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Thread: 100 Years Ago Today

  1. #501

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    1st. May 1915.

    Western Front.

    Second Battle of Ypres: Repulse of German attack on Hill 60; British ordered to withdraw to new line.

    By the 1st May 1915 Hill 60 was occupied by 1st Bn Dorset Regiment (15th Brigade). The first gas attacks using chlorine had taken place on the far side of the salient and the men were now equipped with very basic gauze and
    cotton face masks.
    By now the Official History describes Hill 60 as:
    ...a medley of confluent mine and shell craters, strewn with broken timber and wire: and in this rubbish heap it was impossible to dig without disturbing the body of some British or German soldier.
    At 1917 hours the Germans put down a bombardment on the hill and almost immediately released a cloud of gas. With the two front lines less than a hundred metres apart the defenders had very little time to react and many were overcome by the gas before being able to adopt their rudimentary gas masks.
    Jumping up onto the parapet Lt Robert Kestell-Cornish avoided the denser part of the cloud and with a handful of men put down such a volley of rifle fire at random into the cloud that it discouraged the German infantry from rushing in. The little party's action gave the supporting units of the Dorsets just enough time to come up and charge into the gas cloud stopping the German advance in its tracks.
    Despite the fact that this was the first time that such a gas attack had failed to gain the perpetrators any advantage the casualties to the Dorsets were considerable. 85 had been killed and over 200 wounded by the gas cloud (of whom 58 died). Just two men had become casualties as a result of other wounds. Kestell-Cornish was himself later evacuated for gas inhalation but was back at the front within a week refusing to accept a Blighty On their left the 1st Bn Bedfords were not directly attacked by the gas cloud (Though many of them suffered its effects) but as the Dorsets succumbed so their trenches emptied.
    Private Edward Warner took a party into the gas ridden trenches and despite becoming gassed himself helped fight off the German attacks and rescue wounded men. When reinforcements couldn't get through to him he came back out to lead them in to the position. Exhausted and overcome by the gas Warner died shortly afterwards. He became the fifth soldier to be awarded the Victoria Cross on Hill 60.

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    Private Edward Warner V.C.


    Eastern Front.

    Austro-German Spring Offensive in Galicia: Battle of Gorlice-Tarnow begins.

    Germans occupy Shavli and approach Libau (Baltic Provinces).

    Austro-German offensive towards the Uzsok Pass.


    Southern Front.

    Battle of Dilman (North Persia).

    Dardanelles: Turks attack the Allied line at Gallipoli.

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    Lusitania departs New York City bound for Liverpool.


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    http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/snpwwi2.htm


    Two German t.b.'s sunk by British destroyer in North Sea.

    Union forces occupy Kubas (German south-west Africa).

    "Gulf-light", American oil tank vessel, torpedoed by German submarine, but reaches port. First United States ship attacked by German submarine.

    The South African Aviation Corps begin to fly reconnaissance sorties in support of South African Army units during operations against German forces in German South-West Africa. The colony surrendered 2 months later.

    Political, etc.

    Navigation resumed again between England and Holland.

    Chinese Note to Japan requiring the restoration of Kiao-chau, and making other demands.



    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  2. #502

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    Lusitania sets sail - bet that doesn't end well..

    Tell you what Rob, things are definitely hotting up across all theatres now, not such a struggle to locate stories than it was a couple of months ago, and more aviation tales to boot...

    Never Knowingly Undergunned !!

  3. #503

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    We are approaching 14,000 views on this thread already, wonder what is the most viewed thread on the Aerodrome? and whether in time we will pass that figure...

    Never Knowingly Undergunned !!

  4. #504

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    2nd May 1915.

    Western Front.

    Second Battle of Ypres: German gas attacks near St Julien-Foutuin repulsed.

    Eastern Front.

    Russians take Mt. Makovoka (near Styrj), but lose it again.
    A combined Austro-German offensive begins against the Russian 3rd Army at Tarnow and Gorlice in Galicia. The attack is preceded by a massive artillery bombardment with over 700,000 shells. This breaks down the defenses of the weakened Russians who now suffer from shortages of artillery shells and rifles. Within two days, the Austro-Germans break through the lines and the Russians begin a disorganized retreat.

    Southern Front.
    .
    Dardanelles: Turkish attack and Franco-British counter-attack with heavy Turkish losses.
    the 4th Australian Bgde, NewZealanders & British Marines launched an attack whose objective was Baby 700.
    The 13th & 16th Battalions clung to their gains for a while but were gradually forced back by the Turkish fire.
    The following British warships gave artillery support at Anzac for this major attack aimed at extending the Anzac line to the top of the hill Baby 700: They were the battleships Canopus, London, Majestic, Prince of Wales, Queen, Triumph, the cruiser Dartmouth and the destroyer Bacchante.
    British fail at Gaba Tepe.

    Albion, battleship, Canopus-class, 14,300t, 4-12in/12-6in, just returned from repairing damage sustained on 28/4/15, providing gunfire support with Agamemnon, Goliath, Prince George, Vengeance off southern beachheads, operating on French right. Hit badly by Turkish gunfire from Asiatic shore in evening, retired to Mudros again to make good the damage.

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    Russian Black Sea fleet shells the forts on the Bosporus.

    Union forces occupy the Otjimingwe (German south-west Africa).

    Political, etc.

    Turkish Minister of War sends British and French subjects into the danger zone at Gallipoli.



    During the early days of the Second Battle of Ypres a young Canadian artillery officer, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, was killed on 2nd May, 1915 in the gun positions near Ypres. An exploding German artillery shell landed near him. He was serving in the same Canadian artillery unit as a friend of his, the Canadian military doctor and artillery commander Major John McCrae.
    As the brigade doctor, John McCrae was asked to conduct the burial service for Alexis because the chaplain had been called away somewhere else on duty that evening. It is believed that later that evening, after the burial, John began the draft for his now famous poem “In Flanders Fields”.


    In Flanders fields the poppies blow
    Between the crosses, row on row,
    That mark our place; and in the sky
    The larks, still bravely singing, fly
    Scarce heard amid the guns below.

    We are the Dead. Short days ago
    We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
    Loved and were loved, and now we lie
    In Flanders fields.

    Take up our quarrel with the foe:
    To you from failing hands we throw
    The torch; be yours to hold it high.
    If ye break faith with us who die
    We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
    In Flanders fields.


    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  5. #505

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    Quote Originally Posted by Hedeby View Post
    Lusitania sets sail - bet that doesn't end well..

    Tell you what Rob, things are definitely hotting up across all theatres now, not such a struggle to locate stories than it was a couple of months ago, and more aviation tales to boot...
    Yes, things can only get better, or worse depending on how you look at it.

    As far as the count goes look at Flying Penguins, but I think origins may be top.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  6. #506

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    3rd May 1915.


    Western Front.

    Second Battle of Ypres: Withdrawal to new British line completed.
    Germans again driven back.


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    A very good description of the action and final day of battle is given here by Lieut-Colonel F.R.Hicks, O.C. 1st. Hampshire Reg.

    On May 3rd the German artillery surpassed itself. They poured tons of metal on our trenches and all the ground behind and this went on till after 3, when they made their first attack on the Buffs wood. In spite of the terrific bombardment they had undergone, the Buffs drove it back supported by rifle and machine-gun fire from our trenches. Again the Germans concentrated their gun fire on the Buffs wood and hardly a tree was left standing. The remainder of the Buffs drifted away to their support trench. By 5 o’clock the enemy had gained the wood and turned their main attention on us. On the right and left they were reported closing up and even the dreaded gas apparatus was seen being set up. Perhaps the wind was wrong, anyway the gas failed to appear and the attack when it did come was feeble in the extreme. It was met by C and D Coys with ease and driven back decisively and not repeated. But Captain Twining was killed and our casualties this day were heavy.
    During the afternoon we got our order to retire and evacuate the line altogether. At 10.30 half the battalion on left and Major Palk remained to cover the retirement. At midnight the rest followed, except a few picked men who stayed to bluff the enemy a little longer. Everyone got away safely. It was a fine performance. There was much crowding along the shell swept road, for this was a general retirement along the shell swept road, for this was a general retirement along the front of several miles, all confined to one road, or the fields alongside. But there was never any confusion or excitement. The machine guns and even our tools were carried back many miles. By daylight on the 4th we were across the Yser Canal, fortunate in having escaped casualties during the retirement, though there were many narrow escapes. Heavy rain came on which prevented the Taubs and Aviatiks [?] observing our movements. About 5 a.m. we halted in a field, very wet and very tired, some miles behind the canal, but not out of shell fire as we soon found. But there was hot tea waiting for us there – hot tea after nine days! We tried to sleep a little but some French heavies in a field alongside began to fire and suddenly the air was smitten again with the horrid sound of bursting Jack Johnsons. They fell both side of a hedge along which our men were lying, but again we escaped a casualty and moved off a bit and little later got into a large park with shady trees to hide us from aeroplanes. A glorious fine day, and all through this trying time the weather was superb, gave us a chance to clean up a bit and a thunder shower in the evening washed some of the dirt off our clothes. We moved again at night two mils further back, where so far we have escaped the shells. The fine day and warm nights with the addition of Lieutenant Cromie and another draft of 50 men have restored our energy and nearly brought up our numbers again, though we can do with more officers and especially some senior ones; as there are very few now with more than a few months service. Our casualties have been 6 officers killed, 5 wounded, 92 other ranks killed and 227 wounded. Unfortunately the killed were all buried near the remains of a small farm, almost a mile north of Zonnebeke and the graves marked as carefully as possible. During the last four days of the fighting the D.L.I.were replaced by 2 companies of the 4th East Yorks (T), who were distributed along our trenches, and it is fair to them to say how well they behaved. They, too, came fresh from England and lost nearly half their numbers in the fighting. Their only desire was to get at the enemy and square their losses. One of their officers, though twice wounded on the last day, remained with his company and marched them back to safety. The gallant deeds performed by the men of the regiment would fill pages. Few can be mentioned but we may well be filled with pride for the hundreds of unnamed officers and men who did their duty so nobly and the stretcher bearers were beyond praise. By day, crawling along or even out of the trenches to attend to the wounded; by night carrying them from dusk to dawn. They deserve the highest place in the roll of honour. Young officers of 18 (and some under) commanding platoons through such a week of terror and keeping control of their men, when in the ordinary course, they might have been trembling before an awe inspiring Headmaster.
    The Regiment has been thanked by the G.O.C. division, on its right for its timely aid and complimented by the Corps Commander for its gallant conduct, and though few remain who fought in 1914, the spirit of the Regiment remains as fine as ever.


    Eastern Front.

    Germans continue to advance towards Mitau (Baltic Provinces); 8,200 prisoners reported.
    Austro-Germans make progress in Galicia and the Carpathians.

    Southern Front.

    Dardanelles: Turks unsuccessfully attack the French lines at Gallipoli.

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    Submarine E14 sinks a Turkish gunboat in the Sea of Marmora.

    Ships hit by U9 on 3rd May:-
    The following British ships were hit on May 3rd by the U9 commanded by Cpt. Johannes Spier . Bob White, Coquet, Hector, Hero, Iolanthe, And Northward Ho.
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    U9.

    Political, etc.

    Italy denounces the Triple Alliance.
    Advertisement in American papers states that ships flying the British flag are liable to destruction in the war zone.

    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  7. #507

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    4th May 1915.


    Western Front.

    Second Battle of Ypres: French advance between Lizerne and Het Sas; Germans capture Zonnebeke, Wetshoek and Zevenkote.

    Battle of St. Julien ends.

    Kite balloons are used for artillery observation in France for the first time.

    Crime and punishment: 14780 Acting Corporal Chisholm, of the 20th Fortress Company British Royal Engineers, serving on the Western Front, “feloniously, wilfully and of malice aforethought, kill[s] and murder[s] No. 348 Lance-Corporal Robert Lewis, 1st Glamorgan (Fortress) Company, Royal Engineers’, a crime for which he is court-martialled on 10th May and hanged on the 17th May at 6.10AM.


    Eastern Front.

    Severe fighting in Galicia: Russians stand on the Visloka River.

    Southern Front.

    Dardanelles: British failure at Gaba Tepe.

    Naval and overseas.

    U9 strikes again sinking the british ship Rugby.

    Political, etc.

    Budget estimated expenditure £1,632,654,000 introduced by Mr. Lloyd George.

    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  8. #508

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    Kite balloons... wonder when the first balloon busting operation took place - would be fun trying to go after them with the early war planes - I fell a scenario coming on

    Never Knowingly Undergunned !!

  9. #509

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    And in political news, from https://twitter.com/centuryagotoday , we have: Irish Parliamentary Party protest the proposed taxation of spirits and beers, as it would disproportionately hurt Ireland’s industries.

    *NOW* they're really hitting home!

  10. #510

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    5th May 1915.


    Western Front.

    Second Battle of Ypres: Germans gain a foothold on Hill 60.

    Eastern Front.

    Germans bombard Grodno; are checked south of Mitau.
    Battle of Gorlice-Tarnow ends.

    Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres.

    The Turks begin shelling Anzac Cove from a new position behind their lines. The Australians called this Turkish battery ‘Beachy Bill’ and during the campaign ‘Beachy Bill’ is said to have caused over 1000 casualties at Anzac Cove.

