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Thread: 100 Years Ago Today

  1. #2801

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    Quote Originally Posted by Hedeby View Post
    I'm back !!! one short dose of Norro Virus and a trip to Legoland later
    Sorry to hear of your incapacity Major Hedeby.
    I trust you are suitably recovered, and don't require a Blighty.
    Good to have you back.
    Kyte.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  2. #2802

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    Quote Originally Posted by Flying Officer Kyte View Post
    Sorry to hear of your incapacity Major Hedeby.
    I trust you are suitably recovered, and don't require a Blighty.
    Good to have you back.
    Kyte.
    Fine and dandy sir - aided by the recouperative power of Kendal Mint Cake

    Never Knowingly Undergunned !!

  3. #2803

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    October 23rd 1917


    Looks like a quiet day all round with many of the usual feeds coming back empty - so lets see what we can find... and lets start with something from the French

    Western Front
    Germany – OHL appreciation: ‘The guiding principle of our general military situation remains … that the decision lies in the Western theatre of war’; Major Wetzell of operations section submits proposals for a spring 1918 offensive on Western Front.
    Aisne – Battle of La Malmaison (‘Laffaux Corner’, until November 1): A second 1917 triumph for Petain’s carefully planned limited attack strategy. Maistre’s Sixth Army attacks with 8 divisions at 0515 hours in fog and cold, aided later by c.80 tanks, captures 3 villages and Fort Malmaison; 8,000 PoWs and 70 guns in 2-mile advance. A German division is heavily gassed and routed. French advance on Chavignon in Laffaux salient; Germans withdraw behind Oise-Aisne Canal.

    The Battle of La Malmaison (Bataille de la Malmaison) from 23 to 27 October, was the final French action of the 1917 campaign in the First World War, which had begun with the Nivelle Offensive. The French captured the village and fort of La Malmaison and took control of the Chemin des Dames ridge. The German 7th Army (General Max von Boehn) had discovered French preparations for the attack and also identified the date and time. Boehn chose to defend the front positions, rather than treat them as an advanced zone and to conduct the main defence north of the Oise–Aisne Canal. The German artillery was outnumbered three-to-one and on the front of the 14th Division, 32 German batteries were confronted by 125 French, which silenced most of the German guns before the attack. Gas from French bombardments on low-lying land near the Oise–Aisne Canal in the Ailette valley, became so dense that it was impossible to carry ammunition and supplies forward or to remove the wounded.

    Battalions from specialist German counter-attack divisions (Eingreifdivisionen) had been distributed along the front line and were caught in the French bombardments, German infantry shelters having been identified by French air reconnaissance and systematically destroyed. After the four-day bombardment was extended by two more days because of bad weather, the French XIV, XXI and XI corps of the Sixth Army, attacked on a 12.1 km (7.5 mi) front with six divisions. Zero hour had been set for 5:45 a.m. but a German message, ordering the front garrisons to be ready at 5:30 a.m. was intercepted and the French start time was moved forward to 5:15 a.m.

    The French infantry advanced behind an elaborate creeping barrage but the earlier zero hour meant that the attack began in the dark. Rain began to fall at 6:00 a.m. and the 63 attached Schneider CA1 and Saint-Chamond tanks were impeded by mud and 27 bogged behind the French front line. Fifteen tanks were immobilised crossing no man's land or in the German front line but the 21 remaining tanks and the infantry reached the German second position according to plan. The 38th Division captured Fort de Malmaison and XXI Corps took Allemant and Vaudesson. From 24 to 25 October, XXI and XIV corps advanced rapidly; the I Cavalry Corps was brought forward into the XIV Corps area, ready to exploit a German collapse. The German 7th Army conducted the Bunzelwitz Bewegung (Bunzelwitz Manoeuvre), a retirement from the Chemin-des-Dames to the north bank of the Ailette on the night of 1/2 November.

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    Fort de la Malmaison lay on the Chemin-des-Dames ridge and had been built as part of an entrenched camp north of the Aisne, in the Séré de Rivières system, designed by General Raymond Adolphe Séré de Rivières and built from the 1870s. The fort was in the northern angle between the Chemin-des-Dames and the Soissons–Laon road. The fortress casemates were tested with high explosives in 1887 and found to be insufficiently robust. Steel reinforced concrete had been added but in 1913, the fort was sold to a Laon contractor, to demolish and use the materials to build new barracks in town.[16] A long tunnel, the Montparnasse Quarry lay on the northern slopes below the fort, on the route to Chavignon village at the foot of the ridge.[15] The quarry was big enough to shelter an infantry brigade. The fort was to the north-west of the quarry, on the summit of the plateau at the western end of the ridge and the dismantled work was surrounded by a moat filled with mud. The subterranean galleries had been rebuilt and garrisoned by the Germans in September 1914, the outworks and interior being provided with several ferro-concrete machine-gun nests. From the ramparts, the Germans could see all movement from the Ailette to the Aisne and on the spurs running down to the Aisne from the Chemin-des-Dames ridge.

    There was a clear view northwards from the fort over the Ailette, along the lower edge of the west side of the Forest of Coucy and past the village of Brancourt; to the east were two groups of hills round Anizy, on the north bank of the Ailette. Laon was about 13 km (8 mi) distant and visible at the end of the valley of the Ardon, which joins the Ailette north of Chavignon. Further east, beyond the Bassin d'alimentation reservoir, was the hilltop village of Monampteuil. East of the reservoir, the valley of the Upper Ailette was visible as far as the Troyon–Laon road. South of Fort de la Malmaison, in the centre of the plateau closer to the French lines, lay the huge Bohery Quarry, where the ground began to slope steeply down towards the Aisne valley. In October 1917, German engineers were still connecting the quarry with the Montparnasse tunnel, other underground works and the galleries under the fort. The Montparnasse, Fort de la Malmaison and Bohery excavations, the Fruty Quarry on the edge of the Soissons–Laon road, about 1.6 km (1 mi) east of Laffaux Mill and many other subterranean obstacles faced the Sixth Army.

    French plan of attack

    On 23 October at 5:45 a.m., the French infantry were to advance between the Anizy–Vauxaillon railway and Royère on a 10 km (6.2 mi) front, to the northern edge of the ridge on which lay the villages of Pinon, Chavignon, Pargny and Filain, in three stages. After a pause for consolidation, the attack was to continue to the Ailette on 25 October. The main effort was intended to drive a salient into the German defences, on a line from Vaurains to Fort Malmaison and Chavignon. Behind the six attacking divisions and two regiments of the flanking divisions, six more divisions waited to nettoyer (clean up) and consolidate the captured ground. The French attack was faced by  3 1⁄2 front holding divisions, backed by two depleted Eingreif divisions, since part of the 9th Division remained with Group Liesse further east.[28]

    XIV Corps was to capture the German first position, from Moisy Farm to Laffaux Mill, Mennejean Farm and the Fruty Quarry, by taking the ridge above Laffaux, from Moisy Farm to a neck of ground linking it to the Malmaison plateau. The corps was then to keep on the right of the ravines, between which lies the Mont des Singes spur and capture the strong point of the Guerbette valley, below the tip of the spur and the Château de la Motte. The 28th and 27th divisions were then to descend into the ravine of Allemant, capture the quarry and ruins of Allemant, the Allemant plateau and the strong points between the German first and second positions. After the capture of Allemant, the 28th Division was to halt between Vallée Guerbette and a point 550 m (600 yd) north of Allemant. Pivoting on Allemant, the 27th Division on the right, was to attack the Riegelstellung known there as Giraffe and Lizard trenches. On the extreme right flank the French were to stop on the high ground west of Vaudesson. Assuming success, the Mont des Singes spur would be outflanked to the east and the Malmaison spur to the west.

    On 5 May, the French had reached the outskirts of Allemant but failed to capture the network of defences from the south of Mennejean Farm to the south of the Bohery quarry. On 23 October, XXI Corps with the 13th and 43rd divisions, reinforced by several battalions of Chasseurs Alpins, were to drive the German 13th and 43rd divisions and part of the 2nd Guard Division, from the labyrinths on the south-west end of the Malmaison plateau and from Bois des Gobineaux, on the sides of the ravine between the bois and the Allemant Spur. Having secured both sides of the Soissons–Laon road, from the Fruty Quarry to the point where the Chemin-des-Dames branches off eastwards, the XXI Corps divisions were to attack Malmaison Farm and the Tranchée de la Dame (Lady Trench) between the farm and Fort de la Malmaison.[29]

    The flanking divisions of XXI Corps were then to descend on the final objectives, Vaudesson village, Bois de la Belle Croix, Montparnasse Quarry, the west end of Chavignon village and the Bois des Hoinets, a northern continuation of Bois de la Belle Croix. If successful, the centre of the Sixth Army would be in a salient but west of Vaudesson a deep ravine from north of Laffaux Mill to the east of Pinon, commanded from the west by the 27th Division in Giraffe Trench, would protect the left flank of XXI Corps from counter-attacks. On the right flank, in the XI Corps area, the 38th Division would co-operate with the 43rd Division on the right of XXI Corps, to capture the Bohery Quarry, Fort de la Malmaison, Orme Farm on the plateau to the north of the fort, Bois de la Garenne in the ravine to the west, Many Farm east of the Pargny-Filain–Chavignon road, due east of Garenne Wood and the east end of Chavignon village. With the 43rd Division, it was to secure the north end of the Malmaison Plateau, the slopes and the ravines descending from it to Chavignon.[30]

    On the right of the 38th Division, the 66th Division and the XXXIX Corps regiment of the 67th Division, extended the attack front east to the Chevrégny spur, to force 5th Guard Division out of the ruins of Panthéon Farm, Panthéon Quarry and Orage Quarry.[31] The objectives were the east end of the Malmaison plateau and two lines of trenches further back; Fanion Trench to the north, the east end of the German second position and Lützen Trench just below the crest towards Pargny-Filian. The Chasseurs Alpins and the 67th Division, were to attack part of the neck joining the Malmaison plateau to the Chevrégny Spur, reach the Les Bovettes water-tower and then work down the ravine on the east side of the north of the Malmaison plateau and down the Bovettes ravine to Pargny-Filain, to capture Lützen Trench, Pargny-Filain village and Bois de Veau, in the depression between Fort de la Malmaison and Pargny-Filain.[31] During the advance, the French would have to pass the subterranean quarries near Les Bovettes, the Tonnerre Quarry and across the crest, where the French could be engaged by the German artillery on the Monampteuil Heights

    Prepatory Bombardment


    A French artillery demonstration was conducted against Group Crépy, on the western face of the salient from 6–7 October in support of British operations in Flanders and on 11 October highly accurate French artillery registration commenced.[32] The weather on 17 October was clear and French aircraft made a coordinated attack on German observation balloons. The main bombardment by c. 1,790 guns began, with an average of 180 guns for each 1 km (0.62 mi) of front, three times the amount of German artillery. Along with the usual destructive bombardment, the Ailette valley was deluged with gas shells. The German counter-bombardment could only be maintained in the eastern part of the attack front and French patrols found that some German outposts had been left unoccupied.[33]

    The German artillery reply began with a substantial counter-bombardment but this rapidly diminished, especially south of the Ailette, where the supply of ammunition and equipment was blocked by the thick gas cloud in the valley. Some guns were withdrawn but on 19 October, the gas cloud was so thickened by fog that it became impossible to move the rest. Positions held by the 14th Division in Group Crépy and those of the 13th Division and 2nd Guard Division in Group Vailly were quickly reduced to crater-fields. French aircrew watched fortifications and tunnel-openings for signs of occupancy and immediately directed artillery-fire on any which were seen. The French bombardment had most effect at the boundary of the 13th Division and 2nd Guard Division, where by the night of 21 October, a gap 800 m (870 yd) wide had been blown in the German defences, which could not be repaired. On the eastern flank of the attack front, the bombardment of the 5th Guard Division was less damaging but a local attack, Operation Autumn Harvest was cancelled.[33]

    Ceaseless explosions and concussion from shell bursts at the mouths of caverns caused rock falls and spread thick clouds of dust. The garrisons changed position but rarely found a spot not under bombardment. A feeling of impotence spread among the defenders and was made worse when the German artillery was silenced.[31] French artillery barrages on the roads from Laon across the Ailette to the Chemin-des-Dames, made it impossible for ammunition to be carried forward. Even long-range 200 mm (8 in) naval guns near Pinon, were later found to be without ammunition. Morale among the German infantry of the cave garrisons was also depressed by isolation and the unprecedented gas shell bombardment, which forced them permanently to wear masks. Supply routes were closed by curtains of shrapnel fire and from 20–23 October, the Ailette valley and the sides and summits of the spurs projecting into it from the ridge were blanketed by gas, which made it impossible for German gunners to remove their gas masks to eat and drink

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    French Sixth Army 23rd October 1917
    (XIV Corps)

    At 5:15 a.m., the French field artillery began a creeping barrage and German SOS rockets rose into the air and the German artillery managed to fire a prompt but thin counter-barrage.[34] The French infantry of XIV Corps on the left and the XXI Corps in the centre, moved up the slopes and ravines towards their objectives, against the faces of the obtuse angle formed by the Laffaux Salient. XI Corps and the regiment of the 67th Division of XXXIX Corps on the right began a parallel advance. Until XXI Corps reached the Chemin-des-Dames, XI Corps was isolated on its left flank; the attacks of XIV and XXI corps had reciprocal effects. The deep, steep Laffaux–Pinon ravine between Mont des Singes and the Allermant plateau, increased the difficulties of the German defenders in the salient. The garrisons to the south fought with their backs to the ravine and the German troops in the trenches and pillboxes of the western face, risked being cut off and pushed eastwards into the ravine, if they failed to escape down the Allemant gorge to Pinon or retreat to the Mont des Singes spur. On the left of XIV Corps, the 28th Division quickly defeated the Germans in Moisy Farm and the Laffaux Mill at the tip of the salient; then took the intermediate trenches and pillboxes on the summit of Laffaux ridge. A defensive flank was established from Moisy Farm across the plateau, to prevent a counter-attack from the Mont des Singes. On the right flank, from Laffaux Mill to Mennejean Farm, the 27th Division and XXI Corps to the east of the farm, attacked the southern face of the salient. Mennejean Farm and the first line trenches fell quickly and Fruty Quarry was surrounded by battalions of the 75th Regiment.. The French infantry reached the edge of the Laffaux–Pinon ravine, at the junction with the Allemant ravine, which ran downwards to the west of Pinon. The 28th Division arrived almost simultaneously at the western edge of the Allemant ravine, which forced many German soldiers back into both hollows with many casualties.

    In the centre, XXI Corps crossed the Soissons–Laon road, entered the German second position and then captured Malmaison Farm by 6:00 a.m., which secured the right flank of the XIV Corps, since the farm was level with Allemant. With the defenders of Fruty Quarry cut off, at 6:15 a.m. Marjoulet ordered his troops into the ravines, to capture Mont de Laffaux, encircle Allemant and seize the southern end of the Allemant plateau. Mont de Laffaux, south of Allemant, commanded both ravines and was determinedly defended by the garrison against the 75th Regiment, part of which was still besieging Fruty Quarry. Round the Château de la Motte and to the north, at the strong point of Vallée Guerbette, below the east end of the Mont des Singes plateau, there was also a determined defence. Around Allemant, several machine-gun emplacements held up the advance but before 9: a.m., the 30th Regiment worked its way on to the plateau north of Allemant. The 75th Regiment captured Fruty Quarry and took Mont de Laffaux, ready to attack the village from the south, to take the strong points in it systematically. At Bois de St. Guillain, between Allemant and the Laffaux–Pinon ravine, at 9:15 a.m., the 140th Regiment was stopped by fire from machine-gun nests, until French tanks crawled up and knocked them out. The advance was resumed by the right wing, as the left flank units halted on a line from Vallée Guerbette, to a point 460 m (500 yd) north of Allemant. The attackers on the right, astride the St. Guillain and Laffaux–Pinon ravines, reduced St. Guillain Farm and assaulted the second German position, over-running Giraffe and Lizard trenches by noon in a rainstorm. Except for Bois 160, south of Vaudesson, where the garrison held out until the early hours of 24 October and for some isolated quarries, the German position south of the Riegelstellung and east of the Allemant ravine had fallen. The 27th Division faced Pinon and covered Vaudesson, which had been secured by XXI Corps. XIV Corps had pivoted on its left flank to a line perpendicular with the start line. The Germans on the Mont des Singes and in Pinon with the Ailette at their backs, were menaced from the south and the west. XIV Corps had also taken c. 3,000 prisoners, several guns, machine-guns and trench mortars.

    We will pick up more of this story in tomorrow's edition

    Lorraine: *First American shot fired in a land theatre of active operations. At 0605 hours by Sergeant Alex L Arch’s French-made 75mm gun of Battery C, 6th Field Artillery, 1st Infantry Division near Xanrey. First American wounded with AEF (a Second Lieutenant).
    Flanders: Seventh German counter-attack in Ypres Salient since October 22.
    Verdun: Germans gain temporary foothold northeast of Hill 344.

    Eastern Front
    Baltic States: Germans have retired 20 miles since night October 21-22 from northeast of Riga, destroying bridges to shorten line. Russians follow up on October 24.

    Home Front
    Russia: Bolshevik Central Committee votes 10-2 for Lenin’s armed uprising; Trotsky to organize 20,000-strong Red Guard (Petrograd armoured car unit defects to Reds on October 24). The Bolsheviks created a revolutionary military committee within the Petrograd soviet, led by the soviet's president, Trotsky. The committee included armed workers, sailors and soldiers, and assured the support or neutrality of the capital's garrison. The committee methodically planned to occupy strategic locations through the city, almost without concealing their preparations: the Provisional Government's president Kerensky was himself aware of them, and some details, leaked by Kamenev and Zinoviev, were published in newspapers

    USA: New York Police thwart Sinn Fein Easter 1918 Rising plot.

    The War in the Air

    7 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON TUESDAY OCTOBER 23RD 1917

    Flt Off (Prob) Crawford-Wood, J.P. (James Peter) Eastbourne Naval Flying School RNAS
    2nd Lt. Hogben, L.T. (Leslie Thomas) RFC
    2nd Lt. Jickling, F. (Frank) RFC
    2nd Lt. Morgan, W.G. (Wilfrid Gilbert) 4 Squadron RFC
    Obs Off (Prob) Oxley, K.L.C. (Kenneth LC) RNAS
    Air Mech. 1 Shelley, A.E. (Albert Edward) 63 Squadron RFC
    2nd Lt. Smith, S.H. (Sidney Harold) RFC

    There were a handful of aerial victory claims (well three)

    Rudolph von Eschwege Germany u/c
    Fritz Kieckhäfer Germany #5
    Karl Mendel Germany #2

    The highest scoring ace of Jasta 18, Mendel was shot down by an S.E.5a of 29 Squadron.

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    Never Knowingly Undergunned !!

  4. #2804

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    Yet another mammoth edition Chris. Great stuff!
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  5. #2805

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    Great postings again Chris. Glad the Noro virus didn't take you down for too long. Kendal Mint cake huh! Do we now need to eat that instead of having our annual flu jabs? Or does it only work as a restorative post Noro virus?

  6. #2806

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    Lol no idea re- the mint cake - can only say worked wonders for me

    Never Knowingly Undergunned !!

  7. #2807

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    Full of energy, a rescue bar if lost on mountains always used to carry a bar or two when hill walking. Also nice just to just munch on.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  8. #2808

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    24th October 1917

    The Battle of Malmaison Cont.

    The German Preparations

    The vulnerability of the Laffaux Corner to envelopment was made worse by the proximity of the Ailette and the parallel Canal de l'Oise a l'Aisne to the north, below the Chemin des Dames. A retreat to the north of the river and canal would be difficult, despite the number of crossing points, which could be made impassable by artillery-fire, particularly with gas-shell. Much of the German artillery was south of the canal, from Pinon to Pargny and was cramped for space in patches of woodland, so far back that only long-range fire could reach beyond the French front line. Reserve positions in the salient ran north-east and the front position had insufficient depth, as it lay partly on and partly behind the Chemin-des-Dames ridge, which had a convex slope at the top. Ridges radiated down to the Aisne valley, over which the German positions had inadequate observation. Due to a lack of manpower, constant French artillery-fire and the autumn rains, the condition of the German defences was poor and in some places, only narrow trenches and shell-hole positions existed. There were few pillboxes and tunnels but numerous underground quarries, which had been equipped with ventilation and lighting systems, for ammunition and food storage. Behind the Pinonriegel in the south-west corner of the salient near Laffaux, work had begun on a reserve line from Pinon to Vaudesson and on rearward defences behind the Canal de l'Oise a l'Aisne for a possible retirement, the Gudrun Bewegung (Gudrun Manoeuvre). From 11 October, the right flank division of Group Vailly was relieved by the 13th Division and on the left the 2nd Guard Division was moved into the line near Malmaison. The west face of the salient from the Anizy–Vauxaillon railway line to the canal tunnel, the area considered must vulnerable, was held by Group Crépy, the VIII Reserve Corps headquarters, under General Wichura, with the 37th Division and the 14th Division, joined by the 52nd Division from 15 October. In Group Vailly to the east, the ZbV 54 (special duties) headquarters, under Lieutenant-General Max von Müller, defended its sector with the 13th Division, 2nd Division, the 5th Guards Division and the right flank units of the 47th Reserve Division. The 43rd Reserve Division and the 9th Division, which was intended mainly to support the left flank adjoining Group Liesse, were in reserve as Eingreif divisions.

    The ground-holding divisions held a frontage of about 4.8 km (3 mi) each and to evade French artillery-fire, had moved the reserve and resting battalions far to the rear and about 18 battalions of the Eingreif divisions positioned near the Ailette, were moved closer to the front to compensate. Another 36 artillery batteries were brought into the area, which increased the number of guns to c. 580, of which 225 were heavy and super-heavy but this did little to compensate for the vast French numerical superiority. About 220 guns, particularly those behind the 14th and 13th divisions and some of those behind the 2nd Guard Division, south of the canal were difficult to supply and the new batteries were placed north of the Ailette. On 15 September, the 7th Army had c. 168 aircraft against 300 French but the Army Group headquarters delayed the dispatch of more air units until mid-October, having expected attacks elsewhere and had also reinforced the Flanders front. Many of the new air units arrived after the French preliminary bombardment had begun and when the French infantry attacked, were still unfamiliar with the terrain. By late October, the 7th Army had received 17 squadrons, including four fighter units, which increased the number of aircraft to more than 200, along with support available from the fighter squadrons of the neighbouring 2nd and 1st armies.

    Caves and tunnels had been used by the Germans as shelters for reserves, to reinforce the trench garrisons in the network of trenches running from the Ailette valley, over the Soissons–Laon railway, up the western slopes of the Mont des Singes, east of Vauxaillon and along the summit of the plateau above Laffaux, to the Laffaux Mill on the Laon–Soissons road. There the German trenches ran eastwards below the Fruty Quarry, crossed the road and ascended to the southern edge of the Malmaison plateau at Mennejean Farm. From the farm, the front line went north-eastwards to a point 910 m (1,000 yd) south of La Malmaison Farm, due west of the fort and to the right of the Soissons–Laon road. The line wound along the summit of the Malmaison Plateau to the Chevrégny Spur above the Canal de l'Oise à l'Aisne. West of the Chevrégny Spur, the villages except for Allemant, lay on lower ground between five spurs facing north. Froidmont Farm and the plateau north of the Chevrégny Spur and further east, on the Chemin-des-Dames ridge, along with several posts on the northern edge of the plateau, together with the villages of Courtecon, Cerny and Ailles on the northern slope, north-east of Craonne and the plain; Chevreux were also fortified.

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    Malmaison Farm - completely destroyed

    The ground down to the forests of Pinon and Rosay, which covered most of the uneven plain south of the marshes around the Ailette, comprised numerous ravines which in places were still wooded. The sides of the ravines wound around, facing all directions and could not be swept from end to end by artillery-fire. On the western flank, the Vauxaillon valley ran along most of the western and eastern slopes of the ridge and plateau above Laffaux. The Mont des Singes Spur was to its east and the Vauxaillon valley, which narrowed to the Allemant ravine, went round and then northwards, joining a ravine which curved round the Allemant plateau west of Pinon. The Allemant plateau was cut from south to north by the narrow St. Guillain ravine and other ravines lay below the crest of the Chemin-des-Dames ridge. From Vaudesson a ravine descended northwards to the west of Chavignon, where it met the western of two gullies, at the head of which was Malmaison Farm; Fort de la Malmaison was on the plateau above the eastern gully. The plateau was separated from the Filain and Pargny-Filain area on the east of the French attack front, by a valley into which the eastern or Bois de la Garenne gully opened, just south of Chavignon.

    German engineers had exploited the irregular ground, which was easy to defend with machine-guns. The German front line on the crest of the Chemin-des-Dames and Laffaux ridges consisted of two or more trenches. Behind the forward zone, from the western edge of the ridge above Pinon, a Riegelstellung (support line) ran eastwards, south of the farm and Fort Malmaison to the Panthéon. To the north of the Riegelstellung, the fortified villages of Pinon and Vaudesson, Malmaison Farm, the fort and below them, the Montparnasse quarry, Chavignon and Bruyère, with various intermediate fortified woods, caves and pillboxes, formed the German third position. The village fortress of Allemant and other strongpoints lay between the first and second positions. On the German right flank north of Moisy Farm, entrenchments round Mont des Singes to the bank of the Ailette, prevented an attacker from outflanking the heights in that direction. Low ground north of the Pinon–Chavignon road as far as the Ailette, was dominated by the forests of Pinon and Rosay, where many trees still stood. The Canal de l'Oise à l'Aisne (a summit level canal), had been drained and was not a serious obstacle; behind the German east flank, beyond the Panthéon, were the fortified villages of Pargny-Filain and Filain, the southern sides of which were protected by earthworks. Should they and Chavignon be lost, it was unlikely that the Germans could remain on the southern slopes of the Chemin-des-Dames east of the Chevrégny Spur. Attacked from the front and flanks, the Germans would have to retire behind the Ailette, where a French pursuit up the valley of the Ardou to Laon could be enfiladed by German artillery on the Anizy hills and in the Forest of Coucy. Guns on the Monampteuil heights enfiladed the mouth of the corridor and at the northern end, there was German artillery around the Laon hill. A rapid exploitation up the valley was impossible, because the ground on the borders of the canal was marshy.

    Group Vailly, had four divisions between Moisy and La Royère farms and three on the northern slopes of the heights. Three divisions were in reserve, the 5th Guards Division around Filain and Pargny-Filain, the 2nd Guards Division on the right supported the 13th Division and the 43rd Reserve Division held the ground between Malmaison and La Royère farms. During the battle, Müller was reinforced by the 6th Division from Galicia and by elements of four other divisions. Müller had taken precautions against a retreat and French air reconnaissance reported that fruit trees and farms in the Ailette valley were being destroyed and artillery was being moved to the high ground about Monampteuil, to enfilade the French if they took the west end of the Chemin-des-Dames ridge and descended towards the Ailette.

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    French Action XXI Corps

    XXI Corps attacked the remainder of the southern face of the Laffaux salient, from east of Mennejean Farm to the south of the Bohery Quarry. If the attack failed, XIV Corps on the Allemant plateau would be caught in a salient, as would XI Corps on the right at Fort de la Malmaison. At 5:15 a.m., both divisions advanced up the slopes towards the Soissons–Laon road, from Fruty Quarry to the west of Malmaison Farm. Little opposition was met and the wire entanglements and trenches were found to have been obliterated. Bois des Gobineaux, beyond the road on the south side of the Laffaux–Pinon ravine, was captured by the 21st and 20th Chasseur battalions, Vaurains Farm in the western angle of the Soissons–Laon and Pinon roads, was captured with tank support and the east ends of Lizard Trench and Lady Trench were occupied. At about 6:00 a.m., the 31st Chasseur Battalion stormed Malmaison Farm and at 6:45 a.m., the French were established north of the Riegelstellung. At 9:15 a.m., the 13th Division began to descend the northern slopes towards Vaudesson and Bois de la Belle Croix. On the right, the 43rd Division attacked downhill on both sides of the Soissons–Laon road, to the Montparnasse Quarry on the left side of the road, level with Vaudesson against the Bois des Hoinets and the west end of Chavignon village. Bois des Hoinets and Chavignon were close to the road from Pinon, which from Chavignon ran up along the eastern slopes of the Malmaison spur to Pargny-Filain. The wood and Chavignon were considerably nearer the Ailette than Vaudesson. The 38th Division also descended the heights and attacked Chavignon. At Zero Hour, the division had ascended the slopes towards Bohery Quarry and Fort de la Malmaison; at the quarry the German garrison fought until overrun and were killed or captured.

    The 38th Division ejected the Germans from Lady Trench, halted on the summit of the plateau, in front of Bois de Garenne, north of Chavignon and east of the Montparnasse Quarry. On the right flank, the élite 4th Zouaves had been detailed to take Fort de la Malmaison; from 3:00 a.m. they had been bombarded by German heavy artillery, which caused many casualties. At 5:15 a.m., the advance began and only traces of the first two German trenches were found. At Carbine Trench some resistance was encountered, the Zouaves advanced towards the fort, guided by French artillery firing incendiary shells. From Bois de la Veau on the right, massed machine-gun fire was encountered but the surviving Zouaves, reached the remains of the counterscarp and entered the ruins of the fort. The garrison was stalked through the ruins and quickly overrun. Bombers and flame-thrower teams searched the galleries, several machine-guns were captured and at 6:05 a.m., the flag of the battalion was hoisted over the fort. Other Zouave battalions on the flanks came up and the 38th Division halted and helped to consolidate the summit of the plateau, which had come under bombardment by German artillery on the Monampteuil Heights to the east. At 9:16 a.m., the divisions of XXI Corps descended the northern slopes towards Vaudesson, Bois de la Belle Croix, Montparnasse Quarry, Bois des Hoinets and the west end of Chavignon village. The 38th Division of XI Corps conformed and advanced on its objectives at Bois de Garenne and Orme Farm, between Fort de la Malmaison and the east end Chavignon. The road from Pargny-Filain to Chavignon was to be crossed to reach the objective at Many Farm to the east.

    The 38th Division of XI Corps, was intended to cover the right flank of XXI Corps and to outflank Pargny-Filain, from the south. The 13th and 43rd divisions of XXI Corps and the 38th Division advanced simultaneously down the Malmaison heights, with tank support on the flanks, towards the edge of the plain south of the Ailette. French aeroplanes flew overhead, attacked German infantry and bombed trenches, roads and bridges. Behind the French troops on the right, at the summit of the Chemin-des-Dames ridge, a surprise was sprung by a line of French guns secretly placed behind the ridge, which began a creeping barrage. The 13th Division attacked Vaudesson and Bois de la Belle Croix, the 43rd Division advanced towards Montparnasse Quarry and the 38th Division entered the Bois de la Garenne and Orme Farm. Vaudesson village was threatened from the west flank by the 27th Division of XIV Corps, in Lizard Trench and was captured by the 21st Regiment and several tanks, as Bois de la Belle Croix further east was overrun by the 109th Regiment, which took 18 guns and several prisoners. At Montparnasse Quarry, which had galleries 0.97 km (0.6 mi) long, the 1st Chasseur Battalion attack continued until the garrison surrendered at 10:30 a.m. and Orme Farm and a quarry to its left, were taken by the 38th Division. The French pressed on and drove the Germans from Bois de la Garenne and the open ground on its right. By 1:00 p.m., the French had reached the Chavignon brickfields and the east end of the village. The 38th Division crossed the Pargny-Filain–Chavignon road at the same time and attacked Many Farm. By 3:00 p.m., the division had fought through the east end Chavignon and had reached Voyen-Chavignon. An hour earlier, the 1st Chasseur Battalion had advanced from Montparnasse Quarry and taken the west end Chavignon. On their left, the 149th and 150th Infantry Regiments captured a German battalion at the Corbeau cavern and pushed the German defenders out of Bois des Hoinets.

    From 23–24 October, none of the expected counter-attacks by Group Vailly, from the Mont des Singes and Pinon plateaux, the Plain of the Ailette and the Chevregny spur occurred. Two Eingreif divisions had been committed between Allemant and Chavignon, a third had been pinned down around from Pargny-Filain–Filain and a fourth division, which arrived at Anizy during the battle, was unable to cross the Ailette owing to the French barrage.[e] Sporadic felling of fruit trees and demolitions either side of the Ailette, which had been seen by French airmen before the battle, became frequent and a pall of black smoke from fires, drifted over the plain. On 24 October, the Germans retired from the Mont des Singes and Pinon plateaux, pursued by the 28th Division from the Vauxaillon valley and the Allemant ravine. The Germans fled across the Ailette or into Pinon and the Pinon forest. French patrols from the Vaudesson–Chavignon area brought in more prisoners, which increased the bag beyond 8,000, along with 70 guns, 30 trench mortars and 80 machine-guns

    German 7th Army 23rd & 24th October

    The French artillery bombardment caused unprecedented destruction behind the German front, as far back as the canal and river bridges. At midnight on 22/23 October, the shelling increased to drumfire. The German artillery had been ordered to begin a counter-bombardment at 5:30 a.m. on 23 October, after the time of the attack was discovered from French prisoners. The French intercepted German wireless messages ordering the bombardment and brought the attack forward by thirty minutes. The density of the French creeping barrage was such, that the attack on Allemant was preceded by sixteen shells per minute, per 100 m (110 yd) of front. The barrage moved in 50 m (55 yd) bounds, followed closely by the French infantry, who found that most of the surviving German defenders were Shell shocked and still under cover. The German artillery south of the Ailette had little effect, because of losses to French counter-battery fire, lack of ammunition, lack of communication and loss of observation; the artillery on the north side of the river, was only able to fire after observation officers were sent forward to report. The intensity of French artillery-fire and the gas cloud blocking the Ailette, left the German commanders ignorant of the situation on the south bank, except for a few messages delivered by runners, whose reports implied that the situation was hopeless. In some places, bypassed garrisons held out in quarry tunnels and machine-gun nests and the last troops of the 14th Division in Allemant were not overrun until 11:00 a.m. On the Soissons–Chavignon road, the 13th Division was only able to withstand the French attack for an hour but to the west of Fort de la Malmaison, the 2nd Guard Division repulsed the attack with massed machine-gun fire; at Malmaison a German artillery battery was overrun in hand-to-hand fighting. Chavignon was captured at 1:00 p.m. but a German counter-attack temporarily retook the north-eastern corner and little ground was lost by the 5th Guard Division further east.

    At noon on the 23rd , the 7th Army headquarters concluded that the loss of Allemant, Vaudesson, Chavignon and Malmaison, made it necessary to hold the lines from Pinon to Chavignon and to form a new line from there to Malmaison; it was also decided to withdraw the artillery from the Pinon Forest. At noon, Group Crépy was given command of the 52nd Division and Group Vailly command of the last two battalions of the 43rd Reserve and 9th divisions. The 6th Bavarian Reserve and the 6th Division were sent forward to Laon and Pierrepont, 12 km (7.5 mi) north-east of Laon and a division of the neighbouring 1st Army, was alerted to move to the battlefront on foot. At 1:00 p.m., reconnaissance flights revealed that the French had dug in at some points. In Group Crépy, the 14th Division managed to form a continuous line along the Pinonriegel, to the original position on the right flank and no French attack ensued; at 2:45 p.m. the Group headquarters ordered the withdrawal of the remaining artillery, south of the canal. The situation on the front of Group Vailly was much worse, on the left flank of the 13th Division and part of the 2nd Guard Division front, no front line was recognisable. At Chavignon, a counter-attack recovered a small part of the village in the evening and at the eastern boundary of the French attack, the 5th Guard Division was able to repulse the attack, since the artillery positions north of the canal had suffered less damage and trench mortars had been dug into the front line before Operation "Autumn Harvest". Few of the mortars had been damaged and were used to engage the French infantry, who were repulsed along most of the position, except on the west flank, which was withdrawn to conform with the retreat of the neighbouring divisions.

    On the extreme flanks of the attack front, the French limited their operations to artillery-fire and probing attacks and in the late afternoon, French artillery-fire diminished. By the evening, the German line ran from the plateau east of Vauxaillon, along the Pinonriegel north of Vaudesson and Chavignon, to the high ground of the ridge south-west of Pargny and then connected to the old position. About seven infantry regiments and much of the artillery had been lost. A counter-attack was impossible and it was decided that the area south of the canal, should be retained only as an outpost area, with a main defensive position being established north of the canal and river Ailette, once the remaining artillery had been removed. The night of 23/24 October was quiet and during the day, only minor skirmishing took place, as the French consolidated. The 7th Army commander, Boehn, concluded that the Chemin des Dames was untenable and proposed to retire, even though this would require the abandonment of the defences for another 20 km (12 mi) to the east, as far as Craonne and reserve positions on high ground about 3 km (1.9 mi) further back, as well as the Laffaux Salient. Boehn decided to implement the Bunzelwitz Bewegung (Bunzelwitz Manoeuvre) contingency plan, part of the Gudrun Bewegung (Gudrun Manoeuvre) prepared earlier in the year.[49] In view of the sacrifices made during the Nivelle Offensive, the headquarters of Army Group German Crown Prince, ordered that a retirement by the six divisions along the Chemin-des-Dames, east of the 5th Guard Division could not begin unless a big French attack was imminent but that preparations were to be made, for the abandonment the ground south of the Ailette and the canal. The 7th Army was quickly to remove the remaining artillery and the 3rd Bavarian, 30th and 103rd divisions were to moved close to the threatened sector of the front, though exhausted, ready for use as Eingreif divisions.

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    The model shows tank from AS 31 (Artillerie Spéciale n° 31) during the battle of La Malmaison, near Chemin des Dames, October 1917.

    The War in the Air

    One British Ace was lost on this day

    Captain John Theobold Milne MC
    48 Squadron RFC

    A Bristol Fighter pilot serving with 48 Squadron, John Theobald Milne scored 9 victories before he and his observer were shot down near Merken on 24 October 1917 by Fritz Kieckhäfer of Jasta 29.

    T./Lt. (T./Capt.) John Theobald Milne, Gen. List, and R.F.C.
    For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty whilst leading offensive patrols. He has shown great determination and courage in attacking hostile formations, although in superior numbers, at close range. He has also done long and arduous reconnaissances and secured good photographs under very adverse conditions and heavy fire, displaying throughout an admirable spirit of fearlessness and energy.

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    In total 8 British airmen were lost on this day

    Lt. Balaam, A.O. (Augustus Orlando) 16 Squadron RFC
    Flt. Sub Lt. Hough, J.E.C. (John Elswood Chaffey) 1 (N) Squadron RNAS
    Lt. Laing, J.D. (John Darg) 19 Squadron RFC
    Lt. March, W.F.G. (William Francis George) 23 Squadron RFC

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    2nd Lt. Pilkington, S.H. (Stanley Howard) 66 Training Squadron Australian Flying Corps
    2nd Lt. Sharland, F.J. (Frederick James) 23 Squadron RFC
    Lt. Wright, S. (Stanley) 21st Kite Balloon Section RFC

    The following aerial victories were claimed on this day:

    Thomas Williams Canada #1

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    Thomas Frederic Williams was the son of Fred B. and Mary M. Williams. His residence in 1901 was Norfolk, Ontario; at enlistment, on 23 September 1914, his residence was R.R., Woodstock, Ontario. He was a salesman. A significant figure in Canadian aviation after the war, Williams was a founding member of the Royal Canadian Air Force and was elected to the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame. He was still flying aerobatics in 1971 at the age of 86. He was 99 when he died. More information on Williams can be found at http://www.cahf.ca.

    His middle name is listed as "Frederick" in Ontario Birth Registry Index, Canada Aviation Hall of Fame biography, Border Crossing record in 1942, "Frederic" in award citations and "F." in his Attestation Paper. CEF service number 1850.

    Oliver Campbell Bryson England #3
    Philip Fletcher Fullard England #35
    John Herbert Greenwood Womersley England #3 #4
    Julius Buckler Germany #19
    Hans Hoyer Germany #6

    Fritz Kieckhäfer Germany #6

    Kieckhäfer was wounded in action on 4 November 1917. His sixth victory was a Bristol Fighter piloted by John Milne of 48 Squadron on 24 October 1917. He was wounded whilst attaching an R.E.8 near Lille on 4 May 1918 and died from his wounds on 7 June 1918.

    Ludwig Luer Germany #3
    Samuel Kinkead South Africa #7

    Germany: – 9 Handley Page bombers (2 lost) of RNAS ‘A’ Squadron and 14 FE2bs (2 lost) raid industrial and rail targets in Saarbruecken area.
    Italian Front: Caproni bombers make 18 raids on Austro-German troops (until c. November 14) but forced to move bases behind Piave.



    Southern Fronts


    Italian Front: BATTLE OF CAPORETTO (TWELFTH ISONZO, until November 9) begins on misty, rainy day with 0200 hours hurricane bombardment of 4 hours (including 2 hours of gas shells that Italian gas masks unable to cope with so guns fall silent). Austro-German assault (10 divisions) at 0800 hours on 20-mile front penetrates along valleys up to 14 miles isolating, panicking and destroying 3 Italian divisions (18,000 PoWs and 100 guns) east of Upper Isonzo, although flanking armies’ attacks fail. German 12th (Silesian) Division takes Caporetto at 1530 hours. Cadorna belatedly calls up 9 reserve divisions and orders Tagliamento defences. Austrian Jewish-born lyric poet Lieutenant Franz Janowitz (2nd Tyrol Sharpshooter Regiment) mortally wounded by MG in assault on Mt Rombon, dies on November 4, aged 25.

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    German mortar at the Isonzo. For the offensive, Austrians and Germans organized the strongest artillery concentration in the Alpine area so far.

    Sea War
    Brazil: Troops seizes 43 interned German merchant ships.
    North Sea: Harwich Force flagship cruiser Centaur badly damaged by own depth charges washed overboard after vain night sortie to catch German destroyers.
    Baltic: Royal Navy submarine C32, trapped in Gulf of Riga, beaches in Vaist Bay west of Pernau. Russian submarine Gepard probably mined on October 28, but trapped British C26 (Downie) reaches Hangoe (Finland) at third attempt on December 13.

    The collier Gefion (Master James E Minto) is torpedoed and sunk ten miles northeast from Berry Head. The Master and a donkeyman are lost in the sinking.

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    Never Knowingly Undergunned !!

  9. #2809

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Skafloc View Post
    Full of energy, a rescue bar if lost on mountains always used to carry a bar or two when hill walking. Also nice just to just munch on.
    Especially the chocolate covered ones

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    Never Knowingly Undergunned !!

  10. #2810

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    Apologoes for the longer than expected intermission, the offices were bombed, so we have been frantically re-building the bar and the typing pool, editor's office still in a leaky nissan hut but we are back in business.

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    Editor's Office

  11. #2811

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    Just looking at all the missing days, Neil and I have them all done and saved but we just need to make sure we upload in the right chronological order, so it might take us a day or two to catch up properly... anyway off to write today's (19th November)

  12. #2812

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    According to Keith we've lost all threads and posts from late Oct and all of November er.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  13. #2813

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    Quote Originally Posted by Hedeby View Post
    Apologoes for the longer than expected intermission, the offices were bombed, so we have been frantically re-building the bar and the typing pool, editor's office still in a leaky nissan hut but we are back in business.

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    Editor's Office
    Did the aspidistra survive?

  14. #2814

    Default

    Ok chaps you might be downhearted that the shortage of loo roll has continued! Fortunately with the paper shortage after nearly 26 issues were destroyed by the dastardly Hun, we managed to procure some 'paper'. It isnt as wide as our normal spreadsheet but it has many uses, some of which you will guess. The paper is very delicate and does not survive prolonged emersion in water, well just a little water will render it unreadable. So please take care. As our missing issues were very large issues then you will have an abundance of 'paper' for your daily use, I mean read. Well you could do both together.

    Onwards and upwards lads.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  15. #2815

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    Thursday 25th October 1917

    Today we lost: 583
    Today’s losses include:

    · An actor and movie director
    · Multiple sons of member of the clergy
    · Multiple families that will lose two sons in the Great War
    · The nephew of a Baronet
    · A man whose father died on service in February 1916
    · A man who has two uncles killed in the Great War

    Today’s highlighted casualties include:


    · Captain William Henry Coate (Army Cyclist Corps) is killed on Salonika. His brother will be killed next August and they are sons the Reverend Canon Harry Coate Vicar of Sharnbrook.
    · Captain Cecil Heywood Brunner (Royal Field Artillery), a partner in Messer’s. Joseph B Brunner and Co. chemical brokers, Liverpool dies of wounds in France. He is a nephew of ‘Sir’ John Brunner, Baronet.
    · Second Lieutenant Arthur Edward Holt (Royal Garrison Artillery) is killed at age 19. His brother was lost as a Midshipman on HMS Hogue in 1914.
    · Second Lieutenant Logan Studley (East Yorkshire Regiment) dies of wounds received in action the previous day at age 17. His father died in February 1916 while serving as quartermaster in the Black Watch.
    · Second Lieutenant Charles Penrose Dixon (Royal Flying Corps) dies of injuries at age 19. He is the only son of the Reverend Charles Ernest Dixon of St George’s Vicarage, Barnsley.
    · Corporal Charles Rhys Price (Gloucestershire Regiment) is killed on Salonika at age 27. He is a well-known actor and movie director.
    · Private Allan Holebrooke (Cheshire Regiment) is killed at age 24. His brother was killed last August and they have two uncles that are also killed in the war.
    · Private Samuel Shelwall (Shropshire Light Infantry) is killed at age 20. His brother was killed in July 1916.

    Air Operations:

    General Headquarters, October 26th.

    “During the raid into Germany, carried out by our aeroplanes on the night of the 24th-25th inst., another ton of bombs was dropped on the Burbach works, west of Saarbrücken, in addition to the 3½ tons already reported, making a total of 6 tons of bombs dropped in the course of the night's operations. Three of the machines which took part in the raid are missing.

    “On the 25th inst. the weather was impossible for flying during the day, but at nightfall the sky cleared for a few hours, and our bombing machines left the ground and attacked four hostile aerodromes; 45 heavy bombs were dropped, and in one case a direct hit was obtained on a group of hangars. Before all of aur machines had returned the weather suddenly became bad again, and those of our aeroplanes which were still out had great difficulty in reaching their aerodromes. One machine has not returned.”

    Weather - Rain, with a violent gale. No service flying was done except by the 1st and 2nd Brigades.

    Four reconnaissances were carried out by Army machines of the 2nd Brigade and 650 rounds were fired at ground targets by Corps machines of the 1st and 2nd Brigades.

    Artillery Co-operation - Ten hostile batteries were engaged for destruction and four neutralised from aeroplane observation. One gun-pit was damaged, 10 explosions and seven fires caused. Machinesof the 1st Brigade reported 23 active hostile batteries by zone call and those of the 2nd Brigade 47. Four OK’s were obtained on a hostile battery position and one explosion caused by 176th Siege Battery with observation by 2nd Lt McCoo, No 53 Squadron.

    Bombing - The first night raid into Germany was carried out on the night of the 24th/25th by machines of Naval Squadron 'A' and No 100 Squadron. Four and a half tons of bombs were dropped on the town and works at Burbach, north-west of Saarbrücken. Many fires were started and explosions caused. Over 50 bombs fell on the works and 20 in the town. A further 1½ tons were dropped on railway communications south-west of Saarbrücken, good results being obtained. One train was hit by a 230-lb bomb and completely demolished.

    On the night 24th/25th, No 100 Squadron dropped twelve 230-lb and twenty-three 25-lb bombs on trains, railway junctions, stations and sidings on the line between Falkenberg and Saarbrücken. Bombs were seen bursting on buildings around Saarbrücken Station, others were seen to burst on the railway line, while one 230-lb bomb dropped from 400 feet fell on a train near Wallersberg Junction. A parachute flare showed the front portion of the train to be considerably damaged. The railway stations at St Avold and Homberg are both beieved to have been hit. During this raid 1,200 rounds were fired at various targets.

    RNAS - No flying. Gale of wind blowing, very squally.

    Casualties

    2nd Lt J A M Fleming (Pow) & 2nd Lt E C S Ringer (Pow), 101 Sqn, FE2b A801 - missing from bomb raid to Rumbeke and Abeele [Fleming later escaped]

    Royal Flying Corps Losses today: 4

    Lt Bowd, H.W. (Henry William), 67 Squadron, RFC.
    2Lt Dixon, C.P. (Charles Penrose), 9 Squadron, RFC.
    2Lt Hefferman, W. (William), RFC.
    Sgt (Cadet) Russon, B.G. (Bertie George), 67 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps.

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

    Ferruccio Ranza #8.

    Franz Grase #3.
    Ernst Strohschneider #7.
    Wilhelm Hippert #3.
    pic
    Bernhard Uitsch #4.

    Home Fronts:

    Norway:

    Roald Amundsen Returns German Honors

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    October 25 1917, Kristiania [Oslo]–Major polar exploration efforts had largely ceased shortly after the outbreak of war; the last major effort, Shackleton’s ill-fated expedition to cross Antarctica, left Britain five days after Britain entered the war. Norway was neutral, however, and Roald Amundsen, first to traverse the Northwest Passage and first to reach the South Pole, was preparing a new expedition through the Northeast Passage north of Russia, and possibly reach the North Pole by ship (as Fridtjof Nansen had attempted over twenty years earlier). Amundsen’s new ship, the Maud (named after the Queen of Norway and sister of George V), was christened in June 1917.

    Amundsen was widely respected around the world for his feats of exploration, and had received honors from many countries. On October 25, it was widely reported in the press that Amundsen went to the German embassy in Kristiana [Oslo] and officially returned the decorations he had received from Germany, in a “personal protest” against the German surface attack on a Norway-bound convoy the previous week, which had killed 17 Norwegian sailors.

    RUSSIA: Unrest by workers, peasants and soldiers:

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    Red Guards at Vulkan factory in 1917
    Throughout June, July, and August of 1917, it was common to hear working-class Russians speak about their lack of confidence and misgivings, with those is in power in the Provisional Government. Many of these citizens would take place in crowd violence where groups of people would carry out prosecution and executions for those who had committed crimes, often completely ignoring police. Many rich and influential individuals, such as elites in positions of power, were labelled as opponents of the Revolution and called words such as "bourgeois, capitalist, and imperialist.”
    In September and October 1917, there were mass strike actions by the Moscow and Petrograd workers, miners in Donbas, metalworkers in the Urals, oil workers in Baku, textile workers in the Central Industrial Region, and railroad workers on 44 railway lines. In these months alone, more than a million workers took part in strikes. Workers established control over production and distribution in many factories and plants in a social revolution.
    By October 1917, there had been over 4,000 peasant uprisings against landowners. When the Provisional Government sent punitive detachments, it only enraged the peasants. The garrisons in Petrograd, Moscow, and other cities, the Northern and Western fronts, and the sailors of the Baltic Fleet in September declared through their elected representative body Tsentrobalt that they did not recognize the authority of the Provisional Government and would not carry out any of its commands.

    Insurrection


    Planning:

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    Cruiser Aurora

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    Forward gun of Aurora that fired the signal shot

    On 23 October 1917, the Bolsheviks' Central Committee voted 10–2 for a resolution saying that "an armed uprising is inevitable, and that the time for it is fully ripe".

    The Bolsheviks created a revolutionary military committee within the Petrograd soviet, led by the soviet's president, Trotsky. The committee included armed workers, sailors and soldiers, and assured the support or neutrality of the capital's garrison. The committee methodically planned to occupy strategic locations through the city, almost without concealing their preparations: the Provisional Government's president Kerensky was himself aware of them, and some details, leaked by Kamenev and Zinoviev, were published in newspapers.

    Onset


    On 25 October 1917, Bolsheviks led their forces in the uprising in Petrograd (modern day Saint Petersburg), then capital of Russia, against the Kerensky Provisional Government. The event coincided with the arrival of a flotilla of pro-Bolshevik marines, primarily five destroyers and their crew, into the St. Petersburg harbor. At Kronstadt, sailors also announced their allegiance to the Bolshevik insurrection. In the early morning, the military-revolutionary committee planned the last of the locations to be assaulted or seized from its heavily guarded and picketed center in Smolny palace. The Red Guards systematically captured major government facilities, key communication, installations and vantage points with little opposition. The Petrograd Garrison and most of the city's military units joined the insurrection against the Provisional Government.

    Kerensky and the provisional government were virtually helpless to offer significant resistance. Railways and rail stations had been controlled by Soviet workers and soldiers for days, making rail travel to and from Petrograd, for Provisional Government officials, impossible. The Provisional Government was also unable to locate any serviceable vehicles. On the morning of the insurrection, Kerensky desperately searched for a means of reaching military forces he hoped would be friendly to the Provisional government outside the city, and ultimately borrowed a Renault car from the American Embassy, which he drove from the Winter Palace alongside a Pierce Arrow. Kerensky was able to evade the pickets going up around the palace and drive to meet oncoming soldiers.

    As Kerensky left Petrograd, Lenin penned a proclamation "To the Citizens of Russia" stating that the Provisional Government had been overthrown by the Military Revolutionary Committee. The proclamation was sent via telegram all throughout Russia, even as the pro-Soviet soldiers were seizing important control centers throughout the city. One of Lenin's intentions was to present members of the Soviet congress, who would assemble that afternoon, with a fait accompli and therefore forestall further debate on the wisdom or legitimacy of taking power.

    Assault on the Winter Palace


    The insurrection was mostly bloodless, with a final assault being launched against the Winter Palace, poorly defended by 3,000 cadets, officers, cossacks and female soldiers. The assault was delayed throughout the day, both because functioning artillery could not be found, and because the Bolsheviks feared violence when the insurrection had so far been peaceful. At 6:15 p.m., a large group of artillery cadets abandoned the palace, taking their artillery with them; at 8:00 p.m., 200 cossacks also left the palace and returned to their barracks. While the cabinet of the provisional government within the palace debated what action to take, the Bolsheviks issued an ultimatum to surrender. Workers and soldiers occupied the last of the telegraph stations, cutting off the cabinet's communications with loyal military forces outside the city. As the night progressed, crowds of insurgents surrounded the palace, and many infiltrated it. While soviet historians and officials tended to depict the event in heroic terms, the insurrection and even the seizure of the Winter Palace happened almost without resistance. At 9:45 p.m, the cruiser Aurorafired a blank shot from the harbor. By 2:00 a.m on 26 October Bolshevik forces entered the palace, and after sporadic gunfire throughout the building, the cabinet of the provisional government surrendered.

    Later Soviet portrayal


    Later official accounts of the revolution from the Soviet Union would depict the events in October as being far more dramatic than they actually had been. (See firsthand account by British General Knox.) This was helped by the historical reenactment, entitled The Storming of the Winter Palace, which was staged in 1920. This reenactment, watched by 100,000 spectators, provided the model for official films made much later, which showed a huge storming of the Winter Palace and fierce fighting (See Sergei Eisenstein's October: Ten Days That Shook the World). In reality, the Bolshevik insurgents faced little opposition. The insurrection was timed and organized to hand state power to the Second All-Russian Congress of Soviets of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies, which began on 25 October. After a single day of revolution, 18 people had been arrested and two killed.

    Soviet government archives show that parties of Bolshevik operatives sent from the Smolny by Lenin took over all critical centers of power in Petrograd in the early hours of the first night without a shot being fired. This was completed so efficiently that the takeover resembled the changing of the guard. The capture of the Winter Palace was more dramatic, with the Red Guards storming it at 2:10 a.m. on 26 October 1917. The Cossacks deserted when the Red Guard approached, and the Cadets and the 140 volunteers of the Women's Battalion surrendered rather than resist the 40,000 strong army. The Aurorawas commandeered to then fire blanks at the palace in a symbolic act of rejection of the government. The effectively unoccupied Winter Palace fell not because of acts of courage or a military barrage, but because the back door was left open, allowing the Red Guard to enter. A Red Guard named Adamovich remembered gasping as he burst into the palace, as he had never before seen such luxury and splendour. A small group broke in, got lost in the cavernous interior, and accidentally ran into the remnants of Kerensky's provisional government in the imperial family's breakfast room. The illiterate revolutionaries then compelled those arrested to write up their own arrest papers. The Provisional Government was arrested and imprisoned in Peter and Paul Fortress after the ministers resigned to fate and surrendered without a fight, and officially overthrown.
    Later stories of the heroic "Storming of the Winter Palace" and "defense of the Winter Palace" were later propaganda by Bolshevik publicists. Grandiose paintings depicting the "Women's Battalion" and photo stills taken from Sergei Eisenstein's staged film depicting the "politically correct" version of the October events in Petrograd came to be taken as truth.

    With the Petrograd Soviet now in control of government, garrison and proletariat, the Second All Russian Congress of Sovietsheld its opening session on the day, while Trotsky dismissed the opposing Mensheviks and the Socialist Revolutionaries (SR) from Congress.

    Dybenko's memoirs:


    Some sources contend that as the leader of Tsentrobalt, Pavlo Dybenko played an enormous role in the revolt. It is said that the ten warships that entered the city with ten thousand Baltic fleet mariners was the force that actually took the power inPetrograd and put down the Provisional Government. The same mariners then dispersed by force the elected parliament of Russia, and used machine-gun fire against protesting demonstrators in Petrograd. About 100 demonstrators were killed, and several hundreds wounded. Dybenko in his memoirs mentioned this event as "several shots in the air". Later, during the first hours after the taking of the Winter Palace, Dybenko personally entered the Ministry of Justice and destroyed there the documents about the financing of the Bolshevik party by Germany. These are disputed by various sources such as Louise Bryant, who claims that news outlets in the West at the time reported that the unfortunate loss of life occurred in Moscow, not Petrograd, and the number was much less than suggested above. As for the "several shots in the air", there is little evidence suggesting otherwise. The alleged action of Dybenko entering the Ministry of Justice to destroy documents as recalled by Savchenko can also be challenged. According to reports, Pavel Dybenko was in Helsingfors organizing the sailors' departures for Petrograd. In the book Radio October...On the "Krechet" in Helsingfors, radio operator Makarov hands a telegram to Pavel Dybenko with the report of the "Samson" commissar, Grigoriy Borisov: "To Tsentrobalt. Everything is calm in Petrograd. The power is in the hands of the revolutionary committee. You have to immediately get in touch with the front committee of the Northern Army in order to preserve unity of forces and stability."

    Outcome:


    Petrograd Milrevcom proclamation about the deposing of the Russian Provisional Government
    The Second Congress of Soviets consisted of 670 elected delegates; 300 were Bolshevik and nearly a hundred were Left Socialist-Revolutionaries, who also supported the overthrow of the Alexander Kerensky Government. When the fall of the Winter Palace was announced, the Congress adopted a decree transferring power to the Soviets of Workers', Soldiers' and Peasants' Deputies, thus ratifying the Revolution.

    Western Front:

    Elements of the 1st Division, AEF, fire artillery on the Western Front near Nancy.

    Prelude:

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    The morning after the First Battle of Passchendaele

    On 22 October the 18th (Eastern) Division of XVIII Corps attacked the east end of Polecappelle as XIV Corps to the north attacked with the 34th Division between the Watervlietbeek and Broenbeek streams and the 35th Division attacked northwards into Houthulst Forest. (The 35th Division was supported by a regiment of the French 1st Division on the left flank.) The attack was intended to push forward the left flank of the Fifth Army, to guard against a German counter-attack on the flank of the Canadian Corps, when it attacked Passchendaele. The artillery of the Second and Fifth armies conducted a bombardment to simulate a general attack as a deception. Poelcappelle was captured but the attack at the junction between the 34th and 35th divisions was repulsed. German counter-attacks pushed back the 35th Division in the centre but the French captured all their objectives. Attacking on ground cut up by bombardments and soaked by rain, the British had struggled to advance in places and lost the ability to move quickly to outflank pillboxes. The 35th Division infantry reached the fringes of Houthulst Forest but were pushed back in places after being outflanked in turn. German counter-attacks after 22 October, had an equal disadvantage and were costly failures. The German 4th Army was prevented from transferring troops away from the Fifth Army and from concentrating its artillery-fire on the Canadians as they prepared for the Second Battle of Passchendaele.

    Prelude: Verdun - The German Persepective:

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    This is a translation of an Article by Generalleutnant August Fortmüller. It is an exceptionally valuable description of the fighting that took place in Summer and Autumn of 1917. This is a period neglected by all of the English language histories of the battle of Verdun.

    The Germans spent the first months of 1917 improving their defensive positions on the West and East banks of the Maas. The French, having suffered heavy losses on the Aisne and in the Champagne, were forced to scale back their offensive plans.

    When the Germans took the important Vauxkreuz Höhe (to the North of the Caurieres Wald) on the 4th of March the French were not able to muster the forces for their usual counter attack.

    On the German side von Gallwitz was also called upon to use his men and munitions sparingly. Although he was sure the French were planning an attack on the Caurieres Wald (Forest) he was not in a position to launch a preemptive strike. The initiative was left in the hands of the French High Command.

    On the 20th of May it seemed as if the French were intending to attack and take the plateau to the North of the forest. Heavy artillery fire fell on the positions occupied by the 28th Infanterie Division (under General Langer) which occupied the positions in the forest and to the North of Bezonvaux. The bombardment continued into the 21st of May. The German artillery batteries to the Northwest and Northeast of Ornes were under fire and the ravines to the rear were filled with gas.


    All the signs indicating a coming attack were there… but it did not come. Whether this was due to the retaliation of the German Artillery or because of the Morale problems within the French army caused by the failure of the Nivelle offensive is not sure. For the rest of the month of May and into June the French were unusually quiet in the Verdun Theater.

    The Commander of Maas Gruppe West, General von Francois, was looking for a chance to exploit the gains he had made in the Height 304 sector in January and March 1917, concentrating on the high ground to the South West of Height 304 over which the road from Haucourt to Esnes lay. The A.O.K. 5 agreed to allow von Francois to carry out his operation; he in turn agreed to limit the amount of Personal and ammunition used.

    The 10th Reserve Division occupied the ground from the forest of Avocourt in the, across the Height 304 and down into the hollow between 304 and the “Toten Mann” Heights. To their west was the 2. würtembergische Landwehr Division under General der Artillerie Franke, to their East, from the “Toten Mann” to the Maas was the 6. Reserve Division under General Dietrich.

    The carefully planned operation was carried out on the 28th of June. The A.O.K.5 had released Infantry of the 48. Reserve Division (General von Hippel) as an operational reserve and the artillery of the 48. R.D. was to take part in the bombardment. The Divisional commander was instructed to avoid heavy losses. A total of 80 000 artillery rounds were approved for the operation.

    After the bombardment the regiments attacked on a 2000m wide front on the evening of the 28th of June. The attack took place on both sides of the Haucourt-Esnes road and the results were gains that formed a 500m deep salient in the French lines. Weak counter attacks that night were beaten back without great effort.

    To confuse the French and split the enemys artillery fire General v. Francois ordered some diversionary attacks on the 29th of June. In the early morning Stosstrupps of the 2. württembergische Landwehr Division took a section of enemy trench in the forest of Avocourt capturing 40 prisoners. Throughout the day French artillery bombardments broke out along the West bank of the Maas. That evening the 6. Reserve Division carried out a diversion. Its assault troops attacked the positions on the eastern slopes of the Höhe 304 and in the hollow between 304 and “Toten Mann”. Here they dug in and set up communication with the neighboring 10. Reserve Division.

    On the 30th of June the ground to the west of the hollow was retaken by the French.

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    The hoped for goals of the offensive had been achieved. 15 French officers and 853 men, along with much material, were captured. The cost had been heavy, the Germans had lost 18 officers and 1157 men. In addition, men from the 48. R.D. had been needed to prop up the 10. R.D. and 6. R.D. and these men could not be pulled from the front line to rejoin their division.

    In the days that followed the French increased their artillery fire in the sector. To help reinforce the newly captured positions and facilitate the pullback of the men of the 48. R.D. the 29. I.D. was pushed into the line.

    The objective now was to hold onto the newly captured ground. French Artillery fire gradually increased reaching a crescendo on the 17th of July. The German artillery positions and lines of communication were heavily gassed. At 7:00am the French attack followed along the length of the recently captured ground. In front of Height 304 the attack fell to pieces but in the sector in which the freshly arrived 29. I.D. held the line the French managed to break into the trenches. The men of the 29. I.D. had arrived just the night before and had had no time to study their positions.

    After heavy fighting the French took not only the land they had lost, but also captured ground to the west of Height 304 where they broke into the original German point of depart along a 1000m section of front. The success seemed to have surprised the French as much as it did the Germans.

    General von Francois decided to launch a counter attack that very evening but due to difficulties in passing along orders the attack had to be shelved and the French retained control of the ground lost. On the Eastern edge of Avocourt forest the men of the 2. L.D. retook the trench they had captured on the 29th of June and lost just that morning.

