100 Years Ago Today

[Sailor Steve]

January 28, 1918

Air War:

The first German bombing raid on the UK in more than a month takes place overnight when thirteen Gotha bombers and two R-Bombers attack London. The latter are Riesenflugzeugs, giant bombers with four or more engines designed to haul very heavy bomb loads. Six of the Gothas get lost in the fog and return home. The remaining seven and the two R-planes attack various targets, killing 67 and injuring 166 people. Fourteen of the dead and 14 af the injured are crushed in the crowed trying to get into air-raid sheltrs. Eleven more are injured by falling shrapnel from British anti-aircraft shells. Many of the casualties are the result of a single 300kg (660 lb) bomb that hit the Odhams printing factory in Long Acre, London.

1105 Three RNAS Sopwith Camel pilots share a victory over a DFW C.V:
Sub-Lt C.S. Devereaux, B7230, no other information.
James Glen, Canada, B6408, victory number 7.
Leonard Rochford, England, B6401, victory number 6.

1130 Two RFC pilots share a victory over a DFW C.V:
Gerald Ernest Gibbs, Canada SE.5a B813, victory number 1.
Acheson gosford Goulding, Canada, Nieuport 5574, victory number 1.
(This serial number is given by Above The Trenches (Shores, Franks, Guest) but doesn't match any known RFC Nieuport number. A cross-check of all A, B, and C numbers came up with the same. On the other hand B574 is definitely an SE.5a)

1133 South African RNAS ace William Jordan, in Sopwith Camel B6369, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 17.

1210 German ace Josef Mai, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down Bristol F.2b B1189 for victory number 7. 2nd Lts J.L. Milne-Anderson and E. Cunningham are both killed.

1215 German ace Fritz Rumey, in an Albatros D.Va, shoots down Bristol F.2b A7288 for victory number 7. 2nd Lt S. Reay and AM2 A. Patterson are both killed.

1120 English RFC pilot James Coombe, flying Nieuport 27 B6836, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 5.

1240 English pilot Frank Cecil Ransley and observer Robert Herring, in Bristol F.2b B1193, shoot down a Rumpler two-seater. victory number 1 for Ransley, number 2 for Herring.

1315 Welsh RFC pilot John Chick and English ace observer Reginald Makepeace, in a Bristol F.2b, shoot down a DFW C.V. Victory number 2 for Chick, number 17 for Makepeace. Makepeace normally flies as a pilot, choosing to ride as observer on this mission.
(Time is according to listings for Chick. Makepeace's listings have the time as 1715.)

1320 Irish RFC pilot Herbert George Hegarty, in SE.5a B626, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

1345 Two Italian Nieuport 27 pilots share a victory over an "Enemy Aircraft":
Marziale Cerutti, victory number 4.
Antonio Reali, victory number 2.

1350 English RFC pilot Thomas Colvill-Jones, flying Bristol F.2b B1122 with 2nd Lt L.H. Phelps as observer, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 5.

1410 Marziale Cerutti and Antonio Reali share their second victory of the day, an "Enemy Aircraft". Victory number 5 for Ceruttie; number 3 for Reali.

1450 German ace Otto Könnecke, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down SE.5a B610 for victory number 12. Lt L.J. Williams is taken prisoner.

1520 German pilot Joachim-Friedrich Huth, with Jasta 14, destroys a French observation balloon. This is Huth's oly aerial victory. On March 23rd he will be wounded so severely that he will be hospitalized until April 1919. Huth will remain in the armed forces, rising to the rank of Generalleutnant in the Luftwaffe in World War 2. After that war Huth will live until 1962.

1550 Scottish RFC pilot John Todd, in Sopwith Camel B3890, shoots down a Fokker DR.I for victory number 2.

1635 German ace Ernst Udet, flying Albatros D.V 4476/17, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 18.

2210 In the first successful victory over a heavier-than-air bomber, two English RFC Sopwith Camel pilots shoot down Gotha G.V 938/16 on the previously mentioned night bombing raid:
Charles Chaplin Banks, B3827, victory number 1.
George Hackwill, B2402, victory number 3.
Uff Karl Ziegler. Ltn Friedrich von Thomsen and Uffz Walter Heiden are all killed.

Italian pilot Mario Fucini, in an Hanriot HD.1, shoots down a two-seater for victory number 3.

German naval pilot Hnns Groth, in Pfalz D.III 5923/17, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 1.

German pilot Heinrich Kramer, with Jasta 13, shoots down a French Caudron for victory number 4. This is Kramer's last aerial victory, after which he disappears from the records.

Italin ace Silvio Scaroni, flying an Hanriot HD.1, shoots down a DFW C.V for victory number 11.