    Turks reported severely beaten by Russians in Armenia.

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    Union forces occupy Karibib (German south-west Africa).

    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  11. #511

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    Western Front.

    Second Battle of Ypres: British recover some trenches on Hill 60.

    Eastern Front.

    Austrians occupy Tarnow (Galicia).

    Southern Front.

    Dardanelles: Second battle of Krithia begins.

    After a first attempt to capture the village of Krithia, on the Gallipoli Peninsula, failed on April 28, 1915, a second is initiated on May 6 by Allied troops under the British commander Sir Aylmer Hunter-Weston.


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    Fortified by 105 pieces of heavy artillery, the Allied force advanced on Krithia, located at the base of the flat-topped hill of Achi Baba, starting at noon on May 6. The attack was launched from a beach head on Cape Helles, where troops had landed on April 25 to begin the large-scale land invasion of the Gallipoli Peninsula after a naval attack on the Dardanelles failed miserably in mid-March. Since the first failed attempt on the village, Hunter-Weston’s original force had been joined by two brigades of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) to bring the total number of men to 25,000. They were still outnumbered, however, by the Turkish forces guarding Krithia, which were under the direct command of the German Major-General Erich Weber.


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    Weber had been promoted from the rank of colonel after supervising the closure and mining of the Dardanelles six months earlier.
    Facing superior enemy numbers and suffering from a shortage of ammunition, the Allies were able to advance some 600 yards, but failed to capture either Krithia or the crest of Achi Baba after three attempts in three days. Hunter-Weston’s troops suffered heavy losses, with a total of 6,000 casualties. Two British naval brigades engaged in the battle saw half their number, some 1,600 soldiers, killed or wounded.
    The British regional commander in chief, Sir Ian Hamilton, after pushing for more supplies and ammunition, ordered Hunter-Weston to continue the pressure on Achi-Baba; a third attack on the ridge was launched in early June. As heavy casualties continued to be sustained across the region, with little real gains for the Allies, it became clear that the Gallipoli operation—an Allied attempt to break the stalemate on the Western Front by achieving a decisive victory elsewhere—had failed to achieve its ambitious aims.

    Second Battle of Krithia to 8th; Sub-Lt Arthur Walderne St Clair Tisdall RNVR (Anson Battalion, RN Division) killed ashore on 6th, awarded Victoria Cross for gallantry.


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    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    Mr. Harcourt makes a statement as to poisoning of wells by Germans in south-west Africa.

    The Tzars birthday.


    Telegram.
    Stavka. 6 May, 1915.

    I am very touched by your lovely presents and good wishes. Am sorry that we are not together. I thank Ella. I kiss you and the dear children fondly.
    Nicky.

    Telegram.
    Stavka. 6 May, 1915.

    Again I thank you tenderly and warmly for your good wishes. Be kind enough to thank our Friend for his moving words. After great heat and a night's downpour it has become much cooler now...
    Nicky.

    The other side of the coin. Magnificent but is it War?
    Rob.
    Last edited by Flying Officer Kyte; 05-06-2015 at 01:12.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  12. #512

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    Quote Originally Posted by Flying Officer Kyte View Post
    The Tzars birthday.


    Telegram.
    Stavka. 6 May, 1915.

    I am very touched by your lovely presents and good wishes. Am sorry that we are not together. I thank Ella. I kiss you and the dear children fondly.
    Nicky.

    Telegram.
    Stavka. 6 May, 1915.

    Again I thank you tenderly and warmly for your good wishes. Be kind enough to thank our Friend for his moving words. After great heat and a night's downpour it has become much cooler now...
    Nicky.

    The other side of the coin. Magnificent but is it War?
    Rob.
    Sounds more like a military picnic to me
    Karl
    It is impossible for a man to begin to learn what he thinks he knows. -- Epictetus

  13. #513

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    Quote Originally Posted by Jager View Post
    Sounds more like a military picnic to me
    Karl
    That was the impression I've been getting since the Tzar went on this tour of the Front Karl.
    You have to wonder just how much real war, if any, he actually was allowed to see by his Generals.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  14. #514

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    Or how much he really understood
    Karl
    It is impossible for a man to begin to learn what he thinks he knows. -- Epictetus

  15. #515

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    7th May, 1915.

    Western Front.

    All quiet on the Western Front.

    Eastern Front.

    Russians fall back to the Vistok, and retreat in the Carpathians.

    Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres.

    Massacres of Christians in Ottoman Empire.

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    "Lusitania" torpedoed off south-west coast of Ireland; 1,198 men, women, and children drowned, including 124 U.S. citizens.


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    On the afternoon of May 7, 1915, the British ocean liner Lusitania is torpedoed without warning by a German submarine off the south coast of Ireland. Within 20 minutes, the vessel sank into the Celtic Sea. Of 1,959 passengers and crew, 1,198 people were drowned, including 128 Americans. The attack aroused considerable indignation in the United States, but Germany defended the action, noting that it had issued warnings of its intent to attack all ships, neutral or otherwise, that entered the war zone around Britain.
    When World War I erupted in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson pledged neutrality for the United States, a position that the vast majority of Americans favored. Britain, however, was one of America’s closest trading partners, and tension soon arose between the United States and Germany over the latter’s attempted quarantine of the British isles. Several U.S. ships traveling to Britain were damaged or sunk by German mines, and in February 1915 Germany announced unrestricted submarine warfare in the waters around Britain.
    In early May 1915, several New York newspapers published a warning by the German embassy in Washington that Americans traveling on British or Allied ships in war zones did so at their own risk. The announcement was placed on the same page as an advertisement of the imminent sailing of the Lusitania liner from New York back to Liverpool. The sinkings of merchant ships off the south coast of Ireland prompted the British Admiralty to warn the Lusitania to avoid the area or take simple evasive action, such as zigzagging to confuse U-boats plotting the vessel’s course. The captain of the Lusitania ignored these recommendations, and at 2:12 p.m. on May 7 the 32,000-ton ship was hit by an exploding torpedo on its starboard side. The torpedo blast was followed by a larger explosion, probably of the ship’s boilers, and the ship sunk in 20 minutes.
    It was revealed that the Lusitania was carrying about 173 tons of war munitions for Britain, which the Germans cited as further justification for the attack. The United States eventually sent three notes to Berlin protesting the action, and Germany apologized and pledged to end unrestricted submarine warfare. In November, however, a U-boat sunk an Italian liner without warning, killing 272 people, including 27 Americans. Public opinion in the United States began to turn irrevocably against Germany.


    Political, etc.

    Japan presents an ultimatum to China.

    Sir Edward Grey sends a message to the Ottoman Government as to the placing of allied citizens in the danger zone.

    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  16. #516

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    8th May 1915.


    Western Front.


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    The Battle of Frezenberg begins; a sub battle of 2nd Ypres. The Germans moved 3 army corps and a lot of heavy artillery to the Frezenberg Ridge and after some heavy fighting, succeeded in pushing back Allied forces.

    The Battle of Aubers Ridge.

    After an initial failed attempt on 25 April, the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) made the first concerted attempt to mount 'contact patrols', consisting of low flying aircraft seeking to identify for higher headquarters the exact whereabouts of friendly troops during an attack. 3 aircraft of No.16 Squadron attempted to fulfil this role during assault on Aubers Ridge, sending down 42 wireless messages reporting on the progress of ground troops, who displayed white sheets measuring 7 feet by 2 feet. At this time troops did not have the benefit of portable radios, and could only send back information on their progress by means of runners. Although perhaps better than nothing, Contact Patrols were never to prove a wholly reliable method of obtaining information on what would now be called the 'Forward Line of Own Troops'.

    For Canadian members the following link may be of interest.
    http://www.birthofaregiment.com/birt...nd/frezenberg/

    Eastern Front.

    Germans take Libau.

    Further Russian retreat in Galicia.

    Galipoli.


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    The Second Battle of Krithia commenced on 6 May, and after two days of fighting little progress had been made.
    On the morning of 8 May, the New Zealanders tried to advance towards Krithia, but were soon pinned down by Turkish fire and took heavy casualties. In general, nobody was really clear where the Turkish positions were, and this situation still prevailed in mid-afternoon when the Australians were suddenly ordered to attack. The Victorians were camping and cooking a meal when the order came for the advance across ‘wide, dry, level grassland’.
    They soon ran into intense Turkish fire. ‘The heavily loaded brigade’, wrote Charles Bean, ‘hurried straight on, heads down, as if into fierce rain, some men holding their shovels before their faces like umbrellas in a thunderstorm’. During one hour they advanced about 900 metres, but had nowhere reached the Turkish front line, and the houses of Krithia were still far off. In this tragic advance, which gained no ground, the AIF lost nearly 1000 men killed, wounded and missing. Among the dead was 52-year-old Lieutenant Robert Gartside, the commanding officer of the 7th Battalion. Struck in the stomach by machine-gun bullets, he was heard to call as he rose to lead his men forward, ‘Come on, boys, I know it’s deadly but we must go on’. After this action, decried by one historian as ‘one of the most misconceived episodes in a misconceived battle’, Australians never fought again in any numbers on the Helles front.

    The Australian 2nd Brigade (Victoria) - 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th Battalions - attacked Turkish positions at Krithia in the British area at Helles. The attack was unsuccessful. Charles Bean wrote:
    " The stone houses of Krithia were still 2000 yards away, but in advancing 1000 yards the brigade, already reduced at Anzac to 2900 men, lost in one short hour another 1000."

    Naval and overseas.

    The U9 sinks the British vessels Don, and Queen Willhelmina.

    Rob.
    Last edited by Flying Officer Kyte; 05-08-2015 at 02:34.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  17. #517

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    9th May 1915.


    Western Front.

    The leading division of the British New Armies leaves England for France.

    Second Battle of Ypres: British retake Wieltje. They fail in an attack on Aubers ridge (Neuve Chapelle).

    The Battle of Aubers.

    Inception.

    Throughout the winter of 1914-15 the Central Powers (Germany and Austria-Hungary) continued offensive operations against Russia. Although they achieved no major or strategic breakthrough there, they determined to stand on the defensive in the west in 1915, pressing forward in the east. Once Russia had been defeated, the full weight of their forces could be deployed against the formidable Western Front (as indeed did happen three years later). The German Supreme Command thus moved forces from the west to the east.
    Sensing German intentions, the French High Command resolved on a speedy attack. Commander-in-Chief Joffre planned for three strategic strikes against enemy communications that would disable their ability to defend the large salient that had been punched into French territory in 1914:
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    1. An advance from the Artois plateau east across the plain of Douai to the German communications centres in the Noyon area
    2. An attack north from Rheims in the Champagne, against the Mezières - Hirson railway
    3. An attack from the area Verdun - Nancy to the Rhine crossings


    Lack of men and munitions for this ambitious strategy meant that these moves could not be undertaken simultaneously, and the Artois attack was given priority. It was this decision that would lead to the British attack at Aubers.
    On 24 March 1915, French Commender-in-Chief Joffre enquired of Sir John French whether the BEF would be ready to cooperate in an offensive to take place 5-6 weeks later. Having received a positive reply from the British commander, he issued initial details on 6 April:
    In the last days of April, the French Tenth Army, acting in concert with the British First Army, will undertake an important attack north of Arras with a view to piercing the enemy's line
    The tactical objectives are set
    Joffre's tactical objective for the Artois attack was to seize the heights 140 - 132 at Vimy Ridge. The plan was for a principal French attack between Carency and Roclincourt, supported by a flank attack to the north with the immediate objective of capturing the heights of Notre Dame de Lorette, then pushing forward into the Douai plain; and a flank attack to the south aimed at the heights at Points 96 and 93 east of Arras. (The latter being west of Bailleul Sire Berthoult and at Point du Jour). The British assault at Aubers would go in on the day after the main attack.

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    Detailed operational planning was placed into the hands of Sir Douglas Haig's First Army. Neither this or the overall strategic plan was notably affected by the German gas attack north of Ypres on 22 April, with the exception of various units of First Army being moved or placed on standby to move to Ypres. Indeed, Allied resolve was strengthened by the launch of the German Gorlice - Tarnow offensive in the east on 1 May and the sinking of the "Lusitania" on 7 May. Plans began to take shape, and units began to move into position from early April. The British attack at Gallipoli was launched on 25 April 1915, opening another front and placing an additional (and growing) demand on already-stretched military resources.

    Joffre and the weather adjust the plan.

    On 2 May, French was informed that the main attack would now take place on 7 May. First Army had five days left to complete their preparations.
    Heavy rain on 6 May and dense mist on 7 May caused a French postponement of the main attack; it would now go in on 9 May - and the subsidiary attacks would happen at the same time, not a day later as in accordance with the original strategy. 9 May was a fine, sunny day.

    The British tactical plan.

    The ground.

    To understand the British plan it is necessary to understand the ground. The land in this area is very flat and is intersected by drainage ditches, some of which are much too wide to jump, being ten to fifteen feet across. There was little natural cover for infantry and the various enemy positions were difficult to see and identify. In the winter just past, the trenches here had been continually flooded.

