100 Years Ago Today

[Hedeby]

April 6th 1917

There is just the one really big story on this day... and its a great big war welcome to our colonial cousins - better late than never...

Two days after the U.S. Senate voted 82 to 6 to declare war against Germany, the U.S. House of Representatives endorses the declaration by a vote of 373 to 50, and America formally enters World War I.

William Jennings Bryan, the secretary of state and a three-time Democratic presidential candidate, resigned over Wilson’s decision to end U.S. neutrality.

The war mobilization effort placed unique demands on both the military and civilians. In a wartime speech, Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federation of Labor, said the U.S. workforce was fully committed to victory. As he put it:

“The World War in which we are engaged in is on such a tremendous scale that we must readjust practically the whole nation’s social and economic structure from a peace to a war basis. It devolves upon liberty-loving citizens, and particularly the workers of this country, to see to it that the spirit and the methods of democracy are maintained within our own country while we are engaged in a war to establish them in international relations. ... The workers have a part in this war equal with the soldiers and sailors on the ships and in the trenches. ... They are demonstrating their appreciation and loyalty by war work, by loaning their savings, and by the supreme sacrifice.”



Oh my god the air war has really started 47 pilots claiming over 60 kills on this day, including hat tricks and two 4somes. We will only be able to focus on some of these otherwise it will take days to produce and even longer to read. We will focus on the first timers and the multiple victories.

Major Fred Parkinson Holliday Australia #1



The son of English parents, Thomas Bradley and Emily (Parkinson) Holliday, Fred Parkinson Holliday was born in Fitzroy, a suburb of Melbourne. He was educated in England at Brighton Grammar School and Brighton Technical College, where he studied electical and mechanical engineering. Having served three years in the Sussex Yeomanry, he moved to Canada before the war. When he enlisted in the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on 23 September 1914, Holliday was 26 years old and stood 5 feet 8 inches tall. He sailed for England as a sapper with the 2nd Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers. After surviving a chlorine gas attack on the Western front, Sapper Holliday was promoted to Temp. 2nd Lieutenant on 28 November 1915, before he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. The following month, he joined 4 Squadron as an observer and served with this unit until August 1916 before training to become a pilot. In 1917, Lieutenant Holliday was posted to France with 48 Squadron. Between April and July of that year, he and his observers scored seventeen victories flying the Bristol Fighter. In August 1917, he was returned to England where he assumed command of a Training Squadron at Gosport. On 8 January 1918, Temp. Captain Holliday was promoted to Flight Command with the rank of Temp. Major. Post-war, Holliday was transferred to the unemployed list on 3 September 1919 and traveled to Sweden where he worked for the Swedish Electric Company. He returned to Canada in December 1923 and, during World War II, he served with the Royal Canadian Air Force. From August 1942 until January 1945, he served as commanding officer of No. 10 Repair Depot at Calgary, Alberta. He retired in 1945 with the rank of Group Captain. From April 1947 until his death in 1960, Fred Holliday was the president and managing director of Swedish Electric in Canada.

Flight Commander Frederick Carr 'Army' Armstrong Canada #1



The son of Fred an Emily (Owen) Armstrong, Frederick Carr Armstrong attended Upper Canada College from 1909 to 1912. After he joined the Royal Naval Air Service in 1915, Flight Sub-Lieutenant Armstrong received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 2675 on a Maurice Farman biplane at Royal Naval Air Station, Chingford on 3 April 1916. He was posted to Naval 3 at Dunkirk in February 1917. He was killed in action when his Sopwith Camel went down in flames near Ervillers.

Major Lloyd Samuel Breadner Canada #1



Before he enlisted in the Royal Naval Air Service, Lloyd Samuel Breadner, the son of Samuel Marsh and Caroline Alberta (Watkins) Breadner, received his pilot's certificate on a Wright biplane at the Wright school, Augusta, Georgia on 28 December 1915. In 1917, he was posted to Naval 3 which was attached to the Royal Flying Corps. Flying the Sopwith Pup, he scored his fourth victory by shooting down a Gotha G.III on 23 April 1917. It was the first Gotha bomber shot down by a British fighter over the Western Front. Upon the formation of the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1924, Breadner was recommissioned and served as commanding officer of Camp Borden in Ontario. In 1939 he went to England as a technical advisor and was promoted to Air Marshal in 1941. In 1943 he returned to England as air officer commanding the R.C.A.F. overseas. Promoted again, shortly before he retired in 1945, Air Chief Marshal Breadner achieved the highest rank ever awarded in the R.C.A.F. Suffering from ill health, he died in a Boston, Massachusetts hospital in 1952.

Major Alfred Williams 'Nick' Carter Canada #1



The son of David and Martha Carter, Alfred Williams Carter was born on a ranch near Calgary and enlisted on 23 December 1915 at Kingston, Ontario where he had been a student at Queen's University. In 1916 he joined the Royal Naval Air Service and attended flight school at Thomas Brothers' School of Aviation in St. Augustine, Florida. In 1917, after serving with 3 Wing, he was posted to 3 Naval Squadron and scored 5 victories flying the Sopwith Pup. In June 1917 he was reassigned to 10 Naval Squadron as a flight commander and scored 4 more victories flying the Sopwith Triplane. By the end of the war, he scored another 8 victories flying the Sopwith Camel and assumed command of his squadron. Post-war he worked for the Air Board until April 1922, and in 1923 he owned and operated an automobile dealership, A.W. Carter, Ltd., in Victoria, B.C. Carter was an active member of the Air Cadet League of Canada.

Carleton Clement Canada #3

Flight Commander Joseph Stewart Temple Fall Canada #1



The son of a farmer, Joseph Stewart Temple Fall tried to enlist in the army but was rejected for service due to a childhood head injury. On 23 August 1915 he was accepted as a candidate for the Royal Naval Air Service. When Canadian authorities abandoned support for a flying school in Canada, Fall left Canada on 12 November 1915 to be trained in England. By late 1916, he was flying the Sopwith Pup in combat with 3 Naval Squadron. He was the only Canadian ace to receive the Distinguished Service Cross three times for combats in the air. Fall remained in the Royal Air Force until 1945 when he retired as a Group Captain.

Medley Parlee Canada #2
James Smith Canada #5
John Vincent Aspinall England #3

Captain Geoffrey Hornblower Cock England #1 #2



The son of James and Adeline Anna Cock, Geoffrey Hornblower Cock joined the army in December 1915. After transferring to the Royal Flying Corps in June 1916, he was assigned to 45 Squadron. Credited with thirteen victories, he was the highest scoring ace to fly the Sopwith 1½ Strutter. After ninety-seven sorties against the enemy, Cock was shot down over Warneton on 22 July 1917 by Wilhelm Reinhard of Jasta 11. A prisoner of war until December 1918, he remained in the Royal Air Force until he retired as a Group Captain in 1943.

Leonard Emsden England #4
Frank Hudson England #4

Lieutenant John Murison England #1 (no further notes available)

2nd Lieutenant William Thomas Price England #1



One of 48 Squadron's original pilots, Price transferred to the Royal Flying Corps after serving with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He scored 7 victories flying Bristol Fighters before he was wounded and shot down by Lothar von Richthofen. 1901 residence same as place of birth. The family residence was Leamington Spa, Warwickshire when Price enrolled at Reading University, to study Agriculture, before the war. Enlisting in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, at Birmingham on 31 August 1914, Price served with them until his transfer to the Royal Flying Corps. His parents were William T. and Amelia A. Price

Captain Alexander Roulstone England #1

The son of Frederick and Phoebe Roulstone, Alexander Roulstone was wounded in action scoring his 8th victory over Hans Bethge on 17 March 1918.

Lieutenant Oliver 'Stewpot' Stewart England #1

Lieutenant Oliver Stewart, 2/9th Middlesex Regiment (T.F.), received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 2630 on a Maurice Farman biplane at military school, Thetford on 30 March 1916. Posted to 54 Squadron, he scored five victories flying the Sopwith Pup in 191

Captain Anthony Herbert William Wall England #1

From the 17th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment, Anthony Herbert William Wall transferred to the Royal Flying Corps and was posted to 48 Squadron as an observer. He crewed Bristol Fighters with Australian ace Fred Holliday and scored 16 victories in 1917. Died at the age of 101.

Gustave Douchy France #6

Lieutenant Pierre Marie Gabriel Vincent Ernest Leroy de Boiseaumarie France #1

Médaille Militaire
"Incomparable pilot, inspiring his comrades in arms to attack enemy planes and balloons, which he has harassed with admirable tenacity during recent operations. On 20 August 1917 he downed an enemy plane which crashed behind its own lines. Already cited twice." Médaille Militaire citation

Victor Regnier France #5
Paul Tarascon France #9
Hartmut Baldamus Germany #16
Fritz Bernert Germany #14
Rudolf Berthold Germany #10

Leutnant Joachim von Bertrab Germany #1 #2 #3 #4



On 6 April 1917, the United States entered the war. It was also the day that Bertrab, flying his purple Albatros D.III with its unique comet insignia, shot down four British aircraft in three hours. His fifth and final victory was achieved a month later. The war ended for Bertrab on 12 August 1917. While attacking a balloon, his Albatros D.V was shot down by a Nieuport piloted by Edward Mannock. Bertrab survived but was captured.

Hans Bethge Germany #5

Leutnant Heinrich Bongartz Germany #1



A school teacher prior to the war, Bongartz was commissioned at Verdun where he served with an infantry regiment. After transferring to the Luftstreitkräft he was wounded five times before his days as a combat pilot ended. On 29 April 1918, Bongartz was shot down by an S.E.5a piloted by Clive Glynn. Despite a terrible facial wound which resulted in the loss of his left eye, Bongartz safely landed his Fokker DR.I.

Leutnant Walter Böning Germany #1



Having distinguished himself in combat while serving in the infantry, Böning began pilot training on 10 February 1916. After serving with FA 6b, he was posted to Jasta 9 in November 1916. Credited with 6 victories by the fall of 1917, he was given command of Jasta 76b on 5 October 1917. Here he scored 11 more victories before he was wounded in action on 31 May 1918. On that day, he collided with a member of his flight just moments before his Albatros D.Va was attacked by members of 70 Squadron. Severely wounded in the lower left leg, Böning was forced to disengage and return to his aerodrome where he managed to land his badly damaged plane.

Otto Brauneck Germany u/c

Leutnant Wilhelm Frankl Germany #16 #17 #18 #19



The son of a Jewish businessman, Frankl scored his first victory on 10 May 1915 while serving as an observer with FA 40. That day, he shot down a Voisin with a carbine. For this feat, he received the Iron Cross, 1st Class. Later that year he became a pilot and scored nine victories flying the Eindekker with KEK Vaux. On 1 September 1916, he joined Jasta 4 and scored eleven more victories before he was killed in action on the afternoon of 8 April 1917. During a fight with Bristol Fighters, his Albatros D.III came apart in the air and went down near Vitry-Sailly.
When the Nazis came to power, Frankl's name was removed from the list of German World War I aviation heroes. After World War II, his name was reinstated to the list and in 1973, the Luftwaffe honored his memory by naming a barracks for him.

Heinrich Gontermann Germany #7
Walter Göttsch Germany #7
Josef Jacobs Germany u/c
Karl Menckhoff Germany #2
Edmund Nathanael Germany #8
Paul von Osterroht Germany #3 #4
Karl Schäfer Germany #10 #11
Adolf Schulte Germany u/c
Otto Splitgerber Germany #3
Georg Strasser Germany #2
Adolf von Tutschek Germany #3
Werner Voss Germany #24
Kurt Wolff Germany #6
Giles Blennerhasset Ireland #4

Flight Sub-Lieutenant Thomas Grey Culling New Zealand #1



From Remuera, Thomas Grey Culling was the only son of Thomas S. and Fanny Culling. He was educated at King's College before traveling to England to enlist in the Royal Naval Air Service. He was promoted to temporary Flight Sub-Lieutenant (on probation) on 29 January 1916. He received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 3258 on a Maurice Farman biplane at Royal Naval Air Station, Chingford on 13 July 1916. With 1 Naval Squadron in the spring of 1917, after being promoted to temporary Flight Lieutenant on 1 April, Culling scored six victories flying the Sopwith Triplane in France.

Captain Maurice Arthur Benjamin South Africa #1



The son of Michael and Rose Benjamin, Maurice Arthur Benjamin was a Brisfit observer with 48 Squadron in 1917. Credited with 8 enemy machines, Lieutenant Benjamin received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 5883 on 3 February 1918. He was transferred to the unemployed list on 19 August 1919.

Lieutenant Llewelyn Davies Wales #1

Llewelyn Crichton Davies, the son of Henry and Anne Davies, enlisted in 1915 and was posted to 22 Squadron as an observer in 1917. He was wounded once and scored 5 victories flying with F.E.2b and Bristol Fighter pilots. He died from injuries sustained in the crash of a D.H.4 on 13 March 1918. Birth registered in the 4th quarter of 1898 at Bala, Merionethshire; 1901 residence was Llanrwst, Denbighshire.

28 Airmen were lost on this day we simply do not have the time to go through all of these, something we may have to repeat in the coming days as unfortunately having a day job gets in the way of writing these at times.


Lieutenant Bailey (Alban), C.F. (Clifton Frederick) 59 Squadron
AM 2nd Class Barrie, V.N. (Vincent Norman) 59 Squadron
2nd Lieutenant Blake, J.E. (James Edward) 45 Squadron
Captain Brayshay, W.S. (William Stead) 45 Squadron
2nd Lieutenant Brown, A.R. (Arthur Roberts) 2 Squadron
2nd Lieutenant Campbell, C.S.G.M.I. (Colin St George McIvor) 45 Squadron
Lieutenant Davies, R.W.M. (Robert William Maengwyn) 59 Squadron
Lieutenant Day, W.L. (William Leonard) 59 Squadron
Lieutenant Edwards, D.W. (Donald William) 45 Squadron
Lieutenant George, H.D.K. (Herbert Duncan King) 48 Squadron
Lieutenant Hatch, G.J. (George John) 8 Squadron
AM 2nd Class Hawkins, S.M. (Sidney Michael)
2nd Lieutenant Higginbottom, F. (Frederick) 23 Squadron
Lieutenant Hume, R. (Ronald) 2 Squadron
AM 2nd Class Jenkins, F.E.
Lieutenant Knight, O.R. (Osbert Richmond) 16 Squadron
Corporal Langridge, E.F. (Ernest Frank) 8 Squadron
Lieutenant Marshall, J.A. (John Arthur) 45 Squadron
2nd Lieutenant Pell, H.S. (Harry Saxon) 40 Squadron
2nd Lieutenant Proud, J.R.S. (John Reginald Stanhope) 27 Squadron

In total 609 British lives were lost

The trawler Strathrannock (William George Bowles Royal Naval Reserve) is sunk by a mine off St Abbs Head killing its skipper. The steamer Vine Branch (Master John Hunter age 31) is torpedoed and sunk southwest of Ireland killing her entire crew of 44. Among those lost is Boatswain Edward Clark age 34 the brother in law of the ship’s master and one of three brothers who will lose their lives in the merchant service in the Great War.

Today’s highlighted casualties include:

Captain John Edward Day (Irish Regiment) is killed at age 22. His brother was killed in November 1914 and they are sons of the Very Reverend Maurice W Day Dean of Waterford.
Captain Victor John Whitaker (Lincolnshire Regiment attached Royal Flying Corps) is killed at age 19. His brother was killed in August 1915.
Lieutenant Albert Villiers Zacharias-Jessel (Durham Light Infantry) is killed in action at age 21. He is the son of the late Councilor Zacharias-Jessel.
Lieutenant Francis George Truscott MC (Suffolk Regiment attached Royal Flying Corps) is killed at age 22. He is the son of ‘Sir’ George Wyatt the 1st Baronet and Lord Mayor of London 1908 to 9 and grandson of ‘Sir’ Francis Wyatt Truscott Lord Mayor 1879 to 80.

Western Front
France: President Poincare and generals meet in train at Compiegne to reconsider offensive. Nivelle threatens to resign, but given approval provided attack called off after 48 hours, if expected gains not forthcoming. 5,350 guns now bombarding.

Air War
Western Front: Mannock posted to No 40 Squadron. 5 Sopwith Pups of No 3 (Naval) Squadron destroy all of 4 Halberstadt fighters.

We will finish today with a Victoria Cross (could be either yesterday or today this was one - reports vary)



Major William Gosling VC (15 August 1892 – 12 February 1945) 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.

William Gosling was born in Wanborough, Wiltshire, one of four children to farmer Albert Gosling and his wife Elizabeth. After his education in the village school he worked alongside his father as a wheat farmer. Following his father's death in a farming accident, the family relocated to Wroughton where Elizabeth, assisted by William and his two elder brothers, took up tenancy of Artis Farm. In 1908 William enlisted with the Territorial Force and at the age of 18 years emigrated to Canada where he worked on grain silos before becoming a fireman on the Canadian Pacific Railway. Following the outbreak of the First World War he paid for his own passage home and enlisted with the 3rd Wessex Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. He departed for France on 6 May 1915 where his battalion was attached to the 51st Highland Division stationed near Arras.

During the precursor bombardment to the Battle of Arras, on 5 April 1917 Gosling was a battery sergeant in charge of several heavy trench mortars. A bomb was fired from a Stokes Mortar from Sergeant Gosling's battery. "Owing to a faulty cartridge the bomb, after discharge, fell 10 yards from the mortar. Sergeant Gosling sprang out, lifted the nose of the bomb which had sunk into the ground, unscrewed the fuse and threw it on the ground, where it immediately exploded. This very gallant and prompt action undoubtedly saved the lives of the whole detachment". For this action he was awarded the Victoria Cross and was presented with the award by King George V outside Buckingham Palace on 21 July 1917.



After the war William Gosling returned to his home village of Wroughton to take up the tenancy of Summerhouse Farm. He was vice-president of the Wroughton branch of the Royal British Legion and served as a Parish Councillor for 14 years between 1922 and 1936. During World War II, the decorated war hero served as a major in the Home Guard.

William managed and worked his dairy farm in Wroughton for the remainder of his life. He died at his home on 12 February 1945 aged 52. He is buried in the parish churchyard of St John the Baptist & St. Helen's church.

[Hedeby]

April 7th 1917

Dear lord - please make today a slightly more manageable day than yesterday - which was more than a little worrying as we still haven't reached the peak of Bloody April yet, and on Sunday we have the start of the Battle of Arras, we have the attck on Vimy Ridge and no less than NINE Victoria Crosses awarded - its going to be a long shift that one.... anyway on with today's offering.

Air War
Western Front: Second Lieutenant Ball returns (to 56 Squadron) after teaching pilots in England. Richthofen’s 5 Albatros DIIIs shoots down 2 of 6 Nieuport fighters (No 60 Squadron), latter lose again 4 of 6 on April 16.


Albert Ball's Nieuport

Sea War
North Sea: 4 British CMBs (Coastal Motor Boats) raid on Zeebrugge (night April 7-8); CMB8 torpedoes and sinks German destroyer G88 on April 8.

During the First World War, following a suggestion from three junior officers of the Harwich destroyer force that small motor boats carrying a torpedo might be capable of travelling over the protective minefields and attacking ships of the Imperial German Navy at anchor in their bases, the Admiralty gave tentative approval to the idea and, in the summer of 1915, produced a Staff Requirement requesting designs for a Coastal Motor Boat for service in the North Sea.

These boats were expected to have a high speed, making use of the lightweight and powerful petrol engines then available. The speed of the boat when fully loaded was to be at least 30 knots (56 km/h) and sufficient fuel was to be carried to give a considerable radius of action. They were to be armed in a variety of ways, with torpedoes, depth charges or for laying mines. Secondary armament would have been provided by light machine guns, such as the Lewis gun. The weight of a fully loaded boat, complete with 18-inch (450 mm) torpedo, was to not exceed the weight of the 30-foot (9.1 m) long motor boat then carried in the davits of a light cruiser, i.e. 4.5 tons. The CMBs were designed by Thornycroft, who had experience in small fast boats. Engines were not proper maritime internal combustion engines (as these were in short supply) but adapted aircraft engines from firms such as Sunbeam and Napier.

In 1910, Thornycroft had designed and built a 25 ft (7.6 m) speedboat called Miranda IV. She was a single-step hydroplane powered by a 120 hp (89 kW) Thornycroft petrol engine and could reach 35 knots (65 km/h).[1]

A 40 ft (12 m) boat based on Miranda IV was accepted by the Admiralty for trials. A number of these boats were built and had a distinguished service history, but in hindsight they were considered to be too small to be ideal, particularly in how their payload was limited to a single 18-inch torpedo.

Several companies were approached, but only Thornycroft considered it possible to meet such a requirement. In January 1916, twelve boats were ordered, all of which were completed by August 1916. Further boats were built, to a total of 39.[2]

The restriction on weight meant the torpedo could not be fired from a torpedo tube, but instead was carried in a rear-facing trough. On firing it was pushed backwards by a cordite firing pistol and a long steel ram, entering the water tail-first. A trip-wire between the torpedo and the ram head would start the torpedo motors once pulled taut during release. The CMB would then turn hard over and get out of its path. There is no record of a CMB ever being hit by its own torpedo, but in one instance the firing pistol was triggered prematurely and the crew had a tense 20 minutes close to the enemy whilst reloading it.


The above image is of one of the 55ft variety of CMBs

Politics
Cuba and Panama declare war on Germany (4 German ships seized Havana).

On this day 596 British Lives were Lost

Today’s highlighted casualties include:

Captain Henry Dennis Smith-Ryland (Warwickshire Yeomanry) dies of wounds in Egypt received in Gaza at age 26. His is the son of Justice of the Peace C A Smith-Ryland.
Captain Alexander J Jennings JP (Royal Field Artillery attached Royal Flying Corps) is killed at age 22.
Second Lieutenant Latimer Ridley Dubois (London Regiment) is killed at age 26. His brother will be killed in two days.



Second Lieutenant Frazer Keith Lefroy (Royal Field Artillery) is killed at age 22. He is the son of Augustus Henry Frazer Lefroy KC.
Regimental Sergeant Major Norman Pittersen (Australian Infantry) is killed at age 30. His brother will be killed next Aprill.
Lance Corporal James Sutherland (Seaforth Highlanders) is killed in action at Scarpe, Arras at age 22. His brother was killed in November 1916.
Private George Connell Bellringer (Seaforth Highlanders) is killed in action at age 33. He is the brother of John Bellringer a football player for Ayr United Football Club who was killed in 1915.
Rifleman Claud Robert Vallentine-Warne (London Regiment) is killed at age 27. His brother was killed in May 1915.



James Ernest Newland, VC (22 August 1881 – 19 March 1949) was an Australian soldier, policeman and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth armed forces. Newland was awarded the Victoria Cross following three separate actions in April 1917, during attacks against German forces retreating to the Hindenburg Line. While in command of a company, Newland successfully led his men in several assaults on German positions and repulsed subsequent counter-attacks.

Born in the Victorian town of Highton, Newland joined the Australian military in 1899 and saw active service during the Second Boer War. He continued to serve in the Australian Army's permanent forces on his return to Australia, and completed several years' service in the artillery. Transferring to the militia in 1907, Newland became a police officer in Tasmania before re-joining the permanent forces in 1910. Following the outbreak of the First World War, he was appointed to the Australian Imperial Force and was among the first wave of men to land at Gallipoli. In the days following the landing, Newland was wounded and evacuated to Egypt where he was commissioned as a second lieutenant.

Transferring to the Western Front in 1916, Newland was mentioned in despatches for his leadership while commanding a company during an attack at Mouquet Farm. He was wounded twice more during the war and medically discharged in March 1918; he returned to service with the permanent army. Newland held various appointments between the two world wars, and retired a lieutenant colonel in 1941. He died of heart failure in 1949.



On 17 August 1914, Newland transferred to the newly raised Australian Imperial Force following the British Empire's declaration of war on Germany and her allies. Assigned to the 12th Battalion, he was made its regimental quartermaster sergeant and embarked from Hobart aboard HMAT Geelong on 20 October, bound for Egypt.Following a brief stop in Western Australia, the troopship arrived at its destination seven weeks later. The 12th Battalion spent the following four months training in the Egyptian desert. At the commencement of the Gallipoli Campaign, the 3rd Australian Brigade—of which the 12th Battalion was part—was designated as the covering force for the ANZAC landing, and as such was the first unit ashore on 25 April 1915, at approximately 04:30. Newland was wounded in the days following the landing, suffering a gunshot wound to his arm, and was evacuated to the 1st General Hospital. While at the hospital, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant on 22 May, before returning to the 12th Battalion four days later.

By early April 1917, there remained three German-held outpost villages—Boursies, Demicourt and Hermies—between the area to the south of the I Anzac Corps position and the Hindenburg Line.[12] An attack by the 1st Australian Division to capture them was planned for 9 April, the same day the British offensive opened at Arras.[4] For his actions on three separate occasions during the assault, Newland was awarded the Victoria Cross.[13]

On the night of 7/8 April, the 12th Battalion was tasked with the capture of Boursies, on the Bapaume–Cambrai road. The attack was a feint to mislead the German forces on the direction from which Hermies was to be assaulted. Leading A Company as well as an attached platoon from B Company, Newland began his advance on the village at 03:00. The company was soon subject to heavy rifle and machine gun fire from a derelict mill approximately 400 metres (440 yd) short of the village, and began to suffer heavy casualties. Rallying his men, Newland charged the position and bombed the Germans with grenades. The attack dislodged the Germans, and the company secured the area and continued its advance.

Throughout 8 April, the Australians were subjected to heavy shellfire from German forces. At approximately 22:00, the Germans launched a fierce counter-attack under the cover of a barrage of bombs and trench mortars against A Company's position at the mill. They had some initial success and entered the forward posts of the mill, which were occupied by a platoon of Newland's men under the command of Sergeant John Whittle. Newland, bringing up a platoon from the battalion's reserve company, charged the attackers and re-established the lost ground with Whittle's assistance. The 12th Battalion was relieved by the 11th Battalion on 10 April, having succeeded in capturing Boursies at the cost of 240 casualties, of which 70 were killed or missing.

After a four-day reprieve from the frontline, the 12th Battalion relieved the 9th Battalion at Lagnicourt on 14 April. Around dawn the next day, the Germans launched a severe counter-attack against the 1st Australian Division's line. Breaking through, they forced back the 12th Battalion's D Company, which was to the right of Newland's A Company. Soon surrounded and under attack on three sides,Newland withdrew the company to a sunken road which had been held by Captain Percy Cherry during the capture of the village three weeks earlier, and lined the depleted company out in a defensive position on each bank.

The German forces attacked Newland's company several times during the battle, but were repulsed each time. During one of the assaults, Newland observed that the German attack was weakening and gathered a party of twenty men. Leading the group, he charged the Germans and seized forty as prisoners. As reinforcements from the 9th Battalion began to arrive, a combined counter-attack was launched and the line recaptured by approximately 11:00. During the engagement, the 12th Battalion suffered 125 casualties, including 66 killed or missing.Newland and Whittle were both awarded the Victoria Cross for their actions at Boursies and Lagnicourt; they were the only two permanent members of the Australian military to receive the decoration during the war. At 35 years and 7 months old, Newland was also the oldest Australian Victoria Cross recipient of the First World War.

11 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON SATURDAY APRIL 7TH 1917

2nd Lieutenant Burnand, G.C. (Geoffrey Chasemore) 43 Squadron RFC
Private Day, E.J. (Edmund James) RFC
2nd Lieutenant Hall, C.S. (Charles Sidney) 60 Squadron RFC
AM 2nd. Class How, C. RFC
Captain Jennings, A. (Alexander) 29 Squadron
Captain Mahoney-Jones, G.J. (George James) 20 Squadron
Lieutenant Moyes, W. (William) RFC
2nd Lieutenant Muir, J.H. (James Hunter) 29 Squadron RFC
2nd Lieutenant Peacock, W.H. (William Hubert) 45 Squadron
AM 2nd Class Rawson, E.C. (Ernest C) 47 Squadron RFC
2nd Lieutenant Smart, G.O. (George Orme) 60 Squadron

A (thankfully) much shorter list con aerial combat claims today...

Robert Little Australia #5

William Bishop Canada #3 #4

Charles Booker England #2

Sergeant Edward Harper Sayers England #1

Sayers was born in Merton, Surrey, the son of William Harper and Hannah Jane Sayers. In 1917 he was serving in the Royal Flying Corps' No. 20 Squadron as a 2nd Class Air Mechanic, flying in a F.E.2d two-seater fighter as an observer/gunner.

He gained his first aerial victory with pilot Second Lieutenant S. N. Pike on 7 April 1917, by driving down out of control an Albatros D.II over Tourcoing. Sayers and Lieutenant E. O. Perry sent an Albatros D.III down in flames over Becelaère on 24 April, but were later themselves shot down over Polygon Wood. He was paired with Lieutenant Donald Cunnell, for his next two victories, both D.IIIs shot down in flames, one over Comines on 2 May, and the other over Wervicq on 5 June. His fifth and final victory came on 8 June, with Second Lieutenant William Durrand in the pilot's seat, sending another D.III down in flames over Comines. On 14 July 1917 AM2 Sayers was granted permission to wear the Médaille militaire awarded to him by the government of France.Having been promoted to Sergeant, Sayers was killed in a flying accident at RFC Manston, Kent, on 17 July 1918. He is buried in the Willesden New Cemetery, Middlesex



Fritz Bernert Germany #15
Walter von Bülow-Bothkamp Germany #10
Sebastian Festner Germany #6
Wilhelm Frankl Germany #20
Hans Klein Germany #2
Max von Müller Germany #6

Manfred von Richthofen Germany #37



Nieuport XVII No. A6645 60 Squadron RFC Engine No. T3557 Gun: 5868

17:45hrs Mercatel, other side of our lines. Nieuport one-seater. English, details not to hand.

I attacked together with four of my gentlemen, an enemy squadron of six Nieuport machines, south of Arras and behind the enemy lines. The plane I had singled out tried to escape six times by various manoeuvres. When he was doing this for the seventh time I managed to hit him, whereupon the engine began to smoke and the plane itself went down head first, twisting ans twisting. At first I thought it was another manoeuvre but then I saw the plane dashed without catching itself to the ground near Mercatel.

Karl Schäfer Germany #12
Kurt Wolff Germany #7

From the annals of the Ox and Bucks Light Infantry



From The Story of the 2/4th Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, by Captain G. K. Rose M.C. (Oxford: B.H. Blackwell, 1920)

Before dawn our troops were in their old positions.

In the attack the sergeant-majors of both A and B Companies were hit. Of the officers, Barton, commanding B, and Tilly, of A, were killed. Aitken and Wayte were wounded. Nearly 40 of rank and file were casualties.

The attack had proved a failure, but, as often happened, hopes of success were reluctantly abandoned by the staff. Thus my company was warned that it might have to repeat the attack at dawn. Pending such a fate, I was sent to bivouac in a windswept spinney known as Ponne Copse. It was still snowing. After their week’s exposure I was loth to inform my men of such a destiny.

But a more favourable turn of events was in store. The weather cleared, and at 11 a.m. on the 7th I was allowed to return to my version of Montolu Wood. On the same day the Battalion was relieved by the Bucks and marched back through Soyécourt to Caulaincourt. There we found Bennett, who had come from the Aldershot course to be Second in Command. The château grounds were quieter than before, for our guns had now moved further up towards the line.

Captain Tunstill's Men: Another bright and sunny, though cold, day. Alongside the usual training, there was much work to be done in cleaning and improving conditions in the camp which was found to be, “very dirty”. “NCO's received special training under Major Bathurst (see 22nd November 1916)”. A party of two officers and 75 other ranks was attached to 2nd Canadian Tunnelling Company for duty; they joined the Canadians at their base at Reninghelst.

Sgt. George Mitchell (see 19th January) was temporarily posted to L Signals Battalion, Royal Engineers; his transfer seems to have been linked to his pre-war occupation as an electrician.

Three officers left the Battalion having been taken ill. 2Lt. George Stuart Hulburd (see 9th January) was one of the original officers of the Battalion but had been taken ill in May 1916 and had only re-joined the Battalion in January; he was again posted back to England, although the details of his illness have not been established. The nature of the illness suffered by 2Lt. Herbert Middleton (Bob) Hands (see 19th December) is also unclear, but he too was posted back to England and was subsequently posted to 83rd Training Reserve Battalion at Gateshead. 2Lt. Thomas Arnold Woodcock (see 14th March), who had been with the Battalion for only three weeks, was suffering from abdominal pain and diarrhoea; he would be treated locally in the first instance.

[Mike George]

Very nice read thanks for your time.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Yet another very interesting read Chris.
Rob.

[Hedeby]

Thank you good sir...

[Hedeby]

Spring has certainly arrived in a very sunny Doncaster, thought I had better get this safely completed before barbeque beer and boardgames takes over...

April 8th 1917

Lets start with a minor incident which was going to have world wide ramifications in six months time....



Lenin with 19 to 20 Bolsheviks begin ‘sealed train’ journey from Switzerland to Petrograd (until April 16) via Berlin (on April 11 told to Kaiser). Lenin opposed World War I, which began in 1914, as an imperialistic conflict and called on proletariat soldiers to turn their guns on the capitalist leaders who sent them down into the murderous trenches. For Russia, World War I was an unprecedented disaster: Russian casualties were greater than those sustained by any nation in any previous war. Meanwhile, the economy was hopelessly disrupted by the costly war effort, and in March 1917, riots and strikes broke out in Petrograd over the scarcity of food. Demoralized army troops joined the strikers, and on March 15, 1917, Nicholas II was forced to abdicate, ending centuries of czarist rule. In the aftermath of the February Revolution (known as such because of Russia’s use of the Julian calendar), power was shared between the ineffectual provisional government, led by Minister of War Alexander Kerensky, and the soviets, or “councils,” of soldiers’ and workers’ committees.

After the outbreak of the February Revolution, German authorities allowed Lenin and his lieutenants to cross Germany en route from Switzerland to Sweden in a sealed railway car. Berlin hoped, correctly, that the return of the anti-war socialists to Russia would undermine the Russian war effort, which was continuing under the provisional government. Lenin called for the overthrow of the provisional government by the soviets; he was subsequently condemned as a “German agent” by the government’s leaders. In July, he was forced to flee to Finland, but his call for “peace, land, and bread” met with increasing popular support, and the Bolsheviks won a majority in the Petrograd soviet. In October, Lenin secretly returned to Petrograd, and on November 7, the Bolshevik-led Red Guards deposed the Provisional Government and proclaimed soviet rule.

Politics
Austria: Government severs relations with US (Bulgaria on April 10).

Sea War
Eastern Atlantic – The Torrington Massacre: U-55 (Werner) sinks British steamer off Scilly Islands, destroys one lifeboat (14 killed) and drowns 20 passengers by deliberately submerging while they are on outer casing.

On 8 April 1917 the ship was sailing from Italy to Cardiff to load coal for the Italian railways. Shortly after 11.30am she was torpedoed by a German submarine, 150 miles off the Isles of Scilly. The torpedo hit forward of the bridge. A submarine then surfaced and opened fire on the ship. Capt. Starkey ordered his men into the lifeboats, but the submarine came alongside. Capt. Starkey was ordered below deck of the U-boat, which he did thinking he could save his men. Some of the crew went on the deck of the U-boat, whilst others remained in a lifeboat. The captain of the U-boat then ordered the vessel to dive remarking that “the others could swim”. Through the submerging of the U-boat about 20 member of the Torrington’s crew were washed off and killed. The remaining crew in the lifeboat were never heard of again. In total thirty four members of the crew were killed and Capt. Starkey was the only survivor.



Capt. Starkey was held prisoner aboard the submarine for fifteen days. He was then held in four different prisoner of war camps in Germany, including Brandenburg, Holminden, and Strohenmoor. Prisoners were poorly treated in these camps, and Capt. Starkey commented that “We would have starved if it had not been for the food we received from home. We were there for two months and a half on German rations and looked like shadows when the time was up. Then food began to arrive from home and we certainly enjoyed that. The food in the camps was always potato soup, not always good potatoes, cabbage soup and some bread.”



Captain Francis Newton Allen Cromie CB DSO (Royal Navy) senior naval officer in the Baltic orders all remaining British submarines (E1, E8, E9, E19, C26, C27 and C35) to be towed out of Helsingfors (modern Helsinki) to sea. Explosives are placed against their pressure hulls and they are scuttled to avoid their falling into Bolshevik hands. All the crews return to England while Cromie proceeds to Petrograd where he will become the Naval Attaché.

Air War
Macedonia: KG 1 bombs Yanesh railhead; 2 Sopwiths force down an already AA*-riddled Friedrichshafen G-type bomber, 3 crew taken PoW.
Western Front: Lieutenant-General Hoeppner and Chief of Staff Lieutenant-Colonel Thomsen both awarded Pour le Merite for reorganizing German Army Air Service since November 12, 1916.

On this day we lost another ace from the war....

Standoff Neuberg, home to the 74th Tactical Fighter Squadron, sits just south of the Danube River, nestled deep within a woodland. Since 1973, the base has held the honor of being named for Wilhelm Frankl, a German fighter ace from the First World War.



But Frankl wasn’t like most aces from the time. He wasn’t a Prussian noble, nor from a long line of German officers stretching back generations. No, he was just a German Jew who had grown up with a love of airplanes. And he wasn’t alone, of the 100,000 German Jewish soldiers of the war, many joined the air service, and two of them became highly respected aces. Frankl, the highest scoring of the German Jewish Aces, was the son of a businessman in Hamburg. Born in 1893, he grew up loving aviation and was fascinated by flight. He finally achieved his dreams when, in 1913, he received pilot’s license No. 49. Notably, this German Jewish pilot, rare in his own right, studied aviation under Germany’s first female pilot, Melli Beese. Frankl was a natural, and when the war broke out in 1914, he immediately volunteered for the air service.

His skills and positive attitude were immediately recognized and commented on by his superiors, and he advanced quickly. He was put in Feldfliegerabteilung, field pilots section 40 and began his career as a spotter on reconnaissance missions. In less than a year of fighting, his skill as an aerial gunner began to show as well, when he downed a French Voisin push plane, in May 1915. At the time, most planes carried no armament, and this first kill was with a carbine, in the back seat of a plane. It earned him an Iron Cross 1st Class, and the respect of his peers. His next victory came almost exactly eight months later, this time in a Fokker Eindecker, again shooting down a Voisin. But there was a major difference between his first victory and second. His first, shooting an unarmed opponent with a carbine from the back of a reconnaissance plane, shows how aviation started during the war. Planes were used in support roles, not as fighting platforms. But by 1916, he was firing through his propeller, in a monoplane fighter. The French Voisin, likewise, was armed with a 37mm cannon for ground attack. The war in the skies had gotten deadly. But Frankl, being a naturally skilled pilot, was ahead in this game of skill and guts. And on May 4th, 1916, he became an ace, having downed a total of five enemy aircraft. This achievement earned him high praise, promotion to Lieutenant, and a string of awards.

At the time, he was one of only eight fighter aces in the German army and had gained a certain amount of fame. In July 1916, he was awarded Germany’s highest honor: the Pour le Merite. He was the first German pilot to receive it.



He continued to have a successful flying career, earning a total of 20 victories. But sadly, his plane wasn’t strong enough to handle what Frankl wanted to do with it. While fighting a Bristol F.2 Fighter, the lower wing of his Albatross D.III failed, and both he and his craft plummeted 800 feet to his death. He is remembered not only for his skill as a pilot, but also as the highest scoring German Jewish aces of the war.

On this day 610 british lives were lost

Baron von Richthofen shoots down two aircraft (his 38th and 39th victories) resulting in the death of three British officers and the capture of one. Second Lieutenants Keith Ingleby MacKenzie (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders attached) and Guy Everingham (Royal Fusiliers attached) are killed when their BE2g is shot down while on artillery observation duty west of Vimy over the village of Farbus. At age 18 MacKenzie is the youngest victim of the Red Baron. Lieutenant Everingham is 22 and his brother was killed on Gallipoli in December 1915. Killed earlier today is Lieutenant Leonard Heath Cantle (Surrey Yeomanry attached) who dies at age 21.



It was another busy day in the air war including a double for 'the Red Baron' and Bernert and a hat trick for William 'Billy' Bishop...

Roderic Dallas Australia #9

Gerald Bell Canada #1

An engineer from Ottawa, Gerald Gordon Bell joined the 38th Battalion on 8 February 1915. He was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps on 9 January 1917. He scored 16 victories as an observer and pilot. The son of D. T. A. Bell, he married Miss Edith Grace Drayton, eldest daughter of Sir Henry and Lady Drayton, in 1920 at Ottawa.

William Bishop Canada #5 #6 #7



Carleton Clement Canada #4
Medley Parlee Canada #3

Anthony Rex Arnold England #1

The son of Rev. Charles Lowther and Mary Delamere Arnold, Anthony Rex Arnold was the great-great-grandson of American Revolutionary War general Benedict Arnold. He was confirmed as Flight Sub-Lieutenant on 1 August 1914 and received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 876 on a Maurice Farman biplane at Central Flying School, Upavon on 21 August 1914. Flying the Sopwith Triplane, Arnold scored five victories with Naval 8 before assuming command of 79 Squadron.



John Vincent Aspinall England #4
Edwin Cole England #4

Alan Incell Riley England #1

Alan Incell Riley was promoted to temp. 2nd Lt. (on probation) on 14 January 1917. Confirmed in rank 9 February 1917. From Flying Officer to Temp. 2nd Lt. and to be temp. Capt. on 10 August 1917.

Herbert Travers England #3
Fritz Bernert Germany #16 #17
Walter von Bülow-Bothkamp Germany #11
Sebastian Festner Germany #7
Heinrich Gontermann Germany #8
Walter Göttsch Germany #8
Erich Hahn Germany #2
Hans Klein Germany #3

Manfred von Richthofen Germany #38 #39



(38) 11:40hrs near Farbus. Sopwith two-seater. occupants; Lieutenant Heagerty, wounded, Lieutenant Heath-Cantle killed. Details of plane not to hand as plane is lying in shellfire and is also dashed to piece. With three of my planes I attacked three Sopwith above Farbus. the plane I singled out soon made a right hand turn downwards. the observer ceased shooting. I followed the adversary to the ground where he was dashed to pieces.

(39)BE2G No.A2815 - 16 Squadron RFC (engine no.1707 WD 2644)16:40 hrs, Vimy, his side of the lines. Be2 No.A2815. Occupants both killed, name of one - Davidson, remnants scattered over more than a kilometer. I was flying and surprised an English artillery flyer. After a very few shots the plane broke to pieces and fell near Vimy, on this side of the lines.

Karl Schäfer Germany #13
Georg Schlenker Germany #7
Kurt Wolff Germany #8
Francis Casey Ireland #2
David Tidmarsh Ireland #4
Alan Scott New Zealand #2
Pavel Argeyev Russia u/c
Christopher Brand South Africa #4
Raoul Lufbery USA u/c
Llewelyn Davies Wales #2
Francis Kitto Wales #2

and finally 17 airmen were lost on this day

17 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON SUNDAY APRIL 8TH 1917

AM 3 Andrews, M.B. (Melvin Bruce) Aircraft Deport Ascot
2nd Lieutenant Berry, O.W. (Oswald William) 48 Squadron
Lieutenant Cantle, L.H. (Leonard Heath) 43 Squadron
2nd Lieutenant Cooksey, K.B. (Kenneth Bassano) 59 Squadron
Lieutenant Evans, B. (Bernard) 55 Squadron
2nd Lieutenant Everingham, G. (Guy) 16 Squadron
Lieutenant Hamar, A.J. (Alfred John) 55 Squadron
Lieutenant Hampson, H.N. (Harold Norman) 20 Squadron
AM 2 Jones, R.H. (Reginald Hansford) 59 Squadron
Lieutenant Kent, E. (Ernest) 24 Squadron
2nd Lieutenant Mackenzie, K.I. (Keith Ingleby) 16 Squadron
Major Milot, J.A.A. (Joseph Adelard Adrien) 60 Squadron
2nd Lieutenant Owen, T.J. (Thomas John) 29 Squadron
AM 1 Paine, C.R. (Charles Richard) Royal Naval Air Station, Redcar
AM 2 Reynolds, E. (Ernest)
Cadet Talbot, J.H. (James Harold)
2nd Lieutenant White, B.W. (Basil Walwyn) 55 Squadron

[Hedeby]

April 9th 1917

We shall start with one of the largest battles of the entire war - the Battle of Arras and focus in particular on part of that overall affair - the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Have to say very nice to see some of our Royals marking the centenary of the start of this battle today and in particular taking the time to praise the courage and sacrifice of the Canadian soldiers who saw the bulk of the action, and took the brunt of the losses. There were SIX Victoria Crosses awarded for actions on this day (we will cover them later)



The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a military engagement fought primarily as part of the Battle of Arras, in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France, during the First World War. The main combatants were the Canadian Corps, of four divisions, against three divisions of the German Sixth Army. The battle, which took place from 9 to 12 April 1917, was part of the opening phase of the British-led Battle of Arras, a diversionary attack for the French Nivelle Offensive. The objective of the Canadian Corps was to take control of the German-held high ground along an escarpment at the northernmost end of the Arras Offensive. This would ensure that the southern flank could advance without suffering German enfilade fire. Supported by a creeping barrage, the Canadian Corps captured most of the ridge during the first day of the attack. The village of Thélus fell during the second day of the attack, as did the crest of the ridge, once the Canadian Corps overcame a salient against considerable German resistance. The final objective, a fortified knoll located outside the village of Givenchy-en-Gohelle, fell to the Canadian Corps on 12 April. The German forces then retreated to the Oppy–Méricourt line.

Historians attribute the success of the Canadian Corps in capturing the ridge to a mixture of technical and tactical innovation, meticulous planning, powerful artillery support and extensive training, as well as the failure of the German Sixth Army to properly apply the new German defensive doctrine. The battle was the first occasion when all four divisions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force participated in a battle together and it was made a symbol of Canadian national achievement and sacrifice. Recent historical research has called this patriotic narrative into question, showing that it developed in the latter part of the twentieth century. The nation-building story only emerged fully formed after most of those who experienced the Great War directly or indirectly had passed from the scene. A 100-hectare (250-acre) portion of the former battleground serves as a memorial park and site of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial.



Comprising a famed attack upon the heights which crucially overlooks the plains of Artois the Battle of Vimy Ridge sees the Canadian Corps sweep away firmly entrenched German defenders.

Some 12km northeast of Arras Vimy Ridge gained early importance during the war on account of the heights which overlooked the Allied-held town. German forces seized control of the ridge in September 1914 and promptly constructed deep defensive positions comprising bunkers, caves, passages and artillery-proof trenches, heavily protected by concrete machine gun emplacements.

With such formidable defensive precautions in place the German army rapidly set about the steady destruction of Arras, pounding the town with heavy artillery – apparently with impunity. French attempts to grab control of the ridge throughout 1915 were bloodily repulsed with the loss of some 150,000 French casualties. Although the British relieved French operations in March 1916 they were pushed back along a 2km front before they could commence aggressive measures. There matters lay pending the wide-scale Arras offensive scheduled for the spring of 1917. As part of this offensive the Canadian Corps, operating under British General Julian Byng, are tasked with the decisive recapture of Vimy Ridge. In preparation for this the Canadians construct miles of tunnels through which troops can pass in readiness for the opening of the attack without coming under shellfire. Aerial reconnaissance using observation balloons ensures accurate news of German movements. At dawn this morning of Easter Monday the Canadians attack comprising four divisions begins following a heavy three-week British artillery barrage which is supported by a well-devised creeping barrage.



Within thirty minutes the Canadian 1st Division, under Arthur Currie, has succeeded in capturing German front line positions in spite of a snowstorm and within a further half hour the second line has also been taken by the Canadian. With the entire ridge wholly under Allied control by 12 April (when Hill 145, the highest feature on the ridge, falls) the operation is judged a spectacular success, the single most successful Allied advance on the Western Front to date. The ridge will remain in Allied hands for the remainder of the war. It does not come without cost however: 10,602 Canadians are wounded during the attack, and 3,598 killed. The opposing German force suffers even more heavily with 20,000 casualties.

Private William Johnstone Milne (Manitoba Regiment) near Thelus observes an enemy machine gun firing on our advancing troops. Crawling on hands and knees, he succeeds in reaching the gun, killing the crew with bombs, and capturing the gun. On the line re-forming, he again locates a machine gun in the support line, and stalking this second gun as he had done the first, he succeeds in putting the crew out of action and capturing the gun. His wonderful bravery and resource on these two occasions undoubtedly saved the lives of many of his comrades. Private Milne is killed shortly after capturing the second gun at age 24. He will be awarded the posthumous Victoria Cross for his actions this day.

At Neuville-St.-Vaast, France during an attack on enemy trenches, Lance-Sergeant Ellis Westwood Sifton’s company of the Western Ontario Regiment is held up by machine-gunners who have survived the artillery barrage by taking refuge in concrete shelters. As the Canadians move forward, the enemy’s machine guns sweep the battlefield, causing heavy casualties. Sifton sees the enemy’s machine gun nest first. He jumps up, rushes forward and leaps into the trench. He then charges into the enemy gun crew and knocks the gun over before turning on the gunners with his bayonet, killing each man. More Canadians rush forward but a small German party moves down the trench towards Sifton. He uses his bayonet and his rifle as a club to fight them off until help arrives. Despite these efforts, Sifton is killed during the fight. For his actions on this day Sergeant Sifton will awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.

Manitoba Regiment casualties:

Major Gordon Ruthven Heron (Manitoba Regiment) is killed in action at age 33. He had been awarded the Humane Society Medal at the age of 15 for saving five lives.
Captain Daniel Gordon Campbell (Manitoba Regiment) is killed in action at age 29. His brother was killed in August 1915.
Captain Victor Gordon Tupper MC (Manitoba Regiment) is killed in action at aged 21. He is the son of the 6th Prime Minister of Canada ‘the Honorable’ Sir Charles Hibbert Tupper KCMG and Lady Tupper.
Private Charles Gentle (Manitoba Regiment) is killed at age 22. His brother will be killed next September.
Private Herbert Charles Benstead (Manitoba Regiment) is killed at age 28. His brother was killed in November 1916.
Private John Noel Steadman (Manitoba Regiment) is killed in action at age 21. His brother will die in October of this year. They are sons of the Reverend W Steadman.
Private John McCluny (Manitoba Regiment) is killed at age 28. His brother will die on service in Germany in May 1919.

Also lost on a day when total losses were 7149

Lieutenant Colonel Edward William Hermon DSO (King Edward’s Horse commanding 24th Tyneside Irish) is killed at age 38. His last words to his adjutant are “go on”. His letters home will be published as For Love and Courage will be published by his granddaughter in 1991.
Lieutenant Colonel Harold Underhill Hatton Thorne (Berkshire Regiment commanding 12th Royal Scots) is killed. His brother was killed last month.
Brevet Major (Temporary Lieutenant Colonel) Charles James Burke DSO (Royal Irish Regiment commanding 1st East Lancashire Regiment) is killed at age 35. He is a veteran of the South African War.
Major William John Brooke (King’s Shropshire Light Infantry) is killed in action at age 42. He is the son of Lady Wilhelmina Brooke who also lost a son in May 1915.
Captain Eric Fitzgerald Clarke (London Regiment) is killed in action at Neuville Vitasse at age 23. His brother will be killed in August 1918 and they are sons of ‘Sir’ Frederick W A Clark and Lady Clark.
Captain R G K Money (East Kent Regiment) is killed at age 18. He is one of three brothers all of whom will be killed in the Great War.
Captain Geoffrey Laird Jackson (Rifle Brigade) dies of wounds by a shell at age 23. He played cricket for Derbyshire from 1912 to 1914 including the county championship in 1914 and is the son of Brigadier General Geoffrey Meinerthagen Jackson.



The Main Assault 9th April 1917

The attack was to begin at 5:30 am on Easter Monday, 9 April 1917. The attack was originally planned for the morning of 8 April (Easter Sunday), but it was postponed for 24 hours at the request of the French. According to the first and most comprehensive book by a Canadian veteran of the battle, Eberts Macintyre, "It was nauseating to contemplate the horrors that the representatives of two Christian nations would inflict on each other at the time of the Easter festival each believing that he was in the right." During the late hours of 8 April and early morning of 9 April the men of the leading and supporting wave of the attack were moved into their forward assembly positions. The weather was cold and later changed to sleet and snow. Although physically discomforting for everyone, the north-westerly storm provided some advantage to the assaulting troops by blowing snow in the faces of the defending troops. Light Canadian and British artillery bombardments continued throughout the prior night but stopped in the few minutes before the attack, as the artillery recalibrated their guns in preparation for the synchronized barrage. At exactly 5:30 am, every artillery piece at the disposal of the Canadian Corps began firing. Thirty seconds later, engineers detonated the mine charges laid under no man's land and the German trench line, destroying a number of German strong points and creating secure communication trenches directly across no man's land. Light field guns laid down a barrage that advanced in predetermined increments, often 100 yards (91 m) every three minutes, while medium and heavy howitzers established a series of standing barrages further ahead, against known defensive systems. During the early fighting the German divisional artilleries, despite heavy losses, were able to maintain their defensive firing. As the Canadian assault advanced, it overran many of the German guns because there was no means of moving them to the rear on account of many of the horses being killed in the initial gas attack.



The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Canadian Divisions reported reaching and capturing their first objective, the Black Line, by 6:25 am.[20] The 4th Canadian Division encountered a great deal of trouble during its advance and was unable to complete its first objective until some hours later.[20] After a planned pause, when the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Canadian Divisions consolidated their positions, the advance resumed. Shortly after 7:00 am, the 1st Canadian Division captured the left half of its second objective, the Red Line, and moved the 1st Canadian Brigade forward to mount an attack on the remainder. The 2nd Canadian Division reported reaching the Red Line and capturing the town of Les Tilleuls at approximately the same time.A mine explosion that killed many German troops of the Reserve Infantry Regiment 262 manning the front line preceded the advance of the 3rd Canadian Division. The remaining German troops could do no more than man temporary lines of resistance until later manning a full defence at the German third line. As a result, the southern section of the 3rd Canadian Division was able to reach the Red Line at the western edge of the Bois de la Folie at around 7:30 am. At 9:00 am the division learned of its exposed left flank, as the 4th Canadian Division had not yet captured Hill 145. The 3rd Canadian Division was thus called upon to establish a divisional defensive flank to its north. Although the German commanders were able to maintain open lines of communication and issue operating orders, even with swift staff work the tempo of the assault was such that German decision cycle was unable to react decisively.

The only portion of the Canadian assault that did not go as planned was the advance of the 4th Canadian Division, collapsing almost immediately after exiting their trenches. The commanding officer of one of the assaulting battalions requested that the artillery leave a portion of German trench undamaged. Machine-gun nests in the undamaged sections of the German line pinned down, wounded or killed much of the 4th Canadian Division's right flank. The progress on the left flank was eventually impeded by harassing fire from the Pimple that was made worse when the creeping barrage got too far ahead of the advancing troops.In view of the German defence, the 4th Canadian Division did not attempt a further frontal assault throughout the afternoon.Reserve units from the 4th Canadian Division came forward and once again attacked the German positions on the top of the ridge. Persistent attacks eventually forced the German troops holding the south-western portion of Hill 145 to withdraw, but only after they had run out of ammunition, mortar rounds and grenades. Towards midday, the 79th Reserve Division was ordered to recapture the portions of its third line lost during the progression of the Canadian attack.[ However, it was not until 6:00 pm that the force was able to organize and counterattack, clearing the Canadian Corps troops out of the ruined village of Vimy, but not recapturing the third line south of the village. By night time, the German forces holding the top of the ridge believed they had overcome the immediate crisis for the mean time. Additional German reinforcements began arriving and by late evening portions of the 111th Infantry Division occupied the third line near Acheville and Arleux, with the remainder of the division arriving the following day.

