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Thread: 100 Years Ago Today

  1. #101

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    4th. October 1914.

    Western Front.

    First Battle of Arras ends.
    Rapid German advance towards the Coast: Germans occupy Lens, Comines, Poperinghe, Bailleul, etc.
    Lille bombarded by Germans.

    Defence of Antwerp.
    Elements of British forces which took part in this engagement:
    Royal Naval Division
    IV Corps (Rawlinson): 7th and 3rd Cavalry Divisions landed at Zeebrugge with orders to go to the support of Antwerp, but by the time they arrived things were too late and instead the Corps sized and held important bridges and points in the Ghent area in order to facilitate the retreat of the Belgian Army westwards from Antwerp.

    Eastern Front.

    Poland: Rapid Austro-German advance against Russian centre.

    Southern Front.

    Austro-Hungarian counter-offensive in Galicia begins
    Bosnia: Serbians and Montenegrins driven back from the Sarajevo region.

    Naval.

    Dardanelles (French & English) fleet bombs Turkish forts.

    Political, etc.

    Provisional Government under Essad Pasha set up in Albania.

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

  2. #102

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    Thanks for keeping up with the posts. The cumulative amount of study involved must be enormous.
    What I've learnt from reading these is the amount of stuff that went on and how the war was not just a war of attrition on the Western Front. For instance, I did not know that Belgium kept on fighting for so long.

  3. #103

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    Quote Originally Posted by Nicola Zee View Post
    Thanks for keeping up with the posts. The cumulative amount of study involved must be enormous.
    What I've learnt from reading these is the amount of stuff that went on and how the war was not just a war of attrition on the Western Front. For instance, I did not know that Belgium kept on fighting for so long.
    Right up until the end.
    karl
    It is impossible for a man to begin to learn what he thinks he knows. -- Epictetus

  4. #104

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    Quote Originally Posted by Jager View Post
    Right up until the end.
    karl
    It now makes me want to get a Hanriot HD.1 in Belgian Air Force markings. I foolishly dismissed it as a bit of a gimmick - as I focus on the British planes on the Western Front. Ironically, there's even one close by to me in the Royal Air Force Museum at Hendon near London

  5. #105

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    5th October 1914.

    Western Front.

    Antwerp: Germans force the line of the Nethe at Duffel.
    Three British Naval Brigades reach Antwerp.
    The Royal Marine Brigade. On 20 September had arrived at Dunkirk with orders to assist in the defence of Antwerp. The two other Brigades moved to Dunkirk for the same purpose on 5 October 1914.
    Gabriel Voisin was of the most productive aircraft designers of the war. On 5th October, 1914 the Voisin III, became the first Allied plane to shoot down an enemy, an Aviatik aircraft.

    Naval.
    Ardmount U,K,. The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) east by south of the Wandellar Lightship Belgium
    HMT Drumoak. The naval trawler struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off the West Hinder Lightship, Netherlands.
    HMT Princess Alice. The naval trawler struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off the West Hinder Lightship, Netherlands.

    Political, etc.

    Albania: Essad Pasha nominated head of a Provisional Government.

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

  6. #106

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    6th October 1914.

    Western Front.

    Belgium: As the Belgian army begins to withdraw from Antwerp, the government moves to Ostend, and nearly a quarter of a million residents flee towards France and the Netherlands.
    Today a new British Army Division – the 7th – also lands at Zeebrugge, but is too little, too late, to save Antwerp from the Germans.


    Naval and Overseas Operations.
    Japanese troops moved to occupy the German Pacific islands of Palau, the Marianas, the Marshalls and the Carolines.

    S13, German, S13 class Destroyer
    Internal explosion, North Sea.

    "Eastbourne (Sussex) Division RNVR 'D' Company Howe Battalion, seen here in the streets of Vieux Dieu, an eastern suburb of Antwerp, 6 October 1914 wearing their old style bandoliers & naval caps.Name:  RNVR..jpg
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    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  7. #107

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    7th October 1914.

    Western Front.

    some 8,000 soldiers of the Imperial German Army proudly marched into Ypres, Belgium.
    1/1st Northumberland Hussars lands at Zeebrugge
    Advancing German Forces bombard the City of Antwerp, the Belgian troops and a small number of their British allies, including the Royal Naval Division Collingwood Battalion, struggled to hold the city against the fierce shelling. The Belgian government which had relocated to the city when Brussels fell, was forced to retreat again, this time to Ostend.

    Eastern Front.

    Maramaros-Sziget retaken by Austrian forces.

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    In Africa: At the Battle of Jabassi in German Kamerun, British forces under the command of Brigadier General Edmund Howard Gorges sail up the River Wuri with 4 field guns. Their first assault on the German entrenchments is repelled by intense machine gun fire. Four Europeans are killed. It is not clear whether the Nigerian casualties in the British contingent were counted.

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

  8. #108

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    8th October 1914.

    Western Front.

    General Foch takes supreme command of the Allied armies defending the Coast.
    Fighting at Roye.
    Antwerp: The city bombarded: inner forts fell. Belgians and Naval Brigades leave (being cut off and losing 2,000 interned in Holland).
    German air raid on Paris. French Marine Brigade reinforcing Allied line at Ghent.
    General Foch at Doullens.
    Sir J French transferred his GHQ from Fčre-en-Tardenois to Abbeville, NE of which British 2nd Corps concentrating.
    Sir John French's third despatch (published 19 October).
    Germans at Douai-Lens. Lille bombarded.
    British 3rd Cavalry Division (General Byng) landed at Zeebruge, and moved to Ostend, before which 7th Division in position. General Rawlinson's HQ at Bruges.



    Eastern Front.

    East Prussia: Russians take Lyck.

    Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres.

    Tsing-tau: Japanese capture "Prince Heinrich" hill.

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    A unit of the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) was based in Antwerp between 16th September and 8th October 1914.
    Zeppelin destroyed in its shed at Dusseldorf by Flight-Lieutenant Marix RNAS.

    British submarine E.9 sinks German destroyer S.126 at mouth of Ems.

    Further information:-

    http://www.1914-1918.net/french_third_despatch.html

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

  9. #109

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    9th October 1914.

    Western Front.

