in the 1919 Russian Civil war, fighting for the White Russians against the Bolsheviks alongside Raymond Collishaw and other former British pilots, shooting down four Russian aircraft. Daly will die in an aerial collision in 1923.

1100 German ace Bruno Loerzer, in Albatros D.V 2299/17, shoots down RE.8 A4216 for victory number 11. 2nd Lt J. Worstenholm is killed; Lt F.L. McCreary is wounded but manages to crash the plane on his own side of the lines.

1115 German ace Richard Runge, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 6.

1145 German pilot Willy Rosenstein, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Sopwith Camel B6275 for victory number 2.

1200 German ace Rudolf Berthold, in Albatros D.III 2182/16, shoots down Sopwith Camel B2358 for victory 25. Lt W.H.R. Gould is killed.

1210 German pilot Theodor Quandt, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Sopwith Triplane N5440 for victory number 5.

1700 German pilot Otto Stadter, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a SPAD VII 10 for victory number 2. AdJ Etienne Ronserail is taken prisoner.

German ace Friedrich Altemeier, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down Sopwith Triplane N5388 for victory number 9.

German pilot Hans Böhning, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Nieuport 27 B3640 for victory number 3.

German ace Heinrich Bongartz, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Triplane for victory number 12.

German ace Walter von Bülow-Bothkamp, in an Albatros D.V, shoots own RE.8 A4615 for victory number 21.

German pilot Albert Hurrle, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 2.

Italian pilot Attilio Imolesi, flying a Nieuport, shoots down a Hansa-Brandenburg C.I and then an "Enemy Aircraft" for victories number 3 and 4.

German pilot Rudolf Klimke, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down two Sopwith Camels for victories 3 and 4.

German pilot August Raben, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down two Caproni bombers for victories 1 and 2.

German ace Karl Thom, in Albatros D.V 2164/17, shoots down a Caudron G.4 for victory number 12

Hungarian pilot Ferdinand Udvardy, in a Hansa-Brandenburg D.I, shoots down an Italian SPAD for victory number 5.

German pilot Max Wackwitz, flying Albatros D.V 4545/17, shoots down a Sopwith Triplane for victory number 3.

[Jimbuna]

27th September 1917

Western Front

Seven enemy counter-attacks east of Ypres repulsed.

Southern Front

Pola and Olivi Rock (Austrian submarine base) heavily bombed.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Russians fight Kurds near Oromaru (Van).

Naval and Overseas Operations

Seaplanes raid St. Denis Westrem aerodrome: 15 Gothas hit.

Political, etc.

Russian Democratic Congress at Moscow opens.

National War Bonds (5% and 4%), latter free of Income Tax started.

Arrest of Lenin ordered.

Premier David Lloyd George sues newspapers for libel for reporting that he left London to flee German air raids.

Ship Losses:

HM CMB-8 (Royal Navy) The Coastal Motor Boat was lost on this date.
Cydonia (United Kingdom) The collier was lost on this date.
Deux Jeannes (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 30 nautical miles (56 km) south west of Ouessant, Finistère (48°06′N 5°40′W) by SM U-90 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Greltoria (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) north west by north of Flamborough Head, Yorkshire by SM UB-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Liberté (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 30 nautical miles (56 km) south west of Ouessant (48°06′N 5°40′W) by SM U-90 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Peuples Frères (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 30 nautical miles (56 km) south west Ouessant (48°06′N 5°40′W) by SM U-90 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
SM UC-6 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UC I submarine struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off North Foreland, Kent, United Kingdom (51°30′N 1°34′E) with the loss of all sixteen crew.

[Aktungbby]

Ralph Curtis (pictured), British aerial ace with 15 victories, is killed in action in a dogfight with German pilot Hermann Göring.
https://i.imgur.com/g2PAp9Y.jpg

AS often happens in WWI victory tallies, not enough credit is given to the observer of two-seater aircraft, in this case the lethal Bristol F.2b . Desmond Percival Fitzgerald Uniacke, himself a commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, was credited with thirteen aerial victories, all in conjunction with the pilot Ralph Luxmore Curtis. Victories number ten and fifteen were actually shared kills with other aircraft and by the accounting standards of later wars, should be accounted 1/2 kills. Victory # 10 was shared with no less than Lieutenant Keith Rodney Park (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Rodney_Park), WWII Air Chief Marshall and commander in the Battle of Malta and dubbed 'the defender of London'. Lt Uniacke survived the war as a POW-relinquished his commission in 1919, and died in 1933; he was a wine salesman. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/59/Bristol_F2B_D8096_flying_1.jpg/1024px-Bristol_F2B_D8096_flying_1.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerial_victory_standards_of_World_War_I (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerial_victory_standards_of_World_War_I) In cases where more than one pilot (or observer) was involved in a British victory, practice was especially inconsistent. Since after all only one enemy aircraft had been destroyed, the victory at unit level (to the squadron or wing for instance) was counted as one. On the other hand, in some cases all pilots concerned might receive a full credit to his personal score, as victories at this time were not divided fractionally, in the way that became common practice later. As a striking example of this, no fewer than twelve Royal Flying Corps pilots each claimed a victory because they helped destroy an Albatros D.III (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albatros_D.III) on 8 April 1917. However, some squadrons counted such victories only to the unit concerned without crediting them to an individual, or counted "shared" scores separately from a particular pilot’s 'solo' victories. In the case of two-seater crews, both pilot and observer might each receive credit for a victory. The usual rule of thumb credited all victories to the pilot of a Sopwith 1½ Strutter (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sopwith_1%C2%BD_Strutter) or Bristol F.2 Fighter (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_F.2_Fighter) two-seater, but the observer/gunner was credited only for those instances where he fired his weapon.:yeah: Some squadrons kept separate lists of pilot and observer aces; some did not.[ (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerial_victory_standards_of_World_War_I#cite_note-13) Interestingly, Sailor Steve's question in the death of Werner Voss: "only one pilot (Rhys- Davies) was given credit for the victory??" I suspect might have been a dignity-saving collaboration 'twixt the 7 English combatants in consideration of the profound respect for the fallen great ace and his marvelous bravery... due to an awareness of a overinflated 'coup-counting' system: the 'usual rule of thumb' may have been dispensed with by seven of the best fighter pilots in the Royal Flying Corps – McCudden, Geoffrey H Bowman, Reginald T C Hoidge, Richard A Maybery, Arthur P F Rhys Davids, Keith K Muspratt and Victor P Cronyn.

[Sailor Steve]

Good points.

[Sailor Steve]

September 27, 1917

Air War:

1028 German pilot Rudolf Windisch, flying Albatros D.V 1055/17, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 3.

1300 Canadian RFC pilot William Durrand and English observer William Benger, in Bristol F.2b A7245, shoot down an Albatros D.V. Victory number 5 for Durand; number 2 for Benger.

1555-1750 English RFC ace James McCudden, in SE.5a B4863, shoots down an LVG C.V for victory number 14.

1600 German pilot Ludwig Weber, in Albatros D.V 2236/17, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 2. This is his last win. Weber will serve briefly as an instructor, and survive the war. He will work for Junkers starting in 1928, and spend four years in Abyssinia, then three more (1936-1939) in Portugal. He will end his flying career in 1949 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Date of death unknown, but apparently was still alive in Switzerland in 1977. Among Weber's legends are that he taught Hermann Göring to fly and that he built an airplane for King Haile Selassie of Ethiopia.

1605 Canadian RNAS pilot, in Sopwith Camel B6244, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 2.

1705 German pilot Hans Waldhausen, flying Albatros D.V 2284/17, shoots down a British observation balloon for victory number 4.

1710 Hans Waldhausen scores his second kill of the day, shooting down an RE.8 for victory number 5.

1805 French ace Albert Deullin, in SPAD VII S401, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 18.

1815 Hans Waldhausen gets his third victory of the day, destroying a second British balloon for number 6.

1830 English RFC observer Valentine Collins, in Bristol F.2b A7226 with 2nd Lt W.D. Bostock as pilot, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 2.

1835 Three pilots from two different services share a victory over an Albatros D.V:
Charles Booker, RNAS, England, Sopwith Camel B6227, number 23.
Sub-Lt J.H. Thompson, RNAS, Sopwith Camel, nation and victory number unknown.
John Tudhope, RFC, Canada, Nieuport 24 B3617, number 2.
Their victim is German ace Hans Waldhausen, who scored his sixth win twenty minutes earlier. Waldhausen lands on the British side of the lines and is taken prisoner.

1840 German pilot Xavier Dannhuber, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Bristol F.2b A7150 for victory number 5.

1845 W.D. Bostock and Valentine Collins get their second kill of the day, an Albatros D.V. Number 3 for Collins, unknown for Bostock.

[Jimbuna]

28th September 1917

Southern Front

Italians gain ground on Monte S. Gabriele.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British defeat Turks near Ramadiya (Euphrates), and take Turkish commander, 3,455 prisoners, and 13 guns.

Red Cross river work.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Zeebrugge and aerodromes bombed. Big German supply centre 82 miles south-west of Kilwa captured.

Rhodesian column arrives 66 miles south-west of Liwale.

Aviation

Aeroplane raid on south-east coast; raiders headed off from London; no damage.

Political, etc.

Bolo Pasha arrested.

Russian government reaffirms its pledge to be committed to the “reconstruction of a free Polish people.”

[Sailor Steve]

September 28, 1917

Air War:

Italy and the United States have made a bargain. The Italian Air Service will train American airmen and the U.S. will supply Italy with raw war materials. On September 28 the first forty-six cadets arrive at Foggia in advance of the main party, led by congressman and army Captain Fiorello LaGuardia.

0800 English RFC ace James McCudden, flying SE.5a B4863, shoots down Albatros D.III 1979/16 for victory number 15. Ltn Herbert Pastor (1 victory) is killed.

0845 German ace Otto Schmidt, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Pup for victory number 10.

1045 Canadian RNAS pilot George Trapp, in Sopwith Camel B3822, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 5.

1230 German pilot Harald Auffarth, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 4.

1230 German ace Josef Veltjens, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 7. The two F.2bs were A7241, 2nd Lts H.F. Tomlin and H.T. Noble both killed, and A7210, Cpt J.S. Campbell and Dvr G. Tester both killed.

1230 German ace Rudolf Berthold, flying Albatros D.III 2182/16, shoots down DH.5 A9211 for victory number 26. Jasta War Chronology says this was a Martinside G.100, but the serial number given in The Aerodrom3 is a DH.5.

1610 Five RNAS Camel pilots share a victory over an Albatros D.III:
Fred Banbury, Canada, B6230, victory number 6.
Stearne Edwards, Canada, B6217, number 6.
John Hales, Canada, B3832, number 2.
Oliver Redgate, England, B3818, number 4.
Merril Samuel Taylor, Canada, B5651, number 1.

1715-1725 Canadian RFC ace Reginald Hoidge, in SE.5a B506, shoots dfown an Albatros D.V for victory number 24.

1800 German ace Ernst Udet, in Albatros D.V 4476/17, shoots down a Sopwoth Camel for victory number 12.

1805 Ernst Udet scores his second kill of the day, shooting down another Sopwith Camel for number 13.

1810 English RFC pilot Russell Winnicott, flying DH.5 A9218, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 4.

1815 German pilot Ulrich Neckel, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a DH.5 for victory number 2.

Bohemia-born Austro-Hungarian pilot Eugen Bönsch, in Austrian Albatros D.III 153.35, destroys an Italian observation balloon for victory number 2.

Flgmstr Brenner (first name unknown) flying for Marine Feld Jasta 1, probably in an Albatros, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 1.

German 5-victory ace Kurt Wisseman is shot down and killed by an unknown pilot from RFC No.56 Squadron.

[Jimbuna]

29th September 1917

Western Front

Aeroplane raid on London; 3 machines penetrate defences, 14 killed, 87 injured.

Southern Front

Italians improve position on Bainsizza Plateau, taking 1,400 prisoners.

Political, etc.

King of Italy returns after visiting French and Belgian fronts.

Ship Losses:

Bon Premier (France) The barque was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 200 nautical miles (370 km) south west of Ouessant, Finistère (46°06′N 11°25′W) by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Elmsgarth (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 50 nautical miles (93 km) north west of Tory Island, County Donegal by SM U-61 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Eugenie Fautrel (France) The barque was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 200 nautical miles (370 km) south west of Ouessant (46°30′N 9°59′W) by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew were rescued by the fishing vessel Cygne ( France).
Kildonan (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) north north west of the Pendeen Lighthouse, Pembrokeshire (50°11′N 5°42′W) by SM UB-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of fourteen of her crew.
Percy B. (United Kingdom) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 180 nautical miles (330 km) north by west of Cape Villano, Spain by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
R 235 (France) The fishing schooner was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea (34°38′N 34°43′E) by SM U-73 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Sanwen (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Cape Béar, Spain (42°52′N 4°15′E) by SM U-32 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two crew.
Swan River (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 27 nautical miles (50 km) west of Oran, Algeria (36°07′N 0°54′W) by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
SM UC-55 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UC II submarine was shelled, depth charged and sunk off the Shetland Islands, United Kingdom (60°02′N 1°02′W) by HMS Sylvia and HMS Tirade (both Royal Navy) with the loss of ten of her 27 crew.

[Sailor Steve]

September 29, 1917

Air War:

US Army 1st Aero Squadron moves to Issoudun, France.

1040 Italian pilot Giovanni Sabelli, flying a SPAD VII, shoots down an Austrian Albatros D.III for victory number 5.

1630 German ace Eduard von Schleich, in Albatros D.V 2034/17, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 25.

1805 German ace Julius Buckler, in Albatros D.III 2033/16, shoots down a DH.5 for victory number 14.

Bohemia-born Austro-Hungarian ace Eugen Bönsch, in Austian Albatros D.III 153.35, shoots down an Italian Nieuport for victory number 3.

Austrian pilot Kurt Gruber, in an unidentified fighter, shoots down a Nieuport scout for victory number 4.

Austrian pilot Georg Kenzian, flying Austrian Albatros D.III 153.27, shoots down an Italian Nieuport for victory number 3.

[Jimbuna]

30th September 1917

Western Front

Three German flame attacks between Tower Hamlets and Polygon Wood repulsed.

Germans gain temporary footing at Berry-au-Bac (Aisne river).

5,296 prisoners and 11 guns, etc., taken by British during September.

Southern Front

Successful Italian attack on Bainsizza Plateau; 600 prisoners taken.

Naval and Overseas Operations

St. Denis Westrem again bombed.

Aviation

Aeroplane raid on London: 4 machines penetrate defences; 14 killed, 38 injured.

Political, etc.

U.S. Navy makes the longest radio communication record, transmitting 5000 miles from Sayville, New York to Honolulu, Hawaii.

Sun-yat-Sen arrested for organising revolution at Canton.

Non-Slav Congress at Kiev demands autonomy for all Russian nationalities.

Ship Losses:

Amiral Troude (France) The barque was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 400 nautical miles (740 km) off Penmarc'h, Finistère (46°40′N 15°30′W) by SM UB-51 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMT Charlsin (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was scuttled in the Mediterranean Sea 8 nautical miles (15 km) north of Mersa Matruh, Egypt by SM UC-74 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Drake (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 340 nautical miles (630 km) west of Ouessant, Finistère (46°43′N 13°01′W) by SM U-90 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but her captain was taken as a prisoner of war.
Heron (United Kingdom) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 300 nautical miles (560 km) south west of Ouessant (46°27′N 11°14′W) by SM U-90 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 22 crew.
Midlothian (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 80 nautical miles (150 km) south of Cape Greco, Cyprus by SM U-73 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but three of them were taken as prisoners of war.
Nicolosa (Greece) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Cyprus by SM U-73 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

MERCHANT SHIPPING
British, Allied and Neutral ships lost to enemy submarines, mines and cruisers etc in the month - 200 ships of 350,000 tons gross. (Lloyd's War Losses).

[Sailor Steve]

September 30, 1917

Air War:
0800 English RNAS pilot Harold Mellings, flying Sopwith Triplane N5431, shoots down an Albatros W.4 (floatplane version of the older D.I fighter) for victory number 2. This is exactly one year to the day after Mellings' first victory.

0900 Five RFC SPAD VII pilots share a victory over a German two-seater:
John Candy, England, B3615, victory number 2
Lt Delamere, B3589, unknown.
Richard Alexander Hewat, United States, A6662, number 1.
Frederick Sowrey, England, B6777, number 10.
Lt R.M. Strang, B1697, unknown.

1055 Canadian RNAS ace Joseph Fall, in Sopwith Camel B3898, shoots down an Albatros two-seater for victory number 24.

1100 French ace René Fonck, in a SPAD VII, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 15. Shared with an Akj Dupré.

1120 German ace Bruno Loerzer, in Albatros D.V 2229/17, shoots down Sopwith Camel B2398 for victory number 12.

1130 French ace René Montrion, fling a Nieport, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 6.

1130 René Montrion shoots down an Albatros two-seater for number seven, shared with Armand de Turenne, victory number 6.

1130 German pilot Franz Schmidt, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 1. This is Schmidt's only victory and he disappears from the records after this,

1145 German ace Heinrich Gontermann, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 37.

1150 German ace Rudolf Berthold, in Albatros D.III 2182/16, shoots down a Sopwith Pup for victory number 27.

1150 German ace Richard Runge, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Pup for victory number 7.

1155 German pilot Harald Auffarth, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Pup for victory number 5.

1155 German ace Julius Buckler, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith for victory number 15.

1155 German pilot Ernst Hamster, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down RE.8 A3731 for victory number 1. Sgt A. Stanley and AM1 A. Wardlaw are both killed.

1155 German ace Joseph Veltjens, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Pup for victory number 8.
(Four Pups claimeed, but only two lost - B2185, 2nd Lt J.G. Warter killed; and B1768, Lt J.W. Boumphrey taken prisoner.)

1200 English RNAS ace Albert Enstone, in Sopwith Camel B3841, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 9.

1200 German pilot Otto Förster, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 2.

1205 Ernst Hamster scores his second victory, RE.8 A3736. Lt E.H. Pember and AM2 A. Morley are both killed.

1250 Heinrich Gontermann scores his second kill of the day, a Letord three-seater, for number 38. MdL François de Villeneuve, Sgt Charles Durand and Cpl Gaston Deschamps are all listed as Missing.
(The Aerodrome and Jasta War Chronology both have this as a Caudron R.XI, but JWC's note and The French Air Service War Chronology both say it was a Letord)

1600 English RFC pilot Russell Winnicott, flying DH.5 A9218, shoots dwon an Albatros D.V for victory number 5.

1630 Russell Winnicott scores his second kill of the day, another Albatros D.V, for number 6.

[Jimbuna]

1st October 1917

Western Front

Five powerful German attacks repulsed between Ypres-Menin road and Polygon Wood and at Zonnebeke.

Between Chaume Wood and Bezonvaux (Verdun) temporary German success.

Eastern Front

German airmen bomb Oesel Island (Riga).

Southern Front

Austrian attack on Bainsizza Plateau repulsed.

Naval and Overseas Operations

East Africa: Fighting proceeding in Mbemkuru Valley; 75 miles south of Kondoa Irangi (north of Cent. Rly.) a German guerilla detachment surrenders.

British troops meet strong resistance 30 miles south-west of Lindi.

Aviation

French and British airmen bomb Rhine towns and Roulers; Dunkirk bombed by Germans, serious material damage.

London is again raided by aeroplanes, the 5th time this week, resulting in 14 deaths and 38 injuries.

Political, etc.

U.S. opens its 2nd Liberty Loan to raise $5 billion in bonds for the war effort.

French cafes and restaurants cannot serve milk or cream after 9 in the morning in an effort to conserve supplies.

The Max Planck Institute for Physics is founded in Berlin with Albert Einstein as its first director.

Great typhoon in Japan creates vast damage.

Ship Losses:

Carrabin (United Kingdom) The barque was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south of Daunt Rock by SM U-96 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Etna (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 110 nautical miles (200 km) south east of Madeira, Portugal (33°41′N 15°25′W) by SM U-151 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Ludovicos (United Kingdom) The sailing vessel was scuttled in the Mediterranean Sea 7 nautical miles (13 km) south of Pissouri, Cyprus by SM U-73 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Mersario (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (86 nautical miles (159 km) west by north of Cape Spartel, Morocco by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three crew.
USS Mohawk (United States Navy) The cutter collided with Vennacher ( United Kingdom) in the Atlantic Ocean off Sandy Hook, New Jersey and sank. Her crew were rescued.
Neuilly (France) The barque was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 450 nautical miles (830 km) south west of Penmarc'h, Finistère (46°14′N 13°07′W) by SM U-90 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Normanton (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 115 nautical miles (213 km) west of Cape Spartel (35°26′N 8°15′W) by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Saint Pierre (France) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 60 nautical miles (110 km) north west of Ouessant, Finistère (48°30′N 10°00′W) by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

[Sailor Steve]

October 1, 1917

Air War:

The Royal Navy tests their first compressed-air catapult, launching a Short 184 from the test ship HMS Slinger. The seaplane is launched without crew, the fabric removed from the fuselage and the engine replaced with ballast.

The Royal Navy makes the first launch from a capital ship, battlecruiser HMS Repulse. The pilot is Frederick Rutland, known as "Rutland of Jutland" for his activities in that battle. Rutland had previously made the first turret-top take-off from any ship, when he flies a Sopwith Pup off of a platform atop 'B' turret. Rutland had previously made the first such flight from any RN ship when he flew off a turret of light cruiser HMS Yarmouth on June 28th of this year.

1030-1130 English RFC pilot George Cecil Gardinger, flying a BE.12, shares his firse victory, an Albatros two seater with, 2nd Lt F.A. Buckley.

1100 Canadian RFC pilot Lumsden Cummings, in Nieuport 27 B6790, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 2.

1110 Three RFC Nieuport 27 pilots share a victory over a DFW C.V:
Robert Birkbeck, Scotland, B6753, vicory number 4.
Lumsden Cummings, Canada, B6790, number 3.
William Rooper, England, B6767, number 7.

[Jimbuna]

2nd October 1917

Western Front

Germans attack in Beaumont (Reims), and between Samogneux and Hill 344 (Verdun) gain footing. French counter-attacks all day fail to drive out Germans.

Southern Front

Austrian attack on slopes of San Gabriele (Isonzo) fail. Italians gain ground in counter-attack.

Naval and Overseas Operations

H.M.S. "Drake" torpedoed off the Irish Coast: 19 killed.
https://i.imgur.com/7Cm0ZyZ.jpg

350 crewmen of the German dreadnought Prinzregent Luitpold stage a protest against the war (2 are later executed, the rest imprisoned).

Reichstag informed of mutiny at Wilhelmshaven.

Aviation

French and British airmen bomb towns in Metz region, Cambrai and Courtrai and St. Denis Westrem aerodrome.

Political, etc.

British Board of Trade announces 1.256 million jobs formerly held by men before the war are now done by women.

Britain prohibits exports to neutral Netherlands & Scandinavian countries without license to prevent goods entering Germany through them.

Russian Democratic Conference decides against Coalition Government.

Swedish Government resigns.

Ship Losses:

Almora (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 100 nautical miles (190 km) west by north of Cape Spartel, Morocco (35°37′N 7°46′W) by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMS Drake (Royal Navy) The Drake-class cruiser was torpedoed and sunk off Rathlin Island, County Antrim by SM U-79 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of nineteen of her 900 crew.
Hikosan Maru (Japan) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Cape Spartel (35°28′N 8°37′W) by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Imera (Italy) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Ionian Sea off Santa Maria di Leuca, Lecce by SM UB-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Lugano (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by
U 79 (Otto Rohrbeck) and sank in the Atlantic Ocean 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) south west of Bull Point, County Antrim. Her crew survived.
Nuceria (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 120 nautical miles (220 km) west of Cape Spartel (35°27′N 8°25′W) by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two crew.
Trafaria (Portugal) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 20 nautical miles (37 km) north north west of Cape Ortegal, Spain (45°35′N 9°3′W) by SM U-88 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Viajante (Portugal) The barque was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 170 nautical miles (310 km) north west of Porto Santo Island, Madeira (35°40′N 15°10′W) by SM U-151 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Willing Boys (United Kingdom) The fishing smack struck a mine laid by UC 14 (Helmut Lorenz) and sank in the North Sea with the loss of five of her crew.

[Sailor Steve]

October 2, 1917

Air War:

1040 German ace Hans Klein, newly appointed commander of Jasta 10 and flying one of the first Pfalz D.IIIs, shoots down a DH.4 for victory number 17. This may be the very first victory for the new fighter.

1105 Canadian RFC pilot Guy Patrick Moore, flying Nieuport 17 B1508, shoots down a DFW C.V for victory number 1.

1150 English RFC observer Leslie Burbidge, riding in Bristol F.2b A7164 with Sgt F. Hooper as pilot, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 2.

1155 Leslie Burbidge and Sgt Hooper bring down a second Albatros D.V, number 3 for Burbidge, unknown for Hooper.

1330 German ace Rudolf Berthold, in Albatros D.III 2182/16, shoots down a DH.4 for victory number 28.

1330 German ace Richard Runge, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down a DH.4 for victory number 8.

1335 German ace Heinrich Gontermann, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 39.

1335-1340 Scottish RFC pilot David Hall and Irish observer Edward Patrich Hartigan, in DH4 A7568, are leading a flight of five DH.4s home from an attack on an airfield when they are jumped by a formation of Albatroses. Two DH.4s are lost, and Hall and Hartigan claim four German fighters shot down in shoot down in five minutes. Victories 2-5 for Hall and 1-4 for Hartigan.

[Jimbuna]

3rd October 1917

Western Front

German attack repulsed north of Menin road between Tower Hamlets and Polygon Wood (Ypres).

Preparations for German attack east of Reims broken up.

Violent artillery duel on Verdun front.

Eastern Front

Intense artillery duel in Jakobstadt region (Dvinsk).

Artillery stop fierce enemy attack 7 miles north of Romanian frontier (Bukovina).

Bulgars attack Romanians north of mouth of Buzeu river.

Southern Front

Italians repel continued Austrian attacks on San Gabriele.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Russians take Nereman village, 50 miles north of Mosul.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Italian airmen bomb vessels in harbour of Cattaro.

Political, etc.

Premier Lloyd George promises he will repay German bombings of Britain “with compound interest.”

Winston Churchill, Minister of Munitions, says British artillery fired 4 times more shells at Ypres than at the Somme for the same period.

War Revenue Act is signed by President Wilson to raise income taxes and lower exemptions to raise money for the war.

Ship Losses:

Annie F. Conlon (United States) The sailing vessel was damaged in the Atlantic Ocean 15 nautical miles (28 km) south east of the Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but she was subsequently declared a constructive total loss.
Baron Blantyre (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 60 nautical miles (110 km) north west by west of Cape Finisterre, Spain (43°15′N 10°30′W) by SM U-88 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Britannia (United Kingdom) The sloop foundered in the North Sea with the loss of a crew member.
Elisa (Italy) The brigantine was shelled and sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea off Cape Figari, Sardinia (41°07′N 9°47′E) by SM UC-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Ellerslie (United Kingdom) The collier was lost on this date.
Giuseppe Ferrante (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea off Isola del Giglio by SM UC-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Hurst (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in St. George's Channel 2.25 nautical miles (4.17 km) west by north of Skokholm, Pembrokeshire by SM U-96 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Jane Knox (United Kingdom) The schooner was wrecked in the Bristol Channel off Porthcawl, Glamorgan with the loss of all hands.
Jeanne (France) The three-masted schooner was sunk in the Bay of Biscay (46°43′N 13°23′W) by SM U-90 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of six of her crew.
Memling (United Kingdom) The 7,307-grt cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay off Brest, Finistère, France by an unknown Kaiserlich Marine submarine.
Saint Antoine (France) The schooner was sunk in the Bay of Biscay (47°30′N 9°40′W) by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Stella (France) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the Bay of Biscay (47°30′N 9°40′W) by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of ten crew.
Tasmania (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel 8 nautical miles (15 km) west of Prawle Point, Devon, United Kingdom by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
SM UC-14 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UC I submarine struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Zeebrugge, West Flanders, Belgium (51°31′50″N 3°08′45″E) with the loss of all fourteen crew.

[Sailor Steve]

October 3, 1917

Air War:

1150 Grman pilot Herbert Schröder, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down an Hanriot HD.1 for victory number 3.

1500 English RFC ace Arthur Taylor and observer William Benger, in Bristol F.2b A7271, shoot down an Albatros D.V. Victory number 7 for Taylor, number 3 for Benger.

French ace Georges Lachmann, in a SPAD VII, destroys a German observation Balloon for victory number 6.

Russian ace Ivan Loiko, in a Nieuport 23, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 6.

[Jimbuna]

4th October 1917

Western Front

British advance on eight mile front, anticipating by a few minutes a German attack east of Ypres; 3,000 prisoners.

In counter-attack Germans regain some ground south-east of Polygon Wood.

Small German attack repulsed on Hill 344 (Verdun).

Political, etc.

German government orders cities in Western Germany to darken their lights at night to limit British air raids.

Ship Losses:

Bygdønes (Norway) The cargo ship was captured in the Atlantic Ocean by SM U-151 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was scuttled the next day 65 nautical miles (120 km) north west of Porto Santo Island, Madeira, Portugal. Her crew survived.
Citta di Bari (Italy) The passenger ship was sunk in the Ionian Sea 37 nautical miles (69 km) off Paxos, Greece by SM UB-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Constantinos Embiricos (Greece) The cargo ship was sunk in the Gulf of Lyon off the Île du Planier, Bouches-du-Rhône, France (42°47′N 4°10′E) by SM U-32 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Itasca (United States) The cargo ship foundered in the Atlantic Ocean.
Nicolaos Roussos (Greece) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Gulf of Lyon (42°46′N 4°11′E) by SM U-32 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Perseverance (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 15 nautical miles (28 km) west of the Eddystone Lighthouse by SM UB-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
USS Rehoboth (United States Navy) The patrol vessel sprang a leak in the English Channel. Her crew were rescued by HMS Castor ( Royal Navy, which scuttled the ship.
Rupee (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was shelled and sunk in the Bristol Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) north of Lundy Island, Devon by SM U-96 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four crew.
Stella (French Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 67 (Karl Neumann) and sank in the Mediterranean Sea off Cape Bougaroni, Algeria.
Young Clifford (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was shelled and sunk in the Bristol Channel 12 nautical miles (22 km) north of Lundy Island by SM U-96 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

https://i.imgur.com/YHOkXK1.jpg

[Sailor Steve]

October 4, 1917

Air War:

The main body of American cadets arrive at Foggia, Italy, accompanied by Cpt Fiorello LaGuardia, to begin training.