War Poets

Second Lieutenant Philip Edward Thomas (Royal Garrison Artillery) is killed by an exploding shell at Arras. The son of a civil servant from Wales, Thomas was born in London on 3 March 1878. After his education at St Paul’s School and Lincoln College, Oxford, he became a writer of reviews and topographical works. In 1909 Thomas published a biography of Richard Jeffries, the writer and naturalist. This work is followed by the novel “The Happy-Go-Lucky Morgans” (1913). In spite of the fact that he is married and has two children in the summer of 1915 Thomas enlists as a private in the Artist Rifles. The following year he is made a junior officer in the Royal Artillery. Lieutenant Thomas began writing war poetry in 1915 after receiving encouragement from his friend Robert Frost but only a few of these are published before he is killed include No One Cares Less Than I, This is No Case of Petty Right or Wrong, The Cherry Trees, Old Man and A Private.




Rain

Rain, midnight rain, nothing but wild rain
On this bleak hut, and solitude, and me
Remembering again that I shall die
And neither hear the rain nor give it thanks
For washing me cleaner than I have been
Since I was born into this solitude.
Blessed are the dead that the rain rains upon:
But I hear I pray that none who once I loved
Is dying tonight of lying still awake
Solitary, listening to the rain, Either in pain or thus in sympathy
Helpless among the living and the dead,
Like a cold water among broken reeds
Myriads of broken reeds all still and stiff,
Like me who have no love which this wild rain
Has not dissolved except the love of death,
If love it be towards what is perfect and
Cannot, the tempest tell em, disappoint.

Second Lieutenant Robert Ernest Vernede (Rifle Brigade) dies of wounds received in action at age 41. He is a noted Great War Poet and novelist. His “War Poems” will be published in 1918. He was educated at St Paul’s School and at St John’s College, Oxford. On leaving college he became a professional writer, producing several novels and two books of travel sketches, one dealing with India, the other with Canada. He is also the author of a number of poems. At the outbreak of the war he enlisted in the Royal Fusiliers later being commissioned in the Rifle Brigade in May 1915. He went to France in November 1915 and was wounded during the Battle of the Somme in September 1916 returning to the front in December. His poems include: A Listening Post, Before the Assault, The Sergeant and At Delville.



What shall I bring to you, wife of mine,
When I come back from the war?
A ribbon your dear brown hair to twine?
A shawl from a Berlin store?
Say, shall I choose you some Prussian hack
When the Uhlans we o’erwhelm?
Shall I bring you a Potsdam goblet back
And the crest from a Prince’s helm?

Little you’d care what I laid at your feet,
Ribbon or crest or shawl –
What if I bring you nothing, sweet,
Nor maybe come home at all?
Ah, but you’ll know, Brave Heart, you’ll know
Two things I’ll have kept to send;
Mine honour for which you bade me go
And my love – my love to the end.

Second Lieutenant Walter Lightowler Wilkinson (Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders) is killed at Vimy Ridge at age 19. He wrote the following poem.

The Wayside Burial

Their bringing in their recent dead – their recent dead!
I see the shoulder badge: a “Southern crush.”
How small he looks – (O damn that singing thrush!)
Not five foot five from boots to battered head!…
Give him a kindly burial, my friends, –
So much is due, when some such loyal life ends!
“For Country! …. Ay, and so our brave do die:
Comrade unknown, God rest to you! – Good-bye!

Its reeded: he is buried!
Comrade, sleep!
A wooden cross at your brave head will stand.
A cross of wood? A Calvary! – The Land
For whose sake you laid down sweet life, will keep
Watch, lad, and ward that none may bring to shame
That Name for which you died!…”What’s in a name”? –
England shall answer! you will hear her cry :
“Well done, my own! my son – God rest: Good-bye!”

Sergeant Charles Stewart MacKenzie (Seaforth Highlanders) is purportedly bayoneted to death at age 35, while defending one of his badly injured colleagues in the hand to hand fighting of the trenches. Years later his grandson will write the following poem in his honor. As a song the poem was featured in the Hollywood movie, “We Were Soldiers” directed by Randall Wallace & starring Mel Gibson.





Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone
Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone

When they come I will stand my ground
Stand my ground I’ll not be afraid

Thoughts of home take away my fear
Sweat and blood hide my veil of tears

Once a year say a prayer for me
Close your eyes and remember me

Never more shall I see the sun
For I fell to a Germans gun

Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone
Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone
Where before many more have gone

The Six VCs



Thomas Bryan VC (21 January 1882 – 13 October 1945) 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. Bryan was 35 years old, and a lance-corporal in the 25th (Service) Battalion (2nd Tyneside Irish), Northumberland Fusiliers, British Army during the First World War at the Battle of Arras when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. On 9 April 1917 near Arras, France, during an attack Lance-Corporal Bryan although wounded, went forward alone in order to silence a machine-gun which was inflicting much damage. He worked his way along the communication trench, approached the gun from behind, disabled it and killed two of the team. The results obtained by Lance-Corporal Bryan's action were very far-reaching.

Harry Cator VC, MM (24 January 1894 – 7 April 1966) 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. He was born in Drayton in Norfolk to a railway worker. After leaving school, he was a porter on the London Midland and Great Northern Joint Line before joining a building contractor in Great Yarmouth. He joined the British Army in September 1914, and arrived on the Western Front in June 1915 already a sergeant in the 7th Battalion, The East Surrey Regiment. In 1916 at the time of the Somme Offensive, he was awarded the Military Medal for bringing back 36 wounded men from no-mans land. He earned his VC during the Arras offensive. On 9 April 1917 near Arras, Sergeant Cator's platoon had suffered heavy casualties from a hostile machine-gun. Under heavy fire the sergeant, with one man, advanced across the open to attack the gun and when his companion was killed, he went on alone. Picking up a Lewis gun and some ammunition drums on his way, he succeeded in reaching the enemy trench and sighting another hostile machine-gun, he killed the entire team and the officer. He held the end of the trench with such effect that a bombing squad were able to capture 100 prisoners and five machine-guns. A few days later he was injured by an exploding shell. It was shortly after that the award of the VC and the French Croix de Guerre were announced. After the war he worked as a postman and as a civil servant. Cator served with the rank of captain in the Home Guard during the Second World War, and was commandant for a prisoner-of-war camp. He retired from the Army in December 1947. He died in 1966 in Norwich on 7 April and is buried in Sprowston cemetery.

Thomas James Bede Kenny, VC (29 September 1896 – April 1953) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was 20 years old, and a private in the 2nd Battalion, Australian Imperial Force during the First World War when for his conspicuous bravery he was awarded the VC.



On 20 December he embarked with the 13th Reinforcements, 2nd Battalion and, after arriving in Egypt, served with the 54th Battalion – the 2nd Battalion's daughter battalion – before joining the 2nd on 27 February 1916. In March 1916 he went to France and, in the second phase of the Battle of Pozières, fought in the battalion bombing platoon. On 9 April 1917, at Hermies, France, Kenny's platoon was held up by an enemy strong point. Despite heavy enemy fire, he ran alone towards the enemy, killing one man who tried to stop him, and soon after bombing the enemy position. Kenny was successful in wounding and capturing the gun crew and seizing the gun. For his actions in Hermies he was awarded the Victoria Cross. His citation read:

“ For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when his platoon was held up by an enemy strongpoint, and severe casualties prevented progress. Private Kenny, under very heavy fire at close range, dashed alone towards the enemy's position, killed one man in advance of the strongpoint who endeavoured to bar his way. He then bombed the position, captured the gun crew, all of whom he had wounded, killed an officer who showed fight, and seized the gun. Private Kenny's gallant action enabled this platoon to occupy the position, which was of great local importance. ”

Following this, Kenny was immediately promoted to lance corporal and soon afterwards was evacuated to England with trench-foot. He rejoined the battalion at Hazebrouck and on 26 June 1918 was wounded during fighting in the Merris sector. Despite describing his injuries as "nothing to write home about", he was invalided to Australia in August, arriving in Sydney on 9 October. He had become a corporal earlier that same month. In Sydney, Kenny rejected an offer to join the military police, whom it is said he disliked intensely, and was subsequently discharged on 12 December.

Thain Wendell MacDowell, VC, DSO (September 16, 1890 – March 28, 1960), was a Canadian soldier. MacDowell was a 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.



Thain Wendell MacDowell was born in Lachute, Quebec on 16 September 1890. His early days were spent in the Brockville area, where he was educated at Brockville Collegiate Institute and joined the 41st Regiment "Brockville Rifles". He later attended the University of Toronto, where he joined the Canadian Officer Training Corps as an Officer Cadet of The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada for four months. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1914, he enlisted and was commissioned in the 38th (Ottawa) Canadian Infantry Battalion (now perpetuated as The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (Duke of Edinburgh's Own)). During service in France in 1916, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order on the Somme, and the following year, promoted to Major, he won the Victoria Cross at Vimy Ridge on April 9. On 9 April 1917 at Vimy Ridge, France, Captain MacDowell, with the assistance of two runners (company orderlies, Pvts. James T. Kobus and Arthur James Hay, both of whom were awarded the DCM for their part) reached the German position ahead of his company. After destroying one machine-gun nest he chased the crew from another. MacDowell then spotted one German going into a tunnel. At the base of the tunnel, MacDowell was able to bluff the Germans to think he was part of a much larger force, resulting in the surrendering of two German officers and 75 German soldiers. He sent the prisoners up out the tunnel in groups of 12 so that Kebus and Hay could take them back to the Canadian line. Seeing that he had been fooled, a German prisoner grabbed a rifle and tried to shoot one of the runners. The German was then shot and killed. Although wounded in the hand, MacDowell continued for five days to hold the position gained, in spite of heavy shellfire, until eventually relieved by his battalion. He was promoted to the rank of Major following his actions at Vimy Ridge.

William Johnstone Milne VC (21 December 1892 – 9 April 1917) was a Canadian soldier. Milne was a 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. Milne was a Canadian soldier in World War I who received the VC at the Battle of Vimy Ridge on 9 April 1917. Milne was born on 21 December 1892 in Scotland and moved to Canada in 1910. He worked on a farm near Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan before joining the army in September 1915. Milne was 24 years old and a private in the 16th (The Canadian Scottish) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force on the 9 April 1917 near Thelus, France, during the Battle of Vimy Ridge, where his actions led to the award of the Victoria Cross.



His citation reads:

For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in attack. On approaching the first objective, Pte. Milne observed an enemy machine gun firing on our advancing troops. Crawling on hands and knees, he succeeded in reaching the gun, killing the crew with bombs, and capturing the gun. On the line re-forming, he again located a machine gun in the support line, and stalking this second gun as he had done the first, he succeeded in putting the crew out of action and capturing the gun. His wonderful bravery and resource on these two occasions undoubtedly saved the lives of many of his comrades. Pte. Milne was killed shortly after capturing the second gun. Milne's body was never found. He is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial.

Ellis Wellwood Sifton VC (12 October 1891 – 9 April 1917) was a Canadian solder. Sifton was a 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. Sifton was born in Wallacetown, Ontario and was a farmer when he enlisted in October 1914. One of four soldiers to earn the Victoria Cross in the Battle of Vimy Ridge (the others were Thain Wendell MacDowell, William Johnstone Milne and John George Pattison), Sifton was 25 years old, and a Lance Sergeant in the 18th (Western Ontario) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.


2 soldiers visiting Sifton's grave

On 9 April 1917 at Neuville-St.-Vaast, France, during an attack on enemy trenches, Lance-Sergeant Sifton's company was held up by machine-gun fire. During an attack on Vimy Ridge, "C" Company of the 18th Battalion was held up during its advance by German machine gunners who had survived the artillery barrage by taking refuge in concrete shelters. As the Canadians moved forward, the German machine guns swept the battlefield, causing heavy casualties. Sifton saw the machine gun nest first. He jumped up, rushed forward and leapt into the trench. He then charged into the German gun crew and knocked the gun over before turning on the gunners with his bayonet, killing each man.More Canadians hurried forward, but not before a small German party moved down the trench towards Sifton. He used his bayonet and his rifle as a club to fight them off until help arrived. Despite these efforts, Sifton was killed during the fighting.

His Victoria Cross citation published in the London Gazette, dated 8 June 1917 reads:

For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. During the attack in enemy trenches Sjt. Sifton's company was held up by machine gun fire which inflicted many casualties. Having located the gun he charged it single-handed, killing all the crew. A small enemy party advanced down the trench, but he succeeded keeping these off till our men had gained the position. In carrying out this gallant act he was killed, but his conspicuous valour undoubtedly saved many lives and contributed largely to the success of the operation.

There will be another six VCs awarded in the coming three days....

Elsewhere...

Sea War
Irish Sea: US liner New York mined (by UC-65) off Liverpool with Rear-Adm Sims, United States Navy, arriving to confer with British naval authorities. Jellicoe apparently tells him on April 10 no solution now to U-boats.

Air War
Western Front: Commandant de Peuty note to Trenchard ‘Victory in the air must precede victory on land.’ Royal Flying Corps 754 (385 single*seater fighters) vs German 264 (114 single-seater fighters) planes.
RFC (including Lieutenant ‘Billy’ Bishop) give strafing close support to ground advance.

The following claims were made today including a quadruple for one pilot... and doubles for a handful more, one of the better outings in Bloody April for the RFC

Robert Little Australia #6
Hugh Griffith Canada #2 #3
Laurence Allen England #2 #3
John Herbert Towne Letts England #1 #2
William Price England #2

Alan Wilkinson England #12 #13 #14 #15

Lieutenant Colonel Alan Machin Wilkinson 48 Squadron RFC (NB. he was flying a Bristol Fighter - just thought I would throw that in there, not that I am in anyway biased) In fact he claimed six victories on this day but was eventually only credited with four of them. This brought him a bar to his Distinguished Service Order which was gazetted on 25 May 1917. His citation read:

Lieutenant (Temporary Captain) Alan Machin Wilkinson, DSO, Hampshire Regiment and Royal Flying Corps.
"For great skill and gallantry. He came down to a low altitude and destroyed a hostile scout which was attacking one of our machines, the pilot of which had been wounded, thereby saving it. In one day he shot down and destroyed six hostile machines. He has destroyed eight hostile machines during the past ten days and has displayed exceptional skill and gallantry in leading offensive patrols."



The son of a civil engineer, Lieutenant Alan Machin Wilkinson, of the Hampshire Regiment, received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 1398 on a Maurice Farman biplane at Farnborough on 4 July 1915. He achieved 10 of his victories while flying an Airco D.H.2. Having equipped it with two Lewis guns, he was eventually ordered to remove one of them. A man after my own heart, now when are Ares going to bring out this particular upgunned DH.2?

Karl Schäfer Germany #14
Maurice Benjamin South Africa #2
1Ernest Norton Wales #5 #6

6 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON MONDAY APRIL 9TH 1917

Lieutenant Cocks, W.F. (Wyllard Fleetwood) RFC
Lieutenant Collins, H.G. (Harold George) 48 Squadron RFC
2nd Lt. Finlayson, A.C. (Alexander Cunningham) 4 Squadron RFC
Lieutenant Ross, J.K. (James Kenneth) 24 Squadron RFC
Flight Sub Lt. Thorne, A.L. (Alfred L.) 8(N) Squadron RNAS
Private Wilson, D.L. 26 Squadron RFC

and finally we return to apt. Tunstill's men: Training continued. On the morning of Easter Monday, the Germans launched a massive bombardment against the section of the British lines currently held by 70th Brigade (see 8th April) which lasted throughout the day with devastating effect; “The damage done was appalling. The front line had been practically obliterated”. The same evening German troops attacked and succeeded in entering the British lines at a number of points; their objective being to attack the mine shafts and galleries which were being prepared all along the front in readiness for the attacks planned for the Summer. The attacks were repulsed, although at great cost, with more than 270 casualties among 70th Brigade. However, the defence of these positions was of supreme importance; “Had the attack succeeded in its object, the capture and destruction of our main shafts, it would have had the disastrous effect, not only of losing the fruits of months of labour, but of necessitating an entire alteration in offensive plans for the future.”

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Thanks for another marathon edition Chris.
The sheer amount of information packed in is astounding.
Rob.

[Hedeby]

Tell you what they had no consideration for the press corps - the odd ceasefire to give us times to sharpen the pencils and bandage the typing fingers would be much appreciated !

[zenlizard]

Hedeby, don't you know there's a war on?

[Hedeby]

April 10th 1917

We will start with the ongoing reports coming in from the Battle of Vimy Ridge (part of the wider Arras offensive), we will also have yet more VCs awarded, more losses from the ranks of the Great War Poets (really bad couple of days to have been a poet, and one staggering piece of 'fake news' proving this is not something new made up by 'the Donald' and those he accuses of conspiring against him. (warning article not suitable for small children or those of a squeamish disposition)

The British moved three fresh brigades up to the Red Line by 9:30 am on 10 April to support the advance of the 1st and 2nd Canadian Division, whereupon they were to leapfrog existing units occupying the Red line and advance to the Blue Line. Fresh units including two sections of tanks and the 13th British Brigade were called up from reserve to support the advance of the 2nd Canadian Division. By approximately 11:00 am, the Blue Line, including Hill 135 and the town of Thélus, had been captured.To permit the troops time to consolidate the Blue Line, the advance halted and the barrage remained stationary for 90 minutes while machine guns were brought forward. Shortly before 1:00 pm, the advance recommenced with both the 1st and 2nd Canadian Divisions reporting their final objective. The tank supported advance via Farbus, and directed at the rear of the 79th Reserve Division, was eventually halted by concentrated German fire short of the village.The Canadian 1st and 2nd Divisions were nonetheless able to secure the Brown Line by approximately 2:00 pm. The 4th Canadian Division had made an attempt to capture the northern half of Hill 145 at around 3:15 pm, briefly capturing the peak before a German counterattack retook the position. The Germans occupying the small salient on ridge soon found themselves being attacked along their flanks by continuously reinforced Canadian Corps troops. When it became obvious that the position was completely outflanked and there was no prospect of reinforcement, the German troops pulled back. The German forces were evacuated off the ridge with German artillery batteries moved west of the Vimy–Bailleul railway embankment or to the Oppy–Méricourt line. By nightfall of 10 April, the only Canadian objective not yet achieved was the capture of the Pimple.


The first two days of the Battle of Arras were a clear tactical success for the British who, advancing five kilometres along both banks of the river Scarpe, took the villages of Thélus, Farbus, Saint-Laurent-Blangy, Feuchy, Athies, Fampoux, Tilloy-les-Mofflaines and Neuville-Vitasse. The securing of Vimy Ridge enabled the British artillery to drive the enemy from the villages of Givenchy-en-Gohelle, Vimy, Willerval and Bailleul-Sire-Bertoult which, up until that time, had been very effective gun batteries. The high-lying village of Monchy-le-Preux, which had been turned into a fortress by the Germans, fell on 11 April after much bitter fighting. The next day Wancourt and Héninel also fell into Allied hands.

This rapid advance forced the Germans to fall back on to their second line of defence but the subsequent arrival of large numbers of reinforcements enabled them to mount vigorous counter-attacks, starting on 14 April, which checked the British advance. Thus, as happened with the previous Allied offensives, the breakthrough of the first day could not be exploited. From then on the Battle of Arras deteriorated into local but nevertheless bloody battles at Arleux (28-29 April), Fresnoy (3-4 May), and Rœux (13-14 May). Meanwhile the British learned of the unfolding disaster on Chemin des Dames Ridge. All hope of a decisive victory was gone.



Bullecourt - The Fiasco of 10th April

On the evening of 9th April 1917 Major Watson of the HBMGC (forerunner to the Tank Corps) had proposed a method of attacking Bullecourt using his company of twelve tanks and General Gough (Commanding the Fifth Army) had seized it with enthusiasm. Major Watson may well have been happy to have had his idea accepted so easily but he was now saddled with the task of putting everything into action. He dashed back to his HQ in Behagnies and made out his orders. These were with his tank crews at Mory by 1830 hours and ninety minutes later the twelve machines were on the road towards Bullecourt.

By now the Australians had detailed off the 4th and 12th Brigades of 4th Division to carry out the attack. On the right of a road running north from their positions on the Boisleux-Marquion railway embankment the 4th Brigade would advance with all four battalions. The 16th and 14th would take the Hindenburg Line and then the 13th and 15th would continue on to Riencourt. On the left of this Central Road the 12th Brigade would attack with just two battalions, their task being for the 46th to take the German front line and the 48th to pass through and take the second before securing the left flank for the 4th Brigade advancing on Riencourt. In preparation for the original pre-tank plans the 4th Brigade had discovered by patrolling that there was a sunken road leading from Bullecourt towards Quéant which was; up until they moved in, unoccupied. This brought them 350 metres closer to the Germans, but there remained at least that again to go and much of it filled with swathes of barbed wire. The 12th Brigade had been required to dig assembly trenches and as night fell patrols were sent out to check the wire. In front of Bullecourt it was not only uncut but very dense,

The patrols from 4th Brigade were led by Captain Bert Jacka VC MC (In fact the first Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross in the war). He led his party right into the wire and found that although in places it was destroyed, in other places it remained woefully intact. If General Gough was hoping to find the Hindenburg Line deserted he was going to be disappointed, for there was plenty of evidence of machine guns, working parties and German patrols. By late evening as the Australians were bringing forward their men from the villages behind the lines, news was coming in from Third Army (the driving force behind the Battle of Arras) that things had not gone quite as well as had at first been thought. In particular in the sector immediately adjacent to the Fifth Army. Was it necessary, Lt General Birdwood asked at 2300 hours, for the planned attack to take place. If the Hindenburg Line to their left had not been breached, and with its evident strength in front, would it not be wiser to wait, rather than rush in. The plan goes ahead, was the reply, both then, and again forty five minutes later when a second protest was made to Gough’s Staff Officer. Thus at 0025 hours on 10th April 1917, 4th Division received its orders – the attack would take place at 0430 hours. By then the tanks would be lined up in front of the infantry. The bombardment of the German positions would continue as normal until that time, when a heavy barrage would be put down on the flanks of the re-entrant allowing the tanks to advance.

Once the tanks had occupied the German front line they would signal the infantry to advance.It can be seen that there was a misconception here as to what tanks can and cannot do. In fact whilst a tank can take ground, it cannot actually hold it, because it becomes vulnerable. It would be vividly shown at Cambrai in November 1917 that tanks and infantry needed to cooperate to obtain the best results. At 0100 hours the German defences were subjected to a gas attack fired from Livens projectors a recent invention which hurled a gas cylinder into the enemy lines whereupon it exploded. The night turned bleak. It was bitterly cold with a wind that cut through the men lying out in the snow since 0230 hours, waiting on the tanks. Of the machines there was no sound at all.



As Zero hour approached, nothing. Then finally as dawn began to rise the tanks could be heard near Noreuil; an hour away for the cumbersome beasts.

The crews had been advancing through the snow as best as they could but it had been impossible to see where they were going. Now they were there they were exhausted. The sun was about to rise and if the infantry remained where they were, the Germans would within the next few minutes find six battalions lying out in the open ground.

At 0500 hours the message went out: The stunt is off. Disposition as yesterday. Move. As the frozen Australians made their way back to their lines they were concealed from view by the snow. A weak German barrage caused a few casualties amongst the 48th Bn including its Second in Command, Major Ben Leane the brother of its commander. He is buried in Quéant Road Cemetery. The reason that the Germans had commenced the bombardment was because in a mix up over the exact meaning of the numerous orders, the British 62nd Division, on the west of Bullecourt, believing that the Australians had in fact attacked as planned, sent out strong detachments from the 2/7th and 2/8th West Yorkshire Regiment in accordance with the initial instructions for the taking of Bullecourt.
Some managed to get into the German lines but they were on their own. Casualties were heavy and once it was realised that they would have to retire, some units had penetrated beyond recall and were killed or captured. Needless to say, the staff of the 62nd Division were not happy with the lack of communication from the Australians who should have informed them immediately that their own attack looked doubtful, as opposed to half an hour later when they called it off. Lt General Birdwood breathed a sigh of relief however. He had been concerned about the haste of the operation all along. But Gough was not to be put off. They would do it all again 24 hours later, and once again Birdwood would let things happen rather than make a sufficiently forceful protest.

Attachment 220889

There were a further three VCs awarded on this day



John Woods Whittle, VC, DCM (3 August 1882 – 2 March 1946) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to members of the British and British Commonwealth armed forces. Whittle was serving as a sergeant in the First World War when he was decorated with the Victoria Cross following two separate actions against German forces during their retreat to the Hindenburg Line in 1917. In the latter action, he attacked a machine gun crew, killing the group and seizing the gun.

Born in Tasmania, Whittle completed twelve months active service during the Second Boer War, before returning to Australia and enlisting in the Royal Navy where he served for five years as a stoker. Re-enlisting in the army, he was posted to the Army Service Corps, artillery, and Tasmanian Rifle Regiment prior to the outbreak of the First World War. Transferring to the Australian Imperial Force in 1915, Whittle joined the 12th Battalion in Egypt and embarked for the Western Front the following year. During an attack on the village of La Barque, Whittle rushed a German trench and forced the men from the position; he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal as a result. Wounded three times during the war, Whittle was the subject of two courts-martial due to his unruly behaviour. In October 1918, he returned to Australia at the invitation of the Prime Minister of Australia to assist in recruitment. Discharged from the military in December 1918, he later moved to Sydney. In 1934, Whittle was presented with a Certificate of Merit after saving a drowning boy. He died in 1946 at the age of 63.



By early April 1917, three German-held outpost villages remained between the area to the south of the I Anzac Corps position and the Hindenburg Line.[12] An attack to capture the villages of Boursies, Demicourt and Hermies by the 1st Australian Division was formulated to commence on 9 April, the day the British offensive opened at Arras.[13] For his gallantry in two separate actions during this engagement, Whittle was awarded the Victoria Cross. On 8 April, the 12th Battalion was tasked with the capture of the village of Boursies.[12] The attack was to act as a feint in order to mislead the German forces on the direction from which Hermies was to be assaulted. Whittle had been placed in command of the left platoon in Newland's A Company for the attack, which commenced at 03:00. Advancing, the company was subjected to heavy machine gun fire from a derelict mill approximately 400 metres (440 yd) short of the village and began to suffer heavy casualties. Gathering a party of men, Newland led a bombing attack which was able to dislodge the Germans from the position and secure the area. Continuing their advance, the company was able to reach its objectives,[13] where Whittle was placed in command of a post just beyond the mill.[4]

Throughout the day, the Australians came under heavy shellfire from the Germans. At 22:00,the German forces launched a severe counter-attack against the mill under the cover of an intense barrage of artillery and bombs. Advancing down the main road, they managed to enter the trench Whittle was holding. Gathering all available men, Whittle charged the Germans and was able to re stabilise the position. Newland arrived soon after, and the two men worked together until the position was re-established. The 12th Battalion was relieved on 10 April by the 11th Battalion, having succeeded in capturing Boursies at the cost of 240 casualties, of which 70 were killed or missing. Following a four-day reprieve away from the frontline, the 12th Battalion relieved the 9th Battalion at Lagnicourt on 14 April. Around dawn the following day, the Germans launched a fierce counter-attack against the 1st Australian Division's line. Breaking through the Australian line, the Germans forced back the 12th Battalion's D Company, which was to the left of Newland's A Company. Soon surrounded and under attack on three sides, Newland withdrew the company to a sunken road which had been held by Captain Percy Cherry during the capture of the village three weeks earlier, and lined the depleted company out in a defensive position on both banks. Establishing his platoon in position, Whittle noticed a group of Germans moving a machine gun into position to enfilade the road. As the gunners began to set up the weapon, Whittle, under heavy rifle fire, jumped from the road and single-handedly rushed the crew. Using his bombs, he succeeded in killing the entire group before collecting the gun and taking it back to A Company's position. As reinforcements from the 9th Battalion began to arrive, Newland was able to repulse a third attack by the Germans. Reorganising the 9th and 12th Battalions, a combined counter-attack was able to be launched and the line recaptured by approximately 11:00. The 12th Battalion had suffered 125 casualties during the engagement, with 66 killed or missing. Whittle and Newland were both subsequently awarded a Victoria Cross for their actions that day; the pair were the only two permanent members of the Australian military to receive the decoration during the war.

John George Pattison VC (8 September 1875 – 3 June 1917) was a Canadian soldier. Pattison was a 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. Pattison was born in London, England and emigrated to Canada.



One of four soldiers to earn the Victoria Cross at the Battle of Vimy Ridge, (the others were Thain Wendell MacDowell, Ellis Wellwood Sifton and William Johnstone Milne), Pattison was 41 years old, and a private in the 50th (Calgary) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. On 10 April 1917 at the Battle of Vimy Ridge when the advance of Canadian troops was held up by an enemy machine-gun which was inflicting severe casualties, Private Pattison, with utter disregard of his own safety, sprang forward and jumping from shell-hole to shell-hole, reached cover within thirty yards of the enemy gun. From this point, in the face of heavy fire he hurled bombs killing and wounding some of the crew, and then rushed forward overcoming and bayoneting the surviving five gunners. His initiative and valour undoubtedly saved the situation. He was killed in action at Lens, France, on 3 June 1917. He is buried at La Chaudière Military Cemetery, France located 7 miles north of Arras (plot IV, row C, grave 14). A mountain in the Victoria Cross Ranges in Jasper National Park, Alberta is named in his honour.

Horace Waller VC (23 September 1896 – 10 April 1917) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for "gallantry in the face of the enemy" awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Waller was born to John Edward and Esther Waller, of Dewsbury, Yorkshire.

As a 20-year-old private in the 10th Service Battalion, The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, British Army during the First World War, Waller was awarded a Victoria Cross for his valiant actions on 10 April 1917 south of Heninel, France. During the day, Waller continued for more than an hour to throw bombs and held off enemy attack. In the evening the enemy again counter-attacked and eventually killed Waller.



For most conspicuous bravery when with a bombing section forming a block in the enemy line. A very violent counter-attack was made by the enemy on this post, and although five of the garrison were killed, Pte. Waller continued for more than an hour to throw bombs, and finally repulsed the attack. In the evening the enemy again counter-attacked the post and all the garrison became casualties, except Pte. Waller, who, although wounded later, continued to throw bombs for another half an hour until he was killed. Throughout these attacks he showed the utmost valour, and it was due to his determination that the attacks on this important post were repulsed.

Air War
Western Front: Royal Flying Corps No 60 Squadron single-seater Nieuport fighters first sent on photo-reconnaissance mission.

Neutrals
Argentina: Government approves US action, decides on benevolent neutrality towards her (April 11).

Politics
Austria: Emperor Charles and Czernin letter to Kaiser Wilhelm II, ‘Five monarchs have been dethroned in this war …’ warns of Russian Revolution impact.

Home Fronts
Germany: Berlin Lokal Anzeiger‘s corpse conversion factory story (first appears in Belgian newspaper) becomes war’s most notorious atrocity story (not exposed till 1925). Balfour writes on April 26 that it might be true. See below...

Occupied Territories
Poland: Austria transfers Polish Legions to German control.

The War at Sea



HMHS Salta (Master Benjamin Thomas Eastaway) is mined and sunk ½ mile north of Whistle Buoy, Le Havre while on a voyage from Southampton for Le Havre with medical stores. During the morning a French patrol craft has found mines drifting in the Le Havre approaches and all vessels entering the port are to be warned. The mines have been laid the previous day by the German mine-laying submarine UC26. At 11:20 Salta approaches the port entrance and stops her engines. A patrol craft instructs the Salta convoy to follow it towards the English drifter Diamond which checks the identity of each ship before opening the barrage allowing entry into the port. Satisfied, the drifter gives its green light and Salta is authorized to continue.

While following the buoyed channel into Le Havre, Salta’s Captain gives orders to alter course to the north. The commander of the Diamond relays a frantic message that Salta is now approaching the zone where mines have been seen that morning. One of the Salta’s surviving officers’ reports that Eastaway is concerned about entering Le Havre without a pilot because of the bad weather and had wanted to let the other ships pass. Realizing that they are in grave danger, Eastaway tries to re-trace his course back to the buoyed channel. In poor weather conditions, Salta drifts across the mined zone and hits a mine at 11:43. An enormous explosion breaches the hull near the engine room and hold number three, water engulfs the disabled ship, which lists to starboard and sinks in less than 10 minutes. His Majesty’s Ship Druid proceeds to render assistance and gets alongside a swamped boat of the Salta. All the occupants of the boat are rescued except a Hospital Sister and Private Samuel Bodsworth (RAMC). The former is so exhausted that she is unable to hold the ropes thrown to her, and eventually becomes unconscious. Although he might have been rescued, Private Bodsworth persists in remaining in the boat with the Sister, and, after she has fallen overboard and been hauled back again, he finally succeeds in placing a line around her body, by means of which she is hauled on board the Druid. For his efforts he will be awarded the Albert Medal. Despite help arriving rapidly, the state of the sea and the strong winds hamper the rescue operation and the human cost is appalling. Of 205 passengers and crew, 9 nurses, 42 wounded and 79 crew members perish along with the Master.

The sinking of the Salta has another victim. The English patrol craft P-26 is involved in the rescue operations and hits another mine, the ship is split in two and sinks taking 19 of her crew with her.

In total 2038 British lives were lost on this day in 1917

Today’s highlighted casualties include:

Major Benjamin Bennett Leane (Australian Infantry) is killed in action at age 27 at Bullecourt. He is the brother of Brigadier General Leane and has a brother who was killed in January 1917.
Captain Douglas William Arthur Nicholls MC (Suffolk Regiment) is killed. He is the son of the Reverend Francis Hamilton Nicholls Vicar of St Mary’s Ipswich.
Captain Charles Edward Stewart MC (Durham Light Infantry) is killed in action at age 29. He is a Writer to the Signet in Edinbrugh and his brother was killed in September 1916.
Lieutenant John Hatchell Halliday Christie (British Columbia Regiment) is killed in action at age 25. He is the son of the Reverend William John Christie.
Lieutenant William Bell (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) is killed in action. His brother died of wounds in April 1915.
Lieutenant John Alexander Williamson (Royal Flying Corps) is killed at home at age 20. His brother was killed when HMS Bulwak exploded.
Lieutenant Benjamin Bell Gray (British Columbia Regiment) is killed at age 29. He is the son of the late Reverend William Alexander Gray.
Second Lieutenant George Godfrey Gray (Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry) is killed at age 22. His brother was killed last October.

Lieutenant Joseph Emmett Stauffer (Alberta Regiment) is killed in action at age 43. He is a teacher and politician from Alberta. Stauffer was elected to the Alberta Legislature in the 1909. In that election he defeated incumbent Cornelius Hiebert in a landslide in the new Didsbury He was re-elected to a second term in office in the 1913 Alberta legislature, winning with a comfortable but reduced plurality. Stauffer enlisted in the Canadian Forces and served overseas with the Canadian Infantry He kept his seat in the provincial legislature while he was overseas fighting in the war. Lieutenant Governor Robert Brett honored Stauffer’s memory and military service by making special note in the Throne Speech at the opening of the 4th Alberta Legislative Assembly on 7th February 1918. The small town of Stauffer, Alberta is named in his honor.

Company Sergeant Major William Henry Littlejohn (Middlesex Regiment) is killed in action at age 26. He was a Civil Servant at the Exchequer and Audit Department and one of the Great War Poets.



The Hospital Ship

There is a green-lit hospital ship,
Green, with a crimson cross,
Lazily swaying there in the bay,
Lazily bearing my friend away,
Leaving me dull-sensed loss.
Green-lit, red-lit hospital ship,
Numb is my heart, but you carelessly dip
There in the drift of the bay.

There is a green-lit hospital ship,
Dim as the distance grows,
Speedily steaming out of the bay,
Speedily bearing my friend away
Into the orange-rose.
Green-lit, red-lit hospital ship,
Dim are my eyes, but you heedlessly slip
Out of their sight from the bay.

There was a green-lit hospital ship,
Green, with a blood-red cross,
Lazily swaying there in the bay,
But it went out with the light of the day –
Out where the white seas toss.
Green-lit, red-lit hospital ship,
Cold are my hands and trembling my lip:
Did you make home from the bay?

Second Lieutenant Arthur James “Hamish” Mann (Black Watch) dies of wounds received the previous day at Arras at age 21. Three days before his death he wrote the following poem:

Some lie in graves beside the crowded dead
In village churchyards; others shell holes keep
Their bodies gaping, all their splendour sped.
Peace, O my soul…A Mother’s part to weep.
Day. Do they watch with keen all-seeing eyes
My own endeavours in the whirling hell?
Ah, God! How great, how grand the sacrifice
Ah, God! The manhood of yon men who fell.
And this is war…Blood and woman’s tears
Brave memories adorn the quaking years

There was just the one aerial victory claim on this day (and its another Bristol pilot...)

Captain David Mary Tidmarsh 48 Squadron RFC



With the 4th Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment, David Mary Tidmarsh was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant (on probation) on 23 April 1915. He received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 1833 on a Maurice Farman biplane at Military School, Ruislip on 7 October 1915. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps on 13 January 1916 and was posted to 24 Squadron under Lanoe Hawker. On 21 April 1916, he narrowly escaped death when an unexploded anti-aircraft shell passed through the cockpit of his D.H.2. With the formation of 48 Squadron in 1917, Tidmarsh became a flight commander in the first squadron to fly the Bristol Fighter in combat. On 11 April 1917, after downing two Albatros D.III aircraft, Tidmarsh was captured when he was shot down by Kurt Wolff of Jasta 11. He was repatriated on 30 December 1918.



6 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON TUESDAY APRIL 10TH 1917

AM 2nd Class Cole, H. (Harry) 12th Balloon Company, Headquarters RFC
2nd Lieutenant Howells, H. (Hugh) RFC
Captain Lukyn, S.E. (Stanley Edward) RFC
2nd Lieutenant Myburgh, J.A. (John Adrian) 55 Squadron RFC
Corporal Ryder, C.N. (Clifford Newton) 4 Squadron Australian Flying Corps
Lieutenant Williamson, J.A. (John Alexander) RFC



The German Corpse Factory

Rumours that the Germans used the bodies of their soldiers to create fat appear to have been circulating by 1915. Cynthia Asquith noted in her diary on 16 June 1915: “We discussed the rumour that the Germans utilise even their corpses by converting them into glycerine with the by-product of soap.” Such stories also appeared in the American press in 1915 and 1916. The French press also took it up in Le Gaulois, in February, 1916. In 1916 a book of cartoons by Louis Raemaekers was published. One depicted bodies of German soldiers being loaded onto a cart in neatly packaged batches. This was accompanied with a comment written by Horace Vachell: “I am told by an eminent chemist that six pounds of glycerine can be extracted from the corpse of a fairly well nourished Hun... These unfortunates, when alive, were driven ruthlessly to inevitable slaughter. They are sent as ruthlessly to the blast furnaces. One million dead men are resolved into six million pounds of glycerine." A later cartoon by Bruce Bairnsfather also referred to the rumour, depicting a German munitions worker looking at a can of glycerine and saying "Alas! My poor Brother!". By 1917 the British and their allies were hoping to bring China into the war against Germany. On 26 February 1917 the English-language North-China Daily News published a story that the Chinese President Feng Guozhang had been horrified by Admiral Paul von Hintze's attempts to impress him when the "Admiral triumphantly stated that they were extracting glycerine out of dead soldiers!". The story was picked up by other papers. In all these cases the story was told as rumour, or as something heard from people supposed to be in the know. It was not presented as documented fact.

The first English language accounts of a real and locatable Kadaververwertungsanstalt appeared in the 17 April 1917 editions of The Times and The Daily Mail (both owned by Lord Northcliffe at the time), The Times running it under the title Germans and their Dead.The editorial introduction said that it came from the Belgian newspaper l'Indépendance Belge published in England, which in turn had received it from La Belgique, another Belgian newspaper published in Leyden, The Netherlands, and that it had originally appeared in the 10 April 1917 edition of the German newspaper Berliner Lokal-Anzeiger. The original German newspaper story was presented as proof that the Germans were indeed rendering the bodies of their soldiers. It made no reference to the corpses being human, however the Belgian newspaper did. The German newspaper account was a very brief story by reporter Karl Rosner of only 59 words in length, which described the bad smell coming from a "kadaver" rendering factory. The Belgian account had been extended to over 500 words, and interpreted the word "kadaver" as a reference to human corpses. The story described how corpses arrived by rail at the factory, which was placed "deep in forest country" and surrounded by an electrified fence, and how they were rendered for their fats which were then further processed into stearin (a form of tallow). It went on to claim that this was then used to make soap, or refined into an oil "of yellowish brown colour". The supposedly incriminating passage in the original German article was translated in the following words:

We pass through Evergnicourt. There is a dull smell in the air, as if lime were being burnt. We are passing the great Corpse Utilization Establishment (Kadaververwertungsanstalt) of this Army Group. The fat that is won here is turned into lubricating oils, and everything else is ground down in the bones mill into a powder, which is used for mixing with pigs' food and as manure.

A debate followed in the pages of The Times and other papers. The Times stated that it had received a number of letters "questioning the translation of the German word Kadaver, and suggesting that it is not used of human bodies. As to this, the best authorities are agreed that it is also used of the bodies of animals." Letters were also received confirming the story from Belgian and Dutch sources and later from Romania. The New York Times reported on 20 April that the article was being credited by all the French newspapers with the exception of the Paris-Midi, which preferred to believe that the corpses in question were those of animals rather than humans. The Times itself did not credit the story, pointing out that it appeared in early April and that German newspapers traditionally indulged in April Fools' Day pranks, and also that the expression "Kadaver" was not employed in current German usage to mean a human corpse, the word "Leichnam" being used instead. The only exception was corpses used for dissection—cadavers.

On 25 April the weekly British humorous magazine Punch printed a cartoon entitled "Cannon-Fodder—and After," which showed the Kaiser and a German recruit. Pointing out a window at a factory with smoking chimneys and the sign "Kadaververwertungs[anstalt]," the Kaiser tells the young man: "And don't forget that your Kaiser will find a use for you—alive or dead." (see above) On 30 April the story was raised in the House of Commons, and the government declined to endorse it. Lord Robert Cecil declared that he had no information beyond newspaper reports. He added that, "in view of other actions by German military authorities, there is nothing incredible in the present charge against them." However, the government, he said, had neither the responsibility nor the resources to investigate the allegations. In the months that followed, the account of the Kadaververwertungsanstalt circulated worldwide, but never expanded beyond the account printed in The Times; no eyewitnesses ever appeared, and the story was never enlarged or amplified.

Some individuals within the government nonetheless hoped to exploit the story, and Charles Masterman, director of the War Propaganda Bureau at Wellington House, was asked to prepare a short pamphlet. This was never published, however. Masterman and his mentor, Prime Minister David Lloyd George, never took the story seriously.[citation needed] An undated anonymous pamphlet entitled A 'corpse-conversion' Factory: A Peep Behind the German Lines was published by Darling & Son, probably around this time in 1917. A month later, The Times revived the rumor by publishing a captured German Army order that made reference to a Kadaver factory. It was issued by the VsdOK, which The Times interpreted as Verordnungs-Stelle ("instructions department"). The Frankfurter Zeitung, however, insisted that it stood for Veterinar-Station (veterinary station). The Foreign Office agreed that order could only be referring to "the carcasses of horses."

Modern scholarship supports the view that the story arose from rumours circulating among troops and civilians in Belgium, and was not an invention of the British propaganda machine. It moved from rumour to apparent "fact" after the report in the Berliner Lokal-Anzeiger appeared about a real cadaver-processing factory. The ambiguous wording of the report allowed Belgian and British newspapers to interpret it as proof of the rumours that human corpses were used. Philip Knightley says that Charteris may have concocted the claim that he invented the story in order to impress his audience, not realizing a reporter was present. Randal Marlin says that Charteris's claim to have invented the story is "demonstrably false" in a number of details. However, it is possible that a fake diary was created but never used. Nevertheless, this diary, which Charteris claimed to still exist “in the war museum in London”, has never been found. It is also possible that Charteris suggested that the story would be useful propaganda in China, and that he created a miscaptioned photograph to be sent to the Chinese, but again there is no evidence of this.

[Carl_Brisgamer]

Corpse conversion - later to provide grist for console games popular the world over.

[Hedeby]

Corpse conversion - later to provide grist for console games popular the world over.

Yeah all those folks with their Space Marines - ignorant of the fact that the idea is a hundred years old, lol

[Hedeby]

11th April 1917

Vimy Ridge

The 4th Canadian Division faced difficulties at the start of the battle that forced it to delay its assault on the Pimple until 12 April.The Pimple was initially defended by the 16th Bavarian Infantry Division but the Canadian Corps' preliminary artillery bombardment leading up to the assault on 9 April caused heavy casualties amongst its ranks. On 11 April, the 4th Guards Infantry Division first reinforced and then relieved affected 16th Bavarian Infantry Division units. The night before the attack, artillery harassed German positions while a gas section of Royal Engineers, employing Livens Projectors, fired more than 40 drums of gas directly into the village of Givenchy-en-Gohelle to cause confusion.The defending German troops managed to drive back the initial Canadian assaults at around 4:00 am using small arms fire. The 10th Canadian Brigade attacked once again at 5:00 am, this time supported by a significant amount of artillery and the 24th British Division of I Corps to the north. The German defensive artillery fire was late and too light to cause the assaulting troops great difficulty, allowing the Canadian Corps to exploit wide gaps and break into the German positions. The 10th Canadian Brigade, assisted by snow and a westerly wind, fought hastily entrained German troops to capture the entire Pimple by 6:00 pm.


Machine gunners operating from craters on the plateau above the ridge



There were another two Victoria Crosses awarded on this day...

Donald MacKintosh VC (7 February 1896 – 11 April 1917) was a Scottish 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.



Wounded twice as he crossed no man's land, 21-year-old Lieutenant Donald Mackintosh of the 2nd Battalion, The Seaforth Highlanders hauled himself to his feet and rallied his troops toward the German lines through a murderous rate of machine gunfire. The Highlanders repeatedly attacked, breaking through the German wire and eventually seizing the line.

Well-dug-in defences had thwarted British infantry attacks at the Somme and later in the war, at the first Battle of the Scarpe in the Arras Offensive of April 1917. The Germans had retreated from the Somme, moving east to the more heavily defended Hindenburg Line they had built in the winter of 1916 in north-eastern France.

At Easter 1917, British artillery laid down a barrage of heavy shelling on the Hindenburg Line. British and Canadian troops had advanced several miles in open warfare towards the German defences and prepared to attack their trench system on 11 April, two days after Easter Sunday. The barrage had largely failed because the artillery could not accurately target German machine gun positions. Consequently, when the Seaforths went over the top at noon that day, they ran straight into heavy gunfire from well-protected German machine gun positions and trenches. In crossing a space of 1,600 yards, The Seaforths lost 12 officers and 363 other ranks out of 432 who had gone over the top. A sergeant who witnessed Mackintosh's actions said: "As soon as we went over the top it began to rain shells and machine gun bullets. Mackintosh was hit... and the men hesitated. He shouted from where he lay: "Never mind Seaforths, keep it up". He got to his feet, reaching the enemy trench, recalled the sergeant: "Under his leadership the men got back their confidence, repelling repeated enemy counter-attacks."

On 10 June, 1917 The Sunday Post reported the action in which Mackintosh died. "It was the strangest sight... a double-wounded man with the nervous twitching of his face telling the agony he was enduring, toiling painfully." He directed 15 of his men who rushed the position and expelled something ten times their number. Mackintosh, despite bleeding profusely, refused to leave his post until the trench was secured. He died later that day of his wounds. Mackintosh was honoured in Glasgow as much for the respect in which his father was held, as for his own selfless heroism. He was the son of Dr Donald J Mackintosh CB MVO, medical superintendent of the Western Infirmary for 45 years. He had advised on South African hospitals during the Boer War, the rebuilding of Glasgow Royal Infirmary and in 1914 was supervising all military, war and territorial general hospitals in the Glasgow area. In December 1925, two windows commemorating Lieutenant Mackintosh were unveiled in the newly opened Elder Chapel, itself a war memorial, within the Western Infirmary. He is also listed on the memorial of his old school, Fettes College in Edinburgh. Mackintosh is buried in Brown's Copse Cemetery, Roeux, France but his Victoria Cross is now displayed at The Highlanders Museum, Fort George near Ardersier.

Another telling of Mackintosh's final act... Lieutenant Donald Mackintosh (Seaforth Highlanders) is shot through the right leg during an advance north of Fampoux, France. Though crippled he continues to lead his men and captures the enemy trench. In this trench he collects the men of another company who have lost their leader and drives back a counterattack. He is again wounded and although unable to stand he continues to control the situation. With only fifteen men left he orders his party to be ready to advance to the final objective and with great difficulty gets out of the trench and encourages his men to advance. He is at this point mortally wounded. For these actions he will be awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously. He is the son of Colonel Donald Mackintosh CB MVO MB LlD of the Western Infirmary House, Glasgow and he dies at age 21


Lieutenant MacKintosh's dying moments depicted on Fettes College war memorial.

Harold Sandford Mugford VC (31 August 1894 – 16 June 1958) 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. He was mobilised in August 1914, and after a period of training in Suffolk went overseas with the Regiment when it embarked for France on 29 November 1914. Mugford saw action in the Ypres Salient in the early part of 1915 and again in May, where Yeomanry distinguished themselves at the Battle of Frezenberg Ridge. He was with the Regiment at the Battle of Loos on the 27/28 September 1915, a sector to which they returned in the early part of 1916. Mugford had his share of adventures and narrow escapes, being buried on no less than three occasions when high explosive shells exploded close to his post. The machine-gun detachment of the Essex Yeomanry, in which Mugford was then serving, was transferred to the 8th Squadron, Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry) on 3 March 1916, although they remained attached to the Regiment.

On 9 April 1917, the British First and Third Armies launched a major offensive on a 14-mile front from Vimy Ridge to Croisilles; the main thrust being in the central sector, east of Arras. The German front was broken and advances of nearly four miles were made in some places on the first day, and it seemed likely that a wider breakthrough might be achieved. Cavalry units were brought forward in the hope of exploiting the early success. Early on the morning of 11 April, the 8th Cavalry Brigade (of which the Essex Yeomanry formed part) were ordered to move forward and to capture the high ground on the east and north east of Monchy-le-Preux, which it was believed had been taken by infantry units of the 37th Division. Heavy enemy fire from the village of Roeux in the north forced a change in the direction of the Yeomanry's advance into Monchy itself. It was found that that although the enemy had withdrawn, the village was not defended and was under imminent threat of counter-attack. The Regiment therefore took steps to secure and hold the village. The Germans put down a heavy box-barrage on the village and brought up a large numbers of reinforcements during the day.

The 8th Machine Gun Squadron did great work in helping to keep the attackers at bay, and it was the extraordinary bravery of Harold Mugford that earned him the Victoria Cross. The citation states:

For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when under intense shell and machine-gun fire at Monchy-le-Preux, Lance Corporal Mugford succeeded in getting his machine-gun into a forward and very exposed position. From this point he was able to deal most effectively with the enemy, who were massing for counter-attack. His No 2 was killed almost immediately, and at the same moment he himself was severely wounded. He was then ordered to a new position and told to go to the dressing-station, but continued on duty with his gun, inflicting severe loss on the enemy. Soon after he was again wounded, a shell breaking both his legs. He still remained with his gun, begging his comrades to leave him and take cover. Shortly afterwards this non-commissioned officer was removed to the dressing-station where he was again wounded in the arm. The valour and initiative displayed by Lance Corporal Mugford was instrumental in breaking up the impending counter-attack of the enemy. For his conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty, he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

Harold Mugford was not expected to survive his dreadful wounds. He was in a critical condition when he was brought back to England, and underwent six operations. Both his legs were amputated above the knee and, in addition to the wound to his arm, shrapnel was removed from his hip, tongue and jaw. Despite his injuries and suffering, he remained cheerful - indeed "quite jolly" to use his mother's words.



Harold Mugford was discharged from the Army on medical grounds and married Amy Key at All Saints' Church, Forest Gate on 23 April 1919. They moved to Chelmsford in the late 1920s. Their first home was at Mill House, Little Waltham, later moving to 'Ashburton' in Chignal Road, Chelmsford. Despite his disability, Harold Mugford involved himself in the life of the town and was a supporter of a number of local organisations, most notably of the Chelmsford Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society (a banjo he made is now in the Essex Yeomanry and Regiment Museum, Chelmsford). He died on 16 June 1958 at the age of 63. He was afforded the honour of a military funeral in Chelmsford Cathedral, prior to cremation at the Southend Crematorium. Mrs Mugford died in 1978. They had no children.



Artois: British 3rd Cavalry Division with 2 divisions of Third Army, with 11 tanks, capture Monchy-Ie-Preux and Wancourt, but German line stiffening. Allenby has inflicted 21,000 casualties (incl. 7,000 PoWs), taken 112 guns for 8,238 casualties. British 62nd Division and 4th Australian Division with 11 tanks (2 knocked out by German Mauser Rifles 98 with armour piercing bullets and captured) make first attack on Bullecourt, a fiasco costing 3,052 casualties (1,170 PoWs).

The Battle of Shiala

The Battle of Shiala essentially comprises an action intended to rescue isolated and outnumbered British cavalry during the Samarrah Offensive. With British Commander-in-Chief ‘Sir’ Frederick Maude’s determination to prevent a Turkish force of 15,000 retreating from the Russians in Persia to the north of Baghdad, meeting up with regional forces, he dispatches cavalry under to with infantry attacks.

The cavalry find themselves outnumbered and consequently require two infantry brigades under General Marshall to provide relief. To the surprise of both British and Turkish commanders the relieving force unexpectedly encounters part of the Turkish 2nd Division – the latter fresh from its defeat of the British at Jebel Hamlin and currently engaged in a flank attack at Shiala on the River Diyala, around 30km west of the River Tigris. A scramble for the high ground ensues, with the British reaching it first, and with the arrival shortly thereafter of heavy 18-pounder guns successive Turkish infantry attacks are handily beaten off. Eventually the Turkish force withdraws to a temporary haven in the Jebel Hamlin Mountains and General Marshall rejoins the main advance upon the railway at Samarrah.



The War in The Air

During this morning Flight Lieutenant Lloyd Samuel Breadner (Royal Naval Air Service) destroys a hostile machine which falls in flames, brings down another in a spinning nose dive with one wing folded up, and forces a third down. Flight Commander Joseph S T Fall (Royal Naval Air Service), while escorting bombing machines, brings down three hostile aircraft. The first he attacks and brings down completely out of control. He is then attacked by three hostile scouts who force him down to within about two hundred feet of the ground. By skillful piloting he maneuvers his machine close behind one of them, which is driven down and wrecked. Shortly afterwards, he is again attacked by a hostile scout, which he eventually brings down a short time before re-crossing the lines. He then lands at one of the aerodromes, his machine having been riddled with bullets from the hostile machines, and also by rifle fire from the ground.



