100 Years Ago Today

[Jimbuna]

29th March 1918

Western Front

No serious fighting north of Somme. Between Somme and Avre Germans continue to advance, taking Hamel, Mezieres and Demuin.

French hold line west of Mezieres-La Neuville-Sire Bernard-outskirts of Montdidier.

Continued French counter-attacks on southern flank.

Germans claim 70,000 prisoners and 1,100 guns since opening of offensive.

General Foch appointed to co-ordinate action of Allied Armies.

Long-range gun causes 160 casualties in Parish church.

Eastern Front

Germans ratify Brest-Litovsk treaty of 3 March.

Turks ratify peace with Russia and Ukraine.

Ship Losses:

Porto Santo (Portugal) The cargo ship foundered in the Aegean Sea off Antimilos, Greece, possibly after striking a mine laid by UC 37 (Otto Kümpel) . Her crew survived.
HMT Swallow (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was lost on this date.
T. R. Thompson (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 7 nautical miles (13 km) south of Newhaven, East Sussex by SM UB-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 33 of her crew.

[Sailor Steve]

March 29, 1918

Air War:

0645 Australian RFC pilot Harry Rigby, flying SE.5a C1113, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 2.

1500 Australian RFC ace Andrew Cowper, in SE.5a B8411, shoots down an Albatros two seater for victory number 19. This is Cowpers' last aerial victory. He will return to serve on the Home Front on April 11. He will survive the war and be posted to No 79 Squadron in postwar Germany. After an assignment to India he will retire from the RAF in 1920. Cowper will return to Australia and sheep ranching. In 1924 he will get married. He will later move his wife and two sons to Sydney, where he will manage a seed merchant company. In World War 2 Cowper will join the RAAF and serve in Administration and Special Duties. Discharged in 1945, Cowper will spend his remaining years working in horticulture, and will live until 1980, dying at age 81.

1645 German ace Dieter Collin, in an Albatros D.V, shoots down a SPAD VII for victory number 6. S/Lt Lucien Servais is listed as Missing.

1750 German pilot Walter Balzar, with Jasta 44, shoots down a two-seater for victory number 1.

1830 French ace René Fonck, in a SPAD XIII, shoots down a German "Scout" for victory number 32.

1835 René Fonck scores his second victory of the day, shooting down another "Scout" for number 33.

German pilot Karl Schattauer, with Jasta 16, shoots down Sopwith Camel B9267 for victory number 3. 2nd Lt A.C.R. Hawley is wounded.

German pilot Kurt Schulz, with Jasta 37, shoots down Armstrong-Whitworth FK.8 C3661 for victory number 2. Capt E.W. Monk and Lt C.B. Wilkinson are both killed.

[Jimbuna]

30th March 1918

Western Front

a 37.5 mile front, between Moreuil and Lassigny, French offensive continued; desperate resistance to enemy attacks.

North of Somme in Boivy and Boyelles region (Cojeul river) heavy German attacks break down.

South of Somme in Luce valley, Demuin is lost and retaken by British.

Attack on Belgian trenches east of Nieuport repulsed.

Southern Front

Albania: Enemy attempt against bridgehead in Avlona sector fails.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British raid Hejaz railway near Amman (east of Jordan).

Political, etc.

H.M. the King returns from a visit to the front.

Mr. Lloyd George issues statement on course of present battle and announces appointment of General Foch.

Ship Losses:

SMS G87 (Kaiserliche Marine) The V25-class destroyer struck a mine and sank in the North Sea with the loss of 43 of her crew.
SMS G93 (Kaiserliche Marine) The V25-class destroyer struck a mine and sank in the North Sea with the loss of ten of her crew.
Geraldine (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was shelled and sunk in the Irish Sea 10 nautical miles (19 km) east of Lambay Island, County Dublin by SM U-96 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of all five of her crew.
Lough Fisher (United Kingdom) The coaster was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 12 nautical miles (22 km) south south east of Helvick Head, County Waterford by SM U-101 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of thirteen crew.
Salaminia (Greece) The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Irish Sea 13 nautical miles (24 km) south south east of Rockabill (53°27′N 5°32′W) by SM UB-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine). There were a number of casualties.
Stabil (Norway) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off the Pendeen Lighthouse, Cornwall, United Kingdom (50°19′N 5°36′W) by SM U-46 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of nine crew.
St. Michan (United Kingdom) The fishing vessel was shelled and sunk in the Irish Sea 10 nautical miles (19 km) east of Lambay Island by SM U-96 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Vafos (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 35 nautical miles (65 km) south west by west of the Marstenen Lighthouse by SM UB-72 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four of her crew.