    The trench positions were cut at right-angles by Estaires - La Bassée and the Sailly - Fromelles (Rue Delvas) roads, and numerous small lanes and tracks lay behind the lines and across no-man's land. The Rue du Bois, heading in from Bethune, cut the Estaires road at a junction called Port Arthur: this was an important defended locality in the British front line. The road then continued north through Neuve Chapelle, heading towards Armentières. The Riviere de Laies lay behind British front to the North, but cut across both trench systems between Petillon and Rouges Bancs, then ran roughly parallel behind German front, recrossing the lines but petering out near Port Arthur.

    The German front line was between 100 and 500 yards from the British. The thick Bois de Biez lay behind the German front line facing Neuve Chapelle. About a mile-and-a-half from the advanced British positions, further behind the German lines, the land gently inclined up to the 'Aubers Ridge' - a feature barely discernible but giving a significant observation point for the enemy looking west over the British front. Beyond the ridge, the country sloped equally gently away towards Lille. The French objective at the summit of Vimy Ridge and the Lorette spur can be seen clearly from this area, over the British right shoulder when facing Bois de Biez from Port Arthur.



    Operational approach.


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    First Army planned a pincer attack against German positions to the north and south of Neuve Chapelle.
    The Southern attack was to be made in easterly direction by the 1st and Meerut Divisions, on a 2400-yard front between Chocolat Menier Corner and Port Arthur (1st Division would have an attack frontage of 1600 yards; Meerut 800 yards), with the objective Rue du Marais - Lorgies - Ligny le Grand, incorporating La Cliqueterie (a heavily defended German strongpoint). The 2nd Division was moved up into reserve, from the La Bassée canal sector, leaving behind 4th (Guards) Brigade and receiving in exchange the 5th (London) Brigade of the London Division who moved to the canal in their place.

    The Northern pincer would be made by 8th Division, moving south-east towards Rouges Bancs, then spreading to capture the line between Fromelles and La Cliqueterie. The 7th Division was to be their reserve, with some units only recently rejoining from having been warned for the Ypres fighting. The northern attack would also be supported by the artillery of the West Riding Division.

    A second phase of the offensive, once the Aubers ridge was captured, would be an advance to the Haute Deule Canal some five miles distant. No definite objectives were fixed for the day of attack; units were encouraged to press on as far as possible.

    Preparations for the infantry attack.

    Joffre said that the French attacks would be preceded by a slow, methodical bombardment over several days by heavy artillery - the French armies had abandoned the idea of a short bombardment, trading surprise for weight of shelling. The French fixed definite daily objectives for the attacking troops, which would have the effect of constraining the ability of local leaders to use initiative. They also gave orders to avoid use of reliefs and replacements - the attacks must go right through using only the first wave of infantry and the units in immediate support.

    Artillery.

    Haig's First Army, constrained by ammunition and gun supplies but still confident after the recent initial success of Neuve Chapelle, did not adopt the same artillery approach as the French; the infantry would go in after a 40-minute intense bombardment. Ammunition shortage had been a problem since opening stages of the war and was by now particularly acute. There were in total 504 field guns and 121 heavies in First Army area, of which 84 and 48 respectively were obsolete types. Not all of these were available for this offensive. Haig asked to borrow more guns from Second Army but they were committed to the fighting near Ypres. Therefore artillery strength was about the same as that deployed at Neuve Chapelle. The field guns - located behind Rue du Bois some 1600 - 2000 yards from their targets - would sweep away the wire, and the howitzers would concentrate on the German front-line breastworks. The heavier guns of No 1 Heavy Artillery Reserve, arrayed near Vieille Chapelle, would concentrate on the known strong-points behind the front. Arrangements were made to move some artillery forward as soon as the infantry had secured the first positions.

    Exploitation force.

    A small mobile force of mounted and cyclist troops, with a section of a mountain battery of artillery, was attached to the two assaulting Brigades in the IV Corps area. "Infantry artillery" - trench mortars and light guns on wagons or armoured cars - were also to be ready to move.

    Air.

    Three squadrons of 1st Wing Royal Flying Corps were attached to First Army to fly defensive patrols for four days before the attack, to deter enemy reconnaissance. During the attack they would switch to an observation role and to bombing enemy rear areas. This would include the area immediately behind the attack, but also important more distant railway junctions and bridges.

    Underground.

    173rd Tunnelling Company RE planted two 2000-pound mines under the German front lines in the northern sector. To do this they drove two galleries, 70 yards apart, with tunnels 285 and 330 feet long respectively. Four other galleries, driven towards the enemy from the sector of the 7th Division, became flooded and were abandoned.


    The German defenders are ready.


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    German machine gun teams in the Aubers area 1915.

    The build-up of British forces and activity appeared to go unnoticed by the enemy. However, in the weeks since Neuve Chapelle they had furiously improved the defences in this area: The front-line breastworks were made much broader and deeper (now being some 15 to 20 feet across, and 6 to 7 feet above ground); the wire was thickened into formidable barriers and some lay below ground level in excavations in front of the breastworks. Dug-outs were reinforced and machine-gun posts (the guns firing through steel plates) created every 20 yards or so. The machine-guns were just above ground-level, and swept across no man's land at knee height. The support and communication trenches were also strengthened, and in places could also be used as fire trenches. German troops opposite the 2nd Brigade shouted across that they were expecting an attack.

    Air observation had revealed that the German front line defences at Aubers had been strengthened since the line had been re-established since Neuve Chapelle some 7 weeks before. There was considerable barbed wire defence and the front line was a breastwork, built up mainly of sandbags above shallow fire trenches. Several farms and other places had been strengthened into defended localities. Maps were issued to the assaulting troops, showing the German positions.

    It was believed that only 6 or 7 German battalions of 13th, 14th and 6th Bavarian Reserve Divisions held the line between Fauquissart and Port Arthur and that there were few reserves in the area. These units had been among those that fraternised with British troops in the same area at Christmas 1914.

    British Order of Battle.

    First Army (Haig)
    I Corps (Gough) : 1st and 47th (2nd London) Divisions
    IV Corps (Rawlinson) : 7th and 8th Divisions
    Indian Corps (Willcocks) : 3rd (Lahore) and 7th (Meerut) Divisions

    Countdown to disaster.

    3 May.

    The French bombardment on Vimy Ridge and Notre Dame de Lorette begins: can be clearly heard from British positions.

    9 May: the Southern pincer.

    4.06am: sunrise and all very quiet on this front.

    5.00am: British bombardment opens with field guns firing shrapnel at the German wire and howitzers firing High Explosive shells onto front line. German troops are seen peering above their parapet even while this shelling was going on.

    5.30am: British bombardment intensifies, field guns switch to HE and also fire at breastworks. The lead battalions of the two assaulting Brigades of 1st Division go over the top to take up a position only 80 yards from German front. (2nd Brigade has 1/Northants and 2/Royal Sussex in front and 2/KRRC and 1/5th Royal Sussex in immediate support; 3rd Brigade has 2/Royal Munster Fusiliers and 2/Welsh in front, with 1/4th Royal Welsh Fusiliers in support). Heavy machine-gun fire cuts the attackers down even on their own ladders and parapet steps, but men continue to press forward as ordered.
    In the area of the Indian Corps, the lead battalions of the Dehra Dun Brigade of the Meerut Division (2/2nd Ghurkas, 1/4th and 1st Seaforth Highlanders) were so badly hit by enemy fire that no men got beyond their own parapet and the front-line and communications trenches were soon filled with dead and wounded men.

    5.40am: British bombardment lifts off front lines and advances 600 yards; infantry assault begins. Despite the early losses and enemy fire the three Brigades attempted to advance across No Man's Land. They were met by intense crossfire from the German machine-guns, which could not be seen in their ground-level and strongly protected emplacements. Whole lines of men were seen to be hit. Few lanes had been cut in the wire and even where men reached it they were forced to bunch, forming good targets for the enemy gunners. The leading battalions suffered very significant losses, particularly among officers and junior leaders. Around 100 men on the Northants and Munsters got into the German front, but all were killed or captured. The advance of the supporting battalions suffered similarly, and by 6.00am the advance had halted, with hundreds of men pinned down in No Man's Land, unable to advance or fall back.

    6.15am: A repeat of the initial bombardment is ordered, with the added difficulty of uncertain locations of the most advanced troops.

    7.20am: Major-General Haking (CO, 1st Division) reports failure and asks if he should bring in his last Brigade (1st (Guards)). He offered his opinion that it would not be successful.

    7.45am: A further one hour bombardment starts, ordered by Lieut-General Anderson (CO, Meerut Division). Its only impact is to encourage German artillery to reply, bringing heavy shelling down onto British front and support trenches. German fire continued until about 10.30am.

    8.00am: First reports reach Haig, but they underestimate losses and problems. Haig also hears of early French successes in Vimy attack; he resolves to renew the effort in the Southern attack, with noon being the new zero
    hour. This was subsequently moved when it was learned from I Corps how long it would take to bring supporting units up to replace those that had suffered in the initial attacks. The new attack at 2.40pm would again be preceded by a 40 minute bombardment. The various movements of relief forces were achieved only with much confusion and further losses under renewed enemy shellfire. The time was again moved, to 4.00pm. In the meantime, the German infantry in the Bois de Biez area was reinforced.

    3.20pm: Bombardment repeated and seen to be a little more successful, blowing gaps in the wire and in the enemy front-line.

    3.45pm: Bareilly Brigade, moving up to relieve the Dehra Dun, loses more than 200 men due to enemy shelling.

    3.57pm: The leading companies of the 1/Black Watch of 1st (Guards) Brigade, brought in to replace the shattered 2nd Brigade, went over the top despite the 1/Cameron Highlanders being late to arrive and moved at the double across No Man's Land. Some reached the German breastwork just as the bombardment lifted; most were however killed or captured in the German firing trench although a small party reached the second position. The two lead companies of the Camerons, coming up on the left of the Black Watch a few minutes later, suffered heavy machine-gun casualties in crossing between the front lines. At approximately the same time, the two fresh battalions of the 3rd Brigade, the 1/Gloucestershire and 1/South Wales Borderers began to advance but were cut down without reaching the enemy. Meerut Division orders Bareilly Brigade to advance, even though it is clear that conditions are unchanged: few men even reached a small ditch 20 yards in front of their own front line, and the Brigade suffered more than 1000 casualties within minutes.

    4.35pm: 1st Division orders another 10 minutes shelling but it is seen to have no effect.

    4.40pm: Large explosion at German ammunition dump in Herlies, hit by a long-range British heavy shell. Smoke clouds drifting towards British lines caused a gas alarm. Br-Gen. Southey (CO, Bareilly Brigade) reports that further attempts to advance would be useless.

    5.00pm: General Haig, hearing of the continued failure of the Southern attack, orders 2nd Division to relieve 1st Division with a view to a bayonet attack at dusk, 8.00pm.

    9 May: the Northern pincer.

    2.30am: all units report that they are in position, having assembled at night.

    4.06am: sunrise and all very quiet on this front.

    5.00am: British bombardment opens with field guns firing shrapnel at the German wire and howitzers firing High Explosive shells onto front line. Many reports are received that British 4.7-inch shells are falling short, and even on and behind the British front line (Later it is agreed that this is due to faulty ammunition, as well as excessive wear to gun barrels).

    5.30am: British bombardment intensifies, field guns switch to HE and also fire at breastworks. Two guns of 104th Battery, XXII Brigade RFA had been brought up into the 24th Brigade front and they now opened fire at point blank range against the enemy breastworks; they blow several gaps, although one of the guns is inaccurate due to the unstable ground on which it is located. The lead battalions of the two assaulting Brigades of 8th Division (24th Brigade has 2/Northants and 2/East Lancashire in front; 25th Brigade has 2/Rifle Brigade, 1/Royal Irish Rifles and 1/13 London Regiment (Kensingtons)) move out into the narrow No Man's Land (in this area it is only 100-200 yards across). German bayonets can be seen behind their parapet.

    5.40am: On the further advance the East Lancs are hit by heavy machine-gun and rifle fire by the time they had progressed thirty yards from their own trench; the Northants, coming up ten minutes later, were similarly hit, but a party got through one of the gaps blown by the field guns, and into the German front trench. The attack of 25th Brigade is much more successful: the wire on the left had been well-cut and the infantry poured through, crossing the almost-undamaged breastworks and into the German fire trenches. They moved onto the first objective (a bend in the Fromelles road), and the Rifle Brigade bombers extended the trench system they occupied to 250 yards broad. On the blowing of the two mines at 5.40am, the lead companies of the Kensingtons rushed to occupy the craters, moved forward to capture Delangre Farm, and then formed a defensive flank as ordered.

    6.10am: Br-Gen. Oxley (24th) orders the support battalion, 1/Notts & Derbys, to support the attack of the Lancashires, but they are also held up with high losses, at almost unbroken wire. The front and communication trenches are by now very crowded and chaotic; German shelling adds to confusion. By now, the fire across No Man's Land was so intense that forward movement was all but impossible. The support battalion of the 25th Brigade, the 2/Lincolns, was ordered forward, to cross by the craters; they did so, despite losing many men on the way. Men of the Brigade were at this time seen to be retiring to their front line, having apparently received a shouted order. German prisoners, making their way to the British lines, were mistaken for a counterattack and there was a great deal of confusion. Br-Gen Lowry Cole, CO 25th Brigade, was mortally wounded when standing on the British parapet in an attempt to restore order.