Before he enlisted in the Royal Naval Air Service, Lloyd Samuel Breadner, the son of Samuel Marsh and Caroline Alberta (Watkins) Breadner, received his pilot's certificate on a Wright biplane at the Wright school, Augusta, Georgia on 28 December 1915. In 1917, he was posted to Naval 3 which was attached to the Royal Flying Corps. Flying the Sopwith Pup, he scored his fourth victory by shooting down a Gotha G.III on 23 April 1917. It was the first Gotha bomber shot down by a British fighter over the Western Front. Upon the formation of the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1924, Breadner was recommissioned and served as commanding officer of Camp Borden in Ontario. In 1939 he went to England as a technical advisor and was promoted to Air Marshal in 1941. In 1943 he returned to England as air officer commanding the R.C.A.F. overseas. Promoted again, shortly before he retired in 1945, Air Chief Marshal Breadner achieved the highest rank ever awarded in the R.C.A.F. Suffering from ill health, he died in a Boston, Massachusetts hospital in 1952.

Flight Commander Joseph Stewart Temple Fall RNAS



Fall claimed three victories on this day flying his Sopwith Pup, an action which saw him awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

Flt. Sub-Lieut. Joseph Stewart Fall, R.N.A.S. For conspicuous bravery and skill in attacking hostile aircraft.

"On the morning of the 11th April, 1917, while escorting our bombing machines, he brought down three hostile aircraft. The first he attacked and brought down completely out of control. He was then attacked by three hostile scouts who forced him down to within about two hundred feet of the ground. By skilful piloting he manoeuvred his machine close behind one of them, which was driven down and wrecked. Shortly afterwards this Officer was again attacked by a hostile scout, which he eventually brought down a short time before recrossing the lines. He then landed at one of the aerodromes, his machine having been riddled with bullets from the hostile machines, and also by rifle fire from the ground".



The son of a farmer, Joseph Stewart Temple Fall tried to enlist in the army but was rejected for service due to a childhood head injury. On 23 August 1915 he was accepted as a candidate for the Royal Naval Air Service. When Canadian authorities abandoned support for a flying school in Canada, Fall left Canada on 12 November 1915 to be trained in England. By late 1916, he was flying the Sopwith Pup in combat with 3 Naval Squadron. He was the only Canadian ace to receive the Distinguished Service Cross three times for combats in the air. Fall remained in the Royal Air Force until 1945 when he retired as a Group Captain.

Lieutenant Alan Incell Riley 48 Squadron RFC (Flying a Bristol Fighter - god bless him....) also scored a hat trick on this day



Manfred Von Richthofen scores his 40th kill and in doing so equals his hero and mentor , the great Oswald Boelcke



BE2c 13 Squadron RFC. Engine no. 22930 WD853. Guns 2170 and 17353

09:25hrs Willerval, this side of the lines. BE 2 Seater: details cannot be given as English attacked this part of the front, thus making communication with front lines impossible. Occupants no details. (editor: These would prove to be Lieutenant Edwards Claude England and Gunner H. Pierson. Both men survived the shooting down and were rescued by British troops. ) Flying with Lieutenant Wolff, I attacked an English infantry flyer at low height. After a short fight the enemy plane fell into a shell hole/ When dashing to the ground, the wings of the plane fell off.

Other victories on this day were as follows...

Armand Pinsard France #6
Fritz Bernert Germany #18 #19
Rudolf Berthold Germany #11
Albert Dossenbach Germany #11
Sebastian Festner Germany #8
Hermann Frommherz Germany #1
Hans Klein Germany #4 #5
Lothar von Richthofen Germany #2 #3
Karl Schäfer Germany #15 #16
Adolf Schulte Germany #7 #8
Kurt Wolff Germany #9
David Tidmarsh Ireland #6 #7
Vladimir Strizhesky Russia #2

13 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON WEDNESDAY APRIL 11TH 1917

2nd Lt. Adeney, R.E. (Robert Edward) 48 Squadron RFC
Captain Baker, A.F. (Arthur Forbes) 52 Squadron RFC
Lieutenant Brink, J.H. (Johannes Hieronymus) 4 Squadron RFC
Air Mechanic Crewe, E. (Ernest) RFC
Lieutenant Etches, A.J.E. (Alfred Joseph Edward) 52 Squadron RFC
AM 2nd Class Fyffe, A. (Alexander) 3 Squadron RFC
Captain Kirkup, P.A. (Philip Austin) RFC
Lieutenant Kitchin, F.L. (Francis Leslie) 4 Squadron RFC
Lieutenant Lillis, M.M.A. (Martin Michael Arthur) 3 Squadron RFC
2nd Lieutenant Lovell, L.G. (Leslie Graham) 48 Squadron RFC
Lieutenant Morris, G.T. (George Tod) 59 Squadron RFC
Lieutenant Souter, J.M. (James Mitchell) 59 Squadron RFC
Corporal Stewart, G. (George) 13 Squadron

Other losses on a day there were 3245 British losses included

Brigadier General Charles Bulkeley Bulkeley-Johnson CB General Officer Commanding 8th Cavalry Brigade 3rd Cavalry Division is shot dead when out, almost alone, on a personal reconnaissance at Monchy at age 50. He joined the Royal Scots Greys in 1887, becoming a Captain in 1894 and a Major in 1902. He took part in the Nile Expedition of 1899, and was present at the operations which led up to the final defeat of the Khalifa. He was mentioned in Dispatches and received the British Medal and the Egyptian Medal with two clasps. He also held the following Honors: Order of the Mejidieh (4th Class), Legion of Honor (Officer), St. George (3rd Class) for Valor, being the sole recipient of the latter under the rank of Field-Marshal. He was one of the best heavy-weight riders in the Army and a fine player of both polo and cricket. He was also a most successful big-game hunter,

Lieutenant Colonel Herbert Edward Trevor Wollaston (Northamptonshire Regiment commanding 9th Essex Regiment) is killed in action at age 32. He is the son of Surgeon General ‘Sir’ Francis Wollaston Trevor KCSI CB.

Major Percy Charles Herbert Black DSO DCM (Australian Infantry) is killed at the First Battle of Bullecourt while commanding the right flank of his battalion. His battalion is exposed to uncut wire and machine gun fire after a tank offensive fails to clear a passage. Black, leading his men forward, yells “Come on boys, bugger the tanks!” He captures the first trenches before he is shot in the head while pressing on towards the support line. Knowing the attack will be difficult, Black says to his commanding officer beforehand “Well, goodbye Colonel. I mayn’t come back but we will take the Hindenburg Line”.

Meanwhile back with Capt. Tunstill's Men Training continued. A large party, comprising 340 officers and men, under the command of Capt. Alfred Percy Harrison (see 10th February) was despatched to Zillebeke Bund, from where they would be deployed to provide working parties to improve the trenches in the Hill 60 sub-sector, where the Battalion was shortly to be deployed. The trenches had been badly damaged by the intense German bombardment and attacks of 9th April. These movements took place despite the very cold weather and a severe snowstorm which continued throughout the late afternoon and evening.

Politics
Brazil: Government breaks relations with Germany (Bolivia likewise on April 13) but neutral in US-German war. German Ambassador only leaves on April 27.
Germany: Berlin rejects Czernin’s joint peace approach to Russia.
Britain: Lloyd George and Ribot discuss Austrian Emperor Charles’ peace letter at Folkestone, agree Italy must be consulted.

[Hedeby]

April 12th 1917

Incidentally, the third anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic...

Right the penultimate one from me as I have been allowed the Easter weekend off, and Squadron Leader Skafloc will haul himself off his sickbed and into the editors chair for a few days.

The Battle of Vimy Ridge

The 4th Canadian Division faced difficulties at the start of the battle that forced it to delay its assault on the Pimple until 12 April. The Pimple was initially defended by the 16th Bavarian Infantry Division but the Canadian Corps' preliminary artillery bombardment leading up to the assault on 9 April caused heavy casualties amongst its ranks. On 11 April, the 4th Guards Infantry Division first reinforced and then relieved affected 16th Bavarian Infantry Division units. The night before the attack, artillery harassed German positions while a gas section of Royal Engineers, employing Livens Projectors, fired more than 40 drums of gas directly into the village of Givenchy-en-Gohelle to cause confusion. The defending German troops managed to drive back the initial Canadian assaults at around 4:00 am using small arms fire. The 10th Canadian Brigade attacked once again at 5:00 am, this time supported by a significant amount of artillery and the 24th British Division of I Corps to the north.The German defensive artillery fire was late and too light to cause the assaulting troops great difficulty, allowing the Canadian Corps to exploit wide gaps and break into the German positions. The 10th Canadian Brigade, assisted by snow and a westerly wind, fought hastily entrained German troops to capture the entire Pimple by 6:00 pm.

By nightfall on 12 April 1917, the Canadian Corps was in firm control of the ridge. The corps suffered 10,602 casualties: 3,598 killed and 7,004 wounded. The German Sixth Army suffered an unknown number of casualties with approximately 4,000 men becoming prisoners of war. As we have read in the past few days, four members of the Canadian Corps received the Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration awarded to British and Commonwealth forces for valour, for their actions during the battle:

Private William Johnstone Milne of the 16th (Canadian Scottish) Battalion.
Lance-Sergeant Ellis Wellwood Sifton of the 18th (Western Ontario) Battalion.
Private John George Pattison of the 50th (Calgary) Battalion.
Captain Thain Wendell MacDowell of the 38th (Ottawa) Battalion.
At least two Orders Pour le Mérite, the Kingdom of Prussia's highest military order, were awarded to German commanders for their actions during the battle:

Oberstleutnant Wilhelm von Goerne commander of the 261st Prussian Reserve Infantry Regiment, of the German 79th Reserve Division
General of the Infantry Georg Karl Wichura commander of the VIII Reserve Corps and Gruppe Souchez


German soldiers captured during the battle.
Following the defeat, the Chief of the German General Staff, Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg, ordered the Supreme Army Command to conduct a court of enquiry into the defensive collapse of the Arras sector.The court concluded that the Sixth Army headquarters had disregarded frontline commander reports, noting a possible imminent attack and as a result, reserve units were kept too far back to execute a timely and effective counterattack. The court concluded that Sixth Army commander General Ludwig von Falkenhausen failed to apply an elastic defence properly as espoused by German defensive doctrine of the time. Instead, the defensive system was a series of unmoving strong points and static lines of resistance, which the Allied artillery ultimately isolated and destroyed.As a result of the inquiry, Hindenburg removed Falkenhausen from his command and transferred him to Belgium where he served the remainder of the war as that country's Governor General.

The Germans did not see the Canadian Corps's capture of Vimy Ridge as a loss. Contemporary German sources viewed the action, at worst, as a draw, given that no full-scale breakthrough occurred following the attack. The Germans did not attempt to recapture the ridge, even during the Spring Offensive and it remained under British control until the end of the war. The loss of Vimy Ridge forced the Germans to reassess their defensive strategy in the area. Instead of mounting a counterattack, they pursued a scorched earth policy and retreated to the Oppy–Méricourt line.[128] The complete failure of the French Nivelle Offensive in the week after the Arras Offensive placed pressure on Field Marshal Douglas Haig to keep the Germans occupied in the Arras sector to minimize French losses. The Canadian Corps participated in several of these actions including the Battle of Arleux and the Third Battle of the Scarpe in late April and early May 1917.

After the end of World War I, Byng was raised to the peerage as Baron Byng of Vimy, of Thorpe-le-Soken in the County of Essex, on 7 October 1919. The next month, he retired from the military and moved to Thorpe Hall



John Cunningham VC, (born 1890 – 16 April 1917) was a British soldier during the First World War, 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.

When in command of a Lewis Gun section on the most exposed flank of an attack Corporal John Cunningham’s (Leinster Regiment) section comes under heavy enfilade fire and suffers severely. Although wounded he succeeds almost alone in reaching his objective with his gun, which he gets into action in spite of much opposition. When counter-attacked by a party of twenty of the enemy he exhausts his ammunition against them, then, standing in full view, he commences throwing bombs. He is wounded again, and falls, but picks himself up and continues to fight single-handed with the enemy until his bombs are exhausted. He then makes his way back to our lines with a fractured arm and other wounds. For his actions Corporal Cunningham will be awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross as he will die in hospital from the effects of his wounds at age 26. He was born in Thurles, County Tipperary on 22 October 1890, was one of two sons of Johanna and Joseph Cunningham



1532 British lives were lost on this day

Today’s highlighted casualties include:

Brigadier General Charles Gosling CMG General Officer Commanding 10th Brigade 4th Division is killed in action at age 48. A shell kills him instantly.

Brigade Major Hedworth George Ailwyn Fellowes MC (Lancers, Indian Army Probyn’s Horse) at age 25. He is the son of the 1st Baron and Lady Ailwyn and grandson of Hedworth Hylton Joliffe 2nd Baron Hylton who survived the charge of the light Brigade at Balaclava. His three brothers become in succession the 2nd, 3rd and 4th His widow was widowed earlier in the war when Captain Maurice Howard Helyar was killed in January 1915.

Major Charleton William Gordon-Steward (Northumberland Fusiliers, Staff Brigade Major 198th Infantry Brigade) is killed in action at age 40. His Brigadier is wounded and will die of those wounds tomorrow. He is the son of Brigadier General C Steward Gordon-Steward.

Forty-eight men of the Bedfordshire Regiment are killed in the capture of La Folie Ferme and the village of La Bergere during the attack on Monchy-Le-Preux.

Captain (Acting Major) William Hammond Smith (Royal Field Artillery) is killed at Athies, near Roeux in the Battle of Arras at age 31. He is the son of the late Master of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, was an exceedingly promising artist and student of the Royal Academy London. He was also a keen athlete and rowed crew for at his college. A large shell bursts close to his battery and a splinter enters his head rendering his unconscious and he dies before reaching the dressing station.

The War in the Air

The following pilots made aerial victory claims on this day (The 'Red Baron' was obviously having a day off...)

Frederick Carr Armstrong Canada #2

Captain Arthur Treloar Whealy Canada #1



Arthur Treloar Whealy was a medical student at the University of Toronto before he joined the Royal Naval Air Service. He received his Aviator's Certificate (Am. 409) on a Curtiss biplane at the Atlantic Coast Aeronautic School in Newport News, Virginia on 5 February 1916. He was commissioned on 29 February 1916 and posted to 3 Wing on 24 August 1916. Serving with 3 Naval Squadron and 9 Naval Squadron during the spring and summer of 1917, Whealy scored seven victories while flying the Sopwith Pup. In the fall of 1917, he began flying the Sopwith Camel and scored an additional twenty victories before he was posted to the Home Establishment on 24 September 1918.

Laurence Allen England #4

2nd Lieutenant Ernest Moore England #1 (48 Squadron RFC - another Bristol Pilot - I think next few shows we shall celebrate 48 Squadron's successes by having a Brisfit vs. Albaross D.III game, bit more of a match eh Tim !!)

Ernest Stanley Moore and his pilot, William Winkler, were captured when their Bristol F.2b (A7111) was shot down near Gavrelle by Lothar von Richthofen and Leutnant Wilhelm Allmenröder of Jasta 11.

Flight Lieutenant Edmund 'Ed' Pierce England #1 #2 RNAS

Alan Wilkinson England #16
Edmund Zink England #3
Lucien Jailler France #7
Marcel Nogues France #2
Armand Pinsard France #7
Leopold Anslinger Germany #5
Hartmut Baldamus Germany #17

Wilhelm Frickart Germany #1



As an observer on the Eastern Front, Wilhelm Maximilian Frickart was credited with five balloons and two Voisins during 1917. After earning a pilot's badge in 1918, he was posted to the Western Front where he scored five more victories before the end of the war.

Erich Hahn Germany #3
Paul von Osterroht Germany #5
Kurt Schneider Germany #3
Adolf Schulte Germany #9

Lieutenant William Otto Brash Winkler Scotland #1 48 Squadron RFC (Another deadly exponent of the Bristol Fighter)



The son of Margaret Winkler, William Otto Brash Winkler joined the army before the war. He served with the Lothian and Border Horse Yeomanry as a trooper before he transferred to the Army Service Corps as a driver. In March 1915, he was gazetted to the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Second Lieutenant. After serving in France, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in August 1916, becoming a pilot in February 1917. Two months later, Winkler was assigned to 48 Squadron as a Bristol Fighter pilot. In less than a month, he and his observer, Ernest Moore, were credited with downing six Albatros D.IIIs before they were shot down near Gavrelle by Lothar von Richthofen and Leutnant Wilhelm Allmenröder of Jasta 11. Crashing just 300 yards beyond the British lines, Winkler and Moore were captured by the Germans.

8 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON THURSDAY APRIL 12TH 1917

AM 2nd Class Almond, H. (Hugh) Royal Naval Air Service, H.M.S. 'President II'
Lieutenant Anderson, W.T. (William Trevor) RFC
Private Geary, A. (Adam) 4 Squadron RFC
AM 2nd Class Hill, G.H. (Gordon Herbert) Recruits depot RFC
AM 3rd Class Prior, W. (William) 100 Squadron RFC
Private Rodger, R. (Roland) 14 Squadron RFC
AM 2nd Class Walker, J.C. (John Campbell) 18 Squadron RFC
Lieutenant Walton, O.T. (Oswald Thomas) 18 Squadron RFC

Home Fronts
Britain: London meetings celebrate US entry into war, US Ambassador says aim ‘to save the earth as a place worth living in’.



Austria: General Stager-Steiner succeeds General Krobatin as War Minister.
Russia: *Law enlarges Estonia and permits it a Diet.

Politics
Spain: Government protests to Berlin for San Fulgencio torpedoed (April 9).
Costa Rica: Government places nations waters and ports at US disposal.

Neutrals
Switzerland: Bulgar and Austrian envoys make peace*feelers to Allies

[Hedeby]

13th April 1917

One final post before the injured crawl out of their sickbeds just so I can go on a holiday (the sub editors have a tough life here at The Sniper's Times). I will have to write today's post in stages as I have a house full, need to go check out a new pub and am getting ready to go on holiday tomorrow. (Oh FFS just spent 70 minutes then clicked off wrong tab and lost everything - I hate my life)

Lets start with the War in the Air as being Bloody April - it is very busy today..

It is not a good day for the RFC with 26 men lost, on the other hand it is something of a field day for the pilots of Jasta 11, with a hat trick for Manfred von Richthofen and four kills for Kurt Wolff and doubles for Lothar von Richthofenand Sebastian Festner

Jean Navarre France #2

Roman Schmidt Austro-Hungarian Empire #1



Roman Oto Kažimir Schmidt or Roman Šmidt was a croatian World War I flying ace in the Austro-Hungarian air force, credited with six aerial victories.

His first aerial victory was scored on the Russian front, whilst posted with Flik 7, and flying a Hansa-Brandenburg C.I, when he together with pilot Paul Hablitschek on April 13, 1917 shot down a Russian Nieuport Scout in the vicinity of Bohorodzany. (In accordance with Austro-Hungarian practice as Oberleutnant and officer Schmidt was acting as observer and gunner.) Later that year he was transferred to Flik 13, which was also fighting on the Russian front. On September 8 over Razbita in a twin seater type Oeffag C.II he and Oberleutnant Miroslav Navratil downed a Russian Nieuport fighter. And on October 4, 1917 Schmidt together with the pilot Zugsführer Adolf Wiltsch shot down another a single-seat fighter. (They were flying a Lloyd 40.11 twin-seater.) This was Schmidt's third kill. Schmidt flew with Flik 30J on the Italian front from May 1918. On July 12, whilst flying a Phönix D.I numbered 128.12, he downed an Italian twin seater (type SAML) over enemy territory. His fifth kill occurred eleven days later, on July 23, when he shot down an RAF Bristol F.2 Fighter from 139th Squadron over Godega di Sant'Urbano. (Both the pilot and the observer perished in the crash.)[3] During that period Flik 30J was based on the San Pietro di Campo airfield.[4] His sixth and last victory was gained on October 27, 1918, when he shot down an Italian Caproni Ca.3 heavy bomber in the area around Belluno.

Hugh Griffith Canada #4 #5
Reginald Malcolm Canada #3
Medley Parlee Canada #4
Laurence Allen England #5 #6
John Vincent Aspinall England #5

Herbert Ellis England #1



From the Royal Engineers, Lieutenant Herbert Edward Oscar Ellis, the son of Herbert and Caroline Ellis, transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in 1916. He received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 3829 on a Maurice Farman biplane at Military School, Birmingham on 2 November 1916. On the evening of 4 May 1917, after shooting down two German scouts over the aerodrome at Douai, he was attacked by a third Albatros D.III. During the battle that followed, his Nieuport's machine gun ran out of ammunition. The fight ended when Ellis pulled a Colt semi-automatic pistol from its holster, fired seven rounds and shot down his opponent. On 6 May 1917, Ellis was injured in a crash that ended his career as a fighter pilot. (don't tell he who named himself world war one flying ace - we would never hear the end of it - so Colt revolver is that an A or B damage?)

Leonard Emsden England #5
James Leith England #7
Alan Wilkinson England #17 #18

Louis Gros France #1

Louis Prosper Gros (b. 24 July 1893 - d. 3 March 1973 ) - French fighter ace of World War I. He reached 9 kills. He belonged to the prestigious group of Balloon Buster .

Louis Gros was born in Paris. Until he joined the French army in March of 1913. He served in the 43 Artillery Regiment. January 25, 1916 he was transferred to aviation and in May received a pilot's license. First allocation was linear flight HF 41 . April 13, 1917 he achieved his first and only victory in the air squadron. After passing additional training on single-seater aircraft 1 January 1918, he was assigned to Fighter Squadron Spa 154 . The new unit suffered kills 8, including 5 of the balloons observation .

September 15, 1918, he was severely wounded in battle and not returned to service until the end of the war. After the war, he married Eugénie Henriette Lemaitre. After the war he worked as a mechanic. He died in 1973 in Fronton, Haute-Garonne, Midi-Pyrénées. (apologies for the translation)

Heinrich Bongartz Germany #2
Albert Dossenbach Germany #12
Eduard von Dostler Germany u/c
Sebastian Festner Germany #9 #10
Heinrich Gontermann Germany #9 #10
Josef Jacobs Germany #4
Hans Klein Germany #6 #7
Edmund Nathanael Germany #9
Lothar von Richthofen Germany #4 #5

Manfred von Richthofen Germany #41 #42 #43

(41) RE-8 No.A3190 59 Squadron , Engine No.643, WD 3759. GUns 23593: A111 - 08:58 hrs between Vichy and Brebieres. New body DD: plane burnt. Occupants Lieutenant M.A.Woat (sic) and Steward Thomas (sic) both killed. Motor no.3759; fixed Motor V-shaped, 12 cylinders. With six lanes of my Staffel I attacked an enemy squadron of the same force. The plane I had singled out fell to the ground between Vichy and Brebieres, after a short fight. On touching down both occupants and machine burned to ashes.

(42) FE2b No. A831 11 Squadron RFC Engine No. 985, WD 7595, guns 19775, 19554. 12:45hrs between Monchy and Feuchy. Vickers two seater, details unknown as plane downed behind enemy lines. Together with Leutnant Simon, I attacked a Vickers two seater, coming back from German territory. After rather a long fight , during which I manoeuvred in such a way that my adversary could not fire one shot, the enemy plane plunged down to the ground between Monchy and Feuchy.

(43) FE2b No.4997 (Baroda No.17) 25 Squadron RFC. Engine No.917, WD 7527. Guns 23118 and 26632. 19:35hrs Noyelles-Godault, near Henin Lietard. Vickers two seater, No. 4997, motor No. 917, 8 cylinder stand. Occupants:Lieutenant Bates and Barnes, both killed. With three planes of my STaffel I attacked an enemy bombing squadron consisting of Vickers (old type) above Henin Lietard. After a short fight my adversary began to glide down and finally plunged into a house near Noyelles-Godault. the occupants were both killed and the machine destroyed



Karl Schäfer Germany #17
Kurt Schneider Germany #4 #5

Kurt Wolff Germany #10 #11 #12 #13



A former railway transportation officer, Wolff entered the military in 1912 and transferred to the German Air Force in July 1915. On his very first flight, Wolff survived a crash that dislocated his shoulder and killed the plane's pilot. On 5 November 1916, Wolff was posted to Jasta 11 but failed to score any victories until Manfred von Richthofen assumed command of the unit in January 1917. Scoring his 9th victory on 11 April 1917, Wolff downed a Bristol Fighter flown by Irish ace David Tidmarsh. On 6 May, having achieved 28 victories, Wolff was given command of Jasta 29. With this unit, he scored two more victories before returning to command Jasta 11 on 2 July 1917. Wounded nine days later, his left hand was injured in a dogfight with 10 Naval Squadron. When he returned to duty on 11 September 1917, he began flying one of the new Fokker Triplanes. Four days later, in another encounter with 10 Naval Squadron, Wolff was shot down by a Sopwith Camel flown by Norman McGregor. His Dreidecker, the first of its kind to be lost in aerial combat, went into a spin and crashed.

Juri Gilsher Russia #1 #2



Of noble birth, Gilsher studied civil engineering before entering the Nikoliavsky Cavalry school on 13 December 1914. On 29 August 1915, he transferred to the air service, first attending flight school at Gatchina before going to the front with the newly formed 4th Army Air Detachment on 19 November 1915. A few weeks later, an accident with a propellor blade injured his left hand. When he recovered, Gilsher completed advanced flight training at Odessa, then returned to the front on 5 April 1916. Promoted to Cornet (Cavalry Second Lieutenant), he was attached to the newly formed 7th Fighter Detachment. Crashing a badly damaged Sikorsky S-16 on 9 May 1916, Gilsher's left leg had to be amputated. Refusing to give up his flying career, he learned to use a prosthesis, returned to his squadron as temporary commander and continued flying combat missions. Flying the Nieuport 21, he was credited with five victories before he was killed in action by enemy fire.

Donat Makeenok Russia #2 #3
Vasili Yanchenko Russia #5 #6
Raoul Lufbery USA #8

26 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON FRIDAY APRIL 13TH 1917 (alas I only have details of 20 of them)

Sergeant Barnes, W.A. (William Albert) 25 Squadron RFC
Lt. Bates, A.H. (Allan Harold) 25 Squadron (Special Reserve)
Lt. Boyd, P.B. (Philip Bentinck) 59 Squadron RFC
Lt. Collinson, G.E.C. (George Edward Cleather) 77 Squadron RFC
Lt. Cowell, C.S. (Charles Stanley) RFC
Capt. Cox, C.R. (Clarence Rupert) 5 Wing, Headquarters, Egypt
Am 3rd Class Dent, W.S. (William Stevenson) 14 Reserve Squadron RFC
2nd. Lt. Gillespie, G.W. (Gordon Wood) 57 Squadron RFC
Capt. Hodgson, G.B. (George Bailey) 59 Squadron RFC
2nd. Lt. Horne, H.G.M.M. (Herbert George McMillan) 59 Squadron RFC
Lt. Long, C.P. (Charles Percy) 46 Squadron
Lt. Margerison, T. (Thomas) 57 Squadron RFC
Major Milne, W. (William) 25 Squadron RFC
Lt. Morris, C.H. (Charles Herbert) 59 Squadron RFC
AM 3rd Class Mound, E. Southern Aircraft Repair Depot
2nd. Lt. Ormerod, A. (Andrew) 59 Squadron RFC
Squadron COmmander Petre, J.J. (John Joseph) 6(N) Squadron RNAS
Capt. Platt, L.S. (Lionel Sydney) 57 Squadron RFC
2nd. Lt. Ray, P.O. (Philip Oliphant) 59 Squadron RFC
Capt. Richardson, L.L. (Lancelot Lytton) 25 Squadron RFC

On this day 1030 British lives were lost

Brigadier General Godfrey Estcourt Matthews CB CMG, General Officer Commanding 198th Brigade, 66th Division dies of wounds received in action the previous day. He dies at age fifty.

Lieutenant Colonel Philip Mathew Magnay (Royal Fusiliers commanding 12th Manchester Regiment) is killed by a shell while directing the operations of his Battalion from a captured German trench north of Arras, the same shell killing his Adjutant and two other officers at age 31. He is the youngest son of the late ‘Sir’ William Magnay, 2nd Baronet and he was engaged to be married to Marjorie, youngest daughter of the Reverend Thomas S Cooper. Lieutenant Colonel Magnay joined the Royal Fusiliers in October 1910. He went to France on 8 September 1914 went through the Battle of the Aisne, being gazetted Captain shortly after. After being invalided home he returned to the Front as Second-in-Command of a Battalion Manchester Regiment and was given command of another Battalion at the beginning of our offensive on the Somme. He was through many engagements, including the taking of Delville Wood, Longueval, and Beaumont Hamel.

Today’s other highlighted casualties include:

Squadron Commander John Joseph Petre DSC (Royal Naval Air Service) is killed at age 23. His brother Edward was killed on 24th December 1912 attempting a non-stop flight from Weybridge to Edinburgh, a distance of 420 miles six months after obtaining his Aviators Certificate.

Captain Lancelot Lytton Richardson MC (Royal Flying Corps) is killed in action at age 21. He is a seven victory ace and his brother died of wounds in September 1915.

Captain John Marmaduke Ramsay (Rifle Brigade) is killed at age 19. He is the eldest son of Marmaduke Francis Ramsay JP for Kent. Captain Ramsay receives his Commission in the Rifle Brigade in January 1916 he goes to France in September 1916. He is made Sniping Officer almost immediately and within a few weeks becomes Battalion Intelligence Officer, Assistant Adjutant, and Mess President. The following December he is promoted Lieutenant and given temporary command of a Company in February 1917, being gazetted Acting Captain on 2 April. The next day he is severely wounded in the lung while his Battalion is taking Metz-en-Couture. He is carried down to the Casualty Clearing Station at Jray, where he will die today.

Lieutenant Edmund William Baldwin Childe-Pemberton (Hussars) dies of wounds at age 21. He is the grandson of John Stuart Bligh 6th Earl of Darnley and nephew of Major Childe (Royal Horse Guards), who was killed in the South African War. On 4 April 1917, he went up to Vimy Ridge, in command of a dismounted party of one hundred ‘Cavalry Pioneers’ to support Canadians, and there takes part in the Pimple Hill operations, under the Canadian Engineers, being constantly exposed to shell-fire and working under the most trying conditions for several days. He is mortally wounded today and dies in hospital at Barlin.

Western Front
Artois: Canadians capture Vimy village and Petit Vimy. British 50th Divison attacks Wancourt Ridge, captures it by April 15. The triumph on Vimy Ridge cost the Canadian Corps 3,598 dead while around 2,400 Germans were also killed. The fighting on Vimy Ridge was the most successful part of the battle of Arras, itself one of the more successful allied attacks of the war. However, the French assault on the Aisne was much less successful. The failure of the Nivelle offensive would result in a temporary collapse in discipline in the French army, the famous mutinies of 1917.

Somme, Oise: French Third Army attack (until April 14) soon called off despite aid of 390 heavy guns.



Air War
Western Front: Richthofen scores twice more including 1 of 6 RE8s destroyed as not met by escort. 21 Royal Flying Corps bombers (4 lost to Richthofen’s unit, which 1 fighter lost) plus 17 escorts strike Henin-Lietard rail station.

Sea War
Baltic and Black Sea: Many Russian battleships and cruisers renamed by Provisional Government to sound more democratic (and on April 29), often return to pre-1905 Mutiny names.

Always good to report on the launch of a new capital ship, especially a battleship...



USS New Mexico (BB-40) was a battleship in service with the United States Navy from 1918 to 1946. She was the lead ship of a class of three battleships, and the first ship to be named for the state of New Mexico. Her keel was laid down on 14 October 1915 at the New York Navy Yard, she was launched on 23 April 1917, and was commissioned on 20 May 1918. She was the first ship with a turbo-electric transmission, which helped her reach a cruising speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). Shortly after completing initial training, New Mexico escorted the ship that carried President Woodrow Wilson to Brest, France to sign the Treaty of Versailles. The interwar period was marked with repeated exercises with the Pacific and Atlantic Fleets, use as a trial ship for PID controllers, and a major modernization between March 1931 and January 1933.

The ship's first actions during World War II were neutrality patrols in the Atlantic Ocean. She returned to the Pacific after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and participated in shore bombardments during operations at Attu and Kiska, Tarawa, the Marshall Islands, the Mariana and Palau islands, Leyte, Luzon, and Okinawa. These were interspersed with escort duties, patrols, and refits. The ship was attacked by kamikazes on several occasions. New Mexico was present in Tokyo Bay for the signing of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender on 2 September 1945. Four days later, she sailed for the United States, and arrived in Boston on 17 October.

New Mexico was decommissioned in Boston on 19 July 1946, and struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 25 February 1947. The ship was sold for scrapping to the Lipsett Division of Luria Bros in November 1947, but attempts to bring the ship to Newark, New Jersey for breaking up were met by resistance from city officials. City fireboats were sent to block the passage of the battleship and the Lipsett tugboats, while the United States Coast Guard declared intentions to guarantee safe passage. The Under Secretary of the Navy Department was sent to defuse what the media began to call the "Battle of Newark Bay", with the city agreeing to the breaking up of New Mexico and two other battleships before scrapping operations in Newark Bay ceased, and Lipsett under instructions to dismantle the ships in a set timeframe or suffer financial penalties. Scrapping commenced in November and was completed by July 1948.

New Mexico was 624 feet (190 m) long overall and had a beam of 97 ft 5 in (29.69 m) and a draft of 30 ft (9.1 m). She displaced 32,000 long tons (33,000 t) as designed and up to 33,000 long tons (34,000 t) at full combat load. Unlike the other members of her class, New Mexico was powered by four-shaft General Electric steam turbines fitted with turbo-electric transmission and nine oil-fired Babcock & Wilcox boilers rated at 27,500 shaft horsepower (20,500 kW), generating a top speed of 21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph). The ship had a cruising range of 8,000 nautical miles (15,000 km; 9,200 mi) at a speed of 10 kn (19 km/h; 12 mph). Her crew numbered 1,084 officers and enlisted men. As built, she was fitted with two lattice masts with spotting tops for the main gun battery. The main armored belt was 13.5 in (343 mm) thick, while the main armored deck was up to 3.5 in (89 mm) thick. The main battery gun turrets had 18 in (457 mm) thick faces on 13 in (330 mm) barbettes. The conning tower had 16 in (406 mm) thick sides.[1]

The ship was armed with a main battery of twelve 14-inch (356 mm)/50 caliber guns in four, three-gun turrets on the centerline, placed in two superfiring pairs forward and aft of the superstructure. Unlike earlier American battleships with triple turrets, these mounts were true three-gun barrels, in that each barrel could elevate independently. The secondary battery consisted of fourteen 5-inch (127 mm)/51 caliber guns mounted in individual casemates clustered in the superstructure amidships. Initially, the ship was fitted with twenty-two of the guns, but experiences in the North Sea during World War I demonstrated that the additional guns, which were placed in the hull, would have been unusable in anything but calm seas. As a result, these guns were removed and the casemates were plated over to prevent flooding. The secondary battery was augmented with four 3-inch (76 mm)/50 caliber guns. In addition to her gun armament, New Mexico was also fitted with two 21-inch (530 mm) torpedo tubes, mounted submerged in the hull, one on each broadside.

[Mike George]

Nice report thanks for your time and effort

[Lt. S.Kafloc]

James Ernest Newland, VC (22 August 1881 – 19 March 1949) was an Australian soldier, policeman was awarded the Victoria Cross following three separate actions in April 1917, during attacks against German forces retreating to the Hindenburg Line. While in command of a company, Newland successfully led his men in several assaults on German positions and repulsed subsequent counter-attacks.
Born in the Victorian town of Highton, Newland joined the Australian military in 1899 and saw active service during the Second Boer War. He continued to serve in the Australians Army’s permanent forces on his return to Australia, and completed several years' service in the artillery. Transferring to the militia in 1907, Newland became a police officer in Tasmania before re-joining the permanent forces in 1910. Following the outbreak of the First World War, he was appointed to the Australian Imperial Force and was among the first wave of men to land at Gallipoli. In the days following the landing, Newland was wounded and evacuated to Egypt where he was commissioned as a second lieutenant.

Transferring to the Western Front in 1916, Newland was mentioned in dispatches for his leadership while commanding a company during an attack at Mouquet Farm. He was wounded twice more during the war and medically discharged in March 1918; he returned to service with the permanent army. Newland held various appointments between the two world wars, and retired a lieutenant colonel in 1941. He died of heart failure in 1949.

Actions for which he was awarded the VC:
By early April 1917, there remained three German-held outpost villages—Boursies, Demicourt and Hermies—between the area to the south of the I Anzac Corps position and the Hindenburg Line. An attack by the 1^st Australian Division to capture them was planned for 9 April, the same day the British offensive opened at Arras. For his actions on three separate occasions during the assault, Newland was awarded the Victoria Cross.
On the night of 7/8 April, the 12th Battalion was tasked with the capture of Boursies, on the Bapaume-Cambrai road. The attack was a feint to mislead the German forces on the direction from which Hermies was to be assaulted. Leading A Company as well as an attached platoon from B Company, Newland began his advance on the village at 03:00. The company was soon subject to heavy rifle and machine gun fire from a derelict mill approximately 400 metres (440 yd) short of the village, and began to suffer heavy casualties. Rallying his men, Newland charged the position and bombed the Germans with grenades. The attack dislodged the Germans, and the company secured the area and continued its advance.

Throughout 8 April, the Australians were subjected to heavy shellfire from German forces. At approximately 22:00, the Germans launched a fierce counter-attack under the cover of a barrage of bombs and trench mortars against A Company's position at the mill. They had some initial success and entered the forward posts of the mill, which were occupied by a platoon of Newland's men under the command of Sergeant John Whittle. Newland, bringing up a platoon from the battalion's reserve company, charged the attackers and re-established the lost ground with Whittle's assistance. The 12th Battalion was relieved by the 11^th Battalion on 10 April, having succeeded in capturing Boursies at the cost of 240 casualties, of which 70 were killed or missing.
After a four-day reprieve from the frontline, the 12th Battalion relieved the 9th Battalion at Lagnicourt on 14 April. Around dawn the next day, the Germans launched a severe counter-attack against the 1st Australian Division's line. Breaking through, they forced back the 12th Battalion's D Company, which was to the right of Newland's A Company. Soon surrounded and under attack on three sides, Newland withdrew the company to a sunken road which had been held by Captain Percy Cherry during the capture of the village three weeks earlier, and lined the depleted company out in a defensive position on each bank.

The German forces attacked Newland's company several times during the battle, but were repulsed each time. During one of the assaults, Newland observed that the German attack was weakening and gathered a party of twenty men. Leading the group, he charged the Germans and seized forty as prisoners. As reinforcements from the 9th Battalion began to arrive, a combined counter-attack was launched and the line recaptured by approximately 11:00. During the engagement, the 12th Battalion suffered 125 casualties, including 66 killed or missing. Newland and Whittle were both awarded the Victoria Cross for their actions at Boursies and Lagnicourt; they were the only two permanent members of the Australian military to receive the decoration during the war. At 35 years and 7 months old, Newland was also the oldest Australian Victoria Cross recipient of the First World War.

The full citation for Newland's Victoria Cross appeared in a supplement to the London Gazette on 8 June 1917:
War Office, 8th June, 1917.

His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned Officers, Non-commissioned Officers and Men: —
Capt. James Ernest Newlands, Inf. Bn., Aus. Imp. Force.

For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty, in the face of heavy odds, on three separate occasions.
On the first occasion he organised the attack by his company on a most important objective, and led personally, under heavy fire, a bombing attack. He then rallied his company, which had suffered heavy casualties, and he was one of the first to reach the objective.

On the following night his company, holding the captured position, was heavily counter-attacked. By personal exertion, utter disregard of fire, and judicious use of reserves, he succeeded in dispersing the enemy and regaining the position.

On a subsequent occasion, when the company on his left was overpowered and his own company attacked from the rear, he drove off a combined attack which had developed from these directions.
These attacks were renewed three or four times, and it was Capt. Newland's tenacity and disregard for his own safety that encouraged the men to hold out.

The stand made by this officer was of the greatest importance, and produced far-reaching results.



John William Ormsby VC. MM (10 January 1881 – 20 July 1952) was 36 years old, and a sergeant in the 2nd Battalion, The Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. On 14 April 1917 at Fayet, France, during operations which culminated in the capture of an important position, Sergeant Ormsby, acting as company sergeant-major showed complete indifference to the heavy machine-gun and rifle fire and set a fine example. After clearing a village he pushed on and drove out many snipers from localities further forward. When the only surviving officer was wounded he took command of the company and led them forward under heavy fire for 400 yards to a new position, holding it until relieved.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Museum, Doncaster, England.

Today we lost: 1652

Heavy Newfoundland Regiment losses include:

· Lieutenant Cyril Gardner DCM (Newfoundland Regiment) is killed at age 32. His brother was killed in July of last year.
· Lieutenant Norman A Outerbridge (Newfoundland Regiment) is killed at age 33. He is the son of ‘Sir’ Joseph Outerbridge.
· Lance Corporals Hector age 20 and William age 22 Bennett DCM (Newfoundland Regiment) are killed together.
· Private Albert Follett (Newfoundland Regiment) is killed in action at age 20. His nephew and namesake will be killed in action in November 1943 while serving in the Royal Air Force.
· Private Arthur Joseph Jackman (Newfoundland Regiment) is killed in action at age 24. His brother was killed in July 1916.
· Private Joseph P Vaughan (Newfoundland Regiment) is killed at age 20. He has two brothers who will die on service at home.
· Private Edmond L Dunphy (Newfoundland Regiment) is killed at age 17. His brother was killed last November.
· Private William Donnelly (Newfoundland Regiment) is killed at age 19. His brother will be killed next November.
· Private Walter J Clarke (Newfoundland Regiment) is killed at age 23. His brother will be killed next October.
· Private George Chuck (Newfoundland Regiment) is killed. His brother will die on service in January 1919.

Today’s losses include:

· Multiple families that will lose two and three sons in the Great War
· Brothers killed together
· A man’s nephew and namesake who will be killed in the Second World War
· The son of a Justice of the Peace
· The son of a General
· An Artist
· The nephew of the Countess of Moray
· The son of a member of the clergy
· A member of the Bedfordshire Constabulary
· The acting manager of the Palladium in London

Today’s highlighted casualties include:

· Captain George Barclay Lockhart (Royal Flying Corps) is killed at age 24. He is the only son of Barclay Lockhart JP and nephew of Provost ‘Sir’ Robert Lockhart.
· Captain Daniel James Christopher Veresmith (Royal Field Artillery) dies of wounds received two days earlier. His brother died of wounds last July.
· Captain Douglas Cameron Foster (Cameronians) dies of wounds. He is the son of Brigadier General Turville Douglas Foster.
· Captain George Parsons Denham (Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders) dies of wounds received at Battle of Arras four days ago at age 27. He is an artist with the degree of A. R. C. A., Kensington London who is famous for his prints and posters. He illustrated the Irish Fairy Book for Alfred Graves.
· Captain Daniel James Christopher Vereesmith (Royal Field Artillery) dies of wounds at age 23. His brother was killed in July 1916.
· Lieutenant George Edward Cleather Collinson (Cameron Highlanders attached Royal Flying Corps) is accidentally killed flying at home at age 20. He is the nephew of Anna, Countess of Moray.
· Lieutenant Bernard William Theodore Wickham MC (South Staffordshire Regiment) is killed at age 22. He is the only son of the Reverend William Arthur Wickham Rector of Ampton.
· Second Lieutenant Douglas (Bedfordshire Regiment) is killed at age 21. His brother will be killed in September. · Second Lieutenant Alec Philip Watson (Hampshire Regiment) dies of wounds on the Western Front at age 22. His brother was killed in August 1915 on Gallipoli.
· Sergeant John MacLaren Erskine VC (Cameronians) is killed in action at age 22. He was awarded the Victoria Cross last year.
· Acting Corporal William Dean (Bedfordshire Regiment) dies of wounds at age 24. He is a member of the Bedfordshire Constabulary.
· Private Alexander Coutts (King’s Own Scottish Borderers) is killed at age 21. His brother was killed last October and they both came from Chicago, Illinois to join the cause.
· Private Arthur Blockley (Leicestershire Regiment) is killed in action. His brother was killed last August.
· Rifleman Charles Robertson Gibbon (London Regiment) is killed at age 36. He is the acting manager of the Palladium in London.
· Private Wilberforce West (Essex Regiment) is killed in action at age 21. He has one brother who has died of wounds the previous year and another brother who will be killed in action in July of this year.
· Private William Woodley (Essex Regiment) is killed in action at age 25. His brother was killed in March 1916.
· Private Ernest Charles Mayes (Essex Regiment) is killed in action at age 22. His brother was killed in April 1916. · Private George Henry Feetham (Essex Regiment) dies of wounds as a prisoner of war received 10 days earlier. His brother will be killed in March 1918

Air Operations:
The Third Wing Royal Naval Air Service carries out a reprisal raid to Freiburg. This raid carried out by this specialist strategic bombing unit before it is disbanded. So much assistance has been offered to the Royal Flying Corps by the Admiralty in the previous weeks that 3 Wing can no longer be maintained, and its resources are re-allocated to 10^th (Naval) Squadron. During the raid three Sopwith Strutter aircraft are shot down three of the crew being killed the other three being taken prisoner. Shortly after leaving the objective Flight Lieutenant Walter Ernest Flett is engaged by three enemy machines two single-seaters and one two-seater. His gun layer, Air Mechanic, R G Kimberley, is slightly wounded in the wrist, which numbs his hand. Notwithstanding this, he succeeds in bringing down two of the enemy machines, being again wounded by an explosive bullet in the ankle. Their machine is riddled with bullets, and owing to the damage, navigation is most difficult and the return journey is very slow. Consequently Lieutenant Flett is again attacked, but although the gun layer is twice wounded, the enemy machine is driven off.

Royal Flying Corps Losses today: 15

Lt Capper, E.W. (Edward Walter), 19 Squadron, RFC. Killed in action.

2Lt Carter, S.R. (Seton Rodney), 52 Squadron, RFC. Killed in action aged 21.

Lt Chalk, W.J. (William Joseph), 59 Squadron, RFC. Killed in action aged 27.

2Lt Cock, J.H. (John Herbert), 60 Squadron, RFC. Killed in action aged 23.

A Mech 1 Coghlan, J.L. (Joseph L.), 2 (N) Squadron, B Flight, 3 (N) Wing. Killed in Action when Sopwith 11/2 Strutter N5117, flown by Flt. Sub Lieut. H. Edwards was shot down on Freiburg Reprisal Raid near Schlett by Vzfw Rudolf Rath of Jasta35. Pilot, Flight Sub Lieut. H Edwards was made a Prisoner of War.

Lt Cowan, W.W. (William Wilson), 7 Squadron, RFC. Killed while on night bombing raid near St Quentin aged 24.

2Lt Cramb, W.B. (Wilfred Brown), 9 Squadron, RFC. Killed in Action aged 26. B.E. 2f 2562 flown by 2nd Lieut W B Cramb, with Lieut W Harle was on a Corps Artillery Patrol. Under heavy anti-aircraft fire over St Quentin and was shot down.

Lt Donaldson, C.T.L. (Cleweth Thomas Lee), 52 Squadron, RFC. Killed in action aged 20.

Cpl Hodgson, W. (William), 11 squadron, RFC. Killed in action aged 23.

Capt Lockhart, G.B. (George Barclay), 2 Squadron, RFC. Missing – Killed in action aged 24.

A Mech 1 Lockyer, A.G. (Alfred George), RNAS. Killed in action aged 20.

2Lt Morrison, N.W. (Norman Walter), 25 Squadron, RFC. Killed in action aged 19.

2Lt Pascoe, E.J. (Eric John), 29 Squadron, RFC. Killed in action aged 23.

A Mech 1 Turner, G.V. (Gilbert V.), Royal Naval Air Station Luxeuil, RNAS.

Lt Wilson, A.P. (Alexander Philip), 2 Squadron, RFC. Killed in action aged 23.


Claims: 35 (Entente 18: Central Powers 17)

Reginald Macolm #4
Charles Booker #3


Edward Crundall claims his 1^st & 2^nd confirmed victories with 8 Naval Squadron, RNAS, shooting down 2 Albatros C types near Henin-Lietard.Edward Duncan Crundall joined the Royal Naval Air Service in 1914. Flight Sub-Lieutenant Crundall received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 3543 on a Maurice Farman biplane at Royal Naval Air Station, Eastbourne on 5 September 1916. He was posted to 8 Naval Squadron in 1916 and in 1917 he scored 3 victories flying the Sopwith Triplane. Wounded in action on 10 May 1917, he was forced to land near Bethune by Alois Heldmann of Jasta 10. On 28 July 1917, he was downed by Adolf von Tutschek. In 1918, Crundall was posted to 210 Squadron as a flight commander and scored 4 more victories flying the Sopwith Camel. During World War II, he served as the commanding officer of 116 Calibration Squadron and was awarded the AFC. Crundall continued flying in civilian life, accumulating over 8,500 hours of flight time on charter routes to Africa. His autobiography, Fighter Pilot on the Western Front, was published in 1975.

Thomas Gerrard #2

William Ernest Reed claims his first victory with 19 Squadron, RFC, shooting down a C type near Douai.

William Strugnell #3


Gustave Daladier claims his first victory with N93, shooting down a 2 seater near St Marie-aux-Mines.

Georges Guynemer #36
Henri Languedoc #5
Didier Lecour Grandmaison #5
Armand Pinsard #8
Achille Rousseaux #5
Marie Vitalis #7
Nikolai Kokorin #3
Konstantin Vakulovsky #3


Ian Napier claims his 1^st confirmed victory with 40 Squadron, RFC, shooting down an Albatros DIII near Mericourt-La Coulette. The son of Henry Melville and Margaret (Muter) Napier, Ian Patrick Robert Napier attended Eton before joining the army. With the 9th (The Dumbartonshire) Battalion of Princess Louise's Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, Lieutenant Napier received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 3269 on a BE2c biplane at Military School, Hounslow Heath on 18 July 1916. Seconded to the Royal Flying Corps on 4 August 1916, he was posted to 40 Squadron. He scored 12 victories flying Nieuport scouts and the SE5a and served as a liaison officer with the French army. After the war he entered the family shipbuilding business.

Arthur Jones-Williams claims his 1^st confirmed victory with 29 Squadron, RFC, shooting down an Albatros DIII near Neuvireuil-Vitry. Arthur Gordon Jones-Williams scored eight victories flying Nieuport scouts with 29 Squadron in 1917 and three more with 65 Squadron in 1918. Post-war, Squadron Leader Jones-Williams and Flight Lieutenant N. A. Jenkins made the first non-stop flight from England to India in 1929. Both were killed later that year when their Fairey-Napier monoplane crashed in the Atlas Mountains during a non-stop flight from Cranwell, England to Cape Town, South Africa.

Hans von Adam #2
Hartmut Baldamus #18
Rudolf Berthold #12


Kurt-Bertram von Doring claims his 1^st confirmed victory with Jasta 4, shooting down a Nieuport Scout south of Fresnoy.

Eduard von Dostler #5
Sebastian Festner #11
Hermann Frommherz #2
Heinrich Gontermann#11


Fritz Putter claims his 1^st confirmed victory with Jasta 9, shooting down a balloon east of Suippes. When the war began, Pütter joined the infantry and distinguished himself in combat on the Eastern Front before transferring to the German Air Force in May 1916. After nearly a month in a military hospital, he died from severe burns received when his Fokker's incendiary ammunition ignited on 16 July 1918.

Lothar von Richthofen #6 & #7
Manfred von Richthofen #44
Karl Schafer #18 & #19


Joepsh Veltiens claims his 1^st confirmed victory with Jasta 14, shooting down a Sapd near Craonne. In August 1914, Veltjens joined the army and rapidly rose to the rank of Vizefeldwebel. Toward the end of 1915, he transferred to the German Air Force and was assigned to Flieger Abteilung 23 in May 1916. His skills as a reconnaisance pilot were quickly recognized and by March 1917, he was flying single-seat fighters with Jasta 14. By the time he was reassigned to Jasta 18 in August, he'd already shot down five enemy aircraft. Veltjens assumed command of Jasta 15 for the first time on 18 May 1918. Two days later, he received the Knight's Cross with Swords of the Order of the House of Hohenzollern followed by the coveted Orden Pour le Mérite in August. On 22 August 1918, he assumed command of Jasta 15 for the second time, serving as its commanding officer until the end of the war. Veltjens' aircraft were often easily identified by a barbed arrow painted on the fuselage.

During World War II, Colonel Veltjens was Hermann Gorings personal emissary to Finland in 1940. In 1943, he was killed on a flight to Rome in an aircraft provided by Feldmarschall Kesselring. On Göring's behalf, he was to negotiate with Benito Mussolini for the removal of Italy's gold reserves to avoid capture by the approaching Allied forces.When the plane landed in Milano, the pilot was informed that British fighter aircraft where out to intercept his flight. As the pilot attempted to cross the Appenine mountains, he flew as low as possible to evade the British but the aircraft crashed into the side of a mountain near Piacenza. With the exception of one crew member, everyone aboard was killed.

Kurt Wolff #14 & #15

Western Front

British capture Vimy Station, Lievin, and Cite St. Pierre (Lens).

German attack on British at Monchy-le-Preux repulsed.

Artois: Battle of Vimy Ridge and First Battle of the Scarpe 1917 end. 10 men of Royal Newfoundland Regiment (485 casualties) hold Monchy against 3rd Bavarian Division for 5 hours until reinforced. Canadian losses 10,602 for a 4,500 yards advance capturing 4,000+ PoWs, 54 guns, 104 mortars and 124 MGs.

End of first phase of Battle of Arras:
At dawn on the morning of Easter Monday 1917 - 9 April - the Canadian attack comprising four divisions began following a heavy three-week British artillery barrage and was supported by a well-devised creeping barrage.
Within thirty minutes the Canadian 1st Division, under Arthur Currie, had succeeded in capturing German front line positions in spite of a snowstorm; within a further half hour the second line had similarly passed into Canadian hands.

With the entire ridge wholly under Allied control by 12 April (when Hill 145, the highest feature on the ridge, fell) the operation was judged a spectacular success, the single most successful Allied advance on the Western Front to that date. The ridge remained in Allied hands for the remainder of the war.

It did not come without cost however: 10,602 Canadians were wounded during the attack, and 3,598 killed. The opposing German force suffered even more heavily: 20,000 casualties.

Julian Byng later served as Canadian Governor-General, and Arthur Currie was knighted for his wartime services. Four VC’s were awarded as a consequence of fighting at Vimy Ridge: to Private William Milne, Lance-Sergeant Ellis Sifton, Captain Thaine MacDowell and Private John Pattison.

The defensive flank: 4^th Northumberland Fusiliers:
The 151st Bde was to advance the attack in order to protect the left flank of the 56th Divn, who were tasked with capturing Cherisy, and form a defensive flank facing north along the high ground roughly just south of the 80 metre contour, with their left flank in Wancourt Tower. Zero hour was set for 5.30am. The 6th DLI would advance at zero hour with the 8th Bn DLI and 5th Bn Borders following later. This attack met with some success with the 6th Bn DLI reaching German trenches just south of Wancourt Tower. Wancourt Tower was destined to become the scene of continual fighting during the next few days because it commanded a view of all the Divns approaches from Telegraph Hill.