    The preparations for the German counter attack took time. Chains of command had to be erected, ammunition collected and the burned out 10. R.D. replaced with the 213. I.D.

    The high command was weary about new losses but von Francois was able to convince Ludendorff that a defensive battle from their present positions would cause heavier losses than an offensive in which they could take better suited positions.

    On the 29th of July a bombardment started on the positions from the Avocourt forest to the Height 304. On the 31st the French batteries were targeted with large amounts of gas and high explosive shells in a bombardment that carried on through the night. On the 1st of August the German infantry attacked along the Haucourt-Esnes road on a 2000m wide front. The men of the 29. I.D. and a battalion of the 213. I.D., supported by Pioneers, Flamethrowers and Stosstrupps of the 5th Sturmbataillon (Rohr) broke through the French lines and pushed to the rear.

    The response of the French artillery was minimal. The German counter battery fire seems to have been a success. 11 Officers and 741 were captured. The Plateau to the South West of Height 304 was once again in German hands.

    The French Barrages began to die down towards midday. Most of the fire seemed to come from batteries far to the rear which were firing without any observers. On the morning of the 2nd of August the newly arrived French 86eme R.I. attacked, trying to push the Germans off the plateau. The attack, in places, broke into the German trenches and had to be fought off hand to hand. Another attack followed that evening but the German troops managed to hold their positions.

    Looking back on the 1917 fighting on the West Bank at Verdun Ludendorff wrote “I was relieved that the fighting there had ended and berated myself for letting the attacks take place. Just as before on the eastern front, I was no friend of actions where the results would not justify the losses.”

    The ground captured by General von Francois was however not without value, and this would be proved in the attack that the French were now preparing to launch.

    In Flanders the British Army had launched its massive attack. The French army had largely recovered from the breakdown of moral after the failed Nivelle offensives and it was now, back in fighting form.

    Petain wanted to take the pressure of his allies and help break the German front, relieving the pressure with an offensive at Verdun. With a massive attack General Guillaumat was to advance on both sides of the Maas, throwing the Germans off the Heights to the South of the Forges River on the West bank and off of the Talou-Rücken and Height 344 on the East Bank.

    In the first days of August the French artillery fire developed into a heavy bombardment. The shells fell in the forest of Avocourt, continued through to the forest to the west of Maucourt then jumped for a while to the Vaux sector. It then onto the Woevre plain. The Germans recognized that an offensive was in preparation. In spite of the pressure in their own sectors, the 1. and 7. Armeen were ordered to provide reserves for the 5. Armee for the defense of the Verdun sector. The Germans were not sure if the attack was going to come on the West or East Bank.

    The commanders wondered if they could pull back to avoid the main thrust of the coming attack. On the East Bank this proved to be impractical as it could have led to the 5. Armee being pushed off the Cote Lorraines and back onto the Woevre Plateau. This in turn would have put the Armee Abteilung C to the South in danger as well as the important Iron ore basin of Briey and the Metz-Montmedy-Sedan railwayline to the North.

    On the West Bank a pullback to the early 1916 positions behind the Forges River would not have posed such problems. Already in December 1916 the Commander in Chief (Crown Prince Wilhelm) had tossed around the idea of abandoning the Höhe 304 and Toter Mann due to the losses suffered in these sectors. The idea was quashed at high levels due to the impact it may have had on moral and to avoid taking the pressure off the French command. Now the idea was given new life as it was thought that supplying a defensive battle over the deep and wide river bed and surrounding banks would be difficult (This refers to the Forges River which runs West-East to the North of 304 and Toter Mann).. Once again the pullback was vetoed by the high command because of the potential negative effect it would have on morale. This was understandable in view of the losses suffered to take the heights.

    The 5. Armee would meet the French attack in the positions they held. In the night of the 12th to 13th of August and on the day of the 13th the artillery duel was in full swing. 21 observation balloons were seen above the French lines and 30 airplanes crossed over the Maas Gruppe West positions. On the orders of von Gallwitz the German artillery concentrated on counter battery fire. On the night of the 13th to 14th the German artillery fired a 3 hour gas bombardment; the French artillery fire was visibly reduced. On the afternoon of the 14th it increased somewhat, but remained reduced until the 15th as the French were forced to remove its batteries from gas filled forests and ravines.

    On the 15th of august the 28. Reserve Division pulled back from its forward positions on the Talou Rücken. The wire entanglements had been destroyed, the trenches had collapsed. The positions were deemed non defendable. Only patrols with light machine guns remained in place.

    On the 16th of August the intensity of the French bombardment reached its height. That evening parts of the three regiments of the German 28. Infanterie Division launched a carefully planned preemptive raid to disrupt the preparations for the coming attack in the Caurieres Wald. They entered the French lines and destroyed a large number of trench mortars and ammunition and captured 14 officers and 700 men.

    On the 17th the heavy bombardment was still in full swing. The A.O.K.5 had ordered the German long range heavy guns to concentrate on the French artillery batteries. That evening the French retook their old positions in the Caurieres Wald. That night the French artillery was targeted with gas shells. This time, unlike on the 14th, the effect did not seem to be such a success as on the 18th the French bombardment actually increased in strength. It targeted the German front lines throughout the day along with heavy mortar fire. The clear sunny skies were perfect for the flyers. Four French planes were shot down and the French damaged three German observation balloons. The first American pilots were observed by the Germans.

    Orders captured during the 28th Infantry Division raid showed the attack planned for the 18th had been delayed for 48 hours. Apparently the counter battery fire had disturbed the French Artillery in their task. The determination of the French artillery and fliers on the 19th of August left no doubt as to what was about to happen.

    The German positions had been turned into a lunar landscape in which nothing could live. Hardest hit was the West Bank between Height 304 and the Maas, on the East Bank on the Talou Rücken, in the Fosses Wald and on the Vauxkreuz heights.

    On the West Bank the bridges across the Forges River had been destroyed, the valley filled with gas and all lines of communication to the rear destroyed.

    At midnight on the 19th to 20th of August the German artillery batteries were subjected to a concentrated gas barrage. On the morning of the 20th the bombardment reached its peak. Just before 5:00am the French attacked. Between Avocourt and Cumiers on the West Bank five fresh Divisions were used. On the East Bank between the River and Bezonvaux six fresh Divisions attacked.

    To the Northwest and North of Avocourt the 2. Landwehr Division occupied the line. To their left the 206. Infanterie Division (Generalleutnant von Etzel) which occupied the ground until the Haucourt-Esnes road. To their left the 213. Infanterie Division occupied Höhe 304. The 6. Reserve Division was on the Toten Mann, to the North of Cumieres and on the Maas Plain. The 29. Infanterie Division and 48. Reserve Division were behind the lines and were to serve as a mobile reserve.

    The Maasgruppe Ost (East) under General der Kavallerie von Garnier wase placed as follows: At Samogneux and on Height 344 were the 28. Reserve Division. General von Mohn’s 25. Reserve Division were in the Beaumont sector and were bordered to their left by the 228. Infanterie Divison (General v.d.Heyde) who were in the Fosses Wald stretching further eastwards. From the Vauxkreuz Höhe to Maucourt the 28. Infanterie Division held the line. The 80., 46. and 78. Reserve Divisions were held as a mobile reserve.

    In the Vaux sector the “Gruppenabschnitt Vaux” (The bayerisches Generalkommando 63 under Generalleutnant Ritter von Schoch) had under its command the 192. and 56. Infanterie Divisions as well as the 19. Ersatz Division.

    Just in case, the 51. Reserve Division and 30. Infanterie Division were held as an Armee level reserve.

    Under the cover of a man made fog, the French troops advanced behind their creeping barrage. There was almost no resistance as they crossed through the first defensive zone and swept away the forward positions at Cumieres and on the Talou Rücken. Then the German defense in depth strategy went into effect. From defensive positions which had not been destroyed by the artillery or bypassed in the fog German machine gun fire tore into the attackers, hitting them from the front and from their flanks.

    Bullets and grenades forced them to take cover. The broad offensive degenerated into a series of local actions as the men fought hand to hand. Counter attack followed counter attack as the Germans and French pushed their local reserves in the fight. Company commanders achieved local successes or suffered defeats, the effects of which were not always immediately clear to the neighboring units.

    The Divisions of the mobile reserve (Eingreifsdivisionen) were pushed in wherever they were needed and were soon mixed in with the men holding the line. A series of pauses developed in the fighting which the local commanders used to assess the situation, get artillery zeroed in and plan more attacks. The fighting continued all day, through the night and continued into the 21st of August until exhaustion, losses and lack of fresh reserves forced a lasting break in the fighting.

    On the 21st of August the high command was able to asses the situation. In the forest of Avocourt and to the west of height 304 the French had advanced for 1km. On the slope up to Height 304 and on the height itself the 213. Infanterie Division had held its ground with the support of the 29. Infanterie Division in its role as a mobile reserve. To the East the 6. Reserve Division had not been able to hold its positions on the Toten Mann, the high ground to the north of Cumieres and the Rabenwald. Their resistance had been worn down by days of Artillery bombardment. Advancing along the dry Maas plain the enemy had had an easy task in turning the divisions left flank. The 48. Reserve Division, the mobile reserve, had crossed the gassed Forges river valley under heavy artillery fire and could not arrive in time to help. The strongpoints resisted, but in the end they were overrun by the French attackers.

    To the East of the Maas the French had crossed the Talou Rücken and had taken Samogneux and Height 344. They had approached Beaumont and taken most of the Fosses Wald. Sections of the Chaume Wald had also fallen given them domination of the Ornes valley. The Vauxkreuz Heights and the positions to the east had remained in the hands of the 28. Infanterie Division. The 80. Reserve Division managed to intervene between Height 344 and the Fosses Wald and parts of the 46. Reserve Division helped stop further French gains at Samogneux.

    The results of the actions were not in the Germans favour. On the West BAnk they had managed to hold the dreaded Höhe 304 but this would be of little value as long as the French held the ground gained on the flanks of the height. On the Flanks the 206. Infanterie and 6. Reserve Divisions had suffered most.

    On the East bank valuable territory had been lost and the attack had only been stopped in the rear of the defensive zone by the arrival of the mobile reserve. Only two relatively fresh divisions were at the Armee’s disposition to relieve those who had suffered the heaviest losses. Four new divisions were on their way to the Verdun sector.

    On the 22. and 23. it was only the artillerymen who were active. The High Command was well aware that the A.O.K.5s positions to the north of Verdun would continue to be a sector of much activity. It was important to reposition the troops in a newly prepared line of defense. On the West bank of the Maas the high ground to the North of the Forges River was considered. On the East Bank of the Maas there was no natural geographical feature to help build a defensive line. A line was chosen that ran from Brabant over the heights to the South of Haumont and Beaumont to the height 307 to the north East of Ornes.

    On the night of the 21nd-22rd the Germans abandoned the Height 304. On the 24th the French swarmed over the hill and pushed down into the Forges valley. German artillery and a counter attack by the 30. Infanterie Division knocked the French back causing heavy losses amongst the Poilu. The German divisions established themselves to the North of the river in the old positions they had held in early 1916. The slopes in front of them leading down into the valley gave them good observation possibilities and fields of fire. The French contented themselves with the southern bank of the Forgesbach. On the West bank of the Maas the fighting now died down.

    On the East bank the fighting was to continue in full force as the French continued to try and press northwards. They had still not achieved what they had set out to do. On the 24th of August they failed in an attempt to push over the Height 344. On the morning of the 26th they attacked at Beaumont and to the east of Beaumont after a heavy bombardment that had raged all day on the 25th. They managed to enter the village.

    To the North of the Fosses Wald the French were held back and in the Chaume Wald the Germans managed to recapture their old positions. That evening along the whole front from the Maas to the Chaumewald the French continued their push. At Samogneux and to the East of the village the French were held back but they did manage to take the rest of the village of Beaumont. That evening the newly arrived 242. infanterie Division (General von Erpf) which had replaced the 25. Reserve Division succeeded in pushing the French out of the village.

    On the 27th of August General von Gallwitz created the “Gruppe Ornes” to reinforce the line. It was created with the newly arrived Generalkommando XI (Generalleutnant Kühne) and took up position between the Maas’ East bank and Vaux. Under Kühne’s command were the 28. and 192. Infanterie Divisions.

    The next few days saw little infantry action and reduced French artillery action. In spite of this it was obvious that the amount of French batteries on the East bank had been increased. The German divisions prepared their new positions while at the same time the burnt out divisions were rotated out of the frontline. Behind the frontlines of the Maas Gruppe West two mobile reserve Divisions were positioned, behind the front of the Gruppe Est three divisions. They were also used to prepare new defensive positions in the rear areas. Under orders of general von Gallwitz the German artillery continued to concentrate on counter battery fire. Continued gas barrages were fired to make life difficult for the French artillery, and therefore easier for the German infantry.

    Ammunition supplies were limited and this was the most the German artillery could hope to achieve. The amount of batteries, ammunition and men that would be needed to silence the French artillery could not be spared due to the large amounts of material needed to feed the battle raging in Flanders.

    The Army high command had instructed the A.O.K.5 to create a defensive zone that was as deep as possible. Experience had shown that only such a system would be able to effectively ensure that the enemy would have to cover so such ground with his artillery preparation that the defenders would be able to survive in sufficient numbers to beat off an attack. Large first zones of defense needed to be created, either by pulling back to new positions, or by pushing the enemy back. This was to lead to new fighting.

    On the 6th of September the 242. Infanterie Division attacked around the village of Beaumont pushing the French to the South of the village back. The Maasgruppe Ost intended to take the heights 344-326 between Samogneux and Beaumont in order to improve their defensive positions. Before their operation could be mounted however, the French attacked.

    On the evening of the 7th of September they pushed along a wide front out of Samogneux and over the heights but they suffered heavy losses upon reaching the German front line. Throughout the night there was heavy artillery fire, then on the morning of the 8th they attacked on a front stretching from the Fosses Wald to the Roas running from Ornes to Bezonvaux. In the attack Tanks were used on the flatland. The first wave of French soldiers were shot to pieces but the next wave, advancing out of the man made fog broke into the German lines. They took the Vauxkreuz Höhe and continued to advance while to the right in the Chaume Wald they closed in on the Ornes Ravine. In spite of these French gains the 242. I.D. to the South of Beaumont was actually able to improve its positions.


    On the 9th of September the planned German attack on the heights 344-326 was carried out. In the center units of the 19. and 243. I.D. managed to advance on both sides of height 344 but on the flanks the attack bogged down. Ultimately the attack broke up under French machinegun fire and achieved no tangible gains. On the 18th of September the French attacked over the same ground and suffered the same fate. On a front 3km wide they sent forward waves of attackers who were shot down by German artillery and from German defensive positions as they tried to climb the slopes. As they flooded back, mounting the opposite slopes, they were fired on and suffered more heavy losses.

    The German command, in view of the losses already suffered, rescinded the order to take the heights 344 and 326. Instead of this the A.O.K.5 was ordered to ensure that the enemy did not retain their hold on the Vauxkreuz Höhe and to push the French back far enough in the Chaume Wald to ensure the passage in the East to West axis running through the Ornes ravine.

    Between the Fosses and Chaume forests a French attack had been beaten back on the 10th of September. On the 14th of September the Germans retook the Vauxkreuz heights. This task was achieved by the 28. Infanterie Division who sent one battalion of each of its three regiments into the attack. General von Gallwitz praised the action saying “..that the division, after the heavy losses it had suffered, was still able to carry out such an action, is a testament to its bravery”

    On the 24th of September the Gruppe Ornes moved to retake the Chaume Wald. Parts of the 13. and 78. Reserve Divisions along with 4 Staffles of aircraft attacked through and on the sides of the forest. In spite of gas shells being fired on the French artillery positions their fire remained so strong that in spite of initial German successes on the flanks a French counter attack was able to knock the Germans back to their points of depart.

    Only on the 10th of October was the 13. Reserve Division were able to make any gains when they pushed the French in the forest back 300meters. On the next day the French managed to regain some of the lost ground, but on the 25th of October the 46. Reserve Division took over the sector and managed to widen the gains on a front of 1200 meters. On the 29th of October the Garde Ersatz Division (which had just relieved the 78. R.D.) managed to push the French back on the Vaux Kreuz Höhe and on the 9th of November, along with the 46. R.D. they pushed the French back until the Poilus barely had a foothold in the southern border of the Chaume Wald.

    Battalions of the 215. and 246. Reserve Infanterie Regiments and of the 7. Garde Ersatz Regiment, along with companies of the Sturmbataillon Rohr and flamethrower troops, broke into the French positions and pushed them from the slopes of the Ornes ravine. The French did not launch a counter attack.

    As this was going on the fighting between Samogneux and Beaumont had started up again. Although the Germans had given up thoughts of retaking heights 344 and 326 the divisions in the front line still needed to launch local attacks to improve their defensive positions.

    On the 2nd of October the 243. Infanterie Division took enemy trenches along a front of 1200 meters on the northern face of height 344. They fought off about a dozen French counter attacks. The 243. I.D. was relieved by the 19. I.D. and Stosstrupps of the 19. I.D. along with men of the 29. I.D. attacked on the 11th of October improving their positions on the North Eastern slope. On the 18th of November the 6. Komp. of the 142. I.R. forced the enemy back and the position was improved yet again.

    On the 23rd of October the 78. I.R. of the 19. R.D. along with men of the Sturmbataillon Rohr took positions on the eastern slope but had to give it up the next day due to a strong enemy presence on their flanks.

    These actions by the Germans seem to have been the reason for the French decision to finally take the ground to the North West of Heights 344 and 326 through to Samogneux. On the 25th of November they launched a large attack between the Maas and Beaumont. The first assault wave was in most sectors shot to pieces and in spite of stormy weather and heavy rain, the German fliers still managed to participate in the battle.

    The French were however determined and keeping up the pressure they managed in most areas to penetrate deep into the German defensive zone. That night the 29. and 19. Divisions were forced to abandon their positions to the south of the Samogneux ravine. This was the last major action at Verdun for the year of 1917.

    As had been in 1916 the fighting at Verdun in 1917 had been exhausting. It almost reached the level of losses that had been suffered at Rheims. Both sides suffered heavy losses in both men and material, losses more heavily felt by the Germans as, unlike with the allies, they could not count with reinforcements from America to make up for their losses.

    The French had successfully countered the new German defensive system by launching mainly small attacks with limited goals. This nullified the counter attacks by German reserves or “Eingreifsdivisionen” as the French troops seldom advanced into positions where they could not be covered by their own artillery. Although the gains were slow and the cost was heavy, although a breakthrough was not achieved, the tactics meant that the French troops almost always succeeded in taking ground. It was a tactic that confused the Germans, leaving them feeling rather helpless. All attempts to counter the French system of overpowering artillery bombardments then limited objective land grabs seemed to fail.

    The A.O.K.5, just as with the O.H.L. had found it difficult to keep their sector in order due to the heavy losses and strain during the summer and autumn. They were reduced to shuffling their divisions trying to keep an effective defense in place. It sapped the reserves they would need to take the initiative themselves. The divisions suffered after each action, reinforcing them becoming more and more difficult, losses never being fully made up for.

    The material usage was more than could be replaced; the transport to the front began to suffer as the Field railways began to fail, the Kraftfahr troops began to lose not only their fuel, but also their lorries and the amount of horses reduced as the war continued.

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    The battle in Flanders forced the A.O.K.5 to give up troops and economize with those that remained. The Divisions of the mobile reserve (Eingreifsdivisionen) were pushed in wherever they were needed and were soon mixed in with the men holding the line. A series of pauses developed in the fighting which the local commanders used to assess the situation, get artillery zeroed in and plan more attacks. The fighting continued all day, through the night and continued into the 21st of August until exhaustion, losses and lack of fresh reserves forced a lasting break in the fighting.

    On the 21st of August the high command was able to assess the situation. In the forest of Avocourt and to the west of height 304 the French had advanced for 1km. On the slope up to Height 304 and on the height itself the 213. Infanterie Division had held its ground with the support of the 29. Infanterie Division in its role as a mobile reserve. To the East the 6. Reserve Division had not been able to hold its positions on the Toten Mann, the high ground to the north of Cumieres and the Rabenwald. Their resistance had been worn down by days of Artillery bombardment. Advancing along the dry Maas plain the enemy had had an easy task in turning the divisions left flank. The 48. Reserve Division, the mobile reserve, had crossed the gassed Forges river valley under heavy artillery fire and could not arrive in time to help. The strongpoints resisted, but in the end they were overrun by the French attackers.

    Ed: (My apologies for including the whole article but it is extremely hard to find first hand translated information from the German side in such detail)

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    Prelude: Battle of La Malmaison October 23 1917, La Malmaison–Since the mutinies of the spring, the French Army had recovered enough to resume offensive operations. Pétain was careful, however, to conduct these operations on a small scale, with limited objectives, where overwhelming firepower could be brought to bear. In August, the French made substantial gains around Verdun, and on October 23, they attacked the Germans along the Chemin des Dames, the site of the disastrous Nivelle Offensive of April.



    The French infantry advanced in the dark at 5:15 AM behind an extensive creeping barrage. The previous’ days preliminary bombardment had destroyed most German infantry shelters, making it exceedingly difficult for them to defend or counterattack. Heavy French usage of poison gas also helped suppress the Germans, and was especially helpful in preventing an effective German counter-bombardment, as French gas pooled in the Ailette river valley, where many of the German batteries were located. The French were also assisted by dozens of tanks, though rain beginning at 6AM meant that fewer of them reached the German positions than was hoped.

    The French would advance two miles and capture over 8000 prisoners on the first day. While there was no large breakthrough, the French gains did force the Germans to withdraw to behind the Aisne-Oise canal the next week.
    On 25 October, Pinon was captured with 600 prisoners, Pinon and Rosay forests were entered and Rosay Farm was occupied, as XI Corps attacked from the Chemin-des-Dames ridge, to east of the Malmaison plateau and captured the farms of St. Martin and Chapelle Ste. Berthe to the south of Filain. The French then overran the Tonnerre and Charbon quarries, crossed the Bovettes ravine and ascended the slope from Many Farm to capture Pargny-Filain. The German defenders were eventually forced back, beyond the Bassin d'alimentation on the Monampteuil Heights. More than 2,000 prisoners and twenty more guns were taken, bringing the number of prisoners taken in the operation above 11,000. At Filain, part of the élite Konigin Elizabeth Guard Regiment surrendered, having had no food for three days.

    On 25 October, the new front line ran from Vauxaillon, north of Mont des Singes, to the Canal de l'Oise à l'Aisne near Anizy, then north of Pinon and Rosay forests, south-eastwards to the west end of the Bassin d'alimentation, up to the Chemin-des-Dames ridge east of Pargny-Filain and Filain. Under bombardment by the German artillery round Anizy and Monampteuil, thousands of French Territorial troops, African and Chinese labourers extended roads from the French lines across no man's land. Engineer stores were rushed forward to repair captured caves, quarry entrances and field fortifications. On 26 October, XI Corps reduced the remaining strong points in Filain and reached the Bassin d'alimentation. The 67th Division pushed the Germans back over the Chevrégny Spur and on 27 October, one of the last German observation posts overlooking the Aisne, at Froidmont Farm to the south-east was captured
    Germans gain footing north of Chaume Wood (Verdun).

    Further French advance on Aisne front; Filain captured; 160 guns taken since 23rd.

    Tunstills Men Thursday 25th October 1917:


    Zudausques

    Training and range practice.

    A series of medal presentations were held for those men who had been awarded decorations for their actions on 20th September, although official notice of the awards would not be published in the London Gazette for some weeks. Among the men receiving their medal ribbons was CSM Charles Edgar Parker MM (see 20th September), who had been awarded the DCM. The circumstances were described in a subsequent newspaper report: “The whole Battalion turned out, the band played and the sergeants of the company carried him shoulder high while the ‘boys’ raised the heartiest of cheers and sang ‘For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow’. There were further jollifications in the evening when the general of the division shook hands cordially with the popular medallist and wished him the best of luck in the future”.
    Pte. Patrick Sweeney (see 22nd September), who had deserted on 19th September and had been apprehended and placed in confinement on 22nd September, appeared before a Field General Court Martial. Maj. Charles Bathurst MC (see 24th October) sat as President of the Court and evidence was heard or statements reviewed from Capt. James Watson Paterson (see 14th July), L.Sgt. George Heeley (see 5th October), Cpl. William Henry Dobson (see 20th September), and Ptes. Charles Simpson (I am unable to make a positive identification of this man) and Samuel Walker (see 22nd October). Sweeney was found guilty and, as prescribed by Army regulations, sentenced to death. He was returned to confinement awaiting confirmation or communtation of sentence from Field Marshal Haig.

    It was around this date (although the exact date is unknown), that the former Battalion Chaplain, Rev. Wilfred Leveson Henderson MC (see 2nd October), who had been severely wounded in the attack on the Messines Ridge on 7th June, was transferred from Miss McCaul’s Hospital, Welbeck Street, London (a former private nursing home) to Larkhill War Hospital, Glasgow.

    Pte. Ernest Morrison (see 20th January), who had been been wounded in January, was formally discharged from the Army as no longer fit for service. He was awarded a pension of 27s. 6d. for four weeks, reducing to 13s 9d. thereafter; his case was to be reviewed in one years’ time.

    Eastern Front:


    German attempt to consolidate on Verder Peninsula frustrated.

    Southern Front:


    Caporetto


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    Supplies being brought up to the front during the Battle of Caporetto. Logistics were difficult in the Alpine terrain, but the Austrians and Germans were particularly lavish with supply in the weeks leading up to the attack; the division tasked with taking Caporetto received 300 additional pack animals and 210 additional trucks beyond its usual complement.

    October 24 1917, Caporetto [Kobarid]–Although the Austrians had barely prevented a complete breakthrough in the last battle along the Isonzo, they were concerned that another Italian push could spell disaster. In mid-September, Cadorna cancelled his plans for another attack in 1917, but the Austrians did not know this, and an attack in the spring could have been equally disastrous for them. Emperor Charles personally appealed to the Kaiser for aid, and the Germans, for the first time in the war, agreed to provide major support against the Italians. The capture of Riga and Russia’s general weakness freed troops up from the Eastern Front, even though British successes around Ypres in early October meant troops could not be brought in from the West on a large scale.

    The Germans and Austrians planned their attack around Caporetto (Karfreit to the Germans, now Kobarid), on the upper Isonzo. While the terrain was far more rugged there, it was hoped that the Italian defenses were weaker. Throughout late September and early October, German troops and large masses of artillery were brought up to the front, despite the difficult logistics in the area. Every precaution was taken to preserve surprise: troops were marched in at night, many Germans wore Austrian uniforms, false messages were sent to confuse the Italians, and a large influx of German planes made sure the Italians could not conduct aerial reconnaissance (although poor weather would have made that difficult regardless).

    The Central Powers’ attack opened with a gas barrage at 2AM on October 24. Italian gas masks, mainly older French models, were largely unable to handle the gas, which incapacitated or killed many of the defenders (though the difficulty of using gas on mountainsides meant many also escaped unscathed), especially those manning the Italian artillery. Austrian progress on the northern flank of the attack was hampered by an unexpected snowstorm, but elsewhere the Italian lines were ruptured in many places. The Italians had not truly prepared a defensive posture and had most of their troops in the front lines, where they were extremely vulnerable to German and Austrian artillery fire. Stormtroopers and alpine units broke through Italian lines in key places and then threatened Italian positions from the rear.

    One such unit was the Württemberg Mountain Battalion, transferred from the the Romanian front. Rommel’s detachment of four companies made it through the Italian lines west of Tolmein at 8AM, and captured 1500 prisoners within their first day. Within another 48 hours, he had captured another 7500 prisoners and secured Mt. Matajur, the last major obstacle in the Julian Alps standing between the Germans and the plains below, at the cost of only 20 casualties; the feat earned Rommel the Pour le Mérite.

    Cadorna was not expecting an attack on the upper Isonzo, and he dismissed initial reports of the attacks as a feint for an Austrian counterattack on the Bainsizza. The general Italian collapse and a severing of communications with the front lines meant that Cadorna did not realize the full extent of his army’s predicament until late that night, by which point the Central Powers had taken Caporetto, captured over 14,000 PoWs, and essentially destroyed three Italian divisions.

    Italians retreat from Plezzo to south-west of Tolmino and prepare to evacuate Bainsizza Plateau.

    Germans claim 30,000 prisoners and 300 guns.

    Naval Operations:


    SMS A32,
    Kaiserliche marine, a A25 class torpedo boat, ran aground and sank in the Baltic Sea.

    Shipping Losses: 7 (1 to a mine & 6 to U-Boat action)


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    Collier S S Gefion

    The collier Gefion (Master James E Minto) is torpedoed and sunk ten miles northeast from Berry Head. The Master and a donkeyman are lost in the sinking.

    Political:

    Fall of Boselli Cabinet in Italy.

    Franco-British convention for Military Service.

    Sinn Fein convention in Dublin.

    Anniversary Events:

    1415 An English army under Henry V defeats the French at Agincourt, France. The French out number Henry’s troops 60,000 to 12,000 but British longbows turn the tide of the battle.
    1757 A British fleet of 14 ships under Rear-Admiral Sir Edward Hawke defeats the French at the Second Battle of Cape Finisterre in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. The battle puts an end to French naval operations for the rest of the War of the Austrian Succession, thus eliminating any threat of a French invasion of Britain.
    1760 George III of England is crowned.
    1854 During the Crimean War, a brigade of British light infantry is destroyed by Russian artillery as they charge down a narrow corridor in full view of the Russians.
    1916 German pilot Rudolf von Eschwege shoots down his first enemy plane, a Nieuport 12 of the Royal Naval Air Service over Bulgaria.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 11-19-2017 at 11:18.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  16. #2816

    Default

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    Ed: Triple VC day.

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    Thomas William Holmes VC (14 October 1898 – 4 January 1950) was a soldier in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, Holmes is the youngest Canadian to ever win the Victoria Cross. Although Holmes was born in Montreal, Quebec, his family was from Owen Sound, Ontario. His father's work had taken them to Montreal; however, they returned to Owen Sound when Tommy was about six years old. During his last year of school, he worked for the butcher J.R. Boyd, and just before enlisting Holmes was working on the farm of Templeton Day at nearby Annan, Ontario.

    On 20 December 1915, No. 838301 Tommy Holmes enlisted as a private soldier in the 147th (Grey) Battalion, CEF, at Owen Sound in Grey County. The 147th Battalion was raised by the Grey Regiment, which also later raised the 248th Battalion, CEF. As was common practice at the time, Tommy lied about his age - he was actually 17 years old when he joined-up. He was sworn-in by the 147th Grey Battalion's commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel G.H. McFarland. Prior to embarking for England, the battalion trained at Camps Niagara and Borden (today CFB Borden) in Ontario, and at Amherst, Nova Scotia. The Battalion was at Camp Borden from 4 July 1916 until 5 October 1916, when it departed for Halifax. Embarkation was delayed, leading to the 147th encamping at Amherst. Finally, on 20 November 1916, Tommy Holmes arrived with the 147th (Grey) Battalion at Liverpool, England. Like the other 35 CEF battalions that trained at the newly opened Camp Borden in that hot summer of 1916, the 147th (Grey) Battalion was broken-up for reinforcements to units already in the field. The 147th had sailed in RMS Titanic's sister ship RMS Olympic.

    Consequently, Tommy Holmes was transferred to the 8th Reserve (Holding) Battalion on 1 February 1917, and then to the 4th Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifleson 16 February 1917. In April 1917 during the Battle of Vimy Ridge, he received a though-and-though bullet wound from a machinegun in his arm and was temporarily invalided to England. While in hospital, he met up with his older brother Roy, who had enlisted earlier in the 58th Battalion, CEF and who had also been wounded, losing an eye.

    Holmes was 19 years old, when as a privateserving with the 4th Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles, Canadian Expeditionary Force, he won the Victoria Cross. On 26 October 1917 near Passchendaele, Belgium, he performed a deed for which King George V awarded Tommy the Victoria Cross: "when the right flank of the Canadian attack was held up by heavy machine-gun fire from a pill-box strong point and heavy casualties were producing a critical situation, Private Holmes, on his own initiative and single-handed, ran forward and threw two bombs, killing and wounding the crews of two machine-guns. He then fetched another bomb and threw this into the entrance of the pill-box, causing the 19 occupants to surrender." this would have ended most other soldiers lives in the war.
    It was during the investiture at Buckingham Palace that Holmes admitted to King George V that he had lied about his age and joined the army at age 17. The kings response is not known.

    Sergeant Tommy Holmes, VC, returned to Owen Sound after the war to great fanfare and receiving a hero's welcome. On 16 September 1919, he was chosen to be part of the Colour Party for the laying-up of the 147th (Grey) Battalion, CEFColours in the Carnegie Library, Owen Sound.

    After the war Holmes was a pilot for the Harbour Commission for fifteen years. In 1936 he and another officer saved the lives of three persons whose auxiliary cabin boat upset in the harbour. In 1935 his home was robbed and the Victoria Cross was stolen. In 1942 Holmes narrowly escaped death when his launch exploded.

    Holmes died of cancer on 4 January 1950 and was buried at Greenwood Cemetery, Owen Sound, Ontario, on 7 January 1950 with full military honours. His memorial service was attended by Victoria Cross winners Henry Howey Robson, Colin Fraser Barron and Walter Leigh Rayfield. Annually on Remembrance Day, a firing party from The Grey and Simcoe Foresters, which perpetuates the 147th (Grey) Battalion, CEF, fires a volley over his grave. Of significance is that two other VC winners are also buried at Greenwood Cemetery, Air Marshal Billy Bishop and Major David Vivian Currie.

    A replica of Thomas Holmes VC medal is now on display at the Owen Sound Royal Canadian Legion Branch #6.
    In the 1986, the Owen Sound Armoury, being the Grey County home of The Grey and Simcoe Foresters, was renamed the "Tommy Holmes, VC, Memorial Armoury."

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    Christopher Patrick John O'Kelly VC MC (18 November 1895 – 15 November 1922) was a Canadian soldier and prospector. O'Kelly was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, O'Kelly joined theCanadian Expeditionary Force in October 1915. He was 21 years old, and an acting captain in the 52nd (96th Lake Superior Regiment) Battalion, CEF, when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

    On 26 October 1917 at Passchendaele, Belgium, Captain O'Kelly led his company with extraordinary skill and determination. They captured six pill-boxes, with 100 prisoners and 10 machine-guns. Later his company repelled a strong counterattack, taking more prisoners, and subsequently during the night they captured a hostile raiding party consisting of one officer, 10 men and a machine-gun.

    He later achieved the rank of Major. After the war, O'Kelly became a prospector in Northwestern Ontario. He drowned in 1922 while canoeing on Lac Seul. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Canadian War Museumin Ottawa, Canada.

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    Robert Shankland VCDCM (10 October 1887 – 20 January 1968) was a Canadianrecipient of theVictoria Cross, born in Ayr, Scotland, on 10 October 1887, Robert Shankland was the son of a railroad guard, and his first job was that of a clerk in the stationmaster’s office. He moved to Canada in 1910 where he worked as assistant cashier for the Crescent Creamery Company in Winnipeg. When World War Ibroke out he joined the 43rd Battalion (Cameron Highlanders of Canada) Canadian Expeditionary Force as a private.

    Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions at Sanctuary Wood in 1916 as a Sergeant (in charge of a stretcher bearer party), Shankland received a battlefield commission later that year and continued to serve with the 43rd Bn as an officer. On the morning of October 26, he led his platoon of 40 men from D Company (D Company commanded by Capt. Galt) to the crest of the hill at the Bellevue Spur, the main trench line defending the approach to Passchendaele. Overrunning it and holding the position was critical to capturing the town. Early in the advance, B Company captured and held the Spur.

    On the right, the 58th Bn, which was under heavy fire from Snipe Hill, was forced to retire after failing to reach its objective. Some of the men joined Shankland’s platoon, but this still left his right flank open. For four hours they withstood incessant artillery shelling and German counterattacks, sustaining frightful casualties. By this time the 8th Brigade on the left was forced to withdraw leaving both of Shankland’s flanks exposed.

    He and his men were in danger of being cut off and losing the vital position gained at such fearful cost. The only solution was to bring up reinforcements and counterattack. Shankland turned over his command to another officer and then weaved his way through heavy mud and German shelling to battalion headquarters where he gave a first-hand report of the situation. He also offered a detailed plan on how a counterattack with reinforcements could best be achieved. He then returned to his men to lead the forthcoming attack supported by reinforcements from the 52nd and 58th battalions. For his actions that day Robert Shankland was awarded the Victoria Cross.
    His citation reads:

    Having gained a position at Passchendaele on 26th October 1917, Lieutenant Shankland organised the remnants of his own platoon and other men from various companies to command the foreground where they inflicted heavy casualties on the retreating Germans. He later dissipated a counter-attack, allowing for the arrival of support troops. He then communicated to his HQ a detailed evaluation of the brigade frontage. On its completion he rejoined his command, carrying on until relieved. His courage and his example undoubtedly saved a critical situation.

    Following the war, Shankland stayed in the Militia with the Camerons and in his civilian work served as secretary-manager for several Winnipeg firms. He eventually moved to Victoria and joined the Canadian Scottish Regiment. When the Second World War started, he returned to Winnipeg and rejoined the Camerons. Now a Major, he went overseas with the battalion as Officer Commanding Headquarters Company. Due to his age (53) he was too old for combat duty. Promoted to lieutenant colonel, Shankland was appointed camp commandant of the Canadian Army Detention Barracks in England in December 1940.

    According to the May/June 2005 issue of the Legion Magazine, "in 1946, Shankland took his discharge and became secretary of a leading securities firm in Vancouver. He died 20 January 1968, at Shaughnessy, Vancouver, and his body was cremated and his ashes scattered in the grounds of Vancouver's Mountain View Cemetery."

    Frederick William Hall, Leo Clarke, and Robert Shankland all lived on Pine Street in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It is believed to be the only street in the world to have three Victoria Cross winners who lived there. The city later renamed it Valour Road in their honour. A bronze plaque is mounted on a street lamp at the corner of Portage Ave and Valour Road to tell this story.

    Shankland's decorations and medals on display at the Manitoba Museum in 2014

    The medal was on public display at the Manitoba MuseuminWinnipeg, Manitoba commencing August 6, 2014, on loan from the Canadian War Museumas part of a display celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada. Shankland's battledress blouse with ribbons and his miniatures are on display in The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada Museumat Minto Armoury in Winnipeg.

    The medal was placed on auction on May 25, 2009. Despite public outrage of its sale from an anonymous seller, controversy was averted when the Canadian War Museum purchased the medal at auction for $240,000 in order to keep it in Canadian public hands forever

    Today we lost: 3756

    Today’s losses include:


    · A battalion commander
    · A Military Chaplain
    · A member of the clergy
    · Multiple sons of members of the clergy
    · A Devon County footballer
    · The son of an Admiral
    · A man whose brother will be killed in April 1941 commanding HMS Torrent
    · A man whose brother-in-law is killed
    · A man killed on his brother’s birthday who will be killed in four days
    · A man whose twin will be killed next year
    · Multiple families that will lose two and three sons in the Great War
    · The son of a Member of Parliament
    · The son of a Justice of the Peace
    · Multiple men who will have sons killed in World War II
    · A partner in the brewing company Hickman & Pullen
    · A staff member on the Toronto Globe
    · A brilliant violinist
    Today’s highlighted casualties include:

    · Lieutenant Colonel Percy William Beresford DSO (commanding 2nd/3rd Royal Fusiliers) dies of wounds received by a shell burst at age 42. He is an Assistant Priest of St Mary’s Church, Westerham, Kent and Founder of the Westerham and Chipstead Cadet Corps. His father is the Reverend Beresford Frank Gilbert.
    · Captain Norman Hacker (Dorsetshire Regiment) is killed at age 27. He is a well-known Devon County Rugby footballer. · Captain Francis Methuen Noel (Devonshire Regiment) is killed at age 28. He is the son of the late Admiral Francis Charles Methuen Noel and his brother will be killed in command of HMS Torrent April 1941.
    · Captain Alan Brodie Hoare (North Lancashire Regiment) is killed at age 35 leading his company into action at Poelcapelle. He is the son of Edward Brodie Hoare MP.
    · Lieutenant Thomas Noel Buckingham (Devonshire Regiment) is killed at age 24. He is the son of Prebendary Frederick Finney Buckingham Parish Priest of Doddiscombsleigh.
    · Lieutenant Richard Standeford Pullen (South Staffordshire Regiment) a partner in the brewing firm of Messrs Hickman and Pullen is killed in action.
    · Lieutenant Jaffray Eaton (Canadian Mounted Rifles) is killed at Passchendaele at age 31. He is on the staff of the Toronto Globe.
    · Lieutenant Francis William Stuart Teggart (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders attached Gordon Highlanders) is killed at age 27. His twin brother will be killed in July 1918.
    · Second Lieutenant Hugh Gordon Langton (London Regiment) a brilliant violinist age 32 is killed in action. The personal inscription on his headstone consists of a piece of music and he studied under the best teachers in Europe.
    · Second Lieutenant Maurice Seymour-Isaacs (Border Regiment) is killed in action at age 19. He is the son of the Reverend Hubert Seymour-Isaacs.
    · Chaplain the Reverend Patrick Looby (attached Northumberland Fusiliers) is killed at age 28.
    · Sergeant E M Rochester (Canadian Field Artillery) is killed in action at Passchendaele at age 20. He is the son of the Reverend W M Rochester DD.
    · Sergeant Robert George Godfrey Faulkner (Royal West Kent Regiment) is killed at age 31. His brother will die of wounds in August 1918.
    · Lance Corporal George William Andrews (West Surrey Regiment) dies of wounds at age 21. His brother will be killed next March.
    · Private Harold Wilfred Coxsell (South Staffordshire Regiment) is killed in action at age 21. His brother was killed in September 1915.
    · Private Charles Jones Johnson (South African Infantry) is killed in action. His brother in law will be killed in July 1918. · Private Charlie Payne (Northumberland Fusiliers) is the final of three brothers who are all killed within a thirty-day period. He dies at age 33.
    · Private Percy Archibald Negus (Warwickshire Regiment) is killed in action at age 22. His brother will be killed in March 1918.
    · Private Frederick Arthur Anthony (Warwickshire Regiment) is killed. His brother died at home from the effects of war service in February 1916.
    · Private Andrew Woodcock (Warwickshire Regiment) is killed. His brother was killed in April.
    · Private Harry Bertrand Sample (Alberta Regiment) is killed in action at age 20 during an enemy artillery barrage during the Battle of Passchendaele. Today is his brother’s birthday and his brother will be killed in four days under similar circumstances.
    · Private Alfred James Elsden (Machine Gun Corps) is killed at age 20. His brother will be killed in July 1918.
    · Private Herbert James Bates (Manitoba Regiment) is killed at age 23. His brother died of wounds December 1914.
    · Private Wilfred Hiram Mills (Warwickshire Regiment) is killed in action. He is the last of three brothers who are killed in the Great War.
    · Private Henry James Huxtable (Devonshire Regiment) is killed at age 36. He is the last of three brothers who are killed in the Great War.
    · Private William Arthur Innocens Blandford (Northumberland Fusiliers) is killed. He is the son of the Reverend William Mohne Blandford Vicar of Sutton.
    · Private Hubert John Wallis (Warwickshire Regiment) is killed at age 30. He is the son of Dr. Fredric Michael Wallis JP.
    · Private Charles Henry Silver (Royal Marine Light Infantry) is killed at age 40. His son will be killed in June 1940 at Dunkirk.
    · Private John Ervine Bourns (Saskatchewan Regiment) is killed at age 34. His son will be killed in the Second World War.
    · Private Samuel Hoole (Cheshire Regiment) is killed at age 25. His brother was killed in September 1916.

    Earls who lost their lives in the Great War


    · Henry Molyneux Paget Howard the 19th Earl of Suffolk & 12th Earl of Berkshire
    · James Ogilie-Grant the 11th Earl of Seafield (see below)
    · Richard Bernard Boyle the 7th Earl of Shannon
    · William John Lydston Poulett the 7th Earl Poulett
    · Francis Annesley the 6th Earl Annesley
    · William Edward Parsons the 5th Earl of Rosse
    · Charles William Reginald Duncombe the 2nd Earl of Feversham of Ryedale

    Air Operations:

    General Headquarters, October 27th.

    “On the 26th inst. rain fell most of the day. In spite of this our aeroplanes went out and performed valuable work, locating our attacking infantry and reporting suitable targets to our artillery. Aeroplanes flying at a low altitude fired 10,000 rounds from their machine guns on hostile troops endeavouring to repair wire, on the enemy's horse and mechanical transport on roads and on his infantry on the march and in shell holes. Two of our machines flew down the main streets of a town at the level of the housetops, firing at bodies of hostile troops. Some fighting took place at low altitudes in which three German machines were brought down and one was drives down out of control. Two of our machines are missing.”

    In spite of heavy rain which continued most of the day, a good deal of low flying and artillery work was carried out.

    Ten hostile batteries were engaged for destruction and nine neutralised with aeroplane observation; three gun-pits were destroyed, eight damaged, two explosions and four fires caused. 118 zone calls were sent down, 65 by machines of the 2nd Brigade and 44 by those of the 5th Brigade.

    Three contact and four counter-attack patrols were carried out by the 2nd Brigade and five contact and four counter-attack patrols by the 5th Brigade.

    A total of 8,780 rounds were fired at various ground targets.

    Bombing – Nineteen 25-lb bombs were dropped by machines of the 4th Brigade and six 25-lb bombs by those of the 5th Brigade on various targets.

    On the night 25th/26th, No 101 Squadron attacked Rumbeke and Abeele Aerodromes, 13 112-lb bombs being dropped on the former place, where a direct hit was obtained on a group of hangars.

    During the same night, No 102 Squadron attacked Bisseghem Aerodrome, on which one 230-lb, four 112-lb and eight 25-lb bombs were dropped. Machines of the same squadron also dropped five 112-lb bombs on Marcke Aerodrome and two 230-lb bombs on Menin.

    Admiralty, October 27th.

    “During the afternoon of the 26th inst. bombing raids were carried out by naval aircraft on Varssenaere Aerodrome and on Thourout Railway Junction. Bad weather conditions rendered observation difficult. All our machines returned safely.”

    Weather very bad, so that little flying was possible. A few patrols, but no E.A. seen.

    Bombing raids by day - No 5 Squadron, D.H.4’s: four 65-lb and twelve 16-lb bombs were dropped on Thourout Railway Station; four 16-lb bombs were dropped on Varssenaere.

    These two objectives were detailed in conjunction with the Military Operations in the vicinity of Passchendael, and although it was raining and the clouds thick and low, two pilots, Flight Sub-Lieuts. Lupton and ****son, with Observer Sub-Lieut. Pattison and Gun-layer Smith volunteered to go, and carried out their mission successfully, returning and landing in the dark.

    Enemy Aircraft

    Flt Sub-Lt A G A Spence, 1N Sqn, two-seater out of control Moorslede - Passchendaele at 10:10/11:10 - Flight Sub-Lt Spence, Naval Squadron No 1, attacked a two-seater EA, which he shot down out of control

    Lt R A Hewat, 19 Sqn, two-seater out of control north of Gheluwe at 10:20/11:20 - Lts Hewat and de Pencier, No 19 Squadron, attacked about 20 men on a road south of Moorslede, and then went to Moorslede. Seeing troops in the main street, they flew down it practically between the house-tops at a height no greater than 50 feet. Lt de Pencier stated that he himself was lower than the church spire, and Lt Hewat was below him. Lt Hewat fired 200 rounds at these troops and Lt de Pencier 80 rounds, when he had a stoppage. Both pilots then flew to Gheluwe and when just north of the town Lt Hewat saw a two-seater EA at 800 feet; he attacked it at very close range and, despite heavy fire from the ground, followed it down to 400 feet; while correcting a stoppage he was hit in the face by a bullet and was badly cut over the eye and mouth and had his glasses broken, but returned safely to his aerodrome. The EA was seen to be going down completely out of control when not more than 200 feet up

    2nd Lt E Olivier, 19 Sqn, two-seater out of control south-west of Gheluwe at 10:20/11:20 - 2nd Lt Olivier, No 19 Squadron, fired 300 rounds from 150 feet at troops marching along the Ypres - Gheluwe road, and then attacked a two-seater EA which he shot down out of control

    2nd Lt K B Montgomery and Lt M B Frew, 45 Sqn, Junkers JI (?) crashed Houthulst Forest at 10:25/11:25 - 2nd Lts Montgomery and Frew, No 45 Squadron, fired 700 rounds from 500 feet at troops loading railway trucks, and also fired at troops and transport on roads. The same two pilots subsequently saw two EA, dived at the rear one and, after firing about 15 rounds each, saw it fall out of control and crash

    2nd Lt H S Malik, 28 Sqn, EA out of control at 10:45/11:45 - 2nd Lt Malik, No 28 Squadron, shot down an EA out of control

    Capt W G Barker, 28 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames west of Roulers at 12:15/13:15 - Ltn Otto Schober, Jasta 18, Kia [?]
    Capt W G Barker, 28 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Roulers - Thielt at 12:20/13:20 - OffStllv Klein, Jasta 18, Ftl

    Capt Barker, No 28 Squadron, attacked a German scout west of Roulers and after fighting for 15 minutes he secured a favourable position from which he shot down the enemy machine in flames and saw it crash. He was then attacked by another scout and succeeded in destroying this one also

    2nd Lt E B Booth, 70 Sqn, two-seater out of control Houthulst Forest at 12:50/13:50

    Lt F J Williams, 29 Sqn, two-seater out of control east of Houthulst Forest at 17:05/18:05 - 2nd Lt Williams, No 29 Squadron, shot down an EA out of control

    Casualties

    Flt Sub-Lt G Andrews (Pow) & 2nd Lt W W Hutton (Kia) & G/L G A Kent (Pow), 7AN Sqn, HP O/100 3122 – shot down during night bombing raid to St Denis Westrem Aerodrome

    Lt J B Fenton (Wia), 28 Sqn, Camel - shot up on low reconnaissance

    Lt E D Clarke (Wia), 45 Sqn, Camel B2327 – took off 08:15/09:15 then wounded in arm and brought down by hostile gunfire at Sh20.SE.3.20.D.73 [north-west of Terrest] on low flying patrol

    2nd Lt E A L F Smith (Pow), 45 Sqn, Camel B5152 – took off 08:15/09:15 then missing from low flying patrol; Ltn Joachim von Busse, Js3, 4th victory

    2nd Lt R A Hewat (Wia), 19 Sqn, Spad VII A6662 – took off 10:20/11:20 then shot up while clearing stoppage, returned to aerodrome [combat at 10:20/11:20?]

    2nd Lt H E Singh-Malik (Wia), 45 Sqn, Camel B5406 – took off 10:45/11:45 then brought down in combat at Vlamertinghe on ground raid

    Lt H L Marvin (Kia) & 2nd Lt C H Barton (Kia), 6 Sqn, RE8 A3850 – took off 10:50/11:50 then believed hit by one of own shells and broken up and descended in enemy lines at 28.J.13.D.64 [south-east of Bellewaarde] on flash reconnaissance

    Royal Flying Corps Losses today: 6

    2Lt Barton, C.H. (Clarence Harry), 6 Squadron, RFC.
    Flt Lt Brandon, A.F. (Arthur Frank), War School, Manston, RNAS.
    2Lt Levy, R.M. (Robert Marcel), RFC.
    2Lt Marvin, H.L. (Henry Leslie), 6 Squadron, RFC.
    Cadet Murphy, T.X. (Thomas X.), RFC.
    A Mech 3 Stanley, F. (Frederick), 41 Squadron, RFC.

    Claims: 12 confirmed today (Entente 5 : Central Powers 7)

    William Barker #2 & #3.
    Ernesto Cabruna (Italy) #1.
    Marziale Cerutti (Italy) u/c.
    Eric Oliver #1.
    Francis Williams #1.

    Franz Graser #4 & #5.
    Ernst Strohscneider #8.
    Ferdinand Udvardy #6.
    Bernhard Ultsch #5 & #6.
    Rudolf Weber #6

    Western Front:


    Franco-British attack east, north-east and north of Ypres.

    British positions improved from Passchendaele to Poelcapelle.

    French capture Draibank; bad weather.

    2nd Battle of Passchendaele (part 1):

    The Second Battle of Passchendaele was the culminating attack during the Third Battle of Ypres. The battle took place in the Ypres Salient in and around the Belgian village of Passchendaele, between 26 October and 10 November 1917. The Canadian Corps relieved the exhausted II Anzac Corps, continuing the advance started with the First Battle of Passchendaeleand ultimately capturing the village. Beyond gaining favourable observation positions, the battle was intended to gain drier winter positions on higher ground.

    The assault position was directly south of the inter-army boundary between the British Fifth and Second Armies. As a result, the Canadian Corps was to attack with support of formations from the British Fifth Army to the north and the I Anzac Corps and X Corps to the south. The offensive was executed in a series of attacks each with limited objectives, delivered at intervals of three or more days. The execution dates of the phases were tentatively given as 26 October, 30 October and 6 November with a final smaller action on 10 November. To permit time to facilitate inter-divisional relief, there was a planned seven-day pause between the second and third stages, during which the Second Army took over the XVIII Corps area of the Fifth Army, north of the Canadian Corps with the II Corps on 2 November, to assure unity of command over the central part of the attack front.

    The attacks captured the German-held high ground along the Passchendaele–Westrozebeke ridge but the campaign was forced to end just short of Westrozebeke. The victory of the Austro-German forces against the Italian Army at the Battle of Caporetto and the forthcoming Battle of Cambrai forced the British into a parallel diversion of resources from the Ypres Salient. The II Corps asked for a delay until 19 November, to move artillery forward, five divisions were transferred to Italy and four divisions on the coast were sent to take over French positions south of the Somme. On 20 November, Haig ended the battle, except for local attacks to gain better defensive positions.

    Background

    In July 1917, Field MarshalDouglas Haig began the Third Battle of Ypres. This was an attempt to break down the resistance of the German 4th Army and advance out of the Ypres Salient. Initial successes had been achieved at theBattle of Messines and subsequent Battle of Pilckem Ridge. Torrential rain in August interrupted the tempo of the British advance and led to little progress at the Battle of Langemarck. In view of the failure of the Fifth Army to make much headway in August, Haig decided to transfer more offensive weight towards the south-east, along the southern half of Passchendaele Ridge. The main command was therefore switched from General Hubert Gough's Fifth Army to the British Second Army under command of General Herbert Plumer. Plumer planned a series of more limited attacks, taking advantage of recent experience, rather than Gough's attempts at a more optimistic semi-open warfare version. Less ambitious infantry advances at the Battle of Menin Road, Battle of Polygon Wood, Battle of Broodseindeand Battle of Gravenstafel Ridge produced a 4,000-yard (3,700 m) advance in two weeks. The German attempts at resisting the advances led to heavy losses on their part, especially at Broodseinde, after which the German command began preparations for a general withdrawal.

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    The mud slowed all troop movement

    In the low ground west of the Passchendaele Ridge, three months of constant shelling had blocked the watercourses that normally provided drainage. When rain began falling on the night of 4 October—which continued intermittently for the next three days—the battlefield was once again transformed into a quagmire of mud, making movement extremely difficult. Gough and Plumer told Haig that they favoured ending the campaign on account of the change in the weather and general state of the battlefield, however the decision was made to continue the offensive to gain more favourable winter positions on higher ground. The Battle of Poelcappelle and First Battle of Passchendaele both resulted in many casualties for both sides and failed to achieve any appreciable advance opposite Passchendaele, although they did provide a slightly better starting line for another attack. The four divisions of the Canadian Corps were transferred from the Lenssector to the Ypres Salient to capture Passchendaele. The Canadian Corps relieved the II Anzac Corps on 18 October, from its position along the valley between Gravenstafel Ridge and the heights at Passchendaele and immediately began planning for the offensive. Interestingly, it was virtually the same front as had been occupied by the 1st Canadian Division back in April 1915.

    Plans and preparations
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    Canadian pioneers laying trench mats over mud to ease movement

    The Canadian Corps operation was to be executed in a series of three attacks, each with limited objectives, delivered at intervals of three or more days. As the Canadian Corps position was directly south of the inter-army boundary between British Fifth and Second Army, the Fifth Army would mount subsidiary operations on the left flank of the Canadian Corps, while the I Anzac Corps would advance to protect the right flank and X Corps attacked Gheluvelt to improve the local tactical position and act as a diversion for the main attack in the north. Canadian Corps commander Lieutenant-GeneralArthur Curriesubmitted his provisional operational plan on 16 October and recommended the attack not be executed until 29 October, to move sufficient artillery forward. However, Haig was anxious to avoid any unnecessary delays, particularly given that he wished to assist the French attack on Malmaison, which was due to start on 23 October. Currie and the British Second Army commander, Herbert Plumer, re-examined the situation and finally set the attack for 26 October. The dates for the subsequent phases were tentatively given as 30 October and 6 November.

    Extensive preparations were needed before any advance could be made. A number of problems were found with the artillery and positions transferred from the Australians. Of the 250 heavy howitzers that existed on paper, only 227 could be found and of these 89 were out of action. Of the 306 18 pounderfield guns, less than half were in action. The problem of mobility caused by the mud also resulted in the Australian artillery being badly bunched in two main clusters, thereby furnishing the Germans with easy targets. Furthermore, the Australians had been unable to send damaged artillery pieces for repair, because the Provost Marshal had ordered that no guns use the roads, for fear of blocking traffic. The situation was considerably improved by the arrival of the Canadian divisional artillery which placed an additional 210 18-pounder field guns, 190 howitzers and 26 heavy guns at the disposal of the Canadian Corps.

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    Detailed map of German defences

    As early as 17 October, assaulting units were given details about the German defences in their respective sectors, to facilitate early assault planning. Intelligence officers and artillery observers worked jointly in observation posts, recording newly built German fortifications as well as those that had escaped notice, permitting the artillery to bombard them before the offensive. To improve the transport of artillery and supplies, an extensive program of road building was started. Ten field companies, seven Royal Engineer tunnelling companies, four army troop companies and nine battalions were put to work repairing or extending plank roads. From the middle of October until the end of the offensive, a total of 2 mi (3.2 km) of double plank road and more than 4,000 yd (3,700 m) of heavy tram line were laid in the Canadian Corps area. Brigadier GeneralEdward Morrison, commander of the artillery, also secured permission to use the roads to the rear for getting disabled guns back for repair.

    Moving troops to the front ahead of the attack was nonetheless extremely difficult, as the only means of approaching the front line were narrow boardwalks made of wood planking, which wound between the shell-holes. Slipping off the duckboards could often be deadly with unfortunate soldiers frequently drowning in mud under the weight of their own equipment. On account of the exhausting nature of the trip, the leading assault units entered the support line four days before the battle, to ensure soldiers would be as fresh as possible for the attack.

    Action of 22 October 1917

    On 22 October the British 18th (Eastern) Divisionof XVIII Corps attacked the east end of Poelcappelle. XIV Corps on the left attacked with the 34th Division between the Watervlietbeek and Broenbeek streams and the 35th Division northwards into Houthulst Forest, supported by a regiment of the French 1st Division. Poelcappelle was captured but the attack at the junction between the 34th and 35th divisions was repulsed. German counterattacks also pushed back the 35th Division in the centre as the French attack captured all its objectives. Attacking on ground cut up by bombardments, soaked by rain and churned into deep mud, the British had struggled to advance in places and could not move quickly to outflank pillboxes. Troops of the British 35th Division, reached the edge of Houthulst Forest but in several other places were pushed back. Counterattacks made by the Germans after 22 October, were at an equal disadvantage and were costly failures. The German 4th Army was prevented from transferring troops away from the Fifth Army or from concentrating its artillery-fire on the Canadians as they prepared to attack Passchendaele Ridge.
    Currie's Canadian Corps was the principal attacking formation. Immediately to the north, the Canadians were supported by XVIII Corps and after an inter-army boundary shift, II Corps of the Second Army. To the extreme north, the advance was supported by diversionary attacks by the British XIV Corps and the 1st and 133rd Divisions of the French First Army. To the south, the right flank of the Canadian advance was supported by I Anzac Corps. Further south, X Corps supported the operation by attacking Gheluvelt to secure Tower Hamlets ridge, east of the Bassevillebeek as a diversion.

    Passchendaele Ridge and the area surrounding the village was defended by Gruppe Ypern organized under Guard Corps commander General der KavallerieAlfred Graf zu Dohna-Schlobitten. Defending German units changed throughout the battle and at various times, consisted of the 4th, 7th, 11th, 11th Bavarian, 27th, 39th, 44th Reserve, 185th, 199th, 238th and 239th Divisions.

    Constant shelling had blocked the Ravebeek stream, creating an impassable swamp directly between the boundary of the 3rd Canadian and the 4th Canadian Divisions, necessitating a two-prong attack. The 3rd Canadian Division was assigned the wider advance on the left, which included the sharply rising ground of the Bellevue spur. In the more restricted ground south of the Ravebeek stream, the 4th Canadian Division would occupy advanced positions in no man's land before the start of the offensive and take Decline Copse, which straddled the Ypres–Roulers railway. Currie planned the attack with extensive depth in resources. The remaining units of the 8th, 9th and 10th Canadian Infantry Brigades were placed in support, while the 7th, 11th and 12th Canadian Infantry Brigades were held in divisional and corps reserve. The 1st and 2nd Canadian Divisions were in army reserve.

    The German defensive strategy utilized mutually-supporting steel-reinforced cement fortifications.

    The assault began at 5:40 a.m. on the morning of 26 October. The troops were preceded by a rolling barrage, edging forward in lifts of 50 yd (46 m) every four minutes, permitting the infantry to keep up while negotiating the mud. On the left flank, the 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade captured Wolf Copse and secured its objective line but was ultimately forced to drop a defensive flank 300 yd (270 m) back to link up with the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division, the flanking division of the British Fifth Army. In the middle, the 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade found the German barbed wire to be well cut by the preliminary artillery bombardment and within an hour of the attack commencing, cleared and captured the Bellevue pillboxes. However, the Germans brought down heavy artillery fire on their abandoned positions, and by 9:00 a.m. the brigade's right flank had retreated towards its start line. On the far right, the 10th Canadian Infantry Brigade initially captured all its objectives as did the 1st Australian Division on its southern flank. As the day wore on, the positions in Decline Copse, a Canadian–Australian objective on the Canadian Corps' southern boundary were gradually abandoned due to German counterattacks and misunderstandings between the Canadian and Australian units.

    The 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade's right flank had consolidated its position and by the morning on 27 October, had gained or established outposts only 300 yd (270 m) short of its first objective. The 10th Canadian Infantry Brigade captured Decline Copse on the night of 27 October. The German 238th Division attacked and briefly recaptured the copse the following night, only to be quickly expelled by a Canadian counterattack. When the first stage ended on 28 October, the Canadian Corps had suffered 2,481 casualties. Although the first stage was not completely successful, the operation had placed the Canadians on higher ground and in a good tactical position for the second stage.
    Immediately to the north of the Canadian Corps, the supporting attack by XVIII Corps involved one brigade each from the British 63rd and 58th divisions. The British 188th Brigade, 63rd Division quickly captured Varlet Farm and Banff House. The centre of the attack was held up on the road between Bray Farm and the village of Wallemolen and dug-in near Source Trench. As dark fell, Banff House was abandoned and the line reformed at Berks House, leaving Banff House and Source Trench the only part of the first objective not captured. Further north, the 58th Division took three pillboxes at Cameron House, before being stopped at Spider crossroads by German machine-gun fire and exhaustion due to the muddy conditions. From 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. German counterattacks from the north cut off the foremost troops and then advanced from a sunken road between Papa Farm and Whitechapel, which pushed the rest of the brigade back to the start line, where the Germans were also caught in the mud and pushed back by British reinforcements.

    To the extreme north, XIV Corps conducted diversionary activities employing one brigade each from the 57th and 50th divisions. The 57th Division attack advanced into a marsh, which stopped the attack close to the start line. The division established advanced posts at Rubens and Memlings Farms 200–350 yd (180–320 m) forward. On the 50th Division front, the right battalion got to within 80 yd (73 m) of the objective, before fire from German machine-guns and snipers forced a withdrawal to the start line. Further north up to the Ypres–Staden railway line, a battalion reached Hill 23, Aden House and Tourenne Crossing but was back at the start line by 4:15 p.m.. The left battalion advanced 2,000 yd (1,800 m) before machine-gun fire forced it back to the start line. All of the Fifth Army attacks encountered deep mud, which slowed progress to a crawl, caused the barrage to be lost and clogged weapons, in the face of German counterattacks, which forced most attacks back to their start lines.