[Jimbuna]

29th January 1918

Western Front

Aeroplane raid on London: bombs dropped in outskirts, 10 killed, 10 wounded.

Successful British raids and patrol encounters near Havrincourt and Bullecourt (Cambrai).

Southern Front

Italian attack continues.

Monte di Vall Bella captured.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Naval aircraft bomb Coolkerke aerodrome (Bruges).

Allied air raid on Zeebrugge.

Enemy driven down Lujenda Valley towards Mtarika (East Africa).

Political, etc.

Ukrainian-Soviet War heats up, with Soviet Russian troops attacking a smaller Ukrainian force, made up of mostly students, near Kruty. While the Ukrainians lose the battle, they slow down the Russian advance towards Kiev.

Strikes in Germany, caused by food shortages and protests against the war, grows in number, with up to 400,000 people stopping work.

Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, Canadian poet and physician known for writing the poem “In Flanders Fields,” has passed away at the front due to pneumonia.


Ship Losses:

Ada (Italy) The brigantine was scuttled in the Tyrrhenian Sea (41°20′N 12°40′E) by SM UB-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Addax (United Kingdom) The fishing vessel was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 14 nautical miles (26 km) south east by east of Berry Head, Devon (50°21′N 3°18′W) by SM UB-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Butetown (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 1.5 nautical miles (2.8 km) south of Dodman Point, Cornwall (50°12′N 4°48′W) by SM UB-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
De Julia (Belgium) The fishing vessel was sunk in Seine Bay (49°50′N 0°17′W) by SM UB-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
De Twee Marcels (Belgium) The fishing vessel was sunk in Seine Bay (49°50′N 0°17′W) by SM UB-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four of her crew.
HMT Drumtochty (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine and sank in the English Channel with the loss of eleven of her thirteen crew.
Ethelinda (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 15 nautical miles (28 km) north north west of The Skerries, Isle of Anglesey (53°29′N 5°12′W) by SM UC-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 26 of her crew.
Fanny (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Gulf of Genoa by SM UB-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
General Leman (United Kingdom) The fishing ketch was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 14 nautical miles (26 km) south east of Berry Head (50°21′N 3°10′W) by SM UB-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Geo (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 6 nautical miles (11 km) north by west of Cape Peloro, Sicily, Italy (38°19′N 15°38′E) by SM UC-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of sixteen of her crew.
Giuseppe B. (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea west of Sicily by SM UC-67 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Glenfruin (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was sunk in the Irish Sea by SM U-103 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of all 32 crew.
Guiana (United Kingdom) The tug was run down and sunk in the North Sea off Whitby, Yorkshire by HMS Bat ( Royal Navy) with the loss of four of her crew.
H. Debra Huysseme (Belgium) The fishing vessel was sunk in the English Channel by SM UB-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Ibex (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 14 nautical miles (26 km) south east of Berry Head (50°21′N 3°10′W) by SM UB-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Jean Mathilde (Belgium) The fishing vessel was sunk in Seine Bay (49°50′N 0°17′W) by SM UB-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Le Jeune Arthur (Belgium) The fishing vessel was sunk in the English Channel by SM UB-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Maria S.S. del Paradiso (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea west of Sicily by SM UC-67 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Marie (Belgium) The fishing vessel was sunk in Seine Bay (49°50′N 0°17′W) by SM UB-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Montreal (Canada) The cargo ship collided with White Star Line ocean liner RMS Cedric in Liverpool Bay and was severely damaged. She sank two days later. Her crew were rescued.
Naha Maru (Japan) The passenger ship struck a rock and sank in the Bungo Strait off Shimonoseki with the loss of 36 lives.
Perriton (United Kingdom) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 20 nautical miles (37 km) east of Berry Head by SM UB-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Perseverance (United Kingdom) The fishing vessel was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 14 nautical miles (26 km) south east by east of Berry Head (50°21′N 3°10′W) by SM UB-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Taxiarchis (United Kingdom) The sailing vessel was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean 100 nautical miles (190 km) south west of Cape Gala, Cyprus by SM U-33 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Tosho Maru (Japan) The cargo ship was sunk in the La Galita Channel by SM UC-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

January 29, 1918

Air War:

A second German nighttime raid hits Britain, this time with only four giant R-bombers. One turns back, leaving three to cause light damage. A large number of British night-fighters attack them, damaging one and not harming the other two. All three return to Germany safely.

1110 Canadian RFC ace Frank Quigley, flying Sopwith Camel B5251, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 17.