    Germans entered Antwerp. General von Beseler received Pour le Mérite Order.Part of RND and 18,000 Belgians crossed into Holland; interned.
    British Cavalry Corps in France formed under General Allenby. General de Lisle 1st Division; General Gough 2nd Division.
    General von Hollen's 4th Cavalry Corps attacked Hazebrouck.

    Dusseldorf: Zeppelin sheds raided by Allied airmen.


    Eastern Front.

    German defeat at Augustovo (E Prussia).
    Russians fell back from Przemysl. Austro-Germans nearing Ivangorod. Mackensen's XVIIth Corps engaged at Grojetz, S of Warsaw, newly arrived Russo-Serbian Corps.


    Naval and Overseas Operations.
    .
    HMS Antrim off Stavager just failed to ram U-boat that fired two torpedoes at her.
    French TB 347 and TB 348 lost by collision at Toulon.

    South Africa.
    Maritz’s 1600 men rebel 25 miles west of Upington and hand over 60 loyal troops to Germans at Van Rooisvlei.

    43rd (Wessex) Division sails for India.

    Political, etc.

    Italy: Cabinet crisis: resignation of General Grandi, Minister for War.

    Rob.
    Last edited by Flying Officer Kyte; 10-10-2014 at 02:27.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  10. #110

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    10th October 1914.


    Western Front.

    Antwerp: the last forts surrender.
    Belgians check German pursuit at Melle.
    Lille again bombarded by the Germans.
    The Battle of La Bassee, 10 October -2 November 1914
    2nd Cavalry Brigade (of Cavalry Division)
    II Corps: (Smith-Dorrien): 3rd and 5th Divisions
    Indian Corps: (Willcocks): Lahore Division (less Sirhind Brigade), Meerut Division and Secunderabad Cavalry Brigade

    Eastern Front.

    Poland: Germans occupy Lodz.
    Hungary again raided by Russians.

    Political, etc.

    Romania: Death of King Carel. Succeeded by his nephew Ferdinand.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  11. #111

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    11th October 1914.

    Western Front.

    Battle of Flanders begins, a desperate struggle for the coast lasting for some six weeks and including (a) Battle of the Yser, 16 October. (b) Battle of Ypres, 19 October.
    Paris heavily bombed.
    Cavalry fighting near Hazebrouck.
    German troops occupy Gent.
    RND units that managed to successfully withdraw from Antwerp returned to England, arriving 11 October 1914. Approximately 1,500 troops of the 1st Royal Naval Brigade crossed the Dutch frontier to escape from Antwerp and were interned in the Netherlands.

    Eastern Front.

    Poland: Germans take Sochaczew.
    Galicia: Russians forced to raise the siege of Przemsyl, which is reprovisioned from Cracow.
    Austrians recover Jaroslau.

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    Russian cruiser "Pallada" sunk by German submarine in Baltic.
    The U.K. cargo ship Condor was scuttled in the Atlantic 215 nautical miles north north east of Cabo Sao Roque, Brazil by SMS Karlsruhe of the Kaiserliche Marine.

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

  12. #112

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    12th October 1914.

    Western Front.

    1st battle at Ypres begins.

    Ostend and Zeebrugge evacuated by the Allies.

    Reims evacuated by Germans (circa).

    After the fighting on the Aisne, the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) headed north-west to support the left wing of the French Army and it was there that it came up against the German Army in what was to be the final and most northerly phase of the Race to the Sea.

    Transported by bus from Abbeville, the British troops took up position on the front line between Béthune and Ypres, and reinforcements from Saint-Omer and Anvers soon joined them. The British Army set about establishing a front from Bixschoote, north of Ypres, to La Bassée with the French cavalry filling the gap between two army corps positioned further south, from La Bassée to Armentičres. The landscape was flat and scored with many drainage ditches.

    On 12 October the French lost control of Vermelles, a small town on the edge of the Pas-de-Calais coal basin, and this forced the British to make a move southwards in an attempt to fill the breach. On 13 October fierce fighting erupted between the British and Germans at Givenchy-lčs-La Bassée and Cuinchy, on both sides of the canal, and continued for four days. The British managed to advance ten kilometres to the east until they came up against Aubers Ridge, where German counter-attacks forced them to fall back.

    German aeroplane dropped six bombs on Paris.

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    South Africa: Martial law proclaimed throughout the Union.
    Volunteers called to assist against Rebellion, led by PM Louis Botha.

    Grand Fleet returned to Scapa. Cruisers swept down to Dogger Bank.

    Admiral of Patrols reconstituted himself on Humber to organise anti-U-Boat measures.

    Admiral Hood to be Rear-Admiral commanding Dover Patrol, including 6th TBD Flotilla and Downs Boarding Flotilla, and SNO Dover.

    New British (ex Brazilian) monitors Mersey, Seven and Humber ordered to proceed from Dover to Ostend.
    Belgian Government withdrew by sea from Ostend to Havre.

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

  13. #113

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    Love these Rob - apologies for starting this thread but you seem to have risen to the challenge most admirably. We will need to make sure there is adequate cover to keep things going if / when you need a break

  14. #114

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    13th October 1914.

    Western Front.

    Ypres occupied by the Allies, who attempt an offensive.
    The Battle of Armentieres begins.
    Further to the north the British managed to retake Mont des Cats, on 13 October, then Méteren and Mont Noir. Under heavy rain, which precluded aerial reconnaissance, they continued their advance and took Bailleul, Kemmel Hill and Messines. By 14 October the British had managed to establish a continuous front from Ypres to La Bassée Canal. There was heavy fighting between Bethune and La Bassee.
    Three days later they gained control of Armentičres while, further to the north, the Germans directed their assault on the French and Belgian forces defending the Diksmuide Salient.
    Lille and Ghent occupied by the Germans.

    Eastern Front.

    East Prussia: Germans recover Lyck.

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    First appearance of a German submarine threatening the main Southampton-Le Havre cross-Channel route
    South Africa: Open rebellion of Lt.-Col. Maritz.

    Political, etc.

    Belgium: the Government established at Havre in France, Antwerp mulcted of Fr. 20,000,000.

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

  15. #115

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    14th October 1914.

    Western Front.