At 5.30pm the 4th Bn moved in coy and platoon order from Ronville Caves to the north end of 'The Harp' by the route reconnoitred earlier. The first to arrive discovered that the 7th Bn, whose positions the Bn were supposed to take over, were still there, so they had to lay down to the rear of the trench. However, during the move orders were received to move to 'Cojeul Switch' at the south end of 'The Harp' (map ref: N7A).

At 8pm, once the 5th Bn had moved forward from its positions, the Bn moved in.
The First Battle of the Scarpe officially ended on this day, however the 4th Bns involvement with this sector had only just begun.

Tunstills Men Saturday 14th April 1917:

Scottish Camp, south-west of Brandhoek

At 7.40pm the Battalion left their billets to relieve 8^th Yorks and Lancs in the front line trenches in the Hill 60 sub-sector, opposite the Caterpillar, south of the railway cutting. The main body of the Battalion met their guides at 9pm near Kruistraat, south-west of Ypres and the detachment who had been based for the previous three days at Zillebeke Bund (see 11^th April) were guided in directly from there. On arrival, two Companies, ‘A’ under Capt. **** Bolton (see 8^th December 1916) and ‘C’ under Capt. Alfred Percy Harrison (see 11^th April) went into the front line from the railway cutting south west to I.34.b.7.8. ‘B’ Company was in close support in the sunken road at I.28.d.3.3 and ‘D’ Company was held in reserve with two platoons at Railway Dugouts (I.28.b.9.9) and two at what was known as SP9 (I.28.a.6.4). The relief was not completed until 3.15 am on 15^th.

Frank Hird, Church Army Commissioner, Third Army and elder brother of Lt. Frederick Hird (see 19^th October 1916) who had been killed at Munster Alley in 1916, wrote to the War Office regarding the administration of his late brother’s estate. No payment of Frederick Hird’s outstanding pay and allowances had yet been made due to the uncertainty over Hird’s marital status. Frank Hird now told the War Office,

“My late brother, Lt. Frederick Hird, was divorced by his wife in 1914, before he entered the Army … The address in his papers is that of my own house which, after his divorce, was my brother’s home in England, and which he asked permission to put down in the War Office papers as his address. He also told me that he had entered his name upon his enlistment in the Coldstream Guards in August 1914, as unmarried, he then being divorced … Since he died intestate, I am his heir and the only surviving member of his family”.

Eastern Front:

Russia: 7,688 deserters from Russian North and West Fronts (until April 21) considerable underestimate.

Naval Operations:

Shipping Losses: 14 ( 6 to mines & 8 to U-Boat action)

Political:

Appeals to farmers by Mr. Lloyd George and Board of Trade.

Note of Allies (France, England, Italy) to Russia re: Poland.

U.S.A. War Bill (loan of �1,400,000,000) passes House of Representatives

Austria: Emperor Charles draft letter to Czernin ‘A smashing German victory would be ruin’. Russia spurns Austrian peace-feeler.

Anniversary Events:

1471		The Earl of Warwick, who fought on both sides in the War of the Roses, is killed at the Battle of Barnet with the defeat of the Lancastrians.
1543		Bartolome Ferrelo returns to Spain after discovering a large bay in the New World (San Francisco).
1775		The first abolitionist society in United States is organized in Philadelphia.
1793		A royalist rebellion in Santo Domingo is crushed by French republican troops.
1828		The first edition of Noah Webster’s dictionary is published.
1860		The first Pony Express rider arrives in San Francisco with mail originating in St. Joseph, Missouri.
1865		Five days after General Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox, President Abraham Lincoln is shot at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C., by Confederate sympathizer John Wilkes Booth. Lincoln succumbs to his wounds the following day.
1894		Thomas Edison’s kinetoscope is shown to the public for the first time.
1900		The World Exposition opens in Paris.
1912		The passenger liner Titanic–deemed unsinkable–strikes an iceberg on her maiden voyage and begins to sink. The ship will go under the next day with a loss of 1,500 lives.

[Lt. S.Kafloc]

Charles Pope, VC (5 March 1883 – 15 April 1917) was born in Mile End, London, on 5 March 1883, Charles Pope's parents were William and Jane Pope (born Clark). He attended school in Navestock, Essex, before moving to Canada where he worked for Canadian Pacific Railways. He returned to England in 1906 and joined the Metropolitan Police. Later that year, at St Luke's Anglican Church in Chelsea, he married Edith Smith, with whom he would have two children, Edith Maude and Charles William. In 1910, Pope resigned from the police force and moved his family to Perth, Western Australia. He took up work as a furniture salesman and then took on a role in the insurance sector.

Volunteering to serve overseas as part of Australia's commitment to the First World War. Assigned as a reinforcement to11th Battalion, which had been formed largely from Western Australians and was at the time fighting at Gallipoli, after training he was quickly made a sergeant. By February 1916, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant and four months later sailed for England, to join the battalion, which had been transferred to Europe following its evacuation from Gallipoli, along with a batch of reinforcements. Sailing on HMAT Ajana, he arrived at Plymouth on 1 September 1916.

On 9 December 1916, Pope reported to the 11th Battalion, which was camped around Bazentin le Grand for the winter having fought at Pozieres and Mouquet Farm earlier in the year. Later that month he was promoted to lieutenant and in early 1917 he attended the divisional school. Pope subsequently fought in actions around Flers, Le Barque, and Ligny–Thilloy. On 15 April 1917 at Louverval, France, during the Battle of Lagnicourt, he was in command of a very important picquet post, with orders to hold it at all costs amidst a heavy German attack. The enemy, in greatly superior numbers, attacked and surrounded the post and ammunition was running short. Pope, in a desperate bid to save the position, was "seen to charge with his men into a superior enemy force, by which they were overpowered" although heavy losses were inflicted. He had "obeyed the order to hold out to the last" and his lifeless body, along with those of most of his men, was found amongst 80 enemy dead
The 11th Battalion, despite suffering over 245 casualties, was subsequently able to hold their sector of the line.

For his actions Pope was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross. The award was announced in the London Gazette on 8 June 1917.

He is buried at Moeuvres Communal Cemetery Extension in France, while his Victoria Cross is displayed at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

Today we lost: 1418

Today’s losses include:

· A playwright
· The grandson of a Baronet
· The son of a General
· A cousin of a General
· A Victoria Cross winner
· A man recommended for a Victoria Cross
· Multiple families that will lose two, three and four sons in the Great War
· A man whose letters from the front will be privately published
· The son of Viscount Molesworth
· Multiple sons of members of the clergy
· A man whose brother and his family will be killed during the blitz in September 1940

Today’s highlighted casualties include:

· Lieutenant Colonel John Puckle DSO (Army Service Corps) is killed at age 48. His brother was killed in the first month of the war in Africa.
· Captain Wilfred Joseph Bunbury (Northumberland Fusiliers) is killed at age 35. He is the son of Lady Harriot Bunbury.
· Captain Theodore Anthony Brown MC (East Kent Regiment) is killed at age 27. His letters from the front were privately published as a book A Year in the Salient. His brother was killed in November 1915.
· Captain Arthur Keedwell Harvey James (East Kent Regiment) is killed at age 41. He is the playwright Arthur Scott Craven. His works include The last of the English a play in four acts, published in 1910.
· Lieutenant ‘the Honorable’ Charles Willoughby Murray Molesworth (Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry) is killed at age 19. He is the son of the Viscount Molesworth.
· Lieutenant Gerald Mercer Renny (Royal Field Artillery) is killed at age 21. He is the son of Major General Sidney Mercer Renny CSI CIE.
· Second Lieutenant Augustus William Howell (Rifle Brigade) is killed in action at age 37. He is the son of the Reverend Alfred James Howell of Wyke Vicarage, Bradford.
· Second Lieutenant Henry Charles Hamerton Gould (Royal Field Artillery) is killed at age 19. He is the son of the Reverend Charles Hamerton Gould Rector of Fawley.
· Second Lieutenant Paul Archer May (Devonshire Regiment) is killed at age 19. His brother will be killed in August 1918 and they are sons of the Reverend Frederick Granville May Rector of Cardynham.
· Corporal William Edward Stillman (Australian Machine Gun Corps) is killed at age 27. His brother was killed last July.
· Lance Corporal Edwin Real Bennett (Devonshire Regiment) dies on service at age 26. His brother was killed at Jutland last year.
· Rifleman Ernest William Desaleux (Rifle Brigade) is killed at age 23. He is the middle of three brothers who will be killed in 1917 while a fourth brother will be killed in September 1940 in a German Air Raid along with his wife and two children.
· Private John Murray (Australian Infantry) is killed in action. His brother will be killed in October.
· Acting Bombardier James William Bourner (Royal Field Artillery) is killed at age 29. He is the first of three brothers all who are serving in the Royal Artillery who will be killed over a four month period.
· Gunner T Douglas (Royal Field Artillery) is killed. He is the second of four brothers who are killed in the war.

Air Operations:

Royal Flying Corps Losses today: 7

Temp Capt (Ac Maj) Charlton-Anne, C.E.I. (Crathoron Edward Isham), RFC. Drowned at sea when HT 'Arcadian' was torpedoed and sunk 42 km NE of the Isle of Milos aged 25.

2Lt Cooper, H.C.H. (Horace Charles Henry), Central Flying School, Upavon, RFC. Killed whilst flying aged 24.

2Lt Craig, H.W. (Hedley William), 30 Squadron, RFC. Killed in action aged 27.

Flt Off (Prob) Lavigne, J.L. (Joseph Louis), RNAS. Accidently killed aged 30.

Lt Pickering, C.L. (Charles Leigh), 30 Squadron, RFC. Killed in action.

Flt Off (Prob) Titcomb, F.H.Y. (Francis Holt Yates), RNAS. Accidently killed whilst flying.

Lt Turnbull, D.S.G. (David Stewart Gibson), RFC. Accidentally Killed when his aeroplane collided with some hedges at Cliff Top, Knaresborough, Yorkshire, which caused it to crash into the River Nidd at Chappy Dam. There was no trace of his body until it was found by his wife on 5 May 1917.

Claims: 5 confirmed (Entente 1: Central Powers 4)

Albert Deullin #13
Gastone Novelli u/c
Alexander Pishvanov u/c

Julius Buckler #4
Albert Dossenbach #13 & #14
Rudolf Matthaei u/c
Hans SChuz #8

Western Front

Artois: ANZAC Corps and British 62nd Division (Fifth Army) repulse major German 4-division attack on Bapume-Cambrai road, severe fighting at Lagnicourt on 7-mile front.

British capture Villeret (north-west of St. Quentin).

Tunstills Men Sunday 15th April 1917:

Trenches in the Hill 60 sub-sector, opposite the Caterpillar

A miserable, cold day, with rain falling almost throughout. Conditions were generally quiet although much repair work was still needed as, “The line had been badly knocked about and there was practically no shelter. The left of our line was not continuous and was held only by posts”. Brig. Genl. Lambert (see 5^th April) visited the front line.

The troopship SS Cameronia, en route from Marseille to Alexandria, was torpedoed by a German submarine, U-33, about 150 miles east of Malta. The ship had been carrying approximately 2,650 soldiers and, although the ship sank in just 40 minutes, remarkably only 210 men died; most of the crew and embarked soldiers were picked up by the escorting destroyers HMS Nemesis and HMS Rifleman. Among those rescued was Pte. Johnny Smith (see 14^th July 1916). He had been wounded in the actions around Contalmaison in July 1916 and, having been treated in England, had not been posted back to his Battalion but was now en route to Egypt, from where he was to go on to join 1^st Battalion West Ridings in India. Johnny was soon able to write home to reassure his family of his safety:

“You will be glad to know I was one of the lucky ones amongst the saved from the big boat torpedoed on Sunday night, April 15th, at half past five. There were over 3,000 (sic.) on board and I cannot tell you how many were saved, but thank God I am. I have been in bayonet charges, but they were nothing compared with the sight I saw when the boat was going down and I don’t want to see another. I am now safe and sound at Malta. We were 18 hours sailing after we were torpedoed and I’ve never had such a long 18 hours in all my life”.

In a further letter he added some thoughts about his arrival in Egypt:

“They did not give us long at Malta to get over our shock, but never mind, we are now safe in Egypt. It only took us about 70 hours, but I can tell you they seemed like 70 days to me. There is nothing to grumble at here; it is very hot and dusty, but I think I can stand that all right. We are here for equipment, then I expect we shall go forward to Mesopotamia”.

Africa, Asiatic & Egyptian Theatres:

Turks driven back to Jebel Hamrin (tableland from Tigris to Persian hills).

Naval Operations:

Shipping Losses: 16 ( 2 to mines & 14 to U-Boat action)

Eastern Mediterranean: British transports Cameronian (22 lives lost) sunk despite 2-destroyer escort, by U-33 (Siess) 150 miles east of Malta and Egypt-bound Arcadian (279 lives lost) sunk off Milo, Aegean by UC-74.

The hired transport Cameronia is torpedoed and sunk one hundred fifty miles east from Malta. She is carrying 2,650 reinforcements for Mesopotamia from Marseilles via Alexandria, and at least one hundred twenty seven of the soldiers on board are lost and their bodies never recovered. Survivors are picked up by the escorting destroyer HMS Rifleman the remainder being picked up the following morning by a sloop sent from Malta.

The hired transport Arcadian is torpedoed and sunk. She is carrying 1,335 troops and crew and is proceeding from Salonika to Alexandria and is in the southern Aegean, twenty six miles northeast of Milo. The troops have just finished a boat-drill when a submarine approaches and fires a torpedo causing the ship to sink in six minutes. Two hundred seventy seven nine men drown in the sinking including nineteen army officers.

· Major Crathorn Edward Isham Charlton Anne (Royal Flying Corps) drowns at age 24. He is recommended for the Victoria Cross for attempting to save others. He is the grandson of ‘Sir’ Thomas Parkyns Baronet and cousin of Brigadier General Charlton.
· Rifleman Walter James Newnham (Rifle Brigade) killed at age 24. His brother will be killed in action in October 1918.

Political:

Appeal of President Wilson to American citizens re: war.

Austrian feelers for separate peace with Russian apparent.

Venizelist regime in Greek islands in force

Neutrals:

Brazil: 1,000 rioters burn c.300 German buildings in Porto Alegre (until April 17); 7,400 troops sent there and elsewhere.

Anniversary Events:

1755		English lexicographer Dr. Samuel Johnson publishes his Dictionary of the English Language.
1784		The first balloon is flown in Ireland.
1813		U.S. troops under James Wilkinson lay siege to the Spanish-held city of Mobile in future state of Alabama.
1858		At the Battle of Azimghur, the Mexicans defeat Spanish loyalists.
1871		‘Wild Bill’ Hickok becomes the marshal of Abilene, Kansas.
1861		President Lincoln mobilizes Federal army.
1865		Abraham Lincoln dies from John Wilkes Booth’s assassination bullet.
1912		With her band playing on the deck, the ocean liner Titanic sinks at 2:27 a.m. in the North Atlantic.

[Mike George]

Thanks for your time and effort and the nice read.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

I know it's a bit late but thanks for your effort Chris and welcome back Neil.
Rob.

[Lt. S.Kafloc]

Monday 16^th April 1917

Today we lost: 837

Today’s losses include:

· Multiple sons of members of the clergy
· Multiple families that will lose two sons in the Great War
· A man whose twin will be killed in two weeks.

Today’s highlighted casualties include:

· Second Lieutenant Oswald Arthur Hodgson (Northumberland Fusiliers) is killed at age 22. He is the son of the Reverend H A Hodgeson.
· The only Lefler to be killed serving in the British military in the Great War is killed in action on the Western Front. He is Private M Lefler (Quebec Regiment).
· Gunner Herbert Brown Miller (Royal Horse Artillery) is killed at age 32. He is the son of the Reverend William Miller.
· Private Herbert Musson (Sherwood Foresters) is killed at age 26. His brother was killed last October.
· Private Walter Joy (West Yorkshire Regiment) is killed in action two weeks before his twin brother will meet the same fate age 21.

Air Operations:

Aisne: 131 French aircraft (200 on paper) support Nivelle Offensive, 153 by April 21, but German fighters drive off French artillery and contact patrols. Bad weather also hampers flying.

Royal Flying Corps Losses today: 10

PO Mech Anderson, F.C. (Frederick Charles), 2 Squadron, Armoured Car Division, Russia, RNAS. Acidently killed at Tiraspol near Odessa aged 38.

A Mech 2 Burnett, C.W. (Cecil William), Recruits Depot, RFC, aged 26.

2Lt Chapman, L.C. (Lewis Carlton), 60 Squadron, RFC. Died of Wounds aged 32, his aeroplane having been forced down on the 14 April 1917.

Lt Elliott, J.M.C. (John MacCreary), 60 Squadron, RFC. Killed in action aged 19.

2Lt Kimbell, R.E. (Richard Evison), 60 Squadron, RFC. Killed in action aged 19.

2Lt Robertson, D.N. (David Norman), 60 Squadron, RFC. Died as a POW aged 23.

A Mech 1 Russell, F. (Frank), 43 Squadron, RFC. Died of wounds received whilst flying aged 22.

Lt Todd, A. (Alick), 18 Squadron, RFC. Died of Wounds as Prisoner of War aged 24 having been captured on 12 April 1917.

A Mech Wells, A. (Arthur), A Flight, 2 Squadron, AFC. Died of pulmonary TB and heart failure at Caulfield, Victoria, Australia.

2Lt Wilson, C.E. (Cecil Eustace), 7 Squadron, RFC. Killed in action.

Claims: 14 confirmed (Entente 3: Central Powers 11)

Giles Blennerhasset(Britain)#5
Henri Languedoc (France) #6
Donat Makeenok#4
Vladimir Strizheskyu/c

Julius Buckler #5
Sebastian Gestner #12
Heinrich Gontermann #12 & #13
Josef Jacobs #5
Lothar von Richthofen #8
Manfred von Richthofen #45
Georg Strasser #3
Emil Thuy #2

Ernst Wiehle claims his 1^st confirmed victory with Schusta 3, shooting down a Spad near Corbeny. Wounded in action on 12 July 1915, Wiehle transferred to aviation on 2 December 1915.

Kurt Wolff #16

Home Fronts:

Germany: Strikes(until April 23) in Berlin (217,000 workers) and Leipzig against bread ration cut (April 15).

Russia: Lenin arrives at Petrograd; makes ‘April Theses’ on April 17 speech to Petrograd Soviet.

USA: Shipping Board’s Emergency Fleet chartered, 280,000 shipyard workers enrolled by April 20.

Western Front

Aisne – NIVELLE OFFENSIVE (SECOND BATTLE OF THE AISNE) on 25-mile front (until April 20): Despite long preparatory bombardment and first French tank attack, from 0630 hours to nightfall 20 French divisions (6,731 infantry casualties in 3 divisions alone) have advanced c.600 yards against 15 German divisions instead of 6 miles anticipated.

Decimated by MG fire, Senegalese troops break and flee. Fifth Army’s 128 Schneider Tanks bog down (32 knocked out), only few reach German third line. French losses up to c.100,000 instead of 15,000 planned for.
Nivelle belatedly confines effort to either flank of Chemin des Dames. Forewarned, Germans have inserted new First Army from Somme between Third and Seventh Armies on the front of attack.

Artois: Haig and his army commanders meet to plan next assault.


The Fifth Army attacked on 16 April at 6:00 a.m., which dawned misty and overcast. From the beginning German machine-gunners were able to engage the French infantry and inflict many casualties, although German artillery-fire was far less destructive. Courcy on the right flank was captured by the 1st Brigade of the Russian Expeditionary Force in France but the advance was stopped at the Aisne–Marne canal. The canal was crossed further north and Berméricourt was captured against a determined German defence. From Bermericourt to the Aisne the French attack was repulsed and south of the river French infantry were forced back to their start-line. On the north bank of the Aisne the French attack was more successful, the 42nd and 69th divisions reached the German second position between the Aisne and the Miette, the advance north of Berry penetrating 2.5 miles (4.0 km).



Tanks to accompany the French infantry to the third objective arrived late and the troops were too exhausted and reduced by casualties to follow the tanks. Half of the tanks were knocked-out in the German defences and then acted as pill-boxes in advance of the French infantry, which helped to defeat a big German counter-attack. German infantry launched hasty counter-attacks along the front, recaptured Bermericourt and conducted organised counter-attacks where the French infantry had advanced the furthest.



At Sapigneul in the XXXII Corps area, the 37th Division attack failed, which released German artillery in the area to fire in enfilade into the flanks of the adjacent divisions, which had been able to advance and the guns were also able to engage the French tanks north of the Aisne. The defeat of the 37th Division restored the German defences between Loivre and Juvincourt.

Ville-aux-Bois, Aisne 1917

The left flank division of the XXXII Corps and the right division of the V Corps penetrated the German second position south of Juvincourt but French tanks attacking south of the Miette from Bois de Beau Marais advanced to disaster. German observers at Craonne, on the east end of the Chemin des Dames, were able to direct artillery-fire against the tanks and 23 were destroyed behind the French front line; few of the tanks reached the German defences and by the evening only ten tanks were operational. On the left flank the V Corps was stopped at the Bois des Boches and the hamlet of la Ville aux Bois. On the Chemin des Dames, I Corps made very little progress and by evening had advanced no further than the German support line, 200–300 yards (180–270 m) ahead. The French infantry had suffered many casualties and few of the leading divisions were capable of resuming the attack. The advance had failed to reach objectives which were to have fallen by 9:30 a.m. but 7,000 German prisoners had been taken.

The attack on the right flank of the Sixth Army, which faced north between Oulches and Missy, took place from Oulches to Soupir and had less success than the Fifth Army; the II Colonial Corps advanced for 0.5-mile (0.80 km) in the first thirty minutes and was then stopped. The XX Corps attack from Vendresse to the Oise–Aisne Canal had more success, the 153rd Division on the right flank reached the Chemin des Dames south of Courtecon after a second attack, managing an advance of 1.25 miles (2.01 km). The VI Corps advanced on its right flank west of the Oise–Aisne Canal but was held up on the left. On the east-facing northern flank near Laffaux, I Colonial Corps was able to penetrate only a few hundred yard into the defences of the Condé-Riegel (Condé Switch) and failed to take Moisy Farm plateau. Laffaux was captured and then lost to a counter-attack before changing hands several times, until finally captured on 19 April. To the east of Vauxaillon at the north end of the Sixth Army, Mont des Singes was captured with the help of British heavy artillery but then lost to a German counter-attack. The Sixth Army operations took c. 3,500 prisoners but no break-through had been achieved and at only one-point had the German second position been reached.


St.Chamond tank

On the second day Nivelle ordered the Fifth Army to attack north-eastwards to reinforce success, believing that the Germans intended to hold the ground in front of the Sixth Army. The Fifth Army was not able substantially to advance on 17 April but the Sixth Army, which had continued to attack overnight, forced a German withdrawal from the area of Braye, Condé and Laffaux to the Siegfriedstellung, which ran from Laffaux mill to the Chemin des Dames and joined the original defences at Courtecon. The German retirement was carried out urgently and many guns were left behind, along with "vast" stocks of munitions. The French infantry reached the new German positions with an advance of 4 miles (6.4 km).

Tunstills Men Monday 16^th April 1917:

Trenches in the Hill 60 sub-sector, opposite the Caterpillar

Another largely quiet day, fine for much of the day but with rain in the evening, with repairs and improvements still being carried out. However, at least one man was wounded in action. Pte. Michael Edward McCuen was severely injured by a shell explosion, suffering wounds to his face, right leg and a compound fracture of his right forearm; he was treated first at 4^th London Field Ambulance before being evacuated to 2^nd Canadian Casualty Clering Station at Remy Sidings, Lijssenthoek. Michael Edward McCuen was the only child of Daniel and Eliza McCuen and had attested, having reached his 18^th birthday, on 11^th December 1915. He had been called up on 11^th May 1916 whilst working as a labourer in Baildon and had been formally posted to 3^rd/6^th West Ridings for training on 10^th July 1916. He was posted to France on 25^th October, travelling overnight from Folkestone to Boulogne and spending two weeks at 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples before joining 10DWR on 10^th November 1916.

2Lt. Frank Wilkinson arrived in France, en route to join 10DWR; I am, as yet unable to make a positive identification of this officer.

Maj. Stephen Minchin Mercer, ASC (see 19^th March), who had taken a prominent role in raising recruits in the Craven area in the Autumn of 1914, was declared permanently unfit for service (reason not stated).

Capt. William Norman Town (see 5^th March), recently transferred to 3DWR from 3^rd Battalion, Cheshire Regiment, appeared before a further Medical Board convened at Tynemouth. The Board found him now to be fit for general service.

Africa, Asiatic & Egyptian Theatres:

British advance towards Istabulat (12 miles south-east of Samarra).

Naval Operations:

Shipping Losses: 18 (1 to sailing error, 1 to friendly collision, 1 to mines and 15 to U-Boat action)

While on exercises off Harwich at periscope depth submarine C16 (Lieutenant Harold Boase age 25) collides with the destroyer HMS Melampus sustaining damage and strikes bottom in 60-feet of water. In an effort to raise the alarm on the surface an attempt is made by Samuel Anderson to escape the submarine via a torpedo tube but he is drowned in the attempt. The crew next try to flood the entire boat and escape through the fore hatch but a fender jams in the hatch. The Captain marked out a report which is later found in a bottle near his body by the salvage team. The entire crew of 16 are lost.

Political:

Strike in Berlin and Leipzig due to defective food distribution.

British food orders re: wheat, barley, and oats.

Anniversary Events:

69		Defeated by Vitellius' troops at Bedriacum, Otho commits suicide.
556		Pelagius I begins his reign as Catholic Pope.
1065		The Norman Robert Guiscard takes Bari, ending five centuries of Byzantine rule in southern Italy.
1705		Queen Anne of England knights Isaac Newton.
1746		Prince Charles is defeated at the Battle of Culloden, the last pitched battle fought in Britain.
1818		The U.S. Senate ratifies the Rush-Bagot amendment to form an unarmed U.S.-Canada border.
1854		San Salvador is destroyed by an earthquake.
1862		Confederate President Jefferson Davis approves a conscription act for white males between 18 and 35.
1862		Slavery is abolished in the District of Columbia.
1917		Vladimir Lenin returns to Russia to start the Bolshevik Revolution.

[Lt. S.Kafloc]

Tuesday 17^th April 1917

Today we lost: 733

Today’s losses include:

· Multiple families that will lose two, three and four sons in the Great War
· Multiple sons of members of the clergy
· A singer for the Glad Idlers · A Foxfar East End footballer

Today’s highlighted casualties include:

· Captain Cunningham Burnside Tweedie MC (King’s Own Scottish Borderers) is killed at age 24 two days before his brother is killed.
· Lieutenant Charles Stuart Bott (Lincolnshire Regiment) is killed in action at age 22. He is the son of the Reverend William Ernest Bott Rector of Partney (Lincolnshire Regiment) and his brother will be killed in September 1918 while another will die on service in Basra in 1920.
· Second Lieutenant Hubert William Kiver (East Surrey Regiment) is killed by a shell at age 23. He is a singer with the Glad Idlers.
· Second Lieutenant James Melville Moncur (Royal Scots) is killed at age 24. His brother will die of wounds as a prisoner of war in December.
· Second Lieutenant Hugh Pater (West Yorkshire Regiment attached Royal Flying Corps) is accidentally killed at age 29. He is the son of the Reverend Septimus Pater Vicar of Sunderland.
· Corporal Frederick James Smith (Suffolk Regiment) is killed at age 32. His three brothers will lose their lives in the Great War.
· Private Fred Callender (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) dies from wounds received in the face at age 19. He played football for the Forfar East End Football Club.
· Private Harry Waller (Alberta Regiment) is killed in action at age 22. His brother will be killed in April 1918.
· Sergeant Frederick A Honey (East Kent Regiment) dies of wounds at age 28. His brother will be killed in June.
· Private Robert Henry Parkins (Northamptonshire Regiment) is killed at age 25. His brother was killed last July
· Private George Hobday (Royal Army Medical Corps) a postman dies of disease at home in Eastbourne at age 37. He is the father of Charles Hobday one of the members of the group of radical writers who gathered around the communist cultural magazine Our Time in the late 1940’s. He had served previously for 12 years in the Royal Field Artillery.

Air Operations:

Royal Flying Corps Losses today: 5

Flt Lt Fleming, G.R.S. (George Rivers Sanderson), 3 (N) Squadron, RNAS. Died of wounds as a PoW aged 31.

2Lt Langwill, T. (Trevor), 60 Squadron, RFC. Died of Wounds at Kreigagegangen Lazarett St Clotilda, Douai, whilst a Prisoner of War, aged 26. Left at 08.05am on an offensive patrol 16 April 1917 to Vitry. As the formation crossed the lines they saw a B.E.2c being attacked, so went to help. In the ensuing combat Langwill was shot down and captured.

A Mech 2 O'Connor, W.S. (William Stanley), 14 Squadron, RFC. Diew of wounds aged 21.

A Mech 1 Parris, R., RFC. No other details known.

2Lt Pater, H. (Hugh), RFC. Killed aged 29.

Claims: 7 (Entente 2: Central Powers 5)


Stefan Fejes claims his 1^st confirmed victory with Flik 19, shooting down a Nieuport scout near Gorizia. Having joined the infantry in 1912, Fejes was badly wounded 16 September 1914. He returned to service in March 1915 and transferred to the Army Air Service in May 1916. After training to become a pilot, he was assigned to Flik 19 on the Isonzo front where he scored five victories to become an ace. In October 1917, Fejes joined Flik 51J and scored 11 more victories flying the Albatros DIII.

Along with Johann Risztics and Alexander Kasza, Fejes joined the Red Air Corps in 1919. During a ground attack mission in May of that year, he was captured when his Fokker DVII’s propeller was damaged and he was forced to crash land at Losoncz.

Josef Friedrich #4
Adolf Heyrowsky #8
Josef Purer #4
Raoul Stoisavlievic #5

Vladimir Strizhesky #3
Grigory Suk #2

Western Front

Germaoronvillers (east of Reims) begins.

French capture heights of the massif and 3,500 prisoners.

Champagne – Battle of the Hills (Moronvillers) begins (until May 20) in worsening weather: French Fourth Army (7 divisions) fails to break through on east flank taking first line only in up to 1 1/2-mile push.


Aisne: Germans evacuate and burn 4 villages south of Chemin des Dames.
Foch visited by General H Wilson at Senlis. Foch clear, notes Wilson ‘that Nivelle was done, owing chiefly to the failure of the Sixth Army … Foch said he knew … positions which this army were … to attack were impossible … He thinks … Nivelle will be degomme (dismissed) and Petain, put in his place, who will play a waiting game until the USA come … say a year hence. I asked about a central organization of the Allies to really take hold and he was all in favour … would love to be the French representative.’


FRENCH ARMY MUTINIES: Begining with 17 men of 108^th infantry Regiment abandoning posts before an attack. By end of August 1917 46 divisions seriously affected with c.35,000 mutineers who call themselves strikers. 2,873 court-martial and sentenced, many suspended. 629 receive death sentences (of which 43 certainly suffer ultimate penalty).

Tunstills Men Tuesday 17^th April 1917:

Trenches in the Hill 60 sub-sector, opposite the Caterpillar

Again a quiet day, with nothing to report as repairs continued to be made to the trenches. There were rain and hail showers throughout the day, turning increasingly to snow overnight.

L.Sgt. Mark Allan Stanley Wood, (see 24^th January) who had applied for a commission whilst stationed at the West Yorks. Regimental Depot, having been treated for nephritis (inflammation of the kidney), was posted to 3^rd West Yorks. in preparation for his office training. He would later be commissioned and serve with 10DWR.

Africa, Asiatic & Egyptian Theatres:

British on night 17-18 April force passage of Shatt-el-Adhaim (left tributary of Tigris below Samarra).

Second advance against Gaza begins.

Palestine – Second Battle of Gaza (until April 19): 40,000 British soldiers, 170 guns, 8tanks against 19,500 Turks, 101 guns and 86 MGs. British storm Samson’s Ridge buttanks and gas shells too few to retain gains. Dobell loses 6,444 casualties (272 PoWs) and 3 tanks to 2,013 Turks (200 PoWs).

Having failed in his first attempt to capture Gaza on 26-27 March 1917, ‘Sir’ Archibald Murray, commander of British-led forces in the region, is obliged to contemplate an early renewal of hostilities as a direct consequence of the manner of his report of the initial action to the War Office. At best a draw Murray nevertheless conveyed the impression to London of a clear-cut British victory. While British losses of 4,000 were reported accurately Murray trebled details of Turkish casualties, which in the event were lower than his own, at 2,400. London under the mistaken impression that Murray is on the verge of a notable breakthrough orders him to re-engage his forces,

this time with Jerusalem as the ultimate goal. The resumption of the attack on Gaza effectively begins this morning the start of the preliminary bombardment of the fortifications which will last for two days. British heavy guns south of Gaza are joined by naval gunfire from the French coastal defence ship Requin and two British monitors (M21 and M31). While the bombardment is heavy by the standards of the Sinai and Palestine battles so far, it is weak in comparison to the standards of the Western Front and has limited effect on the Gaza defenses.

Naval Operations:

Britain: Thorneycroft depth charge thrower designed in 10 days (by Sir J Thorneycroft, marine engineer); 2,760 made and 28 U-Boats sunk by it (6 in 1917).

Jellicoe urges Salonika withdrawal to save shipping for 1918.

Shipping Losses: 16 (All to U-Boat action)

British hospital ships "Donegal" and "Lanfranc" torpedoed in Channel.

Political:

Measures of Senate (U.S.A.) to suppress export of food-stuffs, etc., to Germany.

Sixth German War Loan closed: DM656,100,000.

Anniversary Events:

858		Benedict III ends his reign as Catholic Pope.
1492		Christopher Columbus signs a contract with Spain to find a western route to the Indies.
1524		Present-day New York Harbor is discovered by Giovanni da Verrazzano.
1535		Antonio Mendoza is appointed first viceroy of New Spain.
1758		Frances Williams, the first African-American to graduate from a college in the western hemisphere, publishes a collection of Latin poems.
1808		Bayonne Decree by Napoleon Bonaparte of France orders seizure of U.S. ships.
1824		Russia abandons all North American claims south of 54′ 40′.
1861		Virginia becomes the eighth state to secede from theUnion.
1864		General Ulysses Grant bans the trading of prisoners.
1865		Mary Surratt is arrested as a conspirator in the Lincoln assassination.
1875		The game “snooker” is invented by Sir Neville Chamberlain.
1895		China and Japan sign peace treaty of Shimonoseki.

[Lt. S.Kafloc]

As I crawl back to my sick bed (Ahhhh), I hand the baton back to Chris hopefully having returned from his R&R refreshed and eager to continue.

[Rebel]

As I crawl back to my sick bed (Ahhhh), I hand the baton back to Chris hopefully having returned from his R&R refreshed and eager to continue.

You shouldn't be crawling about. Where is your runner? You are an Officer you know, he's not just there to polish your boots!
Hope you are continuing your recovery without too many problems.

[Hedeby]

Thanks for stepping into the breach Neil, I am sure every one of our readers/viewers will join me in wishing you a speedy recovery mate. Just had a look at my first post back, and you haven't left me a great deal, I can only assume the weather was a shocker as virtually noting has happened, especially from an aerial perspective... so will be quite a curtailed edition this evening (however tomorrow's looks much more like it)

April 18th 1917

There were absolutely no aerial victory claims reported from either side on this day.

Just the 1 AIRMAN HAS FALLEN ON WEDNESDAY APRIL 18TH 1917

Air Mechanic Frederick Thomas Copp RFC School of Cookery Died of bronchitis 18 April 1917 (I didn't realise there was a cookery school in wartime either)

Western Front
Somme: British Fifth Army captures Villers Guislain (12 miles south of Cambrai) and Gonnelieu (on April 20, 8 miles southwest).
French advance continued east and north-east of Soissons. French capture five villages; on Aisne capture Conde bridgehead and Vailly, repulse enemy near Juvincourt, and consolidate positions in Moronvillers massif.
Aisne*: German counter-attack repulsed near Juvincourt.


German 6" guns preparing to fir on the French

Middle East
Mesopotamia: Marshall’s 4,000 men and 40 guns force and bridge Shatt-el-Adhaim (east of Tigris), take 1,250 PoWs and 6 MGs in 14-mile pursuit for 73 casualties.

Sea War
Britain: War Minister Lord Derby writes to Haig ‘… we have lost command of the sea’.
Eastern Mediterranean: *French battleship Requin, 2 Royal Navy monitors and 3 French destroyers bombard Gaza.

The USS Actus (SP-516) is commissioned by the US Navy



Soon after the United States entered World War I, Actus (SP-516) — a yacht constructed in 1907 at Neponset, Massachusetts, by George Lawley & Sons — was taken over by the US Navy from Mr. E. B. Dane; commissioned on 1 April 1917, with Ensign H. A. D. Cameron, USNR, in command; and, on 26 May 1917, over a month later, formally purchased by the Government. Assigned to the 1st Naval District, Actus spent the entire war patrolling Cape Cod Bay and the harbors of Boston and Plymouth. After the war ended in November 1918, she continued to serve the Navy at the Boston Navy Yard in some type of yard craft status. She also performed some unspecified service for the Naval Overseas Transportation Service office at Boston in May and June 1919. She was decommissioned at Quincy, Mass., on 8 July 1919. A little over a year later, on 20 July 1920, she was transferred to the War Department. Presumably, her name was struck from the Navy list at about the same time.

Political etc

U.S.A. War Bill ("Old Glory" loan of $1,400,000,000) passes Senate.

British Food Order restricting pastry and cake making.

German government grants concessions to strikers.

Death of General v. Bissing, Govenor-General of Belgium.

667 British lives were lost on this day...

The 1st/6th Gloucestershire Regiment suffers a severe loss when at 03:55 the Germans explode a mine under the battalion headquarters in a cellar at Villers Faucon.

Among those killed are Captain Louis Cameron Nott MC killed at age 23 and his older brother
Lieutenant Colonel the battalion commander Thomas Walker Nott DSO dies at age 28. A third brother was killed in April 1916.
The battalion’s chaplain the Reverend Matthew Forster Burdess the Rector of St Thomas, Port Clarence, Middlesbrough is also killed at age 39. He is the Rector of St Thomas’, Port Clarence, Middlesbrough.


Trenches in the Hill 60 sub-sector, opposite the Caterpillar

Captain Tunstill's Men: Having received a reply to his earlier letter, Frederick Ernest Green, who was the uncle of 2Lt. Maurice Tribe MC (see 11th April), again wrote to the Labour M.P. and member of the War Cabinet, Arthur Henderson;

To Rt. Hon. Arthur Henderson MP
Thank you for your prompt and sympathetic reply. The name of my nephew who has lost his eye is Maurice Odell Tribe, 2nd Lieut (Military Cross). His Battalion, 10th Duke of Wellingtons. He would be sent after his leave to the reserve 3rd Battalion at North Shields. The Medical Board which examined him was the No.2 Special at Caxton Hall. As far as I can gather the Board did not actually pass him for General Service, but gave him six weeks’ leave; from the 9th of May, putting him down for two months Home Service and verbally informed him that he could not be passed for any other branch of the Regular Army; that two eyes were a luxury (this may have been a joke) and that he would certainly go to the front line. He now says that he shall apply for another Medical Board (“because it looks from the leave paper they sent me rather as if they intended me to do so”).

The CO of the Radley OTC (his old school) is applying to the WO to have him as adjutant for the two months of Home Service. What he is really suitable for is the continuation of a job such as that of a Machine Gun Instructor at a Base Camp but for nothing more as far as I can see, for his fighting days are over.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Air Mechanic Frederick Thomas Copp RFC School of Cookery Died of bronchitis 18 April 1917 (I didn't realise there was a cookery school in wartime either)

Also raises the question on why they needed air mechanics. Maybe they looked after the in flight meals?
Rob.

[Hedeby]

After the snows storms of yesterday over the Western Front (hence lack of any aerial activity) we move further East today for our main story. Interestingly 18th April is just about the quietest day of the whole 1916-1918 period very little happened in any year of the war. Hopefully we will have a little more to write about today.

19th April 1917

So let's start today with a first - the first official shots fired by the United States in The Great War (Obviously not including the brave volunteers in the RFC or in the Lafayette Escadrille).



SS Mongolia was a 13,369-ton passenger-and-cargo liner originally built for Pacific Mail Steamship Company in 1904. She later sailed as USS Mongolia (ID-1615) for the U.S. Navy, as SS President Fillmore for the Dollar Line and as SS Panamanian for Cia Transatlantica Centroamericano. Ordered by E. H. Harriman's Pacific Mail Steamship Co. for its San Francisco-Far East service, Mongolia was laid down as Minnelora on 7 June 1902 in Shipway J at New York Shipbuilding in Camden, New Jersey. The 615-foot vessel was contract #5 for the young company, and the first passenger-cargo liner built by the firm. A sister ship, Manchuria, was ordered at the same time and delivered three months after Mongolia. The accommodations of both ships reflected the importance of emigration to shipping lines of the era: 350 first-class, 68 second-class, and 1,300 steerage.In August 1915 Pacific Mail sold Mongolia to Atlantic Transport Line, for whom she plied the New York-London route.

Following the German declaration of a submarine blockade around Britain, Mongolia received a self-defense armament of three 6-inch (150 mm) deck guns manned by U.S. Navy gun crews. One month later, Mongolia became the first American vessel to test the blockade, using those guns to drive off (and possibly sink) a U-boat seven miles southeast of Beachy Head, in the English Channel. That was the first armed encounter for an American vessel after the US's entry to World War I.

For the next year, Mongolia ferried American troops and supplies to Europe under a civilian flag. On 27 April 1918, the US Navy requisitioned the vessel, which was commissioned 8 May as USS Mongolia (ID-1615). She served as a troop transport, completing twelve turnarounds at an average duration of 34 days before her decommissioning 11 September 1919. Two American nurses, Edith Ayers and Helen Wood, were accidentally killed during one of these crossings. The women were on the deck of the Mongolia observing the firing of various weapons when they were struck by fragments of the 6-inch gun's propellant caps which had ricocheted off a stanchion. Returned to civilian service, Mongolia sailed the New York-Hamburg route under charter to the American Line. She was purchased in 1923 by the Panama Pacific Line and placed into service on its New York-San Francisco route (via the Panama Canal). In 1929, Dollar Steamship Lines acquired Mongolia and her sister ship Manchuria for its east-to-west round-the-world service, renaming them President Fillmore and President Johnson, respectively. The former Mongolia sailed for only two years with the Dollar Line. With the onset of the Great Depression, she was laid up in New York, and when the Dollar Line collapsed in 1938 ownership passed to the newly created American President Lines. She never sailed under the APL pennant, however, and was sold in 1940 to Cia Transatlantica Centroamericana of Panama, which renamed her Panamanian. She was scrapped in Shanghai, China, 20 May 1946.

The 2nd Battle of Gaza

The first Battle of Gaza was a fiasco for the British after the commander, General Charles Dobell, makes the decision to withdraw when his troops are in a position to seize victory. Turkey, encouraged by victory during the first battle last month resolve to stand upon the Gaza-Beersheba line so that by the time the British are prepared to renew their assault, the Gaza fortifications are even stronger than before. The battle becomes another costly defeat for the Allies and results in the dismissal of the commander of the Eastern Expeditionary Force, General Archibald Murray, who has conducted the campaign in Egypt and Palestine since January 1916.



In their communications with the War Office, Generals Murray and Dobell, commander of the Eastern Force, have falsely portrayed the first battle of Gaza as a success and gave every indication that a quick resumption of the offensive would have immediate and positive results. Dobell planned a typical Western Front attack with two days of preliminary bombardment followed by a frontal infantry assault on the enemy trenches. The experienced combat commanders, General Philip Chetwode, commander of the British Desert Column, and General Henry Chauvel, commander of the Anzac Mounted Division, are less optimistic about the chances of breaking the Turkish line. The infantry component of General Dobell’s Eastern Force has expanded since the first battle to four infantry divisions the 52nd (Lowland), 53rd (Welsh) and 54th (East Anglian) divisions plus the recently formed 74th (Yeomanry) Division which is made up of brigades of dismounted cavalry serving as infantry. The mobile component remains the Desert Column which comprised the Anzac Mounted Division and the Imperial Mounted Division plus the Imperial Camel Corps Brigade. The 74th Division and Anzac Mounted Division would remain in reserve during the battle.

In keeping with the “Western Front” flavor of the battle, the British introduce poison gas and tanks to the eastern battlefield for the first time. Two thousand gas shells and six tanks are available. While the tanks are certain to be deployed, doubts remain about whether to use gas due to operational concerns. It is estimated that the Turkish forces occupying the Gaza-Beersheba defenses number between 20,000 and 25,000.



As the infantry attack is about to commence, the guns concentrate on the Ali Muntar strong point, south east of Gaza. This includes the firing of gas shells for the first time. One result of the prolonged bombardment is to provide the Turks with ample warning that a major attack is imminent, giving them plenty of time to finalize their defenses. Another deficiency in the British plan is that all their artillery is concentrated on bombarding the defenses, leaving no guns available for counter-battery work against the Turkish artillery which is therefore uninhibited in its shelling of the Allies line.

The attack opens on this morning 07:15 when 53rd Division advances on the extreme left (west) of the front, aiming for the sand dunes between Gaza and the Mediterranean shore. This is followed shortly after by the 52nd Division (155th and 156th Brigades) attacking in the center against Gaza and Ali Muntar and the 54th Division (161st and 162nd Brigades) attacking on the right between Gaza and the “Tank” Redoubt. One of the tanks is destroyed while in support of the infantry. All along the front the infantry are brought to a halt well short of their objectives while suffering heavy casualties from shrapnel shells and machine gun fire.

The five surviving tanks are deployed at various points along the front, rather than as a single unit. In most cases, the only discernible effect of their presence is to attract concentrated artillery fire which makes their proximity perilous for the infantry. However, one tank operating to the right of the 54th Division on the front facing a strong redoubt that will become known as “Tank” Redoubt, does enable the infantry to make their most significant gain of the battle. Facing “Tank” Redoubt is the 161st Brigade of the 54th Division. To their right are the two Australian battalions (1st and 3rd) of the Imperial Camel Corps Brigade who have dismounted about 4,000 yards from their objective. As the infantry goes in to attack at 07:30 they are joined by a single tank called “The Nutty” which attracts a great deal of shell fire. The tank follows a wayward path towards the redoubt on the summit of a knoll where it is fired on point blank by four field guns until it is stopped and set alight in the middle of the position.



The infantry and the 1st Camel Battalion, having suffered heavy casualties on their approach, now make a bayonet charge against the trenches. About 30 members of the Imperial Camel Corps and 20 members of the Norfolk Regiment reach the redoubt, then occupied by around 600 Turks who immediately break and flee towards their second line of defenses to the rear.

The British and Australians hold on unsupported for about two hours by which time most have been wounded. With no reinforcements at hand and a Turkish counter-attack imminent, the survivors attempt to escape back to their own lines. To the right (west) of Tank Redoubt, the 3rd Camel Battalion, advancing in the gap between two redoubts, actually makes the farthest advance of the battle, crossing the Gaza-Beersheba Road and occupying a pair of low hills (dubbed “Jack” and “Jill”). As the advances on their flanks falter, the ‘Camels’ are forced to retreat to avoid being isolated.

The eastern-most advance is made against the Atawineh Redoubt and the neighboring Sausage Ridge. This line is made up, from left to right, of the Australian 4th Light Horse Brigade and the 3rd Light Horse Brigades and the 5th Mounted (Yeomanry) Brigade of the Imperial Mounted Division, commanded by General Hodgson. Hodgson’s orders are to ‘demonstrate’ against the Turkish positions to prevent them withdrawing reinforcements to Gaza but also to advance strongly if the opportunity presents itself. Dobell had visions of breaking through the Turkish line on the flanks and sending his mounted reserves through. Consequently the secondary attack upon Atawineh is pushed hard and at great cost in casualties. The 3rd Light Horse Brigade begins its advance before dawn and, attacks along the spine of the Atawineh ridge, manages to approach to within 800 yards of the redoubt before being sighted. However, their advance is premature so that the units on their flanks are still well behind. They manage to close to 500 yards during the day but get no further. The 4th Light Horse and 5th Mounted Brigades manage similar advances on their sectors but nowhere are the Turkish trenches reached and given the inferior position of the attackers, there is no prospect of making a successful bayonet charge. The eastern flank of the British line is guarded by the brigades of the Anzac Mounted Division. The northern-most unit on the flank is the Wellington Mounted Rifle Regiment of the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade whose front lay along Sausage Ridge. They advance in support of the 5th Mounted Brigade.

In the afternoon the line of the Imperial Mounted Division is reinforced when the 6th Mounted (Yeomanry) Brigade comes forward from where it has been in reserve. With all reserves committed, there is still no possibility of a successful assault. In fact, so unstressed was the Turkish defense that their artillery has guns to spare for counter-battery work against the horse artillery. By noon the attack has faltered at all points. Any small gains made are too thinly occupied to be held for long. In most places the Turkish defenders are content to hold the British at a distance and inflict casualties as they approach. Only in the west along the coast do they mount a counter-attack to attempt to recapture a position and are defeated by the British.

At 15:00 the British headquarters intercepts a Turkish message stating that the Gaza garrison is not in need of reinforcements. By this time the British have committed most of their immediate reserves to the attack so, assuming the message is not a deception, it is clear that there is no prospect of success.

The second battle of Gaza is a disastrous defeat for the British. They make no progress, inflict little damage and suffer heavy casualties that they cannot easily afford. The main losses are amongst the British infantry who are called upon to attack the strongest position. For failing to achieve the promised success on the second attempt, both General Murray, Commander-in-Chief of the Palestine campaign, and General Dobell, the army commander of Eastern Force, are quickly replaced. The War Office resolves to supply the Palestine campaign with adequate resources and capable commanders to ensure future success. Murray is replaced by the General Edmund Allenby, whose forces are expanded to contain three full army corps; two of infantry and one mounted. Dobell is replaced by General Chetwode as commander of the Eastern Force.

In total there were 2083 British lives lost on this day

Today’s highlighted casualties include:

Lieutenant Colonel Bernard Salwey Grissell DSO (commanding 1st/5th Norfolk Regiment) killed at age 37. His brother was killed last September. Lieutenant Colonel Grissell received his commission in the Norfolk Regiment in 1899, and served throughout the South African War, being present at the Relief of Kimberley, and at the Battles of Paardeberg, Poplar Grove, and many other engagements. He received the Queen’s and King’s Medals with five clasps. He was appointed extra ADC to the King during the Indian tour of 1911, and in 1913-14 he was Attaché to the Army Headquarters, India, QMG.’s branch. In 1915 he was appointed DAAG, and the following year he received the DSO, and was given the command of a Territorial Battalion of his own Regiment.



Major Walter Torrie Forrest (King’s Own Scottish Borderers) is killed at age 37. He is Rugby Union player for Hawick RFC and capped for Scotland from 1903 to 1905.



Second Lieutenant Eric John Gardiner (Norfolk Regiment) killed at age 20. His twin brother will be killed in the sinking of HT Leasowe Castle next year.
Lieutenant Charles John Bonar Law (King’s Own Scottish Borderers) is killed at age 20. He is the son of the Right Honorable Andrew Bonar Law, future Prime Minister. His brother will be killed next September.

Elsewhere...

Home Fronts
Germany: Troops and police militarize 2 Berlin factories. Hindenburg appeal published. All still striking by April 21 to be drafted into Army.


The German police arrests strikers at a ammunition factory.

Britain: More frequent or new publications banned (to save paper). Final British refusal to offer Tsar asylum.
USA: Cotton price highest since Civil War.

Western Front
Aisne: French capture Fort Conde and secure Chemin des Dames road on Craonne plateau.
Champagne: Legion RMLE (2/3 casualties) storms Auberive, German Legionnaire Sergeant-Major Mader captures 6 Saxon heavy guns with grenades (April 21).

5 Airmen were lost on this day...

Captain Bevan, F.H.V. (Francis Harry Vaughan) 14 Squadron RFC
Major Geddes, A.C.B. (Alastair Cosmo Burton) 17th Kite Balloon Company
AM 2nd Class Learner, W.R. (William Robert) RFC Repair Depot, Farnborough
Lieutenant McLaughlin, L.T. (Lee Thompson) 59 Reserve Squadron RFC
Lieutenant Wildman, G.W. (George W.) RNAS Pulham Naval Airship Station

There were just the three claims of aerial victories.

Leutnant Richard "Ricardo" Wenzl Jasta 31 claims his first victory



There were two other claims both from French Pilots

René Dorme France #19
Paul Tarascon France #10

and finally...

Captain Tunstill's men: Conditions remained quiet and the weather began to improve. Pte. James Wilson (see 25th October 1915), who had been transferred to the ASC as a lorry driver with the Motor Transport Section in October 1915, was evacuated to England, suffering from dysentery. On arrival in England he was admitted to Addington Park War Hospital, Croydon.

[Hedeby]

20th April 1917

Western Front
Aisne: SECOND BATTLE OF THE AISNE ENDS. Battle of the Hills ends. After 5 days Nivelle‘s main achievement is Sixth Army’s (Mangin) capture of 4-mile deep salient on Western flank. This Pyrrhic victory gives Germans a straighter line to defend. Captures include 16,300 PoWs, 140 guns and 300 MGs. The ludicrously sanguine Nivelle now forced to cease breakthrough attempts, having sacrificed 134,000 men (by April 25) now proposes to revert to local attacks.
Lloyd George at Paris conference.

On this day in 1917, an ambitious Allied offensive against German troops near the Aisne River in central France, spearheaded by the French commander in chief, Robert Nivelle, ends in dismal failure.



Nivelle, who had replaced Joseph Joffre in December 1915 as head of all French forces, had tenaciously argued for a major spring offensive in spite of powerful opposition in the French government, at one point threatening to resign if the offensive did not go ahead. He was convinced that by implementing the tactics he had used to considerable success at Verdun during the French counter-attacks in the fall of 1916, on a greater scale, the Allies could achieve a breakthrough on the Western Front within 48 hours.

In preparation for the planned offensive at the Aisne River, the British army began its attacks on April 9 around the town of Arras, capital of the Artois region of France, with the limited objective of pulling German reserve troops away from the Aisne, where the French would launch the central thrust of the offensive. Of the nearly 1,000 heavy guns used in the attacks, 377 were aimed at a six-kilometer stretch of front facing Vimy Ridge, a high point overlooking the plains of Artois, France, to the east. The Canadian Corps was given the task of moving forward to capture the ridge itself, directed by photographic images taken by aerial reconnaissance crafts used to plan the attacks as well as to report progress during their execution. After overcoming 4,000 yards of German defenses, the Canadians captured Vimy Ridge on April 12—a national triumph for Canada and a successful outcome for the initial phase of the Nivelle Offensive, as the Germans were forced to double their strength in the Arras region and thus draw forces away from the area further south, where Nivelle was preparing to launch his attacks.

On April 16, Nivelle and the French began their assault along an 80-kilometer front stretching from Soissons to Reims along the Aisne River. Despite the evacuation of reserve troops to Arras, the German positions were deeply and strongly entrenched in the region, which they had occupied since September 1914. The Germans had ample warning of French intentions from their intelligence systems; this, combined with the depth of their positions, meant that the Allies were literally outgunned from the beginning of the battle. The overconfident Nivelle had ordered a rate of advance of up to two kilometers per hour, which proved exceedingly difficult with the steep grade of the land, horrible weather and the strength of enemy fire.

