100 Years Ago Today

[Sailor Steve]

March 21, 1918

Air War:

Operation Michael, the German Spring Offensive, begins. In support of the troops the German Luftstreitkräfte fields 1,860 aircraft, most of them two-seat close-support machines. They are opposed by the British Royal Flying Corps with 579 planes.

0720 Scottish RNAS ace Maxwell Findlay, flying Sopwith Camel B6419, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 9.

0825 English RNAS pilot John Hunter, in Sopwith Camel B3879, shoots down a Pfalz D.III for victory number 3.

0900 German pilot Wolf von Manteuffel-Szöge, with Jasta 35, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 2.

0905 Australian AFC pilot Arthur Henry Cobby, in Sopwith Camel B2535, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

0920 Indian RNAS pilot Lawrence Percival Coombes, in Sopwith Camel B6358, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

1030 English RFC pilot William Staton and Australian observer John Rutherford Gordon, flying a Bristol f.2b, shoot down a Fokker Dr.I. Victory number 3 for Staton; number 1 for Gordon.

1115 Two RNAS Sopwith Camel aces share a victory over an Albatros D.V:
James Glen, Canada, B7185, victory number 12.
Leonard Rochford, England, B7222, victory number 11.

1130 German pilot Friedrich von Röth, in an Albatros D.V, destroys a British observation balloon for victory number 5. 2nd Lt A.H. Burton is unhurt.

1135 Friedrich von Röth flames a second balloon for number 6.

1145 Indian RFC pilot Alexander George Vlasto, in Sopwith Camel B9195, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

1245 English RFC pilot Alan Jerrard, flying Sopwith Camel B5648 on the Italian Front, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 4.

1255 English RFC pilot Harold Eycott-Martin, in Sopwith Camel B7283 over the Italian Front.

1310 German ace Erich von Löwenhardt, in an Albatros D.V, destroys a British observation balloon for victory number 14.

1315-1345 Canadian RFC pilot Henry John Burden, in SE.5a D283, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

1315-1345 English RFC pilot Trevor Durant, in SE.5a B35, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 3.

1340 Three French SPAD pilots shoot down a Rumpler two-seater. Ltn Michael Freiherr von Korff and Gefreiter Willi Speier are both taken prisoner.
Adj Baron (no first name given), France, victory number unknown.
Auguste Baux, France, victory number 1.
Adj Tasque (no first name given), France, victory number unknown.

1345 South African RFC pilot pilot Alfred Hemming, in SE.5a B8267, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 2.

1350 Canadian RFC pilot Harry Watson, in SE.5a B9235, shoots down a Fokker Dr.I for victory number 2.

1355 German pilot Friedrich Friedrichs, with Jasta 10, destroys a British observation balloon for victory number 1,

1420 English RFC ace pilot William Lewis Wells and observer Walter Beales, in Bristol F.2b C4707, shoot down an Albatros D.V. Victory number 7 for Wells; number 1 for Beales.

1425 German ace Robert Greim, flying with Jasta 34, shoost down Sopwith Camel B2456 for victory number 9. 2nd Lt C.S.L. Coulson lands safely.

1430 German ace Fritz Pütter, with Jasta 68, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 12.

1615 English RFC pilot Herbert Sellars and Scottish observer Charles Robson, in Bristol F.2b C4673, shoot down an Albatros D.V. Victory number 5 for both.

1620 Wolf von Manteuffel-Szöge scores his second victory of the day, shooting down a Sopwith Camel for number 3.

1630 German ace Erich Thomas, with Jasta 22, destroys a British observation balloon for victory number 9.

1645 Canadian RNAS ace James Glen, flying Sopwith Camel B7185, shoots down an Albatros two-seater for victory number 13.

1745 German pilot Ludwig Hanstein, in Albatros D.V 5285/17, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 16.

1800 Herbert Sellars and Charles Robson score their second victory of the day, shooting down Albatros D.V 5285. Victory number 6 for both. German 16-victory ace Ludwig Hanstein is killed.

1805 German ace Heinrich Arntzen, in Albatros 2480/17, downs a British observation balloon for victory numer 10.

1808 Two French SPAD pilots share a victory over an Albatros D.V. Ltn Herbert Kohl is taken prisoner:
Andre Jean louis Barcat, victory number 1.
Gilbert de Guingand, victory number 5.

English RFC observer John Bruce-Norton, riding in a Bristol F.2b with 2nd Lt H.N. Arthur as pilot, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 3.

English 8-victory RFC ace Bernard Beanlands is wounded strafing German troops. He wil miss the rest of war only to be killed in a flying accident on May 8, 1919.

French 6-victory ace Jules Covin dies from wounds received in combat.

English RFC pilot Percival Vrnon Godfrey Chambers and Scottish observer Thomas Laurence Purdon are credited with two Albatros D.Vs. Victories 1 and 2 for both.

German ace Max Kahlow, with Jasta 34, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 4.

German pilot Hellmuth Krätzschmer, flying with Jasta 48, shoots down an Armstrong-Whitworth FK.8 for victory number 1.

German ace Friedrich von Röth, in an Albatros D.V, destroys a British observation balloon for victory number 6.

English RFC pilot William Staton and Australian observer John Rutherford Gordon, in a Bristol F.2b, shoot down a Fokker Dr.I. Victory number 3 for Staton; number 1 for Gordon.