[Sailor Steve]

March 30, 1918

Air War:

0720 German pilot Claus Reimer, flying with Jasta 26, shoots down SE.5a B72 for victory number 2. 2nd Lt A.E. Sweeting is wounded.

0800 Australian AFC pilot Henry Forrest, in SE.5a C9539, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 5.

0845 Three French SPAD pilots share a victory over a German two-seater:
S/Lt Bernard, victory number unknown.
Antoine Cordonnier, victory number 2.
Gabriel Guérin, victory number 18.

0850 German pilot Johannes Klein, with Jasta 15, shoots down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 3.
(Five French two-seaters, three Bréguets, a Salmson and a Sopwith, are all reported missing this day. Which pilot shot down which plane is undetermined.)

0945 OfStv Behneke (no first nmme given), with Jasta 54, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 1. This may be misidentified and may actually be one of the five lost French aircraft.

0950 German ace Fritz Pütter, flying with Jasta 68, destroys a French observation balloon for victory number 14.

1030 German pilot Alfred Freytag, with Jasta 44, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 1. This is probably another of the missing French planes.

1035 German pilot Vfw Becker (no first name given), with Jasta 44, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 1. Again probably a misreported French aircraft.

1115 Three French SPAD pilots share a victory over a Pfalz D.III:
Adj Delarell, victory number 1.
William Hérisson, victory number 7.
Gabriel Guérin, victory number 19.

1150 Two English SE.5a pilots share a victory over a German two-seater:
Phillip Burge, B76, victory number 2.
James Slater, D289, victory number 19.

1150 Austrian ace Benno von Fernbrugg, flying Austrian Albatros D.III 153.155, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 14. English 7-victory RFC ace Alan Jerrard is taken prisoner.

1230 German pilot Rudolf Stark, flying with Jasta 34, shoots down Sopwith Dolphin C3791 for victory number 3. 2nd Lt H.W. Browne is taken prisoner.

1315 English pilot Christopher McEvoy, in Sopwith Camel B7389, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 1.

German ace Heinrich-Georg Geigle, with Jasta 16, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 8.

German pilot Friedrich Neubauer, with Jasta 26, shoots down SPAD VII 3216 for victory number 2. MdL E. Guillory is taken prisoner.

Friedrich Neubauer scores his second kill of the day, shooting down a French two-seater for victory number 3. The lost French planes are:
Cpl Sigaud and S/Lt du Peuty of Sal 50, killed.
Adj Caraval and Sgt Baudier of Br 66, missing.
MdL Audinot and Asp Hellouin de Genival of Br 127, missing.
Sgt Landragui and Lt Le Courtaulx of Br 127, missing.
Brig Voirin and Asp Breuil of Sop 279, killed.

German pilot Andreas Triebswetter, flying with Jasta 16, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 2.

[Jimbuna]

31st March 1918

Western Front

Indecisive fighting in Luce and Avre valleys. Hangard taken and retaken. French make some progress between Montdidier and Lassigny.

West of Albert German attack is stopped.

Eastern Front

Russo-Romanian agreement on subject of Bessarabia completed.

Southern Front

Announced that British troops in Italy are now holding sector on Asiago Plateau instead of Montello.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

War Office reports progress in Mesopotamia, Palestine, and the Hejaz.

Aviation

1,059 aeroplanes reported brought down on all fronts in March, of which Allies claim 838, and Germans 221.