    To the south of the Canadian Corps, diversionary activities by X Corps involved formations from the British 5th and 7th Divisions. The 7th Division commander only refrained from protesting against the attack, because it was intended to pin German reserves and stop them moving north against the main attack. The 7th Division attacked Gheluvelt with the 20th and 91st Brigades, while the 5th Division attacked Polderhoek and the Scherriabeek valley immediately to the north with the 13th Brigade. On the 91st Brigade's front, the battalion on the right advanced rapidly, protected by a rise which hid them from most of the German machine-gunners nearer to the Menin road. They attacked their objective, a fortified mound near Hamp Farm, and overwhelmed the garrison stationed there after hand-to-hand fighting. The other two battalions of the brigade suffered far worse, having to advance along the forward slope of the spur running south-east from Tower Hamlets ridge. The area was dominated by a group of pillboxes at Lewis House which held several machine-guns. The centre battalion could not keep pace with the barrage and its advance was stopped well short of Lewis House. Troops began to converge on the area near Lewis House, which caused crowding and gaps in the line. An attempt to outflank the pillboxes failed and the brigade fell back to its assembly positions.
    The 20th Brigade attacked astride the Menin Road, the right battalion crossing marshy ground that deepened into waist-high mud towards the Kroomebeek creek and some of the troops tried to get round the right flank. Machine-gun fire from Lewis House and crossfire from the pillboxes on the Menin road and Swagger Farm ended the attempt. Others found the condition of the ground so poor that they moved left towards the Menin Road only to be pinned down by fire from the pillboxes there. Despite the machine-gun fire, the advance captured one pillbox and advanced to within 100 yd (91 m) of Gheluvelt Church, at the western end of the village. The two battalions that advanced north of the Menin road managed to keep up with the barrage and reached its junction with the railway tracks immediately outside Gheluvelt. The battalions bunched up and entered Gheluvelt at the same time; some of the troops cleared several pillboxes along Johnson Trench and one party got close enough to Gheluvelt Château to try to rush it. At 10:00 a.m., the Germans counterattacked and the British retreated, due to many of their weapons being jammed with mud. The remaining troops formed a defensive flank south of the road towards Tower Hamlets and reoccupied the original front line. Once the retreat was complete, British artillery fired a protective barrage and no further German counterattack developed.

    The 5th Division attacked with three battalions through the Scherriabeek valley, which were raked by fire from Gheluvelt and found the valley to be impassable. Polderhoek Château was captured but then relinquished because many weapons were clogged by mud and the position made an awkward salient. The Germans promptly reoccupied the château, swept the area to the west with massed machine-gun fire and counterattacked, which pushed the brigade back to the start line.

    The simultaneous advances on the flanks of the Canadian Corps had not gone well. The diversion by X Corps resulted in 3,321 casualties, 2,201 in the 7th Division.
    XVIII Corps suffered 2,310 casualties, the 63rd Division losing approximately 2,000 casualties in the 188th Brigade and XIV Corps 3,092 casualties. On 27 October the 63rd Division retook Banff House and repulsed a German counterattack. Two reserve battalions reinforced the 4th Canadian Division and reached the previous day's objective by 10:00 a.m. Next day patrols from the 3rd Canadian Division scouted Meetchele and Furst Farms. On 29 October the 1st Australian Division established a post in Decoy Wood.

    Franco-Belgian operations


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    Allied advances, 22 October – 6 November

    The French First Army, with the 1st and 133rd divisions and a division of the Belgian army, planned to occupy the Merckem peninsula in stages, by an attack on the south-east of the peninsula, then to extend the attack to the north. On 26 October, after an intensive bombardment, French troops crossed the lower Steenbeek, advanced into Papegoed Wood, Lucannes Farm and the pillboxes in between. The French then forced the Germans from the remaining pillboxes to the west of the woods and forded the Corverbeek, which in places was shoulder-high. The French soon captured the pillboxes opposite and occupied the Steenstraate–Dixmude road round Langewaede. In the evening, the Germans rushed the 8th Bavarian Reserve Division into the Merckem peninsula as a reinforcement.

    (part 2 tomorrow)


    Tunstills Men Friday 26th October 1917:


    Zudausques

    Training and range practice.

    Pte. Samuel Lawton Birtles (see 5th October) was admitted to 70th Field Ambulance, suffering from diarrhoea; he would be discharged to duty two days.

    Pte. Harold Parsons (see 23rd September), who had been in England for the previous month, was posted to 3DWR at North Shields.

    The London Gazette published official notice of the award of the DSO to Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge (see 23rd September). There was also notice of a similar award to Maj. Herbert Henry Hudson MC (see 16th July), 11th West Yorks, who had been temporary CO 10DWR in June and July. He had also gained the award during the actions of 20th September.

    The weekly edition of the Craven Herald reported news of the death of Pte. William Walker Jackson (see 25th September), who had been killed in action on 20th September:

    HORTON-IN-RIBBLESDALE - SIGNALLER JACKSON KILLED IN ACTION

    Still another name is added to the Roll of Honour by the death in action in France of Signaller William Walker Jackson, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Jackson, of Dub Cote. The first intimation of something amiss was contained in a letter of September 25th to Mrs. Jackson from a comrade, who states:- "I am writing to let you know that Willie was rather badly wounded when we were in another roughish corner, and although I have made enquiries I cannot get any definite information respecting him. So far he is reported wounded and missing, as they have not got any word as to his passing through any of the dressing stations. It happened on the morning of the 20th. Although we had a rough time of it we had quite a victory. The night before we went up I had a talk with Willie, who was quite up with it. We realised that some would be sorted out and would not come back. The Colonel made a touching speech yesterday when we got back and congratulated us on the splendid manner in which we did the task allotted to us. Tears of pride came into our eyes as we stood listening to him, mingled with tears of sorrow as we thought of those who had paid the price. It is only in moments such as these that you would think we have any feeling at all. Our Commanding Officer is a rare sort, and I don't think there is a man who would not give his life for him."

    Subsequent communications from the deceased's company officer gave but little hope of his being alive, and the fateful news was received on Friday morning with intense regret and a sense of profound sympathy with the bereaved parents and family that Signaller W. W. Jackson had been killed in action in France on September 20th. Such loss would indeed be very depressing were it not redeemed by the knowledge that these brave men do their duty so fearlessly and well for the great cause of human liberty and the defence of our Empire.

    The deceased, born May 31st, 1895, was educated at Horton School, of which his mother was an esteemed member of the staff some years ago, and proved an intelligent scholar. After leaving school, he assisted his father on a farm, and his patriotism being aroused he joined up on November 16th 1915, and was attached to the West Riding Regiment. The greater part of his training took place at North Shields, where he passed for service as a first-class signaller. He was home on final leave in August 1916, and proceeded to the Western Front last February. His letters home were always cheerful, despite the execrable climatic conditions often pertaining, and the continuous shrieking and whistling of shells. The family desire to express their appreciation of the many messages of sympathy accorded them.
    There was also news of Pte. Albert Christopher Benson (see 1st June 1915):

    HONOUR FOR COWLING SIGNALLER

    Signaller Albert Benson, Duke of Wellington's, has won the Military Medal for bravery. The event, which gained him this distinction, is described as follows:- "Several of his pals were badly wounded and buried by a bursting shell, while engaged at an advanced post. With great coolness and courage whilst under shellfire, Signaller Benson dug them out and got the stretcher bearers up to them." His Officer afterwards recommended him for the distinction, which has now been given him. Private Benson enlisted on September 21st 1914, and went out to France on August 24th 1915. At the time he enlisted he was employed as a weaver by Messrs. John Binns and Sons Ltd., Croft Mills, Cowling.

    I am, as yet, unable to confirm the award of the Military Medal to Pte. Benson as no record has been found in the official records and some subsequent correspondence casts doubt as to whether the award was ever formally made.

    Southern Front:

    Bainsizza Plateau evacuated. Germans claim 60,000 prisoners and 500 guns.

    Asiatic, African, Egyptian Front:


    Preliminary raids on Outpost Hill


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    Gaza defences south of the town including Outpost Hill

    On 26 October, units of the 75th Division raided Outpost Hill. Then, just hours after the capture of Beersheba, on 1 November, a second raid by five officers and 220 riflemen of the 3/3rd Gurkhas Rifles (233rd Brigade 75th Division) was carried out against Outpost Hill. At 03:00, under cover of an intense bombardment, they entered the Ottoman defences on the hill; two Gurkhas were killed and twenty-three wounded. During the fighting, they killed twenty-eight Ottoman soldiers and captured sixteen, before returning to their lines. The division was to make another attack during the next night, (1/2 November) towards Atawineh Redoubt, on the Gaza to Beersheba road.

    Naval Operations:

    German squadron bombards Khainash, 40 miles south of Pernau (Riga). Transports appear 12 miles further south.
    SMS T65, Kaiserlichemarine, a S7 class torpedo boat, struck a mine and sank in the Baltic Sea.

    Shipping Losses: 2 (All to U-Boat action)


    Political:


    Brazil declared in a state of War with Germany.

    Anniversary Events:

    1774 The first Continental Congress, which protested British measures and called for civil disobedience, concludes in Philadelphia.
    1795 When General Paul Barras resigns his commission as head of France's Army of the Interior to become head of the Directory, his second-in-command becomes the army's commander—Napoleon Bonaparte.
    1825 The first boat on the Erie Canal leaves Buffalo, N.Y.
    1881 Three Earp brothers and Doc Holliday have a shootout with the Clantons and McLaurys at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona Territory.
    1905 Norway signs a treaty of separation with Sweden. Norway chooses Prince Charles of Denmark as the new king; he becomes King Haakon VII.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 11-19-2017 at 11:57.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  17. #2817

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    Saturday 27th October 1917

    Today we lost: 573
    Today’s losses include:

    · A Victoria Cross winner
    · 23-victory ace and victor of German ace Werner Voss
    · Multiple sons of members of the clergy
    · The son of a General
    · Multiple families that will lose two sons in the Great War
    · The son of a Justice of the Peace
    · Multiple men whose sons will be killed in the Second World War

    Today’s highlighted casualties include:

    · Lieutenant Philip Henry Franklin Wiseman (North Lancashire Regiment) dies of wounds at age 30. His brother was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme and they are sons of the late Reverend Henry John Wiseman Scrivelsby Rectory Lincolnshire.
    · Lieutenant Newdigate Owen Burne (Pathans) is killed in action in East Africa at age 19. He was a classical scholar at Uppingham and the son of Brigadier General R O Burne.
    · Lieutenant Frederick Thomas Lee Abbiss (Royal Field Artillery) is killed in action at age 23. His brother will be killed in July 1918.
    · Second Lieutenant Cyril Herbert Ford Barrowcliff (Leicestershire Regiment) is killed at age 20. He is the son of Herbert Barrowcliff JP.
    · Second Lieutenant Cecil Ivor Phillips (Gloucestershire Regiment attached Royal Flying Corps) is killed in action at age 18. He is the son of the Reverend Egbert Ivor Allen Phillips of Clifton College.
    · Second Lieutenant Ernest C Bonnet (Royal Marine Light Infantry) dies of wounds. His son will be killed in April 1941.
    · Lance Corporal William John Brown (Australian Infantry) is killed at age 27. His brother was killed at the Battle of Jutland.
    · Bombardier Albert Frederick Bisson (Royal Garrison Artillery) is killed in action at age 23. His only son will be killed in August 1940 in North Africa serving in the Royal Air Force.
    · Private John Harney (Lancaster Regiment) dies of wounds received the previous day at age 31. His brother was killed last August.
    · Private David Campbell (Canadian Cameron Highlanders) dies of wounds at age 23. His brother was accidentally killed last month in the Royal Flying Corps

    Air Operations:

    General Headquarters, October 28th.

    “On the 27th inst. large numbers of our own and the enemy's aeroplanes were out from early morning until dark. A great deal of artillery work was done by our machines, and several thousand rounds were fired from heights ranging between too and 1,000 ft. at hostile targets on the ground. During the day 29 heavy bombs were dropped on Roulers Station, six on Abeele Aerodrome, 121 lighter bombs on hostile billets east of Lens and 124 on other targets opposite the battle front. As soon as it was dark our night-flying squadrons continued the bombing, and dropped over 4 tons of bombs on seven of the enemy's aerodromes and on three important railway stations. Several bursts were observed near hangars and on the railway tracks, while one bomb fell on a train, setting it on fire. The enemy's fighting machines were very active and aggressive, making repeated attacks on our bombing machines, which none the less never failed to reach their objective. In air fighting 11 hostile machines were brought down and seven others were driven down out of control. Nine of our machines are missing.”

    Weather fine all day.

    Twelve reconnaissances were carried out, six of which were by machines of the 2nd Brigade. One contact patrol and one counter-attack patrol were carried out by the 2nd Brigade and two contact patrols by the 5th Brigade.

    Artillery Co-operation – Ninety-five hostile batteries were engaged for destruction and 21 neutralised. Seven gun-pits were destroyed, 55 damaged, 35 explosions and 21 fires caused. A total of 218 zone calls were sent down, 83 of which were by machines of the 5th Brigade.

    On the 27th excellent work was done by balloons, 78 targets being registered and 75 active hostile batteries located. Of these, balloons of the 1st Brigade registered 15 targets and located 23 hostile batteries, and those of the 2nd Brigade registered targets and located 22 hostile batteries.

    Photography - A total of 848 photographs were taken during the day.

    Admiralty, October 28th.

    “On the night of October 26th-27th bombs were dropped by the R.N.A.S. on Lichtervelde Railway Junction, direct hits causing a heavy explosion, followed by numerous smaller ones. Thourout Railway Junction was also attacked, the bombs falling close to a moving train, which stopped at once, a large explosion being observed. In addition, Cortetnarck Railway Junction was bombed. During the afternoon of October 27th bombing raids were carried out on Sparappelhoek Aerodrome, on Engel Aerodrome and on the Ostend-Thourout railway line south of Engel. A great number of patrols were carried out. Two enemy aircraft were driven out of control, one of which fell in the sea. All our machines returned safely.”

    Admiralty, October 29th.

    “On the evening of October 27th the Royal Naval Air Service carried out bombing raids on the following objectives: - (a) Enemy aerodromes at Engel and St.'Denis Westrem. Many tons of bombs were dropped close to sheds and railway line. (b) Railway junctions at Cortemarck and Lichtervelde. About two tons of bombs were dropped. One of our machines failed to return. At noon on October 28th the enemy aerodrome at Varssenaere was bombed. Direct hits on sheds were made. During the same raid bombs were dropped on Stalhillebrugge Station, near Bruges. During the numerous patrols which have been carried out an enemy machine was shot down and seen to crash.”

    Weather much finer, enabling a photographic reconnaissance to be carried out to Bruges and Zeebrugge by Flight Lieut. Chisholm and Observer SubLieut. Nicholson of No 2 Squadron. Plates were successfully exposed. A reconnaissance well out to sea was also carried out by Flight Sub-Lieut. Warne-Brown and Observer Sub-Lieut. White of the same Squadron.

    Photographs were also taken of the objectives bombed by No 5 Squadron during the bombing raids.

    Usual fighter patrols and escorts to bombers and photographic reconnaissances.

    A large number of E.A. were encountered during the day and several combats took place.

    Bombing raids by night - Nos 7 and 7A Squadrons, H.P.s: twelve 250-lb and thirty-three 112-lb bombs were dropped on Lichtervelde Railway Station. Direct hits caused a large explosion, followed by many small ones, possibly a truck load of ammunition; twelve 250-lb and fifty-eight 112-lb bombs were dropped on Thourout Railway Station. Bombs fell close to a moving train, which stopped at once. An explosion was also caused; sixteen 112-lb bombs were dropped on Cortemarck Railway Junction.

    Bombing raids by day - No 5 Squadron, D.H.4’s: four 65-lb, four 50-lb and thirty-eight 16-lb bombs were dropped on Sparappelhoek Aerodrome; four 65-lb and sixteen 16-lb bombs were dropped on Engel Aerodrome; eight 16-lb. bombs were dropped on Ostende - Thourout Railway Line, just south of Engel.

    Bombers were attacked by E.A. on several occasions, one pilot being wounded.

    Enemy Aircraft

    Lt R S P Boby & ?, 22 Sqn, EA out of control

    2nd Lt E S Pfeiffer & 1/AM J Harris, 25 Sqn, EA out of control

    Flt Cdr R B Munday, 8N Sqn, two-seater out of control

    Lt C R J Thompson, 19 Sqn, Rumpler C out of control south-east of Passchendaele at 06:20/07:20

    Flt Cdr R P Minifie, 1N Sqn, Fokker D out of control Westroosebeke at 08:45/09:45 - Flight Cdr R P Minifie, Naval Squadron No 1, brought down a hostile machine which was attacking one of our artillery machines

    Flt Sub-Lt W L Jordan, 8N Sqn, two-seater forced to land Le Ban at 09:00/10:00

    Capt P F Fullard, 1 Sqn, DFW C crashed Roulers at 09:40/10:40 - Capt Fullard, No 1 Squadron, fired 35 rounds into a DFW two-seater doing artillery work which he saw crash into some trees

    Capt A H G Fellowes, 43 Sqn, DFW C out of control Sallaumines at 09:45/10:45

    Capt Fellowes, No 43 Squadron, attacked a DFW which he drove down out of control. He then attacked an Albatros scout, fired several bursts in to it and drove it down in flames

    2nd Lt J A McCudden & AM J Harris, 25 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Roulers at 09:50/10:50

    Capt P F Fullard, 1 Sqn, DFW C crashed Becelaere at 10:10/11:10 - Capt Fullard, No 1 Squadron, attacked with his patrol a formation of 14 EA composed of Gothas and DFWs. Into one of the latter he fired 70 rounds at close range and drove it down out of control. This EA was seen to crash by the personnel of an anti-aircraft battery

    Lt S A Oades & 2nd Lt H V R Hill, 22 Sqn, Rumpler C out of control north of Roulers at 10:15/11:15

    Lt M B Frew, 45 Sqn, Albatros Scout broke up north-east of Comines at 10:15/11:15

    2nd Lt J E Child, 45 Sqn, Albatros Scout destroyed north-east of Comines at 10:15/11:15

    Lt J C B Firth, 45 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames east of Moorslede at 10:25/11:25

    Lt M B Frew, 45 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames east of Moorslede at 10:25/11:25

    A patrol of No 45 Squadron saw an enemy formation attacking three of our RE8s. 2nd Lt Frew engaged the rear enemy machine which broke to pieces in the air. Lt Firth also shot one down in flames. 2nd Lt Frew then noticed a Camel 3,000 to 4,000 feet below him going down smoking pursued by three enemy scouts. One of these he singled out and fired 20 rounds into it at about 15 feet range. It burst into flames and was seen to crash east of Moorslede

    Capt G H Bowman, 56 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south-west of Iseghem at 10:35/11:35

    Flt Cdr F E Banbury, Flt Sub-Lt H F Stackard and Flt Sub-Lt J de C Paynter, 9N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Slype at 10:40/11:40

    Capt P Huskinson, 19 Sqn, Albatros C out of control Osthoek at 10:50/11:50 - Capt Huskinson, No 19 Squadron, fired three bursts into a hostile two-seater which went down completely out of control

    2nd Lt R Harris, 43 Sqn, DFW C out of control Sainghin at 11:15/12:15

    Lt R D Coath & 2nd Lt K Foxcroft Jones, 11 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Ribécourt at 11:15/12:15 - four Bristol Fighters of No 11 Squadron engaged five EA Albatros Scouts from a range of 500 yards. One of these was driven down completely out of control by Lt Coath & 2nd Lt Jones

    Lt H F S Drewitt, 23 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north-west of Roulers at 12:20/13:20

    2nd Lt W Durrand & 2nd Lt A E Woodbridge, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed south-west of Roulers at 13:10/14:10

    2nd Lt D M McGoun & 2nd Lt N Couve, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south-west of Roulers at 13:10/14:10

    A reconnaissance of No 20 Squadron engaged ten EA over Comines. 2nd Lt Durrand & 2nd Lt Woodbridge shot down one of these which seen to crash by our anti-aircraft, and 2nd Lts McGouan & Couve drove down one out of control

    Flt Sub-Lt W A Curtis and Flt Sub-Lt K V Stratton, 10N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north-east of Dixmude at 13:20/14:20 - one of six Albatros Scouts attacked by Flight Sub-Lt Curtis and Flight Sub-Lt Stratton, Naval Squadron No 10, was driven down out of control.

    Lt J H Mitchell, 28 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames east of Roulers at 13:40/14:40

    Lt A G Cooper, 28 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Roulers at 13:43/14:43

    A patrol of 13 machines of No 28 Squadron engaged a formation of 14 Albatros Scouts. One of these was shot down in flames by Lt Mitchell, and another shot down and seen to crash by the same pilot. 2nd Lt Cooper of the same patrol drove down one of the Albatros Scouts completely out of control. A patrol of No 70 Squadron then joined the fight

    Maj M H B Nethersole, 2nd Lt F H Hobson, 2nd Lt C W Primeau and Lt R J E P Goode, 70 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Roulers at 14:00/15:00 - a patrol of 70 Squadron then joined the fight [with No 28 Sqn] and drove another EA down out of control

    Capt F H Laurence and 2nd Lt E B Booth, 70 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Roulers at 14:00/15:00

    A patrol of No 70 Squadron joined a fight between No 28 Squadron and a formation of Albatros Scouts and drove another of the EA down out of control

    Flt Cdr S T Edwards, 9N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control (shared?) north-east of Nieuport at 14:35/15:35 - a flight of five Camels of No 9 Squadron, led by Flight Commander Edwards, observing nine E.A. scouts diving on four Camels of the same squadron, attacked the E.A. and shot down one completely out of control. Several indecisive combats also took place.

    Lt F F Babbage & Gnr J McMechan, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Moorslede at 15:10/16:10 - An enemy machine was driven down out of control by 2nd Lt F F Babbage & Gunner McMechan, No 20 Squadron, while on an Offensive Patrol

    Flt Sub-Lt L H Slatter, SDS, Albatros Scout crashed north-west of Ostend at 15:15/16:15 - Flight Lieut. Slatter of Seaplane Defence Squadron, during a long range action between British and enemy destroyers, the latter accompanied by many E.A. bombers, attacked a single E.A. scout detached from the main body, and shot it down in the sea out of control. Subsequently he attacked another isolated E.A. which dived away and joined up with the main body who were bombing the destroyers. Flight Lieut. Slatter was able to give some good comments on the destroyer action and the fall of shot, and then returned to make his report.

    Casualties

    Flt Sub-Lt W M Clapperton (Wia), 1N Sqn, Triplane N5455 - shot up in combat on OP; Ltn d R Kurt Wusthoff
    , Js4, 22nd victory [Poelcapelle Hooge at 08:30/09:30] ?

    ? (Ok) & 2/AM G Kirton (Wia), 6 Sqn, RE8 - anti-aircraft fire

    Flt Sub-Lt G H Morang (Kia), 10N Sqn, Camel N6371 - shot down in flames in combat with 6 Albatros Scouts and last seen in vertical dive north-east of Dixmude

    2nd Lt E H Keir (Kia) & Capt C W C Wasey (Kia), 16 Sqn, RE8 A4426 - driven down by EA fire and wrecked and burnt Carency on artillery observation Lens; Vzfw Franz Hemer
    , Js6, 1st victory [north of Gheluvelt at 13:20/14:20] ?

    2nd Lt O C George (Wia), 43 Sqn, Camel - shot up in combat

    Capt A B Cook (Wia) & ? (Ok), 57 Sqn, DH4 - shot up on photography

    2nd Lt S L Whitehouse (Pow), 19 Sqn, Spad VII B6776 – took off 06:45/07:45 and last seen over Zillebeke Lake heading west on offensive patrol this side of lines for practice; Ltn d R Karl Adolf Seifert, Js24, 1st victory [north of Wervik at 07:30/08:30] ?

    2nd Lt C I Phillips (Kia), 45 Sqn, Camel B2382 – took off 09:45/10:45 and last seen east of Moorslede being driven down by 4 EA on northern offensive patrol

    2nd Lt G P Bradley (Kia), 43 Sqn, Camel B6374 - apparently brought down in flames after combat with 5 EA over Sallumines at 09:45/10:45 on offensive patrol Plouvain - Perenchies; Ltn d R Otto Fuchs, Js30, 2nd victory [Bahnhofen Harnes at 09:45/10:45] ?

    2nd Lt A P F Rhys Davids DSO MC (Kia), 56 Sqn, SE5a B31 – took off 10:35/11:35 and last seen after combat with EA south-west of Roulers on offensive patrol Cortemarck - Rudderwoorde - Courtrai - Menin; Ltn d R Karl Gallwitz
    , Js2, 5th victory [Polterryburg at 11:10/12:10]

    2nd Lt C R F Wickenden (Wia), 43 Sqn, Camel B6249 - crashed in no mans land Sh36c.T.10.b [south-west of Méricourt] at 11:35/12:35 on offensive patrol Plouvain – Salome; Ltn d R Walter Brachwitz, Js17, 2nd victory [south of Méricourt at 11:35/12:35]

    Lt W B Sherwood (Kia), 60 Sqn, SE5a B534 – took off 12:40/13:40 then seen to go down in flames other side of lines on offensive patrol; Ltn d R Carl Menckhoff
    , Js3, 15th victory [Bellewarde Teich at 14:50/15:50] ?

    2nd Lt C W Primeau (Kia), 70 Sqn, Camel B2349 – took off 13:15/14:15 and last seen during combat east of Roulers on offensive patrol Houthulst Forest; Ltn d R Hans Gottfried von Haebler, Js36, 3rd victory [Houthulsterwald at 14:10/15:10] ?

    2nd Lt R J E P Goode (Pow), 70 Sqn, Camel B2361 – took off 13:15/14:15 and last seen during combat east of Roulers on offensive patrol Houthulst Forest; Ltn d R Heinrich Bongartz
    , Js36, 17th victory [Roulers at 14:00/15:00] ?

    2nd Lt A Thompson (Ok), 54 Sqn, Pup B5916 - damaged by EAA and crashed on landing Lampernisse on offensive patrol

    Capt C N Jones (Wia), 70 Sqn, Camel B2463 - returned 14:15/15:15 after damaged in combat with EA on offensive patrol Houthulst Forest

    2nd Lt R A Cartledge (Pow), 28 Sqn, Camel B5178 – took off 15:00/16:00 and last seen west of Dixmude flying west on outer offensive patrol Roulers; Oblt Bruno Loerzer
    , Js26, 17th victory [west of Dixmuiden at 15:35/16:35]

    Capt G C Rogers (Wia) & 2nd Lt E G Henderson (Ok), 52 Sqn, RE8 - shot up in combat at 5,000 feet over Nieuport at 16:15/17:15 on Artillery Observation

    Capt I A J Duff (Inj) & Lt Davis (Ok), 102 Sqn, FE2b A5662 – took off 19:50/20:50 then radiator shot through on night bombing raid crashed 3 miles west of Bailleul.

    Royal Flying Corps Losses today: 17

    2Lt Bradley, G.P. (George Page), 43 Squadron, RFC.
    A Mech 1 Eastwood, W. (Walter), No.2 Aircraft Repair Depot, RFC.
    LM Fairnie, W. (Walter), Yarmouth Naval Air Station, RNAS.
    2Lt Fleet, L. (Leonard), 49 Training Squadron, RFC.
    A Mech 1 Goldsmith, W.M. (William Malcolm), 10 Squadron attached 350th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, RFC.
    2Lt Homer, C.W. (Charles William), RFC.
    2Lt Keeble, J.H. (John Harold), RFC.
    2Lt MacGill, D. (Douglas), RFC.
    Flt Lt MacNeil, C.H. (Charles Herman), RFC.
    Flt Sub-Lt Morang, G.H. (George Heaven), 10 (N) Squadron, RNAS.
    2Lt Phillips, C.I. (Cecil Ivor), 45 Squadron, RFC.
    2Lt Primeau, C.W. (Cecil Willibrod), 70 Squadron, RFC
    Lt Rhys davids, A.P.F. (Arthur Percival Foley), 56 Squadron, RFC.

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    Lieutenant Arthur Percival Foley Rhys Davids (Royal Flying Corps) is killed in action at age 20. He is the son of Professor T W Rhys Davids. He is a twenty-three-victory ace including the shooting down of Lieutenant Werner Voss, the fearless 20-year-old leader of Jasta 10 and the closest rival to the Red Baron. Another of 56th Squadron’s aces, Cecil A Lewis, was in London when he learned of his comrade’s death. Lewis’ lament for the young Eton graduate might as well have been said for all of his generation, British, French and German who fought in the air or on the ground at the Third Battle of Ypres: “Was this boy the hero of half a hundred fights? I could not reconcile the strange division, till one day, when I had praised him, he shrugged his shoulders: it was our job, he said, we ought to try to do it well, but then the peace came, we would do better. When peace came! I hope the gunner…shot him clean, bullet to the heart, and that his plane, on fire, fell like a meteor through the sky he loved. Since he had to end, I hope he ended so. But oh, the waste! The loss.”
    2Lt Sanders, J.H. (John Henry, 59 Squadron, RFC.
    Flt Sub-Lt Shepherd, P.G. (Peter George), RNAS.
    Lt Sherwood, W.B. (William Bernard), 60 Squadron, RFC.
    Lt White, R.J.S. (Ronald John Saxton), 16 Squadron, RFC.


    Claims: 29 confirmed (Entente 21: Central Powers 8)
    Frank Ford Babbage #5.
    Fred Everset Banbury #8.
    Raymond Brownell #5.
    Edward Booth#4.
    Geoffrey Bowman #19.
    James E. Child #2.
    Robert Coath #8.
    Wilfred Curtis #7.
    Herbert Drewitt #2.
    William Durrand #7.
    Stearne Edwards #8.
    John Firth #5
    Rene Fonck (France) #19.
    Phillip Fletcher Fullard #36 & #37. (The“highest scoring” footballer of the Great War.)
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    Frank Harold Hobson #3.
    David McGoun #1.
    Richard Minnifie #16.
    Sydney Oades #1.
    Claude Robert James Thompson #3.
    Albert Edward Woodbridge #6.

    Karl Bohnenkamp #2.
    Xavier Dannhuber #17.
    Franz Graser #6.
    Freidrich Hefty #2.
    Bruno Loerzer #19.
    Ernst Strohschneider #9
    Karl Teichmann #2.
    Kurt Wusthoff #22.
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    Western Front:

    French progress on Aisne front, occupy Froidmont Farm, fail to cross Canal.

    French and Belgians advance astride Ypres-Dixmude road.

    U.S.A. troops in action.

    2nd Battle of Passchendaele part 2:
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    Survivors of the 8th Australian Battalion, who fought in both the first and second battles of Passchendaele, pictured after being relieved on October 28.

    October 26 1917, Passchendaele–Despite his serious misgivings about the attack, General Currie agreed to let his Canadian Corps participate in Haig’s next attack on Passchendaele, though he insisted on a pause to bring up sufficient artillery support, which had been severely lacking in the last two battles, largely due to the mud. However, conditions did not improve over the two week hiatus, and by the time the Canadians were supposed to attack on October 26, they had at best half of the artillery support that Currie had been counting on. Furthermore, heavy rains over the previous few days had only led to more mud and flooded shell holes.

    One of the few advantages gained in the intervening weeks is that continuous shellfire had destroyed the belts of German barbed wire, which would not prove to be as much of an obstacle to the Canadians as it had to the Australians. They attacked at 5:40 AM on October 26, and managed to advance around 500 yards on Bellevue Spur, securing the German pillboxes there after an intense day’s fighting. Further south, the Canadians and Australians advanced 1000 yards through mud to secure a wrecked stand of trees called “Decline Copse,” a fight that lasts well into the wee hours of the 27th, thanks to heavy German counterattacks and enfilading artillery fire. Supporting French attacks to the north gained comparable amounts of ground. The day’s offensive was more successful than those earlier in the month had been, though at a heavy cost in lives and for objectives of questionable tactical value. Haig was determined to continue the attacks, however (despite Lloyd George’s increasing worries as to the situation in Italy), and the Canadians would attack again on the 30th, after a brief pause at Currie’s insistence.

    On 26 October, after an intensive bombardment, French troops crossed the lower Steenbeek, advanced into Papegoed Wood, Lucannes Farm and the pillboxes in between. The French then forced the Germans from the remaining pillboxes to the west of the woods and forded the Corverbeek, which in places was shoulder-high. The French soon captured the pillboxes opposite and occupied the Steenstraate–Dixmude road round Langewaede. In the evening, the Germans rushed the 8th Bavarian Reserve Division into the Merckem peninsula as a reinforcement.
    During the night the French engineers, in water up to their armpits, built pontoon bridges over the lower Steenbeek, west of Langewaede. At about 5:00 a.m. on 27 October, French troops on the right bank were joined by those on the left bank of the Steenbeek and a column advanced from the bridgehead at Drei Grachten, to attack the German defences on the causeway to Luyghem. The French on the extreme right in front of Draaibank, formed a flank guard facing east, near the troops in Papegoed Wood, which also protected the troops moving up from Steenstraate through Langewaede to Dixmude. The fortified villages of Verbrandesmis and Kippe blocked the road further on and north-east of Verbrandesmis near Houthulst Forest, Jesiutengoed Farm near the hamlet of Kloostermolen and the village of Aschhoop to the north, also obstructed a further advance.

    From Verbrandesmis a road runs north-west, parallel with the lower Steenbeek through Merckem to Luyghem, slightly above the level of the surrounding marshes. Machine-guns nests in the villages, commanded the causeway from Drei Grachten; the ground everywhere in the peninsula was soaked and dotted with large numbers of blockhouses and pillboxes. The French artillery destroyed Verbrandesmis and it was quickly captured but the German garrisons at Jesiutengoed Farm and Kloostermolen held out for some time, before being driven out and forced back to Kippe and Aschhoop. German artillery bombarded the banks of the Steenbeek in front of Merckem and French troops rushed across on pontoon bridges, struggled through the mud to the objectives and then attacked towards Kippe and Luyghem. Kippe and Aschhoop were captured quickly but the German garrisons at Luyghem and the causeway from Drei Grachten, resisted until afternoon before being overwhelmed.

    The French and Belgian advance on Luyghem began as soon as the causeway was captured, Belgian troops employing flat-bottomed boats to move to the north of the village. The Belgians secured the southern edge of Blanckaart Lake and then attacked Luyghem from the north, taking the German pillboxes and blockhouses systematically. By the morning of 28 October, the French and Belgians had completed the capture of the Merckem peninsula, had taken approximately 300 prisoners and inflicted many casualties on the German defenders, who had resisted the attacks with great determination. The skill of the French artillery had obtained success with few infantry casualties and the Belgians had managed to conceal their flotilla of flat-bottomed boats, despite German vigilance and then advance to their objectives despite the floods, against much German artillery and small-arms fire.

    (part 3 to follow shortly)


    Tunstills Men Saturday 27th October 1917:


    Zudausques

    Training and range practice.

    Pte. Robert Hitchen (see 13th November 1916) was appointed (unpaid) Lance Corporal.

    Pte. Richard Butler (see 20th September), who had been wounded on 20th September, was posted back to England.

    L.Cpl. Herbert Newton (see 20th September), who had been wounded on 20th September, was evacuated to England from 2nd Canadian General Hospital at Le Treport, travelling onboard the Hospital Ship Carisbroke Castle.

    Ptes. Fred Morrell (see 17th October) and John William Procter (see 17th October), both arrived at 34th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples, having sailed from Folkestone overnight 26th/27th. They were returning to France having been in England since being wounded.

    Pte. George Smith (20340) (see 12th September), who had been in England since reporting sick five months’ previously, was posted back to France from 3DWR at North Shields; he would re-join 10DWR following his arrival at 34th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples.

    Pte. Mark Beaumont (see 14th September), who had been in England since being wounded in January, being no longer fit for active service, was transferred from 3DWR to 7th Battalion, Royal Defence Corps.

    Pte. Louis Heren (see 25th September) appeared before an Army Medical Board at 2nd London General Hospital, Chelsea. The Board found him permanently unfit for further service, having lost both eyes when wounded on 20th September. He was to be transferred to St. Dunstan’s Hospital for further treatment.

    At home in Grindleton, John Crossley died aged 53; he was the father of Pte. Joshua Crossley, (see 17th October), who, despite being only 16, had been one of Tunstill’s original recruits but had died of measles while the Battalion was in training in November 1914.
    The weekly edition of the Keighley News reported on the death of Pte. Thomas Thompson MM (see 20th September);

    BRITISH AND FRENCH MILITARY MEDALLIST KILLED

    Private Thomas Thompson, West Riding Regiment, of 83 King Street, Keighley, has been officially reported killed in action near Ypres. A fortnight ago Mrs. Thompson had a letter from a comrade of her husband’s stating he had been killed. A month before he was home for leave and had brought with him many trophies from battlefields in France and Belgium. Private Thompson was awarded the Military Medal for gallant conduct in October 1916 and early this year was presented with the French Military Medal by the General of his Division. He wrote a pathetic letter to his wife in which he said that if anything happened to him his medals were to be given to his son David, aged ten years old.

    The official record of the brave deed for which Private Thompson was awarded the Military Medal was as follows: “On the 4th of October 1916 in front of Le Sars, he found and dashed through a gap in the enemy’s wire, called out its position to his comrades and urged them to follow. Getting to the enemy’s parapet he picked up enemy bombs which were lying there and threw them into the enemy trench and then stood on the enemy parapet calling out for more bombs”.

    Corporal Jennings (Cpl. James Jennings (11270), see 20th September) who was charging the enemy’s wire on the morning of September 20th describes the battle thus in a letter to his widow, “How I got through this terrible battle God only knows. The biggest shells were used by the Germans and it was hell upon earth. I am sorry that I have to be the bearer of the sad news of Private Thompson’s death. It was at 5.30 on September 20th that my Company went over the top to attack the German trenches. I was going on and Tommy was by my side. We captured the first German trenches and a lot of prisoners and then we captured the second German line trenches. While we were charging a shell fell in my Company. A part of it hit Tommy and knocked him over. I told one of our men to dress his wounds as I could not stay with him myself, as we were going on to capture the next trench. When I got back I was sorry to hear that poor Tommy had died. So I hope you will give Mrs. Thompson my deepest sympathy and that of every man in the Company. Tell her that he did his duty like a brave, manly soldier”. Corporal Jennings’ home is also in King Street, Keighley. Private Thompson enlisted soon after the outbreak of war and fought in many of the great battles in France and Belgium for over two years.

    A payment of £6 was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Christopher Tinker Sykes (see 7th June), who had been killed in action on 7th June; the payment would go to his father, Antony.

    Eastern Front:

    Germans retire from Verder Peninsula (Riga).

    Germans again attempt to fraternise with Russians North and Centre.

    Southern Front:

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    Cividale (west of Isonzo) in flames and occupied by Germans, who claim 80,000 prisoners.

    Asiatic, African, Egyptian Front:

    Third Battle of Gaza begins (see April 19th and November 7th).
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    The Third Battle of Gaza begins. Major Alexander Malins Lafone (Middlesex Hussars) dies of wounds received in action at age 47 while holding a position at Gaza for over seven hours against vastly superior enemy forces. After all his men, with the exception of three, have been hit and the trench which he is holding is so full of wounded that it is difficult to move and fire, he orders those who can walk to move to trench slightly to the rear. When finally surrounded and charged by the enemy, he steps in to the open and continues to fight until he is mortally wounded. For his actions on this day he will be awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross. · Captain Seymour Van Den Bergh (Middlesex Hussars) is killed at age 27. His younger brother was killed on the Western Front in May 1916. The six-day bombardment begins with navy guns as well, the largest artillery barrage outside France.
    British cavalry in action in centre of Gaza front (Palestine).

    On 27 October, the XXI Corps artillery began the bombardment of Gaza, which gradually grew more intense with the support of British and French Navy's guns from 29 October. They included the fourteen inches (360 mm) guns on HMS Raglan, the MonitorsM15 9.2 inches (230 mm) guns, the M29, the M31, and the M32 with 6 inches (150 mm) guns, the cruiser Grafton, and the destroyers Staunch and Comet. French vessels included the Requin, Arbalète, Voltigeur, Coutelas, Fauconneau and Hache. There were also two river gunboats Ladybird and Aphis, and three seaplane bombers. This flotilla was in action—although not altogether to allow for return to Port Said for refuelling—until the attack on Gaza was launched. The flotilla was targeted by hostile aircraft, while a shell from an Ottoman shore battery hit the mess deck of the Requin, causing 38 casualties.

    The land based artillery of Bulfin's XXI Corps' heavy artillery consisted of 68 medium and heavy guns and howitzers, which were directed on to the Ottoman batteries during the battle. In addition two 6-inch guns made a surprise attack on the Ottoman railhead at Beit Hanun at a range of nine miles (14 km), supported by balloon observation. Between 27 October and the attack on Gaza, 15,000 rounds were fired by the heavy artillery; three hundred rounds were allocated for the destruction of each Ottoman battery which had been located. The anti–battery bombardments between 29–31 October also fired gas shells, which apparently had little or no effect. Together with the corps' three divisional artilleries, the guns produced the heaviest bombardment of World War I outside European theatres. The sixth night's bombardment from onshore and offshore guns produced "an even heavier concentration of fire on a small area than had been put in on the first day of the Battle of the Somme." The six-day bombardment program was arranged "so that the whole of the front of our group is plastered all day and every day."

    Naval Operations:

    Shipping Losses: 2 (2 to mines & 1 to U-Boat action)


    Political:

    U.S.A. infantry and artillery in action in France.

    Army brings about fall of Cabinet in Spain.

    Polish Regency Council takes office.

    Anniversary Events:

    97 To placate the Praetorians of Germany, Nerva of Rome adopts Trajan, the Spanish-born governor of lower Germany.
    1553 Michael Servetus, who discovered the pulmonary circulation of the blood, is burned for heresy in Switzerland.
    1612 A Polish army that invaded Russia capitulates to Prince Dimitri Pojarski and his Cossacks.
    1791 President George Washington transmits to Congress the results of the first US census, exclusive of South Carolina which had not yet submitted its findings.
    1806 Emperor Napoleon enters Berlin.
    1809 President James Madison orders the annexation of the western part of West Florida. Settlers there had rebelled against Spanish authority.
    1862 A Confederate force is routed at the Battle of Georgia Landing, near Bayou Lafourche in Louisiana.
    1870 The French fortress of Metz surrenders to the Prussian Army.
    1873 Farmer Joseph F. Glidden applies for a patent on barbed wire. Glidden eventually received five patents and is generally considered the inventor of barbed wire.
    1891 D. B. Downing, inventor, is awarded a patent for the street letter (mail) box.
    1904 The New York subway officially opens running from the Brooklyn Bridge uptown to Broadway at 145th Street.
    1907 The first trial in the Eulenberg Affair ends in Germany.
    1917 20,000 women march in a suffrage parade in New York. As the largest state and the first on the East Coast to do so, New York has an important effect on the movement to grant all women the vote in all elections.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 11-19-2017 at 14:30.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  18. #2818

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    Still got pics to add to 26th & 27th but the road is clear for your issues Chris.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  19. #2819

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    Quote Originally Posted by zenlizard View Post
    Did the aspidistra survive?
    Fortunately I had taken it into my room and wrapped it up for the winter.
    Kyte.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  20. #2820

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    28th October 1917

    The Russian Revolution


    On 28 October 1917, some posters and newspapers started criticizing the actions of the Bolsheviks and refuted their authority. The Executive Committee of Peasants Soviets "refutes with indignation all participation of the organised peasantry in this criminal violation of the will of the working class". On 29 October 1917, opposition to the Bolsheviks develops into major counter-revolutionary action. Cossacks enter Tsarskoye Selo on outskirts of Petrograd with Kerensky riding on a white horse welcomed by church bells. Kerensky gave an ultimatum to the rifle garrison to lay down weapons, which was promptly refused. They were then fired upon by Kerensky’s Cossacks, which resulted in 8 deaths. This turned soldiers in Petrograd against Kerensky because he was just like the Tsarist regime. Kerensky’s failure to assume authority over troops was described by John Reed as a ‘fatal blunder’ that signalled the final death of the government.

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    Air War

    Western Front: Lieutenant Gontermann, top-scoring German ‘balloon¬buster’ (39 victories since April 8; see is lost when his Jasta 15 Fokker Dr I breaks up in flight; shortly after all German triplanes temporarily grounded. First 5 of 12 fighter Jagdgruppen (36-75 aircraft each) made permanent. Some sources state that this happened on the 30th – so we will cover the story in full in a couple of days.


    The following aerial victory claims were made on this day:

    Andrew Cowper #1

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    A descendant of William Cowper, the 18th century poet, Andrew King Cowper attended Eastbourne College in England from 1913 to 1916. He enlisted in the Royal Sussex Regiment before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps. He was posted to 24 Squadron on 26 August 1917. Flying the D.H.5, he scored his first two victories by the end of the year. Flying the S.E.5a during February and March of 1918, he scored an additional 17 victories before returning to the Home Establishment on 11 April 1918. In 1919, Cowper served with 79 Squadron during the occupation of Germany. He was to win the MC with 2 bars.

    Fred Everest Banbury
    #9
    Arthur Roy Brown #6
    William Rutherford #4
    Julius Buckler #20
    Rudolph von Eschwege #17
    Erich Schütze #3
    Rudolf Wendelmuth #12
    Edward Hartigan #5
    David Hall #6
    Richard Maybery #16

    There were seven airmen lost on this day

    Air Mech 2 Benden, F. (Frank) 39th Kite Balloon Section
    Air Mech 2 Bickle, A.E. (Albert Edward) RFC
    Capt. Caunter, J.C.A. (John Charles Ashford) 60 Squadron RFC
    2nd Lt. Hudson, L.S. (Leslie Sidney) 49 Squadron RFC
    2nd Lt. Hutton, W.W. (William Wallace) RFC
    Lt. Keir, E.H. (Edward Hugh) 16 Squadron RFC
    Capt. Wasey, C.W.C. (Cyril Walter Carleton) RFC


    Southern Fronts
    Isonzo: Despite rain and snowstorms German 200th Division crosses river Torre at 0400 hours and occupies Udine 20 hours after Comando Supremo and Second Army headquarters evacuate, latter formation split in two. Germans claim 100,000 PoWs. Austrians reoccupy Gorizia and advance 8 miles west.

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    Infantry crosses a river in Northern Italy during the Battle of Coporetto.

    Western Front

    Flanders: Canadian losses since October 26 were 2,481 soldiers, but 370 German PoWs taken.

    The French and Belgian advance on Luyghem began as soon as the causeway was captured, Belgian troops employing flat-bottomed boats to move to the north of the village. The Belgians secured the southern edge of Blanckaart Lake and then attacked Luyghem from the north, taking the German pillboxes and blockhouses systematically. By the morning of 28 October, the French and Belgians had completed the capture of the Merckem peninsula, had taken approximately 300 prisoners and inflicted many casualties on the German defenders, who had resisted the attacks with great determination. The skill of the French artillery had obtained success with few infantry casualties and the Belgians had managed to conceal their flotilla of flat-bottomed boats, despite German vigilance and then advance to their objectives despite the floods, against much German artillery and small-arms fire.

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    Aisne*: Attack and counter-attack on Oise-Aisne Canal.
    Verdun: *Germans advancing at Chaume Wood and Bezonvaux.
    France*: US 26th (National Guard) Division is second American unit to land.

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    Brigadier General Cecil Godfrey Rawling CMG CIE DSO (62nd Brigade, 21st Division) is killed in action at age 47 by a shell in Hooge Crater. He is killed as he was talking with friends outside his brigade headquarters. He was the author of The Great Plateau in 1905 and The Land of the New Guinea Pygmies in 1913. He received the Patron’s Gold Medal of the Royal Geographical Society. He served on the Northwest Frontier in 1897-8 and in the Tibet Expedition of 1904.

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    U.S. Army troopship USAT Finland was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean off Brest, France by German submarine SM U-93 with the loss of nine of her crew.
    SS Finland was an American-flagged ocean liner built in 1902 for the Red Star Line. During World War I she served as a transport for the United States Navy named USS Finland (ID-4543). Before her Navy service in 1917, she was also USAT Finland for the United States Army.

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    Workers pose by the torpedo damage to Finland in drydock at Brest, France.

    SS Finland sailed for several subsidiary lines of International Mercantile Marine, including the Red Star Line, and also under charter for the White Star Line, the Panama Pacific Line, and the American Line. Sailing out of New York, she sailed primarily to ports in the United Kingdom, Belgium, and Italy. She also briefly sailed on New York to San Francisco, California, service. In 1912, Finland was chartered by the American Olympic Committee to take the U.S. team to the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden.
    At the entry of the United States into World War I in April 1917, the liner was chartered by the United States Army as USAT Finland. She made five transatlantic runs under Army control ferrying troops to Europe. On the return portion of her third voyage, Finland was torpedoed by U-93, but was able to safely return to port for repairs. In April 1918, Finland was transferred to the U.S Navy and commissioned as USS Finland. She completed an additional five voyages to Europe, carrying almost 13,000 troops. After the Armistice, she returned over 32,000 troops to the United States before being decommissioned in September 1919.

    After her Navy service ended, she was returned to International Mercantile Marine, resumed her original name of SS Finland, and served on New York to Europe routes until 1923, when she returned to New York–San Francisco service. Finland was scrapped in 1928.

    Finland began her journey to the United States on 28 October in an 11-knot (20 km/h) convoy with cargo ships Buford and City of Savannah and escorted by armed yachts Alcedo, Corsair, and Wakiva II, and destroyers Smith, Lamson, Preston, and Flusser. Finland, returning most of the survivors of Antilles back to the U.S., was struck on her starboard side by a torpedo from U-93 at 09:27, 150 nautical miles (280 km) from the French coast. Many of the civilian crew and the survivors of Antilles, experiencing a torpedo attack for the second time in 11 days, panicked. Lifeboats were immediately launched without word from Commander Graham, and the engine room and fire room men all left their stations, contrary to orders. The naval officers, armed with a revolver and a wooden mallet, were able to get the men back to their stations. The damage was limited to one cargo hold and had not affected the boilers or the engines. Although Finland took a starboard list, it did not increase and Graham was able to steer a course back to Brest, anchoring there the next morning. Men aboard the prematurely launched lifeboats were rounded up by Wakiva II and Alcedo and returned to Brest Nine men, including three of the Naval Armed Guard detachment two soldiers and four crew perished in the attack.
    In the aftermath of the torpedoing incident, Commander Graham was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal for his "exceptionally meritorious service" in getting Finland safely back to port. Lieutenant (junior grade) Huntington English, from Wakiva II, received the Navy Cross, in part because he rescued a soldier who had jumped from the torpedoed transport Chief Boatswain's Mate John P. Doyle, on Alcedo, was issued a letter of commendation for commanding a whaleboat that pulled a number of men from Finland from the water.

    The deportment of the crew aboard Finland, as well as that of Antilles, while under attack demonstrated the problems with civilian-manned vessels. The Navy, led by the recommendations of Rear Admiral Albert Gleaves, insisted that all troop transports be manned entirely by Navy personnel. This was accomplished soon after so as to avoid the need for what Gleaves called "ignorant and unreliable men" who were "the sweepings of the docks" Finland was sufficiently repaired over the next two months and sailed for return to the United States on 5 January 1918. Ready again for convoy duty the next month, she sailed from New York on 10 February with Antigone, Martha Washington, President Lincoln, and Von Steuben under escort of the cruiser Pueblo. After safely reaching Saint-Nazaire, Finland discharged her passengers and cargo that included 13,910 pounds (6,310 kg) of frozen beef for the AEF. On 27 February, one day after departing, Finland 's steering gear jammed, forcing her into the path of Henderson. That ship was able to maneuver such that Finland only dealt her a glancing blow. Finland suffered only superficial damage; Henderson was holed below the waterline, but her crew took advantage of unusually calm February seas to repair the damage, and were soon able to proceed to New York. Finland and President Lincoln arrived back at New York on 16 March.

    Finland made one more crossing under Army charter. Leaving New York on 23 March, she convoyed with Powhatan, El Occidente, Martha Washington, and cruiser Pueblo, arriving in France on 4 April. Finlandreturned to New York on 24 April,and was delivered to the U.S. Navy the same day.

  21. #2821

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    News Flash just in:

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    See you on the Dark Side......

  22. #2822

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    29th October 1917

    The second of our 'catch up' editions...

    Gotha Raid

    Poor weather led to the postponement of a raid on London by Kagohl 3, instead three of the most experienced crews were selected to attack south-east coastal towns. Having set out, two crews abandoned the mission due to strong winds and poor visibility, choosing to attack the secondary target of Calais instead. The remaining aircraft reached Essex where the sound of its engines carried by the wind prompted a series of reports over a wide area of the county as to the number of aircraft approaching.

    The first bomb, a 12kg HE, was reported at 10.22pm, having exploded on Dammer Wick Farm, a mile north-east of Burnham-on-Crouch. Ten minutes later AA guns at Canvey Island and Bowers Gifford opened fire. Approaching Rayleigh from the west, the Gotha dropped the first of a string of ten bombs, the first falling south of Beke Hall and 60 yards north of the railway. The next fell in a field about 300 yards west of Little Wheatley Farm, followed by another on the same farm, 40 yards from the railway. The Gotha crossed the railway tracks and dropped its next bomb 200 yards south of them to the south of Little Wheatley Farm, after which another landed 100 yards south of the tracks to the north of Great Wheatley Farm. A bomb that fell on the roadway at Crown Hill, 50 yards south of Rayleigh Station, burst a water main, caused slight damage to two cottages and smashed a wooden fence. Having flown over Rayleigh the next bomb landed as the raider approached Hockley, falling by a duck pond on Turret House Farm. The last three bombs all fell in woods near Bulwood House. Some windows were broken in the Hockley area and a turkey killed. The Gotha passed over Southminster at 10.55pm and headed out to sea near the mouth of the Blackwater. About 16 miles south of Southminster, on the far bank of the Thames estuary, AA guns at Barton’s Point on the Isle of Sheppey, opened fire at 10.54pm. As the Gotha was too far away their target must have been Home Defence aircraft as at least four, from 37 and 39 Squadrons, were still in the air. They were unable to locate the raider.

    Southern Fronts

    Isonzo: Below orders Tagliamento bridges’ seizure; Italians blow Codroipo bridges prematurely leaving 12,000 men on wrong side, but XXIV Corps holds off pursuit to cross flooding river lower down. Third Army crosses Isonzo. Cadorna issues preliminary orders for retreat to Piave. 3 Italian cavalry brigades charge Austro-German advanced guards west of Udine on October 30. Cadorna communique blames Second Army for collapse.

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    Blown-up bridges, such as the railway viaduct of Salcano near Gorizia over the Isonzo, present serious obstacles to the advance of the forces of the Central Powers.

    Sea War

    Baltic: German battleship Markgraf mined in Irben Strait, Gulf of Riga. Capital ships subsequently withdrawn back to High Seas Fleet due to mine and British submarine threat (3 battleships attacked).

    SMS Markgraf was the third battleship of the four-ship König class. She served in the Imperial German Navy during World War I. The battleship was laid down in November 1911 and launched on 4 June 1913. She was formally commissioned into the Imperial Navy on 1 October 1914, just over two months after the outbreak of war in Europe. Markgraf was armed with ten 30.5-centimeter (12.0 in) guns in five twin turrets and could steam at a top speed of 21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph). Markgraf was named in honor of the royal family of Baden. The name Markgraf is a rank of German nobility and is equivalent to the English Margrave, or Marquess. Along with her three sister ships, König, Grosser Kurfürst, and Kronprinz, Markgraf took part in most of the fleet actions during the war, including the Battle of Jutland on 31 May and 1 June 1916. At Jutland, Markgraf was the third ship in the German line and heavily engaged by the opposing British Grand Fleet; she sustained five large-caliber hits and her crew suffered 23 casualties. Markgraf also participated in Operation Albion, the conquest of the Gulf of Riga, in late 1917. The ship was damaged by a mine while en route to Germany following the successful conclusion of the operation.

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    After Germany's defeat in the war and the signing of the Armistice in November 1918, Markgraf and most of the capital ships of the High Seas Fleet were interned by the Royal Navy in Scapa Flow. The ships were disarmed and reduced to skeleton crews while the Allied powers negotiated the final version of the Treaty of Versailles. On 21 June 1919, days before the treaty was signed, the commander of the interned fleet, Rear Admiral Ludwig von Reuter, ordered the fleet to be scuttled to ensure that the British would not be able to seize the ships. Unlike most of the scuttled ships, Markgraf was never raised for scrapping; the wreck is still sitting on the bottom of the bay.

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    Map showing the movements of the German Navy and Army to seize Riga and the islands in the Gulf

    In early September 1917, following the German conquest of the Russian port of Riga, the German navy decided to eliminate the Russian naval forces that still held the Gulf of Riga. The Admiralstab (Navy High Command) planned an operation to seize the Baltic island of Ösel, and specifically the Russian gun batteries on the Sworbe Peninsula. On 18 September, the order was issued for a joint operation with the army to capture Ösel and Moon Islands; the primary naval component was to comprise the flagship, Moltke, along with the III and IV Battle Squadrons of the High Seas Fleet. The II Squadron consisted of the four König-class ships, and was by this time augmented with the new battleship Bayern. The IV Squadron consisted of the five Kaiser-class battleships. Along with nine light cruisers, three torpedo boat flotillas, and dozens of mine warfare ships, the entire force numbered some 300 ships, supported by over 100 aircraft and six zeppelins. The invasion force amounted to approximately 24,600 officers and enlisted men.

    Opposing the Germans were the old Russian pre-dreadnoughts Slava and Tsesarevich, the armored cruisers Bayan, Admiral Makarov, and Diana, 26 destroyers, and several torpedo boats and gunboats. Three British C-class submarines where also stationed in the Gulf. The Irben Strait, the main southern entrance to the Gulf of Riga, was heavily mined and defended by a number of coastal artillery batteries. The garrison on Ösel numbered nearly 14,000 men, though by 1917 it had been reduced to 60 to 70 percent strength. The operation began on 12 October, when Moltke and the four König-class ships covered the landing of ground troops by suppressing the shore batteries covering Tagga Bay. Markgraf fired on the battery located on Cape Ninnast. After the successful amphibious assault, III Squadron steamed to Putziger Wiek, although Markgraf remained behind for several days. On the 17th, Markgraf left Tagga Bay to rejoin her squadron in the Gulf of Riga, but early on the following morning she ran aground at the entrance to Kalkgrund. The ship was quickly freed, and she reached the III Squadron anchorage north of Larina Bank on the 19th. The next day, Markgraf steamed to Moon Sound, and on the 25th participated in the bombardment of Russian positions on the island of Kynö. The ship returned to Arensburg on 27 October, and two days later was detached from Operation Albion to return to the North Sea.

    Markgraf struck a pair of mines in quick succession while in the Irben Strait and took in 260 metric tons (260 long tons; 290 short tons) of water. The ship continued on to Kiel via Neufahrwasser in Danzig; she then went on to Wilhelmshaven, where the mine damage was repaired. The work was completed at the Imperial Dockyard from 6 to 23 November.After repairs were completed, Markgraf returned to guard duty in the North Sea. She missed an attempted raid on a British convoy on 23–25 April 1918, as she was in dock in Kiel from 15 March to 5 May for the installation of a new foremast.


    Eastern Med*iterranean: Anglo-French naval bombard*ment of Gaza resumes (average by 1 cruiser, 4 monitors, 2 gunboats, 2 destroyers).

    Air War

    Britain: 1 of 3 Gotha bombers (2 attack Calais) sent drops 8 bombs between Burnham and Southend. Hit and run raid (11 bombs) against Dover at night October 30-31.
    Salonika: 8 German fighters shoot down 2 of 5 Royal Flying Corps aircraft after they bomb Cestovo dump (also bombed on November 5).

    The following aerial victory claims were made on this day:

    William Rogers Canada #6
    Lovell Baker England #3
    Geoffrey Bowman England #20
    Frederick Gibbs England #11
    Keith Muspratt England #7
    Hector Garaud France #2
    Julius Buckler Germany #21 #22
    Karl Thom Germany #13
    Samuel Kinkead South Africa #8

    Leonard Payne South Africa #1

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    Another Bristol Flying 48 Squadron Ace - Leonard Allan Payne joined the Royal Flying Corps in Swaziland on 1 Feb 1917 and was commissioned in June 1917. He scored eleven victories flying the Bristol Fighter on the Western Front.

    Another Bristol Flying 48 Squadron Ace - Leonard Allan Payne joined the Royal Flying Corps in Swaziland on 1 Feb 1917 and was commissioned in June 1917. He scored eleven victories flying the Bristol Fighter on the Western Front.

    Herbert Hartley Scotland #2
    Edward Williams Wales #4

    Eight airmen were lost on this day

    8 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON MONDAY OCTOBER 29TH 1917

    Air Mech 2 Davey, E.J. (Ernest John) 39 Kite Balloon Section RFC
    2nd Lt. Harriman, C.H. (Charles Henry) 43 Squadron RFC
    2nd Lt. Ironside, J.P. (James Paul) 28 Squadron RFC
    Lt. MacLaughlin, A.W. (Alexander Wilson) 1 Squadron RFC
    Lt. Montague, P.D. (Paul Denys) 47 Squadron RFC
    Lt. Morrison, D.G. (Douglas George) 2 Squadron Australian Flying Corps
    2nd Lt. Oldman, H.V. (Harold Victor) RFC
    2nd Lt. Pearson, G. (Gerald) 45 Squadron RFC

    In total 587 British Lives were lost on this day

    Today’s highlighted casualties include:

    Lieutenant Colonel Thomas C Irving DSO (commanding Headquarters 4th Division Canadian Engineers) is killed at age 38.
    Captain Robert Coningsby Wilmot (Sherwood Foresters) is killed in action at age 31. His brothers were killed in August 1916 July of this year and he is the son of the late Reverend Francis Edmund William Wilmot Rector of Munnington.
    Lieutenant Alexander Wilson MacLaughlin (Royal Flying Corps) is killed in action during a combat action with seven enemy aircraft at Houthem. The 23-year old is a son of the Reverend David MacLaughlin.

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    Sergeant Leonard Y Dines (Army Service Corps) is killed at age 23. His brother will be killed in March 1918.
    Lance Corporal Thomas Ayres (Devonshire Regiment) is killed at age 23. His brother will be killed in September 1918.
    Private Roderick Simpson Llewelyn-Davies (Worcestershire Yeomanry Hussars) is killed in Mesopotamia at age 21. He is the son of the Reverend David Llewelyn Davies Vicar of Little Dewchurch.
    Private Frederick Marshall (Cheshire Regiment) is killed at age 25 becoming the last of three brothers who are killed in the Great War.

    Capt Tunstill's Men :
    Huge changes were afoot for Capt. Tunstill's men ...Having received orders to be prepared for a forthcoming move, the War Diary of 69th Field Ambulance noted that, “training of personnel for long marches to be commenced” and “to ensure forthwith that each man has complete issue of winter clothing”.

    Although the transfer of 23rd Division to Italy had not yet been formally confirmed, two officers of the Divisional Staff, along with the staff captains of each Brigade, departed for Paris, en route to Italy.

    The whole of 69th Brigade was inspected, near Boisdinghem, by Maj. Genl. Sir J. M. Babington KCMG, commanding 23rd Division.

  23. #2823

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    30th October 1917

    1985 British lives were lost on this day.

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    Lieutenant Hugh McDonald McKenzie VC. DCM (Canadian Machine Gun Corps) is in charge of a section of four machine guns accompanying an infantry in an attack at Meetscheele Spur, near Passchendaele. Seeing that all the officers and most of the NCOs of an infantry company have become casualties and that the men are hesitating before a nest of enemy machine-guns, the lieutenant hands over his command to an NCO, rallies the infantry, organizes an attack and captures the strong-point. He then leads a frontal attack on a pill-box which is causing casualties. The pill-box is captured but he is killed. For his efforts Lieutenant McKenzie will be awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.

    George Harry Mullin VC, MM (15 August 1891 – 5 April 1963) was an American-Canadian soldier in the Canadian army. Mullin was a recipient of the Victoria Cross.

    He was 26 years old, and a sergeant in Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. On 30 October 1917 at Passchendaele, Belgium, Sergeant Mullin single-handed captured a pill-box which had withstood heavy bombardment and was causing heavy casualties and holding up the attack. He rushed the snipers' post in front, destroyed the garrison with bombs, shot two gunners and then compelled the remaining 10 men to surrender. All the time rapid fire was directed on him and his clothes were riddled with bullets, but he never faltered in his purpose and he not only helped to save the situation but indirectly saved many lives.