1135 German ace Wolfgang Güttler, in with Jsta 13, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 7.

1135 German ace Heinrich Kroll, in a Pfalz D.III, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 18.

1140 Welsh RNAS ace Harold Day, in Sopwith Camel B6371, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 8.

1140 Canadian RFC pilot Kenneth William Junor, in SE.5a B591, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

1200 German ace Ernst Udet, flying Albatros D.V 4476/17, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 19.

1215 German ace Fritz Rumey, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down DH.4 A7600 for victory number 8. Apt A.G. Whitehead and Lt W.J. Borthistle are both killed.

1255 Irish RFC ace William Molesworth, in Nieuport 27 B6797, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 14.

1255 English RFC pilot Kenneth Seth-Smith, in Sopwith Camel BB2438, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 5.

1255 Canadian RFC pilot Harry Symons, in Sopwith Camel B5600, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 3.

1257 English RFC pilot Thomas Melling Williams, flying Sopwith Camel B9166, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

1300 Canadian RFC pilot Harry Symons, in Sopwith Camel B5600, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 4.

1305 German ace Heinrich Arntzen, in Albatros D.III (OAW) 2480/17, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 8.

1325 English RFC pilot Edwin Arnold Clear, in SE.5a B627, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 1.

1350 German ace Heinrich Bongartz, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 26.

1400 Five RNAS Sopwith Camel pilots share in downing a German seaplane:
Maurice Cooper, Ireland, B6410. victory number 2.
John Edmund Greene, Canada, B2909, victory number 1.
George MacKay, Cananda, B6407, victory number 4
Johy Paynter, England, B3782, victory number 3.
Leonard Slatter, B7186, victory number 5.

1515 German pilot Hans Müller, in a Fokker Dr.I, shoots down a Dorand AR.2 for victory number 2. Lt Fabre is injured. Müller claimed 2 Dorands, but despite a MdL Chouineau also being injured this claim was denied.

1525 English RNAS pilot Reginald Johns, in Sopwith Camel N6328, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 2.

1530 German pilot Hans von Freden, in an Albatros D.III over the Italian Front, destroys a British observation balloon for victory number 1.

1610 German pilot Karl Bolle, in a Pfalz D.III, shoots down Sopwith Camel B3890 for victory number 4. Lt K.M. Rodger is wounded and taken prisoner.

1615 German ace Emil Thuy, flying a Pfalz D.III, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 18.

German pilot Christian Brunnengräber, in an Albatros D.III, destroys a French observation balloon for victory number 1.

Two French SPAD pilots shoot down and kill Christian Brunnengräber immediately after his balloon attack:
Armand de Turenne, victory number 7.
Bernard de la Fregeolière, victory number 2.

German pilot Albert Hurrle, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Caudron G.4 for victory number 3.

German ace Emil Meinecke, with FA 6, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 6. This is Meinecke's last aerial victory. He will survvive the war, first serving as a mechanic and test pilot for Fokker in Holland. In 1948 he will assist the U.S. Air Force in the Berlin Airlift, move to Canada in 1950 and live until 1975.

German pilot Lt z.S Tinschert (no first name given) flying with MFJ 1, shoots down a DH.4 for victory number 1.

[Jimbuna]

30th January 1918

Western Front

14 tons of bombs dropped on Paris, 1 raider brought down; 49 killed, 206 injured.

Southern Front

Battle dies down on Asiago plateau; Italians gain ground along Frenzela Gorge and at Val Bella and Rosso.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British line advanced near Arnutiya, 12 miles north of Jerusalem.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Brazil to send naval squadron to Europe.

Political, etc.

Allied War Council meets at Versailles.

German strikes spread to Kiel, Munich and Hamburg.

The city of Kiev, Ukraine is paralyzed as the Bolshevik uprising strengthens and many other workers also go one strike.

France announces it will increase the rights of Algerians fighting in the French Army, such as by opening up all ranks and decorations for Algerians, equaling pay, and giving pathways for naturalization.

Ship Losses:

Ange Gardien (France) The sailing vessel struck a mine laid by UC 48 (Kurt Ramien) and sank in the English Channel off Sept-Îles, Finistère.
Empress Ekaterina II (France) The passenger ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean north of Bougie, Algeria by SM UB-52 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Ferryhill (United Kingdom) The coaster was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 15 nautical miles (28 km) west of Cap d'Antifer, Seine-Maritime, France (49°40′N 1°11′W) by SM UB-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Fratelli Barrera (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Italy by SM UC-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Harlaw (Italy) The coaster was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 30 nautical miles (56 km) west north west of Corsica, France (43°02′N 8°30′E) by SM UB-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Lindeskov (Denmark) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 6 nautical miles (11 km) west north west of Ouessant, Finistère (48°30′N 5°17′W) by SM U-90 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Maizar (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean 38 nautical miles (70 km) north by west of Cap Ferrat, Algeria (36°32′N 1°00′W) by SM U-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Michele Padre (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterraneand Sea (39°15′N 15°11′E) by SM UC-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Minnietonka (United Kingdom) The passenger ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 40 nautical miles (74 km) east north east of Malta by SM U-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four lives. Ten survivors were taken as prisoners of war.
HMS Wellholme (Royal Navy) The Q-ship was shelled and sunk in the English Channel south west of Portland Bill, Dorset by SM UB-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three of her crew.

