100 Years Ago Today

[Jimbuna]

5th February 1918

Western Front

French airmen bomb Saarbrucken junction.

Eastern Front

First Duma of Independent Siberian Republic opens.

Southern Front

Venice again bombed.

Naval and Overseas Operations

SS Tuscania, carrying American soldiers to Europe, is torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine UB-77, resulting in 210 deaths.


Political, etc.

Andrew Bonar Law says that German U-Boats have killed 14,120 British civilians over the course of the war.

Peace negotiations between Soviet Russia and the Central Powers at Brest-Litovsk are in a deadlock over the status of Ukraine. Ukraine is also negotiating separately with the Central Powers.

Ship Losses:

Almanace (United States) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) off Maiden's Head, Ireland by SM UB-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of six of her crew.
Caprera (Italy) The passenger ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea of Villajoyosa, Alicante, Spain (38°26′N 0°09′W) by SM U-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Cresswell (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Bristol Channel 18 nautical miles (33 km) east by north of the Kish Lightship ( United Kingdom) (53°29′N 5°30′W) by SM U-46 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMT Idena (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was lost in the Arctic Sea on this date.
Mexico City (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 15 nautical miles (28 km) west by south of South Stack, Anglesey by SM U-101 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 29 crew.
Sebastian (Spain) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of Madeira, Portugal (29°12′N 19°15′W) by SM U-152 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Tuscania (United Kingdom) The ocean liner was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 7 nautical miles (13 km) north of Rathlin Island, County Donegal (55°37′N 6°26′W) by SM UB-77 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 210 lives.

[Sailor Steve]

February 5, 1918

Air War:

1130 English RFC pilot Percy Jack Clayson, flying SE.5a B4881, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

1200 Canadian RFC ace William Barker, in Sopwith Camel B6313 over the Italian Front, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 13.

1200 English RNAS pilot Ronald Cory Berlyn, in Sopwith Camel B3926, shoots down a Fokker Dr.I for victory number 1.

1205 French ace René Fonck, in a SPAD, shoots down a German two-seater for victoryn mumber 23.

1210 Canadian RFC pilot Harold Hudson, in Sopwith Camel B6313 over the Italian Front, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 4.

Second Lieutenant Stephen Wilkins Thompson of the 1st Observation Squadron, US Army Air Service, is on loan to Escadrille Br 123, as the US group is not yet ready for combat. He flies with Sgt Duvall in a Bréguet 14 on a bombing mission. They have just dropped their bombs when they are jumped by four Albatros D.IIIs. Thompson shoots one down, scoring the first aerial victory by the US military.

[Jimbuna]

6th February 1918

Eastern Front

German ultimatum to Romanian Government, giving four days in which to enter peace negotiations (afterwards denied); Bratianu Cabinet resigns.

Bolshevist campaign against Orthodox Church rousing opposition.

Political, etc.

President Wilson asks for new powers to reorganise the Government and war machine.

Reprisals threatened if British leaflet-scattering airmen improperly treated.

Former President Roosevelt undergoes surgery for fistula and abscesses in his ears, but contracts an infection during the process.

The Representation of the People Act is given royal assent in Britain, which eliminates all property requirements for men to vote and allows women over the age of 30 who meet property requirements to also vote. This expands suffrage by 5.6 million men and 8.4 million women.

Ship Losses:

Duca di Genova (Italy) The passenger ship was damaged in the Mediterranean Sea 1 nautical mile (1.9 km) off Cape Canet, Spain (39°36′N 0°11′W) by SM U-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was beached but was declared a total loss.
Glenartney (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 30 nautical miles (56 km) north east of Cape Bon, Algeria by SM UC-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
Holkar (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Trevose Head, Cornwall (50°39′N 5°10′W) by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Marsouin (France) The fishing vessel was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Trevose Head (50°55′N 4°55′W) by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
HMT Nathaniel Cole (Royal Navy) The naval trawler foundered in Lough Swilly off Buncrana, County Donegal with the loss of all hands.
Ville de Verdun (France) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Guardamar, Spain (38°03′N 0°36′W) by SM U-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of ten crew.

[Sailor Steve]

February 6, 1918

Air War:

0820 Canadian RFC pilot Hilliard Bell, flying Sopwith Camel B5172 over the Italian Front, shoots down an Aviatik two-seater for victory number 3.