Comparative statement of bombing activity by British and German aircraft issued.

Political, etc.

Mr. Lloyd George in message to Dominions says "the last man may count".

U.S.A.: Agreement between Capital and Labour to refer all questions to arbitration announced.

Austria: "Arbeiter-Zeitung" on Sea-power.

Ship Losses:

Celtic (United Kingdom) The ocean liner was torpedoed and damaged in the Irish Sea 11 nautical miles (20 km) south of the Isle of Man by SM UB-77 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of six lives. She was beached but was later refloated, repaired and returned to service.
Conargo (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Irish Sea 12 nautical miles (22 km)) west by north of the Calf of Man, Isle of Man (54°02′N 5°11′W) by SM U-96 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was torpedoed again the next day and sunk with the loss of nine of her crew (53°33′N 4°50′W).
Excellence Pleske (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 2.5 nautical miles (4.6 km) south south east of Dungeness, Kent by SM UB-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of thirteen of her crew.
Immacolata (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea off Bari Sardo, Sardinia by SM UC-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Indien (Denmark) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (40°40′N 28°15′W) by SM U-152 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 29 crew.
La Loire (France) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea north east of Alexandria, Egypt by SM U-33 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
San Nicola (United Kingdom) The sailing vessel was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 18 nautical miles (33 km) east north east of Valletta, Malta by SM UC-52 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Slieve Bloom (United Kingdom) The ferry collided with the destroyer USS Stockton ( United States Navy) and sank with the loss of one life.
Vianna (United Kingdom) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) east of Seaham Harbour, County Durham (54°50′N 1°12′W) by SM UC-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four of her crew.

MERCHANT SHIPPING

British, Allied and Neutral ships lost to enemy submarines, mines and cruisers etc in the month - 186 ships of 366,000 tons gross. (Lloyd's War Losses)

[Sailor Steve]

March 31, 1918

Air War:

1115 Englsih RFC pilot William Green, flying DH.4 A7904 with 2nd Lt H.S. Gros as observer, shoots down a Pfalz D.III. Victory number 5 for Green; number 4 for Gros.

1130 German pilot Hugo Schäfer, with Jasta 15, shoots down a French SPAD for victory number 2.

1130 German pilot Johannes Klein, with Jasta 15, shoots down a French SPAD for victory number 4.

1410 German ace Fritz Pütter, with Jasta 68, shoots down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 15.

German ace Hermann Becker, with Jasta 12, shoots down a SPAD XIII for victory number 8. This is probably Adj Paul Thuries of Spa 57, who was taken prisoner.

German ace Hans Böhning, flying a Pfalz D.III, shoots down a Dorand AR.2 for victory number 7.

Three French Nieuport pilots share a victory over an Albatros:
MdL Coupilaud (no first name given), victory number 1.
Roger Poupon, victory number 2.
Bernard de Romaney, victory number 2.

Two French pilots share a victory over an "Enemy Aircraft":
Jacques Gerard, SPAD VII 4236, victory number 2.
Charles Nungesser, SPAD XIII, victory number 32.

German ace Heinrich-Georg Geigle, with Jasta 16, shoots down DH.4 2161 for victory number 9. 2nd Lt E.C.S. Pearce is killed. 2nd Lt C.B. Coleman is wounded and taken prisoner.

German pilot Vfw Gerdes (no first name given), with Jasta 19, shoots down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 1.

German ace Walter Göttsch, flying with Jasta 19, shoots down a Dorand AR.2 for victory number 18.

German pilot Martin Johns, with Jasta 63, shoots down either a Camel or a SPAD for victory number 1.

German pilot Walter Jumpelt, in a Fokker Dr.I, shoots down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 2.

German pilot Hans Körner, in Fokker Dr.I 503/17, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 4.

German pilot Hermann Leptien, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Camel for victory number 4.

German ace Ulrich Neckel, flying with Jasta 12, shoots down a SPAD XIII for victory number 8.

German pilot Karl Schattauer, with Jasta 16, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 4.