[Sailor Steve]

January 30, 1918

Air War:

1045 Three RNAS Sopwith Camel pilots share a victory over two Albatros D.Vs:
Aubrey Ellwood, England, B6242, victories 2 and 3.
James Glen, Canada, B6408, bictories 8 and 9.
Leonard Rochford, B6401, victories 7 and 8.

1050 Canadian RFC pilot Earl Hand, in Sopwith Camel B4609 over the Italian Front, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 3.

1140 English RFC pilot Sydney Oades and observer Stanton William Bunting, in Bristol F.2b B1152, shoot down a German two-seater. Victory number 5 for Oades, number 1 for Bunting.

1145 English RFC pilot John McCudden, in SE.5a C5310, shoots downa an Albatros D.V for victory number 3.

1225 English RFC ace James Coombe, in Nieuport 27 B6826, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 6.

1230 German pilot Vfw Mikat (first name not listed), possibly flying a Fokker Dr.I, shoots down a SPAD for his only victory, after which he disappears from the records. Md/L Raymond Varnier of Escadrille Spa 57 is wounded. Mikat's plane is based on the fact that Jasta 14 was one of only three Jastas completley equipped with Dr,Is, though the exact dates are uncertain.

1245 German ace Harald Auffarth, with Jasta 29, shoots down Bristol F.2b C4832 for victory number 8. 2nd Lt G.G. Johnstone is killed. AM2 A.R. Duff is wounded, later dying from his wounds.

1330 English RMAS pilot Charles Bartlett and ace observer Walter Naylor, in DH4 N6001, shoot down an Albatros D.V. Victory number 2 for Bartlett; number 6 for Naylor.

1330 English RNAS observer Charles Victor Robinson, riding in DH.4 A7744 with Sub-Lt J.M. Mason as pilot, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

1410 Canadian RFC pilot Kenneth Junor, in SE.5a C9532, shoots down Albatros D.Va 4630/17 for victory number 2. Obltn Bruno Justinius (1 victory) is killed.

1420 English RFC pilot Rex George Bennett,flying Bristol F.2b A6404 with AM2 Matthews as observer, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 1.

1420 German pilot Karl Bolle, in a Pfalz D.III, shoots down DH.4 N6982 for victory number 5. Sub-Lt G.P. Williams and Lt C.A. Leitch are both killed.

1420 Two RNAS Sopwith Camel pilots share a victory over a German two-seater:
Miles Day, England, N6363, victory number 3.
John Paynter, England, B3782, victory number 4.

1425 German ace Heinrich Kroll, in a Pfalz D.III, claims a Bristol F.2b for victory number 19. The only one reported lost this day was the one shot down by Auffarth at 1245.

1425 Canadian RFC pilot David McGoun and English ace observer Cyril Agelasto, in Bristol F.2b C4828, shoot down an Albatros D.V. Victory number 4 for McGoun; number 6 for Agelasto.

1510 English RNAS pilot Walter George Raymond Hinchliffe, flying Sopwitn Camel B6204, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

Four French pilots share a victory over an "Enemy Aircraft":
S/Lt Borde, aircraft and victory number unknown.
Jules Covin, SPAD VII, victory number 5.
Jacques Gerard, SPAD VII S4236, victory number 1.
M/Lt Lienhard, aircraft and victory number unknown.

German pilot Gerhard Fieseler, in an Albatros D.III over the Macedonian Front, shoots down a Nieuport 17 for victory number 2.

German pilot Wolfgang Plüschow, in an Albatros D.III over the Italian Front, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 1.

Italian pilot Antonio Reali, in a Nieuport 27, shoots down an Austrian two-seater for victory number 4.

German pilot Albert Hurrle (3 victories) is killed in combat. Victory unknown.

[Jimbuna]

31st January 1918

Southern Front

Strong Austrian counter-attack on Monte di Val Bella defeated.

Political, etc.

Martial Law in Berlin, Hamburg, etc.; Trade Unions refuse strike pay.