    8.30am: the attack had established three small lodgements in the enemy positions, but they were not in contact with each other and were under tremendous pressure. Otherwise the attack had come to a standstill and all movement into or out of the trench system had become impossible. The men in the German positions were cut off.

    8.45am and again at 11.45am: Haig orders Rawlinson (CO, IV Corps) to vigorously press home the attack.

    1.30pm: A renewed attack (with 2/Queens of 22nd Brigade in support), did not take place as the troops were heavily shelled in the assembly areas and many casualties were suffered even before the original support lines had been reached. Major-General Gough (CO, 7th Division, whose 21st Brigade had now also been ordered forward by Haig) reported that after a personal reconnaissance he was certain that forward movement was at the present time impossible.

    5.00pm: General Haig, hearing of the continued failure of the Southern attack and the hold-up after initial success of the Northern attack, orders a bayonet attack at dusk, 8.00pm.

    9 May: the evening and night.

    6.00pm: such chaos in the trench system and on the roads and tracks leading to it that it becomes clear that fresh units will not be ready for the 8pm attack. Haig cancels the attack and rides to Indian Corps HQ at Lestrem, to meet with all Corps commanders to consider the next moves.

    7.30pm: the meeting breaks up having decided to renew the attack next day, taking advantage of night to reorganise. Efforts were made throughout the evening to reinforce the small garrisons of the lodgements in the enemy trenches. 26 men of the 2/Northants, of which 10 were wounded, returned to the British front.

    2.30am 10 May: the 200 or so surviving Rifle Brigade and Royal Irish Rifles were withdrawn from their position, all efforts to reinforce them having been repulsed.

    3.00am 10 May: the last few Kensingtons also returned from their position; all British troops were now out of the German lines. Around this time, First Army HQ, having by now got a good picture of the losses, failures and general conditions, called a Commanders conference for 9.00am, to take place at I Corps HQ on the Locon road, some 1.5 miles from Bethune.

    9.00am 10 May: the Army and Corps commanders and staffs in attendance learned that there was insufficient artillery ammunition to continue two attacks. (The Secretary of State for War, Kitchener, had also just ordered a considerable portion of existing stocks to be sent to the Dardanelles); for example there were only some 3,000 18-lbr rounds left, and some of that was way behind the firing positions. They also heard that the 4.7-inch ammunition that had caused problems on IV Corps front was too defective for further use and that the fuzes on 15-inch heavy rounds were also defective and the shells simply did not burst on hitting the wet ground. All further orders for renewing the attack were cancelled at 1.20pm; the views of the conference were transmitted to GHQ. 7th Division was ordered to move from it's position north of Neuve Chapelle to the south of it, with a view to strengthening a future offensive there.
    British casualties from the 9 May attacks continued to move through the Field Ambulances for at least three days after the attack.

    The French attack on 9 May 1915.

    Attacking at 10.00am - by which time the British effort was a palpable failure - the centre Corps (XXXIII under General Petain) completely overran the German trench system on a 4-mile wide front and pushed more than two miles onto the heights of Vimy Ridge. Joffre's reserves were too far away to exploit this success, and the infantry began to out-reach the range of its supporting artillery, giving time for a German recovery. The battle soon
    returned once more to close combat and entrenched positions. Intense fighting continued for a week, with particularly bitter actions on the Notre Dame de Lorette heights that resulted in the French capture of Carency and Ablain St Nazaire. The French advance did not quite achieve the capture of the crest of Vimy Ridge.



    Eastern Front.

    Germans defeated at Krakinow (Baltic Provinces).

    Galipoli.

    A party from the 15th Battalion (Queensland, Tasmania) crept out at night and captured the Turkish trench in front of Quinn's Post. Next morning they were driven back with many men wounded as they ran for the Australian line. Lieutenant Francis Armstrong, of Brisbane, was killed as he tried to climb out of his trench to rescue the wounded.
    Chaplain William McKenzie, Salvation Army, recorded his first burial after arriving on Gallipoli:
    It was pleasing to be able to bury the Col.'s body [McKenzie did not specify who the Colonel was] the first night I was in the firing line and we buried him at 9 pm in an exposed position and for safety I had to kneel in a crouching position to conduct the service. He had been dead a fortnight.

    Political.
    President Wilson, in a speech, defines United States policy in regard to the "Lusitania" outrage.
    Chinese Government yield to Japanese demands.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  18. #518

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    10th May 1915.


    Western Front.

    French take cemetery of Neuville St. Vaast and part of Carency (north of Arras).

    British repulsed on Aubers ridge.

    By the morning of 10 May all hopes of renewing the attack were abandoned because of a lack of shells and, above all, because of the huge numbers of casualties (it took three days to transfer the wounded of 9 May to the field ambulances on the second line). In one single day of fighting the British Army had lost 11,000 men (dead, wounded and lost in action) which was, in relative terms, one of the highest casualty rates of the Great War, in particular for officers.

    After the disaster of the Battle of Neuve-Chapelle, Haig concluded that any new attack should be preceded by long periods of methodical shelling from large-calibre guns. All ideas of a surprise offensive were abandoned and for the next two years, until the end of 1917, all the attacks launched against the German lines followed the same pattern and brought little success.

    Royal Flying Corps pilot Captain L.A. Strange manages to regain control of his Martinsyde S1 Scout after he falls out and hangs on when trying to free a jammed ammunition drum.

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    Having equipped his Martinsyde S1 scout with a Lewis gun mounted on the top wing above the cockpit, on 10 May 1915 Strange sought out the enemy to try out the new arrangement and attacked a German Aviatik two-seater. In order to change the empty drum on the Lewis, Strange had to stand up in the cockpit. Immediately the machine flipped on its back, throwing Strange from the cockpit and developing a flat spin downwards. Strange, hanging onto the ammo drum of the Lewis gun, managed to swing back into the cockpit and kick the stick over to right the aircraft 500 feet above the ground.
    Strange later related ; I kept on kicking upwards behind me until at last I got one foot and then the other hooked inside the cockpit. Somehow I got the stick between my legs again, and jammed on full aileron and elevator; I do not know exactly what happened then, but the trick was done. The machine came over the right way up, and I fell off the top plane and into my seat with a bump.
    He safely returned to base. He was criticised by his CO for 'causing unnecessary damage' to his instrument panel and seat in his efforts to regain the cockpit!



    Home Front.

    Sinking of "Lusitania" causes anti-German demonstrations in London and Liverpool.

    War from the air: At 45 Ashburnham road, Southend, on England’s south east coast, Mr and Mrs May escape with their baby after a German Zeppelin drops a bomb into their back bedroom. Sixty year old Mrs Whitwell, at 120 North Road, is less fortunate.


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    http://www.southendtimeline.com/15thmay1915.htm

    Eastern Front.

    German retreat in Baltic Provinces.

    In the decisive battle of Gorlice-Tarnow in Austria-Hungary (now in Poland) the Russian Third Army collapses, with the Austrians and Germans having captured 140,000 men and 100 guns. The Austrians force their way across the river San at Sanok, and begin to advance towards the fortress of Przemysl.

    http://www.historyofwar.org/articles...ce_tarnow.html

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    Submarine E14 sinks a transport in the Sea or Marmora.

    Political, etc.

    Naval Convention signed between Great Britain, France, and Italy.

    President Wilson on the "Lusitania". "There is such a thing as a man being too proud to fight," etc.

    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  19. #519

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    Check out the miniature produced (different thread) of Captain Strange hanging off his guns....

    Another well researched post, thanks Rob - I like the bit about the Zeppelin raid on Southend - I might have to dig a little deeper on that as my grandparents (well one set) lived in Southend at the time

    Never Knowingly Undergunned !!

  20. #520

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    11th May 1915.


    Western Front.

    Second Battle of Ypres: Germans bombard Ypres-Menin road.
    French take fort and chapel of Notre Dame de Lorette.

    Home Front.
    Anti German riots in Liverpool and on Merseyside.
    In Liverpool, which has experienced several days of riots targetting german, and alleged german, businesses and homes after the sinking of the Lusitania, a crowd of 2000 intent on rioting – or perhaps looting – in the Wallasey district has to be turned back by a cordon of police. With much german owned property already destroyed the xenophobic crowd directs its attention to other groups – Scandinavians, Italians, Russians and Chinese. The rioting also spreads to Manchester.


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    For full story:-
    http://liverpoolremembrance.weebly.c...man-riots.html

    Eastern Front.

    Germans evacuate Shavli.
    Austro-German advance in Galicia.
    Russians fall back to the San River.
    Tsar Nicholas writes home to his wife, Alexandra. After explaining to her the current difficulties of the Russian Army in the face of the German and Austrian advance, and giving his assessment of the performance of various Russian commanders, he concludes: “For the last few days the weather has been magnificent, the woods smell so delightfully and the birds sing so loudly. It is a veritable rustic idyll – if only it were not for the war I drive about in a car, look at new places, get out and walk.”

    Galipoli.


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    Diary of Signaller Ellis Silas – diary extract.



    11 May.

    Dawn. The roll is called – how heart-breaking it is – name after name is called; the reply a deep silence which can be felt, despite the noise of the incessant crackling of rifles and screaming of shrapnel – there are few of us left to answer to our names – just a thin line of weary, ashen-faced men; behind us a mass of silent forms, once our comrades – there they have been for some days, we have not had the time to bury them. We have been kept at bay by a large body of Turks, infinitely superior to us in numbers and equipment; their machine guns are a much better class than ours. An incident typical of the sang froid of our leaders has just occurred; some Staff Officers had just come up to inspect some trenches when an enemy shrapnel burst over their heads – one turned round and remarked in his ‘Varsity’ drawl, which wants to be heard to be fully appreciated, ‘I suppose it’s from Gaba Tepe.’
    Return to Rest Camp. I make a sketch of the position for (I think ) General Birdwood.
    6 p.m. return to trenches. Turks bombing heavily – we have had a spot of rain which has made it extremely difficult to gain a foothold. I asked Captain Margolin if he could spare a little of his jam:
    ‘It is not my jam,’ he exclaimed, ‘it is our jam; help yourselves.’
    The stench from the corpses is appalling – I offer Captain Margolin a cigarette; though he doesn’t smoke I think he ought to try:
    ‘ll right Silas,’ he said, ‘I’ll see how I get on.’ He is frightfully cut up over the loss of Curlewis.
    ‘Silas, I can hear Curly speaking,’ he remarked.


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Size:  16.7 KB Portrait of Captain Gordon Curlewis of the 16th Battalion,
    killed in action at Gallipoli on 2nd May 1915.



    We are served with rum, Mconichie rations, which are very good, ham and hot tea – I can eat nothing myself – ‘You must try,’ said Margy. Our periscopes are very rough and ready contrivances which make an easy mark for the Turks. Rather an amusing incident just occurred. It was a lovely evening – when going through a connecting trench, I got up and looked over at a distant landscape which was a very fine colour, gloriously unconscious of the fact that just in front of me were the enemy trenches! I was suddenly pulled down and asked if I’m tired of life. (Within a few yards of this same spot) One of our officers, Lieut. Cretchman, goes past a hole in our trenches, something less than a foot wide, and gets killed – such are the chances of War.
    (Night of the 9th.) Captain Townsend said, ‘Come on lads, I’ll show you something to do.’ And with a handful of men, during the charge that night, tried to take one of the strongest trenches in this section and, though frightfully wounded, I am told sill urged the lads on.
    We can still see the bodies lying on the Ridge where they fell the night of 2 May and 3 May.


    Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres.

    Russian progress in the district of Tabriz.


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    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    French take Eseka (Cameroons).

    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  21. #521

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    12th May 1915.

    Western Front.


    French capture Carency.

    Eastern Front.

    Germans occupy Kyeltsi (Poland).
    Austro-German advance in Galicia and north of Uzsok Pass.
    Austrian retreat south of Pruth.

    Croatians plunder Armenia, killing 250.

    Southern Front.

    Dardanelles: Cape Tekeh ("Gurka Bluff") captured by Gurkas.



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    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    The Dreadnaught HMS. Abercrombie is commissioned.

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    The battleship HMS Goliath was sunk by three torpedoes from the Turkish destroyer Muavenet-I Millet. Goliath’s Captain, Thomas Lowrie-Shelford, and 570 of his crew were lost.


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    Union forces occupy Windhoek (German south-west Africa).

    Political, etc.

    Report of Bryce Committee published.
    The Committee on Alleged German Outrages, often called the Bryce Committee after its chair, Viscount James Bryce (1838-1922), is best known for producing the "Report of the Committee on Alleged German Outrages," published on 12 May 1915. The report is seen as a major propaganda form that Britain used in order to educate the world on the behaviour of Germany. which had invaded Belgium the year before.
    The Report was translated by the end of 1915 into every major European language and had a profound impact on public opinion in Allied and neutral countries, particularly in the USA. Though the findings of the Report have been substantiated by several scholars in the 21st century, the eyewitness testimony published in its 320-page Appendix A included some sensationalist accounts of mutilations and rapes for which there is no other evidence. These invented atrocities stigmatized the Report and has made it a target for revisionist historians and writers on propaganda.

    Anti-Germans riots in England continue.