The first Fokker Dr.I to leave the factory, 115/17 is sent to Jasta 15 for testing and evaluation.

1130 Scottish RFC pilot Charles Dawson, flying Vickers FB.19 A5233, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 2.

French ace Georges Lachmann, in a SPAD VII, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 7.

Croatia-born Austro-Hungarian observer Roman Schmidt, riding in a Lloyd C.V with A Wiltsch as pilot, shoots down an unidentified Italian "Scout" for victory number 3.

[Jimbuna]

5th October 1917

Western Front

Number of German prisoners taken last five days on Ypres front totals 4,446. Congratulations from the King.

Naval and Overseas Operations

In Mbemkuru Valley (south-west Kilwa), enemy retiring before British, reach Nangano (35 miles south-east Liwali).

Column from Ruhuji river advance west.

Political, etc.

Louis Malvy, former French Interior Minister, is accused of treason for trying to give war plans to Germany.

Swedish Government protests against seizure of their ships lying in British ports.

Finland’s Diet reconvenes despite being banned by the Russian government for its pro-independence stance.

Ship Losses:

Apache (France) The auxiliary barque foundered on this date with the loss of fifteen of her nineteen crew.
Bontnewydd (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 60 nautical miles (110 km) north north east of Marsa Susa, Libya (33°53′N 22°19′E) by SM U-28 ( Austro-Hungarian Navy) with the loss of three of her crew.
Forestmoor (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 54 nautical miles (100 km) west north west of Cape Spartel, Morocco (35°57′N 7°03′W) by SM UB-51 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 22 crew.
Galley (United Kingdom) The ketch foundered on this date. Her crew survived.
SM UB-41 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UB II submarine struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Scarborough, Yorkshire, United Kingdom with the loss of all 22 crew.

[Sailor Steve]

October 5, 1917

Air War:

0750 German pilot Lt Wilde, flying an unnamed aircraft, shoots down Sopwith Triplane N5377 for his first and only victory. Sub-Lt Malcolm J. Watson is taken prisoner.

0800 German ace Erwin Böhme, in Albatros D.V 4578/17, shoots down Bristol F.2b B1133 for victory number 16. Cpt D.D. Walrend-Skinner and Pvt F.T. Jones are taken prisoner.

0820 German ace Bruno Loerzer, in Albatros D.V 2299/17, shoots down SE.5a B524 for victory number 13. Lt C.H. Jeffs is taken prisoner.

0955 English RFC ace William Rooper, in Nieuport 27 B6767, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 8.

1625 German pilot Egon Patzer, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a DH.5 for victory number 2.

1635 Canadian RFC pilot Guy Moore, flying Nieuport 17 B1508, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 2.

1645 English RFC ace Philip Fullard, in Nieuport 27 B6789, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 28.

[Jimbuna]

6th October 1917

Western Front

German attack penetrates trenches at Hill 344 (Verdun), but French drive them out again.

Enemy attack at dusk on Polygon Wood (Ypres) repulsed; British take 380 prisoners.

Eastern Front

Heavy fighting 25 miles south of Czernovitz; no change, Russians take 750 prisoners.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Mbemkuru column (East Africa) reaches point 30 miles from Nangano; Belgian troops engaged north and north-east of Mahenge; British troops in close touch with enemy 50 and 25 miles further South.

Political, etc.

Feldmarschall-leutnant Artur von Mecenseffy is killed on the frontlines with Italy, the highest ranking Austro-Hungarian officer to be KIA.

Insurance premiums for American vessels traveling across the Atlantic is reduced by 25% due to successful measures against U-boats.

Peru breaks off diplomatic relations with Germany.

Socialist Conference at Bordeaux.

Georgia starts a separate Army.

Ship Losses:

Bedale (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 25 nautical miles (46 km) south east by south of Mine Head, Cornwall by SM U-96 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three of her crew.
Civilian (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 15 nautical miles (28 km) north of Alexandria, Egypt by SM UC-74 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
Lamartine (France) The barquentine was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 60 nautical miles (110 km) south west of The Lizard, Cornwall by SM UC-69 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
SMS T54 (Kaiserliche Marine) The S7-class torpedo boat struck a mine and sank in the Baltic Sea with the loss of seven of her crew.
Victorine (France) The barque was shelled and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean 96 nautical miles (178 km) north west of Cape Ortegal, Spain (44°50′N 9°30′W) by SM U-89 ( Kaiserliche Marine).She sank the next day.

[Sailor Steve]

October 6, 1917

Air War:

1030 German pilot Josef Funk, flying the new Pfalz D.III, shoots down SPAD VII B3508 for victory number 3. Lt George Robert Long is taken prisoner. This is Funk's last victory. He will survive the war, but squadron records don't include his later life.

[Jimbuna]

7th October 1917

Western Front

German attacks near Reutel (Ypres) repulsed.

Powerful German raid in Champagne repulsed by French.

Eastern Front

German attack 28 miles east-north-east of Riga repulsed.

Southern Front

Artillery active on Bainsizaa Plateau (Isonzo), and on Carso.

Austrian attack on Massif of Costabella repulsed.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Great artillery activity on Gaza front (Palestine).

Naval and Overseas Operations

German U.293, interned at Cadiz, escapes from Spain. Enquiry ordered by Spanish Prime Minister.

Political, etc.

M. Kerenski forms Coalition Government.

Uruguay breaks off diplomatic relations with Germany.

Paris Chamber announces scantiest harvest for 50 years in France. Luxuries cut down to make tonnage for import of grain.

Ship Losses:

Alcyon (United Kingdom) The sailing vessel was scuttled in the English Channel 12 nautical miles (22 km) west north west of Boulogne, Pas-de-Calais, France by SM UB-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Georgios (Greece) The barque was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea north east of Misrata, Libya by SM UC-73 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Reliance (United Kingdom) The drifter struck a mine laid by UC 14 (Adolf Feddersen) and sank in the North Sea with the loss of ten of her crew.
SM U-106 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type U 93 submarine struck a mine and sank in the North Sea 40 nautical miles (74 km) north of Terschelling, Friesland, Netherlands with the loss of all 41 crew.

[Sailor Steve]

October 7, 1917

Air War:

0635 English RFC ace Philip Fullard, flying Nieuport 27 B6789, shoots down a DFW C.V for victory number 29.

0800 Canadian RFC pilot Guy Moore, in Nieuport 17 B1508, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 3.

0810 German pilot Carl Galetschky, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 2.

0840 German pilot Hans Gottfried von Häbler, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Bristol F.2b A7280 for victory number 1. Lts J.C. Rush and W.W. Chapman are both killed.

1005 English RFC ace Frederick Sowrey, in SPAD VII B6777, shoots down a Fokker D.V for victory number 11.

[Jimbuna]

8th October 1917

Western Front

Aisne front: both German and French attacks round Craonne fail.

Germans claim to have broken up French attack south-west of Beaumont (Reims).

Naval and Overseas Operations

Russian encounter with enemy scouting-vessels between Oesel Island and north-west Courland.

Political, etc.

Railway strike begins in Russia.

Ukraine inaugurates autonomous Government.

M. Kerenski forms new Russian Cabinet.

Martial law ends in Spain, as “revolutionary disturbances” are suppressed in Catalonia and other provinces.

247 Puerto Ricans are selected to be trained as officers in the U.S. military, and 12,000 men will also be drafted.

Ship Losses:

Aylevarroo (United Kingdom) The coaster was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Ballycottin Island, County Cork (51°45′N 7°51′W) by SM U-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of all twenty crew.
HMT Ben Heilem (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was lost on this date.
Greldon (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in St. George's Channel 7 nautical miles (13 km) east north east of the North Arklow Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM U-96 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 28 crew.
Memphian (United Kingdom) The cargo liner was torpedoed and sunk in St. George's Channel 7 nautical miles (13 km) east north east of the North Arklow Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM U-96 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 32 crew.
Richard de Larrinaga (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 15 nautical miles (28 km) south east of Ballycottin Island by SM U-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 35 crew.

[Sailor Steve]

October 8, 1917

Air War:

1420 English RFC ace Philip Fullard, flying Nieuport 27 B6789, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 30.

1400 Canadian RFC pilot Guy Moore, in Nieuport 17 B1508, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 4.

French pilot Louis Coudouret, in a SPAD VII, shoots down an Albatros two-seater for victory number 3.

French ace Georges Lachmann, in a SPAD VII, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 12.
(Neither of these victories are listed in The French Air Service War Chronology, yet both are listed in several websites. Later victories by both are included in the Chronology.)

[Jimbuna]

9th October 1917

Western Front

Third phase of Third Battle of Ypres: Franco-British attack east and north-east. Outskirts of Houthulst Forest taken.

One-mile advance on Passchendaele Ridge, 2,000 prisoners. Enemy counter-attack drives in advance troops south of Ypres-Staden railway on 2,000 yards front.

Keen artillery struggle, north of Chaume Wood (Verdun).

Eastern Front

Enemy air activity very marked round Oesel Island (Riga).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Death of Hussein Kamel, Sultan of Egypt; succeeded by Ahmed Fuad, his youngest brother, born 1868.

Naval and Overseas Operations

German Naval mutiny announced today. Independent Socialist Party involved.

Eleven enemy motor boats reconnoitring near Riga.

North of Lake Eyassi (south-east Victoria Nyanza) last enemy guerrilla detachment captured.

Belgians occupy Mahenge, old German H.Q. in Highlands; 260 prisoners.

Political, etc.

Dr. Charles A. Beard, head of Columbia University’s poli-sci department, resigns after the uni fired 2 other professors for anti-war views.

Japan provides the Russian government with a loan of 66.667 million yen as a sign of support for the Provisional Government.

U.S. apologizes to Italy after an American patrol boat fired on an Italian submarine by mistake and killed 2 sailors.

Ship Losses:

HMS Champagne (Royal Navy) The armed merchant cruiser was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 8 nautical miles (15 km) south west of the Calf of Man, Isle of Man (54°17′N 5°10′W) by SM U-96 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 58 of her 305 crew. Survivors were rescued by the Peel and Port St. Mary Lifeboats.
Main (United Kingdom) The coaster was shelled and sunk in Luce Bay 1.5 nautical miles (2.8 km) east of Drummore, Wigtownshire by SM UC-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of twelve of her crew. She was refloated on 7 August 1920, repaired, and returned to service in August 1922.
Nervier (Belgium) The cargo ship was torpedoed, shelled and damaged off the Orkney Islands by SM U-101 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She sank on 12 October with loss of all hands.
Niki (Greece) The coaster was sunk in the Ionian Sea 30 nautical miles (56 km) north of Cape Matapan by SM UB-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Peshawur (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 7 nautical miles (13 km) south east of Ballyquintin Point, County Down by SM U-96 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eleven of her crew.
Poldown (United Kingdom) The collier struck a mine laid by UC 51 (Hans Galster) and sank in the Atlantic Ocean 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) west south west of Trevose Head, Cornwall (50°31′N 5°05′W) by SM UC-51 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eighteen of her crew.
San Blas (Panama) The cargo ship sank at Bocas Town, Bocas del Toro.

[Sailor Steve]

October 9, 1917

Air War:

1010 German ace Bruno Loerzer, flying Albatros D.V 2299/17, shoots down RE.8 A3663 for victory number 14. 2nd Lts I.U. MacMurchy and F.T. Brasington are both killed.

1040 Three RFC SPAD VII pilots share a victory over an Albatros two-seater:
John Candy, England, B3615, victory number 3.
Richard Hewat, United States, A6662, number 2.
Frederick Sowrey, England, B6777, number 12.

1115 German pilot Helmut Dilthey, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 4.

1330 Canadian RFC pilot Guy Moore, in Nieuport 17 B1508, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 5.

1430 German pilot Franz Müller, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down Nieuport 17 B3577 for victory number 2. 2nd Lt M.A.Peacock is taken prisoner.

1515 Scottish RFC Robert Birkbeck, flying Nieuport 27 B6753, shoots down a pair of Albatros D.Vs for victories number 5 and 6.

1555 English RFC pilot Frank Hobson, in Sopwith Camel B2389, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 2.

1620 German ace Xavier Dannhuber, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down Nieuport 27 B6767 for victory number 7. English 8-victory RFC ace William Victor Trevor Rooper is killed.

1700 Austrian ace Frank Linke-Crawford, in Austrian Albatros D.III 153.11, destroys an observation balloon for victory number 6.

1700 Austrian pilot Kurt Gruber, in an unidentified "Scout", destroys an observation balloon for victory number 5.

1815 German pilot Karl Gallwitz, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 3.

[Sailor Steve]

October 10, 1917

Western Front:
French extend their hold up Corverbeck Valley (Ypres).

Germans gain footing in first line trenches north of Chaume Wood (Verdun).



Naval and Overseas Operations:

Portuguese capture German post at Mauta, 26 miles north of Rovuma River (East Africa).

Germans bomb Russian transports at southern end of Oesel Island (Riga).



Political, etc:

Von Kuhlmann Peace proposal says Germany will never give back Alsace-Lorraine; French press virulent on the subject.



Ship Losses:

Carl (Kaiserliche Marine): The three-masted sailing ship was beached and abandoned in Constantine Bay, north Cornwall while being towed to London during a storm.

HMS Bostonian (Royal Navy): The escort ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel, 34 nautical miles (63 km) south by east of Start Point by SM U-53 (Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four crew.

Gowrie (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 14 nautical miles (26 km) north east of Cherbourg, Seine-Maritime, France by SM U-53 (Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Transporteur (France): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 30 nautical miles (56 km) off Malta (35°29′N 14°58′E) by SM U-32 (Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.

HMT Waltham (Royal Navy): The naval trawler was lost on this date.



Air War:

The first production Fokker Dr.Is begin departing the factory. One is destined for Jasta 10, and ten of them for Jasta 11.

0725 German ace Erwin Böhme, flying Albatros D.V 4578/17, shoots dowm Nieuport 27 B6701 for victory number 17. 2nd Lt Gerald Benson Wigle is wounded and crashes in No-Man's Land, between the lines. He escapes to his own side after being reported as Missing, Presumed Dead.
(per Under the Guns of the Kaiser's Aces. Jasta War chronology has this as SE.5a B23, 2nd Lt G.M. Wilkinson killed. This is likely because Böhme reported his victim as an SE.5a, despite the major differences between that plane and the Nieuport. SE.5a B23 was reported missing this day, but there is no record of who shot it down.)

0805 Canadian RFC pilot Frank Granger Quigley, in Sopwith Camel B2356, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

0825 Frank Quigley scores his second victory, another Albatros D.V.

1700 German ace Heinrich Bongartz, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down DH.4 A2138 for victory number 13. Sgt F.V. Legge and AM1 J.S. Clarke are listed as Missing.

1705 German pilot Walter Ewers, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down DH.5 B360 for victory number 2. 2nd Lt A.W. Edwards is killed.

1800 German ace Xavier Dannhuber, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 8.

Russian pilot Alexander de Seversky, in a Nieuport 21, shoots down an unidentified "Scout" for victory number 5, then a two-seater for number 6. This is Seversky's last aerial victory. He will be shot down behind enemy lines on October 14th but get back home safely. In March 1918 he will be sent to the United States as assistant Naval attache to the Russian Embassy. He will remain in the U.S., avoiding the Russian Revolution, and become an American citizen in 1927. In 1931 he will found the Seversky Aircraft Corporation and develop a series of world-record-setting seaplanes. In 1939 Seversky will be voted out of the company he founded and spend the rest of his life as an aeronautical writer and consultant, dying in 1974 at eighty years of age. His company was renaimed Republic Aircraft and went on to produce one of the legendary planes of World War Two, the P-47 Thunderbolt.

[Sailor Steve]

October 11, 1917

Western Front

French stop a German counter-attack east of Dreibank, Ypres.

Germans gain temporary footing in advanced trenches north of Hill 344 (Verdun), but driven out by French.



Eastern Front

Germans gain some ground south-east of Segewold (Riga).

Germans attempt to fraternise in Riga sector.



Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Turkish attack in Armenia, 16 miles south-west of Erzingan, repulsed.



Naval and Overseas Operations

East Africa: Column in Mbemkuru valley occupies Ruponda on flank of enemy retreating before Nahango column. Large quantities corn and ammunition captured.



Political, etc.

Four ships flying Swedish flag and lying in British ports taken over by British, being mainly British owned, and liable to be treated as such by Germans.

British government stops commercial cable communication with Holland.



Ship Losses

Aghios Georgios (Russia): The ship was sunk in the Black Sea by SM UB-42 (Kaiserliche Marine).

Baychattan (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 0.5 nautical miles (930 m) south south west of Prawle Point, Devon by SM UC-50 (Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Cayo Bonito (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Gulf of Genoa 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) east north east of Savona, Liguria, Italy (44°14′N 8°30′E) by SM UC-35 (Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of six of her crew.

Elve (United Kingdom): The coaster was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Finisterre, Spain (46°23′N 11°19′W) by SM U-22 (Kaiserliche Marine). Her 29 crew took to the lifeboats but did not survive.

Italia (Italy): The cargo ship was sunk in the Gulf of Genoa 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) east north east of Savona (44°14′N 8°30′E) by SM UC-35 (Kaiserliche Marine).

Joshua (United Kingdom): The sailing vessel was scuttled in the English Channel west of the Isle of Wight by SM UB-57 (Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three crew.

HMY Kethailes (Royal Navy) The naval yacht collided with another vessel and sank in the Irish Sea off the Blackwater Lightship (United Kingdom).

Lewis Luckenbach (United States): The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) west of the Île Vierge, Finistère, France (48°47′N 4°43′W) by SM U-53 (Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of ten crew.

Lovli (Italy): The cargo ship was sunk in the Gulf of Genoa (44°14′N 8°29′E) by SM UC-35 (Kaiserliche Marine).

Mira (United Kingdom): The tanker struck a mine and sank in the English Channel 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) off Beachy Head, East Sussex (50°41′N 0°09′E). Her crew survived.

Panormitis (France): The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Egypt by SM UC-74 (Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Rhodesia (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Bristol Channel 7 nautical miles (13 km) south east by south of the Coningbeg Lightship (United Kingdom) by SM U-61 (Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four crew.



Air War

Fokker DR.I 115/17, sent out several days ahead of the others, arrives at Jasta 15 for testing and evaluation.

0715 English RFC pilot Frank Johnson, flying Bristol F.2b B1130 with Lt N.M. Sanders as observer, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 5.

0715 English RFC ace pilot Harry Luchford and observer William Benger, in Bristol F.2b B1122, shoot down a pair of Albatros D.Vs. Victories 19 and 20 for Luchford, 4 and 5 for Benger.

0830 German pilot Hans Hoyer, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down SE.5a B542 for victory number 3. 2nd Lt R.J. Preston-Cobb is killed.

0945 German ace Julius Buckler, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down RE.8 A4330 for victory number 16. Lts F.C.E. Clarke and P. Mighell both die from wounds received in this fight.

1115 German pilot Hans Viebig, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Bristol F.2b A7181 for victory number 1. Lt R.I.V. Hill and 2nd Lt R.S. Gilbert are taken prisoner.

1605 German ace Xavier Dannhuber, flying Albatros D.V 2299/17, shoot down an SE.5 for victory number 9.

1740 Julius Buckler scores his second kill of the day, shooting down Sopwith Camel B6314 for number 17. 2nd Lt W.H. Winter is listed as Missing.

1745 German pilot Walter Ewers, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Sopwith Pup A2160 for victory number 3. 2nd Lt A.A. Allen is killed.

[Sailor Steve]

October 12, 1917

Western Front

British attack north-east of Ypres on six-mile front from French right to Ypres-Roulers railway. Some progress all alone line, but rain stops big advance.

German attacks repulsed all along French front, notably in Champagne.



Eastern Front

Germans land at Tagga Bay north of Oesel Island (Riga) and on Dago Island. Part of Oesel Island occupied and traversed to east end; attempt to capture pier on Moon Island repulsed.



Southern Front

Austrian attack repulsed in region of Mnt. Costabella.



Naval and Overseas Operations

Combined German naval and military landing at Oesel Island (Riga). Russian coast batteries destroyed (German 8 dreadnoughts, 12 light craft, 40 T.B.D., etc.). Russians ships hinder German fleet entering between Dago and Oesel Islands.



Political, etc.

Count Luxburg is interned in Argentina.

Sir Robert Borden forms Coalition Government in Canada.


Ship Losses

Cape Corso (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Irish Sea 9 nautical miles (17 km) off the St. Govan Lightship (United Kingdom) by SM U-57 (Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of thirteen crew. Although she subsequently broke her back, she was repaired and returned to service.

Georgios Markettos (Greece): The cargo ship was sunk in the Irish Sea 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) off the St. Govan Lightship (United Kingdom) by SM U-57 (Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Peebles (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 14 nautical miles (26 km) off Flamborough Head, Yorkshire by SM UB-18 (Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Themis (Norway): The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 22 nautical miles (41 km) north of Cape Bon, Algeria (37°26′N 11°04′E) by SM UB-51 (Kaiserliche Marine).


W. M. Barkley (United Kingdom): The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 7 nautical miles (13 km) east of the Kish Lightship (United Kingdom) by SM UC-75 (Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four of her crew.

Hirondelle (France) The steamer was lost after running aground off Sark during a voyage from Le Havre to St. Malo and St. Brieux carrying petrol.



Air War:

2nd Lt Harry Edward Jones, wounded by Werner Voss on September 11, dies from a sudden hemorrage.

0915 Canadian RFC pilot John Crompton, flying SE.5a B519, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 4.

1020 German ace Carl Menckhoff, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down Sopwith Triplane N5378 for victory number 13.

1025 Carl Menckhoff scores his second kill of the day, shooting down an RE.8 for number 14.

1145 Scottish RFC ace Robert Birkbeck, in Nieuport 27 B6753, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 7.

1155 German pilot Harry von Bülow-Bothkamp, younger brother of Walter and Conrad von Bülow-Bothkamp, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a DH.4 for victory number 1.

1215 German pilot Hans von Häbler, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down Sopwith Pup B1836 for victory number 2. Lt A.W. Nasmyth is killed.

1215 German pilot Hans Hoyer, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Sopwith Pup B1830 for victory number 4. 2nd Lt R.W.B. Matthewson is taken prisoner.

1215 German ace Bruno Loerzer, in Albatros D.V 2299/17, shoots down a DH. 4 for victory number 15.

1215 German ace Theodor Quandt, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Sopwith Pup A635 for victory number 6. 2nd Lt M. Newcomb is taken prisoner.

1215 German pilot Heinrich Stümpert, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Sopwith Camel B2386 for victory number 1. 2nd Lt K.H. Willard is killed.

1220 German pilot Justus Kaiser, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down Sopwith Camel B2375 for victory number 1. Cpt H.B. Coomber is killed.

1220 German ace Hans Klein, in a Pfalz D.III, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 18.

1245 German pilot Franz Eberlein, in an Albatros, shoots down a SPAD for his only victory.

1340 German pilot Fritz Kieckhäfer, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a DH.4 for victory number 3.
(The three DH.4s shot down this day were A7426, Sgt A.L. Clear and 2nd Lt F.W. Talbot both taken prisoner; A2135, 2nd Lts G.W. Armstrong and H. Pughe-Evans both taken prisoner; and A7515, Lt S.H. Allen and wnd Lt G.C.E. Smithett both killed).

1730 Canadian RFC pilot Edward Booth, in Sopwith Camel B6206, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 2.

[Sailor Steve]

October 13, 1917

Western Front

Control of British Air Service reorganised; Maj.-Gen. Salmond succeeds Lt.-Gen. Sir D. Henderson as Director-General.



Eastern Front

Germans continue landing on Oesel Island. Detachments landed on Dago Island promptly ejected, Arensburg occupied.



Southern Front

Considerable artillery activity on Upper Isonzo.



Naval and Overseas Operations

Belgians repel German attack south-east of Mahenge.
German mine-sweepers between Courland and Oesel Island.



Ship Losses:

Alavi (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 6 nautical miles (11 km) north east of Cape Palos, Murcia, Spain (37°40′N 0°34′W) by SM U-35 (Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of thirteen crew.

Bethel (Norway): The sailing vessel was sunk in the North Sea (56°08′N 0°58′E) by SM UB-58 (Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Caprera (Italy): The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 60 nautical miles (110 km) west of Casablanca, Morocco (33°53′N 8°45′W) by SM U-151 (Kaiserliche Marine). Her 45 crew were rescued by Ernesto (Spain).

Despina G. Michalinos (Greece): The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Carthagena, Spain (37°42′N 0°33′W) by SM U-35 (Kaiserliche Marine).

Doris (Italy): The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Cape Palos (37°46′N 0°38′W) by SM U-35 (Kaiserliche Marine).

Diu (Portugal): The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) off the Tuskar Rock, Ireland by SM U-57 (Kaiserliche Marine).

Eskmere (United Kingdom): The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 15 nautical miles (28 km) west north west of South Stack, Anglesey by SM UC-75 (Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 20 of her crew.

Esmerelda (Sweden): The barque was sunk in the North Sea by SM UB-58 (Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Lilla (Italy): The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Carthagena (37°45′N 0°38′W) by SM U-35 (Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Woodburn (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the English Channel 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) south east of The Lizard, Cornwall by SM U-62 (Kaiserliche Marine). She was beached at Falmouth. Later refloated, repaired and returned to service.

The four ships Alavi, Despia G. Michelinos, Doris, and Lilla are all sunk by Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière in U-35. This his first patrol since April and his score is now 180 ships and 389,685 tons.



Air War:

0850 German ace Erwin Böhme, flying Albatros D.V 4578/17, shoots down Sopwith Pup B1800 for victory number 18.

0855 German ace Hans Klein, in a Pfalz D.III, shoots down a Sopwith Pup for victory number 19.

0900 Canadian RNAS pilot Roy Brown, in Sopwith Camel B3893, shoots down a DFW C.V for victory number 5.

0900 German pilot Hans Körner, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Pup for victory number 3.

0905 German ace Rudolf Francke, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith pup for victory number 7.
(The four Pups shot down this day were: A7344, 2nd Lt P.C. Norton taken prisoner; B1800, 2nd F.W. Gibbes killed; B2161, 2nd Lt J.H.R. Salter killed; B5918, 2nd Lt W.W. Vick taken prisoner.)

1100 German pilot Hans Staats, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down DH.5 A9277 for victory number 1. Lt D.G. Morrison is wounded and crashes in No-Man's Land. He escapes to his own lines as his plane is destroyed by artillery fire.

1730 German ace Ernst Hess, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down Dorand AR.2 D1123 for victory number 15. Brigadier Lefevre and Soldat Guiraud are both wounded and taken prisoner.

[Sailor Steve]

October 14, 1917

Eastern Front

Tserel and Arensburg in flames.

Russians guarding Irbek Strait cut off on Sworbe Peninsula.



Naval and Overseas Operations

German warships land detachments on Islands of Runo and Abro (Riga).

British mine-sweeper "Bregonia" and merchant cruiser "Champagne" sunk, 56 lost.

Russian T.B.D.'s repel German effort to force passage of Moon Sound (Oesel Island).



Political, etc.

More drastic measures taken in Great Britain to compete with growing shortages of foodstuffs, petrol and coal.

Ukraine declares itself an autonomous nation and claims participation in future Peace Conference.



Air War:

Russian pilot Alexander de Seversky is forced down in enemy territory, but escapes to his own lines.

0742 German ace Erwin Böhme, flying Albatros D.V 4578/17, shoots down Nieuport 27 B6778 for victory number 19. 2nd Lt Henry Douglas MacPherson is killed.

0742 German pilot Karl Gallwitz, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down an "RE.8" for victory number 4. Lt C. Smythe and 2nd Lt A. Ward are taken prisoner. Sources give two different serial numbers for this aircraft, but both are questionable. B3652 is a BE.2e and B5308 is a Sopwith Pup! The BE.2 seems more likely, being a two-seater, and misclaims happened quite often.

1225 German ace Rudolf Wendelmuth, in an Albatros D.V, shoot down an unidentified "Sopwith" for victory number 11.

1620 German ace Heinrich Bongartz, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down RE.8 A4444 for victory number 14. 2nd Lts F.B. Braithwaite and J.C. Garrat are both wounded and taken prisoner.

1645 German pilot Ltn Hebler (first name unknown), probably in an Albatros D.III, shoots down an observation balloon for victory number 1.

1700 English RFC ace Philip Fullard, flying Nieuport 27 B6789, shoots down a DFW C.V for victory number 31.

1715 RFC pilot Lt W.R. Jones, in DH.5 A9269, shoots down Albatros D.V 636/17 (victory number unknown). OfStv Rudolf Weckbrodt (2 victories) is killed.

1735 German ace Xavier Dannhuber, in Albatros D.V 2299/17, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 10.

1740 German ace Franz Ray, in an OAW-built Albatros D.III, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 7.

1830 German ace Erich Löwenhardt, in an Albatros D.V, destroys a British observation balloon for victoru number 6.



Ship Losses:
Barbro (Norway): The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 13 nautical miles (24 km) north north west of the Île de Batz, Finistère, France (48°55′N 4°14′W) by SM UC-48 with the loss of two of her crew.

Castro (Greece): The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 10 nautical miles (19 km) north north east of Brignogan, Finistère by SM UC-48. Her crew survived.

HMT Clyde (Royal Navy). The naval trawler collided with another vessel and sank in the English Channel off Sidmouth, Devon.

Ecaterini C. D. (Greece): The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (46°49′N 12°21′W) by SM U-105.

East Wales (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 8 nautical miles (15 km) south by west of Daunts Rock (51°40′N 8°13′W) by SM U-57 with the loss of three crew.