Ship Losses:

Elephant (French Navy) The auxiliary patrol vessel was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel north of the Île-de-Bréhat, Finistère (48°53′N 3°00′W) by SM UC-79 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of fifteen of her crew.
HMS K4 (Royal Navy) The K-class submarine collided with HMS K6 and HMS K7 (both Royal Navy) in the Firth of Forth and sank with the loss of all 59 crew.
HMS K17 (Royal Navy) The K-class submarine collided with HMS Fearless ( Royal Navy) in the Firth of Forth and sank with the loss of all 59 crew.
Martin Gust (Russia) The sailing vessel was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Ouessant, Finistère, France by SM U-90 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Towneley (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 18 nautical miles (33 km) off Trevose Head, Cornwall (50°48′N 4°48′W) by SM U-46 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of six crew.

MERCHANT SHIPPING

British, Allied and Neutral ships lost to enemy submarines, mines and cruisers etc in the month - 151 ships of 307,299 tons gross. (Lloyd's War Losses).

[Sailor Steve]

January 31, 1918

Air War:

1220 English RFC pilot Gerald Gibbs, flying SE.5a B613 on the Macedonian Front, shoots down a Rumpler 2-seater for victory number 2.

1600 German pilot Hans von Freden, in an Albatros D.III on the Italian Front, destroys a British observation balloon for victory number 2.

[Jimbuna]

1st February 1918

Eastern Front

Central Powers recognise Ukraine Republic as independent state.

Southern Front

Mutiny of Greek troops at Lamia suppressed; M.M. Skouloudhis and Lambros arrested.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Austrian Naval mutiny at Cattaro.

Political, etc.

German strikes die down.

Sir E. Geddes states submarines being sunk as fast as Germany can build them.

Austro-Hungarian sailors at Cattaro (Kotor) mutiny to demand for better treatment and the end of the war.

Sándor Wekerle, the Prime Minister of Hungary, states: “Our readiness for peace is sincere and earnest. We never strove nor do we strive for conquests.”

U.S. currently spends $39 million a day on the war, of which $15 million is used as loans for the Allies.

Ship Losses:

Arrino (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 14 nautical miles (26 km) north west by west of Île Vierge, Finistère, France (48°43′N 4°54′W) by SM U-90 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Cavallo (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 6 nautical miles (11 km) north west of Trevose Head, Cornwall (50°36′N 5°10′W) by SM U-46 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three crew.
HMT Cleon (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine and sank in the English Channel off Folkestone, Kent with the loss of twelve of her crew.
HMS E50 (Royal Navy) The E-class submarine struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off the South Dogger Lightship ( United Kingdom).
Kindly Light (United Kingdom) The ketch was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 10 nautical miles (19 km) east north east of Trevose Head (50°38′N 5°49′W) by SM U-101 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
La Dives (France) The passenger ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 54 nautical miles (100 km) north west of Cape Carbon, Algeria (37°25′N 4°18′E) by SM UB-52 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 134 lives.

[Sailor Steve]

February 1, 1918

Air War:

1500 Italian pilot Antonio Reali, flying a Nieuport 27, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 5.

Galicia-born Austro-Hungarian ace Godwin Brumowski, in Austrian Albatros, gets into a running fight with eight Italian fighters. His Albatros is set on fire but he manages to land unharmed.

Austrian ace Kurt Gruber, in Phönix D.I 228.24, shoots down an Italian-flown Nieuport for victory number 9.

Italian ace Silvio Scaroni, in an Hanriot HD.1, shoots down an Austro-Hungarian two-seater for victory number 12.

[Jimbuna]

2nd February 1918

Western Front

U.S. troops reported in front line.

Political, etc.

End of Supreme War Council meeting; vigorous combined prosecution of war.

Strikes and antiwar demonstrations in Germany continue, but dwindle in intensity, as workers are threatened with punishment if they do not go back to work. Several socialist and labour leaders have been imprisoned.

The Netherlands bans the serving of tea in cafes, restaurants, hotels, and other establishments due to lack of supplies caused by the war.

Boxing great John L. Sullivan dies at age 59.


Ship Losses:

Avanti (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) south east by east of St. Alban's Head, Dorset by SM UB-59 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 22 of her crew.
Celia (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 44 nautical miles (81 km) east by north of Cap de Creus, Spain (42°39′N 4°08′E) by SM UB-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Edilio (Italy) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 40 nautical miles (74 km) east by north of Cap de Creus by SM UB-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Esterel (Italy) The sailing vessel was scuttled in the Mediterranean Sea off Bizerta, Algeria by SM UC-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Ida (Italy) The sailing vessel was scuttled in the Mediterranean Sea off Bizerta by SM UC-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Jaffa (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) east by south of the Owers Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM UB-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of ten of her crew.
Marie Magdeleine (France) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Bristol Channel 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) north west of Lundy Island, Devon, United Kingdom by SM U-101 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Newminster Abbey (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 44 nautical miles (81 km) east by north of Cap de Creus by SM UB-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMT Remindo (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was torpedoed and sunk in the Seine Estuary by SM UC-79 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of twenty of her crew.
Sofie (United Kingdom) The coaster was sunk in the Bristol Channel by SM U-101 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eight crew.