    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  22. #522

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    Quote Originally Posted by Flying Officer Kyte View Post
    12th May 1915.

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    The Dreadnaught HMS. Abercrombie is commissioned.

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    The battleship HMS Goliath was sunk by three torpedoes from the Turkish destroyer Muavenet-I Millet. Goliath’s Captain, Thomas Lowrie-Shelford, and 570 of his crew were lost.


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    I believe the Abercrombie is a monitor, not a dreadnought.
    Interesting about the Goliath; I knew that some battleships (pre-dreadnought) had been sunk by U-bouts in the Dardanelles campaign, but I didn't know that a destroyer got it's teeth in too.
    Karl
    It is impossible for a man to begin to learn what he thinks he knows. -- Epictetus

  23. #523

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    Quote Originally Posted by Jager View Post
    I believe the Abercrombie is a monitor, not a dreadnought.

    Karl
    Could well be Karl. now you mention it the picture don't look much like a dreadnought.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  24. #524

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    13th May 1915.

    Western Front.

    Second Battle of Ypres: Very severe German bombardment. Cavalry, etc., hold on.
    French complete conquest of Bois le Pretre.
    The English war poet Julian Grenfell is struck and mortally wounded by a shell-splinter to the head while monitoring enemy troop movements, dying nearly two weeks later.

    The Battle of Festubert

    Inception.
    The battle of Festubert was in effect a second phase of the recently failed attack on Aubers ridge The strategic context and why this battle took place are explained on that page. Once again, the attack would take the form of a pincer attack with two assault frontages: a northern one along the Rue du Bois near Port Arthur and Richebourg 'Avoue, and a southern one at Festubert.

    The tactical objectives are set.

    "The general plan of the main attack will be as follows:- To continue pressing forward towards Violaines and Beau Puits, establish a defensive flank along the La Bassée road on the left and maintaining the right at Givenchy. The line to be established in the first instance if possible on the general line of the road Festubert - La Quinque Rue - La Tourelle crossroads - Port Arthur. The position to be consolidated and the troops reformed and communication established. While this line is being established, a general bombardment on the whole front will continue with a special bombardment of the next objectives, viz: Rue d'Ouvert - Rue du Marais. When ready a fresh advance will be ordered on these objectives"

    First Army Operation Order, 13 May 1915 .

    British Order of Battle.

    First Army (Haig)

    I Corps (Monro): 2nd, 7th, 47th (2nd London), 51st (Highland) and 1st Canadian Divisions
    Indian Corps (Willcocks) : 3rd (Lahore) and 7th (Meerut) Divisions.
    51st (Highland) Division switched from I Corps to the Indian Corps on 22 May.

    The battle unfolds.

    13 May.

    The British bombardment opens with a total of 433 guns and howitzers firing on a 5000 yard front. The 36 six-inch howitzers would fire on the enemy breastwork parapet, to blow gaps through which the infantry could pour; the 54 4.5-inch would hit the German support lines, as would a portion of the field guns. The majority of the 210 eighteen-pounder field guns aimed at the German wire, firing shrapnel which was known to be an ineffective weapon for this task - but there was no High Explosive available. The bombardment was observed in detail: even early on there were reports of a high proportion of dud shells failing to explode - especially the howitzers. Firing day and night, more than 101,000 shells were fired.

    15 May.

    10.00pm: all units of the attacking battalions are reported to be in position. On the left, the 2nd Division has 6th Brigade (attacking with 1/7th King's, 1/Royal Berkshire and 1/KRRC) and 5th Brigades (attacking with 2/Inniskillings and 2/Worcestershire) in front, with 4th (Guards) in reserve.
    11.30pm: the first-line platoons of infantry leave their trenches and move out into No Man's Land, as the artillery lifts beyond the German support trenches. The advance of the 6th Brigade, West of the cinder track running from Rue du Bois to Ferme du Bois, is completed with few casualties. They occupy the German front and support trenches and begin to consolidate. On the left, between the track and almost as far as Port Arthur, the 5th Brigade runs into a more alert enemy and is hit by heavy machine-gun fire. Some men of the Inniskillings reach the German front line, and Brigade despatches the 2/Ox&Bucks in support. The same thing happens to the Gharwal Brigade of the Meerut Division (attacking with 2/Leicestershire and 39th Gharwal Rifles), which is advancing to conform with the 5th Brigade; they were to form the defensive flank, but they were also cut down in No Man's Land.


    Home Front.

    Anti German riots Day three.

    Mobs attack Germans in Manchester, Liverpool and London as feelings run high following the sinking of the Lusitania and the use of gas on Allied troops.

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    A mob attacks shops in Crisp Street, Poplar, London in May 1915.

    Violent scenes in London.

    The storm-centre of the anti-German rioting shifted yesterday from Manchester and Liverpool to London. It was only late on Tuesday night that London showed any marked disposition to join in the attack on alien enemies, but though it was late in beginning its “crusade” it has managed to compress into the space of twenty-four hours so much destruction and violence as were spread over four or five days in Lancashire.
    Indeed, as far as personal violence is concerned, yesterday’s outbreak in London was vastly more serious than anything that has occurred in the North. Some Germans were pursued into their homes by the mob and pitched through the windows into the street, others were ducked in troughs, and others had their clothing stripped off their backs.
    The police, assisted by special constables, and in some cases by Territorials, did what they could to protect the fleeing aliens, but they were able to do very little owing to the size and ferocity of the crowds. A number of German butchers who ventured into Smithfield Market in spite of the warnings given on Tuesday met with particularly rough treatment. There was a bad riot at Southend last night, and the troops had to be called out to control the crowds.
    One unfortunate feature of the rioting, common to Liverpool and London, was that some of the victims were Russians. The Liverpool Stipendiary Magistrate passed particularly heavy sentences yesterday on rioters who were proved to have attacked Russian and neutral subjects.

    The disturbances in London.

    Until the disturbances late last night and this morning there has been singularly little anti-German passion in London. The Lusitania has made all the difference. Hitherto the very large number of Germans not interned have been allowed to live their ordinary lives without interference. No exact figures are available, but the uninterned Germans are usually supposed to number about 20,000.
    The attacks which broke out last night in many parts of East London seem to have been quite unorganized, usually beginning with a demonstration by the women and children in a street against a German neighbour. Crowds quickly collected, including angry men, and in some cases houses and shops were ransacked and the German occupants chased and maltreated.
    The rioting was naturally worse near the docks, for in many of the little streets thereabouts every second butcher’s or baker’s shop is German. The ransacking of one shop which I happened to witness in a street near the Custom-house was typical. To begin with a crowd of boys invaded the shop – a baker’s and pastry cook’s – and simply fell upon all the eatables within reach. The German occupants at once ran away. A lot of women quickly appeared and carried out a systematic clearance of the place. There was no policeman to be seen at first, and when one arrived he was too late to protect the people or the property.
    Scenes of the same kind are reported from Limehouse, Stepney, Bethnal Green and other districts. The damage was especially extensive in the area near the East India Dock, where over sixty German shops have been attacked. Terrified Germans who were found hiding under beds, were thrown out into the street, beds and all. A German piano was set up in the street and British patriotic songs were played upon it.


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    Furniture thrown from windows in Crisp Street, London during an anti-German riot
    Round-up of Germans.

    The Chief Constable of Manchester issued orders yesterday for the arrest of all German shopkeepers in the city. About 100 of them were taken in charge during the day.
    It went almost without saying that some drastic action would have to be taken in regard to German people in Manchester. The riotous conduct of crowds in different parts of the city on Monday night and Tuesday made it evident that in the interests of the Germans themselves something must promptly be done.
    Attacks on property might easily pass by the natural transition of mob law, to attacks on the person. It was no matter for surprise therefore, when the Chief Constable (Mr. R. Peacock) issued yesterday morning an order for the arrest of all German shopkeepers in the city. The order, of course, applied only to those Germans who have not been naturalized; to deal with naturalized citizens special legislation would be necessary.

    Naturalized Germans
    The idea of holding a meeting so that naturalised British subjects of German or Austrian birth might express their loyalty to England and their detestation of German methods of warfare has been abandoned.
    In its stead those subjects intend to issue a declaration placing on record their loyalty and devotion to the King, and their abhorrence of the methods of German warfare, beginning with the atrocities in Belgium and France and ending with the use of poisonous gases against the Allied troops and the sinking of the Lusitania.


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    Anti-German rioting in Salford, Manchester Guardian 13 May 1915.

    Eastern Front.

    Russians retreat in Galicia.
    Russians occupy Sniatyn (River Pruth).

    Political, etc.

    Italy: Signor Salandra resigns.
    German Sovereigns struck off the Garter roll.

    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  25. #525

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    Great update Rob - hadn't heard about the rioting back home before, not at all pleasant. Not heard about the battle of Festubert either.
    Seems to be that the only battles you normally hear about are The Marne, Ypres, Somme and Cambrai (obviously Verdun for the French)

    I am enlightened - thank you

    Never Knowingly Undergunned !!

  26. #526

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    14th May 1915.

    Western Front.

    Second Battle of Ypres: French and Belgians advance near Het Sas and Steenstraate.

    The Times headline (14 May 1915) was: "Need for shells: British attacks checked: Limited supply the cause: A Lesson From France".
    It commented "We had not sufficient high explosives to lower the enemy's parapets to the ground ... The want of an unlimited supply of high explosives was a fatal bar to our success". This clearly pointed the finger of blame at the government.

    The first FE2b pushers arrive in France and are posted to 6th Squadron at Abeele.

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    Eastern Front.

    Battle of Sanok and Rzeszow ends
    Austro-Germans take Jaroslav.
    Russians take Kolomea.

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    U.S.A. Note to Germany on the "Lusitania" question.

    German South-West Africa.

    Once again, logistic difficulties brought military operations to a halt. For ten days from 5 May 1915, South African units facing the German forces along the Usakos-Okahandja railway suffered severe shortages of rations and other supplies.By nightfall on the 14th May 1915, the railway had progressed sufficiently to resume the supply of the Northern Force. The South Africans were building up strength in preparation for further action when the Germans asked for an armistice to discuss peace terms, proposing that a neutral zone be set up south of 22° latitude, north of which they would retain control. General Botha made it clear that he would only accept total surrender, but the Germans rejected this, believing that they could sustain themselves in the north.

    Political, etc.

    Internment of enemy aliens in Great Britain begins.

    Last meeting of British War Council
    .
    General da Castro, Portuguese Premier, resigns.

    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  27. #527

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    15th May 1915.

    Western Front.

    Battle of Festubert: Successful British attack.




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    The Battle of Festubert was in fact a series of confused attacks launched by British, Indian and Canadian troops on the front in French Flanders to the west of Lille between 15 and 27 May 1915. The attacks came just six days after the disaster of Neuve-Chapelle, several kilometres further to the south, and were the British Army's contribution to the major offensive being fought by the French at Vimy Ridge and Lorette Spur which, despite some early and spectacular success, was in the process of grinding to a halt.


    The British also accepted to relieve a French division stationed to the south of La Bassée Canal so their allies could concentrate their forces on Vimy and Lorette.

    Preliminary shelling lasted three days and employed 433 guns of various calibres to fire 100,000 shells on a five kilometre stretch of the front. Despite its intensity the bombardment was relatively ineffective because, in addition to the defective nature of many of the shells, it did not succeed in dislocating the German front. Also, such was the confusion on the battlefield that, at various moments, both sides came under artillery fire from their own camp and this resulted in many deaths.


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    Launched on 15 May by two infantry divisions, comprising for the most part Indian soldiers, the attack saw some tactical success early on and several sectors of the German front were taken, forcing the enemy to fall back to their second line. A second assault, this time entrusted to the Canadians, was launched on 18 May in torrential rain but failed because of the arrival of German reinforcements and the numerous losses caused by heavy shelling. A third series of attacks between 20 and 24 May resulted in the capture of the ruined village of Festubert. In total, after twelve days of fighting, the British Army had advanced one kilometre on a limited front. By the time the battle came to a definite halt, on 27 May, British casualties amounted to some 16,000 without the operation having made any significant contribution to the French offensive on Vimy Ridge.

    French occupy Het Sas.

    Eastern Front.

    Russian left drives the Austrians on the Dniester.

    Galipoli.

    On the nights of 15 May and 27 May, Major Percy Overton, New Zealand Mounted Rifles, with others, scouted from No 1 Outpost on Anzac up the valleys towards the heights of Chunuk Bair.


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    His reports indicated that the area was lightly defended and that it might be possible to attack the Turks here and capture these heights. Such an operation could turn the tide at Gallipoli in favour of an Allied victory and from these scouting expeditions the plan for the August offensive from Anzac was born.

    Political, etc.

    Insurrection in Portugal.

    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  28. #528

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    16th May 1915.


    Western Front.

    Battle of Festubert: British advance continued.

    12.45am: 2nd Division orders a further bombardment as planned, to coincide with the attack to be made by 7th Division. The support battalions of 6th Brigade (2/South Staffordshire and 1/King's) are unable to leave the British front trench to move up to the captured position due to heavy cross-fire from the area between the two Divisional attacks, which had not been suppressed by the bombardment. German resistance in the area to the front of the captured trenches is stiffening. The support battalions of the Gharwal Brigade also attempt to move forward, but are immediately cut down and the movement ceases (1/3 London and 2/3 Ghurkas).