German pilot Uffz Tönges, with Jasta 62, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 1.

[Jimbuna]

1st April 1918

Western Front

Local attacks near Albert repulsed.

Grivesnes (southern Moreuil) heavily attacked but remains in French hands.

At Hebuterne (Bucquoy) local fighting in favour of British.

Eastern Front

Berlin reports the despatch of ultimatum to Russia on subject of Finland.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Mesopotamia: British troops 73 miles beyond Ana (Middle Euphrates).

Palestine: Strong Turkish resistance near Amman; British retire to Es Salt.

Naval and Overseas Operations

British destroyer HMS Falcon sunk in collision.

Aviation

Royal Air Force is founded with the merger of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service. The RAF is the first air force independent of army or navy control.


Two mascot dogs of the British No. 22 Squadron on top of a Bristol Fighter.

Political, etc.

Canada: Anti-conscription riots in Quebec. Troops fire on rioters.

Ship Losses:

Ardglass (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 7 nautical miles (13 km) north east of Larne, County Antrim by SM UC-31 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of seven of her crew.
HMS Falcon (Royal Navy) The C-class destroyer collided with the trawler John Fitzgerald ( United Kingdom) and sank in the North Sea off Bridlington, Yorkshire )54°07′45″N 0°22′10″E).
Lusitano P(ortugal) The barquentine was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean off the Azores (38°50′N 18°24′W) by SM U-155 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew took to the lifeboats but were not rescued.

[Sailor Steve]

April 1, 1918

The Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service combine to become the Royal Air Force, the first Air Force independent of Army and Navy Control. Pilot listings in this series will henceforth reflect this new status.



Air War:

German ace Otto Rosenfeld, who was shot down and captured on December 29, 1917, escapes sometime during this month and rejoins Jasta 41.

0800 German ace Fritz Hemer, flying a Fokker Dr.I, claims a Bristol F.2b for victory number 6. This is actually DH.4 7401. 2nd Lt E. Whitfield and Lt W.C.F. Nicol-Hart are both killed.

0800 German pilot Eugen Siempelkamp, in a Fokker Dr.I, shoots down Sopwith Camel D1811 for victory number 1. 2nd Lt P.R. Cann is wounded and dies the next day.

0815 German ace Heinrich Kroll, in a Pfalz D.III, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 23.

0840 German pilot Wilhelm Becker, with Jasta 17, shoots down a Dorand AR.2 for victory number 2,

0900 German pilot Hans Joachim Wolff, in a Fokker Dr.I, shoots down DH.4 A7872 for victory number 2. 2nd Lt D.P. Trollip and Lt J.D. Moses are both killed.

1015 Canadian RAF ace William Duncan, flying SE.5a C9536, forces down Albatros D.Va 5734/17 for victory number 7. Vfw Weimar is taken prisoner. One source says that Weimar is the first pilot to parachute from a burning aircraft, but another says he landed and Duncan landed nearby.

1045 German pilot Hugo Schäfer, with Jasta 15, shoots down SE.5a D265 for victory number 3. 2nd Lt H.F. Proctor is wounded.

1145 German pilot Emil Bergmann, with Jasta 22, shoots down a French 1½ Strutter for victory number 1.

1145 English RAF pilot Francis Turner, in DH.4 A7901 with 2nd Lt A. Leach as observr, claims two Albatros D.Vs and a Fokker Dr.I for victories 3, 4 and 5.

1230 German pilot Alfred Josef Lux, with Jasta 27, shoots down SE.5a C6413 for victory number 1. Capt D. M. Faure lands unharmed on his own side of the lines.

1245 German ace Otto Könnecke, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down SE.5a C5433 for victory number 15. Lt F. Beaummont is taken prisoner.

1305 German ace Wilhelm Reinhard, in a Fokker Dr.I, shoots down SE.5a C6351 for victory number 11. 2nd Lt B. McPherson is taken presoner.

1415 French ace Joseph de Sevin, in a SPAD, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 8. This is possibly Ltn Richard Grüter of Jasta 17, who was killed about this time.

