Me too - only "Attachment numbers". :(
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Me too - only "Attachment numbers". :(
Yeah - got internet issues my end - PC has busted ethernet port. So scrounging round rest of family for laptops
Attachment 237997
20th December 1917
The Battle of Jaffa
The Battle of Jaffa was an engagement fought during the Southern Palestine Offensive of the Sinai and Palestine Campaign in World War I, between the Egyptian Expeditionary Force of the British Empire on one side and the Yildirim Army Group of the Ottoman Empire and German Empires on the other. The port of Jaffa had been occupied by the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade on the 16 November, as a result of the victory gained by that brigade and the 1st Light Horse Brigade at the Ayun Kara two days before, but the Ottoman forces were only 3 miles (4.8 km) away across the Auju River (Yarkon River), the mouth of which is known as the Nahr-el-Auja. The closeness of the Ottoman army made the port and town unusable to shipping, still being within range of Ottoman artillery.
Over the night of the 20–21 December 1917, the 52nd (Lowland) Division carried out an assault river crossing. With the far side of the river taken, the other divisions of the XXI Corps with their supporting artillery crossed and forced the Ottoman defenders to withdraw 5 miles (8.0 km). With the Ottoman forces pushed back, Jaffa and communications between it and Jerusalem were made secure. The night crossing of the river has been regarded as one of the most remarkable feats of the Palestine campaign.
On 16 November 1917 the British forces occupied the port of Jaffa on the Mediterranean coast. However the Ottoman forces forced out of the town were still able to interdict shipping and harass troop movements from their positions on the northern bank of the Yarkon River—the Nahr el Auja as it was called in Arabic. The British commander General Edmund Allenby needed to establish a defensive line running from the Mediterranean Sea which could be held with reasonable security once his right flank was secured on the Dead Sea.[3] In order to consolidate a strong British line, it was necessary to push the 3rd and 7th Divisions, part of the XXII Corps, of the Ottoman Eighth Army away from the Nahr el Auja 4 miles (6.4 km) north of Jaffa on the Mediterranean coast. The river was defended on the northern bank, by a trench system, from Mulebbis and Fejja to Bald Hill. From Mulebbis to the sea the river is between 40 to 50 feet (12 to 15 m) wide and 10 feet (3.0 m) deep except for the ford. The first attack across the Nahr el Auja, was little more than a raid, on the night of 24/25 November by two infantry battalions from the 54th (East Anglian) Division and the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade. The outnumbered battalions, were driven back by the Ottoman defenders, as they recaptured the bridgeheads and restored the tactical situation.
Attachment 238121
Three infantry divisions of the British XXI Corps, under the command of Lieutenant General Edward Bulfin, began moving their units into position on the coastal plain on 7 December. The 75th Division was on the right with the 54th (East Anglian) Division in the centre and the 52nd (Lowland) Division on the left at the coast. The 162nd (East Midland) Brigade, relieved the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade in the front line on 11 December and the mounted riflemen, who had been heavily involved in the earlier attempt to capture the Nahr el Auja, moved back to bivouac near Ayun Kara. On 14 December Major General John Hill, the commanding officer of the Lowland Division, submitted a plan for a surprise assault across the river by his division. Artillery was concentrated behind the lines, while the division's Royal Engineers, formed pontoons and canvas coracle boats, that were large enough to accommodate twenty men. It had initially been planned for a heavy artillery bombardment to proceed the attack, however Hill suggested they instead try a surprise attack without the artillery bombardment. Then in the days preceding the attack, the artillery batteries conducted several engagements, mostly to suppress Ottoman patrol activity and registrar the guns on targets, in case they were needed in the coming assault.
Over the night of 18/19 December, the 161st (Essex) Brigade from the 54th (East Anglian) Division and the Auckland and Wellington Mounted Rifles Regiments, from the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade, moved into the front line replacing the 52nd (Lowland) Division. To cover the gap in the line left by the redeployment of the 161st Brigade the 75th Division extended its front westwards to include Ludd. The preparations for the attack were hindered by the sodden state of the low and swampy ground on the southern banks of the Nahr el Auja where the attack would be launched, made worse by three days of rain.
Attachment 238120
Over the night of 20/21 December in heavy rain the division carried out an assault river crossing, using pontoon bridges and boats.[13] The 155th (South Scottish) Brigade crossed the river east of Jerisheh, and then turned right attacking the Turkish position. The 156th (Scottish Rifles) Brigade and the 157th (Highland Light Infantry) Brigade both crossed the river west of Jerisheh.[13]
The first unit to cross about a 1 mile (1.6 km) from the river mouth was a company of the 7th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), of the 156th Brigade.[15] Several of the flimsy boats collapsed, and the men were forced to wade across the chest deep river.[13] Once across they established a bridgehead on the Ottoman bank of the river. When they were secure the engineers started building a pontoon bridge, for the main force to cross.[16] By 23:00 almost three of the division's battalions had crossed the river. The 8th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) and the 4th Battalion, Royal Scots, from the 156th Brigade and the 7th Battalion Highland Light Infantry from the 157th Brigade.[14]
Attachment 238119
Pontoon bridge built by British engineers
By midnight all the 156th Brigade had crossed over attacked the Ottoman position on a hill at Sheikh Muannis, which overlooked the river and all the other positions in the area.
The rest of the 157th Brigade were not as fortunate, when they were crossing the river, being targeted by an Ottoman artillery barrage. However, by 01:30 two other battalions—the 6th Highland Light Infantry and the 5th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders—had crossed the river and secured the high ground overlooking the crossing point by 03:30. The 157th also secured the northern bank of a ford to assist the crossing.The 155th Brigade mounted two distraction attacks to cover their real attempt by the 5th Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers who, using rafts, crossed the river. By dawn the whole brigade had crossed the river and secured the heights at Khirbet Hadra.
The whole division had crossed the river in darkness, and all Ottoman resistance was overcome by British troops using their bayonets and no shots were fired. The attack completely surprised the Ottoman defenders and their front line were forced back 5 miles (8.0 km). By dawn the British held a line from Hadrah to Tel el Rekkeit, around 2 miles (3.2 km) north of the river. It had been intended for the ANZAC Mounted Division, to cross over and pursue the retreating Ottomans. However the rainfall over the preceding days and the damp boggy ground, prevented them from following the retreating Ottoman survivors, who escaped unhindered.
With the northern river bank in British hands, the engineers constructed bridges to allow their artillery to cross the river. The next day, 22 December, the British position was made even more secure when the 54th (East Anglian) Division captured Bald Hill to the right of the 52nd. In doing so the Ottoman defenders lost fifty-two killed and forty-four more were taken prisoner. By dawn the 54th Division had advanced further north occupying Mulebbis and Fejja; later in the day they also captured Rantieh. The 52nd Division continued the advance on the left, supported by naval gunfire from a Royal Navy flotilla. Three destroyers Grafton, Lapwing and Lizard and three monitors M29, M30 and M32. By the end of the day they had secured Tel el Mukhmar the Wadi Ishkar and the Auja-Sheikh el Ballutah-Arsuf, on the cliffs above the sea 8 miles (13 km) north of Jaffa. During the battle of Jaffa the attacks by the two British divisions had forced the Ottoman forces back 5 miles (8.0 km)
The battle was a success for the British, with 316 Ottoman prisoners taken and ten machine guns captured. The battle was mentioned in General Sir Edmund Allenby's despatch;
"The successful crossing of the Nahr el Auja reflects great credit on the 52nd (Lowland) Division. It involved considerable preparation, the details of which were thought out with care and precision. The sodden state of the ground, and, on the night of the crossing, the swollen state of the river, added to the difficulties, yet by dawn the whole of the infantry had crossed. The fact that the enemy were taken by surprise, and, that all resistance was overcome with the bayonet without a shot being fired, bears testimony to the discipline of this division....The operation, by increasing the distance between the enemy and Jaffa from three to eight miles, rendered Jaffa and its harbour secure, and gained elbow-room for the troops covering Ludd and Ramleh and the main Jaffa-Jerusalem road."
The British official history described the battle;
The passage of the Auja has always been regarded as one of the most remarkable feats of the Palestine campaign...its chief merits were its boldness — justifiable against troops known to be sluggish and slack in outpost work and already shaken by defeat — its planning, the skill of the engineers;the promptitude with which unexpected difficulties in the bridging the river were met; finally, the combined discipline and dash of the infantry which carried out the operation without a shot being fired and won the works on the right with the bayonet. This was one of the last actions the 52nd (Lowland) Division fought in this campaign. In March 1918, they were ordered to move to the Western Front in France. The 54th (East Anglian) Division remained in Palestine taking part in operations at Berukin in April 1918 and the battle of Sharon in September.
The British units involved in the battle were awarded the distinct battle honour Jaffa.
The War in the Air
There were no aerial victory claims today just one unconfirmed...
Attachment 238116
Six airmen were lost today despite the lack of action
Attachment 238117
Attachment 238118
RFC Communiqué number 119:
Very little work was possible owing to thick fog and mist.
On the night of the 19th/20th five machines of No 101 Squadron went out, but had to return, owing to unfavourable weather.
RNAS Communiqué number 12:
Owing to unfavourable weather conditions, no war work of importance could be carried out.
On this day while landing in the fog at Polegate, England SSZ.7 collides with SSZ.10. This collision causes a fire to breakout on board both airships. Flight Lieutenant Victor Watson (Royal Navy), who is the senior officer on the sight, immediately rushes up to the car of one of the airships under the impression that one of the crew is still in it., although he is well aware that there are heavy bombs attached to the airship which it is impossible to remove owing to the nearness of the fire, and which are almost certain to explode at any moment due to the heat. Having satisfied himself that there is in fact no one in the car, he turns away to render assistance elsewhere, and at that moment one of the bombs explodes, a portion of it shattering Lieutenant Watson’s right arm at the elbow. The arm has to be amputated almost immediately. For his actions on this day Lieutenant Watson will be awarded the Albert Medal.
On this day while landing in the fog at Polegate, England SSZ.7 collides with SSZ.10. This collision causes a fire to breakout on board both airships. Flight Lieutenant Victor Watson (Royal Navy), who is the senior officer on the sight, immediately rushes up to the car of one of the airships under the impression that one of the crew is still in it., although he is well aware that there are heavy bombs attached to the airship which it is impossible to remove owing to the nearness of the fire, and which are almost certain to explode at any moment due to the heat. Having satisfied himself that there is in fact no one in the car, he turns away to render assistance elsewhere, and at that moment one of the bombs explodes, a portion of it shattering Lieutenant Watson’s right arm at the elbow. The arm has to be amputated almost immediately. For his actions on this day Lieutenant Watson will be awarded the Albert Medal.
The Australian people again vote on the conscription issue. The results are the same with 1,015,159 voting in favor while 1,181,747 voting against. Among the armed services 103,789 vote in favor with 93,910 against.
Captain Henry Colt Arthur Hoare (Dorset Yeomanry) dies of wounds at age 29. He was wounded on 13th November at Mughair Ridge, and was removed to the Raseltin Hospital at Alexandria where he dies. He is the only son of ‘Sir’ Henry Hoare 6th Baronet and Lady Hoare. Captain Hoare was sent to Egypt with the Dorset Yeomanry in March 1915 and from there to Gallipoli until the evacuation, when he was invalided with pneumonia and typhoid. He returned to his Regiment in July 1916, and was wounded at Gaza in March 1917, rejoining in the following May.
Attachment 238114
Henry Colt Arthur Hoare
The Royal Flying Corps established air squadrons No. 188 and No. 189.
No. 188 Squadron RAF: The squadron formed at Throwley Aerodrome on 20 December 1917 to train night-fighter pilots and was equipped with Avro 504s. It also trained pilots to fly the Sopwith Camel and Sopwith Pup at night. It disbanded on 1 March 1919 and never reformed in later years, however a squadron code was allocated to it in 1939.
No. 189 Squadron was formed at Ripon on 20 December 1917 as a night-flying training unit, moving shortly afterwards to Sutton's Farm to continue their work until the end of World War I. On 1 March 1919, the squadron was disbanded.
The squadron was re-formed as part of No. 5 Group RAF on 15 October 1944 at RAF Bardney near the village of Bardney in Lincolnshire. They flew Lancaster bombers in raids over occupied Europe towards the end of World War II in 1944 and 1945.
The commanding officer was Wing Commander J. S. Shorthouse DFC.
After RAF Bardney, the squadron was based at RAF Fulbeck near the village of Fulbeck, returning to Bardney in April 1945 and then on to RAF Metheringham near Metheringham. The unit was mixed, with many personnel from other parts of the Commonwealth including Australians, New Zealanders and Canadians. No. 189 Squadron was among the 107 Lancasters and 12 Mosquitos of No 5 Group which attacked the oil refinery in Tonsberg in Southern Norway on 25 April 1945 in the last raid of the war flown by heavy bombers of RAF Bomber Command. After the war the unit was involved in dropping food to the Dutch and repatriating POWs until it was disbanded on 20 November 1945.
Attachment 238115
Western Front
France: Petain Directive urges defence in depth (and on December 22) but not all generals comply.
Flanders: *Germans capture fog-shrouded British advanced post west of Messines.
Eastern Front
Don: Kornilov arrives at Novocherkask, is made White C-in-C.
Home Front
Austria: Lower House adopts peace resolution.
Australia: Second referendum again defeats conscription 1,181,747 vs 1,015,159 votes; 1918 recruiting falls to c.2,500 per month.
Russia*: Bolshevik Cheka Secret Police founded under Pole Dzerzhinski to ‘fight counter*-revolutionaries and saboteurs’.
Attachment 238113
Cheka (Russian: ЧК, IPA: [tɕɪˈka]) was the initialism for the first of a succession of Soviet secret police organizations. Established on December 5 (Old Style), 1917 by the Sovnarkom[1], it came under the leadership of Felix Dzerzhinsky, a Polish aristocrat-turned-communist.By late 1918, hundreds of Cheka committees had sprung up in various cities at the oblast, guberniya, raion, uyezd, and volost levels.
In 1921 the Troops for the Internal Defense of the Republic (a branch of the Cheka) numbered at least 200,000. These troops policed labor camps; ran the Gulag system; conducted requisitions of food; subjected political opponents to secret arrest, detention, torture and summary execution; and put down rebellions and riots by workers[citation needed] or peasants, and mutinies in the desertion-plagued Red Army. After 1922 Cheka groups underwent the first of a series of reorganizations; however the theme of a government dominated by "the organs" persisted indefinitely afterward, and Soviet citizens continued to refer to members of the various organs as Chekists
Yea, we can do without the pics ok :) Although I shall miss the inevitable Bristol or three ;)
Just don't get it. The images are there when i save it and then check back but then the bloody things vanish.... I will re-instate - just means every post takes twice as long
Attachment 237997
21st December 2017
WESTERN FRONT
Alsace: Fierce clashes at Harmannsweilerkopf, Germans ejected.
Attachment 238131
Special offer in Germany to send gifts for Christmas 1917 to the front.
EASTERN FRONT
Russia: Antonov, People’s Commissar for War, made C-in-C ‘for the struggle with counter*-revolution’.
HOME FRONTS
Italy: now 3,500 munition plants vs 125 in 1915.
Britain: Prime Minster calls for higher food production. Local rationing schemes authorized. Munitions Ministry empowered to restrict lighting.
The War in the Air
RFC Communiqué number 119:
A thick ground mist and fog made aerial work practically impossible.
Three hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction by artillery of the First Army, and machines of the 1st Brigade took 32 photographs, and fired 1,180 at ground targets. 126 photographs were taken by machines of the 3rd Brigade.
RNAS Communiqué number 12:
Owing to unfavourable weather conditions, no war work of importance could be carried out.
There was again just the one aerial victory claim on this day due to the poor weather...
Sous Lieutenant Henri Albert Péronneau
Attachment 238130
While serving in the engineers in Western Morocco, Péronneau transferred to aviation in 1912. After pilot training in 1915, he was assigned to Escadrille N49 on 30 March 1916. He was reassigned to N65 on 26 May 1916 before joining Escadrille N81 on 26 December 1916. He served the remainder of the war with this unit and scored 9 victories. Péronneau remained in the military until he retired in 1954.
Despite no flying there were still 8 airmen lost on this day...
Attachment 238128
Attachment 238129
Chaplain the Reverend Bernard Kavanagh dies of wounds in Palestine at age 53. He is shot by a sniper while ministering to a soldier.
Attachment 238127
John Alexander Christie VC (14 May 1895 – 10 September 1967) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Christie was 22 years old, and a lance-corporal in the 1/11th (County of London) Battalion, (Finsbury Rifles), London Regiment, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 21 December/22 December 1917, at Fejja, Palestine,[1] after a position had been captured, the enemy immediately made counter-attacks up the communication trenches. Lance-Corporal Christie, seeing what was happening, took a supply of bombs and went alone about 50 yards in the open along the communication trench and bombed the enemy. He continued to do this in spite of heavy opposition until a block had been established. On his way back he bombed more of the enemy who were moving up the trench. His prompt action cleared a difficult position at a most difficult time and saved many lives.[2]
His medal is privately held
Captain Tunstill's Men: The only note was that the weather was Cold and dull but fine.
Well a bit of good news, fixed the internet problems with my PC so fully operational once again. Should be good through to 29th. I am going to have to rely on pub wifi for a few days after that but I will do my best to keep the stories flowing.
Attachment 238144
22nd December 1917
The War in the Air
Attachment 238145
For those who have missed their Bristol Fix...
General Headquarters, December 23rd.
“On the 22nd inst. when the haze had cleared, our aeroplanes carried out artillery work, and took photographs of the enemy front and back areas. Bombs were dropped on a big gun near Lille and on other targets, including hostile hutments, billets, and trenches. The enemy's infantry were also engaged in their trenches with machine-gun fire, many thousands of rounds being fired by our pilots. In air fighting four hostile machines were brought down. As soon as it was dark our aeroplanes showed greatest activity, bombing the aerodromes of the enemy's night-flying squadrons, as well as important railway stations where activity was observed. In spite of the intense cold several of our pilots made two consecutive flights to one of the enemy's aerodromes, where many hits were obtained on the sheds. All our machines returned.”
RFC Communiqué number 119:
Thick ground mist prevented flying early, but visibility improved about 11 a.m. and a large amount of work was done.
Twelve reconnaissances were carried out by the 1st Brigade, four by 2nd, five by the 3rd and two by the 9th Wing.
A total of 582 photographs were taken during the day and 5,595 rounds fired at ground targets.
With aeroplane observation, 55 hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction, five gun-pits were destroyed, 16 damaged, 19 explosions and 16 fires caused, and 51 active hostile batteries were reported by zone call. Thirteen of the hostile batteries engaged for destruction were by artillery of the First Army, 28 by the Second, 13 by Third and one by the Fifth.
Bombing - 1st Brigade: 18 Squadron dropped four 112-lb bombs on a large gun position at Bauvin, and Corps machines dropped 37 20-lb bombs on various targets.
3rd Brigade: Thirty-seven 25-lb bombs were dropped on various targets.
Admiralty, December 23rd.
“During the night of December 22nd-23rd naval aircraft carried out bombing raids on the following enemy aerodromes:— St. Denis Westrem, Mariakerke, Oostacker. Visibility was excellent, and good shooting was made on all three aerodromes. In all about 6 tons of bombs were dropped. All our machines returned safely.”
RNAS Communiqué number 12:
Owing to unfavourable weather conditions, no reconnaissance could be carried out during the day.
A pilot of No 9 Squadron attacked a Kite Balloon east of Dixmude, forcing the observer to jump out in a parachute.
Enemy Aircraft: Enemy aircraft activity was not great.
2nd-Lieut Bacon & 1/AM Connor, 10 Sqn, Scout out of control - 2nd-Lieut Bacon and 1/AM Connor, No 10 Squadron, were attacked by five EA Scouts, but returned safely after having shot one down out of control
Capt J D Payne, 29 Sqn, Nieuport 27 B6820, Albatros Scout out of control Staden at 10:50/11:50 - Capt J D Payne was leading an offensive patrol of No 29 Squadron which attacked four EA, and he got on the tail of one and shot it down out of conrol
Flt Sub-Lieut W H Wilmot, 10N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control ? west of Lille at 10:50/11:50 - five Camels of No 10 Squadron had engagements with four Albatross scouts. The results were indecisive, but it is probable that one of the EA was damaged and one out of control; Sergt Wilhelm Foge, Js30, Kia [?]