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    2.45am: The bombardment intensifies on the 7th Division front, including six field guns firing from the front line, opening gaps in the German breastwork (a tactic tried with some success by the Division at Aubers), although in places the lines are only 80 yards apart and great care is taken to avoid shelling the British troops forming up. 3.10am: first platoons of the 20th Brigade (led by 2/Scots Guards and 2/Border) leave their front line, to close up with the German before the barrage lifts. Considerable casualties are incurred as they advance too far, into the British shells.
    3.15am: although the 2nd Division has failed to reorganise ready for a supporting advance, the 850-yard frontal attack of the 7th Division goes in. 22nd Brigade on the right, attacking across Duke's Road towards the School House and the Northern Breastwork (a sandbag-parapet German communication trench), with 2/Queens and 1/Royal Welsh Fusiliers in the first wave, is hit by heavy machine-gun fire. The advance is halted for an extra 15 minutes shelling. On their left, 20th Brigade are slowed by a deep ditch, and crossfire from the Quadrilateral position on their left front, untouched by the bombardment as it lay in the area between the two Divisional attacks.
    3.45am approx.: 22nd Brigade moves forward, now supported by 1/South Staffordshire on the right. Despite suffering more casualties, they reach the German front and work along the trench system using bombs (grenades). 5.40am: Haig redraws the boundary of the area to be attacked, and halts any fresh attacks by the Meerut Division, directing the Sirhind Brigade to move to the support of 2nd Division.
    6.00am: the Queens and Staffords of 22nd Brigade reach the Northern Breastwork, and the bombers of the latter battalion continue to move through the system of communication and support trenches facing Festubert. They secure the position from Stafford Corner to the old German front, and also La Quinque Rue in the area: the objective of the attack had thus been achieved. By 6.30am, the Royal Welsh Fusiliers have advanced too - now joined by some 2/Royal Warwickshire and 2/Scots Guards of 20th Brigade - and meet up with the Queens near the Orchard. The Scots Guards are forced to withdraw a little, after being hit by British artillery (firing by the map and timetable, unaware of the precise position of their infantry) and by German fire from Adalbert Alley. They also repulse a German counter-attack. Further attempts proved fruitless and costly, and by 9.00am the attack has come to a halt. The men in the most advanced positions near the Orchard and along the Northern Breastwork were by now under intensive German shellfire. Monro.
    10.00am General Monro (I Corps) directs attacks to close the gap between the Divisions, by converging advances towards Ferme Cour d'Avoué. The 1/Grenadier Guards of 20th Brigade, having moved across No Man's Land by a new trench being dug by the 1/6th Gordon Highlanders, bomb their way along 300 yards of enemy trench, but can not advance over open ground, being assailed by fire as they make the attempt. No units of the 2nd Division are yet in position to make an attack. Meanwhile the bombers of 1/South Staffordshire (joined now by some bombing specialists from Brigade) continue to take more of the German trench system, 800 yards as far as Willow Corner (facing the front of the 47th Division) being captured in yard by yard fighting: they capture more than 190 Germans in doing so. 7.30pm The 1/Royal Welsh Fusiliers near the Orchard end of the Northern Breastwork withdraw to La Quinque Rue, forced out by lack of support from 20th Brigade on their left, and heavy German shelling.
    During the night, the remnants of the Queens, RWF and Border were withdrawn; the position of the British front being: 1/7 Londons (temporarily attached to 22nd Brigade) holding the line from Willow Corner, meeting the 1/South Staffords holding the Northern Breastwork as far as Stafford Corner, where they joined with the 2/Scots Guards, who continued to the junction of Prince's Road (coming down from Chocolat Menier Corner) and Rue des Cailloux. 11.45pm Having assessed the situation reports coming in from the Divisions and Corps, First Army decides to continue the offensive of I Corps and place all other actions on hold. Orders were given for the gap between the two Divisions to be closed, with a view to continuing an advance towards Chapelle St Roch and Rue d'Ouvert.



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    RSM. Frederick Barter VC. MC.
    His Victoria Cross was awarded after, on 16 May, 1915, for an act of bravery at Festubert, in France. His VC citation in the London Gazette read as follows: "For most conspicuous bravery and marked ability at Festubert on 16th May, 1915. When in the first line of German trenches, Regimental Sergeant Major Barter called for volunteers to enable him to extend our line and with eight men who responded he attacked the German position with bombs, capturing 3 German officers and 102 men along with 500 yards of their trenches. He subsequently found and cut eleven of the enemy's mine leads, situated about 20 yards apart."
    Zeppelin raid on Calais.

    Home Front.

    Opened on this day in Saffron Walden, Essex, the Voluntary Aid Detachment hospital for wounded soldiers from the Western Front – now Walden Place retirement flats.

    Eastern Front.

    Severe Austrian defeat between Kyeltsi and Ostrovyets (southern Poland).

    Naval and overseas.

    T78 (ex S78), German, S66 class Torpedo Boat.
    Mined in the North Sea killing 26 crew.

    Political, etc.

    Second Military Service Bill extending compulsion to married men passes the British House of Commons.

    Agreement concluded between Great Britain and France regarding respective claims in Turkish territories.

    Italy: King Victor Emmanuel refuses to accept Signor Salandra's resignation.

    Baron Burian states the concessions offered by Austria to Italy.

    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  29. #529

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    17th May 1915.

    Western Front.

    Battle of Festubert: Ground consolidated.

    A day of heavy rain, and low cloud. The German units in the area between Ferme du Bois and the Southern Breastwork (opposite Willow Corner) began a systematic withdrawal to a new line, some 1200 yards to the rear. Enough rearguard troops and artillery support were to be provided to enable and hide this action from their assailants.
    2.45am: British recommence shelling against targets registered the day before and destroy enemy positions. The German garrison of the Quadrilateral is badly hit, and the remainder can not withdraw as ordered. The survivors attempt to surrender but are cut down by German shelling, as well as the British bombardment which is still falling. Approximately 450 men reach British lines and are captured. Other German units withdraw or surrender, and their front in the area of the gap was giving way fast. Walking wounded make their painful way back to the rear area. Various changes of tactical plan are ordered by I Corps, as mixed reports come in of the preparedness of the attacking units, and of clear German collapse in some areas. German shelling on captured areas in heavy throughout the day.
    9.30am: Lead units of 21st Brigade (2/Royal Scots Fusiliers and 2/Yorkshire) advance into the devastated gap, and by 10.15am had cleared the Quadrilateral and some ground to the left of it.
    10.00am: Lead units of 6th Brigade (2/South Staffordshire and 1/King's) with the 2/Highland Light Infantry on their left ran into heavy machine-gun fire from their left front: the location of the gunners was uncertain. British artillery support called by the Brigade unfortunately also hit men of the 2/Royal Scots Fusiliers who were in the Quadrilateral.
    Noon approx.: First Army reacts to reports of success by bringing 3rd Canadian Brigade to readiness in support of I Corps, and extending the front of the Indian Corps in order to release 5th Brigade for further forward movement. Haig also advises I Corps that the distant objective was now the direction of La Bassée, the canal and the "Railway Triangle" position on the far bank, not the Aubers Ridge and the La Bassée-Lille road as previously targetted. The British advance was to take on a definite South-Westerly aspect. First objectives in that direction would now be Violaines and Chapelle St Roch. Afternoon Further attempts to attack across La Quinque Rue to capture the Orchard and that end of the Northern Breastwork are halted by German machine-gun and artillery fire. The forward movement of reserves was proving very slow due to roads blocked by traffic and ground conditions that were worsening due to the weather.
    7.30pm: The 2/Bedfordshire and 1/4/Cameron Highlanders of 21st Brigade attack on the extreme right of the British advanced positions, with the objective of the Southern Breastwork lying some 400 yards away across what appeared to be flat ground. On moving forward, the infantry discover a number of hidden and flooded ditches - and some men drown in the attempt to cross. The Bedfords advance is broken up, but some men of the Camerons get into the Breastwork trenches.
    8.00pm: The 4th (Guards) Brigade of 2nd Division (2/Grenadier Guards, 1/Irish Guards and 1/Hertfordshire), ordered up in the afternoon from Le Touret, gradually gets into position on the Rue des Cailloux. By now too dark to move, they consolidate the position. Throughout the afternoon, evening and night, the enemy moves to a newly-prepared line, extending from Rue d'Ouvert to the Cinder track near Ferme du Bois, behind their original front lines. This movement is not observed by the British, nor is the quiet enemy reinforcement.

    Major (later Field Marshal Viscount) Bernard Law Montgomery DSO, 17 May 1915.

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    Photograph, World War One (1914-1918), 1915.


    Montgomery was a brigade major with the 91st Infantry Brigade when this photograph was taken and was engaged in training 'New Army' units.

    Home Front.

    Zeppelin raids on Dunkirk and Ramsgate.

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    Ramsgate has been in the forefront of enemy attack in two world wars. On the night of May 16th/17th 1915 the town received approximately 20 bombs when German Zeppelin LZ38 attacked killing 2 people and caused widespread damage estimated at £1,600. One crew member of the Zeppelin was killed when the craft was attacked over Ostende by the RNAS. The raid made front page news in the Daily Mail of Tuesday May 18th 1915.


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    Eastern Front.

    Austro-Germans cross the San.

    Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres.

    Russians occupy Ardjiche on Lake Van (Armenia).

    Galipoli.

    an annotated sketch of several Royal Navy and French battleships bombarding the Gallipoli coast near Cape Helles. HMS Cornwallis, HMS Majestic, HMS Swiftsure and HMS Agamemnon are depicted, from left to right, with a further two French battleships on the far right. Splashes in the water and smoke from the coastline show where artillery shells have fallen.

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    Political, etc.

    Last Liberal British government of Asquith falls.

    Signor Giolitti leaves Rome.

    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

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    Thanks for finding the time for this Rob, know you must have been pushed what with being at Triples over the weekend

    Never Knowingly Undergunned !!

  31. #531

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    Interesting detailed battle. Rather more movement (though, of course, not a breakthrough) than the concise descriptions of 1915-16 in the histories would have us believe.
    Karl
    It is impossible for a man to begin to learn what he thinks he knows. -- Epictetus

  32. #532

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    Thanks chaps.
    I was expecting to be bushed tonight, so I pre did Saturday and today on Friday.
    Just posted yesterday before i left for the event, and today's on my return.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  33. #533

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    18th May 1915.


    Western Front.


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    Battle of Festubert: British advance to La Quinque Rue-Bethune road.


    Steady rainfall, clearing around 11.00am.
    3.00am: The 2/Bedfordshire and 1/4/Cameron Highlanders repeat their earlier attack, but it is repulsed. The small party of Camerons in the enemy trench are forced to withdraw due to lack of bombs. Further bombardments and infantry attacks are postponed as visibility is so poor in the mist and rain. Enemy shelling on the newly-won positions along La Quinque Rue continues. First Army gives orders to renew the attack in the afternoon - but ominously the bombardment will have no 4.5-inch howitzer component - ammunition stocks are running dangerously low. The orders reach the infantry with little time for thorough preparation.
    Afternoon: First Army gives orders for relief of 2nd and 7th Divisions; the Canadian and 51st (Highland) would take over with a view to continuing the advance towards Violaines and Chapelle St Roch.
    3.00pm: The bombardment begins again, to prepare for an attack to be carried out by the 3rd Canadian Brigade (attached to 7th Division) and the 4th (Guards) Brigade of 2nd Division, on a front between the School House and Ferme Cour d'Avoué. To the North, the Sirhind Brigade were planned to make a subsidiary attack near Ferme du Bois (but in the event it did not take place, the enemy shelling on rear positions and front line being so severe). The British shells do not touch the new German line, for it has not yet been noticed.
    4.20pm: The bombardment intensifies prior to the infantry attack - the enemy artillery responds. The infantry move out at 4.30pm but within minutes are cut down by machine-gun fire, with the Guards (attacking near Ferme Cour d'Avoué) badly hit from enemy positions in Adalbert Alley.
    5.20pm: The 3rd Canadian Brigade finally arrives in the front lines, through a combination of late arrival of orders, and slow movement up to position. They are ordered to relieve 21st Brigade. The remainder of the Canadian Division will relieve the rest of the 7th Division this night.
    7.30pm: 2nd Division orders 4th (Guards) Brigade to break off the attack. 51st Division are by now moving up towards the area with a view to relieving the 2nd Division during the evening of 19th May.

    Eastern Front.

    Austrians drive Russians from Sieniawa (San).

    Austro-German troops are bombarding the western forts of Przemysl; the Teutonic allies have a firm foothold on the eastern bank of the San River; Russians are making vigorous attacks on the Germans in South Poland; Russians have driven the Austro-German forces back from the Dniester to the Pruth in East Galicia, and are making strong attacks in Bukowina; heavy fighting is in progress in the Russian Baltic Provinces and along the East Prussian frontier; Austrian official statement declares that 174,000 Russian prisoners, 128 guns, and 368 machine guns have been taken since the beginning of May as a result of the West Galicia drive; unofficial dispatch from Petrograd says Russians have been beaten back on a 200-mile front in West Galicia. M,ay 10" The Russian lines along the San River are in danger, the Austro-Germans having crossed the river on a wide front; the Russians are attempting to reform their lines north and south of Przemysl ; Teutonic Allies occupy Sieniawa ; in Bukowina the Russians have broken the extreme Austrian right; it is stated from Petrograd that the Germans and Austrians are using between thirty and forty army corps on a 200-mile front from Opa to\v, in Poland, to Kolomea, Eastern Galicia.