German pilot Ernst Schulze, with Jasta 48, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 1.

German observer Gottfried Ehmann, riding in a two-seater with a pilot named Warda (no first name given), shoots down a Sopwith 1½ Strutter for victory number 2.

[Jimbuna]

22nd March 1918

Western Front

Germans generally held on northern part of battle-front, but British defences broken through west of St. Quentin, and troops here and in adjoining sectors retreat hastily. Germans claim 16,000 prisoners and 200 guns.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British cross Jordan and advance eastward.

Political, etc.

Dutch Government informed that Allies have decided to seize Dutch ships in their ports.

New Spanish Cabinet under Senores Maura and Dato.

Ship Losses:

HMS Gaillardia (Royal Navy) The Aubretia-class sloop struck a mine and sank in the North Sea.
HMT J. C. P. (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was lost on this date.
Polleon (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) east north east of the mouth of the River Tyne by SM UB-78 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four of her crew.
Saint Jean II (France) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 61 nautical miles (113 km) north west of Cape Bon, Algeria (37°56′N 10°49′E) by SM UB-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
San Giuseppe C. (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea south of Sardinia by SM UC-67 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Trinidad (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 12 nautical miles (22 km) east of the Codling Bank Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM U-101 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 39 crew.

[Sailor Steve]

March 22, 1918

Air War:

1230 Canadian RNAS pilolot, flying Sopwith Camel B7192, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 3.

1330 English RFC pilot Horace Debenham, in Sopwith Camel C1659, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 2.

1415 Horace Debenham scores his second kill of the day, shooting down a German two-seater for victory number 3.

1430 English RFC pilot Adrian Winfrid Franklyn, in Sopwith Camel C1611, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

1430 English RFC pilot Augustus Orlebar, in Sopwith Camel B7282, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 5.

1430 English RFC pilot Thomas Sharpe, flying Sopwith Camel C1696, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 2.

1440 German ace Friedrich Altemeier, with Jasta 24, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 13.

1440 German ace Franz Schleiff, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 11.

1455 Franz Schleiff scores his second kill of the day, shooting down a DH.4 for victory number 12.

1500 German ace Heinrich Kroll, in a Pfalz D.III, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 22.

1505 Canadian RFC pilot William Samuel Stephenson, flying Sopwith Camel B7302, shoots down an Albatros for victory number 1.

1510 Australian RFC pilot Henry Garnet Forrest, in SE.5a C9639, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 1.

1510 English RFC ace Augustus Orlebar, in Sopwith Camel B7282, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 6.

1510 English RFC pilot Thomas Sharpe, in Sopwith Camel C1696, is credited with two LVG two-seaters for victories 3 and 4.

1515 Australian AFC pilot Roy Phillipps, in SE.5a C9541, shoots down a Fokker Dr.I for victory number 2.

1525 English RFC pilot Frank Billinge, flying SE.5a B4880, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 5. This is Billinge's last aerial victory. He will survive the war, dying on September 28, 1921, from an unlisted cause at age 33.

1530 Canadian RNAS ace Roy Brown, in Sopwith Camel B7270, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 7.

1530 English RFC pilot George Raby Riley, in Sopwith Camel C1609, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

1555 German ace Otto Esswein, in a Fokker Dr.I, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 9.

1555 German ace Fritz Loerzer, in a Fokker Dr.I, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number I.

1600 German pilot Martin Hänichen, flying with Jasta 53, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 1.

1600 German pilot Karl Waldherr, with Jasta 53, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 1. This is his only aerial victory. He will survive the war, but further details are unknow.

1600 German pilot Johannes Walter, with Jasta 53, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 2. This is Walter's last aerial victory. He will survive the war, but further details are unknown.

1615 German ace Erich Thomas, with Jasta 22, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 10.

1620 English RFC ace Thomas Colvill-Jones, in Bristol F.2b C4864 with 2nd Lt J.A. Galbraith as observer, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 8.

Italian pilot Antonio Amentea, flying a SPAD VII, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 4.

German ace Hans Böhning, in a Pfalz D.III, shoots down SE.5a D212 for victory number 6.

German pilot Vfw Dettmering (no first name given), with Jasta 68, shoots down Sopwith Camel B7216 for victory number 1. Sub-Lt L.A. Sands is killed.

German pilot Erwin Tresenreuter, in an Albatros D.Va, shoots down Sopwith Camel B7219 for Victory number 1. Sub-Lt W.A. Moyle is killed.

German pilot Vfw Dettmering, in an Albatros D.Va with an unknown Jasta, is shot down and taken prisoner. The two Dettmerings are apparently separate individuals, since the first Dettmering listed will gain two more victories and fly until the end of the war, while the second Dettmering will spend the rest of the war in a prison camp.

German pilot Willi Gabriel, in a two-seater sith an unknown observer, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 1.

[Jimbuna]

23rd March 1918

Western Front

Germans take Monchy-le-Preux, cross Tortille river (between Bapaume and Peronne), capture Peronne and Ham, and reach line of Somme.

French troops enter battle on British southern wing.

Bombardment of Paris by long-range guns (74 miles) begins.

British air-raid on Konz (near Treves) by night.

Political, etc.

Russian and Romanian treaties adopted by Reichstag.