Grom (Imperial Russian Navy): The Azard-class destroyer was shelled and damaged in the Gulf of Riga by SMS V100 and was abandoned. She was taken in tow by V100 but consequently foundered.

Lido G. (United Kingdom): The coaster was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea north east of Misrata, Libya by SM UC-73.

Semantha (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 10 nautical miles (19 km) north west by north of Cape St. John, Crete, Greece by SM UC-74 with the loss of 32 of her crew.

SM UC-62 (Kaiserliche Marine): The Type UC II submarine struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Zeebrugge, West Flanders, Belgium with the loss of all 26 crew.

Valparaiso (Italy): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk off Marsa Susa, Libya (36°56′N 21°58′E) by SM UB-48. The wreck was raised in 1928 and sold for scrap in January 1930.

[Sailor Steve]

October 15, 1917



Western Front

Bruges dock raided by British airmen.



Eastern Front

Germans cut off retreat of Russians from Oesel Island to Moon Island via Mole and capture 3,500 prisoners.

Germans advance along Sworbe Peninsula.



Naval and Overseas Operations

East Africa: Lindi column drives enemy on Nyangoa by enveloping movement from north.



Air War:

1215 Canadian RNAS pilot John Hales, flying Sopwith Camel B3832, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 3.

1300 German ace Heinrich Arntzen, in an Albatros D.V, destroys a French observation balloon for victory number 6. The observers parachute safely.

1400 German ace Bruno Loerzer, in Albatros D.V 2299/17, shoots down Bristol F.2b A7244 for victory number 16. 2nd Lt HS. Wellby and AM2 W. Nicol are both taken prisoner.

1510 German pilot Hans Hoyer, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 5.

1645 English RFC ace Frederick Sowrey, in SPAD VII A6709, shoots down an Albatros two-seater for victory number 13. This is Sowrey's last aerial victory. He will return to England and command 143 Squadron until the end of the war, then see a post-war career in the RAF. He will retire as a Group Captain in 1940 and live until 1968.

German pilot Franz Büchner, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 2.

English RNAS ace Thomas Le Mesurier and observer Horace Jackson, in DH.4 N5967, shoot down an Albatros D.V. Victory number 6 for Le Mesurier and number 5 for Jackson.



Ship Losses

HMT Active III (Royal Navy): The naval trawler struck a mine and sank in the Irish Sea between Grassholm and Skokholm, Pembrokeshire with the loss of all ten crew.

USS Cassin (United States Navy): Action of 15 October 1917: The Cassin-class destroyer was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean 20 nautical miles (37 km) south of Mine Head, County Cork, United Kingdom by SM U-61 with the loss of a crew member. She was taken in tow by HMS Snowdrop (Royal Navy). Subsequently repaired and returned to service.

Champagne (French Navy): The passenger ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea with the loss of 56 lives.

Garthclyde (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 12 nautical miles (22 km) west of The Lizard, Cornwall (49°55′N 5°30′W) by SM UC-79. Her crew survived.

Hartburn (United Kingdom): The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) south of Anvil Point, Dorset with the loss of three of her crew.

Hovde (Norway): The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 11 nautical miles (20 km) north west of the Île de Batz, Finistère, France by SM UC-48 with the loss of a crew member.

Saint Paul (France): The sailing vessel was shelled and sunk in the Bay of Biscay (46°29′N 10°26′W) by SM U-105 with the loss of a crew member.

St. Helens (United States): The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 100 nautical miles (190 km) west north west of Cape Vilano, Spain (45°57′N 11°19′W) by SM U-105 with the loss of 24 crew.

White Head (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 14 nautical miles (26 km) north north east of Suda Bay, Crete, Greece (36°13′N 24°33′E) by SM UC-74 with the loss of 23 of her crew.

[Sailor Steve]

October 16, 1917

Western Front

Enemy air raid on Nancy.

French attack west of Craonne is repulsed by Germans.



Eastern Front

Oesel Island fully in German possession. Germans claim 10,000 prisoners and 50 guns.

German attempt to throw bridge across Dvina frustrated.



Naval and Overseas Operations

Belgians rescue convoy of prisoners south-east of Mahenge (East Africa).

Russian fleet assists defence in Moon Sound.

Russian battleship Slava sunk by German battleship König in Gulf of Riga.



Political, etc.

Pan-German propaganda.

Mr. Bonar-Law announces future Air Ministry Bill.



Air War:

0925 German ace Erwin Böhme, flying Albatros D.V 4578/17, shoots down Nieuport 17 B3578 for victory number 20. 2nd Lt Frederick John Ortweiler is taken prisoner.

1015 French/American ace Raoul Lufbery, flying a Nieuport, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 13.

1130 German pilot Walter Kypke, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Salmson 2.A2 for victory number 4.

1200 German ace Ernst Hess, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Dorand AR.2 for victory number 16. MdL Louis Houdusse and Soldat Rouille are both killed.

1245 German ace Robert von Greim, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Nieport for victory number 6.

1345 Robert von Greim scores his second victory of the day, a SPAD, for number 7.

1350 German pilot Max Taucher, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a SPAD for his first and only victory.

1635 Walter Kypke scores his second kill of the day, a Dorand AR.2, for number 5.

1635 German ace Georg Schlenker, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Dorand AR.2 for victory number 8.
(Two AR.2s were lost in this sector at this time. Cpt Edouard Garcin and Soldat Robert Millet; and Adj Raoul Chesneau and Sgt Boitel were all killed.)

German pilot Anton Bauhofer, flying a Roland D.IIa, shoots down a Dorand AR.2 for victory number 2.

French pilot MdL Delore, in a Nieuport, claims an "Enemy Aircraft". His claim is unconfirmed, but according to the French Air Service War Chronology it seems likely this is Max Taucher, who was shot down and captured shortly after scoring his only victory.

French ace Georges Lachmann, in a SPAD VII, destroys an observation balloon for victory number 9. This is his last victory. He will survive the war and live until August 1961.
(per The Aerodrome. French War Chronology does not mention Lachmann on this date.)



Ship Losses:

SMS Eber (Kaiserliche Marine): The gunboat was scuttled at Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.

Est (Imperial Russian Navy): The cargo ship was sunk in the Baltic Sea off Ekenäs, Finland (59°51′N 23°46′E) by SM UC-60.

Jennie E. Righter (United States): The three-masted schooner was scuttled after being shelled in the Atlantic Ocean north west of Spain (43°54′N 10°02′W) by SM U-22. Her crew survived.

SMS T56 (Kaiserliche Marine): The S7-class torpedo boat ran aground and sank in the Baltic Sea.

[Sailor Steve]

October 17, 1917

Western Front

Great artillery activity north-east of Soissons.

Germans enter French trenches at Hill 344 (Verdun).



Eastern Front

German attempt to land on Dago Island (Riga) supported by naval guns is repulsed.

Government prepares to move to Moscow from Petrograd.



Naval and Overseas Operations

East Africa: Column from Lukuledi Mission drives enemy eastward; two columns occupy Nyangoa.

Naval engagements Gulf of Riga.

German raiders sink nine merchantmen and two destroyers out of convoy off Bergen; 135 lost.



Political, etc.

Australian trans-continental railway joined up.

Holland replies to British Note re: transport of gravel and sand.



Air War:

0730 English RNAS pilot John Pinder, flying Sopwith Camel N6439, shoots down a German seaplane for victory number 4.

0925 Canadian RFC ace pilot William Durrand and English observer Albert Woodbridge, in Bristol F.2b A7141, shoot down a DFW C.V. Victory number 6 for Durrand, number 5 for Woodbridge.

0930 German pilot Vfw Bärwald (first name unknown), in an Albartros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 2.

0930 German ace Heinrich Bongartz, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a DH.4 for victory number 15.

0930 German ace Theodor Quandt, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a DH.4 for victory number 7.

0945 English RFC ace Philip Fullard, flying Nieuport 17 B6789, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 32.

1000 English RFC ace pilot Harry Luchford and English observer Victor White, in Bristol F.2b B1138, shoot down an Albatros D.V. Victory number 21 for Luchford, number 3 for White.

1030 Philip Fullard scores his second victory of the day, a German two-seater, for number 33 overall.

1045 Canadian RNAS pilot Stanley Rosevear, in Sopwith Triplane N5489, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 5.

1100-1130 South African RNAS pilot Samuel Kinkead, in Sopwith Triplane N5465, shoots down a DFW C.V for victory number 5.

1105 New Zealand RFC pilot Herbert Frank Stacey Drewitt, flying SPAD VII B6761, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 1.

1105 French ace René Fonck, in a SPAD VII, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 16.

1120 German ace Julius Buckler, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down Bristol F.2a A7271 for victory number 18. 2nd Lt A.G.V. Taylor and Sgt W.J. Benger are both wounded and taken prisoner, and both will die from their wounds.

1120 René Fonck scores his second kill of the day, another two-seater, for number 17.

1140 German pilot Konrad von Bülow-Bothkamp (brother of Walter and Harry von Bülow-Bothkamp), in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Nieuport fighter for victory number 1.

1425 Philip Fullard scores his third kill of the day, shooting down an Albatros D.V for number 34.

1500 German pilot Heinrich Kütt, possibly in an old Albatros D.II (records are sketchy for Jasta 23 aircraft), shoots down a SPAD for his only victory.

1500 French pilot Alexandre Marty, in a Nieuport, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 5. Uffz Erich Wagner and Ltn Josef Herkommer of FlAbt 276a are both killed.

1620 German ace Bruno Loerzer, in Albatros D.V 2299/17, shoots down a Sopwith Pup for victory number 17.

1630 German pilot Karl Wewer, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 3.

German pilot Karl Bey, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for his only aerial victory. This is either A7231 (2nd Lts E. Scholtz and H.C. Wookey both taken prisoner) or A7209 (2nd Lts S.E. Stanley and E.L. Fossey also captured).

French Nieuport pilots Georges Blanc and Louis-Antoine Chartoire share the destruction of a German observation Balloon. Victory number 4 for Blanc, number 1 for Chartoire.

German pilot Robert Dycke, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a SPAD VII. Sgt Marcel Montagne is killed.

German ace Otto Könnecke, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down an Allied two-seater for victory number 8.

French pilot Fochaux du Plessis, in a Nieuport, destroys an observation balloon for victory number 1.

French pilot Paul Rodde, flying a Nieuport, destroys a German observation balloon for victory number 5.



Ship Losses:

Adams (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 6 nautical miles (11 km) south east by east of The Lizard, Cornwall (49°54′N 5°04′W) by SM U-62. Her crew survived.

USAT Antilles (United Statess Army): The troopship was torpedoed and damaged in the Bay of Biscay (48°10′N 11°15′W) by SM U-105 with the loss of 67 lives. Survivors were rescued by USS Corsair and the ship was scuttled.

California (United Kingdom): The passenger ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 145 nautical miles (269 km) north north west of Cape Villano, Spain (45°00′N 11°26′W) by SM U-22 with the loss of four lives.

H. Wicander (Sweden): Action off Lerwick: The cargo ship was shelled and sunk with the loss of sixteen crew in the North Sea off Lerwick, Shetland Islands, United Kingdom by SMS Bremse and SMS Brummer.

Goorkha (Royal Navy): Mines from SM UC-25 damage British Hospital ship off Malta (35°57′N 14°40′E). Towed into Malta, decommissioned and returned to owners, Union Castle, for repair.

Habil (Norway): Action off Lerwick: The coaster was shelled and sunk in the North Sea off Lerwick, Shetland Islands, United Kingdom by SMS Bremse and SMS Brummer.

Kristine (Norway): Action off Lerwick: The coaster was shelled and sunk in the North Sea off Lerwick by SMS Bremse and SMS Brummer with the loss of ten of her eleven crew.

HMT Jean (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was lost in the Mediterranean Sea on this date.

Manchuria (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 60 nautical miles (110 km) west of Ouessant, Finistère, France by SM U-53 with the loss of 26 crew.

HMS Mary Rose: Action off Lerwick: The 'M'-class destroyer was shelled and sunk in the North Sea off Lerwick by SMS Bremse and SMS Brummer with the loss of 88 of her 98 crew.

Polvena (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 25 nautical miles (46 km) north by east of Ouessant (48°55′N 5°10′W) by SM U-53 with the loss of three crew.

HMT Ruby (Royal Navy): The naval trawler was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Ouessant (48°50′N 5°10′W) by SM UC-79 with the loss of all eighteen crew.

Silja (Norway): Action off Lerwick: The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the North Sea off Lerwick by SMS Bremse and SMS Brummer.

Slava (Imperial Russian Navy): Battle of Moon Sound: The Borodino-class battleship was scuttled in Moon Sound. The wreck was scrapped in 1935.

Sørhaug (Norway): Action off Lerwick: The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the North Sea off Lerwick by SMS Bremse and SMS Brummer.

Stella (Denmark): Action off Lerwick: The coaster was shelled and sunk in the North Sea off Lerwick by SMS Bremse and SMS Brummer.

HMS Strongbow (Royal Navy): Action off Lerwick: The R-class destroyer was shelled and sunk in the North Sea off Lerwick by SMS Bremse and SMS Brummer with the loss of 47 of her crew.

Visbur (Sweden): Action off Lerwick: The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the North Sea off Lerwick, Shetland Islands, United Kingdom, by SMS Bremse and SMS Bremmer. All her crew survived the lifeboat trip back to Norway.

[Sailor Steve]

October 18, 1917

Eastern Front

Moon Island (Riga) evacuated by Russians.



Southern Front

Renewed local fighting on Trentino and Carnia fronts.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Report re: German activity near Jibuti (French Somali-land).



Naval and Overseas Operations

Fighting continues round Nyangoa (East Africa); considerable casualties on both sides.



Political, etc.

Dutch shipping in American ports to be utilised.



Air War:

0810-1020 Canadian RFC ace Reginald Hoidge, flying SE.5a B506, shoots down two German two-seaters for victory number 25 and 26.

0845 English RFC ace Harry Luchford and observer Victor White, in Bristol F.2b B1138, shoot down an Albatros D.V Victory number 22 for Luchford, number 4 for White.

0900 Canadian RFC pilot Alfred Michael Koch, in Sopwith Camel B2399, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

0900 Harry Luchford and Victor White score their second kill of the day, shooting down another Albatros D.V for victories number 23 and 5 respectively.

0910 German pilot Paul Lotz, in an Albatros D.III or possibly a Pfalz D.III, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 1.

0940 German pilot Helmut Dilthey, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 5.

0945 German pilot Hermann Kunz, in an Albatros D.III or Pfalz D.III, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 3. This is Kunz's first victory in almost a year, and will be his only one in 1917.

0945 German pilot Kurt Schönfelder, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 3.

0950 German ace Josef Jacobs, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a DH.4 for victory number 9.

0950 German ace Erich Löwenhardt, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 7.

[Sailor Steve]

October 19, 1917



Western Front

13 Zeppelins raid east and north-east England and London; 5 brought down. Larger type of Zeppelin used; 36 killed, 55 injured.



Eastern Front

Germans land on Dago Island.

Germans fail in effort to fraternise on Romanian front.



Naval and Overseas Operations

British armed mercantile cruiser Orana torpedoed and sunk; no lives lost.



Political, etc.

Liberal Swedish Cabinet formed by Professor Eden.

U.S.A. embargo on trade with Northern Neutrals.

Munition Works removed from Petrograd.



Air War:

US Army 1st Aero Squadron moves to Amanty, Lorraine.



Ship Losses:

Australdale (Australia): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 165 nautical miles (306 km) north north west of Cape Villano, Spain (45°24′N 11°32′W) by SM U-22 with the loss of 27 crew.

Britannia (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel off Portland Bill, Dorset by SM UC-75 with the loss of all 22 crew.

Camswan (United Kingdom): The cargo ship collided with another vessel and sank. Her crew were rescued.

Cupica (United Kingdom): The auxiliary barque was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 75 nautical miles (139 km) west by south of the Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly by SM U-107 and SM UC-79. Her crew survived.

Eldra (United Kingdom): The barquentine was scuttled in the English Channel 25 nautical miles (46 km) north west of Le Tréport, Seine-Maritime, France by SM UC-77. Her crew survived.

Elsiston (United Kingdom): The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 150 nautical miles (280 km) east by south of Malta (35°40′N 17°28′E) by SM U-14 (Austro-Hungarian Navy) with the loss of a crew member.

Gemma (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) north by west of Flamborough Head, Yorkshire by SM UB-21 with the loss of four of her crew.

Good Hope (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 125 nautical miles (232 km) east by south of Malta (35°53′N 17°05′E) by SM U-14 (Austro-Hungarian Navy). Her crew survived.

Harpon (France): The cargo ship was damaged in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Río de Oro (24°22′N 15°50′W) by SM U-151. She was beached but was declared a constructive total loss. Her crew survived.

Hazelwood (United Kingdom): The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the English Channel 8 nautical miles (15 km) south by east of Anvil Point, Dorset with the loss of 32 of her crew.

Ikoma Maru (Japan): The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 30 nautical miles (56 km) off Cap Cantin, Morocco by SM U-35. Her crew survived.

J. L. Luckenbach (United States): The ocean liner was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean by SM U-62. She was escorted to Le Havre, Seine-Maritime, France by the destroyer USS Nicholson. Subsequently repaired and returned to service.

Martha (Denmark): The barque was shelled and sunk in the North Sea (61°12′N 2°10′W) by SM UB-66. Her ten crew took to the lifeboats but were not rescued.

HMS Orama (Royal Navy): The armed merchant cruiser was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (48°00′N 9°20′W) by SM U-62 with the loss of five crew. Three hundred and five survivors were rescued by USS Jacob Jones.

Parkhaven (Netherlands): The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 15 nautical miles (28 km) off the Noord Hinder Lightship (Netherlands) (52°16′N 2°46′E) by SM U-53.

Pera (United Kingdom): The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 105 nautical miles (194 km) east by north of Marsa Susa, Libya (37°16′N 24°00′E) by SM UB-48 with the loss of a crew member.

Renard (French Navy): The naval trawler struck a mine and sank in the Atlantic Ocean south east of Ouessant, Finistère (48°28′N 4°58′W) with the loss of eleven of her crew. Survivors were rescued by 260 (French Navy).

Slavonic (Russia): The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Lerwick, Shetland Islands, United Kingdom.

Staro (Norway): The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (45°00′N 12°07′W) by SM U-22. Her crew survived.

Teespool (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was damaged in the English Channel 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) south east of Dartmouth, Devon by SM UB-38 with the loss of four of her crew. She was beached but was later refloated.

Waikawa (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) east north east of Start Point, Devon by SM UB-31. Her crew survived.

War Clover (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 25 nautical miles (46 km) east north east of Pantellaria, Italy (37°00′N 12°35′E) by SM U-64 with the loss of fourteen crew.

Wellington (United Kingdom): the cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the English Channel 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) south south east of Portland Bill by SM UB-40. She was taken in tow by HMT Flo Johnson and beached at Portland. Later repaired and returned to service.

[Catfish]

October 19, 1917
Western Front

13 Zeppelins raid east and north-east England and London; 5 brought down. Larger type of Zeppelin used; 36 killed, 55 injured.

11 Zeppelins of the intended 13 started, two remained in their sheds in Nordholz due to bad weather. The so-called "silent raid" cost the german Navy 5 Zeppelins, but 4 were brought down by bad weather (one due to engine problems), not enemy fire.

All 11 Zeppelins dropped bombs over London from an altitude of 6000 meters, with minimal damage. From the 73 british planes being launched not one was able to reach this altitude.
The mission was regarded as a fiasko by both sides. The Zeppelins were not able to bomb certain targets because they were being swept around by strong winds, and four were lost due to bad weather; on the other side not one "interceptor" plane was able to reach the attack altitude. Thus the english strategy changed to attack the airships' bases instead.

[Sailor Steve]

October 20, 1917

Western Front

Violent artillery action on Aisne front.



Eastern Front

Islands of Dago and Schilden captured by Germans.

Germans retire to Skuli-Lemburg line 30 miles east of Riga to prepared positions.



Southern Front

Germans report French attack repulsed between Skumbi valley and L. Ochrida (Macedonia).



Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Turkish troops driven across Diala river (Mesopotamia).



Political, etc.

Archbishop of Athens degraded for "Anathema" ceremony of 25 December 1916.

Allies recognise Polish National Committee.



Ship Losses:

Algarve (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 15 nautical miles (28 km) south west of Portland Bill, Dorset by SM UB-38 with the loss of 21 of her crew.

Collegian (United Kingdom): The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 100 nautical miles (190 km) north west by north of Alexandria, Egypt (32°35′N 28°41′E) by SM UB-48. Her crew survived.

Colorado (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 1.5 nautical miles (2.8 km) east of Start Point, Devon by SM UB-31 with the loss of four crew.

Ionian (United Kingdom): The passenger ship struck a mine and sank in the Irish Sea 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) west of St. Govan's Head, Pembrokeshire (51°35′N 4°59′W) with the loss of seven lives.

Leander (Norway): The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 3.5 nautical miles (6.5 km) north north east of Flamborough Head, Yorkshire, United Kingdom by SM UB-57 with the loss of a crew member.

Moyori Maru (Japan): The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 30 nautical miles (56 km) off Cape Barbas, Morocco (22°17′N 17°14′W) by SM U-151.

Nitedal (Norway): The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) east south east of Flamborough Head by SM UB-57 with the loss of twelve crew.

Norden (Sweden): The barque was sunk in the North Sea by SM U-57. The crew of 12 was not rescued.

Snetinden (Norway): The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean north west of Spain (45°35′N 11°10′W) by SM U-22. Her crew survived.

HMT Thomas Stratten (Royal Navy): The naval trawler struck a mine and sank in the Atlantic Ocean off the Butt of Lewis, Outer Hebrides with the loss of eight crew.

Virginia Gentile (Italy): The sailing vessel was scuttled in the Malta Channel by SM UC-25.

HMT Vitality (Royal Navy): The naval trawler struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Lowestoft, Suffolk with the loss of two of her crew.



Air War:

Production Fokker Dr.Is begin arriving at Jastas:
104/17 - Jasta 10
105/17, 106/17, 109/17, 110/17, 111/17, 112/17, 113/17, 114/17, 116/17, 118/17 - Jasta 11.

[Sailor Steve]

October 21, 1917

Western Front

Germans make strong attack at Bezonvaux (Verdun).

Saarbrucken bombed by British.

Dunkirk bombed by Germans.



Eastern Front

Russians repel German attempt to land eight miles north of Verder Peninsula (Riga).

Germans land on Russian mainland at Verder.

Germans claim 20,000 prisoners and 100 guns in last nine days' fighting.



Southern Front

Considerable artillery activity on Italian front.

Monastir shelled again.



Naval and Overseas Operations

Russian fleet escapes north out of Moon Sound.

Ostend bombarded by British ships.



Political, etc.

Russian Soviet's Peace Terms issued.



Ship Losses:

Anglo Dane (Denmark): The coaster struck a mine and sank in the North Sea 0.75 nautical miles (1.39 km) off the Bressay Lighthouse, Shetland Islands, United Kingdom with the loss of a crew member.

Bunty (United Kingdom): The tug struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Whitby, Yorkshire with the loss of five of her crew.

Flynderborg (Denmark): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) south east of the Bressay Lighthouse by SM UC-40. Her crew survived.

Gryfevale (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 10 nautical miles (19 km) off Cap Blanc, Mauritania (21°08′N 17°04′W) by SM U-151. Her crew survived.

HMS Marmion (Royal Navy): The Admiralty M-class destroyer collided with HMS Tirade (Royal Navy) and sank off the Shetland Islands.

SMS T66 (Kaiserliche Marine): The S66-class torpedo boat struck a mine and was damaged in the North Sea off the Belgian coast. She was consequently found to be a total loss.

Tom Roper (United Kingdom): The topsail schooner was scuttled in the English Channel 20 nautical miles (37 km) south south east of Start Point by SM UC-79 with the loss of a crew member.

[Sailor Steve]

October 22, 1917

Western Front

Franco-British advance on 2.5-mile front between Poelcapelle (Ypres) and Houthulst Forest, southern end of Forest captured, 200 prisoners.



Eastern Front

On the night of 21-22 October Germans retire on wide front between Riga Bay and River Dvina.



Southern Front

Italians repulse strong Austro-German attack on Cadore front (Dolom).



Political, etc.

Petrograd Soviet hold stormy meeting; Trotsky demands peace; accuses Kerenski of treason; defence of Petrograd arranged.

U.S.A. begin appropriation of raw material for war purchased and stored by Germans in U.S.A. during first two years of war.



Ship Losses:

HMS C32 (Royal Navy): The C-class submarine ran aground in the Gulf of Riga and was scuttled.

Novillo (Denmark): The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 8 nautical miles (15 km) north of Scarborough, Yorkshire, United Kingdom by SM UB-57 with the loss of four crew.

Zillah (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Barents Sea 25 nautical miles (46 km) north east of Kildin Island, Russia by SM U-46 with the loss of eighteen crew.



Air War:

1625 German ace Max von Müller, flying an Albatros D.V, claims two Sopwith Pups shot down for victories 28 and 29. 2nd Lt George Cowie, in B1782, is killed. Lt Percy Goodbehere, in B1834, is wounded and taken prisoner. In his post-war report Goodbehere will claim that the two Pups collided, leaving some controversy: Did they indeed collide, and von Müller claim them both falsely. Did he feel justified in his claimes, since he was in combat with both of them? Or did Goodbehere lie about the collision, since would look better to posterity than two pilots in very maneuverable planes being shot down by a single German? Just more questions that will never be answered.

1630 German pilot Waldemar Janssen, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Sopwith Pup for his only victory.

Italian ace Francesco Baracca, in a SPAD VII, shoots down two DFW C.Vs for victories 20 and 21.

French pilot S/Lt Le Tanlay, in a single-seat Sopwith 1½ Strutter, lands on the German side of the lines, apparantly with engine trouble, and taken prisoner.

[Sailor Steve]

October 23, 1917

Western Front

Great French Victory on the Aisne, north-east Soissons; French advance up to two miles on six mile front, capture 8,000 prisoners, 70 guns.

Germans gain footing north-east Hill 344 (Verdun) but driven out.

Germans regain a little ground southern end Houthulst Forest (Ypres).

German attack near Poelcapelle repulsed.

In evening Germans' seventh counter-attack on Ypres front since 22nd repulsed.



Eastern Front

Attempted German landing eight miles south of Verder repulsed.

North-east of Riga, Germans retire 20 miles in two days, destroying bridges.



Southern Front

Strong hostile concentration towards Upper Isonzo and Bainsizza Plateau; Mt. Rombon to Bainsizza heavily shelled.



Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Turkish troops approaching Smarra (north-west Baghdad) repulsed by British.



Political, etc.

M. Ribot resigns, succeeded as Foreign Minister by M. Barthou.

Mr. Redmond's motion on Irish Government.



Ship Losses:

Capo di Monte (Italy): The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 100 nautical miles (190 km) west of Heraklion, Crete, Greece (34°53′N 19°50′E) by Austro-Hungarian SM U-14.

HMT Earl Lennox (Royal Navy): The naval trawler struck a mine and sank south of Islay Sound (55°45′N 5°57′W) with the loss of seven crew.

Perim (United Kingdom) The cargo ship collided with another British merchant ship and sank in the Mediterranean Sea off Barcelona, Spain.

Seistan (United Kingdom): The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 3.5 nautical miles (6.5 km) north by west of Flamborough Head, Yorkshire (54°09′N 0°08′W) by SM UB-57 with the loss of five of her crew.

Tredegar Hall (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 4.5 nautical miles (8.3 km) east south east of Flamborough Head by SM UB-57 with the loss of three of her crew.



Air War:

1630 Austrian ace Frank Linke-Crawford, flying Austro-Albatros D.III 153.11, shoots down a Pomilio PE for victory number 7.

1700 French pilot MdL Barancy, in a SPAD, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 2.

1730 German pilot Hans Fritzsche, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 3. This is Fritzsche's last aerial victory. After April 9, 1918 he disappears from the records.

1740 German pilot Fritz Kieckhäfer, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Belgian-flown RE.8 for victory number 5. S/Lt H.W. van Geel and Sgt E.L. Herman are both killed.

German pilot Karl Mendel, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a two-seat SPAD XI for victory number 2.

[Sailor Steve]

October 24, 1917

Western Front

French reach banks of Oise-Aisne Canal; 11,000 prisoners to date.

Germans attack Chaume Wood (Verdun) repulsed.

German attack repulsed Houthulst Forest (Ypres).



Eastern Front

Russians begin to evacuate Kronstadt.

Russian advance to Dvina 30 miles south-east Riga.



Southern Front

Austro-Germans attack in thick fog on 20-mile front, breaking through 2nd Italian Army at Tolmino, Caporetto and Plezzo; 10,000 prisoners.



Ship Losses

Franklin (United Kingdom): The ship capsized off The Mumbles, Glamorgan with the loss of four of her thirteen crew. Survivors were rescued by the pilot cutter Beaufort (United Kingdom). The wreck was raised in April 1918[181]

Gallia (Italy): The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel 24 nautical miles (44 km) west north west of Portland Bill, Dorset, United Kingdom by SM UB-40. Her crew survived.

Ilderton (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Barents Sea 35 nautical miles (65 km) north east of Kildin Island, Russia (69°46′N 35°24′E) by SM U-46 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Novington (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the North Sea 25 nautical miles (46 km) east of Bard Island, Shetland Islands by SM UC-40. She was beached but was later refloated.

Ulfsborg (Denmark): The cargo ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay (46°03′N 1°43′W) by SM UC-63 with the loss of seventeen of her crew.

Woron (Russia): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 25 nautical miles (46 km) north east of Lerwick, Shetland Islands by SM UC-40.

[Sailor Steve]

October 25, 1917



Western Front

Germans gain footing north of Chaume Wood (Verdun).

Further French advance on Aisne front; Filain captured; 160 guns taken since 23rd.



Eastern Front

German attempt to consolidate on Verder Peninsula frustrated.



Southern Front

Italians retreat from Plezzo to south-west of Tolmino and prepare to evacuate Bainsizza Plateau.