    Bailleul occupied by the Allies.
    The first British soldiers to arrive in Ypres were men of the IV Corps under General Rawlinson (7th Division and 3rd Cavalry Division) on 14th October 1914. There they made contact with French troops of 87th Territorial Division who were already in the town. The British Official History states that the inhabitants were carrying on very much as usual. The British 7th Division was very tired by a two-day march from Ghent on pavé (cobbled) roads and were billeted amongst the locals' houses to get some rest.
    The British Corps Commander put up an outpost line covering the east of the town. The task was to defend the town and to block the route for the German Army through Ypres to the ports on the French and Belgian coast.
    Soldiers in the British Army quickly turned the French name of Ypres into a much easier word to pronounce. They called it “Wipers”. The British Army remained in “Wipers” for four years from October 1914 to the end of the war in November 1918.
    Bruges occupied by the Germans.

    Eastern Front.

    East Prussian Front: Germans take Mlava.
    Poland: Germans announce occupation of all the country up to the line of the Vistula.

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

  16. #116

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    15th October 1914.

    Western Front.

    Ostend and Zeebrugge occupied by the Germans.
    The Allied lines extended to the Coast.

    Eastern Front.

    Poland: First Battle for Warsaw begins along all the line of the Vistula (till 23rd).

    Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres.

    Tsing-tau: The beginning of the end. Non-combatants allowed to leave.

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    South Africa: Rebels routed at Ratedraai.
    North Sea: H.M.S. "Hawke" sunk by German submarine.

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

  17. #117

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    16th October 1914.

    Western Front.

    Aubers, Armentieres, Neuve Chapelle and Warneton occupied by the Allies.
    Belgians driven out of Forest of Houthulst.
    Battle of the Yser begins with German attack on Dixmude.

    Eastern Front.

    Poland: Germans within seven miles of Warsaw, which the Russians prepare to evacuate.

    Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres.

    Tsing-tau: General attack begins.

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    H.M.S. "Yarmouth" sinks the "Emden's" collier, "Markomannia".
    Cattaro bombarded by the Allied fleets.

    Canadian troops arrive in England.

    The NZEF Main Body, consisting of 8454 soldiers and about 3000 horses, departs Wellington in 10 troopships.


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    Indian Expeditionary Force "B" leaves India for East Africa.
    First units of Indian Expeditionary Force "D" leave India for the Persian Gulf.

    Political, etc.

    Italy: Death of Marquis di San Giuliano, Minister for Foreign Affairs.

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

  18. #118

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    17th October 1914.

    Western Front.

    Armentičres recaptured by Allied forces.
    Herlies captured by the Allies: End of the offensive of the Allies.
    Heavy German counter-attacks impose a strenuous defensive for a period extending to 17 November.

    Eastern Front.

    Poland: Crisis of Battle of Warsaw: Russian reinforcements reach the city and save it from capture.

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    H.M.S. "Undaunted" with accompanying destroyers sink four German destroyers off Dutch coast.
    First British submarines ("E.-1" and "E.-9") enter the Baltic.
    German submarines attempt raid on Scapa Flow (see 18th).
    Japanese Naniwa class Protected Cruiser Takachiho torpedoed by the German Torpedo boat S90, Tsingato. The Torpedo boat then scuttled after running aground.
    First units of Australian Imperial Force embark for France.

    Additional information:-

    http://www.bcmh.org.uk/archive/artic...erpPollard.pdf

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

  19. #119

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    18th October 1914.

    Western Front.

    The Yser held by the Belgians against the Germans: struggle from Lombartzyde to Keyem.
    Roulers occupied by the Germans after fierce three-days' battle.

    Eastern Front.

    Galicia: Beginning of a desperate but vain effort of the Austrians to cross the San.

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    Belgian Coast: British monitors under Admiral Hood aid the Belgians in the Battle of the Yser.
    First bombardment of Ostend by British warships.
    Grand Fleet withdraws from Scapa Flow to West of Scotland.
    Loss of British submarine E.3 announced by German wireless.
    Japanese light cruiser "Takachiho" sunk by German destroyer off Tsingtau.

    Further information:-

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

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

  20. #120

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    19th October 1914.

    Western Front.

    The Yser: German attacks on Lombartzyde repulsed.
    B.E.F.: Transfer from Aisne to Flanders completed.
    First Battle of Ypres begins: On October 19, 1914, near the Belgian city of Ypres, Allied and German forces begin the first of what would be three battles to control the city and its advantageous positions on the north coast of Belgium during the First World War.
    First Indian units reach the Flanders front.

    Sir Henry Rawlinson unable to occupy Menin.

    Sir John French's despatches of 17 September and 8 October published.

    Eastern Front.

    Poland: Germans cross the Vistula at Josefov, etc.
    Battle of Warsaw ends.

    Political, etc.

    New Naval Decoration, the Distinguished Service Medal, established.

    Rob.
    Last edited by Flying Officer Kyte; 10-19-2014 at 00:13.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  21. #121

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    20th October 1914.

    Western Front.

    Battle round Arras: fierce German attack repulsed.
    Poelcapelle captured by the Germans.
    Indian Expeditionary Force (Cavalry, Meerut and Lahore Division) reaches the front.
    Heavy fighting near La Bassee.
    The earliest recorded act of Air co-operation occurred on the 20th October 1914 near Lille, when the pilot of a 6 Squadron aircraft, having observed shells fall on a German battery, dropped a message to gunners of the 87th Royal Field Artillery. The message, believed to have been dropped in a bottle, read:
    “You hit them. We must go home. No Petrol”

    Eastern Front.

    Poland: German attacks in front of Warsaw weakening: Russians begin to take the offensive.
    Battle of Ivangorod ends.

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    Troopship SS Geelong carries 36 officers and 898 troops, beginning a journey from Hobart to Egypt and then Gallipoli.
    First merchant vessel sunk by German submarine (British S.S. "Glitra")




    Political, etc.

    Germans report 149,000 French, 107,000 Russian, 32,000 Belgian, and 9,000 British prisoners.
    British losses to date 57,000, including sick.

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

  22. #122

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    21st October 1914.

    Western Front.