1430 Irish RAF pilot Maurice Cooper, in Sopwith Camel B6416, shoots down a two-seat German seaplane for victory number 4.

1430 Canadian RAF pilot John Greene, in Sopwith Camel B3999, shoots down a German seaplane for victory number 4.

1430 Canadian ace George MacKay, flying Sopwith Camel N6340, shoots down a German seaplane for victory number 7.

1515 German pilot Gilbert Wagner, with Jasta 29, destroys a British ovservation balloon for victory number 4.

1625 English RAF pilot Thomas Williams, in Sopwith Camel D1817, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 2.

1640 German pilot Sgt Pfänder (no first name given), with Jasta 60, shoots down a Dorand AR.2 for victory number 2.

1700 German pilot Hans Joachim Wolff, in a Fokker Dr.I, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 3.

1730-1738 German ace Friedrich von Röth, flying an Albatros D.V, claims four British observation ballons in rapid succession. Victories number 7, 8, 9 and 10.

1810German ace Johannes Klein, with Jasta 15, shoots down a French SPAD VII for victory number 7. American cpl Houston Woodward is killed.

1820 German ace Hans Pippart, with Jasta 13, destroys a French observation balloon for victory number 9.

Two French SPAD pilots share a victory over an Albatros D.V:
Lt Bechon (no first name given), victory number unknown.
Andre de Cordou, victory number 3.

German Wilhelm Buchstett, with Jasta 79, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 1.

Canadian RAF pilot Fred Everest Danbury, age 24, suffers a heart attack and dies whil test-flying Sopwith Camel B7247.

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

German ace Heinrich-Georg Geigle, with Jasta 16, shoots down Armstrong-Whitworth FK.8 B3380 for victory number 10. 2nd Lt B.L. Norton and Lt R.W. Briggs land unharmed.

German ace Walter Göttsch, with Jasta 19, shoots down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 19.

Two French SPAD pilots share a victory over a German observation balloon:
Auguste Lahoulle, victory number 3.
Xavier Jean-Marie Louis Moissinac, victory number 1.

Prussia-born German ace Karl Menckhoff, flying an Albatros D.V, shoots down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 21.

Xavier Moissinac scores his second kill of the day, shooting down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 2.

German pilot Arthur Rahn, with Jasta 19, shoots down a Bréguet 14 for victory number 5.

German pilot August Schwind, with Jasta 54, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for vicrory number 3.

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

German pilot Andreas Triebswetter, flying with Jasta 16, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 3.

[Jimbuna]

2nd April 1918

Western Front

Scarpe river British repulse attack near Fampoux and further south capture Ayette.

Local fighting between Moreuil and Lassigny.

German Spring Offensive on the Western Front slows due to rain and strengthening Allied resistance. British troops recapture Ayette between Arras and Albert.

Generally fighting has died down.

U.S. agrees to let its troops directly reinforce British and French units to help stem the German offensive.

Eastern Front

New Polish Cabinet formed by M. Steczkowski.

Siberia reported dominated by Bolsheviks, German and Austrian prisoners being armed.

Political, etc.

Canada: Prime Minister intends to enforce Military Act on Quebec rioters.

Ship Losses:

Meaford (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of all hands.
Solway Queen (United Kingdom) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 7 nautical miles (13 km) off Black Head, Wigtownshire by SM U-101 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eleven crew.

[Sailor Steve]

April 2, 1918

Air War:

0700 Australian AFC pilot Roby Lewis Manuel, flying SE.5a B184, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 1.

0720 German pilot Johann Wieland, with Jasta 68, shoots down a French-flown Sopwith 1½ Strutter for victory number 1.

0940 German ace Franz Piechilek, in an Albatros D.Va, claims a Bristol F.2b for victory number 6. This is actually Armstrong-Whitworth FK.8 C8524. Capt F.I. Paterson is killed; Lt T.I. Findly is wounded.