Germans claim 30,000 prisoners and 300 guns.



Naval and Overseas Operations

German ships from Moon Sound bombard Kuno Island near Pernau (Riga).



Political, etc.

Fall of Boselli Cabinet in Italy.

Franco-British convention for Military Service.

Sinn Fein convention in Dublin.



Ship Losses

SMS A32 (Kaiserliche Marine) The A25-class torpedo boat ran aground and sank in the Baltic Sea.

Erviken (Norway): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) south east of Cabo de Gata, Spain by SM U-64 with the loss of a crew member.

Euston (United Kingdom): The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 37 nautical miles (69 km) south west of Cape Matapan, Greece (35°33′N 21°48′E) by SM UC-34 with the loss of a crew member.

Fannie Prescott (United States): The schooner was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 50 nautical miles (93 km) south of Cape Cantin, Morocco by SM U-35. Lothar von Arnauld de la Perièr's score is now 182 ships and 395,645 tons.

Gefion (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) north east of Berry Head, Devon by SM UB-40 with the loss of two of her crew.

Ness (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 10 nautical miles (19 km) south east of Cabo de Gata by SM U-64 with the loss of two of her crew.

Sheaf Blade (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 13 nautical miles (24 km) south east by south of Cabo de Gata by SM U-64 with the loss of two of her crew.

Wearside (United Kingdom): The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) off the Sunk Lightship. Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

October 26, 1917



Western Front

Franco-British attack east, north-east and north of Ypres.

British positions improved from Passchendaele to Poelcapelle.

French capture Draibank; bad weather.



Southern Front

Bainsizza Plateau evacuated. Germans claim 60,000 prisoners and 500 guns.



Naval and Overseas Operations

German squadron bombards Khainash, 40 miles south of Pernau (Riga). Transports appear 12 miles further south.



Political, etc.

Brazil declared in a state of War with Germany.



Ship Losses:

Le Tarn (France): The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea east of Oran, Algeria (36°15′N 0°03′W) by SM U-64. Her crew survived.

Sapele (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 100 nautical miles (190 km) north west of Tory Island, County Donegal (55°56′N 11°00′W) by SM U-104 with the loss of three crew.

SMS T65 (Kaiserliche Marine): The S7-class torpedo boat struck a mine and sank in the Baltic Sea.

[Sailor Steve]

October 27, 1917



Western Front

French progress on Aisne front, occupy Froidmont Farm, fail to cross Canal.

French and Belgians advance astride Ypres-Dixmude road.

U.S.A. troops in action.



Eastern Front

Germans retire from Verder Peninsula (Riga).

Germans again attempt to fraternise with Russians North and Centre.



Southern Front

Cividale (west of Isonzo) in flames and occupied by Germans, who claim 80,000 prisoners.



Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British cavalry in action in centre of Gaza front (Palestine).



Political, etc.

U.S.A. infantry and artillery in action in France for first time.

Army brings about fall of Cabinet in Spain.

Polish Regency Council takes office.



Ship Losses:

D.N. Luckenbach (United States): The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (46°34′N 8°34′W) by SM U-93 with the loss of five of her crew.

Lady Helen (United Kingdom): The coaster was sunk in the North Sea off Robin Hood's Bay, Yorkshire by SM UB-34 with the loss of seven of her crew.

HMT Strymon (Royal Navy): The naval trawler struck a naval mine and sank in the North Sea off the Shipwash Lightship (51°37′N 0°48′E) with the loss of eleven of her crew.

[Sailor Steve]

October 28, 1917



Western Front

French attack on Oise-Aisne Canal and German counter-attack both fail.

German attack in Champagne repulsed.

French continue progress in Belgium.

Germans gain footing from Chaume Wood to Bezonvaux (Verdun).



Southern Front

Italian 2nd and 3rd Armies retreat.

Italians retreat from Carnia front.

Austrians occupy Gorizia and eight miles further west.

Germans claim 100,000 prisoners.



Political, etc.

U.S.A. second Liberty Loan: $1,000,000,000 has been subscribed.

Count Luxburg's plot to invade southern Brazil.

Sig. Orlando Italian Prime Minister.



Ship Losses:

Baron Balfour (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Barents Sea 8 nautical miles (15 km) north of Sem Island, Russia by SM U-46. Her crew survived.

Baron Garioch (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) south east of Anvil Point, Dorset (50°36′N 1°43′W) by SM UC-63 with the loss of two of her crew.

Ferrona (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was scuttled in the Mediterranean Sea 7 nautical miles (13 km) north east of Valencia, Spain (39°28′N 0°10′W) by SM U-64 with the loss of a crew member.

USAT Finland (United States Army): The troopship was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean 150 nautical miles (280 km) off Brest, Finistère, France (46°21′N 6°30′W) by SM U-93 with the loss of nine of her crew.

Marc Fraissinet (France): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 15 nautical miles (28 km) north of Tabarka, Tunisia (37°01′N 8°37′E) by SM UB-50 with the loss of a crew member.

Redesmere (United Kingdom): The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 6 nautical miles (11 km) west south west of St. Catherine's Point, Isle of Wight by SM UB-40 with the loss of nineteen of her crew.

Senegal (Italy): The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea south of Sardinia (37°58′N 8°57′E) by SM UB-50 with the loss of two of her crew.



Air War:

1220 Canadian RNAS ace Roy Brown, flying Sopwith Camel B6617, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 6.

1230 Australian RFC pilot Andrew King Cooper, in DH.5 A9232, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 1.

1230 Scottish RFC ace pilot David Hall and Irish ace observer Edward Hartigan, in DH.4 7568, shoot down an Albatros D.V. Victory number 6 for Hall and number 5 for Hartigan.

1325 German ace Rudolf Wendelmuth, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 12.

1705 German ace Julius Buckler, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down RE.8 A4426 for victory number 20. 2nd Lt E.H. Kier and Cpt C.W.C. Wasey are both killed.

[Sailor Steve]

October 29, 1917



Eastern Front

Enemy attack repulsed in Riga areas, Janinzen to Skuli.



Southern Front

Germans capture Udine, former Italian G.H.Q.

Austrians drive Italians back along Carnia front.



Naval and Overseas Operations

General Northey captures Liwale; Germans driven south-east.



Political, etc.

Parliament's thanks voted to Navy and Army.



Ship Losses:

Marne (France): The coaster was sunk in the English Channel 25 nautical miles (46 km) north east of Barfleur, Manche (50°30′N 1°20′W) by SM UC-63.

Namur (United Kingdom): The passenger ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 55 nautical miles (102 km) east by south of Gibraltar (36°00′N 4°15′W) by SM U-35 with the loss of a crew member.

La Epoca (Uruguay): The barque was scuttled in the Bay of Biscay 30 nautical miles (56 km) south west of the Cordouan Lighthouse, Gironde, France by SM U-93.



Air War:

Three German Luftstreitkräfte bombers set out for the first heavier-than-air raid on England in four weeks. Two divert to Calais, France, due to bad weather; the third reaches England and bombs the Essex coast.

French 5-victory ace Paul Rodde is killed in a flying accident.

[Sailor Steve]

October 30, 1917



Western Front

British attack in bad weather at Ypres from Poelcapelle to Passchendaele; enter latter but are driven back to outskirts. Five German counter-attacks repulsed.

Saarbrucken and Pirmasens bombed by British.



Southern Front

Italians fall back towards the River Tagliamento.



Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Major-General L. J. Bols succeeds Major-General Sir A. Lynden Bell as C.G.S. in Palestine.



Political, etc.

Sig. Orlando forms new Italian Cabinet.

Mr. Balfour on the Balkans.



Ship Losses:

Liff (Norway): The cargo ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay 70 nautical miles (130 km) west of Penmarc'h, Finistère, France (47°37'N 5°13'W) by SM U-93. Her crew survived.



Air War:

0620 Two RFC SPAD pilots share a victory over a DFW C.V:
John Dartnell De Pencier, Canada, SPAD XIII B6071, victory number 1.
Claude Thompson, Australia, SPAD VII B3498, victory number 4.

0845-0925 Irish RFC pilot Walter Alexander Tyrrell, in DH.5 B4916, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

0945 German ace Bruno Loerzer, in Albatros D.V 2299/17, shoots down Nieuport 27 B3627 for victory number 20. 2nd Lt E.D. Scott is killed.

0950 English pilot Arthur Hicks Peck and observer John Williams, in Bristol F.2b 7194, shoot down a German two-seater. Victory number 1 for Peck, number 3 for Williams.

1010 Four French pilots from two different escadrilles share a victory over a DFW C.V:
Marius Jean Paul Elzeard Ambrogi, Nieuport 17, victory number 1.
Adj Bordes, Nieuport 17, number 2.
Adj Dupres, SPAD, number 1.
Brig Planiol, SPAD, number 1.
(Vfw Leonhard Endress and Ltn Lehnerer are taken prisoner)

1235 German ace Ernst Hess, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Letord bomber for victory number 17.

1614 German 39-victory ace Heinrich Gontermann is killed when the top wing of Fokker Dr.I 115/17 collapses while performing aerobatics.

French pilot Georges Blanc, in a SPAD, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 5. Ltn Anton Warmuth is killed.
(This is Blanc's last aerial victory. He will survive the war and live until 1960)

French pilot Fernand Bonneton, in an unlisted aircraft flying in Romania, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 2.

French SPAD pilots Pierre de Cazenove de Pradines and Henri Péronneau share a victory over a German two-seater. Number 5 for de Cazenove de Pradines, number 2 for Péronneau.

Three French Nieuport pilots share a victory over a German two-seater:
Gustave Daladier, victory number 4.
Fernand Eugene Guyou, number 1.
Adj Vieljeux, number unknown.

French pilot Omer Demeuldre, in a SPAD, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 3.

German pilot Wolfgang Güttler, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 5.

German pilot Alfred King, in a Pfalz D.III, shoots down a Nieuport 24bis for victory number 2. Cpl H. Fabre is listed as Missing.

French pilot Sgt Lignereaux and observer Lt Mangematin, in a Sopwith 1½ Strutter, shoot down an attacking Albatros D.III. Victory number 1 for both.

German observer Gottfried Ehmann, riding in a two-seater with a pilot named Warda, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 1.

[Sailor Steve]

October 31, 1917



Western Front

Aeroplane raid on Kent and Dover: no damage. Another raid at night on Kent, Essex and London; 10 killed, 22 injured.



Eastern Front

German attempts at fraternisation met with artillery fire.



Southern Front

2nd and 3rd Italian Armies withdrawn behind River Tagliamento.

Germans claim over 180,000 prisoners and 1,500 guns.



Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

The Third Battle of Gaza begins. The Brtitish goal is to capture Jerusalem by Christmas.

British capture Beersheba, with 1,800 Turks and 9 guns.



Political, etc.

Dr. Michaelis resigns German Chancellorship; latter offered to Count Hertling.



Ship Losses

Cambric (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 14 nautical miles (26 km) west of Cape Cherchell, Spain by SM U-35 with the loss of 24 crew.

Estrellano (United Kingdom): Convoy T 340: The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay 14 nautical miles (26 km) west by north of the Île du Pilier, Vendée, France (47°04'N 2°40'W) by SM UC-71 with the loss of three of her crew. Survivors were rescued by La Batailleuse ( French Navy).

Evangelistra (Greece): The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea east of Crete (35°49'N 24°05'E) by SM UC-37.

North Sea (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 2.5 nautical miles (4.6 km) south west of Prawle Point, Devon by SM UC-65 with the loss of a crew member.

Phare (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 2.5 nautical miles (4.6 km) north of Scarborough, Yorkshire by SM UB-35 with the loss of fourteen of her crew.

South Bay (United States): The dredger foundered in the Atlantic Ocean off Tampico, Florida.



Air War:

Idflieg bi-monthly report on German fighters operating at the front at the end of October 1917:

Albatros:
D.I----9
D.II---11
D.III-446
D.V---526
D.Va---53

Fokker:
Dr.I----17

Halberstadt:
D.I----2
D.II---3
D.III--7
D.V----5

Hannover:
CL.II--19

LFG Roland:
D.II----2
D.IIa---6

Pfalz:
D.III-145

Twenty-two Gotha Bombers attempt a raid on London on the night of October 30-31, using a new incindiary bomb. About half of them reach London but many of the new bombs fail to explode. The remaining planes bomb Kent, but they only succeed in destroying one gas storage tank. Five of the bombers crash when landing.

0820 German ace Heinrich Bongartz, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 18.

0840 Heinrich Bongartz scores his second kill of the day, shooting down a SPAD VII for number 19.

0845 German pilot Harry von Bülow-Bothkamp, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a SPAD VII for victory number 2.
(Two SPAD VIIs are shot down in this fight: B1565, 2nd Lt N.H. Kemp taken prisoner; B3351, 2nd Lt R.M. Smith also captured.)

1020 Canadian RFC pilot Albert Desbrisay Carter, in SPAD XIII B3498, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 1.

1115 German pilot Hermann Becker, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 3.

1130 German ace Julius Buckler, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down Armstrong-Whitworth FK.8 for victory number 23. 2nd Lt W. Davidson and Lt W Crowther are both killed.

1230 German ace Kurt Wüsthoff, in an OAW-built Albatros D.III, shoots down SE.5 B8474 for victory number 23. 2nd Lt E.W. Powell is killed.

1310 German ace Hans Bethge, in a Pfalz D.III, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 18.
(Two RE.8s were shot down this day: 4214, Cpt W.A.L. Poundall and 2nd Lt E. Ripley both killed; 3827, Lt W.L.O. Parker and AM1 H.L. Postons both killed.)

1340 Albert Carter scores his second kill of the day, shooting down an Albatros D.V for victory number 2.

1440-1620 Canadian RFC ace Reginald Hoidge, in SE.5a B506, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 27.

1510 English RFC pilot Thomas Stephenson and observer Sidney Platel flying Bristol F.2b A7235, are credited with two Albatros D.Vs, victories 4 and 5 for both. Sometime later they are shot down. Stephenson lands safely but Platel has a toe shot off, a wound which will put him out for the rest of the war. British sources credit their downing to Hans Bethge, but German sources do not, leaving their victor unknown.

1610 Heinrich Bongartz scores his third victory of the day, shooting down an SE.5 for number 20.

1610 German ace Hans Hoyer, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down an SE.5 for victory number 7.

1620 Julius Buckler scores his second kill of the day, destroying an observation balloon for number 24.

1710 German pilot Viktor Schobinger, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down Bristol F.2b B1109 for victory number 8. 2nd Lt S.W. Randall is killed. 2nd Lt W. de C. Dodd is wounded and captured, later dying from his wounds.

1715 German ace Erwin Böhme, flying Albatros D.V 4578/17, shoots down SE.5a B544 for victory number 21. 2nd Lt George Robert Gray later dies from wounds recieved.

[Jimbuna]

1st November 1917

Western Front

British airmen bomb Kaiserslautern.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Turkish defeat near Gaza; British capture outer defences on a front of 5,000 yards.

Political, etc.

Recruiting taken over by Ministry of National Service.

Russian Premier Kerensky states Russia is spent and that the other Allied countries must shoulder the burden of the war.

Count Hertling becomes Imperial Chancellor.

Ship Losses:

Churchill (United States) The schooner was wrecked on the French Frigate Shoals, in the Pacific Ocean north west of Hawaii.
Falk (Norway) The cargo ship collided with another vessel and sank. Her crew were rescued.
Margam Abbey (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Mediterranean Sea (37°12′N 6°22′E) by SM UB-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew. She was beached at Collo, Algeria but was a total loss.
Marigo (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Crete, Greece (35°30′N 25°43′E) by SM UC-37 (Kaiserliche Marine).
SM UC-63 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UC II submarine was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel off the Goodwin Sands, Kent, United Kingdom (51°23′N 2°00′E) by HMS E52 ( Royal Navy) with the loss of all 26 crew.
Westmann (Denmark) The schooner was wrecked in the Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland. Her crew were rescued.

[Sailor Steve]

November 1, 1917

Air War:

Sometime during this month eight old Fokker D.Is are sent to Turkey.

1225 German pilot Fritz Pütter, flying an Albatros D.II, destroys a French observation balloon from 65° Compagnie d’Aérostières for victory number 4. Adj Maurice Bex parachutes safely.

1226 Fritz Pütter flames a secind balloon, this one from 67° Compagnie d’Aérostières, for victory number 5. S/Lt Fernand Cons and Asp Emile Lenglet are both killed.

1240 French ace Gabriel Guérin, in a SPAD, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft: for victory number 7.

1245 Frenchs pilot Bernard Artigau and Sgt Calamai, both in Nieuports, share a victory over a Rumpler two-seater. Victory number 2 for Artigau, unknown for Calamai. Gefr Josef Kremp and Vfw Josef Leppich are both killed.

1529 German ace Georg Schlenker, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a French Sopwith 1A.2 (1½ Strutter) 3150 for victory number 9. Lt Jean Le Gorju and S/Lt Chauvin are both killed.

1540 German pilot Otto von Breiten-Landenberg, flying an Albatros D.II, shoots down a French Nieuport 24 for victory number 3. Argentina-born Cpl Geronimus Wilmart is killed.

1540 German ace Kurt Student, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Nieuport for victory number 6. This is Student's last aerial victory. He will survive the war and go on to command troops and then Air Divisions in World War 2. He will be indicted for taking extreme reprisals against the population of Crete. He will recieve a fairly light sentence of five years in prison, but was released a year later for medical reasons. Kurt Student will live until 1978.

1645 German pilot Karl Überschaer (or Uberschär - sources vary), in an Albatros D.III on the southern front, shoots down a Pomilio PE for victory number 2.

French pilot Paul Alfred Van Ingelandt, in a Nieuport, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 1.

French pilot Henri Variot, in a Nieuport, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 2. Possible victims are Ltn Freidrich Hahn and Ltn Karl Mangold, killed at about this time.

German pilot Rudolf Windisch, flying Albatros D.V 1055/17, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 4.

[Jimbuna]

2nd November 1917

Western Front

Hostile artillery active east of Ypres.

Big French success on Aisne; Germans retreat from Chemin des Dames on 12.5 mile front.

Southern Front

Italy reorganises her forces behind the Tagliamento; Germans reach east bank of river.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British capture positions north of Beersheba.

Tigris, British rout Turks near Dur, 85 miles above Baghdad.

Naval and Overseas Operations

In Kattegat, British destroyers sink a German auxiliary cruiser and ten armed patrol craft.

Political, etc.

U.S. Treasury Department lends another $435 million to Great Britain, putting the total lent to the Allies at $3.566 billion.

Mr. Balfour's letter to Lord Rothschild, giving Government approval to Zionism, published.

Ship Losses:

Acary (Brazil) The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged at São Vicente, Cape Verde Islands, Portugal by SM U-151 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was beached but was declared a constructive total loss.
Bur (Sweden) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea whilst in convoy 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) east of the Spurn Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM UB-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
Cape Finisterre (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 1 nautical mile (1.9 km) south south east of The Manacles, Cornwall (50°02′N 5°01′W) by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 35 of her crew.
HM CMB-11 (Royal Navy) The Coastal Motor Boat was lost on this date.
Farraline (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 15 nautical miles (28 km) north east of Ouessant, Finistère, France (48°40′N 4°55′W) by SM UC-69 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Guahyba (Brazil) The cargo ship was sunk of São Vicente, Cape Verde Islands by SM U-151 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Jessie (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was shelled and damaged in the North Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) north east of Flamborough Head, Yorkshire by SM UB-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four of her crew. She was beached but was declared a total loss.
Maria di Porto Salvo (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea south of Sardinia by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Rochester (United States) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 300 nautical miles (560 km) west of Tory Island, County Donegal, United Kingdom (55°17′N 17°44′W) by SM U-95 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 23 of her crew.
San Francesco di Paola G. (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea south of Sardinia by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

https://i.imgur.com/h6oQRWw.jpg

[Sailor Steve]

November 2, 1917

Air War:

All Fokker Dr.Is are grounded by Idflieg pending investigation into the cause of several fatal crashes.

The only air fighting this day is on the Southern (Italian) Front.

1010 German ace Bernhard Ultsch, flying an Albatros D.III, destroys an Italian observation balloon for victory number 7.

1515 German pilot Ludwig Gaim, in an Albatros D.III, ahoots down an Hanriot HD.I for victory number 3.

1600 German pilot Fritz Schröder, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down an Hanriot HD.I for his only victory.

1608 German pilot Fritz Zogmann, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down an Hanriot HD.I for his only victory.

[Mr Quatro]

Very interesting support before the US got into the war and the declaration would only work if all of the allies agreed.

The law will covered later in your thread of course, but President Wilson said no at first and later changed his mind. It would take 30 years to put this desire for the Jewish people to have a homeland.

The Balfour Declaration is made, where the British government announces support for a homeland for the Jewish people:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DNpoBc2XkAEPyoe.jpg

[Jimbuna]

3rd November 1917

Western Front

Skirmishing activity round Ypres.

French push forward in region of Corbeny and reach south bank of Ailette river.

Eastern Front

German and Russian soldiers fraternise on northern front.

Southern Front

German pressure on Tagliamento increases.

French troops arrive.

West of L. Garda Germans make strong attacks on Italian advanced posts.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Operations against Gaza continued.

Naval and Overseas Operations

In East Africa British and Belgian forces make good progress; drive German detachments eastward.

German submarine SM UC-65, credited with sinking 105 ships during its career, is sunk by British submarine HMS C15.

Ship Losses:

HMT Deliverer (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine and sank in the Irish Sea off the Bailey Lighthouse, Howth, County Dublin with the loss of all hands.
Essichia (Greece) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea east of Crete (35°53′N 27°25′E) by SM UC-37 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Nefeli (Greece) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea west of Crete (34°57′N 22°16′E) by SM UC-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
SM UC-65 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UC II submarine was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea (50°31′N 0°27′E) by HMS C15 ( Royal Navy) with the loss of all 26 crew.

[Sailor Steve]

November 3, 1917

Air War:

German pilot Hans-Eberhardt Gandert, flying an unidentified aircraft on the Romanian Front as head of the Single-Seater escort division of FA 24, destroys a Russian observation balloon for victory number 1.

[Jimbuna]

4th November 1917

Western Front

Raiding on Ypres and Arras fronts.

Artillery active north of Chaume Wood (Verdun).

French consolidate new positions along Chemin des Dames.

Southern Front

British troops arrive in Italy.

Political, etc.

Mr Lloyd George and M. Painleve leave for Italy.

General Tumanov succeeds M. Verkhovski as Russian Minister of War.

Ship Losses:

Antaeus (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 42 nautical miles (78 km) north by west of Cape Bon, Algeria by SM UB-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but her captain was taken as a prisoner of war.
Border Knight (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 1.5 nautical miles (2.8 km) east south east of The Lizard, Cornwall (49°58′N 5°09′W) by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
USS Empress (United States Navy) The barge sank on this date.
SMS G37 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Großes Torpedoboot 1913-class torpedo boat struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Walcheren, Zeeland, Netherlands with the loss of four of her 83 crew.
Gimle (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) south east of Scarborough, Yorkshire, United Kingdom by SM UB-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Irina (Russia) The cargo ship was sunk in the Barents Sea east of the Kola Peninsula by SM U-46 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Longwy (France) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 8 nautical miles (15 km) east of the Copeland Islands, County Down, United Kingdom (55°20′N 5°10′W) by SM UC-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 38 of her crew.
Lyra (Norway) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 63 (Karsten von Heydebreck) and sank in the North Sea 8 nautical miles (15 km) north east of Spurn Point, Yorkshire, United Kingdom. Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

November 4, 1917

Air War:

1045 German ace Fritz Kieckhäfer, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 7.

1455 German pilot Helmuth Contag, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down an SE.5 for victory number 3.

[Jimbuna]

5th November 1917

Southern Front

Enemy cross Tagliamento north of Pinzano, capture many prisoners.

Pressure on Italian left wing intensified.

British and French troops arrive in Italy.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British carry Turkish line of defences between Gaza and Beersheba.

Sir S. Maude routs Turks at Tekrit (Tigris).

Political, etc.

British Premier Lloyd George and high military officials leave for Italy in response to the devastating Central Powers offensive.

Correspondence of British and German Governments re: alleged misuse of British hospital ships issued as White Paper (Cd. 8692).

Ship Losses:

USS Alcedo (United States Navy) The naval yacht was torpedoed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay (47°23′N 4°44′W) by UC-71 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 21 of her 94 crew.
Amberton (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Mediterranean Sea north of Cape Bon, Algeria (37°19′N 8°41′E) by SM UB-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was beached at La Calle and was not refloated until December 1919.
Caterina (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Crete, Greece (35°44′N 27°22′E) by SM UC-37 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Hilda R. (United Kingdom) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south east of Cape St. Vincent, Portugal by SM U-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of one of her six crew. Three survivors reached land in their lifeboat, the other two were rescued by SM U-63.
Kai (Denmark) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean south east of Cape St. Vincent (36°22′N 8°03′W) by SM U-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

November 5, 1917

Air War:

1245 German ace Kurt Wüsthoff, flying an OAW-built Albatros D.III, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 24.

1250 German ace Paul Bäumer, in an Albatros D.V (possibly 4409/17), shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 7.

1300 Kurt Wüsthoff scores his second kill of the day, shooting down another Sopwith Camel for number 25.

1437 German pilot Walter Blume, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 6.

Austrian ace Frank Linke-Crawford, in Austrian Albatros D.III 153.11, shoots down two Macchi L3 flying boats for victories 8 and 9.

[Jimbuna]

6th November 1917

Western Front

British attack launched at dawn on Ypres ridge.

Canadians capture Passchendaele.

End of Third Battle of Ypres.

Eastern Front

Limited fighting on Russian fronts.

Southern Front

Italians again in retreat; they abandon the Tagliamento; enemy troops reach Maniago.

Renewed German attacks in Trentino.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

General Allenby captures Khuweilfesh, 11 miles north of Beersheba.

General Maude occupies Tekrit.

Political, etc.

Conference at Rapallo (near Genoa) between Allied statesmen and generals on critical situation in Italy.

War aims debate in House of Commons.

Russian government troops raid the offices of Bolshevik newspaper Pravda, run by Joseph Stalin, and destroy its printing presses.

Ship Losses:

Benor (Russia) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south of Ireland by SM UB-62 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Emil (Sweden) The wooden brig was last heard from departing West Hartlepool bound for Uddevalla. Swedish official history on war losses put the likely cause as being a drifting mine, many of which were reported at this time. Eight casualties.
HMS Peveril (Royal Navy) The Q-ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (35°44′N 6°48′W) by SM U-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.

[Sailor Steve]

November 6, 1917

Air War:

0820 German ace Paul Bäumer, flying Albatros D.V 4409/17, shoots down an unidentified Sopwith for victory number 8. This may have been 2nd Lt Francis Gartside-Tippinge, who was killed this morning.

0840 Canadian RFC pilot William James Arthur Duncan, in SE.5a B512, shoots down a DFW C.V for victory number 1.

0845 German pilot Richard Plange, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 1.

0846 German pilot Gottfried Strumpf, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Nieuport 27 B6779 for victory number 1. 2nd Lt H.G. Downing is killed. This is Strump's only aerial victory. He survives the war but nothing seems to be known of his later life.

0850 German ace Hans von Adam, in Albatros D.V 5222/17, shoots down an unidentified Sopwith for victory number 21.

0930 German ace Max von Müller, flying an Albatros D.V, claims a victory over a SPAD. Various times are given for the even, and the location given by von Müller is nowhere near any confirmed Allied losses this day. The Allies only lost one SPAD, and it was likely Bäumer's. Despite the lack of any corroboration at all, von Müller is awarded victory number 30.

1045 English RFC pilot Arthur Peck and observer John Williams, in Bristol F.2b A7194, shoot down a Rumpler two-seater. Victory number 2 for Peck, number 4 for Williams.

1150 German pilot Gerhard Bassenge, in Albatros D.III 2219/16, shoots down Sopwith Camel B2441 for victory number 2.Lt E.G.S. Gordon is taken prisoner. Bassenge is wounded during this fight.

1150 Paul Bäumer scores his second victory of the day, shooting down Sopwith Camel B2414 for number 9. 2nd Lt E.H. Cutbill is taken prisoner.

1150 German ace Erwin Böhme, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down Sopwith Camel B2408 for victory number 22. Lt William L. Harrison is taken prisoner.

Vfw Weimar (first name not listed), flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Salmson two-seater for victory number 1.

[Jimbuna]

7th November 1917

Western Front

British consolidate new positions at Passchendaele; no German counter-attacks.

Germans attack French at Chaume Wood (Verdun).

Southern Front

Italians in retreat west from Tagliamento reach River Livenza. Germans claim many thousand prisoners.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Capture of Gaza by General Allenby; the troops push on and reach the Wadi Hesi, eight miles north of Gaza. British and French warships co-operate off coast.

Political, etc.

Notes of agreement between U.S.A. and Japan, concerning their interests in China, published.

Maximalist ("Bolshevik") revolution spreading in Petrograd.

Women win the right to vote in New York State and City in yesterday's election.

Ship Losses:

Obj (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Barents Sea 100 nautical miles (190 km) north east of Vardø, Finnmark by SM U-46 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of all 24 crew.
Padus (Regia Marina) The Padus-class monitor ran aground and sank in the Adriatic Sea off Caorle, Venice.
Suntrap (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 2.5 nautical miles (4.6 km) off Robin Hood's Bay, Yorkshire by SM UB-22 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Villemer (United States) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea by SM UC-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.

[Sailor Steve]

November 7, 1917

Air War:

0720 English RFC pilot Frank Clifford Gorringe, flying Sopwith Camel B5406, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 1.

0810 German ace Paul Bäumer, in an Albatros D.V (possibly 4409/17), shoots down RE.8 A3746 for victory number 10. 2nd Lt A. Gross is wounded and dies later. 2nd Lt B.C.R. Grimwood is killed.

1900 German pilot Erwin Härtl, in an Albatros D.III on the Italian Front, shoots down a Pomilio PE two-seater for victory number 2.