German pilot Hermann Becker, in an Albatros D.V or Fokker Dr.I with Jasta 12, shoos down Sopwith Camel C1552 for victory number 4. 2nd Lt P.F. Kent is killed.

French pilot Albert Chabrier, in a Nieuport, shoots down a German "Scout" for victory number 2.

Geran pilot OfStv Dobberahn (no first name given), with Jasta 12 in an Albatros D.V or Fokker Dr.I, shoots down Sopwith Camel C6706 for victory number 1. 2nd Lt A.G.D. Alderson is taken prisoner. This is Dobberahn's only aerial victory. No other information on him is available.

[Jimbuna]

7th February 1918

Western Front

British troops carry out successful raids against German lines east of Armentieres and at Queant, France, taking several German prisoners.

Eastern Front

Civil war in Finland still raging.

Political, etc.

Britain makes a call for Jews holding British or other Allied citizenship to serve in the British Army to fight against the Ottomans in Palestine.

Ship Losses:

SMS A10 (Kaiserliche Marine) The A1-class torpedo boat struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off the coast of Belgium with the loss of nineteen of her crew.
Albert A. Young (Canada) The schooner was abandoned in the Atlantic Ocean (approximately 57°N 28°W). Her crew were rescued.
Ardbeg (United Kingdom) The coaster was shelled and sunk in the Irish Sea 32 nautical miles (59 km) north of the Liverpool Bar Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM UB-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Ayuthia (United Kingdom) The cargo ship caught fire and sank at Rangoon, Burma.
Beaumaris (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean 2.5 nautical miles (4.6 km) off the Longships Lighthouse by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was beached in Whitesand Bay but was a total loss. Her crew survived.
Ben Rein (United Kingdom) The coaster was shelled and sunk in the Irish Sea 35 nautical miles (65 km) west north west of the Liverpool Bar Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM UB-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
RFA Creosol (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) east north east of Seaham, County Durham (54°52′N 1°12′W) by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
Elfi (Norway) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) south east of Sunderland, County Durham by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of six of her crew.
Fridland (Sweden) The cargo ship was torpedoed, shelled and sunk in the North Sea (54°34′N 4°10′E) by a Kaiserliche Marine submarine with the loss of six of her crew.
G32 (Regia Marina) The naval trawler was torpedoed and sunk in the Gulf of Genoa off Livorno, Tuscany by SM UB-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Limesfield (United Kingdom) The coaster was shelled and sunk in the Irish Sea 25 nautical miles (46 km) off Maughold Head, Isle of Man by SM UB-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Sturton (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 15 nautical miles (28 km) south east by east of Porquerolles, Var, France (42°54′N 6°30′E) by SM UB-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

February 7, 1918

Air War:

0600 English RFC pilot Charles George Douglas Napier and observer Joseph Michael John Moore, flying a Bristol F.2b, shoot down an LGV two-seater. Victory number 1 for both.

[Jimbuna]

8th February 1918

Western Front

General Cadorna succeeded by General Giardino on Versailles Committee.

Repulse of Germans on Chemin des Dames.

Eastern Front

Lenin and Trotsky alleged by Paris press to be receiving pay from German agents.

Naval and Overseas Operations

British destroyer HMS Boxer collides with the passenger ship SS St Patrick in the English Channel and sinks. 1 crewman is killed.

Political, etc.

City of Kiev falls to the advancing Soviet Russian forces as the Ukrainian government retreats to Zhytomyr.

R. M. McElroy, a history professor at Princeton, calls for the Frederick the Great statue in Washington DC to be melted down and made into bullets.

Ship Losses:

Agnes Madre (Italy) The sailing vessel was scuttled in the Mediterranean Seas south of Sardinia (38°24′N 8°10′E) by SM U-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Artesia (United Kingdom) The tanker was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 190 nautical miles (350 km) north west of Madeira, Portugal by SM U-156 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Basuta (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 45 nautical miles (83 km) south south west of The Lizard, Cornwall (49°13′N 5°21′W by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine). with the loss of a crew member. Survivors were rescued by Royal Navy destroyers.
HMS Boxer (Royal Navy) The Ardent-class destroyer collided with St. Patrick ( United Kingdom in the English Channel and sank.
Chariton (Greece) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Madeira (34°22′N 14°00′W) by SM U-156 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Emily Anderson (United Kingdom) The schooner was abandoned in the Atlantic Ocean (approximately 48°N 27°W). Her crew survived.
Emma Felice (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea south of Sardinia (38°25′N 8°23′E) by SM U-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Kia Ora (United Kingdom) The Thames barge was scuttled in the English Channel 30 nautical miles (56 km) north by west of Dieppe, Seine-Maritime, France by SM UB-33 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Mette (Denmark) The schooner was scuttled in the Mediterranean Sea south of La Ganoupe, France by SM UB-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Nuzza (Italy) The barque was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Gibraltar (34°33′N 13°40′W) by SM U-156 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Straton (United Kingdom) The trawler struck a mine and sank in the North Sea 25 nautical miles (46 km) east of the Humber Lightship ( United Kingdom).
SM UB-38 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UB II submarine struck a mine and sank in the North Sea (50°56′N 1°25′E) with the loss of all 27 crew.