    The battle of Langemarck, 21-24 October 1914, was part of the wider first battle of Ypres (19 October-22 November). It began as an encounter battle, between troops of the British I corps and German troops, both advancing to make an attack. It ended with the Allies on the defensive around Ypres, holding off the first of a series of fierce German attacks that would be typical of the remained of the battle of Ypres.
    At the end of 20 October the two divisions of I corps were separated by Ypres. Sir John French ordered the corps to move to Langemarck and then launch an attack to the north, with the ambitious aim of liberating Bruges. French believed that there was only one German army corps north of Ypres, when there were actually five between Ypres and the coast.
    The Yser: Critical day: Dixmude heavily bombarded and assaulted.
    Arras also heavily bombarded and attacked.
    The Argonne: French recovery begins.

    Eastern Front.

    Poland: Battle of Warsaw ends with German defeat. Germans begin retreat.
    Battle of Kasimiryev: Russki annihilates the Germans who had crossed the Vistula.

    Political, etc.

    Russia: State sale of alcohol abolished.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  23. #123

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    These are brilliant Rob - if you ever need to take a break let me know

  24. #124

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    Quote Originally Posted by Hedeby View Post
    These are brilliant Rob - if you ever need to take a break let me know
    Thanks Chris.
    I may take you up on this kind offer sometime.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  25. #125

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    22nd October 1914.

    Western Front.

    The Yser: Struggle for Dixmude continued.
    Battle of Ypres: Germans capture Langemarck.
    Battle round La Bassee: Beginning of a severe ten-days' effort of the Germans to break through.
    Belgians reoccupied Lombaertzyde.
    Germans captured British trenched N of Pilkem (Ypres).
    General Smith-Dorrien retired on Givenchy-Neuve Chapelle-Fauquissart.
    Lahore Division (General Watkins) at Bailleul.

    Eastern Front.

    General Russky crossed R Vistula in pursuit of Germans.

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    Rebel Maritz repulsed at Keimoes (S Africa).
    South Africa: "Emden's" third list of captures announced.
    HMS Iron Duke at Lough Swilly.
    Two military convoys from India and Egypt diverted to Liverpool.
    HM submarine E9 at Libau.
    HM submarine E11, having failed to pass into Baltic, returned to her base.
    Btn. Rifle Brigade. Sailed from Bombay on 20 September, landing at Liverpool on 22 October

    Political etc.

    General Morland to command British 5th Division, vice General Fergusson, invalided.

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

  26. #126

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    23rd October 1914.

    Western Front.

    The Yser: Germans take Lombartzyde, but are again repulsed from Dixmude.
    Allies lose ground near La Bassee.
    Battle of Ypres: Furious attacks near Langemarck.


    William Kenny, No. 6535, Drummer, 2nd Battalion, The Gordon Highlanders was awarded the Victoria Cross on 23rd October, 1914, for conspicuous bravery near Ypres, in rescuing wounded men on five occasions under very heavy fire in the most fearless manner, and for twice previously saving machine guns by carrying them out of action. On numerous occasions Drummer Kenny conveyed urgent messages under very dangerous circumstances over fire-swept ground.

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    Eastern Front.

    Poland: Germans abandon siege of Ivangorod: Russians everywhere advance and harrass the retreat. They retake Jaroslau.

    Naval and overseas operations.

    Myrmidon, destroyer, B-class, with patrol flotillas and Wildfire, old composite sloop, Nymphe-class, two of the various unsuitable vessels operating as gunboats in support of the Allied armies off the Belgian coast, repelled A U-boat attack.

    General de Wet rebels in Orange Free State.

    Rob.
    Last edited by Flying Officer Kyte; 10-23-2014 at 00:15.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  27. #127

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    24th October 1914.


    Western Front.

    The Yser: French recover Lombartzyde.
    Indian troops arrive near Bethune.
    Battle of Ypres: Germans occupy Polygon Wood, but fail at Gheluvelt.
    Battle round Arras at its height.
    Battle of Langemarck ends.

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    South Africa: Overt rebellion of Beyers and De Wet.

    Political, etc.

    Great Britain: Importation of sugar prohibited.



    An article from the Daily Telegraph Oct 23rd 1914.

    As usual the reports from the front are patchy but confident in tone, and thus are supplemented by reports from prior action gleaned by correspondents wherever they can. Hidden away on page 13 is one such from our man in Paris article detailing “some amusing episodes” so far amongst the Belgian and French armies and there are some curious, almost unlikely at times tales here, such as the Belgian sergeant who was able to steal a German troop train and deliver up 320 prisoners and all their accoutrements to his comrades, or the two Frenchman taken prisoner by the Germans who ended up swapping positions after the Germans were unable to safely return to their lines. The article concludes “writers of comic opera libretti, please note;”

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

  28. #128

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    25th October 1914.

    Western Front.

    Vain German efforts to break through the Allied lines at Dixmude, Ypres, La Bassee and Arras.
    Vermelles re-occupied by the Germans.
    Eastern Front Germans in retreat reached Radom (Poland); outflanked by General Russky between Radon and R Pilitza.

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    Further defeat of Maritz (S Africa).Rebels routed at Calvinia.

    British 2nd Battle Cruiser Squadron in support of projected air raid on Cuxhaven Zeppelin sheds by Harwich Force; operation prevented by heavy rain.

    Destruction of German submarine by H.M.S. "Badger" announced.

    Political, etc.

    Great Britain: Death of Sir Charles Douglas, Chief of General Staff.
    Germany: General von Moltke, Chief of the German General Staff, "unwell", his duties undertaken by General von Falkenhayn.

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

  29. #129

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    26th October 1914.

    Western Front.

    Yser: German progress stopped: attack on Pervyse repulsed.
    Heavy fighting round Ypres, La Bassee and Arras.

    The Royal Flying Corps suffers its first fatalities due to 'friendly fire'. Lieutenant C.G. Hosking and Captain T. Crean of No.4 Squadron were killed when their Royal Aircraft Factory BE2 was shot down by British ground fire over Poperinghe.