0905 German pilot Ludwig Gaim, in an Albatros D.III on the Italian Front, shoots down a Pomilio PE for victory number 4.

0915 German ace Hermann Göring, in Albatros D.V 2159/17, claims a SPAD shot down. Once again there is no confirmation, but Göring is awarded victory number 16.

Vfw Amschl (no first name given), flying an Albatros D.III on the Italian Front, shoots down a Pomilio PE for victory number 1.

German pilot Eduard Hannemann, in an Albatros D.III on the Italian Front, shoots down a Caproni bomber for victory number 1.

German ace Walter Kypke, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Nieuport scout for victory number 7.

German pilot Rudolf Windisch, in Albatros D.V 1055/17, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 5.

[Sailor Steve]

November 8, 1917



Western Front

Marshal Foch receives German armistice delegates at Rethondes (four miles from Compiegne), refuses request for provisional armistice, terms of armistice to be accepted or refused by 11 am on 11 November.

Allies continue advance: French reach outskirts of Hirson and Mezieres; French and Americans clear heights east of Meuse; British capture Avesnes and Maubeuge, advance towards Mons capturing Conde, cross Scheldt Canal and occupy west part of Tournai.

Over 18,000 prisoners taken by British since 1 November.



Eastern Front

Polish Government informs Austrian Premier that Polish sovereignty has been assumed over Galicia.



Political, etc.

Prince Max of Baden issues proclamation to Germans abroad declaring Germany beaten, and resigns Chancellorship.

Abdication of King of Wurttemberg and Duke Ernest of Brunswick.

Bavarian Republic declared at Munich.

British Minister of Blockade informs neutral countries that transfer of enemy ships to neutrals will not be recognised.



Ship Losses:

Lindhardt (Denmark): The schooner was sunk in the North Sea (60°18'N 4°13'E) by SM UB-63. Her crew survived.

The Marquis (United Kingdom): The coaster was shelled and sunk in the Irish Sea 16 nautical miles (30 km) east south east of Rockabill, County Dublin by SM UC-75. Her ten crew were rescued by Sarah Blanche (Isle of Man).



Air War:

0925 Canadian RFC pilot Albert Carter, flying SPAD XIII B3498, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 3.

0950 German ace Walter von Bülow-Bothkamp, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down SPAD VII B6777 for victory number 25. Lt G.A. Cockburn is killed.

1010 German pilot Hans von Häbler, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down SE.5a B4883 for victory number 4. Cpt P.C. Cowan is killed.

1010 German pilot Fritz Loerzer, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down SE.5a B630 for victory number 5. Lt F.R.C. Cobbold is wounded and taken prisoner.

1010 German pilot Johannes Walter, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 1.

1045 French ace Albert Deullin, flying SPAD VII S401, shoots down a Pfalz D.III for victory number 19.

1300 German pilot Hans Oberländer, in a Pfalz D.III, shoots down DH.4 A7517 for victory number 4. 2nd Lt W.C. Pruden and AM2 J. Conlin are taken prisoner.

1300 English pilot Arthur Peck and observer John Williams, in Bristol F.2b A7194, shoot down an Albatros D.III. victory number 3 for Peck, number 5 for Williams. This is also Williams' last aerial victory. He will survive the war and serve in the Royal Air Force until the 1930s when he will become Chief Constable of Cardiganshire through the end of World War Two. Date of death unknown.

1415 Two RFC SE.5a pilots share a victory over an Albatros D.V:
Frederick Elliott Brown, Canada, B513, number 1.
James Child, England, B562, number 5.

1500 German pilot Werner Dahm, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Bristol F.2b A7283 for victory number 2. 2nd Lt H.G. Robinson and Lt F.B.J. Hammersley are taken prisoner. Dahm will be recorded as scoring two more aerial victories, but the dates are unknown, as are details of his later life.

1505 German ace Heinrich Bongartz, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down Bristol F.2b B1123 for victory number 21. Lt W.G. Meffitt is wounded and taken prisoner. The observer is not listed.

1510 German ace Hans Hoyer, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down SE.5a B4877 for victory number 8. 2nd Lt W.R. Kingsland is taken prisoner.

1510 German ace Theodor Quandt, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down SE.5a B4869 for victory number 8. Lt J.H. Deans is killed.

1515 Irish RFC ace William Molesworth, in Nieuport 27 B6812, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 7.

1600 English RFC pilot James George Coombe, in Nieuport 27 B6821, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 1.

1600 William Molesworth scores his second kill of the day, shooting down a German two-seater for number 8.

1610 German ace Franz Ray, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 8.

1645 German ace Paul Bäumer, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 11.

1650 Paul Bäumer scores his second victory of the day, shooting down another SE.5a for number 12.

[Jimbuna]

9th November 1917

Western Front

Two successful British raids near Fresnoy and Armentieres.

Lively artillery actions along whole front.

Southern Front

Germans force crossing of Livenza river and pursue Italians towards Piave river.

Between Tolmezzo and Gemona, 17,000 Italians are outflanked and surrender.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

General Allenby follows up his victory in Palestine.

Turks in retreat north on Hebron and Jerusalem.

Aviation

First and only flight of the Siemens-Schuckert DDr.I German twin engine, push-pull configuration triplane fighter aircraft. Only one was built, crashing on its first flight.

https://i.imgur.com/knbQlbI.jpg

Political, etc.

Arrival in London of U.S.A. Mission under Colonel House.

Coup d'Etat and fighting in Petrograd; Bolsheviks under Lenin depose Kerenski, who takes to flight.

Revolutionaries announce "an immediate democratic peace" their first objective.

Ship Losses:

Ardglamis (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 125 nautical miles (232 km) west of Cape Spartel, Morocco (35°18′N 8°43′W) by SM U-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Ballogie (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 1.5 nautical miles (2.8 km) north east of Filey, Yorkshire by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 13 of her crew.
Frithjof Eide (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 3.5 nautical miles (6.5 km) east north east of Flamborough Head, Yorkshire by SM UB-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eleven of her crew.
Isabelle (France) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) north west of Flamborough Head (54°13′N 0°13′W) by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of six of her crew.
Rizal (United States) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 9 nautical miles (17 km) off Cape Cavallo, Sardinia, Italy (36°53′N 5°30′E) by SM UB-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

November 9, 1917

Air War:

0845 Australian RFC pilot Andrew Cowper, flying DH.5 A9232, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 2.

1000 Australian RFC pilot Claude Thompson, in a SPAD, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 5. Above The Trenches gives this as A6784, but two different sources say that serial number was a Nieuport 23.

1030 German ace Lothar von Richthofen, in a possibly misidentified Fokker Dr.I, claims a Bristol F.2b. Despite the fact that no Bristols were lost this day von Richthofen is awarded victory number 25 on his own word. Another mystery surrounding this event is the plane von Richthofen was flying. Under the Guns of the German Aces says this was his first victory in a Fokker Dr.I triplane, yet offical records say that all Dr.Is were grounded until the end of the month. No serial number is given for von Richthofen's triplane, and he may well have been flying an Albatros D.V.

1030 Claude Thompson socres his second kill of the day, shooting down another Albatros D.V for victory number 6.

1030 German ace Kurt Wüsthoff, in an OAW-built Albatros D.III, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 26.

1040 German ace Rudolf Francke, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down Sopwith Pup B1757 for victory number 8. 2nd Lt A. Thompson is taken prisoner.

1040 German ace Fritz Loerzer, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Sopwith Camel B6290 for victory number 6. Flt Lt W.S. Margrath is taken prisoner.

1100 Canadian RFC pilot Albart Carter, in SPAD XIII B3498, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 4.

1200 German pilot Wilhelm Schwartz, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 1.

1200 German ace Rudolf Wendelmuth, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 13.

1330 Englsish RNAS pilot Adrian Tonks, flying Sopwith Camel B6256, shoots down a DFW C.V for victory number 3.

1435 English RNAS ace Albert Enstone, in Sopwith Camel B3841, shoots down a DFW C.V for victory number 10.

1530 German ace Josef Jacobs, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a French SPAD for victory number 10. This is probably S/Lt Pierre Constantini, who was taken prisoner at about this time.

1610 Two RFC Sopwith Camel pilots share a victory over an Albatros D.V:
John Aldred, England, B2396, victory number 3.
Lt C. Runnels-Moss, B2423, unknown.

[Jimbuna]

10th November 1917

Western Front

English and Canadian troops make successful attacks along ridge north and north-west of Passchendaele.

Germans repulsed at Chaume Wood by French.

Southern Front

Austrian advance checked on Asiago front; on Upper Piave enemy capture Belluno.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Further advance of General Allenby's forces; Ascalon occupied; fighting near Esdud.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Good progress in East Africa; British troops occupy Ndonda, in Lukuledi valley. Enemy's northern force in retreat from Mahenge.

Political, etc.

To save fuel, U.S. government orders that electrical displays for advertising can only be turned on from 7:45 pm to 11 pm.

Text of Air Force Bill publishes in "Times".

Anti-Bolshevik reaction, troops loyal to Kerenski and Provisional Government march on Petrograd.

Ship Losses:

Lapwing (United Kingdom) The schooner was shelled and sunk in St. George's Channel by SM U-95 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her five crew took to the lifeboats but were not rescued.

[Sailor Steve]

November 10, 1917


Air War:

No aerial activity today.

[Jimbuna]

11th November 1917

Western Front

Heavy rain; enemy artillery active against new positions on Passchendaele ridge.

German repulsed at Hartmannsweilerkopf.

Southern Front

From Belluno Austrians advance down the Piave towards Feltre.

They renew attacks on Asiago Plateau without success.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Turks organise new line of defence covering Jerusalem and Hebron.

Naval and Overseas Operations

German submarine SM "UC-38" torpedoed and sank Royal Navy destroyer HMS "Staunch" and monitor ship HMS "M15" in the Mediterranean Sea, killing 34 sailors in total.

In East Africa two British columns meet at Ndonda, Germans flee to hills near Portuguese border.

Political, etc.

Reports from Petrograd of disorder spreading; Kerenski's forces reach Tsarskoe Selo.

Military cadets in Petrograd launch a counterrevolutionary mutiny, known as the Junker mutiny, against the Bolsheviks, but are quickly crushed due to limited support.

Ship Losses:

Dana (Sweden) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk with the loss of eight of her crew in the North Sea off Flamborough Head, Yorkshire, United Kingdom[46] by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine)
HMS M15 (Royal Navy) The M15-class monitor was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Deir el Belah, Occupied Palestine by SM UC-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 26 of her 69 crew.
Quickstep (United States) The schooner was wrecked at Bacuranao, Cuba. Her crew were rescued.
HMS Staunch (Royal Navy) The Acorn-class destroyer was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Deir el Belah by SM UC-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eight of her 72 crew.
HMT Thuringia (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Youghal, County Cork by SM U-95 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of fourteen of her crew.

[Sailor Steve]

November 11, 1917

Air War:

1220 German ace Max von Müller, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down DH.5 A9439 for victory number 31. Lt Arthur Claydon crashes unharmed on his own side of the lines.

1435 French ace Gabriel Guérin, in a SPAD, shoots down a rumpler two-seater for victory number 8.

1510 English RFC ace pilot Brian Baker and observer Brusce Jackman, in Bristol F.2b A7170, shoot down an Albatros D.III. Victory number 9 for Baker, number 2 for Jackman.

1510 Canadian pilot Norman Craig Millman and English ace observer Thomas Tuffield, in Bristol F.2b B1134, shoot down an Albatros D.V. Victory number 1 for Millman, number 7 for Tuffield.

1510 Brian Baker and Bruce Jackman score their second kill of the day, shooting down another Albatros D.III. Number 10 for Baker, number 3 for Baker.

1440 Irish RFC ace Walter Tyrrell, flying DH.5 B4916, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 2.

1620 English RFC pilot John Candy, in SPAD VII B6773, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 4. Sharing the kill is Lt A.H. Rice in SPAD VII B1581.

German pilot Hnns-Eberhart Gandert, flying an unknown aircraft on the Romanian Front for FA 24, shoots down a Farman for victory number 2.

Austrian pilot Augustin Novak, in Hansa-Brandenburg C.I 129.47 with Ltn H. Happack as observer, shoots down an Italian SAML two-seater for victory number 5. In January 1918 he will become an instructor and survive the war. Further information is unknown.

German pilot Otto Rosenfeld, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Nieuport for victory number 5.

German ace Georg Schlenker, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Nieuport for victory number 10.

[Jimbuna]

12th November 1917

Western Front

Heavy shelling on Ypres front.

Southern Front

Lower Piave Austrians establish bridgehead at Zenson, 20 miles north-east of Venice.

Italians evacuate Fonzaso and mountain positions overlooking the Brenta.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

General Allenby attacks new Turkish position on the Wadi Sugheir, 12 miles north of Ascalon.

Political, etc.

Mr. Lloyd George in Paris on urgent necessity of new Allied War Council.

New scale of voluntary rations.

Russians in London repudiate Leninists.

Fighting at Tsarskoe Selo: Trotsky and Lenin claim victory over Kerenski's forces.

Ship Losses:

Anteo (Italy) The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the Tyrrhenian Sea off Livorno, Tuscany. Her crew survived.
Barbary (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 56 nautical miles (104 km) north west of Port Said, Egypt by SM UC-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three of her crew.
Huibertje (Netherlands) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the North Sea 25 nautical miles (46 km) off the Dutch coast by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Morning Star (United Kingdom) The coaster was scuttled in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) south east by east of Barfleur, Manche, France by SM UB-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

November 12, 1917

Air War:

0800 Two RNAS Camel pilots share a victory over a German two-seater:
Sub-Lt A.J. Beattie, B5650, nation and victory number unknown.
George Trapp, Canada, B6341, number 6.

0925 German ace Ludwig Hanstein, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 13.

1035 German pilot Franz Hemer, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 2.

1135 German ace Heinrich Bongartz, in and Albatros D.V, shoots down RE.8 B5086 for victory number 22. 2nd Lt J.A. Higham and AM1 S. Hookway are both wounded.

1210 Two RFC pilots share a victory over an Albatros D.III:
Cecil Frederick King, England, Sopwith Camel B6210, victory number 1.
William McClanachan, Scotland, SE.5a A8913, number 7. This is also McClanachan's last aerial victory. He will survive the war to become a journalist known by the pen name 'McScotch'. There is also some controversy over McClanachan's claim to have been a close friend of Mick Mannnock.

1305 German ace Heinrich Kroll, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 13.

1405 German pilot Vfw Gondermann (no first name listed), in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 1.
(Two Camels were lost at about this time: B2405, Lt K.S. Corrison wounded and taken prisoner; B6342, Lt G.L. Trapp killed.)

1415 Canadian RFC pilot Bernard Beanlands, in DH.5 A9304, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 4.

1545 German ace Julius Buckler, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 25.

1550 English RFC observer Bruce Jackman, riding in Bristol F.2b B1115 with 2nd Lt I.R. Mees as pilot, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 4.

1800 Canadian RFC pilot Frank Quigley, flying Sopwith Camel B2447, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 4.

French pilot François Battesti, in a Nieuport, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 3.

French pilot Henri Péronneau, in a SPAD, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 3.

[Jimbuna]

13th November 1917

Western Front

Concentrated shelling of Ypres and Passchendaele salient by Germans, followed by infantry attack; repulsed by British.

Successful Belgian raid south-east of Nieuport.

German raids near Reims repulsed; they bomb Calais.

Southern Front

Great efforts by Austrians to force the Piave lines guarding Venice; they cross main stream at Zenson and Grisolera; further north they occupy islands in the river.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British troops drive Turks from Wadi Sugheir; take many prisoners and guns. Turks seek refuge behind Wadi Surar, eight miles south of Jaffa.

Political, etc.

President Wilson: “What I am opposed to is not the feeling of pacifists, but their stupidity.”

M. Venizelos arrives in London.

Painleve Ministry resigns after defeat on vote of confidence in Chamber.

Fighting in Moscow and Petrograd between Bolsheviks and followers of Kerenski.

Ship Losses:

Amelie (Belgium) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel 7 nautical miles (13 km) south west of Start Point, Devon, United Kingdom (50°09′N 3°48′W) by SM UC-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Ardmore (United Kingdom) The passenger ship was torpedoed and sunk in St. George's Channel 13 nautical miles (24 km) west south west of the Coningbeg Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM U-95 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of nineteen of her crew.
Atlas (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) south of the Owers Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM UB-56 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Australbus (Australia) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 7 nautical miles (13 km) east of the Eddystone Lighthouse by SM UC-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
Axminster (United Kingdom) The collier struck a mine laid by
UC 4 (Walter Schmitz) and sank in the North Sea off Lowestoft, Suffolk (52°26′N 1°48′E) with the loss of three of her crew.
Axwell (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) west south west of the Owers Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM UB-56 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three of her crew.
Carlo (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in St. George's Channel 7 nautical miles (13 km) south west by west of the Coningbeg Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM U-95 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.

[Sailor Steve]

November 13, 1917

Air War:

1140 Two French SPAD XIII pilots share a victory over an Albatros fighter, model unknown. Uffz Theodor Seffig is taken prisoner.
Marcel Henriot, victory number 2.
George Lienhard, number 1.

1145 Scottish RNAS pilot Colin Peter Brown, in Sopwith Camel B6300, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

1205 German pilot Hans Sakowski, in Albatros D.V 5253/17, is shot down by British anti-aircraft guns and taken prisoner.

1210 English RNAS pilot Herbert Rowley, in Sopwith Triplane N5472, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 5.

1230 Canadian RFC pilot Bernard Beanlands, in DH.5 A9304, is credited with shooting down two Albatros D.IIIs for victories number 5 and 6. Maat Friedrich Heinze of MFJ2 is taken prisoner.

1435 German ace Heinrich Kroll, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 14.

1445 Two RFC pilots share a victory over an Albatros D.V:
John Candy, England, SPAD VII B6773, victory number 5.
Albert Carter, Canada, SPAD XIII B3498, number 5.

1500 Canadian RFC pilot Wilfred Beaver and English observer Cyril Agelasto, in Bristol F.2b B883, ahoot down an Albatros D.V. Victory number 1 for Beaver, number 2 for Agelasto.

1500 English pilot Robert Kirkman and observer Leslie Burbidge, in Bristol F.2b A7253, shoot down an Albatros D.V. Victory number 3 for Kirkman, number 4 for Burbidge.

1510 German ace Harald Auffarth, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith 1½ Strutter for victory number 6.

1515 German pilot Ltn Clauss (no first name given), flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 1.

1420 Four RFC DH.5 pilots share a victory over a German two-seater:
2nd Lt A.L. Cuffie, B4924. nation and victory number unkown.
William Raymond Fish, A9300, victory number unknown. According to the Find A Grave website Fish was an American serving in the RFC. He apparently lived until 1944.
2nd Lt H.C. Leese, B4914, nation and victory number unknown.
Walter Tyrrell, Ireland, B4916, number 3.

1610 English RFC pilot Henry Moody, in Sopwith Camel B6238, claims a Junkers J.I shot down for victory number 4. German records say that no J.I was ever shot down. Moody's report says the enemy aircraft was "Out of control", which often means the pilot under attack through his machine into a spin, convincing the attacking pilot that it was indeed out of control. Possibly Moody really did bring down an armored metal aircraft, possibly not.

1655 German pilot Bruno Justinus, in Albatros D.V 4630/17, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 1. Sub-Lt George Leonard Trapp is killed. Trapp had two brothers who also died in the war. His sister was married to ace Raymond Collishaw.

French pilot Adj Dramard (no first name given), flying a SPAD, claims two "Enemy Aircraft" for victories number 3 and 4.

Italian pilot Mario Fucini, in either a Nieuport or an Hanriot HD.1, shoots down a two-seater for victory number 1.

French pilot Hector Garaud, in a SPAD, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 3.

[Jimbuna]

14th November 1917

Western Front

British improve their line north-west of Passchendaele.

Artillery active in French sector.

Southern Front

Italians make firm stand on whole length of Piave, enemy held everywhere.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

General Allenby continues advance in Palestine; Jerusalem railway reached.

Political, etc.

In House of Commons, Mr. Lloyd George explains Allied War Council.

"Reprisal" Bill against Germans adopted in Brazilian Chamber.

Defeat of Kerenski: civil strife and much confusion in Petrograd.

German Socialists urge Germany to seek peace with the Bolshevik government in Petrograd.

Ship Losses:

Buenaventura (Spain) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea south west of Sicily, Italy by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Dolly Warden (United Kingdom) The sailing vessel was shelled and sunk in the English Channel north west of Le Tréport, Seine-Maritime, France by SM U-58 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMT John Mitchell (Royal Navy) The naval trawler collided with another vessel and sank in the English Channel off the Isle of Wight.
Panaghia (Greece) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea (34°41′N 25°55′E) by SM UC-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Panormitis (Greece) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Serapitra (34°53′N 25°48′E) by SM UC-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Prophet (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Aegean Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) south east of Antikythera, Greece (35°47′N 23°22′E) by SM UC-74 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Trowbridge (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 12 nautical miles (22 km) south east of Cabo De Gata, Almeria, Spain by SM U-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

November 14, 1917

Air War:

Italian pilot Silvio Scaroni, flying a Nieuport 17, shoots down an Austro-Hungarian two-seater for victory number 1.

German pilot Renatus Heydacker, flying an Albatros D.III on the Macedonian front, shoots down a BE.2c for victory number 2. This is Heydacker's last recorded victory. He survives the war but after that the records are lacking.

German pilot Otto Splitgerber, in an Albatros D.III on the Macedonian front, shoots down an Avro 504 for victory number 4.

[Jimbuna]

15th November 1917

Western Front

Enemy attacks north of Menin road and north-east of Passchendaele repulsed.

Southern Front

Italians give ground both sides of the Brenta; enemy capture Cismon. On Lower Piave resistance maintained. Allied reinforcements arrive daily.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

General Allenby advances to within three miles of Jaffa.

Since 31 October over 9,000 prisoners taken.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Further actions on Makonde Plateau (East Africa).

Enemy driven from Chivata; make for Portuguese territory.

Political, etc.

M. Clemenceau accepts office and forms a new Minsstry. Himself Prime Minister and Minister of War, M. Pichon Foreign Minister.

Georgian Nobility declares its property national.

Flight of Kerenski. Bolsheviks in power in Petrograd. Bitter fighting in Moscow, over 4,000 killed.

Ship Losses:

De Dollart (Netherlands) The auxiliary sailing vessel was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of Vigo, Spain by SM U-82 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three of her crew.

[Sailor Steve]

November 15, 1917

Air War:

0740 Canadian RFC pilot Harry Lutz Symons, flying Sopwith Camel B2418, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 1.

0815 RFC pilot Lt J.M. Leach, in Nieuport 27 B6800, shoots down an Albatros D.V. Records are difficult to match, but 21-victory ace Hans von Adam, in 5222/17, was killed at about this time.

0845 German ace Julius Buckler, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down RE.8 A4652 for victory number 26. 2ne Lts W.A. Barnett and G.J. Bakewell are both killed.

0935 English RFC ace Kenneth Montgomery, in Sopwith Camel B3929, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 10. German 8-victory ace Richard Runge is killed at about this time.

0940 Canadian RFC pilot Earl McNabb Hand, in Sopwith Camel B2430 on the Italian front, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

0950 German ace Josef Veltjens, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 9.

1015 Two RFC SPAD VII pilots share a victory over a German two-seater:
Albert Carter, Canada, A8834, victory number 6.
Eric Olivier, England, A6714, number 3.

1055 German pilot Otto Eswein, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Sopwith Camel B2458 for victory number 1. 2nd Lt T.P. Morgan is taken prisoner.

1115 German ace Heinrich Bongartz, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down Nieuport 27 B6800 for victory number 23. Lt J.M. Leach is wounded and taken prisoner.

1155 English RFC ace Philip Fullard, in Nieuport 27 B6789, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 39. German 8-victory ace Hans Hoyer is killed.

1156 Canadian RFC pilot Lumsden Cummings, flying Nieuport 27 B6815, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 4.

1156 Philip Fullard scores his second kill of the day, shooting down another Albatros D.V for number 40. This is Fullard's last aerial victory. He will survive the war, remain in the Royal Air Force and have an active career which will carry him through World War 2. He will retire from the RAF in 1946 and go on to serve as chairman of more than one engineering companuy. Philip Fletcher Fullard will die in 1984 at 86 years of age.

1245 Canadian RNAS ace Wilfred Curtis, in Sopwith Camel B6202, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 10.

1245 Canadian RNAS pilot John Manuel, in Sopwith Camel B3869, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 4.

1250 Scottish RFC pilot Peter Aitken MacDougall, in DH.5 B362, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 1.

1300 English RNAS pilot Hugh Maund, flying Sopwith Camel B6351, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 2. Sharing the kill is Sub-Lt A.M. Alexander in Camel B6344.

1300 English RNAS pilot Frederick Hall, in Sopwith Camel B6320, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 2.

1325 German pilot Kurt Reinhold, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Sopwith Camel B2444 for victory number 1. Lt R. Mayberry is killed.

1330 English RFC pilot Ian Donald Roy McDonald, in DH.5 A9471, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 1.

1515 English RFC pilot George Montague Cox, in Sopwith Camel B2411, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 1.

[Jimbuna]

16th November 1917

Western Front

Intense fighting round Passchendaele. Good air work by Allies behind battle front.

Southern Front

Strong enemy onslaughts on whole Italian front. Italians give ground between Brenta and Piave, are driven from Mt. Prassolan, and retreat to Mt. Grappa. They hold enemy on Lower Piave.

Political, etc.

In the past 16 months, Britain has captured 131,731 prisoners of war, along with 705 artillery guns.

Lord Cowdray resigns Chairmanship of Air Board.

M. Venizelos welcomes at Mansion House.

Ship Losses:

Alfredo Cappellini (Regia Marina) The Alfredo Cappellini-class monitor capsized and sank in the Adriatic Sea off Ancona.
Elza Alexander (Belgium) The cargo ship sank after a collision with HMS P18 ( Royal Navy) in the English Channel off Le Havre, Seine-Maritime, France.
Garron Head (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay 40 nautical miles (74 km) north by east of Bayonne, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France (44°13′N 1°29′W) by SM U-103 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 28 crew.
Gasconia (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 12 nautical miles (22 km) north east of Cape Cherchell, Algeria by SM U-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three crew.
Jules Verne (France) The sailing vessel struck a mine laid by UC 64 (Ernst Müller-Schwarz) and sank in the English Channel off Dieppe, Seine-Maritime.
Kyno (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 9 nautical miles (17 km) north north east of Cape Cherchell by SM U-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of five crew.
Margaret L. Roberts (United States) The three-masted schooner was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean off Madeira, Portugal (33°20′N 19°30′W) by SM U-151 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Naalso (French Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 71 (Reinhold Saltzwedel) and sank in the Bay of Biscay 8 nautical miles (15 km) west north west of the Île d'Yeu, Vendée (46°49′N 2°33′W). All eleven crew were rescued by Baron Daviliers ( French Navy).

[Sailor Steve]

November 16, 1917

Air War:

1215 German pilot Reinhard Treptow, flying a Roland D.IIa on the Macedonian Front, shoots down an Avro 504 two-seater for victory number 5.

German pilot Lt Armbrecht (no first name given), in an Albatros D.V on the Italian Front, destroys an Italian observation balloon for victory number 2. This is also his last aerial victory. Armbrecht apparently survived the war, as of August 1918 he was working directly for Idflieg. Further records are unavailable.

[Jimbuna]

17th November 1917

Western Front

British salient widened on Passchendaele ridge.

Successful raid south of River Scarpe.

Surprise attacks by French south-east of St. Quentin and in Champagne.

Southern Front

Fierce mountain fighting: Germans take Quero and Monte Cornella.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British troops capture Jaffa; Turks again retire north.

Naval and Overseas Operations

In the second Battle of Heligoland Bight, a clash between a British and German squadron ends indecisively, with 1 British light cruiser damaged against 1 German minesweeper sunk and 1 light cruiser damaged.

United States Navy destroyers USS "Fanning" and USS "Nicholson" capture Imperial German Navy U-boat SM "U-58" off the south-west coast of Ireland, the first combat action in which U.S. ships take a submarine (which is then scuttled).

In East Africa British troops pursue enemy and occupy Lutshemi.

Political, etc.

President Wilson and the Cabinet approves plan to force German males over the age of 14 residing in the US to register with the government.

Ship Losses:

SMS A50 (Kaiserliche Marine) The A26-class torpedo boat struck a mine and sank in the North Sea with the loss of eighteen of her crew.
Adolph Andersen (Denmark) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay 6 nautical miles (11 km) off Brest, Finistère, France (48°30′N 4°55′W) by SM UC-77 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
USS Chauncey (United States) The Bainbridge-class destroyer collided with Rose ( United Kingdom and sank in the Atlantic Ocean 110 nautical miles (200 km) west of Gibraltar with the loss of 21 of her 91 crew. Survivors were rescued by Rose.
Clan Maccorquodale (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 165 nautical miles (306 km) north west of Alexandria, Egypt (33°26′N 27°52′E) by SM UB-51 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Croxteth Hall (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the Indian Ocean 25 nautical miles (46 km) west of Bombay, India with the loss of nine of her crew.
Lalen Mendi (Spain) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) south of Beachy Head, East Sussex, United Kingdom by SM UB-56 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of five of her crew.
Modemi (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) off Whitby, Yorkshire, United Kingdom by SM UC-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
SM U-58 The Type U 57 submarine was depth charged and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (51°37′N 8°12′W) by USS Fanning and USS Nicholson with the loss of two of her 40 crew.
SM UC-51 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UC II submarine struck a mine and sank in the English Channel (50°08′N 3°42′W) with the loss of all 26 crew.
Victoria (United Kingdom) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 14 nautical miles (26 km) west of the Eddystone Lighthouse by a Kaiserliche Marine submarine.
Western Coast (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 10 nautical miles (19 km) west south west of the Eddystone Lighthouse (50°07′N 4°30′W) by SM UB-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of seventeen of her crew.

[Sailor Steve]

November 17, 1917


Air War:

No aerial activity today.