[Sailor Steve]

February 2, 1918

Air War:

Following the success of Jagdgeschwader I, the Luftstreitkräfte forms JG II, commanded by Adolf Ritter von Tutschek and consisting of Jastas 12, 13, 15 and 19; and JG III, with Jastas Boelcke (2), 26, 27 and 36, headed by Bruno Loerzer.

1050 Canadian RFC ace William Barker, flying Sopwith Camel B6313 over the Italian Front, shoots down a Phönix D.I and a two-seater for victories 11 and 12.

1050 Canadian RFC pilot Clifford McEwen, in Sopwith Camel B2461 on the Italian Front, shoots down 2 two-seaters for victories 2 and 3.

1130 Four RNAS Sopwith Camel pilots share a victory over a German two-seater:
Robert Compston, England, B6340, victory number 21.
Sub-Lt W.F. Crundall, nationality unknown, B6356, victory number unknown.
Harold Day, Wales, B6371, victory number 9.
Reginald Johns, England, aircraft number unknown, victory number 3.

1210 French pilot Michel Coiffard, in a SPAD VII, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 3.
(per The French Air Service War Chronology. The Aerodrome says his victim was a Pfalz D.III.)

1215 Robert Compston, W.F. Crundall, Harold Day and Reginald Johns bring down a second two-seater. Victory 22 for Compston, unknown for Crundall, 10 for Day and 4 for Johns.

1245 English RNAS pilot Miles Day, in Sopwith Camel N6363, shoots down a Rumpler two-seater for victory number 4.

1330 Irish RFC ace George McElroy, in SE.5a B598, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 5.

1335 German pilot Otto Esswein, flying Fokker Dr.I 426/17, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 2.

1430 English RFC pilot Roy Chappell, in SE.5a B663, is credited with shooting down two Albatros D.Vs for victories number 3 and 4.

1540 German pilot Max Kühn, with Jasta 10 (uncertain, but likely a Pfalz D.III), shoots down SE.5a B8273 for victory number 3. Maj F.J. Powell is wounded. Kühn is listed as having 2 prior victories, but dates and locations are unknown. This is Kühn's last victory. His later life is uncertain, but former Jasta 10 pilot Friedrich Rüdenberg (no victories) said in his memoires that while working in Turkey in 1934 he was visited by his old friend Max Kühn, at that time Director General of the State Electric Company of Saxony. It seems fairly certain that this is the same man.

1720 German pilot Werner Steinhäuser, with Jasta 11 (probably an Albatros), shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 3.

1750 German pilot Erik Thomas, with Jasta 9, destroys an observation balloon for victory number 3.

German pilot Konrad Bieler, flying a Fokker Dr.I, shoots down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 3. This is possibly Adj Robert Ragaz and MdL Duffrène, bot killed at about this time.

German pilot Günther Keitsch, in an Albatros D.III over the Italian Front, shoots down Sopwith Camel B2607 for victory number 1. Lt F.D.C. Gore is taken prisoner.

French pilot Lionel De Marmier, in a SPAD, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 1.

[Jimbuna]

3rd February 1918

Western Front

About 185 German divisions on Western Front.

Southern Front

Austrians bomb Venice, Padua, and other towns in Venetian plain.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Mtarika (East Africa) occupied by British troops.

Political, etc.

Enlargement of powers of Supreme War Council at Versailles announced.

The mutiny of Austro-Hungarian sailors at Cattaro (Kotor) is crushed by loyalist forces, and around 800 mutineers are imprisoned. They had been demanding better treatment and the end to war.

Ship Losses:

Aboukir (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km) east by south of Cap de Creus, Spain (42°20′N 3°40′E) by SM UB-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but her captain was taken as a prisoner of war.
Holmtown (United Kingdom) The coaster was sunk in the English Channel off the Shambles Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM UB-59 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of all fifteen crew.
Lofoten (United Kingdom) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 7 nautical miles (13 km) south east by east of Start Point, Devon (50°11′N 3°29′W) by SM UB-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of seventeen of her crew.
Lutece (France) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Bristol Channel 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) west of the Godrevy Lighthouse (50°14′N 5°32′W) by SM U-46 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Svanfos (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of the Orkney Islands, United Kingdom (59°12′N 3°55′W) by SM UB-72 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

February 3, 1918


Air War:


1035 English RFC pilot Godfrey Bremridge, flying Sopwith Camel B5597, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 4.