Ship Losses:

HMS Arno (Royal Navy) The destroyer collided with HMS Hope ( Royal Navy) in the Dardanelles (40°14′30″N 26°30′30″E) and sank.
Aulton (United Kingdom) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 9 nautical miles (17 km) south east by east of Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland by SM UB-83 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
Chattahoochee (United States) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 28 nautical miles (52 km) south of Penzance, Cornwall, United Kingdom (49°39′N 5°23′W) by SM UB-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Etonian (United Kingdom) The passenger ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 34 nautical miles (63 km) south by east of the Old Head of Kinsale, County Cork by SM U-61 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of seven crew.
Jane Grey (United Kingdom) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the Irish Sea 14 nautical miles (26 km) north west by west of the Smalls Lighthouse by SM U-101 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Madame Midas (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 38 nautical miles (70 km) west south west of The Lizard, Cornwall (49°27′N 5°28′W) by SM UB-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Mar Baltico (Spain) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel (49°17′N 5°05′W) by SM UB-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
HMT New Dawn (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 17 (Erich Stephan) and sank in the English Channel off The Needles, Isle of Wight with the loss of three of her crew.
Venborg (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 25 nautical miles (46 km) north of Ouessant, Finistère, France (48°55′N 5°02′W) by SM UB-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

March 23, 1918

Air War:

0900 Canadian RFC ace Donald MacLaren, flying Sopwith Camel B9153, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 8.

0930 Three RFC pilots, flying Sopwith Camels, share a victory over an Albatros D.V:
2nd Lt H.P. Blakely, B5435, nationality and victory number unknown.
Donald MacLaren, Canada, B9153, victory number 9.
John Henry Smith, Canada, C1685, victory number 1.

0930 Indian RFC ace Arthur Peck, in SE.5a B52, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 6.

0932 Arthur Peck scores his second kill of the day, shooting down another Albatros D.III for number 7.

0935 German ace Rudolf Klimke, in either an Albatros D.III or possibly Fokker Dr.I 577/17 (Jasta 27 was operating triplanes by this time, but whether Klimke had his yet is uncertain), shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 7.

0935 Arthur Peck shoots down a German two-seater for his third kill of the day, number 8 overall. This is Peck's last aerial victory. He will survive the war and remain in the RAF, serving as an instructor, as a member of an aerobatic team, and then as the commander of No 6 Armoured Car Company in Iraq. He will be promoted to Wing Commander in 1929, Station Commander at RAF Northolt in 1932 and Group Captain in 1935. He wil remain in the RAF through most of the Second World War, retiring in 1944, and live until 1975.

0945 Australian AFC pilot Roy Phillipps, flying SE.5a C9541, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 3.

0950 English RFC pilot Horace Debenham, in Sopwith Camel C1695, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 4.

1100 English pilot George Bulmer and observer Percy Williams, in Bristol F.2b A7521. sjppt down an Albatros D.V. Victory number 4 for both.

1125 German ace Otto Könnecke, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 13.

1145 German pilot Johannes Fritzsche, with Jasta 69, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 1.

1157 German pilot Vfw Scheuren (no first name given), flying with Jasta 69, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 1.

1210 English RFC ace pilot Robert Kirkman and ace observer John Hedley, in Bristol F.2b B1156, shoot down an Albatros D.V. Victory number 7 for Kirkman; number 10 for Headley.

1212 Robert Kirkman and John Hedley socre their second kill of the day, bringing down another Albatros D.V. Victory number 8 for Kirkman; number 11 for Hedley.

1300 German ace Heinrich Bongartz, in Fokker Dr.I 441/17, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 31.

1300 English RFC pilot Maurice Michael Freehill, in Sopwith Camel B9149, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 1.

1300 Donald MacLaren scores his third kill of the day, shooting down a German two-seater for victory number 10.

1315 German pilot Ludwig Schmid, flying with Jasta 34, shoots down a DH.4 for victory number 1.

1320 German ace Fritz Rumey, in an Albatros D.Va, shoots down Sopwith Dolphin C3905 for victory number 11. 2nd Lt A.F. Craig is taken prisoner.

1325 German pilot Johann Pütz, with Jasta 34, shoots down a DH.4 for victory number 3.

1327 German pilot Rudolf Stark, with Jasta 34, shoots down a DH.4 for victory number 1.

1330 German ace Paul Bäumer, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 20.

1410 Canadian RFC pilot Roy Kirkwood McConnell, flying Sopwith Camel C1572, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

1440 German ace Bruno Loerzer, in Albatros D.V. 2299/17, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 24.

1515 Australian AFC pilot Henry Forrest, in SE.5a C9539, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 4.

1530 English RFC pilot Phillip Scott Burge, in SE.5a B125, shoots down a Fokker Dr.I for victory number 1.

1540 South African RFC ace Douglas Bell, in Sopwith Camel C1615, destroys a German observation Balloon for victory number 10.

1545 Paul Bäumer scores his second victory of the day, shooting down RE.8 C4574 for victory number 21. 2nd Lt P.W. Woodhouse and Lt. C.H. Brown are both unharmed.

1545 Douglas Bell is credited with his second and third kill of the day, shooting down two Albatros C.Vs for victories 11 and 12.

1615 Paul Bäumer gains his third win of the day, bringing down another RE.8 for number 22.

1630 Australian AFC pilot Garnet Malley, in Sopwith Camel B2488, shoots down two Albatros D.Vs for victories number 2 and 3.