For this attack, known as the Second Battle of the Aisne, the French used tanks in great numbers for the first time; by the end of the first day, however, 57 of 132 tanks had been destroyed and 64 more had become bogged down in the mud. All in all, the French suffered 40,000 casualties on April 16 alone, a loss comparable to that suffered by the British on the first day of the Somme offensive of July 1, 1916. It was clear from the start that the attack had failed to achieve the decisive breakthrough Nivelle had planned: over the next three days, the French made only modest gains, advancing up to seven kilometers on the west of the front and taking 20,000 German prisoners. On the rest of the front, progress was significantly slower, and Nivelle was forced to call off the attacks on April 20.

The high casualty rate among French forces during the ill-fated Nivelle Offensive, combined with the continuing effects of exhausting battles at Verdun and the Somme, led to sharply increased discontent among the soldiers on the Western Front. Mutinies began in late April 1917, and by June had affected 68 divisions, or about 40,000 troops. The army’s response to this was quick: on April 25, Nivelle was dismissed as commander in chief. He was replaced by the more cautious Philippe Petain, the hero of the Verdun resistance, on May 8. Petain immediately responded to the soldiers’ complaints, knowing that mutinies must be quelled in order to have a hope of success on the battlefield. Where Nivelle had cut soldiers’ leave in March 1917, releasing only 5 percent of the army at a time, Petain increased it, establishing a standard of 13 percent, or ten days’ leave for each soldier every four months.




Wooden crosses for French victims of the Nivelle offensive.

Sea War
Channel: British Antarctic explorer Captain Evans (later Lord Mountevans) with Dover Patrol destroyers Broke (57 casualties) and Swift (5 casualties) defeat 6 German 2nd Flotilla destroyers (night April 20-21) in complete darkness off Belgian coast. Evans sinks G42 by ramming and there is hand to* hand fighting on Broke‘s decks. G85 also sunk, 140 of 180 Germans rescued.
H M Paddle Minesweeper Nepaulin (Lieutenant James Clark) is sunk after striking a mine near Dyck Light Vessel. The nineteen crew members are killed including the commander.

Politics
Turkey: Government severs relations with US (Young Turks badly split over this).

Driver Clifford Flower (Royal Field Artillery) is killed by a shell piercing his dug-out at age 25. He is a Great War poet. Originally rejected from the army as he was ½ inch short of the required height, Flower wrote an appeal to Lord Kitchener and was then allowed to enlist. Three weeks after joining he is offered a stripe if he joined the clerical staff, but he preferred to remain with the ordinary ‘Tommies’. In 1915 Flower received a shrapnel wound in his arm but remained on duty.

Red’s Tribute to Khaki

Red the chief of colours, to whom all other
colours pay homage, itself must now pay tribute
to Khaki, the colour of the glorious dead

Colour magnificent, flaming splendid
Monarch potential, crowned in a flame;
Spirit of life before life is ended,
Symbol of power dominion and fame.

Blooming fair on the apples’ ripe skin
Roses voluptuous and poppies allure,
Luscious and warm on the lips of women,
Cheer to the heart when the heart is pure.

To you blow the spirits of every hue,
majestic, torrential, transcendent RED,
But pay you the tribute to virtue due,
KHAKI – the shade of the glorious dead

Captain Tunstill's Men: Another quiet day, with the weather again somewhat milder. By now the effects of the intensive repair efforts could be seen and, with a visit by Brig. Genl. Lambert (see 15th April), it was reported that, “the trenches were once again in a fair shape”.

5 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON FRIDAY APRIL 20TH 1917

Lieutenant Burns, A. (Alexander) 59 Reserve Squadron
AM 1st Class Huggins, J. (Joseph) Royal Naval Air Service, H.M.S. 'President II'
Flight Sub. Lt. Masson, D.H. (Donald Howe) 5 (N) Squadron RNAS
2nd. Lieutenant Morris, F.S.V. (Francis St Vincent) 3 Squadron RFC
2nd Lieutenant Steele, N.L. (Norman Leslie) 1 Squadron RFC

There was only one person claiming a victory on this day...

Lieutenant Colonel William "Billy" Avery Bishop VC

[Hedeby]

Slight problem with my Mauser today so we see a welcome return for the SMLE.

21st April 1917

On this day next year, it will be with a heavy heart I write of the fall of the war's greatest fighter pilot (and arguably the most famous fighter pilot of all time, certainly the most iconic) That will be another evening though, and if I do make it to Prague next year and the dates are aligned I am sure we will all be raising a glass in his memory. Anyway back to 1917.

The weather has obviously picked up because the aces are back in action...

Robert Little Australia #7

Captain Reginald Malcolm Canada #5

A clerk and department manager from Grimsby, Ontario, Reginald George Malcolm joined the Royal Flying Corps as a 2nd Lieutenant on 24 February 1917. Posted to 25 Squadron in March 1917, he scored 8 victories flying the F.E.2d. He was posted to the Home Establishment on 18 June 1917 and to Canada on 1 July 1918, the same day he received a promotion to Captain. He served as commanding officer of Aerial Fighting School No. 2 at Beamsville, Ontario before he as reassigned to headquarters on 16 December 1918.

Flight Sub Lieutenant John 'Jack' Malone Canada #5



John Malone joins the ranks of the aces, although his success will be short lived as he will be killed in just 9 days time. The son of Edmund J., a farmer, and Mary (Wallace) Malone of Inglewood, Ontario, John Joseph Malone obtained Royal Aero Club certificate No. 3376 from the Curtiss flying school at Toronto on 15 July 1916. On that day he was promoted to Flight Sub-Lieutenant (on probation). Posted to 3 Naval Squadron on 1 February 1917, he scored 10 victories flying the Sopwith Pup before he was killed in action, shot down by Paul Billik of Jasta 12. Mentioned in despatches.

Major Anthony Rex Arnold England #2 #3 (RNAS)



The son of Rev. Charles Lowther and Mary Delamere Arnold, Anthony Rex Arnold was the great-great-grandson of American Revolutionary War general Benedict Arnold. He was confirmed as Flight Sub-Lieutenant on 1 August 1914 and received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 876 on a Maurice Farman biplane at Central Flying School, Upavon on 21 August 1914. Flying the Sopwith Triplane, Arnold scored five victories with Naval 8 before assuming command of 79 Squadron



James Leith England #8

Flight Commander Herbert Gardner 'Tiny' Travers England #4 #5



Before he enlisted in 1914, Herbert Gardner Travers worked for Joseph Travers and Sons Limited, trading merchants in London. He was posted to France with the Machine Gun Section, 1st Battalion of the Honourable Artillery Company in 1914. In 1915 he transferred to the Royal Naval Air Service and received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 2556 on 23 January 1916. Later that year he flew reconnaisance missions and then North Sea anti-submarine patrols in 1917, claiming 5 victories with a Sopwith Pup. He served with 211 Squadron in France in 1918. He was transferred to the unemployed list on 24 August 1919. After the war, Travers was a test pilot and flew seaplanes for Blackburn Aeroplane & Manufacturing Company, at Athens, Greece, from 1926 to 1928. He then became a pilot instructor for several British flying clubs until 1933. In 1934 he was a pilot for the National Air Display and an airline pilot with Spartan Airlines, Imperial Airways, and British Airways from 1935 to 1938. During World War II, Travers returned to service with the Royal Air Force as a Flight Lieutenant, Administration and Special Duties. Herbert Travers' two brothers, James Lindsay Travers (1883-1924) and Charles Tindal Travers (1898-1969), were also pilots. An engineer, James Travers graduated in 1906 and worked in the nascent British aviation industry designing, building, and test flying aeroplanes until he was killed in a crash in 1924.

Henri Languedoc France #7

Armand Pinsard France #9 #10



Pinsard joined the army in 1906 and was decorated twice for service in Africa. In 1912, he transferred to the French Air Service and was serving with MS23 when the war began. On 8 February 1915, he was captured when his aircraft was forced down behind enemy lines. More than a year later, after several unsuccessful attempts, Pinsard and a fellow prisoner succeeded in tunneling through a 12 foot wall and escaped from a German prison. Promoted to Lieutenant and retrained on aircraft developed during his incarceration, he returned to combat duty with N26. Pinsard is believed to be the first frontline pilot to fly the SPAD VII in combat. During World War II, Pinsard served with Groupe de Classe 21, losing a leg during a bombing raid on 6 June 1940. Post-war he was imprisoned for collaborating with the Nazis. He was later pardoned. General Pinsard died at the age of 66 in Paris.

Oberflugmeister Karl Meyer Germany #7



On this day Meyer and his observer show down the British Airship C17 (see below)

Lothar von Richthofen Germany #9
Karl Schäfer Germany #20
Kurt Wolff Germany #17 #18

Francis Casey Ireland #3 #4
Pavel Argeyev Russia #2

Air War
Western Front: Royal Flying Corps destroy 2 German balloons (3 British aircraft lost) and damage 3 more. Arras bombardment renewed. 2 new Sopwith Triplanes of Royal Navy Air Service No 1 Squadron disperse 14 German DFW CVs and shoot 3 down at 16,000ft before they can reconnaissance the BEF lines.




Western Front
Somme: British 40th Division (Fourth Army) captures three local objectives (incl on April 24 and 25).
Aisne*: Mangin protests at offensive continuing, ammo supply critical. Tenth Army (Duchene) committed between Hurtebise and Berry-au-Bac.

Middle East
Mesopotamia: Battle of Istabulat (until April 22). General Cobbe with 7th Division (2,228 casualties) and 76 guns twice attacks Shefhet’s 7,000 Turks (c.2,200 casualties including 700 PoWs) with 31 guns astride railway, taking position and 1 gun. Lieutenant Graham (MG Corps) wins 23rd and last Victoria Cross of the campaign.
Palestine: Chetwode replaces Dobell as GOC (General in command) Eastern Force, Chauvel takes over Desert column.



Charles Melvin VC (2 May 1885 – 17 July 1941) was a Scottish 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.

Private Melvin's citation for the award of the Victoria Cross, as published in the Supplement to the London Gazette (dated 26 November 1917), states:

No. 871 Pte. Charles Melvin, R. Highrs. (Kirriemuir) - For most conspicuous bravery, coolness and resource in action. Pte. Melvin's company had advanced to within fifty yards of the front-line trench of a redoubt, where, owing to the intensity of the enemy's fire, the men were obliged to lie down and wait for reinforcements. Pte. Melvin, however, rushed on by himself, over ground swept from end to end by rifle and machine-gun fire. On reaching the enemy trench, he halted and fired two or three shots into it, killing one or two enemy, but as the others in the trench continued to fire at him, he jumped into it, and attacked them with his bayonet in his hand, as, owing to his rifle being damaged, it was not “fixed." On being attacked in this resolute manner most of the enemy fled to their second line, but not before Pte. Melvin had killed two more and succeeded in disarming eight unwounded and one wounded. Pte. Melvin bound up the wounds of the wounded man, and then driving his eight unwounded prisoners before him, and supporting the wounded one, he hustled them out of the trench, marched them in and delivered them over to an officer. He then provided himself with a load of ammunition and returned to the firing line where he reported himself to his platoon sergeant. All this was done, not only under intense rifle and machine-gun fire, but the whole way back Pte. Melvin and his party were exposed to a very heavy artillery barrage fire. Throughout the day Pte. Melvin greatly inspired those near him with confidence and courage.



Major ‘Lord’ Henry Molyneux Paget Howard (commanding 1st Wilts Battery, Royal Field Artillery) is killed in action at age 39 in the Middle East. He is the 19th Earl of Suffolk and 12th Earl of Berkshire. His son the 20th and 13th Earl will be killed in 1941 serving in bomb disposal when a bomb he is working on explodes. For his efforts the 20th Earl will be awarded the George Cross posthumously.



on a day that 1131 British lives were lost...

Today’s highlighted casualties include:

Captain Frederick Terence Hastings Mullaly (Gurkha Rifles) is killed in Mesopotamia at age 29. He will lose two brothers one in May 1915 and a second will die on service in India in 1920. They are sons of Major General ‘Sir” Herbert Mullaly.
Captain Raymond Sykes-Banks (Bhopal Infantry) is killed in Mesopotamia at age 26. His father died of illness on service in February 1916 and his brother will die of illness at home one week before the Armistice.
Lieutenant Juan Manuel Aldana (Worcestershire Regiment) is killed at age 21. He is the son of the Consul for Columbia, Chile, Venezuela and Ecuador.
Second Lieutenant Charles Noel Harris (Indian Army Rifles) is killed in Mesopotamia at age 19. He is the son of the Reverend Charles Harris DD.
Second Lieutenant Ernest Edward Harris (Irish Fusiliers) dies of wounds received 10 days earlier at age 39. He is the son of the Reverend Frederic William Harris who will lose another son in July.

The Battle of Istabulat

The assault on the Ottoman position at Istabulat started on the morning of 21 April with the 92nd Punjabis advancing on Istabulat station. They successfully took the position by assault and dug themselves in in front of the main position, half a mile beyond the Ottoman trenches. At 6.30 a.m. the Black Watch and Gurkhas reached the foot of the high ridge, where the enemy lay waiting for the assault.[4] The Gurkhas and Black Watch reached their objectives almost at the same moment. The Gurkhas took nearly 200 prisoners in the north redoubt, where the enemy's resistance was not as heavy as elsewhere. But in the Dujail Redoubt the Turks resistance was more effective. The Black Watch had cleared this strong point at 6.45 a.m. The Turks quickly reorganized their forces and counter-attacked. Through this attack they reoccupied the greater part of the position. They were pushed out of the position by the Highlanders at 7.15 a.m. The redoubt firmly returned to British hands. The Highlanders paid a heavy price losing 10 officers and 173 enlisted in this engagement. The Ottomans ordered several counterattacks along the banks of the Dujail, and it was not until after 2 hours of hand to-hand fighting that the north bank was secured by the British. The 9th Bhopals attempted a flanking movement but overshot their objective and came under fire from the banks of the Dujail. Two hundred fell, including heavy casualties among the officers. South of the canal one company of the 28th Punjabis advanced in line with the 21st (Bareilly) Brigade.The Seaforths on their left launched their attack some three hours later and drove the enemy from his first-line trench. The intention in pressing in first on the right with the 21st Brigade was to give the Ottomans a line of retreat to the left to distract his attention as much as possible from the troops who had to advance over more open ground. But the Ottoman position held out all day, and it was not until early on the morning of the 22nd that the Ottomans withdrew from their position



10 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON SATURDAY APRIL 21ST 1917

CPO 3rd Class Chivers, A. (Arthur) H.M. Airship 'C17', Pulham Airship Station RNAS
LM Farquhar, D. (David) H.M. Airship 'C17', Pulham Airship Station RNAS
Flight Sub Lieutenant Jackson, E.G.O. (Edward George Oliphant) H.M. Airship 'C17', Pulham Airship Station RNAS
Lieutenant Mitchell, J.P.C. (John Patrick Cameron) 16 Squadron RFC
AM 2nd Class Monro, J. (John) H.M. Airship 'C17', Pulham Airship Station RNAS
2nd Lieutenant Rogers, C.V.B. (Cecil Victor de Burgh) 29 Squadron RFC
Lieutenant Rogers, G.R. (Garfield Redman) 16 Squadron RFC
2nd Lieutenant Sadler, F. (Ferrebee) 29 Squadron RFC
2nd Lieutenant Sheppard, L.C.B. (Lewis Charles Burford) 32 Squadron RFC
Assistant Paymaster Warlters, R.A.P. (Raymond Alfred Price) H.M. Airship 'C 17', Pulham Airship Station, Royal Naval Air Service

Airship C17

C.17 was a 'Coastal' Class airship.

LOA - 196 Feet
Capacity - 170,000 cu ft
Power - 1 x 150 HP Sunbeam Tractor, 1 x 220 HP Renault Pusher
Armament 2 x MG (one on the top of the envelope), 4 x 112 lb bombs or 2 x 230 lb bombs or depth charges

C.17 was built at Kingsnorth. Trials 10 Aug 1916, captained by Flt Lt Wheelwright. To Pulham from Kingsnorth 31 Aug 1916. On 21 April 1917 proceeded on patrol, but no contact made with base after 08:00. Captain was Sub Lt E G O Jackson, Observer Assistant Paymaster R A P Walters. Deleted Pulham 21 April 1917, destroyed by fire. It was assumed C.17 was shot down by German seaplanes. There were no survivors. Walters had only gone on C.17 as a passenger for some air experience. Up until the loss of C.17 the upper Lewis gun was not usually carried. As a result of the loss instructions were issued that the upper gun was to be manned whenever 'Coastals' were operated out of Pulham over the North Sea.



Captain Tunstill's Men: Trenches in the Hill 60 sub-sector, opposite the Caterpillar. Conditions were again quiet, with nothing recorded in the War Diary. A fine, warm day. Overnight one of the Battalion sentries spotted a German patrol close to the British lines; he opened fire and killed one of the Germans. The body was later recovered by the British and identification obtained.

[Hedeby]

Right the Mauser is back from the polishers so things are back to normal with today's edition.

22nd April 1917

Busy busy day in the skies over the first world war battlefields - Bloody April certainly lives up to its name...

11 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON SUNDAY APRIL 22ND 1917

2nd Lieutenant Carter, F.L. (Frank Leslie) 3 Squadron RFC
AM 2nd Class Chapman, H. (Horace) 40 Squadron RFC
Lieutenant Hesketh, J.E.B. (James Ernest Bytheway) 11 Squadron RFC
2nd Lieutenant Morgan, A.B. (Alan Bertram) 29 Squadron RFC
2nd Lieutenant Morgan, A.S. (Albert Sydney) 3 Squadron RFC
2nd Lieutenant Shimmin, T.E. (Thomas Edward) Royal Flying Corps Northern Cyclists Battalion (see below)
AM 2nd Class Stabinsky, I. (Isaac) RFC
2nd Lieutenant Stafford, F.J.E. (Frederick John Ewart) 8 Squadron RFC
Lieutenant Tolhurst, B.J. (Bernard Joseph) 11 Squadron RFC
2nd Lieutenant Twidale, E.A. (Elfric Ashby) Royal Flying Corps 16th Balloon Section
AM 2nd Class Woolnough, G.R. (George Richard) Royal Naval Air Service Pulham Airship Station

The Cycle Battalions of the Territorial Force

When the TF was created in April 1908, three of these four Cyclist Battalions were established. The fourth was not created until 1913, as explained below. They are listed here collectively, but were independent units. In addition to these, certain infantry regiments also created TF cyclist battalions. And all of these were in addition to the Army Cyclist Corps.

Northern Cyclist Battalion
1/1st Battalion: Headquartered at the Drill Hall on Hutton Terrace, Sandyford Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, the battalion moved on mobilisation in early August 1914 to its pre-planned war station at Morpeth. By 1916 it had moved to nearby Alnwick where it remained as part of the Tyne Garrison.
2/1st Battalion: Formed in late 1914 as a second line unit. By 1916 was at Skegness and in June 1918 was at Burton Constable as part of the Humber Garrison.
3/1st Battalion: Formed in 1915 as a depot/training unit. Disbanded in March 1916 and its men posted to the 1/1st and 2/1st, with some going to the Machine Gun Corps.



Highland Cyclist Battalion
1/1st Battalion: August 1914 : in Kirkcaldy. Remained in Scotland until moving to Ireland in May 1918, where it then remained.
2/1st Battalion: Formed in Kirkcaldy in November 1914 as a second line battalion. Remained in Scotland until moving to Ireland in May 1918, where it then remained. In July 1915, it formed the 1st Provisional Cyclist Company..
3/1st Battalion: Formed in Kirkcaldy in 1915 as a dept/training unit. Remained in UK until disbanded in March 1916; the troops were posted to the 1/1st and 2/1st Bns and some to the Machine Gun Corps.

Kent Cyclist Battalion
1/1st Battalion: Headquartered at the Drill Hall in Tonbridge, the battalion moved on mobilisation in early August 1914 to its pre-planned war station at Canterbury. It was placed under orders of 57th (2nd West Lancashire) Division for duties with the Kent and Sussex coastal defences at Swale and Rye, with a detachment on the Medway. It left the Division and moved on 2 December 1915 to Chisledon Camp and reorganised as an infantry battalion. From this time on the unit did not use the word "Cyclist" in its title. Together with 2/6th (Cyclist) Bn Royal Sussex Regiment , 1/9th (Cyclist) Bn Hampshire Regiment and 1/25th (Cyclist) Bn London Regiment, they formed a brigade originally intended for service in East Africa. There was a change of mind, however, and the battalion sailed for India on 8 February 1916. On arrival came under command of Southern Brigade, 9th (Secunderabad) Division and went to Bangalore. Moved in December 1916 to Burhan and the Ferozepore Brigade in 3rd Lahore Divisional Area. In February 1917 the Brigade transferred to the 16th Indian Division. Between 4 March and 15 April the battalion served as part of the North Waziristan Field Force. between 11 March and 1 May 1918 it served in Baluchistan; it helped quell riots in the Punjab in April 1919; between 19 May and 17 August 1919 it took part in the Third Afghan War. After a final period at Dagshai it sailed for home on 8 November 1919. It was finally disbanded in February 1920.
2/1st Battalion: Formed in late 1914 as a second line unit. By 1916 was at Canterbury and in March 1917 at Ramsgate. By August 1918 it had moved to Lydd.
3/1st Battalion: Formed in 1915 as a depot/training unit. Disbanded in 1916.



Huntingdonshire Cyclist Battalion
1/1st Battalion: The TF, when established in 1908, was envisaged as being the army that would provide home defence while the regular army went off to war. At that time, the old Huntingdonshire Volunteer Battalion was converted into two Companies of the new 5th TF Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment. Many people were dissatisfied that Huntingdonshire no longer had its own recognisable regiment and after long discussions War Office approval was granted in March 1913 to raise a “wheeled” battalion, but it was not until February 1914 that the Huntingdonshire Cyclist Battalion was formed and began to recruit. After it was established, men of the two local Companies of the Bedfordshire Regiment were allowed to transfer into the Huntingdonshire Cyclist Battalion, and most did so. The battalion was headquartered in St Mary’s Street in Huntingdon, and had local drill stations at St. Ives, Somersham, St. Neots, Kimbolton, Ramsey, Warboys, Fletton and Yaxley. It was attached to Eastern Command for use as mobile infantry, and for work on signals, scouting and similar activities. The battalion remained in England throughout the war. It moved on mobilisation in early August 1914 to its pre-planned war station at Grimsby. In 1916 it went on to Scarborough and by June 1918 to Whitby. In late July 1916 a party of more than six hundred men that left by train from Scarborough. They travelled to Southampton and embarked the SS “Alexandria”, arriving at Le Havre. Here their first two nights were spent in a camp where they were officially posted to the 1/8th Royal Warwickshire Regiment before they were moved by train to join their new unit on the Somme.

2/1st Battalion: Formed in October 1914 as a second line unit. By 1916 was at Sutton-le-Marsh in Lincolnshire and by March 1917 at nearby Alford. By July of that year it had moved to Chapel St Leonards and by May 1918 was at Skegness.
3/1st Battalion: Formed in 1915 as a depot/training unit. Disbanded in March 1916, the men were posted to 1/1st and 2/1st Battalions and to the Machine Gun Corps.

There were 32 Claimed Victories on this day

Roderic Dallas Australia #10 #11
William Bishop Canada #9
Harold Kerby Canada #2
Laurence Allen England #7
Edwin Cole England #5
Edmund Pierce England #3
William Ernest Reed England #2
Alan Wilkinson England #19
Alfred Auger France #4
Albert Deullin France #14
René Dorme France #20
Pierre Pendarie France #2
Friedrich Gille Germany u/c
Heinrich Gontermann Germany #14

August Hanko Germany #1

August Hanko's origins are unknown. He first served in the German infantry in the early stages of World War I. In 1915, he joined Die Fliegertruppen (Imperial German Air Service). He first served with Feldflieger Abteilung (Field Flier Detachment) 38, then with Kampfgeschwader (Tactical Bomber Wing) 2. Hanko then progressed to fighter pilot's training. Upon graduation, he was posted to his first fighter squadron, Jagdstaffel 20, on 2 November 1916. On 24 January 1917, he transferred to Jagdstaffel 28. He scored his first aerial victory on 22 April 1917, downing a Nieuport 17 from No. 1 Squadron RFC in a morning fight. Lieutenant AW Wood, the pilot, was wounded, but survived to be taken prisoner. Another 1 Squadron Nieuport followed on 7 May. On 25 May, he shot down a Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2d from No. 20 Squadron RFC piloted by eventual 11-kill ace Lt. Campbell Hoy who was injured. He was awarded Germany's highest decoration for enlisted men, the Military Merit Cross, on 28 June 1917. Hanko went on to down an Airco DH.4 from No. 57 Squadron RFC on 21 August 1917. On 16 September, he became an ace when he shot down a Martinsyde Elephant from No. 27 Squadron RFC. On 24 January 1918, having been commissioned a Leutnant, he was given command of Jagdstaffel 64. He led them without personal result until being removed from duty for illness on 7 July 1918. Hanko's subsequent life is unknown.



Reinhold Jörke Germany #2
Edmund Nathanael Germany #10 #11
Paul von Osterroht Germany #6

Manfred von Richthofen Germany #46



FE2B No.7020 11 Squadron RFC. Engine No.1049 WD 7659 Guns 22247, 21893

17:10 hrs near Lagnicourt. Vickers two-seater. No details as plane fell other side of the lines. When my staffel was attacking an enemy squadron, I personally attacked the last of the enemy planes. Immediately after I had discharged my first shots, the plane began to smoke. After 500 shots the plane plunged down and crashed to splinters on the ground. the fight had begun above our side, but the prevailing East wind had drifted the planes to the West.

Karl Schäfer Germany #21
Kurt Schneider Germany #6 #7
Kurt Wolff Germany #19 #20
Edward Atkinson Ireland #2

William Molesworth Ireland #1



William Earle Molesworth was the son of Colonel Molesworth, C.I.E., C.B.E., of the Indian Army Medical Service. He attended Marlborough College in Wiltshire, England from 1908 to 1912 followed by four years at the Royal Military College at Sandhurst from 1912 to 1914. Receiving a regular commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Munster Fusiliers on 8 August 1914, Molesworth served on the Western Front from October 1914 to March 1916, being wounded in December 1914. In March 1916, he received a temporary commission in the Royal Flying Corps and completed his training at the Central Flying School at Upavon in February 1917. He was then posted to 60 Squadron in France where he served under Captain Albert Ball. Promoted to flight commander in April 1917, Molesworth assumed command of A Flight. Flying the Nieuport 17 and the S.E.5a, he flamed one balloon and scored five victories during several fights with Manfred von Richthofen's Flying Circus. Returning to the England in August, Molesworth was ordered to Dover where he assumed command of a training flight before being reassigned to the Gosport Special School for Advanced Flying. On 20 October 1917, he returned to France, this time joining 29 Squadron under Captain James McCudden. Flying Nieuports again, Molesworth scored twelve more victories. On 17 March 1918, he was posted back to the Home Establishment where he served as an instructor at the Central Flying School. In April, with the creation of the Royal Air Force, Molesworth became responsible for the formation of 158 Squadron at Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire. He served as this squadron's first commanding officer until October 1918. In November 1918, following the signing of the Armistice, Molesworth transferred back to the Royal Munster Fusiliers.
Several of William Molesworth's letters home from the war were published in Flypast magazine during 1979 and 1980.

Thomas Culling New Zealand #2

Major George Lawrence 'Zulu' Lloyd South Africa #1

Having served with the Staffordshire Yeomanry, George Lawrence Lloyd transferred to the Royal Flying Corps and was posted to 60 Squadron in April 1917. Flying Nieuport scouts, he scored four victories before he was reassigned to 40 Squadron as a flight commander. With this squadron, he scored four more victories before the war ended. Lloyd was married to Martha Boswell, one of the Boswell Sisters singing trio of the 1930s.

2nd Lt. (T./Capt.) George Lawrence Lloyd, Yeo., and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Single-handed, he attacked three enemy machines, one of which he brought down out of control. On another occasion he attacked four enemy machines, one of which he brought down in a steep dive. He has brought down many other enemy machines and taken part in numerous combats, displaying magnificent gallantry and skill on all occasions.

William Kennedy-Cochran-Patrick Scotland #4 #5

Air War
Western Front: No 56 Squadron (SE5s) destroys 4 Albatros fighters (1 to Ball) on its first patrol.
Macedonia: KG 1 bombs British bivouacs near Yanesh.



In March 1917, the S.E.5 entered service with No. 56 Squadron RFC, although the squadron did not deploy to the Western Front until the following month. Everyone was suspicious of the large "greenhouse" windscreens fitted to the first production models. These were designed to protect the pilot in his unusually high seating position, which was in turn intended to improve vision over the upper wing. The squadron did not fly its first patrol with the S.E.5 until 22 April, by which time, on the insistence of Major Blomfield, 56 squadron's commanding officer, all aircraft had been fitted with small rectangular screens of conventional design. The problem of the high seating position was solved by simply lowering it, pilots in any case preferring a more conventional (and comfortable) seating position. No complaints seem to have been made about the view from the cockpit, in fact this was often cited as one of the strong points of the type. While pilots, some of whom were initially disappointed with the S.E.5, quickly came to appreciate its strength and fine flying qualities, it was popularly judged to have been underpowered; this failing was addressed by the introduction of the more powerful S.E.5a. In June 1917, the S.E.5a entered service and quickly began to replace the S.E.5.[10] At this time 56 Squadron was still the only unit flying the new fighter; in fact it was the only operational unit to be fully equipped with the initial 150 hp S.E.5 – all other S.E.5 squadrons officially used the 200 hp S.E.5a from the outset – although a few S.E.5s were issued to other squadrons due to an acute shortage of the S.E.5a. Deliveries of the S.E.5a suffered from delays due to a shortage of available engines with which to power the type.

Due to the shortage of aircraft, there was a very slow initial buildup of new S.E.5a squadrons, which lasted well into 1918. Once the Wolseley Viper-powered model became plentiful, many more units were re-equipped with the type. By the end of the war, the S.E.5a was employed by a total of 21 British Empire squadrons as well as two U.S. units. Many of the top Allied aces of the Great War flew this fighter, including Billy Bishop, Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor, Edward Mannock and James McCudden. Legendary British ace Albert Ball was initially disparaging of the S.E.5, but in the end claimed 11 of his 44 victories flying it. McCudden wrote of the S.E.5: "It was very fine to be in a machine that was faster than the Huns, and to know that one could run away just as things got too hot." Sholto Douglas who commanded No. 84 Squadron RFC which was initially equipped with the S.E.5a, listed the type's qualities as being: "Comfortable, with a good all-round view, retaining its performance and manoeuvrability at high level, steady and quick to gather speed in the dive, capable of a very fine zoom, useful in both offence and defence, strong in design and construction, [and] possessing a reliable engine". While the S.E.5 remained in RAF service after the Armistice, the type began to be withdrawn soon afterwards. The S.E.5 also continued in service for a time in Australia and Canada, and in 1921 a Viper-engined S.E.5a was taken to Japan by the British Aviation Mission to the Imperial Japanese Navy. A number of machines found roles in civilian flying after the war. On 30 May 1922, the first use of skywriting for advertising occurred when Cyril Turner, a former RAF officer, spelt out "London Daily Mail" in black smoke from an S.E.5a at the Epsom Derby. Others were used for air racing; one such privately owned aircraft won the Morris Cup race in 1927.


Despite initial problems with the engine and only one machine gun in front of the pilot (another on the upper wing), the SE5 together with the Sopwith Camel ended the superiority of the German Albatros fighters

Politics
USA: Balfour’s British Mission arrives in Washington; French Mission arrives New York on April 24.

Secret War
Austria: Allies reject Prince Sixtus peace ap*proach.

Western Front
Artois: Falkenhausen removed from German Sixth Army probably for poor defensive tactics, replaced by O Below (until September 9), Colonel Lossberg already able new CoS, since April 11.

Eastern Front
Baltic Provinces: Hutier made C-in-C German Eighth Army (until December 12), replaces Scholtz. Count Kirchbach takes over Army Detachment D (until December 12).

Southern Fronts
Macedonia: General Scholtz (from Eighth Army, Eastern Front) replaces Below (see Western Front) in command of German Eleventh and Bulgar First Armies (Army Group Scholtz) for duration of war.


A violent explosion occurs on board HM Motor Launch 431 while she is lying alongside the jetty at her base. The aft part of the vessel is wrecked, and it at once becomes known that Sub Lieutenant Charles W Nash RNVR is buried beneath the wreckage. Chief Motor Mechanic Ernest Pooley and Deckhand Herbert Powley, who are on board their own vessel lying at the jetty some fifty yards astern, immediately hurry to the motor launch, which is by this time burning fiercely. The flames are drawing nearer to the spot where Sub-Lieutenant Nash lays buried, and it is clear that there is imminent danger of the afte petrol tanks exploding at any moment. Regardless of the fact that this would mean certain death to them, Powley and Pooley jump on board the vessel and succeed in extricating Sub-Lieutenant Nash from beneath the wreckage and carrying him to the jetty. As they were leaving the boat the whole of the after part bursts into flames, and, in all probability had they delayed for another thirty seconds all three would have perished. Deckhand Powley, who led the way on board the burning motor launch, had subsequently to be sent to hospital suffering from the effects of fumes. For their efforts both men will be awarded the Albert Medal.

963 British lives were lost on this day

Today’s highlighted casualties include:

Lieutenant Colonel William Walter Gilbert Griffith (Lancers, Indian Army) is killed in Mesopotamia at age 50. His brother was killed on the Western Front serving in the same Regiment in May 1915.
Major Arthur Travers Saulez (Royal Field Artillery) is killed at age 33. His twin brother will die as a result of war service in 1921 and they are sons of the Reverend Robert Thomas Saulez Rector of Willngale Doe.
Captain Robert Ferguson Russell (Royal Army Medical Corps) dies on service at age 33. He is the son of the Reverend James Alexander Russell.
Lieutenant Osmond Mowatt (Hussars) dies of wounds received in a cavalry charge during the Battle of Arras. He was and underwriting member of Lloyds.
Lieutenant Michael Richard Leader Armstrong (Royal Engineers) is killed in Thiepval Wood at age 26. He is the son of the Right Honorable Henry Bruce Armstrong.

Major John de Luze Simonds DSO (Royal Garrison Artillery) is killed at age 32. A bloodstained copy of the following poem is found on his body and returned to his family.

If I should die,
Be very full of pride that I have died for England:
Shed no tears because unhallowed ground enshrines my bones,
Think of me rather in some orchard plot at peace with God,
Where some tall poplar tree uplifts my soul to Heaven –
My weary soul that looks for ever star-wards, nor avails
For France is hallowed by your English dead
Where blaze the poppies like a scarlet wound,
Sprung from the blood of heroes:
Yesteryear they led their lives in shop and mart,
Thinking no evil and content to live at peace with all around,
But this same year the poppy springs above their grave:
A wound which they have died to salve
Be very proud to number me among the deathless dead.
Along the trench the cornflower shimmers blue
Like eyes bestarred with tears:
So long ago we wore its bloom in pride of victory,
Where called the deep Cathedral chimes to prayer.
Oh the grey walls and warm red tiled roofs,
The Itchen’s purling stream and velvet meads,
Where we have played together –
Never more to lie beneath the trees and drink the sun

The Battle of Doiran

The Battle of Doiran was a 1917 battle between the United Kingdom and Bulgaria during World War I. During the Second conference of the Military Counsel of the Entente in Chantilly, it was decided to continue with the attempts at a breakthrough. The task for the Entente forces on the Macedonian Front was to inflict major defeats on the Bulgarian army and effect a wide breakthrough in the Balkans in a relatively short time. The Allied command, which expected reinforcements, planned a major assault in the direction of Vardar and Doiran. In 1917 the 2nd (Bulgarian) Thracian Infantry Division was replaced at Doiran by the 9th Pleven Infantry division under the command of Colonel Vladimir Vazov.


A Bulgarian telephone station with trench periscope observing the enemy's position at the Doiran front, March 1917

On 9 and 10 February the Allies attacked the 33rd Svishtov and 34th Troyan Regiments but were repulsed by a decisive counter-attack by the Troyan Regiment. The British advance on 21 February was repulsed by Bulgarian artillery after a two-day battle.[3]

The Allied command found that the Bulgarian positions were better fortified than in the previous year, so it ordered a systematic artillery barrage on these defences. In the meantime, it continued the development of their forming-up ground which was 800 - 1,500 m from the defensive lines of the Pleven Division. To make the breakthrough, the British concentrated three divisions (the 22nd, 26th, 60th), with its artillery - more than 43,000 men, 160 guns, 110 mortars and 440 machine-guns. The objective did not differ much from the battle in the previous year, the main blow was on a front of 5–6 km towards Kalatepe. The prognosis of the Bulgarian command for a major Allied offensive was confirmed by intelligence. The 9th Pleven Division was reinforced and had a total of 30,000 men, 147 guns, 35 mortars, 130 machine-guns. According to the orders of the High Command the front was divided into three zones with different widths: the right from the River Vardar to the Varovita heights with a width of 13 km, was defended by 1st Brigade (6 companies with 48 guns, 12 mortars and 56 machine guns); the central from the Varovita heights to the Karakondzho heights, 4 km wide, defended by the 57th Regiment (3 companies) and the left from the Karakondzho heights to Lake Doiran, 9 km wide, defended by 2nd Brigade (6 companies, 76 guns, 19 mortars and 52 machine-guns).

In 1917 the Bulgarian defensive positions and fortifications were further improved. It included two main positions with two rows of continuous trenches 1,5 – 2 metres deep, 200 to 1000 m apart and linked with passages for communication. In front of these positions there was a two line system of wire entanglements. Between the rows of trenches watch points, shelters, machine-gun nests and sunken batteries were constructed. Behind these defences there were concrete galleries, fire positions for the artillery and platforms for ammunition. In front of the main position there were smaller fortifications, with a partly constructed secondary position 2 – 5 km to its rear. The battle for a breakthrough in the Bulgarian positions began on 22 April and continued intermittently until 9 May 1917. The assault began with a bitter four-day artillery barrage in which the British fired about 100,000 shells. As a result, the earthworks and some wooden structures in the front positions were destroyed. The Bulgarians also opened fire from the batteries between Vardar and Doiran. Vladimir Vazov ordered fire day and night on the Allied positions. The initial several-hour struggle between the British and Bulgarian batteries was followed by a one-hour Bulgarian counter-barrage in which 10,000 shells were fired.


Vladimir Vazov was a prominent General. His successful defence of Doiran made him a hero to the Bulgarians.

The British infantry began its attack on the night of 24–25 April - 12 companies attacked the Bulgarian 2nd Brigade and after a bloody fight managed to take the "Nerezov", "Knyaz Boris" and "Pazardzhik" positions. After a Bulgarian counter-attack the British were repulsed with heavy casualties and by 8 pm had retreated.[5] The British assaults on the right and central fronts were also repulsed with heavy casualties after help from the Bulgarian artillery.

The British attacks in the next two days were defeated by constant Bulgarian fire and counter-attacks. Due to this fire the British withdrew to their initial positions on 27 April, the Bulgarians immediately started to reconstruct the destroyed fortifications.

Due to criticism by their high command, the British made new attempts at a breakthrough. On 8 May, after a long artillery barrage, they began another attack. The main assault started at 9 pm with five waves of British troops attacking the Bulgarian positions. After four attacks during the night of 8–9 May the British were defeated and suffered enormous casualties.[6] A Times correspondent wrote that the British soldiers called the "Boris" point "the valley of death". The artillery duel continued until 9 May but due to heavy casualties the British had to abandon all attacks. They lost 12,000 killed, wounded and captured of which more than 2,250 were buried by the Bulgarian defenders. The losses of the Ninth Pleven Infantry Division were 2,000 of whom 900 died from disease and wounds. Vladimir Vazov was promoted to Major-General.

and finally, Capt. Tunstill's Men: A very fine, warm day. In the evening the Battalion was to be relieved by 8th KOYLI and march back to Scottish Camp, via Kruistraat. Guides rendezvoused with the incoming Battalion at 8.30pm at Transport Farm, near Railway Dugouts and the relief, according to the War Diary, passed off without incident. However, one man is officially recorded as having been killed in action on the day. The dead man was Pte. Stephen Walsh, who is buried at Railway Dugouts Burial Ground. He was not an original member of the Battalion but had been drafted out to France to join 10DWR on 10th March 1916 after signing up in Bradford on 12th July 1915, shortly after his nineteenth birthday. He had trained with 11th Battalion, during the course of which he had three times been found to have been absent from duty. He had been working as a plumber’s labourer before joining up and was the second of seven children of John and Mary Walsh.

[Hedeby]

Today's edition will most likely be completed in stages around the roasting of a nice piece of lamb. Lets start by wishing all our English pilots a very happy St. George's Day - regardless of what some of the PC (gone mad) brigade would have you believe, being English and celebrating being English does not make you a racist! So God bless Harry, England and St. George on this 23rd day of April.



April 23rd 1917

Second Battle of the Scarpe (23–24 April 1917)

At 04:45 on 23 April, following two days of poor visibility and freezing weather, British troops of the Third Army (VI and VII corps), attacked to the east along an approximate 9 mi (14 km) front from Croisilles to Gavrelle on both sides of the Scarpe. The 51st Division attacked on the northern side in heavy fighting on the western outskirts of Roeux Wood and the chemical works. On their left, the 37th Division, attacked the buildings west of Roeux Station and gained the line of their objectives on the western slopes of Greenland Hill, north of the railway. On the left of the main British attack the 63rd Division, made rapid progress against Gavrelle and secured the village. To the south of the Scarpe and east of Monchy-le-Preux the 29th Division gained the western slopes of the rising ground known as Infantry Hill. The Cojeul river marked a divisional boundary within the VI Corps. Guémappe on the north side of the river was the objective of the 15th Division, attacking east from Wancourt towards Vis-en-Artois. The objective was commanded by the higher ground on the south bank and it was not until the 50th Division captured the rise on the south side of the Cojeul that the village was taken. Several determined German counter-attacks were made and by the morning of 24 April, the British held Guémappe, Gavrelle and the high ground overlooking Fontaine-lez-Croisilles and Cherisy; the fighting around Roeux was indecisive.


British 18-pounder battery under German fire close to Monchy-le-Preux, 24 April. In the foreground is an advanced dressing station

Second Battle of the Scarpe is begun with an attack by nine British divisions on a 9-mile front, attacking the Chemical Works in Rouex, now defended by three German divisions. The Germans use new armor-piercing “K” ammunition against tank C22 and it is unable to help the 51st Highland Division take the Chemical Works. The 63rd Royal Naval Division attacks Gavrelle and takes the village but not the Windmill on the high ground north of the village. The British take the village of Guemappe but little else and in one day suffered 10,000 casualties.

The 1st Bedfordshire Regiment attacks the village of La Coulotte during the fighting in the Zouave Valley. As the attack moves forward one company becomes trapped between two belts of barbed wire, at some places over 15 feet thick, and an enemy communications trench. The 4th Bedfordshire Regiment attacks the village of Gravrelle as part of the offensive in Arras. The battalion gains its objectives and consolidates its positions on the northern outskirts of the city. They are heavily shelled throughout the day and have to fight a heavy German counter-attack but they hold onto their objective.

In the attack Corporal Oscar Harold Reid is killed at age 27. His brother was killed in October 1916.
Private George Leader (Bedfordshire Regiment) is killed at age 25. His brother was killed in October 1915.
Corporal Chris Runham is killed at age 23. His brother was killed in August 1916.
Private Jack French (Bedfordshire Regiment) is killed in action at age 20. His brother died of wounds in November 1916.

A view from a Heninel Trench 23rd April 1917 17th Battalion Manchester Regiment on the Somme.

Less than a month after Lieutenant Alan Thomas Selbourne Holt’s repatriation, the War Office requested a statement of the incidents leading to his capture as a Prisoner of War at Cherisey. Alan Holt’s Statement provides a useful account of the failed assault at Heninel, near Aras, particularly the disorganisation, individual commitment and underlying bravery of the men concerned.
STATEMENT regarding circumstances which led to capture:-
“At 4.45 am on April 23rd 1917, the 17th Manchester Regt. attacked the enemy position in front of Cherisey (S.E. of Aras). Our trenches ran just east of Heninel. The position to be attacked was sixteen hundred yards distance, & the morning was dark & misty. I was in command of a company in support (A coy. ?) and owing to shortness of notice of the attack it was impossible to make any reconnaissance beforehand. During the advance the men lost their way & went on all directions. I kept on as straight as possible for about a thousand yards till I arrived at a trench full of water at the bottom of the valley. Here I found Capt. Cartman*, whose company I was supporting, and about ten unwounded men; there were many wounded & dead in this trench. We were under somewhat heavy rifle & machine gun fire to which we replied as best we could with rifle fire and a Lewis Gun which soon became useless on account of the butt breaking off. While firing the Lewis Gun I became stuck in the mud and while being extricated by two of my men, I had my right knee badly bruised and was unable to walk. Shortly after I was hit in the neck with a piece of shrapnel from a shell or grenade. Captain Cartman then told me to go to the Dressing Station and also to give a message to Battalion Headquarters in the rear on the way back. I started back, crawling, and after about five minutes’ progress I got into a trench which seemed to run in the direction of out assembly trenches. I continued a little way along the trench and turning a bend in it, came straight on a party of about ten Germans. They immediately raised their rifles and made signs for me to hold up my hands. This I did, as I had lost my revolver & was totally unarmed. After keeping me there a few minutes, two of them carried me in the direction of their lines which were being heavily bombarded. They put me in a shell-hole about four hundred yards in front of their lines & left me there with one man. This man told me that he himself had been taken prisoner that morning with about thirty other Germans but that owing to the mist & darkness the two English soldiers, who were escorting them, had marched them into another party of Germans on their lines. He said he would come back to the British lines with me. This was impossible to do owing to my knee & the wound in my neck which was now extremely painful and causing my shoulders to stiffen. Also I did not know & could not find where I was. I was now certain that the attack had failed, but hoped that it would be renewed that I should be rescued. After about four hours in the shell-hole I saw, about a mile up the valley, a number of our men retiring under very heavy shell-fire. The German then left me & soon returned with two other men who carried me into their lines where I remained another four hours in a dug-out before I was taken further back to Douai hospital. Alan T S Holt Lieut.”

Alan Holt and Captain Thomas Cartman – were awarded Military Cross after the action. Alan Holt’s citation probably relates to his persistence with machine gun “…When in the second line of the enemy position with only a few men, he succeeded in holding the position. When he was wounded, he encouraged his men to carry on the work and gave directions for the defence before withdrawing.” Thomas Cartman’s citation confirms his role in command of the forward line “…He showed … courage in organising the consolidation and defence of the position under very heavy fire. Although wounded, he continued to direct operations until compelled to retire.”


German soldiers take cover inside the trench from enemy grenades.

Sea War
Atlantic: Battleship New Mexico (BB49) launched at New York Navy Yard, first dreadnought with turbo-electric drive (completed May 20, 1918).
North Sea: 3 Royal Navy Air Service seaplanes bomb 5 German destroyers off Zeebrugge, sink 1.



USS New Mexico (BB-40) was a battleship in service with the United States Navy from 1918 to 1946. She was the lead ship of a class of three battleships, and the first ship to be named for the state of New Mexico. Her keel was laid down on 14 October 1915 at the New York Navy Yard, she was launched on 23 April 1917, and was commissioned on 20 May 1918. She was the first ship with a turbo-electric transmission, which helped her reach a cruising speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). Shortly after completing initial training, New Mexico escorted the ship that carried President Woodrow Wilson to Brest, France to sign the Treaty of Versailles. The interwar period was marked with repeated exercises with the Pacific and Atlantic Fleets, use as a trial ship for PID controllers, and a major modernization between March 1931 and January 1933.

The ship's first actions during World War II were neutrality patrols in the Atlantic Ocean. She returned to the Pacific after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and participated in shore bombardments during operations at Attu and Kiska, Tarawa, the Marshall Islands, the Mariana and Palau islands, Leyte, Luzon, and Okinawa. These were interspersed with escort duties, patrols, and refits. The ship was attacked by kamikazes on several occasions. New Mexico was present in Tokyo Bay for the signing of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender on 2 September 1945. Four days later, she sailed for the United States, and arrived in Boston on 17 October.

New Mexico was decommissioned in Boston on 19 July 1946, and struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 25 February 1947. The ship was sold for scrapping to the Lipsett Division of Luria Bros in November 1947, but attempts to bring the ship to Newark, New Jersey for breaking up were met by resistance from city officials. City fireboats were sent to block the passage of the battleship and the Lipsett tugboats, while the United States Coast Guard declared intentions to guarantee safe passage. The Under Secretary of the Navy Department was sent to defuse what the media began to call the "Battle of Newark Bay", with the city agreeing to the breaking up of New Mexico and two other battleships before scrapping operations in Newark Bay ceased, and Lipsett under instructions to dismantle the ships in a set timeframe or suffer financial penalties. Scrapping commenced in November and was completed by July 1948.

On 30 June 1914, New Mexico was authorized by the United States Congress. Work on the new ship began on 14 October 1915, with her keel laying at the New York Navy Yard. She was launched on 13 April 1917, and commissioned into the fleet on 20 May 1918.[2] Captain Ashley Herman Robertson was her first commanding officer.[3] The ship thereafter began sea trials and a shakedown cruise before formally joining the Atlantic Fleet. In September, she was transferred to Boston. She was present during a naval review held on 26 December in New York City. She escorted the passenger ship George Washington as she carried President Woodrow Wilson to France for the Versailles Peace Conference, departing the United States on 15 January 1919. On 22 February, New Mexico encountered a foundering schooner; after taking off the sinking ship's crew, New Mexico's secondary battery used the vessel for target practice. On 27 February, the ship reached New York, and in mid-July, she had moved to Hampton Roads, Virginia. On 16 July, she became the flagship of the Pacific Fleet. Three days later, she left for California, passing through the Panama Canal and arriving in San Pedro on 9 August.

Two of her 5-inch/51 caliber guns were removed in a later overhaul, in 1922.The next twelve years consisted of training exercises and maneuvers in the Pacific and the Caribbean, with the Pacific and the Atlantic Fleets. She also took several cruises to South American ports and was used for the early development of PID controllers. Invented by the Russian-American engineer Nicolas Minorsky for the automated steering of ships, the devices have since become widespread in control engineering. After that, in 1925, she took a cruise to Australia and New Zealand. After her training exercises in the Atlantic and the Pacific were finished, New Mexico was overhauled and modernized at the Philadelphia Harbor by the Navy from March 1931 to January 1933. The overhaul included the replacement of her turbo-electric drive with more conventional geared turbines, which were made by Curtis. In addition, New Mexico received eight 5-inch/25 caliber anti-aircraft guns, replacing the four 3-inch/50 caliber guns that had been previously installed. After the overhaul, she returned the Pacific to continue training exercises and the development of tactical operations. Even in 1936 during Fleet Problem XVII,[a] she was one of the fastest battleships in the Navy, having a maximum speed of 21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph), higher than most U.S. battleships, but only 1.5 knots (2.8 km/h; 1.7 mph) faster than Japan's slowest battleships. This led to the development of the North Carolina-class battleship and South Dakota-class battleship. In 1937, she arrived in Hawaii to sail to Dutch Harbor, Alaska, where she and several other ships were sent to help the Navy evaluate fighting in sub-arctic conditions


Battleships Idaho, New Mexico, and Mississippi at Pearl Harbor, December 1943.

Air War
Western Front: 68 Royal Flying Corps fighters on offensive patrol for ground attack’s renewal. An hour-long massive ‘dogfight’ without any fatal casualties. Ball makes 2 kills. Richthofen’s Jasta 11 scores its 100th victory (of 350 in war, top German unit score).

One air ace was lost on this day:

Paul Henning Aldabert Theodor von Osterroht was born on 13 September 1887 in Luneberg, the German Empire. His father was a Captain in the Dragoons. The younger Osterroht also chose the profession of arms, and joined the German Army's Infantry Regiment No. 152 in May 1906. He was commissioned an officer on 18 August 1907. He switched to aviation duty, and was forwarded to Gotha on 13 April 1912 for pilot's training. He received license number 305 on 9 October 1912. Osterroht was serving in FFA 18 when World War I began. He was one of the first German airmen to be awarded the Iron Cross First Class, received on 7 October 1914. After FFA 18, he served with Brieftauben-Abteilung Ostende in 1914 and 1915; one of his aerial observers was Manfred von Richthofen. Together they downed a French airplane so far behind French lines the victory could not be verified.

On 30 January 1915, Osterroht was promoted to Oberleutnant. In May 1916, he transferred to Kampfstaffel (Tactical Bomber Squadron) 1 of Kampfgeschwader (Tactical Bomber Wing) 1. He was soon given command of the squadron. His service with them ended when he was appointed to command one of Germany's original fighter squadrons, Jagdstaffel 12, as it was being founded. The unit was founded with over-age Fokker D.Is; however, by March 1917, they had been re-equipped with newer Albatros D.III fighters. Osterroht claimed serial number 1958/16 for his own, and had it marked with a four square checkerboard in black and white. On 24 March, the jasta received a telegram from their higher command congratulating the unit on its performance in downing 14 enemy aircraft. Osterroht scored his first aerial victory on 19 March 1917; at noon of 23 April he scored his seventh. Later on the 23rd, he flew an evening patrol to Cambrai. There he engaged Sopwith Pups of 3 Naval Squadron, and fell to his death at about 1800 hours.


Osterroht and Manfred Von Richthofen 15th April 1917

There were 44 aerial victory claims by aces alone on this day...

Australia (3)
Canada (13)
UK (15)
France (2)
New Zealand (2)
Russia (1)
Germany (8)

Roderic Dallas Australia #12
Fred Holliday Australia #2 #3

Flight Lieutenant George Anderson Canada #1 (RNAS)

George Benson Anderson received his pilot's certificate on a Wright biplane at the Stinson school, San Antonio, Texas, on 29 March 1916. After serving with 3 Wing, he joined 3 Naval Squadron in the spring of 1917. After scoring his first victory with a Sopwith Pup, his squadron was re-equipped with new aircraft and Anderson scored four more victories flying the Sopwith Camel.

William Bishop Canada #10 #11
Lloyd Breadner Canada #4 #5
Alfred Carter Canada #2 #3
Joseph Fall Canada #5
Harold Kerby Canada #3 #4

Flight Sub. Lieutenant John Joseph "Jack" Malone Canada #6 #7 #8



Malone learned to fly at the Curtiss Flying School at the Long Branch Aerodrome in Ontario. He earned his Royal Aero Club pilot's certificate on 15 July 1916, and was commissioned as a probationary Flight Sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Air Service the same day. He then shipped out for Britain.On 1 February 1917, he was posted to No. 3 Wing RNAS (later designated No. 3 Naval Squadron RNAS). He scored his first aerial victory on 4 March 1917. After scoring a triple victory followed by a single one, he was an ace. Another triple win followed, bringing his tally to eight.