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    No. 51339 Sjt. George Harry Mullin, M.M., Can. Inf.

    For most conspicuous bravery in attack, when single-handed he captured a commanding "Pill-box" which had withstood the heavy bombardment and was causing heavy casualties to our forces and holding up the attack. He rushed a sniper's post in front, destroyed the garrison with bombs, and, crawling on to the top of the "Pill-box," he shot the two machine-gunners with his revolver. Sjt. Mullin then rushed to another entrance and compelled the garrison of ten to surrender. His gallantry and fearlessness were witnessed by many, and, although rapid fire was directed upon him, and his clothes riddled by bullets, he never faltered in his purpose and he not only helped to save the situation, but also indirectly saved many lives.

    Mullin had earlier received the Military Medal and finished the war as a lieutenant. In 1934 he was appointed as Sergeant at Arms of the Saskatchewan legislature. Mullin served as a captain in the Veterans Guard during the Second World War. Mullin is commemorated with the two-block long residential street 'Mullin Avenue' in the south central part of Regina, Saskatchewan.Mullin is buried at Moosomin South Side Cemetery, Moosomin, Saskatchewan, Canada in the Legion Plot (approximately N 50.13409 W 101.68206 ). His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Museum of the Regiments in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

    2nd Passchendaele

    The second stage on 30 October was intended to complete the capture of the positions the Canadian Corps had attacked on 26 October and gain a base for the final assault on Passchendaele. The objective line (Blue Line) was approximately 600 yd (550 m) east of the objective line of the previous stage. The advance was meant to capture the strongly held Crest Farm at the southern end of the advance and in the northern sector, the hamlet of Meetcheele and the Goudberg area near the Corps's northern boundary. The northern flank of the Canadian Corps advance was to link up outside Goudberg at Vapour Farm with the British Fifth Army, which would be advancing with the 58th Division and 190th Brigade, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division along both sides of the swamped Lekkerboterbeek. The southern advance was to link up with the I Anzac Corps along the Ypres–Roulers railway line south of Vienna Cottage. The southern flank of the main assault would once again be the responsibility of the 4th Canadian Division, which planned to attack with the 12th Canadian Infantry Brigade. The northern flank remained the responsibility of the 3rd Canadian Division, which would advance with the 7th and 8th Canadian Infantry Brigades.

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    The night before the attack, a battalion assault by the Canadians captured a particularly troublesome German pillbox on the northern bank of Ravebeek creek, which had held up the 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade during the first stage. The action advanced the southern edge of the 3rd Canadian Division 500 yd (460 m) parallel with the line of the 4th Canadian Division to the south. The main attack began at 5:50 am on 30 October, preceded by a rolling barrage with a preliminary artillery bombardment directed largely at pillboxes. The southern flank quickly captured Crest Farm and had begun sending patrols beyond its objective line and into Passchendaele, which they found the Germans evacuating. By 8:30 am, the 4th Canadian Division commander, Major-General David Watson, reported that all objectives between the Ypres—Roulers railway and the Ravebeek creek had been taken. Northwest of Crest Farm, the ground was so badly flooded that consolidation had to be carried out short of the objective line.

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    On the northern flank, the 3rd Canadian Division was again met with exceptional German resistance. The 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade managed to capture Source Farm and later Vapour Farm at the corps boundary, just short of the objective line. However, the brigade had difficulty getting through the swampy ground in the Woodland Plantation, resulting in a division in the line. The 58th Division and 63rd (Royal Naval) Division infantry were caught by German artillery fire at their jumping-off line and made only slight progress in deep mud against German machine-gun fire and were unable to reach their rendezvous objectives, leaving the Canadian troops at Source Farm and Vapour Farm in precarious and largely unsupported positions.[6] Two companies later advanced through the Canadian sector to capture Source Trench but were only able to reinforce the Canadian outpost at Source Farm and form a defensive flank to Vapour Farm. In the centre of the assault was the 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade. Advancing between Ravebeek creek and the roadway to Meetcheele, one section of the brigade captured its intermediate objective, a pillbox known as Duck Lodge, by 7:00 a.m. To the west of the roadway and Meetcheele, the advance captured Furst Farm, albeit with heavy casualties. Later in the afternoon, the brigade succeeded in overcoming a number of pillboxes and captured the crossroads at Meetcheele. However, the Germans continued to hold a strong position at Graf House along the bank of the Ravebeek creek, producing a salient in the Canadian line directly between the two Canadian divisions. The advance appeared to have reached its limit by late afternoon and reports of a large number of Germans concentrating north of Mosselmarkt indicated a possible counterattack. As a result, the 3rd Canadian Division (although not having achieved all its objectives) was ordered to consolidate its positions and patrol, rather than occupy the Woodland Plantation swamp between the 7th and 8th Canadian Infantry Brigades. There was some question as to whether the positions at Source Farm and Vapour Farm could be maintained without the support of the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. Currie and Plumer ultimately decided that every effort should be made to hold the line in the hope of not having to retake the positions before the assault on Passchendaele. The night passed without any major counterattacks taking place, permitting the Canadians to consolidate their positions.

    When the second stage ended on 30 October, the Canadian Corps had suffered 2,321 casualties, consisting of 884 killed, 1,429 wounded and eight taken prisoner. Further north the 63rd Division had 3,126 casualties from 26–31 October.

    On this day the German ace Leutnant Heinrich Gontermann is killed.

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    The son of a cavalry officer, Heinrich Gontermann joined the 6th Uhlan Cavalry Regiment in August 1914. Serving at the Front, he was wounded in action in September 1914. He was promoted to Leutnant in the spring of 1915 and awarded the Iron Cross, second class. Having been transferred to the 80th Fusilier Regiment in October 1915, Gontermann's application for transfer to the air service was accepted and he completed pilot training in early 1916. After flying the Roland C.II with Kampfstaffel Tergnier and the AGO C.I with FA 25, he was sent to Jastaschule, graduating on 11 November 1916. Posted to Jasta 5, he scored his first victory on 14 November 1916. On 5 March 1917 he was awarded the Iron Cross, first class. By the end of April 1917 he had downed 17 enemy aircraft and was made Staffelführer of Jasta 15. With this unit he bagged 22 more victories. On 30 October 1917, while testing a new Fokker DR.I (115/17), Gontermann was fatally injured in a crash when the upper wing failed. Prior to his death, Gontermann scored 18 victories against Allied balloons. On the evening of 19 August 1917 he shot down four of them in three minutes

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    8 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON TUESDAY OCTOBER 30TH 1917

    2nd Lt. Chandler, H.L. (Henry Leonard) 75 Squadron RFC
    2nd Lt. Hyslop, N.S. (Ninian Steel) 63 Squadron RFC
    Lt. Johnston, A. (Andrew) 21 Squadron RFC
    Capt. Rogers, G.C. 52 Squadron RFC
    Lt. Scott, E.D. (Eric Douglas) 1 Squadron RFC
    2nd Lt. Stuttard, H.P. (Harold Pierce) RFC
    Lt. Wakeman, F.T. (Frank Trevor) RFC
    2nd Lt. Whitfield, L.H. (LewisHayes) 21 Squadron RFC

    The following aerial victories were claimed on this day:

    Claude Robert James Thompson Australia #4

    John De Pencier Canada #1

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    John Dartnell De Pencier, the son of the Bishop of New Westminster in British Columbia, served as a gunner with the 68th Field Battery of the Canadian Field Artillery in 1916. In April 1917, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps and was posted to 19 Squadron on 6 October 1917. By the end of the month, he'd scored his first victory flying the SPAD XIII. Wounded in stomach during late November of 1917, De Pencier returned from his mission not realizing how badly he'd been wounded. After seven days leave of absence, he returned to duty in December and scored his second victory with the SPAD XIII. In 1918, his squadron was re-equipped with Sopwith Dolphins and De Pencier scored six more victories before returning to the Home Establishment to become an instructor. In 1920, while serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force in Germany, De Pencier was killed in a crash following a mid-air collision with Cyril Ridley.

    D'Arcy Hilton Canada #7

    Philip Fletcher Fullard
    England #38

    Arthur Hicks Peck England #1

    The son of Lt. Colonel Francis Samuel Peck of Bristol, Arthur Hicks Peck was granted a short service commission in the rank of Flight Lieutenant on 24 October 1919.

    Marius Ambrogi France #1

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    A fighting pilot in both world wars, Marius Jean Paul Elzeard Ambrogi joined the army on 25 September 1914. After two years in the infantry, he transferred to the French Air Service and was assigned to N90 (later Spa90) for the duration of the war.

    Georges Blanc France #5
    Fernand Bonneton France #2
    Gustave Daladier France #4
    Pierre de Cazenove de Pradines France #5
    Omer Demeuldre France #3

    Fernand Guyou France #1

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    When the war began, Guyou was serving in the cavalry. In April 1915, he transferred to the French Air Service, receiving his Pilot's Brevet on 17 February 1916. After serving with N49, he was reassigned to N15 but was badly wounded on 23 September 1916. Returning to duty on 20 December 1916, he served briefly with three escadrilles before being pemanently assigned to N93 on 25 August 1917. By the end of the war, Guyou had logged 431 hours and 10 minutes of flight time against the enemy. After working as a commercial airline pilot, he rejoined the military during World War II.

    Henri Peronneau France #2

    Gottfried Ehmann Germany #1

    As an observer with Schlasta 15, Ehmann claimed 14 victories but was only credited with 12. In the summer of 1918, he and pilot Friedrich Huffzky scored 9 victories making them the most successful two-seater crew of the German Air Force. They were flying a Halberstadt C.II

    Wolfgang Güttler Germany #5
    Ernst Hess Germany #17
    Bruno Loerzer Germany #20

    Walter Tyrrell Ireland #1

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    Walter Alexander Tyrrell was one of three sons of Alderman John and Jennie (Todd) Tyrrell.

    Having served a 12 month enlistment with the Royal Naval Air Service, he was discharged on 24 November 1915. On 4 April 1917 at Farnborough, Tyrrell joined the Royal Flying Corps. Posted to 32 Squadron, he became an ace flying the D.H.5. In 1918, he scored twelve more victories flying the S.E.5a. The highest scoring ace in his squadron, Tyrrell was killed in action by enemy machine gun fire from the trenches. He was 19 years old.

    Marziale Cerutti Italy u/c
    John Lloyd Williams Wales #3

    Home Fronts

    Germany: Bavarian Prime Minister Count Hertling (aged 73) succeeds Michaelis (resigned October 28) as Chancellor.
    Britain: Balfour speech on the Balkans.

    and finally - Captains Tunstill's Men: A number of men joined the Battalion from 34th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples, having been posted out to France on 26th October. These were men who had previously served abroad before either being wounded or taken ill. Some of these men have been identified. Pte. James Cowie was 27 years old and from Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He had been a member of the Territorial Army before the war and had been called up in February 1915 and had served in France with 1st/5th DWR between July and September 1916, when he had been wounded and evacuated to England. He had returned to France in February 1917 and had served two months with 2DWR before being wounded a second time, returning to England in April. Pte. John Henderson was a 35 year-old warehouseman from Hebden Bridge; he was married with one son. He had served in France with 9DWR and latterly with 47th Broad Gauge Railway operating Company between October 1916 and April 1917, before being invalided back to England, suffering from an “ischia rectal abcess”. Pte. George Lownsborough was a 36 year-old labourer from Hull; he was married with two children. He had served in France with 2DWR from October 1916 until being wounded in April 1917. Pte. Herbert Stanley Smith was a 33 year-old butcher from Linthwaite, near Huddersfield. He had served in France with 9DWR from January to April 1917 before being evacuated home suffering from ICT (inflammation of the connective tissue) in his right leg. Following treatment in England he had been posted to 3DWR in September.
    Last edited by Hedeby; 11-20-2017 at 04:20.

  24. #2824

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    October 31st 1917


    The Sniper's Times will not be jumping on the Halloween bandwagon and producing a 'spooky' special - as I cannot think of anything more terrifying than facing down a gas attack in some waterlogged trench whilst waiting to run into a wall of machine gun fire.

    Gotha Raid

    This attack on the area around Dover took place at 4.30am but it is unclear who carried it out; it appears it was not Kagohl 3.

    British reports state that one or two aircraft approached the Kent coast, coming inland at St. Margaret-at-Cliffe, north-east of Dover. The Dover AA guns opened fire from Langdon, Frith Farm, Citadel and River Bottom. This appears to have encouraged the raiders to drop their bombs, with seven falling in a line from north-east to south-west on the landing ground at the RFC’s Dover airfield on Swingate Down. The bombs fell about 250 yards from sheds on the airfield but caused only £1 worth of damage to telephone wires. Three more bombs were dropped in a field, in a line 100 yards south-west of Broadlees Farm, which the RFC used as a Sergeant’s Mess. The bombs broke windows worth ten shillings. The raiders headed out to sea, dropping four bombs in the Admiralty Harbour, between Castle Jetty and the South Breakwater, with two more falling in the sea beyond the South Breakwater. The attack was so sudden there was no time to get any defence aircraft airborne before the raiders had disappeared into the night sky.

    There was a raid by Kagohl 3 involving 22 Gothas and for once none turned back early. Kleine, commanding the squadron, took the decision to carry an increased number of a new type of incendiary bomb. Of the 274 bombs recorded by the British authorities 93 were HE and 181 were incendiaries. The majority of bombs (56 x HE and 127 x incendiary) were dropped over Kent.

    The attack started over the Kent coast at 10.37pm. At Dover most bombs fell along the seafront with damage recorded at the RNAS seaplane station where an incendiary set fire to a workshop. An HE that exploded near Prince of Wales Pier killed a trawler man and injured a colleague while an incendiary set fire to the side of a the cross-channel ferry. Bombs also fell just outside Dover, at Guston, causing insignificant damage. At 11.30 an incendiary dropped at South Preston, followed 25 minutes later by an HE at Fawkham where there was an AA gun and searchlight. Later another four HE and 11 incendiaries fell close to the gun. An incendiary and an HE fell at Dartford, followed by single HE bombs at Southfleet and Cuxton, and at Darenth four incendiaries and three HE bombs landed but none of these caused any damage. Seven HE and three incendiaries fell at Herne Bay on the north Kent coast, damaging walls, ceilings and windows in 62 houses. At neighbouring Edington bombs injured a woman and smashed glass at 11 properties. An incendiary also fell harmlessly on Whitstable. Six incendiaries landed in fields between Westgate and Garlinge without effect, followed by two incendiaries at East Northdown and an HE and four incendiaries at St. Peter’s, Kingsgate. Between 11.40pm and 11.50pm, 16 incendiary bombs fell to the south of Canterbury all without damage; six around Littlebourne, three at Bekesbourne, three at Patrixbourne and one each at Bridge, Adisham, Thannington and Nackington. An incendiary also fell at Wormshill near Frinsted, followed by five 12kg HE bombs at Boughton Malherbe, three at Egerton, eight at Charing and two at Charing Heath. No damage resulted. At about 12.40am a single incendiary fell at Ridley. Twenty minutes earlier an HE bomb landed on a bakery in Gillingham causing considerable damage before nine incendiaries dropped over Longfield at 1.00am followed by six at Ash and a single 50kg HE bomb at Linton which failed to explode. Other than at Gillingham, none of these bombs caused any damage, as was the case at Walmer where a single incendiary landed on a road at 12.30am. Between 1.15am and 1.30am, returning Gothas passed over Kent dropping single HE bombs at Dartford and Swanscombe, six incendiaries and an HE at Northfleet, four incendiaries and an HE at Gravesend, two 12kg HE at Denton and a 12kg HE and an incendiary at Gillingham.

    Only at Gravesend did the bombs have any effect where they caused slight damage to three houses and a school. Another returning Gotha offloaded five HE bombs over Ramsgate as it headed out to sea. Two stuck the gas works, one damaging the purifier and fragments of this bomb pieced one of the gasometers, whereupon the escaping gas caught on fire. In the town 200 houses suffered minor damage with five shop fronts seriously damaged.

    In Essex two incendiaries fell at Tilbury at 12.25am, landing harmlessly on West Tilbury marshes. About 15 minutes later four incendiaries fell without causing any damage at Stifford, South Stifford, West Thurrock and Rainham.

    It appears that the first Gothas attempting to reach London got as far as Erith on the south bank of the Thames, north-west of Dartford. Ahead of them the Woolwich guns opened fire at 11.49pm and this appears to have caused them to commence dropping their bombs. Six 50kg HE and seven incendiary struck Erith. In Alexandra Road a bomb killed a man and a woman, demolished a house, and damaged 24 others. Another bomb, on East Terrace, Crayford Road, injured three, demolished a house and damaged nine. Just a minute later 22 incendiary bombs rained down on Slades Green but failed to cause any damage. At 12.40am the first Gothas reached London and released two incendiary bombs over the Isle of Dogs, in Manchester Road and West Ferry Road, causing minor damage. The raider crossed the Thames and two minutes later dropped three 50kg HE and five incendiary bombs over Greenwich, with one incendiary landing close to the Royal Observatory, but otherwise the only damage was to the roof of a soap works in Tunnel Avenue. An incendiary also landed at Blackheath but failed to ignite. At 12.45am eight HE bombs fell on the marshes at Belvedere and two HE and five incendiaries landed at Charlton where the incendiaries set fire to a barge on the river as well as a storehouse at a paint works on Riverside causing damage estimated at £2,325. At 1.00am two incendiaries fell at Silvertown damaging a school roof. About 30 minutes later a string of 12 HE bombs fell from Upper Tooting to Streatham. In Upper Tooting two men died and two people were injured at 31 Crockerton Road and another man was killed in Brenda Road; nineteen houses were damaged. In Tooting a bomb killed three and injured three at 39 Romberg Road, causing significant damage in the area, while two other bombs in Tooting merely smashed windows. The six bombs that fell in Streatham claimed no casualties and only caused minor damage to a few houses and to the Tate Library on Streatham High Road. At 1.45am two HE bombs dropped on Plaistow damaging 45 houses and injuring a woman in Woodside Road. The last bombs to strike London did so around 1.45am. Two HE and two incendiary bombs fell on the Isle of Dogs, one damaged sheds at West India Dock and one that fell on Maria Street, close to Millwall Docks, damaged 100 houses but there were no injuries. Another bomb fell in the water across the Thames in the Surrey Docks. An HE bomb that landed in Deptford Park damaged a building used as a searchlight station and also caused minor damage in Grinstead Road, and an incendiary bomb that fell at Pier Wharf failed to ignite but damaged a timber stack.

    The Home Defence organisation had a busy night. The first AA gun opened fire at 11.16pm with the last shots fired at 2.07am, during which time they fired 4,101 rounds. Some of the five aircraft sent up by the RNAS and 45 by the RFC caught fleeting glimpses of the raiders but had no luck in combat. All the Gotha returned to Belgium but five crashed on landing and the impact of the new incendiaries had been poor.

    Middle East Operations

    The Battle of Beersheba


    The Battle of Beersheba (Turkish: Birüssebi Muharebesi, German: Schlacht von Birüssebi), was fought on 31 October 1917, when the Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF) attacked and captured the Yildirim Army Group garrison at Beersheba, beginning the Southern Palestine Offensive of the Sinai and Palestine campaign of World War I. After successful limited attacks in the morning, by infantry from the 60th (London) and the 74th (Yeomanry) Divisions of the XX Corps from the south-west, the Anzac Mounted Division (Desert Mounted Corps) launched a series of attacks. These attacks, against the strong defences which dominated the eastern side of Beersheba, eventually resulted in their capture during the late afternoon. Shortly afterwards, the Australian Mounted Division's 4th and 12th Light Horse Regiments (4th Light Horse Brigade) conducted a mounted infantry charge with bayonets in their hands, their only weapon for mounted attack, as their rifles were slung across their backs. While part of the two regiments dismounted to attack entrenchments on Tel es Saba defending Beersheba, the remainder of the light horsemen continued their charge into the town, capturing the place and part of the garrison as it was withdrawing.

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    After the EEF defeats at the first and second battles of Gaza in March and April 1917, the victorious German General Friedrich Freiherr Kress von Kressenstein (commander of the three divisions of the Fourth Army) further strengthened his defensive line stretching from Gaza to Beersheba, and received reinforcements of two divisions. Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Philip Chetwode (commanding the EEF's Eastern Force) began the Stalemate in Southern Palestine, defending more-or-less the same entrenched lines held at the end of the second battle, initiated regular mounted reconnaissance into the open eastern flank of the Gaza to Beersheba line, towards Beersheba. In June the Ottoman Fourth Army was reorganised when the new Yildirim Army Group was established, commanded by German General Erich von Falkenhayn. At about the same time, the British General Edmund Allenby replaced General Archibald Murray as commander of the EEF. Allenby reorganised the EEF to give him direct command of three corps, in the process deactivating Chetwode's Eastern Force and placing him in command of one of the two infantry corps. At the same time Chauvel's Desert Column was renamed the Desert Mounted Corps. As the stalemate continued through the summer in difficult conditions on the northern edge of the Negev Desert, EEF reinforcements began to strengthen the divisions (which had suffered more than 10,000 casualties during the two battles for Gaza). While the primary functions of the EEF and the Ottoman Army during this time were to man the front lines and patrol the open eastern flank, both sides conducted training of all units. By mid-October, while the battle of Passchendaele continued on the Western Front, the XXI Corps maintained the defences in the Gaza sector of the line. Further, Allenby's preparations for the manoeuvre warfare attacks on the Ottoman defensive line, beginning with Beersheba, and the subsequent advance to Jerusalem, were nearing completion with the arrival of the last reinforcements.

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    Beersheba was defended by lines of trenches, supported by isolated redoubts on earthworks and hills, which covered all approaches to the town. The Ottoman garrison was eventually encircled by the two infantry and two mounted divisions, as they (and their supporting artillery) launched their attacks. The 60th (London) Division's preliminary attack and capture of the redoubt on Hill 1070, led to the bombardment of the main Ottoman trench line. Then a joint attack by the 60th (London) and 74th (Yeomanry) Divisions captured all their objectives. Meanwhile, to the north-east of Beersheba the Anzac Mounted Division cut the road from Beersheba to Hebron (which continued to Jerusalem). Continuous fighting against the main redoubt and defences on Tel el Saba (dominating the eastern approaches to the town), resulted eventually in its capture in the afternoon. During this fighting the 3rd Light Horse Brigade had been sent to reinforce the Anzac Mounted Division, while the 5th Mounted Brigade (armed with swords) remained in corps reserve. With all brigades of both mounted divisions already committed to the battle, the only brigade available (the 4th Light Horse Brigade), was ordered to capture Beersheba. These sword-less mounted infantrymen galloped over the plain, riding towards the town and a redoubt supported by entrenchments, on a mound of Tel es Saba south-east of Beersheba. While the 4th Light Horse Regiment on the right, jumped trenches before turning to make a dismounted attack on the Ottoman infantry (in the trenches, gun pits and redoubts on rising ground), most of the 12th Light Horse Regiment on the left rode on across the face of the main redoubt, to find a gap in the Ottoman defences. These squadrons rode on across the railway line and into Beersheba, to complete the first step of an offensive which would see the EEF capture Jerusalem, six weeks later.

    The coordinated EEF bombardment began a "multiple–dimensional phased attack" at 05:55, including successful wire-cutting on two divisional fronts. The artillery was to subsequently shift its fire to target the Ottoman fortifications, trench lines and rear areas. During these bombardments, the newly organised Heavy Artillery Groups were to conduct counter–battery work targeting Ottoman guns. During this bombardment, shells from Ottoman counter-battery artillery fire fell on some of the assembled infantry; the 231st Brigade, 74th (Yeomanry) Division, and the 179th Brigade, 60th (London) Division, suffered severely:

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    High explosive is bursting between us and the guns. Shrapnel comes over. Burst above us and rains down on us. Steady stream of wounds. Young Morrison, elbow. Brown, arm. Low, head, and so on and so on. We ought to move back to our old position. Stupid to be in front of these guns which are banging away all the time, kicking up hells delight, and drawing fire which we are a catching.
    — Calcutt, Queen's Westminster Rifles, 179th Brigade, 60th (London) Division

    The EEF bombardment was suspended to allow dust to settle and artillery observers to check their targets; the wire appeared to be still intact,The bombardment resumed at 07:45. At 08:20 a final, intense ten-minute bombardment targeted the Ottoman trenches 30 yards (27 m) in front of the infantry, to cover the work of wire-cutting units. They cut gaps in the barbed wire entanglements so the battalions of the 181st Brigade, 60th (London) Division could launch their attack on Hill 1070 (also known as Hill 1069). Then the 2/22nd Battalion, London Regiment advanced to attack the redoubt on the hill, while the 2/24th Battalion, London Regiment attacked some defences just to the north. The 181st Brigade quickly captured both objectives, taking 90 prisoners while suffering about 100 casualties.

    Our guns give a bang followed by another and we are smothered with flying bits. A PREMATURE BURST from our guns 200 yards (180 m) away. Cries of that's got us. Several casualties. One fellow (Rogers) jaw all blown to fragments. Blood spurting from nose. Gives one or two heaves. Is bound up but expires and is carried away. High explosive busting lower down near the guns does not get them and they continue to bark in our ears. We [are] getting not only the report but the hungry rasp of the flame. Ground and stones and tunics spattered with blood but we still stay in front of the guns! I take cover behind my spare water bottle and gas helmet so far as head is concerned ... We wonder how things are going. We have heard the bombardment and the machine guns, and the Stokes gun barrage of ten minutes which was to precede the assault by the 15th and 14th [Regiments, 179th Brigade] so presumably the dominating hill on our left, Hill 1070, has come off all right.

    — Calcutt Queen's Westminster Rifles 179th Brigade 60th (London) Division

    During this attack, the leading brigades of the 74th (Yeomanry) Division advanced to conform to the 181st Brigade's advance. As a consequence of the 231st Brigade suffered accurate shrapnel fire, it moved slightly to the right forcing the 230th Brigade (on the left), to fill the gap with two supporting companies of the 10th Buffs. As the 74th (Yeomanry) Division's advance approached the Ottoman trenches, heavy machine-gun fire slowed their progress. By 10:40, the 231st Brigade was within 500 yards (460 m) of the front line; the 230th Brigade was about 400 yards (370 m) behind. These advances (and the capture of Hill 1070) made it possible for the EEF's heavy guns to move forward, to target barbed wire protecting the main Ottoman defensive line and Ottoman observation posts.

    There is much to report on this battle but I want to focus on one aspect...

    The Cavalry Charge of the 4th Light Horse

    On the morning of 31 October, Chetwode's three British divisions attacked the Turkish positions around Beersheba from the west and south supported by a sustained artillery bombardment of over 100 guns. By 1 pm they had driven the Turks from their defences to the west and south west of Beersheba, but the wells of the town were still in Turkish hands. The 4th Light Horse Brigade waited, scattered over a wide area as a precaution against bombing, to the south-east of the town. Private Hunter: “The Turks immediately started shelling us with heavies. Good cover and tact on our part prevented casualties”. Their horses were unsaddled, watered and fed. William Grant was the Brigade’s new commander following Brigadier General Meredith, who had been invalided home to Australia. The wells of Beersheba were vital for the welfare of the Desert Mounted Corps’ horses, many of whom had been without water for several days. Enemy resistance at Tel El Saba, three kilometres to the east of the town, had been stronger than expected and it took a stiff day of fighting for Chaytor’s force to capture this strong redoubt protecting Beersheba's eastern flank. The fall of Tel El Saba at 3:15 pm meant that the 1st and 3rd Light Horse Brigades were free to attack Beersheba from the East. At 3:30 pm there was only a few hours of day light remaining and orders were issued for the final phase of the struggle, the occupation of Beersheba. Chauvel decided to put Grant’s 4th Light Horse Brigade straight at the remaining trenches, from the south-east. Chauvel knew that he must take the town before dark in order to secure the wells for Allenby's large force. Private Keddie recorded: “We began to talk among ourselves saying Beersheba will be taken and us not doing anything when about 5 o’clock our major came and said that Beersheba had not been captured but we were going in.” Chauvel: “owing to the constant attacks from aeroplanes, which had devoted a good deal of attention to my own headquarters, it took some time to assemble them and push them off”. General Grant gave the order personally to the 12th Light Horse Regiment: “men you’re fighting for water. There’s no water between this side of Beersheba and Esani. Use your bayonets as swords. I wish you the best of luck”. The Light Horse were equipped with rifles and held their bayonets as swords, which would have been more suited to a cavalry style charge. Fortuitously their bayonet tips had been sharpened on the orders of Major General Hodgson, on 26 October.

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    Grant made the decision to order his light horsemen to charge cavalry-style, when they would normally have ridden close to an objective then dismounted to fight. Trooper Edward Dengate: “we got mounted, cantered about a quarter of a mile up a bit of a rise lined up along the brow of a hill paused a moment, and then went at'em, the ground was none too smooth, which caused our line to get twisted a bit . . . Captain Davies let out a yell at the top of his voice . . . that started them all we spurred our horses . . . the bullets got thicker…three or four horses came down, others with no riders on kept going, the saddles splashed with blood, here and there a man running toward a dead horse for cover, the Turk’s trenches were about fifty yards on my right, I could see the Turk’s heads over the edge of the trenches squinting along their rifles, a lot of the fellows dismounted at that point thinking we were to take the trenches, but most of us kept straight on, where I was there was a clear track with trenches on the right and a redoubt on the left, some of the chaps jumped clear over the trenches in places, some fell into them, although about 150 men got through and raced for the town, they went up the street yelling like madmen.” Captain Robey was at their head.

    Captain Jack Davies followed Robey’s men towards the town and shouted when three miles away: “Come on boys Beersheba first stop”. Major Fetherstonhaugh’s horse fell shot and was himself shot through the leg. The major put his horse out of its misery then got down behind his dead horse and fired his revolver until he ran out of ammunition. Fetherstonhaugh wrote to Davies congratulating him. In the letter he also mentioned his own injury: “I got a bullet through both thighs, it made a clean hole through the left but opened out a bit and made a large gash through the back of the right which will take a little while to fix up”.

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    While the 4th Light Horse Regiment dismounted at the trenches and tackled their objective on foot many in the 12th Light Horse Regiment were able to get straight through and take the town, Keddie: “we were all at the gallop yelling like mad some had bayonets in their hand others their rifle then it was a full stretch gallop at the trenches . . . the last 200 yards or so was good going and those horses put on pace and next were jumping the trenches with the Turks underneath . . . when over the trenches we went straight for the town.”

    Sergeant Charles Doherty wrote that the horsemen who cleared all the trenches came up to an open plane which “was succeeded by small wadies and perpendicular gullies, surrounding which scores of sniper’s nests or dugouts each were holding seven or eight men. After progressing another quarter of a mile, we turned to the right at an angle of 45 degrees to converge on Beersheba. The enemy’s fire now came from the direction of the town and a large railway viaduct to the north. The limited number of entrances to the city temporarily checked us but those in front went straight up and through the narrow streets. Falling beams from fired buildings, exploding magazines and arsenals and various hidden snipers were unable to check our race through the two available streets that were wide enough for 2 to ride abreast.” Private Keddie had a near miss: “I felt a bullet go past my ear and thought if that bullet had been a few more inches to one side” as did Trooper Dengate: “I suppose you heard about the capture of Beersheba by the 4th Brigade, well I was right in it, and came through safe, and with my skin intact, I got a bullet through the leg of my breeches, just above the knee, grazed my leg but didn’t make it bleed.”

    The success of the charge was in the shock value and sheer speed in which they took the town before it could be destroyed by a retreating Turkish force. Harry Langtip described Beersheba: “The town is small but has some very nice buildings with tiled roofs. The water scheme is grand. We got into the army stores and helped ourselves to grain for the horses & got bivy sheets and peg posts. We got all the Turkish stores, there was everything from a telephone to a pack saddle. We got lots of horses and bullocks. There was rifles and gear lying everywhere. The Turks left bombs and if you kicked one up it went. One Tommie got both his eyes blown out by a bottle. He just kicked it out of the way and it must have been full of explosives.”

    31 light horsemen were killed in the charge and 36 were wounded. Some originals from the Brigade who had enlisted in 1914 such as Edward Cleaver and Albert “Tibbie” Cotter, the famous Australian cricketer, were killed. The next morning Private Keddie rode over the ground to see if any of the horses could be found roaming but he recorded only seeing dead carcases. Keddie: “We were sent looking for the horses whose riders were killed so we made for the other side of the town where several other light horse regiments were . . . met some friends in the first light horse and yarned for a while they asked me what it was like in the charge gave them a full account”. At least 70 horses died. The Turkish defenders suffered many casualties and between 700 and 1,000 troops were captured.

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    Trooper Albert Cotter (Australian Light Horse) who is killed at age 33. He is an Australian cricketer who played in 21 Tests between 1904 and 1912 along with 113 first class matches. While regarded as the fastest of his era in Australia (his pace saw him nicknamed “Terror’ Cotter” by English fans) he did not always have the control to back it up. He took eight or more wickets in a match four times from his 21 Tests and his strike rate of 52 ranks up with the best. Cotter joined the AIF in April 1915. The enlistment of a former sporting champion was seen as powerful publicity for the AIF recruiting campaign. Despite having no great riding ability, he was accepted into the Australian Light Horse and he took a late part in the Gallipoli campaign. Cotter is at Beersheba as a stretcher-bearer. At the end of the charge, as troops dismount to engage the enemy, a Turk shot Cotter dead at close range while serving as a stretcher bearer.

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    Victoria Cross

    John Collins VC, DCM (10 September 1880 – 3 September 1951)

    Born in West Hatch, Somerset, his family moved to Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, when he was 10 years old.

    He enlisted in the Royal Horse Artillery in 1895 and served in South Africa during the Boer War and was one of the first troops to enter Ladysmith with the relief column. He also saw service in India. Although his war records were destroyed during the London Blitz of 1940, it is likely that he left the Army in 1907, when he worked as a collier at the Bedlinog Colliery. He enlisted in the newly formed Welsh Horse Yeomanry in 1915 and the regiment was sent to Gallipoli (it had been converted to an infantry regiment) and carried out mining and sapping duties in the area around Hill 60. They were evacuated to Egypt as part of the last British troops to leave the peninsula. The Welsh Horse provided part of the garrison in the Libyan desert until January 1917, when they were merged with the 1/1 Montgomeryshire Yeomanry and then formed the 25th Battalion, The Royal Welch Fusiliers, British Army. During the last week of October, the 25 RWF were positioned on the right of the 74 Division, in the centre of the line where, along with 24 RWF they were to be the brigade's two attacking battalions. At this time, Collins was 37 years old, and an acting corporal when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

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    On 31 October 1917, during the Battle of Beersheba at Wadi Saba, Beersheba, Palestine, when, after deployment, prior to an attack, his battalion was forced to lie out in the open under heavy shell and machine-gun fire which caused many casualties. Corporal Collins repeatedly went out under heavy fire and brought back many wounded to cover, thus saving many lives. In subsequent operations throughout the day, he was conspicuous in rallying and leading his command. He led the final assault with the utmost skill in spite of heavy fire at close range and uncut wire. He bayoneted 15 of the enemy and with a Lewis gun section, pressed on beyond the objective and covered the reorganization and consolidation most effectively although isolated and under fire from snipers and guns

    The Western Front

    Beginning at 05:50 the Bedfordshire Regiment is involved in an attack near Westrozebeke, northwest of Ypres but the movement goes bad due to the depth of the mud as deep as up to men’s knees. To make matters worse the Germans are anticipating the attack and once it commences they bring heavy shelling to bear on the advancing British troops. Those who are not caught in the barrage cannot move and are shot by German snipers while stuck in the mud.

    Major General George Randolph Pearkes, VC PC CC CB DSO MC CD OD (February 28, 1888 – May 30, 1984) was a Canadian politician and soldier. He was a recipient of the Victoria Cross.

    In 1915, he enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force 2nd Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifles; transferring in September 1916 to the 5th Battalion Canadian Mounted Rifles. In the photo obtained from Library and Archives Canada (PA-002310) dated December 1917, Major Pearkes, 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles, is shown wearing the Military Cross service ribbon, but has not yet received the ribbon for the Victoria Cross. He is wearing 4 wound stripes on his sleeve.

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    Pearkes was 29 years old, and an acting major during the Battle of Passchendaele when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC):

    For most conspicuous bravery and skilful handling of the troops under his command during the capture and consolidation of considerably more than the objectives allotted to him, in an attack. Just prior to the advance Major Pearkes was wounded in the thigh. Regardless of his wound, he continued to lead his men with the utmost gallantry, despite many obstacles. At a particular stage of the attack his further advance was threatened by a strong point which was an objective of the battalion on his left, but which they had not succeeded in capturing. Quickly appreciating the situation, he captured and held this point, thus enabling his further advance to be successfully pushed forward. It was entirely due to his determination and fearless personality that he was able to maintain his objective with the small number of men at his command against repeated enemy counter-attacks, both his flanks being unprotected for a considerable depth meanwhile.
    His appreciation of the situation throughout and the reports rendered by him were invaluable to his commanding officer in making dispositions of troops to hold the position captured.

    He showed throughout a supreme contempt of danger and wonderful powers of control and leading. During the war, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. Aside from the VC, Pearkes was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and the Military Cross.

    The War in the Air

    There was a major upturn in aerial combat on this day - the following claims were made

    Richard Minifie Australia #17

    Albert Carter Canada #1 #2

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    The son of Leonard and Ettie Carter, Albert Desbrisay Carter was the highest scoring ace to serve with 19 Squadron. On 19 May 1918, he was captured behind enemy lines after his Sopwith Dolphin was shot down by Paul Billik of Jasta 52. Repatriated on 13 December 1918, Carter was killed in a flying accident near Lancing College on 22 May 1919. Flying at an altitude of 7,000 feet, it was thought that a wing broke on the Fokker D.VII he was flying.

    Joseph Fall Canada #29
    Reginald Hoidge Canada #27

    Andrew McKeever Canada #24 #25 #26 (Bristol Fighter) 11 Squadron RFC

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    When the war began, Andrew Edward McKeever joined the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada and quickly proved to be an expert marksman in the trenches of France. Towards the end of 1916, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps and was assigned to 11 Squadron in May 1917. At that time, the squadron was replacing its outdated B.E.2s. Scoring all of his victories with the Bristol Fighter, McKeever was the highest scoring ace to fly this aircraft during World War I. He was also the highest scoring ace to serve with 11 Squadron. His last aerial combat of the war occurred just before noon on 30 November 1917. On that day, he and his observer, L. A. Powell, engaged two enemy two-seaters protected by a flight of seven Albatros D.Vs. During the battle that followed, McKeever and Powell shot down four of the scouts. After the war, McKeever returned to Canada, then took a job in 1919 as the manager of an airfield in the United States. He died in hospital following an operation for injuries sustained in an automobile accident near Stratford, Ontario on 3 September 1919. He was 25 years of age.

    2nd Lt Andrew Edward McKeever, R.F.C., Spec. Res.
    For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty, particularly when on offensive patrol. He attacked eight enemy aircraft single-handed at close range, and by his splendid dash and determination destroyed one and drove five down completely out of control. He had previously shown exceptional fearlessness in attacking the enemy when in superior numbers, and in the space of three weeks he destroyed eight hostile machines, setting a very fine example to his squadron.

    Brian Edmund Baker England #8
    Oliver Campbell Bryson England #4
    John Firth England #6
    Kenneth Leask England #3
    Keith Muspratt England #8
    Eric Olivier England #2
    Sidney Platel England #4 #5

    Leslie Powell England #13 #14 #15 (Observer to Edward McKeever 11 Squadron RFC - see above)

    Insert image of Bristol Fighter just as soon as I can (Editor)

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    Aaah that's better

    The son of Archibald George and Rosie Powell, Leslie Archibald Powell was employed by the Western Daily Press in Bristol before he enlisted in the Gloucestershire Regiment. Having fought at Gallipoli, Cadet Powell was promoted to temporary 2nd Lieutenant (on probation) on 5 August 1916. On 30 November 1917, he and his pilot, Andrew McKeever, engaged two enemy two-seaters protected by a flight of seven Albatros D.Vs. During the battle that followed, Powell and McKeever shot down four of the scouts.

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    Leslie Powell

    Thomas Stephenson England #4 #5

    Hermann Becker Germany #3
    Hans Bethge Germany #18
    Erwin Böhme Germany #21
    Julius Buckler Germany #23 #24
    Harry von Bülow-Bothkamp Germany #2
    Xavier Dannhuber Germany #18 #19 #20 (Interestingly some sources show no record of a 'hattrick' of kills for Danhuber on this date)
    Hans Hoyer Germany #7
    Viktor Schobinger Germany #8
    Kurt Wüsthoff Germany #23

    Robert Birkbeck Scotland #9
    John Steel Ralston Scotland #2
    Peter Carpenter Wales #3
    Richard Maybery Wales #17 #18

    Not a good day for the RFC and RNAS with 21 airmen lost on this day

    21 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 31ST 1917

    Lt. Boor, A.P. (Alaric Pinder) 113 Squadron RFC
    Air Mech 2 Bradbury, G.C. (George Chapman) 6 Squadron RFC
    Pte. Cannon, T. (Thomas) RFC
    Lt. Crowther, W. (William) 10 Squadron RFC
    2nd Lt. Davidson, W. (William) 10 Squadron RFC
    Air Mech 1 Davies, M. (Myer) 6 Squadron RFC
    Lt. Dodd, W.C. (Walter de Courcey) 11 Squadron RFC
    2nd Lt. Gallinger, G.H. (George Harry) 18 Squadron RFC
    Lt. Gray, G.R. (George Robert) 84 Squadron RFC
    Air Mech 2 Gurnsey, W.E. (Wilfrid Edwin) 6 Squadron RFC
    Lt. McJannet, A.W. (Arthur William) 18 Squadron RFC
    2nd Lt. Morse, G.E. (Gerald Ernest) 2 Squadron RFC
    Lt. Muller, J.H. (John Herman) 113 Squadron
    Lt. New, H.B. (Hedley Bruce) RFC
    Lt. Parker, W.L.O. (William Lefevre Oxley) 13 Squadron RFC
    Air Mech 1 Postons, H.L. (Harold Leigh) 13 Squadron RFC
    Capt. Poundall, W.A.L. (William Arthur Lloyd) 53 Squadron RFC
    2nd Lt. Powell, E.W. (Edward Watson) 84 Squadron RFC
    2nd. Lt. Randall, S.W. (Sidney Walter) 11 Squadron RFC
    Pte. Stimpson, E.D. (Eenest Daniel) 6 Squadron RFC

    Southern Fronts
    Isonzo: By 0100 hours Italians behind river Tagliamento across 8 bridges. British GIGS Robertson arrives at Cadorna’s Treviso headquarter, agrees with Foch that Italians can hold river lines. Archduke Eugene claims 180,000 PoWs and 1,500 guns.

    Western Front
    Flanders: Total of 700 Mark IV tanks delivered to BEF by end October. BEF October monthly loss of 119,808 soldiers second worst of 1917. Haig inspects 23rd Division, about to leave for Italy.

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    Sea War
    Baltic: Russian admirals declare ‘the fate of Finland and the approaches ot the capital depend primarily on the will of the enemy’; C-in-C Razvozov told on October 30, his post will be elective soon.
    Atlantic, North Sea and Mediterranean: During October Allied and neutral shipping losses to U*-boats, 159 ships (68 British with 293 lives) worth 448,923t. German figure 466,542t including 144,603t in Mediterranean. 99 homeward convoys have sailed since May. 1,502 steamers (10 lost in convoy); 6 U*-boats lost – all to mines.
    North Sea and Channel: 10,400 Royal Navy mines laid in Heligoland Bight and Dover Straits until 31 December.
    Last edited by Hedeby; 11-20-2017 at 09:47.

  25. #2825

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    Thursday 1st November 1917
    Today we lost: 963
    Today’s losses include:

    · A Victoria Cross winner · The son-in-law of a Justice of the Peace
    · The golfer who won the Minor Counties Championship in 1913
    · Multiple families that will lose two and three sons in the Great War
    · A man whose father will be killed in two weeks
    · A First Class cricketer for Yorkshire County

    Today’s highlighted casualties include:

    · Second Lieutenant Richard Alfred Waller (Royal Fusiliers) is killed in action at age 33. He is the son of Canon R A Waller.
    · Private James Robert Calder (Manitoba Regiment) dies of wounds received in action at age 33. He is one of three brothers who will die in the Great War.
    · Private Joseph Ambrose (Hertfordshire Regiment) dies of wounds received in action at Passchendaele at age 27. His brother was killed last July.
    · Signaller Robert Moore (Manitoba Regiment) dies of wounds at age 22. His father will be killed in two weeks.
    · Gunner Fairfax Gill (Royal Field Artillery) is killed at age 34. He is a first class cricketer who played two matches for Yorkshire County in 1906.
    · Private Herbert Samuel Brackell (London Regiment) is killed at Beersheba. He is the middle of three brothers who lose their lives in the Great War.

    Air Operations:

    General Headquarters.

    “On the 1st inst. very little flying was possible owing to the low clouds and rain. One of our pilots flew through the clouds, which were at a height of 200 ft., to Gontrode aerodrome and dropped two heavy bombs. The drizzle and heavy anti-aircraft fire prevented observation of the results."

    Artillery Co-operation — Eight hostile batteries were engaged for destruction and one neutralised and 18 other targets dealt with. Thirty targets were sent down by zone call.

    During the day, exceptionally good work was done by balloons, especially by those of the 2nd Brigade. In all, 11 hostile batteries were engaged for destruction, six neutralised and 33 registrations carried out by this Brigade.

    Bombing — 1st Brigade — On the night 31st October/1st November, machines of No 10 Squadron dropped 67 25-lb bombs on Château de la Vallée.

    9th Wing — Machines of No 101 Squadron dropped six 112-lb bombs on Roulers Station, two 112-lb bombs on Thourout Station, two 112-lb bombs on Beythem Station and two 112-lb bombs on Staden; 1,550 rounds were also fired at trains, lights on roads and active anti-aircraft batteries during this work.

    Machines of No 102 Squadron dropped one 112-lb bomb on Gontrode Aerodrome, one 230-lb bomb on Heule Aerodrome, seven 112-lb and 10 25-lb bombs on Courtrai Stations, two 112-lb and one 25-lb bombs on Marcke Aerodrome, while eight 112-lb and six 25-lb bombs were dropped on trains, with the result that one was hit and derailed near Ghent and another hit and wrecked at Iseghem.

    At 2 p.m. on the 1st, when clouds were at a height of about 200 feet, four Martinsydes of No 27 Squadron left the ground to bomb Gontrode aerodrome. Sgt S Clinch, who was one of the pilots, climbed through the clouds and flew for 40 minutes and on diving down through the clouds, found himself over Ghent. He followed the canal at a low height and dropped his bombs on the aerodrome, but was unable to see the results owing to drizzle and strong anti-aircraft fire. He landed again at 4.25 pm. The three other pilots became completely lost and returned with their bombs after a flight of two hours.

    41st Wing — On the 1st instant, 12 machines of No 55 Squadron set out two formations of six machines each to bomb works at Kaiserslautern, a distance of 100 miles from their aerodrome. One formation reached the objective and dropped three 230-lb and six 1121b bombs from 15,000 feet. Results were not observed as the sky was very cloudy with only a few gaps. The other formation encountered seven EA, so dropped their bombs behind the German lines to enable them to fight. One EA was shot to bits and fell in pieces. All our machines returned.

    Enemy Aircraft

    Enemy aircraft activity was slight, but several combats took place at low altitudes.

    Capt W J Rutherford and Lt F O Soden, 60 Sqn, two-seater out of control Moorslede at 13:45/ 14:45.
    Capt W J Rutherford, Lt F O Soden and 2nd Lt G C Young, 60 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Houthulst at 14:30/ 15:30 .

    Two enemy machines were driven down out of control, one by Lt Young, of No 60 Squadron and the other by Lt Rutherford, of the same squadron, while on offensive patrol. In the latter case, Lt Soden, also of No 60 Squadron, contributed in bringing down the enemy machine

    Casualties

    2nd Lt J E Yates (Kia), 70 Sqn, Camel B2305 - crashed La Lovie after combat on offensive patrol.

    2nd Lt R S Larkin (Ok) & 2nd Lt S Ellis (Ok), 101 Sqn, FE2b A5579 - shot through on bomb raid.
    The Air Force (Constitution) Bill, 1917, is submitted to Parliament.
    Following the disastrous defeat suffered by the Italian Army at Caporetto in October 1917, two British Divisions are despatched to Italy to assist the Italians. This force is supported by VII Brigade of the Royal Flying Corps, (14th and 51st Wings), consisting of No.34 and No.42 Squadrons (Royal Aircraft Factory RE8s) and Nos. 28, 45 and 66 Squadrons (Sopwith Camels).

    Royal Flying Corps Losses today: 3

    A Mech 2 Glede, A.R. (Alfred Richard), No.1 Stores Depot, Kidbrooke, RFC.
    2Lt Higginson, J.T.G. (John Thomas Gordon), 37 Training Squadron, RFC.
    2Lt Yates, J.E. (John Edwin), 70 Squadron, RFC.

    Claims: 13 confirmed (Entente 7: Central Powers 5)

    Brenard Artigau (France) #2.
    Gabriel Guerin (France) #7.
    William Rutherford #5 & #6.
    Frank Soden #7 & #8.
    Graham Young #5.

    Otto von Breiten-Landenberg #3.
    Fritz Putter #4 & #5.
    Georg Schlenker #9.
    Kurt Student #8.
    Rudolf Windisch #4.

    Home Fronts:


    Britain: Voluntary rationing scheme introduced.

    Food prices continued to rise. Food queues got longer.

    To the Editor: Dear Sir,- The Mayor will be much obliged by your inserting in your correspondence column the accompanying letter which he has received from Trinidad. Yours truly, J. Livingstone Wood…”Dear Sir, - I shall be very glad if you would accept the small amount herewith enclosed (30s.) towards your most excellent scheme for providing cottage homes for disabled Worcester soldiers. The amount was given at War Intercession Services in the Church of St. James the Just. With best wishes for the fulfilment of the scheme. I am, sincerely yours, E.F. Tree, The Vicarage, Sangre Grande, Trinidad, B.W.I.”

    The funeral of Prince Christian, the last surviving son-in-law of Queen Victoria, took place today with ceremonial befitting his rank. The body was laid to rest in the Royal Vaults of Windsor Castle. The coffin, which had been brought to Windsor overnight and left at Frogmore House, was placed on a gun carriage and a procession was formed, consisting of Life Guards, Coldstream Guards, Household Battalion and Canadian Forestry Corps. Within the Castle precincts, other Guards’ units were drawn up and a Guard of Honour was posted in the Horseshoe Cloister. Princess Victoria and Princess Marie Louise walked on either side of the King, immediately behind the coffin.

    An Only Son: Driver Frederick Arthur Tombs, of the A.S.C., has been killed in action. He was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Tombs, of Henwick Road, Worcester and was aged 26. He had been in the Army about three years. Previously he helped his father, a coal merchant and haulier.

    Mr.C.A. Cook (Treasurer of Lady Huntingdon’s Free Church) has forwarded to the Secretary of the Prisoners of War Fund the sum of £14 10s. 6d., being 10 per cent of the proceeds of the recent sale of work.

    A Former R.E: Mrs. Rose E. Glover, 16, Lavender Road, Barbourne, has received official news that her husband, Pte. Harvey Glover, of the Lancashire Fusiliers, died of wounds on Oct. 12. He joined the Royal Engineers in August 1916, and went to the front on Sept. 25th, 1917, when he transferred to the infantry. He leaves also a baby girl of 16 months. He was aged 34.

    Western Front:

    The first United States soldiers are shot or taken prisoner on the Lorraine front on the Marne-Rhine Canal.

    Battle of La Malmaison ends (see October 23rd).

    Passchaendale Part 3:

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    The second stage on 30 October was intended to complete the capture of the positions the Canadian Corps had attacked on 26 October and gain a base for the final assault on Passchendaele. The objective line (Blue Line) was approximately 600 yd (550 m) east of the objective line of the previous stage. The advance was meant to capture the strongly held Crest Farm at the southern end of the advance and in the northern sector, the hamlet of Meetcheele and the Goudberg area near the Corps's northern boundary. The northern flank of the Canadian Corps advance was to link up outside Goudberg at Vapour Farm with the British Fifth Army, which would be advancing with the 58th Division and 190th Brigade, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division along both sides of the swamped Lekkerboterbeek. The southern advance was to link up with the I Anzac Corps along the Ypres–Roulers railway line south of Vienna Cottage. The southern flank of the main assault would once again be the responsibility of the 4th Canadian Division, which planned to attack with the 12th Canadian Infantry Brigade. The northern flank remained the responsibility of the 3rd Canadian Division, which would advance with the 7th and 8th Canadian Infantry Brigades.

    The night before the attack, a battalion assault by the Canadians captured a particularly troublesome German pillbox on the northern bank of Ravebeek creek, which had held up the 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade during the first stage. The action advanced the southern edge of the 3rd Canadian Division 500 yd (460 m) parallel with the line of the 4th Canadian Division to the south. The main attack began at 5:50 am on 30 October, preceded by a rolling barrage with a preliminary artillery bombardment directed largely at pillboxes. The southern flank quickly captured Crest Farm and had begun sending patrols beyond its objective line and into Passchendaele, which they found the Germans evacuating. By 8:30 am, the 4th Canadian Division commander, Major-General David Watson, reported that all objectives between the Ypres—Roulers railway and the Ravebeek creek had been taken. Northwest of Crest Farm, the ground was so badly flooded that consolidation had to be carried out short of the objective line.

    On the northern flank, the 3rd Canadian Division was again met with exceptional German resistance. The 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade managed to capture Source Farm and later Vapour Farm at the corps boundary, just short of the objective line. However, the brigade had difficulty getting through the swampy ground in the Woodland Plantation, resulting in a division in the line. The 58th Division and 63rd (Royal Naval) Division infantry were caught by German artillery fire at their jumping-off line and made only slight progress in deep mud against German machine-gun fire and were unable to reach their rendezvous objectives, leaving the Canadian troops at Source Farm and Vapour Farm in precarious and largely unsupported positions. Two companies later advanced through the Canadian sector to capture Source Trench but were only able to reinforce the Canadian outpost at Source Farm and form a defensive flank to Vapour Farm. In the centre of the assault was the 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade. Advancing between Ravebeek creek and the roadway to Meetcheele, one section of the brigade captured its intermediate objective, a pillbox known as Duck Lodge, by 7:00 a.m. To the west of the roadway and Meetcheele, the advance captured Furst Farm, albeit with heavy casualties. Later in the afternoon, the brigade succeeded in overcoming a number of pillboxes and captured the crossroads at Meetcheele. However, the Germans continued to hold a strong position at Graf House along the bank of the Ravebeek creek, producing a salient in the Canadian line directly between the two Canadian divisions.
    The advance appeared to have reached its limit by late afternoon and reports of a large number of Germans concentrating north of Mosselmarkt indicated a possible counterattack. As a result, the 3rd Canadian Division (although not having achieved all its objectives) was ordered to consolidate its positions and patrol, rather than occupy the Woodland Plantation swamp between the 7th and 8th Canadian Infantry Brigades. There was some question as to whether the positions at Source Farm and Vapour Farm could be maintained without the support of the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. Currie and Plumer ultimately decided that every effort should be made to hold the line in the hope of not having to retake the positions before the assault on Passchendaele. The night passed without any major counterattacks taking place, permitting the Canadians to consolidate their positions. When the second stage ended on 30 October, the Canadian Corps had suffered 2,321 casualties, consisting of 884 killed, 1,429 wounded and eight taken prisoner. Further north the 63rd Division had 3,126 casualties from 26–31 October.

    To give time for inter-divisional reliefs, there was a seven-day pause between the second and third stages. The British Second Army was ordered to take over a section of the British Fifth Army front adjoining the Canadian Corps, so that the central portion of the assault might proceed under a single command. On 2 November, General Plumer relieved the XVIII Corps of the British Fifth Army with II Corps. The role of II Corps in the next stage would be limited to providing the Canadian Corps with artillery support. Immediately north of the Canadian Corps, the 63rd Division was able to close up to the Paddebeek by attacking at night between 1 November and the night of 4/5 November, a method which took more ground than its attacks in October for a loss of 14 killed and 148 wounded.

    Tunstills Men Thursday 1st November 1917:

    Billets in the Zudausques area.

    A fine day. The Battalion continued its training and range practice.

    The prepartions for the impending move to Italy and the journey itself are known in some considerable detail due to the survival of three independent, though related accounts. Sgt. George Richard Goodchild (see 22nd October), who had been a journalist before enlisting, would write an extensive, often florid, and very detailed contemporary account of the journey, which he seems to have completed soon after arriving in Italy. A second account forms part of a ‘memoir’ of the whole war compiled by Capt. James Christopher Bull (see 29th October), and Pte. Harold Charnock (see 22nd September). The portion relating to the journey must have been the work of Charnock, as Bull was, at that time, still in England, having been wounded on 7th June. The third version was written in 1926 for the Regimental magazine, The Iron Duke, by Capt. William Norman Town (see 31st October). These three will form the basis of the narrative of the journey to Italy.

    Goodchild echoed some of the anticipation of events to come which would also be noted, in rather more formal style, in the official Divisional History (see 31st October). He began his account with a quotation from H. Rider Haggard:

    OUR LONG “TREK”

    By GRG

    “Our life is granted, not to pleasures round

    Or even love’s sweet dream, to lapse content

    Duty and faith are words of solemn sound

    And to their echoes must their soul be bent”


    Italy! Italy needs help!! Not only in England but also amongst the troops in France and elsewhere the cry was heard and, knowing that Britain – unlike some of her so-called Allies and friends – would stand by those with whom she had made compacts under any circumstances and in good or evil fortune, the cry was not made in vain. At once the soldiery fell to asking themselves the question, “shall we be sent,” no doubt a vast number were disappointed at not being selected to make the journey south to Italy’s aid, but all could not go. Some must remain on the Western Front where, despite what anybody may say to the contrary, the ultimate issue of the war will be decided. The Division my Battalion was in was fortunate in being selected to go to Italy and we were all delighted at the prospect of leaving Ypres and district where we had spent over a year after coming from the Somme.

    I had been on leave from 17th to 27th October and did not know the news until my return to the Battalion, which was then in rest at Zudausques. From the time the first definite news was received we were all busily engaged in preparation for this great move. Everything had to be cleared up which could be possibly dealt with before we went away and everybody found plenty to do in their respective spheres of activity – we in the Orderly Room were busy night and day finishing off such work as we could, “dumping” and burning papers and records which would not be required in Italy, besides the ordinary matters of routine which had to be attended to as usual; the Quartermaster’s department were called upon to deal with enormous masses of clothing (renewals and winter issues) and to cut down their stores to establishment; the Transport had to be got into a good state of repair and made fit for the long journey; Officers had to cut down their kits, some of which had, in the course of time, assumed large proportions by the constant addition of articles of use; and even the men were busy collecting articles which they would require in Italy and which might not be obtainable there and seeing that their equipment and clothing were in a good state of repair.

    At times such as this excitement becomes somewhat tense – very much the same as before an elaborately prepared attack – and one wonders whether all the arrangements so carefully planned and laboriously executed will work out in practice as well as they do in theory. This feeling of worry is only dissipated when the plan has been worked out to its conclusion. Thus it was on this occasion and the following will show whether or not the arrangements made were adequate and sufficient for the ‘Long Trek’.

    Pte. Reginald Dayson (see 22nd September), who had deserted on 19th September and had been in custody for the previous six weeks, appeared before a Field General Court Martial. He was charged with desertion and was found guilty and sentenced to two years imprisonment with hard labour.

    Pte. James Edward Hollingworth (see 16th January) was appointed (unpaid) Lance Corporal.

    Pte. Herbert Crowther Kershaw (see 27th September), who had suffered relatively minor shrapnel wounds a week previously, was posted from 6th Convalescent Depot at Etaples to 34th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples, en route to a return to active service.

    Pte. William Henry Gray (see 25th September), who had been in England having been wounded on 20th September, was discharged from Bath War Hospital and posted (after ten days’ leave) to 3DWR at North Shields.

    Pte. Duncan Roberts, brother of 2Lt. Norman Roberts MM (see 27th July), was formally discharged from the Army on account of the wounds he had suffered in March while serving with 1st/6thDWR.

    A payment of £2 14s. 1d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Fred Greenwood (12115) (see 7th June), who had been killed in action on 7th June; the payment would go to his widow, Beatrice.

    Asiatic, African, Egyptian Front:

    Turkish defeat near Gaza; British capture outer defences on a front of 5,000 yards.

    The 1st Australian Light Horse Brigade occupies Ramleh. A night attack on Gaza by 21st Corps takes the outer defenses but is stopped.

    Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Cecil Maygar VC DSO (Australian Light Horse) dies of wounds at Beersheba at age 42. He is wounded and his arm shattered the previous day by an attacking enemy aircraft. His horse bolted into the darkness and is later found by troopers of the Light Horse but Maygar is not with him. He is later found in the night but having lost a great amount of blood dies today. He had been awarded the Victoria Cross during the South African War for actions performed on 23rd November 1901.

    Second Lieutenant William Armine Edwards (Pembroke and Glamorgan Yeomanry dies of wounds at age 25. He was a member of the Glamorgan County club that won the Minor Counties Championship in 1913. He is married to the daughter of R L Sails JP of Mumbles, Glamorgan. Second Lieutenant Edwards was already in the Pembroke and Glamorgan Yeomanry when war broke out, was called up with his Regiment in August 1914, and volunteered for overseas service. He was gazetted as Second Lieutenant and in October 1916, left for Egypt. He is mortally wounded while leading his platoon in the attack on the Beersheba position on and dies a few hours later.

    The Third Battle of Gaza was fought on the night of 1/2 November 1917 between British and Ottoman forces during the Sinai and Palestine Campaign and came after the Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF) victory at the Battle of Beersheba had ended the stalemate in southern Palestine. The Battle of Tel el Khuweilfe, which had been launched by General Edmund Allenby on 1 November, it eventually broke the Gaza to Beersheba line defended by the Yildrim Army Group. Despite having held this line since March 1917, the Ottoman army was forced to evacuate Gaza and Tel el Khuweilfe during the night of 6/7 November. Only Sheria held out for most of the 7 November before it too was captured.

    By mid-October, as the Battle of Passchendaele continued on the Western Front, the last of the British reinforcements arrived as Allenby's preparations to commence a campaign of manoeuvre neared completion.
    Beginning on 27 October, the EEF began a heavy and almost continuous bombardment of Gaza. During this time, the EEF's XXI Corps, holding the Gaza section of the line, had been mostly passive until the night of 1/2 November, when a series determined night-time assaults were mounted against the Gaza defences. Yet these attacks were only partially successful due to the strength of the garrison. The bombardment of Gaza intensified on 6 November and during the night of 6/7 November successful attacks were launched on several trench systems. On the morning of 7 November, Gaza was found to have been evacuated during the night. The Gaza to Beersheba line subsequently collapsed and the Ottoman Seventh and Eigth Armies were forced into retreat. Following several battles during the pursuit, the EEF captured Jerusalem on 9 December 1917.

    Situation at 18:00 29 October 1917 as known at GHQ EEF:
    Gaza was "a strong modern fortress, well entrenched and wired, with good observation and a glacis on its southern and south–eastern face." These defences which were too strong for a daytime attack were extended eastwards by a series of "field works" to four miles (6.4 km) from Beersheba. These fortifications were between 1,500 to 2,000 yards (1,400 to 1,800 m) apart, each mutually supported by fire from artillery, machine guns and rifles.

    As the troops of the EEF began to concentrate in preparation for their attacks, they left their camps standing to deceive German and Ottoman aerial reconnaissances. The EEF assumed their opponents thought there were still six infantry divisions in the Gaza area and one in the eastern sector towards Beersheba. However, according to Falls, “There is evidence that the Yildirim Army Group were fairly accurately informed of the British dispositions." On 28 October, they knew the camps at Khan Yunis and Rafa were empty and accurately placed three infantry divisions east of the Wadi Ghuzzee with a fourth, the 10th (Irish) Division approaching the wadi. They estimated more cavalry at Asluj and Khalasa than was actually there.

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    Positions on the Gaza-Beersheba line after the capture of Beersheba

    October 31 1917, Beersheba–After extensive preparations, the British launched their attack on Beersheba with a barrage at 5:55AM on October 31. British artillery inflicted heavy casualties on the Turks, whose trenches provided little protection. However, the Turkish wire remained uncut, and the remaining Turkish infantry put up a stubborn resistance. By 1PM, the British infantry had taken their objectives, but halted short of the town of Beersheba itself.