1040 German pilot Otto Löffler, in Fokker Dr.I 190/17, shoots down DH.4 A7873 for victory number 2. Lts Ernest G. Green and P.C. Campbell-Martin are both taken prisoner, and Green is also wounded.

1045 English RFC pilot Henry Maddocks, in Sopwith Camel B5243, shoots down two Albatros D.Vs for victories number 6 and 7. One of these is 2-victory German pilot Karl Stock, who is killed. These are Maddocks' last victories. He will survive the war and become a barrister, then become Recorder for the Borough of Burton-upon-Trent in 1938 and finally a member of the Royal Commission on Marriage and Divorce in 1962. Date of death unknown.

1125 English RNAS Robert Compston, in Sopwith Camel B6340, shoots down a DFW C.V for victory number 23.

1145 German ace Otto Fruhner, in Albatros D.V 2329/17, shoots down Sopwith Camel B6430 for victory number 7. Cmdr R.R. Winter is killed.

1225 Three RNAS pilots share a victory over a DFW C.V:
Robert Compston, England, B6340, victory number 24.
Sub-Lt W.F. Crundall, B6356, nationality and victory number unknown.
Edward Johnsotone, England, B6377, victory number 9.

1230 Canadian RNAS pilot James White, in Sopwith Camel N6321, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 2.

1245 English RFC ace pilot Wilfred Beaver and observer Harold Easton, in Bristol F.2b B1156, shoot down an Albatros D.V. Victory number 6 for Beaver; number 3 for Easton.

1245 German pilot Siegfried Büttner, in an Albatros D.III, destroys a French observation balloon for victory number 2.

1245 English RFC pilot William Green, in DH.4 A7674 with 2nd H.S. Gros as observer, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 4.

1510 German pilot Paul Schröder, flying a Fokker Dr.I, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for his first and only victory. Schröder will be transferred to a training post, where he will survive the war. Further information unknown.

1510 German pilot Hermann Vallendor, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 1. 2nd Lt G.A. Lipsett is killed.

1600 German pilot Otto Esswein, in Fokker Dr.I 426/17, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 3.

1610 Otto Esswein scores his second victory of the day, shooting down another Camel for victory number 4.

1615 Otto Esswein claims a third Camel for number 5.

1615 Otto Fruhner scores his second kill of the day, shooting down Sopwith Camel B6370 for number 8. Sub-Lt W.H. Wilmot is killed.

German pilot Herbert Boy, with Jasta 14, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 2.
(Jasta 14 was one of only three squadrons to be fully equipped with the Fokker Dr.I, but it is uncertain whether this had happened yet.)

German pilot Konrad von Bülow-Bothkamp, with Jasta 19, shoots down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 2.

French ace Jules Covin, in a SPAD VII, shoots downa Fokker Dr.I for victory number 6.

French ace Omer Demeuldre, in a SPAD, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 8.

Omer Demeuldre scores his second victory of the day, shooting down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 8. Sharing this kill as a Sgt Prouvost, victory number 1.

French ace Gabriel Guérin, flying a SPAD, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 14. This is probably Uffz Otto Gumz and Ltn Karl Otto, both killed.

Gabriel Guérin scores his second kill of the day, sharing a German two-seater with Bernard Artigau. Victory number 15 for Guérin; number 4 for Artigau.

French ace Georges Madon, in a SPAD XII, shoots down a German "Scout" for victory number 22.

Georges Madon scores a second victory for the day, bringing down a German two-seater for number 23.

French pilot Del Vial, in a SPAD, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 2.

German pilot Ltn Hans Joachim Wolff safely lands his Fokker Dr.I after suffering a partial wing failure.

[Jimbuna]

4th February 1918

Western Front

Considerable aerial activity; more American troops occupy portions of western battle front.

Eastern Front

General Kaledin reported to have relinquished leadership of Cossacks to General Alexeiev, who with 30,000 men advances towards Moscow against Bolsheviks.

Political, etc.

Bolo Pasha trial commences.

British Government renew to King of Hejaz pledges for freeing Arab peoples.

Ship Losses:

Aurania (United Kingdom) The troopship was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean 15 nautical miles (28 km) north west of Inistrahull, County Donegal by SM UB-67 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of nine crew. Aurania was taken in tow but ran aground at Tobermory, Isle of Mull. She subsequently broke up and was a total loss.
Maid of Harlech (United Kingdom) The sailing vessel was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 46 nautical miles (85 km) north by west of Cape Ivi, Algeria (36°46′N 0°02′E) by SM UB-52 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Participation (Italy ) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Villajoyosa, Alicante, Spain (38°26′N 0°13′W) by SM U-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Standish Hall (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 38 nautical miles (70 km) west by north of Alexandria, Egypt by SM U-33 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Treveal (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk off The Skerries, Isle of Anglesey by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 33 crew.
SM UC-50 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UC II submarine was depth charged and sunk in the English Channel off Dungeness, Kent, United Kingdom by HMS Zubian ( Royal Navy).