    Naval and Overseas Operations.
    On 26th October 1914 Kapitänleutnant Johannes Feldkirchener, commanding U-17, attacked the French ferry the Admiral Ganteaume without giving any warning. The ship was carrying over 2,000 Belgian refugees and 40 people died.
    German forces begin unprovoked invasion of Angola (Portuguese West Africa)
    South Africa: Maritz driven into German territory.
    Cameroons: Allies occupy Duala.

    Political etc.

    General Sir J. Wolfe Murray appointed British Chief of the Imperial General Staff, replacing General Sir C. Douglas who haad died the previous day.

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

  30. #130

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    27th October 1914.

    Western Front.

    Yser: Belgians, with French aid, maintain unbroken the front Nieuport-Dixmude.
    Neuve Chapelle taken by the Germans.
    Germans pushed back east of Nancy.

    Eastern Front.

    Poland: Russian victory along the line Petrokov-Radom.

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    South Africa: Beyers defeated by Botha at Commissie Drift, near Rustenburg.
    H.M.S. "Audacious" sunk by mine off the northern Irish Coast.


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    French liner "Amiral Ganteaume" sunk.
    "Emden" captures Japanese ship "Kamasaka Maru".

    Political, etc.

    Portugal: Naval Reserves called up.

    Prince Maurice of Battenberg son of Prince Henry of Battenberg and Princess Beatrice of the United Kingdom, born on October 3, 1891 at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Killed in action at Ypres, Belgium on October 27, 1914, age 23.

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

  31. #131

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    28th October 1914.


    Western Front.

    Yser: Germans retake Lombartzyde.
    Neuve Chapelle retaken by the British.
    Indian Corps relieved British Second Corps on Neuve Chapelle front.

    Eastern Front.

    Poland: Russians regained Lodz and Radom.

    Galicia: Austrians defeated at Sambor.

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    British squadron off Belgian coast with HMS Venerable (F Admiral Hood) heavily engaged. HMSs Falcon, Mersey, Brilliant and Wildfire hit and damaged.

    HMIS "Emden" appears at Penang and destroys Russian cruiser "Zhemchug", and French TBD Mousquet.
    .
    Political, etc.

    Great Britain: Resignation of Prince Louis of Battenberg from office of First Sea Lord.
    Trial of Archduke's murderers at Sarajevo.

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

  32. #132

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    29th October 1914.


    Western Front.

    Yser: Germans take Ramscapelle.

    The Belgians open the sluices of the canal.

    Heavy fighting round Festubert (La Bassee).

    The battle of Gheluvelt, 29-31 October 1914, was part of the first battle of Ypres. After the failures of earlier attacks by the fourth and sixth armies, Falkenhayn created a new formation, Army Group Fabeck. General Fabeck was given six divisions – the 30th, 39th, 26th divisions, 3rd and 4th Bavarian Divisions and the 6th Bavarian Reserve Division. This new formation was created specifically to launch the big attack on the British line between Ploegsteert Wood and Gheluvelt.
    The big attack was due to start on 30 October. On 29 October a preliminary assault was planned, with the aim of capturing the village of Gheluvelt. This attack failed to capture the village, although it did briefly threaten to break the British lines, but the Germans did capture the Gheluvelt crossroads, east of the village.


    Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters.

    Egypt: Beduin tribes raid the frontier.

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    Turkish fleet attacks Odessa, Novorossisk, and Theodosia, and sinks Russian destroyer, etc.

    Political, etc.

    Great Britain: Lord Fisher appointed First Sea Lord.
    Turkey enters the war on the German side.

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

  33. #133

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    30th October 1914.


    Western Front.

    Yser: Germans forced by floods to retreat.

    Ypres closely pressed by the Germans.
    A new formation, Army Group Fabeck, was formed with the sole purpose of breaking the British lines. General Fabeck was given five regular and one volunteer division to make the attack. His plan was attack the British line between Ploegsteert Wood and Gheluvelt (thus the official name of the battle – Gheluvelt, 29-31 October).
    After preliminary attacks on 29 October, which captured a key crossroads close to Gheluvelt, the main attack began on 30 October. The hard pressed British line fell back, but did not break. The crisis came on 31 October. A German attack broke through the line, and reached Gheluvelt. The entire British line was close to collapse, and orders were drafted for a retreat to the reserve line, on the outskirts of Ypres.

    Germans press back French along the Aisne.

    Eastern Front.

    Poland: Russians defeat Germans at Bakalaryevo.

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    South Africa: Rebels routed at Schuit Drift.
    "Konigsberg" discovered hiding in Rufiji River (East Africa).

    Political, etc.

    Great Britain: Trial of the German spy Karl Lody begins.
    Turkey: Allies' Ambassadors ask for passports.

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

  34. #134

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    31st October 1914.

    Western Front.

    Yser: French recover Ramscapelle.

    Ypres: It was the day the war of movement on the Western Front stopped. Afterward there would be no big breakthroughs until 1918, and forty-one months of trench warfare would ensue. By mid-day on 31 October 1914 there were no more flanks, just one last gap in the entire line from the Swiss border to the English Channel where a breakthrough seemed possible. It was at a place five miles east of Ypres on the grounds of Gheluvelt Chateau, just north of the Menin Road.


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    Gheluvelt Chateau Today.
    Shortly before noon the line of the British 1st Division was broken at Gheluvelt. If at that moment German reinforcements available close at hand could thrust through the gap and spread out fanwise, they could have rolled up the defenders on either flank in their rear and simply broken the cohesion of the British in Flanders to pieces. The impulse of retreat began to seize the British troops. Already men and guns were streaming back towards Ypres. The Germans quickly assembled thirteen battalions for a final follow-through attack.

    General Charles FitzClarence commanding the British Army 1st Brigade, was nearby and saw the declining situation. At Polygon Wood north of Gheluvelt, he got hold of the 2nd Worcestershires, part of the reserve of the 2nd Division on the north, and ordered them to counterattack immediately. This movement had scarcely begun when a shell burst in Hooge Chateau, where the staff of both divisions had assembled for a conference, and practically destroyed them.

    But the Worcestershires — a tiny force of eight officers and 360 men — swept all before them nonetheless. They fell upon their adversaries, who were mostly Bavarians, and drove them back in confusion from the chateau grounds. The line was reestablished. The Western Front of the Great War was effectively completed. It would not move dramatically until the first Ludendorff Offensive of 1918. General FitzClarence, sadly, did not have much longer to live. He died on 11 November 1914 in fighting along the Menin Road, where many more would fall in the remaining four years of war.