1115 Two RAF Sopwith Camel pilots share a victory over an Albatros D.III:
Stearne Edwards, Canada, B7199, victory number 11.
Joseph Henry Siddall, England, serial number unknown, victory number 1.

1230 German ace Manfred von Richthofen, in Fokker Dr.I 477/17, shoots down RE.8 A3868 for victory number 75. Lt Ernest David Jones and 2nd Lt Robert Francis Newton are both listed as Missing.

"Around 1230 I attacked, above the wood of Moreuil, an English RE at an altitude of 800 metres, diretly under the clouds. As the adversary only saw me very late, I managed to approach him to within 50 metres. From ten Metres range I shot him until he began to burn.

When the flames shot out, I was only five metres away from him. I could see how the observer and pilot were leaning ot of their plane to escape the fire. The machine did not explode in the air but gradually burnt down. It fell uncontrolled to the ground where it exploded and burnt to ashes"
-Manfred von Richthofen

1245 Five RAF Camel pilots share a victory over an Albatros D.V:
Horace Debenham, England, C1659, victory number 5.
Donald MacLaren, Canada, B9153, victory number 14.
Roy McConnell, Canada, serial number unknown, victory number 2.
Sydney Smith, England, serial number unknown, victory number 5.
Alexander Vlasto, England, serial number unknown, victory number 3.

1315 Two Candadian RAF Camel pilots share the destruction of a German observation balloon:
Donald MacLaren, B9153, victory number 15.
John Smith, C1617, victory number 3.

1400 English RAF pilot Wilfred Barratt Green, in SE.5a B8345, shoots down a Pfalz D.III for victory number 1.

1615 English RAF pilot John Everard Gurdon and observer Athony Joseph Hill Thornton, in Bristol F.2b B1162, shoot down a Fokker Dr.I. Victory number 1 for both.

1645 Joh gurdon and Anthony Thornton score claim their second victory of the day, shooting down another Fokker Dr.I. Number 2 for both.

1650 German pilot Hans Joachim Wolff, flying a Fokker Dr.I, shoots down Bristol F.2b A7286 for victory number 4. 2nd Lts F. Williams and R. Critchley are both killed.

1700 German ace Hans Weiss, in a Fokker Dr.I, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 14.

1730 Two Australian AFC pilots share a victory over a German two-seater:
Gregory Hamilton Blaxland, B571, victory number 1.
Alexander Clark, D3429, victory number 2.

1805 German pilot Paul Wenzel, with Jasta 6, shoots down Bristol F.2b C4862 for victory number 1. 2nd Lt A.R. Knowles and Lt E.A. Matthews are both killed.

1815 German pilot Johann Pütz, with Jsta 34, shoots down SE.5a B8236 for victory number 3. 2nd Lt E.V. Christie is killed.

1820 German pilot Hans Kirschtein, flying with Jasta 6, shoots down SE.5a C5388 for victory number 4. 2nd Lt K.P. Campbell lands safely on his own side of the lines.

1850 German pilot Wilhelm Schwartz, in an Albatros D.III, shoots dwon an Allied two-seater for victory number 2.

German pilot Uffz Dannemann (no first name given) shoots down an Armstrong-Whitworth FK.8 for victory number 1,

German pilot Uffz Georg Sandleitner (1 victory) is killed in a flying accident.

[Jimbuna]

3rd April 1918

Western Front

Local fighting in Scarpe river region and at Hebuterne.

Heavy air fighting and bombing.

One long-range gun reported blown up.

Eastern Front

Indications of coalition between local authorities and Entente to safeguard Murman railway.

German troops (30,000?) land at Hango in Finland; White Guards capture Tammefors with 1,000 prisoners.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Baluchistan: Successful progress of operations against the Marris.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Seven British submarines blown up in Baltic (between 3rd and 8th April) to save them from German hands.

Political, etc.

British Shipping output for first quarter 320,280 tons.

Austria: Count Czernin speaks on international situation and declares he has received peace offer from France (M. Clemenceau denies this).

Cape Town: General Botha appeals to "Fellow South Africans" for recruits.

Allied Blockade Committee meets.