1655 Canadian RNAS ace Arthur Whealy, in Sopwith Camel B7220, shoots down a Pfalz D.III for victory number 13.

1800 John Smith scores his second kill of the day, shooting down an Albatros D.V for victory number 2.

1815 Three RFC pilots share a victory over a Rumpler two-seater:
Andrew Cowper, Australia, B8407, victory number 18.
Comway MacAlister Gray Farrell, B63, victory number 1.
Lt P.J. Nolan, B8411, nationality and victory number unknown.

German pilot Hans-Helmut von Boddien, with Jasta 59, shoots down a DH.4 for victory number 1.

Two French SPAD pilots share a victory over an Albatros D.V. This is possibly Ltn Hans Unger, taken prisoner about this time:
Jean Chaput, victory number 13.
Auguste Joseph Marie Lahoulle, victory number 1.

Three French SPAD pilots share a victory over an Albatros D.V. This is possibly 10-victory German ace Erich Thomas, taken prisoner about this time.
Jean Chaput, victory number 14.
Claude Haegelen, victory number 4.
Auguste Lahoulle, victory number 2.

Three French SPAD pilots share a victory over a Rumpler two-seater. Vfw Bänsch and Ltn Ehmann are both killed.
Fernand Chavannes, victory number 5.
Capt Lemaitre, victory number unknown.
Lionel de Marmier, victory number 5.

German ace Robert Heibert, in an Albatros d.V, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 6.

German ace Fritz Loerzer, in a Fokker Dr.I, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 9.

German ace Ulrich Neckel, with Jasta 12, shoots down Sopwith Camel C8244 for victory number 7. 2nd Lt C.H. Clarke is taken prisoner.

German pilot Walter Schäfer, with Jasta 66, shoots down a SPAD XI for victory number 1. MdL Maillet and S/Lt Tomberlain are listed as Missing.

French ace Armand de Turenne, flying a SPAD XIII, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 8.

German pilot Johannes Werner, in a Fokker Dr.I, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 3.

German ace Rudolf Windisch, with Jasta 66, shoots down a French Sopwith 1½ Strutter for victory number 11.

[Jimbuna]

24th March 1918

Western Front

Germans held in desperate fighting round Bapaume, cross Somme between Peronne and Ham, and take Nesle and Peronne, and further south capture Guiscard and Chauny. They now claim 30,000 prisoners and 600 guns.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British advance nine miles towards Es Salt (Jordan).

Aviation

British aeroplanes raid Mannheim by day and Cologne by night.

Political, etc.

Germany recognizes the independence of Lithuania, declared on February 16, but very little changes as the country remains occupied by Germany.

Ship Losses:

Anteros (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 16 nautical miles (30 km) west by north of South Stack (53°17′N 5°09′W) by SM UB-103 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
Avala (Italy) The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 320 nautical miles (590 km) west of Madeira, Portugal (38°32′N 17°58′W) by SM U-155 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Fileur (France) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 40 nautical miles (74 km) north west of the Île de Batz, Finistère by SM UB-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
John G. Walter (United Kingdom) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the Irish Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km) south west of the Smalls Lighthouse by SM U-101 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Jorgina (United Kingdom) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 360 nautical miles (670 km) north by west of Madeira (38°40′N 18°14′W) by SM U-155 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
La Nuova Felice (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Strait of Sicily by SM UC-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Nuova Enio (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Strait of Sicily by SM UC-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Regina Immacolata (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Strait of Sicily by SM UC-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Tre Sorrelle Salvo (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Strait of Sicily by SM UC-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
War Knight (United Kingdom) The cargo ship collided with O. B. Jennings (flag unknown) in the English Channel off the Needles Lighthouse, Isle of Wight. She then strcuk a mine and was damaged. War Knight was beached at Freshwater, Isle of Wight.

[Sailor Steve]

March 24, 1918

Air War:

0945 English RFC pilot Thomas Sharpe, flying Sopwith Camel C1619, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 5.

1010 German ace Franz Schleiff, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 12*

1030 English RNAS pilot James Henry Dewhirst, in Sopwith Camel B6282 over the Italian Front, shoots down an Aviatik Berg D.I for victory number 1.

1030 Canadian RNAS pilot John Greene, in Sopwith Camel B3999, shoots down a Pfalz D.III for victory number 3.

1030 Thomas Sharpe scores his second victory of the day, shooting down an Albatros D.V for number 6.

1040 Canadian RFC pilot Gordon Budd Irving, flying Sopwith Dolphin C3838, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 1.

1040 Canadian RFC pilot William Stephenson, in Sopwith Camel B6421, shoots down an LVG two-seater for victory number 2.

1045 German pilot August Schwind, with Jasta 54, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 2.

1100 English RFC ace John Trollope, in Sopwith Camel C8270, shoots down a DFW C.V for victory number 9.

1100 Two RFC Sopwith Camel pilots share a victory over a DFW C.V:
Rober Owen, Wales, C8259, victory number 3.
John Trollope, England, C8270, victory number 10.

1100 Two RFC Camel pilots share a victory over a DFW C.V:
Cecil King, England, C8262, victory number 7.
Robert Owen, Wales, C8259, victory number 4.