On 24 April 1917, Malone managed to force a German two-seater to ground for a ninth triumph; Malone's engine then quit, forcing him to land his Sopwith Pup next to his victim. The German observer died of his wounds; his pilot was also wounded. Malone took custody of the pilot while under a barrage of artillery fire, and escorted him back to the squadron mess for a drink before the German departed into captivity. A tenth win two days later ended his string. Four days later, on 30 April 1917, Malone was shot down and killed by Paul Billik, beginning the latter's career as an ace. John Joseph Malone is honored at the Arras Flying Services Memorial. His posthumous award of the Distinguished Service Order was gazetted on 23 May 1917: For successfully attacking and bringing down hostile aircraft on numerous occasions. At about 6.30 a.m. on April 23rd, 1917, while on patrol, he attacked a hostile scout and drove it down under control. He then attacked a second scout, which, after the pilot had been hit, turned over on its back and went down through the clouds. A third scout, attacked by him from a distance of about 20 yards, descended completely out of control. While engaging a fourth machine he ran out of ammunition, so returned to the advanced landing ground, replenished his supply, and at once returned, and attacked another hostile formation, one of which he forced down out of control. On the afternoon of April 24th, 1917, he engaged a hostile two-seater machine, and, after badly wounding the observer, forced it to land on our side of the lines.

Arthur Treloar Whealy Canada #2

Captain Albert Ball England #32 #33



"I see they have given him the V.C. Of course he won it a dozen times over—the whole squadron knows that." An unidentified Royal Flying Corps pilot who flew with Captain Albert Ball in his last engagement.

Although eighteen other First World War pilots were awarded VC's, none had captured the public imagination as much as Albert Ball. At a time when morale was low, when the war and its casualties seemed never ending, Albert became a symbol of hope. His individuality and his insistence on fighting alone set him apart from other fighter pilots. His invincible courage and his utter determination made him a legend not only in Britain but also amongst his enemies, to whom the sight of his lone Nieuport Scout brought fear.

Captain James Martin Child England #1



James Martin Child, brother of Jack Escott Child, was the son of Tylney Harris and Constance Octavio (Oxley) Child. He moved to Canada where he worked in banking and mining. When the war began, he enlisted in the Canadian militia but was unable to deploy with the Canadian contingents and returned to England at his own expense. He served with the Manchester Regiment before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps. 2nd Lieutenant Child received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 2377 on 31 January 1916. After serving with 4 Squadron, he was posted to 19 Squadron in July 1916. With this unit Child scored three victories flying SPADs in 1917. Later that year, he joined 84 Squadron as a captain and downed five more enemy aircraft flying the S.E.5a. In February 1918, he returned to England and whilst serving as an instructor at Turnberry, he was killed when he tried to rescue a fellow airman from the wreckage of a crashed plane. Brother of Jack Escott Child.

Herbert Ellis England #2

Roger Bolton Hay England #1

The youngest son of Rev. R. W. Hay, Roger Bolton Hay was educated at Dean Close, Cheltenham and afterwards at Blundell's School. He served with the 3rd Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment before he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. Flying Bristol Fighters with 48 Squadron, he scored five victories before he was reported missing on 17 July 1917. It was later reported that he died from wounds as a prisoner in German hands that day.

After serving as a cadet in the Officers' Training Corps, on 27 January 1915 Hay was commissioned as a second lieutenant (on probation) in the 3rd Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, alongside his brothers Hugh Allport Hay (1889–1965) and Guy Baldwin Hay (1890–1951). He was confirmed in his rank on 19 November, and received orders sending him into the front lines in July 1915, but a motor-cycling accident delayed his departure until February 1916. He served in the trenches until August, when he was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps. Hay returned to England to train as a pilot,and was appointed a flying officer on 28 March 1917.

He returned to France in April 1917, and joined No. 48 Squadron, the first to be equipped with the Bristol F.2 Fighter. Hay began his victory string during Bloody April, taking a share with Fred Holliday, Anthony Wall, Ernest Moore, and William Winkler in the shooting down of an Albatros D.III over Vimy on the 23rd, and another over Cagnicourt the following day. On 27 April he shared in the destruction of a reconnaissance aircraft over Vitry with Maurice Benjamin and William Price. Hay had two further solo victories, destroying another D.III over Etaing on 15 June, and driving down a fourth over Ghistelles on 12 July.[1] His final total was two aircraft destroyed and three driven down out of control. Hay was reported missing in action on 17 July, and it was later reported that he died as a result of wounds while a prisoner of the Germans the same day.

Ernest Moore England #2
Edmund Pierce England #4
William Price England #3
Anthony Wall England #2 #3
Edmund Zink England #4
Jean Derode France #3
Edmond Pillon France #3
Heinrich Gontermann Germany #15
Hermann Göring Germany #4
Paul von Osterroht Germany #7
Lothar von Richthofen Germany #10

Manfred von Richthofen Germany #47



BE2F No. A3168 16 Squadron RFC. Engine No. E2167 WD1078, Guns 19782,19783
12:05 hrs Mericourt, this side of the lines. BE two-seater. No details as plane broke in the air and was scattered in falling.
I observed an artillery flyer, approached him unnoticed, and shot at him from the closest range, until his wing came off. The machine broke to pieces and fell near Mericourt.

Kurt Schneider Germany #8 #9 #10
Francis Casey Ireland #5

Captain Harold Francis 'Kiki' Beamish New Zealand #1 RNAS



The son of George Richard and Edith Maud Beamish, Harold Francis Beamish was educated at Huntley School and Marton & Wanganui Collegiate School. Rejected as unfit for active service because of weak heart, he travelled to England for a second bid at service and entered the Royal Naval Air Service in June 1916, becoming a Flight Sub-Lieutenant on 6 July. Beamish commenced combat duties in France with 3 Naval Squadron on 14 January 1917. He scored his first victory flying a Sopwith Pup on 23 April 1917 and became a Flight Commander on 25 June 1917. Becoming an ace by the end of the year, Beamish scored four more victories with the Sopwith Camel and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. On 1 April 1918, he was promoted to Captain and then scored six more victories in the month of May. His flying time during the war totaled 48 hours in training and 542 hours on the Western front (355 in the Sopwith Camel). Post-war, he returned to New Zealand and farmed sheep at Whana Whana, as his father had done, before retiring to Havelock North. New Zealand's last surviving WWI fighter pilot, Beamish was 90 years old and one of the last veterans of the RFC at the time of his death.

Thomas Culling New Zealand #3
Vladimir Strizhesky Russia #4
Maurice Benjamin South Africa #3
William Winkler Scotland #2
Arthur Jones-Williams Wales #2 #3

15 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON MONDAY APRIL 23RD 1917

Lt. Barltrop, E.A. (Eric Arthur) 22 Squadron RFC
Capt. Barnes, S. (Seymour) 35 Squadron RFC
2nd Lt. Clarke, H.Y.C. (Horace Yelverton Chatfield) RFC
2nd Lt. Crow, C.M. (Charles Maurice) 16 Squadron RFC
2nd Lt. Dunford, E.T. (Ernest Thubron) 13 Squadron RFC
Captain Greg, A.T. (Arthur Tylston) 55 Squadron RFC
Lt. Joseph, J.R. (John Rhys) 26 Reserve Squadron RFC
Lt. Mott, L.W. (Lewes Woodham) 12 Squadron RFC
2nd Lt. O'Sullivan, F. (Fergus) 2 Squadron RFC
AM 2 Oliver, K. (Kenneth) 55 Squadron RFC
2nd Lt. Ralphs, A. (Arthur) 12 Squadron RFC
2nd Lt. Reynell, F.H. (Frederick Henry) 35 Squadron RFC
Sgt. Tollervey, A.G. (Alfred G.) 16 Squadron RFC
2nd Lt. Welch, E.A. (Eric Arthur) 16 Squadron RFC
2nd Lt. White, M.A. (Melville Arthur) 3 Squadron RFC



Captain David Philip Hirsch (Yorkshire Regiment) having arrived at the first objective, and although already twice wounded, returned over fire-swept slopes to satisfy himself that a defensive flank was being established by his men. Machine gun fire was so intense that ait was necessary for him to be continuously up and down the line encouraging his men to dig and hold their position. He continued to encourage his men by standing on the parapet and steadying them in the face of machine gun fire and counter-attack until he is killed. He will be awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for his efforts on this day.



David Philip Hirsch VC (28 December 1896 – 23 April 1917) was a British Army officer during World War I and 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. He was 20 years old, and an Acting Captain in the 4th Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment (Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own), British Army during the First World War. On 23 April 1917 near Wancourt, France, he performed a deed for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. He died in action that day.

[Lt. S.Kafloc]

A quick note on the 22nd Chris. I was stationed at Hutton Terrace when attached to the TA (6RRF) as a permamnent staff instructor. I did ask on day one why there was a narrow staricase with a smooth slide at one side. I was told that it enabled the bicycles to be wheeled up to the 1st floor drill hall for parades. Later that year we did a tour of Northumberland with 12 TA lads riding WW1 bicycles, wearing all the correct gear. It was funny watching the RSM reading from an odl (very old) drill book on the correct mounting and dismounting of the cycle. We had some laughs that weekend.

Neil

[Hedeby]

24th April 1917



During an attack on the enemy trenches Captain Arthur Henderson MC (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders), although almost immediately wounded in the left arm, leads his company through the front enemy line until he gains his final objective. He then proceeds to consolidate his position, which, owing to heavy gun and machine gun fire and bombing attacks, was in danger of being isolated. He is killed after he has successfully accomplished his task. For his efforts this day he will be posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. Henderson was born 6 May 1893 to George Henderson OBE, a Magistrate of Paisley, and Elizabeth Purdie. He was 23 years old, and an Acting Captain in the 4th Battalion, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's), British Army, attached to 2nd Battalion during the First World War. On 23 April 1917 near Fontaine-les-Croisilles, France, he performed the deed for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. He died the following day.



Edward Foster VC (4 January 1886 – 22 January 1946) 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.

Foster was 31 years old, and a corporal in the 13th Battalion, The East Surrey Regiment, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. On 24 April 1917 at Villers-Plouich, Nord, France, during an attack, the advance was held up in a portion of the village by two machine-guns which were entrenched and strongly covered by wire entanglements. Corporal Foster who was in charge of two Lewis guns succeeded in entering the trench and engaged the enemy guns. One of the Lewis guns was lost, but the corporal rushed forward, bombed the enemy and recovered the gun. Then, getting his two guns into action, he killed the enemy gun team and captured their guns. Foster was also awarded the Médaille Militaire by France.


Edward Foster VC

1932 British lives were lost on this day

The trawler Margate (Skipper Thomas Ashley Royal Naval Reserve) is sunk by a submarine off Spurn Point. The skipper is among thirteen who are killed. Also sunk today are two ships sunk by U-53 approximately 150 miles west of Bishop Rock. The first S S Ferndene (Master Thomas Martin Pelton) suffers ten casualties including her master, while the second S S Anglesea suffers no casualties.

Today’s highlighted casualties include:

Captain Hugh Drummond Allan (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) is killed leading his company in advance at Croiselles at age 20. He wife died in childbirth shortly before his death. He was a partner in the surveying company “Johnson and Allan” of Damloops British Columbia. Allan creek which flows into Albrada River is names in his honor. His partner Captain Alfred William Johnson MC will die after being gassed in April 1917.

Lance Sergeant Alexander McCurdie (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) is killed at Beaucamp with 10 other members of his regiment at age 22. He played for the Kilmarnock Football Club.

Second Lieutenant Gordon Reuben Alexander (Sussex Regiment attached East Surrey Regiment) is killed by a shell while attending a wounded man in the attack on Villers Plouich north of Perrone at age 31. He is an all-round sportsman and member of the Corinthian Yacht Club, the Felixstowe and Coombe Golf Clubs and the Sword Club. He won several trophies on the links and was the Amateur Foils Champion of Great Britain in 1913 and took part in the 1912 Olympic Games.



Lieutenant Frederick Bernard Melland (Hawke Division, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve) is killed in action at age 20. He is a nephew of Prime Minister Herbert Asquith and the brother of Brian Melland who has been killed in action in 1915.

Home Fronts
USA: Liberty Loan Act $7 billions ($3 billions for Allies).
Russia: Ukraine demands autonomy.
France: 155mm GPF gun first test fired (at Paris).

155mm GPF Gun



The Canon de 155 Grande Puissance Filloux (GPF) mle.1917 was a 155 mm cannon used by the French Army during the first half of the 20th century. The gun was designed during World War I by Colonel Louis Filloux to meet France's urgent need for modern heavy artillery, and became the standard heavy field gun of the French Army from 1917 until World War II. It was also adopted by the United States as the M1917, and a close derivative of it was made in and used by the US as the M1918 through World War II.

It was also manufactured in the USA from 1917, after the US switched to metric artillery based on French patterns. It was used by the United States Army and United States Marine Corps as their primary heavy artillery gun under the designation 155 mm Gun M1917 (French-made) or M1918 (US-made) until 1942, when it was gradually replaced by the 155 mm M1A1 'Long Tom'. US Army forces in the Far East (USAFFE) such as the 301st FA Regiment (Philippine Army) and the 86th FA Regiment (Philippine Scouts), and also US Coast Artillery units (91st and 92nd CA Regiments, Philippine Scouts) used this artillery piece against the Japanese invasion of the Philippines in 1941-42. Some of the guns were originally emplaced in "Panama mounts" on Corregidor, Caballo, and Carabao islands at the entrance of Manila Bay. A number of them were removed from their emplacements and used as "roving batteries" and gave effective counterbattery fire. The gun was later mounted on a self-propelled mount as the M12 Gun Motor Carriage and saw action in 1944-45. During World War II, some US-made guns were used for coast defense of US and allied territories, such as Australia and Bermuda, typically on "Panama" mountings - circular concrete platforms with a raised centre section, with the carriage tires pivoting around the center section and the split trails spread out on rails at the platform's edge.

This gun was designed by Colonel L. J. F. Filloux to fill a vital French Army requirement for a heavy artillery piece. The design proved a success and became the standard heavy field gun of the French from 1917 to the end of World War I. The weapon was pressed into service quickly, to remedy the shortage of such weapons in the French inventory. This weapon became the "Canon de 155 Grande Puissance Filloux mle 1917", named by French Army as the Canon de 155mm GPF (Model of 1917). During World War 1, the gun was eventually taken on by the American Expeditionary Force as a standard long-range artillery piece. At the beginning of World War II the French guns were pulled out of reserve storage, and 24 of these guns were mobilized/on active duty in May-June 1940

Southern Fronts
Salonika – Battle of Lake Doiran (until April 25): British 22nd and 26th Divisions attack on 2 1/2-mile front at 2145 hours but, under 147 Bulgar guns (including German 5.9-inch naval gun battery) and 33 searchlights, never penetrate beyond first line of concrete defences on steep round hills. British losses 3,163; Bulgar and German 835+ (22 PoWs) soldiers, including in 7 counter-attacks.

Middle East
Mesopotamia: General Cobbe occupies Samarra (60 miles north of Baghdad, railway station occupied on April 23), takes 340 sick and wounded Turkish soldiers. Marshall drives 2,000 Turks east over Adhaim taking 160 PoWs but heat halts operations.

Air War
Western Front: 5 of Richthofen’s fighters survive attacks by 20 Royal Flying Corps fighters. First German Kampfstaffel or ‘Battle Flight’ special ground attack with MGs and hand grenades in support of infantry attack.

There were almost 50 Aerial victory claims on this day... (the editing team are praying for some late snow...)

Roderic Dallas Australia #13
Fred Holliday Australia #4 #5
Robert Little Australia #8
George Simpson Australia #2
Julius Arigi Austro-Hungarian Empire #8
John Malone Canada #9

Alexander Shook Canada #1



The son of David and Mary Shook, Alexander MacDonald Shook received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 2056 on 5 November 1915. On 4 June 1917, he scored the first Sopwith Camel victory of the war when he shot down an Albatros D.III. On 22 March 1918, he shot down an Albatros D.V flown by Bertram Heinrich of MFJ 1. He was promoted to temporary Major on 1 July 1918. Shook was transferred to the unemployed list on 28 March 1919.

Leonard Barlow England #1



The son of Leonard and Catherine (Monteagle) Barlow, Leonard Monteagle Barlow's father was an engineer. Following in his father's footsteps, Barlow studied electrical engineering before he joined the Royal Flying Corps in 1916. As an S.E.5 pilot, he was known for his resourcefulness. "The Gadget King" developed a method to fire his Vickers and Lewis machine guns simultaneously with a single trigger. On 25 September 1917, he attacked four German aircraft over the Houthulst Forest and shot down three of them in three minutes. Barlow was killed while testing a Sopwith Dolphin.

Cyril Marconi Crowe England #1



An engineer, Cyril Marconi Crowe received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 898 on a Grahame-White biplane at the Grahame-White School, Hendon on 8 September 1914. He pioneered "dive and climb" tactics for the S.E.5. As a flight commander with 56 Squadron, despite having his goggles shot from his face in a fight on 7 May 1917, Crowe survived without injury and scored 14 victories. Upon the death of James McCudden, he assumed command of 60 Squadron. But shortly thereafter, returning from a party at Dieppe on 29 July 1918, Crowe drove his automobile into a tree. His two passengers, Owen Scholte and a Major Foggin, were killed in the crash. Crowe was court martialled and reduced in rank to Captain for a month before being posted as a Major to 85 Squadron on 28 August 1918 for the duration of the war. With this unit he scored his final victory on 16 September 1918. Crowe was a Wing Commander in the Royal Air Force during World War II.

Francis Cubbon England #1 #2



"Captain FRANCIS RICHARD CUBBON, M.C., now reported killed on June 9th, 1917, was born in Poona on November 29th, 1892, and was the only surviving son of Captain R. Cubbon, S. and T. Corps, I. A., and of Mrs. Cubbon, of Quetta. He was educated at Alleyne College and Dulwich College, and passed for a year from Sandhurst into the Indian Army in 1911, being attached to the Yorkshire and Lancashire Regiment in Karachi, and then appointed to the 72nd Punjabis, with whom he served on the North-West Frontier. In November, 1915, he was invalided home, and on recovering was attached to the Royal Warwicks and then to the R.F.C. He went to France as an observer on April 7th, 1917, winning his Military Cross on May 10th and a bar to it three days later. Although only two months at the front Captain Cubbon brought down more than 23 enemy machines."

Thomas Gerrard England #3 #4
Roger Bolton Hay England #2
Ernest Moore England #3
Alexander Roulstone England #2
Edward Harper Sayers England #2
Herbert Travers England #5
Anthony Wall England #4 #5

François Battesti France #1



Battesti enlisted in the army in 1908. After five years in the infantry, he reenlisted for an additional year. In January 1914, he transferred to the French Air Service, obtaining his Pilot's Brevet on 3 April. By the summer of 1916, Battesti had been wounded on three separate occasions. All of his victories were scored while serving with N73 as a pursuit pilot. "Very good pilot filled with endurance, spirit and zeal. He has executed many reconnaissances under enemy artillery fire; has accomplished his obligations with skill and noble humor highly earned during an accident in a plane in the early days of the war that left him crippled." Médaille Militaire citation

Marcel Henriot France #1
Georges Madon France #9
Robert Massenet-Royer de Marancour France #4
Edmond Pillon France #4
Fritz Bernert Germany #21 #22 #23 #24
Walter von Bülow-Bothkamp Germany #12
Eduard von Dostler Germany #6
Heinrich Gontermann Germany #16
Walter Göttsch Germany #9
Albert Haussmann Germany #2

Werner Junck Germany #1

Heinrich Lorenz Germany #2

Ernst Udet Germany #5



Francis Casey Ireland #6
Robert Hall Ireland #1
Tom Hazell Ireland #2
Victor Huston Ireland #4
William Molesworth Ireland #2

Gerald Maxwell Scotland #1



The nephew of Lord Lovat, Gerald Joseph Constable Maxwell was commissioned at the beginning of World War I. He fought at Gallipoli and served in Egypt before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps in September 1916. During pilot training that year, he received only 22 minutes of dual instruction before he soloed for the first time on 11 December. Posted to 56 Squadron in March 1917, he was assigned to A Flight under Albert Ball, scoring his first victory during his first patrol over the lines on 24 April 1917. Flying the S.E.5a, Maxwell scored 20 victories before returning to England on 21 October 1917. After serving as an instructor at Turnberry, he rejoined 56 Squadron in the summer of 1918, scoring 6 more victories during June and July. When the war was over, he joined the Stock Exchange but returned to service during World War II, commanding a night fighter squadron and attaining the rank of Wing Commander in the Royal Air Force. Wing Commander Gerald Maxwell died at the age of 60 in 1959.

Gerald Maxwell's younger brother Michael also served in the RAF during World War II and became an ace. On 2 July 1933, Maxwell received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 11234 on a Gypsy Moth at the Brooklands Flying Club.

Ian Napier Scotland #2
William Winkler Scotland #3
Raoul Lufbery USA #9

14 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON TUESDAY APRIL 24TH 1917

2nd Lt. Barnes, D.J. (David John) 13 Reserve Squadron RFC
AM 2 Bond, W.J. (William James) 70 Squadron RC
Flight Lt. Bush, R.E. (Richard Eldon) RNAS Milford Haven / Fishguard Naval Air Station
2nd Lt. Clark, R.B. (Reginald Burton) 60 Squadron RFC
P.O. Mech Graham, J.J. (Joseph James) RNAS Armoured Car Division, Russia, Squadron 1
Capt. Graves, C.L. (Charles Leo) 9 Squadron RFC
2nd. Lt. Halse, C.H. (Clive Harold) 70 Squadron RFC
2nd. Lt. Johnston, A.R. (Alfred Roy) 20 Squadron
Lt. Matthews, F.A. (Frank Arthur) 9 Squadron RFC
Lt. Nicholson, H.R. (Harry Reid) 20 Squadron RFC
Lt. Peach, C.S. (Crugar Stanley) 16 Squadron RFC
2nd. Lt. Powell, T.H.N. (Thomas Henry Norman) 2 Reserve Squadron RFC
P.O. Smith, P. (Percy) RNAS Armoured Car Division
Flight Sub. Lrt Walter, E.B.J. (Eric Blount Jackson) 8 (N) Squadron RNAS

[Hedeby]

25th April 1917

Think the weather Gods have smiled upon the editing team today as there is a lot less aerial activity on this day. (I wonder if it was anything like today where we have seen bright sunshine, clear blue skies, rain, sleet, hail and snow...)

There is no better start to today than the award of the Victoria Cross to one of the RFCs greatest pilots, the incomparable Captain Albert Ball.



Captain Albert Ball (Royal Flying Corps) will begin a thirteen day period during which he takes part in twenty-six combats in the air, destroying eleven hostile airplanes, driving down two out of control and forcing several others to land. Flying alone on one occasion he fights six hostile machines, twice he fights five and once four. When leading two other British planes, he attacks an enemy formation of eight. On each of these occasions he brings down at least one enemy plane and several times his plane is badly damaged. On returning with a damaged plane, he always has to be restrained from immediately going out in another. For these actions he will be award the Victoria Cross. He will be killed in action on 7 May.



After some month spent training new pilots, Ball managed to obtain a posting as a flight commander with No. 56 Squadron RFC, considered to be as close to an elite unit as any established by the RFC.Ball was still first among Britain's aces, and some documents hint that his attachment to No. 56 Squadron was planned to be temporary. According to one account he had been slated to serve with the unit for only a month to mentor novice pilots.

The latest type from the Royal Aircraft Factory, the S.E.5, had been selected to equip the new squadron. This choice was viewed with some trepidation by the RFC high command, and Ball himself was personally far from happy with the S.E.5. After some intense lobbying he was allowed to retain his Nieuport 17 no. B1522 when the unit went to France; the Nieuport was for his solo missions, and he would fly an S.E.5 on patrols with the rest of the squadron. This arrangement had the personal approval of General Hugh Trenchard, who went on to become the first Chief of the Air Staff of the Royal Air Force.[67][68] No. 56 Squadron moved to the Western Front on 7 April 1917. On arrival Ball wrote to his parents, "Cheero, am just about to start the great game again".

S.E.5 no. A4850, fresh from its packing crate, was extensively modified for Ball: in particular he had the synchronised Vickers machine gun removed, to be replaced with a second Lewis gun fitted to fire downwards through the floor of the cockpit. He also had a slightly larger fuel tank installed. On 9 April, A4850 was refitted, and the downward-firing Lewis gun removed and replaced by the normal Vickers gun mounting. In a letter to Flora Young on 18 April, Ball mentioned getting his own hut on the flight line, and installing the members of his flight nearby.



On 23 April 1917, Ball was under strict orders to stay over British lines, but still engaged the Germans five times in his Nieuport. In his first combat that day, using his preferred belly shot, he sent an Albatros into a spin, following it down and continuing to fire at it until it struck the ground. It was No. 56 Squadron's first victory. Regaining an altitude of 5,000 feet (1,500 m), he tried to dive underneath an Albatros two-seater and pop up under its belly as usual, but he overshot, and the German rear gunner put a burst of 15 bullets through the Nieuport's wings and spars. Ball coaxed the Nieuport home for repairs, returning to battle in an S.E.5. In his third combat of the day, he fired five rounds before his machine gun jammed. After landing to clear the gun, he took off once more, surprising five Albatros fighters and sending one down in flames. His fifth battle, shortly thereafter, appeared inconclusive, as the enemy plane managed to land safely. However, its observer had been mortally wounded.

Three days later, on 26 April, Ball scored another double victory, flying S.E.5 no. A4850, and one more on 28 April. This last day's fighting left the S.E.5 so battered by enemy action that it was dismantled and sent away for repair. The following month, despite continual problems with jamming guns in the S.E.5s, Ball shot down seven Albatrosses in five days, including two reconnaissance models on 1 May, a reconnaissance plane and an Albatros D.III fighter on 2 May; a D.III on 4 May, and two D.IIIs the next day, 5 May. The second of these victims nearly rammed Ball as they shot it out in a head-on firing pass. As they sped past one another, Ball was left temporarily blinded by oil spraying from the holed oil tank of his craft. Clearing the oil from his eyes, he flew his S.E.5 home with zero oil pressure in an engine on the brink of seizure. He was so overwrought that it was some time after landing before he could finish thanking God, then dictating his combat report.

While squadron armourers and mechanics repaired the faulty machine-gun synchroniser on his most recent S.E.5 mount, A8898, Ball had been sporadically flying the Nieuport again, and was successful with it on 6 May, destroying one more Albatros D.III in an evening flight to raise his tally to 44. He had continued to undertake his habitual lone patrols, but had of late been fortunate to survive. The heavier battle damage that Ball's aircraft were now suffering bore witness to the improved team tactics being developed by his German opponents.Some time on 6 May, Ball had visited his friend Billy Bishop at the latter's aerodrome. He proposed that the pair attack the Red Baron's squadron at its airfield at dawn, catching the German pilots off guard. Bishop agreed to take part in the daring scheme at the end of the month, after he returned from his forthcoming leave. That night, in his last letter to his father, Ball wrote "I do get tired of always living to kill, and am really beginning to feel like a murderer. Shall be so pleased when I have finished".

Air War
Macedonia: 6 British fighters with 8 bombers encounter KG 1 bomber formation; latter is dispersed (each side loses 1 plane). British bombers proceed to attack designated objective (dumps at Bogdanci).

9 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON WEDNESDAY APRIL 25TH 1917

AM. 2 Aspinall, T. (Thomas) 2 Squadron attached Royal Garrison Artillery
2nd Lt. Clifford, W.J. (William James) 48 Squadron RFC
2nd. Lt. Darnell, C.V. (Charles Verdon) 25 Squadron RFC
AM.2 Pawley, G. (George) 25 Squadron RFC
Lt. Radcliffe, G.A. (George Amyas) 17 Squadron RFC
Lt. Spence, A.W. (Alec William) 51 Reserve Squadron RFC
Lt. Thomson, T. (Thomas) 12 Squadron RFC
2nd. Lt. Tomkies, H.L. (Henry Lea) 48 Squadron RFC
2nd. Lt. Turnbull, A.M. (Alexander Miller) 12 Squadron RFC


48 Squadron Bristol F2B

There were only five claims showing on this day

William Price England #4
Karl Allmenröder Germany #7

Karl Schäfer Germany #22 #23



Requesting flying duties Schäfer trained as a pilot and served over the Eastern Front with Kampfgeschwader 2 from July 1916 onwards. He moved to the west and now flew with Kampfstaffel 11 of KG 2, where he gained his first victory. With just this single victory, he impudently telegraphed Manfred von Richthofen, who was assembling a "top gun" (kanone) squadron at Jasta 11, "Can you use me?" Richthofen replied, "You have already been requested." Schäfer was then posted to Jasta 11 on 21 February 1917. In intensive operations during Bloody April he became a flying ace, being credited with 21 victories and awarded the Pour le Mérite. While a member of Jasta 11, "Karlchen" (Charlie) became known as the squadron's prankster and recorded many vivid incidents in combat and at play.He flew an Albatros D.III with red and black markings. Somehow amidst all this he found time to pen his autobiography, Vom Jaeger zum Flieger ("From Soldier to Pilot").



Maurice Benjamin South Africa #4

Western Front



Captain Philip Vivian Rose (Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry) dies from heart failure, while under chloroform during an operation to straighten his distorted feet, at the Military Orthopedic Hospital, Shepherd’s Bush at age 48. He is the eldest son of ‘Sir’ Philip Frederick Rose Baronet. Captain Rose had served for ten years in the old Royal Bucks (King’s Own) Militia, retiring as Captain. When the War broke out he offered his services as an old Militia Officer and was gazetted Captain in the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry and is immediately seconded for Staff work and became Staff Captain of the 63rd Infantry Brigade (21st Division), and was for some months Acting Brigade-Major. He went to France with the 21st Division in September 1915 in which month his Division took part in the attack on Hill 70 in the Battle of Loos. He is hit in the right thigh when going back to bring up the 64th Brigade and left lying on the ground during the night. He is persistently fired at by a German sniper, who succeeds in again wounding him in the right arm, which later has to be amputated. For fifteen months he is a prisoner of war, principally at Aix-la-Chapelle. In December 1916 he is exchanged.

Nine members of the Australian Tunneling Corps are killed as the result of the premature firing of a super sensitive detonator that was being test by officers in the company’s advanced headquarters. Captain Wilfred Percival Avery, Lieutenant Elton Tandy, Second Lieutenant Glyndwr David Evans along with Sappers C Glew, Arthur Alva Gray, Lyle Raner, W Manhood and John Wallace are killed during the exercise. Second Corporal John William Saxton is killed trying to rescue the other eight.

1342 British Lives were lost on this day

Today’s highlighted casualties include:

Lieutenant Colonel John Whiteman (Middlesex Regiment commanding Hawke Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve) is killed at age 46. He is a veteran of the South African War.
Captain Horace Newton (Hussars) is killed at age 31 in Mesopotamia. He is the son of the Reverend CanonNewton.
Captain Leopold Profeit (Shropshire Light Infantry) a Broadway actor is killed on Salinka at age 39. He acted in London and on Broadway from 1899 to 1913 and was the son of Queen Victoria’s Balmoral doctor.
Second Lieutenant Bernard Valentine Colchester (Bedfordshire Regiment) is killed at age 27. His brother was killed on HMS Irresistible in March 1915.
Second Lieutenant Edwin Richard Hampton Lewis (Worcestershire Regiment) is killed at age 25. He is the son of the Reverend Edwin Lewis Rector of Hampton Lovett.
Second Lieutenant Archibald Edward Gibbs (Worcestershire Regiment) is killed at Salonika at age 22. His brother will be killed in 3 days.
Second Lieutenant William James Clifford (Royal Flying Corps) is killed at age 38. He is the first Canadian born winner of the Bisley King’s Prize for shooting in 1911 and was a member of the Mackinnon Cup winning team in 1910 and 1911

Sea War
North Sea: UB-18 (Steinbrinck) sinks Royal Navy sub E22 after latter tries to ram.
Channel: German destroyers shell Dunkirk, (night April 24-25), French destroyer Etendard sunk with all hands, but Anglo*-French patrols repel them. Others shell Ramsgate (5 civilian casualties) (night April 26-27).

HMS E22 was a British E class submarine built by Vickers, Barrow-in-Furness. She was laid down on 27 August 1914 and was commissioned on 8 November 1915. Like all post-E8 British E-class submarines, E22 had a displacement of 662 tonnes (730 short tons) at the surface and 807 tonnes (890 short tons) while submerged. She had a total length of 180 feet (55 m) and a beam length of 22 feet 8.5 inches (6.922 m). She was powered by two 800 horsepower (600 kW) Vickers eight-cylinder two-stroke diesel engines and two 420 horsepower (310 kW) electric motors.[2][3] The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph) and a submerged speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). British E-class submarines had fuel capacities of 50 tonnes (55 short tons) of diesel and ranges of 3,255 miles (5,238 km; 2,829 nmi) when travelling at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). E21 was capable of operating submerged for five hours when travelling at 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph).

E22 was armed with five 18 inches (460 mm) torpedo tubes, two in the bow, one either side amidships, and one in the stern; a total of 10 torpedoes were carried. E-Class submarines had wireless systems with 1 kilowatt (1.3 hp) power ratings; in some submarines, these were later upgraded to 3 kilowatts (4.0 hp) systems by removing a midship torpedo tube. Their maximum design depth was 100 feet (30 m) although in service some reached depths of below 200 feet (61 m). Some submarines contained Fessenden oscillator systems.

E22 was involved in experiments in the North Sea to intercept Zeppelins on 24 April 1916. E22 carried two Sopwith Schneider seaplane scouts on her casing. The boat would then submerge in calm waters and the planes would float on the surface. They would then take off and then return to the East coast of England in Felixstowe. The trials were not repeated. E22 was torpedoed by the German U-boat UB-18 off Great Yarmouth in the North Sea on 25 April 1916. There were two survivors, ERA F.S. Buckingham and Signalman William Harrod, taken prisoner by the U-Boat.


HMS E22 had been converted into a transport submarine for sea planes.

Politics
Chile: Government breaks relations with Germany.
USA: Government loans Britain $200 millions.
China*: Provincial military governors meet in Peking and agree war should be declared against Germany.

[Hedeby]

25th April 1917

Think the weather Gods have smiled upon the editing team today as there is a lot less aerial activity on this day. (I wonder if it was anything like today where we have seen bright sunshine, clear blue skies, rain, sleet, hail and snow...)

There is no better start to today than the award of the Victoria Cross to one of the RFCs greatest pilots, the incomparable Captain Albert Ball.



Captain Albert Ball (Royal Flying Corps) will begin a thirteen day period during which he takes part in twenty-six combats in the air, destroying eleven hostile airplanes, driving down two out of control and forcing several others to land. Flying alone on one occasion he fights six hostile machines, twice he fights five and once four. When leading two other British planes, he attacks an enemy formation of eight. On each of these occasions he brings down at least one enemy plane and several times his plane is badly damaged. On returning with a damaged plane, he always has to be restrained from immediately going out in another. For these actions he will be award the Victoria Cross. He will be killed in action on 7 May.



After some month spent training new pilots, Ball managed to obtain a posting as a flight commander with No. 56 Squadron RFC, considered to be as close to an elite unit as any established by the RFC.Ball was still first among Britain's aces, and some documents hint that his attachment to No. 56 Squadron was planned to be temporary. According to one account he had been slated to serve with the unit for only a month to mentor novice pilots.

The latest type from the Royal Aircraft Factory, the S.E.5, had been selected to equip the new squadron. This choice was viewed with some trepidation by the RFC high command, and Ball himself was personally far from happy with the S.E.5. After some intense lobbying he was allowed to retain his Nieuport 17 no. B1522 when the unit went to France; the Nieuport was for his solo missions, and he would fly an S.E.5 on patrols with the rest of the squadron. This arrangement had the personal approval of General Hugh Trenchard, who went on to become the first Chief of the Air Staff of the Royal Air Force.[67][68] No. 56 Squadron moved to the Western Front on 7 April 1917. On arrival Ball wrote to his parents, "Cheero, am just about to start the great game again".

S.E.5 no. A4850, fresh from its packing crate, was extensively modified for Ball: in particular he had the synchronised Vickers machine gun removed, to be replaced with a second Lewis gun fitted to fire downwards through the floor of the cockpit. He also had a slightly larger fuel tank installed. On 9 April, A4850 was refitted, and the downward-firing Lewis gun removed and replaced by the normal Vickers gun mounting. In a letter to Flora Young on 18 April, Ball mentioned getting his own hut on the flight line, and installing the members of his flight nearby.



On 23 April 1917, Ball was under strict orders to stay over British lines, but still engaged the Germans five times in his Nieuport. In his first combat that day, using his preferred belly shot, he sent an Albatros into a spin, following it down and continuing to fire at it until it struck the ground. It was No. 56 Squadron's first victory. Regaining an altitude of 5,000 feet (1,500 m), he tried to dive underneath an Albatros two-seater and pop up under its belly as usual, but he overshot, and the German rear gunner put a burst of 15 bullets through the Nieuport's wings and spars. Ball coaxed the Nieuport home for repairs, returning to battle in an S.E.5. In his third combat of the day, he fired five rounds before his machine gun jammed. After landing to clear the gun, he took off once more, surprising five Albatros fighters and sending one down in flames. His fifth battle, shortly thereafter, appeared inconclusive, as the enemy plane managed to land safely. However, its observer had been mortally wounded.

Three days later, on 26 April, Ball scored another double victory, flying S.E.5 no. A4850, and one more on 28 April. This last day's fighting left the S.E.5 so battered by enemy action that it was dismantled and sent away for repair. The following month, despite continual problems with jamming guns in the S.E.5s, Ball shot down seven Albatrosses in five days, including two reconnaissance models on 1 May, a reconnaissance plane and an Albatros D.III fighter on 2 May; a D.III on 4 May, and two D.IIIs the next day, 5 May. The second of these victims nearly rammed Ball as they shot it out in a head-on firing pass. As they sped past one another, Ball was left temporarily blinded by oil spraying from the holed oil tank of his craft. Clearing the oil from his eyes, he flew his S.E.5 home with zero oil pressure in an engine on the brink of seizure. He was so overwrought that it was some time after landing before he could finish thanking God, then dictating his combat report.

While squadron armourers and mechanics repaired the faulty machine-gun synchroniser on his most recent S.E.5 mount, A8898, Ball had been sporadically flying the Nieuport again, and was successful with it on 6 May, destroying one more Albatros D.III in an evening flight to raise his tally to 44. He had continued to undertake his habitual lone patrols, but had of late been fortunate to survive. The heavier battle damage that Ball's aircraft were now suffering bore witness to the improved team tactics being developed by his German opponents.Some time on 6 May, Ball had visited his friend Billy Bishop at the latter's aerodrome. He proposed that the pair attack the Red Baron's squadron at its airfield at dawn, catching the German pilots off guard. Bishop agreed to take part in the daring scheme at the end of the month, after he returned from his forthcoming leave. That night, in his last letter to his father, Ball wrote "I do get tired of always living to kill, and am really beginning to feel like a murderer. Shall be so pleased when I have finished".

Air War
Macedonia: 6 British fighters with 8 bombers encounter KG 1 bomber formation; latter is dispersed (each side loses 1 plane). British bombers proceed to attack designated objective (dumps at Bogdanci).

9 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON WEDNESDAY APRIL 25TH 1917

AM. 2 Aspinall, T. (Thomas) 2 Squadron attached Royal Garrison Artillery
2nd Lt. Clifford, W.J. (William James) 48 Squadron RFC
2nd. Lt. Darnell, C.V. (Charles Verdon) 25 Squadron RFC
AM.2 Pawley, G. (George) 25 Squadron RFC
Lt. Radcliffe, G.A. (George Amyas) 17 Squadron RFC
Lt. Spence, A.W. (Alec William) 51 Reserve Squadron RFC
Lt. Thomson, T. (Thomas) 12 Squadron RFC
2nd. Lt. Tomkies, H.L. (Henry Lea) 48 Squadron RFC
2nd. Lt. Turnbull, A.M. (Alexander Miller) 12 Squadron RFC


48 Squadron Bristol F2B

There were only five claims showing on this day

William Price England #4
Karl Allmenröder Germany #7

Karl Schäfer Germany #22 #23



Requesting flying duties Schäfer trained as a pilot and served over the Eastern Front with Kampfgeschwader 2 from July 1916 onwards. He moved to the west and now flew with Kampfstaffel 11 of KG 2, where he gained his first victory. With just this single victory, he impudently telegraphed Manfred von Richthofen, who was assembling a "top gun" (kanone) squadron at Jasta 11, "Can you use me?" Richthofen replied, "You have already been requested." Schäfer was then posted to Jasta 11 on 21 February 1917. In intensive operations during Bloody April he became a flying ace, being credited with 21 victories and awarded the Pour le Mérite. While a member of Jasta 11, "Karlchen" (Charlie) became known as the squadron's prankster and recorded many vivid incidents in combat and at play.


He flew an Albatros D.III with red and black markings. Somehow amidst all this he found time to pen his autobiography, Vom Jaeger zum Flieger ("From Soldier to Pilot").



Maurice Benjamin South Africa #4

Western Front



Captain Philip Vivian Rose (Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry) dies from heart failure, while under chloroform during an operation to straighten his distorted feet, at the Military Orthopedic Hospital, Shepherd’s Bush at age 48. He is the eldest son of ‘Sir’ Philip Frederick Rose Baronet. Captain Rose had served for ten years in the old Royal Bucks (King’s Own) Militia, retiring as Captain. When the War broke out he offered his services as an old Militia Officer and was gazetted Captain in the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry and is immediately seconded for Staff work and became Staff Captain of the 63rd Infantry Brigade (21st Division), and was for some months Acting Brigade-Major. He went to France with the 21st Division in September 1915 in which month his Division took part in the attack on Hill 70 in the Battle of Loos. He is hit in the right thigh when going back to bring up the 64th Brigade and left lying on the ground during the night. He is persistently fired at by a German sniper, who succeeds in again wounding him in the right arm, which later has to be amputated. For fifteen months he is a prisoner of war, principally at Aix-la-Chapelle. In December 1916 he is exchanged.

Nine members of the Australian Tunneling Corps are killed as the result of the premature firing of a super sensitive detonator that was being test by officers in the company’s advanced headquarters. Captain Wilfred Percival Avery, Lieutenant Elton Tandy, Second Lieutenant Glyndwr David Evans along with Sappers C Glew, Arthur Alva Gray, Lyle Raner, W Manhood and John Wallace are killed during the exercise. Second Corporal John William Saxton is killed trying to rescue the other eight.

1342 British Lives were lost on this day

Today’s highlighted casualties include:

Lieutenant Colonel John Whiteman (Middlesex Regiment commanding Hawke Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve) is killed at age 46. He is a veteran of the South African War.
Captain Horace Newton (Hussars) is killed at age 31 in Mesopotamia. He is the son of the Reverend CanonNewton.
Captain Leopold Profeit (Shropshire Light Infantry) a Broadway actor is killed on Salinka at age 39. He acted in London and on Broadway from 1899 to 1913 and was the son of Queen Victoria’s Balmoral doctor.
Second Lieutenant Bernard Valentine Colchester (Bedfordshire Regiment) is killed at age 27. His brother was killed on HMS Irresistible in March 1915.
Second Lieutenant Edwin Richard Hampton Lewis (Worcestershire Regiment) is killed at age 25. He is the son of the Reverend Edwin Lewis Rector of Hampton Lovett.
Second Lieutenant Archibald Edward Gibbs (Worcestershire Regiment) is killed at Salonika at age 22. His brother will be killed in 3 days.
Second Lieutenant William James Clifford (Royal Flying Corps) is killed at age 38. He is the first Canadian born winner of the Bisley King’s Prize for shooting in 1911 and was a member of the Mackinnon Cup winning team in 1910 and 1911

Sea War
North Sea: UB-18 (Steinbrinck) sinks Royal Navy sub E22 after latter tries to ram.
Channel: German destroyers shell Dunkirk, (night April 24-25), French destroyer Etendard sunk with all hands, but Anglo*-French patrols repel them. Others shell Ramsgate (5 civilian casualties) (night April 26-27).

HMS E22 was a British E class submarine built by Vickers, Barrow-in-Furness. She was laid down on 27 August 1914 and was commissioned on 8 November 1915. Like all post-E8 British E-class submarines, E22 had a displacement of 662 tonnes (730 short tons) at the surface and 807 tonnes (890 short tons) while submerged. She had a total length of 180 feet (55 m) and a beam length of 22 feet 8.5 inches (6.922 m). She was powered by two 800 horsepower (600 kW) Vickers eight-cylinder two-stroke diesel engines and two 420 horsepower (310 kW) electric motors.[2][3] The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph) and a submerged speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). British E-class submarines had fuel capacities of 50 tonnes (55 short tons) of diesel and ranges of 3,255 miles (5,238 km; 2,829 nmi) when travelling at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). E21 was capable of operating submerged for five hours when travelling at 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph).

E22 was armed with five 18 inches (460 mm) torpedo tubes, two in the bow, one either side amidships, and one in the stern; a total of 10 torpedoes were carried. E-Class submarines had wireless systems with 1 kilowatt (1.3 hp) power ratings; in some submarines, these were later upgraded to 3 kilowatts (4.0 hp) systems by removing a midship torpedo tube. Their maximum design depth was 100 feet (30 m) although in service some reached depths of below 200 feet (61 m). Some submarines contained Fessenden oscillator systems.

E22 was involved in experiments in the North Sea to intercept Zeppelins on 24 April 1916. E22 carried two Sopwith Schneider seaplane scouts on her casing. The boat would then submerge in calm waters and the planes would float on the surface. They would then take off and then return to the East coast of England in Felixstowe. The trials were not repeated. E22 was torpedoed by the German U-boat UB-18 off Great Yarmouth in the North Sea on 25 April 1916. There were two survivors, ERA F.S. Buckingham and Signalman William Harrod, taken prisoner by the U-Boat.


HMS E22 had been converted into a transport submarine for sea planes.

Politics
Chile: Government breaks relations with Germany.
USA: Government loans Britain $200 millions.
China*: Provincial military governors meet in Peking and agree war should be declared against Germany.

[Hedeby]

26th April 1917

Today saw the final flight of the French Ace Capitaine Rene Doumer



While serving with the infantry in 1914, Doumer received the Légion d'Honneur after he was severely wounded in combat. When he recovered, he transferred to the French Air Service. While commanding Escadrille Spa76, he was killed in combat when his SPAD VII was shot down by Erich Hahn, commander of Jasta 19. Doumer's father, Paul Doumer, became President of the Republic of France in 1931 but was killed by an assassin in Paris on 6 May 1932.



In addition 10 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON THURSDAY APRIL 26TH 1917

Lt. Allan, L.E. (Lawson Ellis) 5 Squadron RFC
Lt. Campbell, W.A. (William Archibald) 16 Squadron RFC
Sergeant Clayton, A.J. (Albert John) 20 Squadron RFC
AM 3rd Class Fleeton, R.T.O. (Robert Theodore Osmund) Recruits Depot RFC
Flight Sub. Lt Hood, T.S.S. (Thomas Samuel Stanley) 7 (N) Squadron RNAS
Lt. Hope, H.B.T. (Humphrey Brian Thomasson) 5 Squadron RFC
AM 2nd Class Kidney, G.W.N. (Gerald W.N.) 13th Balloon Section RFC
2nd. Lt. Roux, F. (Frank) 16 Squadron RFC
Lt. Spence, W.S. (William Samuel) 16 Squadron RFC
L.M. Watson, R.H. (Richard Henry) 7 (N) Squadron RNAS

There were the following aerial victory claims:

Arnold Chadwick Canada #1



The only son of C. W. Chadwick, manager of the Colonial Realty Corporation, Arnold Jacques Chadwick joined the Royal Naval Air Service on 30 December 1915. Serving first with 5 Naval Wing, he was shot down on 2 October 1916 while bombing Zeppelin sheds. Evading capture, he made it back to his own lines and was reassigned to 4 Naval Squadron in April 1917. Flying Sopwith Pups and Camels, Chadwick scored 11 victories before he was killed in action. Having made a single-handed attack against a formation of 9 enemy aircraft, he was forced to ditch his aircraft into the waters off La Panne. His body was recovered on the incoming tide near Dunkirk on 8 August 1917.

John Malone Canada #10

Captain Albert Ball VC DSO England #34 #35



Charles Booker England #4
Reginald Charley England #2
Herbert Ellis England #3
James Hubert Ronald Green England #4
Frank Hudson England #5

Harold Satchell England #1



Flying in a FE2D biplane, known by the Germans as "the flying crate," in the June of 1917 Satchell shot down Lt. Karl Schafer, the feared commander of Germany's Jasta 28 squadron. In doing so, he became a legend of the Royal Flying Corps, which later became the RAF. Before he died Capt. Harold Satchell described the skills that made him a legend."He would dive on you and you would side slip and of course that meant his bullets missed you. We never had parachutes, although the German's all had parachutes, but we wouldn't."

– CAPT. HAROLD SATCHELL
Far from being a bloodthirsty killer, in an Interview with ITV News, his grandson Dominic Gribbin recalled a modest man who did not like to talk about his wartime experiences.
He said: "My grandfather was actually a modest man. He wasn't some kind of hungry killer. For the rest of his life he was badgered by researchers, people asking questions."

Armand de Turenne France #2

René Montrion France #1



René Montrion joined the army in 1914. A combat infantry veteran, he transferred to the aviation service and began flight training on 9 October 1916. Posted to N48 on 6 April 1917, Montrion scored eleven victories before he was killed in action.

Jacques Roques France #1



Although born in Paris, Roques was a Swiss national whose mother was Venezuelan and whose father was Swiss. Having earned a Civil Pilot's License on 10 September 1915, he joined the Foreign Legion on 17 November 1915. In 1916, he transferred to the Aviation Militaire and was posted to Escadrille 48 on 2 January 1917. With this unit he scored five victories and two probable victories. Roques became a French citizen in 1919 and served as a capitaine during World War II. When France surrendered to Germany in June 1940, Roques worked with the Resistance for the remainder of the war.

"Excellent, energetic and brave pilot, he has distinguished himself during the course of his latest offensives by strafing with extreme boldness. On 10 August [1918] from several meters off the ground he persistently attacked a machine-gun nest that was holding up our cavalry. He also pointed out the obstacle and allowed our soldiers to turn and capture the post. Three citations." Médaille Militaire citation, 9 September 1918

Karl Allmenröder Germany #8
Julius Buckler Germany #6
Heinrich Gontermann Germany #17
Erich Hahn Germany #4
Lothar von Richthofen Germany #11
Kurt Schneider Germany #11
Kurt Wolff Germany #21
Francis Casey Ireland #7
Francesco Baracca Italy #8
Attilio Imolesi Italy u/c
William Kennedy-Cochran-Patrick Scotland #6
William Thaw USA #2

Sea War
Britain: Admiralty Anti-Submarine Division director urges general convoy system, Jellicoe approves trial convoy from Gibraltar.
Schooner Q-ship (NZ skipper Sanders wins Victoria Cross) Prize (first German ship Else captured in 1914) damages U-93 (11 ships sunk on her first cruise) and captures her captain Spiegel plus 2 other crew members, but U-boat gets home (sunk on January 7, 1918 by SS Braeneil ramming). Q-Ship Prize sunk with all hands by U-48 on August 14, 1917.


‘This is how your money can fight – turn it into U-boats.’ German poster for war loans and in the background a sinking Allied ship.

Southern Fronts
Salonika: Continued Bulgar attacks and shelling of Hill 380 (their old front line) and on April 28. Sarrail postpones offensive to West due to bad weather.

Middle East
Mesopotamia: Marshall reconnaissance Ali Ihsan’s Band-i*-Adhaim position (dug since April 23). Dust storms and great heat (110°F+) prevent much shelling (until April 29).

854 British lives were lost on this day

Today’s losses include:

A battalion commander
Multiple families that will lose two, three and four sons
Multiple sons of members of the clergy
Today’s highlighted casualties include:

Lieutenant Colonel John Grattan (commanding 55th Cokes Rifles Indian Army) is killed at age 44 in Mesopotamia.
Captain John Christopher Paget (Royal Garrison Artillery) is killed in action at age 22. He is the son of the Reverend Cecil George Paget Rector of Stock Gayland who loses two other sons in the war.
Second Lieutenant William James Gracie (North Staffordshire Regiment) is killed in action at age 21. He is the son of Reverend James Gracie.
Second Lieutenant Brian John Stacey (Royal Field Artillery) is killed in action at age 23. His brother was killed in October 1915.

[Hedeby]

27th April 1917

After struggling to find many stories for yesterday lets see what today brings...

Home Fronts
Russia: Lenin chairs Petrograd City Bolshevik Conference (until May 5). Kronstadt Soviet declares itself virtual republic in support (April 29).



Arriving at Petrograd's Finland Station, Lenin gave a speech to Bolshevik supporters condemning the Provisional Government and again calling for a continent-wide European proletarian revolution.Over the following days, he spoke at Bolshevik meetings, lambasting those who wanted reconciliation with the Mensheviks and revealing his April Theses, an outline of his plans for the Bolsheviks, which he had written on the journey from Switzerland. He publicly condemned both the Mensheviks and the Social Revolutionaries – who dominated the influential Petrograd Soviet – for supporting the Provisional Government, denouncing them as traitors to socialism. Considering the government to be just as imperialist as the Tsarist regime, he advocated immediate peace with Germany and Austria-Hungary, rule by soviets, the nationalisation of industry and banks, and the state expropriation of land, all with the intention of establishing a proletariat government and pushing toward a socialist society. By contrast, the Mensheviks believed that Russia was insufficiently developed to transition to socialism and accused Lenin of trying to plunge the new Republic into civil war.[ Over the coming months, he campaigned for his policies, attending the meetings of the Bolshevik Central Committee, prolifically writing for the Bolshevik newspaper Pravda, and giving public speeches in Petrograd aimed at converting workers, soldiers, sailors, and peasants to his cause.

Sensing growing frustration among Bolshevik supporters, Lenin suggested an armed political demonstration in Petrograd to test the government's response.Amid deteriorating health, he left the city to recuperate in the Finnish village of Neivola. The Bolsheviks' armed demonstration, the July Days, took place while Lenin was away, but upon learning that demonstrators had violently clashed with government forces, he returned to Petrograd and called for calm. Responding to the violence, the government ordered the arrest of Lenin and other prominent Bolsheviks, raiding their offices, and publicly alleging that he was a German agent provocateur. Evading arrest, Lenin hid in a series of Petrograd safe houses. Fearing that he would be killed, Lenin and fellow senior Bolshevik Grigory Zinoviev escaped Petrograd in disguise, relocating to Razliv. There, Lenin began work on the book that became The State and Revolution, an exposition on how he believed the socialist state would develop after the proletariat revolution, and how from then on the state would gradually wither away, leaving a pure communist society.He began arguing for a Bolshevik-led armed insurrection to topple the government, but at a clandestine meeting of the party's central committee this idea was rejected.Lenin then headed by train and by foot to Finland, arriving at Helsinki on 10 August, where he hid away in safe houses belonging to Bolshevik sympathisers

Britain: Lloyd George speech on U-boat menace. Submarine Peril Crushed, Declares Premier Lloyd George in Commons



African Fronts
East Africa: NRFF occupies Captain Lincke’s evacuated camp at Likuyu, having crossed that river on April 23.

Politics
Guatemala: Government severs relations with Germany.
USA: US London Ambassador wires Washington urging 30 more destroyers for European waters (Navy Secretary orders 32 on June 20).