Ship Losses:

AG-11 (Imperial Russian Navy) The AG-class submarine was scuttled in the harbor at Hanko.
AG-12 (Imperial Russian Navy) The AG-class submarine was scuttled in the harbor at Hanko.
AG-16 (Imperial Russian Navy) The AG-class submarine was scuttled in the harbor at Hanko.
HMS E1 (Royal Navy) The E-class submarine was scuttled in the Gulf of Finland off the Harmaja Lighthouse.
HMS E9 (Royal Navy) The E-class submarine was scuttled in the Gulf of Finland off the Harmaja Lighthouse.
Elsie Burdett (United Kingdom) The schooner was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off the Canary Islands, Spain (44°38′N 24°28′W) by SM U-152 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her six crew took to the lifeboat but were not rescued.
Sylvie (France) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 120 nautical miles (220 km) north east of Malta by SM UC-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

[Sailor Steve]

April 3, 1918

Air War:

1005 German pilot Viktor von Rautter, flying a Pfalz D.III, shoots down Armstrong-Whitworth FK.8 C3682 for victory number 2. Lt R.M.C. MacFarlane and 2nd Lt A.E. Lancashire are both wounded.

1139 English RAF pilot Walter Hinchliffe, in Sopwith Camel B7190, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 3.

1145 German pilot Sgt Pfänder (no first name given), with Jasta 69, destroys a French observation balloon for victory number 3. Sgt Charles Debas, 69° Cié d’Aérostiers, is killed.

1218 German pilot Konrad Schwartz, with Jasta 22, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 2.

1230 Konrad Schwartz scores his second kill of the day, shooting down another Camel.

1236 German pilot Alfred Lenz, flying with Jasta 22, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 2.

1245 Two English RAF Camel pilots share a victory over a German two-seater:
Maurice Freehill, B5636, victory number 2.
Cecil Marchant, B9211, victory number 5.

1310 German ace Karl Bolle, in a Fokker Dr.I, shoots down a DH.9 for victory number 6.

1550 English RAF ace Thomas Colvill-Jones, in Bristol F.2b B1126 with 2nd Lt J.M.J. Moore as observer, shoots down a Pfalz D.III for victory number 11.

1950 South African RAF pilot Hugh Saunders, in SE.5a C1794, shoots down a Pfalz D.III for victory number 3.

German ace Walter Böning, with Jasta 76, shoots down Sopwith Camel D1797 for victory number 14. 2nd Lt R.T. Cuffie lands safely on his own side of the lines.

German pilot Theodor Cammann, flying with Jasta 74, shoots down a SPAD XIII for victory number 3.

German ace Heinrich-Georg Geigl, with Jasta 16, shoots down an SE.5a for victory number 12.

Two French SPAD XIII pilots share a victory over an Albatros D.V:
Louis Gros, victory number 2.
S/Lt Matrat, victory number unknown.

German pilot Martin Johns, with Jasta 63, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 2.

French pilot Paul Armand Petit, in a SPAD XIII, shoots down an Albatros for victory number 1.

German ace Fritz Pütter, flying with Jasta 68, shoots down a SPAD VII for victory number 16. Sgt Pierre Devaulx is listed as Missing.

German pilot Karl Schattauer, with Jasta 16, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 5.

[Jimbuna]

4th April 1918

Western Front

Germans again attack in force between Somme and Avre rivers.

British pressed back near Hamel and Villers-Bretonneux, and French between Avre and Luce rivers.

North of Somme, attack near Albert is repulsed.

French counter-attack between Grivesnes and Noyon.

Germans claim 90,000 prisoners since 21 March.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Sarikamish (Transcaucasia) occupied by Turks.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Morocco: Reported German intrigues in.

Royal Navy destroyer HMS Bittern collides with a steamer in thick fog in the English Channel, causing it to sink with all hands.


Petrograd reports sinking of three Russian warships in Finnish waters and destruction of others to avoid capture.

Political, etc.

Mr. Lloyd George returns from visit to the front.