1100 Canadian RNAS ace George MacKay, in Sopwith Camel B7186, shoots down a Pfalz D.III for victory number 6.

1105 John Trollope scores his third kill of the day, shooting down an Albatros D.V for victory number 11.

1130 German pilot Christian Kairies, with the SeeFrontStaffel, shoots down Naval Camel B3774 for victory number 1. Flight Sub-Lt L.C. Messiter is rescued from the sea by his own side. Karries is also wounded in this fight.

1135 Uffz Freter (no first name given), with Jasta 42, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 2.

1140 English RNAS ace Albert Enstone, flying Sopwith Camel B3841, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 11.

1230 Australian AFC pilot Alexander Clark, in SE.5a B4895, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 2.

1255 Australian AFC pilot Roy Phillipps, in SE.5a C9541, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 4.

1310 German pilot Rudolf Stark, with Jasta 34, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 2.

1315 German pilot Ludwig Schmid, with Jasta 34, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 2.

1317 German ace Robert von Greim, flying with Jasta 34, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 10.

1340 Englsh ace pilot Thomas Colvill-Jones, in Bristol F.2b with 2nd Lt D. Wishart-Orr as observer, shoots down an LVG two,seater for victory number 9

1425 German pilot Rudolf Kommoss, with Jasta 50, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 2.

1430 German pilot Sgt Pfänder (no first name given), with Jasta 69, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 1.

1445 German ace Manfred von Richthofen, in Fokker Dr.I 477/17, shoots down SE.5a C1054 for victory number 67. Lt John Percy McCone is listed as Missing.

"During a protracted single-seater fight between ten SE5s and 25 machines of my own Group, I attacked an Englishman at an altitude of 2,500 metres. Under my machine gun fire, both wings broke away from the aeroplane in the air. The pieces were scattered in the vicinity of Combles."
-Manfred von Richthofen

1520 Robert Owen gains his third victory of the day, shooting down a German two-seater for victory number 5.

1520 John Trollope is credited with shooting down four more enemy planes - three Albatrosen and a two-seater - for a total of 7 for the day. His score now stands at 15.

1530 Eight RNAS Sopwith Camel pilots share a victory over a single Albatros D.V:
Frederick Armstrong, Canada B7218, victory number 13.
Louis Bawlf, Canada, B7192, victory number 4.
Ronald Berlyn, England, B7224, victory number 4.
Frederick Britnell, England, B7228, victory number 2.
Edwin Hayne, South Africa B7231, victory number 6.
Edmund Pierce, England, B7227, victory number 9.
Sub-Lt S. Smith, B7214, nationality and victory number unknown.
Arthur Whealy, Canada, B7220, victory number 14.

1545 German ace Friedrich Altemeier, with Jasta 24, shoots down Sopwith Camel C1554 for victory number 14. Lt J.D. Currie is taken prisoner.

1700 German ace Fritz Pütter, with Jasta 68, claims a DH.4 for victory number 13. This is actually a Sopwith Camel.

1945 English RFC pilot Robert North Chandler, flying Sopwith Camel B9261, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

Three French pilots share in the destruction of a German observation balloon:
Yves Felix Barbaza, victory number 1.
Lt Battle, victory number unknown.
Cpt Mouronval, victory number unknown.

French pilot Armond Jean Berthelow, in a SPAD, destroys a German observation balloon for victory number 1.

French pilot Alexandre Bretillon, in a SPAD XIII, shoots down a German "Scout" for victory number 2.

German pilot Ludwig Cordes, with Jasta 16, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for his only aerial victory. Cordes is also killed in this fight.

Three French SPAD pilots share a victory over a German two-seater:
MdL Discours, victory number unknown.
Lucien Gasser, victory number 6.
Lt Reverchon, victory number unknown.

French ace Gabriel Guérin, in a SPAD, destroys a German observation balloon for victory number 17.

German pilot August Handl, with Jasta 16, shoots down a DH.4 for victory number 1.

German pilot Karl Heidelburg, with Jasta 48, shoots down a DH.4 for victory number 1.

German ace Otto Könnecke, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 15

Canadian RFC ace Donald MacLaren, in a Sopwith Camel, destroys a German observation balloon for victory number 11.

German pilot Paul Müller, with Jasta 48, shoots down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 1.

German ace Fritz Rumey, in an Albatros D.Va, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 12.

German pilot Jon Santjer, with Jasta 26, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 2.

German pilot Fritz Schwarz, with Jasta 33, shoots down a DH.4 for victory number 1.

German pilot Wilhelm Seitz, flying with Jasta 8, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 5.

German pilot Erich Sonneck, with Jasta 66, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 1.

German pilot Vfw Weimare (no first name given), with Jasta 56, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 3.

German ace Rudolf Windisch, with Jasta 66, is credited with three SPADs shot down for victories number 12, 13 and 14.

German pilot Wilhelm Zorn, with Jasta 60, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 1.

[Jimbuna]

25th March 1918

Western Front

Germans carry Bapaume in night attack; subsequently their advance, though less rapid than on previous two days, continues on whole front from Ervillers (north of Bapaume) to the Oise. Germans claim 45,000 prisoners since beginning of attack.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British take Es Salt.

Naval

Italian cruiser Partenope is torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine UC-67 north of Tunisia.


Aviation

British pilot Captain John Lightfoot Trollope shoots down 7 German aircraft in a single day, the first British pilot to do so.

Political, etc.

Mexican rebels cross the Texas border and raid a ranch, killing two. This is the last major attack by Mexican rebels on U.S. soil.