Capt J T B McCudden, 56 Sqn, DFW CV captured south-west of St Quentin at 12:05/13:05 - Capt J B McCudden, No 56 Squadron, when looking for EA, saw two machines flying west so attacked one of them. He shot the gunner and hit the engine and the EA glided west partially under control, so he left this machine and attacked the other, but saw that the pilot of the first machine had turned and was gliding east. He therefore swerved round, fired a burst at 50 yards range, and the German aeroplane went into a spiral glide and crashed in our lines south-west of St Quentin; Uffz Biesenbach (Kia) & Uffz Anton Bode (Kia), Schsta 5 [G104]
Attachment 238146
2nd-Lieut G E F Elliott, 70 Sqn, two-seater crashed west of Westroosebeke at 13:20/14:20 - 2nd-Lieut G Elliott of No 70 Squadron, engaged a two-seater EA which he shot down out of control which was seen to burn after crashing
2nd-Lieut F H Hobson, 70 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Westroosebeke at 13:50/14:50 - 2nd-Lieut F Hobson was leading a patrol of No 70 Squadron which engaged six EA Scouts, so he picked one and shot it down out of control
Sergt F Johnson & Capt J H Hedley, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Roulers at 14:00/15:00
2nd-Lieut R M Makepeace & Lieut G A Brooke, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Moorslede at 14:15/15:15
Sergt F Johnson & Capt J H Hedley, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames Roulers at 14:20/15:20
A patrol of No 20 Squadron engaged seven EA over Moorslede. Sergt Johnson and Capt Hedley shot one down completely out of control and then engaged two others, and Capt. Hedley fired 80 rounds from close range into one which burst into flames and crashed. One enemy Scout secured a favourable position under his machine, so 2nd-Lieut Makepeace and Lieut Brooke dived, and after a burst of fire the German scout went down in a vertical dive and was followed until it was seen to crash
Capt O C Bryson, 2nd-Lieut E Olivier, Lieut A B Fairclough, Capt G W Taylor, 2nd-Lieut E J Blyth, Maj A D Carter and 2nd-Lieut H E Gales, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames south of Quesnoy at 14:20/15:20 - Capt O Bryson and Lieuts E Olivier and A Fairclough, No 19 Squadron, fought a formation of eight EA and one was seen to fall completely out of control; Ltn d R Hans Vilinger, Js18, Kia
Flt Cdr J S T Fall, 9N Sqn, Albatros C crashed south-east of Quesnoy at 15:30/16:30 - Flight Commander Fall, while on a solo offensive patrol, attacked a two-seater Albatross, S.E. of Quesnoy. The EA went down completely out of control and was seen to crash in a field
Casualties:
? (Ok) & Lieut N M Sanders (Wia), 20 Sqn, Bristol F.2B - wounded in eye in combat on offensive patrol
Lieut A M Kinnear (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut M H Picot (Ok), 8 Sqn, AW FK8 B3321 – took off 10:20/11:20 then attacked by EA and undercarriage collapsed after landing from photography
2nd-Lieut F E Neily (Kia) & 2nd-Lieut L L Medlen (Kia), 16 Sqn, RE8 B3403 - shot down by EA 2-str and totally destroyed at 36c.M.28.b.6.2 [Liévin] on artillery observation Lens at 12:05/13:05; Uffz Marczinke & Ltn Hertel, FA235 ?
The following aerial victory claims were made on this day...
Attachment 238147
Leutnant Herbert "Bubi" Boy
Attachment 238148
Having served as a two-seater pilot with Schusta 30, Boy was reassigned to Jasta 14 in December 1917. He was credited with 5 victories before his Fokker D.VII was shot down in flames by an S.E.5a near Staden on the morning of 7 October 1918. His opponent that day was Canadian ace Camille Lagesse of 29 Squadron, who watched Boy bale out of his plane with a burning parachute. Badly wounded, Boy survived the jump but was captured when he reached the ground.
Six British airmen were lost on this day
Attachment 238149
Second Lieutenant Leslie Lashbrook Medlen (Royal Flying Corps and General List) is killed in action when he is shot down at age 21. When news of his death is conveyed by wire from the War Office on Christmas Day it so deeply affects his mother that she passes away that same evening, overwhelmed by the event.
WESTERN FRONT
Britain: Lieutenant-General Sir R Maxwell BEF QMG since January 1915 resigns; succeeded by Lieutenant-General Sir T Clarke.
France: General Debeney in command of French First Army for duration of war.
Flanders*: Germans storm some British advanced posts on Ypres*-Staden rail line, trench raid near (December 29).
Attachment 238150
The town of Ypres, its houses ruined and deserted, pitted by huge water filled shell craters.
EASTERN FRONT
Brest-Litovsk peace negotiations begin.
Rumanian troops occupy Bessarabia. Independent Moldavian Republic proclaimed there on December 23.
SOUTHERN FRONTS
Salonika: New Allied C-in-C General Guillaumat (aged 54) arrives, reads Milne his instructions pn December 30 to protect Greece, then use her army in offensive.
AIR WAR
Britain: Several Gothas thwarted in raid on southeast England by bad weather (1 Gotha emergency lands south of Margate, burnt by crew), 3 Giants (1 diverts to Boulogne) merely drop bombs in sea off Kent.
POLITICS
Russia: Bolsheviks peace proposals; Austrian Czernin rejects most on December 25.
OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
Belgium: *Flanders proclaimed independent.
Russian-German peace talks begin at Brest-Litovsk
A week after the armistice was signed between Russia and Germany and nearly three weeks after a ceasefire was declared on the Eastern Front, representatives of the two countries begin peace negotiations at Brest-Litovsk, near the Polish border in what is now the city of Brest, in Belarus.
The leader of the Russian delegation was Leon Trotsky, the Bolshevik People’s Commissar for Foreign Relations. Max Hoffmann, the commander of German forces on the Eastern Front, served as one of the chief negotiators on the German side. The main difference of opinion in Brest-Litovsk was over cessation of Russian land to the Germans—the Russians demanded a peace without annexations or indemnities and the Germans were unwilling to concede on this point. In February 1918, Trotsky announced he was withdrawing the Russians from the peace talks, and the war was on again.
Attachment 238151
Unfortunately for Russia, with the renewal of fighting the Central Powers quickly took the upper hand, seizing control of most of Ukraine and Belarus. The Bolshevik hope that the workers of Germany and Austria, offended by their governments’ naked territorial ambition, would rise up in rebellion in the name of the international proletariat soon vanished. On March 3, 1918, Russia accepted peace terms even harsher than those originally suggested, losing Poland, Lithuania, and the Baltic states of Estonia, Livonia, and Courland to Germany. Meanwhile, Finland and the Ukraine saw Russia’s weakness as an opportunity to declare their independence. In all, Brest-Litovsk deprived Lenin’s new state of one million square miles of territory and one-third of its population, or 55 million people.
and the pictures have stayed put this time... always a bonus
[QUOTE=[B]WESTERN FRONT[/B]
Alsace: Fierce clashes at Hartmannsweilerkopf, Germans ejected.
I've walked this battlefield where I believe the Germans held the high ground until their complete withdrawal in 1918.
I feel that a worse place to fight would be hard to find. This is a mountain and the Germans were always literally above the French. The lines were at most 20 yards apart with the german line 20 yards above the French, the slope something like 1 in 4 or worse.. German pillboxes perched above and overlooking the French positions. I have a book somewhere with photographs of the site which I will try to search out (think it's in a box up in the loft since moving 14 years agio-must finish the unpacking sometime). If I find it I will post details
https://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/at...5&d=1513981686
But it is not up-gunned Chris!
Rob.
The other guns are away being cleaned...
Attachment 238158
So only a couple of days to go before we get all super festive, today's edition may well go on in sections as I'm quite busy this evening....
23rd December 1917
Captain James Thomas Byford McCudden (Royal Flying Corps) performs one of the acts that will lead him to being awarded the Victoria Cross. While leading his patrol, eight enemy airplanes are attacked between 14:30 and 15:50 and of these, Captain McCudden shoots down two in our lines. Earlier, during this morning, he leaves the ground at 10:50 and encounters four enemy airplanes and of these he shoots down two.
Attachment 238159
The RFC Communique reported “This is the first occasion on which one pilot has shot down four Enemy Aircraft in a day, and Capt McCudden's accounts are as follows:—
Left ground 10.50 to look for EA west of our lines, and at 11.15 saw three EA two-seaters together over Vendelles, N-W of St Quentin, at 13,000 feet. As they were above I could not engage them decisively, but drove them all east of the lines. At about 11.10 an LVG came W just north of St Quentin at 17,000. Chased him and caught him up over Etreillers. He then turned south. I secured a firing position and fired a burst, from both guns, when EA’s engine stopped and water came pouring from the radiator in the centre section. EA turned south and I tried to turn him west because the observer was waving his rightn arm, apparently in token of surrender, but the machine was still going south-east very faSt. However, I fired another burst at close eange, whereupon he went down in a steep dive and crashed completely between the canal and the road at Anguilcourt, which is NE of La Fere, at 11.25. I returned north climbing, and 11.50 saw a Rumpler at 17,500 just south of Peronne. I climbed for 20 minutes and attacked EA over Beanvois at 18,200 feet at 12.15. Going SE, EA fought extraordinarily well and we got down to 8,000 feet over Roupy, when after a burst from both guns at close range EA's right hand wings fell off and the wreckage fell in our lines near Contescourt at 12.20. Returned north climbing and at 12.50 attacked two LVG's over Gouzeaucourt at 16,000. However, both machines co-operated very well, using their front guns as well the rear, and I fought them east of the lines and then left them I had no more petrol.
“Leading my formation E over Ytres towards the lines at 14,000 feet, at 2.30 I saw a Rumpler coming W over Metz at 14,000. EA saw my formation and then turned east, nose down. I caught up to EA at 13,000 feet over Bois de Gouzeaucourt, and engaged him down to 6,000 feet, when EA went into spiral dive and crashed in our lines NW of Gouzeaucourt at 2.40 pm. Reformed my patrol and crossed lines at 13,000 over Masnieres. At about 3.5 engaged six Albatross Scouts over Fontaine at 13,000. My patrol fought these EA down to 8,000 feet over Bourlon Wood and then left EA who dived eaSt. The fight was indecisive except that Lieut Galley, in fighting one E.A end on, got hit in the oil tank and had to land at Advanced Landing Ground, and apparently he hit the EA's engine and he went off down E as if to land. The EA scouts (red-nosed Albatross) kept rolling and spinning down. After the fight, whilst reforming the patrol over Flesquieres, I saw an LVG coming West over Trescault at 12,000 feet. I got into position at close range, fired about 20 shots, when EA went down absolutely out of control, alternately stalling, turning upside down and then spinning for a short distance before stalling again, etc. EA took five minutes to reach the ground and in a vertical dive landed on a train in our lines a few hundred yards west of Metz at 3.30. Returned at 3.50.”
Attachment 238160
General Headquarters, December 24th.
“On the 23rd inst. a dense haze made little work possible in the air, except bombing and fighting, both of which were carried on with the utmost vigour. The enemy's artillery machines were very active, and five were brought down in air fighting, three of them falling in our lines. Two other hostile machines were brought down in our lines by anti-aircraft gun fire. One of these latter was a large twin-engined machine with three occupants, who were taken prisoner. After dark a thick mist set in which did not lift till the early morning. Our night-flying machines then left the ground and bombed several of the enemy's aerodromes with good effect. In daylight on the 24th inst. one of our squadrons bombed Mannheim-on-the-Rhine with excellent results. A ton of bombs were dropped, and bursts were observed in the large main station, in the works, and also in the town, where fires were started. Very heavy anti-aircraft gunfire was directed against our aeroplanes when over their objective, and one of our machines was damaged and forced to land. Several of the enemy's scouts made repeated attacks on our formations, but were driven off. All of our machines returned, with the exception of the one machine mentioned above.”
RFC Communiqué number 119:
The weather was fine but a thick haze allowed only a little artillery work to be done.
Six hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction with aeroplane observation. Three gun-pits were damaged and two fires caused.
With balloon observation, two hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction by artillery of the First Army and two neutralised, while artillery of the Second Army engaged eight for destruction, neutralised one and dealt with 22 other targets.
Three reconnaissances were carried out by machines of the 3rd Brigade, during which 320 photographs were taken. A total of 631 photographs were taken by Brigades during the day and 5,861 rounds fired ground targets. Of the latter, 1,100 were fired by pilots of Naval Squadron No 8.
None of our machines were missing during the day, but one was shot down in “No Man’s Land.”
Bombing:
1st Brigade - On the night of the 22nd/23rd, No 2 Squadron dropped 54 25-lb bombs on Meurchin and on the 23rd No 4 Squadron dropped two 25-lb bombs on Benifontaine.
3rd Brigade – Twenty-nine 25-lb bombs were dropped by Corps machines on various targets.
5th Brigade – Corps machines dropped 33 25-lb bombs on various targets.
9th Wing - On the night of the 22nd/23rd, No 101 Squadron dropped eight 25-lb bombs on Rumbeke Aerodrome where a dlirect hit was obtained on a hangar; eight 25-lb and two 40-lb phosphorus bombs on Scheldewendeke Aerodrome; two 230-lb and 84 25-lb bombs on Maria Aalter Aerodrome where five direct hits were obtained.
3,014 rounds were fired during this raid and some pilots carried extra 25-lb and incendiary hombs in the nacelles of their machines.
During the same night, No 102 Squadron dropped eight 112-lb and 80 25-lb bombs on Sotteghem, Audenarde, Courtrai, Menin and Comines Railway Stations and Scheldewendeke, St Denis Westrem and Cuerne Aerodromes.
Admiralty, December 24th.
“During the night of December 23rd-24th bombing raids by naval aircraft were carried out on the following objectives:— Bruges Docks, enemy aerodromes at St. Denis Westrem and Ghistelles. About 3 tons of explosives were dropped on the docks; and about 1½ tons on the two aerodromes. All machines returned safely.”
RNAS Communiqué number 12:
Bombing raid by night, Nos 7 and 14 Squadrons, H.P.s: During the evening of the 22nd a raid was carried out on the following aerodromes. Eight machines took part in the raid.
Mariakerke, twenty-eight 112-lb bombs. Bombs were observed to burst close to and among the sheds and buildings in the N.W. and N.E. portions of the aerodrome.
St Denis Westrem, four 250-lb and twenty-two 112-lb bombs. Two direct hits were claimed and in addition, a certain number of bombs were observed to burst close to the sheds and hangars.
Oostacker, twelve 250-lb and thirty-two 112-lb bombs. Two direct hits were claimed, bombs also burst among principal group of sheds.
Many useful observations were made by pilots and observers during the raid.
All pilots and machines returned safely.
Enemy Aircraft: Enemy aircraft were not particularly active and nearly all the machines encountered were two-seaters.
Seven enemy machines were brought down, five within our lines. Three of these were by Capt McCudden, No 56 Squadron, who shot down a fourth on the enemy's side; and two were by anti-aircraft, one which was a Gotha. The Gotha machine, which was hit by anti-aircraft of the Third Army, landed near Achiet le Grand and the three occupants were taken prisoners. (See above)
Including McCudden the following aerial victory claims were made on this day
Attachment 238161
Two aces were lost on this day:
Leutnant Ernst Hess (Jasta 19)
Attachment 238162
On 19 August 1917, Hess shot down a two-seater and captured Australian ace Cecil Richards. Hess was killed when his Albatros D.Va was shot down by a member of Escadrille N96.
Captain Clive Franklyn Collett 70 Squadron RFC
Attachment 238163
The son of Captain Horace and Alice Collett, Clive Franklyn Collett was educated at Queen's College, Tauranga and completed a course in electrical engineering at Cable's foundry, Wellington. Traveling to England, he received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 1057 on an L. & P. biplane at the L. & P. School, Hendon on 29 January 1915. In February he enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps. As a test pilot, he voluntarily jumped from a B.E.2c wearing a parachute. Posted to 70 Squadron as a Sopwith Camel pilot, he scored 12 victories in 1917. According to James McCudden, Collett "used to come back shot to ribbons nearly every time he went out. One day he drove a German machine down to the ground behind the German lines, and then to make quite sure he fired at it on the ground until it burst into flames. Collett was always for downing the Hun, whenever and wherever he could find him." Collett drowned in the River Forth when he crashed while flying a captured Albatros. McCudden believed "something flew off the bonnet of the engine and stunned him, for he was seen to dive straight into the water without attempting to recover himself."
On a busy days in the skies - 13 British Airmen are lost
Attachment 238165
Attachment 238166
Attachment 238167
Captain Clive Franklyn Collett MC (Royal Flying Corps) a 12-victory ace is accidentally killed at age 31 when he crashed flying a captured Albatros over the Firth of Forth.
Lieutenant Reginald Benade Glendower Ottley (North Staffordshire Regiment attached Royal Flying Corps) is killed at age 21. He is the last of three brothers who are killed in the Great War and they are grandsons of Major General C G Ottley (Madras Army).
Flight Sub Lieutenant Douglas Ross Cameron Wright (Royal Naval Air Service) is killed when his Tri-plane spins into the ground over his aerodrome while returning from a patrol at age 25. He is the grandson of ‘Sir’ M C Cameron.
The Luftstreitkräfte established air squadrons Jagdstaffel 49 and Jagdstaffel 50.
A mine near the Maas light buoy sinks HMS Torrent (Lieutenant Commander Frederick Archibald Warner DSO) while en route to meet a convoy. While trying to assist her, HMS Surprise (Commander Wilfred Arthur Thompson) also strikes a mine. HMS Tornado (Lieutenant Commander Ralph Michael Mack killed) then tries to clear the area but strikes two mines and sinks. The only destroyer in the unit to escape is HMS Radiant (Commander G F Nash). HMS Tornado has only one survivor. A total of 252 sailors are killed. Among the dead are...
Able Seaman William Streaton Dempster (HMS Surprise) killed at age 26. His brother was killed in March 1916.
Ordinary Seaman John Brydon Thallon is also killed. His brother will be killed in May 1918.
Leading Seaman Walter Love is killed at age 33. His brother will die on service in January 1919.
Torrent was ordered from Swan Hunter by the British Admiralty in March 1916 as part of the Eighth War Construction Programme. The ship was launched at Swan Hunter's Wallsend, Tyne and Wear shipyard on 26 November 1916 and completed in February 1917.
Torrent was 276 feet (84.12 m) long overall, with a beam of 26 feet 6 inches (8.08 m) and a draught of 9 feet (2.74 m). Displacement was 975 long tons (991 t) normal and 1,075 long tons (1,092 t) deep load. Three Yarrow boilers fed steam to two sets of Brown-Curtis geared steam turbines rated at 27,000 shaft horsepower (20,000 kW) and driving two shafts, giving a design speed of 36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph). Three funnels were fitted.[3] 296 tons of oil were carried, giving a design range of 3,450 nautical miles (6,390 km; 3,970 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph). Armament consisted of three QF 4in Mk IV guns on the ship's centreline, with one on the forecastle, one aft on a raised bandstand and one between the second and third funnels. A single 2-pounder (40 mm) pom-pom anti-aircraft gun was fitted, while torpedo armament consisted of four 21 inch (533 mm) torpedoes in two twin mounts. The ship had a complement of 82 officers and men
Attachment 238168
HMS Tornado & Torrent were similar to this picture of HMS Satyr (taken in 1916)
Major Robert Egerton MC (Royal Irish Fusiliers attached Royal Flying Corp) is accidentally killed at age 25. He is the third son of ‘Sir’ Reginald Egerton CB. He was educated at the Oratory School, Birmingham, and at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and entered the Royal Irish Fusiliers in 1913, joining his regiment in India in that year. He proceeded from India with his regiment to the front in November, 1914. In March, 1915 he was awarded the Military Cross “for gallantry, ability, and useful reconnaissance work on many occasions at great personal risk. By the gallant leading of his platoon at St. Eloi he prevented the advancing enemy from taking an important position, and later rendered very material assistance in the reconnaissance prior to our counter-attack”. He was soon invalided home being pronounced by a medical board as unfit for trench work. He devoted his time at home learning to fly, obtained his “wings,” and was appointed a flying officer in the Royal Flying Corp. At the time of his death he is in command of a squadron.
SOUTHERN FRONTS
Italian Front: French Tenth Army C-in-C Fayolle informs Foch that Italians ‘had recovered their spirit and wanted to fight’.
Trentino: Conrad’s final attempt to break through before winter snows, promises soldiers winter at Bassano in plains below and Christmas Mass in Venice. After hurricane shelling including gas (by 550 guns) Austrian Eleventh Army captures Col del Rosso (4183ft), Mt Melago and 3 other features in 2-mile advance, claims 9,000 PoWs until December 24.
Attachment 238169
Austrian 10.4cm Langrohrkanone on the Italian Front firing gas shells. The crew wears gas masks.
SEA WAR
Irish Sea: Armed boarding steamer HMS Stephen Furness (101 lives lost) sunk by U-boat.
North Sea: 3 Harwich Force destroyers on Dutch convoy duty (Torrent, Surprise and Tornado) sink on German minefield north of Maas Light Buoy, 252 lives lost. Flotilla leader Valkyri gets home with broken back. Surviving destroyer Radiant rescues survivors.