[Jimbuna]

18th November 1917


Western Front

Artillery very active on both sides; German raids north-west of St. Quentin.

Southern Front

Italians driven from fortified positions on Mt. Tomba, but offer strong resistance.

Austrians attack in southern Albania and attempt to cross River Voyusa, 12 miles north of Valona.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Death from cholera of Sir Stanley Maude in Mesopotamia.

Naval and Overseas Operations

In East Africa force of 262 Germans and 700 Askaris surrdeners to British, 18 miles south-east of Chivata.

British patrol boat sunk in Mediterranean by enemy submarine, 9 killed.

Political, etc.

Petrograd completely held by Bolsheviks. Rumours current that Russia will shortly withdraw from war.

Ship Losses:

Antwerpen (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) south south west of the Runnel Stone (50°06′N 5°31′W) by SM UC-77 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMS Candytuft (Royal Navy) The Anchusa-class sloop was torpedoed off Bougie, Algeria by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She drifted ashore and sank with the loss of nine crew.
Gisella (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) south west by south of Skokholm, Pembrokeshire by SM UC-77 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
HMS K1 (Royal Navy) The K-class submarine collided with HMS K4 ( Royal Navy) off the coast of Denmark. All 56 crew were rescued by HMS Blonde, which scuttled the ship.
HMS Marsa (Royal Navy) The auxiliary minesweeper collided with another vessel and sank off Harwich, Essex.
SM UC-47 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UC II submarine was depth charged, rammed and sunk in the North Sea off Flamborough Head, Yorkshire, United Kingdom by the patrol craft PC-57 ( Royal Navy) with the loss of all 26 crew.
SM UC-57 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UC II submarine departed Hamnskär, Finland. No further trace, believed struck a mine and sank in the Baltic Sea with the loss of all 26 crew.

[Sailor Steve]

November 18, 1917

Air War:

1910 German ace Julius Buckler, flying an Albatros D.V, destroys a British observation balloon for victory number 27. Lt Dalrymple parachutes safely.

1920 German ace Paul Bäumer, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 13.

0925 Julius Buckler scores his second kill of the day, destroying a second balloon for victory number 28.

0925 German pilot Vfw Wawzin (no first name given), in either an Albatros D.V or a Pfalz D.III, shoots down SPAD VII B6817 for victory number 1. 2nd Lt A. Reid-Walker lands safely on his own side of the lines.

1045 Three RFC SPAD VII pilots share a victory over an Albatros two-seater:
Albert Carter, Canada, A8834, victory number 7.
Eric Olivier, England, A6714, number 4.
Lt A. Reid-Walker, B6817, nationality and victory number unknown. The times between Reid-Walker's shared kill and his own downing don't match, but that is not uncommon in records of the period.

1100 German pilot Wilhelm Papenmeyer, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down SPAD VII B3575 for victory number 1. 2nd Lt G.A. Cranswick is killed.

1105 Canadian RFC ace Bernard Beanlands, in DH.5 A9304, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 7.

1310 German ace Rudolf Wendelmuth, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down Bristol F.2b A7282 for victory number 14. 2nd lt W.S. McLaren later dies from wounds recieved in this fight. 2nd Lt D.W. Hardie is killed.

1415 Julius Buckler obtains his third victory of the day, downing RE.8 A3669 for victory number 28. 2nd Lts W.J.H. Courtis and E.T. Taylor land safely on their own side of the lines.

1445 English ace pilot Brian Baker and observer Bruce Jackman, in Bristol F.2b A7170, shoot down an Albatros D.III. Victory number 11 for Baker, number 5 for Jackman.

1530 Brian Baker and Bruce Jackman score their second victory of the day, shooting down another Albatros D.III. Number 12 for Baker, number 6 for Jackman. This is the last aerial victory for both. Brian Edmund Baker will survive the war, remain in the Royal Air Force and rise to the rank of Air Commodore in World War Two. He will finally become an Air Marshal, retire in 1950 and live until 1979. Bruce Stanley C. Jackman will become a pilot just after the end of the war and live until 1971.

1545 German pilot Marat Schummm, in a two-seater with observer UffZ Schuechl, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 1.

Italian pilot Antonio Amantea, in a Nieuport 11, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 3.

German ace Gotthard Sachsenberg, in an Albatros D.III with Marine Feld Jasta I, shoots down an unidentified Sopwith for victory number 7.

Austrian pilot Georg Kenzian, in Oeffag Albatros D.III 153.27, shoots down an Italian Nieuport for victory number 4.

Italian pilot Silvio Scaroni, flying a Nieuport 17, shoots down an enemy Scout for victory number 2.

German ace Rudolf Windisch, in Albatros D.V 1055/17, shoots down SPAD VII S.4268 for victory number 6. Portuguese Cpt O. de Montiero-Torres, flying for France, is listed as Missing.

[Jimbuna]

19th November 1917

Western Front

Hostile raids repulsed by British.

French success at Chaume Wood.

Southern Front

Italians make determined stand in the mountains and defeat Austrians' attacks.

Lower Piave enemy make no progress.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British advance further in the hills of Judea; arrive within six miles of Jerusalem.

Political, etc.

Mr. Lloyd George on Allied War Council in House of Commons.

Georgian National Council meets.

Bolsheviks issue offer to the nations for immediate armistice on all fronts for the purpose of discussing a democratic peace.

Ship Losses:

Amiral Zedu (France) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 22 nautical miles (41 km) south east of Carnsore Point, County Wexford, United Kingdom (52°01′N 6°06′W) by SM UC-77 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member. Survivors were rescued by Clangula ( United Kingdom and landed at Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, United Kingdom.
Aparima (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 6 nautical miles (11 km) south west by west of Anvil Point, Dorset (50°29′N 1°55′W) by SM UB-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 57 lives.
Clangula (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) south west by west of Hartland Point, Devon by SM UC-77 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of fifteen of her crew.
Farn (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) east by north of Start Point, Devon by SM UB-31 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Jutland (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 18 nautical miles (33 km) north east by north of Ouessant, Finistère, France (48°46′N 4°55′W) by SM UC-79 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 26 of her crew.
Minnie Coles (United Kingdom) The schooner was scuttled in the English Channel 30 nautical miles (56 km) north west by north of the Les Hanois Lighthouse, Guernsey, Channel Islands by SM UB-58 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMT Morococala (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 31 (Kurt Siewert) and sank in the Irish Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) south east by south of the Daunt Rock Lightship ( United Kingdom) with the loss of twelve of her crew.
HMT Newbridge (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was lost on this date.
Robert Brown (United Kingdom) The schooner was scuttled in the Bristol Channel 15 nautical miles (28 km) west north west of Lundy Island, Devon by SM UC-77 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Saint André (France) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of the Eddystone Lighthouse by SM UB-58 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

[Sailor Steve]

November 19, 1917

Air War:

1210 Canadian RFC pilot Alfred McKay, flying SPAD VII B3560, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 5.

1230 Alfred McKay scores his second kill of the day, bringing down another two-seater for number 6.

1520 Two RFC SE.5a pilots share victories over a pair of DFW C.Vs:
William Duncan, Canada, B608, victories number 2 and 3.
William Jenkins, England, B623, number 9 and 10.

1600 German ace Paul Bäumer, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 14.

English RNAS pilot Harold Mellings, in Sopwith Triplane N5431, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 3.

Italian pilot Silvio Scaroni, flying a Nieuport 17, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 3.

[Jimbuna]

20th November 1917

Western Front

Surprise British Advance at Cambrai. Third Army under Lt.-Gen. Byng attacks on ten mile front, between St. Quentin and River Scarpe. "Hindenburg Line" broken, numerous villages captured, over 8,000 prisoners taken.

Southern Front

Failure of enemy attacks along whole front.

the coast the Italian navy and British monitors co-operate with land forces.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Turks stubbornly defend road to Jerusalem.

Political, etc.

German Reichstag considers a bill for a 15 billion mark ($3.75 billion) loan to fund the war effort.

Conference between U.S. Mission, War Cabinet and Heads of Departments re: America's co-operation in War.

Ship Losses:

Commendatore Carlo Bruno (Italy) The coaster was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Cape Spartivento, Sardinia (38°21′N 8°41′E) by SM U-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Megrez (Netherlands) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 10 nautical miles (19 km) west of the Noord Hinder Lightship ( Netherlands) by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Nederland (Netherlands) The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 9 nautical miles (17 km) off the Noord Hinder Lightship ( Netherlands) by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Robert Morris (United Kingdom) The schooner was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 155 nautical miles (287 km) west south west of the Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly by SM U-90 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

https://i.imgur.com/45Y5w7C.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/4lU4eIL.jpg

[Sailor Steve]

November 20, 1917

Air War:

0800 Three RFC DH.5 pilots share a victory over an Albatros two-seater:
Arthur Claydon, England, A9300, vicrtory number 1.
Lt A.L. Cuffe, B4924, victory number unknown.
Walter Tyrell, Ireland, B4916, number 4.

0840 German pilot Josef Mai, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down Sopwith Camel B5159 for victory number 3.

1050 German ace Erwin Böhme, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Belgian Nieuport 27 for victorynumber 23. 1st Sgt Leon André Robert Ciselet is killed.

German pilot Rudolf Bertelsmeier, in an Albatros D.III on the Italian front, shoots down an SAML S.2 for victory number 3.

German pilot Ltn Kirscht (no first name given), in an Albatros D.III on the Macedonian front, shoots down a Nieuport for his only victory. No other information exists about this pilot.

German pilot Otto Splitgerber, flying an Albatros D.III on the Macedonian front, shoots down a Dorand AR.2 for victory number 5.

Scottish ace pilot David Sidney Hall and Irish ace observer Edward Patrick Hartigan set out out on a weather reconnaissance mission in their DH.4, and do not return. Three days later their bodies are found in their wrecked aircraft. The cause of the crash is unknown, but given the state of the weather on this day it seems likely they were caught in a storm.

English ace Thomas Frederick Stephenson is killed when his Bristol F.2b is hit by ground fire. Observer Lt William Morse survives the crash and is captured.

[Jimbuna]

21st November 1917

Western Front

British success continued; villages taken; British troops at Fontaine Notre Dame within 2.5 miles of Cambrai; more guns and prisoners captured.

French carry a salient on Craonne Plateau, south of Juvincourt.

Eastern Front

Bolsheviks dismiss General Dukhonin (Commander-in-Chief) for refusing to negotiate an armistice with enemy; Ensign Krilenko Commander-in-Chief.

Southern Front

Strong enemy attacks in mountains between the Brenta and Piave are everywhere repulsed by Italians, except at Mt. Fontana Secca.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

General Allenby's troops storm the Nebi Samwil ridge, five miles north of Jerusalem; fruitless counter-attacks by Turks.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Considerable captures of Germans in East Africa by British columns, at Simba and Nevala.

Political, etc.

House of Commons votes 209 to 171 to disenfranchise conscientious objectors to war.

Ukrainian Republic proclaimed and declared member of Russian Federal Republic.

Ship Losses:

Aros Castle (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 300 nautical miles (560 km) west by south of the Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly by SM U-90 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
Bilbster (United Kingdom) The collier was lost in the Atlantic Ocean on this date.
Maine (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) off Dartmouth, Devon by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Maine (France) The ship was sunk in the English Channel 30 nautical miles (56 km) off Newhaven, East Sussex, United Kingdom by SM UB-56 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Mossoul (France) The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Mediterranean Sea (37°04′N 11°30′E) by SM U-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine) and was abandoned. She came ashore on Pantelleria but was a constructive total loss.
Schuylkill (United States) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 15 nautical miles (28 km) east of Cape Ténès, Algeria(36°42′N 1°40′E) by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Sobral (Norway) The cargo ship was captured in the Atlantic Ocean south east of the Azores, Portugal by SM U-151 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was scuttled the next day (36°10′N 20°40′W).

[Sailor Steve]

November 21, 1917

Air War:

Italian pilot Cosimo Rennella, flying a Nieuport 17, shoots down an "Enemy Scout" for victory number 2.

[Jimbuna]

22nd November 1917

Western Front

All gains on British front consolidated, except at Fontaine Notre Dame, which Germans retake.

Unsuccessful German counter-attack south of Juvincourt.

Eastern Front

Lenin authorises troops at front to negotiate peace with the enemy.

Southern Front

Fighting in mountains continues.

Lower Piave enemy make no progress.

Austrian attacks in Albania on Italian line between rivers Osum and Voyusa.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British troops capture Turkish post of Jabir, 15 miles from Aden.

Political, etc.

U.S.A. Mission under Colonel House leaves London for Paris.

Germany announces extension of the "barred zone" for shipping; Dutch indignation.

Ship Losses:

Clan Cameron (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel 23 nautical miles (43 km) south west by south of Portland Bill, Dorset by SM UB-58 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Conovium (United Kingdom) The sailing vessel was shelled and sunk in the Irish Sea 14 nautical miles (26 km) south east of the South Arklow Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM U-97 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Elsena (United Kingdom) The coaster was shelled and sunk in the Irish Sea 16 nautical miles (30 km) south east of the South Arklow Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM U-97 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Francesco Patrino (Russia) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Black Sea off Nowa Affonski by SM UB-42 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
King Idwal (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by U 75 (Fritz Schmolling) and sank in the North Sea 35 nautical miles (65 km) east of Girdle Ness, Aberdeenshire with the loss of a crew member.
Kohistan (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 25 nautical miles (46 km) west of Marettimo, Italy (37°48′N 11°38′E) by SM UC-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Krosfond (Norway) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 0.5 nautical miles (930 m) east south east of The Manacles (50°03′N 5°01′W) by SM UB-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of fifteen of her crew.
Siracusy (Imperial Russian Navy) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Black Sea off Nowa Affonski (43°05′N 40°49′E) by SM UB-42 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Start (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the English Channel 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) south of St. Alban's Head, Dorset (50°31′N 2°04′W) by SM UB-58 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of twelve of her crew.
Thor (Norway) The cargo ship foundered in the Pacific Ocean (approximately 34°N 161°W). Sixteen of her crew survived.
Tijuca (France) The four-masted barque was torpedoed, shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 200 nautical miles (370 km) south east of Santa Maria Island, Azores, Portugal (36°00′N 20°40′W) by SM U-151 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

[Sailor Steve]

November 22, 1917

Air War:

0840 German ace Otto Könnecke, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 9. This may have been B1747, 2nd Lt T.L. Atkinson POW.

0840 German pilot Josef Mai, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 4.

0910 German pilot Fritz Rumey, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down Sopwith Camel B6267 for victory number 3. Cpt G.B. Crole is wounded and taken prisoner.

1115 German ace Harald Auffarth, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 7.

1130 German ace Rudolf Matthaei, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down Sopwith Camel B2366 for victory number 9. 2nd Lt E.P. Marchand is taken prisoner.

1140 Australian AFC pilot Richard Watson Howard, flying DH.5 A9294, shoots down a DFW C.V for victory numer 1.

1145 English RFC pilot James Child, in SE.5a B562, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 6.

1150 James Child scores his second victory of the day, shooting down a DFW C.V for number 7. Richard Howard's listing says that he shared this victory. Child's listings say he was alone.

1530 German pilot Rudolf Bertelsmeier, in an Albatros D.III on the Italian Front, shoots down an Hanriot HD.1 for victory number 4.

French pilot Albert René Chabrier, in a Nieuport, shoots down an "Enemy Scout" for victory number 1.

Australian AFC pilot Roy Cecil Phillipps, flying DH.5 A9288, shoots down a DFW C.V for victory number 1.

German pilot Franz Piechulek, probably in a Pfalz D.III, shoots down a Nieuport for victory number 1.

German pilot Hans von Puttkammer, probably in a Pfalz D.III, shoots down a Paul Schmitt for victory number 1.

Vfw Rausch (no first name given), in either an Albatros or a Pfalz, destroys an observation balloon for victory number 1.

German pilot Werner Wagener, probably in an Albatros D.III on the Southern Front, destroys an Italian observation balloon for victory number 5. This is Wagener's last aerial victory. He is wounded on November 25 and after that disappears from the records.

[Jimbuna]

23rd November 1917

Western Front

British attack in the night and advance on line south-east of Ypres.

Further advance on enemy positions west of Cambrai; British attack Bourlon Wood.

Byng promoted to General.

Eastern Front

Lenin Government issues decree for further disbandment of Russian army.

Political, etc.

German residents in the U.S. are barred from entering tall buildings in New York that gives them view of the New York Harbor or the rivers.

Ship Losses:

SMS A60 (Kaiserliche Marine) The A26-class torpedo boat struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off the coast of Belgium with the loss of seventeen of her crew.
La Blanca (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) south south east of Berry Head, Devon by SM U-96 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
Luigina (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea east of Sardinia (39°57′N 9°58′E) by SM UC-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of all hands.
Markella (Greece) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea north of Monastagem, Algeria (35°18′N 0°20′W) by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Ocean (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) east by north of Hartlepool, County Durham by SM UB-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Trombetas (Portugal) The three-masted schooner was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 200 nautical miles (370 km) south west of Santa Maria Island, Azores (35°30′N 20°40′W) by SM U-151 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Westlands (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 10 nautical miles (19 km) north of the Île Vierge, Finistère, France by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

November 23, 1917

Air War:

1025Canadian RFC ace Albert Carter, flying SPAD VII A8834, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 8.

1120 Canadian RFC ace Alfred McKay, in SPAD VII B3560, shoots down a DFW C.V for victory number 7.

1140 German ace Heinrich Bongartz, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down Sopwith Camel B2415 for victory number 24. 2nd Lt L. Marshall is killed. Bongartz claims a second Camel at the same time, but this is Unconfirmed.

1200 German pilot Fritz Rumey, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 4. Possibly N2396, Lt S.R. Hanafy wounded and taken prisoner, and later died from his wounds.

1210 German pilot Ernst Hamster, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 3. This is possibly B2409, Lt A. Rosenthal killed; or B5222, Lt C.F. Keller taken prisoner. Complicating matters is that these two are also believed to have collided during the combat. This is Hamster's last aerial victory. He survived the war, transferring to Jasta 65 on May 26, 1918 and serving there until the Armistice. Further records are unknown.

1220 Two RNAS Camel pilots share a victory over an Albatros D.V:
Fred Banbury, Canada, B6230, victory number 10.
John Hales, Canada, B3832, number 4.

1300 Fritz Rumey scores his second victory of the day, shooting down Armstrong-Whitworth FK.8 A2170 for victory number 5. 2nd Lt R. Main and AM1 G.P. Leach are taken prisoner.
(Some sources have this as B316 of No 8 Squadron)

1320 German ace Otto Könnecke, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 10.

1400 Canadian RNAS pilot Charles Hickey, in Sopwith Camel B6300, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 2.

1400 German ace Lothar von Richtofen, probably in an Albatros D.V (the Dr.Is are still sidelined while awaiting Idflieg recertification), shoots down Bristol F.2b B1116 for victory number 26. 2nd Lt Erland Dauria Perney and Lt Ewan John Blackledge are listed as Missing.

1400 German ace Manfred von Richthofen has been busy with administrative duties. In his first combat since September 3, flying Albatros D.V 4693/17, von Richthofen shoots down DH.5 A9299 for victory number 62. Lt James Alexander Vaseill Boddy is wounded in the head and crashes heavily, breaking both his legs. Another DH.5 pilot, Cpt Hnry Thornbury Fox Russell, who said his tail had been bloan off by a shell had crashed. Making his way back to his own lines Russell sees Boddy's plane come down and pulls him from the wreckage. A tank crew takes them both safely to their side. One of Boddy's legs has to be amputated, ending his combat flying career. He will serve in the Home Guard in World War 2 and live until 1954.
Von Richthofen's report mentions another plane downed, but he only filed a claim for the one.
"At 1400 hours, shortly after I had forced an Englishman to land at the west side of Bourlon Wood, I attacked a DH5 north of Fontaine at abut 100 metres height. After the first shots, the Englishman started to glide downwards, but then fell into the south-east corner of Bourlon Wood. I could not observe the plane hitting the ground."
-Manfred von Richthofen1400 Englsih RNAS pilot Adrian Tonks, in Sopwith Camel B6243, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 4.

1500 German pilot Kurt Küppers, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down an unidentified "Sopwith" for victory number 5.

1525 Canadian RFC pilot Edward Carter Eaton, in Sopwith Camel B2413, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 1. Shared with two other pilots:
Lt B. Balfour, B5221.
Cpt L.S. Weedon, B2394.

1630 German ace Walter von Bülow-Bothkamp, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 26.

French pilot Louis Coudouret, flying a SPAD VII, shoots down an Albatros C.X two-seater for victory number 4. One source says this was a Rumpler two-seater.

Two Austro-Hungarian aces share victories over a pair of Italian Nieuports:
Godwin Brumowski, Galicia, Oeffag Albatros 153.45, victories number 26 and 27.
Frank Linke-Crawford, Austria, Oeffag Albatros 153.11, victories number 10 and 11.

German ace Bernhard Ultsch, in an Albatros D.III, destroys an observation balloon for victory number 8.

[Jimbuna]

24th November 1917

Western Front

Fierce fighting at Bourlon Wood and village; both change hands frequently.

British gains neat Moeuvres, Queant, Bullecourt, and Banteux.

Successful French attack on Verdun front.

Southern Front

Austrian assaults fail on Asiago Plateau; also attempts to cross Lower Piave.

General Sir Herbert Plumer appointed to command British forces in Italy.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Lt.-Gen. Sir W. R. Marshall succeeds Sir S. Maude in Mesopotamia.

Political, etc.

Bells of London, including the ones in St Paul’s Cathedral, ring for the first time since the war began in commemoration of the recent British advances.

Trotsky begins publication of Russian secret treaties with other Powers.

Ship Losses:

Actaeon (United States) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 150 nautical miles (280 km) north north west of Cape Finisterre, Spain by SM U-84 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four of her crew.
Dunrobin (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 49 nautical miles (91 km) south west by south of The Lizard, Cornwall by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 31 crew.
Enna (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea off Acciaroli, Campania by SM U-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
French Rose (United Kingdom) The coaster struck a mine laid by UC 11 (Ferdinand Schwartz) and sank in the North Sea 6 nautical miles (11 km) south by west of the Shipwash Lightship ( United Kingdom). Her crew survived.
Nyassa (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) east south east of The Lizard, Cornwall (49°56′N 5°08′W) by SM UB-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Pomone (France) The cargo ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain by SM UC-79 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Sabia (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 6 nautical miles (11 km) south south east of The Lizard (49°53′N 5°06′W) by SM U-96 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eleven of her crew.
SM U-48 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type U 43 submarine ran aground on the Goodwin Sands, Kent, United Kingdom. She was attacked by HMS Gipsy ( Royal Navy) and was scuttled with the loss of nineteen of her 36 crew.

[Sailor Steve]

November 24, 1917

Air War:

0845 Canadian RFC pilot Lumsden Cummings, flying Nieuport 27 B5816, shoots down an Albatros D.V fro victory number 5. This is Cummings' last aerial victory. He will survive the war, become a civil engineer and live until 1955.

0920 German pilot Walter Horn, probably in an Albatros D.V, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 1.

1200 Italian pilot Marziale Cerutti, in a Nieuport 27, shoots down an enemy scout and a two-seater for victories number 1 and 2.

1630 German ace Otto Splitgerber, in an Albatros D.III on the Macedonian Front, destroys an observation ballon for victory number 6.

[Jimbuna]

25th November 1917

Western Front

String German counter-attacks at Bourlon; enemy regain parts of the village.

French attack in Samogneux district, north of Verdun; they take 800 prisoners.

Eastern Front

In Russian centre (near Baranovichi) the troops continue to fraternise with the enemy.

Southern Front

Heavy mountain fighting between the Brenta and Piave; enemy attacks repulsed.

Fresh Austrian attacks in Albania; on night of 25th-26th enemy force passage of River Osum.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Mounted troops capture Ain Karim, four miles west of Jerusalem.

British patrols, after crossing Auja river forced back by hostile infantry.

Ship Losses:

Iniziativa (Italy) The sailing vessel was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea south of Sicily by SM UC-67 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Karema (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 33 nautical miles (61 km) south east of Cabo de Gata, Andalusia, Spain (36°30′N 1°32′W) by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three crew.
Oriflamme (United Kingdom) The tanker struck a mine laid by
UC 63 (Karsten von Heydebreck) and sank in the English Channel 9 nautical miles (17 km) south of the Nab Lightship ( United Kingdom). Her crew survived.
Ostpreussen (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 11 (Karl Dobberstein) and sank in the North Sea 1.5 nautical miles (2.8 km) east of the Shipwash Lightship ( United Kingdom) with the loss of a crew member.
Ovid (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 65 nautical miles (120 km) north east of Suda Bay, Crete, Greece by SM UC-74 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.

[Sailor Steve]

November 25, 1917

Air War:

1640 German ace Oskar von Boenigk, newly-appointed commander of Jastqa 21, flying a Pfalz D.III, shoots down an Allied two-seater for victory number 6.

English RNAS pilot, in Sopwith Triplane N5431, shoots down a Rumpler two-seater for victory number 4.

[Jimbuna]

26th November 1917

Western Front

Heavy shelling about Ypres.

Southern Front

Sharp enemy attack repulsed in Brenta valley, two miles east of San Marino.

Political, etc.

Lord Rothermere appointed President of the Air Council.

Increase of pay to both Navy and Army announced.

Russian Constituent Assembly election, the first free election in Russian history, is held, with the Socialist-Revolutionary Party winning 40% of the votes. Bolsheviks win 24%.

Ship Losses:

Ango (France) The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the English Channel 6 nautical miles (11 km) southeast of Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom by SM UB-80 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was beached but was later refloated.
RFA Crenella (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) The tanker was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean 146 nautical miles (270 km) west of Queenstown, County Cork, Ireland (49°47′N 10°58′W) by SM U-101 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was escorted into port by USS Cushing ( United States Navy. Subsequently repaired and returned to service.
Drot (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Bristol Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) north-northeast of Lundy Island, Devon, United Kingdom (51°20′N 4°52′W) by SM U-96 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
Johan Mjelde (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 200 nautical miles (370 km) southeast of the Azores, Portugal (35°50′N 20°20′W) by SM U-151 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Pontida (Italy) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 35 (Hans Paul Korsch) and sank in the Gulf of Genoa off Varazze, Liguria.
Zoea (Italian Royal Navy) The Medusa-class submarine was beached by a storm in the Adriatic Sea at Rimini, Italy. She later was refloated, repaired, and returned to service.

[Sailor Steve]

November 26, 1917

Air War:

0800 Canadian RFC pilot William Henry Brown, flying SE.5a B559, shoots down an Albatdros D.V for victory number 1.

1430 English RFC pilot James Coombe, in Nieuport 27 B6821, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 2.

1450 Irish RFC ace William Molesworth, in Nieuport 27 B6820, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 9.

[Jimbuna]

27th November 1917

Western Front

Severe village fighting at Fontaine Notre Dame and Bourlon; British line advanced and 500 prisoners taken; enemy attack west of Moeuvres repulsed.

French success near Hill 344 (Verdun).

Naval and Overseas Operations

Unconditional surrender near Nevala (East Africa) of Mahenge force, under Colonel Tafel, consisting of over 3,500 German and native troops.

Political, etc.

British Premier Lloyd George and Greek Premier Venizelos arrive in Paris for a inter-Allied War Council.

Brazil concludes agreement with France for the use of 30 interned German ships, to carry food for the Allies.

Bolsheviks and German officials meet behind German lines to arrange for an armistice between Russia and Germany.

Ship Losses:

Almond Branch (United Kingdom) The cargo ship torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) south east of Dodman Point, Cornwall (50°12′N 4°45′W) by SM UB-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of one crew member.
Bjäditelny (Imperial Russian Navy) The destroyer struck a mine laid by UC 58 (Karl Vesper) and sank in the Baltic Sea off Rauma, Finland.
Bleamoor (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) south south east of Berry Head, Devon (50°22′N 3°25′W) by SM UB-80 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eight of her crew.
Bremier (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 16 nautical miles (30 km) south east of Start Point, Devon by a Kaiserliche Marine submarine.
Eastfield (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 7 nautical miles (13 km) east south east of Dodman Point (50°14′06″N 4°42′06″W) by SM UB-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Galileo Ferraris (Italian Royal Navy) The Pullino-class submarine was beached by a storm at Magnavacca, Italy, on the night of 27-28 November. Refloated in January 1918, she was found to be damaged beyond repair.
Gladys (United Kingdom) The coaster struck a mine laid by UC 69 (Hugo Thielmann) and sank in the English Channel 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) south west of Cap Gris Nez, Pas-de-Calais, France with the loss of six of her crew.
Groeswen (United Kingdom) The collier struck a mine laid by
UC 11 (Ferdinand Schwartz) and sank in the North Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) north east of the Shipwash Lightship ( United Kingdom) (51°55′N 1°40′E). Her crew survived.
Notre Dame de Rostrenen (France) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 59 nautical miles (109 km) west of Ouessant, Finistère (48°36′N 5°50′W) by SM U-101 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Premier (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was sunk in the English Channel 16 nautical miles (30 km) south east of Start Point by SM U-67 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Tungue (Portugal) The passenger ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 120 nautical miles (220 km) north of Port Said, Egypt by SM UB-51 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Ville de Thann (France) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel 13 nautical miles (24 km) north east of The Lizard, Cornwall by SM UC-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

November 27, 1917

Air War:

1200 Two Italian Nieuport 27 pilots share a victory over a two-seater:

Austrian pilot Georg Kenzian, in Oeffag Albatros D.III 153.27, shoots down an SAML 2 for victory number 5.

Three Austrian Oeffag Albatros pilots share a victory over an SAML 2:
Josef Kiss, 153.87, victory number 13.
Franz Lahner, 153.19, number 2.
Egbert Lupfer, serial and victory number unknown.

Josef Kiss scores his second kill of the day, shooting down another SAML for number 14.

[Jimbuna]

28th November 1917

Western Front

Enemy shell Bourlon Wood and Ypres front.

Southern Front

Italian batteries shell enemy boats on Lower Piave.