[Sailor Steve]

February 8, 1918

The United States replaces the Star symbol on its aircraft


with a roundel comparable to the British, French and Russian symbols. The outer ring is red, the inner ring is blue and the dot in the middle is white.





Air War:

French pilot Fernand Henri Chavannes, flying a SPAD, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1. German 1-kill pilot Georg Michaelis is killed.

[Jimbuna]

9th February 1918

Eastern Front

Peace signed between Central Powers and Ukraine Rada: boundary defined.

General Averescu forms new Romanian Cabinet.

Political, etc.

Embargo on Dutch commercial cables provisionally raised.

The Central Powers and Ukraine sign the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk separately from Russia. In return for food, the newly-independent Ukraine receives military protection.

Disease spreads across U.S. Army and National Guard camps, with 117 soldiers dying of “pneumonia” in just one week.

Ship Losses:

Armenia (United States) The cargo liner was torpedoed and damaged in the English Channel 9 nautical miles (17 km) south of St. Catherine's Point, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom by SM UB-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was beached but was later salvaged.
Atlantide (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Madeira, Portugal (34°40′N 14°00′W) by SM U-156 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Ceferino (Spain) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Rio de Oro (15°42′N 19°06′W by SM U-152 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Fantoft (Norway) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 69 (Erwin Waßner) and sank in the Bay of Biscay off Belle Île, Morbihan, France (47°31′N 3°13′W) with the loss of six of her crew.
Lydie (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 1 nautical mile (1.9 km) east by south of The Manacles, Cornwall (50°03′N 5°01′W) by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine with the loss of two of her crew.
Maggie Smith (United Kingdom) The fishing vessel struck a mine laid by UC 49 (Hans Kükenthal) and sank in the North Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) north of the Bell Rock with the loss of three of her crew.

[February 9th, 1918] "The Huns' Renewed Challenge" (Western Mail cartoon).

[Sailor Steve]

February 9, 1918

Air War:

RFC pilot 2nd Lt W.H. Kent, flying SE.5a B4860, shoots down Albatros D.Va 4495/17 for his only victory. German 1-victory pilot Georg Michaelis is killed.

[Jimbuna]

10th February 1918

Eastern Front

Trotsky states that Russia, while desisting from signing formal peace, is no longer at war with Quadruple Alliance.

Order given for demobilisation of Russian forces.

Russia out of the War.

Publication of peace treaty between Central Powers and Ukraine.

Southern Front

Renewed Austrian activity on Asiago front.

Political, etc.

Lord Beaverbrook appointed Minister in charge of Propaganda.

Bertrand Russell is sentenced by a British court to 6 months in prison for opposing the U.S. entering the war on the Allied side.

Canada observes “heatless” days, where factories not deemed essential will be shut down for three days starting today.

Death of Abdul Hamid, ex-Sultan of Turkey.

Soviet delegation at Brest-Litovsk, led by Leon Trotsky, withdraws from peace negotiations with the Central Powers due to their harsh terms. The Soviet government declares that the state of war is over and demobilizes its armies.

General Alexandru Averescu becomes the new prime minister of Romania to conclude peace with the Central Powers.

Ship Losses:

Pilgrim (United Kingdom) The ketch was driven ashore and wrecked at Beaumaris, Anglesey. Her crew were rescued.
Romford (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the Mediterranean Sea 2.5 nautical miles (4.6 km) east of Cape Carthage, Tunisia (36°54′N 10°24′E) by SM UC-67 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 28 of her crew.

[February 10th, 1918] "The Jack-Boot" (News of the World cartoon).

[Sailor Steve]

February 10, 1918

Air War:

No aerial activity this day.