805 British lives were lost on this day

Today’s highlighted casualties include:

Captain William Kenneth Seale Haslam (Royal Field Artillery) is killed at age 24. He is the son of ‘Sir’ Alfred Seale Kt and Lady Haslam.
Captain John Russell Pound (Shropshire Light Infantry) is killed at age 27. He is an Assistant Master at Shrewsbury School and the son of ‘Sir’ John Lulham Pound the 2nd His brother died of wounds in November 1914.
Second Lieutenant Maurice Sydney Weston (Sherwood Foresters) is killed in action at age 20. His brother will die of wounds at home in April 1918.
Corporal Edmund Kenneth Wallace Brown (Canadian Garrison Artillery) is accidentally killed. His brother was killed in action in September 1916.
Private Horace Cartlidge (Sherwood Foresters) is killed in action at Hargicourt at age 22. He was a local football player.
Private Thomas Henry Benjamin (Royal Welsh Fusiliers) is killed in action at age 29. His brother Charles will also fall in the Great War.


Captain John Russell Pound

6 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON FRIDAY APRIL 27TH 1917

Air Cadet Allen, T.M. (Thomas Meredith) 9th Reserve Squadron, Royal Flying Corps
Sergeant Chetwood, J. (Joseph) 8 Reserve Squadron RFC
2nd. Lieutenant Croker, F.R. (Frederick Reginald) 2 Squadron RFC
Air. Mech 2nd Class Davis, W.N. (William Norman) Royal Naval Air Service, H.M.S. 'President II'
Sergeant Major Smith, H.C. (Harold Cecil) 24 Training Squadron RFC
Lt. Stonier, W.J. (William John) 2 Squadron RFC

There were 12 Aerial Victory claims on this day...

William 'Billy' Bishop Canada #12

Roger Bolton Hay England #3 48 Squadron RFC

The youngest son of Rev. R. W. Hay, Roger Bolton Hay was educated at Dean Close, Cheltenham and afterwards at Blundell's School. He served with the 3rd Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment before he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. Flying Bristol Fighters with 48 Squadron, he scored five victories before he was reported missing on 17 July 1917. It was later reported that he died from wounds as a prisoner in German hands that day.



William Price England #5 48 Squadron RFC

Edmond Pillon France u/c
Karl Allmenröder Germany #9
Heinrich Bongartz Germany #3 #4
Wilhelm Frickart Germany #2
Lothar von Richthofen Germany #12
Kurt Wolff Germany #22

Donat Makeenok Russia u/c

Maurice Benjamin South Africa #5

Captain Tunstill's Men:The Battalion was engaged in training and route marching. One platoon from each Battalion of 69th Brigade was inspected by the Divisional Commander. There was a conference of Battalion C.O.’s, en route to which Lt. Col. Robert Raymer (see 22nd February), suffered a fall from his horse, though it appears he was not seriously injured.

One bit of news that we missed from Tuesday:

SMS Dresden was the second and final ship of the Cöln class of light cruisers to be completed and commissioned in the Kaiserliche Marine. The ship was laid down in 1916 and launched on 25 April 1917; she was commissioned into the High Seas Fleet on 28 March 1918. She and her sister Cöln were the only two of her class to be completed; eight of her sisters were scrapped before they could be completed. The ships were an incremental improvement over the preceding Königsberg-class cruisers.

Dresden was commissioned into service with the High Seas Fleet eight months before the end of World War I; as a result, her service career was limited and she did not see action. She participated in a fleet operation to Norway to attack British convoys to Scandinavia, but they failed to locate any convoys and returned to port. Dresden was to have participated in a climactic sortie in the final days of the war, but a revolt in the fleet forced Admirals Reinhard Scheer and Franz von Hipper to cancel the operation. The ship was interned in Scapa Flow after the end of the war and scuttled with the fleet there on 21 June 1919, under orders from the fleet commander Rear Admiral Ludwig von Reuter.

After her commissioning, Dresden joined the reconnaissance screen for the High Seas Fleet. She was the last light cruiser built by the Kaiserliche Marine.[5] The ship was assigned to the II Scouting Group, alongside the cruisers Königsberg, Pillau, Graudenz, Nürnberg, and Karlsruhe.[6] The ships were in service in time for the major fleet operation to Norway in 23–24 April 1918. The I Scouting Group and II Scouting Group, along with the Second Torpedo-Boat Flotilla, were to attack a heavily guarded British convoy to Norway, with the rest of the High Seas Fleet steaming in support.[7] The Germans failed to locate the convoy, which had in fact sailed the day before the fleet left port. As a result, Admiral Reinhard Scheer broke off the operation and returned to port.[8]

In October 1918, Dresden and the rest of the II Scouting Group were to lead a final attack on the British navy. Dresden, Cöln, Pillau, and Königsberg were to attack merchant shipping in the Thames estuary while the rest of the Group were to bombard targets in Flanders, to draw out the British Grand Fleet.[6] Großadmiral Reinhard Scheer, the commander in chief of the fleet, intended to inflict as much damage as possible on the British navy, in order to secure a better bargaining position for Germany, whatever the cost to the fleet.[9] On the morning of 29 October 1918, the order was given to sail from Wilhelmshaven the following day. Starting on the night of 29 October, sailors on Thüringen and then on several other battleships mutinied.[10] The unrest ultimately forced Hipper and Scheer to cancel the operation.



During the sailors' revolt, Dresden was ordered to steam to Eckernförde to serve as a relay to Kiel. Communications had been disrupted by major unrest there. The battleship Markgraf laid in Dresden's path, and her unruly crew refused to move out of Dresden's way; Markgraf aimed one of her 30.5 cm (12.0 in) gun turrets at Dresden, but then her crew backed down and let Dresden leave the port. The ship then went to Swinemünde, where her crew partially scuttled her following reports that mutinous ships were en route to attack the cruisers stationed there. After these proved false, Dresden was re-floated and returned to seaworthy condition. This involved removing the ammunition for all of the guns and allowing them to air-dry.Following the capitulation of Germany in November 1918, most of the High Seas Fleet's ships, under the command of Rear Admiral Ludwig von Reuter, were interned in the British naval base in Scapa Flow.Dresden was among the ships interned, but owing to her poor condition following the naval mutiny, she was not able to steam with the rest of the fleet in November. She arrived on 6 December, leaking badly.The fleet remained in captivity during the negotiations that ultimately produced the Versailles Treaty. Von Reuter believed that the British intended to seize the German ships on 21 June 1919, which was the deadline for Germany to have signed the peace treaty. Unaware that the deadline had been extended to the 23rd, Reuter ordered the ships to be sunk at the next opportunity. On the morning of 21 June, the British fleet left Scapa Flow to conduct training maneuvers, and at 11:20 Reuter transmitted the order to his ships. Dresden began to sink at 13:50. Her wreck lies to this day on her port side at the bottom of Scapa Flow to the south east of the island of Cava, in a depth of 25 to 45 meters (82 to 148 ft). Her upper decks have been badly damaged; her weather deck has fallen off, exposing her internal structure. Her guns are buried in mud

[Hedeby]

28th April 1917

Apologies for the break in publication but we had a bad case of gremlins in the works - thanks for fixing Rob...

Western Front
France: PETAIN APPOINTED CHIEF OF FRENCH GENERAL STAFF; Paris anxious to restore confidence and apply a break to Aisne offensive without sacking Nivelle (Haig still supports); Fayolle to command Centre Army Group.

Henri Philippe Benoni Omer Joseph Pétain (24 April 1856 – 23 July 1951), generally known as Philippe Pétainor Marshal Pétain (Maréchal Pétain), was a French general who reached the distinction of Marshal of France, and was later Chief of State of Vichy France (Chef de l'État Français), from 1940 to 1944. Pétain, who was 84 years old in 1940, ranks as France's oldest head of state.



Because of his outstanding military leadership in World War I, particularly during the Battle of Verdun, Pétain was viewed as a national hero in France. He was sometimes nicknamed The Lion of Verdun. During World War II, with the imminent fall of France in June 1940, Pétain was appointed Prime Minister of France by President Lebrun at Bordeaux, and the Cabinet resolved to make peace with Germany. The entire government subsequently moved briefly to Clermont-Ferrand, then to the spa town of Vichy in central France. His government voted to transform the discredited French Third Republic into the French State, an authoritarian regime. After the war, Pétain was tried and convicted for treason. He was originally sentenced to death, but his sentence was commuted to life in prison. Pétain died in 1951

Artois – Battle of Arieux (until April 29): Canadian 1st Division (c.1,000 casualties) capture village and 450 PoWs from German 111th Division in 2-hour, 1,000-yard advance despite numerous MG nests in three sunken roads, but, to south, 3 British divisions fail with heavy losses including 475 PoWs.

Battle of Arleux (28–29 April 1917)

The principal objective of the attack was the need to sustain a supporting action tying down German reserves to assist the French offensive against the plateau north of the Aisne traversed by the Chemin des Dames. Haig reported, "With a view to economising my troops, my objectives were shallow and for a like reason and also in order to give the appearance of an attack on a more imposing scale, demonstrations were continued southwards to the Arras-Cambrai Road and northwards to the Souchez River." At 04:25 on 28 April , British and Canadian troops launched the main attack on a front of about 8 mi (13 km) north of Monchy-le-Preux. The battle continued for most of 28 and 29 April, with the Germans delivering determined counter-attacks. The British positions at Gavrelle were attacked seven times with strong forces and on each occasion the German thrust was repulsed with great loss by the 63rd Division. The village of Arleux-en-Gohelle was captured by the 1st Canadian Division after hand-to-hand fighting and the 2nd Division (Major-General C. E. Pereira), made further progress in the neighbourhood of Oppy, Greenland Hill (37th Division) and between Monchy-le-Preux and the Scarpe (12th Division).



The Northumberland Fusiliers attack German positions near Fampoux at 04:25. The assault is checked by devastating machine gun and artillery fire and the assault grinds to a halt. At 11:00 German troops counter-attack the newly arrived draftees who suffer heavy losses.

Lieutenant Robert Branks Powell (Canadian Scottish) is killed at age 36. He is a left hand tennis player who was a two time Wimbledon semi-finalist one in the Singles and once in Doubles losing to eventual Champion Anthony Wilding (killed in May 1915) and his partner. He was also the Captain of the 1908 Canadian Olympic Tennis Team and member of the Canadian Tennis Hall of fame.


Robert Branks Powell

3422 British Lives were lost

Captain Newell Edward Eden Burton-Flanning (Royal Marine Light Infantry) is killed at age 20. His younger brother will be killed in North Africa serving in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in July 1943.
Captain Ralfe Allen Fuller Whistler (Highland Light Infantry) dies of wounds at age 21. He is the son of Major Fuller Whistler JP.
Captain William Brabazon Mather Jackson (Sherwood Foresters) dies of wounds received in action at age 23. His brother will become the 5th Baronet and they are grandsons of the 2nd
Captain Ronald Arthur Sykes (Royal Fusiliers) dies of wounds at age 20. He has two brothers who will lose their lives later in the Great War.
Captain Claude Wilson Ritson (Essex Regiment) is killed at age 28. He is the son of Wilson Ritson JP.
Lieutenant Edgar Lovell Filmer Platts (Royal Marine Light Infantry Royal Naval Division) is killed at age 17. He is the son of the late Reverend Charles Platts (Fellow of Trinity College Cambridge) and he has a brother who will die on service in 1920 in Iraq.

Air War
Western Front: Royal Flying Corps loses 12 aircraft including 10 on contact patrols.

11 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON SATURDAY APRIL 28TH 1917

Sergeant Burtenshaw, W.J. (William John) 25 Squadron RFC
Flight Sub. Lt. Collins, R.F. (Ronald Felix) 10 (N) Squadron RNAS
Air Mech 1st Class Dear, P. (Percy) Royal Naval Air Service, H.M.S. 'President'
Lt. Follit, R.W. (Reginald William) 13 Squadron RFC
Air Mech 2nd Class Haigh, W.E. (William E.) Royal Naval Air Service, H.M.S. 'President II'
Air Mech 2nd Class Jones, C.J.E. Royal Naval Air Service, H.M.S. 'President II'
Lt. Maguire, M.L. (Matthew Laurence) 30 Squadron RFC
Lt. Mason, H.D. (Harry Denver) 16 Squadron RFC
Major McMurtry, E.O. (Eric Ogilvie) 16 Squadron RFC
Lt. Smith, P. (Peter) 12 Squadron RFC
Air Mech 1st Class Weavers, A. (Arthur) RNAS

The following aces added to their tally's on this day...

Robert Little Australia #9

Raymond Collishaw Canada #5



Although obviously at this time Collishaw was not flying a Sopwith Camel (and just for Chris...)



Albert Ball England #36



Herbert Ellis England #4
Julien Guertiau France #2
Hermann Göring Germany #5
Edmund Nathanael Germany #12

Manfred von Richthofen Germany #48



BE2E No.7221, 13 Squadron RFC. Engine No. E1017 WD 5168
09:30 hrs woods East of Pelves, south east corner of square 6998, this side of the line. BE2 Pilot: Lieutenant Follitt, killed, Observer, F.I.Kirkham (sic) slightly injured.
Whilst on pursuit flying, about 09:30, I attacked an enemy infantry or artillery flyer at 600 metres above the trenches. Above the wood of Pelves I caused the enemy plane to fall. the adversary, from the beginning to the end of my flight was never able to get out of the range of my guns.

Julius Schmidt Germany #2
Hans Schüz Germany #9
Kurt Wolff Germany #23

Home Fronts
USA – Conscription decided: Congress passes Army draft Bill to raise 500,000 men for U.S. Army.
Germany: Interior Minister Reichstag speech claims over 1.6 million tons Allied shipping sunk in first 2 months, urges Germans to hold out.


Capt. Tunstill's Men: Another “very fine day”. While the Battalion was engaged in training and route marching the semi-final of the Divisional football competition was held, with 69th Brigade defeating Divisional HQ 3-1 (see 5th April).



Pte. Harold Dale (see 26th April) who had, two days earlier, been admitted to 70th Field Ambulance, suffering from ‘neuritis’ (nerve pain), was now transferred to 2nd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station suffering from a loss of power in his right arm.

At least four original members of the Battalion were transferred to the newly-formed Labour Corps; they had been serving with 25th Durham Light Infantry, a home service works battalion, which was now re-designated 7th Battalion, Labour Corps. The men known to have been serving with this Battalion at the time were: Pte. Thomas Eccles (see below); Pte. James Mason (see 22nd April 1916); Pte. Fred Richmond (see 24th February); and Pte. Harry Smith (see 18th December 1916). It has not yet been possible to make a positive identification of Thomas Eccles but he was identified in the Ilkley Gazette as being one of the local men who had volunteered in September 1914 and been posted to serve with Tunstill’s Company; he had gone out to France with the Battalion in August 1915. When, and in what circumstances, he had left the Battalion is unclear, but most likely he had been taken ill or wounded at some point and transferred to 25th DLI. Gnr. Harry Beaumont who had recently been called up for service with the Royal Garrison Artillery was transferred to 13th Mountain Battery; he was the elder brother of Pte. Mark Beaumont (see 29th March), who was in hospital in England having suffered severe shrapnel wounds to his left thigh when the Battalion billets in Ypres had been shelled in January.

Lt. Paul James Sainsbury (see 11th March) (yes those Sainsbury's - editor) who had been in an officer’s convalescent hospital following an operation to remove his appendix, appeared before an Army Medical Board. They found him to be unfit for either general or home service, but fit for light duties at home. However, they granted him a further three weeks leave, to 18th May, on the expiry of which he would resume light duties with 3DWR at North Shields.

The war at sea

A total of 24 ships were lost on this day, 23 of them to U-boat action. Foremost amongst these was SMU-63 which alone accounted for eight of them

Carmelo Padre Italy The sailing vessel was sunk in the Strait of Messina by SM U-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
[B]Giuseppe Padre I[/B Italy The sailing vessel was sunk in the Strait of Messina by SM U-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Giuseppina G. Italy The sailing vessel was sunk in the Strait of Messina by SM U-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
I Due Fratelli P. Italy The sailing vessel was sunk in the Strait of Messina by SM U-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Juliette France The sailing vessel struck a mine and sank in the Mediterranean Sea off Mostaganem, Algeria.
Karonga United Kingdom The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Strait of Messina 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) south south east of Cape Schio, Italy by SM U-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eighteen crew. Her captain was taken as a prisoner of war.
Natale B. Italy The sailing vessel was sunk in the Strait of Messina by SM U-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
San Francesco Di Paola Italy The sailing vessel was sunk in the Strait of Messina by SM U-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

Over the course of the war U-63 saw 72 ships sunk for a total of 198,287 GRT. The commander at this time was Otto Schultze

Otto Schultze (11 May 1884 – 22 January 1966) was a General admiral with the Kriegsmarine during World War II and a recipient of the Pour le Mérite during World War I. The Pour le Mérite was the Kingdom of Prussia's highest military order for German soldiers until the end of World War I. As a U boat commander during World War I, he was credited with the sinking of 53 ships for a total of 132,531 long tons (134,658 t), including the HMS Falmouth and SS Transylvania.

Schultze joined the Kaiserliche Marine (Imperial Navy) on 7 April 1900 as a Seekadett (sea cadet). He initially served on König during World War I before transferring to the U-boat service in 1915, taking command of U-63. He surrendered command of U-63 in mid-December 1917. He then served as a first officer of the admiral staff of the commander in chief of the U-boats at the Mediterranean Sea. At the same time, he held the position of chief of the I. U-Boot-Flottille (1st U boat Flotilla). Between the wars, he held various staff positions. From September 1927-September 1929, he was commander of Elsass.[2] In October, he took command of the Marinestation der Nordsee (North Sea Naval Station). He was promoted to Vizeadmiral (vice admiral) in 1934 and to admiral in 1936 retiring in 1937. With the outbreak of World War II, he was reactivated into active service. His son Heinz-Otto Schultze was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross—was a U-boat commander during World War II and was killed in action on 25 November 1943 when U-849 was sunk in the South Atlantic by depth charges from an American B-24 Liberator heavy bomber. Otto Schultze retired on 31 August 1942.


Otto Schultze 1942

[mikeemagnus]

Cheers Chris - all good now Thanks for the post, again!!!! Long overdue REP on the way.

[Hedeby]

29th April 1917

Lets start with the war in the air (as there is a lot of it today). On a frantic day in the skies over the Western front it was a bad day for the RFC and a very good day for the Von Richthofen family....

Air War

40th squadron moves from Auchel six kilometers southeast to an aerodrome on the outskirts of the mining town of Bruay.

Flight Commander Hubert Dunsterville Harvey-Kelly DSO (Royal Irish Regiment attached Royal Flying Corps), the first pilot to land in France after the Great War began, dies of wounds three days after being shot down and made a prisoner of war on a day he was not scheduled to fly.

Flight Commander Rupert Randolph Winter achieves his first victory. He will become a five-victory ace on the day he is killed in February of next year.

Western Front: Richthofen scores Four victories (49th to 52nd) in 3 sorties, including one Spad with one by brother Lothar (who downed two himself) before lunch in mess with father Major Baron Albrecht von Richthofen.



(49) Spad VII No.B1573, 19 Squadron RFC, Engine No.5768, Gun: L8479. 12:05 hrs swapms near Lecluse, this side of the lines. Spad one seater. No details concerning plane, as it vanished in the swamp. With several of my gentlemen, I attacked an English Spad group consisting of three machines. the plane I had singles out broke tp pieces whilst curving and plunged, burning, into the swamp near Lecluse. (Pilot was Lieutenant Richard Applin)

(50) FE2D No.4898 (Jahore No.14), 18 Squadron RFC. Engine No.866 WD 7476, Guns 17898: 20823. 16:55hrs, south west of Inchy, Hill 90 Pariville, this side of the lines. Vickers 2. Occupants Capt. G Stead RFC. No details concerning the plane went down burning in first line. I attacked together with five of my gentlemen, an enemy group of five Vickers. After a long curve fight, during which my adversary defended himself admirably. I managed to put myself behind the enemy. After 300 shots the enemy plane caught fire. The plane burnt to ashes, and the occupants fell out. (Sergeant George Stead and Corporal Alfred Beebee)

(51) BE2E No.2738, 12 Squadron RFC. Engine No.E674,WD 3023, Guns: 15775, 14469. 19:25hrs, near Rouex, this side of the lines, BE DD2 No details, as plane is under fire. Together with my brother, we each f us attacked an artillery flyer at low altitude. After a short fight my adversary's plane lost it's wings. When hitting the ground near the trenches near Rouex, the plane caught fire. (Lieutenant David Evan Davies and Lieutenant George Henry Rathbone)

(52) Sopwith Triplane No. N5463 8(N) Squadron RNAS. 19:40hrs, between Billy-Montign and Sallaumines, this side of lines. No details concerning enemy plane as it was burnt. Soon after having shot down a BE near Rouex, we were attacked by a strong enemy one-seater force of Nieuports, Spads and Triplanes. the plane I had singled out caught fire and after s short time, burned in the air and fell north of Henin Lietard.


Manfred von Richthofen (right) and his younger brother Lothar. Starting later, Lothar achieved an impressive 40 victories. Lothar’s fighting style was much more emotional than his older brother’s and it get him into more trouble, he was wounded in action several times but, unlike Manfred, survived the war.

Other victories on this day came from...

Robert Little Australia #10

Richard Minifie Australia #1 #2



Richard Pearman Minifie joined the Royal Naval Air Service on 11 June 1916. He was posted to 1 Naval Squadron in December 1917. on On 17 March 1918, during a dogfight with Jasta 47 near Houthulst Forest, Minifie was captured by the Germans when his Sopwith Camel was shot down by Friedrich Ehmann in a Pfalz scout.

William Bishop Canada #13
Lloyd Breadner Canada #6
Alfred Carter Canada #4
Joseph Fall Canada #6
Edwin Cole England #6

Reginald Conder England #1

Reginald Edward Conder was wounded on 6 June 1917 when he was mistakenly shot down by British anti-aircraft fire.

Cyril Marconi Crowe England #2 #3
Francis Cubbon England #3 #4
Thomas Gerrard England #5

Thomas Lewis England #1



Wounded in action on 27 July 1917, Thomas Archibald Mitford Stuart Lewis was hit in the leg by a phosphorus bullet. His leg was amputated. 1901 residence at Worthing, Sussex; birth registered 3rd quarter of 1894 at Tynemouth, Northumberland.

T./2nd Lt. Thomas Archibald Mitford Stuart Lewis, Gen. List and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Whilst acting as Observer his patrol engaged a superior force of enemy scouts. His Pilot was wounded, but they continued to fight, destroying one enemy machine. He was then severely wounded, but continued to work his gun lying on his back. By this means they were able to destroy a second enemy machine. Afterwards, when returning to our lines with their machine badly damaged, he and his Pilot drove off two machines which were pursuing them, having displayed the greatest gallantry and presence of mind.

Norman McNaughton England #3

Cyril Burfield Ridley England #1



An aeronautical engineer and the son of Douglas and Victoria Ridley, Cyril Burfield Ridley received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 2474 on a Maurice Farman biplane at Hall School, Hendon on 20 February 1916. In 1920, whilst serving with 12 Squadron in Cologne, Germany, he was killed in a mid-air collision with John De Pencier.

Herbert Rowley England #1



Herbert Victor Rowley joined the Royal Naval Air Service as a Temporary Flight Sub-Lieutenant on 30 Apr 1916. Posted to 1 Naval Squadron as a pilot in February 1917; Flight Commander later in 1917. He was involved in the flight, in October-November 1925, from Helwan, Egypt to Kaduna, Nigeria, led by Squadron Leader Arthur Coningham. Rowley retired from Royal Air Force as an Air Commodore on 26 Oct 1944.

Frederick Thayre England #2 #3

Rupert Randolph Winter England #1



The son of Reuben John and Frances Ellen Winter, Rupert Randolph Winter joined the Royal Naval Air Service on 25 April 1916. Flight Sub-Lieutenant Winter received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 3066 on a Maurice Farman biplane at Royal Naval Air Station, Chingford on 14 June 1916. Soon after he claimed his fifth victory on 3 February 1918, Flight Commander Winter was killed in action when his plane went down southwest of Roulers. Evidence suggests Winter may have been shot down by a Fokker DR.I flown by Otto Fruhner of Jasta 26.

Dieudonne Costes France #1



On 6 February 1928, Lieutenant Dieudonné Costes and Lieutenant Commander Joseph Lebrix landed at Boiling Field, Washington, D.C., in the plane which had carried them from Paris across the South Atlantic and over South America to Mexico and the United States. In 1930 Costes and Maurice Bellonte made the first Paris to New York flight. The following year Costes was named the world's No. 1 airman by the International League of Aviation. In 1949 a French military court acquitted Costes on charges of spying for the Nazis during World War II. Needing six votes for a conviction under French military law, four judges voted to convict while five judges voted to free Costes.

René Dorme France #21
Walter Böning Germany #2
Friedrich-Karl Burckhardt Germany #2

Heinrich Geigl Germany #1

Geigl was wounded in action on 20 August 1917. He was killed in action when he collided with a Sopwith Camel (D6552) over Warfusée.

Friedrich Gille Germany #1
Hermann Göring Germany #6
Edmund Nathanael Germany #13
Lothar von Richthofen Germany #13 #14
Manfred von Richthofen Germany #49 #50 #51 #52
Kurt Schneider Germany #12
Paul Strähle Germany #4
Hermann Stutz Germany #1
Ernst Wiessner Germany #1
Kurt Wolff Germany #24 #25 #26
Edward Atkinson Ireland #3
Francis Casey Ireland #8

Forster Maynard New Zealand #1



The son of Herbert Martin and Jessie Maynard, Forster Herbert Martin Maynard was educated in England at St. John's School, Leatherhead and University College, London. He joined the Royal Marines Divisional Engineers on 22 September 1914 and transferred to the Royal Naval Air Service in 1915. Flight Sub-Lieutenant Maynard received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 1381 on a Short biplane at Royal Naval Air Station, Eastchurch on 1 July 1915. He served as a flight instructor before being posted to Naval 1 at the beginning of 1917. After scoring six victories with the Sopwith Triplane, his days as a fighting pilot ended when he was injured in an air crash while in England. He remained in the Royal Air Force and was granted a permanent commission to Flight Lieutenant on 1 August 1919. During World War II, Air Vice-Marhsal Maynard was appointed a Companion of the Bath for distinguished service as air officer in command of the Royal Air Force in the Mediterranean.

Henry Meintjes South Africa #5
Ernest Norton Wales #7 #8 #9

18 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON SUNDAY APRIL 29TH 1917

2nd Lt. Andrews, F.S. (Frederick Seymour) 13 Squadron RFC
2nd. Lt. Applin, R. (Richard) 19 Squadron RFC
Capt. Barwell, F.L. (Frederick Leycester) 40 Squadron RFC
2nd Lt. Bate, G.B. (George Beaumont) 18 Squadron RFC
Corporal Beebee, A. (Alfred) 18 Squadron RFC
Flight Sub Lt. Bennett, S.L. (Samuel Lowe) 3(N) Squadron RNAS
2nd Lt. Black, J.S. (James Somerville) RFC
Lt. Brewis, J.A.G. (John Arthur Gardner) 40 Squadron RFC
Lt. Clark, F.N. (Frank Nelham) 56 Reserve Squadron RFC
Flight Sub Lt. Cuzner, A.E. (Albert Edward) 8(N) Squadron RFC
2nd. Lt Davies, D.E. (David Evan) 12 Squadron RFC
2nd Lt. De Berigny, C.E. (Charles Etienne) 43 Squadron RFC
Lt. Furniss, K.R. (Kevin Robert) 23 Squadron RFC
Air Mech 2nd Class Giles, W.E. (William Edward) 2 Squadron RFC
Air Mech 2nd Class Nell, P.M. (Paul M.) Recruits Depot
2nd Lt. Pile, C.J. (Cyril John) 12 Squadron RFC
Lt. Rathbone, G.H. (George Henry) 12 Squadron RFC
Sergeant Stead, G. (George) 18 Squadron RFC

Western Front
Artois: British 2nd Division capture trenches south of Oppy.
Aisne: Nivelle abandons Mangin (replaced May 2 by Maistre).
Marne and Champagne: 200 men of French 20th Regiment flee to woods from Chalons barracks rather than return to front.

Eastern Front
Russia: CoS Alexeiev to War Minister ‘The situation in the Army grows worse every day; information … from all sides indicate that the Army is systematically falling apart’. War Minister’s order No 213 gives all punishment powers to disciplinary courts (officer as presidents, 2 soldiers elected for 6 months) except in action but each army differs.


Francis St Vincent Morris

Second Lieutenant Francis St Vincent Morris (Sherwood Foresters attached Royal Flying Corps) dies of injuries he received in a crash three weeks earlier during a blizzard at Vimy Ridge at age 21. He fractures both legs one of which has to be amputated and he dies during his second surgery. He is the son of Canon Ernest E Morris JP the Chaplain to the Sherwood Foresters and his is a Great War Poet. A book of his poetry was published in 1917, ‘The Poems of Francis St. Vincent Morris’.

The Eleventh Hour

Is this to live? – to cower and stand aside
While others fight and perish day by day?
To see my loved ones, slaughtered, and to say:-
“Bravo! Bravo! how nobly you have died!”
Is this to love? – to heed my friends no more,
But watch them perish in a foreign land
Unheeded, and to give no helping hand,
But smile, and say:- “How terrible is war!”

Nay: this is not to love nor this to live!
I will go forth; I hold no more aloof;
And I will give all that I have to give
And leave the refuge of my father’s roof:

Then, if I live, no man will say, think I,
“He lives: because he did not dare to die!”

in total 1858 British lives were lost.

The Royal Dublin Fusiliers



Lt Haines attacked the Railway Post again this time successfully on the first attempt and wary of the expected counter attack B Company HAC led by Lte Pollard positioned itself in German trenches north of the Railway Post and between the German Hindenburg Line and C Company. The Germans did counter attack but Lte Pollard was able to not only defend their position but advanced along the trench as the Germans backed out of his range. By the end of the attack he had gained a further 300 yards of German trench and was also awarded the Victoria Cross. This allowed both A and B Company to move along the width of the German trenches at this point and after just 2 days of fighting this company had gained some 2000 yards of trenches when they were relieved.

The 2nd Battalion Royal Marine managed to gain some territory including the all important windmill but by the evening the captured ground was back in the hands of the Germans with the exception of a small garrison who were hanging on for grim death at the windmill. Towards the village centre, the communal cemetery on the immediate right. This street was the defensive line held by the pioneers. A strong German counter attack was launched against Gavrelle itself and this was only repulsed by the timely arrival of the 14th Bn Worcestershire Regiment, the divisional pioneers, who had been ordered forward at short notice. The battle raged through the night and an attempt by the Anson to take the German position outside the village failed completely. The German counter attack being held off by the steady firing of the pioneers. By the evening of the 29th April the situation at Gavrelle was pretty much the same. The village was solidly in the hands of the Naval Division and the Windmill defenders were holding out. The following day the 31st Division took over the line.

Captain Tunstill's Men: On a fine and hot afternoon, at 3.06pm, the Battalion left Scottish Camp and completed a hot and dusty eleven-mile march east via Abeele to billets at Steenvorde. Just eleven days after being released from hospital, Pte. Charles Smith (see 18th April) again reported sick; he was admitted to 70th Field Ambulance suffering from a high temperature (officially “pyrexia of unknown origin”). After a one night stay at 2nd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station, suffering from a loss of power in his right arm, Pte. Harold Dale (see 28th April) was now transferred to no.4 Stationary Hospital at Arques for further treatment.

Frank Hird, Church Army Commissioner, Third Army, and elder brother of the late Lt. Frederick Hird (see 25th April) replied to the War Office regarding the administration of his late brother’s estate. No payment of Frederick Hird’s outstanding pay and allowances had yet been made due to the uncertainty over Hird’s marital status. Frank now confirmed that his late brother’s Christian name had been ‘Etta’, but that he was unaware of her maiden name and know little more about her and was unable to confirm the date of divorce; “In September 1914 my brother told me that his wife had left him some considerable time previously, that she had taken proceedings for divorce against him, and that he had entered no defence. He also said he had filled in his enlistment papers as unmarried … In May 1916, whilst staying with me on leave from the front, at my home, Escombe, Hadlow Down, Buxted, Sussex, my brother told me his wife had married again in America … I know nothing about his former wife except that she was an American”.

Following further enquiries over the coming weeks the War Office would conclude that Frederick’s widow would have claim to his estate as no separation had ever been confirmed and that they were therefore not in a position to make any payment to Frank Hird. The case clearly remained open for some years as several speculative claims against the estate were subsequently made by people with relatives named Frederick Hird, although none of these were accepted by the War Office. A credit balance of £76 10s 7d remained outstanding on Frederick Hird’s account.

[Hedeby]

So as 'Bloody April' bows out and the editorial staff share a collective sigh of relief, bit of an early update today so the staff can make the most of the Bank Holiday weekend.

30th April 1917

Middle East
Mesopotamia – Battle of Band-i-Adhaim: Marshall’s 5,200 men (692 casualties) and 64 guns vs 6,270 Turks (565 casualties including 365 PoWs) and 39 guns (1 lost). British storm Turk second line and beyond but lose gains to 6 vs 1 counter-attack in dust storm.

Fresh from their recent action at the Battle of Shiala General William Marshall of III Corps leads two infantry brigades northeast up the Adhaim River to meet the next Turkish threat and in due course his force will be supplemented by a third brigade from the south. Aware of the impending arrival of the British the Turks withdraw to pre-prepared positions in the foothills spanning the river at Band-i-Adhaim. The boot-shaped peninsular of high ground sited there will give its name to the Battle of the Boot.

Early this morning General Marshall begins his attack, throwing his entire force at the Turkish positions. Within a short time he succeeded in taking 300 Turkish prisoners and two lines of trenches. The onset of a sandstorm however brings British operations to a halt while the Turks counterattack and push the British back with the loss 350 prisoners. The sandstorm clears by late afternoon, but blistering temperatures ensure that Marshall cannot pursue the now retreating Turks into the mountains. Indeed these attacks bring the Samarrah Offensive to an end.

Lieutenant Stephen Wriothesley Best (South Wales Borderers) is killed in the Battle of the Boot becoming the third brother to die on that front since February of this year.
Also killed this day is Private William Boulton (South Lancashire Regiment) killed at age 26. His brother was killed in July 1916.
Second Lieutenant Patrick McLeod Innes (Royal Garrison Artillery) is killed in action at age 19. He is the grandson of Lieutenant General James John McLeod Innes VC. He was educated at Haileybury College 1911 to 1916 and Head of School. He was elected to a History Scholarship at Trinity College, Cambridge. His younger brother Second Lieutenant Donald McLeod Innes (Black Watch) will be killed in action in October 1918.

Sir William Raine Marshall (1865-1939) served on the Mesopotamian Front as Sir Frederick Maude's successor as Commander-in-Chief from November 1917 until the end of the war.



Having emerged from Sandhurst Marshall received a commission into the Sherwood Foresters in 1885, after which he served in Ireland, Malta, India and South Africa, seeing active service in the latter two. A battalion commander on the Western Front during 1914-15, Marshall was posted to command of 29th Division in the ill-fated expedition to Gallipoli, during which he received a promotion to Major-General in June 1915.

A series of divisional commands followed - 42nd, 29th and 53rd - before he was posted to Salonika with 27th Division, and then with III (Indian) Corps on the Mesopotamian Front. It was while commanding III Corps that Marshall successfully participated in the capture of Kut-al-Amara in February 1917, and subsequently in the capture of Baghdad the following month. With Sir Frederick Maude's death as Commander-in-Chief from cholera (most probably from contaminated milk), the hugely popular commander was replaced by the careful and meticulous Marshall, appointed by Sir William Robertson at the War Office in London, the latter determined to scale back operations in Mesopotamia. It was in this capacity that Marshall accepted the surrender of the Turkish army at Mosul on 30 October 1918. His post-war career took him back to India at Southern Command, remaining there until 1923; he retired the following year. Sir William Marshall died in 1939.

The Battle of the Boot (more details)



Having on numerous recent occasions attempted - and failed - to break up Ali Ishan Bey's XIII Corps, en route from Persia to meet up with Turkish Commander-in-Chief Khalil Pasha's 10,000 troops retreating north in the wake of the fall of Baghdad, Ishan's force had sought temporary refuge in the Jebel Hamlin mountains in mid-April 1917. Intending to surprise the British by suddenly re-appearing with the bulk of his force at Dahubu (bar 2,000 left to distract British cavalry among the mountainous foothills), some 40km from the River Tigris, Ishan was however disappointed in his aim, with the British aware of his movements. General William Marshall of III Corps consequently led two infantry brigades - fresh from their recent action against Ishan at the Battle of Shiala - northeast up the Adhaim River to meet Ishan's latest threat; in due course Marshall's force was supplemented by a third brigade from the south. Aware of the impending arrival of the British - and with the element of surprise lost - Ishan promptly withdrew to pre-prepared positions in the foothills spanning the river at Band-i-Adhaim. The boot-shaped peninsular of high ground sited there gave the subsequent action its somewhat lively name. Early on the morning of 30 April Marshall began his attack, throwing his entire force at the Turkish positions. Within a short time he succeeded in taking 300 Turkish prisoners and two lines of trenches.

The onset of a sandstorm however brought British operations to a halt; meanwhile Ishan drafted reserve forces into his centre in preparation for the counterattack that succeeded in pushing Marshall back with the loss of slightly more prisoners than Ishan himself lost earlier: 350. The sandstorm cleared by late afternoon, but blistering temperatures ensured that Marshall could not pursue Ishan's retreating forces into the mountains. Indeed the attacks of 30 April 1917 brought the Samarrah Offensive to an end. British casualties during the largely successful Offensive ran to around 18,000, but with losses to sickness running at over twice that figure Maude determined to pause operations pending regrouping and recovery. Meanwhile Ishan and his force remained encamped in the mountains in readiness for a renewal of hostilities in the autumn.

Air War
Western Front: Clashes over front line as German two-seaters strafe British lines. Jasta 11 combined with 2 , 3 and 33 into Jagdgruppe 1 of 20 single-seaters which Royal Flying Corps dub ‘Richthofen’s Circus’ (renamed Jagdgeschwader 1 on July 24). Richthofen goes on leave on May 1 after 21 victories during April.
Royal Flying Corps April losses 316 aircrew and 151 planes (88 to Jasta 11) of which 82 to only 5 German pilots; total German 119 aircrew and 66 aircraft.
German April victories: Kurt Wolff 21; Karl Wolff and Lothar von Richthofen 15 each; Otto Bernert 11; Sebastian Festner 10.
Mesopotamia: During April Royal Flying Corps fly record 335 hours.
Britain: Royal Navy airship SL 9 destroyed in storm.

Bloody April: During April 1917, the British lost 245 aircraft, 211 aircrew killed or missing and 108 as prisoners of war. The German Air Services recorded the loss of 66 aircraft during the same period. As a comparison, in the five months of the Battle of the Somme of 1916 the RFC had suffered 576 casualties. Under Richthofen's leadership, Jasta 11 scored 89 victories during April, over a third of the British losses.

In casualties suffered, the month marked the nadir of the RFC's fortunes. However, despite the losses inflicted, the German Air Service failed to stop the RFC carrying out its prime objectives. The RFC continued to support the army throughout the Arras offensive with up-to-date aerial photographs, reconnaissance information, effective contact patrolling during British advances and harassing bombing raids. In particular the artillery spotting aircraft rendered valuable reconnaissance to the British artillery, who were able to maintain their superiority throughout the battle. In spite of their ascendancy in air combat, the German fighter squadrons continued to be used defensively, flying for the most part behind their own lines. Thus the Jastas established "air superiority", but certainly not the air supremacy sometimes claimed.

17 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON MONDAY APRIL 30TH 1917

Capt. Allen, A.S. (Arthur Spencer) 9 Squadron RFC
2nd Lt. Bonner, A. (Augustine) 13 Squadron RFC
Capt. Davidson, D.A.L. (Donald Alastair Leslie) 19 Squadron RFC
Corporal Edwards, R. (Robert) 48 Squadron RFC
2nd Lt. Freemantle, R.P.C. (Ronald Percy Cowen) 9 Squadron RFC
P.O. Mech Hoare, F. (Frank) Royal Naval Air Service Armoured Car Division, Squadron 3
P.O. Mech Ireland, L.G. (Leslie G.) Royal Naval Air Service Armoured Car Division
2nd Lt. Kay, M.A. (Maurice Alfred) 56 Squadron RFC
2nd Lt. Lawrence, N.A. (Norman Alan) 16 Squadron RFC

Flight Sub. Lt. Malone, J.J. (John Joseph) 3(N) Squadron RNAS

Killed in Action 30 April 1917, aged 23. Sopwith Pup N6175 shot down over Roumacourt, West of Cambrai, on the Somme by Ltn. Paul Billik, Jasta 12 at 19.15 hours

Flt. Sub-Lieut. John Joseph Malone, R.N.A.S.

For successfully attacking and bringing down hostile aircraft on numerous occasions.
At about 6.30 a.m. on 23rd April, 1917, while on patrol, he attacked a hostile scout and drove it down under control. He then attacked a second scout, which, after the pilot had been hit, turned over on its back and went down through the clouds. A third scout, attacked by him from a distance of about twenty yards, descended completely out of control. While engaging a fourth machine he ran out of ammunition, so returned to the advanced landing ground, replenished his supply, and at once returned and attacked another hostile formation, one of which he forced down out of control.
On the afternoon of 24th April, 1917, he engaged a hostile two-seater machine and, after badly wounding the observer, forced it to land on our side of the lines.



Lt. Patterson, H.C. (Hugh Cecil) 48 Squadron RFC
Air Mech 2nd Class Perrott, B.G. (Burnaby G.) 45 Squadron RFC
2nd Lt. Sherman, P. (Palton) 9 Squadron RFC
2nd Lt. Stout, G.R.Y. (George Ronald Yorston) 16 Squadron RFC
Air Mech 2nd Class White, H.G. (Harold Gilbert) RFC
Air Mech 2nd Class Wynn, J.H. (James H.) 18 Squadron RFC
Air Mech 2nd Class Young, H. RFC


The following aerial victories were claimed on this last day of Bloody April and as the RFC emerges from its darkest time we begin to see the emergence of some of the allies most famous pilots, ALbert BAll is at the height of his powers and he is soon joined by the likes of 'Billy' Bishop, Raymond Collishaw and Roderic Dallas all who would go on to have a miniature in our game (with the horrendous exemption of Albert Ball - COME ON ARES FIX THIS OVERSIGHT !!!)

David Tidmarsh Ireland #2
Roderic Dallas Australia #14 #15
Robert Little Australia #11 #12

Andre de Meulemeester Belgium #1



"The Eagle of Flanders" joined the Belgian Air Service on 26 January 1915 and was posted to 1ère Escadrille de Chasse on 8 April 1917. Sharing an unconfirmed victory with another pilot on 18 October 1917, de Meulemeester is believed to have downed Xavier Dannhuber's Albatros near Tervaete. Flying the Nieuport 17, de Meulemeester was credited with six victories before his unit was re-equipped with the Hanriot HD.1. In the spring of 1918, he was joined 9me, scoring four more victories by the end of the war. During 511 sorties, de Meulemeester engaged the enemy in aerial combat 185 times, was wounded in action twice and was attacked by British D.H.4s on two occasions. In 1919, de Meulemeester left the army, gave up flying and went to work in his family's brewery business.

William Bishop Canada #14
Raymond Collishaw Canada #6

Langley Smith Canada #1



Langley Frank Willard Smith attended St. Andrew's College from 1910 to 1912. In the summer of 1916, he learned to fly at the Curtiss Flying School in Newport News, Virginia. Returning to Canada, he joined the Royal Naval Air Service in September 1916 and Flight Sub-Lieutenant Smith received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 3998 on 11 December 1916. Posted to 4 Naval Squadron on 25 April 1917, he scored eight victories flying the Sopwith Pup. In June 1917, his squadron was the first to receive the new Sopwith Camel. A few days later, while attempting to intercept a flight of 16 Gotha bombers, Smith was killed when his Camel lost a wing and broke up in mid-air.

John Andrews England #8
Charles Booker England #5
Edwin Cole England #7
Robert Compston England #3 #4
Cyril Marconi Crowe England #4
G.A. Hyde England #2

Thomas Middleton England #1



Lucien Jailler France #8

Paul Billik Germany #1



Billik was wounded in action on 7 October 1917 and again on 1 June 1918. Recommended for the Blue Max, Billik was the highest scoring German ace not to receive the coveted medal. Before it could be awarded, he was shot down and taken prisoner on 10 August 1918. Billik was killed in a crash at Staaken, Berlin whilst flying a Junkers F13.

Walter Böning Germany #3
Otto von Breiten-Landenberg Germany #1
Friedrich Gille Germany u/c
Erich Hahn Germany #5 #6
Hans Klein Germany #8
Bruno Loerzer Germany #5
Rudolf Matthaei Germany 2
Karl Menckhoff Germany #3
Max von Müller Germany #7
Edmund Nathanael Germany #14

Theodor Osterkamp Germany #1



The Prussian army rejected him for health reasons but Osterkamp joined the Freiwilliges Marine Flieger Corps and became the German navy's highest scoring ace. When the war ended, he went east to fight the Bolsheviks. At the age of 43, Osterkamp was back in uniform again, flying for the Luftwaffe. He served in France and Italy during World War II, scored 6 more victories, rose to the rank of Generalleutnant and was awarded the Ritterkreuz, Hitler's highest award for valor.

Hermann Pfeiffer Germany #10

Arthur Rahn Germany #1



Rahn joined the army on 6 January 1915 and transferred to the German Air Force in the spring of 1916. Following flight school at Coslin, he served with FEA 7 for the remainder of the year. Whilst serving with Jasta 19, he broke his nose in a crash on 5 February 1917. During the last two years of the war, he flew with three fighter Staffeln and scored six victories before he was wounded in combat on 17 July 1918. At the time, he was flying a Fokker DR.I, easily identified by its pattern of white diamonds over vertical black and white stripes on the fuselage.



Lothar von Richthofen Germany #15 #16
Adolf von Tutschek Germany #4
Werner Wagener Germany #2
Kurt Wolff Germany #27

Forde Leathley Ireland #1

The son of Rev. James Forde and Elizabeth Leathley, Forde Leathley, of the 1st Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, transferred to the Royal Flying Corps and was posted to 57 Squadron as an observer in 1917. He and his pilots scored eight victories. Lieutenant Leathley received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 5455 on a Maurice Farman biplane at Military School, Ruislip on 26 November 1917. Post-war, he retired from the Royal Air Force on 27 January 1925.

Conn Standish O'Grady Ireland #1

The son of Standish and Margaret O'Grady, Conn Standish O'Grady was educated at Trinity College, Dublin. He joined the Royal Flying Corps in September 1916. Posted to 23 Squadron, he scored nine victories flying SPADs in 1917. During World War II, O'Grady returned to service with Royal Air Force.

Christopher Brand South Africa #5
William Kennedy-Cochran-Patrick Scotland #7


Sea War
ALLIED AND NEUTRAL APRIL SHIPPING LOSSES WORST MONTH OF BOTH WORLD WARS: 873,754t (373 ships). German U-boat history figure 860,334t of which 278,038t (23,037 to Austrians) in Mediterranean; another 113,000t shipping damaged.
Projected since April 17, 50% risk of destruction to homeward bound ships 2 in 11, annual loss rate, one in 4 ships leaving Britain being sunk. Only 1 U-boat lost. British mine-sweepers (almost 1 lost per day)
U-boats have attacked 781 ships since February 1: 526 sunk, 37 damaged for loss of 10 U-boats (record of 802 t per U-boat day in Mediterranean), 13 new U-boats commissioned. Lloyd George visits Admiralty and reinforces convoy decision.

Secret War
North Sea: During April Royal Navy orders 136 Nash Fish towed hydrophones after successful trials. In use with 54 patrol vessel since 1918 as U-boat encounters.



'The torpedo-shaped "Fish" was fifteen feet long and fifteen inches in diameter. Its streamlining enabled it to be drawn through the sea at 20 knots without vibration. The walls were of sound-pervious nickel silver metal. The main body (A) was filled with water, which, remaining inert, solved the problem of "noise" caused by the movement of the hydrophones through the sea at high speed. At each end were metal buoyancy chambers (B.B.). In all conditions the "Fish" maintained the horizontal. The bi-directional (C) and uni-directional (D) hydrophones revolved, silently, at right-angles to each other in exact agreement with the movement of a handle operated by the listening-officer, whose headphones were connected with the bi-directional hydrophone. To detect the presence of a submarine it was unnecessary to stop the engines of the towing ship as their sound fell in the extremely narrow non-sensitive sector of the hydrophone. Similarly a submarine in the same narrow sector, right ahead or right astern, could not be detected. To determine the "line" of the submarine, the engines had to be stopped for about 40 seconds. Then, by switching over to the uni-directional hydrophone, the "line" was divided into two and the exact direction determined. A further operation on this second hydrophone gave approximate distance.' Presented by G H Nash Esq CBE.

Capt. Tunstill's Men: Another fine hot day, which was spent in resting and cleaning. The detachment of two officers and 75 men who had spent the previous three weeks attached to 2nd Canadian Tunnelling Company (see 7th April) re-joined the Battalion. The marked improvement in the weather, and the effect on the collective mood, was expressed by Brig. Genl. Lambert (see 20th April) in a letter home to his wife; “It has again been almost like a Summer’s day and everyone has been sunning himself in it! For the present we are in comfortable quarters, the men in big barns which are pleasant enough in this weather, and officers mostly in cottages … I suppose we shall be off to the hurly burly soon but I have no news of that sort. When we do move I daresay we shall want to be out of it again but at present everyone is feeling pleased and we are certainly all glad that we may not miss the whole thing”.

Capt. Adrian O’Donnell Pereira (see 31st March), returned to France en route to re-joining the Battalion. He had been in England for the previous six months having been treated for shellshock.

[mikeemagnus]

Thank you Chris.

(with the horrendous exemption of Albert Ball - COME ON ARES FIX THIS OVERSIGHT !!!)

Indeed! I'll drink to that No Albert Ball, James McCudden, Edward "Mick" Mannock. I wonder why that is?

[Carl_Brisgamer]

Thank you Chris. Indeed! I'll drink to that No Albert Ball, James McCudden, Edward "Mick" Mannock. I wonder why that is?

I would be very surprised if one or more of these gentlemen of the RFC did not turn up in the reprint of the SE5a.

[Hedeby]

I would be very surprised if one or more of these gentlemen of the RFC did not turn up in the reprint of the SE5a.

I sincerely hope so

[Hedeby]

May 1st 1917

Slightly abridged version this evening as just got back from a couple of days up on the North York Moors, first chance to log on and 39 minutes until I lose some of today's data, so without further ado...

Sea War
Eastern Atlantic: HM submarine E54 sinks U-81 off Western Ireland.



Mediterranean: In May 28 U-boats in Pola-Cattaro Flotilla. Allies have 858 patrol vessels (89 destroyers) of which 387 available to protect shipping, but only 201 to protect c.3,000 ships per day at sea at anyone time. During May British Admiralty orders 1108 new ASW vessels including 97 destroyers and 60 submarines. Average of 47 U-boats at sea per day.
North Sea*: German seaplane sinks British SS Gena off Suffolk, but latter shoots down escorting seaplane.
Channel: In May 4 Dover Barrage drifters damaged by its mines. During May record of 13 German mine* sweepers mined and sunk (only 12 so lost November 1916-April 1917).

Secret War
Mediterranean: In May the transport U-boat UC-20 takes 7 Germans to set up radio station (until August) at Misurata (Tripolitania) with Senussi rebels.

Western Front
France: Early May Nivelle insists 1,000 Renault FT-17 light tanks top priority order.



The Renault FT, frequently referred to in post-World War I literature as the "FT-17" or "FT17", was a French light tank that was among the most revolutionary and influential tank designs in history. The FT was the first production tank to have its armament within a fully rotating turret. The Renault FT's configuration – crew compartment at the front, engine compartment at the back, and main armament in a revolving turret – became and remains the standard tank layout. As such, historians of armoured warfare have called the Renault FT the world's first modern tank. The first turret designed for the FT was a circular, cast steel version almost identical to that of the prototype. It was designed to carry a Hotchkiss 8mm machine gun. In April 1917 Estienne decided for tactical reasons that some vehicles should be capable of carrying a small cannon. The 37mm Puteaux gun was chosen, and attempts were made to produce a cast steel turret capable of accommodating it, but they were unsuccessful. The first 150 FTs were for training only, and made of non-hardened steel plus the first model of turret. Meanwhile, the Berliet Company had produced a new design, a polygonal turret of riveted plate, which was simpler to produce than the early cast steel turret. It was given the name "omnibus", since it could easily be adapted to mount either the Hotchkiss machine gun or the Puteaux 37mm with its telescopic sight. This turret was fitted to production models in large numbers. In 1918 Forges et aciéries Paul Girod produced a successful circular turret which was mostly cast with some rolled parts. The Girod turret was also an "omnibus" design. Girod supplied it to all the companies producing the FT, and in the later stages of the war it became more commonplace than the Berliet turret.[6] The turret sat on a circular ball-bearing race, and could easily be rotated by the gunner/commander or be locked in position with a handbrake.

Over 3,000 Renault FT tanks were manufactured by French industry, most of them during the year 1918. Another 950 of an almost identical licensed copy of the FT (the M1917) were made in the United States, but not in time to enter combat.

Germany: In May Germans give each infantry coy 2 Bergmann sub-machine guns (another 2 in September).
Cham*pagne: French repulse two counter-attacks south of Moronvilliers and raids on May 2.
Artois: Since April 9 BEF has advanced 2-5 miles on 20-mile front, fired 6,466,239 shells, engaged 32 German divisions (16 forced into reserve), taken 18,128 PoWs and 230 guns; 227 mortars; 470 MGs for 83,970 casualties.

Air War
Western Front: From May until July ‘B’ or Black Flight of Royal Navy Air Service No 10 squadron destroys 87 German aircraft. Royal Flying Corps flies 39,500 hours in May (record till March 1918).
North Sea: In May Germans have 47 seaplanes at Zeebrugge and Ostend, shoot down 6 French flying boats; RNAS send extra 9 seaplanes.
Macedonia: In early May after ineffective and increasingly more costly, bomber operations KG 1 is withdrawn from Hudova and railed to Western Front (RFC belatedly discovers it on May 10).
France – The ‘Ribot Cable’: French Prime minister asks US to send 4,500 combat aircraft to Western Front during 1918; with trainers, grand total required by June 30, 1918 is 22,625 planes.

17 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON TUESDAY MAY 1ST 1917

2nd Lt. Baker, L.E. (Lawrence Edgar) 6 Reserve Squadron RFC
Sergeant Bowers, C.W.H. (Christopher William Henry) No.2 (Auxiliary) School of Aerial Gunnery, Turnberry (RFC)
2nd Lt. Davies, R.B. (Rhys Beynon) 2 Squadron RFC
2nd Lt. Gowar, L.J. (Lancelot John) 7 Reserve Squadron RFC
Flt Off (Prob) Grundy, H.E. (Howard Eckhardt) Cranwell Central Depot and Training Establishment RNAS
Lt. Hartney, J.C. (James Cuthbert) 10 Squadron RFC

Major Harvey-Kelly, H.D. (Hubert Dunsterville) 19 Squadron (Commanding Officer) RFC

Hubert Dunsterville 'Bay' Harvey-Kelly DSO: the first RFC pilot to land in France in 1914



As the youngest son of a retired Indian Army officer and born into a military family, Harvey-Kelly's career was predestined to be in the service of His Majesty. Known in the family as 'Bay', a name probably added by his grandparents when registering the birth, he was described by his contemporaries as a "brawny, free spirited, fearless, irreverent, fair skinned and baby faced". So the question was, in what capacity would he serve?