In Albania Austrians assault Italian positions nine miles north-east from Avlona.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Russian t.b.d. mined in the Baltic.

Political, etc.

Estonia declares itself independent.

Bashkirs in Russia proclaim the creation of Bashkurdistan, the first autonomous ethnic region in Russia.

Ship Losses:

Agenoria (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Irish Sea south south east of the Copeland Islands, County Down by SM U-96 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member. She was beached in the Belfast Lough but was later refloated.
Albert Watts (United States) The tanker struck a mine laid by UC 35 (Hans Paul Korsch) and was damaged in the Gulf of Genoa with the loss of a crew member. She reached port at Genoa, Italy but was declared a total loss.
Apapa (United Kingdom) The Elder Dempster 7,832 grt defensively armed passenger ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) north by east of Point Lynas, Anglesey (53°26′N 4°18′W) by SM U-96 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 77 lives.
Georgios Antippa (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 25 nautical miles (46 km) south by east of Flamborough Head, Yorkshire by a Kaiserliche Marine submarine.
Jane Radcliffe (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Aegean Sea 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) south west of Antimilos, Greece by SM UC-74 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Jeanne Conseil (France) The cargo ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay 28 nautical miles (52 km) south west of Pointe de Poulains, Belle Île, Morbihan by SM UB-59 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Perm (Denmark) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) south of Prawle Point, Devon, United Kingdom (50°11′N 3°41′W) by SM U-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two crew.

[Sailor Steve]

November 28, 1917

Air War:

Construction is completed on the US Naval Aircraft factory, 110 days after ground-breaking.

Following testing of modified aircraft, Idflieg authorizes the return of the Fokker Dr.I to active service.

1140 German ace Karl Menckhoff, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 16.

1310 German ace Franz Ray, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 9.

1340 German ace Ernst Udet, in Albatros D.V 4476/17, shoots down a DH.5 for victory number 15. This is possibly 2nd Lt D. Francis of No 32 Squadron RFC, who was wounded this day.

1400 German ace Paul Bäumer, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down RE.8 A4458 for victory number 15. 2nd Lts W.G. Mann and R.A. Forsyth are both killed.

Two Austro-Hungarian Oeffag Albatros aces share a victory over an Italian Pomilio PE:
Godwin Brumowski, Galicia, 153.52, victory number 28.
Karl Kaszala, Hungary, s/n unknown, victory number 6.

German pilot Erich Dürre, flying an Albatros D.III on the Macedonian Front, shoots down a BE.2e for victory number 2.

German pilot Vfw Lage (no first name given), in an Albatros D.III on the Macedonian Front, shoots down a Nieuport for victory number 1. This is Lage's only aerial victory. Further details about his life are unknown.

German pilot Hans Rolshoven, in an Albatros D.III with SeeFrontStaffel II, shoots down a DH.5 for victory number 2.

[Sailor Steve]

November 29, 1917

Western Front

Slight British gain west of Bourlon Wood.

Enemy attack Belgian positions near Aschhoop.

Artillery activity in Ypres sector.



Eastern Front

Cessation of hostilities on Russian front.

Russian artillery in Trotus (Moldavia) valley breaks up enemy operations.



Southern Front

Enemy efforts on the River Piave fail.

Naval and Overseas Operations

British monitor destroys bridge of boats at Passarella, five miles up the Piave.



Political, etc.

Inter-Allied Conference opens in Paris.

Letter in "Daily Telegraph" from Lord Lansdowne calling for a re-statement of Allies' War Aims.

Germany accepts Lenin's offer of an armistice. Russian delegates cross German lines. Count Hertling willing to treat with Bolsheviks.



Ship Losses:

Bob (Norway): The coaster was sunk in the English Channel 8 nautical miles (15 km) south south east of Start Point, Devon, United Kingdom by SM UB-35 with the loss of three of her crew.

Haugastøl (Norway): The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) south by west of Start Point by SM UB-35. Her crew survived.

HMML 52 (Royal Navy) The motor launch was lost on this date.

Pierre (France): The sailing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean north of Cornwall, United Kingdom by SM U-57. Her crew survived.

Texas (France): The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Bay of Biscay off Groix, Morbihan by SM UB-59. She was beached but was later refloated, repaired and returned to service.

SM UB-61 (Kaiserliche Marine): The Type UB III submarine struck a mine and sank in the North Sea (53°52'N 4°58'E) with the loss of all 34 crew.

[Sailor Steve]

November 30, 1917



Western Front

Cambrai front: enemy attacks salient at Vendhuille, Bourlon Wood and Moeuvres; penetrating British position as far as La Vacquerie and Gouzeaucourt. British counter-attack regains La Vacquerie.



Southern Front

In Doiran region and north of Monastir, French and British batteries destroy enemy dumps and break up positions.

French bomb valley of the Vardar and north of Monastir.



Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

At Auja, Palestine, Australian Light Horse surround Turks, taking 148 prisoners.

British raid Turks at Beth Horun Upper (10 miles west of Jerusalem), taking 300 prisoners.



Political, etc.

Prisoners in all theatres taken by British during November, 26,869 and 221 guns.

Coventry aircraft works on strike, 50,000 men and women idle.

German press approves Lord Lansdowne's letter.

The prototype Vickers Vimy makes its first flight. The new bomber will become the staple for the Royal Air Force well into the 1930s, and on the night of June 14-15, 1919 a Vimy will make the first successful non-stop trans-Atlantic flight.



Ship Losses:

Courage (United Kingdom): The fishing smack was shelled and sunk in the Bristol Channel 6 nautical miles (11 km) west by north of Lundy Island, Devon (51°12′N 4°55′W) by SM U-57. Her crew survived.

Derbent (United Kingdom): The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 6 nautical miles (11 km) north east by east of Point Lynas, Anglesey, United Kingdom by SM U-96. Her crew survived.

Gazelle (United Kingdom): The fishing smack was shelled and sunk in the Bristol Channel 6 nautical miles (11 km) west by north of Lundy Island (51°12′N 4°55′W) by SM U-57.

Kalibia (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 29 nautical miles (54 km) south west of The Lizard, Cornwall (49°31′N 5°32′W) by SM UB-80 with the loss of 25 of her crew.

Molesey (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel 12 nautical miles (22 km) south west by west of the Brighton Lightship by SM UB-81. Her crew survived.[166]

Mt 1 (Imperial Russian Navy): The minesweeping boat struck a mine and sank in the Baltic Sea off Rauma, Finland.

Remorquer No.8 (France): The tug struck a mine and sank in the English Channel off Cap de la Hague, Manche.


Air War:

German 14-victory ace Rudolf Wendelmuth and pilot Wilhelm Schultze (1 victory) are both killed when their planes collide while on patrol.

[Sailor Steve]

December 1, 1917:



Western Front

South-west Cambrai: Gonnelieu recovered, but British withdraw from Masnieres salient.

Enemy attack heavily at Bourlon Wood and claims 4,000 prisoners and 60 guns.

Verdun: Violent German attack north of Fosses Wood.



Eastern Front

M. Lenin demands surrender of General Dukhonin, Commander-in-Chief.

Russian General Staff surrenders at Mohilev.

Partial cessation of hostilities.



Naval and Overseas Operations

German East Africa clear of enemy; von Lettow-Vorbeck retires across Rovuma river (Portuguese boundary).



Political, etc.

Inter-Allied Council at Versailles inaugurated.

Canadian Victory Loan; Over �70 million subscribed.



Ship Losses:

Antonios Stathatos (Greece): The cargo ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off the Île du Pilier, Vendée, France (47°05′N 2°36′W) by SM U-84.

Citta di Sassari (Italy): The passenger ship was sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea off Cape Mele, Liguria (44°08′N 8°14′E) by SM U-65. Her crew survived.

Euphorbia (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 14 nautical miles (26 km) east by south of the Royal Sovereign Lightship by SM UC-75 with the loss of fourteen of her crew.

Phoebus (French Navy): The naval yacht struck a mine and sank in the Mediterranean Sea off Cape Cepet, Var (43°10′N 5°20′E).

Rion (United Kingdom): The fishing smack was scuttled in the English Channel 8 nautical miles (15 km) north east of Start Point, Devon by SM UB-35. Her crew survived.

Rydal Hall (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 14 nautical miles (26 km) east by south of the Royal Sovereign Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM UC-75 with the loss of 23 of her crew.

Vind (Sweden): The cargo steamer was last heard from departing Lerwick bound for Gothenburg. Nineteen casualties.

USS Washington (United States Navy): The coal barge ran aground in the Ambrose Channel and was wrecked.

[Sailor Steve]

December 2, 1917:



Western Front

Cambrai: Enemy in vain try to recover high ground about La Vacquerie.

Further fighting north of Passchendaele.



Eastern Front

Brest-Litovsk: Russian and German Peace Delegations welcomed by Prince Leopold of Bavaria (Commander-in-Chief).



Southern Front

Intense artillery action on Asiago Plateau (Trentino).



Ship Losses:

Berwick Law (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Cape Ténès, Algeria by SM U-34 with the loss of a crew member.

Birchgrove (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay off Groix, Morbihan, France (47°38'N 3°45'W) by SM U-84 with the loss of a crew member.

Carlino (Italy World): The sailing vessel was sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea east of Corsica, France (42°08'N 7°27'E) by SM U-65.

La Margherita (Italy): The sailing vessel was sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea east of Corsica (42°11'N 7°20'E) by SM U-65.

La Rance (France): The cargo ship was torpedoed, shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off the Île de Planier, Bouches-du-Rhône (42°48'N 5°15'E) by SM UC-67 with the loss of four of her crew.

HMT Lord Grey (Royal Navy): The naval trawler was wrecked on the La Barrier Shoal, in the English Channel off Cap Gris Nez, Pas-de-Calais, France.

Minas (Greece): The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Cape Ténès by SM U-34. Her crew survived.

San Antonio Il Vittorioso (Italy): The sailing vessel was sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea east of Corsica (42°16'N 7°20'E) by SM U-65.

Tasmania (Russia): The full-rigged ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay south west of Ouessant, Finistère, France by SM UC-17.

SM UB-81 (Kaiserliche Marine): The Type UB III submarine struck a mine and sank in the English Channel off Dunnose Head, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom, then was rammed by a Royal Navy patrol boat with the loss of either 27 of her 34 crew or 29 of her 35 crew (sources differ). The survivors were rescued by a Royal Navy patrol boat.



Air War:

0945 German ace Max von Müller, flying Albatros D.V 1174/17, shoots down DH.4 A 7422 for victory number 33. 2nd lt David Miller is wounded and taken prisoner. 2nd Lt Arthur Harry Child Hoyles is killed. Later his grave is lost so he is officially listed as Missing.

1005 Five Nieuport pilots share a victory over a German two-seater:
Cpl Cadot, France, Escadrille N.88, victory number 2.
Raoul Lufbery, United States, Escadrill N.124 (Lafayette), number 15.
Achille Rousseaux, France, N.88, number 6. This is Rousseaux's last aerial victory. He wil survive the war and die in 1928.
Sgt Vidal, France, N.88, number 1.
Brg Wurtz, France N.88, number 1.

1010 French ace Gabriel Guérin, in a SPAD, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 9.

1030 Canadian RFC pilot Wilfred Beaver and English observer Malcolm Mather, in Bristol F.2b B883, shoot down an Albatros D.III. Victory number 2 for Beaver, number 1 for Mather.

1125 Raoul Lufbery scores his second kill of the day, ahooting down a German two-seater for victory number 16.

1135 German ace Walter von Bülow-Bothkamp, flying Albatros D.III 1954/16, shoots down Bristol F.2b A7292 for victory number 28. Cpt H.G.E. Luchford is killed. Cpt J.E. Johnstone is taked prisoner.

1205 German ace Heinrich Bongartz, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down DH.4 A7661 for victory number 26. 2nd Lts J.T. Orrell and J.G. Glendinning are both killed.

German ace Wolfgang Güttler, in an Albatros D.III, shoots dwon Armstrong-Whitworth FK.8 B3303 for victory number 6. Lt T.R. Hepple is wounded and taken prisoner. AM1 F. Rothwell is killed.

[Jimbuna]

3rd December 1917

Western Front

British withdraw at La Vacquerie and east of Marcoing.

British gain ground south-west of Polygon Wood (Ypres).

Eastern Front

General Dukhonin murdered by mob of soldiers and sailors at Mohilev station. General Kornilov escapes.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British drive Turks out of Kara Tepe; Turks flood country between Nahrin and Diala rivers.

Russians co-operate from Persia.

Political, etc.

First day of compulsory food rationing in Rome.

Bulgaria declares readiness to negotiate war settlement.

Ship Losses:

Carmen (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea south of the Île du Planier, Bouches-du-Rhône, France (43°05′N 5°12′E) by SM UC-67 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Copeland (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) south south west of the Tuskar Rock, Ireland (52°03′N 6°25′W) by SM U-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of twelve crew.
Livonia (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) east by north of Start Point, Devon by SM UB-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 23 of her crew.
Melo (Italy) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 25 (Johannes Feldkirchner) and sank in the Mediterranean Sea off Cape Spartivento, Sicily with the loss of two of her crew.
Wreathier (United Kingdom) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 1 nautical mile (1.9 km) west of Prawle Point, Devon by SM UB-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three of her crew.

[Sailor Steve]

December 3, 1917:

Air War:

1040 French pilot Pierre Jailler, flying a SPAD, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 2. Ltn Otto Pelz (1 victory) is killed about this time.

1215 English RFC ace Frank Johnson and observer Stanley Henry Percy Masding, in Bristol F.2b A7214, shoot down an Albatros D.V. Victory number 6 for Johnson; number 1 for Masding.

1630 German pilot Hermann Leptien, in either an Albatros or Pfalz scout, shoots down a Cauderon for victory number 1.

[Jimbuna]

4th December 1917

Western Front

Bourlon Wood evacuated by British.

West Verdun: enemy efforts to reach Avocourt and Forges sectors fail.

Southern Front

Austrian artillery very active towards Brenta river.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Minor actions north of Jaffa and on Jerusalem road.

British seaplanes active.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Operations at Aden described in House of Lords.

Political, etc.

President Wilson gives his 1917 State of the Union Address, where he promises to “win the war” and right the wrongs committed in the war. He also urges Congress declare war against Austria-Hungary.

Declaration of Independence of Finland from Russia is read in the Finnish Senate. It will be voted on the 6th.

Ship Losses:

Alberto Verderame (Italy) The brigantine was shelled and sunk in the Gulf of Genoa (39°57′N 9°48′E) by SM UC-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
HMT Bounteous (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was lost on this date.
Brigitta (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 63 (Karsten von Heydebreck) and sank in the English Channel 6 nautical miles (11 km) south west of the Nab Lightship ( United Kingdom) with the loss of two of her crew.
Dowlais (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Cape de Fer, Algeria by SM UB-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 26 of her crew.
Eagle (United Kingdom) The coaster was scuttled in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) south of Start Point, Devon by SM UB-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Forfar (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 115 nautical miles (213 km) south west by west of The Lizard by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three of her crew.
Gerasimos (Greece) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Cap de Fer by SM UB-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Helge (Sweden) The coaster was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 6 nautical miles (11 km) north of Guernsey, Channel Islands[32] at (48°49′N 2°45′W) by SM UB-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Vav (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel 1 nautical mile (1.9 km) south of The Lizard, Cornwall, United Kingdom by SM UB-80 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of nineteen of her crew.

[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.
https://i.imgur.com/IfGSAHT.jpg

Aviation

First flight: Junkers J 8, prototype of the Junkers CL.I
https://i.imgur.com/xqdhP6Z.jpg

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.
https://i.imgur.com/Poe48Ex.jpg

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.

https://i.imgur.com/yTw2fwP.jpg

[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.

[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).

https://i.imgur.com/4rsWXx5.jpg

[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.

[Sailor Steve]

December 22, 1917

Air War:

1430 Scottish RFC pilot Charles Davidson, flying Bristol F.2b A7192 wotj 2md Lt A. Simmons as observer, shoots down a Germanu two-seater for victory number 4.

1630 German pilot Herbert Boy, in an Albatros D.III or D.V, shoots down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 1.

French pilot Omer Demeuldre, in a SPAD, shoots down a DFW C.V for victory number 5.

Three French SPAD XIII pilots share a victory over a German two-seater. Victims uncertain, but Ltn Bruno Grosse was shot down and taken prisoner this day and Ltn Adolf Gerhard was killed:
Hector Geraud, victory number 5.
Gabriel Guérin, victory number 10.
Marcel Henriot, victory number 3.

German pilot Otto Klaiber, in an unknown aircraft, is credited with a SPAD for victory number 1.

French ace Georges Madon, flying a SPAD XIII, shoots down German "Scout" for victory number 18.

French pilot Pierre Marinovitch, in a Nieuport 24, shoots down a Rumpler two-seater for victory number 4.

[Jimbuna]

23rd December 1917

Western Front

Fighting at Poelcapelle, near Epehy (south-west Cambrai) and Caurieres Wood (Verdun).

Naval

The Royal Navy destroyers HMS Surprise, HMS Tornado, and HMS Torrent run into a German minefield, and all three ships are sunk, resulting in 252 deaths.

Political, etc.

The Kaiser on the Almighty as a German ally.

Moldavian Republic, including Bessarabia, proclaimed at Kishinev.

Ship Losses:

Caboto (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Gulf of Genoa 20 nautical miles (37 km)north of Polpulonia, Tuscany by SM UB-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Grantley Hall (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 4 (Walter Schmitz) and sank in the North Sea 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) east of Orfordness, Suffolk. Her crew survived.
Hilda Lea (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 24 nautical miles (44 km) south by east of St. Catherine's Point, Isle of Wight by SM UB-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Pietro (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Puerto Mazarrón, Murcia, Spain (37°28′N 1°10′W) by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Ragna (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel 16 nautical miles (30 km) north west of the Cap de La Heve Lighthouse, Seine-Maritime, France by SM UB-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMS Surprise (Royal Navy) The Yarrow Later M-class destroyer struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off the coast of the Netherlands.
HMS Tornado (Royal Navy) The R-class destroyer struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off the coast of the Netherlands.
HMS Torrent (Royal Navy) The R-class destroyer struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off the coast of the Netherlands.
Vellore (Norway) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 35 nautical miles (65 km) west of the Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom by SM UB-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

December 23, 1917

Air War:

1300 Two RFC SE.5a pilots share a victory over a German two-seater:
William Brown, Canada, B559, victory number 2.
Edward Pennell, England, B4886, victory number 4.

[Jimbuna]

24th December 1917


Western Front

Mannheim (Rhine) heavily bombed by British airmen.

Eastern Front

German forces not sent west or to Italy being massed on southern and Romanian fronts.

Telegraph between Petrograd and south-west interrupted by Ukraine authorities.

Southern Front

Italians regain much of lost ground near the Brenta.

Enemy claims 9,000 prisoners in last two days.

Snow severe on Italian front.

French raids in Albania.

Naval and Overseas Operations

British seaplanes bomb Bruges Docks and other aerodromes.

Political, etc.

Starting today, Canada prohibits the importation of alcohol of more than 2.5%. Prohibition of liquor will follow in 1918.

Kim Jong-suk (future wife of North Korean leader Kim Il-sung and mother to Kim Jong-il) is born in the Japanese colony of Korea.

Ship Losses:

Canova (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk 15 nautical miles (28 km) south of Mine Head, Ireland by SM U-105 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of seven crew.
Daybreak (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 1 nautical mile (1.9 km) east of the South Rock Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM U-87 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 21 of her crew.
Luciston (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the English Channel 1.5 nautical miles (2.8 km) west by south of the Owers Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM UC-71 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member. She was beached was declared a total loss. The wreck was dispersed in December 1923.
HMS Penshurst (Royal Navy) The Q-ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Bristol Channel (51°38′N 5°48′W) by SM U-110 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two crew.
Turnbridge (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 34 nautical miles (63 km) north east by north of Cape Ivi, Algeria (36°37′N 0°24′E) by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.

Weihnachten im Unterstand | Christmas in Shelter. 24 December 1917
https://i.imgur.com/oynRqUr.jpg

[Sailor Steve]

December 24, 1917

Air War:

German ace Otto Rosenfeld, flying with Jasta 41 in the Alsace district, shoots down a Dorand AR.2 for victory number 7.

[Jimbuna]

25th December 1917

Southern Front

Heavy fighting continues on Asiago plateau for passage of Brenta river.

Naval and Overseas Operations

East Africa: British pursue Germans 40 miles south of River Rovuma; latter broken up.

German submarine SM U-87, credited with sinking 22 ships during its career, is sunk with all 44 crew when it is rammed by the HMS Buttercup in the Irish Sea.

Political, etc.

Count Czernin replies to Russian peace proposals of 22 December.

Ukrainian People’s Republic of Soviets is proclaimed in Bolshevik-occupied Kharkiv. Most of Ukraine is controlled by the anti-Bolshevik Rada.

Ship Losses:

Agberi (United Kingdom) The Elder Dempster 3,463 grt ocean liner was torpedoed and sunk in St. George's Channel 18 nautical miles (33 km) north west of Bardsey Island, Pembrokeshire by SM U-87 ( Kaiserliche Marine) en route from Dakar to Liverpool. There were no casualties.
Ajax (Denmark) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay off Audiere, Finistère (47°53′N 4°32′W) by SM U-104 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eleven crew.
Argo (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 18 nautical miles (33 km) north west of Cape Ténès, Algeria (36°42′N 1°01′E) by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Cliftondale (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 36 nautical miles (67 km) east by north of Cape Ténès by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three crew.
Espagne (Belgium) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel off St. Catherine's Point, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom (50°26′N 1°29′W) by SM UC-71 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 21 crew.
Hekla (Denmark) The coaster struck a mine laid by UC 53 (Kurt Albrecht) and sank in the Mediterranean Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) south west of Cape Palinuro, Italy (39°50′N 15°42′E) with the loss of thirteen of her crew.
Nordpol (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 30 nautical miles (56 km) off Cape Cherchell, Algeria (37°02′N 2°02′E) by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Sant' Antonio (Italy) The barque was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Algeria by SM UB-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
SM U-87 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type U 87 submarine was rammed in the Irish Sea by HMS Buttercup and was then depth charged and sunk by the patrol craft PC-56 (both Royal Navy) with the loss of all 44 crew.
Umballa (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Gulf of Policastro 8 nautical miles (15 km) south of Cape Scala, Italy (39°46′N 15°39′E) by SM UB-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

December 25, 1917


Air War:

No aerial activity this day.

[Jimbuna]

26th December 1917

Western Front

Hostile artillery activity near Vimy and east of Ypres.

Germans repulsed in Caurieres Wood (Verdun).

Southern Front

Big aerial fight 18 miles north of Venice.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Palestine: Sharp fighting during night; British picquets attacked.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Admiral Sir R. Wemyss appointed First Sea Lord vice Sir John Jellicoe (peerage conferred on latter).

Political, etc.

U.S.A. Shipping Board promises five million tons in 1918.

Mr. McAdoo appointed Director of Railways.

Ship Losses:

Benito (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 9 nautical miles (17 km) south of Dodman Point, Cornwall (50°04′N 4°45′W) by SM UB-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Lydia (Portugal) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south of Faial Island, Azores (37°50′N 28°40′W) by SM U-157 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Skaala (Norway) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) west of Prawle Point, Devon, United Kingdom (50°11′N 3°50′W) by SM UB-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Tregenna (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 9 nautical miles (17 km) south of Dodman Point (50°04′N 4°45′W) by SM UB-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

December 26, 1917

Air War:

0900 Italian ace Silvio Scaroni, flying an Hanriot HD.I, shoots down an "Ememy Aircraft" for victory number 7.

0920 Five Allied pilots from different services share a victory over a DFW C.V:
Lt O.W. Frayne, nationality unknown, Sopwith Camel B6345, victory number unknown.
Arthur Gordon Jarvis, England, Sopwith Camel B2303, victory number 1.
2nd Lt P.G. Mulholland, nationality unknown, Sopwith Camel B5183, victory number unknown.
Antonio Riva, Italy, Hanriot HD.I, victory number 2.
Silvio Scaroni, Italy, Hanriot HD.I, victory number 8.

1235 Another inther-service teamup brings down an AEG G.IV bomber:
James Mitchell, England, Sopwith Camel B6344, victory number 6.
Silvio Scaroni, Italy, Hanriot HD.I, victory number 9.

1520 English RFC ace Frank Quigley, flying Sopwith Camel B2447, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 8.

Italian pilot Antonio Chiri, in an Hanriot HD.I, shoots down a DFW C.V for victory number 3.

Italian pilot Mario Fucini, in an Hanriot HD.I, shoots down a DFW C.V for victory number 2.

Antonio Riva scores his second kill of the day, shooting down a DFW C.V for victory number 3.

[Jimbuna]

27th December 1917

Western Front

German attacks around the Verdun are repulsed by French defenders, although 100 French prisoners are taken.

Eastern Front

Bolsheviks try to get Ukraine to fight Cossacks.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Turko-Germans attempt to recapture Jerusalem.

Political, etc.

Sir F.E. Smith emphasises British solidarity in New York.

Ship Lossers:

Adela (United Kingdom) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 12 nautical miles (22 km) north west of The Skerries, Isle of Anglesey by SM U-100 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 24 of her crew.
P.L.M. 4 (France) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel 28 nautical miles (52 km) north east of Barfleu, Seine-Maritime by SM UC-71 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

[Sailor Steve]

December 27, 1917

Air War:

1050 Three RFC Sopwith Camel pilots share avictory over an Albatros two-seater:
Frank Hobson, England, B6251, victory number 8.
Kenneth Seth-Smith, England, B2438, victory number 3.
Frank Quigley, Camada, B2447, victory number 9.

[Jimbuna]

28th December 1917

Western Front

Much activity on both sides north of St. Quentin.

Southern Front

Enemy bridges at Zenson bend (lower Piave) destroyed.

Padua bombed, 13 killed, 60 injured.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Enemy driven back north of Jerusalem; Ramah and Bertunia captured.

Political, etc.

Labour memo on War Aims accepted in special Conference.

French war aims outlined by Foreign Minister.

Ship Losses:

Alfred H. Read (United Kingdom) The pilot vessel struck a mine laid by UC 75 (Johannes Lohs) and sank in the River Mersey with the loss of 39 lives.
Chirripo (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by
UC 75 (Johannes Lohs) and sank in Belfast Lough. Her crew survived.
Clara (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel (50°11′N 5°36′W) by SM UB-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Dauno (Italy) The coaster was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea east of Benghazi, Libya by SM UC-73 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Fallodon (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 12 nautical miles (22 km) south south east of St. Catherine's Point, Isle of Wight (50°26′N 1°06′W) by SM UC-71 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Lord Derby (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in St. George's Channel 7 nautical miles (13 km) south west by south of St. Anns Head by SM U-105 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three crew.
Magellan (France) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 166 nautical miles (307 km) north west of Cape Finisterre, Spain (43°10′N 13°32′W) by SM U-43 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Maxton (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 28 nautical miles (52 km) north of Malin Head, County Donegal by SM U-19 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
HMT Piscatorial II (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 71 (Ernst Steindorff) and sank in the English Channel 7 nautical miles (13 km) south west of Brighton, East Sussex with the loss of all ten of her crew.
Robert Eggleton (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in St. George's Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) south west of Bardsey Island, Pembrokeshire by SM U-91 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Santa Amalia (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 30 nautical miles (56 km) north north east of Malin Head by SM U-19 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 43 crew.

[Sailor Steve]

December 28, 1917

Air War:

1100 Canadian RFC pilot George Robert Howsam, flying Sopwith Camel B2311, shoots down an Albatros two-seater for victory number 1.

1115 Two RFC Camel pilots share a victory over a German two-seater:
Godfrey Bremridge, England, B5597, victory number 2.
Lt C.B. Matthews, nationality unknown, B2487, victory number unknown.

1120 Irish RFC pilot George Edward henry McElroy, in SE.5a B598, shoots down an LVG two-seater for victory number 1.

1330 German ace Emil Thuy, in a Pfalz D.III, shoots down a DH.4 for victory number 17.

1600 Scottish RFC pilot Charles Davidson and observer Frederick Knowles, in Bristol F.2b A7192, shoot down a German two-seater. Victory number 5 for both.

1200 English RFC pilot Harry Noel Cornforth Robinson, flying Sopwith Camel B2429, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 1.

German pilot Max Brandenburg (0 victories), in Pfalz D.III 4020/17, is shot down by ground fire and taken prisoner.

French pilot Sgt Georges Burlaton and observer S/Lt Debrus, in Bréguet 14 1168, become lost, land in German territory and are taken prisoner.

German pilot Wilhelm Mattheus of Marine Feld Jasta I (2 victories), is wounded in action and later dies from his wounds.

German ace Karl Meyer of the SeeFrontStaffel is injured in a flying accident and dies on the 31st.

[Jimbuna]

29th December 1917

Western Front

Local German attacks south of St. Quentin and near Ypres-Staden railway.

Southern Front

Padua again bombed, three killed, three injured.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Further British advance north of Jerusalem.

Naval and Overseas Operations

German Naval Mission under Admiral Kaiserling arrives at Petrograd.

Political, etc.

First batch of British prisoners arrives in Holland for internment.

French Chamber of Deputies adopts a resolution prohibiting the manufacture of gin.

Efforts of U.S.A. Shipping Board bent on steel ships.

US Generals slam the War Department for the shortage of arms, as soldiers are training without guns.

Finnish Republic asks for recognition.

Bolsheviks seize all banks.

Ship Lossers:

Ennismore (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 15 nautical miles (28 km) south east of Buchan Ness, Aberdeenshire (57°17′N 1°25′W) by SM UC-58 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of ten of her crew.
Patria (Russia) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 8 nautical miles (15 km) off Hartlepool, County Durham, United Kingdom by SM UB-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Peregrine (United Kingdom) The passenger ship ran aground in the North Sea 14 nautical miles (26 km) off Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex. All 88 people on board were rescued by the Walton Lifeboat.
HMT Sapper (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 71 (Ernst Steindorff) and sank in the English Channel off the Owers Lightship ( United Kingdom) (50°37′N 0°41′W) with the loss of all nineteen crew.
Tiro (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 7 nautical miles (13 km) north west by west of The Lizard, Cornwall, United Kingdom (49°56′N 5°23′W) by SM UB-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

December 29, 1917

Air War:

0830 Scottish RFC ace Charles Davidson, flying Bristol F.2b A7202 with 2nd Lt A. Simmons as observer, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 6. This is Davidson's last aerial victory. He will survive the war and remain in the RAF. He will die in the crash of a home-built aircraft in 1936.