[Jimbuna]

11th February 1918


Western Front

Metz raided by French airmen.

Eastern Front

Polish Cabinet resigns as protest against Ukraine treaty.

Southern Front

Fighting in Asiago region to advantage of Italians.

Naval and Overseas Operations

French submarine Diane suffers an internal explosion in the Bay of Biscay and sinks with all 43 of its crew.

(11-18 February): Main German force dislodged from Lujenda Valley, moves southwards from Mtarika area towards Upper Rio (frontier of Mozambique).

Political, etc.

President Wilson restates War Aims.

Lord Reading arrives in U.S.A. as Ambassador, etc.

Ship Losses:

Baku Standard (United Kingdom) The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) south by west of Tod Head, Aberdeenshire by SM UC-58 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 24 of her crew.
Bo (Sweden) The cargo ship sank in La Palice after two subsequent collisions, one within a convoy and the last, fatal one while maneuvring into the harbour. The crew survived.
Diane (French Navy) The Diane-class submarine was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off La Pallice, Vendée by an internal explosion with the loss of all 43 crew.
Golden Light (United Kingdom) The schooner sank in the Bristol Channel off Lundy Island, Devon. Her crew survived.
Merton Hall (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 30 nautical miles (56 km) north by west of Ouessant, Finistère, France (48°38′N 4°56′W) by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 57 crew.
HMS Westphalia (Royal Navy) The Q-ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 25 nautical miles (46 km) east of Drogheda, County Louth (53°48′N 5°51′W) by SM U-97 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 46 of her crew.

[Sailor Steve]

February 11, 1918

Air War:

American Major William Thaw takes command of the 103rd Aero Squadron. Officially the first American flying squadron to enter service, at this point they are busy constructing hangars and buildings at their new base near La Cheppe.

1010 German pilot Ltn Niedebecker (no first name recorded), flying with Jasta 43, destroys a French observation balloon. S/Lt Henri Parizy of the 82° Cie d’Aérostiers is killed.

1650 German ace Walter Böning, with Jasta 76, shoots down a Dorand AR.2 for victory number 9.

1650 Uffz Walther (first name unknown) of Jasta 76, shoots down a Dorand AR.2 for victory number 2. Brig Frédéric Monnier and S/Lt Taron are both wounded. This is Walther's last aerial victory. On April 20, 1918 he is transferred to Armee Flug Park 2, and there his record ends.

1710 German pilot Erich Raabe, with Jasta 41, shoots down a French observation balloon. 1st Lt James Wallace of the United States Balloon Service, on loan to the 26° Cie d’Aérostiers, parachutes safely.

1715 German pilot Hans Weiss, with Jasta 41, destroys a French observation balloon. Unidentified observer with the 27° Cie d’Aérostiers parachutes safely.

German pilot Alfred King, flying with Jasta 40, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 3.

German pilot Wilhelm Schulz, with Jasta 41, shoots down a French Sopwith 1½ Strutter for victory number 3. While not absotely certain, the only Strutter reported lost this day is 3504, Adj Jean Desbaus and S/Lt Turinas both wounded and taken prisoner.

[Jimbuna]

12th February 1918

Western Front

Allied planes bomb Offenburg, Metz, etc.

Fighting in Passchendaele region.

Political, etc.

Parliament meets. Mr. Asquith asks for explanation of extension of powers of Versailles Council; answer refused.

Ship Losses:

Aghios Nicholaos (Greece) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Aegean Sea (38°28′N 23°49′E) by SM UC-37 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Eleanor (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 9 nautical miles (17 km) off St. Catherine's Point, Isle of Wight (50°30′N 1°30′W) by SM UB-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 34 of her crew.
Italia (Sweden) The cargo ship collided with another vessel while in convoy and sank. Her twenty crew were rescued.
Montenegro (France) The schooner foundered in the Mediterranean Sea.
Polo (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 6 nautical miles (11 km) south east by east of St. Catherine's Point by SM UB-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three of her crew.
St. Magnus (United Kingdom) The passenger ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) north north east of Peterhead, Aberdeenshire (57°32′15″N 1°43′36″W) by SM UC-58 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of five lives.
SM U-89 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type U 87 submarine was rammed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean north west of Malin Head, County Donegal, United Kingdom (55°38′N 7°32′W) by HMS Roxburgh ( Royal Navy) with the loss of all 43 crew.

A dive on U-89, sunk of February 12, 1918.