    Meanwhile, ANZAC cavalry had swung around north and east and attacked Turkish positions behind Beersheba at 9:10AM. Although they surprised the Turks, who did not know they were being flanked, they were unable to break through into Beersheba. By the late afternoon, the cavalry was running out of time; they did not have enough water to fight the next day, so they would need to take Beersheba and its wells before sunset or call off the cavalry attack entirely. Half an hour before sunset, the 4th Australian Light Horse Brigade charged the Turkish trenches at a full gallop. While they were poorly equipped for a cavalry charges (having only bayonets and not sabers), they still presented difficult targets due to their speed, and were able to take the first trenches at a gallop, before taking the last set of trenches in hand-to-hand combat. This was to be the largest cavalry charge of the First World War, and quite possibly was the largest cavalry charge since Waterloo.

    By 6PM, the cavalry entered Beersheba, followed shortly by the infantry; some of the Turks managed to escape, but over 1500 were captured. The sudden fall of the town meant that the British were able to capture large stores of materiel. However, the Turks were able to destroy the pumping stations at two wells, and the thirsty British men and horses would be short on water for the next few days.

    The loss of Beersheba on 31 October stunned the Yildrim Army Group commander and staff. The Beersheba garrison withdrew either to the Ottoman defences around Tel es Sheria or northwards to Tel el Khuweilfe to defend the Hebron road. Here a considerable force, including all available reserve units, was deployed in the Kuweilfeh area to stop a threatened advance up the Hebron road to Jerusalem about fifty miles (80 km) to the north. According to Powles, " ... the Turkish line had been thrown back on its left, but not broken." The remainder of the Ottoman line stretching westward to the Mediterranean coast continued to be strongly defended, particularly at Hareira, Sharia and Gaza, but the loss of Beersheba had placed EEF mounted units across the Beersheba to Hebron and Jerusalem road, and three Eighth army infantry battalions were sent by the German General Fiedrich Freiherr Kress von Kressenstein to reinforce the Ottoman troops fighting at Khuweilfe to protect the road. They established a new defensive line north of Beersheba, and the 19th Division was sent from the XXII Corps defending Gaza to reinforce the new line at Ebuhof. However, the objective of the EEF advance north of Beersheba was to separate the Ottoman forces supplied by the roads and railways from Ramleh on the maritime plain from those supplied by the motor road from Jerusalem north of Beersheba. Such an advance would also place the EEF infantry corps in a position to begin to "roll up" the Ottoman flank.

    Situation at 18:00 1 November 1917:
    The EEF controlled the coastal sea lanes, and the Intelligence Service spread rumours about possible sea landings in the rear of Gaza. Ships were seen taking soundings off the coast and a fleet of small boats was located near Deir el Belah. During the late afternoon of 1 November, an embarkation of members of the Egyptian Labour Corps onto motor launches, trawlers and tugs at Deir el Belah was staged as a feint, giving the appearance of continuing into the night. The next morning, two trawlers appeared off the mouth of the Wadi el Hesi north of Gaza. To add to the confusion, between the Battle of Beersheba on 31 October and the main attacks at the Battle of Hareira and Sheria beginning on 6 November, the Ottoman left flank north of Beersheba was being fiercely contested during the Battle of Tel el Khuweilfe for control of the road to Hebron and Jerusalem. According to Wavell, "an assault on a portion of the Gaza defences was to be made by the XXI Corps." The date of this attack, which was primarily a feint, was scheduled for between 24 and 48 hours before the attack on Sheria.

    Meanwhile, preparations for the main attacks on the Gaza line at Hareira and Sharia, began on 1 November when the 53rd (Welsh) Division, with the Imperial Camel Brigade on the right, advanced northwards to occupy a line 3 miles (4.8 km) to the west without opposition. This placed the infantry in a position from which they could cover the right flank of the proposed attack by the XX Corps on Hareira and Sheria.

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    Commander of the Ottoman Eighth Army, General Kress von Kressenstein

    The Yildirim Army Group under the command of Field Marshal Erich von Falkenhayn was responsible for the defence of Palestine. On the western flank the Ottoman Eighth Army was composed of the XXII Corps' 3rd and 53rd Divisions defending Gaza and the XX Corps 26th and 54th Divisions defending the line stretching to the east of Gaza, under the command of von Kressenstein. The defence of Gaza was the responsibility of XXII Corps, which had two divisions in the front line (53rd, 3rd from west to east) and two in reserve (7th and 19th). The XXII Corps' four regiments had 4,500 rifles, which were reinforced by two divisions to bring the total to 8,000 defenders, deployed thus:

    • 53rd Division holding from the Mediterranean shore to the eastern side of Gaza (veteran of the Second Battle of Gaza),
    • 3rd Division on their left (veteran of the First and Second Battles of Gaza), and the
    • 7th Division in reserve close behind.

    These three divisions were supported by the 116 guns of the Ottoman XXII Corps artillery, six large naval guns and several batteries of 150 mm howitzers.
    On the left of the XX Corps the Ottoman Seventh Army defended Beersheba, under the command of Fevzi Pasa.

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    Commander of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, General Allenby c1917

    The EEF comprised 200,000 men including Arab workers, 46,000 horses, 20,000 camels, more than 15,000 mules and donkeys, and hundreds of artillery pieces. The fighting strength of the EEF was 100,189:

    • Desert Mounted Corps commanded by Lieutenant General Harry Chauvel had 745 officers, 17,935 other ranks in the ANZAC, Australian and Yeomanry Mounted Divisions;
    • XX Corps commanded by Lieutenant General Phillip Chetwode had 1,435 officers, 44,171 other ranks in the 10th, 53rd, 60th and 74th (Yeomanry) Divisions; and
    • XXI Corps commanded by Lieutenant General Edward Bulfin had 1,154 officers and 34,759 other ranks in three infantry divisions. By 30 October there were 35,000 rifles in the XXI Corps deployed to attack Gaza. They were:

    · 52nd (Lowland) Division (veteran of the First and Second Battles of Gaza)
    · 54th (East Anglian) Division (veteran of the First and Second Battles of Gaza)
    · 75th Division
    · Composite Force of almost a division, consisting of the 25th Indian Infantry Brigade, a West Indian Battalion, the French Détachement français de Palestine and the Italian Distaccamento italiano di Palestina, was camped east of the 75th Division.
    · Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade 1,000 sabres
    · XXI Corps Cavalry Regiment, also known as the Composite Regiment, consisted of one squadron each from the Royal Glasgow Yeomanry, the Duke of Lancaster Yeomanry, and the 1/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry.

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    Lieutenant General Bulfin commander of XXI Corps

    The majority of General Edmund Allenby’s infantry were Territorial divisions, mobilised at the outbreak of the war. Most had fought the Ottoman Army before. During the Gallipoli Campaign, the 52nd (Lowland) Division fought at Cape Helles, the 53rd (Welsh) Division and the 54th (East Anglian) Division fought at Suvla Bay, while the 60th (London) Division had served on the Western Front and on the Salonika Front. The recently formed 74th (Yeomanry) Division was raised from eighteen under-strength yeomanry regiments, all of which had fought dismounted at Gallipoli. The 10th (Irish) Division was a New Army (K1) division, and had also fought at Suvla Bay and at Salonika. All three of the brigades of the Anzac Mounted Division and the two light horse brigades of the Australian Mounted Division had also fought at Gallipoli.

    Army Wing aircraft were assigned to carry out strategic reconnaissances, to report on Ottoman reserves well behind their lines, to carry out daily photography, and to conduct air raids. Fighter and bombing squadrons were established for these purposes while the Corps Squadrons were attached to the two infantry corps carried out artillery and contact patrols, along with tactical reconnaissance.

    Four EEF infantry brigades of 10,000 rifles attacked four Ottoman regiments of 4,500 rifles—which were reinforced by two divisions to over 8,000. Both sides suffered heavy losses. The attacks were to be carried out by well-prepared troops, with overwhelming artillery support and six Mark IV tanks. These attacks were designed to keep the Gaza garrison of 8,000 riflemen supported by 116 guns in place after the capture of Beersheba and during preparations for the main EEF attacks on Hareira and Sheria.

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    Gaza defences south of the town including Outpost Hill

    On 26 October, units of the 75th Division raided Outpost Hill. Then, just hours after the capture of Beersheba, on 1 November, a second raid by five officers and 220 riflemen of the 3/3 Gurkha Rifles (233rd Brigade 75th Division) was carried out against Outpost Hill. At 03:00, under cover of an intense bombardment, they entered the Ottoman defences on the hill; two Gurkhas were killed and twenty-three wounded. During the fighting, they killed twenty-eight Ottoman soldiers and captured sixteen, before returning to their lines. The division was to make another attack during the next night, (1/2 November) towards Atawineh Redoubt, on the Gaza to Beersheba road.

    On 27 October, the XXI Corps artillery began the bombardment of Gaza, which gradually grew more intense with the support of British and French Navy's guns from 29 October. (See 27th issue).

    The land based artillery of Bulfin's XXI Corps' heavy artillery consisted of 68 medium and heavy guns and howitzers, which were directed on to the Ottoman batteries during the battle. In addition two 6-inch guns made a surprise attack on the Ottoman railhead at Beit Hanun at a range of nine miles (14 km), supported by balloon observation. Between 27 October and the attack on Gaza, 15,000 rounds were fired by the heavy artillery; three hundred rounds were allocated for the destruction of each Ottoman battery which had been located. The anti–battery bombardments between 29–31 October also fired gas shells, which apparently had little or no effect. Together with the corps' three divisional artilleries, the guns produced the heaviest bombardment of World War I outside European theatres. The sixth night's bombardment from onshore and offshore guns produced "an even heavier concentration of fire on a small area than had been put in on the first day of the Somme." The six-day bombardment program was arranged "so that the whole of the front of our group is plastered all day and every day."

    Western side deployments on 1 and 2 November at Gaza:
    The XXI Corps attacks were focused on a five thousand yards (4,600 m) stretch of sandhills stretching from Umbrella Hill about two thousand yards (1,800 m) south-west of Gaza to the Mediterranean Sea. They were timed for the night because the strength of the Ottoman machine guns in defensive positions made day-time attacks impossible. On the right flank, the final objective of the attack was only 500 yards (460 m) behind the Ottoman front line, but on the left it was 2,500 yards (2,300 m) away.

    The first phase was the attack at Umbrella Hill by the 1/7 Battalion Scottish Rifles with one company of 1/8th Battalion, Scottish Rifles (156th brigade, 52nd Division). The second phase was the capture on a broad front of El Arish Redoubt to the Sea Post on the shore by the ¼ Battalion, Royal Scots and one company of 1/8th Battalion, Scottish Rifles (156th Brigade). The third phase was to be conducted by the 161st Brigade (less one battalion) and the 163rd Brigade (54th Division) against Gaza's south-western defences, while the fourth phase by the 162nd Brigade was to capture Gun Hill and Sheikh Hasan 3,500 yards (3,200 m) behind the front line at Sheikh Ajlin. On 1 and 2 November, the Ottoman 7th and 53rd Divisions continued to defend most of their front line, carrying out locally successful counterattacks.

    Phase one: Umbrella Hill

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    Umbrella Hill and El Arish redoubt

    On 1 November, the assault of Umbrella Hill—a sand dune two thousand yards (1,800 m) south–west of Gaza to the west of the Rafa to Gaza road overlooking the main objectives—was to begin at 23:00. The defending garrison was "assumed to be about 350 strong".However, at 10:50 a preliminary move into No Man's Land was observed by Ottoman soldiers in Fisher's Orchard, who gave the alarm and began firing machine guns and rifles from the Ottoman trenches on Umbrella Hill. At 23:00, an intense EEF bombardment began enabling a tape to be laid, along which the attacking troops formed up to launch their attack ten minutes later. Under cover of the intense ten-minute bombardment, the 1/7th Battalion, Scottish Rifles with one company of 1/8th Battalion, Scottish Rifles (156th Brigade, 52nd (Lowland) Division) attacked Umbrella Hill. After killing many of the defenders, they quickly captured the hill, three officers, fifty-five Ottoman soldiers, three Lewis guns and numerous bombs. The attackers suffered light casualties; however the sand dune was difficult to defend because the Ottoman trenches—without revetments—had virtually disappeared during the previous bombardments. The following Ottoman bombardment of Umbrella Hill caused 103 casualties to the 1/7th Battalion Scottish Rifles during the next twenty-four hours. However, with the hill captured by the 52nd (Lowland) Division, the main attack could begin.

    Phase 2 tomorrow:

    Naval Operations:

    The submarine E52 (Lieutenant P E Philips) torpedoes and sinks the German submarine UC-63 in south of the Goodlands.

    Shipping Losses: 2 (All U-Boat action)

    Political:

    Recruiting taken over by Ministry of National Service.

    Unrest in Petrograd; Maximalists threaten armed action.

    Count Hertling becomes Imperial Chancellor: October 30 1917, Berlin–Chancellor Michaelis, Bethmann’s replacement, was already deeply unpopular after just over three months in office. He had effectively served as a puppet of Hindenburg and Ludendorff, squashing the Reichstag’s peace resolution. His staunchly conservative politics were also a liability as labor unrest increased on the home front, while the Army blamed him for continued supply problems. He was forced out in late October, and on October 30 was replaced by Georg von Hertling.

    Hertling, although 75 years old, was in some ways a fresh face in German politics, becoming the first Catholic and the first non-Prussian to serve as Chancellor. A member of the Centre Party, Hindenburg & Ludendorff hoped that he could serve as a more unifying figure–while still acceding entirely to their wishes. Hertling had turned down the chancellorship when Bethmann resigned out of fear that he would have little real power while Hindenburg & Ludendorff reigned. Soon after becoming Chancellor, he realized that his original assessment was correct. His calls for a ‘peace of reconciliation’ with the Allies, including a full restoration of Belgian independence, were ignored by Hindenburg & Ludendorff, and Hertling would be little more than a minor annoyance to them for the next 11 months.

    Anniversary Events:

    79 The city of Pompeii is buried by eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.
    1512 Michelangelo's painting on the Sistine Chapel ceiling is exhibited for the first time.
    1582 Maurice of Nassau, the son of William of Orange, becomes the governor of Holland, Zeeland and Utrecht.
    1755 A great earthquake at Lisbon, Portugal, kills over 50,000 people.
    1765 The Stamp Act goes into effect in the British colonies.
    1861 Lieutenant General Winfield Scott, 50 year-veteran and leader of the U.S. Army at the onset of the Civil War, retires. General George McClellan is appointed general-in-chief of the Union armies.
    1866 Wild woman of the west Myra Maybelle Shirley (Belle Starr) marries James C. Reed in Collins County, Texas.
    1869 Louis Riel seizes Fort Garry, Winnipeg, during the Red River Rebellion.
    1911 Italian planes perform the first aerial bombing on Tanguira oasis in Libya.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 11-20-2017 at 14:56.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  26. #2826

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    Friday 2nd November 1917
    Today we lost: 1,141

    Today’s losses include:
    ·
    A battalion commander
    · The son of a General
    · The son of a Baronet
    · Multiple families that will lose two and three sons in the Great War
    · The son of a member of the clergy
    · Multiple grandson of members of the clergy
    · The son of a Justice of the Peace
    · An Assistant Scout Master
    · The son of an Alderman
    · The son of the 2nd Baron Ashcombe

    Today’s highlighted casualties include:


    · Captain Henry Hall Griffith (Royal Flying Corps is killed at age 26 when his two-seater crashes into the Medway while training. He is the son of Alderman Arthur Foster Griffith and grandson of the Reverend Dr. Griffith former Principal of Brighton College. His brother was killed at Jutland.
    · Lieutenant ‘the Honorable’ Alick George Cubitt (Hussars) is killed in action at age 23. He is the second son of the 2nd Baron Ashcombe and he has previously lost a brother in action and a third brother will be killed in 1918.
    · Lieutenant Henry Norman Johnson (Manchester Regiment) is killed at age 23. His brother died of wounds in August 1915. · Second Lieutenant Mark Aldersey (Cheshire Regiment) is killed in action at age 20. He is the grandson both the Reverend George Becher Blomfield and the Reverend Canon Francis Coulman Royds and his elder brother will be killed on 10th March next year.
    · Sergeant Edward Alexander Keid (Australian Infantry) dies of wounds. His brother was killed in September 1916.
    · Petty Officer Arthur James Davidge (Howe Royal Naval Division) dies of wounds at age 20. His brother was killed in September 1916.
    · Sapper James Black (Royal Engineers) is killed at age 34. His brother will die of wounds in March 1918 as a prisoner of war.
    · Private F W J Gardner (Hampshire Regiment) is killed in Egypt at age 20. His brother will be lost in the sinking of the paddle minesweeper Ascot the last ship sunk in the war next November.
    · Private Walter Beard (Cheshire Regiment) dies of wounds at age 25. He is the middle of three brothers who will lose their lives in the Great War.

    Air Operations:

    General Headquarters.

    "On the 2nd inst. unfavourable weather conditions greatly interfered with flying, and there is nothing to report."

    During the night of the 1st/2nd and the following day, low clouds and heavy ground mist almost entirely prevented aerial work.

    A successful reconnaissance of enemy wire was carried out by Major Tyson and Capt Owen, of No 5 Squadron, from a height of 100 feet. They also fired 200 rounds into the enemy trenches.

    RNAS - Weather poor. Mist and rain.

    Royal Flying Corps Losses today: Non recorded.

    Claims: 3 confirmed (Entente 1: Central Powers 2)

    Ludwig Gaim #3.
    Bernhard Ultsch #7.

    Michelle Allasia (Italy) #2.

    Western Front:

    Hostile artillery active east of Ypres.

    Big French success on Aisne; Germans retreat from Chemin des Dames on 12.5 mile front

    Tunstills Men Thursday 2nd November 1917:

    Billets in the Zudausques area

    A fine day. The Battalion continued its training and range practice.

    Pte. John Perrin (see 24th August), who had been away from the Battalion for ten weeks after suffering from ‘trench foot’, now re-joined.

    Pte. Robert Frank Smith (25829) (see 29th October), who had suffered a minor wound on 19th October, was posted from 34th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples and re-joined the Battalion.

    Pte. Harry Sugden (see 16th January) was transferred to 69th Trench Mortar Battery.

    Pte. John Edward Scott (see 24th October), who was serving with 3DWR having been wounded on 7th June, was posted back to France. However, he would not re-join 10DWR but would instead be posted to 2/7th DWR.

    Pte. William Franklin (see 25th September) who had been in England after being wounded on 20th September, was discharged from hospital and posted to Northern Command Depot at Ripon.

    Pte. Milton Wood (see 31st October), who had joined 3DWR at North Shields the previous day, was admitted to 1st Northern General Hospital at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, suffering from scabies.

    Capt. Alfred Percy Harrison MC (see 3rd October), who was in England having been wounded on 7th June, appeared before a further Medical Board. The Board again concluded that he was to remain in hospital for further treatment to his injured foot, and would be re-examined in one months’ time.

    The weekly edition of the Craven Herald reported news of the fate of Pte. Jabez Wintersgill (see 20th September) and also of the death of the father of the late Pte. Joshua Crossley (see 27th October);

    EARBY MEN MISSING

    Pte. Jabez Wintersgill, Green End Avenue, Earby, has been reported missing since Sept. 20th. He is 19 years of age.
    BOLTON-BY-BOWLAND - Obituary

    Mr. John Crossley, of Cottams Farm, passed away on Saturday morning last aged 53 years. Deceased had suffered for a long time on account of heart weakness. Mr. Crossley was very much respected and had very near associations with the Holden Congregational Chapel. He leaves a widow, one son and one daughter, another son having joined the army at the beginning of the war, but unfortunately contracted an illness which ended fatally. Deceased was laid to rest in the graveyard of Holden Chapel on Wednesday afternoon last, in the presence of a large number of sorrowing friends, the pastor, Mr. Knight, taking the service.

    Southern Front:

    Italy reorganises her forces behind the Tagliamento; Germans reach east bank of river.

    Asiatic, African, Egyptian Front:

    British forces capture positions north of Beersheba in the 3rd Battle of Gaza. Phase two: El Arish redoubt

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    Ottoman trenches in el Arish Redoubt captured on 2 November by the 4th Battalion Royal Scots, supported by two companies of the 8th Battalion Scottish Rifles, 52nd (Lowland) Division

    The second phase began at 03:00 on 2 November when the 156th Brigade of the 52nd (Lowland) Division launched the first attack on the El Arish Redoubt. This attack was aimed at breaking the line of defensive fortifications consisting of three groups of trench complexes and redoubts. These were the El Arish, Rafa, and Cricket redoubts, which were connected by a "series of trench lines several layers thick, and backed by other trenches and strong points" stretching two miles (3.2 km) along the seaward defences to the west of Umbrella Hill. The attack on El Arish redoubt was to be supported by two of the six available tanks of the Palestine Tank Detachment's eight tanks.
    The 1/4th Battalion, Royal Scots (156th Brigade) assault on El Arish Redoubt was carried out in waves through the Ottoman trenches, during which six Ottoman mines exploded, causing EEF casualties. The Ottoman artillery, which had become active as a result of the first attack, had stopped shortly before the second attack began at 06:00 with an intense, ten-minute bombardment. At 06:30, a heavy Ottoman counterattack drove back the leading company of Royal Scots, causing a number of casualties. A platoon from another company helped rally the remnants of the leading company, which was reinforced by the 1/4th Battalion Royal Scots and 1/8th Battalion Scottish Rifles when the position was consolidated. Two tanks passed through El Arish Redoubt, but shortly afterwards one was abandoned and the other hit, while a third tank moved along the front line rolling out wire from Sea Post on the coast to Beach Post.

    A man who obviously had been able to get more than his allowance [of rum] started singing loudly, and was removed. We then set off in a long line, and passed through our front line trenches into "No–Man's–Land." I saw a man breaking the ranks, and dodging back towards our lines, obviously his nerves having given way. An NCO dashed out, got hold of him, and took him away. I was with Hq. sigs. [headquarters signals] in the "fourth wave." Four parallel lines of white tape, had been laid out, and I and the others spaced ourselves out along the fourth tape, and lay down, facing the enemy lines, to await the signal to advance. Two tanks came rumbling up from behind, and a few of us had to jump up and get out of the way to let them pass ... Our shelling increased in volume, and at 03:00 the 4th RS [Royal Scots] advanced in four lines on a front of 300 yards (270 m) towards the El Arish Redoubt. Two Turkish contact mines exploded as our "first wave" approached the redoubt, blowing many of the men to pieces. We were not, of course, aware of this at the time. As I got near the Turkish trenches the enemy shell and machine–gun fire became so intense, with shells bursting all around, that I and several others decided to stop in a large shell or mine crater for a few minutes till the shelling eased somewhat. When the barrage moved forward we resumed our advance.
    — Lance Corporal R. Loudon, Signaller, 1/4th Royal Scots, 156th Brigade, 52nd (Lowland) Division

    Phase three: Coastal Defences

    El Arish Redoubt, Burj Trench, Gibralta, Crested Rock, Zowaiid Trench, Beach Post, Cricket Redoubt and Sea Post
    When the Royal Scots had entered the eastern section of the El Arish Redoubt during the second phase of the attack, the western half was still held by Ottoman defenders. These defences became the objectives of the attacks by the 161st and 163rd Brigades of the 54th (East Anglian) Division, supported by four tanks—including the two which had passed through the El Arish redoubt. On the right of the 163rd Brigade's advance, the 1/5th Battalion, The Suffolk Regiment moved towards the Ottoman trenches following a creeping barrage to attack and over–run the western El Arish trenches during hand–to–hand fighting when the 1/5th Battalion, The Suffolk Regiment suffered light casualties. Although they had captured the third line, part of this captured territory had to be abandoned because it was exposed to hostile fire, so they consolidated their position along the second line. Half of the 1/8th Battlaion, Hampshire Regiment attacked Burj Trench while the other half attacked Triangle Trench, although it was not their objective. This caused some confusion, and the 1/4th and 1/5th Battalions, The Norfolk Regiment lost direction in the dust and smoke of the cloudy, hazy night. As a result, only small numbers reached Gibraltar and Crested Rock, from where they were quickly forced to withdraw.

    On the left, the attacks by the 161st Brigade were similarly weakened by loss of direction when the 1/5th Battalion, The Essex Regiment attacked Rafa Redoubt instead of Zowaiid trench. However, the 1/6th Battalion, The Essex Regiment attacked and captured Beach and Sea Posts before attacking the Rafa Redoubt and trench systems, suffering light casualties. In support, a tank rolled out wire as it drove along the front line from Sea Post to Beach Post. Cricket Redoubt was captured with the help of the tank from Beach Post; although the tank was temporarily disabled in the process. After being repaired, the tank was transporting some engineers' stores to Sheikh Hasan when it was hit and disabled again. Two reserve tanks were ordered forward carrying engineers' stores—including sandbags which were set on fire by hostile fire.

    On the morning of the 2nd, Bulfin put in an attack, by the 54th and part of the 52nd Division, on the S.W. of Gaza. He got all his objectives, with the exception of a few yards of trench here and there ... The navy have given us great help. They are making splendid practice on the Gaza defences, and the railway bridge and junction at Deir Sineid. This is the result of careful preliminary work and close collaboration between land and sea.
    — Allenby letter to Robertson 3 November 1917


    Phase four: 2nd November

    On their right, the 1/10th Battalion, London Regiment (161st Brigade) finished capturing and consolidating the Rafa redoubt, which had only been partly captured by the 1/6th Battalion, The Essex Regiment. Without the assistance of tanks which had been put out of action, this battalion lost contact with the barrage and suffered heavy losses. Nevertheless, they captured Gun Hill and by 06:00 on 2 November they were preparing to attack Sheikh Hasan, which they captured fifteen minutes later along with 182 prisoners.

    Lion Trench, .75 miles (1.21 km) north-east of Sheikh Hasan, was attacked at 07:30 by the 1/4th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regimen (162nd Brigade) with the objective of clearing a gap through which the Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade could advance. However, 20 minutes after their successful attack, the Northamptonshire without artillery support were almost surrounded and forced to retreat to Sheikh Hasan on the coast. Here a strong counterattack was threatened by two regiments of reinforcements from the Ottoman 7th Division, which were advancing from Deir Sneid to the north and north-east. (See Falls Map 6 Coastal sector) These Ottoman reinforcements were stopped by accurate shelling by the Corps Heavy Artillery, which fired on a three thousand yards (2,700 m) line previously registered and by shelling from the monitors off the coast. A planned repeat of the Lion Trench attack was postponed when the 1/4th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment attacked Yunis Trench instead. Although they captured the trench they were driven back by a counterattack. Throughout the remainder of the day, Ottoman heavy batteries shelled Sheikh Hasan, before the batteries were withdrawn during the night to the north-east of Gaza. During the night of 2/3 November, Ottoman troops strengthened their defences on Turtle Hill, facing Sheikh Hasan.

    The Third Battle of Gaza was never intended to capture the town, but to keep the garrison in place after the capture of Beersheba. Only the first line of Ottoman trenches had been the objectives of the XXI Corps, which used new infantry tactics, tanks and massed artillery organised in accordance with Western Front standards. Although all objectives had not been won, the operations had forced two regiments of the Ottoman 7th Division reserve to move away from Hareira and Sheria, forward to strengthen the Ottoman defences between Gaza and the sea. According to the British official historian, "The attack on the western defences of Gaza ... had fulfilled the Commander-in-Chief's object." The EEF had also inflicted severe losses on the Ottoman defenders; more than one thousand of whom the EEF buried in the captured trenches. The EEF captured twenty-eight officers, 418 soldiers, twenty-nine machine guns and seven trench mortars. During the fighting, the corps infantry had advanced about two miles (3.2 km) on a five thousand yards (4.6 km) front, and held their gains against repeated Ottoman counterattacks, although the attempt to create a gap for the Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade to ride through was not successful. The front line defensive system on the south–west side of Gaza had been captured and the infantry occupied a position from which they could threaten "Ali Muntar and the rest of the defences in front of the town." The XXI Corps suffered 350 killed, 350 missing and two thousand wounded during this fighting. Many casualties were blamed on loss of direction and crowding in the captured trenches, which were too shallow.

    This morning, at 3 o'clock, I attacked the SW front of the Gaza defences. We took them; on a front of some 6000 yards, and to a depth of some 1000 to 1500 yards. We now overlook Gaza; and my left is on the sea coast, NE of the town. The Navy cooperated with fire from the sea; and shot well. We've taken some 300 prisoners and some machine guns, so far.

    — Allenby letter to his wife written on 1 and 2 November 1917

    Air raids by the EEF were carried out during the night of 1/2 November, with twelve bombs being dropped on Gaza, and on 3 and 4 November, with air raids over the hills north of Beersheba · Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Frere Lambert (Royal West Surrey Regiment) is killed in action in Palestine at age 38. He is the son of Major General Lambert CB and had served in the South African War. · Captain Joshua Robert Rowley (Highland Light Infantry attached Suffolk Regiment) is killed in action at age 24 while leading his men into action at the Battle of Gaza. He is the second son of ‘Sir’ Joshua T Rowley, the 5th Captain Rowley joined the Suffolk Regiment in 1912 and was mobilized with his Regiment on the outbreak of the War and accompanied the Suffolk Regiment to the Dardanelles, landing at Suvla Bay in July 1915. He went through the Gallipoli campaign and for his services received a Commission as Captain in the Highland Light Infantry but continued to serve with his old Regiment. In December 1915 he went to Egypt. · Lieutenant William Steele Young (Royal Engineers) is killed in Palestine at age 24. His brother was killed in June 1915 on Gallipoli. · Second Lieutenant William Ranald Ware McCarthy (Border Regiment attached Norfolk Regiment) is killed at age 19 in Gaza. He is the only child of the Reverend William McCarthy missionary of Anking, China. · Second Lieutenant Ralph Thomas Boddington (London Regiment) is killed in action at age 32 in Palestine. He is the son of Samuel Boddington JP. · Private L W Maudlin (Northamptonshire Regiment) is killed in action in Palestine. His brother will die in February 1919. · Private Charles Ernest Albery (Wiltshire Regiment) is killed in Gaza at age a4. He is a Boy Scout of the 1st Salisbury troop passing through various grades eventually becoming an Assistant Scout Master. · Private George Ebenezer William Naismith (Royal Scots) is killed. He is the son of the Reverend R Naismith.

    Phase 3 tomorrow:

    On the Tigris the British rout the Turks near Dur 85 miles above Baghdad.

    Naval Operations:

    The merchant ship SS Cape Finisterre is sunk 1 mile south southeast of Manacles Buoy by a torpedo. Among the 35 dead is her Master James Lochead killed at age 53. In Kattegat, British destroyers sink a German auxiliary cruiser and 10 armed patrol craft taking 64 prisoners.

    Shipping Losses: 9 (All U-Boat action)

    Political:

    The Balfour Declaration is established proclaiming support for a Jewish State in Palestine.

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    November 2 1917, London–After President Wilson signed off on its text in mid October, the War Cabinet considered the Balfour Declaration in a meeting on October 31. Given tacit American support, the deteriorating situation in Russia, and the opening of the British offensive in Palestine on the same day, the War Cabinet agreed to its publication. Leaving the meeting, Mark Sykes told the leading Zionist Chaim Weizmann, who was waiting outside, “Dr. Weizmann, it’s a boy!” On November 2, Foreign Minister Balfour sent the declaration that would bear his name to Lord Rothschild, for publication by the British Zionist Federation; it would not appear in the press until a week later. It read, in full:

    His Majesty’s Government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country.

    At the time the declaration was sent, British troops were still fighting on the outskirts of Gaza; by making a sweeping declaration concerning Palestine’s future, they projected supreme confidence about their military chances there–a confidence that would prove justified.

    The Declaration also strengthened Britain’s hand for their post-war position in Palestine. The Sykes-Picot agreement had assigned them Acre and Haifa, but left the rest of the Palestine to be under some sort of international condominium. However, the Sykes-Picot agreement was still secret at this point; an open declaration that Britain would use their “best endeavours” in Palestine announced their intentions to take an active role there, and gave them the support of the Zionist community against any ambitions the French or Hashemites may have had in the region.

    Anniversary Events:
    1570 A tidal wave in the North Sea destroys the sea walls from Holland to Jutland. More than 1,000 people are killed.
    1772 The first Committees of Correspondence are formed in Massachusetts under Samuel Adams.
    1789 The property of the church in France is taken away by the state.
    1841 The second Afghan War begins.
    1869 Sheriff Wild Bill Hickok loses his re-election bid in Ellis County, Kan.
    1880 James A. Garfield is elected the 20th president of the United States.
    1882 Newly elected John Poe replaces Pat Garrett as sheriff of Lincoln County, New Mexico Territory.
    1889 North Dakota is made the 39th state.
    1889 South Dakota is made the 40th state.
    1892 Lawmen surround outlaws Ned Christie and Arch Wolf near Tahlequah, Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma). It will take dynamite and a cannon to dislodge the two from their cabin.
    1903 London’s Daily Mirror newspaper is first published.
    1914 Russia declares war with Turkey.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 11-20-2017 at 15:02.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  27. #2827

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    Saturday 3rd November 1917

    Today we lost: 772


    Today’s losses include:

    · A Military Chaplain
    · The son of a Victoria Cross winner
    · The son of a member of the clergy
    · Multiple families that will lose two sons in the Great War

    Today’s highlighted casualties include:


    · Chaplain the Reverend R A Stewart dies on service.
    · Captain Percy Jones DCM (Indian Army Reserve of Officers attached Watson’s Horse) dies in Mesopotamia at age 48. He is the son of Lieutenant Colonel A S Jones VC and served in the South African Campaign as a Corporal in Lumsden’s Horse.
    · Lieutenant Percy Louis Barbert (Eastern Ontario Regiment) is killed at age 21. He is the son of the Reverend F Louis Barber.
    · Lance Corporal Ernest Greenwood (Liverpool Regiment) is killed at age 17 exactly three years to the day his older brother was killed.
    · Private Francis Edwin Fayle (Essex Regiment) is killed at age 37. His brother was killed last November.
    · Gunner George Arthur Keith Buskin (Australian Field Artillery) is killed at age 23. His brother was killed in September 1915.

    Air Operations:

    Owing to low clouds and mist there were few flying operations during the day.

    The 5th Brigade was able to do a little artillery work. Two hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction, two pits damaged, one explosion and one fire caused by the 145th Siege Battery (8 inch) and 231st Siege Battery (6 inch) with observation by Capt Mackay and Lt Rothwell, No 9 Squadron, whho also located and reported by zone call 10 active hostile batteries.

    Two reconnaissances were carried out at a low height of enemy trenches and works by the 4th Brigade.

    RNAS - Weather still unfavourable. One patrol only, carried out by No. 9 Squadron. Several two-seater Albatross, escorted by eleven E.A. Scouts were attacked between Middlekerke and Slype. The two-seaters were driven back. No results.

    Casualties

    Capt E L Bath (Wia), 1 Sqn, Nieuport – wounded in foot by ground fire

    Royal Flying Corps Losses today: 6

    Lt Allen, O.E.A. (Owen Ellis Augustus), 81 Squadron, RFC.
    Lt Geddes, J.R. (John Rowand), 23 Squadron, RFC.
    Flt Sub-Lt Isaacs, W.A. (Walter Albert), RNAS.
    Lt Lowson, C.P.F. (Courtnay Patrick Flowerdew), RFC.
    Flt Sub-Lt St james, J.A. (Joseph A.), RNAS.
    Flt Off (Prob) Weston, T.R. (Thomas Reginald), RNAS.

    Claims: 4 confirmed (Entente 2: Central Powers 2)

    Giovanni Ancillotto (Italy) #4.
    Carlo Lombardi (Italy) #4.
    Silvio Scaroni (Italy) u/c.

    Josef Friedrich #7.
    Hans-Eberhardt Gandert #1.

    Western Front:


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    Corporal James Gresham (1893-1917), likely the first American killed by a German bullet during World War I.

    November 3 1917, Sommerviller–
    The US 1st Division, the first Americans to enter front-line service, were deliberately placed in one of the quietest sectors of the front. The French also specifically disallowed them from trying anything too rash or dangerous, including patrols into no man’s land at night, in order to minimize American casualties; they did not want the Americans to become horrified by the high cost of trench warfare, at least not until they had sent over more than a single division. Some Americans became a bit restless on front-line duty as a result; Private Quincy Mills recalled: “I shot six Germans sneaking up on me one night, and when daylight came they were all the same tree stump.”

    The front became decidedly less quiet at 3AM on November 3, when German artillery fire opened up all around Company F, penning them in for 45 minutes. German stormtroopers advanced during the shelling and then charged into the American trenches from point-blank range. Some Americans initially thought the new arrivals were reinforcements, a misconception aided by the fact that some of the attackers knew English. One asked Corporal James Gresham “Who are you?”, to which Gresham replied “I’m an American, too, don’t shoot!” Gresham was then shot in the head and killed. Two other men, Privates Merle Hay and Thomas Enright, were killed in the raid, while eleven were captured by the Germans and around a dozen more wounded. The Germans used the raid for propaganda purposes on the home front, attempting to demonstrate that the new American arrivals in Europe did not pose that much of a threat.

    Capt. George C. Marshall, along with many other American officers, put much of the blame for the raid on the French, whose ban on night patrols meant that there was no way the raid could have been detected ahead of time. The French, not wanting to antagonize their new allies, gave the three dead Americans an elaborate military funeral, with an address by the local commanding French General. Marshall and Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. planned (and the latter carried out a few days later) a raid on a building thought to be used by the Germans in response, but found no Germans there.

    Skirmishing activity round Ypres.

    Passschendaele:
    Tactical Pause continues.
    French push forward in region of Corbeny and reach south bank of Ailette river.

    Tunstills Men Saturday 3rd November 1917:

    Billets in the Zudausques area

    A wet day. The Battalion continued its training and range practice.

    L.Cpls. Roderick Harmer (see 29th October) and John Wright Pollard (see 5th October) and Ptes. John Henry Fidler (see 5th October), Jack Edgar Hall (see 29th October) and Herbert John Wicks (see 31st October) departed for England on ten days’ leave.

    Pte. Charles Simmons (see 5th July) was reported by Sgt. Alfred Dolding (see 11th August) as having been “dirty on parade”; on the orders of Capt. Paul James Sainsbury (see 29th October) he would be confined to barracks for five days.

    At home in Bristol Elsie May Scott, the 20 months-old daughter of Pte. Walter William Scott (see 29th October), died from tuberculous meningitis.

    Eastern Front:

    German and Russian soldiers fraternise on northern front.

    Southern Front:

    German pressure on Tagliamento increases.

    French troops arrive.

    West of L. Garda Germans make strong attacks on Italian advanced posts.

    Asiatic, African, Egyptian Front:

    Operations against Gaza continued.
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    During a Khamsin on 3 November while the bombardment of Gaza resumed, the 1/4th Battalion The Essex Regiment (161st Brigade, 54th Division, XXI Corps) attacked and captured Yunis trench at 04:30. However, they were heavily counterattacked and forced to withdraw. The following night, several strong Ottoman counterattacks were made on the 75th Division's position at Sheikh Abbas on the eastern side of Gaza, which were all stopped by machine gun and rifle fire. Meanwhile, the newly won position at Sheikh Hasan on the Ottoman right flank was consolidated
    British planes observe Turkish reinforcements toward the heights of Khuweilfe, and the 53rd and 55th Divisions reach the position before the Turks, and some units are hit by their own British artillery.

    In East Africa British and Belgian forces make good progress; drive German detachments eastward.

    Naval Operations:


    SM UC-65,
    Kaiserlichemarine, a type UC II submarine, was torpedoed and sunk off Dartmouth, by HMS C15 (Lieutenant E Dolphin), Royal Navy, with the loss of all 26 crew.

    Shipping Losses: 3 (1 to a mine & 2 to U-Boat action)


    The hired drifter Deliverer (Skipper William Sutherland RNR) disappears outside Dublin Bay and is presumed to have been sunk by a submarine. Her crew of 10 is lost.

    Political:


    Agreement concluded between British, french and Italian Governments for provision of tonnage for the Allied food programme (see November 10th, 1915, January 6th and December 3rd, 1917).

    The Balfour Declaration was a public statement issued by the British government announcing support for the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine, then an Ottoman region with a minority Jewish population. It read:

    His Majesty's government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country.


    The declaration was contained in a letter dated 2 November 1917 from the United Kingdom's Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour to Lord Walter Rothschild, a leader of the British Jewish community, for transmission to the Zionist Federation of great Britain and Ireland.

    November 2 1917, London–
    After President Wilson signed off on its text in mid-October, the War Cabinet considered the Balfour Declaration in a meeting on October 31. Given tacit American support, the deteriorating situation in Russia, and the opening of the British offensive in Palestine on the same day, the War Cabinet agreed to its publication. Leaving the meeting, Mark Sykes told the leading Zionist Chaim Weizmann, who was waiting outside, “Dr. Weizmann, it’s a boy!” On November 2, Foreign Minister Balfour sent the declaration that would bear his name to Lord Rothschild, for publication by the British Zionist Federation; it would not appear in the press until a week later.

    It read, in full:
    His Majesty’s Government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country.

    At the time the declaration was sent, British troops were still fighting on the outskirts of Gaza; by making a sweeping declaration concerning Palestine’s future, they projected supreme confidence about their military chances there–a confidence that would prove justified.

    The Declaration also strengthened Britain’s hand for their post-war position in Palestine. The Sykes-Picot agreement had assigned them Acre and Haifa, but left the rest of the Palestine to be under some sort of international condominium. However, the Sykes-Picot agreement was still secret at this point; an open declaration that Britain would use their “best endeavours” in Palestine announced their intentions to take an active role there, and gave them the support of the Zionist community against any ambitions the French or Hashemites may have had in the region.

    Anniversary Events:

    1493 Christopher Columbus arrives at the Caribbee Isles (Dominica) during his second expedition.
    1507 Leonardo da Vinci is commissioned to paint Lisa Gherardini (“Mona Lisa”).
    1529 The first parliament for five years opens in England and the Commons and puts forward bills against abuses amongst the clergy and in the church courts.
    1794 Thomas Paine is released from a Parisian jail with help from the American ambassador James Monroe. He was arrested for having offended the Robespierre faction.
    1813 American troops destroy the Indian village of Tallushatchee in the Mississippi Valley.
    1868 Ulysses S. Grant is elected the 18th president of the United States.
    1883 A poorly trained Egyptian army, led by British General William Hicks, marches toward El Obeid in the Sudan–straight into a Mahdist ambush and massacre.
    1883 The U.S. Supreme Court declares American Indians to be “dependent aliens.”
    1892 The first automatic telephone exchange goes into operation in La Porte, Indiana.
    1896 William McKinley is elected 25th president of the United States.
    1912 The first all-metal plane flies near Issy, France, piloted by Ponche and Prinard.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 11-20-2017 at 15:07.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  28. #2828

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    November 4th 1917


    Another 'off line ' production effort

    Bit of a quiet day today with most sources coming back fairly empty – however still the RFC managed to lose nine airmen on this day…

    Air Mech 1 Acres, J. (John) No.1 Aircraft Acceptance Park RFC
    2nd Lt. Bispham, D.C. (David Charles) RFC
    2nd Lt. Cosgrove, G.S. (Gordon Sallnow) 42 Training Squadron RFC
    2nd Lt. King, W.F. (Wilfred Frank) RFC
    2nd Lt. Lockwood, F. (Frank) RFC
    2nd Lt. Mills, G.C. (George Carlton) RFC
    2nd Lt. Prentice, J. (James) RFC
    CPO Rumming, G.C.P. (Geoffrey Charlton Paine) Royal Naval Air Service, H.M.S. 'President II'
    2nd Lt. Tallent, A.C. (Albert Cecil) RFC

    There was limited action in the skies over the battlefields but the following claims were made on this day

    George Hatfield Dingley Gossip Australia #2

    Andre de Meulemeester Belgium #6

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    Andre Emile Alfons de Meulemeester "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.
    Until a few years before his death, De Meulemeester kept alive the comradeship with the Belgian pilots of the Great War. Regularly he invited them at his house for dinners which he offered under the name of 'Club Mystère'. Each time he invited a prominent personality as a guest of honour. They always wrote at length in his Guestbook.
    Amongst the guests of honour were queen Elisabeth of the Belgians, Belgian prime ministers Achiel Van Acker, Paul van Zeeland, Paul-Henri Spaak, Joseph Pholien, Jean Van Houtte, papal nuntii Fernando Cento and Efrem Forni, ministers Camille Gutt, Arthur Gilson, high ranking civil servants, generals, presidents of banks, etc. His list of addresses was quite extensive.
    When the First World War was over, De Meulemeester quit flying and joined the family brewery.[6] Called 'The Eagle', the brewery was in existence since at least 1553 and was owned by the De Meulemeester family since the early nineteenth century. The owners, André's father Victor and uncle Alphonse, died both in 1927. The following year the brewery merged with another brewery in Ghent, called 'Belgica'. The new company 'Aigle Belgica' continued its activities mainly in Bruges and André De Meulemeester became chairman of the Board. Many years later, after his death, the brewery was absorbed by the Belgian brewer Jupiler, soon to merge with Artois into Interbrew, now part of the multinational Inbev.

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    Wilfred Curtis Canada #8 #9
    Joseph Fall Canada #30
    Henry Maddocks England #4
    Walter Naylor England #2
    Fritz Kieckhafer Germany #7
    Carlo LombardiI taly #5
    Grigory Suk Russia #7

    In total 569 British lives were lost on this day:

    Today’s highlighted casualties include:

    • Major George Henry Wilson MC (Royal Field Artillery) dies of wounds at age 27. His eldest brother died on service in 1905 in India, his youngest brother was killed in action in November 1916 while another brother was killed in May of this year. He is also the son-in-law of ‘Sir’ Ellis Cunliffe.

    • Lieutenant Commander Harry Lees Dacre Craven (HMS Glory) dies at sea at age 34. He is the son of the late Reverend Dacre Craven.
    • Lieutenant Ronald George Black (HMS Tyrant) is lost overboard at age 22. He is the son of the Reverend Charles Black.
    • Second Lieutenant Frederick Haughton Haden (Rifle Brigade attached Trench Mortar Battery) is killed in action. He is the son of the Reverend Frederick Willaim Haden Rector of Hule.
    • Chaplain the Reverend Armar Edward Acton (attached Border Regiment) dies of wounds received at age 28.
    • Private Benjamin Phillips (Welsh Regiment) is killed at age 23. He is the father of Eluned Phillips, the only woman poet to have won the National Eisteddfod’s Crown twice

    SOUTHERN FRONTS

    Italian Front: Austrians take 10,000 PoWs and 24 guns cut off south of Tolmezzo from Italian XII Corps (Tassoni) until November 5 retreating from Carnia. Italians begin retreat from Tagliamento to Piave (night November 4-5), after Austrian Isonzo armies force crossings.

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    WESTERN FRONT
    Flanders: Trench raids.
    Verdun: Artillery in action north of Chaume Wood. German attack there on November 7, repulsed on November 10, French success there on November 19.

    EASTERN FRONT
    Petrograd: Bolshevik Military Revolutionary Committee tells garrison of 155,000 soldiers to ignore orders to go to Front.

    Political, etc.
    Mr Lloyd George and M. Painleve leave for Italy.
    General Tumanov succeeds M. Verkhovski as Russian Minister of War.
    Last edited by Hedeby; 11-20-2017 at 12:37.

  29. #2829

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    Quote Originally Posted by mikeemagnus View Post
    WoW guys - that's impressive.
    Thanks - we have every day complete and ready to upload just need to liaise our schedules to get things up in the correct order - hence the placeholders. Neil currently at panto rehersal (oh no he isn't... oh yes he is) so he will put remaing place holders in for his stint then I can do likewise and the thread will gradually get completed in the next day or so. Rest assured we haven't missed a day

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    I shall look forward to some catch up reading then

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    Back from rehearsals....1st, 2nd and 3rd November now up.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  33. #2833

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    If you can get placeholders in I can start uploading in the morning

  34. #2834

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    need your 5th , 6th & 7th Nov placeholders before I can put mine in.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  35. #2835

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    If we rattle through them all up to date we can then crack on at our leisure
    See you on the Dark Side......

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    November 5th 1917

    The War in the Air


    General Headquarters, November 6th.

    “On the 5th inst. there was a slight improvement in the weather, but mist still prevented our aeroplanes from carrying out artillery and photographic work.

    “Only a few combats took place, in the course of which two enemy machines were brought down. In addition, a low-flying hostile machine was shot down in our lines by our infantry. One of our machines is missing.”

    There was a slight improvement in the weather, but mist still prevented counter-battery work.

    Infantry of the Second Army shot down a German machine, which fell in our lines (G.86).

    Six contact patrols were carried out by the 1st Brigade and one contact patrol, one counter-attack patrol and two reconnaissances were carried out by the 2nd Brigade.

    Thirty-six photographs were taken and eight 25-lb bombs were dropped, while 4,400 rounds were fired at ground targets.

    RNAS - Weather misty. No war work of importance.

    Enemy Aircraft

    Enemy aircraft activity was above normal on the front of the Second Army up till 1 p.m.

    Capt J C B Firth, 45 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control smoking north of Poelcappelle at 11:50/12:50 - a patrol of No 45 Squadron encountered seven enemy scouts and in the fighting, Capt Firth shot down one EA which fell completely out of control

    Capt H A Hamersley, 60 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed north of Westroosebeke at 12:10/13:10
    Lt F O Soden, 60 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Houthulst Forest at 12:15/13:15

    Capt H Hamersley, No 60 Squadron, attacked one of six EA with a yellow fuselage and drove it down out of control and saw it crash. Lt F Soden, of the same squadron, attacked another, which he drove down and which crashed in a forest

    Flt Sub-Lt A A Cameron, 10N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north-west of Dixmude at 13:15/14:15 - Flight Sub-Lt Cameron, Naval Squadron No 10, drove down a single-seat scout which he followed, firing at close range until it fell into clouds completely out of control

    Casualties

    2nd Lt R G Frith (Pow), 45 Sqn, Camel B5175 – took off 10:55/11:55 and last seen out of control over Moorslede at 11:40/12:40 on offensive patrol; Ltn d R Kurt Wüsthoff, Js4, 24th victory [Poelcapelle at 11:45/12:45], Vzfw Paul Bäumer, Js2, 7th victory [St Julien at 11:50/12:50] or Ltn d R Kurt Wüsthoff, Js4, 25th victory [south of Staden at 12:00/13:00] ?

    No 958 Sgt G W Eddington
    (Wia) & 2nd Lt F A Dormer (Wia), 6 Sqn, RE8 C5028 – took off 11:45/12:45 then crashed in forced landing 28.l.24.B [east of Moorseele] after attacked and shot down by 4 EA on artillery observation; Ltn d R Walter Blume, Js26, 6th victory [north of Zillebeker See at 13:37/14:37] (Eddington later received the Military Medal for bravery in the field)

    Flt Sub-Lt A A Cameron (Ok), 10N Sqn, Camel N6341 – shot up in combat north-west of Dixmude at 13:15/14:15 and force landed Droglandt; Ltn d R Ludwig Luer, Js27, 4th victory [north-west of Blankaart See]


    The following aerial victory claims were made by Aces on this day

    Harold Hamersley Australia #4 (see above)
    Godwin Brumowski Austro-Hungarian Empire #23 #24

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    Frank Linke-Crawford
    Austro-Hungarian Empire #8 #9
    Rudolf Szepessy-Sokoll Austro-Hungarian Empire #4 #5
    Frank Soden Canada #9
    John Firth England #7
    Paul Bäumer Germany #7
    Walter Blume Germany #6
    Ludwig Luer Germany #4
    Kurt Wüsthoff Germany #24 #25

    The 3rd Battle of Gaza

    By 5 November 1917, the Ottoman XXII Corps commander in charge of the defence of Gaza, Colonel Refet Bele, was continuing to maintain the "integrity of the Gaza fortress", despite the Gaza garrison's artillery batteries having only about 300 shells left. These batteries had also been suffering from effective counter-battery fire from the EEF Heavy Artillery Groups. Refet had been warned the day before that evacuation may be necessary because of the loss of Beersheba, so plans were prepared for the complete withdrawal from the town during the night of 6/7 November, to a new defensive line on the Wadi Hesi. Falkenhayn commanding Yildirim Army Group realised that the Ottoman forces could not hold the EEF any longer, and he ordered the Eighth and Seventh Armies to withdraw about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi). The first indications of the withdrawal were seen by EEF aerial reconnaissance, which reported Ottoman hospitals being moved back towards Mejdel. At midnight on 6/7 November, XXI Corps infantry patrols found Gaza had been evacuated by the Ottoman defenders. Until 6 November, German aircraft had rarely been seen over the Gaza lines, but that afternoon two R.E.8s and two B.E.12.as from No. 1 Squadron AFC patrolling and taking photographs were attacked and badly damaged by four Albatros aircraft.

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    Ottoman trenches in el Arish Redoubt captured on 2 November by the 4th Battalion Royal Scots, supported by two companies of the 8th Battalion Scottish Rifles, 52nd (Lowland) Division

    Meanwhile, the heavy EEF bombardment of the Ottoman line in the XXI Corps area at Gaza, which had resumed on 3 November, grew in intensity with the naval guns joining in on 5 and 6 November, and it reached its maximum intensity on 6 November. During the night of 6/7 November the XXI Corps was to launch an attack on Outpost Hill and the Yunus and Belah trench systems, after the main EEF attack on Hareira and Sheria began. This attack on the Wadi esh Sheria was to be "carried out in the most favourable circumstances" against only two Ottoman regiments holding the 6.5-mile (10.5 km) line.

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    El Arish Redoubt, Burj Trench, Gibralta, Crested Rock, Zowaiid Trench, Beach Post, Cricket Redoubt and Sea Post

    After launching the successful attack on 6 November against Hareira, the Sheria trenches were also attacked late in the day. These attacks were supported by renewed attacks in the Tel el Khuweilfe area at the eastern extremity of the Ottoman front line. During these attacks, the whole of the Kawukah trenches and part of the Rushdi system which protected Hareira Redoubt, were captured and the Ottoman defenders were forced to withdraw to the Hareira Redoubt. Late in the day a large part of the Sheria defences were also captured after Hareira was bypassed. Only Tel esh Sheria blocked the British advance and Allenby ordered the next day's attacks to continue on Tel esh Sheria, and to be renewed at Gaza. While these attacks took place on 6 November, EEF aircraft bombed Gaza, the main Ottoman positions behind the Kauwukah defences near Um Ameidat, and positions west of Sheria. Three air combats were also fought against three hostile aircraft during the day. Mejdel was also bombed by EEF aircraft. Allenby wrote:

    We've had a successful day. We attacked the left of the Turkish positions, from N. of Beersheba, and have rolled them up as far as Sharia. The Turks fought well but have been badly defeated. Now, at 6 p.m., I am sending out orders to press in pursuit tomorrow. Gaza was not attacked; but I should not be surprised if this affected seriously her defenders. I am putting a lot of shell into them, and the Navy are still pounding them effectively.

    — Allenby letter to Lady Allenby 6 November

    708 British Lives were lost on this day

    Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Robertson Pocock DSO (commanding 28th Punjabis) is killed in Mesopotamia at age 41.
    Major Charles Herbert Mallock DSO (Royal Field Artillery) is killed at age 39. He is the son of Richard Mallock MP and his son will be killed serving as Lieutenant Colonel commanding the 7th Hampshire Regiment in July 1944 at age 35.

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    Captain Milo-Richard Beaumont Onslow (21st Prince Albert Victor’s Own Cavalry Field Force) dies on service in Baghdad at age 29. His brother was killed in July 1915.
    Sergeant Thomas Davies (Royal Field Artillery) is killed in Mesopotamia. He is the first of three brothers who are killed in the war.
    Lance Corporal Alexander Campbell (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders attached Machine Gun Corps) dies of dysentery at Salonika at age 29. His brother has been killed in action in October 1914.
    Private Albert George Ernest Mewburn (Australian Infantry) is killed in action at age 23. His younger brother has been killed six weeks earlier, and both men are commemorated on the Ypres Memorial.
    Private William Kneen Cannell (Manchester Regiment) is killed at age 22. His brother was killed in July 1916.
    Rifleman Patrick Murphy (New Zealand Rifle Brigade) is killed at age 29. His two brothers were killed on 9th August 1915 on Gallipoli.
    Private Alfred Clapham (Royal Army Medical Corps) is killed at age 26. His brother was killed in February of this year.
    Private Albert Oakley (Sherwood Foresters) is killed in action at age 19. His brother will be killed in September next year.
    Private Gerald Clarke (Cheshire Regiment) dies of gassing received 1st of the month. His widow will remarry Corporal Noel Clayton who has been discharged from previously being gassed. He will die of that gassing the day after the Armistice is signed.
    Private William Thomson (King’s Own Scottish Borderers) is killed at age 22. His brother was killed in September 1915.

    MIDDLE EAST
    Palestine: Anzac Mounted Division occupies Ramleh and Ludd. Yeomanry charge against Turk rearguard at entry to Judean Hills.

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    Turkish cavalrymen retreat through Palestine pursued by British troops.

    EASTERN FRONT
    Russia: Reds win fight for Kremlin.
    Southern Russia: Alexeiev arrives at Don Cossack capital Novocherkask, but Kaledin says Cossacks unwilling to fight so he moves to Kuban Cossack capital Ekaterinodar.

    SOUTHERN FRONTS
    Italy, Piave: German 117th Division gets 4 battalions across near Ponte di Piave (night November 15-16) but wiped out by 3 Italian brigades who take 600 PoWs until November 16; first Italian success since Caporetto. Below and Boroevic cease crossing attempts, although 41st Hungarian Division crosses river delta and captures Cava Zuccherina, 16 miles of lagoon from Venice.

    AFRICA
    East Africa: Giffard’s 1/2nd KAR takes Chiwata with 606 PoWs and liberate 67 British PoWs after Lettow’s evacuation.

    The Rapello Conference

    The Rapallo Conference of 5-7 November 1917 saw Allied political and military leaders agree upon the formation of a Supreme War Council intended to co-ordinate military action across each of the Allied armies. The conference was called and held in the wake of a severe Italian setback at Caporetto in October 1917, a major Austro-German success on the Isonzo.

    In attendance at the conference - which was held at the New Kursaal Hotel in the small town of Rapallo - was (for Britain) David Lloyd George, the Prime Minister, William Robertson, the Chief of the Imperial General Staff; Lieutenant-General Henry Wilson and (from South Africa) General Jan Smuts. Representing France was Paul Painleve, the Prime Minister; Henri-Philippe Petain, the Commander-in-Chief; General Ferdinand Foch; Generals Maxime Weygand and Dedondrecourt; H. Franklin-Bouillon (a Minister without Portfolio); and the Ambassador to Rome Barrere. The Italian delegation was led by Vittorio Orlando, the Prime Minister, who was accompanied by Sidney Sonnino, the Minister of Foreign Affairs; General Alfieri, the Minister of War; and General Porro, the Deputy Chief of the General Staff.

    Aside from promising fresh aid to the Italians Lloyd George was keen to reign in the scope for independent action of both Robertson and the Commander-in-Chief Sir Douglas Haig. He envisaged that the creation of a Supreme War Council to oversee military activity would satisfy his aim. The Allies rapidly agreed upon the establishment of the council which was to be based at Versailles. Its initial members were to be Wilson (for Britain), Weygand (for France), Luigi Cadorna (for Italy), and Tasker Bliss (for the U.S.A.). On the final day of the conference, 7 November, Cadorna - the Italian Chief of Staff - was dismissed for suggesting that Italy's disastrous performance at Caporetto may force the country to sue for peace. Arriving at the conference Robertson, Foch and Wilson were consequently of the view that the 'defeatist' Cadorna needed to be replaced; ultimately Orlando concurred
    Last edited by Hedeby; 11-21-2017 at 09:24.

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    November 6th 1917

    The Battle of Tel el Khuweilfe, part of the Southern Palestine Offensive, began on 1 November 1917, the day after the Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF) victory at the Battle of Beersheba during the Sinai and Palestine Campaign of World War I. After the Stalemate in Southern Palestine a series of coordinated attacks were launched by British Empire units on the Ottoman Empire's German commanded Yildirim Army Group's front line, which stretched from Gaza inland to Beersheba. During fighting for the town, the road from Beersheba to Jerusalem via Hebron, was cut just north of the town in the southern spur of the Judean Hills. Here Ottoman units strongly defended the road and the Seventh Army headquarters at Hebron.

    Over the next week, attacks by the 53rd (Welsh) Division, the Anzac Mounted Division, and the 5th Mounted Brigade (Australian Mounted Division) attempted to capture the Khuweilfe position. Attacks were launched by the British infantry and Yeomanry cavalry, and Australian and New Zealand mounted brigades.

    Despite their failure to dislodge the Ottoman defenders, the continuing pressure drew in Ottoman reserves, which could have made the EEF attacks at Gaza during the night of 1/2 November, and at Hareira and Sheria on 6–7 November, more strongly contested. On 6 November, in coordination with the attacks on Hareira and Sheria, the 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division, with the Imperial Camel Brigade covering their flanks, made another inconclusive assault with artillery support. This fighting continued the following day, until the Ottoman defenders began to withdraw, as a consequence of the loss of Hareira, the evacuation of Gaza, and the weakening of the Sheria position, all of which threatened to outflank the Tel el Khuweilfe position.

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    Guns of the Inverness Royal Horse Artillery in action against Tel el Khuweilfe on 2 November

    Despite continuing fierce fighting for control of the high country around Khuweilfe being unresolved, General Harry Chauvel commanding the EEF units in the area including the 53rd (Welsh) Division, had advanced to gain a "position of vantage from which to roll up the enemy's flank".[47] Allenby had hoped that, if the hostile Ottoman forces could be held by the EEF units assigned the task, they could be "immobilised at the critical moment", and unable to reinforce the garrisons at Hareira and Sheria during the planned attack.[48] The Khuweilfe fighting had drawn in all the local reserves including the 19th Division, the 3rd Cavalry Division, the remains of the 27th Division, which had formed the Beersheba garrison, and part of the 16th Division, which fought determinedly for Ain Kohleh, Tel Khuweilfeh and the road to Hebron and Jerusalem. None of these units left the area to reinforce the defences in front of Sheria.

    Chauvel continued the attacks against these greatly superior Ottoman forces, despite heavy casualties that could not hope to be replaced due to the strategic priority of the proposed Hareira and Sheria attacks. His force also experienced supply difficulties.[29] The horses deployed in the area had only a small ration of "pure grain", as no grazing was available, and water was barely sufficient in Beersheba for the troops actually in the town.Despite these difficulties, hard fighting failed to push Chauvel's force back to Beersheba

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    Positions of the XX Corps on 6 November from Tel el Khuweilfe westwards towards Hareira before the attack

    Falkenhayn, commanding the Yildirim Army Group, finally arrived from Aleppo to establish his headquarters in the German Hospice on the Mount of Olives during the evening of 5 November. However, despite the delay of six days since the capture of Beersheba, "the attack [on the centre of the Ottoman front line] was now about to be carried out in the most favourable circumstances." This was largely because at least seven Ottoman infantry regiments, including the 19th Division, had been drawn into the defence of the road from Beersheba to Jerusalem, and the fighting for Ras en Naqb and Tel el Khuweilfe. Only two regiments were holding the 6.5 miles (10.5 km) Ottoman front line, which stretched along the Wadi esh Sheria to the west.

    After the Anzac Mounted Division (less the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade) moved off on 6 November to prepare for the breakthrough at Sheria with the Australian Mounted Divisions, the remaining force was briefly known as Barrow's Detachment while the Yeomanry Mounted Division and the New Zealanders remained in the area. Chauvel's attacking force was deployed early in the morning with the Yeomanry Mounted Division on the left, the 53rd (Welsh) Division in the centre south west of Tel el Khuweilfe, with the 4th Battalion Imperial Camel Brigade at Ras en Naqb and the 2nd Battalion holding the right. On the left of the Yeomanry Mounted Division, the line was continued by the 74th (Yeomanry) Division and the 60th (London) Division, which were to attack Sheria. The 10th (Irish) Division, which was to attack the Rushdi system of trenches and the Hareira redoubt, was on their left, continuing the line westwards.