    Southern Front.

    Austrians re-occupy Galician oilfields northeast of Uzsok.

    Dardanelles.

    Turks attack at Gaba Tepe.


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    Reverend O Creighton, a chaplain with the British 29th Division at Helles, wrote of the Turks:

    The Turkish positions only get stronger every day. … They are magnificently well-led, well-armed and very brave and numerous.


    Hamilton gets pessimistic Kitchener telegram, interprets as instruction not to encourage evacuation.


    Major General Sir William Throsby Bridges, aged 54 and originally from Renfrewshire in Scotland, but more recently the first Australian to reach the rank of Major General, dies of his wounds inflicted by a Turkish sniper three days ago. A veteran of the Boer War, Bridges becomes “one of only two Australians killed in action in the Great War to be interred in Australia”


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    Naval and overseas.

    German torpedo boats capture 3 British fishing boats off northwest corner of the Dogger Bank.

    Eastern Mediterranean: Royal Navy ship captures 1,000t Greek SS Proton (hired by Germans as U-boat supply ship) and interns her at Alexandria.

    Political, etc.

    Lord Kitchener in the House of Lords insists on the importance of an adequate supply of munitions.

    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  34. #534

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    19th May 1915.


    Western Front.

    The enemy continues to strengthen its new positions and brings up further reinforcements. The Divisional reliefs gradually take place, without incident. The two new Divisions (combined as "Alderson's Force" after the commander of the Canadian Division, Lieut-Gen. E. Alderson) move into front-line positions.


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    The positions of the 2nd and 3rd Canadian Brigades and of Canadian medical units. A sketch map from the "War Story of the Canadian Army Medical Corps" by J. George Adami.

    Eastern Front.

    Germans take Lutkow (Galicia).

    Southern Front.

    Dardanelles: Turks repulsed at Gaba Tepe.

    The Turkish Attack of May 19th
    The night and early morning of May 19th was the first substantial Turkish counter attack. Three Turkish Divisions had been moved from the Sulva area in an effort to break the ANZAC stronghold up Monash Valley. The 16th, 5th, and 2nd were moved into place for the attack. However Australian pickets and listening posts were alarmed to the troop build up and the allies had a spotter plane fly overhead to see what the Turks were up to. The result was that virtually the entire ANZAC force was waiting on the firing step of the trenches when the three Turkish Divisions were sent over the top. Shortly after midnight, May 19, D company was ordered to stand to. D Company and 3Rd Battalion were positioned on the front right part of the 1st Division Trench Line. Out in front of the trench was a plain, now called the Table Top and beyond that further along toward Turkish lines was The Lone Pine Ridge. Facing the 3rd Battalion was the 16th and 2nd Turkish Division. The Turkish troops were considered some of the very best the Turkish leader Liman Von Saunders had to offer during the campaign. Von Saunders major mistake however was in the fact that by the attack going in at night, the troops had yet to see the ground they were to cover and many became disoriented and confused in the heat of battle. At one point observed an Australian infantryman "The whole division turned at an angle almost 45 degrees to us. For no reason they exposed themselves to a murderous fire from three sides, machine gun, rifle, cannon anything we could use we threw at them." They kept coming wave after courageous, bitter wave. The night and early dawn attack of May 19 resulted in useless Turkish bayonet charges. The third Battalion met and repulsed them again and again. There is no diary or personal record that shows the exact events of Charles Bourke. D company sector was infiltrated and at one point was fighting hand to hand with the Turks. This is the same area and night of Private Jackas famous bombing raid that earned him the Victoria Cross. Private Bourke was in the middle of the entire attack. Firing as fast as he could load. Living the terror and horror of fighting off wave after wave of men. The battle went through the night. As morning slowly crept up the cliffs and onto the plain over which the Turks had been charging the night before Von Saunders immediately halted any further attacks. No mans land was covered with dead Turks. "The Turks looked as if to be sleeping on the battle field". 3000 Turks lay dead and rotting in no Mans land. Private Bourke witnessed the intense suffering of thousand upon thousands of soldiers dying slowly under the cloudless sky. What did he feel now about Country and King listening to those poor souls thirsting for water, crying out for help? Unable to give assistance for risk of being shot themselves, all either side could do was wait.

    At Anzac, during a major Turkish counter-attack, Karm Singh, a member of the 21st (Kohat) Mountain Battery, Indian Army, remained at his post passing messages although his eyes had been penetrated with shrapnel pellets.







    Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres.

    Van (Armenia) taken by Russian forces. Armenian garrison relieved.

    Naval.

    The U23 sinks British Trawlers Crimond, and Lucerne.

    Political, etc.

    Parliamentary matters led the way today, both inside and outside the Palace of Westminster. Inside the Houses of Parliament Lord Kitchener gave his latest review to the Lords, which stated that the Allies were forced to deploy asphyxiating gases as the only adequate way of protecting them against the Germans’ use of such items, claimed the news from Gallipoli was “entirely satisfactory” (although E. Ashmead Bartlett’s latest official despatch admitted to “very slow progress”) and called for 300,000 more recruits, although he specified that none should come from munitions industries.
    Things were rather more exciting in the Commons, where a campaigner against the continuance of football in wartime entered the chamber and seized the mace, whereby several MPs and attendants wrestled it off him and dragged him away.
    Meanwhile outside of Parliament the tensions between Lord Fisher and Winston Churchill at the Admiralty were such that it was rumoured that Fisher had tendered his resignation, Churchill’s “high qualities will be utilised in another office” and that this, combined with “an increasing tendency to question and challenge the action of Ministers” had made the prospect of a coalition government much more likely, although the last does seem quite a leap just from these two things.

    Mr. Asquith announces impending reconstruction of the Ministry.

    Age limit for recruits fixed at 40.

    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  35. #535

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    20th May 1915. a slow news day.

    Western Front.

    Battle of Festubert continues: slight British advance.

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    The Divisional reliefs take place, without incident. 3rd Canadian Brigade gradually pushes forward and occupies the Orchard (known thereafter as the Canadian Orchard). The Canadian troops report many problems with their standard Ross rifle, which exhibits a tendency to jam.


    Eastern Front.

    Von Mackensen bombards Przemsyl.

    Political, etc.

    Extraordinary powers granted to Italian Government.
    The Italian Parliament ratifies the decision to go to war against Austria-Hungary.
    Italian Green Book on negotiations with Austria published.

    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  36. #536

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    21st May 1915.


    Western Front.

    French capture White Road near Souchez.

    Eastern Front.

    Beginning of Russian counter-offensive to cover evacuation of Przemsyl.

    Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres.

    Russian Expeditionary Force to West Persia lands at Enzeli.

    Turks retreat on Bitlis (Kurdistan).

    Naval and overseas.

    The monitor, HMS Roberts, was commissioned on this day. It was originally named Stonewall Jackson, after the American Confederate General, but with America still neutral, this was changed to Roberts.
    She served mainly in the Dardanelles before coming home at the end of the campaign and was used as a guardship for Great Yarmouth, presumably to protect the east coast from the German battlecruiser fleet.
    On November 3, 1914, Charles M. Schwab of Bethlehem Steel had offered Winston Churchill then First Lord of the Admiralty, the use of four 14in/45cal BL MK II twin gun turrets, originally destined for the Greek ship Salamis. These turrets could not be delivered to the German builders, due to the British Naval blockade. The Royal Navy had immediately created a class of monitors, designed for shore bombardment, to use the turrets.

    U27 sinks British sailing vessel Glenholm.

    Political, etc.

    Under pressure to form a new coalition government, the Liberal Leader, Asquith, is persuaded to remove Churchill as First Lord of the Admiralty.

    Austrian Note to Italy.

    U.S.A. publishes Note to Great Britain on the blockade.

    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  37. #537

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    22nd May 1915.

    Western Front.

    Battle of Festubert: British advance south of Quinque Rue.

    German air raid on Paris.

    Gallipoli.

    Albion, battleship, Canopus-class, 14,300t, 4-12in/12-6in, providing gunfire support off the Anzac beachhead just south of Anzac Cove. Ran aground off Gabe Tepe on 22nd, under close-range fire by Turkish shore batteries and frequently hit, towed off by sister-ship Canopus on 23rd, left for Malta for repairs; one man killed, ten wounded, believed from Albion.


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    HMS Albion.

    Death during a night raid on a Turkish trench at Gully Spur, Helles, of Captain Hugh Webb-Bowen, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Captain Webb-Bowen had arrived at Helles that morning.

    for more info:-
    http://www.gullyravine.org.uk/campaign.html

    And one for the Anzacs.

    http://edurnford.blogspot.co.uk/2015...ians-land.html

    Naval and Overseas Operations.
    U23 sinks the Norwegian Freighter Minerva 30 miles NE of the Farne Islands. No casualties recorded.
    Russian battleship "Penteleimon" torpedoed in the Black Sea.

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    Political, etc.

    Italian mobilisation ordered.

    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  38. #538

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    23rd May 1915.


    Western Front.

    Battle of Festubert: German attack repulsed.

    A First Army commanders conference concludes by agreeing to launch the 47th (their first major assault) and Canadian Divisions into a further attack. The artillery begins a bombardment during the evening.


    Southern Front.

    Austrian attack in the Carnic Alps.

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    The Italians then launch offensives along the 400-mile common border between Austria and Italy. The better equipped Austrians take advantage of the mountainous terrain to establish strong defensive positions all along the border. The Italians then focus their attacks on the mountain passes at Trentino and the valley of the Isonzo River.

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    Italian troops leaving Venice.


    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    Submarine E11 sinks a gunboat in the Sea of Marmora.

    When Italy declared war against Austria-Hungary on 23 May 1915, the Austrian fleet was quick to react, the navy launched several attacks on the Marche region of Italy. That day, the destroyer SMS Dinara and torpedo boat Tb 53T bombarded the port of Ancona. The destroyer SMS Lika, on a reconnaissance mission between Palagruža and Cape Gargano, shelled the semaphore and radio station at Vieste. Defending those waters at the time was the . A small duel commenced with Lika coming out as the victor, damaging the enemy destroyer.

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    Lika.


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    Turbine.


    Political, etc.

    Italy declares war against Austria.( In case you had not spotted it)

    General Cadorna appointed Commander-in-Chief [Officially designated " Chief of Staff," the King being the nominal Commander-in-Chief.] of Italian Armies in the Field.

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    Gen Cadorna.

    Background info:-

    http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/...eclaration.htm

    Italian Note to the ministers of Italy in foreign countries on the denunciation of the Triple Alliance.

    Rob.
    Last edited by Flying Officer Kyte; 05-22-2015 at 04:49.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  39. #539

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    Quote Originally Posted by Flying Officer Kyte View Post
    [SIZE=3]23rd May 1915.

    The Italians then launch offensives along the 400-mile common border between Austria and Italy. The better equipped Austrians take advantage of the mountainous terrain to establish strong defensive positions all along the border. The Italians then focus their attacks on the mountain passes at Trentino and the valley of the Isonzo River.
    Thus begins the twelve battles of the Isonzo.
    Karl
    It is impossible for a man to begin to learn what he thinks he knows. -- Epictetus

  40. #540

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    Lest we not forget - unfortunately many lost their lives without ever getting to serve

    The Quintinshill rail disaster occurred on 22 May 1915 near Gretna Green, Dumfriesshire, Scotland at Quintinshill, an intermediate signal box with passing loops on each side on the Caledonian Railway Main Line linking Glasgow and Carlisle (now part of the West Coast Main Line).


    The crash, which involved five trains, killed a probable 226[nb 1] and injured 246 and remains the worst rail crash in the United Kingdom in terms of loss of life.[1] Those killed were mainly Territorial soldiers from the 1/7th (Leith) Battalion, the Royal Scots heading for Gallipoli. The precise death toll was never established with confidence as the roll list of the regiment was destroyed by the fire.[2]

    The crash occurred when a troop train travelling from Larbert, Stirlingshire to Liverpool, Lancashire collided with a local passenger train that had been shunted on to the main line,[3] to then be hit by an express train to Glasgow which crashed into the wreckage a minute later. Gas from the lighting system of the old wooden carriages of the troop train ignited, starting a fire which soon engulfed the three passenger trains and also two goods trains standing on nearby passing loops. Some bodies were never recovered, having been wholly consumed by the fire, and the bodies that were recovered were buried together in a mass grave in Edinburgh's Rosebank Cemetery. Four bodies, believed to be of children, were never identified or claimed and are buried in the Western Necropolis, Glasgow.

    The cause of the accident was neglect of the rules by two signalmen. Both men were charged with manslaughter in England, then convicted of culpable homicide after trial in Scotland; the two terms are broadly equivalent. After they were released from a Scottish jail in 1916, they were re-employed by the railway company, although not as signalmen.

    A memorial to the dead soldiers was erected soon after the accident and there are more recent memorials at various locations. An annual remembrance service is held at Rosebank Cemetery.