Ship Losses:

HMT Border Lads (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) off the mouth of the River Tyne by SM UB-78 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four of her crew.
Carlo Splendor (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Strait of Messina by SM UB-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Destro (United Kingdom) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) south west of the Mull of Galloway, Wigtownshire (54°34′N 4°45′W) by SM U-96 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of six of her crew.
Francesco Antonio Aiello (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Strait of Sicily by SM UC-67 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Hercules (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) north north west of Flamborough Head, Yorkshire by SM UB-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
L'Iniziatore (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Strait of Sicily (37°30′N 11°45′W) by SM UC-67 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Partenope (Regia Marina) The minelayer was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Bizerta, Algeria (37°53′N 10°10′E) by SM UC-67 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Rio Ave (Portugal) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 100 nautical miles (190 km) off Madeira (38°33′N 18°08′W) by SM U-155 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

[Sailor Steve]

March 25, 1918

Air War:

1040 English RFC pilot Stanley Asa Puffer, flying SE.5a B8271, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

1050 Canadian RFC pilot William John Gillespie, in SE.5a B8254, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

1445 German pilot Johannes Fritzsche, with Jasta 69, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 2.

1555 German ace Manfred von Richthofen, in Fokker Dr.I 477/17, shoots down Sopwith Camel C1562 for victory number 68. 2nd Lt Donald Cameron is listed as Missing.

"With five planes of Jasta 11, I attacked several low-flying English one-seaters north-east of Albert. I approced to within 50 metres behind one of the Englishmen and shot him down in flames with a few shots.

The burnng machine crashed between Contalmaison and Albert, and continued to burn on the ground. The bombs it apparently carried exploded a few minutes later."
-Manfred von Richthofen.

1715 English RFC ace pilot David Stewart and Scottish observer Lewis Isaac Collins, in DH.4 A8038, shoot down a German two-seater. Victory number 10 for Stewart; number 1 for Collins.

French pilot François de Boigne, flying a Nieuport, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 4.

Galicia-born Austro-Hungarian ace Godwin Brumowski, in Austrian Albatros 153.45, claims an SIA 7b for victory number 30. This is more likely another two-seater, a Pomilio PE from Squadriglia 131°.

[Jimbuna]

26th March 1918

Western Front

British make stand north of Somme on line Roeux-Ayette-Beaumont Hamel-Albert-Bray, but lose Albert and Bray.

Very heavy fighting south of Somme; Germans capture Lihons, Chaulnes, Roye and Noyon.

Momentous Franco-British Conference at Doullens on unity of command.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British cavalry advancing towards Amman (east of Jordan).

British carry Turkish positions at Khan Baghdadiya (on Euphrates) and take 3,000 prisoners.

Political, etc.

Prime Minister of Japan says gravity of situation in Siberia may shortly compel action.

Ship Losses:

Elisabetha (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Strait of Sicily by SM UC-67 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
RFA Lady Cory-Wright (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) The mine carrier was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 14 nautical miles (26 km) off The Lizard, Cornwall by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 39 of her 40 crew.
SM U-61 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type U 57 submarine was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean by USS PC-51 ( United States Navy) with the loss of all 36 crew.
Volturno (Italy) The bulk carrier was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Bône, Algeria (37°27′N 8°07′E) by SM UB-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

[Sailor Steve]

March 26, 1918

Air War:

0725 Canadian RNAS ace Fred Banbury, flying Sopwith Camel B7247, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 11.
(Banbury's record states that Oliver Redgate and Merrill Taylor were also in on this kill. Neither of their records show anything for this date.)

1125 Scottish RFC ace John Gilmour, in Sopwith Camel B5612, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 12.

1415 English RFC pilot John Albart Edward Robertson Daley, in SE.5a B79, shoots down an unnamed German fighter for victory number 1.

1645 German ace Manfred von Richthofen, in Fokker Dr.I 477/17, shoots down SE.5a B511 for victory number 68. 2nd Lt Allan McNab Denovan is listed as Missing.

"Flying with five gentlemen of Jasta 11, at low level, I enountered a Sopwith (sic) single-seater at the Front, with Leutnant Udet. At first the adversary tried to escape me by skilful flying. From a distance not more than the length of a plane, I shot him down in flames. During the fall it disintegrated. The fuselage crashed into the small wood of Contalmaison."
-Manfred von Richthofen

1700 German pilot Siegfried Gussmann, in a Fokker Dr.I, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 4.

1700 Canadian RNAS pilot Charles Hickey, flying Sopwith Camel B3892, claims two Pfalz D.IIIs for victories number 3 and 4.

1700 Canadian RNAS ace Ronald Kierstead, in Sopwith Camel N6389, claims three Pfalz D.IIIs for victories 9, 10 and 11.

1700 Manfred von Richthofen scores his second kill of the day, shooting down RE.8 B742 for victory number 70. 2nd Lts Vernon Jack Readin and Matthew Leggat are both listed as Missing.

"A quarter of an hour after my first victory on this day, I detected in exactly the same spot, at an altitude of 700 metres, an RE two-seater. I went into a dive behind it, and from close range I fired abut 100 rounds, and set him on fire. At first the Englishman defended himself with his observer's machine gun. The plane burned in the air until impact. Half an hour later, the machine continued to burn on the ground."
-Manfred von Richthofen

1700 German pilot Claus Riemer, with Jasta 26, shoots down a Sopwith Dolphin for victory number 1.
(Jasta 26 began recieving Fokker Dr.Is late this month, it is uncertain whether any individual pilot was flying them yet.)