    The objective of the 53rd (Welsh) Division, during the main attack on the center of the Ottoman line at Hareria and Sheria, was to occupy the Khuweilfe to Rujm edh Dhib line to the north of the Wadi Khuweilfe and stretching 5 miles (8.0 km) west north west of Tel el Khuweilfe. Mott had argued at the conference on 4 November for an attack by the 53rd (Welsh) Division on the Khuweilfe position only, without "seeking to press forward on his left". They were to attack Tel el Khuweilfe and the three peaks forming a ridge to the southwest, defended by the Ottoman 125th Regiment, part of the 143rd Regiment, and the 77th Regiment of the 19th Division, which had fought in Galicia. The Ottoman 27th Division guarded the continuation of the Ottoman line westwards, with the 16th Division protecting Sheria and part of the 26th Division to the west of Hareira. Mott deployed four infantry battalions, the 158th Brigade with the 4/Royal Sussex of the 160th Brigade attached, to attack under cover of his divisional artillery (less one battery), the 91st Heavy Battery and the concentrated machine guns. Meanwhile, two infantry battalions formed the divisional reserve, and the attached 3rd Battalion Imperial Camel Brigade guarded the right flank. The intense bombardment began at 04:00 and 20 minutes later, all 16 guns of the machine gun company were firing a barrage on the near face of the ridge. They lifted their fire as the infantry approached before continuing to fire on the reverse slope. The infantry attack began in darkness and the mist during the early morning disorganised the initial advance, some units being "scattered in the fierce and confused fighting".

    The 6th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers were a little late in starting, and the Hereford battalion on its left swung slightly left-handed attempting to establish touch. Instead of "straddling" Tel el Khuweilfe, the company on the right wheeled across the front of the Ottoman position, where they were heavily attacked by machine guns. In the centre, a company of the Hereford with the 6th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers, "carried their objectives with the bayonet", capturing nine field guns in the process. However, they found their flanks exposed, and were strongly counterattacked from three directions, and compelled to withdraw without the guns. During this retreat, they were fired on by their own guns, before being supported by a company of the 5th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers, in establishing a new line. Meanwhile, on the left, the 7th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers and the 4th Battalion Sussex captured Hill 1706 and the spur to the west in very close fighting. At daylight, the 3rd Battalion Imperial Camel Brigade, sheltering behind the northern flank of a little valley running west to east, were strongly attacked before joining a group of Hereford infantry in pushing the "enemy back along the spur". They were supported by the 2nd Australian Machine Gun Squadron, which galloped up the valley under heavy enemy machine gun fire, to reinforce the "hard–pressed" camel battalion.

    The 53rd (Welsh) Division captured a footing on the main Khuweilfe Ridge, but they were heavily counterattacked and forced to make a partial retreat, before the Ottoman force was eventually dislodged from the ridge but not the Tel.At 14:00, EEF headquarters received a telephone message from Desert Mounted Corps to the effect that the 53rd (Welsh) Division "had been having rather a bad time", and that Chauvel had gone to see the commander. Shortly afterwards, it was reported that the Yeomanry Mounted Division's headquarters and four regiments were holding the Ain Kohle to Sheria track, and were in touch with the 53rd (Welsh) Division on their right and the 74th (Yeomanry) Division on their left.

    Situation at 18:00 on 6 November 1917
    The attackers, reinforced by the 2/10th Middlesex, were ordered to hold their gains against a number of counterattacks, during which the 7th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers were pushed out of their position on the ridge. The last counterattack was finally repulsed at 15:30.The 158th Brigade suffered 620 casualties on 6 and 7 November, while the Imperial Camel Brigade suffered 76 casualties, the 2nd Light Horse Brigade Machine Gun Squadron suffered 27 casualties and the Middlesex 14 casualties, the Sussex casualties were unknown.

    The 159th Brigade on the left was ordered to advance on Ain Kohle, but could not move forward. Several urgent requests were made during the day for a mobile reserve of a brigade or a regiment, but they were denied by Chauvel, who could not spare the reinforcements. Although the attack by the 53rd (Welsh) Division had been very confused, suffering a "bloody defeat" instead of a "conquest", the 19th Division was stopped from moving back to reinforce Tel esh Sheria. The continuing threat of an attack up the road to the headquarters of the Seventh Army at Hebron and on to Jerusalem, was maintained by the repeated attacks on Tel el Khuweilfe by the 53rd (Welsh) Division. By the end of the day, the Ottoman defenders had succeeded in defeating the British infantry attacks on Tel el Khuweilfe, and continued to hold Tel esh Sheria, but they had begun to evacuate Gaza. At nightfall, Chauvel issued orders for the Anzac and Australian Mounted Divisions to begin their advance northwards via Sheria towards Jemmameh and Huj, while Barrow commanding the Yeomanry Mounted Division was to take command of the force at Tel el Khuweilfe, including the 53rd (Welsh) Division. We've had a successful day. We attacked the left of the Turkish positions, from N. of Beersheba, and have rolled them up as far as Sharia. The Turks fought well but have been badly defeated. Now, at 6 p.m., I am sending out orders to press in pursuit tomorrow. Gaza was not attacked; but I should not be surprised if this affected seriously her defenders. I am putting a lot of shell into them, and the Navy are still pounding them effectively.

    — Allenby letter to Lady Allenby 6 November

    Aftermath

    After the Ottoman 19th Division retreated from Tel el Khuweilfe the 53rd (Welsh) Division moved back to Beersheba.[128]

    Barrow's Detachment consisted of his Yeomanry Mounted Division, the 53rd (Welsh) Division, the Imperial Camel Brigade, the 11th and 12th Light Armoured Car Batteries, one squadron/four troops with eight machine guns of the 2nd Light Horse Machine Gun Squadron, the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade in reserve, and supported by the 1st Australian Field Squadron. Allenby ordered this detachment commanded by Major General G. de S. Barrow, who took command at 04:00 on 7 November to hold the positions already gained, to protect the right flank from the large hostile force near Edh Dhahariye, and to take every opportunity to attack Ottoman forces in the area. Barrows was preparing for another attack to capture the remainder of Khuweilfe, which was cancelled. Mott commanding 53rd (Welsh) Division reported at 14:20 seeing hostile columns retiring north and requested cavalry reinforcements to cut them off from the XX Corps where Chetwode responded that it was "inadvisable" to move the cavalry while the attack on Tel esh Sheria was in progress. Barrow then ordered the Yeomanry Mounted Division to be ready at dawn for the advance. So it was that by 12:40 the leading squadrons of the Yeomanry Mounted Division were about three miles (4.8 km) north of Bir Abu Khuff being shelled by hostile artillery, having captured 31 prisoners. As a consequence the division arrived at Tel esh Sheria that night on their way to rejoining the Desert Mounted Corps.

    However, the struggle for Khuweilfe Ridge continued without much change until the Ottoman force withdrew to conform with a general retirement.

    During the morning of 8 November, Chauvel ordered the Yeomanry Mounted Division to rejoin Desert Mounted Corps "as quickly as possible". They arrived two days later. Meanwhile, the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade came under the orders of the XX Corps at 16:00 on 8 November, when one squadron of Wellington Mounted Rifles Regiment was ordered to link the Imperial Camel Corps Brigade with the 53rd (Welsh) Division. On 9 November, the squadron was ordered to withdraw and arrived back in bivouac near Mikra at 21:00, to remain in the area in reserve until 11 November, when the Battle of Mughar Ridge began, and the brigade was ordered to rejoin the Anzac Mounted Division. The brigade rode out at 16:30 on 11 November to ride 52 miles (84 km) from Beersheba to rejoin their division at Hammameh on 12 November at 23:00. The Imperial Camel Brigade also returned to Chauvel's command on 11 November.

    After the New Zealand Mounted Rifle Brigade and the Yeomanry Mounted Division rejoined Desert Mounted Corps, the remaining infantry force became known as Motts Detachment. In early December, during the Battle of Jerusalem, Mott's Detachment—consisting of the 53rd (Welsh) Division, the XX Corps Cavalry, the 91st Heavy Battery and the 11th Light Armoured Motor Battery—had advanced to near Edh Dhariye. The detachment was ordered to advance up the road to Jerusalem to cover the right flank of the attack. The detachment made a cautious move to be 5 miles (8.0 km) south west of Hebron on 1 December, leaving one infantry brigade guarding the road south from Dhahriye to Beersheba. This guard was found to be completely unnecessary, when two cars of the 7th Light Car Patrol arrived from the north during the day to inform Mott that, not only had all Ottoman forces withdrawn from Hebron, but there were no large Ottoman forces south of Bethlehem. However, the tentative advance continued so slowly that, at the crucial moment when the southern flank of the 60th (London) Division became exposed on 8 December, they were forced to pause during the battle.

    The Western Front

    The 1st and 2nd Canadian Divisions having taken over the front, relieving the 3rd and 4th Canadian Divisions respectively begin an attack on Passchendaele. Less than three hours after the start of the assault, many units have reached their final objective lines and the town of Passchendaele has been captured.

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    At Passchendaele, when his platoon is held up by a machine-gun, Private James Peter Robertson (Manitoba Regiment) rushes the gun, killing four of the crew and then turns the gun on the remainder. After inflicting more casualties and carrying the captured gun, he leads his platoon to the final position and gets the gun into action, firing on the retreating enemy. During the consolidation his use of the machine-gun keeps down the enemy sniper fire. Later when two of the snipers on his own side are wounded, he goes out and carries one of them in under heavy fire but he is killed just as he returns with the second man. For his actions this day he will be awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.

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    Private James Peter Robertson

    Captain John Fox Russell VC MC (Royal Army Medical Corps attached Welsh Fusiliers) is killed in action at age 24. At an early age, he passed the examination for a scholarship at Magdalen College, Oxford, where he was educated for a few years before attending St. Bees School in Cumbria. While at School he was an enthusiastic member of the Officer Training Corps. He joined the Middlesex Hospital when only sixteen years of age and it was while he was in London that he joined the University of London Officers Training Corps, obtaining a commission in the Royal Welch Fusiliers in 1914. He was with them in camp when war was declared. Being anxious to qualify, he was seconded in order to complete his medical studies. After obtaining his degrees, he joined the Royal Army Medical Corps, and was attached to a battery of the Royal Field Artillery. He later re-joined his old regiment Royal Welsh Fusiliers and went out to Egypt as medical officer. In the First Battle of Gaza he won the Military Cross. He was subsequently awarded the Victoria Cross at Tel-el-Khuwwilfeh, Palestine. Captain Russell repeatedly went out to attend the wounded under murderous fire from snipers and machine-guns, and in many cases, when no other means were at hand, carried them in himself, although almost exhausted. He showed the greatest possible degree of valour. His brother will be killed one week after the Armistice serving in the Royal Air Force.

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    Private James Peter Robertson

    The War in The Air

    General Headquarters, November 7th.

    “During the morning of the 6th inst. high wind and rain greatly interfered with work in the air. Nevertheless our low-flying aeroplanes maintained constant touch with our advancing infantry, and, in addition, fired a large number of rounds from their machine-guns at the enemy shell-holes as well as in back areas. Many fleeing targets were signalled to our artillery from the air. and were successfully dealt with by our batteries. During a fair interval many of our aeroplanes, acting in conjunction with our operations on the ground, penetrated well east of the line. Whilst so employed they were caught in a heavy mist which suddenly developed, and seven machines tailed to return.

    “During the night 62 heavy bombs were dropped on the enemy's railways, communications, billets, and aerodromes in the vicinity of Roulers and Courtrai. Several large explosions, which were followed by fires, were observed in Roulers station and town.

    “In air fighting one German machine was brought down, and two others were driven down out of control. Four of our aeroplanes are missing, in addition to those mentioned above.”

    Admiralty, November 7th.

    “On the night of November 6th bombing raids were carried out by the Royal Naval Air Service on the following military objectives:— Thourout railway station; Lichtervelde railway station; on a moving train near Lichtervelde. Several direct hits on track and junctions are reported, but visibility was poor. Large quantities of explosives were dropped. All our machines returned safely.”

    RNAS - Weather overcast. One pilot and observer failed to return from local flight.

    Enemy Aircraft

    Capt W J Rutherford and Lt F O Soden, 60 Sqn, two-seater crashed Zonnebeke at 07:30/08:30
    Lt W J A Duncan, 60 Sqn, DFW C crashed north-east of Polygon Wood at 08:40/09:40

    A two-seater was driven down out of control by Lts Soden and Rutherford, No 60 Squadron, while Lt Duncan of the same squadron destroyed a two-seater near Polygon Wood

    Lt R G Holt, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed north-west of Westroosebeke at 10:35/11:35 - Lt Holt, No 19 Squadron, drove down an EA scout out of control

    Casualties

    Flt Sub-Lt H P Salter
    (Pow) & Obs Sub-Lt H W White (Pow), 2N Sqn, 1½ Strutter N5081 - anti-aircraft fire
    2nd Lt G M G Cato (Kia) & Lt R H Richardson (Kia), 6 Sqn, RE8 A3643 - dived too steeply at target broke up when pulled up and dived into mud in ****ebusch Lake on contact patrol; crew drowned
    ? (Ok) & 2nd Lt N A Arthur (Wia), 15 Sqn, RE8 - shot up on offensive patrol
    Lt E S Brander (Wia) & 2/AM A Townsend (Wia), 20 Sqn, Bristol F.2B - shot up in combat on offensive patrol
    ? (Ok) & 2nd Lt A V Farrier (Wia), 42 Sqn, RE8 - shot in back on offensive patrol

    Lt W L Harrison
    (Pow), 65 Sqn, Camel B2408 - missing on line patrol Ypres after patrol lost way in strong wind and mist; Ltn d R Erwin Böhme, Js2, 22nd victory [Scherminkel-Molen at 10:50/11:50] ?

    2nd Lt E H Cutbill
    (Pow), 65 Sqn, Camel B2414 - missing on line patrol Ypres after patrol lost way in strong wind and mist; Vzfw Paul Bäumer, Js2, 8th victory [Vierlavenhoek at 10:50/11:50] ?
    Lt E G S Gordon (Pow), 65 Sqn, Camel B2441 - missing on line patrol Ypres after patrol lost way in strong wind and mist; Ltn Gerhard Bassenge, Js2, 2nd victory [Staden at 10:50/11:50] ?
    2nd Lt H G Downing MC (Kia), 29 Sqn, Nieuport 27 B6779 – took off 07:15/08:15 then missing on ground patrol; Vzfw Gottfried Stumpf, Js6, 1st victory [Zonnebeke at 07:45/08:45] ?
    2nd Lt J H W Duggan (Kia) & 2nd Lt C B Simpson (Kia), 20 Sqn, Bristol F.2B B1139 – took off 07:22/08:22 then missing on offensive patrol northern area; anti-aircraft fire
    Lt R C Taylor (Pow), 3 Sqn, Camel B5160 – took off 07:35/08:35 and last seen over Bapaume making for Bullecourt on counter offensive patrol
    2nd Lt A G Cribb (Pow), 3 Sqn, Camel B6355 – took off 07:35/08:35 and last seen over Bapaume making for Bullecourt on counter offensive patrol
    2nd Lt E P Wilmot MC (Pow), 3 Sqn, Camel B6382 – took off 07:35/08:35 and last seen over Bapaume making for Bullecourt on counter offensive patrol
    2nd Lt T B Ruce (Pow), 3 Sqn, Camel B6392 – took off 07:35/08:35 and last seen over Bapaume making for Bullecourt on counter offensive patrol

    These four Camels were victims of the strong westerly wind. Driven east by the wind they landed near Namur to ascertain their location then took off again with the exception of Bruce, who suffered engine problems so burnt his machine. Due to the poor visibility the three Camels headed south instead of west and eventually came down near Rheims when out of fuel.

    2nd Lt F Gartside-Tippinge (Kia), 19 Sqn, Spad VII B3641 – took off 06:20/07:20 and believed to have crashed near Passchendaele at 07:40/08:40 on LNOP; Ltn d L Hans Ritter von Adam, Js6, 21st victory [west of Paschendaele at 07:50/08:50] ?
    2nd Lt F G Baker (Pow), 1 Sqn, Nieuport 27 B6827 – took off 08:08/09:08 and last seen west of Passchendaele heading for lines on central low flying patrol

    Oberleutnant Rudolf Szepessy-Sokoll of the Austro Hungarian Air Service - an ace with 5 victories is killed on this day

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    A tall man, Rudolf Szepessy-Sokoll Freiherr von Negyes et Reno joined the army in 1914 and distinguished himself in combat whilst serving with the Hussars Regiment No. 1. He volunteered for the air service in the summer of 1915, scoring his first victory as an observer with Flik 17. In what may have been the first strategic bombing mission in history, Szepessy-Sokoll was a member of a flight of ten Lohner and Lloyd two-seaters that attacked Milan, Italy on 14 February 1916. By early April 1917, Szepessy-Sokoll completed pilot training and was assigned to Flik 10 on the Russian front. He served with Flik 27 in August 1917 and with Flik 3 in September 1917, where he scored his first victory as a pilot, flying an Albatros D.III. Killed in action the day after he became an ace, Szepessy-Sokoll was shot down by Francesco Baracca. He was buried with full military honors in the cemetery near Ajello. He was posthumously awarded the Order of the Iron Crown, 3rd class

    The following aerial victory claims were made on this day

    William Duncan Canada #1

    William James Arthur Duncan made his pro ice hockey debut in 1915 and played with the 228th Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force hockey team in the National Hockey Association in 1916-1917 before being posted overseas. In England, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps and was posted to 60 Squadron in September 1917. With a roving commission, he scored eleven victories flying the S.E.5a before returning to the Home Establishment on 30 June 1918. Post war, Duncan resumed his hockey career with the Vancouver Millionaires of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association (winning league titles in 1921, 1922, 1923 and 1924) before the pro leagues collapsed in the west. He entered the NHL in 1926-27 with the Detroit Falcons (forerunner of the Red Wings) and served as both the team's first captain and first coach. Duncan played with the Toronto Maple Leafs from 1927-28 to 1930-31, while also coaching the team in 1930-31 and for the first five games of 1931-32. He was replaced as coach in Toronto by the legendary **** Irvin (another World War I veteran) who led the Maple Leafs to their first Stanley Cup championship later in 1931-32.

    William Rutherford Canada #7
    Frank Soden Canada #10
    John Lloyd Williams Wales #4
    Arthur Hicks Peck England #2
    Hans von Adam Germany #21
    Gerhard Bassenge Germany #2
    Paul Bäumer Germany #8 #9
    Erwin Böhme Germany #22
    Max von Müller Germany #30

    Richard Plange Germany #1

    Plange was wounded in action on 21 September 1917. After Heinrich Bongartz was wounded on 29 April 1918, Plange assumed temporary command of Jasta 36 on 16 May. He was killed in action three days later when his Fokker DR.I (546/17) was shot down by an Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8 near Zillebeke.

    Francesco Baracca Italy #25 #26
    Alvaro Leonardi Italy #3
    Giorgio Pessi Italy u/c #4 #5 #6
    Cosimo Rizzotto Italy #5

    Middle East
    Palestine: 17,000-strong XX Corps (1,300 casualties) storms central Turk Sheria position (c.4,000 men + c.40 guns) without prelim barrage, takes over 600 PoWs and 12 guns.
    Hejaz Railway: Lawrence and c.100 Arabs cross south of Deraa but lose explosives for Tell-el-Shehab rail bridge.

    Western Front
    Flanders: Canadians (2,238 casualties) capture Passchendaele after 0600 hours assault by 0900 hours; also Goudberg and Mosselmarkts with 464 PoWs. French I Corps captures Merckem.

    Eastern Front
    Petrograd: 3 Don Cossack regiments decide not to back Kerensky. Bolsheviks seize railway stations, bridges, state bank and telephone exchange. Lenin arrives at Smolny Institute headquarter.

    Air War
    Western Front: 4 Royal Flying Corps Sopwith Camel fighters get lost and come down nr Namur and Rheims (1 pilot escapes into Holland after burning plane).
    Last edited by Hedeby; 11-21-2017 at 10:29.

  38. #2838

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    November 7th 1917

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    Abu Hareira is about midway on the road from Beersheba to Gaza, in front of the Wadi el Sheria. The Turkish lines here are attacked and captured by the 10th, 60th (London) and 74th (Yeomanry) Divisions. British forces finally captured the deserted and ruined city of Gaza after two previous unsuccessful attempts.

    At Sheria, Palestine, under most difficult conditions, in darkness and in an unknown country, Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Drummond Borton (London Regiment) deploys his battalion for attack and at dawn leads his attacking companies against a strongly held position. When the leading company waves were checked by withering fire, he moves freely up and down the line under heavy fire and then leads his men forward, capturing the position. At a later stage he leads a party of volunteers against a battery of field guns in action at point-blank range, capturing the guns and the detachments. For his actions this day he will be awarded the Victoria Cross.

    Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Drummond Borton VC, CMG, DSO (1 July 1883 – 5 January 1933) was an English 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.

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    Borton was born at Cheveney, Kent to British officer Arthur Close Borton, the elderst son of Sir Arthur Borton and Adelaide Beatrice Drummond, a grandchild of Robert Kaye Greville. Borton was educated at Eton College and Sandhurst, before being commissioned into the King's Royal Rifle Corps in 1902 with whom he served in the Second Boer War. In 1908 he left the Army as unfit for general service.

    At the start of the First World War, Borton was fruit farming in the United States. He returned to England and re-joined The King’s Royal Rifles in 1914. After further service with the regiment he became an observer with The Royal Flying Corps in France, where he broke his neck in three places and was declared unfit when his aircraft crashed. Despite this he went to Gallipoli as a lieutenant commander in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, where he won the Distinguished Service Order serving with the RNAS Armoured Cars. Borton was appointed Second-in-Command of the 2nd/22nd London Regiment (The Queen’s) in June 1916, serving in France and Palestine.

    He was a 34-year-old lieutenant colonel in the 2/22nd (County of London) Battalion, the London Regiment, British Army, when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

    On 7 November 1917 at Palestine, Borton deployed his battalion for attack and at dawn led his companies against a strongly held position. When the leading waves were checked by withering fire, he moved freely up and down the line under heavy fire and then led his men forward, capturing the position. At a later stage he led a party of volunteers against a battery of field-guns in action at point-blank range, capturing the guns and the detachments. His fearless leadership was an example to the whole brigade.

    His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment Museum, Clandon Park, Guildford, Surrey.

    Borton's younger brother was Air Vice Marshal Amyas Borton. He married Lorna Lockhart in 1915

    752 British Lives were lost on this day

    Today’s highlighted casualties include:

    Commander Walter Sterrndale-Bennett DSO (Drake Battalion, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve) dies of wounds received in action three days before at age 24. His brother will die on service in 1941 at age 51 in the East Kent Regiment. They are great grandsons of the composer ‘Sir’ William Sterndale Bennett.
    Captain Harry Cormac Walshe (Royal Field Artillery) is killed. His brother died of wounds in November 1914 and they are sons of Edward Cormac Walshe JP DL.
    Lieutenant George Walpole Winthrop Denman-Dean (Royal Marines) is dies of wounds at age 21. He is the only son of the Reverend Richard Denman-Dean Rector of Woodbridge.

    The War in the Air

    General Headquarters, November 8th.

    “During the morning of the 7th instant low clouds and rain considerably hampered aerial work. In the afternoon, however, weather conditions improved, and some successful artillery and photographic work was carried out by our aeroplanes. Our low-flying machines fired many rounds at hostile troops and transport, and a number of bombs were dropped in the course of the day on the enemy's trenches and billets.”

    RNAS - Owing to unfavourable weather conditions, little war work could be carried out during the day. A few fighter patrols were attempted, but had to be abandoned owing to clouds and bad weather.

    Bombing raid by night - Nos 7 and 7A Squadrons, H.P.’s: raid on Thourout and Lichtervelde Railway Stations and Junctions. Twelve 250-lb and twenty-six 112-lb bombs were dropped on Thourout. The junctions were well straddled, and direct hits observed on the lines. Eight 250-lb and forty-six 112-lb bombs were dropped on Lichtervelde. A train proceeding from Lichtervelde to Roulers was bombed, and a large fire seen S.W. of Lichtervelde. Bombs exploded close to junction. All machines returned safey.

    Enemy Aircraft

    Enemy aircraft were not active.

    Flt Cdr R B Munday, 8N Sqn, Balloon on the ground north of Meurchin at 06:10/07:10 - Flight Cdr Munday, Naval Squadron No 8, crossed the lines at dawn and attacked a balloon north of Meurchin. He opened fire at 100 yards range and the balloon burst into flames. He then attacked the shed, but machine gun fire was too active so he left, and on his return flight fired into the Metallurgique Works

    2nd Lt F C Gorringe, 70 Sqn, two-seater out of control smoking south-east of Houthulst Forest at 07:20/08:20 - an EA, which was attacked by 2nd Lt Gorringe, No 70 Squadron, was driven down out of control

    Casualties

    2nd Lt J A Higham (Ok) & AM J M Dixon (Ok), 5 Sqn Det Flt, RE8 A3696 - wrecked in forced landing in unfavourable country at 28.A.40 [north of Poperinghe] after engine hit by AA during artillery observation

    2nd Lt A G Grose (Pow; Dow 09-Nov-17) & Lt B C R Grimwood MC (Kia), 4 Sqn, RE8 A3746 – took off 06:25/07:25 then missing on counter attack patrol 1st Anzac Corps Front

    Capt A E Barnes (Kia) & Lt E D S Caswell (Kia), 102 Sqn, FE2b A5577 – took off 21:35/22:35 then missing on night bombing raid

    German claims on this date:

    Ltn d R Rudolf Windisch, Js32, 5th victory, Spad, Leuilly Brancourt [no time]; given the location, presumably a French machine

    Ltn d R Walter Kypke, Kest 5, 6th victory, Nieuport, Hagenbach [no time]; again, probably a French machine

    Vzfw Paul Bäumer, Js2, 10th victory, 'RE8', south-west of Morslede at 07:10/08:10 - Grose & Gromwood, 4 Sqn

    Oblt Hermann Göring, Js27, 16th victory, 'DH5', north-west of Poelkapelle at 08:15/07:15 - no matching RFC casualty

    The following claims were made by aces on this day

    Frank Clifton Gorringe England #1

    Before he enlisted in the 5th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force on 23 September 1914, Frank Clifton Gorringe, the son of Frank J. and Mary Gorringe, was an express clerk living in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. After transferring to the Royal Flying Corps, 2nd Lieutenant Gorringe received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 5035 on a Grahame-White biplane at Grahame-White School, Hendon on 29 July 1917. Posted to 70 Squadron, he scored fourteen victories flying the Sopwith Camel. Post-war, he farmed in Kenya before returning to England in September 1935. When his body washed ashore at Newhaven in January 1936, an inquest into his death ruled he was "found drowned, with no evidence to show how he got into the water."

    Gorringe first trained as an observer and flew manning the observer's gun in a Sopwith 1½ Strutter with 43 Squadron in 1917. From there, he progressed to pilot's training at Hendon, receiving Aero Club certificate # 5035 on 29 July 1917. Once qualified to fly a Sopwith Camel, he was posted to No. 70 Squadron RAF|No. 70 Squadron RFC. On 7 November 1917, he scored his first win; at the end of the year, on 28 December, he became an ace. He had driven down an enemy reconnaissance plane out of control, captured another, teamed with Frank Granger Quigley to set an Albatros D.V, and destroyed two other recce planes. He began the new year by helping to flame another recce plane; by 18 February 1918, on which date he burned one Albatros D.V and destroyed another, he had run his total to 14. His final tally was six planes set afire, five otherwise destroyed, two driven down out of control, and one captured. His Military Cross was gazetted on 16 August 1918. He was then returned to Home Establishment for a bit, not returning to action until 25 October 1918. In the waning days of the war, Gorringe flew ground attack sorties as a Flight Commander in 210 Squadron. On 9 November 1918, he actually landed just behind advancing friendly troops to brief them on the defenses they now faced. He won a Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions

    Listed as Frank Clifford Gorringe in some sources.

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    Richard Munday England #5
    Paul Bäumer Germany #10
    Friedrich Ehmann Germany u/c
    Ludwig Gaim Germany #4
    Hermann Göring Germany #16
    Walter Kypke Germany #6
    Rudolf Windisch Germany #5
    Michele Allasia Italy #3
    Francesco Baracca Italy #27
    Guido Masiero Italy u/c
    Giovanni Nicelli Italy #2

    Eastern Front
    Petrograd: Kerensky leaves by car to find loyal troops, other ministers in Winter Palace with 1,000 troops surrounded by 18,000 Reds. Red cruiser Aurora signals bombardment from 2210 hours.

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    Sea War

    Baltic: Bolshevik cruiser Aurora (retained November 5) lands some of her 522 sailors to seize Nikolai Bridge in Petrograd. Revolution at Petrograd climaxes with searchlight assisted (but inaccurate) shelling of Winter Palace. Minelayer Amur, 2 minesweepers, 2 steamers, and 5 small craft arrive from Kronstadt with 3,800 sailors (c.9,700 in capital) and 950 soldiers. 4 destroyers sail from Helsinki to back Lenin (2 arrive on November 7) despite C-in-C’s protest.

    Middle East

    Palestine: Allenby occupies Gaza and pursues 8 miles to north. He already has 4,255 PoWs; 59 guns and over 84 MGs captured for 9,650 casualties.

    Politics

    Italy: Allied Rapallo Conference (until November 9, Anglo-French prime ministers left for Italy on November 4) agrees on Supreme Allied War Council on November 9
    Last edited by Hedeby; 11-24-2017 at 15:00.

  39. #2839

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    Thursday 8th November 1917
    Today we lost: 742
    Today’s losses include:

    · An England International and Kent cricketer and 1904 Wisden Cricketer of the Year
    · A talented violinist
    · Two Royal Flying Corps Lieutenants struck by a shell fired by the battery they were spotting for
    · The great grand nephew of a General killed at Waterloo
    · A son of the High Sheriff of Essex
    · The son of the Chairman of the Orient Line and Director of the Great Eastern Railway
    · Multiple families that will lose two and three sons in the Great War
    · A man whose step brother was killed
    · A man whose uncle was killed · Multiple sons of member of the clergy
    · A nephew of a member of the clerg · A 7-victory ace

    Today’s highlighted casualties include:

    · Captain Philip Chalmers Cowan (Manchester Regiment attached Royal Flying Corps) is killed in action at age 22. His brother was killed serving in the Royal Flying Corps in November 1916.
    · Lieutenant William Godffrey Meggitt MC (Royal Flying Corps) an ace with six victories is shot down and dies of wounds as a prisoner of war at age 23.
    · Lieutenant John Woodhall MC (Machine Gun Corps) is killed in Palestine. He is the son of the Reverend John Duckett Woodhall Vicar of St Margaret’s Halliwell.
    · Lieutenant Joseph Longstaff Watson (Manitoba Regiment) is killed at age 26. His brother died of wounds in May 1915 on Gallipoli and they are nephews of the Bishop of St David’s.
    · Second Lieutenants Frederick James McCullough and Leonard William Middleton (age 22) are killed while observing for 154th Siege Battery when their aircraft is struck by a shell fired by that battery.
    · Sergeant Colin Blythe (King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry) is killed when a random shell falls on the railway line between Forest Hall and Pimmern at age 39. He played professional cricket for Kent from 1899 to 1914 during which he took one hundred wickets each season and in 1904 he was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year.. He also played nineteen test matches for England and was a talented violinist.
    · Corporal Arthur Picton-Warlow (Military Labor Corps) dies on service in Africa at age 35. His brother has been accidentally killed in December 1914 and they are great grand nephews of General ‘Sir’ Thomas Picton GCB who was killed at Waterloo.
    · Private Norman Bagnell Throneycroft (Nova Scotia Regiment) is killed in action at Passchendale. His stepbrother was killed in April of this year.
    · Private George Frederick Furley (Alberta Regiment) is killed in action at age 41. His brother was killed last year and they are sons of the Reverend Henry Furley Rector of Kingsworth and his uncle was killed in 1915.
    · Private Harry Dye (King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry) is killed at age 27. He is the last of three brothers who are killed in the Great War.

    Air Operations:

    General Headquarters.

    “On the 8th instant the weather conditions during the early morning were good for flying. Later in the day, however, aerial work was carried out under considerable difficulties owing to a strong westerly wind, with heavy clouds and occasional rain. A large amount of work was accomplished by our aeroplanes in conjunction with our artillery, and a number of photographs were taken. Our low-flying machines co-operated in raids carried out by our troops on the German trenches and fired many rounds at hostile infantry and machine-guns. Numerous bombs were dropped during the day on the enemv's trenches and billets with good results, but unfavourable weather prevented bombing by night. A very large number of fights took place in the air. Twelve hostile machines were brought down and six were driven down out of control. Two other hostile machines were shot down by anti-aircraft guns. Ten of our machines are missing, including one which failed to return from a bombing raid on the night of the 7th-8th instant.”

    With aeroplane observation, 56 hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction and 33 neutralised.

    Anti-aircraft of the Second Army shot down an EA which fell in our lines (G.87).

    Bombing — 9th Wing: On the night of the 7th/8th, No 101 Squadron bombed Gontrode aerodrome, Roulers and Ingelmunster Railway Stations, while No 102 Squadron bombed the Gontrode, St Denis Westrem, Bisseghem, Moorseele, and Marcke aerodromes, and Courtrai Dump and sidings.

    RNAS - Weather conditions continue very unfavourable. Fighter Patrols were carried out over Nieuport Sector and the Fleet.

    Enemy Aircraft

    A considerable amount of fighting took place this day.

    2nd Lt Jackson & Pte J Reid, 4 Sqn, Scout out of control - while engaged on photographic work, 2nd Lt Jackson & Pte Reid, No 4 Squadron, were attacked by seven scouts and drove one down out of control

    Lt H McKenzie & Lt S McClenaghan, 22 Sqn, Scout in flames
    Capt J Butler & 2nd Lt H Johnstone, 22 Sqn, Scout out of control

    A formation of No 22 Squadron met and fought eight EA scouts, and Lts McKenzie & McClenaghan dived at one which was attacking a Bristol Fighter and shot it down in flames. Another was shot down out of control by Capt Butler & 2nd Lt Johnstone

    2nd Lt B Starfield & 2nd Lt A Hutchinson, 20 Sqn, Albatros crashed north-east of Ypres at 07:20/08:20 - 2nd Lt B Starfield & Lt A Hutchinson, No 20 Squadron, shot down one EA which was seen by ground observers to crash

    Flt Cdr R J O Compston, 8N Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames Oppy at 08:20/09:20 - Flight Cdr Compston, Naval Squadron No 8, shot down an EA scout in the vicinity of Oppy and it was seen to crash

    Capt T V Hunter, 66 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control at 08:30/09:30 - in other fighting by the 9th Wing, an EA fell out of control after being engaged by Capt Hunter, No 66 Squadron

    Maj A D Carter, 19 Sqn, two-seater crashed south of Gheluvelt at 09:25/10:25 - Major Carter, No 19 Squadron, shot down an EA two-seater, seen to crash

    Lt J E Child, 45 Sqn, Junkers crashed east of Westroosebeke at 10:25/11:25
    2nd Lt P Carpenter, 45 Sqn, Albatros C out of control south of Passchendaele at 10:25/11:25

    A fight between nine EA and a patrol of No 45 Squadron resulted in Lt Child destroying one EA, while a two-seater was driven down out of control by 2nd Lt Carpenter

    Capt F H B Selous, 60 Sqn, Rumpler C captured Klein Zillebeke at 11:00/12:00 - a patrol of No 60 Squadron found an EA two-seater near Zillebeke and Capt Selous shot it down in our lines (G.88); Ltn H Brassel & Vfw W Steinwerke, FAA 202, both Kia, G.88

    Capt A B Cook & Lt E Drudge, 57 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Hooglede at 11:05/12:05 - Capt Cook & Lt Drudge, No 57 Squadron, were attacked by an Albatros scout which they shot down out of control

    2nd Lt S L G Pope, 60 Sqn, two-seater crashed Ten-Brielen at 11:05/12:05 - a patrol of No 60 Squadron engaged a two-seater near Houthem which was destroyed by 2nd Lt Pope

    Lt A Koch, 70 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Westroosebeke at 11:45/12:45 - 2nd Lt Koch, No 70 Squadron, shot down an EA out of control

    Lt J C Kirkpatrick & Lt G A Brooke, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Staden at 13:00/14:00
    Lt W Durrand & 2nd Lt A E Woodbridge, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north-east of Houthulst Forest at 13:30/14:30

    Two EA were driven down out of control; one by Lts Kirkpatrick & Brooke, and the other by Capt Durrand & 2nd Lt Woodbridge, No 20 Squadron [Communique compiler apparently confusing Lt W Durrand of No 20 Sqn and Capt F A Durrad of No 22 Sqn]

    Capt J M Child, SE5a B562 and Lt F E Brown, 84 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control east of Poelcapelle at 14:15/15:15 - in other fighting by the 9th Wing, Capt Child and Lt Brown, No 84 Squadron, shot down an EA out of control

    2nd Lt S L G Pope, 60 Sqn, Albatros C crashed Houthem at 15:10/16:10 - a second patrol of No 60 Squadron engaged a two-seater which was destroyed by 2nd Lt Pope

    Capt W E Molesworth, 29 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames east of Westroosebeke at 15:15/16:15 - when leading his patrol, Capt Molesworth, No 29 Squadron, attacked the rear machine of a formation of 15 EA and shot it down in flames

    Capt H A Hamersley, 60 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Westroosebeke at 15:45/16:45
    Capt W J Rutherford, 60 Sqn, SE5a B608, Albatros Scout out of control Westroosebeke at 15:45/16:45

    Capt Hamersley, No 60 Squadron, destroyed an Albatros scout and Lt Rutherford drove one down out of control

    Capt W E Molesworth, 29 Sqn, two-seater in flames Houthulst Forest at 16:00/17:00
    Lt J G Coombe, 29 Sqn, two-seater out of control Houthulst at 16:00/17:00

    When leading his patrol, Capt Molesworth, No 29 Squadron, shortly after he had brought down a scout in flames, attacked one of two reconnaissance EA and also shot this down in flames. Lt Coombe attacked the other two-seater and drove it down out of control

    2nd Lt T F Williams, 45 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames Westroosebeke at 16:05/17:05
    2nd Lt T F Williams and Capt J C B Firth, 45 Sqn, Albatros Scout broke up Houthulst Forest at 16:10/17:10

    In another patrol of No 45 Squadron, pilots of this squadron dived at an Albatros scout which 2nd Lt Williams shot down in flames, after which he and Capt Firth sent another down out of control

    Casualties

    Lt G F W Zimmer (Ok) & 2nd Lt C E Stewart (Wia), 21 Sqn, RE8 B5071 - force landed Sh28.h.6.d.58 [north of Ypres] after hit by EA fire during photography; ground fire

    Lt W G Meggitt MC (Pow) & Capt F A Durrad (Kia), 22 Sqn, Bristol F.2B B1123 - two machines became separated during engagement 2 miles north of Moorslede one seen spinning down out of control and one apparently under control during offensive patrol; Ltn d R Heinrich Bongartz, Js36, 21st victory [Ledeghem at 14:05/15:05] ?

    Lt M H Coote (Ok), 56 Sqn, SE5a B1 - engine shot through in combat and forced to land on OP Neuve Eglise

    2nd Lt D Dagleish (Ok) & 2nd Lt A Pickford (Wia), 59 Sqn, RE8 A4619 - shot through by EA during photography

    Lt G A Cockburn (Kia), 19 Sqn, Spad VII B6777 – took off 08:07/09:07 then missing on north offensive patrol; Ltn Walter von Bulow-Bothkamp, Js, 25th victory [Houthem – Gheluvelt at 08:50/09:50] ?

    Lt F R C Cobbold (Pow), 56 Sqn, SE5a B630 – took off 08:25/09:25 then formation became split during engagement with EA over Moorslede on offensive patrol; Ltn d R Fritz Loerzer, Js26, 5th victory [north of Ostnieuwkerke at 09:10/10:10] or Ltn d R Hans Gottfried von Haebler, Js36, 4th victory [Tenbrielen at 09:10/10:10] ?

    2nd Lt L W Middleton (Kia) & 2nd Lt F J McCullough (Kia), 53 Sqn, RE8 A4664 - believed to have received direct hit by shell and crashed in no mans land at 08:55/09:55 on artillery co-operation

    Capt P C Cowan (Kia), 56 Sqn, SE5a B4883 – took off 08:30/09:30 and last seen after engagement with EA going down in a spin over Comines at 09:20/10:20 on offensive patrol; Ltn Hans von Haebler, Js36, 4th victory

    2nd Lt W C Pruden (Pow) & P7281 2/AM J Conlin (Pow), 18 Sqn, DH4 A7517 – took off 10:05/11:05 and last seen between Vitry-en-Artois and Hénin-Liétard at 12:00/13:00 during bombing; Vfw Hans Oberlander, Js30, 4th victory [north-west of Monchecourt at 12:00/13:00] ?

    2nd Lt H G Robinson (Pow) & Lt F J B Hammersley (Pow), 22 Sqn, Bristol F.2B A7283 – took off 12:50/13:50 then two machines became separated during engagement 2 miles north of Moorslede one seen spinning down out of control and one apparently under control during offensive patrol; Ltn d R Werner Dahm, Js26, 2nd victory [west of Moorslede at 14:00/15:00] ?

    2nd Lt E C Bromley (Ok) & 2nd Lt A H Middleton (Ok), 22 Sqn, Bristol F.2B B1120 – took off 12:53/15:53 then shot up in combat and forced to land

    Lt E S Livock (Kia) & Lt H R Morgan (Kia), 7 Sqn, RE8 B5032 – took off 13:10/14:10 then believed to have been hit by one of our own shells and crashed Sh28.c.4.b [south of Poelcapelle] on artillery observation

    Lt J H Deans (Kia), 84 Sqn, SE5a B4869 – took off 13:05/14:05 and last seen over Westroosebeke at 14:15/15:15 pursuing hostile machine on offensive patrol; Ltn d R Theodor Quandt, Js36, 8th victory [Paschendaele at 14:10/15:10]

    2nd Lt W R Kingsland (Pow), 84 Sqn, SE5a B4877 – took off 13:05/14:05 and last seen over Westroosebeke at 14:15/15:15 pursuing hostile machine on offensive patrol; Ltn d R Hans Hoyer, Js36, 8th victory [west of Roulers – Moorslede at 14:10/15:10]

    Lt J D McCall (Ok), 60 Sqn, SE5a B622 - force landed 200 yards east of Burns Farm and 500 yards west of front line near Poelcappelle at 16:15/17:15 on northern OP and shelled

    Royal Flying Corps Losses today: 13

    Flt Sub-Lt Andrews, E.O.A. (Eric Osterfield Arliss), Dundee Naval Air Station, RNAS.
    A Mech 1 Bickle, G.W. (Gilbert Winter), Dundee Naval Air Station, RNAS.
    A Mech 1 Carter, P.J. (Percy John), 26 (South African) Squadron, RFC.
    Lt Cockburn, G.A. (Gordon Alan), 19 Squadron, RFC.
    Capt Cowan, P.C. (Philip Chalmers), 56 Squadron, RFC.
    2Lt Croager, N.E.S. (Norman Eustace Sassoon), 73 Squadron, RFC.
    Lt Deans, J.H. (John Harold), 84 Squadron, RFC.
    Capt Durrad, F.A. (Francis Albert), 22 Squadron, RFC.
    Lt Livock, E.S. (Eric Stuart), RFC.
    2Lt McCullogh, F.J. (Frederick James), 53 Squadron, RFC.
    2Lt Middleton, L.W. (Leonard William), 53 Squadron, RFC.
    Lt Morgan, H.R. (Henry Richard), 7 Squadron, RFC.
    2Lt Redman, W.G. (Wilfred George), RFC.

    Claims: 36 confirmed (Entente 25 : Central Powers 11)

    George Brooke #6.
    Frederick Brown #1.
    Peter Carpenter #4.
    Albert Carter #3.
    James E. Child #3.
    James Martin Child #5.
    Robert Compston #11.
    James Coombe #1.
    Albert Deullin (France) #19.
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    William Durrand #8.
    John Firth #8.
    Harold Hamersley #5.
    Thomas Vicars Hunter #5.
    Alfred Koch #3.
    William Molesworth #7 & #8.
    Alfred Hicks Peck #3.
    Sydney Pope #4 & #5.
    William Rutherford #8.
    Grigory Suk (Russia) #8.
    Thomas Williams #2 & #3.
    John Lloyd Williams #5.
    Albert Edward Woodbridge #7.


    Paul Baumer #11 & #12.
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    Heinrich Bongartz #21.
    Walter von Bulow-Bothkamp #25.
    Hans von Habler #4.
    Hans Hover #8.
    Fritz Loerzer #5.
    Hans Oberlander #4.
    Theodor Quandt #8.
    Franz Ray #8.
    Karl Ritscherle #2.

    Western Front:

    Two successful British raids near Fresnoy and Armentieres.

    Lively artillery actions along whole front.

    Tunstills Men Thursday 8th November 1917:

    Billets in the Zudausques area

    A wet day. The Battalion marched four miles east to Tatinghem.

    Sgt. George Richard Goodchild (see 1st November), described the events of the day, “we marched the first stage – to Tatinghem – of our journey. The start was auspicious inasmuch as this march was the first occasion on which our new band had accompanied us. Right well did this portion of the Battalion acquit itself and the march was really enjoyable despite the drag of an inordinately large pack. Tatinghem provided us with good billets for Thursday night. The Orderly Room was in a cobbler’s cottage and was very comfortable. The occupants of the house were also very good to us – this is not always the case even with the French – and we became quite friendly with them during our short stay. Just before we departed the cobbler presented each one of us with a large William pear. These were eaten on the train later in the day and thoroughly enjoyed. Incidentally it may be mentioned here that this shoe-making friend told us that every pair of hand-made child’s or lady’s boots or shoes then cost 30 Francs!!”.

    The inauguration of the Battalion band was also remembered fondly by Capt. William Norman Town (see 1st November): “A brass band had been started only a short time before and, indeed, half the instruments only arrived two days before we left France. One of the Officers went to London on one day’s leave. He hied him to Hawkes & Sons, one of whose partners had served in the 10th, and, guided by their advice, brought back large and fearsome brazen forms. He was a Scotsman, one of the persistent sort. Surely none other could have got these great packing cases past the RTO at Victoria, on to and off the ship and into a motor ‘wangled’ for the occasion”. (It seems likely that the ‘persistent’ Scottish officer was Capt. James Watson Paterson, see 25th October).

    L.Sgt. Albert Hoggarth (see 17th October) was reported by CSM Thomas McCloud (see below) as having been “drunk on the line of march”; he was reprimanded by Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge DSO (see 29th October).

    CSM Thomas McCloud was 32 years old. He had served in India with 1DWR before the war and had been posted to Gallipoli with 8DWR in July 1915. The details of his war service and when he had joined 10DWR are unknown.

    A/Cpl. Bertie Gooch (see 29th October) departed for England on ten days’ leave.

    Pte. Reginald Dayson (see 1st November), who, a week previously, had been found guilty of desertion and sentenced to two years imprisonment with hard labour, had his sentence suspended on the orders of General Sir Herbert Plumer.

    Pte. Patrick Sweeney (see 25th October), who had been sentenced to death for desertion, had his sentence commuted to 15 years’ penal servitude on the orders of Field Marshall Sir Douglas Haig.

    A payment of 16s. 7d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Joe William Woodhouse (see 10th June), who had been killed in action on 10th June; the payment would go to his widow, Annie.

    Southern Front:

    Germans force crossing of Livenza river and pursue Italians towards Piave river.

    Between Tolmezzo and Gemona, 17,000 Italians are outflanked and surrender.

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    Though the last Italian offensive had proven inconclusive, the Austrians were in strong need of reinforcements. These became available when Russia crumbled and troops from the Eastern front, the Trentino front and Flanders, were secretly concentrated to the Isonzo front.

    On 24 October 1917, the Central Powers troops broke through the Italian lines in the upper Isonzo at Caporetto (the modern Kobarid) and routed the 2nd Italian Army. The Italian army commanders had been informed of a probable enemy attack, but had underestimated it and did not realize the danger posed by the infiltration tactics developed by Germans.

    From Caporetto the Austro-Hungarians advanced for 150 km (93 mi) south-west, reaching Udine after only four days. The defeat of Caporetto caused the disintegration of the whole Italian front of the Isonzo. The situation was re-established by forming a stop line on the Tagliamento and then on the Piave rivers, but at the price of 700,000 dead, wounded and prisoners. Cadorna, who had tried to attribute the causes of the disasters to low morale and cowardice among the troops, was relieved of duty. On 8 November 1917 he was replaced by Armando Diaz.

    Sullivan called Caporetto "the greatest defeat in Italian military history." Schindler wrote "By any standard, Twelfth Isonzo (Caporetto) and its aftermath represented an unprecedented catastrophe for Italian arms." The disaster "came as a shock" and "triggered a search for scapegoats," culminating in a 1919 Italian military commission that investigated the causes of the debacle. At Rapallo, a Supreme War Council was created to improve Allied military co-operation and develop a common strategy. Luigi Cadorna was forced to resign after the defeat, a final straw according to the Prime Minister, Vittorio Emanuele Orlando. Cadorna was known to have maintained poor relations with the other generals on his staff and by the start of the battle, had sacked 217 generals, 255 colonels and 355 battalion commanders. In addition, he was detested by his troops as being too harsh. Cadorna had been directing the battle 20 miles (32 km) behind the front and retreated another 100 mi (160 km) to Padua when replaced by Armando Diaz and Pietro Badoglio. Italian propaganda offices were established, promising land and social justice to soldiers. Italy also accepted a more cautious military strategy from this point on. Diaz concentrated his efforts on rebuilding his shattered forces while taking advantage of the national rejuvenation that had been spurred by invasion and defeat.

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    Italian PoW after Caporetto

    Italian losses were enormous: 10,000 were killed, 30,000 wounded and 265,000 were taken prisoner – morale was so low among the Italian troops, mainly due to Cadorna's harsh disciplinary regime, that most of these surrendered willingly. 3,152 artillery pieces, 3,000 machine guns and 1,712 mortars were lost, along with a vast amount of stores and equipment. In contrast, the Austro-Hungarians and Germans only sustained 70,000 casualties.

    Asiatic, African, Egyptian Front:

    General Allenby follows up his victory in Palestine.

    Turks in retreat north on Hebron and Jerusalem.

    The Charge at Huj (8 November 1917), (also known by the British as the Affair of Huj), was an engagement that took place during the Pursuit phase of the Southern Palestine Offensive which eventually captured Jerusalem a month later.

    The charge was carried out by units of the 5th Mounted Brigade, against a rearguard position of German, Austrian and Turkish artillery and infantry armed with machine guns. The charge was successful and the British captured the position, seventy prisoners, eleven pieces of artillery and four machine guns. However British casualties were heavy; of the 170 men taking part, twenty-six were killed and forty wounded. They also had 100 horses killed.
    The charge is claimed to be one of the last British cavalry charges and was immortalised in a watercolour painting by the noted British artist Lady Butler.

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    Huj is a Palestinian Arab village located 9.3 miles (15.0 km) north east of Gaza. During the Third Battle of Gaza, under pressure from the British attack, the majority of the Turkish forces from XXI Corps, had withdrawn from the area on 5 November. At around 14:00 8 November 1917, the following British forces with the 60th (2/2 London) in the lead were stopped by artillery fire from a strong rearguard position on a ridge of high ground to the south of Huj. The Turkish rearguard had been established to protect the withdrawal of the Eighth Army headquarters, and was composed of German, Austrian and Turkish artillery, around 300 infantry and six machine guns. Aware that his infantry division alone would have problems taking the position, the 60th Division commander requested assistance from mounted troops.

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    Falls Sketch Map 7 Charge of 5th Mounted Brigade

    The only mounted troops in the area were 170 yeomanry - two full squadrons and two half squadrons from the Worcestershire and Warwickshire - part of the British 5th Mounted Brigade in the Australian Mounted Division. The squadrons manoeuvred under cover to a forming up point 1,000 yd (910 m) on the British right. Advancing under cover of the terrain they got to within 300 yd (270 m) of the position, drew their swords and charged. The Warwickshire Yeomanry squadron attacked the main force of Turkish infantry, then turned and attacked the gun line. The regiment's other half squadron and the Worcestershire Yeomanry squadron attacked the guns from the front, while the remaining troops attacked an infantry position located at the rear behind the main force.

    The German and Austrian artillerymen carried on firing until the horsemen were around 20 yd (18 m) away then some took cover underneath their guns. Those who remained standing were mostly stabbed by the swords of the attacking British, while others running away from the guns escaped injury by lying on the ground.

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    Turkish heliograph section at Huj

    The only officer of the Worcestershire Yeomanry to escape uninjured Lieutenant Mercer described the charge;

    "Machine guns and rifles opened up on us the moment we topped the rise behind which we had formed up. I remember thinking that the sound of crackling bullets was just like hailstorm on a iron-roofed building, so you may guess what the fusillade was....A whole heap of men and horses went down twenty or thirty yards from the muzzles of the guns. The squadron broke into a few scattered horsemen at the guns and seemed to melt away completely. For a time I, at any rate, had the impression that I was the only man left alive. I was amazed to discover we were the victors".

    All three charges were successful and the main force of infantry withdrew leaving the guns undefended apart from their crews. The yeomanry captured seventy prisoners, eleven artillery guns and four machine guns. British casualties amounted to twenty-six men dead, including three squadron commanding officers, and forty wounded, 100 horses were also killed in the charge.

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    Turkish gun captured during the charge, now at Victoria Barracks, Melbourne.

    The charge opened the way for the British forces to continue the advance, as it had destroyed the last of the Turkish strength south of the village of Huj which was captured later that day. No large groups of Turkish soldiers were cut off. However both British yeomanry regiments contingents were in no position to continue the pursuit of the withdrawing Turkish forces. The pursuit was further hampered by problems with watering horses and lack of supplies, both of which were hindered by the weather. The British forces, from the Australian Mounted Division, did not follow up until the 9/10 November.

    The charge at Huj has been called "the last great charge of the British cavalry." It has since been immortalised in a watercolour painting by the noted British artist Lady Butler which hangs in the Warwickshire Yeomanry Museum.

    Major Oscar Teichman, the Medical Officer for the Worcestershire Yeomanry writing in the Cavalry Journal in 1936 said;

    "The Charge at Huj had it occurred in a minor war would have gone down to history like the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava. In the Great War when gallant deeds were being enacted on all fronts almost daily it was merely an episode, but as the Official Historian remarks, for sheer bravery, the episode remains unmatched.”

    (Visitors to the Warwickshire Yeomanry Museum located in the Court House, Jury Street, Warwick, can inspect the 75mm Model 1903 Turkish Field Gun number 488 manufactured by Friedrich Krupp, Essen, and marked to the 1/1 Warwickshire Yeomanry. This trophy gun ended up on display at Kaitangata, New Zealand circa 1921, and was finally donated by the Fox Family of Invercargill, New Zealand, to the Warwickshire Yeomanry Museum for public display in 2001. The return of the Warwickshire Yeomanry's trophy gun also served to reinforce the enduing links between 2nd New Zealand Division and the regiment which were forged in 1942, during and after the Battle of El Alamein, when the Warwickshire Yeomanry provided invaluable tank support for the New Zealand advance.)

    The Capture of Wadi el Hesi and the associated Sausage Ridge, began during the evening of 7 November 1917, was fiercely fought for during 8 November and not cleared until the early hours of 9 November. The advancing units of the EEF were held by rearguard units of the withdrawing Yildirim Army Group, holding a strategically strong position to the north of Gaza.

    The Ottoman 7th Division established a defensive line on the northern side of the Wadi el Hesi which included Sausage Ridge. After the wadi was fairly quickly crossed late on 7 November, Sausage Ridge protecting the road and railway along which the retreating Ottoman columns were traveling, was attacked on 8 November by the EEF's 52nd (Lowland) Division. However, supported by an Ottoman cavalry attack on the British infantry's northern flank, the Ottoman rearguard strongly defended the ridge all day and most of the night, until it was finally captured early on 9 November. By then the rearguard had successfully withdrawn along with the withdrawing Ottoman columns.

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    Falls Sketch map 6 shows Ottoman defences from Gaza to Tel el Sheria at 18:00 on 6 November with the evacuation of Gaza indicated from En Nezle and Jebalive towards Huj, Beit HAnun and Wadi el Hesi, and the Ottoman Palestine railway. Also shows Atawineh, Kh Zuheilika and Jemmame.

    On 7 and 8 November rearguards of the Ottoman Eighth Army, delayed the EEF's advance by Lt Gen Edward Bulfin’s XXI Corps and Lt Gen Harry Chauvel’s Desert Mounted Corps.

    During the morning of 8 November, a detachment of the 10th (Irish) Division (XX Corps) advanced along the road to Gaza from Beersheba, to find touch with the Composite Force of the XXI Corps near Atawineh, having passed the undefended Hairpin redoubt on Sausage Ridge.

    A second group of the retreating Gaza garrison had marched through the previous night, to gain distance and time to establish light field defences on a strong position just north of the Wadi el Hesi, seven miles (11 km) north north east of Gaza. In the sand dunes and in the cultivated area nearby, they constructed a series of short trenches. Behind these defences they resisted the EEF advance all day, making a determined stand on the Wadi el Hesi. It was towards this line held by the 7th Division, that the 53rd Division had withdrawn, while the 3rd Division held Beit Hanun.

    Rising in the Judean Hills, the Wadi el Hesi stretched west to enter the sea seven miles (11 km) north of Gaza. When not flowing, water was available all year round, either in large pools, or just below the surface. On the northern bank, in the small village of Herbie, in the areas of cultivation, and in the sand dunes, the Ottoman rearguard constructed lines of trenches, which made the most of the natural strengths of the area. However, this second line was not nearly as strong as the Gaza to Beersheba line, and was vulnerable to attack from the south over the sand dunes.

    The aim of this rearguard was to delay the EEF advance until the arrival of the winter rains. In the mud, the Ottoman Army was hopeful that it could to hold the EEF until spring, when reinforcements from the Baghdad campaign in Mesopotamia were expected to arrive in Southern Palestine, along with Ottoman divisions from Salonika. German battalions might also become available following Russia's withdrawal from the war.

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    Wadi el Hesi attacks by 155th and 157th Brigades on 8 November

    On the far left of the EEF pursuit, the 157th Brigade (52nd Division) and attached cavalry, artillery and engineers, had advanced seven miles (11 km) north of Gaza along the shore covered by cliffs, to within one point five miles (2.4 km) of the Ottoman army entrenchments on the banks of the Wadi el Hesi, the sand dunes giving good cover to their approach from the south. By dusk on 7 November, the 157th Brigade had reached and crossed the Wadi el Hesi near its mouth.

    On 8 November, the Royal Scots Fusiliers and King’s Own Scottish Borderers battalions of the 155th Brigade (52nd Division), crossed the wadi behind the Highland Light Infantry battalions of the 157th Brigade (52nd Division) and "extended their line northwards ... into an area of sand–dunes bounded by the coast on the left and a ridge, called by the mapmakers 'Sausage Ridge', behind which the road and railway ran." Sausage Ridge extended from the southern edge of the village of Burbera, southwards for three miles (4.8 km) towards Deir Sineid, ending nearly on the right bank of the Wadi el Hesi, three point five miles (5.6 km) inland from the coast. The ridge was held in strength by the Ottoman 7th Division rearguard which held the EEF advance in determined fighting for most of the day, with the division successfully covering the majority of the retreating columns as they withdrew north along the road and railway to the east, and behind Sausage Ridge.

    At 05:30 the 155th and 157th Brigade were ordered to capture Sausage Ridge. They were to attack the ridge to the north west of Herbie and not far from Ras Abu Ameire, with the support of the 164th Brigade RFA, and unknown to Brigadier General John Pollok-M'Call commanding the 155th Brigade, naval guns on monitors off the mouth of the Wadi el Hesi.

    The 1/5th Highland Light Infantry followed by the 7th Highland Light Infantry (157th Brigade), did not begin their attack on Ras Abu Ameire, a high dune east of the main position until dark on 7 November. By 20:20 they had not been strongly resisted, capturing their objective along with a machine gun and some rifles, but no prisoners.
    Only the southern portion of the Ras Abu Ameire Ridge had been captured the previous night by the 157th Brigade. Accordingly, on 8 November Brigadier General Hamilton Moore commanding the 157th Brigade, had been told his brigade's contributions would be defensive. While the 155th Brigade was to advance to attack Sausage Ridge on his left, Moore extended his flank north along the Ras Abu Ameire Ridge to attack the Ottoman rearguard holding the northern part of the ridge, which had clear targets on the advance of the 155th Brigade. Although the rearguard strongly resisted, the 7th Highland Light Infantry cleared most of the Ras Abu Ameire Ridge, while the leading battalion of the 155th Brigade, the 5th Kings Own Scottish Borderers completed the job by 10:30.

    When Pollok-M'Call commanding the 155th Brigade, reconnoitred the proposed battlefield from Ras Abu Ameire Ridge, he found Sausage Ridge was 1,000 yards (910 m) further away from Ras Abu Ameire, was more than two hundred feet (61 m) high in places, with a glacis fortification constructed on the western face. In addition to these very formidable Ottoman defences, he also found the ridge extended further north than maps had indicated, and previously appreciated, and as a consequence the approach by 155th Brigade would expose these British infantry units, to an attack from the north by hostile units from Ashkelon. Bulfin, commanding the XXI Corps, arrived at Major General John Hill's headquarters of the 52nd (Lowland) Division, and despite the newly appreciated physical strength of the position, "the attack must be carried out as ordered." By 16:00 all units were in position for the attack but only one hour of daylight remained in which to advance three miles (4.8 km).

    Holding the southern sector, the 157th Brigade was ordered at 13:30 to attack "with its whole strength", leaving no units to strengthen their northern flank. The 157th Brigade was to attack through Herbie to capture the southern edge of Sausage Ridge overlooking the Ottoman Palestine railway which ran from Beit Hanun to Junction Station. The 5th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and the 5th Highland Light Infantry were to extend "along the southern end of the Ras Abu Ameire Ridge" advancing frontally, while on the southern bank of the Wadi el Hesi, the 6th Highland Light Infantry was to cross the wadi southwest of Sausage Ridge, in a turning movement. The 157th Brigade, advanced unopposed until they were three quarters of the way from Herbie towards the Sausage Ridge, at dusk they suffered considerable casualties from heavy rifle and machine gun fire.

    The 157th Brigade went on to attack the southern end of Sausage Ridge, and succeeded in gaining ground as darkness fell. By 18:00 the leading troops of the Argyll and Southern Highlanders and 5th Highland Light Infantry reached the foot of the hill and charged straight up to gain the crest. Under very heavy Ottoman machine gun fire, strengthened by minenwerfer short range mortars, small groups of British soldiers "came to close quarters" with the Ottoman troops, fighting each other with bombs and bayonets. An Ottoman battalion counterattacked a few minutes later driving the British off the ridge. After rallying, they were driven off four times when many British were killed with the bayonet. After losing all their officers and NCOs the survivors reformed and returned to the attack. However, the Ottoman defenders were also armed with hand grenades and trench mortars.

    After suffering heavy losses the 5th Highland Light Infantry were ordered to "stand fast", while the 7th Highland Light Infantry, the reserve battalion moved through them to take up the attack, with the 5th Highland Light Infantry forming the reserve. Meanwhile, the turning movement of the 6th Highland Light Infantry, which had advanced slowly in close formation through sand, was becoming effective as the defenders had not been prepared for a flank attack, on this south-western end of Sausage Ridge. At 20:50 a general attack along the whole line captured the position with the bayonet, except for rearguards on the heights two hundred yards (180 m) away. Strong officers' patrols captured this higher ground and the whole position was cleared by 03:30 on 9 November. The 157th Brigade lost more than 400 casualties.

    The 1/4th and 1/5th Royal Scots Fusiliers and the 1/4th and 1/5th King's Own Scottish Borderers (155th Brigade) crossed the Wadi el Hesi and passed through the 157th Brigade's Highland Light Infantry to extend the line northwards, bringing the 155th Brigade into the sand dunes of the Mediterranean coast. At 12:30 the 155th Brigade formed up on the Ras Abu Ameire Ridge with their right three-quarters mile (1.2 km) to the north-east on a 1,200 yards (1,100 m) front with the 5th Kings Own Scottish Borderers on the right, the 4th Royal Scots Fusiliers in the centre, the 5th Royal Scots Fusiliers on the left, and the 4th Kings Own Scottish Borderers in reserve. The Corps Cavalry Regiment guarded their left, northern flank, while the Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade covered their right flank, attacking the Ottoman rearguard positions on the Wadi el Hesi near Tumra. The attack was launched at 14:20 under heavy hostile artillery fire from four field batteries, two field howitzers, a 150-mm howitzer and two 100-mm high-velocity guns. These guns could not be located by the 264th Brigade RFA or the monitors off the coast.
    The 5th Royal Scots Fusiliers (155th Brigade) on the northern flank of the attacking force, approached the line of its objectives about 1,000 yards (910 m) too far to the left, as a consequence of the threatening advance of a squadron of Ottoman cavalry from Ashkelon, when fire from machine guns in the dunes, "completely enfiladed the advance." An infantry company forced the machine gunners back, but a gap opened between the 5th and the 4th Royal Scots Fusiliers. Before the gap was closed, counterattacks were launched from the front by two battalions, supported by mountain howitzers and machine guns, and from Ashkelon by Ottoman cavalry. One company of the 5th Royal Scots Fusiliers slowed the cavalry but was gradually forced back until the left flank of the brigade was back at its starting point on Ras Abu Ameire Ridge, compelling the right flank and the whole brigade to withdraw. At this time 285 casualties were suffered by the British infantry. This counterattack, which had developed about 16:00, forced the infantry brigade to face north to meet the attack. Here they remained awaiting reinforcements.