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    After the Victory: Gheluvelt, 31 October 1914.
    Eastern Front.

    Bukovina: Russians re-occupy Czernowitz.

    Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres.

    Tsing-tau: Final intense bombardment begins.

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    H.M.S. "Hermes" (cruiser) sunk in Straits of Dover.

    Political, etc.

    Italy: Resignation of Salandra Cabinet.
    Occupation of Saseno (Albania).
    Russia declares war on Turkey.

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

  35. #135

    Default

    Ist. November1914.


    Western Front.

    Battle of Ypres continued with great violence: Germans capture Messines, Hollebeke and Wytschaete.

    Eastern Front.

    Poland: German retreat continued.

    Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres.

    Tsing-tau: The "Bismarck" forts silenced. H.M.S. "Triumph" assisting the Japanese.

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    Battle of Coronel (Pacific): H.M.S.s "Monmouth" and "Good Hope" lost in fight with von Spee's German squadron.
    In a crushing victory, a German naval squadron commanded by Vice-Admiral Maximilian von Spee sinks two British armored cruisers with all aboard off the southern coast of Chile on November 1, 1914, in the Battle of Coronel.


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    Previously stationed in the western Pacific, near China, Spee's small East Asia Squadron made the two-month journey to Chile after Japan entered the war on August 22 and it was determined that the Germans could not stand up to the Japanese navy in the region. Neutral Chile, with its sizeable population of German immigrants and its ready supply of coal, would be a safer base from which to launch attacks against British shipping interests.
    After eluding a large number of Japanese, British and Australian ships on its way, Spee's ships encountered a British squadron commanded by Sir Christopher Cradock in the late afternoon of November 1, 1914.


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    The Germans, with their newer, lighter ships, took quick advantage, opening fire at 7 pm. Cradock's flagship, the Good Hope, was hit before its crew could return fire; it sank within half an hour.


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    The Monmouth followed two hours later, after attempting to withdraw and being sunk by the light cruiser Nurnberg. No fewer than 1,600 British sailors, including Cradock himself, perished along with the two ships; it was the Royal Navy's worst defeat in more than a century.
    The quicker British ship Glasgow escaped the fray and fled south to warn another of Cradock's ships, the Canopus, stationed in the Falkland Islands, of Spee's proximity.



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    In response, the British dispatched two battle cruisers, Inflexible and Invincible, from its Battle Cruiser Squadron in the North Sea. The two ships, commanded by Sir Doveton Sturdee, reached the Falklands on December 7; the following day they exacted their revenge on the aggressive Spee, sinking four German ships--including the Nurnberg and Spee's flagship Scharnhorst--with 2,100 crew members aboard.


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    Among the dead were Spee and his two sons, Otto and Heinrich. By the end of 1914, the German cruiser threat to Britain's trade routes had been virtually eliminated; for the duration of the war, Germany's chief weapon at sea would be its deadly U-boat submarines.

    Political, etc.

    Turkey: British Ambassador leaves Constantinople.

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

  36. #136

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    2nd. November1914.

    Western Front.

    Germans withdraw from nearly the whole of the left bank of the Yser, and concentrate for attack on Ypres.
    British lines pierced at Neuve Chapelle, which the Germans re-occupy.

    German aeroplane bombed Furnes.
    German air raid on Reims.


    Eastern Front.

    East Prussia re-entered by Russian forces.

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    The battle of Tanga, lasting from 2 to 5 November 1914, between the British and Germans was the opening clash in a relatively little-known campaign that was to last over four years. It was conceived as part of a wider plan to ensure British maritime superiority in the Indian Ocean as well as depriving the Germans of their system of overseas wireless transmission stations. However, through a lack of considered analysis and departmental ambitions, it evolved into an ill-thought-out attempt to seize the whole of German East Africa with two brigades of the Indian army. The landings at Tanga were compromised by the need to renounce a local truce, followed by the dilatory disembarkation of the fighting troops. A rapid attempt to take the town was bloodily repulsed by the German defenders and a second, more deliberate attack was similarly defeated. Fearing a greater catastrophe, the British force withdrew to British East Africa and assumed a defensive posture. The affair highlighted a number of weaknesses and defects in British training and operational readiness for modern war.

    North Sea proclaimed by the British Admiralty to be wholly a military area from 5 November.
    French mined NE Channel.
    HM TBDs Wolverine and Scorpion destroyed Turkish minelayer in Smyrna Gulf.
    Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade and give Infantry Brigades left India for France and Egypt.

    At Tsingtau Austrian cruiser Kaiserin Elizabeth sunk.


    Political, etc.
    Turkey: Russian and French Ambassadors leave Constantinople.
    Great Britain publishes an account of Turkish provocations.
    Kaiser witnessed continued German offensive on Franco-Belgian frontier.

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

  37. #137

    Thumbs up

    Wonderful info Rob together with great photos.
    Looking forward to further posts in this series.

  38. #138

    Default

    Thanks Baz.
    As it goes on we will get less Navy and gradually more aircraft action. It does, however, show how slow the buildup of air awareness came to the war.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  39. #139

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    3rd. November1914.


    Western Front.

    Allies occupy positions on the Yser, abandoned by the Germans.
    Fighting on the Aisne (Vailly, Chavonne, etc.).

    Eastern Front.

    Poland: Russians defeat Austro-Germans at Kyeltsi, which they recover.

    Southern Front.

    Dardanelles Forts bombarded by British and French fleets.
    Cattaro bombarded by Montenegrins.

    Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres.

    Armenia: Bayazid occupied by Russians.
    Arabia: Akaba on Red Sea bombarded and occupied by British.

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    Yarmouth bombarded by German cruisers.
    British submarine D.5 sunk by a mine in fight with cruisers.

    Political, etc.

    Serbia breaks off relations with Turkey.
    Bulgaria declares intention to remain neutral.
    Tension was heightened after the North Sea was declared a British 'military area' on 3 November 1914. Despite complaints about breaches of international law, however, most neutral merchant ships agreed to put into British ports for inspection and were subsequently escorted - minus any 'illegal' cargo bound for Germany - through the British-laid minefields to their final destinations.