1710 Australian RFC pilot Harry Rigby, in SE.5a B4851, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 2.

1714 German pilot Richard Plange, in Fokker Dr.I 204/17, shoots down a Sopwith Dolphin for victory number 4.

1720 German ace Otto Fruhner, flying with Jasta 26, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 9.

1730 English RFC pilot Herbert Ruska Gould, in DH.4 A7989 with Lt J.M. Brisbane as observer, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

1730 German pilot Helmut Lange, with Jasta 26, shoots down s Sopwith Dolphin for victory number 1.

1745 German ace Otto Esswein, with Jasta 26, shoots down a Sopwith Dolphin for victory number 10.

German pilot Eduard Blass, with MFJ II, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 1.

German pilot Erich Bruder, flying with Jasta 26, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 1.

French ace Hector Garaud, in a SPAD, shoots down Rumpler C.VII 6484/17 for victory number 12. The crew are unnamed but the note says they were taken prisonder.

German pilot Hans Groth (1 victory) is shot down and taken prisoner while attacking a balloon.

Canadian RFC pilot Ernest Thomas Morrow and English observer Horace Merritt, in Bristol F.2b B1302, shoot down an "Enemy Aircraft". Victory number 1 for Morrow; number 3 for Merritt.

English RFC pilot Douglas Alfred Savage and observer Louis Mark Thompson, in a Bristol F.2b, shoot down an "Enemy Aircraft". Victory number 1 for both.

[Jimbuna]

27th March 1918

Western Front

Germans advance on both side of Somme in night attack, reaching Sailly le Sec (12 miles from Amiens), but lose ground in British counter-attacks. Germans afterwards fail in attacks from Bucquoy to Rosieres and are checked near Lassigny and Noyon, but take Montdidier after rapid advance.

Naval

Royal Navy destroyer HMS Kale accidentally hits a British mine, causing it to sink with 41 lives.


Aviation


Ship Losses:

Allendale (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 52 nautical miles (96 km) south by west of The Lizard, Cornwall (49°50′N 5°50′W) by SM U-101 ( Kaiserliche Marine with the loss of a crew member.
Beira (Portugal) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (34°10′N 14°35′W) by SM U-154 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Carlo P. (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 30 nautical miles (56 km) north of the Galite Islands, Tunisia by SM UC-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Castrenzo Coppola (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea off Naples by SM UC-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
HMS Kale (Royal Navy) The E-class destroyer struck a naval mine and sank in the North Sea.
Watauga (United Kingdom) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 450 nautical miles (830 km) west by north of Lisbon, Portugal (38°54′N 18°24′W) by SM U-155 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of five crew.

[Sailor Steve]

March 27, 1918

United States:
228 days after groundbreaking and 151 days after receipt of the drawings, The first license-built Curtiss H-16 makes its maiden flight at the US Naval Aircraft Factory.

Air War:

0700 Three RFC Camel pilots share a victory over an LVG two-seater:
Douglas Bell, South Africa, C1615. victory number 13
Lt W.C. Dennett, nationality, serial number and victory number unknown.
George Riley, England, serial number unknown, victory number 2.

0715 German pilot Karl Pech, with Jasta 29, shoots down Sopwith Camel B9167 for victory number 2.

0900 German ace Manfred von Richthofen, in Fokker Dr.I 127/17, shoots down Sopwith Camel C6733 for victoryn number 71. Cpt Thomas Sydney Sharpe is taken prisoner.

1150 German ace Ernst Udet, in Albatros D.V 4476/17, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 21.

American pilot James Norman Hall, in a Nieuport, shoots down two German "Scouts" for victories number 2 and 3.

[Jimbuna]

28th March 1918

Western Front

Great German attack on wide front north and south of Scarpe river defeated with very heavy loss.

Between Somme and Avre rivers Germans advance, reaching Hamel.

Strong French counter-attacks gain ground near Montdidier and between Hainvillers and Pont l'Eveque (Oise).

Naval and Overseas Operations

H.M. boarding steamer "Tithonus" torpedoed.

British destroyers sink three German armed trawlers and capture crews.

Political, etc.

General Pershing asks for employment of U.S.A. troops.

Australian Cabinet reconstituted.

Ship Losses:

Botha (United Kingdom) The trawler was scuttled in the North Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) east of Whitby, Yorkshire by SM UC-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Brotherly Love (United Kingdom) The trawler was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 6 nautical miles (11 km) east north east of Whitby by SM UC-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
City of Winchester (United Kingdom) The ketch was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) north west by west of the Les Hanois Lighthouse, Guernsey, Channel Islands (49°28′N 2°55′W) by SM U-90 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Grampus (United Kingdom) The dredger foundered on this date.
Honora (United Kingdom) The fishing vessel was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 6 nautical miles (11 km) east north east of Whitby by SM UC-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Inkosi (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 10 nautical miles (19 km) south west of Burrow Head, Wigtownshire by SM U-96 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three crew.
Noel (United Kingdom) The fishing vessel was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 6 nautical miles (11 km) east north east of Whitby by SM UC-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
HMS Tithonus (Royal Navy) The armed boarding steamer was sunk in the North Sea 50 nautical miles (93 km) east of Aberdeen (57°04′N 0°33′W) by SM UB-72 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four of her crew.