    Never Knowingly Undergunned !!

  41. #541

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    Right the Wing Commander is out and about again so for one day only the honour to complete falls upon my shoulders....

    24th May 1915

    Western Front

    Final German attack east of Ypres repulsed.

    The Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge, 24 - 25 May 1915.

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    At 2.45am on 24 May (Whit Monday), a ferocious German artillery bombardment slammed down on British V Corps front. The clamour of shells, machine-guns and rifle fire was accompanied by a simultaneous discharge of chlorine gas on almost the entire length of the Cameronians in reserve dugouts, the Bluff, Ypres, March 1915British line. German infantry assaulted in its wake. Although the favourable wind had alerted the British trench garrison to the likelihood of a gas attack the proximity of the opposing trenches and speed of the enemy assault meant many defenders failed to don their respirators quickly enough and large numbers were overcome. But the British defence rallied and the attackers were repelled by smallarms fire – except in the north, where Mouse Trap Farm was immediately overrun, and in the south where (by 10am) German infantry broke into the British line north and south of Bellewaarde Lake. The centre of the line between these gaps held fast all day.

    Heroic efforts were made to retrieve the situation at Mouse Trap Farm before it was decided, that evening, to withdraw to a more defensible line. The German break-in around Bellewaarde Lake prompted the commitment of Corps reserve troops – but their arrival took time and the depleted front line battalions had to wait until the early evening before the weakened 84th Brigade was able to attack and turn the enemy out of Witte Poort Farm. Following the belated arrival of 80th Brigade a joint night counter-attack was made after 11pm; this assault, in bright moonlight, was a disaster and both 84th and 80th Brigades suffered heavy casualties. In the early hours of the morning the battle quietened. The following day saw a reduction in shelling and no attempts by the Germans to renew the offensive.

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    Ground east of Festubert made good.

    French take Les Corneilles (north-west of Angres).

    Eastern Front

    Austro-Germans occupy Radyno (Galicia).
    Urmia (North Persia) retaken by Russian forces

    Southern Front


    Italians advance on the Trentino and Carnic fronts, and occupy Caporetto and Cormons on the Isonzo front.
    Italian forces cross Austrian frontier (midnight 24th/25th).

    Anatolian atrocities: In response to growing tales of forced marches and massacres of Armenians in Anatolia by the Turkish government, the foreign ministers of the Triple Entente (France, Russia and Britain) issue a proclamation vowing that Young Turk (party) leadership would be held responsible for “these new crimes of Turkey against humanity and civilization”. In response, the Turkish cabinet three days later approves the “Provisional Law of Relocation” by which the army is “authorised and compelled to crush in the most severe way any sign of resistance or aggression among the population… including to transfer and relocate the populations of villages and towns, either individually or collectively in response to military needs or…any signs of treachery or betrayal”

    “By best estimate, some 800,000 of the Armenian deportees were to perish – starved, shot, or beaten to death – en route [to the] “barren reaches of northern Syria”.

    Meanwhile on the Gallipoli peninsula an armistice was arranged to allow both sides to bury their dead...

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    Burying the dead: Armistice, 24th May 1915. It was found to be impossible to move the bodies so they were buried, or rather covered with earth, where they lay: or dragged on groundsheets to existing pits dug by snipers or old outpost trenches and buried in these. There was no question of burying bodies more than a few inches under the surface. - See more at: http://www.europeana1914-1918.eu/pt/....viyUfoTq.dpuf

    Naval and Overseas Operations

    Austrian naval raid on Italian Adriatic coast, and first air raid on Venice.
    The Italian Nembo-class destroyer Turbine was sunk in the Adriatic Sea by SMS Helgoland and two destroyers (all Austro-Hungarian Navy).[62

    Never Knowingly Undergunned !!

  42. #542

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    26th May 1915.

    Western Front.

    Final day of the Battle of Festubert.
    Several enemy counter-attacks are beaten off as the forward infantry consolidate the positions won in the last few days.
    Casualties.
    More than 16,000 casualties were sustained in the attack at Festubert, in support of the much larger French offensive to the South at Vimy Ridge. French losses there were over 102,000, against German almost 50,000, including those at Festubert.

    Lessons and the shell crisis.
    The battle reinforced the view that the BEF had a serious deficiency of artillery, particularly heavy weapons, shells, (especially the high explosive type that was required to destroy trenches and strong points) and trench weaponry especially bombs. The Canadian units were reporting very serious problems with their standard-issue Ross rifle, and most infantry units reported that they did not have the full complement of machine-guns available due to losses in action.


    Zeppelin raid on Southend.
    Wednesday 26th May 1915: Southend bombed by the Zeppelin LZ38 three killed three injured, 9 fires reported.


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    Eastern Front.

    Austro-Germans gain successes in severe fighting round Przemsyl.

    Gallipoli.

    Commencement of a factory at Anzac Cove to make periscope rifles. This device allowed a soldier to aim and fire at the enemy from his trench without showing himself. The periscope rifle was invented by Lance-Corporal W C B Beech, 2nd Battalion (New South Wales), of Sydney.

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    ANZACS At Gabba Tepi

    Turkish snipers opened fire down Monash Valley from a new trench near the Nek. Fifty Australians were hit until a field gun knocked out the trench.
    Four destroyers arriving at Anzac Cove with troops were shelled. The shelling killed four soldiers and a seaman and wounded 41 others of whom seven subsequently died. As a result daytime landings ceased. After this all troops and animals were landed at night.

    Naval and overseas.

    Italian Government announce blockade of Austro-Hungarian coast.

    British battle squadron concentrates at Malta prior to joining Italian fleet in Adriatic

    Political, etc.

    H.H. Askwith formed the Second Asquith Ministry, a wartime government, in the aftermath of the Gallipoli disaster, by bringing in the Conservatives to shore up his government.


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    Herbert Henry Askwith

    Unionist party meeting at Carlton Club decides in favour of the Coalition.

    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  43. #543

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    Here is a photograph of William Beech with his periscope rifle.
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    Here are some more pictures.
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  44. #544

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    Nice addition. Thanks Dave.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  45. #545

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    27th May 1915.


    Western Front.

    The Aftermath of Festubert.
    On 27 May, British casualties amounted to some 16,000 without the operation having made any significant contribution to the French offensive on Vimy Ridge.
    In addition to the slaughter wrought by the shelling and the machine gun fire, many soldiers died in hand-to-hand fighting and some were drowned in the flooded trenches and drainage ditches which criss-crossed the battlefield.

    This latest reverse engendered a political crisis in Great Britain when the commander-in-chief of the British Expeditionary Force, General French, complained to a journalist of the insufficient quantity and quality of the shells. The Asquith government subsequently fell and was replaced by a coalition which for the first time included a minister of munitions, a post to be occupied by one David Lloyd George. Thenceforth the United Kingdom entered a phase of all-out war with Kitchener's New Army of volunteers already in training and soon to be transferred to the war on the front.

    Between La Bassée-Arras French took La Quatre Bouquetaux, near Souchez.

    Severe fighting in Bois-le-Pretre.

    General Joffre inspected British 7th Division (General Gough) on W Front.

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    Home Front.

    On the (industrial) front:
    “Commercial Motor Magazine”, introducing a review for its readers of the very latest model of Dennis Ambulance, as delivered to the Wimbledon Fire Brigade, reflects (by way of preamble) on the heavy demand for ambulances to serve on the Western Front:
    “There have been hundreds of first-class ambulances sent out to the Front, but there have additionally been many more despatched which were very ill suited for the strenuous work, for which they were intended. This has been a golden opportunity for many people to dispose of second-hand chassis of pleasure-car types of doubtful age and record. The casualties amongst ambulances have been very serious indeed. Then again, there has been a good deal of seeking after publicity by individuals who have been anxious to identify themselves with the sending out of the Zebediah or the Mord-D.11’1y ambulances. We have had very little to say of all this activity, preferring rather not to throw cold water on all this endeavour which, in spite of its shortcomings, has included much well-meant kindness.”


    Eastern Front.

    Russians took Kindovary near Shavli (Lithuania) and recaptured Sieniava on River San (Galicia).


    Southern Front.

    Italians captured Ala and Grado (Trentino). Flooded R Isonzo impeded their advance against Carso.

    Galopoli.

    Night attack by the British destroyer HMS Rattlesnake and men of the 9th Battalion (Queensland) under Lieutenant M Wilder-Neligen on a Turkish trench near the beach at Gaba Tepe. The purpose of this, and subsequent attacks, was to make the enemy think that a major offensive would be launched from the southern positions of Anzac.

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    U-Boat fired two torpedoes at ss Argyllshire (12, 097 tons) off Havre: missed.

    U21 torpedoed and sank the battleship HMS Majestic as the ship guarded the ship to shore transports off ‘W’ Beach, Helles. Forty-nine sailors went down with the ship.


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    HMS. Majestic.

    H.M.S. "Princess Irene", auxiiliary ship, blown up in Sheerness harbour.

    Political, etc.

    Admiral Sir H. Jackson appointed First Sea Lord.

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    Portugal: President Arriaga resigns.

    Austrian GHQ accused 36th (Jungbunzlau) Regiment of treason.

    Turkish "Provisional" Law for deportation of political suspects.

    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  46. #546

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    Quote Originally Posted by Flying Officer Kyte View Post
    27th May 1915.
    U21 torpedoed and sank the battleship HMS Majestic as the ship guarded the ship to shore transports off ‘W’ Beach, Helles. Forty-nine sailors went down with the ship.


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    HMS. Majestic.
    Rob.
    Pretty light casualties, I'd say.
    Karl
    It is impossible for a man to begin to learn what he thinks he knows. -- Epictetus

  47. #547

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    Quote Originally Posted by Flying Officer Kyte View Post
    27th May 1915.
    U21 torpedoed and sank the battleship HMS Majestic as the ship guarded the ship to shore transports off ‘W’ Beach, Helles. Forty-nine sailors went down with the ship.


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    HMS. Majestic.
    Rob.
    Pretty light casualties, I'd say.
    Karl
    It is impossible for a man to begin to learn what he thinks he knows. -- Epictetus

  48. #548

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    Quote Originally Posted by Jager View Post
    Pretty light casualties, I'd say.
    Karl
    Yes. It makes one wonder how close to land it was, or if it was in shallow waters.
    Did it sink quickly or have several other ships nearby to assist?
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  49. #549

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    And a quick Google gives us this answer.

    On 27 May 1915, while stationed off W Beach at Cape Helles, Majestic became the third battleship to be torpedoed off the Gallipoli peninsula in two weeks. Around 0645 hours, Commander Otto Hersing of the German submarine U-21 fired a single torpedo through the defensive screen of destroyers and anti-torpedo nets, striking Majestic and causing a huge explosion. The ship began to list to port and in nine minutes had capsized in 54 feet (16 m) of water, killing 49 men.[7][b] Her masts hit the mud of the sea bottom, and her upturned hull remained visible for many months until it was finally submerged when her foremast collapsed during a storm.

    Rob.



    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  50. #550

    Default

    28th May 1915.


    Western Front.


    French advance in the "Labyrinth" (north of Arras).
    Lt-Col Robie Uniacke AA&QMG, of the General Staff was killed in action, and is buried in Steenwerck Communal Cemetery.

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    Eastern Front.

    Russians take Bubie (Baltic Provinces).
    Austro-German advance on Przemsyl continues.

    Galipoli.

    The withdrawal of bombarding battleships following the sinking of Goliath, Triumph and Majestic was a major victory for the Turks.

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    HMS. Majestic sinking.

    Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres.

    Following a request from the Indian Government for trained pilots for service in Mesopotamia, Australian Flying Corps air and ground personnel arrived at Basra to join Indian Flying Corps personnel serving in the theatre. Australian and Indian Army personnel flying Indian Flying Corps aircraft formed the 'Mesopotamian Half-Flight', which supported the Indian Army during the opening round of the Mesopotamian Campaign.

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    Russians occupy Vastan (on Lake Van).

    Naval.

    HJMS Spennymooor was a 2,733grt, British Navy Collier. On the 28th May 1915 when 50 miles SW ¼ W from Start Point, English Channel she was captured by submarine UC 41 and sunk by gunfire. 5 lives were lost including the Master.

    Political, etc.

    Dr. Bethmann-Hollweg denounces Italy in the Reichstag.


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    http://www.firstworldwar.com/bio/bethmann.htm

    Mr Arthur Balfour appointed First Lord of the Admiralty, Great Britain.

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    Mr Arthur Balfour.

    Dr. Joaquim T. Braga elected President of Portugal.

    Reproduced below is the official German response to U.S. and British protests over the sinking of the Lusitania on 7 May 1915 by German U-boat U-20 on 7 May 1915. The German note, written by Foreign Minister Gottlieb von Jagow and sent to the U.S. government, argued that while the sinking was regrettable it was nonetheless necessary.

    http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/...anresponse.htm

    Colonial unrest: In Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) against a backdrop of the recent imposition of martial law by the (British) authorities, A Buddhist procession celebrating Vesak Poya Day defies orders to stop drum beating while passing a mosque in Gampola town. Violence follows, including Buddhists attacks on a mosque, and on muslim businesses, escalating to 63 deaths across the island.

    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

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