Artillery was too methodical and the engineers too serious for someone with a quick mind, high spirits and the charisma, wit and charm to captivate anyone who came within his orbit. Once his colleagues got to know him better they also noted in him "a highly competitive nature", so perhaps he was well suited to the life of action and adventure offered by military life and aviation. Although his family hailed from Roscommon, Co Meath, Ireland, where his mother's family, the Dunstervilles, were prominent local landowners, Bay was born at Berry Pomeroy, Devon on 9 February 1891. His schooling appears to have been fairly conventional and, on leaving Sandhurst, he applied to the Royal Irish Regiment, joining them on 5 October 1910 and being commissioned on 23 October 1910. Although a competent soldier, it seems that the routine of military life didn't altogether suit his temperament or lust for life, and his gaze gradually moved to other horizons. Family legend records him winning a bet by dressing in tails and playing a piano strapped to the top of a vehicle as it drove down Piccadilly, an act perhaps symptomatic both of his exuberance and frustration with routine. By early in 1913 Bay had decided that the new science of aviation offered more and he applied for a transfer to the RFC. At his own expense he 'took his ticket', RAes number 501, on 30 May 1913, with the CFS Upavon. He was commissioned into the RFC Reserve on 14 August 2013 before joining No II Squadron [Roman numerals were still in use - it is referred to as No 2 from now on] with the cutting-edge aeroplane, the BE2a. The squadron operated from the first of the 12 proposed air stations at Montrose, tasked with protecting the new battlecruiser fleet at Rosyth and its destroyer escorts at Cromarty against attack.

No 2 was led by the redoubtable Major C J Burke, a pioneer of military aviation, noted for his courage in still flying when numerous crashes clearly indicated that he give consideration to something safer. Burke had also transferred from the Royal Irish Regiment and it might have been that he kept an indulgent eye on his ebullient and slightly reckless fellow officer. An Army man to his fingertips Burke demanded, and got, very high standards from the squadron. In September 1913 they had successfully completed the RFC's first overseas deployment to Ireland and, in June 1914, the squadron travelled 570 miles south to Netheravon for the RFC Concentration Camp with only one unfortunate and fatal accident after a forced landing. 3 weeks later it returned north without incident, only to repeat the move south on 3 August 1914 ,firstly to Farnborough then to Swingate Down, Dover (without serious incident) to prepare for deployment to France.

From 7 August, Bay was one of several pilots who carried out anti-submarine patrols while the RFC gathered for the channel crossing. At Burke's insistence, No 2 were to lead the 4 squadrons deploying: he planned to be the first pilot to land at Amiens. Bay had other ideas and most of the RFC seemed to have been aware of them as the informal sweepstake made him the firm favourite to arrive first, with backers including Jack Salmond (O/C 3 Sqdn - later MRAF) and Josh Higgins (O/C 5 Sqdn).

The route was simple, reflecting the dubious reliability of aero engines at that time: Swingate Down, Boulogne, south hugging the coast, then east along the Somme valley to Amiens. At 06.25 on 13 August, No 2 took off led by Major Burke flying Dover - Boulogne. From Boulogne they followed the coast as planned - except for Bay, who continued inland, apparently following a pre-planned cross country route. He landed, together with Air Mechanic Harris, in Amiens at 08.20, Major Burke arrived 2 minutes later. Although understandably miffed at the flagrant disregard for his orders Burke took it as yet another example of Bay's playfully competitive nature and nothing further was said. A fellow pilot, Archibald James, described Bay as " .... the funniest man I have ever met. He kept me in roars of laughter the whole time". It's very likely that Bay's impact on Squadron morale also came into Burke's thinking. The RFC moved en masse to Maubeuge on 17 August 1914 and began recce patrols on the 19 August. On 25 August Bay believed he and his observer had forced down a German Etrich Taube. They landed next to it, chased away the pilot and took a plaque from the Taube. However, they had not realised that it had already been fatally disabled by the sharp shooting of Euan Rabagliatti, piloted by C W 'Daddy' Wilson. As Wilson recorded in his diary "stopped him in full career and claimed the first for 398 (their Avro). H-K handed the plaque over gracefully to me "your bird I think".

On 18 February 1915 Bay's DSO was gazetted for "services in connection with operations in the field". Many citations for this decoration were worded similarly at that time, possibly for security purposes. Promoted Captain on 23 May 1915, in June, Bay was appointed a Flight Commander in 3 Sqdn flying Morane Parasols, an ugly, hypersensitive machine requiring constant attention. James McCudden flew with him as did Charles ('Peter') Portal (later MRAF Lord Portal) and together they tackled Max Immelmann's machine gun-equipped Fokker Eindekker.

By this time many of Bay's contemporaries were squadron commanders and, in the opinion of noted historian Ralph Barker, his slow promotion may have reflected his perceived unpredictability. "His exploits, and his manner of relating them had become legendary", and many of his stories were at his own expense. In January 1916 Bay was promoted to (temporary) Major commanding 3 Sqdn. It still had Moranes and there was no sign of better machines on the horizon but Bay remained as funny and aggressive as ever. A South African, who later became MRAF, Jack Slessor, described him as "mad as a hawk" but, along with Hawker, Rees, Bron James and D S Lewis, Bay exerted a profound influence on younger RFC pilots expounding the aggressive philosophy summed up in Hawker's maxim: "attack everything". In January 1917 Bay was appointed CO of 56 Sqdn, who were to be the first recipients of the new SE5, but his tenure was brief due to the arrival of French SPAD machines and in February, he was appointed CO of the SPAD-equipped 19 Sqdn and moved it to a forward base at Vert Galant in March.

The obsolescence of existing aircraft became painfully obvious in 'Bloody April'; pressure on the few well-equipped units stretched resources to breaking point and, on 29 April 1917, against orders, Bay led an offensive patrol (with Richard Applin and W N Hamilton). Ignoring the odds they attacked six of the Red Baron's circus. Disadvantaged in height and dependent on "getting his blow in first" the trio attacked. Applin fell to the Baron himself, while brother Lothar brought Hamilton down, to survive the war as a PoW. Fighting furiously, Bay was shot down by Kurt Wolff, the highest scoring German pilot during Bloody April. Three days after crash landing he succumbed to his injuries, aged 26, and he was eventually laid to rest in Browns Copse Cemetery, Roeux. The perceptive and adept Maurice Baring, Trenchard's ADC, described him (in the language of the time): "He was the gayest of gay pilots" After the war the Harvey-Kelly family received a Red Cross package containing Bay's watch, knee compass, and cigarette case recovered from the crash. They remain in the family

2nd Lt. Hunt, E.W.A. (Edward Wallis Alleyne) 18 Squadron RFC
2nd. Lt. Miller, G.B. (George Bell) 18 Squadron RFC
2nd Lt. Morris, E.P. (Eyre Percival) 8 Squadron RFC
Lt. Pfrimmer, V.R. (Valentine Ralph) 8 Squadron RFC
Air Mech 2nd Class Prior, R.H.N. (Reginald Harry Neville "Rex") No.2 Aircraft Depot
Air Mech 3rd Class Rainford, W.H. RFC
Fight Sub Lt. Roach, E.D. (Edmund Daniel) 8(N) Squadron RNAS
2nd Lt. Stevenson, J. (James) RFC
Capt. Wadlow, H. (Harry) RFC
2nd Lt. Watson, A.W. (Alfred William) 10 Squadron RFC

Despite Bloody April having finished the intensity of the air war remained, the following aerial victories were claimed on this day...

Franz Wognar Austro-Hungarian Empire #2
Joseph Fall Canada #7
Reginald Malcolm Canada #6 #7 #8
Albert Ball England #37 #38
Edwin Cole England #8
Francis Cubbon England #5
Leonard Emsden England #6 #7 #8
Arthur Willan Keen England #2

Leslie Mansbridge England #1



Leslie Morton Mansbridge served with 1 Squadron, scoring 4 victories flying Nieuport scouts, until wounded in action in 1917. When he recovered, he was posted to 23 Squadron where he scored his fifth victory flying the Sopwith Dolphin.

Frank Sharpe England #1

Sharpe joined 1 Squadron as an observer in June 1916. After pilot training, he rejoined the squadron on 10 April 1917. Captured on 9 June 1917, his Nieuport Scout was shot down behind enemy lines by Kurt-Bertram von Döring of Jasta 4

William Strugnell England #4
Frederick Thayre England #4
Charles Henry Chapman Woollven England #5
Raoul Echard France #2
Charles Nungesser France #22 #23
Paul Bona Germany #5
Wilhelm Cymera Germany #4
Kurt-Bertram von Döring Germany #2
Ludwig Hanstein Germany #3

Bertram Heinrich Germany #1

On 22 March 1918, Heinrich was wounded in action when he was shot down by Alexander Shook of 4 Naval Squadron. In August, he was killed in action by the Camels of 210 Squadron.

Heinrich Kroll Germany #1



The son of a school master, Kroll volunteered for service when war was declared. While serving at the front with an infantry regiment, he was awarded the Iron Cross, 2nd class, and became a commissioned officer. In 1916 he transferred to the German Air Force. The following year, his fifth victory was over a SPAD VII piloted by the French ace René Dorme. Kroll was shot down several times, twice in flames, but he avoided serious injury until 14 August 1918. On that date, his fighter pilot career ended when he was badly wounded in the left shoulder at Omencourt.

Hans Kummetz Germany #4
Lothar von Richthofen Germany #17

Gotthard Sachsenberg Germany #1 #2



Gotthard Sachsenberg (6 December 1891 – 23 August 1961) was a German World War I fighter ace with 31 victories who went on to command the world's first naval air wing. In later life, he founded the airline Deutscher Aero Lloyd, became an anti-Nazi member of the German parliament, and also became a pioneering designer of hydrofoils. Gotthard Sachsenberg was born on Rosslau Mountain, north of the Elbe River, in Dessau, Germany.After his initial schooling, he attended the gymnasium in Eisenach for secondary schooling preparatory to entering university. His major was economics. He volunteered for seagoing service and became a sea cadet on the cruiser SMS Hertha on 1 April 1913. In 1914, promotion to Fähnrich zur See and transfer to the battleship SMS Pommern followed. He received the Iron Cross First Class in August, 1915 as an officer candidate, for his excellence as an artillery spotter. On 18 September 1915, he received his Leutnant's (lieutenant's) commission.

However, he was fascinated by aircraft and in December 1915 transferred to the air service. He was posted to Marine Feldflieger Abteilung II as a Fähnrich zur See observer. He then served as an instructor for observers. He underwent pilot training at Johannisthal, qualifying as a pilot. Returning to MFA II to fly a Fokker Eindekker. On 1 February 1917, Sachsenberg succeeded Oberleutnant von Santen as commanding officer of Marine Feld Jasta I. MFJ II was organized somewhat later, and the two were combined into a larger unit, Marine Jagdgruppe Flandern. Leutnant zur See Sachsenberg was appointed its commanding officer. His friend and rival ace Theo Osterkamp became commander of MGJ II. MFJ III was later raised and added to the larger unit. Still later, two more MFJs were raised and added to the parent unit, bringing its strength up to about 50 fighter planes, comparable to an army Jagdgeschwader. Stationed on North Sea coastal airfields, the MFJ units often fought against Royal Naval Air Service aircraft who were stationed in similar circumstances.

Sachsenberg opened his score as a fighter pilot, downing a Farman and a Sopwith 1½ Strutter on 1 May 1917. He scored again on the 12th, claiming a Sopwith Pup into the sea, and then notching a double victory on 7 June to make him an ace.
On 20 August, Sachsenberg was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern. By the end of 1917, his victory roll stood at eight. He claimed his ninth victory on 17 March 1918, and continued to score steadily until 29 October 1918, when he downed his 31st confirmed. Midway through this run, Sachsenberg was awarded Prussia's and Germany's highest decoration, the Pour le Mérite, on 5 August 1918. The MJF switched from the Albatross to Fokker D.VIIs in June 1918. They were as colorfully and distinctively marked as Manfred von Richthofen's "Flying Circus" (Jagdgeschwader 1), with the basic color scheme being yellow and black, as a yellow and black checkerboard had been Sachsenberg's personal motif, and it was spread to the entire unit, with minor variations marking the different pilots.

Karl Schäfer Germany #24 #25
Adolf von Tutschek Germany #5
Kurt Wolff Germany #28 #29
Francesco Baracca Italy #9

Douglas John Bell South Africa #1



On 1 June 1916, Douglas John Bell enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps and received his Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate on 22 September 1916. In October 1916 he was assigned to 27 Squadron. Credited with three Albatros D.IIIs, Bell and John Gilmour of Scotland were the two highest scoring aces to fly the Martinsyde G.100. Following a promotion to flight commander in March 1917, Bell was reassigned to 78 Squadron in England. Though never confirmed, he and his observer scored the first victory for the Home Defence on the evening of 25 September 1917. Flying a Sopwith 1½ Strutter, Bell and Lt. G.G. Williams attacked a Gotha bomber south of Brentwood, firing into it for nearly fifteen minutes before it crashed into the North Sea. On 13 February 1918, Bell returned to France, joining 3 Squadron as a flight commander. Flying the Sopwith Camel, he scored 17 victories in less than two months before he was killed in action attacking a two-seater during the German offensive on the Aisne. Bell was the highest scoring ace to serve with 3 Squadron.

Christopher Brand South Africa #6 #7

760 British lives were lost on this day...

Lieutenant Colonel Singleton Bonner DSO (South Staffordshire Regiment commanding 10th Royal Fusiliers) dies of wounds received at Gavrelle on 23 April at age 37. He is the youngest son of the late John Bonner, of the Falkland Islands and was educated at Harrow, and served in the South African War, receiving both medals with five clasps. He was three times mentioned in dispatches during the Great War, and was awarded the DSO after the Battle of Festubert 1915. During March and April of that year he commanded the 1st South Staffordshire Regiment, and returned to England after being gassed at Loos. Shortly after his return to the Front last month he assumed command of the 10th Royal Fusiliers.

Today’s highlighted casualties include:

Temporary Captain Henry Stear Blackwood (London Regiment) dies of wounds at age 23. He is the grandson of the Reverend William Stear Blackwood.
Second Lieutenant ‘the Honorable’ Frederick Ivor Thesiger (Royal Field Artillery) dies of wounds at age 20 in the Middle East. He is the son of the 1st Viscount Chelmsford.
Second Lieutenant Joseph Arnold Cooksey (Royal Garrison Artillery) is killed at age 30 two weeks after his brother died of wounds.
Second Lieutenant Herbert William Brough (Australian Field Artillery) is killed. He is the son of the Reverend Anthony Watson.
Second Lieutenant Joseph Arnold Cookey (Royal Garrison Artillery) is killed at age 29. His brother was killed last month.
Flight Sergeant Walter Eric Major Stidolph (Royal Flying Corps) is killed in a flying accident when the aircraft he is piloting, for an unknown reason, nosedives into the ground on landing approach Farnborough. He is a test pilot for the Southern Aircraft Repair Park.


Frederick Ivor Thesiger

Capt. Tunstill's Men: The weather was described as ‘glorious’ and the Battalion was engaged in training exercises.

The Imperial War Cabinet - May 1st 1917

[Hedeby]

Another late one this evening - and the war in the air shows no signs of slackening off...

May 2nd 1917

On a slightly more positive note (although not for the man concerned), the RFC only lost six men on this day...

6 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON WEDNESDAY MAY 2ND 1917

Air Mech 2nd Class Bourne, E.L. (Eustace Lionel) RFC No.3 Stores Depot, Milton
Air Mech 3rd Class Drain, J.T. (James Thomas)RFC
Flt Sub-Lt Gaskell, H.L. (Holbrook Lance) 2 (N) Wing, E Flight, attached to Royal Flying Corps Royal Naval Air Service
2nd Lt. Purvis, J.W. (John William) RFC
2nd Lt. Ryan, J.H. (John Henry) 57 Squadron RFC
2nd Lt. Watt, J. (James) RFC

On the other had, there were once again aerial victories in abundance...

George Simpson Australia #3
Frederick Carr Armstrong Canada #3
William Bishop Canada #16

Harold Mott Canada #1



Captain Harold Edgar Mott 9 (N) Squadron RNAS: On 2 August 1916, Mott graduated from the Wright Flying School at Mineola, New York. He was posted to 9 Naval Squadron in 1917 and scored four victories flying the Sopwith Pup and one victory flying the Sopwith Camel. In November 1917, he was posted to the Aerial Gunnery School at Beamsville, Ontario, in charge of crash investigations.

Arthur Treloar Whealy Canada #3
John Andrews England #9
Albert Ball England #39 #40
Robert Compston England #5

Douglas Cunnell England #1

After being commissioned in the Hampshire Regiment, Donald Charles Cunnell transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in late 1915. As a flight commander with 20 Squadron in 1917, he scored 9 victories flying the F.E.2d. Near Wervicq on 6 July 1917, Cunnell and his observer fought Jasta 11 and claimed four Albatros D.Vs out of control. A fifth Albatros, flown by Manfred von Richthofen, was also hit but not claimed. Killed in action on 12 July 1917, Cunnell's observer flew the F.E.2d back to base.

William Fry England #1



With the Somerset Light Infantry, William Mayes Fry 2nd Lieutenant William Mayes Fry received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 3003 on a Maurice Farman biplane at Military School, Birmingham on 24 May 1916. Listed as William Mays Fry in some sources.

Frederick Hall England #1



Flight Sub-Lieutenant Frederick Vincent Hall received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 3898 on a Grahame-White biplane at Royal Naval Air Station, Chingford on 1 December 1916. Posted to 4 Naval Squadron on 26 April 1917, he scored 1 victory flying the Sopwith Pup before he was reassigned to 8 Naval Squadron on 5 May 1917 and wounded in action when he was shot down on 23 May 1917. When he recovered he was posted to 10 Naval Squadron where he scored 6 more victories flying the Sopwith Camel. Hall was killed in a collision with another Camel pilot on 15 May 1918.

Spencer Horn England #1

Spencer Bertram "Nigger" Horn (wouldn't get away with that these days would you...) Spencer Bertram Horn was living in Kensington, London in 1901. Lt. Spencer Bertram Horn, D.G. and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has destroyed several hostile machines and driven down others out of control. On one occasion he attacked alone four enemy aircraft, shooting one down completely out of control. He has twice cooperated with an infantry attack, diving to a very low altitude. He has shown great skill and gallantry on all occasions.

Thomas Middleton England #2
Ernest Moore England #4 #5 #6
Edmund Pierce England #5
Edward Harper Sayers England #3

Owen John Frederick Scholte England #1 #2



The son of Frederick P. and Emma Scholte, Owen John Frederick Scholte attended Mill Hill School from 1909 to 1912. A Brisfit pilot with 48 Squadron in 1917, he scored six victories with his observers. With 60 Squadron in the spring of 1918, he scored two more victories flying the S.E.5a. Returning from a party in an automobile driven by Cyril Crowe, Scholte and another passenger were killed when the vehicle collided with a tree.

Harold Stackard England #1
Albert Achard France #2
Georges Guynemer France #37
Paul Homo France #2 #3

Alexandre Marty France #1

"Marty, Alexandre Paul Leon Madeleine, lieutenant (Active) of the 21st Regiment of Light Cavalry, pilot of Escadrille N77, pursuit pilot of the first order who demonstrates with each new day his mastery of combat. On 2 May 1917, 28 June 1917 and 3 July 1917, he downed his first three enemy planes. Cited twice in orders." Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur citation, 2 July 1917

Fritz Bernert Germany #25
Heinrich Bongartz Germany #5

Wolfgang Güttler Germany #1

Leutnant Wolfgang Güttler was a World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories. He would score the first four while flying with Jagdstaffel 24, and the last four while flying as commander of Jagdstaffel 13. He was killed in a midair collision over his home airfield on 20 February 1918.

Wolfgang Güttler was born in Reichenstein on 22 February 1893. At the start of World War I, he served with the Jäger-Bataillon Nr. 11 (11th Jaeger Bataillon), and won a Second Class Iron Cross. He then transferred to the Die Fliegertruppen (Imperial German Air Service). After training as a pilot, Güttler was posted to Feldfliegerabteilung (Field Flier Detachment) 72 on the Eastern Front in 1916. He later served with Feldflieger Abteilung (Field Flier Detachment) 285. During this time, he was awarded the First Class Iron Cross in November 1916. He then underwent single-seater fighter training at Fliegerersatz-Abteilung (Replacement Detachment) 11. He was then posted to a fighter squadron, Jagdstaffel 24, on 10 March 1917. He scored his first aerial victory on 2 May 1917, when he shot down a Nieuport 17 south of Bienes. By 9 August, he had shot down a Spad VII and two Sopwith Triplanes of 10 Naval Squadron RNAS. On 29 September 1917, he was posted to Jagdstaffel 13 to command it as its Staffelführer (C.O.). He scored his fifth victory on 20 October 1917; on 19 February he scored his eighth. The following day, Wolfgang Güttler was engaged in aerial combat over Jasta 13's home aerodrome at Reneuil Ferme when he collided with another German pilot and was killed in action

Albert Haussmann Germany #3
Alois Heldmann Germany u/c
Georg Meyer Germany u/c
Max von Müller Germany #8
Francis Casey Ireland #9
Alan Scott New Zealand #3
Ivan Smirnov Russia #2
Henry Meintjes South Africa #6
William Kennedy-Cochran-Patrick Scotland #8
William Winkler Scotland #4 #5 #6

Air War
Western Front: From behind BEF barrage hedge-hopping Nieuport fighters destroy 4 German balloons (7 destroyed similarly on May 7 for 2 Nieuports lost). 40* aircraft dogfight east of Arras in which Captain Ball makes the only kill.


The observer saves himself from a hit balloon by parachute.

Eastern Front
Russia: Alexeiev and Front commanders tell Provisional Government and Petrograd Soviet ‘The Army is on the very brink of ruin’. 2 MILLION DESERTERS IN MARCH AND APRIL.

Sea War
Britain: ‘Then called on Carson at Admiralty … still deeply depressed about submarine war’ C P Scott, Editor Manchester Guardian.
Austria: At breakfast German Admiral Holtzendorff assures Emperor Charles that April U-boat sinkings will be 1 million tons, Empress Zita deplores U-boat war.

648 British lives were lost on this day...

The destroyer HMS Derwent (Lieutenant Commander Edward Cricherly Thornton survives) strikes a mine near Le Harve and sinks. Fifty-eight of her crew are killed including. Stoker Tom Wise who is killed at age 23. His brother was killed on Gallipoli in December 1915.
Lieutenant Frederick Vincent Hall (Royal Flying Corps) defends the city of Dunkirk from hostile aircraft and for his bravery the city awards a medal to Hall. He will be killed as a 7-victory ace in May 1918.
Channel: Royal Navy destroyer Derwent sunk by mine (52 lives lost).

Brigadier General Vincent Alexander Ormsby CB General Officer Commanding 127th Brigade 42nd Division is killed in action at age 51. During the early morning the General and several of his staff and Royal Engineers officers of both the 42nd Division and the Corps make a reconnaissance of the Green line (in the vicinity of Little Priel Farm and Catelet Copse. A shell falls into the road striking the slope of the bank. Pieces strike the General, one severing his jugular vein; he becomes unconscious at once and dies shortly afterwards.

He was the son of Captain George Fred Ormsby, late 2nd Dragoon Guards, of Thames Ditton, and received his earliest education at Reverend T. J. Nunn’s preparatory school at Maidenhead. He played against Eton in 1883 and was gazetted to the 1st Battalion East Surrey Regiment. In 1890 he was transferred to the Indian Army, and then joined the 1st Battalion 3rd Queen Alexandra’s Own Gurkha Rifles, which his grandfather had helped to raise in 1816. He saw much service in India, taking part in the Tirah and North-West Frontier campaigns (1897-1989).



In August 1914, he was in command of the 2nd Battalion 3rd Gurkha Rifles and proceeded with them to France. After several months of service there, during which time he was awarded the C.B. and mentioned in Despatches, he was sent at the end of 1915 with his battalion to Egypt, and was shortly afterwards given the command of a Territorial Brigade. He was present at the actions of Katia and Romani in the district east of the Suez Canal, being again mentioned in Despatches, his fourth time.

Early in 1917 the Brigade was ordered to France. In the early hours of May 2nd of that year Ormsby was killed in action, struck by shrapnel pieces which severed his jugular vein. He died almost immediately.

Captain Gerard Henry Tilson Chowne (East Lancashire Regiment) dies of wounds at age 41. He is an artist and painter of great promise and was a frequent contributor to the Exhibitions of the New English Art Club, where a special exhibition of his paintings will be held after his death in honor of his memory. In the summers of 1912-14 he was constantly in the Harrow playing fields, where he was engaged in a number of drawings which he hoped to publish when the series was completed.



Capt Tunstill's Men: On another fine, warm day, the Battalion was inspected, along with the rest of the Brigade, in fighting order, by Divisional Commander, Major General Sir J. M. Babington KCMG, who presented the ribbon of the Military Medal to Pte. Arthur Foster of ‘C’ Company; he had been awarded the decoration as a result of his conduct during a German gas attack in February (see 14th February).

Cpl. Fred Swale (see 12th March) was posted to England in preparation for a course of officer training, prior to which he would have a period of leave. When he returned to England, Swale was reported by the Craven Herald as being, “one of few left of Captain Tunstill’s hundred”. Indeed of the original “hundred” (who in actually fact numbered 87) who had been recruited personally by Tunstill in Settle and district, fewer than twenty-five were now still with the Battalion. Eighteen men had been killed and the remainder wounded, discharged on medical grounds, transferred or commissioned.



USS Cyclops (AC-4) was one of four Proteus-class colliers built for the United States Navy several years before World War I. Named for the Cyclops, a primordial race of giants from Greek mythology, she was the second U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name. The loss of the ship and 306 crew and passengers without a trace within the area known as the Bermuda Triangle some time after 4 March 1918 remains the single largest loss of life in U.S. Naval history not directly involving combat. As it was wartime, there was speculation she was captured or sunk by a German raider or submarine, because she was carrying 10,800 long tons (11,000 t) of manganese ore used to produce munitions, but German authorities at the time, and subsequently, denied any knowledge of the vessel. The Naval History & Heritage Command has stated she "probably sank in an unexpected storm" But the ultimate cause of the ship's fate is unknown.



Cyclops was launched on 7 May 1910, by William Cramp and Sons, Philadelphia, and placed in service on 7 November 1910, with Lieutenant Commander George Worley, Master, Naval Auxiliary Service, in command. Operating with the Naval Auxiliary Service, Atlantic Fleet, she voyaged in the Baltic from May–July 1911 to supply Second Division ships. Returning to Norfolk, Virginia, she operated on the east coast from Newport, Rhode Island, to the Caribbean, servicing the fleet. During the United States occupation of Veracruz in Mexico in 1914–1915, she coaled ships on patrol there and received the thanks of the U.S. State Department for cooperation in evacuating refugees. With American entry into World War I, Cyclops was commissioned on 1 May 1917, with Lieutenant Commander George W. Worley in command. She joined a convoy for Saint-Nazaire, France, in June 1917, returning to the U.S. in July. Except for a voyage to Halifax, Nova Scotia, she served along the east coast until 9 January 1918, when she was assigned to the Naval Overseas Transportation Service. She then sailed to Brazilian waters to fuel British ships in the south Atlantic, receiving the thanks of the State Department and Commander-in-Chief, Pacific.

She put to sea from Rio de Janeiro on 16 February 1918, and entered Salvador on 20 February. Two days later, she departed for Baltimore, Maryland, with no stops scheduled, carrying the manganese ore. The ship was thought to be overloaded when she left Brazil, as her maximum capacity was 8,000 long tons (8,100 t).[vague] Before leaving port, Commander Worley had submitted a report that the starboard engine had a cracked cylinder and was not operative. This report was confirmed by a survey board, which recommended, however, that the ship be returned to the U.S. She made an unscheduled stop in Barbados because the water level was over the Plimsoll line, indicating an overloaded condition;however investigations in Rio proved the ship had been loaded and secured properly. Cyclops then set out for Baltimore on 4 March, and was rumored to have been sighted on 9 March by the molasses tanker Amolco near Virginia, but this was denied by Amolco's captain. Additionally, because Cyclops was not due in Baltimore until 13 March, it is highly unlikely that the ship would have been near Virginia on 9 March, as that location would have placed her only about a day from Baltimore. In any event, Cyclops never made it to Baltimore, and no wreckage of her has ever been found. Reports indicate that on 10 March, the day after the ship was rumored to have been sighted by Amolco, a violent storm swept through the Virginia Capes area. While some suggest that the combination of the overloaded condition, engine trouble, and bad weather may have conspired to sink Cyclops,an extensive naval investigation concluded: "Many theories have been advanced, but none that satisfactorily accounts for her disappearance."This summation was written, however, before two of Cyclops's sister ships, Proteus and Nereus, vanished in the North Atlantic during World War II. Both ships were transporting heavy loads of metallic ore similar to that which was loaded on Cyclops during her fatal voyage. In both cases, it was theorized that their loss was the result of catastrophic structural failure, but a more outlandish theory attributes all three vessels' disappearances to the Bermuda Triangle.

Rear Admiral George van Deurs suggested that the loss of Cyclops could be owing to structural failure, as her sister ships suffered from issues where the I-beams that ran the length of the ship had eroded owing to the corrosive nature of some of the cargo carried. This was observed definitively on the USS Jason, and is believed to have contributed to the sinking of another similar freighter, Chuky, which snapped in two in calm seas. Moreover, Cyclops may have hit a storm with 30–40 kn (56–74 km/h; 35–46 mph) winds. These would have resulted in waves just far enough apart to leave the bow and stern supported on the peaks of successive waves, but with the middle unsupported, resulting in extra strain on the already weakened central area.

On 1 June 1918, Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin D. Roosevelt declared Cyclops to be officially lost, and all hands deceased.One of the seamen lost aboard Cyclops was African American mess attendant Lewis H. Hardwick, the father of Herbert Lewis Hardwick, "The Cocoa Kid," an Afro Puerto Rican welterweight boxer who was a top contender in the 1930s and 1940s who won the world colored welterweight and world colored middleweight championships. In 1918, a short summary of the loss of Cyclops was listed in the U.S. Navy Annual Report. For a BBC Radio 4 documentary, Tom Mangold had an expert from Lloyds investigate the loss of Cyclops. The expert noted that manganese ore, being much denser than coal, had room to move within the holds even when fully laden, the hatch covers were canvas and that when wet the ore can become a slurry. As such, the load could shift and cause the ship to list. Combined with a possible loss of power from its one engine it could founder in bad weather.

Cyclops has spawned some modern fictional references...

The disappearance of Cyclops is a plot element in the 1986 novel Cyclops by Clive Cussler.
In the Quantum Leap TV episode "Ghost Ship", Cyclops is said to have picked up a downed air man (Captain Cooper) during World War II, 26 years after she was lost at sea.
In the 2006 cartoon Scooby-Doo! Pirates Ahoy!, the characters spot Cyclops while sailing through the Bermuda Triangle.
In the 2010 video game Dark Void, the main character discovers and explores Cyclops.

[mikeemagnus]

Thanks again Chris

[Hedeby]

May 3rd 1917

Its a packed edition tonight- so without further ado...

Western Front

Artois – Third Battle of the Scarpe (until May 4): British attack on 16-mile front east of Arras with 14 divisions; 2,685 guns (vs 1,429 German pieces) and 16 tanks before dawn at 0345 hours with few Third Army gains although Canadians (1,259 casualties) storm Fresnoy, capturing 500 PoWs.

After securing the area around Arleux at the end of April, the British determined to launch another attack east from Monchy to try to break through the Boiry Riegel and reach the Wotanstellung, a major German defensive fortification. This was scheduled to coincide with the Australian attack at Bullecourt to present the Germans with a two–pronged assault. British commanders hoped that success in this venture would force the Germans to retreat further to the east. With this objective in mind, the British launched another attack near the Scarpe on 3 May. However, neither prong was able to make any significant advances and the attack was called off the following day after incurring heavy casualties.[60] Although this battle was a failure, the British learned important lessons about the need for close liaison between tanks, infantry and artillery, which they would later apply in the Battle of Cambrai.



Artois – Battle of Bullecourt (until May 17): 6 British*-Australian divisions with 12 tanks of Fifth Army break into strongly fortified village 14 miles west of Cambrai and break through Hindenburg Line switch at Queant.

After the initial assault around Bullecourt failed to penetrate the German lines, British commanders made preparations for a second attempt. British artillery began an intense bombardment of the village, which by 20 April had been virtually destroyed.Although the infantry assault was planned for 20 April, it was pushed back a number of times and finally set for the early morning of 3 May. At 03:45, elements of the 2nd Australian Division attacked east of Bullecourt village, intending to pierce the Hindenburg Line and capture Hendecourt-lès-Cagnicourt, while British troops from the 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division attacked Bullecourt, which was finally taken by the British 7th Division and despite determined effort by the Germans was held by the British 62nd Division.[65] German resistance was fierce and when the offensive was called off on 17 May, few of the initial objectives had been met. The Australians were in possession of much of the German trench system between Bullecourt and Riencourt-lès-Cagnicourt but had been unable to capture Hendecourt. To the west, British troops managed to push the Germans out of Bullecourt but incurred considerable losses, failing also to advance north-east to Hendecourt.



Compared to the 11 April operation in which a single Australian division attacked, the second attempt was larger. The 1st Anzac Corps (Birdwood) remained in the same area, employed one division (2nd Australian) and would not use tanks again; the British V Corps also now joined in, used one division (62nd (West Riding)) and would use tanks. Both were ordered to reach and hold the Hindenburg Support trench on a front of some 4000 yards (which meant capturing Bullecourt); they would then advance to the Fontaine-Queant road; and even go beyond that to take Hendecourt and Riencourt. Much more and heavier artillery was now in place, as were large stocks of ammunition, and the bombardment of the targets began in earnest from 12 April. Bullecourt was all but flattened and the area became the completely devastated zone as seen in the image above. Nothing was left to chance in this set-piece operation, compared to the sketchy and urgent affair that had been the attack of 10-11 April. The infantry would advance behind a creeping barrage, supported by Stokes mortars; massed machine guns were employed.

Attacking in moonlight at 3.45am the 5th Australian Brigade on the right soon got into difficulties. Hit by devastating crossfire, the order was given to retire and the attacking units did so - but brigade HQ was not informed, success rockets were fired by a few men who did get through, and the situation was obscure for much of the time. On their left, 6th Brigade fared better, entering the Hindenburg Line first trenches, (although 22nd Battalion was hit by fire from the village and also fell back by 4.30am): it pressed on, with numbers falling, to the second objective. Some men of 24th Battalion reached the tramway seen on the map. On the brigade's left, hand to hand fighting was now taking place in the trenches and ruins of Bullecourt. It was now clear to 6th Brigade HQ (Gellibrand) that a further advance to the distant objectives was not likely, and calls for a protective artillery barrage were finally answered at 7am. Meanwhile 25th Battalion, ordered to attack to assist the floundering 62nd Division, met with heavy fire and could make no headway.

62nd (West Riding) Division attacked using all three of its brigades, supported by ten tanks of "D" Battalion and with 22nd Brigade of 7th Division in reserve at Mory. It was the division's first major engagement since arriving in France. Despite heavy fire and close-in fighting, the 2/5th West Yorkshire penetrated through to the northern outskirts of Bullecourt, but reinforcements could not reach them.On the left, the battalions of 186th and 187th Brigades met with mixed success, with some men getting as far forward as the factory (see map). Three tanks entered the village and others got through the Hindenburg Line NW of it, but were outpaced by the infantry and then found them falling back. Attempts to reinforce the parties that had advanced the furthest proved costly and fruitless, and by noon all except those at the factory had been killed or captured. Orders were hurriedly sent to 22nd Brigade to assist, but it was not until 10.30pm that the 2nd HAC and 1st Royal Welsh Fusiliers came into action, and they very soon faced counter attacks. At 4am on 4 May a heavy German bombardment hit the 2nd Royal Warwickshire and 20th Manchesters while they formed up ready to advance.

For all the efforts of 3 May, only a small lodgement had been made in the enemy system, by 6th Australian Brigade.



The Hindenburg Line near Bullecourt

The attacks of this day prove to be disastrous in terms of losses... 7382 British Lives were lost on this day

At Arras the 14th Division attacks with two brigades – each with two battalions the in front line. The 41st Brigade on the right has the 8th Rifle Brigade on the right and the 8th King’s Royal Rifle Corps on the left, while the 42nd Brigade has the 6th Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry on the right and the 9th Rifle Brigade on the left. The attack has two objectives, first, a line running north eastwards along the road along the road from St. Michaels Statue for fifteen hundred yards to within two hundred yards of a wood known as Triangle Wood. Second a line running north and south one thousand yards east of St. Michael's Statue. Zero hour is 03:45. Heavy losses are suffered but the objectives are taken, machine guns in Triangle Wood cause severe losses as well as a very heavy enemy bombardment on the entire Divisional area as far back as Brigade Headquarters. Among those killed is

Captain James Bannerman Lorimer (Cameron Highlanders attached Rifle Brigade) is killed in action at age 37. He is the son of the late Sheriff of the Counties of Aberdeen, Kincardine and Banff. He was also a writer to the Signet.
Captain Archibald Cameron (Cameron Highlanders) is killed at age 31. He is the son of Donald Cameron 24th Chief of Clan Cameron who lost another son in September 1914.
Second Lieutenant John Legg Bulmer (Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry) is killed at agae 22. He is the son of the Reverend Edward Bulmer Rector of St Martin.
Second Lieutenant Charles Croke Harper (Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry) is killed at age 36. He is the son of the Reverend Edward James Harper Rector of Broughton.
Rifleman John William Nichols (Rifle Brigade) killed at age 20. His brother will be killed in two weeks.

Aisne: Colonial division and 2 French infantry regiments (21st Division) affected by mutinies (until May 4).

There were three Victoria Crosses awarded on this day:



Lieutenant Robert Grierson Combe (Manitoba Regiment) is killed by an enemy sniper south of Acheville, France. During the day he has steadied his company under intense fire and led them through the enemy barrage, reaching the objective with only five men. With great coolness and courage Lieutenant Combe proceeded to bomb the enemy and inflicted heavy casualties. He collects small groups of men and succeeds in capturing the company’s objective together with eighty prisoners. He repeatedly charges the enemy driving them before him until the sniper kills him. For his actions on this day he will be awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross. Combe was buried in a battlefield cemetery near Acheville close where he was killed, but later fighting saw the cemetery destroyed and his grave site lost. As such, R.G. Combe's name is inscribed on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial along with the names of the other Canadian soldiers who were killed in France and whose bodies were never recovered or identified or whose graves were lost. The battlefield on which Lt. Combe fell is just over seven kilometres away from the Vimy Monument, and on a clear day Acheville can be seen from the monument itself.



Corporal George Jarratt (Royal Fusiliers) is, together with some wounded men, taken prisoner and placed under guard in a dugout. During the evening the enemy is driven back by our troops, the leading infantrymen of which commence to bomb the dugouts. A grenade falls in the dugout, and without hesitation Corporal Jarrett places both of his feet on the grenade, the subsequent explosion blowing off both his legs. The wounded are later safely removed to our lines, but Corporal Jarrett dies before he can be removed. He will be awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for these deeds. By this supreme act of self-sacrifice the lives of these wounded were saved.



John "Jack" Harrison VC MC (12 November 1890 – 3 May 1917) was a professional rugby league player for Hull, who became a British Army officer and posthumous recipient of the Victoria Cross during the First World War, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Lieutenant John Harrison (East Yorkshire Regiment) leads his company against an enemy trench under heavy rifle and machine gun fire, but is repulsed. Reorganizing his command in No Man’s Land, he again attacks under terrific fire, but again without success. Finally turning around he single-handed makes a dash at the machine gun, hoping to knock it out so as to save the lives of many of his company. He is killed in the effort and will be awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for these efforts. His son will be killed as a Captain in the defence of Dunkirk in the next war.



Hull FC are holding a commemorative week and service for 'Jack' this week and have released a centenary rugby shirt in his honour.

Captain Frank Oswald Eiloart (London Regiment) is killed by machine fire at age 24. His brother Cyril Herbert Eiloart (Irish Guards attached Guards Machine Gun Regiment) will be killed on 26 September 1918. Captain Eiloart was in British Columbia when the War broke out and immediately enlisted in the British Columbia Horse. He came to England with the second contingent of the Canadian Forces in July 1915, and went to France with the Canadian Mounted Rifles in the following September, serving with them in the neighborhood of Ypres until August 1916. He was then gazetted Second Lieutenant to the London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers), in which his brother, Captain H A Eiloart, was already serving. He went through the Battle of the Somme, and was gazetted Acting Captain in April 1917. Today he is leading his Company in an attack east of Arras and is within twenty yards of the enemy trenches in front of Vis-en-Artois, when he comes across hidden machine-guns and is shot through the heart.

Captain Henry Cecil Pember (Household Battalion) is killed at age 37 while leading an attack on Roeux. He gets within ten yards of the German lines and then comes under heavy machine gun fire, and the Battalion suffers very heavy losses. He is the second son of George Herbert Pember JP for Hants and he is married to the eldest daughter of ‘Sir’ Amherst Selby-Bigge KCB and Lady Selby-Bigge. Captain Pember served in the South African War in the Imperial Yeomanry, Queen’s Own Oxfordshire Hussars. He rejoined his Regiment on the outbreak of the War as a Second Lieutenant and was promoted to the rank of Major. In 1916 he was transferred to the Life Guards and then to the Household Battalion. He went to the Front in January 1917 and was present at the Battles of the Ancre and Arras.

Second Lieutenant Victor George Ursell (Shropshire Light Infantry) is killed in action at age 23. He had been the Mathematical Scholar at Balliol, first in the 1st Class Honors List Math Mods in 1913, Proxime Accessit in the University Junior School Exam in 1914 and a member of the Balliol Boat Club. He had also been the liaison and Intelligence Officer at Salonika before transferring to the Western Front.

The War in the Air

8 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON THURSDAY MAY 3RD 1917

Flight Sub Lt.Berridge, R.W. (Raymond Winchester) 6 (N) Squadron RNAS attached 14th Wing, Royal Flying Corps
Capt. Browning, S.F. (Stanley Forrester) 41 Squadron RFC
Air Mech. 3rd Class Dimond, H.J.B. (Herbert James Bradshaw) Recruits Depot RFC
Lt. King, B. (Berry) 25 Squadron RFC
Trumpeter Lawrence, J.G. (James Gibson) 25 Squadron RFC
2nd Lt. Marks, C.R. (Craig Royston) RFC
2nd Lt. Morris, M.J. (Mansell John) 43 Squadron RFC
2nd Lt. Trollope, W.K. (William Kennedy) 13 Squadron RFC

The following claims were made today...

Phillip Johnston Australia #1

Engaging members of Jasta 30 over Wingles, Johnston and another member of his flight were killed in action when their Sopwith Camels collided. Hans Bethge claimed both aircraft.

Julius Arigi Austro-Hungarian Empire #9
Josef Friedrich Austro-Hungarian Empire #5
Anthony Rex Arnold England #4
Francis Cubbon England #6 #7
Geoffrey Pidcock England #4

Frank Stevens England #1



Flying the F.E.2d with 20 Squadron, Frank Douglas Stevens scored five victories in the spring and summer of 1917. He was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) on 3 June 1919. On 7 July 1921 he married Eva May, youngest daughter of William Gore of Sandymount, Dublin, at Sandymount Presbyterian Church

Frederick Thayre England #5 #6

Bernard Barny de Romanet France #1



Barny de Romanet joined the army in October 1913. After serving in combat with cavalry and infantry regiments, he transferred to the French Air Service in July 1915. He received a Pilot's Brevet in January 1916 and was assigned as a reconnaissance pilot to C51. After training on single-seat fighters in February 1917, Barny de Romanet was reassigned to N37 where he received the Médaille Militaire for shooting down his first enemy aircraft. Having been credited with ten victories by 22 August 1918, he assumed command of Spa167 and remained with this Escadrille until the end of the war.

"Elite pilot, as brilliant in pursuit aviation as he was in reconnaissance. Has had numerous combats giving proof under all circumstances of the highest military qualities. On 3 May 1917 he attacked, over their lines, two enemy scouts and downed one of them. Already cited three times in orders." Médaille Militaire citation, 23 May 1917

Francois de Boigne France #1

François Eugene Marie Antoine de Boigne - alas no notes available.

Honore de Bonald France #3
René Dorme France u/c
Raoul Echard France #3
Charles Nungesser France #24
Pierre Pendaries France #3
Walter Göttsch Germany #10
Ernst Wiessner Germany #2
Giles Blennerhasset Ireland #6


Politics
France: Anglo-French Paris War Conference (until May 5).
USA: US loans Italy $100 million, France also on May 8 and Russia on May 16.

Neutrals
Brazil: Foreign Minister Müller resigns as German name hampers his neutral policy.

Home Fronts
Russia: First demonstration against Provisional Government, Foreign Minister Miliukov defends policy to Petrograd crowds. Provisional Governments just wins Petrograd Soviet confidence vote (on May 4).

[Hedeby]

Happy Star Wars day one and all, yes May 4th be with you !!!
This edition will be in two phases as I have to compile it around finishing cooking and then going out, so bear with us...

May 4th 1917

The hired transport Transylvania (Lieutenant S Brennell killed), of 14,315 tons, is torpedoed off Cape Vado, a few kilometers south of Savona, Italy by the German submarine U-63. The Japanese destroyer Matsu comes alongside the Transylvania and begins to offload the troops while the destroyer Sakaki circles in an attempt to force the submarine to submerge. After a second torpedo strikes the ship the Transylvania sinks immediately. There are three hundred ninety-eight military casualties in addition to the twelve members of the crew killed (the Master included).



Trooper James Werner Magnusson (Auckland Mounted Rifles) is on the deck when Transylvania is torpedoed and sees an injured soldier struggling in the water. He immediately dives overboard and although there is a very rough sea he swims to the soldier’s assistance and succeeds in placing him in a boat. Magnussen then returns to the sinking ship and drowns when the ship goes down. For his actions he will be posthumously awarded the Albert Medal.
Major Thomas Hubert Barclay (Surrey Yeomanry) dies from exhaustion after saving many lives in the sinking of H M T Transylvania for which he will be awarded the Board of Trade Silver medal for saving life at sea posthumously. He dies on board an Italian tug boat after spending three and a half hours in the water at age 33. His brother died of wounds last January in East Africa.

Chaplain the Reverend John Thomas Craig Ireland is killed in the sinking at age 45.

Captain Charles Alfred Whiting Pope (Royal Army Medical Corps) is killed in the sinking at age 39. He is the son of Alfred Pope JP and one of eleven brothers and four sisters, all of whom (except on brother predeceased) fought or worked for their country in the Great War. One brother was killed in October 1915 another will die on service in April 1919. His son will be killed as a Pilot Officer in the RAFVR when he is shot down off Corunna in September 1942.

The War at Sea



The Action of 4 May 1917 was a naval and air engagement of the First World War in the North Sea. The action took place between the German Zeppelin LZ 92 (tactical name: L.43), several German submarines and a naval force led by the Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney. The action was inconclusive with no casualties on either side, concluding when the Zeppelin had dropped all of its bombs and the cruisers had expended all of their anti-aircraft ammunition.

Sydney was serving in British waters when on 4 May 1917, while part of an anti-submarine patrol from Rosyth, Scotland, the ship took part in a battle with a German Zeppelin, L.43, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Hermann Kraushaar. In concert with another cruiser, Dublin and four destroyers, Obdurate, Nepean, Pelican and Pylades. Sydney, under the command of Commander John Dumaresq who was the second-in-command of the 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron, had been patrolling between the Firth of Forth and River Humber, when lookouts spotted a vessel on the surface to the east of the British flotilla and Obdurate was detailed to investigate at around 10:00 am. About twenty-five minutes later, the Zeppelin was located by Dublin about 27 kilometres (17 mi) to the east, Sydney and Dublin turned towards the contact and fired at maximum range.

Obdurate continued to investigate the surface contact and subsequently located two German submarines. Coming under attack from one of these submarines, the destroyer dropped depth charges before turning away to attack the Zeppelin. As the destroyer closed on it, though, the Zeppelin turned away to the south-east. Within the space of the next half an hour, Dublin was unsuccessfully attacked by the German submarines at least three times with torpedoes, leading Dumaresq to conclude that the Germans were attempting to spring a trap on the British vessels. He subsequently ordered Obdurate to complete its investigation of the suspect vessel, which was subsequently determined to be a Dutch fishing vessel.

Dumaresq then attempted to draw the aircraft into following the British force by ordering his ships to turn away back onto their original course. As the airship approached again, Dublin and Sydney turned about to attack. In response, the Zeppelin's commander began a high-level bombing run on Dublin, but fast manoeuvres from the cruisers frustrated these efforts and the Zeppelin's attention turned instead to Obdurate, dropping three bombs which achieved near misses. This was followed by a further attack on Sydney, with between ten and twelve bombs being dropped but missing due to the cruiser's wild evasive manoeuvres. Sydney returned fire with her anti-aircraft guns but the aircraft proved to be flying too high to be successfully engaged.

A further Zeppelin moved towards the battle at around 1:00 pm, having been contacted by L.43 for assistance but it loitered to the north-east and did not close in to attack. The engagement ended when both sides exhausted their ammunition around 2:30 pm. The Zeppelin was forced to remain high to stay out of range of the flak, this meant that the bombs were dropped from too great of height to strike the Allied patrol. There was no damage or casualties. After the action, the Zeppelins departed the area and the British vessels completed their patrol before returning to Rosyth.

The action was commemorated in the early 1930s, in an oil painting by Australian war artist Charles Bryant.[It was the first time that a Royal Australian Navy vessel had been attacked by an enemy aircraft and was one of the actions that resulted in Sydney being awarded the "North Sea 1916–18" battle honour.

HMAS Sydney was the first ever Australian warship to go into combat and is commemorated thus...



Western Front
Germany: All 52 German reseve divisions of April 1 have been engaged. Allies still have 30.
Aisne: French XVIII Corps captures Craonne and trenches on 3-mile front northwest of Reims.


French Infantry attack during the Nivelle offensive

France: Inter-Allied conference in Paris until May 5. Haig and French commanders unanimously agree to continue offensive with limited objectives to prevent Germans recovering from their second Aisne and Arras losses and to prevent them striking at Russia and Italy, but BEF will make main attack.

Sea War
Atlantic: 6 US destroyers (Commander Taussig) arrive at Queenstown (South Ireland).
Western Mediterranean: U-63 sinks Egypt-bound British transport Transylvania (413 lost) in Gulf of Genoa, but rest of c.3,000 troops saved by escorting Japanese destroyer Matsu.

Air War
Palestine: 5 German aircraft bomb EEF Deir-el-Balah HQ (30 casualties). Royal Flying Corps bomb Beersheba on May 10.


Right back later..... hold the front page - and we're back in the room...

10 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON FRIDAY MAY 4TH 1917

Private Brimmell, A.M. (Albert Metherall) 9 Squadron RFC
2nd Lt. Caldwell, A.S. (Anthony Steel) 15 Reserve Squadron RFC
Air Mech 2nd Class Cook, A.J.M. (Aloysius John Michael) 53 Reserve Squadron RFC
2nd Lt. Foot, D.V. (David Victor) 18 Reserve Squadron RFC
Lt. Franklin, B.L. (Benjamin Lester) 70 Squadron RFC
2nd Lt. Mason, G. (George) RFC
2nd Lt. Pinson, I.L. (Ivan Lapworth) 70 Squadron RFC
2nd Lt. Trollope, C.H. (Cyril Harvey) RFC
2nd Lt. Turner, R.G. (Richard George) 37 Reserve Squadron RFC
Capt. Waine, M.L. (Malcolm Lyle) 3 Reserve Squadron RFC

The following Aces claimed victories on this day...

Julius Arigi Austro-Hungarian Empire #10
William Bishop Canada #17
Albert Ball England #41
Charles Booker England #6

Trevor Durrant England #1



The son of Edward Marling and Lilian (Ellis) Durrant, Trevor Durrant joined the Royal Flying Corps on 5 August 1916. Serving first with 55 Squadron, he scored his first victory as an observer aboard a D.H.4. After becoming a pilot, he was reassigned to 56 Squadron on 7 December 1917. Flying the S.E.5a, he scored ten more victories before he was shot down while fighting several Fokker DR.Is northeast of Albert.

Robert Farquhar England #2
William Fry England #2
John Herbert Towne Letts England #3

Valentine Reed England #1 (48 Squadron RFC)

Valentine Reed, a salesman living in Cheetham, Manchester, enlisted on 1 December 1914. He served with the Lancashire Fusiliers with prior service in the 3rd Battalion of the Manchester Regiment (regimental number 12658) before his tranfer to the Royal Flying Corps. Reed scored 9 victories in 1917 flying Bristol Fighters with 48 Squadron.



Kenneth Arthur Seth-Smith England #1

The son of Martin Seth-Smith, Cadet Kenneth Arthur Seth-Smith, of the 3rd Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant (on probation) on 24 March 1915 and confirmed in rank on 2 November 1915. He was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps as a Flying Officer (Observer) on 12 May 1917. Posted to 70 Squadron, he scored his first victory from the backseat of a Sopwith 1½ Strutter in May 1917. By December, he was a pilot and scored six more victories flying the Sopwith Camel. He was downed by Max von Müller on 16 December 1917 and wounded in action on 23 March 1918. On 19 April 1918, he was promoted to Lieutenant.

Gilbert de Guingand France u/c
René Dorme France #22
Georges Guynemer France #38
Fritz Bernert Germany #26

Franz Brandt Germany #1

Leutnant Franz Brandt (13 February 1893 – 1954) was a World War I flying ace credited with ten aerial victories.

Brandt entered the war an artilleryman. In July 1915 he transferred to aviation. His first assignment after training was Kampfstaffel (Tactical Bomber Squadron) 14, between July and September 1916. In December, he moved on to Schutzstaffel (Protection Squadron) 2; he saw some action there, but no results yet. On 2 February 1917, he was reassigned, to Jasta 19.He scored his first victory on 4 May, downing a Spad VII. On 21 August 1917, he took out an enemy observation balloon for his second triumph. On 31 December 1917, he changed squadrons again, to Jasta 27. In his tenure there, he downed enemy fighter planes on 23 January, 7 April, and 17 June 1918.[2] On 27 June 1918, he was appointed to command of Jasta 26.Between 7 July and 22 September, he shot down four enemy fighters and a two-seater.Brandt ended the war still commanding Jasta 26

Heinrich Gonterman Germany #18
Walter Göttsch Germany #11
Adolf von Tutschek Germany #6
Josef Veltjens Germany #2
Gerald Maxwell Scotland #2