[Sailor Steve]

March 28, 1918

Air War:

0830 South African RFC pilot Ernest Lindup and Irish observer Henry Crowe, flying Bristol F.2b B1191, shoot down a Fokker Dr.I. Victory number 4 for both.

0840 Two RFC SE.5a pilots share a victor over an LVG two-seater"
Framcos Magoun, United States, C5306, victory number 3.
Guy Moore, Canada, C1083, victory number 0.

0855 Francis Magoun scores his second vicrtory of the day, shooting down an Albatros D.V for victory number 4.

0910 German ace Fritz Rumey, in an Albatros D.Va, shoots down Sopwith Camel C8267 for victory number 13. 2nd Lt H.T. Adams is killed.

1910 German ace Ernst Udet, in Albatros D.Va 4476/17, shoots down Sopwith Camel C8224 for victory number 22. 2nd Lt C.R. Maasdorp is wounded and taken prisoner; later dies from his wounds.

0915 German pilot Uffz Kaleta (no first name given), flying with Jasta 56, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 2.

0925 German pilot Rudolf Heins, with Jasta 56, shoots down Sopwith Camel D6404 for victory number 3. 2nd Lt W.J. Prier is taken prisoner.

0930 Welsh ace Robert Owen, in Sopwith Camel C8259 for victory number 7.

0930 German pilot Viktor von Pressentin gen von Rautter, in a Pfalz D.III, shoots down Sopwith Camel C8259 for victory number 1. Welsh 7-victory ace Robert Johnstone Owen is taken prisoner.

0930 English RFC ace John Trollope, in Sopwith Camel C8270, is credited with a German observaction balloon and two Albatros D.Vs for victories 16, 17 and 18.

0935 English RFC ace Cecil King, flying Sopwith Camel D1777, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 8.

0945 German ace Paul Billik, with Jasta 52, shoots down Sopwith Camel B2395 for victory number 11. Lt C.M. Feez is taken prisoner.

0955 German pilot Johannes Werner, in a Fokker Dr.I, shoots down Sopwith Camel D1777 for victory number 4. English 8-victory ace Cecil Frederick King is wounded but lands safely on his own side of the lines.

1000 Paul Billik scores his second victory of the day, shooting down Sopwith Camel C8270 for victory number 12. English 18-victory ace John Lightfoot Trollope is wounded in the hand and taken prisoner. Trollope's wound is so bad that his hand has to be amputated. Because of his wound Trollope will be repatriated in June 1918. Later his left arm will have to be amputated at the shoulder. Despite all this he will remain in the RAF until 1920. Trollope will later marry anf have two children, and will live until 1958.

1010 German pilot Emil Koch, with Jasta 32, claims a "Sopwith" for victory number 1. This is actually SE.5 A8913, and its pilot, 2nd Lt Thomas Hosking, is killed. Records show that A8913 was one of the original 150 hp SE.5s from the previous year, later refitted with a 200 hp Hispano-Suiza engine.

1030 French ace René Fonck, flying a SPAD, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 31.

1115 German ace Hans Weiss, with Jasta 10, shoots down Bristol F.2b B1273 for victory number 11. 2nd Lt E.R. Stock and Lt W.D. Davidson crash safely on their own side of the lines.

1210 German pilot Hans Grabe, with Jasta 14, shoots down SE.5a B102 for victory number 1. 2nd Lt O.T. Flight is taken prisoner.

1230 German ace Manfred von Richthofen, in Fokker Dr.I 477/17, shoots down Armstrong-Whitworth FK.8 for victory number 74. 2nd Lts Joseph Bertram Taylor and Eric Betley are both listed as Missing. This seems to have been Taylor's first mission, and their brand new FK.8 had only 1 hour and 45 minutes in its log.

"Flying at a very low height, I saw shell-explosions near the scene of a victory. Coming nearer I recognised an Englishman at 500 metres altitude, flying home. I cut him off and approached him. After 100 shots the enemy plane was burning. Then it crashed down, hit the ground near the small wood of Mericourt and continued to burn."
-Manfred von Richthofen

1235 German pilot Hugo Schäfer, with Jasta 15, shoots down RE.8 B6571 for victory number 1. 2nd Lt A.D. Pope and Lt H.S. Redpath are taken prisoner.

1425 German pilot Karl Bohny, flying with Jasta 17, claims an "AR.2" for victory number 3. This is actually Armstron-Whitworth FK.8 C8456, 2nd Lts T. Watson and T. Taylor both killed.

1730 German pilot Arthur Rahn, with Jasta 15, shoots down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 4.

German ace Robert von Greim, with Jasta 34, shoost down DH.4 A7976 for victory number 11. Sub-OLt J.G. Carroll and Gunner G.E. Daffey are both killed.

German pilot Robert Hildebrandt, with Jasta 13, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 2.

German pilot Josef Hohly, with Jasta 65, shoots down a Paul Schmitt bomber for victory number 2.

German pilot August Jühe, flying with Jasta 8, shoots down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 1.

German pilot Wilhelm Papenmeyer, in Fokker Dr.I 409/17, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 4.

German pilot Walter Schäfer (2 victories) is killed by a SPAD.

German pilot Hermann Schmidt, with Jasta 13, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 1.

German pilot Vfw Weber (no first name given), with Jasta 8, shoots down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 2.