POLITICS
Germany: Kaiser, visiting Second Army on Western Front, says 1917 proof that God an ally of German people.
SECRET WAR
France: Anglo-French Paris Convention on spheres of influence in Southern Russia (British War Cabinet approve on December 26).
Attachment 238185
24th December 1917
Not much Christmas cheers about in 1917.....
Sea War
Britain: Jellicoe resigns as First Sea Lord at Geddes’ request (made public on December 26). Admiral Sir W Wemyss succeeds, Admiral Sir S Fremantle replaces Oliver as DCNS; Bacon recalled from Dover Patrol on December 28.
Royal Navy vessel HMS Penshurst was torpedoed and sunk in the Bristol Channel by German submarine SM U-110 with the loss of two crew
HMS Penshurst was a Royal Navy warship that was active during World War I. She was a Special Service Vessel (also known as Q-ships) whose function was to act as a decoy, inviting attack by a U-boat in order to engage and (if possible) destroy it. Penshurst fought a number of engagements against German U-boats during her service, and was successful on two occasions, destroying UB-19 in November 1916, and UB-37 in January 1917. Penshurst was sunk following an action with U-110 in December 1917.
Penshurst was built in 1906 as a cargo steamer, and had an uneventful peacetime career before the start of World War I. In 1915 she was requisitioned by the Royal Navy for conversion into a special service vessel. She was taken in hand at Longhope, part of the Scapa Flow naval base in the Orkney Islands. She was armed with five guns originally; this was increased later in the campaign. These were a 12 pounder, two 6 pdr and two 3 pdr guns, hidden behind screens and dummy fixtures. Penshurst was manned with a volunteer crew and commanded by Cdr FH Grenfell. She commissioned on 6 November 1915.
Attachment 238187
HMS Penshurst commenced operations around the North coast of Scotland before being transferred in spring 1916 to Queenstown, operating around the coast of Ireland and in the English Channel. For almost a year she had little success; during 1916 the German Navy had scaled down their U-boat operations against commerce around Britain, and there were few contacts in this theatre.
On 29 November 1916 Penshurst fell in with a U-boat which was attacking the steamer Wileyside. Penshurst was able to approach to 3000 yards before the U-boat ordered her to stop. Grenfell's crew went through their "abandon ship" evolution, putting out boats manned by a "panic party", while Penshurst stopped, waiting for the U-boat to come closer. However the U-boat declined to come closer, and with it partly hidden in the glare of the setting sun Penshurst opened fire. She got several shots off before the U-boat dived, and closed to drop depth charges on the spot, but the U-boat (which was unidentified) escaped.
The following day on 30 November Penshurst, having changed her appearance and moved to a different part of the Channel, came upon a U-boat, UB-19 attacking the steamer Ibex. She again closed, but was overtaken by an approaching seaplane, which bombed the U-boat as it quickly submerged. When the pilot became aware of who Penshurst was he landed, and agreed to spot for her while she dropped depth charges. However, on take-off the seaplane went out of control and crashed into the sea. As Penshurst stopped to pick up the crew, the U-boat, thinking it was safe, came to the surface again to attack. Taking the opportunity, Grenfell waited until the U-boat drew nearer, then opened fire. UB-19 was fatally damaged and sank. Grenfell was awarded the DSO for this achievement.
On 14 January Penshurst was able to repeat her success. Two months later she was on patrol in the Channel when she encountered a U-boat, UB-37. The U-boat closed in, opening fire at 3,000 yards. Grenfell sent off his panic party, and allowed Penshurst to turn as she slowed, to be broadside-on to the U-boat. However, the U-boat made to cross Penshurst's bow, continuing to fire, causing damage and several casualties over a twenty-minute period. At length, when no further advantage could be gained, Penshurst opened fire, and scored several hits with her first shots. UB-37 was crippled and started to sink, and Penshurst finished her attack by dropping depth charges over the site. UB-37 was destroyed, with no survivors.
On 20 February Penshurst again encountered a U-boat in the Southwest Approaches. She was again attacked, and after the U-boat closed was able to fire on her, causing damage. The U-boat submerged and was depth charged, but on this occasion was able to escape, returning to base despite the damage.
Two days later on 22 February Penshurst again met with a U-boat, U-84, which had just sunk the sailing ship Invercauld. As Penshurst drew up to pick up Invercauld's survivors, U-84 fired a torpedo at her, which was narrowly avoided. Penshurst then feigned running, but at half speed, and, as the U-boat opened fire, sent off her boat party. U-84 submerged to examine Penshurst in safety, but was satisfied, surfacing 600 yards away. Penshurst was then able to open fire, damaging the U-boat, and dropping depth charges as she submerged. As she did this, Penshurst was joined by the sloop Alyssum, which joined the attack. However, U-84 was able to surface, away from the two hunters, and fled on the surface, outstripping her two pursuers.
The following month, on 30 March, Penshurst again encountered a U-boat, UB-32, but on this occasion the U-boat was able to inflict severe damage to her before escaping. Penshurst was towed back to Portsmouth where she was docked for repairs and a refit.
On 2 July, back in service and under a new commander, Lt C Naylor, Penshurst was again in the SW Approaches when she fell in with another U-boat. The boat submerged as Penshurst approached and fired a torpedo, which missed. Naylor sent his boat party off, and then waited for the U-boat to come into range. Penshurst was under fire for some thirty minutes until she was able to open fire herself. The U-boat was damaged, but again was able to escape, despite the arrival of a group of destroyers. For this action, and his resolution under fire, Naylor received the DSO. On 19 August Penshurst was following up a report from a merchantman when she fell in with UC-72. As she approached, the U-boat fired a torpedo, which struck below the bridge. As the boat surfaced, Penshurst fired using a 3 pdr gun she carried in plain sight. By this stage of the campaign many merchant ships were defensively armed, and a Q-ship would look suspicious if she did not do the same.[5] It was a further development in the process of bluff and double-bluff which typified the Q-ship campaign. However UC-72 was not fooled by this lacklustre response, and Penshurt was not fully under control, so Naylor refrained from sending off his boat party, but opened fire with all guns. He had also sent a distress call, and after a short time was joined by the destroyer Leonidas. At this UC-72 submerged and fled. Penshurst, escorted by Leonidas then made her way back to Plymouth, where she remained in dock for repair and refit. One of the changes was to improve her armament, adding two 4-inch guns and upgrading to two 12 pdr and two 6 pdr guns. These were re-positioned to give more firepower over the bow and stern. These changes were to take account of the changes in U-boat armament and tactics.
On 24 December 1917 Penshurst was again on patrol in the southern part of the Irish Sea, when she encountered a U-boat off The Smalls. The boat, U-110, submerged in order to let Penshurst come into range, and just after midday fired a torpedo, which hit her in the engine room. Naylor sent his boat crew off, but U-110 remained under for two hours, examining the ship, until she surfaced off Penshurst's bow and commenced shelling. Penshurst replied, but was unable to bring all her guns to bear, as she was down by the stern. She scored some hits, but U-110 submerged again, and, when a RN submarine chaser arrived around 4 pm, made off, having suffered little damage. Penshurst, however, was seriously hurt, and despite attempts to bring her home, she sank at 8.05 pm. All her crew were successfully removed, though stoker 1st class Albert Brewer died later the same day. Irish medals web page, including Albert Brewer. Naylor was awarded a second bar to his DSO for this action.
Penshurst was one of the RN’s most successful Q-ships, fighting eleven engagements over a two-year period, and destroying two U-boats and damaging several others in that time.
Attachment 238186
Eastern Front
Austrians row with Bulgars at Brest-Litovsk.
Ukraine*: Battles at Tamarovka Station and Oboyan (West of Kharkov), Sievers’ Reds capture Lyubotin on December 25.
Southern Fronts
Trentino: Italian counter*-stroke recaptures Mt Melago and Col del Rosso save summit. First heavy snow, a month late.
Politics
Belgium: King Albert replies to Papal peace note.
Austria: Czernin (Red delegate Joffe at Brest-Litovsk assures him over Tsar on December 26) to Emperor Charles ‘Your Majesty must therefore get Poland in order to maintain parity’ (with Germany).
The first All-Ukrainian Congress of Soviets took place in Kharkiv, with initially 964 participants which later grew to 1250. It approved the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk between Russia and Central Powers and declared the nation state of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. The All-Ukrainian Central Executive Committee was also established with 41 members and Yukhym Medvedev as chair
The British Army established the 18th Indian Division to serve in the Mesopotamian campaign.
The 18th Indian Division was formed in Mesopotamia on 24 December 1917, although the last of its brigades (55th) was not formed until January 1918. Many of the division's units transferred directly from India so time was needed for them to become acclimatized. It remained in Mesopotamia for the rest of the First World War, taking part in the Action at Fat-ha Gorge on the Little Zab (23–26 October 1918) and the Battle of Sharqat (28–30 October 1918) under the command of I Corps. At the end of the war, the 18th Division was chosen to form part of the occupation force for Iraq. It took part in the Iraq Rebellion in 1920 and was broken up in the following year.
Lieutenant Thomas Ewart Mitton (Royal Engineers) is killed at age 20 while erecting telegraph wires across a railway track. He is the cousin of J R R Tolkien.
The War in the Air
FC Communiqué number 119:
Very little flying was done owing to dense fog.
A reconnnaissance was carried out on the night of the 23rd instant, by No 2 Squadron of the area bounded by Douai, Valenciennes, Tournai, Lille to discover if possible from which aerodrome the EA which bombed Bethune and Bruay had come. The result was that no active enemy aerodrome with Ianding lights was discovered.
A reconnaissance was carried out by the 3rd Brigade, and 704 rounds were fired at ground targets.
With aeroplane observation, two hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction by artillery of the Third Army and two targets were dealt with by balloons.
Eight 25-lb bombs were dropped by machines of the 3rd Brigade.
On the night of the 23rd/24th, No 2 Squadron dropped 60 25-lb bombs on Noyelle-Godault, Don and Carvin. No 101 Squadron dropped 40 25-lb bombs on Maria Aalter Aerodrome, and eight 25-lb bombs on Thielt Aerodrome. No 102 Squadron dropped 45 25-lb bombs on Cruyshautem, Gontrode, Oyghem and Waereghem Aerodromes, and on Deynze, Menin and Comines Stations,
41st Wing - Ten machines of No 55 Squadron dropped 16 112-lb and two 230-lb bombs on the Factory at Ludwigshafen west of Mannheim, on the Rhine. Direct hits were obtained in the sidings of Badische and Heinrichlanz Works and in the Gas Works and a fire was started in the town. The station was full of rolling stock and a great number of dumps were also seen.
Anti-aircraft fire was very heavy over Mannheim. One machine was evidently hit as it went down under control near Speyer. Eleven EA attempted to attack the formation, but were kept at a distance of 300 yards. All our machines returned, except the one mentioned above.
RFC Communiqué number 120:
Miscellaneous: With reference to the raid on Mannheim by the 41st Wing on the 24th instant, the Daily Express, Geneva, states:-
“The Kaiser and his Staff had a narrow escape during the British raid on Mannheim, the Kaiser's train passing through the station only one hour before the structure was partially wrecked by bombs. The line was destroyed some distance beyond the station. Bombs fell on the palace of the Palatinate and on the suspension bridge which crosses the Neckar. Both were badly damaged. A munitions factory was blown up and number of persons killed and injured. Heavy damage was done.”
Attachment 238188
RNAS Communiqué number 12:
No reconnaissance or fighter patrols could be carried out owing to weather conditions.
Bombing raid by night, Nos 7 and 14 Squadron, H.P.s: On the night of 23rd-24th, the following raid was carried out by six machines:—
St. Denis Westrem Aerodrome, fourteen 112-lb bombs; Bruges Docks, eight 250-lb and forty 112-lb bombs; Ghistelles Aerodrome, fourteen 112-lb bombs.
Visibility was poor and became worse, making observation of results very difficult.
Casualties:
2nd-Lieut G F Turner (Pow) & 2nd-Lieut A F Castle (Pow), 55 Sqn, DH4 A7465 - last seen going down under control near Speyer [south of Mannheim] on bomb raid to Mannheim; Vzfw Otto Rosenfeld, Js41, 7th victory [Vauthiermont] ?
TheThere was just the one aerial victory claim by an ace on this day
Vizefeldwebel Otto Rosenfeld of Jasta 41 claimed his 7th victory
Wounded in action on 12 June 1917, Otto Rosenfeld was captured on 29 December 1917 and repatriated. After his release, he scored five more victories before he was killed in action on 7 July 1918, believed to have been shot down by Sumner Sewall of the 95th Aero Squadron.
Despite the lack of aerial combat there were still 11 British airmen lost on this day
Attachment 238189Attachment 238190
Captain Tunstill's Men: A competition was held across the Brigade “to judge the best interior economy arrangement in Transport Lines of the Brigade”. Brig. Genl. Lambert (see 23rd December), along with Major Owen DSO, DAAG, 23rd Division, would award marks for the condition and cleanliness of: “cookhouses, ovens, dixie trenches, ablution arrangements, latrines, incinerators, billets, horse lines, water supply, harness and metal work”. 10DWR finished in joint second place, along with 11WYR, sharing a prize of 175 lira; the winner was the Brigade Machine Gun Company.
Attachment 238207
Not got a massive aount of time to get this edition out today, but will do our best.So its a merry Christmas to all our readers both within and from outside our forum.
Now back to the events of 100 years ago.
25th December 1917
AFRICA
Mozambique: British patrols pursue Germans 40 miles south of river Rovuma. Lettow receives Christmas dinner from his officers.
Attachment 238209
KAR (King’s African Rifles) Native troops follow Lettow-Vorbeck’s troops into Portuguese East Africa (Mozambique).
EASTERN FRONT
Ukraine: RNAS Armoured Car Squadron rear party disable remaining cars and guns after ugly confrontation with local Reds.
A Bolshevik uprising against the Central Council of Ukraine occurred in Aleksandrovsk, Ukraine. It was put down three days later.
SOUTHERN FRONTS
Trentino: Toscana Brigade and 5th Bersaglieri regiment etc stiffen Italian line and repulse final Austrian attack.
The USA
Brite Ranch Raid – Mexican raiders attacked a ranch in Presidio County, Texas, resulting in four deaths. It is still debated whether the raiders were loyal to Pancho Villa or Venustiano Carranza
SEA WAR
Irish Sea: Royal Navy sloop Buttercup and PC56 (convoy escorts) ram and sink U-87.
SM U-87 was one of the 329 submarines serving in the Imperial German Navy (Kaiserliche Marine) in World War I. U-87 was engaged in the naval warfare and took part in the First Battle of the Atlantic. She sank some 22 merchant vessels before 25 December 1917, when HMS Buttercup rammed U-87 in the Irish Sea and depth-charged her. Then the P-class sloop P.56 sank her. U-87's entire crew of 44 were lost.
German Type U 87 submarines were preceded by the shorter Type U 81 submarines. The first of its type, U-87 had a displacement of 757 tonnes (745 long tons) when at the surface and 998 tonnes (982 long tons) while submerged. She had a total length of 65.80 m (215 ft 11 in), a pressure hull length of 50.07 m (164 ft 3 in), a beam of 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in), a height of 9.35 m (30 ft 8 in), and a draught of 3.88 m (12 ft 9 in). The submarine was powered by two 2,400 metric horsepower (1,800 kW; 2,400 shp) engines for use while surfaced, and two 1,200 metric horsepower (880 kW; 1,200 shp) engines for use while submerged. She had two propeller shafts. She was capable of operating at depths of up to 50 metres (160 ft).
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 15.6 knots (28.9 km/h; 18.0 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 8.6 knots (15.9 km/h; 9.9 mph). When submerged, she could operate for 56 nautical miles (104 km; 64 mi) at 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 11,380 nautical miles (21,080 km; 13,100 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph). U-87 was fitted with four 50 centimetres (20 in) torpedo tubes (two at the bow and two at the stern), ten to twelve torpedoes, one 10.5 cm (4.1 in) SK L/45 deck gun, and one 8.8 cm (3.5 in) SK L/30 deck gun. She had a complement of thirty-six (thirty-two crew members and four officers
In August 2017, researchers from Bangor University in Wales announced they had discovered the sunken wreck of U-87 while conducting ‘multibeam’ surveys around the coast of Wales as part of the marine renewable energy SEACAMS 2 project. Detailed sonar images reveal the wreck to be lying in one piece with what appears to be a large area of damage near the conning tower, presumably caused by in the ramming collision by escort P.56
A much quieter day than usual with only 283 British losses being reported
Today’s highlighted casualties include:
Second Lieutenant William George Moncur (Royal Scots) dies of wounds as a prisoner of war received during a trench raid at age 23. His brother was killed in April 1917.
Attachment 238210
Piper John Robson Harper (Black Watch) is killed at age 22. His brother was killed last October.
The War in the Air
RFC Communiqué number 120:
Very little work was possible owing to snow and mist.
Four reconnaissances were carried out by the 1st Brigade, three by the 2nd, and two by the 5th.
With aeroplane observation, one hostile battery was successfully engaged for destruction by artillery of the First Army, and one zone call was sent down.
116 plates were exposed and 2,300 rounds fired at ground targets. 1,150 of these were by No 4 Squadron, which also dropped 12 25-lb bombs. Machines of the 3rd Brigade dropped nine 25-lb bombs and fired 200 rounds, and Corps Squadrons of the 5th Brigade dropped 34 25-lb bombs and fired 950 rounds at various targets.
RNAS Communiqué number 12:
Heavy banks of clouds, high winds with snow and sleet, made flying impossible.
There were NO aerial victory claims on this day from either side
There was just the one British airman lost on this day
Attachment 238211
Captain Tunstill's Men: (remember of course that the boys were now on the Italian front rather than the western front- so at least things were slightly warmer and drier for them)
A fine and frosty day.
There were allied air raids against Austrian positions.
On Christmas Day all non-essential work was suspended and the men were fed special rations; the exact detail for 10DWR is unknown, but elsewhere in the Division this consisted of, “Breakfast:- Quaker oats, sausage (tinned), Bacon, SM tea. Dinner:- Roast pork, potatoes, cabbage, plum pudding (tinned), Rum sauce, quart Italian beer. Tea:- Rolypoly duff, jam, margarine, 3pkts Italian fags and 2pkts Gold Flake per man”. Copies of the 23rd Division annual review, ‘The Dump’, were issued and well-received by the men.
The Battalion band played at the Brigade Christmas Dinner.
Officers and men had sent home Battalion Christmas cards to friends and family. One survives among the collection of Capt. Leonard Norman Phillips MC (see 19th June) and a second, sent by original Tunstill recruit, Pte. Solomon Richard Webb (see 8th January 1916), to Mrs. Geraldine Tunstill (see 3rd October) has also survived.
Attachment 238214
I can't think of a better way to close this edition than with a Christmas card from the trenches. So Merry Christmas everyone
ps. as more updates become available I will update and add to this edition
On the Southern front, William Barker with two other RFC pilots raid a German airfield ignoring the unsigned Christmas truce. This brings to a retailation attack on the 26th, later known as the Battle of Istrana.
https://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/sh...-and-Hemingway
Thanks for the update Andrea, and a Merry Christmas to our esteemed founder.
Rob.
Many thanks Andrea
Attachment 238219
Interesting note about finding the wreck of SM U-87.
Attachment 238262
26th December 1917
Blimey - what a chaotic day - all a bit mental, thankfully peace and quiet has descended. I need a holiday to get over the past few days...
Well its another quiet day in the reports but we'll see what we can find
The War in the Air
Three British airmen were lost on this day
Attachment 238263
General Headquarters, December 27th.
“On the 26th inst. a certain amount of flying was done between the snowstorms. Photographs were taken, a few bombs dropped on various targets, and many rounds fired into the enemy's trenches. One hostile machine was brought down. During the night a few machines took advantage of a short fine spell and dropped bombs on the enemy's billets close to the lines. None of our machines are missing.”
RFC Communiqué number 120:
Snow-storms interfered with aerial work.
One reconnaissance carried out by the 1st Brigade, one by the 2nd, and one by the 5th. Six hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction with aeroplane observation, four of which were by artillery of the First Army; one gun-pit was destroyed, two damaged, six explosions and one fire caused, and 35 zone calls were sent down.
459 photographs were taken, 70 25-lb bombs dropped and 5,443 rounds fired at ground targets as follows:
1st Brigade: No 2 Squadron dropped five 25-lb bombs and fired 50 rounds; No 4 Squadron dropped seven 25-lb bombs; Corps Squadrons fired 1,250 rounds, and Naval Squadron No 8 fired 1,250 rounds.
2nd Brigade: 743 rounds were fired.