Ship Losses:

Agatina (Italy) The barquentine was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Sicily by SM UC-25 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
HMS Bittern (Royal Navy) The Avon-class destroyer collided with Kenilworth ( United Kingdom) in the English Channel off the Isle of Portland, Dorset and sank with the loss of all 63 crew.
HMS C26 (Royal Navy) The C-class submarine was scuttled in the Gulf of Finland off the Harmaja Lighthouse to prevent her capture by German forces.
HMS E8 (Royal Navy) The E-class submarine was scuttled in the Gulf of Finland off the Harmaja Lighthouse prevent her capture by German forces.
HMT J&A (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was lost on this date.
Liberia (France) The cargo ship was sunk in the Gulf of Genoa 62 nautical miles (115 km) south east of the Île d'Hyères (42°04′N 7°02′E) by SM UC-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Sincerita (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea (36°17′N 14°48′E) by SM UB-52 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

[Sailor Steve]

April 4, 1918

Air War:

0915 Austrian ace Kurt Gruber, flying Phönix D.I 228.24, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 11. Another Camel shot Gruber's plane, his wings collapsed and he also died in this fight.

1330 English RAF ace Thomas Colvill-Jones, in Bristol F.2b C4831 with 2nd Lt W. Hart as pilot, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 10.

1550 German ace Robert von Greim, with Jasta 34, shoots down a Sopwith Camel for victory number 12.

1730 Two Australian AFC SE.5a pilots share a victory over a German two-seater:
Gregory Hamilton Blaxland, B571, victory number 1.
Alexander Clark, D3428, victory number 3.

1730 Two RAF SE.5a pilots share a victory over a Rumpler two-seater:
Conway Farrell, Canada, C1099, victory number 2.
Ronald Mark, England, B8411, victory number 12.

German ace Heinrich-Georg Geigl, flying with Jasta 16, collides with Sopwith Camel D6552. Geigle and 2nd Lt J.G. Kennedy are both killed.

German pilot Georg Kröhl, with Jasta 34, shoots down an Armstrong-Whitworth FK.8 for victory number 2. 2nd Lt E.D. Stevens is wounded but makes it home.

Two French SPAD pilots share a victory over Albatros D.Va 7161/17. Uffz Erich Gürgenz (1 victory) is killed:
S/Lt Matrat (first name not given, victory number unknown.
Adj Gros (first name not given), victory number unknown.
(There is some confusion. The above information is from The French Air Service War Chronology. The Jasta War Chronology states that the only claim against Gürgenz was made by Adj P.A. Petit.)

German pilot Rudolf Stark, with Jasta 34, shoots down a DH.4 and an RE.8 for victories 3 and 4.

[Jimbuna]

5th April 1918

Western Front

Germans again attack from Somme to beyond Bucquoy.

British take 200 prisoners in counter-attack near Hebuterne.

French attack north of Montdidier and near Noyon.

End of Second Battle of the Somme.

Eastern Front

German landing in Finland confirmed.

Siberia: Japanese marines land at Vladivostok, followed by a British detachment.

Southern Front

60 Austrian sailors captured on land by Italians near Ancona.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Van (Armenia) retaken by the Turks.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Sir J. Van Deventer's despatch on East Africa published.

Political, etc.

51st Meeting of Irish Convention adopts draft report. Convention adjourns sine die.

German coal miner Robert Prager, living in Illinois, is lynched by an American mob due to anti-German sentiment.


Ship Losses:

HMS C27 (Royal Navy) The C-class submarine was scuttled in the Gulf of Finland off the Harmaja Lighthouse prevent her capture by German forces.
HMS C35 (Royal Navy) The C-class submarine was scuttled in the Gulf of Finland off the Harmaja Lighthouse prevent her capture by German forces.
Camelia (Italy) The barque was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Cap Caccia (40°38′N 8°06′E) by SM UC-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Cyrene (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in Caernarfon Bay 15 nautical miles (28 km) north of Bardsey Island, Caernarfonshire by SM UC-31 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 24 of her crew.