A British observation balloon falling down in flames after being shot by German aircraft over Boyelles.

[Sailor Steve]

February 4, 1918


Air War:

1005 English RFC pilot Percy Wilson, flying Sopwith Camel B6363 over the Italian Front, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 2. Sources say his victim is Uffz Dierenfeld, though the times are off by more than a simple time-zone difference could account for.

1055 English RFC ace pilot Thomas Colvill-Jones and ace observer John Hedley, in a Bristol F.2b, destroy a German observation balloon. Victory number 6 for both.

1115 Canadian RFC pilot Alfred Atkey, in DH.4 A7798 with observer C.R.H. Ffolliott, claims two Siemens-Schuckert D.IIIs. A problem is that the first SSW D.IIIs weren't delivered until late March.

1115 Canadian RFC pilot Alfred John Haines, in Sopwith Camel B5182, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

1120 Two RFC SE.5a pilots share a victory over an Albatros D.III:
William Duncan, Canada, C1056, victory number 4.
2nd Lt J.O. Priestley, B103, nationality and victory number unknown.

1120 English RFC pilot Arthur Jarvis, flying Sopwith Camel B6285 over the Italian Front, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 2.

1125 Two RFC SE.5a pilots share a victory over an Albatros D.V:
Lt H.D. Crompton, B545, nationality and victory number unknown.
Herbert Hegarty, Ireland, B626, victory number 2.

1130 German pilot Uffz Dierenfeld (no first name given), in an Albatros D.III over the Italian Front, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for his first and only victory. Dierenfeld is severely wounded in this fight. Further information about his life is unknown at this time. Also, the time given in Dierenfeld's listing does not match that given in the listing of Percy Wilson, the man whose record claims his downing at 1005.

1130 German pilot Josef Loeser, in an Albatros D.III over the Italian Front, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 2.
(Despite the two claims at this time only one Camel was shot down over Italy this day, B2494, Lt D.G. McLean being killed. To further complicate matters, a third claim is listed in The Jasta War Chronology for this time for Ltn F. Schröder, also of Jasta 39. The complication comes from the fact that in The Jasta Pilots the only 'F. Schröder' listed at all scored his only victory in November 1917.)

1220 Prussian ace Karl Menckhoff, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 20. 2nd Lt F.D. Miller is killed.

1250 Canadian RFC pilot Hilliard Bell, in Sopwith Camel B4628 over the Italian Front, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 2.

1415 English RFC pilot Wilfred Beaver and observer Harold Easton, in a Bristol F.2b, shoot down an Albatros D.V. Victory number 7 or Beaver; number 4 for Easton.

1415 English RFC pilot Rex Bennett and Scottish observer Malcolm Mather, flying a Bristol F.2b, shoot down two Albatros D.Vs. Victories 2 and 3 for Bennet, 3 and 4 for Mather.

1415 Thomas Colvill-Jones and John Hedley score their second victory of the day, shooting down an Albatros D.V for number 7 each.
(Per Colvill-Jones' listing. Hedley's listing has this at 1100.)

1415 English RFC pilot Douglas Cooke and observer Cyril Agelasto, in a Bristol F.2b, shoot down an Albatros D.V. Victory number 3 for Cooke; number 7 for Agelasto.

1415 South African RFC pilot Ernest Lindup, flying a Bristol F.2b with 2nd Lt N.S. Dougall as observer, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

1415 English pilot David Weston and observer Walter Noble, in a Bristol F.2b, shoot down an Albatros D.V. Victory number 3 for each.

1550 German pilot Ulrich Fischer, in an unspecified Albatros, shoots down a French Sopwith 1½ Strutter for victory number 1. Sgt Henri Cordonnier and Cpl Allais are both killed.

German pilot Konrad Bieler, in a Fokker Dr.I, shoots down a French Sopwith 1½ Strutter for victory number 4. S/Lts Baillodz and Rousseau are both killed. Bieler is also severely wounded, ending his combat career. Further information is unknown.

German ace Walter Böning, in an unspecified aircraft with Jasta 76, shoots down a SPAD VII for victory number 8.

For the second time in four days Galicia-born Austro-Hungarian ace Godwin Brumowski takes on eight enemy aircraft, this time Sopwith Camels. Brumowski's Austrian Albatros 153.52 is shot to pieces. He crashes badly, the plane ending up on his back, but Brumowski walks away unharmed.