3rd Brigade: Ten 25-lb bombs were dropped and 900 rounds fired.
5th Brigade: 48 25-lb bombs were dropped and 1,250 rounds fired.
RNAS Communiqué number 12:
Heavy banks of clouds, high winds with snow and sleet, made flying impossible.
Enemy Aircraft:
There was very little enemy aircraft activity in the morning, but at times in the afternoon enemy aircraft were quite active.
2nd-Lieut F G Quigley, 70 Sqn, two-seater in flames 20.q.23 [south of Hooglede] at 13:20/14:20 - 2nd-Lieut F Quigley, No 70 Squadron, attacked a two-seater, which dived vertically after a burst of fire, but was followed and more shots fired into it, then when it had gone down to 1,500 feet, 2nd-Lieut Quigley circled round and watched the pilot attempting to flatten out. This he did not succeed in doing and the machine crashed into the ground and burst into flames
Casualties:
Lieut E H Read (Kia) & 2nd-Lieut H R Donovan (Wia), 16 Sqn, RE8 B5898 - hit by AA spun from about 6,000 feet and caught fire on hitting ground near Liévin on photography and fighting duty
The folloing aerial victory claims were made on this day - as is eveodent most on the Southern front where the Italian airforce had a great day
Attachment 238264
Attachment 238265
The son of Arthur and Fanny Jarvis, Arthur Gordon Jarvis joined the Royal Flying Corps in 1916. 2nd Lieutenant Jarvis received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 4086 on 29 August 1916. As a Sopwith Camel pilot, he scored five victories with 28 Squadron in Italy.
Attachment 238266
A corporal in the 2nd Field Artillery Regiment, Silvio Scaroni entered the Italian Air Service in March 1915. After training on Blériots and Caudrons, he joined the 4aSquadriglia as a reconnaissance pilot in September 1915. Promoted to First Lieutenant, he was reassigned to the 43aSquadriglia in January 1917. Later that year, he served briefly with the 86aSquadriglia before becoming a pursuit pilot with the 76aSquadriglia. Flying the Nieuport 17, Scaroni scored his first confirmed victory on 14 November 1917, shooting down an enemy two-seater near Colbertaldo. Re-equipped with the Hanriot HD.1, he scored three victories at the battle of Istrana on 26 December 1917 and soon became the highest scoring ace in his squadron. Wounded in action at Monte Tomatico, Scaroni scored his final victory on 12 July 1918, bringing down an Albatros D.III.
Attachment 238267
An Austro-Hungarian Brandenburg D.I before take-off, built by the Phoenix Works in Vienna.
Italy: Large air battle 18 miles north of Venice, 9 of 30-40 Austrian aircraft shot down bombing Istrana airfield (RFC hangars suffer minor damage, 2 Italian aircraft destroyed). Raids repeated nights December 29-30 and 30-31.
EASTERN FRONT
Bolsheviks break off Brest*-Litovsk talks when Germans say Poland and Baltic States will become independent.
POLITICS
Germany: Ukraine tells Berlin she wants separate status at Brest-Litovsk peace talks.
AFRICA
Jubaland: 502 King’s African Rifles and levies disperse Aulyehan at Hagagabli, capture 1,233 camels. By February 20, 1918 fines, 402 rifles and chiefs collected excluding the leader.
A total of 319 British lives were lost on this day, including...
Corporal Eric William Briggs (Royal Garrison Artillery) is killed in action at age 24. His brother was killed in February 1916.
Lance Corporal William Arthur Balaam (Northamptonshire Regiment) is killed in action. His son will be killed in action on 31st July 1943 at age 26.
Elsewhere
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson used the Federal Possession and Control Act to place most U.S. railroads under the United States Railroad Administration, hoping to transport troops and materials for the war effort more efficiently.
Eight months after the United States enters World War I on behalf of the Allies, President Woodrow Wilson announces the nationalization of a large majority of the country’s railroads under the Federal Possession and Control Act.
The U.S. entry into the war in April 1917 coincided with a downturn in the fortunes of the nation’s railroads: rising taxes and operations costs, combined with prices that were fixed by law, had pushed many railroad companies into receivership as early as late 1915. A year later, in a last-minute bill passed through Congress, Wilson had forced the railroad management to accept union demands for an eight-hour work day. Still, many skilled workers were leaving the cash-poor railroads to work in the booming armaments industry or to enlist in the war effort.
By the end of 1917, it seemed that the existing railroad system was not up to the task of supporting the war effort and Wilson decided on nationalization. Two days after his announcement, the United States Railroad Administration (USRA) seized control. William McAdoo, Wilson’s secretary of the treasury, was appointed Director General of Railroads. The railroads were subsequently divided into three divisions—East, West and South. Passenger services were streamlined, eliminating a significant amount of inessential travel. Over 100,000 new railroad cars and 1,930 steam engines were ordered–designed to the latest standards–at a total cost of $380 million.
In March 1918, the Railroad Control Act was passed into law. It stated that within 21 months of a peace treaty, the railroads would be returned by the government to their owners and that the latter would be compensated for the usage of their property. Consequently, the USRA was disbanded two years later, in March 1920, and the railroads became private property once again.
Brite Ranch raid (see mention yesterday)
Attachment 238268
The Brite Ranch raid was an incident that occurred on Christmas day 1917, in which Mexican raiders crossed the Rio Grande border and attacked a ranch in Presidio County, Texas. At the time the raiders were thought to be Villistas, as they were responsible for several other previous incursions into American territory, though other accounts say that some Carrancistas were involved as well. During the raid the Mexicans murdered three people, robbed a general store and rode back to Chihuahua under pursuit by a motorized posse and troops of the United States Army 8th Cavalry. The Americans fought a running battle with the Mexicans on December 26 that resulted in the deaths of several raiders and the recovery of some stolen property, but another more violent episode was directly caused by the raid when on January 27, 1918, a force of Texas Rangers executed 15 Mexicans in what became known as the Porvenir Massacre.
Brite Ranch was like other ranches in West Texas—it was as much a small town as a cattle operation. The ranch was owned by Lucas Charles Brite and located in the Big Bend region, between the town of Marfa and the Rio Grande, 15 miles east of the river. Since it was Christmas morning most of the locals were away, except for ranch foreman T.T. Van Neill, his family and one or two Mexican-American families. It was just after dawn when the raid began. Van's father, Sam, was the only one awake. He was sitting down drinking coffee when all of a sudden about 45 armed Mexicans galloped into the ranch complex. Sam knew immediately who the Mexicans were so he ran to his son's room, equipped himself with a rifle, took aim at who he thought was the leader and fired. He killed the man and the others returned fire on the house. By that time Van was awake and joined in the fight. Mrs. Van Neill attempted to alert the police but the raiders cut the telephone lines. The skirmish lasted for a while before the raiders realized they had little chance of getting into the Neill house without significant losses. They captured a pair of ranch hands, one of whom, José Sánchez, was sent to the house to warn the Neills that if they continued to resist, both he and the other ranch hand would be shot. Van and his father were prepared to continue the fight but Mrs. Neill convinced her husband to give the Mexicans the keys to Lucas Brite's general store and avoid further confrontation. Van agreed, so instead of trying to break into the house, the raiders spent their time robbing the general store of clothes, food and money. They also gathered up all the best horses at the ranch and took them, too. While this was going on, the unsuspecting postman, Mickey Welch, arrived at the store in his wagon with two Mexican passengers. The raiders captured all three of the men, shot the two passengers and hung Welch inside the store.
That night the Neills were hosting a Christmas dinner party for some of their friends. The raiders occupied the ranch for several hours so when Rev. H.M. Bandy and his family arrived from Marfa to have dinner with the Neills, Van had to send a young Mexican boy out to tell the raiders not to shoot them. The raiders let the reverend and his family go to the Neill's house, and when they got out of their wagon Bandy delivered a quick prayer and then armed himself with a rifle to help defend the ranch. According to Ronnie C. Tyler, author of The Big Bend: A History of the Last Texas Frontier, there were other dinner guests already at the ranch but they escaped somehow and went to get help. Rancher James L. Cobb, who lived three miles outside of the ranch complex, heard the gunfire and drove towards the sound to investigate the situation. He stopped a short distance away from the ranch and saw the Mexicans robbing the store. He then got back into his car and drove 12 miles to the nearest telephone and called Lucas Brite, who was at his home in Marfa. Brite informed the local sheriff and went even further by alerting the 8th Cavalry, which was stationed in the area. Shortly thereafter a large posse and some cavalrymen assembled in vehicles to drive to Brite Ranch. They almost caught up with the raiders but the Mexicans quickly mounted up and rode south across the Candelaria Rim, where the Americans could not follow.
On the next day Col. George Langhorne launched a punitive expedition into Mexico with the intention of capturing or killing the raiders and returning stolen property. Langhorne borrowed some horses from the ranchers for his men, who arrived in vehicles, and after joining up with reinforcements from Ruidosa the expedition crossed the Rio Grande into Chihuahua at a ford called Los Fresnos. Altogether the expedition included two troops of 8th Cavalry, approximately 200 soldiers, and several men from the posse. Langhorne caught up with 29[7] raiders just across the Rio Grande in San Bernardino Canyon, near Pilares. During the running battle that followed the cavalrymen killed ten of the Mexicans and recovered some of the stolen property, including several horses, most of which had to be shot because they had been ridden too hard and would die anyway if taken back across the border. Only one soldier was wounded. Meanwhile, the citizens in the Big Bend region were outraged about the raid and the murders of Mickey Welch and his passengers on Christmas Day. Some citizens formed a committee to disarm and keep watch on the Mexican population in the area but the Texas Ranger company of Capt. Monroe Fox went even further. At around midnight on January 27, 1918, a force of rangers and 8th Cavalry soldiers surrounded the village of Porvenir, located on the Rio Grande across the border from a Mexican village. A search of the town then commenced and while the soldiers were looking through houses, the rangers gathered up 15 men and took them to a nearby hill where they were executed.
The Porvenir Massacre was investigated in 1919, during a state hearing investigating misconduct among the Texas Rangers, but nobody was charged for the crime. The grand jury of Presidio took no action for the killings. On June 4, 1918, Governor William P. Hobby disbanded Company B of the Texas Rangers and dismissed five rangers for their actions. After the raid and the subsequent punitive expedition, Lucas Brite built a small fort to house Texas Rangers and protect the ranch but it was never needed
Captain Tunstill's Men: A fine, sunny day with another hard frost and snow lying on the ground. Brig. Genl. Lambert (see 24th December), accompanied by the Prince of Wales, who was on the staff of XIV Corps Commander, the Earl of Cavan, visited the Battalion positions. The outcome of the visit was a set of orders which were issued by XIV Corps regarding the organisation and defence of the front line.
1. The Corps Commander is thoroughly aware of the amount and excellence of the work on defensive lines which as been carried out by all units in the Corps, and has no complaints to make on this head.
2. At the same time, every one can learn, and he is of opinion that the work done in the Sector held by the 69th Infantry Brigade of the 23rd Division is in advance of anything that is being carried out at the moment, both as regards organisation of labour, and as regards the tactical dispositions.
3. He wishes all units of the Corps to study, and where possible to initiate the system which is to be seen in this Brigade Sector. He wishes therefore G.S.Os.1. and C.R.E. of Divisions and all Brigadiers to visit this Sector at as early a date as possible, and in any case before January 3rd, the arrangements to be made direct with the G.O.C. 23rd Div.
4. There are many points of interest to be seen. Special attention is called to:
(a) The combined action of Machine and Lewis Guns with Trench Mortars in the defence.
(b) The amount of tunnelling work which is carried out by men who are not trained as tunnellers. Units have complained that they have no tunnellers available, but the GOC 69th Infantry Brigade has clearly proved that tunnellers can be produced from any Unit.
(c) The excellent interior economy and cleanliness. Every dugout has its rifle rack, in which rifles are standing as clean as if in a barrack room.
5. If it were possible, and can be arranged with the GOC 23rd Division, the Corps Commander would like Battalion Commanders to visit these lines, in addition to the officers enumerated above.
Many thanks Chris. Good reading and great to see the Bristols back :) Celebrations here pretty hectic too, but it was a special time with the family - boy are the grand children noisy :) Sorry, rep gun jammed right now. Shall have to try again later.
Attachment 238319
27th December 1917
Today's update from a wintry Doncaster is as follows...
Attachment 238403
James Duffy VC (17 November 1889 – 8 April 1969) (Irish: Séamus Ó Dubhthaigh) was a British Army soldier during the First World War, and an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Duffy was born on 17 November 1889 in Gweedore (Gaoth Dobhair), County Donegal, Ireland. He was 28 years old, and a private in the 6th Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 27 December 1917 at Kereina Peak, Palestine, whilst the company was holding a very exposed position, Private Duffy, a stretcher-bearer, and another stretcher-bearer went out to bring in a seriously wounded comrade. When the other stretcher-bearer was wounded, Private Duffy returned to get another man, who was killed almost immediately. The private then went forward alone and, under very heavy fire, succeeded in getting both wounded men under cover and attended to their injuries. His gallantry undoubtedly saved both men's lives. He died in Drumany , Letterkenny on 7 April 1969 and was buried in Conwal Cemetery, Letterkenny, County Donegal. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Inniskilling Museum in Enniskillen Castle, Northern Ireland. A stone bench was unveiled in Letterkenny Town Park on 10 July 2007 to honour the war veteran. His daughter Nelly was present when former Letterkenny Mayor Ciaran Brogan unveiled the bench in one of his final duties
Attachment 238404
James Duffy VC
A Turkish-German attempt to recapture Jerusalem is repulsed. The Turks attack on the road from Nablus in the north, the British counter attack the Turkish flank, fighting goes on for 3 days, but the British hold the city. By 30th December, the British control the entire road from Jerusalem to Jaffa, but Allenby has lost 30,000 of his 97,000 and is suffering supply problems. Allenby also faces a communication and supply crisis in Jerusalem, the heavy rains having washed out the bridges and railroad construction, only the camels can cross the desert, though some trucks are able to bring supplies from the railhead to camels.
Palestine: Turk counter*attack towards Jerusalem fails 3 miles north astride Nablus road despite fresh 1st Division. Deciphered radio message warns Allenby and Chetwode before December 24; British 60th Division repels eight Turk attacks; 10th and 74th Divisions capture Zeitun Ridge and village in 4,000 yards advance. 33,000 British troops and 180 guns advance up to 6 miles against strong but flagging resistance by 20,000 Turks and c.100 guns (December 28-30).
Attachment 238321
Turkish troops at Jerusalem
Among those killed in the actions around Jerusalem today is
Captain James Logan Mackie (Ayreshire Yeomanry attached Scots Fusiliers) is killed at age 24. He is the son of ‘Sir’ Peter J Mackie the 1st
Captain James Hamilton Langdon Yorke MC (Yeomanry) is also killed at age 33. He competed in the high jump for Oxford University in the University Sports and is the son of J C Yorke JP.
Lieutenant George Hare (Dublin Fusiliers) is killed at age 31. His brother will die on service in India in July 1919 and they are sons of the Reverend Henry Hare.
Attachment 238320
James Logan Mackie
Captain John Bell (Australian Flying Corps) dies of injuries after crashing his plane on the Western Front at age 31. He played 18 Australian Rules football games for Geelong in 1906 and 1908.
Lieutenant Frank Dulcken Purser (Nelson Battalion Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve) is killed at age 27. He is a Rosslyn Park Rugby footballer and schoolmaster at Haileybury College.
WESTERN FRONT
Germany: Second conference between Ludendorff and army group staff chiefs on 1918 offensive in the West. General Hutier, from Eastern Front, takes over new Eighteenth Army at St Quentin.
EASTERN FRONT
Baltic Provinces: Riga Council declares Latvian independence from Russia and requests Kaiser’s protection.
The war in the air
General Headquarters, December 28th.
“On the 27th inst. snowstorms again made it impossible to do much flying. A hostile scout machine was brought down in our lines and the pilot captured.
“During the night of the 27th-28th inst. our aeroplanes dropped 240 bombs on four of the enemy’s aerodromes round Roulers, and on hostile billets south of Lille. Several trains were also bombed by us, and a direct hit was obtained on one of them.
“None of our machines are missing.”
RFC Communiqué number 120:
Very little flying was possible owing to snow storms and high wind.
Two reconnaissances were done by the 1st Brigade, two by the 2nd Brigade, four by the 3rd Brigade and one by the 5th Brigade when Lieuts Mackensen and Hurt, No 35 Squadron, obtained useful information.
On the night of the 26th, Major C F Portal and Lieut Nicholls, No 16 Squadron, ranged one of our batteries on to a hostile battery by moonlight and bursts were clearly visible and an explosion caused in the battery position.
5,270 rounds were fired at ground targets, 63 photographs taken, and 136 bombs dropped as follows:—
Night, December 26th/27th - 1st Brigade: No 2 Squadron dropped 36 25-lb bombs on Carvin, 23 25-lb on Estevillers and 10 25-lb on Ayelin. No 16 Squadron dropped 12 25-lb [bombs] on billets.
Day, December 27th –
1st Brigade: No 4 Squadron dropped 12 25-lb bombs on various targets. Corps Squadrons fired 750 rounds and Naval Squadron No 8 300 rounds various targets.
2nd Brigade: Machines of this Brigade fired 2,570 rounds.
3rd Brigade: 9 25-lb bombs were dropped by Scout Squadrons and 14 25-lb by Corps Squadrons. 550 rounds were fired at various targets.
5th Brigade: Corps Squadrons of the 5th Brigade fired rounds 1,100 rounds at ground targets.
RNAS Communiqué number 12:
Heavy banks of clouds, high winds with snow and sleet, made flying impossible.
Enemy Aircraft: Enemy aircraft activity was slight all day.
2nd-Lieut Hanna & 2nd-Lieut R A Burnand, 35 Sqn, Pfalz Scout captured north of Vermand - 2nd-Lieuts Hanna and Burnand, No 35 Squadron, observed an enemy scout on our side of the line in the vicinity of Vermand, so they attacked it and forced it to land in our lines north of Vermand; Vzfw Hecht, Js10, Pow
Lieut K A Seth-Smith and 2nd-Lieut F G Quigley, 70 Sqn, two-seater destroyed Zarren at 10:50/11:50
Flt Cdr G W Price and Flt Sub-Lieut H Day, 8N Sqn, DFW C out of control Hénin-Liétard at 14:35/15:35 - Flight Commander G Price and Flight Sub-Lieut H Day, Naval Squadron No 8 shot down one machine which appeared to fall out of control.
Because of the weather there were limited air actions and only the following aerial victory claims by aces on this day...
Attachment 238322
There were still three British airmen lost on this day
Attachment 238323
The Imperial German Army established the 18th Army to serve on the Western Front. It was dissolved in 1919
18th Army was one of three armies (along with 17th Army and 19th Army) formed in late 1917 / early 1918 with forces withdrawn from the Eastern Front. They were in place to take part in Ludendorff's Spring Offensive. The Germans had realised that their only remaining chance of victory was to defeat the Allies before the overwhelming human and matériel resources of the United States could be deployed. They also had the temporary advantage in numbers afforded by nearly 50 divisions freed by the Russian withdrawing from the war (Treaty of Brest-Litovsk). At the end of the war it was serving as part of Heeresgruppe Deutscher Kronprinz.
The Luftstreitkräfte established air squadrons Jagdstaffel 51, Jagdstaffel 52, and Jagdstaffel 53.
Jasta 51 was founded on 27 December 1917. It went operational on 9 January 1918. Also in January, it joined Jagdgruppe 3. Its first aerial victory came 14 March 1918. The squadron would operate its Fokker D.VIIs through war's end
Jasta 52 was founded at Flieger-Abteilung (Flier Detachment) 7, at Braunschweig, Germany on 27 December 1917. It became operational on 9 January 1918. On 14 January, it was moved to support 6 Armee. The new squadron flew its first combat missions 30 January. Paul Billik would score the unit's first aerial victories on 9 March 1918, and would go on to score about half his squadron's total. Jasta 52 would support 6 Armee for the remainder of the war
Jasta 53 was founded on 27 December 1917 at Flieger-Abteilung (Flier Detachment) 9, Darmstadt, Germany. It began operations on 9 January 1918. However, the new squadron did not fly its first combat missions until 10 March 1918. On 22 March 1918, they scored their first three aerial victories
The U.S. Navy destroyer Rathburne was launched by William Cramp and Sons in Philadelphia.
Attachment 238324
USS Rathburne (DD–113) was a Wickes-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War I. She was the first ship named for John Peck Rathbun.