1010 English RFC ace John Candy, in SPAD VII B1660, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 6. This is Candy's last aerial victory. He will retire from the RAF in 1937 but be recalled in 1939 and serve throughout World War Two, retiring for goond in 1946. John Geoffrey Sadler Candy will live until 1955.

1020 Canadian RFC pilot John De Pencier, in SPAD VII B1581, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 2.

1120 German ace Karl Menckhoff, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down SPAD VII B6780 for victory number 18. 2nd Lt H.E. Galer is taken prisoner.

German pilot Ltn Golz (first name unknown, flying for Jasta 13, shoots down a Caudron for his only victory. No further details.

French pilot Gustave Naudin, flying a SPAD, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 2.

German ace Otto Rosenfeld, flying for Jasta 41, shoots down a French observation balloon for victory number 8. Sgt Pierre Prieur parachutes safely. Rosenfeld is also shot down by ground fire and taken prisoner.

[Jimbuna]

30th December 1917

Western Front

South of Marcoing (Cambrai) British regain portions of Welsh Ridge.

Southern Front

French storm Austrian trenches east of M. Grappa.

Padua again bombed.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British continue advance north; take Bethel, etc.

Naval and Overseas Operations

H.M.S. "Aragon" torpedoed in Mediterranean.

Political, etc.

Tuskegee Institute releases report that 38 African Americans were lynched in the United States this year.

Cold weather and a coal shortages cause two riots in break out in New York City.

Ship Losses:

Aragon (United Kingdom) The troopship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Alexandria, Egypt (31°18′N 29°48′E) by SM UC-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 610 lives.
HMS Attack (Royal Navy) The Acheron-class destroyer was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Alexandria (31°18′N 29°49′E) by SM UC-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine) whilst rescuing survivors from Aragon ( United Kingdom). Ten of her 70 crew were killed.
Hercules (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) east north east of Whitby, Yorkshire (54°32′N 0°39′W) by SM UB-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of twelve of her crew.
Joachim Mumbru (Spain) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south of Madeira, Portugal (31°17′N 17°20′W) by SM U-156 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Zone (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) off St. Ives, Cornwall (50°16′N 5°29′W) by SM U-110 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

December 30, 1917

Air War:

1500 Canadian RFC pilot Clifford MacKay McEwen, flying Sopwith Camel B2461 on the Italian Front, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 1.

1515 German pilot Ludwig Gaim, in an Albatros D.III on the Italian Front, shoots down a SPAD ffor victory number 5. Gaim is also wounded in this fight, and this is his last aerial victory. He will survive the war and serve in World War Two. Ludwig Gaim will be promoted to SS-Standartenführer on November 9, 1943. The date of his death is unrecorded, only that it occurred after his last promotion.

1555 German pilot Karl Bohnenkamp, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 3.

German pilot Eduard Hannemann, in an Albatros D.III on the Italian Front, shoots down a Caproni bomber for victory number 2.

German pilot Ernst von Stenglin, in an Albatros D.III on the Italian Front, shoots down a Caproni bomber and an unknown enemy for victories number 4 and 5. One source says these were a Camel and a SPAD, but also notes that he only filed one claim that day. It is also said that it is not known whether these kills are confirmed or not. He may have only had two victories total, and these would not be among them.

German pilot Alwin Thurm, flying Albatros D.III 4879/17 on the Italian Front, destroys an observation Balloon for victory number 5.

[Jimbuna]

31st December 1917

Western Front

Renewed German attacks on Welsh Ridge repulsed.

Eastern Front

Civil war raging in Russia; large numbers of officers have joined General Kaledin.

Southern Front

Austrians forced to abandon bridgehead in Zenson bend.

Austrians bomb Treviso, Vicenza, Castelfranco and Bassano.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Progress reported in East Africa.

H.M.S. "Osmanieh" sunk by mine in Mediterranean.

Political, etc.

Anglo-Turkish agreement for exchange of prisoners signed at Berne.

Lord Rhondda issues model rationing scheme.

Soviet Government issues a decree recognizing the independence of Finland. Finland declared independence from Russia on December 6th.

British government announces a provisional rationing scheme to control all essential food supplies. Sugar is also restricted to half a pound a week.

U.S. Justice Department sets February 4 as the date when all German men of fighting age without US citizenship must register with the government and carry a special identification card.

Ship Losses:

USS Fli-Hawk (United States Navy) The patrol boat collided with Gratitude ( United States) at Norfolk, Virginia and sank. She was subsequently raised, repaired and returned to service.
Lily (Greece) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 50 nautical miles (93 km) west of Port Said, Egypt (32°12′N 32°08′E) by SM UB-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
HMS Osmanieh (Royal Navy) The fleet messenger struck a mine from SM UC-34 and sank at Alexandria, Egypt with the loss of 198 lives.
Vigrid (Norway) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) north west of The Lizard, Cornwall, United Kingdom (50°03′N 5°55′W) by SM U-95 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of five of her crew.
Westville (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) west south west of St. Catherine's Point, Isle of Wight (50°32′N 1°25′W) by SM UB-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

https://i.imgur.com/zqBe8iF.jpg

[Sailor Steve]

December 31, 1917

Air War:

Idflieg bi-monthly report on German fighters operating at the front at the end of December 1917:

Albatros:
D.II----6
D.III-423
D.V---513
D.Va--186

Fokker:
Dr.I----35

Halberstadt:
CL.II-120
D.II-----2
D.III----5
D.V-----3

Hannover:
CL.II-162

LFG Roland:
D.II----2
D.IIa---6

Pfalz:
D.III--276
D.IIIa-114


0945 Two RFC Sopwith Camel pilots over the Italian front shoot down Albatros D.III 4879/17:
Raymond Brownell, Australia, B2430, victory number 6.
Henry Moody, England, B6238, victory number 5.
German 5-victoy ace Alwin Thurm, making a balloon attack, is killed.

1030 Raymond Brownell and Henry Moody claim an Albatros D.V for their second kill of the day together. Number 7 for Brownell, number 6 for Moody. There are no German records of a second Albatros loss on this day.

[Jimbuna]

1st January 1918

Western Front

German raids near Loos, Mericourt, and on other portions of front fail.

French repulse raid at Beaumont (Verdun).

Eastern Front

Reported German peace term cause consternation in Russia and denounced as annexationist.

M. Litvinov appointed Bolshevik Plenipotentiary in London.

Southern Front

Austrians bomb Bassano, Treviso and Mestre (Venice).

Successful British raid across Piave river.

Austrians driven from Zenson.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British advance continues north of Jerusalem.

Political, etc.

Kaiser Wilhelm in his New Year’s address: “Trusting in our righteous cause and in our strength, we face the year 1918 with firm confidence and iron will. Therefore, forward with God to fresh deeds and fresh victories!”

British government announces it will house the Air Board offices at the British Museum. This results in controversy and protests, as it would make the museum a military target.

Bolsheviks denounce the peace terms of the Central Powers due to demands that the Soviets cede former Russian territory.

Inter-allied War Purchases Committee meets in Paris.

Calcutta: All-India Moslem Association formed.

Ship Losses:

Egyptian Transport (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was damaged in the Mediterranean by SM UB-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of five of her crew. She was beached near Bône, Algeria. Later refloated, repaired and returned to service.
Eriksholm (Sweden) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea[2] south of Aberdeen, United Kingdom (57°10′N 1°51′W) by SM UC-58 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
E. S. Hocken (United Kingdom) The schooner was set afire and abandoned in the Atlantic Ocean. Her crew were rescued.
Sandon Hall (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 22 nautical miles (41 km) north north east of Linosa, Italy (36°15′N 13°00′E) by SM U-40 ( Austro-Hungarian Navy). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

January 1, 1918

Air War:

0940 Two RFC Sopwith Camel pilots share a victory over a German two-seater:
Frank Gorringe, England, B2426, victory number 6
Lt C. Smith, details unknown.

1050 Two Canadian RFC SE.5a pilots share a victory over a DFW C.V:
John Crompton, A8901, victory number 5. This is Crompton's last aerial victory. On March 16 he will be removed from combat by a medical review board. Further information unknown.
Frank Soden, C5332, victory number 12.

1109 German ace Ernst von Stenglin, in an Albatros D.III over the Italian Front, shoots down Sopwith Camel B6414 for victory number 6. Cpt R. Erskin dies from wounds recieved. This is von Stenglin's last aerial victory. He will survive the war but further information is not listed.
German pilot Karl Lang (1 victory) is also killed in this fight.

1125 Two French Nieuport pilots share a victory over an "Enemy Aircraft":
Adj de la Forest Divone (no first name given), victory number 1.
Albert de Kergorlay, victory number 2.
(Uncertain, but Ltns N. Hillmann and H. Predohl of FltAbt 261 were killed at about this time.)

1135 Three RNAS Sopwith Camel pilots share a victory over a Hannover two-seater:
Robert Compston, England, B6340, victory number 16.
Gerald Kempster Cooper, England, B6321, victory number 1.
Edward Mannok, England, B665, victory number 16.

1220 German pilot Vfw Teigeler (no first name given) shoots down a SPAD for his 1st and only victory.

1330 Welsh RFC pilot John Stanley Chick, flying Bristol F.2b C4846 with Lt H.R. Kinkead as observer, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

1415 French pilot Pierre Marinovitch, in a Nieuport 24, shoots down a Rumpler two-seater for victory number 4.

1500 South African RNAS ace William Jordan, in Sopwith Camel B6447, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 9.

1530 English RNAS pilot Robert Compston, in Sopwith Camel B6340, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 16. Sharing the kill is Flight Squadron Leader A.J. Dixon in Camel B6319, victory number unknown.

French ace Hector Garaud, in a SPAD, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 7.

French ace Gabriel Guérin, flying a SPAD, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 12. Uncertain, but Ltns Karl Koelschtzky and Robert Wiegard are killed on this day.

American pilot James Norman Hall, in a Nieuport with French N.124, shoots down an Albatros fighter for victory number 1. This is possibly Uffz Albert Meinhardt, killed on this day. It is also the last victory for the famed "Lafayette Escadrille".

German pilot Max Kahlow, with Jasta 34, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 3.

German pilot Georg Kröhl, with Jasta 34, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 1.

German pilot Heinrich Küllmer, with Jasta 23, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 2.

German pilot Johann Pütz, with Jasta 34, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 1.

[Jimbuna]

2nd January 1918

Western Front

British repulse raid near La Bassee.

Eastern Front

Central Committee of Soviets meets to receive reports of Peace pourparlers. German conditions denounced.

Southern Front

Austrians bomb Castelfranco, Veneto (west of Treviso) and hit hospitals.

Political, etc.

Air Council established by Order in Council.

U.S.A.: Statement showing result of American War Mission in Europe issued.

Newfoundland: Sir E. Morris, Prime Minister, resigns.

Ship Losses:

Boston City (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 11 nautical miles (20 km) west of St. Ann's Head, Pembrokeshire (51°40′N 5°26′W) by SM U-91 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Christos Markettos (Italy) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) north west of Gurnard's Head, Cornwall, United Kingdom (50°13′N 5°42′W) by SM U-95 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Gallier (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 7 nautical miles (13 km) east north east of the Wolf Rock, Cornwall (50°00′N 5°39′W) by SM U-95 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMS Hirpa (Royal Navy) The whaler was lost on this date.
Nadejda (Russia) The cargo ship was sunk in the Irish Sea 25 nautical miles (46 km) south west of the Chicken Rock, Isle of Man by SM U-19 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Veda (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 30 nautical miles (56 km) south south west of the Eddystone Lighthouse by SM U-93 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

January 2, 1918

Air War:

1210 An unknown Sopwith Camel pilot shoots down and kills Ltn Günther Auffarth (0 victories).

[Jimbuna]

3rd January 1918

Western Front

Allied air raids on Metz district.

South of Lens British line is advanced slightly.

French repulse attack near Anspach (Alsace) with heavy loss.

Eastern Front

Sir J. Buchanan, British Ambassador in Petrograd, granted leave of absence.

Southern Front

Austrians bomb Treviso and Padua.

Ship Losses:

Allanton (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean 20 nautical miles (37 km) north of Cape Bon, Algeria (37°26′N 11°00′E) by SM UB-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Asborg (Norway) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) south east by east of St. Catherine's Point, Isle of Wight (50°31′N 1°16′W) by SM UC-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Birchwood (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 25 nautical miles (46 km) east of the Blackwater Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM U-61 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMS Blackwhale (Royal Navy) The patrol vessel struck a mine laid by UC 49 (Hans Kükenthal) and sank in the North Sea off Fife Ness (56°19′N 0°45′W) with the loss of twelve of her crew.
Gartland (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) east south east of the Owers Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM UB-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
Steelville (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km) north of Cape Bon (37°25′N 11°06′E) by SM UB-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

January 3, 1918

Alfred Harmsworth, 1st Viscount Northcliffe, owner of the Daily Mail, publishes an editorial criticizing the British Army for not disclosing the names of RFC pilots unless they are killed. Other newspapers join the call for announcing successful pilots' names.



Air War:

0920 Australian AFC observer Leslie William Sutherland, riding as observer in Bristol F.2b C4623 with pilot Lt R.A. Austin, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 1.

1005 Two RNAS Camel aces share a victory over a DFW C.V:
Robert Compston, England, B6340, victory number 18
William Jordan, South Africa, B6447, victory number 10.

1120 Robert Compston scores his second victory of the day, shooting down another DFW C.V for number 19.

1130 Canadian RFC pilot Norman Millman and English observer Arthur Cooper, in Bristol F.2b B1187, shoot down an Albatros two-seater. Victory number 2 for both.

1205 German pilot Johann Pütz, with Jasta 34, shoots down a Dorand Ar.2 for victory number 2.

1210 German ace Ludwig Hanstein, flying Albatros D.V 5285/17, shoots down SE.5a C1753 for victory number 14. 2nd Lt R.J.G. Stewart is wounded and taken prisoner.

1210 New Zealand RFC ace Keith Park and Scottish observer John Henry Robertson, in Bristol F.2b A7229, shoot down an Albatros. Park's listing says it was a D.III, while Robertson's says D.V. Victory number 17 for Park, number 1 for Robertson. According to John Guttman's Bristol F2 Fighter Aces of World War I, the plane was a DFW C.V crewed by Kurt Ungewitter and Vfw Meinke (no first name given). Ungewitter and Meinke also claimed to have shot down Park and Robertson, but this was listed as Unconfirmed.

1235 German pilot Otto Fruhner, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 3.

1330 German ace Bruno Loerzer, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down DH.4 A7687 for victory number 21. Cpt A.F.E. Pitman and Lt C.W. Pearson are both killed.

1330 German pilot Erik Thomas, with Jasta 9, destroys a French observation balloon for victory number 1.

1340 English RFC ace Frank Gorringe, in Sopwith Camel B6426, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 7.

1345 Emglish RFC ace Frank Quigley, flying Sopwith Camel B2447, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 10.

1345 English RNAS pilot Miles Jeffrey Game Day, in Sopwith Camel N6349, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 1.

1450 German pilot Emil Liebert, probably in a Pfalz D.III, shoots down Sopwith Camel B5658 for victory number 2. Sub-Lt F. Booth is killed. Later this same day Liebert is killed when he collides with a balloon he is attacking.

1450 German pilot Hans Oberländer, probably in a Pfalz D.III, shoots down Sopwith Camel N6351 for victory number 5. Sub-Lt A.G. Beattie is taken prisoner.

1500 South African RFC pilot Andrew Frederick Weatherby Beauchamp-Proctor, in SE.5a B539, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 1.

1530 Irish RFC ace William Molesworth, flying Nieuport 27 B6812, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 10.

1545 American RFC pilot Wilfred Beaver and English observer Harold Edwin Easton, in Bristol F.2b B883, shoot down a Albatros D.V. Victory number 4 for Beaver and number 1 for Easton.

French ace Maurice Boyau, in a SPAD VII, destroys an observation balloon for victory number 12.

French pilot Michel Coiffard, in a SPAD VII, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 2.

French ace Omer Demeuldre, in a SPAD, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 12.

French aircrew Sgt Duvaut and Sldt Delcy, flying a Bréguet 14, shoot down a German fighter. Victory number 1 for both. They are also shot down but land safely.

German pilot Vfw Gnadig, with Jasta 38, shoots down a BE.2 for victory number 1.

French ace Gabriel Guérin, in a SPAD, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 13.

German pilot Erich Kämpfe, with Jasta 13, destroys an observation balloon and the shoots down a SPAD for victories 1 and 2.

German pilot Josef Kettel, in Albatros D.III 2370/17, shoots down a Paul Schmitt two-seater for victory number 1.

French pilot Henri Péronneau, flying a SPAD, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 5.

German pilot Otto Stadter, with Jasta 32, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 3.

German pilot Rudolf Windisch, with Jasta 32, destroys an observation balloon for victory number 7.

[Jimbuna]

4th January 1918

Western Front

Further British air raid on Metz district.

Eastern Front

Bolshevik Government recognises independence of Finland.

Southern Front

Austrians bomb Mestre, Bassano and Castelfranco.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British again advance for a mile north of Jerusalem.

Naval and Overseas Operations

British naval aircraft bomb Ghistelles aerodrome.

Hospital ship "Rewa" torpedoed in Bristol Channel; all wounded saved.

Political, etc.

Lloyd George warns of food shortages, stating Britain must feed itself. Lord Rhondda, British Food Controller, says that compulsory rationing is necessary: “You have only to tighten your belt.”

The first group of Canadian men chosen by the draft report for military service.

French novelist Georges Lecomte proposes that the French families should adopt American soldiers for the duration of the war to forge closer ties between the two nations.

Ship Losses:

Day Spring (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the English Channel 8 nautical miles (15 km) south east of Berry Head, Devon by SM UC-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Goeland I (French Navy) The naval trawler was shelled and sunk in the Bay of Biscay off Penmarc'h, Finistère, France by SM U-93 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of sweven of her crew.
HMT Golden Sunset (Royal Navy) The naval trawler collided with another vessel and sank in the English Channel off the Shambles Lightship ( United Kingdom).
Gratitude (United Kingdom) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the English Channel 8 nautical miles (15 km) south east of Berry Head by SM UC-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Otto (United Kingdom) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the Irish Sea 10 nautical miles (19 km) south south west of St. John's Point, County Down (54°11′N 5°32′W) by SM U-91 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Regina Elena (Italy) The passenger ship was sunk in the Mediterranean off Tripoli, Libya by SM UC-20 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
HMHS Rewa (United Kingdom) The hospital ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Bristol Channel 19 nautical miles (35 km) west of Hartland Point, Devon (50°55′N 4°49′W) by SM U-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four of the 566 people on board.
Varuna (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the English Channel 15 nautical miles (28 km) east south east of Berry Head by SM UC-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

January 4, 1918

Air War:

0920 Two RFC Sopwith Camel pilots share a victory over a German two-seater:
Frank Gorringe, England, B2492, victory number 8
Lt H. Soulby, details unknown.

1045 Canadian RFC pilot Edward Eaton, flying Sopwith Camel B2394, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 2.

1105 Canadian RFC ace Guy Moore, in Nieuport 27 B3629, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 7.

1106 English RFC observer Stanley Masding, in a Bristol F.2b with 2nd Lt G.D. Joost as pilot, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 2.

1120 Welsh RNAS pilot Harold Day, in Sopwith Camel B3821, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 5.

1130 South African RNAS ace William Jordan, in Sopwith Camel B6448, shoots down a DFW C.V for victory number 11.

1140 German ace Willi Kampe, flying an Albatros, shoots down Sopwith Camel B2413 for victory number 7. 2nd Lt R.E. Robb is killed.

1140 German pilot Kurt Schulz, with Jasta 37, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 1.

1200 English RFC ace pilot Reginald Makepeace and observer John Hedley, in Bristol F.2b B7255, shoot down an Albatros D.V. Victory number 16 for Makepeace, number 5 for Hedley.

1220 German ace Wilhelm Reinhard, in a Fokker Dr.I, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 7. This may have actually been DH.4 B2074, 2nd Lt K.P. Ewart and Lt A.N. Westlake both killed.

1245 German pilot Wilhelm Papenmeyer, in Fokker Dr.I 214/17, shoots down SE.5a C5334 for victory number 2. Cpt F.H.B. Selous is killed.

1330 Frank Gorringe, back in Sopwith Camel B6426, scores his second victory of the day, shooting down an Albatros D.V for number 9.

1350 German pilot Otto Fruhner, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down DH.4 A7424 for victory number 4. Cpt E.E.E. Pope and Lt A.F. Wynee are teaken prisoner.

1615 French SPAD pilots Laurent Ruamps and Jean Sardier share a victory over an "Enemy Aircraft". Number 2 for Ruamps and number 3 for Sardier.

French SPAD aces Marcel Dhôme and Henri Péronneau share a victory over a German two-seater. Number 6 for both.

French ace Georges Madon, in a SPAD, shoots down a German "Scout" for victory number 20.

German ace Rudolf Windisch, with Jasta 32, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 8.

[Jimbuna]

5th January 1918

Western Front

Strong German attacks on British positions east of Bullecourt (Cambrai) repulsed; also two raids near Hollebeke.

British bomb Conflans station.

Eastern Front

Turkey communicates peace terms to Russia.

Southern Front

Artillery activity from Asiago to Adriatic and aerial activity on whole front.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Aden: British make string reconnaissance towards Hatum and Jabir and destroy the former.

Lt.-Col. R. Storrs made Governor of Jerusalem.

Political, etc.

Mr. Lloyd George addresses Man-power Conference on War Aims.

Independence of Finland recognised by Sweden.

Newfoundland: Mr. Lloyd forms new Cabinet.

Spain announces it has dismissed 1500 soldiers and officers from its Army for planning a coup.

Ship Losses:

Birtley (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 8 nautical miles (15 km) north of Flamborough Head, Yorkshire by SM UB-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eighteen of her crew.
Glenarm Head (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) west by south of the Brighton Lightship (50°34′N 0°12′W) by SM UB-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
Iolanthe (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) south east by east of Portland Bill, Dorset (50°28′N 2°12′W) by SM UC-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Knightsgarth (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Bristol Channel 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) west north west of the Bull Point Lighthouse, Devon by SM U-91 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
Rio Claro (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Gulf of Genoa 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) of Riva Trigoso, Liguria, Italy (44°13′N 9°29′E) by SM U-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived. The stern section of the ship was refloated in March 1919 and subsequently returned to service with a new bow.
Rose Marie (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 13 nautical miles (24 km) south east of the North Arklow Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM U-61 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
War Baron (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 8 nautical miles (15 km) north east of the Godrevy Lighthouse, Cornwall (50°18′N 5°35′W) by SM U-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two lives.

[Sailor Steve]

January 5, 1918

Air War:

A fire at the German Navy airship base at Tondem triggers a series of explosions which destroy four hangers and five Zeppelins in just five minutes, killing 14 and injuring 134.

1605 German ace Erich Löwenhardt, flying a Pfalz D.IIIa, destroys a French observation balloon for victory number 9.

German pilot Walter Ewers, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down either a Paul Schmitt or a Dorand AR.2, and then a SPAD for victories 4 and 5.

German pilot Franz Piechulek, in an Albatros D.V, destroys a French observation balloon for victory number 2.

[Jimbuna]

6th January 1918

Southern Front

Patrol actions between Brenta and Piave rivers.

Austrian patrols active north of Costalunga.

Albania: Italians repulse large enemy detachments on Osum river.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Arabia: Arabs raid Hejaz railway south of Maan.

Aviation

German fighter ace Walter von Bülow-Bothkamp, who has 28 aerial victories, is killed in action near Ypres.
https://i.imgur.com/xs6Dzgy.jpg

Political, etc.

Independence of Finland recognised by France and Germany.

German socialists denounce German government demands of territory from Soviet Russia. They instead urge no annexations and to uphold the principle of self-determination.

Ship Losses:

Dagny (Denmark) The cargo ship was toepedoed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) south south west of Penmarc'h, Finistère, France by SM U-93 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
Halberdier (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in St George's Channel 27 nautical miles (50 km) west by north of Bardsey Island, Pembrokeshire by SM U-61 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of five crew.
Harry Luckenbach (United States) The tanker was sunk in the Bay of Biscay 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) off Penmarc'h by SM U-93 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eight of her crew.
Henri Le Cour (France) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay 9 nautical miles (17 km) off Penmarc'h (47°45′N 4°28′W) by SM U-93 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Kanaris (Greece) The cargo ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off Penmarc'h (47°44′N 4°13′W) by SM U-93 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Saint Mathieu (French Navy) The naval trawler was shelled and sunk in the Bay of Biscay off the Île d'Yeu, Vendée by SM U-22 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eight crew.
Spenser (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 35 nautical miles (65 km) north east of the Tuskar Rock, Ireland by SM U-61 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

January 6, 1918

Air War:

1000 Two French Nieuport 17 pilots share a victory over a German two-seater:
Marius Ambrogi, victory number 2,
Marie de Kerland, victory number 2.

1150 Two RNAS Camel aces share a victory over an Albatros D.V:
Robert Compston, England, B6340, victory number 20
William Jordan, South Africa, B6448, victory number 12.

1200 English RFC pilot William Edward Green, in DH.4 A7904 with 2nd Lt E.H. Wilson as observer, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

1205 English RFC pilot David Stewart and Scottish observer Harry William MacKintosh MacKay, in DH.4 A7653, shoot down an Albatros D.V. Victory number 3 for Stewart and number 1 for MacKay.

1210 English RFC pilot Wilfred Beaver and observer Harry Easton, in Bristol F.2b B883, shoot down an Albatros two-seater. Victory number 5 for Beaver, number 2 for Easton.

1300 Welsh RNAS ace Harold Day, flying Sopwith Camel B6371, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 6.

1340 Canadian RFC pilot Frederick Robert Gordon McCall, in RE.8 B6525 with 2nd Lt F.C. Farrington as observer, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 1.

1400 Two RFC aces from different units share a victory over an Albatros D.V:
William Fry, England, SPAD VII B3640, victory number 9.
Frank Quigley, Canada, Sopwith Camel B2447, victory number 11.
German 28-victory ace Walter von Bülow-Bothkamp is killed.

1415 Two RFC Sopwith Camel pilots share a victory over an Albatros D.V
Frank Gorringe, England, B6426, victory number 10.
Frank Quigley, Canada B2447, his second kill of the day, number 12.

German ace Georg Schlenker, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a French Sopwith 1½ Strutter for victory number 11.

1615 German ace Ernst Udet, flying Albatros D.V 4476/17, shoots down a Nieuport for victory number 17.

German pilot Friedrich Ehman, of Jasta 33, claims a Paul Schmitt bomber. Jasta War Chronology has this as victory number 1. The Jasta Pilots, by the same author, says it was Unconfirmed.

German pilot Vfw Gnädig (no first name given), with Jasta 38, shoots down a "DD" (fighter) for victory number 2.

German pilot Jakob Landin, with Jasta 32, shoots down a Nieuport for victory number 2.

[Jimbuna]

7th January 1918

Western Front

Germans raid British post near Flesquieres (Cambrai). Another raid near Ypres repulsed.

French repulse enemy attempts at Bethincourt (Meuse).

Eastern Front

Trotsky and Russian peace delegates return to Brest-Litovsk and negotiations continue.

Naval and Overseas Operations

East Africa: British column from Fort Johnston engages enemy force and drives it northwards.

Political, etc.

Lord Reading appointed High Commissioner to U.S.A.

Naval mutiny in Lisbon arrested.

King Ludwig of Bavaria at his birthday reception declares, “Not an inch of German territory will be give up.”

Italy calls on all men aged 18 to 44 previously exempted from the draft to present themselves for examination again in order to conscript more manpower.

Ship Losses:

Arab (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean 18 nautical miles (33 km) north by east of Cape Serrat, Tunisia (37°28′N 9°23′E) by SM UB-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 21 of her crew.
Egda (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 15 nautical miles (28 km) off the Tuskar Rock, Ireland (52°14′N 5°40′W) by SM U-110 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Gascony (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) south south east of the Owers Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM UC-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Leon (France) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel 13 nautical miles (24 km) north north east of the Triagoz Lighthouse, Finistère by SM UC-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Oued Sebou (France) The troopship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) off Cape Bojador, Río de Oro (26°30′N 14°17′W) by SM U-157 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Premier (United Kingdom) The drifter was shelled and sunk 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) off Loch Eynort (57°13′N 6°28′W) by SM U-91 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.

[Sailor Steve]

January 7, 1918

Due to pressure by the press the British Army changes its policy, allowing the names of living pilots to be mentioned. Lord Norcliffe publishes the first such article in his paper, the Daily Mail, talking about Philip Fuller and James McCudden.

Air War:

English RFC ace Frank Hobson, flying a Sopwith Camel, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 9.

[Jimbuna]

8th January 1918

Western Front

Strong enemy local attack near Bullecourt repulsed.

French make successful raid on large scale near Seicheprey (Woevre).

Political, etc.

Field Marshal Douglas Haig, commander of the British Expeditionary Force, publishes his despatch, dated December 25th, detailing military actions in 1917.

President Wilson makes his 14 Points Speech to Congress, outlining a peace based on free trade, open agreements, democracy, and self-determination.

Australian Prime Minister Billy Hughes resigns due to his failure to pass conscription in the country. However, he is immediately reinstated as there were no alternative candidates.

Ship Losses:

San Guglielmo (Italy) The passenger ship was sunk in the Gulf of Genoa off Loano, Liguria (44°07′N 8°18′E) by SM U-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

https://i.imgur.com/a8fIPem.jpg

[Sailor Steve]

January 8, 1918

Air War:

No aerial activity this day.