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

  40. #140

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    4th. November1914.

    Western Front.

    Lombartzyde recovered by the Allies.
    Battle of Ypres continues.

    Eastern Front.

    Galicia: Austrians defeated at Jaroslau; loss of 19,000 prisoners and 40 guns in twelve days.

    Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres.

    Armenia: Russian advance from Caucasus; Diadin occupied.

    Naval and Overseas Operations.


    A Royal Flying Corps (RFC) detachment, drawn from officers of the Indian Central Flying School, and equipped with three Maurice Farman aircraft, leaves the United Kingdom en route to Egypt to support Indian Army units guarding the Suez Canal. The detachment arrived at Alexandria on 17 November. On arrival in Egypt, the detachment acquired a further 2 Henri Farman aircraft from Heliopolis and two Maurice Farmans, together with a Royal Aircraft Factory BE2, from India. The detachment was based at Ismailia.

    East Africa: British reverse at Tanga.
    German cruiser "Yorck" destroyed by a mine near Wilhelmshaven.
    (SMS Karlruhe sank 4th November 1914 in mid-Atlantic from an internal explosion ...

    Political, etc.

    Persia refuses to join Turkey in war against the Entente.

    Rob.
    Last edited by Flying Officer Kyte; 11-05-2014 at 00:24.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  41. #141

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    5th. November1914.


    Western Front.

    Germans repulsed at Le Quesnoy-en-Santerre (Roye).

    Eastern Front.

    Poland: Germans in retreat move their headquarters back to Chenstokhov.

    Southern Front.

    Montenegro: Invasion by Albanians checked.

    Political, etc.

    Great Britain and France declare war on Turkey and Britain annexes Cyprus.
    Kaiser removed from Navy List.
    Italy: Salandra Cabinet reconstructed.

    Additional information:-
    http://www.kaiserscross.com/188001/279622.html

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

  42. #142

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    6th. November1914.

    Western Front.

    Ypres: Fierce German attacks repelled: heavy fighting round Klein-Zillebeke.

    Eastern Front.

    Galicia: Line of the San once more in Russian hands: Austrians in retreat towards Cracow.

    Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres.

    The British land troops (mostly from the Indian Army) at the head of the Persian Gulf in Mesopotamia, and will begin to move westward in an attempt to draw Turkish troops from other fronts.

    Tsing-tau: Central fort stormed and 200 prisoners taken.

    Naval.

    HMS Tiger (28,500 tons, 29 knots, eight 13.5 inch guns) arrived at Scapa to join 1st Battle Cruiser Squadron.

    Political, etc.

    Great Britain: Lieut. Lody, German spy, shot in the Tower of London.
    Germans ordered internment of British subjects of military age.

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

  43. #143

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    7th. November1914.

    Western Front.

    Lombartzyde again captured by Germans.
    Heavy German attacks on the Allies at Givenchy (La Bassee) and Arras.
    German attacks near Roye and Vimy repulsed.

    Eastern Front.

    The second battle of Warsaw, 7-25 November 1914, was a German offensive launched to prevent a Russian invasion of Silesia in eastern Germany. In the early months of the First World War the Russians had launched invasions of East Prussia and of Galicia. The attack in East Prussia had failed, but the attack in Galicia had ended with a great Russian victory (battles of Lemberg), which saw the Austro-Hungarian armies forced back to the Carpathian Mountains. This disaster left eastern Germany vulnerable to a Russian invasion. Hindenburg and Ludendorff responded by shifting their Ninth Army from East Prussia to Silesia, and launching an invasion.

    Southern Front.

    Russians bombard Turkish ports in the Black Sea.

    Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres.

    Japanese troops, with British, and Indian troops support, capture the German naval base of Tsingtau
    : Japanese take 2,300 prisoners.
    Mesopotamia: British force lands in Persian Gulf.

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    South Africa: Union troops defeated by De Wet at Doornberg.

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

  44. #144

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    8th. November1914.

    Western Front.

    Battle along line Dixmude-Ypres-La Bassee-Arras continued: German attacks repulsed.
    French continue to advance in the Argonne, and occupy Vregny (Aisne).

    Eastern Front.

    East Prussia: Russians re-enter Eydtkuhnen and Stalluponen: they advance into the Imperial forest of Rominten.

    Southern Front.

    Austrians invaded Serbia a third time, and advance on three lines, viz., towards (i) Nish, (ii) Shabats, (iii) Valyevo.
    Serbians evacuated Matchva Plain and fell back fighting towards Kolubara line.

    Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres.

    Mesopotamia: British troops from India and Marines from HMS Ocean occupied Fao (Persian Gulf) after bombardment by HMS Odin and armed launch Sirdar.

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    South Africa: Rebels routed at Sandfontein and Koonstadt..
    Russians sink four Turkish transports in Black Sea.
    British ships off Belgian coast recalled to England.
    HMSS Canopus and Glasgow reached Falklands which former was directed to defend.

    The first German capital ships designed with all their main guns on the centerline, the König-class were able to bring all 10 guns to bear to either side, giving them the potential for a powerful punch.
    It was commissioned on 8/11/1914

    Footnote:-

    Victoria and Albert Museum.
    On 8 November 1914, the great French sculptor Auguste Rodin gave the V&A eighteen of his sculptures in honour of the French and British soldiers fighting in the war.


    Rob.
    Last edited by Flying Officer Kyte; 11-09-2014 at 01:06.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  45. #145

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    9th. November 1914.


    Western Front.

    Ypres: Violent German attacks: British position again in danger.

    Eastern Front.

    Poland: Germans evacuate Kalish and Chenstokhov, etc.
    Silesia entered by Russian cavalry, rail cut at Pleschen.

    Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres.

    Armenia: Battle of Kroprukeui.

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    "Geier", German cruiser, interned by U.S.A. at Honolulu.
    German cruiser "Emden" destroyed by H.M.A.S. "Sydney" at the Cocos Islands.


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    Political, etc.

    Mr. Asquith's Guildhall speech setting forth the aims of the Allies: "We shall never sheathe the sword," etc.