Rathburne was laid down 12 July 1917 by William Cramp and Sons Company, Philadelphia; launched 27 December 1917; sponsored by Miss Malinda B. Mull; and commissioned 24 June 1918, Commander Ward R. Wortman in command
During the final months of World War I, July to November 1918, Rathburne escorted coastal convoys from the mid-Atlantic seaboard as far north as Halifax, Nova Scotia and oceanic convoys to the Azores. Completing her last convoy at New York 27 November, she remained there until the new year, 1919, then sailed south to Cuba for winter maneuvers. With the spring, she again crossed the Atlantic, operated from Brest during May and June, and returned to New York in July. In August she was transferred to the Pacific Fleet. West coast operations occupied the remainder of the year, while the first half of 1920 was spent in overhaul at Puget Sound. Designated DD-113 in July, she cruised the waters off Washington and in the Gulf of Alaska from August 1920 until January 1921, and then shifted south for operations off California. In July, she headed west and in late August arrived at Cavite to join the Asiatic Fleet. Based there for almost a year, she departed the Philippines on 16 July 1922, cruised off the China coast into August and on the 30th of that month sailed from Nagasaki en route to Midway, Pear Harbor, and San Francisco. Arriving at the latter 2 October, she soon shifted to San Diego, where she was decommissioned 12 February 1923 and was berthed with the reserve fleet until 1930. Recommissioned 8 February 1930, Rathburne remained in the eastern Pacific, engaged in exercises including fleet problems involved with strategic scouting, tracking, attacking, and defense of convoys and the defense of the west coast, through 1933. In the spring of 1934 she departed San Diego for the Panama Canal and the Caribbean for Fleet Problem XV, a three-phased problem involving the attack and defense of the Canal; the capture of advanced bases; and fleet action. A cruise along the east coast followed and in the fall she returned to San Diego.
Attachment 238395
28th December 1917
As the year draws to a close, still not a great deal happening, I guess this could be the pattern as the winter months continue...
However plenty of action in the skies on whar for the most part was a clear day, including a 'hat trick' for James McCudden
Attachment 238396
General Headquarters, December 29th.
“On the 28th inst. the weather was fine with a strong east wind, which late in the afternoon increased almost to a gale. A great many successful photographs were taken by our aeroplanes, and over a hundred bombs were dropped on three of the enemy's aerodromes north of Lille. The enemy's artillery machines were very active, and were repeatedly attacked by our scouts and engaged by our anti-aircraft guns. Seven hostile machines, four of which fell in our lines, were brought down by our aeroplanes, and two others were driven down out of control. Four other hostile machines were shot down by our anti-aircraft guns, three of them falling in our lines. Three of our aeroplanes are missing.”
RFC Communiqué number 120:
The weather was fine with the exception of on the front of the 5th Brigade where snow fell, but in the afternoon a very strong north-easterly wind blew.
Two reconnaissances were carried out by the 2nd Brigade, five by the 3rd, and one by the 9th Wing.
Artillery Co-operation: With aeroplane observation 29 hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction; one gun-pit was destroyed, 12 damaged, 13 explosions and two fires caused. Forty-eight active batteries were reported by zone call.
1,245 photographs were taken. 5,200 rounds fired at ground targets and approximately five tons of bombs dropped, as follows:-
1st Brigade: On the night of the 27th/28th, No 16 Squadron fired 640 rounds at searchlights and other targets. No 2 Squadron dropped 56 25-lb bombs on Meurchin and on Carvin. No 5 Squadron dropped one 112-lb bomb on Carvin, and one 112-lb and one 25-lb on Vitry, also 12 25-lb bombs on Meurchin. No 16 Squadron dropped 14 25-lb bombs on Meurchin, four 25-lb on Carvin, and three 25-lb on Pont-à-Vendin.
On the 28th, No 2 Squadron dropped 16 25-lb bombs on various targets. No 18 Squadron dropped eight 112-lb bombs on Moncheaux Aerodrome and two 112-lb on Annay.
Machines of the 1st Wing fired 1,400 rounds at ground targets and Naval No 8 Squadron fired 950 rounds.
2nd Brigade: No 67 Squadron dropped 24 25-lb bombs on Rumbeke Aerodrome, and machines of this Brigade fired 940 rounds.
3rd Brigade: Machines dropped thirty-eight 25-lb bombs on various targets and fired 100 rounds.
5th Brigade: Machines dropped twenty 25-lb bombs and fired 270 rounds.
9th Wing: No 27 Squadron dropped six 112-lb bombs on Menin.
On the night of the 27/28th, No 101 Squadron dropped seventy-six 25-lb bombs and fired 850 rounds. Twenty of the bombs were dropped on Rumbeke Aerodrome, eighteen on Staden Aerodrome and sidings, and direct hits were obtained on buildings, railway and billets. Twelve bombs were dropped on Ledeghem, eight on hutments on either side of the Roulers - Menin railway line which were hit; four on Moorslede; twelve on Roulers where the railway and station were hit; one 25-lb and one incendiary bomb on huts at Hooglede.
On the same night, No 102 Squadron dropped forty 25-lb bombs on Gheluwe, Cormines, Wervicq and other targets, and one observer fired 50 rounds at an enemy machine.
RNAS Communiqué number 12:
Fighter Patrols were maintained during the greater part of the day. Nothing of importance to report.
Enemy Aircraft: Enemy scouts were not particularly active, but a number of two-seaters crossed our lines. Thirteen of his machines were brought down during day, seven of which fell in our lines. Three of those were by anti-aircraft, which shot down one on the other side also, and five were driven down out of control. We had only three machines missing.
Anti-aircraft of the First Army shot down an enemy machine which crashed near Auchy; and anti-aircraft of the Third Army shot one down at Saillisel, one at Transloy and one at Monchy which a machine of No 13 Squadron also attacked.
Maj A D Carter, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed north-west of Houthulst Forest at 10:05/11:05 – Major A D Carter, No 19 Squadron, secured a favourable position on an EA’s tail which he followed down until he saw it fall out of control and crash
Capt F H B Selous, 60 Sqn, Rumpler C crashed west of Roulers at 10:45/11:45
2nd-Lieut F H Hobson and Lieut K A Seth-Smith, 70 Sqn, two-seater crashed Zarren at 11:00/12:00 - pilots of No 70 Squadron took part in a number of fights and destroyed three EA. One of these was destroyed by 2nd-Lieut F Hobson, who dived one which Lieut Seth-Smith had driven down. This machine, which was a two-seater, landed on its nose, when 2nd Lieut-Hobson fired another burst at it, after which it, burst flames and was seen to burn up
2nd-Lieut G R Howsam, 70 Sqn, Albatros C destroyed Zarren at 11:00/12:00 - pilots of No 70 Squadron took part in a number of fights and destroyed three EA. One of these was destroyed by 2nd-Lieut G Howsam
Flt Cdr G W Price and Flt Sub-Lieut H Day, 8N Sqn, DFW C out of control Vitry at 11:00/12:00 - a patrol of Naval No 8 Squadron attacked n hostile scout and Flight Sub-Lieut W Jordan shot it down out of control. Two more were shot down out of control; Flight Commander Price and Flight Sub-Lieut Day accounting for one and Flight Sub-Lieut W Crundall for the other
2nd-Lieut G Bremridge and Lieut C B Matthews, 65 Sqn, two-seater out of control north-west of Houthulst Wood at 11:15/12:15
Capt J T B McCudden, 56 Sqn, Rumpler C captured Vélu Wood at 11:15/12:15 - Capt J B McCudden, No 56 Squadron, during one flight, engaged four EA and shot three of them down in our lines. “Left aerodrome at 10.15 to look for EA west of the lines. At 11.10 I saw a Rumpler coming west over Boursies. I got into position at 75 yards, fired a short burst from both guns, when EA at once went into a right-hand spiral dive and its right-hand wings fell off at about 17,000, and the wreckage fell in our lines north of Velu Wood at 11.15.”; Uffz Munz & Ltn Rucker, FA7, Kia, G.111
Lieut G E H McElroy, 40 Sqn, LVG C crashed Drocourt - Vitry at 11:20/12:20 - observed EA at about 4,000 feet approaching our lines. Dived down, evidently unobserved, and fired about 100 rounds at 50 yards range. EA went down out of control. In dive S.E. overshot falling EA, but on turning round observed machine at rest on ground, and evidently crashed.
Flt Sub-Lieut W L Jordan, 8N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Méricourt at 11:25/12:25 - a patrol of Naval No 8 Squadron attacked a hostile scout and Flight Sub-Lieut W Jordan shot it down out of control
Capt G O Horsley, 40 Sqn, Scout [described as being a single seater of large size and new type with long fuselage, along which ran a zigzag white marking] out of control Thelus at 11:30/12:30 – flying at 10,000 feet he saw an enemy machine attacking an SE from behind so came up behind the EA’s tail. He fired a burst of 20 to 30 rounds from the Vickers at a range of 30 yards. The EA went down in a spin, followed by Capt Horsley who went no lower than 2,000 feet; he did not see the EA crash due to the presence of another enemy machine
Flt Sub-Lieut W F Crundall, 8N Sqn, Albatros out of control north of Scarpe (near Vitry) at 11:30/12:30 and Albatros out of control north of Scarpe (near Vitry) at 11:30/12:30 - a patrol of Naval No 8 Squadron attacked n hostile scout and Flight Sub-Lieut W Jordan shot it down out of control. Two more were shot down out of control; Flight Commander Price and Flight Sub-Lieut Day accounting for one and Flight Sub-Lieut W Crundall for the other
Capt J T B McCudden, 56 Sqn, Rumpler C captured Flers at 11:35/12:35 – “at 11.30 saw a Rumpler going north over Haplincourt at 17,000 feet. I secured a firing position and fired a good burst from both guns, when flames once came from EA's fuselage and he went, down in right-hand flat spin, and crashed in our lines near Flers (as near as I could judge), as I remained 17,000 feet so as not to lose time by going down and having to climb up again. E.A. crashed about 11.35 am”; Uffz Oskar Guntert (Kia) & Ltn Hans Mittag (Kia), FA 40, G.112
2nd-Lieut F C Gorringe, 70 Sqn, two-seater crashed Ploegsteert at 11:50/12:50 - pilots of No 70 Squadron took part in a number of fights and destroyed three EA. 2nd-Lieut F Gorringe destroyed one of these
Lieut H N C Robinson and 2nd-Lieut G D Lamburn, 46 Sqn, two-seater captured west of Havrincourt at 12:00/13:00 - 2nd Lieuts Robinson and Lamburn, No 46 Squadron, attacked a two-seater which they shot down in flames and which broke to pieces before reaching the ground near Gonzeaucourt in our lines
Lieut J S Green & Lieut W K McMillan, 13 Sqn, Rumpler C captured west of Monchy-le-Preux at 12:15/13:15 - Lieuts J Green and W McMillan, No 13 Squadron, saw a German aeroplane doing photography and attacked it. This machine eventually landed in our lines west of Monchy-le-Preux, and on examination was found to have been hit by anti-aircraft shell
Capt J T B McCudden, 56 Sqn, LVG C captured Havrincourt Wood at 12:15/13:15 – “I now saw an LVG being shelled by our anti-aircraft over Havrincourt at 16,000. Anti-aircraft fire did not until I was within range of EA. I obtained a good position at fairly long range, fired a burst with the object of making him dive, which he did. EA dived very steeply (about 200 miles per hour) starting at about 16,000 feet, and at about 9,000 feet I fired another burst into EA at 100 yards range, when flames issued from EA’s fuselage and then he broke up over Havrincourt Wood, the wreckage falling in our lines. The EA had been diving so fast that the hostile observer could not fire even if I gave him the chance”; Ltn Albert Weinrich (Kia) & Ltn Walter Bergmann (Kia), FA 210[?], G.113
Flt Cdr R J O Compston, 8N Sqn, DFW C in flames Harnes - Pont-à-Vendin at 12:40/13:40
Losses on this day
Attachment 238397
Captain Alfred Edwin "Eddie" McKay
Alfred Edwin McKay attended the University of Western Ontario. On 28 October 1916, he and Arthur Knight were on patrol over the Somme when they were attacked by Oswald Boelcke. In the ensuing battle, Boelcke was killed when his Albatros collided with that of Erwin Böhme. McKay was killed the following year when his SPAD was shot down by a German two-seater. He was flying a Spad VII from 23 Squadron and had accumulated 10 kills. Prior to the war he enrolled in a Faculty of Arts program at the University of Western Ontario. Once there he excelled in varsity athletics. In particular, his speed was often cited by a student newspaper – The Western University Gazette – as a reason for the success of Western’s 1915 Canadian Junior Championship rugby team.
McKay was one of six British airmen lost on this day
Attachment 238398
The following aces claimed victories on this day... including a couple celebrating their first victories
Attachment 238399
Captain George Robert Howsam MC 70 Squadron RFC (Sopwith Camel)
Attachment 238400
The son of George and Ida (Cutting) Howsam, George Robert Howsam went from high school into the army in March 1916, serving with the 116th Battalion and 182nd Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in the spring of 1917, learning to fly at Deseronto and Camp Borden, Ontario. In August 1917 he went to France and was posted to 70 Squadron. Flying the Sopwith Camel he scored his first victory in December 1917. On 22 January 1918, he shot down four Albatros scouts in one day. After recovering from wounds received in combat on 24 March 1918, he was posted to 43 Squadron as a flight commander in October 1918. Flying a Sopwith Snipe, he scored his final victory on 30 October, shooting down a Fokker D.VII over Aulnoye. Howsam returned to Canada in May 1921. He attended the Royal Air Force staff college in 1930. During World War II, Howsam served as director of training with the Royal Canadian Air Force and retired in 1945 with the rank of Air Vice-Marshal.
Captain Harry Noel Cornforth Robinson MC Croix de Guerre 46 Squadron RFC (Sopwith Camel)
Attachment 238401
Robinson joined the Royal Flying Corps in March 1917. Later that year, he was posted to 46 Squadron where he flew the Sopwith Pup before his unit was re-equipped with the Sopwith Camel. After scoring 8 victories and receiving a promotion to Captain, Robinson was reassigned to 70 Squadron in the spring of 1918 and scored 2 more victories as a Flight Commander.
"T./2nd Lt. Harry Noel Cornforth Robinson, Gen. List and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While on an offensive patrol he had trouble with his petrol pressure and was forced to turn back towards our lines. On his way back he saw seven enemy scouts attacking two of our artillery machines. He immediately dived on to the enemy and drove one of them down. During this operation one of his guns jammed. The enemy still continued the attack and he again dived on them, but his remaining gun also jammed. Though both his guns were out of action and he had very little petrol left, he continued to dive on the enemy repeatedly and eventually drove them away. He showed splendid courage and resource."
Captain George Edward Henry "McIrish" McElroy DFC (& Bar), MC (& 2 Bars) 40 Squadron RFC
Attachment 238402
Before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps, George Edward Henry McElroy spent time in the trenches until he was badly wounded in a gas attack. He was Ireland's highest scoring ace and Edward Mannock's star pupil. Five days after Mannock was killed in combat, McElroy's S.E.5a was shot down over Laventie by anti-aircraft fire. The Royal Air Force lost two of its finest pilots in less than one week. At the time of his death McElroy had 47 victories.
Lt. (T./Capt.) George Edward Henry McElroy, M.C.
A brilliant fighting pilot who has destroyed thirty-five machines and three kite balloons to date. He has led many offensive patrols with marked success, never hesitating to engage the enemy regardless of their being, on many occasions, in superior numbers. Under his dashing and skilful leadership his flight has largely contributed to the excellent record obtained by the squadron.
2nd Lt. George Edward Henry McElroy, R.G.A. and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has shown a splendid offensive spirit in dealing with enemy aircraft. He has destroyed at least two enemy machines, and has always set a magnificent example of courage and initiative.
2nd Lt. George Edward Henry McElroy, M.C., R.G.A., and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When on an offensive patrol, observing a hostile scout diving on one of our aeroplanes, he opened fire, and sent down the enemy machine in an irregular spin out of control, when it finally crashed completely. Later in the same day, he sent down another enemy machine in flames. On another occasion, when on offensive patrol, he singled one out of four enemy machines, and sent it down crashing to earth. On the same day he attacked another enemy machine, and, after firing 200 rounds, it burst into flames. On a later occasion, he opened fire on an enemy scout at 400 yards range, and finally sent it down in a slow spin out of control. In addition, this officer has brought down two other enemy machines completely out of control, his skill and determination being most praiseworthy.
Lt. (T./Capt.) George Edward Henry McElroy, M.C., R.G.A., and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While flying at a height of 2,000 feet, he observed a patrol of five enemy aircraft patrolling behind the lines. After climbing into the clouds, he dived to the attack, shot down and crashed one of them. Later, observing a two-seater, he engaged and shot it down out of control. On another occasion he shot down an enemy scout which was attacking our positions with machine-gun fire. He has carried out most enterprising work in attacking enemy troops and transport and in the course of a month has shot down six enemy aircraft, which were seen to crash, and five others out of control.
Lieut. (T./Capt.) George Edward Henry McElroy, M.C., D.F.C. (Royal G. Artillery).
In the recent battles on various army fronts this officer has carried out numerous patrols, and flying at low altitudes, has inflicted heavy casualties on massed enemy troops, transport, artillery teams, etc., both with machine-gun fire and bombs. He has destroyed three enemy kite balloons and forty-three machines, accounting for eight of the latter in eight consecutive days. His brilliant achievements, keenness and dash have at all times set a fine example and inspired all who came in contact with him.
AIR WAR
Italy: Austrians bomb Padua (until December 30), cause 79 casualties, bomb Treviso, Bassano, Vicenza and Castelfranco (December 31).
The VIII Brigade of the Royal Flying Corps was created by raising the 41st Wing to Brigade status, with Brigadier-General C. L. N. Newall as commander. Although the VIII Brigade had been established in December 1917 it did not exercise command authority until 1 February 1918, when Newall took command. The following month, on 1 April 1918, the VII Brigade was transferred to the Royal Air Force. With the British Government seeking to expand the bombing raids against Germany, the VIII Brigade itself was subsumed into a larger formation, becoming part of the Independent Air Force on 6 June 1918. The Brigade was probably disbanded towards the end of 1918 after the Armistice.
EASTERN FRONT
Russia: Lenin attends Demobilization Congress which votes for Army’s dissolution; he requests ‘revolutionary units’ to hold front line.
SOUTHERN FRONTS
Austria: Arz replies to Ludendorff (from December 23), agrees his Western Front 1918 spring offensive will be decisive and Austrian troops will be sent, once no longer needed in Russia.
Captain Tunstill's Men - and some recognition for a couple of the men...
Private Edmund Peacock, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, has been highly commended for his bravery at the Front. He has been presented with a tasteful certificate, signed by Major-General Robertson, commander of the 17th Division, with the following inscription: “Pte. Edmund Peacock, Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment, in recognition of conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in conveying messages under fire on 13th November 1917”. In a letter to the parents, who live at Bentley Street, Nelson, Captain Mackenzie states that the card was awarded Pt. Peacock for having made several journeys over bad ground with messages and keeping up communication between the company and battalion headquarters. He was engaged on this work when wounded and carried on his work, not complaining till next morning of any injury.
The London Gazette published official notice of the award of the Albert Medal in gold to the late Lt. Arthur Halstead (see 6th December), who had been killed in a bombing accident at X Corps School. The citation confirmed the circumstances of the incident: “On 31st July 1917 during instruction in the throwing of live bombs, a bomb was accidentally dropped. Lt. Halstead placed himself between the bomb and the soldier who had dropped it, in order to screen him, and tried to kick the bomb away, but it exploded, fatally wounding him. The soldier was slightly wounded and there can be little doubt that Lt. Halstead’s gallant action saved the soldier’s life.”
At last the news is swinging towards the Airforce. The very thing we started it up for, and less than twelve months to go.
Rob.
Attachment 238467
As Rob says, we are almost into the closing straight now, and I can with 100% confidence say the war will be over by Christmas...
29th December 1917
The War in the Air
General Headquarters, December 30th.
“Although the weather was fine on the 29th inst., visibility was bad, and greatly interfered with the co-operation of our aeroplanes and artillery. Much successful photographic work was accomplished, however, and many bombs were dropped on Ingelmunster aerodrome and Staden and other hostile billets. Two hostile machines were brought down in our lines and a third in the enemy's lines. Two other hostile machines were driven down out of control. None of our aeroplanes are missing,”
RFC Communiqué number 120:
Low clouds and mist prevented much work being done.
Three reconnaissances were carried out by the 3rd Brigade and two by the 5th Brigade.
Nine long photographic reconnaissances were attempted by the 9th Wing but all proved unsuccessful owing to the weather. 801 photographs were taken during the day (442 by the 3rd Brigade), 188 bombs dropped and 4,960 rounds fired at ground targets as follows:—
1st Brigade: Eighteen 25-lb bombs on various targets. (No 4 Squadron).
Thirteen 25-lb bombs on various targets. (Corps Squadron).
1,100 rounds fired by Corps Squadrons
1,100 rounds by Naval Squadron No 8.