    The Ottoman rearguards had succeeded in covering the Gaza garrison's withdrawal for two full days, and the 1,000 strong rearguard also escaped capture. They were seen by the Scots as they reached the top of Sausage Ridge, marching north in full regulation formation, "under no pressure at all." The British infantry battalions had captured about twelve prisoners but suffered seven hundred casualties. However, by the evening of 8 November, all the Ottoman positions which had made up the Gaza to Beersheba line had been captured and the Eighth Army was in full retreat.

    The pursuit by Desert Mounted Corps across the Southern Palestine plain, which eventually ended some fifty miles (80 km) north, began during the morning of 8 November, after the Ottoman line of defence had been broken in the centre at Sheria.

    Allenby wrote on 8 November: The battle is in full swing. We have driven the Turks N. and N.E. and my pursuing troops are ten miles beyond Gaza, and travelling fast. A lot of Turks are cut off – just N.E. of Gaza. I don't know if they will be caught; but there is no time to waste in catching them. They pooped off a huge explosion this morning – presumably ammunition. My army is all over the place, now on a front of 35 miles ... My flying men are having the time of their lives; bombing and machine gunning the retreating columns ... I fancy that Kress von Kressenstein is nearing the Jaffa-Jerusalem line, himself.

    — Allenby letter dated 8 November 1917

    Late in the afternoon of 8 November, twenty-eight British and Australian aircraft had flown over Huj, the headquarters of the Ottoman force, in bombing formation targeting German and Ottoman aerodromes, railway junctions, dumps, and troops marching in close formation, with bombs and machine guns. Arak el Menshive was raided twice during the day when two hundred bombs were dropped, forty-eight hit ten hostile aircraft still on the ground. The next day, Et Tine was bombed, when at least nine hostile aircraft were damaged. Virtually continual aerial attacks were made on railway stations, troops on the march and transport, while a German aircraft was shot down near the Wadi el Hesi.
    Before midnight on 8 November GHQ EEF issued instructions for the XXI Corps to send the 75th Division to join the 52nd (Lowland) Division in the pursuit. Their next objective was the Julis-Hamama line 20 miles (32 km) northeast of Gaza. Although the Composite Force took over the 75th Division position at Sheikh Abbas on 9 November, the return of transport delayed this division's advance. While the 75th Division waited for the return of their 75th Divisional Train, the Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade withdrew to Beit Hanun for supplies, food and water, and the 54th (East Anglian) Division was unable to advance from Gaza as the division's transport had been transferred to the 52nd (Lowland) Division. While Desert Mounted Corps advanced northwards, the XX Corps could not move as its transport had been transferred to the XXI Corps. The 10th (Irish) and the 74th (Yeomanry) Divisions withdrew to Karm to get supplies, the 60th (London) Division could not move from Huj as it also lacked transport. Further, while the Ottoman 19th Division retreated, the 53rd (Welsh) Division, along with the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade and the Imperial Camel Brigade, remained on the front line in the Tel el Khuweilfe area.

    By the evening of 8 November, all the Ottoman positions of the Gaza to Beersheba line had been captured and the Eighth Army was in full retreat. In conjunction with the captures in the centre of the line at Sheria, the occupation of Gaza enabled a swift direct advance northwards, preventing a strong consolidation of the Wadi Hesi rearguard position. However, the Ottoman XXII Corps was not defeated at Gaza, but conducted a skillful, tactical retreat from the town, demonstrating both operational and tactical mobility. Late in the afternoon of 8 November, twenty-eight British and Australian aircraft flew over Huj, the headquarters of the Ottoman force, targeting German and Ottoman aerodromes, railway junctions, dumps, and troops in close formation with bombs and machine guns. Arak el Menshive was raided twice during the day with two hundred bombs dropped, forty-eight hit ten hostile aircraft still on the ground. The next day, Et Tine was bombed, with at least nine hostile aircraft damaged. Virtually continual aerial attacks were made on railway stations, troops on the march and transport, while a German aircraft was shot down in flames near the Wadi Hesi.

    East Africa:
    Major Charles Henry Green (South Staffordshire Regiment attached Nigeria Regiment WAFF) dies of wounds at Lindi-Massasi road, Mkwera, East Africa at age 35. He was the fourth son of ‘Sir’ Frederick Green KBE Chairman of the Orient Line, Director of the Great Eastern Railway, High Sheriff of Essex in 1918, of Hainault Lodge, Chigwell Row, and of Lady Green. Major Green was gazetted to the South Staffordshire Regiment in 1901 and from 1901 to 1908 served with the West African Frontier Force. He went to France with the 7th Division in October 1914 and was seriously wounded in the first Battle of Ypres. On recovery he went to the Cameroons and from there to East Africa, where he took part in all the fighting, until he was killed while acting as Acting Second-in-Command.

    Naval Operations:

    Shipping Losses: 5 (All U-Boat action)

    Political:

    Arrival in London of U.S.A. Mission under Colonel House.

    November 7 1917, Petrograd–The Bolsheviks launched their planned coup on the night of November 6, with Red Guards and other forces under command of the Bolshevik’s Milrevkom quickly seizing key positions throughout the city–bridges, railroads, and almost all forms of communication. The Petrograd garrison, no friend to Kerensky, largely let the Red Guards do this, and a small number even helped them do so. By late in the morning of the 7th, the Bolsheviks had seized most important points in the city, excepting the Winter Palace, home of the Provisional Government. Around 10AM, Kerensky slipped out of the Winter Palace in a car illegally seized from the American embassy (and flying the American flag), heading off to the front in an attempt to rally the front-line troops to fight the Bolsheviks.

    pic
    Members of a Women’s Battalion of Death, some of the last defenders of the Provisional Government.

    Lenin wanted to swiftly take the Winter Palace and announce the toppling of the Provisional Government before the Congress of Soviets opened later that day; Lenin’s entire plan had been to present the Bolshevik takeover as a fait accompli. However, the Bolsheviks were unable to take the Winter Palace the whole day, for increasingly laughable reasons. The Palace was defended by a handful of demoralized and poorly-trained cadets, along with one of the Women’s Battalions of Death, and would have provided little resistance to a determined assault. However, the few shots coming out of the Winter Palace intimidated the Red Guards outside into complacency. Furthermore, the Bolsheviks, with too much of a sense of drama for their own good, wasted an inordinate amount of time on symbolic gestures leading up to the assault: the Red Guards felt they had to wait for sailors from the Baltic Fleet to join them, wasted hours trying to find a red lantern to signal the assault, and tried to use museum-piece guns from the Peter and Paul Fortress to shell the Winter Palace.

    After extensive delays, a bombardment of sorts began at 9:40 PM, with a single blank shot from the cruiser Aurora. An hour later, the Congress of Soviets finally opened. It seemed for a moment that anall-Soviet government could finally be formed, but many Mensheviks and SRs walked out in protest at the attack on the Provisional Government. The last Menshevik opposition left at around 2AM, leaving the Bolsheviks in control of the Congress. At around the same time, the Bolsheviks seized the Winter Palace and arrested Kerensky’s ministers, meeting little resistance; no more than five died in the brief struggle.

    At 1 a.m. on November 8th, a shabbily dressed man got to his feet and rose to speak. He took away a handkerchief from his face and was instantly recognised as Lenin. He told those in the Smolny Institute that he was forming a government of Bolsheviks and that it would contain no middle class people. The government would work to help the workers and peasants.

    By the end of the day the members of the Provisional Government were under arrest, the tsar and his family were also under house arrest. Lenin’s statement that he would overturn the government of Russia – made after his brother had been executed – was fulfilled.

    But Lenin may have controlled Petrograd. Russia was a vast country and he did not control vast areas. These areas were openly hostile to the Bolsheviks.

    The Coup d'Etat and fighting in Petrograd the Bolsheviks under Lenin depose Kerenski, who takes to flight. Bolshevik coup d'état in Petrograd. M. Lenin and M. Trotski assume power. Former succeeds M. Kerenski as Premier and latter succeeds M. Tereshchenko as Foreign Minister (see 13th, May 16th and August 6th).

    Revolutionaries announce "an immediate democratic peace" their first objective.

    A Bolshevik uprising of 6,000 led by Georgy Pyatakov in Kiev occurred in opposition of the creation of a revolutionary committee by the Central Council of Ukraine as a temporary government.

    Anniversary Events:
    392 Theodosius of Rome passes legislation prohibiting all pagan worship in the empire.
    1226 Louis IX succeeds Louis VIII as king of France.
    1576 The 17 provinces of the Netherlands form a federation to maintain peace.
    1620 The King of Bohemia is defeated at the Battle of Prague.
    1685 Fredrick William of Brandenburg issues the Edict of Potsdam, offering Huguenots refuge.
    1793 The Louvre opens to the public in Paris.
    1861 Charles Wilkes seizes Confederate commissioners John Slidell and James M. Mason from the British ship Trent.
    1864 President Abraham Lincoln is re-elected in the first wartime election in the United States.
    1887 Doc Holliday, who fought on the side of the Earp brothers during the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral 6 years earlier, dies of tuberculosis in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
    1889 Montana becomes the 41st state of the Union.
    1900 Theodore Dreiser’s first novel, Sister Carrie, is published by Doubleday, but is recalled from stores shortly due to public sentiment.
    1904 President Theodore Rooseveltis elected the 26th president of the United States. He had been vice president until the assassination of President William McKinley.
    1910 The Democrats prevail in congressional elections for the first time since 1894.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 11-22-2017 at 15:46.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  40. #2840

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    Friday 9th November 1917

    Today we lost: 639
    Today’s losses include:

    · The son of a member of the clergy
    · A grandson of a member of the clergy
    · Multiple families that will lose two and three sons in the Great War
    · The son of a Member of Parliament · An Epping Club footballer

    Today’s highlighted casualties include:


    ·
    Lieutenant Francis Bernard Roseveare (Queen Victoria’s Own Corps of Guides attached Scinde Rifles) dies of wounds in Mesopotamia at age 21. His brother was killed in September 1914 and they are sons of the Reverend Richard Polgreen Roseveare Vicar of Lewisham.
    · Lieutenant Edward Orme Clement (Royal Field Artillery) dies of the effects of being gassed. His brother was killed in April 1915.
    · Corporal Percy John Chew (Lincolnshire Regiment) is killed at age 26. His is a member of the Epping Football Club.
    · Lance Corporal Barker Tibbit (Suffolk Regiment) is killed. His brother was killed in March 1916.
    · Private Peter Peryer (Sussex Yeomanry) dies of wounds received at the battle of Sheria, Palestine. His brother was killed in May of this year.
    · Gunner Archibald Birch (Royal Garrison Artillery) is killed in action. He is the middle of three brothers who will lose their lives in the Great War.

    Air Operations:


    Palestine:

    Royal Flying Corps attacks on the main ammunition dump and railhead of the Turkish 8th Army at El Tine in Gaza causes widespread panic amongst the Turkish troops. Their German commander, Von Kressenstein, said, "This did more to break the heart of the 8th Army and to diminish its fighting strength than all the hard fighting that had gone before."
    An air raid on the railway bridge near Junction Station over the Wadi es Sarar Palestine takes place. Lieutenant Horace Lincoln Cyril McConnell MC (Indian Army Reserve of Officers attached Royal Flying Corps) is wounded in the attack and will die of those wounds on 22nd of this month at age 25. He is the son of the Reverend Charles James McConnell Rector of Pylle. The raid is not a success as none of the bombs explode.


    Western Front: Heavy air fighting on the Western Front.

    General Headquarters.

    “More favourable weather conditions prevailed on the 9th inst., and a large amount of work was carried out in the air. The enemy's infantry and transport were engaged by our low-flying aeroplanes on several occasions, and were seen to suffer casualties. During the past 24 hours three tons of bombs have been dropped on hostile billets and aerodromes, good results being observed. In air-fighting one hostile machine was brought down and five others driven down out of control. Two of our aeroplanes are missing.”

    Artillery Co-operation — 50 hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction from aeroplane observation, and five, plus 20 other targets by balloons.

    Admiralty, November 10th.

    “On the night of November 9th a bombing raid was carried out by the Royal Naval Air Service on the following military objectives:—St. Denis Westrem, Bruges Docks. Large quantities of explosives were dropped with good results, a large fire being caused at the latter place. All our machines returned safely.”

    E.A. were very active throughout the day. A patrol of No 9 Squadron attacked six Albatross two-seaters, and drove two down over Middlekerke. A patrol of three Camels of No 4 Squadron had indecisive actions with two spotting machines, which were driven down. Two Gothas were engaged near Pervyse by pilots of No 1 Squadron, and driven down towards Ghistelles.

    Enemy Aircraft

    2nd Lt J S Macaulay & 2nd Lt G Bliss, 25 Sqn, Scout out of control - 2nd Lts Macauley & Bliss, No 25 Squadron, were on an instructional flight when they were attacked by three EA scouts, and they shot down one scout completely out of control

    2nd Lt A K Cowper, 24 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Beerst at 08:45/09:45 -

    Lt E B Booth, 70 Sqn, two-seater out of control east of Ypres at 09:00/10:00 - other EA are believed to have been driven down out of control; one by 2nd Lt Booth, No 70 Squadron


    Capt J D Payne, 29 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Dadizeele at 09:40/10:40 - other EA are believed to have been driven down out of control; one by 2nd Lt Payne, No 29 Squadron

    Lt C R J Thompson, 19 Sqn, Scout out of control Zuidhoek at 10:00/11:00
    Lt C R J Thompson, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Zandvoorde at 10:30/11:30
    Maj A D Carter, 19 Sqn, two-seater out of control Moorslede at 11:00/12:00

    A patrol of No 19 Squadron engaged five EA scouts near Zuidhoek and Lt Thompson destroyed one which was attacking another Spad from behind. The patrol then engaged a scout which was interfering with two RE8s, and Lt Thompson drove it down out of control. Shortly after, the patrol attacked a two-seater EA and it fell out of control after Major Carter fired into it at close range

    2nd Lt K B Montgomery, 45 Sqn, two-seater out of control smoking Ypres - Menin road at 12:50/13:50 - 2nd Lt Montgomery, No 45 Squadron, drove down an EA out of control

    Flt Sub-Lt A J B Tonks, 4N Sqn, DFW C out of control north of Pervyse at 13:30/14:30 - Flight Sub-Lieut. Tonks, of No. 4 Squadron, observed a D.F.W. two-seater, flying west, it was however forced to recross the lines north of Pervyse by A. A. fire over Furnes. After a running fight, during which several hundred rounds were fired by Flight Sub-Lieut. Tonks, E.A. was attacked at close range and driven down completely out of control over Schoore, the observer in the D.F.W. did not fire a shot

    A/Flt Cdr A J Enstone, 4N Sqn, DFW C out of control south-east of Pervyse at 14:35/15:35 - a D.F.W. seen to be spinning spirally near Pervyse, was attacked by Acting Flight Commander Enstone, of No 4 Squadron. The machine was last seen spinning completely out of control. The result of this fight is confirmed by the Belgians and No. 9 Squadron. It is believed that the machine had been previously hit, but was then only just under control

    2nd Lt P Kelsey, 1 Sqn, two-seater out of control south of Moorslede at 15:20/16:20
    Lt R A Birkbeck, 1 Sqn, DFW C out of control south-east of Houthulst Wood at 16:00/17:00

    2nd Lts P Kelsey and R Birkbeck, both of No 1 Squadron, each drove down an EA out of control

    Lt J W Aldred and Lt C G V Runnels-Moss, 70 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Staden at 16:10/17:10 - other EA are believed to have been driven down out of control; one by 2nd Lt C Runnels-Moss, No 70 Squadron

    Casualties

    ? (Ok) & 1/AM H Franks (Wia), 7 Sqn, RE8 – combat during photography

    Lt C E Abell (Ok) & Lt S D Chard (Ok), 21 Sqn, RE8 B6454 - force landed Sh28.m.11.a [south of Ouderdom] after damaged by EA fire during photography Ypres

    Lt F W W Wilson (Ok), 29 Sqn, Nieuport 27 B6822 - force landed Sh28.d.5.d.88 [north-west of Passchendaele] after engine shot through on offensive patrol - unsalvable

    2nd Lt A Thompson (Pow), 54 Sqn, Pup B1757 – took off 08:30/09:30 and last seen flying straight with 2 enemy Scouts on his tail east of Dixmude on offensive patrol

    2nd Lt L C Tims (Ok), 29 Sqn, Nieuport 27 B6821 – took off 08:00/09:00 then wrecked just outside aerodrome at 09:45/10:45 after petrol and oil tanks shot through on offensive patrol

    Flt Sub-Lt H S McGrath (Pow), 8N Sqn, Camel B6290 - last seen west of Lens at 10:30/11:30 at 6,000 feet going north into clouds on offensive patrol

    2nd Lt E W Morris (Kia) & 2nd Lt N Williams (Kia), 5 Sqn, RE8 A3761 - one wing came off in air after combat with 6 EA over the canal at 10:50/11:50 on artillery observation Dixmude; Ltn d R Rudolf Wendelmuth, Js20, 13th victory [Oostkerke – Pervyze at 11:00/12:00] or Ltn d R Wilhelm Schwartz, Js20, 1st victory [Oostkerke – Pervyze at 11:00/12:00] ?
    Royal Flying Corps Casualties today: 29

    Lt G F W Zimmer (Ok) & 2nd Lt C E Stewart (Wia), 21 Sqn, RE8 B5071 - force landed Sh28.h.6.d.58 [north of Ypres] after hit by EA fire during photography; ground fire

    Lt W G Meggitt MC (Pow) & Capt F A Durrad (Kia), 22 Sqn, Bristol F.2B B1123 - two machines became separated during engagement 2 miles north of Moorslede one seen spinning down out of control and one apparently under control during offensive patrol; Ltn d R Heinrich Bongartz, Js36, 21st victory [Ledeghem at 14:05/15:05]

    Lt M H Coote (Ok), 56 Sqn, SE5a B1 - engine shot through in combat and forced to land on OP Neuve Eglise

    2nd Lt D Dagleish (Ok) & 2nd Lt A Pickford (Wia), 59 Sqn, RE8 A4619 - shot through by EA during photography

    Lt G A Cockburn (Kia), 19 Sqn, Spad VII B6777 – took off 08:07/09:07 then missing on north offensive patrol; Ltn Walter von Bulow-Bothkamp, Js, 25th victory [Houthem – Gheluvelt at 08:50/09:50] ?

    Lt F R C Cobbold (Pow), 56 Sqn, SE5a B630 – took off 08:25/09:25 then formation became split during engagement with EA over Moorslede on offensive patrol; Ltn d R Fritz Loerzer, Js26, 5th victory [north of Ostnieuwkerke at 09:10/10:10] or Ltn d R Hans Gottfried von Haebler, Js36, 4th victory [Tenbrielen at 09:10/10:10]

    2nd Lt L W Middleton (Kia) & 2nd Lt F J McCullough (Kia), 53 Sqn, RE8 A4664 - believed to have received direct hit by shell and crashed in no-man’s land at 08:55/09:55 on artillery co-operation

    Capt P C Cowan (Kia), 56 Sqn, SE5a B4883 – took off 08:30/09:30 and last seen after engagement with EA going down in a spin over Comines at 09:20/10:20 on offensive patrol; Ltn Hans von Haebler, Js36, 4th victory

    2nd Lt W C Pruden (Pow) & P7281 2/AM J Conlin (Pow), 18 Sqn, DH4 A7517 – took off 10:05/11:05 and last seen between Vitry-en-Artois and Hénin-Liétard at 12:00/13:00 during bombing; Vfw Hans Oberlander, Js30, 4th victory [north-west of Monchecourt at 12:00/13:00]

    2nd Lt H G Robinson (Pow) & Lt F J B Hammersley (Pow), 22 Sqn, Bristol F.2B A7283 – took off 12:50/13:50 then two machines became separated during engagement 2 miles north of Moorslede one seen spinning down out of control and one apparently under control during offensive patrol; Ltn d R Werner Dahm, Js26, 2nd victory [west of Moorslede at 14:00/15:00]

    2nd Lt E C Bromley (Ok) & 2nd Lt A H Middleton (Ok), 22 Sqn, Bristol F.2B B1120 – took off 12:53/15:53 then shot up in combat and forced to land

    Lt E S Livock (Kia) & Lt H R Morgan (Kia), 7 Sqn, RE8 B5032 – took off 13:10/14:10 then believed to have been hit by one of our own shells and crashed Sh28.c.4.b [south of Poelcapelle] on artillery observation

    Lt J H Deans (Kia), 84 Sqn, SE5a B4869 – took off 13:05/14:05 and last seen over Westroosebeke at 14:15/15:15 pursuing hostile machine on offensive patrol; Ltn d R Theodor Quandt, Js36, 8th victory [Paschendaele at 14:10/15:10]

    2nd Lt W R Kingsland (Pow), 84 Sqn, SE5a B4877 – took off 13:05/14:05 and last seen over Westroosebeke at 14:15/15:15 pursuing hostile machine on offensive patrol; Ltn d R Hans Hoyer, Js36, 8th victory [west of Roulers – Moorslede at 14:10/15:10]

    Lt J D McCall (Ok), 60 Sqn, SE5a B622 - force landed 200 yards east of Burns Farm and 500 yards west of front line near Poelcappelle at 16:15/17:15 on northern OP and shelled.

    2Lt Cragg, S.B. (Sydney Bolton), 25 Squadron, RFC.
    Capt Gimingham, C.H. (Charles Henry), 17 Kite Balloon Section (Commanding Officer), RFC.
    2Lt Grose, A.G. (Albert George), 4 Squadron, RFC.
    2Lt Morris, E.W. (Ellis Wayman), 5 Squadron, RFC.
    2Lt Palmer, L.A. (Lewis Arthur), RFC.
    2Lt Williams, N.E. (Norman Ernest), 5 Squadron, RFC.

    Claims: 18 confirmed today (Entente 11: Central Powers 7)

    John Aldred #3.
    Robert Birkbeck #10.
    Edward Booth #5
    Albert Carter #4.
    Andrew Cowper #2.
    Albert Ernstone #9.
    Kenneth Montgomery #9.
    James Payne #9.
    Claude Robert James Thompson #5 & #6.
    Adrian Tonks #3.

    Rudolph von Eschwege u/c
    Rudolf Francke #8.
    Josef Jacobs #10.
    Fritz Loerzer #6.
    Lothar von Richthofen #25.
    Wilhelm Schwartz #1.
    Rudolf Wendelmuth #13.
    Kurt Wusthoff #26.

    Western Front:

    Increased air activity.

    Tunstills Men Friday 9th November 1917:

    Tatinghem

    A wet day. The Battalion marched five miles east to Arques and was there entrained for Italy. There were two trains; the first carried A and B Companies and the second C and D Companies, with the Battalion transport split between the two. The trains were under the command Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge DSO (see 8th November) and Capt. William Norman Town (see 8th November) respectively.

    The first day’s journey was described, with much elaboration, by Sgt. George Richard Goodchild (see 8th November),

    “Reveille on Friday November 9th was at 5.30 am. We were up with the bugle and, after a good breakfast – prepared by the people of the house – we marched away to entrain at Arques, a few kilometres the other side to St Omer. We arrived there at 11.45 am and very glad we were too to reach the station for a blanket additional to the usual army equipment does not make marching any easier or the pack lighter. Notable on the march were the welcome of English nurses – always respected and admired by the Tommies – at the hospital at Arques and the naming of the main street of the town Rue Miss Cavell as a token of respect, aye, and veneration, for the heroine who so nobly met her death at the hands of our murderous enemies. It is when one contemplates our brave women, their readiness to suffer even more than soldiers do – for inward suffering is more terrible and lasting than outward wounding – and our loved ones left behind in the homeland, untouched by our ruthless enemies and safe from their clutches, waiting and longing with an awful and intense longing and love only women know for the return of their menfolk, that one realises the “worthwhileness” of carrying on this ruthless war until the Prussian War God is thrown to the dust once and for all. God bless our Women!

    No time was lost in entraining at Arques. We were quite punctual in moving off – 12.49 pm, Friday November 9th, 1917. I and my confederates of the Orderly Room together with two runners occupied third class compartment number 8874 on the coach immediately in front of that occupied by the Officers. Anyone who has travelled on the old steam underground trains of London will have a very good idea of our new home, for our compartment was very narrow and the only practical difference between it and the London trains mentioned was that it had a long cushion on both seats. At night two of us slept on each seat – rather huddled it is true and causing us to be careful when we stretched for fear of kicking a comrade – and one on the floor. In this manner we contrived to get a few hours sleep every night – and day – of our journey to the south.

    Our route on Friday lay via Calais – which brought back to me many memories for I had only left it a short while before to go on leave to dear old England to be married and a shorter while to return to my Battalion when the joyous ten days were over – Wimereux, Boulogne, Etaples, Abbeville and Longueau. After leaving Calais prisoners in plenty were to be seen working all manner of tasks and being apparently quite satisfied with their position as well they might be for we English are poor taskmasters. Noticeable too was the fact that nearly every bit of land was under cultivation. This indeed is noticeable of practically the whole of France for there is really very little pasture land anywhere there. Would that England were more like France in this respect. Then could we have cheaper food, be more self-supporting and practically do away with a lot of unnecessary political haggling. But this is not a political screed.

    Approaching Wimereux our eyes beheld that narrow strip of water that separates us from England. Whilst looking across the water – aye, and straining the eyes in the hope of catching the mist blurred outline of England’s beloved shores – what thought must have passed through the minds of all of us; sacred thoughts, too, which are locked in the heart and not spoken aloud, passing along the coast and through many tunnels – strange things to men who, for many, many months have been in Belgium and the north eastern frontier of France where these things do not exist – Boulogne was reached at 4.15 pm. Here memories again crowded in upon the mind for was it not here that the majority of us first set foot upon French soil? Crossing across the bridge could we not see the harbour where our transport was berthed? Yes, we could: and these memories lengthened a little later when we came to Etaples where we became acquainted with that mysterious place known as the ‘Bull Ring’ and therein on a shifting sandy surface underwent a fortnight’s hard training preparatory to “going up the line”.

    By now night was rapidly falling and we could see very little of the landscape which had been so beautiful, as indeed it was throughout the whole of the journey especially towards the latter end where the climate became noticeably warmer and the chilly winds of winter had not yet stripped the trees and shrubs of their foliage. The late autumn colouring was perhaps more beautiful than any of us had ever seen in England. There was more of it and a seemingly greater variety of colour. From the palest and most delicate of yellows the tones graduated to gold, russet and brown until in the distance the earth met the sky in mystic blue. Glorious although the foregoing colours were their beauty was enhanced a thousand-fold by the glinting autumn reds which tinted every leaf and, in the setting rays of the sun, made them as fiery gold. The further south the more beautiful the scenery did become as in addition to the colours aforementioned came the green of the pine on the mountain slopes bridging as it were the gulf between the brown of the woodland and the blue of the horizon. At times when the sun was at full in a cloudless sky the beauty of the panorama which gradually unfurled to our view as we sped on our journey exceeded that which it is possible for pen to describe and took our minds right away from the terrible business which lay ahead. Nature is indeed a good mother and would that we, her children, would take more notice of her. Then would the world be better for our presence. Here I will leave our first days travelling with a promise that more will be said of nature before this narrative is ended. Abbeville – where a short halt was made and a few men who had left the train only just caught it as it was leaving the station (one man actually missed it) – was reached at 8.10 pm, and Longueau at 10 o’clock. Here hot tea was obtained, we again entrained, and by 11 o’clock most of us were asleep, whilst the train sped on its way to unknown lands”.

    CSM Albert Edgar Palmer (see 17th September) reported to No.21 Officer Cadet Battalion at Fleet to begin his course of officer training.

    A package of the effects (contents unknown) of the late L.Cpl. Thomas Ward (see 22nd August), who had accidentally drowned whilst bathing, was sent to his family. The family would receive no payment as there was found to have been a debit balance of £2 14s. 2d. on Ward’s pay account at the time of his death.

    The weekly edition of the Craven Herald carried news of Ptes. Jim Coates (see 12th December 1915) who had originally volunteered with Tunstill’s Company but had been discharged as unfit and had subsequently re-joined the Army. There was also news of the brother of James Wilkinson jnr. (see 21st May), who had also originally volunteered with Tunstill’s Company.

    BOLTON-BY-BOWLAND

    Wounded. Mrs. Coates, of The Lodge, Closes Hall, received the unwelcome news on Saturday morning that her husband, Corporal Jas. Coates, West Yorks. Regiment, had been wounded, and is at present in hospital in France, suffering from a shell wound in the head, received during the morning of October 27th. The Chaplain writes on behalf of him that he is very comfortable and looking forward to being sent to the base and then to England.

    Corporal H.T. Wilkinson, eldest son of the late Mr. James Wilkinson, of the Coach and Horses Hotel, has been home on his first leave since the war broke out. He was attached to the 25th Company of Supply in the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, having been stationed at Alexandria all the time

    Southern Front:

    Italians establish themselves behind the Lower Piave.

    Germans continue advance; in Trentino they recapture Asiago.

    General Fayolle Commander-in-Chief of Franco-British forces in Venetia.Allied Ministers visit King of Italy on front.

    November 9 1917, Treviso–Cadorna, as Italian Chief of Staff, was ultimately responsible for the disaster at Caporetto. He attempted to deflect blame onto his men, and attempted to cast himself as indispensable, telling his staff: “I, with my will and fist, created and sustained this organism, this army of three million men….If I had not done it, we would never have made our voice heard in Europe…” King Victor Emmanuel III attempted to persuade him to leave quietly, but could not; Cadorna would not leave without a written dismissal, which arrived early on the morning of November 9.

    The obvious candidate for Cadorna’s replacement was the Duke of Aosta, who had commanded the Third Army on the Karst until they were forced to retreat by the breakthrough at Caporetto. However, the King did not like his cousin the Duke, and feared that making him the Chief of Staff would just be giving even more power to a popular political rival. Instead, he promoted Armando Diaz, who had served as a corps commander under the Duke. Diaz had an impeccable reputation, was popular with his troops, and had an excellent record compared to his fellow generals on the Karst. Serving has his deputy was Pietro Badoglio, an unexpected promotion for a general whose corps had fallen apart completely during Caporetto.

    Diaz now had a difficult task ahead of him. The Italian Army had fallen behind the Piave, but the Austrians were still in pursuit. Diaz hoped the Piave would be a more formidable obstacle than the Tagliamento, and that the Austrians would have greater supply difficulties after such a long advance, but there was no guarantee of this. Furthermore, Italian morale and organization was still quite shaky after Caporetto, and would take time to rebuild. The Italian Army had been on an offensive footing since the start of the war; for the foreseeable future, Diaz and Badoglio would have to reorganize it for defense.

    General Diaz succeeds General Cardorna.

    Asiatic, African, Egyptian Front:

    Much war material collected at Tekrit.

    Palestine: On 9 November the 52nd (Lowland) Division's 156th (Scottish Rifles) Brigade, commanded by Brigadier General Archibald Herbert Leggett was the only brigade of that division able to advance. While the 156th Brigade advanced northwards along the coast, the division's 155th and 157th Brigades were regrouping after the fierce fighting at Sausage Ridge the previous day. The brigade sent two infantry patrols in support of a squadron of the XXI Corps Cavalry, to reconnoitre Ashkelon but this squadron could not move, as the men and horses had been without water for 36 hours. The 156th Brigade's patrols found Ashkelon deserted by the Ottoman army. They continued on to Al Majdel, a large village 16 miles (26 km) north of Gaza where they met units of the ANZAC Mounted Division. Here substantial stores and a water supply were found. The towns of Beit Jerja, Burbera and Huleikat were all reported clear of Ottoman units.

    Naval Operations:

    Shipping Losses: 5 (All to U-Boat action)

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    The armament cruiser Umgeni (Master John Creamer Brett) founders during a gale while in convoy. Forty seven drown including her master.

    Political:

    Lord Mayor's Banquet: important speeches.

    Conference at Rapallo decides on creation of a Supreme Allied War Council for Western Front.

    pic
    A (likely retouched) photo of a Sovnarkom meeting in December or January. Lenin is quite visible at center; a nearly-unrecognizable Trotsky is three to the left. Stalin, holding the new post of Minister for Nationalities, is the one apparently caught in mid-yawn to the right of Lenin.

    Lenin and the Revolutionary Military Committee remain in command of Petrograd; Soviets issue appeals for support of army.

    Cossack Confederation forming.

    November 8 1917, Petrograd–The Congress of Soviets adjourned around 6AM on November 8, and did not reconvene until 10:40PM that night. Lenin presented to the Congress two decrees, both of which were approved easily by voice vote.

    The first, the Decree on Peace, was a (non-binding) appeal to the other belligerent powers for immediate peace negotiations, with no annexations, no indemnities, and a full “right to self-determination” for every nation. While this was similar to the language used by the Provisional Government (and, for that matter, the United States and many other belligerents), it went further in some critical respects. Russia would abandon secret diplomatic relations with her allies, and would publish the secret treaties she made with them. Additionally, and most concretely, Lenin proposed an immediate three-month armistice until peace negotiations could begin. The decree was broadcast the next day by wireless. The Germans, not knowing what to make of the offer, whether Lenin had the authority to make it, or whether Lenin’s power would last, did not immediately respond, nor made its existence public (though it would make its way into the press within a few days).

    The Decree on Land ordered that all land owned by those not directly engaged in farming would be turned over to local peasant committees; its final disposition was not be decided until the general constitutional situation was fully addressed, however. Private property of the peasants was to be respected, however, in an attempt to secure their support for a party more commonly associated with workers and soldiers.

    After these two decrees, a third was passed, setting up the new temporary government for Russia. The Council of People’s Commissars (Sovnarkom) replaced the Provisional Government, though it had much of the same form and the same directive: to govern the country until elections could be held for the Constituent Assembly. All of its members, however, were Bolsheviks; other parties were excluded or refused to participate. Lenin reluctantly agreed to serve as its Chairman (having preferred to stay as purely Bolshevik party chairman); Trotsky was the new Foreign Minister.

    Anniversary Events:

    1799 Napoleon Bonaparte participates in a coup and declares himself dictator of France.
    1848 The first U.S. Post Office in California opens in San Francisco at Clay and Pike streets. At the time there are only about 15,000 European settlers living in the state.
    1900 Russia completes its occupation of Manchuria.
    1906 President Theodore Roosevelt leaves Washington, D.C., for a 17-day trip to Panama and Puerto Rico, becoming the first president to make an official visit outside of the United States.
    1914 The Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney wrecks the German cruiser Emden, forcing her to beach on a reef on North Keeling Island in the Indian Ocean.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 11-24-2017 at 08:53.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  41. #2841

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    Saturday 10th November 1917


    Today we lost: 1,121

    Today’s losses include:

    · Multiple sons of members of the clergy
    · A grandson of a member of the clergy
    · Multiple men whose sons will be killed in the Secord World War
    · A man whose cousin was killed last February
    · A Rhodes scholar
    · Multiple families that will lose two sons in the Great War

    Today’s highlighted casualties include:


    ·
    Major Frederick Eckersall Nixon-Eckersall (Royal Garrison Artillery) is killed at age 48. He is the son of Canon Nixon Eckersall.
    · Major Walter Leonard MacLean (Canadian Army Medical Corps) is killed in action at age 32. He is the son of the Reverend John MacLean.
    · Major George Worthington-Jones MC (Royal Horse Artillery) is killed in action at age 31. His son will be killed serving in Italy in September 1943.
    · Captain William Earle Villiers (King’s Royal Rifle Corps) is killed at age 20. His cousin was killed in February and they are grandsons of the Reverend Henry Montagu Villiers.
    · Lieutenant John Seymour Denison Clarke (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) is killed at age 22. He is a Rhodes Scholar.
    · Second Lieutenant Gilbert Lloyd Vawdre (Welsh Regiment) is killed at age 20. He is the son of the Reverend Llewelyn Brookes Vawdrey Vicar of Tushingham.
    · Second Lieutenant Cyril Gordon Phillips (South Wales Borderers) is killed at age 25. He is the son of the Reverend Thomas Phillips Vicar of Kerry.
    · Second Lieutenant Allan James Ballantyne (Royal Flying Corps) is accidentally killed in France at age 19. His older brother was killed on HMS Viknor.
    · Second Lieutenant Harry Harding Davies (South Wales Borderers) is killed at age 21. His brother was killed in December 1915.
    · Lance Corporal Albert Walter Screech (Coldstream Guards) is killed at age 24. His brother will be killed next August.
    · Private Hugh G Calder (48th Highlanders of Canada) is killed in action in Gaza. His brother will be lost at sea in March 1918 when the ship he is the Captain of is sunk.
    · Acting Bombardier David Downie (Royal Field Artillery) dies of wounds received in action at age 25. His brother was killed less than one month earlier.
    · Private John Stephenson (British Columbia Regiment) is killed at age 32. His son will be killed in September 1944.
    · Private Patrick Murphy DCM (South Wales Borders) is killed at age 47. His brother was killed in December 1914.

    Air Operations:

    This day marks the end of the Third Battle of Ypres. It is remarkable because it results in the first RFC structured and sustained involvement in the ground battle. The RFC not merely provided air cover, reconnaissance, and air support, but for the first time actively participated in the ground war by low level strafing and bombing tactical targets in what would become the mission of close air support.

    General Headquarters.


    “On the 10th inst. stormy weather continued, and flying was only possible in the early morning and in the evening. These opportunities were taken by our machines to carry on artillery and photographic work, and a number of bombs were dropped by us on hostile billets and hutments, and upon a German big-gun position. In air fighting three enemy machines were brought down, and two were driven down out of control. Four of our machines are missing.”

    Little flying was possible, except in the early morning and the evening owing to wind and rain.

    Five contact patrols and four counter-attack patrols were carried out by the 2nd Brigade; three trench reconnaissances by the 4th Brigade and three contact patrols and seven counter-attack patrols by the 5th Brigade.

    8,500 rounds were fired at ground targets from low altitudes; 1,650 were by machines of the 4th Brigade, 800 by No 101 Squadron and 400 by No 102 Squadron, while these two Squadrons were bombing at night.

    Artillery Co-operation - Fifty-two hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction and eight neutralised with aeroplane observation. Five gun-pits were destroyed, 24 damaged, 29 explosions and 17 fires caused. 148 hostile batteries were reported by zone call.

    Balloons of the 2nd Brigade registered 14 targets, five of which were hostile batteries and located 22 active hostile bsatteries in addition to reporting on enemy movements. Those of the 5th Brigade registered one target and located four hostile batteries.

    Bombing –

    1st Brigade: No 18 Squadron dropped eight 25-lb bombs on Annoeulin and No 25 Squadron nine 112-lb bombs on a large gun position north of Brebières.

    4th Brigade: dropped 18 25-lb bombs on various targets.

    5th Brigade: No 57 Squadron dropped four 230-lb bombs and eight 25-lb bombs on Oostnieukerke.

    9th Wing: on the night of the 9th/10th, No 101 Squadron dropped six 230-lb, two 112-lb and six 25-lb bombs on Roulers town and station. On crossing the lines Lts T Martyn and H Steele ran into a bank of mist and completely lost their direction, so flew round trying to discover a target and saw a train that had steamed up and was proceeding in a north-westerly direction. They followed it and dropped a 230-lb bomb as it was slowing up near a town. The burst was seen quite near the station. The pilot then made a circuit and flew across the train which was stationery in the station and dropped two 25-lb bombs and one fell on the train and caused a number of explosions.

    No 102 Squadron dropped 230-lb bombs on Courtrai; two 230-lb bombs and four 112-lb bombs on Menin and one 230-lb, six 112-lb and eight 25-lb bombs on Ledeghem.

    Admiralty.

    “In the last 24 hours, October 9th-10th, patrols were carried out by the R.N.A.S., during which enemy trenches were attacked by machine-gun fire. One pilot, on being heavily shelled by anti-aircraft guns, descended and attacked the guns' crews, scattering them and silencing the guns.

    “Early yesterday morning (October 10th) bombing raids were made on the following military objectives: Thourout railway junction and trains. Lichtervelde railway junction and trains. Large quantities of explosives were dropped. All machines returned safely.”

    No photographic reconnaissances, but a few fighter patrols were carried out during the forenoon. One patrol on its return journey descended to 800 feet and fired at enemy trenches in Lombartzyde. A pilot of another patrol, being heavily shelled by A.A., descended to 500 feet and scattered the gun’s crew, one man being observed to fall.

    Bombing raids by night - Nos 7 and 7A Squadrons, H.P.’s. Between 01.10 and 04.50, sixteen 250-lb. and fifty-five 112-lb. bombs were dropped on Thourout Station and Junction. Four 250-lb. and thirty-two 112-lb. bombs were also dropped on Lichtervelde Station and Junction.

    Enemy aircraft were not particularly active, although several formations were encountered around Moorslede.

    Lt C H Dixie & Lt J S Rissen, 57 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control - when returning after having dropped bombs, Lts Dixie & Rissen, 57 Squadron, shot down an Albatros scout, which attacked them, completely out of control

    2nd Lt F G Quigley, 70 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames Westroosebeke at 08:05/09:05
    2nd Lt F G Quigley, 70 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south of Houthulst Forest at 08:25/09:25

    2nd Lt F Quigley, 70 Squadron attacked an Albatros scout and shot it down in flames. He was then attacked by six more but escaped, and believes one EA into which he fired fell out of control

    2nd Lt J E Child, 45 Sqn, Albatros Scout driven down Dadizeele at 14:30/15:30 - Oblt Rudolf Berthold, Jasta 18, Wia.

    Lt M B Frew, 45 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control smoking Dadizeele at 14:30/15:30 - Oblt Rudolf Berthold, Jasta 18, Wia.

    Lt M B Frew, 45 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control [driven down] Dadizeele at 14:30/15:30 - Oblt Rudolf Berthold, Jasta 18, Wia.

    A patrol of 45 Squadron met and attacked seven EA and 2nd Lt M B Frew shot down two out of control

    Capt C N Jones and Lt J R Wilson, 70 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south-east of Houthulst Forest at 15:45/16:45.

    Lt H Cook, 70 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed south-east of Houthulst Forest at 15:50/16:50

    In the evening a patrol of eight Camels of 70 Squadron engaged five EA. Lt Cook shot one EA down which fell in flames, and around which a number of troops gathered; Lt Hobson went down and and dispersed the enemy from 500 feet with machine-gun fire. Capt Jones and Lt Wilson followed one EA down until it fell completely out of control.

    Lt W G Meggitt & 1/AM A G J Whitehouse, 22 Sqn, Albatros Scout destroyed Moorslede at 16:50/17:50.

    Royal Flying Corps Casualties today: 11

    Lt C W MacAloney (Wia) & Lt D Alexander (Wia), 21 Sqn, RE8 A4729 - crashed at H6 central after hit by AA fire on zone call Ypres

    2nd Lt C W Hamilton (Wia), 29 Sqn, Nieuport 27 B3637 – took off 05:35/06:35 then shot through by machine-gun fire from EA on offensive patrol; Ltn d R Erwin Bohme, Js2, 17th victory [north of Zillebeke at 06:25/07:25].

    2nd Lt G B Wigle (Wia), 29 Sqn, Nieuport 27 B6791 – took off 05:35/06:35 then wounded in face and ankle, force landed Gloucester House Sh28.U.20.C.99 on OP and abandoned due shelling

    25233 Sgt F V Legge (Ok) & P07629 1/AM J S Clarke (Kia), 57 Sqn, DH4 A2138 – took off 15:00/16:00 and last seen this side of lines on return from bomb raid Oostnieuwkerke; Ltn d R Heinrich Bongartz, Js36, 13th victory [Westroosebeke at 16:00/17:00]

    2nd Lt G M Wilkinson (Kia), 56 Sqn, SE5a B23 – took off 15:40/16:40 and last seen in combat with EA east of Ypres on offensive patrol; Ltn d R Xaver Dannhuber, Js26, 8th victory [south of Becelaere at 17:00/18:00]

    2nd Lt A W Edwards (Kia), 41 Sqn, DH5 B360 - last seen going down under control over Hendecourt at 16:15/17:15 on DOP Ecourt St Quentin; Ltn d R Walter Ewers, Js2, 2nd victory [Hendecourt at 16:05/17:05]


    2Lt Ballantyne, A.J. (Allan James), 46 Squadron, RFC.
    Flt Sub-Lt Clive, R.D. (Reginald Dennis), East Fortune Naval Air Station, RNAS.
    Capt Hall, D.S. (David Sidney), 57 Squadron, RFC.
    2Lt Liddell, J.R.H. (John Robert Hugh), RFC.
    PO (AC) Reardon, T.C.M. (Thomas Charles Martin), East Fortune Naval Air Station, RNAS.

    Claims: 3 confirmed (Entente 3: Central Powers 0)


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    Ivan Smirnov (Russia) #8 & #9.

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    Grigory Suk (Russia) #9.

    Western Front:

    English and Canadian troops make successful attacks along ridge north and north-west of Passchendaele.

    Germans repulsed at Chaume Wood by French.

    Second Battle of Passchendaele ends (see October 26th) and Battles of Ypres, 1917, end (see July 31st, 1917 and September 28th, 1918).

    A small final action to gain a nearby crossroad and the remaining high ground north of the village near Hill 52, was set to be launched 10 November. The road junction was 1,000 yd (910 m) north of Passchendaele along the highway to Westrozebeke. Hill 52, the highest point on the northern end of the Passchendaele Ridge, was 500 yd (460 m) beyond the crossroad. Possession of both features would permit observation over German positions to the north-east. The attack was made the responsibility of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade, with support from one battalion of the 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade. The Germans had taken advantage of the break in the fighting to relieve exhausted units. Regiments from the 4th Division and 44th Reserve Division replaced those of the 11th Division on 9 November.

    Nevertheless, the assault was launched from the Green Line, north and north-east of Mosselmarkt, on the morning of 10 November. The assault made good initial progress, capturing the crossroad, over-running Venture Farm and capturing four 77 mm field guns. However, north of the Canadian Corps boundary, the supporting advance by the British 1st Division ran into difficulties when a German counterattack got between the 1st Battalion, South Wales Borderers and the 2nd Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers after they diverged. The Germans were able to fire against the British inner flanks, causing many casualties and forcing the survivors to withdraw. Troops of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade had to fill the gap and throw back a defensive flank along the corps boundary, preventing further progress. Though Haig had hoped to have the entire Passchendaele–Westrozebeke ridge as a winter position, the line was still short of the village; later attempts to reach Westrozebeke in late November and early December also failed.
    On 24 October, The Austro-German 14th Army under General der Infanterie Otto von Below inflicted a great defeat on the Italian Army at the Battle of Caporetto. In fear that Italy might be put out of the war, the French and British Governments each promised to send six divisions to the Italian Front. All troops were rapidly and efficiently transferred between 10 November and 12 December, due to good administrative preparations made by the French Chief of Staff Ferdinand Foch, who had been sent to Italy in April 1917 to plan for just such an emergency. The Third Battle of Ypres came to an unsatisfactory close as a result of the diversion of British forces, with Haig being forced to end his advance just short of Westroosebeke. On 14 November, a gradual relief of the Canadian divisions by the VIII Corps began and on 20 November, Currie resumed command along the Lens–Vimy front.

    Fifth Army casualties from 26 October to 9 November were 14,219, Second Army casualties from 26 October to 10 November were 29,454, of which Canadian Corps casualties were 15,654 men. In the German Official History (Der Weltkrieg, 1942) the Reichsarchiv historians recorded 20,500 German casualties from 21–31 October and 9,500 casualties from 1–10 November. From 11 November – 31 December another 15,000 casualties were recorded

    Tunstills Men Saturday 10th November 1917:

    On trains.

    A wet day.

    Sgt. George Richard Goodchild (see 9th November) remembered,

    “Our travelling on the 10th, was, perhaps, the most uninteresting portion of the whole journey. Practically the whole of the way lay through extensive tracts of flat lands unrelieved by any hills which might break the monotony of the outlook. In addition rain fell practically the whole day and made things very cheerless indeed. Most of us slept as much as possible that day and were glad when Sunday morning came.

    Saturday’s riding took us through Amiens at 3.15 am with its imposing station; Nolay-le-Sec at 6.15 am which reminded one of a fashionable English inland watering place with its large houses set out on a kind of garden city plan; Longueville at 9.30 am; Meagrigny-Niery at noon where breakfast (!) was served; Troyes at 1.30 pm where a short halt was made in the station itself; St Florentin Vergigny at 4.00 pm; Les Launes Alesia at 7.00 pm where we stopped for tea; and, during the night, Dijon and Chalons. Many of us had hoped that in passing we should have caught a glimpse of Paris but this satisfaction was denied us as we passed its suburbs during the hours of darkness when nothing could be seen. Noticeable during this day was the degree to which afforestation was practiced. Numerous plantations in differing stages of growth were seen on every side – here the delicate young tree just showing itself above the ground; there trees in what might be called their youth, others in their manhood and others fully matured, whilst every now and then the sequence was completed by the sight of blasted trees whose life had been lived.

    Much speculation existed by the appearance of curious green balls of foliage growing on the trees. It was here that our ignorance displayed itself very markedly for hardly anybody really knew what these balls were. Most of us – myself amongst them – thought they were the nests of some feathered friend who preferred home of evergreen to the usual one of twigs. Eventually, however, when we passed close to some of the trees bearing these balls we found they were simply clusters of mistletoe!! Again came memories of the homeland; of pleasant and happy Christmas evenings spent in fun and frolic by young and old alike with the mistletoe bough the centre of attraction for the young people and wonderings as to when a recurrence of these happy times will be ours. But memories do not help one very much. We live in the present and hope for the future; the past has only its lessons and memories for us, some of which are bitter and some sweet.

    This dismal day also first introduced us to the bullock wagons about which most of us had previously heard. It was indeed a curious sight to see these big animals harnessed to lumbering vehicles and farming implements trudging slowly along, looking quite forlorn and not appearing to like their job at all. The further south the more frequent became these sights until eventually we hardly took any notice of them because we found that the bullock vied with the horse for pride of place in general utility”.

    Pte. James Edward Parkinson (see 19th December 1916) was charged with “leaving the train without permission and hesitating to comply with an order, ie not returning immediately to the train when ordered to do so”; he was reported by CSM Thomas McCloud (see 8th November) and Sgt. Ellis Rigby (see 24th September). On 15th he would be ordered by Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge DSO (see 9th November) to undergo seven days’ Field Punishment no.2.

    Pte. Albert Drake (see 10th August) was posted back to England, suffering from ‘neurasthnia’ (shell shock); the details of his treatment, both in France and once back in England, are unknown.

    L.Cpl. George Mitchell (see 13th July), serving with L Signals Battalion, Royal Engineers, departed for England on two weeks leave.

    Capt. Gilbert Tunstill (see 11th October) appeared before a further Army Medical Board assembled at Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The Board found that, “The flat foot is in much the same condition as when he was last boarded. It swells and becomes painful after walking and he is unable to raise himself on the toes of his right foot”. He was again declared fit for light duty at home and instructed to re-join his Battalion; he would re-examined in a further two months.

    Pte. Milton Wood (see 2nd November), was discharged from 1st Northern General Hospital at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, following eight days treatment for scabies, and re-joined 3DWR at North Shields.

    Pte. James Leonard Bloomer (see 28th August), serving with 297th Reserve Labour Company, Labour Corps, was formally transferred to Army Reserve Class P, for work with Messrs. Preston, Proctor & Co.

    A payment of £2 18s. 2d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Samuel Wilson (see 7th June), who had been killed in action on 7th June; the payment would go to his mother, Annie.

    Southern Front:

    Austrian advance checked on Asiago front; on Upper Piave enemy capture Belluno.

    Asiatic, African, Egyptian Front:

    Further advance of General Allenby's forces; Ascalon occupied; fighting near Esdud.

    Good progress in East Africa; British troops occupy Ndonda, in Lukuledi valley. Enemy's northern force in retreat from Mahenge.

    Naval Operations:

    Shipping Losses: 1 (to U-Boat action)

    Political:

    Text of Air Force Bill publishes in "Times".

    Anti-Bolshevik reaction, troops loyal to Kerenski and Provisional Government march on Petrograd

    Anniversary Events:
    1493 Christopher Columbus discovers Antigua during his second expedition.
    1556 The Englishman Richard Chancellor is drowned off Aberdeenshire on his return from a second voyage to Russia.
    1647 All Dutch-held areas of New York are returned to English control by the treaty of Westminster.
    1775 U.S. Marine Corps founded.
    1782 In the last battle of the American Revolution, George Rogers Clark attacks Indians and Loyalists at Chillicothe, in Ohio Territory.
    1871 Henry M. Stanley finds Dr. Livingstone at Ujiji near Unyanyembe in Africa.
    1879 Little Bighorn participant Major Marcus Reno is caught window-peeping at the daughter of his commanding officer—an offense for which he will be courtmartialed.
    1911 President Taft ends a 15,000-mile, 57-day speaking tour.
    1911 The Imperial government of China retakes Nanking.
    1917 Forty-one US suffragettes are arrested protesting outside the White House.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 11-24-2017 at 08:53.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  42. #2842

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    November 11th 1917


    Near an advanced dressing station in France a lunatic soldier escapes from his escort and runs away along a trench. Private James Collins (Royal Army Medical Corps) runs after him and when he gets near him the soldier threatens to throw a bomb at him. Collins moves closer to the man who then pulls the pin from the bomb and lets it fall to the ground. In attempting to save the patient and the other soldiers who are nearby, Private Collins puts his foot on the bomb which explodes killing the patient and severely injuring Collins. The two other soldiers are not injured. For this act Private Collins will be awarded the Albert Medal.

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    SOUTHERN FRONTS

    Piave: FIRST BATTLE OF THE PIAVE (until December 30). Austrians gain small bridge*head at Zenson (night November 12-13) 17 miles from river mouth, 20 miles northeast of Venice and occupy islands in river on November 13. Archduke Eugene moves headquarter from Klagenfurt to Udine. First 2 British divisions (23rd and 41st) begin arriving in Mantua area, complete November 21.

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    Unseemable quantities of war material left by the Italians in their hasty escape behind the Piave.

    WESTERN FRONT

    Germany: MONS CONFERENCE between Ludendorff, Wetzell (principal OHL strategist), Kuhl (CoS Army Group Rupprecht), and Schulenberg (CoS Army Group Crown Prince). Ludendorff proposes great offensive on Western Front in ‘New Year’.
    Flanders: Canadian casualties since October 26 are 12,924 men (including 22 PoWs and 1,171 gassed).
    Alsace: French repulse raid at Harmannsweilerkopf.

    The War in the Air

    General Headquarters, November 12th.

    “In spite of stormy weather, a considerable amount of aerial work was carried out by our aeroplanes on the 11th inst. in conjunction with our artillery. A few bombs were dropped during the day on hostile billets and trenches, but bad weather conditions made observation of results difficult. A large number of rounds were fired from machine guns at ground targets by our low-flying aeroplanes, and in one case a hostile battery was silenced. Air fighting was carried out under considerable difficulties owing to low clouds. One hostile machine was destroyed and four others were driven down out of control. None of our machines are missing,"

    Low clouds and rain still interfered with work.

    RNAS - The continuation of poor weather conditions prevented any photographic reconnaissances or bomb raids being carried out.

    Several hostile formations were sighted during the day. A pilot of No 4 Squadron while on a test flight observed E.A. proceeding towards Furnes, consisting of three Gothas, nine two-seaters, believed to be D.F.W.’s, and three scouts, with black wings, white cross, and it is believed rotary engines. Pilot attacked rearmost Gotha, but had to break off engagement owing to both guns jambing.

    Six large machines were seen coming from Ostende. Immediately our patrol was sighted E.A. turned at Westende Bains, and flew back. Two more of these machines were seen to go into a spin after an encounter with an R.F.C. patrol. From further information, this patrol encountered a big formation of these large E.A., destroying two and driving one down out of control.

    Enemy Aircraft

    Capt A E McKeever & Lt L V J Pogson, 11 Sqn, DFW C out of control Brebières at 11:30/12:30 - Lts A E McKeever & L Pogson, 11 Squadron, attacked one of two two-seater EA and drove it down completely out of control

    Lt N C Millman & 2nd Lt T C S Tuffield, 48 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control east of St Georges at 15:10/16:10 - a patrol of 48 Squadron met a formation of four large bombing machines, escorted by about 30 EA scouts. In a fight with six EA scouts, Lt Millman and 2nd Lt Tuffield drove down one EA scout out of control

    2nd Lt S L G Pope, 60 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Gheluwe at 15:10/16:10 - 2nd Lt Pope, No 60 Squadron, shot down an EA scout which fell and crashed

    Capt B E Baker & 2/AM B Jackman, 48 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed east of Dixmude at 15:15/16:15 - a patrol of No 48 Squadron met a formation of four large bombing machines, escorted by about 30 EA scouts. During a fight with 15 of these, Capt Baker & 2/AM Jackman drove down two scouts completely out of control, both of which are believed to have crashed; Vfw Werner, Kia ?

    2nd Lt W E Jenkins, 60 Sqn, Balloon in flames Ypres at 15:30/16:30

    2nd Lt W A Tyrrell, 32 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Poelcapelle at 15:50/16:50

    Lt J G S Candy and Lt A H Rice, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Menin at 16:20/17:20 - Lts Candy and Rice, No 19 Squadron, drove down an EA apparently out of control

    Capt B E Baker & 2/AM B Jackman, 48 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed north-east of Dixmude at 17:10/18:10 - a patrol of No 48 Squadron met a formation of four large bombing machines, escorted by about 30 EA scouts. During a fight with 15 of these, Capt Baker & 2/AM Jackman drove down two scouts completely out of control, both of which are believed to have crashed

    Casualties

    Lt A Claydon (Ok), 32 Sqn, DH5 A9439 - overturned in forced landing north-east of Ypres after engine shot through in combat on offensive patrol; Ltn Max Ritter v Müller, Js2, 31st victory [Wieltje at 11:20/12:20]

    Three British Aces were lost on this day

    Lieutenant Edward Booth (Injured in action)

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    Edward Booth joined the Royal Flying Corps in the spring of 1917. A Sopwith Camel pilot with 70 Squadron, he scored his second victory on 12 October 1917 but was then shot down by Hans Klein of Jasta 10. Surviving the incident, Booth scored three more victories before he was injured in a crash on 11 November 1917. He later served as an instructor but was killed in a crash while performing stunts

    2nd. Lt Mortimer Sackville West
    (no further details located – Killed in flying accident, he was a Bristol F2b pilot)

    Lieutenant Walter Bertram Wood

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    Before joining the army in 1915, Walter Bertram Wood, the son of Walter James and Annie Jane Wood, was a Boy Scout coast watcher. During the summer of 1916, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. In March 1917, he was sent to France where he flew Nieuports scouts with 29 Squadron. By August, he'd shot down 13 enemy aircraft when he was sent home to England and reassigned to 44 Squadron. While practicing air combat maneuvers in November 1917, the 19 year old ace was killed when his Sopwith Camel crashed for no apparent reason. Wood and his brother are the subjects of J. Bygott's book, "Two Soldier Brothers."
    MC Citation: 2nd Lt. Walter Bertram Wood, Hamp. R. and R.F.C.

    For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on many occasions, when engaged with hostile aircraft, during which he has shown a fine offensive spirit and the utmost fearlessness. He has had no less than twenty-three combats, in the course of which he has destroyed and driven down numerous enemy machines, frequently attacking several single-handed, and on one occasion fighting with his revolver when he had run short of gun ammunition.
    Bar to MC Citation: 2nd Lt. Walter Bertram Wood, M.C., Hamps. R. and R.F.C.

    For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in attacking enemy aircraft. On several occasions he has shown admirable dash and determination in attacking hostile machines single handed, destroying some and driving others down out of control. He has also displayed great daring in attacking enemy intantry and transport with machine-gun fire at very low altitudes, in spite of attacks by hostile aircraft whilst so engaged.
    The Following Aerial Victory claims were made this day

    Hermann Kunz Germany #2
    Augustin Novak Austro-Hungarian Empire #5
    Andrew McKeever Canada #27
    Norman Millman Canada #1
    Brian Edmund Baker England #9 #10
    John Candy England #4
    Bruce Jackman England #2 #3
    William Jenkins England #8
    Thomas Tuffield England #6
    Gabriel Guérin France #8
    Hans-Eberhardt Gandert Germany #2
    Max von Müller Germany #31
    Otto Rosenfeld Germany #4
    Georg Schlenker Germany #10
    Sydney Pope Ireland #6
    Walter Tyrrell Ireland #2

    There were 15 airmen lost on this day in 1917

    Air Mech 1 Billingham, J.A. (John Askham) 9 Squadron RFC
    Cadet Edmond, D. (David) 44th Wing, Canada. RFC
    2nd Lt. Fuller, C.S. (Charles Stephen) 1 Squadron RFC
    Sgt. Jackson, C. (Charles) Engine Repair Shop RFC
    Flt. Sub Lt. Kerr, D.R. (David Ross) RNAS
    Sgt. Lincoln, R. (Robert) 38 Training Squadron RFC
    2nd Lt. Mills, K.L.G. (Kenneth Le Gai) 10 Squadron RFC
    2nd Lt. Moore, A.J. (Albert James "Bert") RFC
    Capt. Murray, W.R. (William Roland) RFC
    Capt. Revill, J.A. (John Albert) 11 Squadron RFC
    2nd Lt. Robertson, D.A. (Duncan Alexander) RFC
    Air Mech 2 Taylor, R.W. RFC
    Air Mech 2 Tooze, W.H. (William Harold) 26th Kite Balloon Section
    2nd Lt. West, M.S. (Mortimer Sackville) 11 Squadron RFC
    Lt. Wood, W.B. (Walter Bertram) 29 Squadron attached 44 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps

    The War at Sea


    The monitor M15 (Lieutenant Commander Maurice B Leslie) and the destroyer HMS Staunch (Lieutenant Commander Edmond A B Stanley) are torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-38 off Gaza while supporting Allenby’s army. M15 is hit on the port bow which causes a cordite fire and the ship sinks in three minutes with a loss of 26. The casualties on the Staunch are 8 killed including…

    • Petty Officer Stoker Walter Albury Bridger killed at age 30. His brother died of wounds received on HMS Glasgow at the Battle of the Falklands.
    HM trawler Thuringia (Skipper Albert William Thornham age 46) is sunk by a torpedo off Youghal in St George’s Channel. Fourteen of her crew are killed including her skipper and Deck Hand Ernest Jenkins (Royal Navy) who is killed at age 24. He has two brothers and brother-in-law who will also be killed in the Great War.

    SEA WAR

    Eastern Mediterranean: UC 38 (Wendlandt), one of 3 U-boats sent to help Turks since October 31, sinks British monitor M15 (26 dead) and destroyer Staunch off Gaza, rest of squadron retire to Port Said.
    USA: First of 247 fast, four-funnel flush-decker destroyers launched (until April 11, 1921) USS Little (serves at

    EASTERN FRONT
    Russia: Bolsheviks crush Cadet ‘Bloody Sunday’ rising in Petrograd and take Krasnoyarsk. Reds control Saratov on Volga. Alexander Kerensky and General Pyotr Krasnov led 700 Cossacks loyal to the Russian Provisional Government to occupy Tsarskoye Selo outside of Petrograd in an attempt to regain the Russian capital from Bolshevik control. Eight riflemen with the local garrison were shot after refusing to lay down arms, resulting in the Russian military moving onside with the Bolshevik government

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    On November 11, the new People’s Commissar of Enlightenment, Anatoly Lunacharsky, issues the Decree on Popular Education:

    Our ideal is: equal and highest possible education for all citizens ...The problem of a genuinely democratic organization of instruction is particularly difficult to accomplish in a country impoverished by a long criminal imperialist war. But the working people who have seized power cannot possibly leave out of consideration the fact that knowledge will serve them as the mightiest weapon in their struggle for a better lot and for intellectual growth. However much the other sections of the national budget may have to be cut down—the cost of public education must be high … The struggle against illiteracy and ignorance cannot be limited to the establishment of a regular system of school instruction for children and young persons. Adults, too, are anxious to be delivered from the low estate of persons who are unable to read and write. Schools for adults must occupy a large place in the plan of popular instruction … Everywhere in Russia, in particular among the town workers, but also among the peasants, a powerful wave of a cultural educational movement is gathering force; workers’ and soldiers’ organizations of this kind are rapidly multiplying; to go to meet it, to support it in every way, to clear the road in front of it, this is the first task of a revolutionary people’s government in the sphere of popular education.