    Additional information:-

    http://www.wartimememoriesproject.co...e-of-Cocos.php.

    SMS Kronprinz was the last battleship of the four-ship Konig class of the German Imperial Navy. The battleship was laid down in November 1911 and launched on 21 February 1914. She was formally commissioned into the Imperial Navy on 8 November 1914, just over 4 months after the start of World War I. The name Kronprinz ( "Crown Prince") refers to Crown Prince Wilhelm, and in June 1918, the ship was renamed Kronprinz Wilhelm in his honor. The battleship was armed with ten 30.5-centimeter (12.0 inch) guns in five twin turrets and could steam at a top speed of 21 knots.


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

  46. #146

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    10th. November 1914.

    Western Front.

    Battle of the Yser ends
    Dixmude stormed by German forces
    Ypres: Germans take St. Eloi.

    Eastern Front.

    Przemysl again isolated by Russian. Second Siege begins.
    East Prussia: Russians re-enter Goldap.
    Mackensen (Ninth Army) supported by Austian Second, First and Forth Armies to the southward, in position on Vistula and Warta for new thrust for Prussian frontier into Poland at about Lowicz-Lodz, against Russian First, Second, Fifth, Forth and Ninth Armies now forward of Warsaw.

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    HIMS Königsberg blocked in River Rufiji (German E Africa) and shelled by HMS Chatham.
    British force storms Sheikh Saďd (Southern Arabia) and destroys the defences (10th/11th).
    General Delmain's 16th Brigade (6th Poona Division) established on Shatt-al-Arab.

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

  47. #147

    Default

    11th. November 1914.(Four years to go)



    Western Front.

    Ypres: Some British trenches penetrated by the Prussian Guard, but recovered.
    The battle of Nonne Bosschen was part of the wider first battle of Ypres and was the final German attempt to break through the British lines around Ypres. It was mounted by twelve and a half divisions from two army groups (Fabeck’s and Linsingen’s), under the overall command of Crown Prince Rupprecht, and involved an attack against a nine mile front, stretching from Messines to Reutel (close to Polygon Wood).
    By the middle of November both the British and German armies were exhausted. The main German threat on 11 November would come from two fresh divisions, the 4th Division and the Prussian Guards. These two divisions, with 10,000 men in twelve fresh battalions, would attack eleven tired British battalions, reduced in strength to around 4,000 men after three months of fighting, along the line of the Menin road.
    The German attack was preceded by one of the heaviest artillery bombardments yet, lasting from 6.30-9.00 am. Along much of the line the advancing German troops were further protected by early morning mist, but the attacking troops had already lost their early enthusiasm and the attack was turned back by the accurate British rifle fire.
    The most successful German attack was made by the 1st Guards Brigade. They were advancing towards the British 1st (Guards) Brigade, under Brigadier General Charles FitzClarence. This brigade contained battalions from the Scots Guards, Cameron and Black Watch regiments, and had around 800 men. They were outnumbered three to one by the Germans.
    The advancing Germans emerged from the mist and overran the British front line, in a rare bayonet attack. However, enough resistance was offered to disrupt the German formations. Accurate British artillery fire then isolated the German Guards, preventing reinforcements from reaching them. Isolated British strong points combined with well aimed artillery fire then took any remaining momentum out of the German attack.
    The 1st Food Guard Regiment retreated into Nonne Bosschen woods, the incident that gave the entire battle its name. They were then driven out of the woods by the 2nd Oxfordshire Light Infantry, ending the attack. FitzClarence then attempted to organize a counterattack to recover the British front line lost earlier in the day, but was shot and killed before the attack could begin. After his death the proposed counterattack was abandoned. This was the last major German offensive of the battle.

    Southern Front.

    Serbia: The Serbians in retreat; their headquarters moved from Valyevo to Kraguyevats.

    Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters.

    Mesopotamia: British outposts attacked at Saniya.
    The Sheikh ul Islam issues Fatwa declaring Jehad (Holy War) against all the Allies

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    H.M.S. "Niger" sunk by German submarine.

    Political, etc.
    Great Britain: Parliament opened; the King's Speech.
    http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/l...e-kings-speech

    Rob.
    Last edited by Flying Officer Kyte; 11-11-2014 at 02:02.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  48. #148

    Default

    12th. November 1914.
    Western Front.


    London Gazette, 19 November 1914.

    Klein Zillebeke, Belgium, 12 November 1914, Lieutenant John Henry Stephan Dimmer, 2nd Bn, King's Royal Rifle Corps.
    This officer served his Machine Gun during the attack on the 12th November 1914 at Klein Zillebeke until he had been shot five times – three times by shrapnel and twice by bullets, and continued at his post until his gun was destroyed.
    John Dimmer was invested with his Victoria Cross and Military Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace on the 13th January 1915.
    Ypres again fiercely attacked by the Germans; latter take Lombartzyde.


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    Orders issued for all British aeroplanes on Western front to bear distinguishing marks.

    Eastern Front.

    Galicia: Przemsyl again invested by the Russians.
    Miechow near Cracow, occupied.
    East Prussia: Russians again enter Johannisburg.

    Southern Front.

    Montenegrins defeated at Grahavo (Bosnian frontier).

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    South Africa: De Wet defeated at Mushroom Valley.

    Political, etc.

    Turkey: Formal declaration of war against the Triple Entente.

    Additional information:
    http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/ypres1_swinton.htm

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

  49. #149

    Default

    The Turks may have formally declared war on 12th November but they were already fighting the Russians in the Black Sea and the British around Basra. http://www.1914-1918.net/mespot1914.html

  50. #150

    Default

    13th. November 1914.

    Western Front.

    The French recover Tracy-le-Val.

    Eastern Front.

    East Prussia: Russian advance threatens Thorn.
    Galicia: Russians occupy line of Dunayetz and threaten Cracow.

    Naval and Overseas Operations.

    Lieut.-General Sir A. Barrett takes over command of Indian Expeditionary Force "D" in Mesopotamia (see September 28th, 1914, and April 9th, 1915).

    Political, etc.

    Dutch Government protest against modifications of the Declaration of London.

    Slow news day.
    Rob.
    Last edited by Flying Officer Kyte; 11-13-2014 at 02:04.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

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