2nd Brigade: Forty-eight 26-lb bombs on Staden. (No 57 Squadron).
500 rounds at various targets,
300 rounds on an active machine gun which was silenced. (No 70 Squadron).
3rd Brigade: Fifty-one 25-lb bombs.
460 rounds.
5th Brigade: Fifty-eight 25-lb bombs. (Corps Squadrons).
400 rounds. (No 8 Squadron).
1,100 rounds. (No 35 Squadron).
With aeroplane observation, seven hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction, one gun-pit was destroyed and one fire caused.
RNAS Communiqué number 12:
Owing to the unfavourable weather conditions no reconnaissances or bomb raids could be carried out.
Fighter Patrols were maintained up to noon, but then low clouds and mist prevented any further flying during the day. Nothing of importance to report.
Enemy Aircraft: Enemy aircraft activity was slight all day.
2nd-Lieut F Westfield & Lieut Fenelon, 10 Sqn, Scout out of control - 2nd-Lieut F Westfield and Lieut Fenelon, No 10 Squadron, were attacked by three EA Scouts. After considerable fighting, one of the enemy machines was shot down completely out of control and the RE8 returned safely
Capt J T B McCudden, 56 Sqn, LVG C captured Havrincourt at 09:55/10:55 - Left aerodrome at 9 a.m. and crossed the lines east of Gouzeaucourt at 9.45 at 14,000. Saw three EA two-seaters coming west. I dived on these followed by my patrol and drove an LVG down from 13,500 to the ground. EA. made a pretence of landing in our lines, but put his engine on again and made north-east at about 10 feet. I headed him west again, but he turned east, so I fired another burst into him and then he got into a flat spin and crashed near Havrincourt at 9.55 a.m. Climbed and onlv found two members of my patrol. I then approached four Albatross Scouts over Bois de Vancelles, who went down east. Several EA two-seaters patrolling east of the Canal at Vendhuille at about 3,000, too low to engage. Returned 10.50; Vfw Kurt Gerschel (Kia) & Uffz Lehnert (Pow), Schsta 10, G.118
Lieut A B Fairclough, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Houthulst Forest at 10:10/11:10
Lieut J G S Candy, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north of Houthulst Forest at 10:10/11:10
Lieut A B Fairclough, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames Houthulst Forest at 10:15/11:15
Maj A D Carter, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north-east of Houthulst Forest at 10:15/11:15
Lieut J D de Pencier, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Houthulst Forest at 10:20/11:20
Capt P Huskinson, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Houthulst Forest at 10:20/11:20
Capt P Huskinson, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Houthulst Forest at 10:25/11:25
Pilots of 19 Squadron had considerable successful fighting but had one machine missing. Major Carter shot one EA down out of control, while Lieut Candy attacked another which was diving on Major Carter from behind and shot it down out of control. Lieut Fairclough destroyed one and shot down a second out of control, and Lieut De Pencier hit one which fell out of control, while Capt Huskinson shot down two out of control
Capt J T B McCudden, 56 Sqn, LVG C captured north-east of Epehy at 13:55/14:55 – Left ground at 11.25 to look for EA west of the lines. At 11.55 attacked an LVG over Lagnicourt at 16,000. I fired short burst into EA at 100 yards when water and steam came from EA's centre section. EA dived very steeply and by the time I caught up to EA again he was too far east of the line to re-engage. Last saw him gliding down north over Haucourt at 4,000 at 12 a.m. under control, but certainly damaged. At 1.50 dived on an LVG over Gouzeaucourt at 15,000. EA saw me and started a left hand circle, the EA gunner firing at long range. After half a dozen turns, EA pushed his nose down as we were drifting west. I now fired drum of Lewis and 100 rounds of Vickers into him at 100 yards range and then his right hand wings fell off and the wreckage fell in our lines north-east of Epéhy at 1.55. Returned at 2.5 as I had no more petrol. EA not very active west of the lines; Ltn Walter Dern (Kia) & Ltn Georg Muller (Kia), FA 33, G.119
Casualties:
2nd-Lieut D M Christie (Wia), 3 Sqn, Camel – shot up during bombing
2nd-Lieut H E Galer (Pow), 19 Sqn, Spad VII B6780 – took off 09:30/10:30 and last seen from lines with 2 EA on tail on offensive patrol; Ltn d R Carl Menckhoff, Js3, 18th victory [Draaibank at 10:20/11:20]
HOME FRONTS
Britain: National Labour Convention demands general rationing. Churchill letter ‘I am strongly pressing that the cavalry should be put by regiments into the Tanks’. Masterman of War Propaganda Bureau ‘As a result of the double propa*ganda, 19 countries have declared war against Germany and 10 have broken off relation*ships with her’.
Attachment 238468
Disgraced women and slain children behind them, medals for murder and destruction on the breat and the chunky boots set on a US flag – that’s how the propaganda sees the ‘bestial Germans’.
EASTERN FRONT
Russia: Old Russian Army ranks abolished; decision in principle to organize new Red Army. Admiral Kaiserling with German Military Mission arrive in Petrograd to discuss Armistice technical details.
Ukraine: Red Guards capture Lozoyova and Pavlograd on Kharkov-Crimea railway, occupy Kharkov on December 31.
NEUTRALS
Holland: First British PoW trainload arrives for internment.
Western Front
Local German attacks south of St. Quentin and near Ypres-Staden railway.
Southern Front
Padua again bombed, three killed, three injured.
Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres
Further British advance north of Jerusalem. The British line in Palestine is pushed forward another three miles. Birch, nine miles north of Jerusalem on the Shechem Road and several places east of the road are captured.
Naval and Overseas Operations
German Naval Mission under Admiral Kaiserling arrives at Petrograd.
Attachment 238469
Some cotton waste, which has been stored in a wooden cupboard in the magazine of H.M. Motor Launch No. 289, catches fire from an unknown cause. When the fire is discovered as a result of the smell of burning and by the smoke rising from the Magazine hatch, when it is opened, Deckhand John George Stanners Royal Naval Reserve, without hesitation, goes down into the magazine and brings up a quantity of the burning waste. Leading Deckhand Ruper Walter Bugg Royal Naval Reserve, who is in Motor Launch No. 285 alongside No. 289, smells something burning, and on observing Deckhand Stanners coming up from the Magazine with burning material, immediately goes down and extinguishes the remainder of the ignited cotton waste. The prompt of action and the courage shown by these men in the face of very grave danger averts a serious fire, and in all probability-saved both Motor Launches and the lives of those on board. Both men will be decorated with the Albert Medal.
In total 342 British lives were lost on this day, including...
Captain William Victor Edwards (Dublin Fusiliers) is killed in Palestine at age 30. He is an Irish International Rugby player, the Irish 200 yard swimming champion and water polo champion. He is also believed to be the first man to swim the Belfast Lough.
Attachment 238470
William Victor Edwards
Captain Christopher Russell Farmar-Cotgrave (Worcestershire Regiment) is accidentally killed in Winnezelle along with four others. His brother was killed in action seven weeks earlier.
Lieutenant William Reginald Karslake (Pembroke Yeomanry) dies at home at age 50. He is the son of the Reverend W H Karslake.
Sergeant Richard R Parry MM (Welsh Fusiliers) dies of wounds in Palestine at age 25. His brother died of wounds in September 1915.
Company Sergeant Major James Catto (Seaforth Highlandrers attached King’s African Rifles) is killed at age 28. He is the last of four brothers who will be killed in the war.
Rifleman Leonard Reeve Beechey (London Regiment) dies of wounds. He is the last of five sons of the Reverend Prince William Beechey who will lose their lives in the Great War.
Private David Allan Kininmont (Auckland Regiment) is killed at age 26. His brother was killed less than three months ago.
Major Ronald Graham DSO, DSC (& bar) RNAS is injured in combat on this day
Attachment 238471
The son of William Graham, Ronald Graham was educated at St. Joseph's College, Yokohama and Castle Douglas Academy in Scotland. He was commissioned a Temporary Sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Navy on 25 May 1915 and promoted to Flight Sub-Lieutenant in September 1915. He received Royal Aero Club Certificate 2041 on a Grahame-White biplane at Grahame-White School, Hendon on 15 November 1915. Graham was posted to the Dover Seaplane Station in early 1916; to Seaplane Base, Dunquerque, 8 June 1916; O.C. Seaplane Defence Flight, Baby-St. Pol, 30 June 1917; and was commanding officer of 213 Squadron from May 1918 until the end of the war. He received a permanent commission in the Royal Air Force as Captain on 1 August 1919. Post-war, he remained in the R.A.F. and retired as Air Vice-Marshal on 29 June 1948.
The following aces claimed victories on this day, including another brace for James McCudden, making it NINE kills in about a week...
Attachment 238472
There were only two British airmen lost on this day
Attachment 238473
Captain Tunstill's Men: Front line trenches on the Montello.
The weather became milder, with a slight thaw of the lying snow.
CQMS Frank Stephenson (see 13th June) had recently been taken ill, suffering a severe attack of pneumonia. Details of his illness and treatment are unknown, but his illness was reported in the Keighley News:
"Mrs. Frank Stephenson, Park Lane, Sutton Mill, received a telegram from Italy on Saturday, stating that her husband, Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant Frank Stephenson, was lying at a casualty clearing station in Italy, seriously ill, suffering from pneumonia. The War Office afterwards confirmed the news, but nothing further has yet come to hand. He is in the West Riding Regiment and joined up in the early months of the war. He took part in the Somme fighting last year. This is the first Christmas he has not spent at home since joining the Army".
Attachment 238474
CQMS Frank Stephenson
Attachment 238467
30th December 1917
Today's edition is brought to you from the 18th Century (1723) Lister Arms Inn at Malham deep within the snowy Yorkshire Dales. (Good job thry hve good wifi or we would have problems for the next few days)
Although judging by the first few information sites it could be a little sparse on the information front...
The War in the Air
RFC Communiqué number 120:
No service flying was possible on account of unfavourable weather.
RNAS Communiqué number 12:
Unfavourable weather conditions prevented any war work being carried out.
Reports from the German side show that Vizefeldwebel Ludwig Gaim was wounded in action on this day. Gaim joined the army in 1914, served with an artillery regiment at Verdun and transferred to the German Air Force in 1916. He was wounded in action on 6 January 1917 and posted to Jasta 39 in Italy on 27 June 1917. He scored 5 victories with this unit before he was wounded again on 30 December 1917.
There were a few claims listed...
Attachment 238493
There was a first aerial victory for Captain Clifford MacKay "Black Mike" McEwen MC, DFC (28 Squadron - Sopwith Camel B2461)
Attachment 238494
A graduate of the University of Saskatchewan, Clifford MacKay McEwen joined the Canadian Army in 1916. In April 1917 he was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps. A founding member of 28 Squadron, he served in Italy as a Sopwith Camel pilot, scoring 27 victories. In 1919 "Black Mike" returned to Canada where he served as an instructor with the Royal Canadian Air Force. From 1932 to 1941 he was commander of air training operations at Camp Borden, Ontario, then at Trenton, Ontario, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax, Nova Scotia. During World War II, he commanded two bomber group bases, assuming command of 6 Bomber Group in England in 1944. He attained the rank of Air Vice-Marshal and retired in 1946 but continued working as a consultant to various aircraft manufacturers. He was 69 when he died.
Despite the RFC and RNAS statements above the RAF records show a staggering 29 airmen lost on this day.... (A lot from the Egyptian Expeditionary Force who perished when the troop transport S. S. Aragon is torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine UC-34 while entering the port of Alexandria, Egypt.)
Attachment 238495Attachment 238496
Attachment 238497Attachment 238498
Attachment 238499
The hired transport S. S. Aragon is torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine UC-34 while entering the port of Alexandria, Egypt. The master and eighteen of the crew lose their lives, the total killed including from the 2,700 troops on board total 610 and the bodies of no fewer than three hundred eighty soldiers (including one Canadian flying officer) will not be recovered. The destroyers Attack and Points Castle come to the aid of Aragon.
Attachment 238500
Battery Sergeant Major Ernest George Horlock VC (General Base Depot Royal Field Artillery attached Egyptian Expeditionary Force) drowns at age 32 after being rescued by HMS Attack (Lieutenant Harry A D Keate) when it is sunk by a torpedo from the same submarine. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for conspicuous gallantry on 15th September 1914. His brother died during the Siege of Kut in January of last year.
Sapper Frederick William Fairclough (98th Light Railway Train Crew, Royal Engineers) is killed when his ship is sunk by a torpedo. His brother was killed early in the year and this is the second time Frederick has been torpedoed as he worked on RMS Lusitania when it was sunk in 1915.
Sapper Henry Wyatt of the same Royal Engineer battalion is killed at age 32. His brother was killed in September 1915.
Sapper William Harris (96th Light Railway Operating Company) is killed at age 22. His brother was killed in November 1916.
Private Oswald Pitchford (Devonshire Regiment) drowns. His brother was killed in October. Private Charles Hole (London Regiment) is killed. His brother was killed last September. Ten crew members of the Attack are also killed.
Lieutenant Harold Thorner (Machine Gun Corps) is examining some Mills and grenades in a small concrete dugout at Ypres prior to taking them to his machine-gun position during an expected enemy raid. One of the hand grenades begins to fizz when taken out of the box. There are twelve men in the dugout at the moment and there is no possible means of disposing of the bomb. Realizing what has happened Lieutenant Thorner shouts to his men to clear out while he himself holds the bomb in his hand close to his body until it explodes, killing him. By his magnificent act of courage, Lieutenant Thorner deliberately sacrificed his own life for others. Of the twelve men who were in the dugout all but two escaped without injury – the other two were slightly injured. For his actions he is awarded posthumously the Albert Medal in Gold.
Attachment 238501
On the 30th December 1917, the Troopship S.S. Aragon arrived at Alexandria Harbour, having sailed from Marseilles on the 17th December. She was laden with around 2,700 troops bound for the conflicts in Palestine. As she arrived in a convoy bound for the port, the rest of the ships sailed onwards to Alexandria and she lay up ten miles off shore, awaiting her escort. The 9588 tons of ocean liner drifted gently as she waited within sight of land but was torpedoed by the German Submarine and minelayer the UC-34.
The destroyer HMS Attack dashed to her rescue as she sunk quickly, as well as every available ship within reach. Many of the men rescued and taken onto the HMS Attack had just stripped their oil drenched clothes from their bodies and laid on the deck when she too was torpedoed by the same submarine, almost blowing her in two. The following day - New Years Eve - just as the rescue was called off, fleet auxiliary craft HMS Osmanieh also hit a mine in the area, taking another 197 soldiers and nurses down with her. 610 of the 2,700 passengers on board the HMS Aragon were lost at sea, including 25 of the new draft bound for the 5th Battalion of the Bedfordshire regiment.
Lieutenant Commander Patrick Houston Shaw-Stewart (Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve) called the financier is killed in action at Welsh Ridge. He is the son of Major General John Heron Shaw-Stewart, is a Great War poet, attended Eton and Bailliol with Julian Grenfell and was at the burial of Rupert Brooke. He is killed at age 29. He was the winner of the Hertford and Ireland Scholarships; a Double First.
Southern Fronts
Piave: French 47th Division (259 casualties) recaptures Mt Tomba in 25 minutes with nearly 1,564 PoWs. Austrians forced to evacuate Zenso bend bridgehead, Lower Piave.
Attachment 238502
Austro-Hungarian dressing station on the Italian Front.
Salonika: Sir R Ross urges the minimum of 15,000 British malaria cases be sent home; 9,000 repatriated by April 30, 1918.
Middle East
Palestine – Turk casualties since December 27: over 1,558 (558 PoWs) and 9 MGs vs British EEF of 1,360 soldiers, 1 armoured car and 2 MGs. Total Turk losses since October 31, 1917: 28,443
Captain Tunstill's Men (and more on the sinking of the Aragon)
One of Tunstill’s original recruits, Cpl. John Henry Hitchin (see 16th November) was killed when the troopship Aragon was torpedoed just outside Alexandria Harbour. Also killed in the sinking was Cpl. Harry Wilkinson of the ASC; he was the brother of James Wilkinson jnr. (see 9th November), who had also originally volunteered with Tunstill’s Company. The Aragon had sailed from Marseilles for Malta in the company of an escort group and was carrying some 2,500 bags of Christmas mail, 160 Nursing Sisters, 150 military officers, 2,200 troops, plus ship's officers and crew. The ship had arrived safely in Malta and remained there for four days before proceeding on to Alexandria. By all accounts the trip had been uneventful and, upon arrival, the ship had been allowed to enter the Port of Alexandria early on the morning of 30th December but had then been ordered back out of the port due to either there being no berth available, or that the harbour was mined (the story varies). Nonetheless, the Aragon had departed the harbour and stood off approximately ten miles from port when a submarine was sighted which had then fired a torpedo. Efforts to avoid the torpedo had been unsuccessful and the Aragon had been hit on the after port side of the ship and immediately began sinking. HMS Attack, which had also been in the convoy, had immediately come alongside the ship and had taken on as many personnel as was possible before being forced away from the sinking ship. As HMS Attack stood off rescuing men in the water, she had also been struck by a torpedo and had sunk as well. 610 lives were lost in total. Both Hitchin and Wilkinson are among 380 men killed in the disaster who are now commemorated on the Chatby Memorial, Alexandria.
Have a good break then Chris.
Rob.
I am having a great break thanks Rob - and still managing to find time to complete the thread, which is a bonus
Attachment 238467
31st December 1917
Well it's time to bid farewell to 1917 and move into the final year of the war. It has been quite a year, we have had 'Bloody April', Passchendaele, Cambrai, The Battle of Jerusalem, at least half a dozen Battles of Alonzo and much more. So lets close off the year...
The War in the Air
Two German Aces were killed on this day
Oberflugmeister Karl Meyer
Attachment 238540
Wounded in action on 28 December 1917. Died from his wounds three days later. He had eight victories to his name.
Leutnant Alwin Thurm of Jasta 31
Thurm scored his first victory with Jasta 24 in the summer of 1917. Later that year, he assumed command of Jasta 31 and scored 4 more victories before he was shot down in flames by Raymond Brownell and Henry Moody of 45 Squadron.
There were only a handful of aerial victory claims on this day, including
Attachment 238539
General Headquarters, January 1st.
“On December 31st very little flying was possible, owing to the mist. During the night, although the improvement in the weather was slight, our aeroplanes dropped over 100 bombs on hostile billets in the neighbourhood of Roulers and Menin. Several direct hits were obtained, and a train in movement was also bombed and hit. All our machines returned.”
RFC Communiqué number 120:
Low mist interfered with work.
Two reconnaissances were done by the 1st Brigade, one by the 2nd Brigade - Capt Martin and 2nd-Lieut Lomax, No 53 Squadron - and five by the 3rd Brigade. A pilot of No 53 Squadron fired 100 rounds at ground targets.
Sixteen 25-lb bombs were dropped on various targets and 200 rounds fired by the 3rd Brigade; two of the bombs were seen to burst among massed infantry near Cambrai and caused many casualties.
RNAS Communiqué number 12:
Unfavourable weather conditions prevented any war work being carried out.
A total of 52 Airmen were lost on this day, alas far too many to mention here. Again the majority (as yesterday) were killed when their troopship hit a mine and sank at Alexandria Harbour
Attachment 238541
Lieutenant Arthur Lewis Jenkins (Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry attached Royal Flying Corps) is killed in an airplane accident at age 25. He is a Great War Poet. His book of poems “Folorn Adventurer’s” was published in 1916. The forward in his book was by Frank Fletcher. The eldest son of ‘Sir’ John Lewis Jenkins KCSI, Arthur had hoped to enter the Indian Civil Service like his father. Educated at Balliol with a classical scholarship, he volunteered for service in the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry in December 1914. He served in India for a year and then went to Aden in charge of a machine gun section. In 1915 he moved with his battalion to Palestine. In January 1917 he was commissioned into the Royal Flying Corps and went to Egypt to learn how to fly. He returned to England and while serving in a home defence squadron was killed in a flying accident.
Happy Warriors (a tribute to his friends who fell in Palestine 1915)
Surely they sleep content, our valiant dead,
Fallen untimely in the savage of strife:
They have but followed whither duty led,
To find a fuller life.
Who, then, are we to grudge the bitter price
Of this our land inviolate through the years,
Or mar the splendour of their sacrifice
That is too high for tears…
God grant we fail not at the test – that when
We take, mayhap, our places in the fray,
Come life, come death, we quit ourselves like men,
The peers of such as they.
Western Front
British took 1,018 PoWs and 4 guns. 183,896 AEF (American Expedition Force) personnel now in Europe.
Attachment 238542
An American troopship has docked in a French port.
Sea War
Allied and neutral December shipping losses to U-boats: 160 ships (76 British, 520 lives lost) worth 382,060t (U-boat figure 411,766t including 148,331t in Mediterranean; 8 U-boats lost, only 2 in Mediterranean). 3,680 portable hydrophone sets now in British service.
North Sea: *British 1917 Dutch convoys (1,031 ships) lose only 6 ships, but escorts lose 5 destroyers, 9 damaged, and 1 cruiser damaged in collision (520 lives lost).
Baltic: Russians have laid annual record of 13,418 mines.
The hired transport S S Osmanieh strikes a mine at the same place the S S Aragon struck one the previous day, and sinks. One hundred ninty-eight eight are killed. The bodies of at least seventy-six soldiers who sailed in here (including one Indian medical officer) are not recovered. Among the dead are eight Nurses including Una Marguerite Duncanson (Volunteer Aid Detatchment) who dies at age 25. Her two brothers have previously been killed in the war.
Built by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson, Ltd., Newcastle in 1906 and owned by the Kedivial Co., was hired at the time of her loss by the British Royal Navy as a troop transport and was 4041 tons.
The steamship S S Hercules (Master Alfred Longstaff age 50) is torpedoed and sunk by a submarine three miles from Whitby. Twelve are killed including the Master.
Attachment 238543
S.S. Osmanieh
Home Fronts
Britain: Lowest working days lost since April. Now 217,000 allotments in urban areas.
France: Elections postponed for duration. Stamp duty on purchases over 10 francs.
USA: Army strength 485,250; National Guard 416,031; National Army 480,000; Reserve 157,225.
Sugar is rationed in Britain, as a result of shortages created by the U-boat war. This is the first time food rationing has ever been imposed in Britain on a national scale.
Captain Tunstill's Men: A message was issued by 69th Brigade HQ, “After visiting various parts of the Brigade Front today the Commander-in-Chief expressed to the Brigade Commander his high appreciation of all the work done and of the system of defence and desired him to give to all ranks his good wishes for a very happy New Year”.
Well that brings 1917 to something of a quiet end. Thanks to all our readers/viewers, see you in 1918.
Thank you to Chris, Rob, and Neil (and anyone else I missed) for all the work they've done keeping us educated and informed! :salute: :thankyou:
Its a pleasure Chris. Thank you
Attachment 238691
All of us here at The Sniper's Times would like to welcome you to 1918
We are well into the home straight now with only 315 days to go until The Armistice so that means we have had 1246 days since the balloon went up on August 3rd 1914.
January 1st 1918
Lets start with the air war and it is a very busy start to the new year...
General Headquarters, January 2nd:
“On the 1st inst., our aeroplanes were very active. Much registration work was carried out with the artillery, and many photographs were taken of the enemy's front lines and back areas. Over 200 bombs were dropped by us on various targets, including a large ammunition depot neat Courtrai and Ingelmunster aerodrome. In air fighting two hostile machines were brought down and two others driven down out of control. Another hostile machine was shot down in our lines by our anti-aircraft guns. One of our aeroplanes is missing."
RFC Communiqué number 121:
The weather was fairly good for flying and four reconnaissances were carried by the 3rd Brigade, one by the 5th Brigade, and four long-distance reconnaissances by Nos 27 and 25 Squadrons.
With aeroplane observation 14 hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction; four gun-pits were destroyed, six damaged, one explosion and two fires caused, and 23 active hostile batteries were reported by zone call.
Anti-aircraft of the Fifth Army shot down a German machine which fell in our lines.
Only one of our aeroplanes failed return during the day.
A total of 1,585 photographs were taken during the day, 4,750 rounds fired at ground targets and approximately four tons of bombs dropped follows:-
Night 31st December/1st January. 9th Wing: No 101 Squadron dropped 96 25-lb bombs on billets at Stadenberg, Vyfwegen, Westroobebeke, Roulers, Menin, Staden and Hooglede.
No 102 Squadron dropped eight 25-lb bombs on hutments near La Bassée and 8 25-lb on a train, the rear portion of which was hit.
January 1st.
1st Brigade: No 5 Squadron dropped 20 25-lb bombs and fired 150 rounds. Army Squadrons fired 1,200 rounds.
2nd Brigade: No 57 Squadron dropped 20 25-lb bombs on the ammunition dump at Bisseghem, and No 69 Squadron fired 100 rounds.
3rd Brigade: 65 25-lb bombs were dropped and 900 rounds fired,
5th Brigade: No 35 Squadron dropped 22 25-lb bombs and fired 500 rounds, and No 8 Squadron dropped 32 25-lb bombs and fired 450 rounds at various targets.
9th Wing: No 25 Squadron dropped six 112-lb and 30 25-lb bombs on Ingelmunster Aerodrome.
RNAS Communiqué number 13:
Owing to unfavourable weather conditions, little war work could be carried out, only a few fighter patrols being maintained. Nothing to report.
Enemy Aircraft:
Enemy two-seaters were active.
Capt A M Swyny & 2nd Lieut A Lyons, 8 Sqn, out of control - Capt A M Swyny and 2nd-Lieut A Lyons, No 8 Squadron, were flying towards the lines when they saw anti-aircraft shells bursting and then an enemy machine, which they attacked and shot down out of control
2nd Lieut F C Gorringe and Lieut K A Seth-Smith, 70 Sqn, two-seater crashed east of Zandvoorde at 09:40/10:40 - 2nd-Lieut F Gorringe, No 70 Squadron, saw two enemy machines approaching the, lines, so got into the sun and attacked one. Lieut C Smith, of the same squadron, also fired at this machine and it eventually went down on fire; ? (Ok) & Uffz August Anton E Brunthaler (Kia), Schsta 30b
Capt F O Soden and Lieut J B Crompton, 60 Sqn, DFW C out of control south of Roulers at 10:50/11:50 - another machine was driven down and appeared to be out of control by pilots of Nos 23 and 60 Squadrons
Flt Cdr R J O Compston and Flt Sub-Lieut G K Cooper, 8N Sqn and Capt E Mannock, 40 Sqn, Hannover CL captured Fampoux at 11:35/12:35 - Flight Commander Compston fought one EA which he drove down. It was then attacked by Capt E Mannock, No 40 Squadron, and crashed in our lines at Fampoux; Vfw Fritz Korbacher (Kia) & Ltn Wilhelm Klein (Kia), FA 288b, G.121
2nd Lieut J S Chick & Lieut H R Kinkaid, 11 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Crèvecoeur at 13:30/14:30 - 2nd-Lieut Chick and Lieut Kincaird, No 11 Squadron, were taking photographs when they saw an enemy scout, which they attacked and down out of control
Flt Sub-Lieut E G Johnstone, Flt Sub-Lieut W L Jordan and Flt Sub-Lieut H M Reid, 8N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Bailleul at 15:00/16:00 - Three other pilots of Naval Squadron No 8 fought a formation of scouts and drove one down apparently out of control
Flt Cdr R J O Compston and Flt Sub-Lieut A J Dixon, 8N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Neuvireuil at 15:30/16:30 - Flight Commander Compston and Flight Sub-Lieut Dixon, Naval Squadron No 8, drove down an enemy scout, apparenty out of control
DH4s of No 25 Squadron, when bombing, were attacked by seven EA Scouts. In the fighting three of the latter went down steeply, possibly out of control; one of these had been engaged by Capt Pearce and 2nd-Lieut Walsh, one by 2nd-Lieuts Pfeiffer and Thornhill, and the third by Lieut Green and 2nd-Lieut Gibson
Casualties:
? (Ok) & 2nd Lt G A Williams (Wia; dow), 7 Sqn, RE8 A3424 - shot up on artillery observation
2nd Lt A C Jones & P1077 Cpl W Metson, 53 Sqn, RE8 A4376 – reported missing during photography but both okay
2nd Lt A L Kidd (Pow), 46 Sqn, Camel B2513 – took off 14:20/15:20 and last seen with formation east of Havrincourt going north on COP
The following aerial victory claims were made: Including 'Mick' Mannock, and William Barker
Attachment 238610
Attachment 238611
Gerald Kempster Cooper joined the Royal Naval Air Service on 9 September 1916. Posted to 8 Naval Squadron in December 1917, he scored 6 victories flying the Sopwith Camel.
Attachment 238612
Johann Putz Jasta 23
Captain John Stanley Chick MC
Attachment 238613
2nd Lieutenant John Stanley Chick received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 4735 on the Maurice Farman biplane at Military School, Ruislip on 27 May 1917. He was injured in a crash on 26 June 1918. (He was flying Bristol Fighter C4846 for 11 Squadron RFC)
T./2nd Lt. John Stanley Chick, Gen. List and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While leading a patrol of four machines over the enemy's lines he attacked an enemy two-seater machine, which his observer drove down completely out of control. Shortly afterwards the patrol engaged nineteen enemy machines; he dived on to the uppermost machine, and drove it down in a series of spins and side-slips completely out of control. He then attacked two others and brought them down in the same manner, while his observer drove down another out of control. On another occasion his formation, consisting of five machines, attacked twenty-five enemy aeroplanes. He destroyed one of the enemy, and drove down another out of control. He set a magnificent example of courage and skill.
4 British Airmen were lost on this day
Attachment 238614
In the air British aircraft are very active. Much ranging work is carried out with the artillery, and many photographs are taken of the German front lines and back areas. Over two hundred bombs are dropped on various targets, including a large ammunition depot near Courtrai and Ingelmunster aerodrome. In air fighting, two enemy machines are brought down and two others driven down out of control. Another hostile machine is shot down inside British lines by anti-aircraft guns. Two British aircraft are lost, one pilot being killed the other taken prisoner.
Flight Commander Robert John Orton Compston DSC (Royal Naval Air Service) will be awarded a second bar to the Distinguished Service Cross for ability and determination when leading offensive patrols, in which he displays entire disregard of personal danger. Today he observes a new type of twin-tailed two seat enemy machine, which he attacks, firing many rounds at point blank range. The enemy machine dives, but is again attacked and goes down vertically with his engine full on. The wings come off, and the machine is observed to crash. Later in the day Flight Commander Compston observes two formations of ten and five Albatross scouts respectively. He attacks one of the enemy machines and sends it down in a flat spin and falling over sideways completely out of control. One of these victories is a shared victory with Captain Edward Captain Edward Corringham Mannock, his last victory with 40th Squadron.
Ten RE-8s from 42nd Squadron make a bombing raid on the German 14th Army Headquarters at Vittorio escorted by Sopwith Camels of 28th and 66th Squadrons. One Sopwith is lost while claims are made for three enemy aircraft.
The lost Sopwith is piloted by Captain Ralph Erskine (General List attached Royal Flying Corps) who dies of his wounds at age 25. He is the amateur featherweight boxing champion of the world and his brother was killed in July 1915 on the Western Front.
HOME FRONTS
Austria: In January door locks and latches being removed for metal.
Attachment 238615
Poster calling on the population to support arms production by delivering metal objects.
Germany: In January 2.3m exempted workers, half Field Army eligible.
Turkey: 40,594 non-military 1918 deaths in capital (22,244 in 1914).
Britain: RFP 106%, up 10% during 1917. Sugar rationing (1/2 lb per person per week) plus compulsory
meatless day (two from January 25). Local lard rationing of 2 oz per person per week for 1.5 million people.
France: In January Seine freezes over for first time in 120 years.
OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
Eastern France: Germans exact 92 million francs from Lille (until October 17).
WESTERN FRONT
Flanders: BEF strength 1,907,906 (1,192,668 on January 3, 1917). British 4th Tank Brigade formed. German raids near Loos and Mericourt fail.
Verdun: French repulse raid at Beaumont, and Chaume Wood flamethrower attack (January 12 and 13), make successful raid to southeast on January 16. Gallwitz in command of Army Group for duration of war.
SOUTHERN FRONTS
Piave: British cross-river raid succeeds (now 109,103 British troops in Italy).
On the Italian front British batteries bring about the explosion of two enemy ammunition depots at Fontigo (on the left bank of the Piave, north of Montello) and to the south of Conegliano. British patrols attack the enemy advanced posts inflicting losses and capturing prisoners. The Middlesex Regiment carries out the largest raid by the British. It is a difficult and well planned operation, which has as its objective the surrounding and capture of several buildings held by the enemy to a depth of 2,000 yards inland. Two hundred fifty men cross the Piave by wading and some prisoners are captured, but, unfortunately, a party of fifty of the enemy is encountered in an advanced post and gives the alarm, and the progress inland is curtailed. The re-crossing of the river is successfully carried out with few casualties.
Salonika: *British receive 8-inch gun battery and 12 6-inch Newton mortars and 2 sound*-ranging sections.
Attachment 238616
The Newton 6 inch mortar was designed by the British but produced by both the British and USA, and used by both in the war.
Macedonia: In January Russian division withdrawn from front and disarmed due to Soviet disaffection, some join French Foreign Legion, at least 14,979 (on April 15) join Allies as labour force but 10,000 Serbs from Russian*-Rumanian front corps arrive (via Archangel, Cherbourg, Orange and Taranto). Greek Army has 36,242 troops (3 divisions) and 14,717 animals at front (January 15) plus 18,260 troops in interior (on March 15, 1918).
SEA WAR
Britain: Depth charge production up to 4,647 per month, escorts armed with 30-40 each, use 1,745 per month from June.
Germany: Now 21 German MTBs in service, 14 in Flanders.
Channel: Vice-Admiral Keyes takes over Dover Patrol from Admiral Bacon.
Biscay: Acting on Room 40 intercepts, armed boarding steamer HMS Duke of Clarence captures Spanish ship Erro Berro (sinks in tow) before she transfers wolfram (ore*-producing tungsten) to 2 U*-boats which are ambushed unsuccessfully.
TSS Duke of Clarence was a passenger vessel operated jointly by the London and North Western Railway and the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway (LYR) from 1892 between Fleetwood and northern Irish ports. In 1906 the LYR bought her outright and transferred her to their summer service from Hull to Zeebrugge, returning to the Irish Sea in winter. During the First World War Duke of Clarence served as an armed boarding steamer. She resumed passenger service in 1920, passing through changes of ownership in the reorganisations of Britain's railway companies in the 1920s, until she was scrapped in 1930.
Attachment 238617
Ordered by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway (LYR), Duke of Clarence was built at Laird Brothers, Birkenhead, as the first of seven ships that they delivered between 1892 and 1909. It was originally intended to name her Birkenhead, but it was thought that passengers might be put off by thoughts of the sinking of HMS Birkenhead. She was allocated the United Kingdom Official Number 89707 and the code letters MNSP. She was completed for the joint ownership of LYR and the London and North Western Railway (LNWR). She was acquired outright by the LYR in 1906 for service on the North Sea. She passed to the LNWR in 1922 and, following the grouping of Britain's railways under the Railways Act 1921, to the London, Midland and Scottish Railway in the following year.
Duke of Clarence was used on routes from Fleetwood to Belfast and Derry until 1906. Following this she served on the Hull to Zeebrugge route during the summer and west coast routes during the winter, including the Liverpool to Drogheda route. The Zeebrugge service was suspended during World War I and the Admiralty requisitioned her for use as an armed boarding steamer, stationed in the Channel approaches and later on the Northern Patrol. She returned to the Zeebrugge service in February 1920. Withdrawn and laid up at Fleetwood in September 1929, she was sold in May 1930 for scrapping to Thos W Ward and broken up at Barrow in Furness. Duke of Connaught then replaced Duke of Clarence
Mediterranean: 2 U*-boat Flotillas formed, 1st at Pola, 2nd at Cattaro, 7-8 boats on operations in January, including coastal subamrines UB-49 and UB-48 together.
Baltic: Estimated 40,000 sailors have left Russian Fleet for home or interior land fighting.
MORE AIR WAR
Germany: During January Fokker wins first competition to find obsolescent Albatros fighter replacement.
Western Front: In January RFC No 19 Squadron first to receive Sopwith Dolphin high-altitude fighter, No 141 Squadron at Rochford, Essex gets and crashes one but used only as day fighter.
Italy: Austrians bomb Bassano (and on January 4), Treviso (and on January 26) and Mestre (and on January 4 and 26), and Castelfranco on January 4.
Britain: *Total air defences have 376 aircraft, 469 anti-aircraft guns, 622 searchlights, 258 height-finders and 10 sound locators.
Captain Tunstill's Men: The day was described by Brig. General. Lambert (see 27th December 1917- still not a relative - editor) as being a “beautiful day of sunshine, sharp frost and deep snow”.
Thanks a bundle Chris - magnificent work. Hope you had a wonderful festive season :) Happy New Year to you and yours. All over by Christmas huh! What will you do with all that spare time I wonder!
Attachment 238772
January 2nd 1918
Another day where the biggest influence was the poor weather...
The War in The Air
General Headquarters, January 3rd.
“On the 2nd instant thick mist greatly hindered the work of our aeroplanes, but during the night a few bombs were dropped by us on Carnin in spite of very bad weather. One hostile machine was brought down in air fighting."
RFC Communiqué number 121:
Thick mist and low clouds prevented much flying, being done.
Three reconnaissances were carried out, one by the 1st, one by the 2nd, and one by the 3rd Brigade. Several long distance photographic reconnaissances were attempted by the 9th Wing, but the weather was too bad to enable them successfully accomplish anything.
125 photographs were taken during the day, 2,500 rounds fired and 44 25-lb bombs dropped as follows:
1st Brigade: No 5 Squadron dropped 12 25-lb bombs and fired 130 rounds, and No 43 Squadron fired 1,100 rounds.
2nd Brigade: No 21 Squadron fired 400 rounds.
3rd Brigade: Dropped 22 25-lb bombs and fired 100 rounds.
5th Brigade: No 8 Squadron dropped 10 25-lb bombs and fired 220 rounds, and No 35 Squadron fired 450 rounds.
RNAS Communiqué number 13:
Owing to unfavourable weather conditions, little war work could be carried out, only a few fighter patrols being maintained. Nothing to report.
Enemy Aircraft: Enemy aircraft were not active
Flt Cdr G W Price and Flt Sub-Lieut H Day, 8N Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames Cite St Auguste at 11:15/12:15 - Flight Commander Price, Naval Squadron No 8, picked out one of seven Albatross Scouts which his patrol encountered, and after manoeuvring for position got in a good burst from about 50 yards range from behind the tail of the enemy machine and it immediately burst into flames and crashed; Ltn Günther Auffarth, Jasta 29, Kia,
Casualties:
There were no combat-related casualties
There were only a couple of claims...
Attachment 238773
Flight Commander Guy William Price (Royal Naval Air Service) will be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in recognition of the gallantry and determination displayed by him in leading offensive patrols, which have constantly engaged and driven away enemy aircraft patrols. Today he observes seven Albatross scouts, and, crossing the lines in the clouds, he attacks one, which falls vertically, bursting into flames, and crashes to the ground. Commander Price will be killed in action at age 22 while strafing enemy positions on 18th February as a 12-victory ace. Flight Sub-Lt. Guy William Price received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 987 on a Grahame-White biplane at the Grahame-White School, Hendon on 9 December 1914. Having scored twelve victories flying the Sopwith Camel, he was killed in action while strafing enemy positions. His Sopwith Camel was shot down by Theodor Rumpel of Jasta 23.
The Air Ministry is formed. Members appointed being Lord Rothermere, Major General Hugh Trenchard, Rear Admiral Mark Kerr, Commodore Godfrey Paine, Major General William Sefton Brancker, ‘Sir’ William Weir, ‘Sir’ John Hunter, Major John L Baird and Lieutenant General David Henderson.
Two members of the Royal Flying Corps, Lieutenant John Reginald Nickson age 25, pilot and a Canadian, and Lieutenant W S Ely, are accidentally killed while flying at Wytham near Oxford.
Attachment 238771
A total of 5 British Airmen were lost on this day
Attachment 238770
Politics
USA: War Mission in Europe urges speedy troop dispatch and merchant ship building; first 100 of 1,500 US farm tractors en route to France.
Home Fronts
USA: Outlook magazine article denounces anti-German hysteria especially forced flag kissing.
Britain: King gives Haig his Field Marshal’s baton at Buckingham Palace, latter urges clear war aims be announced to BEF.
Germany: Ludendorff and Hoffmann (effective Eastern Front commander as CoS) part company over latter’s plan to retain only small part of Poland.
Attachment 238769
Stars and Stripes: In the US war loans are provided.
Eastern Front
Brest-Litovsk: Bolsheviks denounce terms as ‘annexationists’. All-Russian Board formed for organizing Red Army. Kaiser in Berlin discusses new Russian frontier with Hindenburg and Ludendorff.
Air War
Britain: Air Ministry established. In January Royal Flying Corps stops enlisting American citizens.
The Air Ministry
The Air Ministry was a department of the Government of the United Kingdom with the responsibility of managing the affairs of the Royal Air Force, that existed from 1918 to 1964. It was under the political authority of the Secretary of State for Air.
On 13 April 1912, less than two weeks after the creation of the Royal Flying Corps (which initially consisted of both a naval and a military wing), an Air Committee was established to act as an intermediary between the Admiralty and the War Office in matters relating to aviation. The new Air Committee was composed of representatives of the two war ministries, and although it could make recommendations, it lacked executive authority. The recommendations of the Air Committee had to be ratified by the Admiralty Board and the Imperial General Staff and, in consequence, the Committee was not particularly effective. The increasing separation of army and naval aviation from 1912 to 1914 only exacerbated the Air Committee's ineffectiveness and the Committee did not meet after the outbreak of the First World War.
By 1916 the lack of co-ordination of the Army's Royal Flying Corps and the Navy's Royal Naval Air Service had led to serious problems, not only in the procurement of aircraft engines, but also in the air defence of Great Britain. It was the supply problems to which an attempt at rectification was first made. The War Committee meeting on 15 February 1916 decided immediately to establish a standing joint naval and military committee to co-ordinate both the design and the supply of materiel for the two air services. This committee was titled the Joint War Air Committee, and its chairman was Lord Derby.[1] It was also at the meeting on 15 February that Curzon proposed the creation of an Air Ministry. As with the pre-war Air Committee, the Joint War Air Committee lacked any executive powers and therefore was not effective. After only eight sittings, Lord Derby resigned from the Committee, stating that "It appears to me quite impossible to bring the two wings closer together ... unless and until the whole system of the Air Service is changed and they are amalgamated into one service.
The next attempt to establish effective co-ordination between the two air services was the creation of an Air Board. The first Air Board came into being on 15 May 1916 with Lord Curzon as its chairman. The inclusion of Curzon, a Cabinet Minister, and other political figures was intended to give the Air Board greater status than the Joint War Air Committee. In October 1916 the Air Board published its first report which was highly critical of the arrangements within the British air services. The report noted that although the Army authorities were ready and willing to provide information and take part in meetings, the Navy were often absent from Board meetings and frequently refused to provide information on naval aviation. In January 1917 the Prime Minister David Lloyd George replaced the chairman Lord Curzon with Lord Cowdray. Godfrey Paine, who served in the newly created post of Fifth Sea Lord and Director of Naval Aviation, sat on the board and this high level representation from the Navy helped to improve matters. Additionally, as responsibility for the design of aircraft had been moved out of single service hands and given to the Ministry of Munitions, some of the problems of inter-service competition were avoided.
Despite attempts at reorganization of the Air Board, the earlier problems failed to be completely resolved. In addition, the growing number of German air raids against Great Britain led to public disquiet and increasing demands for something to be done. As a result, Lloyd George, the British Prime Minister, established a committee composed of himself and General Jan Smuts, which was tasked with investigating the problems with the British air defences and organizational difficulties which had beset the Air Board.
Towards the end of the First World War, on 17 August 1917, General Smuts presented a report to the War Council on the future of air power. Because of its potential for the 'devastation of enemy lands and the destruction of industrial and populous centres on a vast scale', he recommended a new air service be formed that would be on a level with the Army and Royal Navy. The new air service was to receive direction from a new ministry and on 29 November 1917 the Air Force Bill received Royal Assent and the Air Ministry was formed just over a month later on 2 January 1918. Lord Rothermere was appointed the first Air Minister. On 3 January, the Air Council was constituted as follows...
Lord Rothermere, Air Minister and President
Lieutenant-General Sir David Henderson, Additional Member and Vice-President
Major-General Sir Hugh Trenchard, Chief of the Air Staff
Major-General (formerly Rear-Admiral) Mark Kerr, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff
Major-General (formerly Commodore) Godfrey Paine, Master General of Personnel
Major-General Sefton Brancker, Controller-General of Equipment
Sir William Weir, Director-General of Aircraft Production in the Ministry of Munitions
Sir John Hunter, Administrator of Works and Buildings
Major J L Baird Permanent Under-Secretary
Captain Tunstill's Men: In the early hours L.Cpl. Gilbert Swift Greenwood (see 1st January), who had been wounded the previous day, died of his wounds at one of the local Casualty Clearing Stations. Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge DSO (see 18th December 1917) would later write to the family, “Allow me to express to you my deep sympathy in the death of your son, L.Cpl. G.S. Greenwood, the first man in this battalion to give his life for his country on the Italian Front. Your son was commanding a guard over his company headquarters in the front line, and was hit by a shell. He died without pain a few hours after. Your boy was a very gallant soldier and had always acquitted himself with credit in action. I, in common with all the other officers who knew him, greatly regret his loss”. Greenwood would be buried at Biadene Communal Cemetery Extension, ¾ mile NE of Montebelluna; his remains would subsequently be exhumed and re-buried at Giavera British Cemetery.
Attachments not showing Chris :( Thanks for the post - Happy New Year :)
Right replaced the images once again...
Attachment 238783
3rd January 1918
Really big day for the various air services...
General Headquarters, January 4th.
“The fine weather on the 3rd instant led to great aerial activity on both sides. Our aeroplanes observed for the artillery throughout the day, and took a great many successful photographs both in the enemy's forward and back areas. A total of 200 bombs were dropped on two hostile aerodromes, on Ledeghem railway junction, on hutments in the neighbourhood of Houthulst Forest, and on billets south of Lille. Six hostile aeroplanes were brought down in air fighting, and two others were driven down out of control. Three of our aeroplanes are missing.
“During the night of the 3rd-4th instant, further 300 bombs were dropped on six of the enemy's aerodromes, including Gontrode aerodrome. Successful raids were also carried out, in spite of very bad weather, against the factories at Maizieres-les-Metz, the railway communications at Woippy, and the railway Junction at St. Privat, all of which are in the neighbourhood of Metz. All our machines returned."
RFC Communiqué number 121:
A considerable amount of work was done.
Thirteen successful reconnaissances were carried out, three by the 2nd Brigade, three by the 3rd Brigade, two by the 5th and five by the 9th Wing.
Artillery Co-operation: with aeroplane observation 45 hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction and five were neutralised. Five gun-pits were destroyed, 19 damaged, 17 explosions and 11 fires caused, and 76 active hostile batteries were reported by zone call.
1,860 photographs were taken during the day, 5,087 rounds fired at ground targets, and approximately three tons bombs dropped as follows:
1st Brigade: No 18 Squadron droppped 24 25-lb bombs on various billets, and 29 25-lb bombs were dropped by Corps squadrons.
1,050 rounds were fired and 315 photographs taken.
2nd Brigade: No 57 Squadron dropped 13 25-lb bombs on Ledeghem Railway Junction,
554 photographs were taken.
3rd Brigade: Seventy-nine 25-lb bombs were dropped by low-flying scout and Corps machines on various targets.
2,210 rounds were fired and 619 photographs taken.
5th Brigade: No 8 Squadron dropped 42 25-lb bombs and fired 1,027 rounds.
No 35 Squadron dropped 16 25-lb bombs, fired 700 rounds and took 174 photographs.
9th Wing: On the night 2nd/3rd machines of No 102 Squadron dropped two 230-lb and two 25-lb bombs on Carvin.
During the day No 25 Squadron dropped six 112-lb and 10 25-lb bombs on Scheldewendeke Aerodrome while No 27 Squadron attacked Maria Aalter Aerodrome on which they dropped three 112-lb and eight 25-lb bombs.
RNAS Communiqué number 13:
Intermittent snow storms throughout the day made flying difficult. Fighter patrols were maintained whenever possible.
A bomb raid was attempted on Ghistelles Aerodrome by No 5 Squadron, but had to be abandoned.
Several indecisive engagements took place during the day. A pilot of No 10 Squadron being forced down to 200 feet over Ostende, eventually escaping in the clouds. Two of our pilots failed to return from a general engagement near Lille.
Enemy Aircraft: Enemy aircraft activity was not very pronounced, though more single-seaters were encountered than during the last few days.
Lieut E Green & Cpl R Allan, 25 Sqn, Scout out of control – an enemy machine was shot down out of control by Lieut E Green & Cpl R Allan, No 25 Squadron, who were returning home alone when four EA scouts attacked them
Lieut L A Payne & ?, 48 Sqn, LVG C out of control
Capt H H Maddocks, 54 Sqn, Camel B9143, DFW C in flames east of St Quentin at 08:25/09:25 - Capt H Maddocks, No 54 Squadron, engaged an enemy two-seater, which he shot down in flames
Flt Cdr R J O Compston, Flt Sub-Lieut W L Jordan and Flt Sub-Lieut P M Dennett, 8N Sqn, DFW C crashed west of Arras at 10:05/11:05 - a patrol of Naval Squadron No 8, consisting of Flight Commander Compston, Flight Lieut Jordan, and Flight Sub-Lieut Dennett, attacked a two-seater which they drovn down and which was seen to crash; Ltn Josef Lampart (Kia) & Ltn Alexander Zipperer (Kia), FA 46b [?]
2nd Lieut H M Beck, 3 Sqn, DFW C out of control Havrincourt Wood at 11:15/12:15 - Lieut H M Beck, No 3 Squadron, attacked a two-seater and shot it down out of control
Flt Cdr R J O Compston, 8N Sqn, DFW C out of control Épinoy Wood at 11:20/12:20 - Flight Commander Compston attacked another two-seater which he shot down out of control
Lieut N C Millman & 2nd Lieut A C Cooper, 48 Sqn, Albatros C out of control Le Catelet at 11:30/12:30
Capt K R Park & Lieut J H Robertson, 48 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control St Quentin at 12:10/13:10 - Capt K Park & Lieut J Robertson, No 48 Squadron, were taking photographs when six EA attacked them. After hard fighting they shot down one scout out of control and evaded the rest, although the Bristol's engine was hit
Capt R L Chidlaw-Roberts and 2nd Lieut C F Cunningham, 60 Sqn, two-seater in flames Armentières - Comines at 12:40/13:40 - Capt R Chidlaw-Roberts and Lieut Cunningham, No 60 Squadron, attacked a two-seater which was seen by anti-aircraft to fall in flames
2nd Lieut E A Coghlan & 2/AM H R Eden, 27 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Maria Aeltre at 13:05/14:05
2nd Lieut W J Henney & 2nd Lieut P S Driver, 27 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Maria Aeltre at 13:05/14:05
Bombing machines of No 27 Squadron had hard fighting and drove down two enemy machines, one was hit by 2nd Lieut W Henney & Lieut P Driver; the other by 2nd Lieut C Gannaway & Lieut J Proger
Flt Lieut M J G Day, SDS, Albatros C out of control Nr Bruges at 13:30/14:30 - Flight Sub-Lieut Day, Seaplane Defence Squadron, went in pursuit of a hostile photographic machine over Dunkirk. Overtaking it near Bruges he fired 300 rounds at point blank range. EA dived very steeply and disappeared in the clouds. It is considered highly probable that this machine was destroyed
2nd Lieut F C Gorringe, 70 Sqn, two-seater in flames noerth of Wervicq at 13:40/14:40
2nd Lieut F G Quigley, 70 Sqn, two-seater out of control east of Moorslede at 13:45/14:45
2nd Lieut F Gorringe, No 70 Squadron, engaged a hostile machine which he drove down until it fell out of control and crashed, and 2nd Lieut F Quigley of the same squadron shot down a two-seater out of control
2nd Lieut A F W Beauchamp-Proctor, 84 Sqn, two-seater out of control north-east of St Quentin at 15:00/16:00
Lieut J F Larsen, 84 Sqn, two-seater in flames north-east of St Quentin at 15:00/16:00
2nd Lieut A Beauchamp Proctor, No 84 Squadron, shot down a two-seater out of control, while another was shot down in flames by Lieut J Larson of the same squadron, who picked it off the tail of another pilot
Capt W E Molesworth, 29 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south of Moorslede at 15:30/16:30
2nd Lieut L Timms and Lieut F J Williams, 29 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south of Moorslede at 15:35/16:35
A formation of Nieuport Scouts of No 29 Squadron attacked a scout which Capt W Molesworth shot down out of control, and a second was engaged and driven down out of control by 2nd Lieuts L Tims and F Williams
2nd Lieut W Beaver & 2nd Lieut H E Easton, 20 Sqn, Albatros C crashed north-east of Moorslede at 15:45/16:45 - while on photographic work, 2nd Lieuts W Beaver & H Easton, No 20 Squadron, attacked a scout which they shot down out of control and which crashed and burst into flames
Capt H Rusby, No 29 Squadron, attacked an enemy balloon which was pulled down smoking
Casualties:
Lt R S S Brown (Wia), 3 Sqn, Camel - shot up bombing
2nd Lt W J Henney (Ok) & Lt P S Driver (Ok), 27 Sqn, DH4 B2087 - badly damaged in fight with EA after dropping bombs at Maria Aaltre
2nd Lt C D Skinner (Wia), 29 Sqn, SE5a – shot up in combat
? (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut L Lambe (Wia), 48 Sqn, F2b – shot up in combat
2nd Lt E S Davenport (Pow; Dow), 3 Sqn, Camel B9131 – took off 07:10/08:10 and last seen north-west of Marcoing on low bombing Marcoing; ground fire [also said to be Vzfw Otto Fruhner, Js26, 3rd victory [south of Armentières at 11:35/12:35] but time
2nd Lt R G J Stewart (Pow), 56 Sqn, SE5a C1753 – took off 10:00/11:00 and seen to have force landed behind enemy lines Vendhuille and being assisted into enemy trenches on DOP; Ltn d R Ludwig Hanstein, Js35, 14th victory [Guillemont at 11:10/12:10]
Capt A F E Pitman (Kia) & Lt C W Pearson (Kia), 57 Sqn, DH4 A7687 – took off 10:50/11:50 and missing from photography; Oblt Bruno Loerzer, Js26, 21st victory [south-west of Gheluvelt at 12:10/13:10] ?
2nd Lt R L M Ferrie MC (Kia), 46 Sqn, Camel B2516 - last seen in a spin near Metz at 11:30/12:30 after diving on EA on COP
Flt Sub-Lt F Booth (Kia), 10N Sqn, Camel B5658 - last seen in engagement with a number of enemy machines west of Lille at 13:50/14:50 on high offensive patrol; Uffz Emil Liebert, Js30, 2nd victory [Mourchin (Meurchin?) at 13:50/14:50] ?
Flt Sub-Lt A G Beattie (Pow), 10N Sqn, Camel N6351 - last seen in engagement with a number of enemy machines west of Lille on high offensive patrol; Vzfw Hans Oberländer, Js30, 5th victory [Billy – Provin at 13:50/14:50] ?
2nd Lt A B Cochrane (Ok) & 2nd Lt V C Baker (Wia), 10 Sqn, AW FK8 C3521 - attacked and badly damaged by 5 EA on artillery observation Becelaere at 15:15/16:15
Attachment 238784
Another victory today for Keith Park and his Bristol, but he was in turn shot down by Kurt Ungewitter
The following victories were claimed (34 different pilots)
Attachment 238785 Attachment 238786
Amongst the 'first timers' on this day is one Captain Andrew Frederick Weatherby "Proccy" Beauchamp-Proctor VC. DSO. MC and bar, DFC
The son of a school teacher, Andrew Frederick Weatherby Beauchamp-Proctor was South Africa's highest scoring ace during World War I. When the war began, he was a student of engineering at the University of Cape Town but abandoned his studies to join the army. He served as a signaller in the Duke of Edinburgh's Own Rifles and saw action in German South-West Africa before his discharge from the army in August 1915. After completing his education, Beauchamp-Proctor joined the Royal Flying Corps in March 1917 and was commissioned upon his arrival in England. Having successfully completed pilot training, he was posted to 84 Squadron in late July and accompanied this unit to France in September 1917.
An S.E.5a pilot, Beauchamp-Proctor was just five feet two inches tall. His height made it necessary to raise the seat and modify the controls of the aircraft he flew. Despite these difficulties and a crash on 11 March 1918, Beauchamp-Proctor claimed 54 victories that year and became the British Empire's highest scoring balloon-buster. Beauchamp-Proctor was killed in a flying accident at Central Flying School, Upavon on 21 June 1921.
Attachment 238787
VC Citation
Lieut. (A./Capt.) Andrew Weatherby Beauchamp-Proctor, D.S.O., M.C., D.F.C., No. 84 Sqn., R.A. Force.
Between August 8th, 1918, and October 8th, 1918, this officer proved himself victor in twenty-six decisive combats, destroying twelve enemy kite balloons, ten enemy aircraft, and driving down four other enemy aircraft completely out of control.
Between October 1st, 1918, and October 5th, 1918, he destroyed two enemy scouts, burnt three enemy kite balloons, and drove down one enemy scout completely out of control.
On October 1st, 1918, in a general engagement with about twenty-eight machines, he crashed one Fokker biplane near Fontaine and a second near Ramicourt; on October 2nd he burnt a hostile balloon near Selvjgny; on October 3rd he drove down, completely out of control, an enemy scout near Mont d'Origny, and burnt a hostile balloon; on October 5th, the third hostile balloon near Bohain.
On October 8th, 1918, while flying home at a low altitude, after destroying an enemy two-seater near Maretz, he was painfully wounded in the arm by machine-gun fire, but, continuing, he landed safely at his-aerodrome, and after making his report was admitted to hospital.
In all he has proved himself conqueror over fifty-four foes, destroying twenty-two enemy machines, sixteen enemy kite balloons, and driving down sixteen enemy aircraft completely out of control.
Captain Beauchamp-Proctor's work in attacking enemy troops on the ground and in reconnaissance during the withdrawal following on the Battle of St. Quentin from March 21st, 1918, and during the victorious advance of our Armies commencing on August 8th, has been almost unsurpassed in its Brilliancy, and. as such has made an impression on those serving in his squadron and those around him that will not be easily forgotten.
Capt. Beauchamp-Proctor was awarded Military Cross on 22nd June, 1918; D.F. Cross on 2nd July, 1918; Bar to M.C. on 16th September, 1918; and Distinguished Service Order on 2nd November, 1918.
12 British Airmen were lost on this day
Attachment 238788 Attachment 238789
Anti-aircraft guns at home score a “success”. The victim is an FE2b of 38th Squadron on a cross country training flight from Stamford. The pilot, Second Lieutenant E F Wilson, strays into the outer London defenses, forgets the night recognition colors and is promptly fired on by the Roding guns. The aircraft is hit and then wrecked in a forced landing. Fortunately Wilson is unhurt.
Captain Henry Hollingdrake Maddocks scores his fifth victory, the first victory in a Sopwith Camel for 54th Squadron east of St Quentin. He will achieve two more victories before the end of the Great War. Shortly thereafter Second Lieutenant Andrew Frederick Weatherby Beauchamp-Proctor (Royal Flying Corps) scores the first of his fifty-four victories also east of St Quentin.
British air losses are six aircraft down. Four pilots are killed, two taken prisoner. Those killed include
Lieutenant Cecil William Pearson (Northumberland Fusiliers attached Royal Flying Corps) killed at age 21 on a mission southwest of Gheluvelt. He is the son of the late Reverend C W Pearson (Vicar of Walton, Aylesbury).
Second Lieutenant Edmund Sharington Davenport (Royal Flying Corps) is killed in action at age 21. He is the grandson of the Reverend E S Davenport.
Attachment 238790
Second Lieutenant Leonard George Colbeck (Royal Field Artillery) dies at sea on board HMS Ormonde returning home at age 34. He is a professional cricket player for Middlesex, Marylebone and Europe versus India after playing for Cambridge University.
Attachment 238791
A Bristol Fighter prepares for a mission on a wintry day.
AIR WAR
Britain: Air Council replaces Air Board, analogous to Army Council and Board of Admiralty. Lord Rothermere first Secretary of State for Air. Trenchard first Chief of Air Staff.
Palestine: Royal Flying Corps bomb airfields at El Afule and Jenin (until January 4).
Germany: Allied air raids on Metz area, Royal Flying Corps repeat (on January 4, 16 and 21).
Western Front*: South African ace Lieutenant Beauchamp*-Proctor scores first of 54 victories.
WESTERN FRONT
Artois: Slight British advance south of Lens.
Alsace: French heavily repulse attack near Anspach.
EASTERN FRONT
Brest-Litovsk: Ukrainian delegation arrives. Bolsheviks propose moving talks to Stockholm (Central Powers refuse on January 9).
Russia: British ambassador Buchanan recalled (departs January 7).
Captain Tunstill's Men: A medical examination of Fred Tate (see 29th January 1917), who had been an original member of ‘A’ Company but had been discharged on grounds of ill health whilst the Company was in training, found that “he has acute phtisis (TB) in both lungs, is losing weight and generally getting worse; uncertain if permanent; re-examine in six months”. There was also confirmation of the earlier medical opinion that Tate’s illness “cannot be regarded as due to or aggravated by military service”.