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    No single measure in the sphere of people’s education should be taken by any authority without paying careful attention to the opinion of the teaching world. On the other hand, decisions cannot by any means be arrived at exclusively through a body of specialists … The co-operation of the pedagogues with the social forces—this is what the Commission by virtues of its composition will aim at within the State Committee as well as in its general activity.

    Captain Tunstill’s Men
    : Sgt. George Richard Goodchild (see 10th November), with his customary eloquence, described the day’s journey on the railways.

    “A cold morning greeted us when we were awakened at Marcon at 6.30 am by the stentorian voice of the CO calling on everybody on the train to “get out of it”. The Orderly Officer roused himself hurriedly, the guard – only half awake – was posted and immediately the bugle sounded the ‘advance’ the troops stumbled sleepily out of the train for the hot coffee which was provide for them. Rations for the day were distributed and about an hour later, the men having breakfasted, performed their ablutions and returned to their places, we moved off again through what proved to be some of the mist beautiful scenery eye could wish to behold. Our way lay through what must be the garden of France for as far as eye could see the country was covered with vineyards whose vines were slowly yellowing from their summer beauty to the glorious tints of autumn, carpeting the undulating country with a beautiful covering of yellow which was turned to burnished gold by the rays of the sun. On the right an imposing background was provided by a formidable range of mountains whose misty pinnacles reached into the clouds and whose slopes were wreathed by the morning mists which floated round about them until they were gradually dispersed by the ever growing strength of the sun and the bold outlines of the mountains became quite plain At the foot of the hills and scattered over the plain were innumerable villages and hamlets whose houses – with their almost flat roofs and overhanging eaves – gave the country a Switzerland like appearance. In the morning sunshine the houses gleamed and made the whole landscape a vista of beauty. For myself, never before had I seen such loveliness in nature, not that I had previously been unmindful of nature’s beauty but simply because I had never seen nature so beautiful. Oftentimes the cinematograph – that wonderful teacher of modern times – has portrayed for me the beauties of southern France and Italy. Never did I think that I should behold them in their natural state and setting; yet here in November – when probably people at home would be wrapped in furs and overcoats – the sun was shining brightly and all the natural world was gay and beautiful and with my own eyes I beheld the beauties which hitherto I had only seen ‘at the pictures’.

    Intertwined with the railway was the River Saone with its marshy stretches and clear running waters. It accompanied us on our journey for many miles before it gave place to the River Rhone. Ville Franche was reached at 8.15; Abigny with its cliffs – reminding one strangely of the famous crag at Kilnsey – and Mont d’Or were passed half an hour later, and at nine o’clock we were at Lyon-Vaise. Here nasturtiums were in full bloom in the open – in November remember – palms became quite commonplace and the rocky nature of the country brought back to mind the hills of Derbyshire about Matlock. Far be it for me to belittle in the slightest degree England’s charms and beauties and although the Peak District, for instance, is a wonderfully beautiful place, truth to tell the district through which we were now passing far transcended anything I had seen in my Motherland. I was astounded for previously I could not have believed that ordinary northern France could have such a beautiful southern counterpart.

    At 9.30 am on Sunday Lyons was reached. What a sight the city was. Built on the eastern and western slopes of the broad-bosomed Rhone the city is indeed a wonderful sight. The eastern town apparently comprised the working portion and the western a residential. The sun was shining brightly over the countryside – indeed the only dull spot was the double walled prison which we passed quite close to the railway – and the distant mountains provided a setting of great grandeur for the lesser gaily clad hills of the Rhone valley with their pine covered slopes spotted all over with brightly coloured houses upon which the sun shone and from which it was dazzlingly reflected. Lyons will remain forever a place to be remembered by us all. Proceeding south with the waters of the river on our immediate right – in fact in some places we were travelling on the top of a wall built out of the river itself which formed, with the base of the hills, a ledge upon which the rails were laid – another hours riding brought us to Estression which is mentionable because of the home-like bales of wool stacked at its station.

    Until reaching Valence at 12.45 pm an unending panorama of beauty was unfolded to us along the Rhone valley, fertile in every inch and sheltered by high cloud wreathed hills. Now we came to country somewhat resembling Wharfedale only much grander. Here the hills appeared to be terraced – caused, of course, by the movements of the river in years gone by – each terrace being a little vineyard wearing its autumn dress. In one part a vast amount of land was cultivated by hermits for dotted over the countryside were the hermitages of various pious men, each having the name of the occupier inscribed in large letters on the walls. If life after death can be gained by the assiduous tillage of the soil and the bringing forth of the fruits of the earth – though I personally I doubt very much whether this hidden life yields any good at all in the sense of doing good to one’s fellows (but ethics must not be discussed here) – then these hermits of southern France are sure of their hereafter. Proceeding, we arrived at Montelimar – that toothsome name beloved by children and famous in courting days – at 2.30 pm and at 4.20 pm we were at Pierrelatte – having passed Donere where we stopped a short time for dinner and refreshment at 3.20 pm – where I was able to purchase some nougat actually made at Montelimar. And very nice it was too. Montelimar itself is a moderately sized country place standing well back from the railway and composed of strongly built stone houses grouped closely together and surmounted by the tower of the village church.
    This day I spent most of my time on an open air truck immediately next to our carriage and in the warm sunshine no cold could be felt at all. Indeed many remarked that instead of issuing out winter clothing before we left Zudausques it would have been more appropriate if tropical kit had been given to us!! At Arles we stopped for supper and liquid refreshment this being the last halt for the day. It was then 10 o’clock and as bed called imperiously we were soon ‘down to it’.”

    The accounts by Pte. Harold Charnock (see 1st November) and Capt. William Norman Town (see 9th November) recall the cold of the overnight journey, 11th/12th November. Charnock remembered that, “the Mistral was blowing and it was bitterly cold”; while Town reflected on how they had travelled, “by devious ways to keep the main line clear, through Troyes, Les Laumes and Macon, and beside the still, full waters of the Saone to Lyons. Then followed a bitter night down the Rhone Valley with the Mistral penetrating every crevice of the none-too windproof French rolling stock”.
    Last edited by Hedeby; 11-25-2017 at 09:32.

  43. #2843

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    12th November 1917

    The War in the Air
    Artillery Co-operation — 30 hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction from aeroplane observation, and eight by balloons. Nearly rounds were fired at ground targets.
    Bombing - 9th Wing: On the night of the 11th/12th, No 102 Squadron dropped two 112-lb bombs on Menin.
    RNAS - Bad weather conditions, with mist and low visibility impeded the observers in their observations during the submarine and Fleet patrols. There was nothing to report.
    A patrol of five Sopwith Triplanes, No 1 Squadron, attacked several Albatross scouts and two-seaters in the neighbourhood of Dixmude, with indecisive results.
    A patrol of Camels, No 9 Squadron, drove off several enemy scouts which were attacking allied machines. Other indecisive combats took place.

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    Naval pilots reported a new type of scout, slightly larger than a Triplane with Fokker planes, Albatross tail with large fin, two single struts and large fuselage. Stationary engine. Climb the same as Triplane at 6,000 feet. Pilot sitting well behind the mainplane. (Any ideas gentlemen? – editor)
    Bombing raid by dasy - No 5 Squadron, D.H.4’s: a raid was carried out on Vlisseghem Aerodrome, over which eight 50-lb, twenty-nine 16-lb and two 10-lb bombs were dropped. No direct hits were observed, but bombs fell close to the sheds. All machines returned safely.
    Acting Flight Lieut. G. L. Trapp reported killed from No 10 Squadron, attached R.F.C.

    Enemy Aircraft
    Enemy aircraft activity was normal, but a large number of combats took place.
    2nd Lt W C Balmford & Cpl W A Elliot, 6 Sqn, Scout out of control - Lt Balmford & Cpl Elliott, No 6 Squadron, were taking photographs when they were attacked by a formation of EA scouts. The observer, who was wounded, shot down one EA out of control
    2nd Lt O McOustra & 2nd Lt A Flavell, 57 Sqn, EA out of control Staden - a reconnaissance of No 57 Squadron met about ten EA over Staden and 2nd Lts McOustra & A Flavell shot one down out of control
    A/Flt Lt G L Trapp and Flt Sub-Lt A G Beattie, 10N Sqn, two-seater crashed Couckelaere at 08:00/09:00 - a patrol of Naval Squadron No 10 attacked a two-seater EA and Flight Lt Trapp and Flight Sub-Lt Beattie shot it down out of control, and it was seen by the French to crash
    Lt O C Bryson, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control east of Gheluwe at 10:20/11:20 - an EA was driven down out of control by Lt Bryson, No 19 Squadron, who attacked it when it was interfering with RE8s
    Lt A T Drinkwater & Lt F T S Menendez, 57 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south-east of Houthulst Forest at 11:45/12:45
    Lt A T Drinkwater & Lt F T S Menendez, 57 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south-east of Houthulst Wood at 11:45/12:45

    A reconnaissance of No 57 Squadron met about ten EA over Staden and 2nd Lt Drinkwater & Lt Menendez, No 57 Squadron, fought three EA, two of which fell apparently out of control

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    Maj A S W Dore, 43 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control east of Pont-à-Vendin at 12:10/13:10
    Lt C F King, 43 Sqn and Lt W MacLanachan, 40 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Annay at 12:10/13:10
    A patrol of Sopwith Camels of No 43 Squadron saw four Albatros scouts about to attack some of our Corps machines, so immediately engaged the EA. Major Dore shot one down out of control. The same patrol attacked another scout and 2nd Lt King, assisted by Lt MacLanachan, No 40 Squadron, shot it down out of control
    Capt J H G Womersley, 43 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control east of Annay at 12:15/13:15
    Capt B P G Beanlands, 24 Sqn, two-seater out of control east of Dixmude at 14:15/15:15 - an EA was shot down out of control by Capt Beanlands, No 24 Squadron
    Lt P A de Fontenay, 29 Sqn, Albatros C out of control Houthulst Forest at 14:40/15:40 - 2nd Lt P de Fontenay, No 29 Squadron, drove down an EA apparently out of control; ? (Ok) & Ltn Georg Behnisch (Kia), FA 211 [?] [?],
    Capt A A Knight & Capt A P Wornum, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Wervicq - Gheluwe at 14:45/15:45
    Capt A A Knight & Capt A P Wornum, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Wervicq - Gheluwe at 14:45/15:45
    2nd Lt J L Boles & 2nd Lt F B Wallis, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Wervicq - Gheluwe at 14:45/15:45
    A patrol of five machines of No 20 Squadron attacked seven EA scouts. Two were driven down by Capts Knight & Wornum, and later a third fell out of control after being engaged by 2nd Lts Boles & Wallis
    2nd Lt F G Quigley, 70 Sqn, two-seater out of control east of Houthulst Forest at 15:00/16:00 - 2nd Lt Quigley, No 70 Squadron, drove down an EA apparently out of control; ? (Ok) & Ltn Georg Behnisch (Kia), FA 211 [?] ?
    Flt Lt S M Kinkead and Flt Sub-Lt J H Forman, 1N Sqn, Aviatik C out of control Dixmude at 15:45/16:45 - Flight Lieut. Kinkead and Flight Sub-Lieut. Forman, No 1 Squadron, attacked and destroyed a new type of scout near Dixmude. After several attacks he nose-dived and was seen to be on fire
    2nd Lt I R Mees & 2/AM B Jackman, 48 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Dixmude at 17:50/18:50

    Casualties
    2nd Lt J A Higham (Wia) & 1/AM S Hookway (Wia), 5 Sqn, RE8 B5086 - combat with very fast scout west of Dixmude on artillery observation; Ltn d R Heinrich Bongartz, Js36, 22nd victory [east of Merkem at 10:35/11:35] ?

    Flt Cdr G L Trapp (Kia), 6N Sqn, Camel B6341 - broke up in air while diving on enemy 2-seater near Forthem; said to be Ltn d R Heinrich Kroll, Js24, 13th victory [Armentières - Warneton at 12:05/13:05]
    ? (Ok) & 2/AM G Wyatt (Wia), 6 Sqn, RE8 - combat during photography; Offz Stv Julius Buckler, Js17, 25th victory [Oostkerke at 14:45/15:45] ?
    ? (Ok) & Cpl W A Elliott (Wia), 6 Sqn, RE8 - combat during photography; Vzfw Franz Hemer, J6, 2nd victory [north of Jeperen – north-east of Ypres at 09:35/10:35] ?
    Lt W Sewell (Kia) & 2nd Lt S Symonds (Kia), 7 Sqn, RE8 B2255 - reported hit by AA and fell in no mans land while showing pilot the lines
    Lt G H Pitt (Wia), 65 Sqn, Camel B2413 - shot up on offensive patrol
    Lt D H Scott MC (Kia), 65 Sqn, Camel B2417 - hit by shell and completely wrecked on offensive patrol Dadizeele - Quesnoy
    Lt J I Bundy (Ok), 23 Sqn, Spad VII A6748 – took off 09:43/10:43 then force landed Sh28.c.16.c.38 [south-west of St Julien] after radiator shot through and engine seized on north offensive patrol
    Lt K S Morrison (Pow), 65 Sqn, Camel B2405 - last seen at 11:50/12:50 diving on LVG at 4,000 feet on offensive patrol Quesnoy - Lille

    The following aerial victories were claimed by aces today – the only November 12th with any ace claims at all .

    Arthur Drinkwater Australia #5 #6
    Bernard Beanlands Canada #4
    James Forman Canada #3
    Frank Quigley Canada #4
    George Trapp Canada #6
    Oliver Campbell Bryson England #5
    Reginald Charley England #5
    Philip De Fontenay England #2
    Bruce Jackman England #4

    Cecil King England #1

    Cecil Frederick King was assigned to 43 Squadron in 1917. He flew the Sopwith Camel until it was replaced with a Sopwith Snipe in the fall of 1918.

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    Military Cross (MC): T./2nd Lt. Cecil Frederick King, Gen. List and R.F.C.

    For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On five occasions during a period of three months he has sent down four enemy machines completely out of control, and has destroyed one other. Later, under very adverse weather conditions he carried out a low reconnaissance, during which he engaged troops in a station, causing several casualties, fired into a body of the enemy entering a village from a height of 50 feet, attacked four gun limbers, causing the teams to stampede, and finally dived on to a parade of troops, who scattered in all directions. He has displayed exceptional daring and skill, which, combined with a splendid dash and initiative, have set a fine example to his squadron.
    Capt. CECIL FREDERICK KING, M.C., D.F.C., Croix de Guerre (avec Palme), R.A.F., son of Mr. and Mrs. F . H. King, Springfield Dukes, Chelmsford, was killed, the result of a collision in the air at Sedgeford, Norfolk, on January 24th, aged 19 years 11 months. He was educated at Verites, Charterhouse. On leaving school early in 1917 he joined the Royal Flying Corps, and in September of t h a t year went to France, where he served continuously for thirteen months as flying officer and flight commander. He shot down 22 enemy machines, 19 of which were officially confirmed. He also did fine work in attacking enemy troops at low altitudes with his machine-guns and bombs. The French decoration was awarded to him for services rendered to the French Army during the second battle of the Marne, July, 1918. Capt. C. F. King was recently transferred to Sedgeford as a fighting instructor. The funeral took place at Docking (near Sedgeford) on February 4, with full R.A.F. honours.

    2nd Lt. (temp. Capt.) Cecil Frederick King
    , M.C.
    He is a fine leader who at all times shows great gallantry and skill in manoeuvring; his energy and keenness have brought his flight to a high standard of efficiency. He frequently descends to low altitudes to obtain good results from bombing, and shooting, and on several occasions he has brought down enemy aeroplanes.

    Frank Menendez
    England #5 #6
    John Herbert Greenwood Womersley England #5
    François Battesti France #3
    Jean Derode France u/c
    Henri Péronneau France #3
    Heinrich Bongartz Germany #22
    Julius Buckler Germany #25
    Ludwig Hanstein Germany #13
    Franz Hemer Germany #2
    Heinrich Kroll Germany #13
    Samuel Kinkead South Africa #9

    The Western Front
    Canadians take Passchendaele, or what was left of it, and the battle is finally over. Air photographs of Passchendaele are taken after the battle; it is estimated that half a million shell holes can be seen in the half square mile of the picture! This, presumably, was where Haig expected his troops to winter. And so the British gained their objective, although it was quite useless to them in terms of the original plan; the attack from the sea at Nieuport had been abandoned, and there was no hope of breaking through to the German occupied Channel ports, which will eventually be blockaded by hulks sunk at Zeebrugge.

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    Crater field - Passchendaele

    594 British Lives were lost on this day

    Today’s highlighted casualties include

    Captain ‘the Honorable’ Elidyr John Bernard Herbert (Gloucester Hussars attached Machine Gun Corps) is killed in action in Gaza at age 36. He is the son of Major General Ivor John Cardadoc the 1st and last Baron Treowen.
    Captain Hugh Wallace Mann (Cameron Highlanders) dies of wounds at age 26. He is the son of the Reverend John Wallace Mann and a Master of Arts at Glasgow University.
    Lieutenant William Allan Sewell (Border Regiment attached Royal Flying Corps) is killed at age 23. He is the son of the Reverend Thomas Jackson Sewell Vicar of Lynsted.

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    Second Lieutenant Leslie Morier Evans (Army Service Corps) is killed by a shell at age 39. He is the son-in-law of Arthur Hipwell JP.
    Private George Hills MM (Bedfordshire Regiment) dies of wounds received in action at age 31. He is the second of three brothers who will die in the Great War.
    Gunner Charles Graham Lambert MM (Royal Field Artillery) is killed at age 29. His son will be killed in May 1941.

    Southern Front
    The end of the Battle of Carporetto (a.k.a. 12th Battle of Isonzo)

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    Battle of the First World War, also known as 12th Battle of Isonzo. By October 1917 the Italians, although making little progress, were at all points fighting on Austrian soil. Ludendorff decided that the Austrians would probably be unable to withstand another Italian attack, and so decided to launch an attack of his own. He send a German expert on mountain warfare, General Konrad Kraft von Dellmensingen to examine the front. Kraft von Dellmensingen recommended an attack on the northern end of the Izuno flank, centred on the village of Caporetto. Ludendorff agreed to the plan, and sent General Otto von Below to command it. The buildup to the attack was well disguised, and well planed. On 2 A.M. on 24 October the attack began with a four hour bombardment, using both gas and conventional shells. The Italians, under General Luigi Cadorna, were badly prepared to resist any attack. The bulk of his army was in the front line trenches, devastated by the bombardment, while the Italian gas masks proved unable to deal with the German gases, putting any counter bombardment out of the question. The German and Austrian troops began moving at 6.30 A.M., and achieved success beyond their expectations, advancing up to fourteen miles on the first day, and containing that advance over the next few days. Cadorna ordered a general retreat on 27 October, by which time one had already started on the ground. The German and Austrian advance only ended at the Piave river, seventy miles behind the original front, when a combination of an improved Italian defense, heavy rain and a lack of motorized transport made it impossible to go on. The battle was a spectacular victory for the Central Powers. Cadorna was replaced, while Britain and France were forced to rush troops to prop up their ally. However, the battle also showed up flaws in the German and Austrian armies. The British naval blockade had started to have an impact on supplies for the frontline soldiers, and days were lost while German troops looted Italian food stores, something that would repeat itself during the German offensives of 1918.

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    Caporetto has been called "the greatest defeat in Italian military history."

    "By any standard, Twelfth Isonzo [Caporetto] and its aftermath represented an unprecedented catastrophe for Italian arms." The disaster "came as a shock" and "triggered a search for scapegoats," culminating in a 1919 Italian military commission that investigated the causes of the debacle. At Rapallo, a Supreme War Council was created to improve Allied military co-operation and develop a common strategy. Luigi Cadorna was forced to resign after the defeat, a final straw according to the Prime Minister, Vittorio Emanuele Orlando. Cadorna was known to have maintained poor relations with the other generals on his staff and by the start of the battle, had sacked 217 generals, 255 colonels and 355 battalion commanders. In addition, he was detested by his troops as being too harsh. Cadorna had been directing the battle 20 miles (32 km) behind the front and retreated another 100 mi (160 km) to Padua when replaced by Armando Diaz and Pietro Badoglio. Italian propaganda offices were established, promising land and social justice to soldiers. Italy also accepted a more cautious military strategy from this point on. Diaz concentrated his efforts on rebuilding his shattered forces while taking advantage of the national rejuvenation that had been spurred by invasion and defeat.

    Casualties

    Italian losses were enormous: 10,000 were killed, 30,000 wounded and 265,000 were taken prisoner– morale was so low among the Italian troops, mainly due to Cadorna's harsh disciplinary regime, that most of these surrendered willingly. 3,152 artillery pieces, 3,000 machine guns and 1,712 mortars were lost, along with a vast amount of stores and equipment. In contrast, the Austro-Hungarians and Germans only sustained 70,000 casualties.
    After this battle, the term "Caporetto" gained a particular resonance in Italy. It is used to denote a terrible defeat – the failed General Strike of 1922 by the socialists was referred to by Mussolini as the "Caporetto of Italian Socialism". Many years after the war, Caporetto was still being used to destroy the credibility of the liberal state.

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    The Battle of Caporetto has been the subject of a number of books. The Swedish author F.J. Nordstedt (pseud. Christian Braw) wrote about the battle in his novel Caporetto. The bloody aftermath of Caporetto was vividly described by Ernest Hemingway in his novel A Farewell to Arms. Curzio Malaparte wrote an excoriation of the battle in his first book, Viva Caporetto, published in 1921. It was censored by the state and suppressed; it was finally published in 1980. Today, a museum in the town of Kobarid is dedicated to the Isonzo Battles in general, and the Caporetto Battle in particular.

    Captain Tunstill’s Men – again enjoying the life on trains…

    The journey along the Mediterranean coast raised Sgt. George Richard Goodchild (see 11th November), to even greater heights of rhapsody,

    “It was Marseilles which welcomed us at 6.30 am on Monday the 12th. I had often heard of the clear blue of the skies of the Mediterranean. Now I saw them, for as the morning mists cleared – there had been a white frost during the night – the vault of heaven showed us a cloudless blue. The waters of the Mediterranean we could not see then. The whole town of Marseilles glinted and sparkled in the sunlight, its creamy walls reflecting the sun’s rays and causing the eyes to blink with their brilliance, whilst overall was a glorious dash of gold caused by the sun striking the golden tipped tower of a large church in the town. We stayed here long enough to have a wash and clean up. The latticed windows were just opening and signs of renewed life for the days toil were just becoming evident. Queues waited for the morning trams just as they do at home causing memories to crowd once more to the mind, for who cannot remember the jostling of civilians all anxious to secure seats on the cars and the pushing that there is on the conductor’s platform when the absurd idea of giving tickets at termini is carried out? Upon reaching Marseilles we completed the crossing of the entire length of France, something most of us had ever imagined we should do.

    We left the French port at about 8 o’clock and passed through varying vistas of beauty along the sea coast until reaching Aubagne at 9 o’clock. Between these two places we saw the first nectarine trees – originally mistaking them for orange trees. Half an hour afterwards we were passing through deep cuttings excavated out of the solid rock. These were of a dazzling whiteness and hurt the eyes to look upon them. At 9.40 am we got our first glimpse of the Mediterranean with its broad blue bosom heaving gently and the waves rippling on the shore and sparkling in the sunshine. This lay on our right. On our left were seemingly impassable barriers of hills, but these were negotiated by means of lengthy tunnels bored out of the solid rock. Each time we came out into the daylight the sea welcomed us and all eyes were out of the right hand windows of the train straining to see everything of the coast which it was possible to observe. Many have paid thousands of pounds to see what we were seeing for nothing and it is now quite understandable to us why people so willingly pay these large sums to visit the wonderful and beautiful southern portion of France and the Mediterranean.

    Next came St Cry-sur-Mer which was reached at 9.55, and between that bright little place and Toulon the country was one beautiful vineyard protected by hills and mountains of great grandeur and splendour. We arrived at Toulon at 10.11 and received a great welcome. At the station itself Red Cross nurses came to greet us with smiles of welcome on their faces and good things to eat and drink in their hands. The populace were not behind hand either for they turned out in large numbers and cheered us in our way. Our band played lively airs on the platform their efforts culminating in the rendering of the Marseillaise which aroused great enthusiasm. As the train steamed out we were given a parting cheer and we left the great naval arsenal behind bringing with us pleasant memories of our short visit to its hospitable precincts.

    Here it may be apposite to draw attention to something which may not have impressed itself on everybody. I refer to the great use of electricity for lighting and power purposes in France. Every little hamlet has its supply. We in England think we are almost pioneers in the use of electricity and believe we have achieved something great when the water power of a small village is harnessed to produce electricity for the inhabitants. We are, however, a long way behind France in this respect, for literally every nook and cranny is illuminated by electricity. This was the thing which perhaps impressed itself upon my mind more than anything else during the journey.

    At 1.50 pm we were at Camoulles where we made a short halt for refreshments. Now the earth was of a chocolate colour differing from any I had ever seen before. It gave the whole earth a warm and inviting appearance and was evidently of a good yielding quality for everywhere vines were in profusion just shedding their leaves but still giving a fair indication of the life giving properties of the soil in which they grew. The hills too were noticeable because here and there one could see small smoke clouds hovering over the mountain tops proving we were in a volcanic country. Fortunately no outburst of the earth’s fury occurred during our passage through this part of France. Now the houses had exteriors of the palest of pinks and fig trees grew in profusion with sloes for neighbours. At Camoulles a native lady have us gifts of freshly plucked figs. They were entirely different from the fig as the Englishmen ordinarily knows it. Of a damson blue colour on the outside the inside somewhat resembles that of a pomegranate on a small scale. The taste was also altogether different. It was somewhat sour and, after eating a few of these figs, we one and all came to the conclusion that the dried fig so well known in England was far preferable to the fresh variety. Another noticeable point in this district was the fort crowned hills. The highest of the rocky peaks were all surmounted by forts in various stages of dilapidation and decay, but still giving indications of the strong topographical advantages the occupiers of them must have held in former days. They were now but shadows of their former selves but withal with interest to historians and antiquarians.

    Les Arcs was our next stopping place. We reached here at 3.00 pm on the 12th and had a welcome drink of coffee. I was one of the lucky ones who were fortunate enough to purchase a few nectarines. These were luscious and appetizing, but next time I shall remove their tough skins before eating them for these leave rather a nasty taste in the mouth. I am told that the proper way to eat a nectarine is to slice off the top and consume the fruit with the aid of a spoon so removing all necessity for the skin to touch the lips. Cactus growths now appeared in great profusion; huge prickly bushes which, formerly we had only seen in a few of our English hot houses. At Les Arcs, too, we were able to send letters home and I managed to get one letter and a few Field Post Cards home to England. Proceeding to Cannes we passed Boulourade sur Mer; St Raphael with its large granite quarry; Agay where we made a short halt, and just before reaching Cannes (at 5.35 pm) I witnessed a glorious sunset beyond a high range of mountains the tops of which were shown up by the setting sun in all their beauty. It was a glorious sight.

    At Cannes our welcome was hearty in the extreme. We were now in the renowned Riviera and at Cannes we were met by English women. There were VAD ladies and also English civilians to greet us and right hearty was their welcome. Outside the station along roads running parallel with the railway crowds of people gathered and cheered lustily when the Marseillaise roused their ardour to a high pitch. Our entry to the famous Mediterranean pleasure resorts opened very auspiciously at Cannes.

    We knew it would be night when we passed the other places so well known on the Riviera so we all kept awake to see as much of them as possible by artificial light. Here there is no dimming of the lighting of the Mediterranean coast through fear of the enemy. Another great welcome awaited us at Nice where ladies from the Allied Red Cross meet every troop train by night and day. They provided us with biscuits, hot tea and cigarettes and spoke to us in our own tongue which, perhaps, was more heartening to us than anything else. They were some of our own womenfolk for whom we were fighting and who were helping us and cheering us in the dark hour of our nation’s history to the utmost of their power.

    At 8 o’clock we were at Monaco with its fairyland bay. The town is built on the shores and hills surrounding its little bay and at night the illumination of the houses rising tier upon tier above the sea gave the appearance of a place illuminated on a gala night. Just beyond the station is a wonderful little valley which must look very charming in the daylight. Right at the bottom, overshadowed by lofty hills on either side and at the back, is a small church all by itself, whilst on the surrounding hillsides are gaily coloured and illuminated houses which, at night time, make the valley look very beautiful with their twinkling lights. On reaching the eastern side of the little bay we could look back on the town. And what a sight it was with its lights shining all round the bay.

    10 minutes later we were at Monte Carlo where those who were on the lookout could see the huge casino around which so much romance excitement and mystery are woven and where so many lives have been ruined by the call of the gambling devil. Monte Carlo is a beautiful places as, indeed, are all the Mediterranean resorts.

    Mentone was reached at 8.30 where nurses from the neighbouring hospital welcomed us. These ladies meet every troop train, working in relays day and night, in order to give a parting cheer and wish of ‘good luck’ to English soldiers leaving French soil to pass over the frontier into Italy. At Mentone we all promised to go sick immediately upon arrival at our destination and to ask to be sent to Mentone to be cared for!
    We entered Italy at Ventimiglia at 9.20 pm Monday November 12th, and the first Italian soldiers seen were two Bersagliere with their picturesque headdress. Our thought were now centred on Italy, what the country would be like, the people, what our welcome would be and all the thoughts which crowd upon the mind when unfamiliar lands are first seen. By the country we were greatly impressed, its grandeur and beauty being quite equal to that of France though, if anything somewhat grander and more imposing. Italy’s people were full of hospitality and could not do enough for us. Their welcome was quite uproarious. Indeed our first impressions of Italy were very good indeed.
    After leaving Ventimiglia the first place we came to was San Remo – very little different from the neighbouring French resorts – which we reached at 10.15 pm”.
    Last edited by Hedeby; 11-25-2017 at 05:10.

  44. #2844

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    13th November 1917

    The weather was fine, but heavy ground mist prevented much work being done. One reconnaissance was carried out by the 5th Brigade, two contact patrols by the 2nd Brigade and 189 photographs were taken. Eleven hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction with aeroplane observation, 10 of which were by the Fourth Army, which damaged eight gun-pits and caused four explosions and two fires. One enemy machine was brought down by aeroplanes in the 4th Brigade area, and another was forced to land within our lines, after being hit by anti-aircraft of the Second Army. The machine was slightly damaged and the pilot unhurt (G.90).
    Bombing – 1st Brigade: No 18 Squadron dropped four 112-lb bombs on Libercourt, two on Hénin-Liétard and four on Pont-à-Vendin. No 2 Squadron dropped six 25-lb bombs on Benifontaine. 5th Brigade: No 57 Squadron dropped one 230-lb, three 112-lb and eight 25-lb bombs on Roulers. Brigades also dropped 43 25-lb bombs on various targets during the day.

    RNAS - Weather conditions much improved, but not sufficiently so to enable photographic work to be carried out. Special W/T patrols and Fleet patrols were carried out.
    E.A. was very active during the day, numerous encounters and indecisive combats taking place. During the morning, patrols from Nos. 1, 4 and 9 Squadrons, chased and engaged formations of Gothas, in one case the observer in the Gotha was probably killed by two pilots of No. 1 Squadron as he ceased firing after several attacks. In all encounters the E.A. were driven back over their lines.

    Bombing raid by day - No 5 Squadron, D.H.4’s: at 1-30, Houttave Aerodrome was attacked by eight machines, three 65lb, eleven 50-lb, sixty-four 16-lb and two 10-lb bombs were dropped on objective. A number of bombs were seen to explode amongst, and in close proximity to the sheds, and one direct hit is reported on the sheds on the S. side of the road. A considerable number of E.A. were sighted but did not get near enough to attack our formation. All machines returned safely.

    Enemy aircraft activity varied considerably, but on the whole was about normal.

    Lt G A H Trudeau, 23 Sqn, EA out of control - Lt Trudeau, No 23 Squadron, drove down an enemy machine out of control
    Capt P Huskinson, 19 Sqn, two-seater crashed Moorslede at 10:35/11:35 – Capt P Huskinson, No 19 Squadron, saw a formation of 12 EA bombing machines coming west, so dived at one and after 150 rounds had been fired the EA went down in a slow glide to about 3000 feet, then went into a spin and crashed
    Flt Sub-Lt G H D Gossip, 4N Sqn, Albatros C out of control south-east of Dixmude at 11:30/12:30 - a patrol from No. 4 Squadron, which went up to intercept E.A., observed two formations of Albatross Scouts, one of nine, and the other of six machines, closing on a formation of Pups and Camels. Flight Sub-Lieut. Gossip attacked two of the E.A., one was brought down completely out of control, in the second case the result was indecisive
    Flt Sub-Lt C P Brown, SDF, Albatros Scout destroyed east of Nieuport at 11:45/12:45
    2nd Lt T F Williams, 45 Sqn, Junkers JI (?) out of control north-west of Westroosebeke at 11:55/12:55 - 2nd Lt Williams, No 45 Squadron, drove an EA down out of control
    Lt D'A F Hilton, 29 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north-west of Roluers at 12:00/13:00 - 2nd Lt Hilton, No 29 Squadron, shot down an EA scout apparently out of control
    Capt B P G Beanlands, 24 Sqn, Albatros Scout captured Schoorbakke at 12:30/13:30 - Maat Heinze, MFJ2, Kia [?],
    Capt B P G Beanlands, 24 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Schoorbakke at 12:30/13:30
    A patrol of No 24 Squadron attacked eight enemy scouts and Capt Beanlands shot one down out of control, and in another fight drove one down which fell into a cloud and was seen by ground observers to crash
    Flt Cdr H V Rowley, 1N Sqn, Aviatik C out of control south-east of Nieuport at 12:30/13:30 - Flight Commander Rowley of No. 1 Squadron, attacked an Aviatik, shooting him down completely out of control E. of Nieuport. The patrol also indecisively engaged a number of two-seaters and scouts during the day
    Capt G A Hyde, 54 Sqn, DFW C out of control ? Lombartzyde at 13:00/14:00
    2nd Lt E G H C Williams & 2/AM T W Jones, 48 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed north-east of Ostende at 13:15/14:15 - Lt E Williams & 2/AM T Jones, No 48 Squadron, attacked an enemy scout which went into a spin and then fell apparently out of control
    Capt R M Charley, 54 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Lombartzyde at 13:45/14:45
    Flt Cdr J S T Fall, 9N Sqn, Albatros C out of control Slype at 13:45/14:45
    Flt Cdr J S T Fall and Flt Sub-Lt A W Wood, 9N Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Pervyse at 14:35/15:35
    During the afternoon, high offensive patrol, six Camels from No. 9 Squadron, had encounters with several Enemy machines. Flight Commander Fall and Flight Sub-Lieut. Wood attacked three Albatross Scouts. The rearmost machine was destroyed, followed down, and seen to crash in the floods. The machine hit a fence and turned over on its nose, partly upside down. This was confirmed by another pilot in the flight. On returning from replenishing ammunition, Flight Commander Fall attacked an Albatross two-seater, it was last seen at 500 feet spinning on its back completely out of control and was most probably destroyed
    Maj A D Carter and Lt J G S Candy, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north of Comines at 14:45/15:45 - two other EA were driven down out of control; one by Major A D Carter, No 19 Squadron and the other by 2nd Lt T Candy of the same squadron
    2nd Lt W Beaver & 2nd Lt C J Agelasto, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed south-east of Houthulst Forest at 15:00/16:00
    Lt R K Kirkman & Capt L W Burbidge, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Becelaere at 15:00/16:00
    2nd Lts Beaver & Agelasto, No 20 Squadron, destroyed an Albatros scout near Houthulst, and another was driven down out of control by Lt Kirkman & Capt Burbidge, east of Passchendaele
    Lt W A McMichael & 1/AM H Lindfield, 48 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north-east of Ostende at 15:10/16:10 -
    Capt W R Fish, 2nd Lt A L Cuffe, 2nd Lt H C Leese and 2nd Lt W A Tyrrell, 32 Sqn, two-seater out of control south-east of Houthulst Forest at 15:30/16:30
    2nd Lt H M Moody, 45 Sqn, two-seater out of control north-east of Comines at 16:10/17:10 - 2nd Lt Moody, No 45 Squadron, drove an EA down out of control

    Casualty
    ? (Ok) & 2nd Lt W J Matthews (Wia), 35 Sqn, AW FK8 –

    The following victories were claimed by aces on this day…

    George Hatfield Dingley Gossip Australia #3
    Bernard Beanlands Canada #5 #6
    Albert Carter Canada #5
    Joseph Fall Canada #31 #32
    D'Arcy Hilton Canada #8
    Thomas Williams Canada #4
    Cyril Agelasto England #2

    Colin Brown Scotland #1

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    The son of John and Margaret Brown, Colin Peter Brown served with the Royal Naval Air Service and was posted to 13 Naval Squadron in 1917. Flying Sopwith Camels, he scored 14 victories by the end of the war. Squadron Leader Brown received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 14226 at Yorkshire Aviation Services Country Club on 18 August 1936.
    Lieut. Colin Peter Brown (Sea Patrol).

    DFC Citation
    Was engaged in a bombing raid on an enemy seaplane base by night, and dropped his bombs from a height of 500 feet, causing considerable destruction. Shortly afterwards he bombed an enemy aerodrome in daylight, also from a height of 500 feet, and then descended to 300 feet and destroyed an enemy machine. On arriving at his aerodrome fifty-nine bullet-holes were found in his machine. He has since then destroyed two enemy aeroplanes. Lieutenant Brown has been engaged in several other aerial fights, and has proved himself a gallant and resourceful flight leader.
    Lieut. (A./Capt.) Colin Peter Brown, D.F.C. (Sea Patrol FLANDERS.) Bar to DFC Citation

    A fine fighting pilot and brilliant leader who has destroyed thirteen enemy aircraft. On 4th October he led his formation of fifteen scouts to attack a superior number of the enemy. Nine of the latter were destroyed, Captain Brown, single-handed, accounting for three.

    Leslie Burbidge
    England #4
    John Candy England #5
    Patrick Huskinson England #3
    Robert Kirkman England #3
    H. Lindfield England #6
    Henry Moody England #4
    Herbert Rowley England #5
    Edward Williams Wales #5
    Arthur William Wood England #10
    Harald Auffarth Germany #6
    Heinrich Kroll Germany #14
    Walter Tyrrell Ireland #3
    Antonio Chiri Italy u/c
    Mario Fucini Italy #1

    Mario Fucini transferred from the Engineering Corps to aviation, receiving his pilot's license on 13 March 1916. He claimed 13 victories during the war but was officially credited with 7 in 1919.

    Guido Masiero Italy #1

    Wilfred Beaver USA #1

    Born in England, Wilfred Beaver was sent to Montreal, Canada to live with an uncle and study dentistry. He arrived on 4 August 1914, but three days later, he enlisted in the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force. After serving with the Canadian Field Artillery in France, he joined the Royal Flying Corps on 28 February 1917. Posted to 20 Squadron, he scored 19 victories flying the Bristol Fighter. In 1919, Beaver relocated to the United States, becoming a U.S. citizen in 1926. During World War II, he received a Bronze Star for outstanding leadership as group executive officer of the 447th Bomb Group, a B-17 group stationed in England under the 3rd Air Force. After separation from service in December 1945, Colonel Beaver remained active in the Air Force Reserve.

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    1901 residence was Soundwell, Mangotsfield, Gloucestershire; 1920 residence was Greenville, Mississippi; 1930 residence was Jamestown, New York.

    MC Citation
    T./2nd Lt. Wilfred Beaver, Gen. List, and R.F.C.
    For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During the last five months he has destroyed five hostile machines, and has brought down completely out of control six others. During the recent operations he has performed exceptionally good work in bombing and firing upon hostile troops from very low altitudes. He has displayed marked gallantry and resource, and has proved himself a patrol leader of great dash and ability.

    And best of all he flew Bristol Fighters

    Only 2 airmen were reported lost on this day

    2nd Lt. Esdaile, R.B.
    (Robert Blair) 6 Training Squadron RFC
    Air Mech 2. Hobart, A.G. (Albert Gordon) 13th Balloon Company RFC

    The Battle of Mughar Ridge

    The Battle of Mughar Ridge, officially known by the British as the Action of El Mughar, took place on 13 November 1917 during the Pursuit phase of the Southern Palestine Offensive of the Sinai and Palestine Campaign in the First World War. Fighting between the advancing Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF) and the retreating Yildirim Army Group, occurred after the Battle of Beersheba and the Third Battle of Gaza. Operations occurred over an extensive area north of the Gaza to Beersheba line and west of the road from Beersheba to Jerusalem via Hebron.

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    Strong Ottoman Army positions from Gaza to the foothills of the Judean Hills had successfully held out against British Empire forces for a week after the Ottoman army was defeated at Beersheba. But the next day, 8 November, the main Ottoman base at Sheria was captured after two days' fighting and a British Yeomanry cavalry charge at Huj captured guns; Ottoman units along the whole line were in retreat.
    The XXI Corps and Desert Mounted Corps attacked the Ottoman Eighth Army on an extended front from the Judean foothills across the Mediterranean coastal plain from 10 to 14 November. Beginning on 10 November at Summil, an Ottoman counterattack by the Seventh Army was eventually blocked by mounted units while on 13 November in the centre a cavalry charge assisted by infantry captured two fortified villages and on 14 November, to the north at Ayun Kara an Ottoman rearguard position was successfully attacked by mounted units. Junction Station (also known as Wadi es Sara) was captured and the Ottoman railway link with Jerusalem was cut. As a result of this victory the Ottoman Eighth Army withdrew behind the Nahr el Auja and their Seventh Army withdrew toward Jerusalem.

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    After the capture of Beersheba on 31 October, from 1 to 7 November, strong Ottoman rearguard units at Tel el Khuweilfe in the southern Judean Hills, at Hareira and Sheria on the maritime plain, and at Gaza close to the Mediterranean coast, held the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in heavy fighting. During this time the Ottoman Army was able to withdraw in good order; the rearguard garrisons retiring under cover of darkness during the night of 8/9 November 1917.
    The delay caused by these rearguards may have seriously compromised the British Empire advance as there was not much time to conclude military engagements in southern Palestine. The winter rains were expected to start in the middle of the month and the black soil plain which was currently firm, facilitating the movements of large military units would with the rains become a giant boggy quagmire, impassable for wheeled vehicles and very heavy marching for infantry. With the rains the temperatures which were currently hot during the day and pleasant at night would drop rapidly to become piercingly cold. In 1917 the rains began on 19 November just as the infantry began their advance into the Judean Hills.

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    The strength of the Seventh and Eighth Ottoman Armies, before the attack at Beersheba on 31 October, was estimated to have been 45,000 rifles, 1,500 sabres and 300 guns. This force had been made up of the Seventh Army's incomplete III Corps. The III Corps' 24th Infantry Division was at Kauwukah (near Hareira–Sheria) and its 27th Infantry Division was at Beersheba. Its 3rd Cavalry Division, as well as the 16th, 19th, and 24th Infantry Divisions were also in the area to the east of the Gaza–Beersheba line. The Seventh Army was commanded by Fevzi Çakmak. The Eighth Army's XXII Corps (3rd and 53rd Infantry Divisions) was based at Gaza while its XX Corps (16th, 26th and 54th Infantry Divisions) was based at Sheria in the centre of the Gaza–Beersheba line. Supporting these two corps had been two reserve divisions; the 7th and 19th Infantry Divisions. The Eighth Army was commanded by Friedrich Freiherr Kress von Kressenstein and at that time had an estimated 2,894 officers; 69,709 men; 29,116 rifles; 403 machine-guns and 268 guns.

    In southern Palestine the wet season was approaching with another thunderstorm and heavy rain on the night of 11 November. The dark cotton soil over which the Egyptian Expeditionary Force was now advancing would not need much more rain to turn it into impassable mud. But 12 November had been fine and the roads had dried out. The rolling maritime plain was dotted with villages on low hill tops surrounded by groves and orchards. These were in turn surrounded by hedges of prickly pear or cactus, making them strong natural places of defence. In the distance to the right the spurs and valleys of the Judean Hills were visible even to the invading British Empire troops near the Mediterranean coast. On 13 November the weather was clear and fine with at first no sign of the Ottoman Army.
    The 20,000-strong Ottoman force was deployed to defend the Jaffa to Jerusalem railway along the Wadi al-Sarar and Al-Nabi Rubin.[Note 6] The battlefield was generally cultivated but with winter approaching it was bare and open. Its most prominent feature, the 100-foot (30 m) high ridge which continues north towards Zernukah and El Kubeibeh formed the backbone of the Ottoman Army's 20-mile (32 km) long defensive position. The naturally strong Ottoman line was defended by the Eighth Army's 3rd Division (XXII Corps) to the north, the 7th Division (Eighth Army Reserve) to the east, the 54th Division (XX Corps) near el Mesmiye and the 26th Division (XX Corps) holding Tel es Safi. Benefiting from the terrain two strong defensive positions with commanding views of the countryside were located on the ridge. They were the villages of Qatra and Al-Maghar. These villages were separated by the Wadi Jamus which links the Wadi al-Sarar with the Nahr Rubin.

    While the Ottoman counterattack had been in progress on 12 November, Allenby issued orders for the attack on 13 November to the commanders of XXI Corps and Desert Mounted Corps at the latter's headquarters near Julis. The main attack was to be carried out by the XXI Corps' 52nd (Lowland) and 75th Divisions westwards towards Junction Station between the Gaza road on the right, and El Mughar on the left. On the right flank of the XXI Corps the Australian Mounted Division's 3rd and 4th Light Horse and 5th Mounted Brigades, reinforced by the 2nd Light Horse Brigade (Anzac Mounted Division), the 7th Mounted Brigade (Yeomanry Mounted Division) and two cars of the 12th LAM Battery, would attack in line advancing northwards towards Junction Station.[80] The remainder of Desert Mounted Corps; the Anzac and Yeomanry Mounted Divisions would cover the left flank of XXI Corps, with Yibna as their first objective and Aqir the second.[58] As soon as Junction Station was captured they were to swing north to occupy Ramla and Lod and reconnoitre towards Jaffa.
    During the first phase of the attack by infantry in the 75th Division (XXI Corps) were to capture the line Tel el Turmus–Qastina–Yazur and then seize Mesmiye. On their left infantry in the 52nd (Lowland) Division were to secure the line Yazur–Besh**** and then seize Qatra. After a pause for the artillery to be brought forward, the second phase attacks on the final objectives of Junction Station for the 75th and al-Mansura for the 52nd (Lowland) Divisions were to be made. The first phase was due to start at 08:00 hours on 13 November preceded by one hour's bombardment.
    By 10:00 the 2/4th Somerset Light Infantry, 1/5th Devonshire Regiment, 2/5th Hampshire Regiment, 1/4th Wiltshire Regiment, 2/3rd and 3/3rd Gurkha Rifles (from the 232nd and the 233rd Brigades, 75th Division) were advancing along the main road. They occupied the undefended villages of Tall al-Turmus, Qastina and Yazur. The 52nd (Lowland) Division had already occupied Bash****. The 75th Division proceeded to attack Mesmiye on a lower and southward extension of the ridge on which Qatra and el Mughar were situated with the 52nd (Lowland) Division attacking directly towards these two villages. But these attacks were held up by very strong Ottoman defences.

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    British officers examine an abandoned Turkish field gun in Palestine.
    At Mesmiye the Ottoman Army was strongly posted on high ground in and near the village, and well-sited machine-guns swept all approaches. Infantry in the 75th Division made steady slow progress; the main body of the Ottoman rear guard eventually falling back to a slight ridge 1 mile (1.6 km) to the north-east. The attack by 3/3rd Gurkhas and infantry in the 234th Brigade moved up to Mesmiye el Gharbiye and cleared the place of snipers. One company of 58th Vaughan's Rifles suffered heavy casualties during an Ottoman attack on the flank of infantry in the 233rd Brigade. Towards dusk the final stage of the infantry assault was supported by two troops of 11th Light Horse Regiment (4th Light Horse Brigade), who galloped into action on the infantry's right flank and gave valuable fire support. An infantry frontal attack covered by machine-gun fire drove the Ottoman defenders off the ridge, enabling Mesmiye esh Sherqiye to be occupied soon after. With Ottoman resistance broken infantry in the 75th Division pushed on through Mesmiye where they took 300 prisoners, and although ordered to capture Junction Station they halted short of their objective in darkness.

    The Australian Mounted Division covered the right flank of the infantry divisions. At 10:00 the 4th Light Horse Brigade moved forward but was held up by an Ottoman position covering El Tineh. The brigade was ordered at 11:50 to push forward to protect the right of the 233rd Brigade (75th Division) as their attack had succeeded and they advanced to occupy Mesmiye. In order for the 4th Light Horse to move the 7th Mounted Brigade was ordered to relieve them in the line. At 12:00 troops of the 4th Light Horse Brigade entered Qazaza 2 miles (3.2 km) south-south-east of Junction Station with the 7th Mounted Brigade on its left then only .5 miles (0.80 km) from the station.[80] By 16:00 the 4th Light Horse Brigade was ordered to push forward to El Tineh as the infantry advance on their left was progressing. It was occupied the following morning.
    The Yeomanry Mounted Division, with the Anzac Mounted Division in reserve, covered the infantry's left flank. Yibna was captured by the 8th Mounted Brigade which then advanced northwards against El Kubeibeh and Zernukah. The 22nd Mounted Brigade was held up by Ottoman units defending Aqir while the 6th Mounted Brigade (with the Imperial Camel Corps Brigade protecting their northern flank) was directed against el Mughar
    At about 11:30 two leading battalions of 155th (South Scottish) Brigade (52nd (Lowland) Division) were advancing under heavy shrapnel and machine-gun fire to the shelter of the Wadi Jamus about 600 yards (550 m) from their objective. But every attempt to leave the wadi was stopped by very heavy fire from well placed machine-guns. The reserve battalion was brought up but an attempt to work up the wadi between Qatra and El Mughar was barred by heavy machine-gun fire from the villages. At about 14:30 it was agreed between the GOC 52nd (Lowland) Division and the GOC Yeomanry Mounted Division that the 6th Mounted Brigade should attack El Mughar ridge in combination with a renewed assault on Qatra and El Mughar by the 52nd (Lowland) Division. Half an hour later the Royal Buckinghamshire Yeomanry and the Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry, already in the Wadi Jamus, advanced in column of squadrons extended to four paces across 3,000 yards (2.7 km) at first trotting then galloping onto the crest of the ridge.They gained the ridge but the horses were completely exhausted and could not continue the pursuit of the escaping Ottoman units down the far side. The charge cost 16 killed, 114 wounded and 265 horses; 16 per cent of personnel and 33 per cent of horses. However, the Ottoman defenders continued to hold El Mughar village until two squadrons of the Berkshire Yeomanry of the 6th Mounted Brigade fighting dismounted, with two battalions of the 155th (South Scottish) Brigade (52nd (Lowland) Division), renewed the attack. Fighting in the village continued until 17:00 when they succeeded in capturing the two crucial fortified villages of Qatra and El Mughar but at a cost of 500 casualties. Two field guns and 14 machine-guns were captured. The prisoners and dead amounted to 18 officers and 1,078 other ranks and more than 2,000 dead Ottoman soldiers.

    SOUTHERN FRONTS
    Italy: General Plumer arrives at Mantua to take over as British C-in-C (appointment November 10) 423 Italian battalions (33 divisions) with 3,500 guns vs 736 Austro-German battalions (55 divisions) and 4,500 guns.
    Trentino: Austrian 1st Mountain Brigade enters Primolano, Brenta valley, takes Mt Tonderica on November 15. Italians forced off Gallio heights but hold Mt Sisemol.
    AIR WAR
    France: Germans bomb Calais (earlier raids on October 20, 21 and 24).

    HOME FRONTS
    Russia: Lenin appeals to Party to seize whole country. Reds control Smolensk after defeating Cossacks and also capture Tashkent on November 14.
    Britain: Thomson reassures War Cabinet no German link with pacifists, boredom main motivation.
    France: *Painleve Ministry defeated 186*-279, resigns on November 14.

    Meanwhile Captain Tunstill’s Men were still on trains…

    Sgt. George Richard Goodchild (see 12th November), again described the day’s travel,
    “Throughout the night we travelled eastward and on Tuesday at 5.00 am stopped for our morning halt at Savonna where rations for the day were drawn and we breakfasted, washed and cleaned up. This town had gaily painted houses which from a distance looked very nice and clean. On close inspection, however, they were found to be not quite so clean as their outward appearance would lead one to believe. Quite a large number of the buildings had painted friezes under their eaves much the same as we have in England in the rooms of our homes. These looked very nice but could not be adopted in England because of the dirty and chemical nature of our atmosphere. In Italy, however, the sun shines gloriously. We were told on the Riviera that they had only had four showers in as many months!! Our welcome at Savonna was very cordial indeed. Ladies of the town greeted us and gave us Italy’s favours and small Catholic emblems in addition to regaling us with fruit and drink.

    Savonna, however, was quite outdone by Genoa which we reached at 9.30 am. At this famous maritime town the railway runs along a high viaduct overlooking the main street with its fine shops and busy thoroughfare. Needless to say the cheering of the troops attracted considerable attention and from the byways and the off streets came hundreds of the inhabitants to wave their welcome. At the station also we were again regaled with fruit and refreshment. I noticed in the main street the famous name of Singer, which I have also seen in evacuated towns ‘up the line’. That again was a reminder of home. Lovely carnations were presented to us by the Genoese ladies – it was November remember – which later, we handed to Italian refugees at Piacenta. On Genoa station were printed English welcomes such as “Welcome to Great Old England”, “Welcome to our Victorious Allies” – good indications of the faith and trust reposed in us by the Italians. We left Genoa at 10.15 am with our train split in two and each portion drawn by an electric engine, built, be it noted, by the Westinghouse Company!!
    Our way now lay through the heart of a high range of mountains, which necessitated the much burrowing of tunnels. We were in and out of tunnels as people dodging April showers, but each time we came out into the daylight lovely mountainous scenes greeted us and made our periods of blackness worthwhile. In one place especially was there a beautiful and extensive view right up a valley. In the foreground was the village through which ran a stream from the mountains. All around were the mountains, fertile and cultivated at the foot, then wooded and ultimately lost in the clouds which wreathed their summits. It was a wonderful sight.
    Some idea of the difficulties which the engineers who built this railway had to contend with may be gained from knowledge of the fact that one ‘hole’ – the Barriere Ronco – was 8,925 metres in length. Whilst in this tunnel we began to think we were never going to see daylight again.

    On the eastern side of the mountains lay Tortogna where we arrived at 12.30 on the 13th. We were now on a plateau which extended as far as the eye could see. Over this plain we wended our way via Vochera (1.20 pm) where we stopped for dinner; Piacenza (4.10 pm) with its creepered city walls punctuated with guarded gates, its domes and spires and balls of welcome – where we saw the refugees; and Borgo san Donino which we reached at 7.25 pm. Each of the places mentioned had specimens of the famous Italian Campaniles which tower over all the houses and contain fine peals of bells. The plateau was cultivated and fertile and indeed the whole area traversed by us that day was yielding of its fruit abundantly. Parma was our next halting place. It was here that a long distance express came into the station bringing with it once more thoughts of home by the agency of its cosy looking dining saloon containing shaded table lights and decorations, clean white linen and flashing cutlery whilst civilians and Italian officers fared of the food set before them”.
    Capt. William Norman Town (see 12th November) again reflected on the performance of the Battalion Band, “Puffed up by their performance of the Marseillase, it essayed the Italian National Anthem a day or two later at Parma and had to run after the train, which was leaving without it. Possibly the railway people did not recognise the air”. Pte. Harold Charnock (see 11th November) also recalled how the Band were warmly received, “The band had, with great forethought, learnt the Italian National Anthem and were particular favourites and had no need to look at their army rations at all”. Town also recalled passing “that dreary spot, Arquata Scrivia, where the valley lies open to the north and receives all the storms like a funnel, destined, even then, to be the British Base”.

    And finally orders were issued today for the next major British assault – one that would change modern warfare – at the battle of CAMBRAI

    In Third Army orders – codenamed Operation GY – issued on 13 November 1917, the attack was defined as acoup de main, “to take advantage of the existing favourable local situation” where “surprise and rapidity of action are … of the utmost importance”. It was also to be a deep attack on a 10,000 yard (5.6 mile) front that would be “widened as soon as possible”. Once the key German Masnieres-Beaurevoir line had been breached by III Corps, the cavalry would pass through, reach around to isolate Cambrai from the rear and cut the railways leading from it. Haig would later say that the purpose of the attack was to compel the enemy to withdraw from the salient between the Canal du Nord and the Scarpe, although the objectives must be achieved within 48 hours before strong enemy reserves could come into play. So the high speed and short tactical operation had somehow become one of seizing and holding ground, and while not quite a plan for strategic breakthrough – there were never enough reserves to exploit a breakthrough – the orders had faint resemblance to the original concepts.
    Last edited by Hedeby; 11-25-2017 at 05:00.

  45. #2845

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    14th November 1917

    RFC - A thick ground mist prevented work.
    RNAS - No war work of importance was possible owing to bad weather conditions.

    Casualty
    2nd Lt F F Babbage (Ok) & 2/AM J McMechan (Inj), 20 Sqn, Bristol F.2B A7223 - force landed near Hondeghem due fog on northern offensive patrol

    There were only two reported claims by aces on this day:

    Otto Splitgerber
    Germany #4

    Silvio Scaroni Italy #1

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    A corporal in the 2nd Field Artillery Regiment, Silvio Scaroni entered the Italian Air Service in March 1915. After training on Blériots and Caudrons, he joined the 4aSquadriglia as a reconnaissance pilot in September 1915. Promoted to First Lieutenant, he was reassigned to the 43aSquadriglia in January 1917. Later that year, he served briefly with the 86aSquadriglia before becoming a pursuit pilot with the 76aSquadriglia. Flying the Nieuport 17, Scaroni scored his first confirmed victory on 14 November 1917, shooting down an enemy two-seater near Colbertaldo. Re-equipped with the Hanriot HD.1, he scored three victories at the battle of Istrana on 26 December 1917 and soon became the highest scoring ace in his squadron. Wounded in action at Monte Tomatico, Scaroni scored his final victory on 12 July 1918, bringing down an Albatros D.III.
    Despite the poor weather and lack of flying there were still six airmen lost on this day…

    6 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 14TH 1917

    2nd Lt. Armstrong, H.M. (Hilliard Mark) 73 Training Squadron RFC
    2nd Lt. Barr, J.W. (John William) 49 Training Squadron RFC
    Cpl. Bolland, H.A. (Horace Albert) Balloon Training Depot RFC
    2nd Lt. Hughes, E. (Eric) 77 Squadron Royal Flying Corps (Special Reserve)
    2nd Lt. Morse, C.C. (Christopher Charles) RFC
    Lt. Philipps, B.W. (Benjamin Wynford) 40 Squadron RFC

    Middle East Theatre

    The 75th Division captures Junction Station, cutting the Turkish rail link to Jerusalem. By the end of the next day, the British have captured Ramleh and Ludd on the railway line north, and have advanced east to Latron opening the way for an advance into the Judean Hills to Jerusalem.

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    Brigadier General Orlando George Gunning CMG DSO
    (commanding 36th Brigade, 36th Sikhs) dies in South Africa at age 50. He served in the Miranzai Expedition in 1891, Dongola 1896, Northwest Frontier 1897-8 and Malakand and in Mesopotamia earlier in the war.

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    SOUTHERN FRONTS

    Trentino: Conrad and Krauss’ Austrians armies link up at Fonzaso.
    Salonika: British begin 50*-mile Stavros light railway, with 4,000 Turk PoWs in batches from Cyprus, to replace uncertain shipping service from Salonika (completed May 1918).

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    Column of Italian soldiers who had been captured during the Battle of Caporetto.

    WESTERN FRONT
    Flanders: British consolidate northwest of Passchendaele. German attacks north of Menin Road and northeast of Passchendaele on November 15. Relief of Canadian Corps begins until November 20; after 15,654 battle casualties since c. October 18.

    EASTERN FRONT
    Russia: Kerensky’s troops change sides, but he escapes disguised as sailor, hides in forest cottage near Luga for 40 days.

    The Middle East Cont.

    The Battle of Mughar Ridge cont.

    Junction Station was occupied during the morning and during the following days other villages in the area were found to have been abandoned. Units of the 75th Division supported by several armoured cars occupied Junction Station during the morning of 14 November cutting the Jaffa to Jerusalem railway. Seventeen days of operations virtually without rest, had resulted in an advance of 60 miles (97 km) from Beersheba; major and minor engagements occurring on 13 of those days. Most of the mounted units had covered at least 170 miles (270 km) since 29 October 1917 capturing 5,270 prisoners and over 60 guns and about 50 machine-guns. At Junction Station two train engines and 60 trucks in the station were captured along with an undamaged and fully functioning steam pumping plant which supplied unlimited, easily accessible water. Junction Station, with its branch line running south to El Tineh and extensions southwards towards Beersheba and Gaza was an important centre for both sides' lines of communication.

    On 14 November at 06:30 4th Light Horse Brigade entered El Tineh with the rest of the Australian Mounted Division following a couple of hours later. Here good wells containing plenty of water were found but without steam pumps and so watering was not complete until 16:00. The horses had done all that had been asked of them, existing during this time on only 9 1⁄2 lbs of grain ration (practically no bulk food) and scarce water while all the time carrying about 21 stone (290 lb). That they were able to carry on into the Judean Hills after only a limited period of rest established a remarkable record. Meanwhile, the Australian Mounted Divisional Supply Train followed the fighting units as closely as they could, moving out from Beersheba via Hareira and Gaza on 11 November to Isdud on 14 November; to Mesymie the day after and Junction Station on 16 November.

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    Ramleh after occupation by the Australian Light Horse
    During 14 November infantry in the 52nd (Lowland) and 75th Divisions concentrated and reorganised their ranks. The advance was taken over by the Yeomanry Mounted Division which crossed the railway north of Junction Station and the Anzac Mounted Division which pressed the retreating Ottoman Army northwards near the coast
    At midnight on 14 November Falkenhayn ordered a general withdrawal and in the days following the Ottoman Seventh Army fell back into the Judean Hills towards Jerusalem while the Eighth Army retreated north of Jaffa across the Nahr el Auja. The Ottoman armies suffered heavily and their subsequent withdrawal resulted in the loss of substantial territory; between 40–60 miles (64–97 km) was invaded by the British north of the old Gaza–Beersheba line. In its wake the two Ottoman armies left behind 10,000 prisoners of war and 100 guns.

    The day after the action at Ayun Kara, the 75th Division and the Australian Mounted Division advanced towards Latron where the Jaffa to Jerusalem road enters the Judean Hills, while the Anzac Mounted Division occupied Ramleh and Ludd. An Ottoman rearguard above Abu Shusheh blocked the Vale of Ajalon on the right flank of the advance on Ramleh. This rearguard position was charged and overwhelmed by the 6th Mounted Brigade (Yeomanry Mounted Division). On 16 November Latron itself was captured and the first British unit to enter Jaffa; the New Zealand Mounted Rifle Brigade (Anzac Mounted Division) occupied the city, without opposition. They administered Jaffa until representatives of the director of Occupied Enemy Territory arrived. And marking the end of the British Empire's first advance into Palestine, the Ottoman Eighth Army retired to the northern bank of the Auja River some 3 miles (4.8 km) north of Jaffa and the Seventh Army retreated into the Judean Hills. Since the advance from Gaza and Beersheba began very heavy casualties and losses had been inflicted. The invasion had spread 50 miles (80 km) northwards into Ottoman territory while over 10,000 Ottoman prisoners of war and 100 guns had been captured by the victorious Egyptian Expeditionary Force.

    The Night of Terror

    The Night of Terror occurred on November 14, 1917 at the Occoquan Workhouse in Virginia. A group of 33 female protesters, members of the Silent Sentinels who picketed the White House daily to ask for voting rights for women, were brutally tortured and beaten by the workhouse guards and the superintendent, W.H. Whittaker. These women were mostly members of the National Woman's Party (NWP), an organization led by Alice Paul and Lucy Burns that fought for women’s suffrage.

    In 1917 the Silent Sentinels became the first organization to picket the White House, asking for women’s rights. They held banners denouncing President Woodrow Wilson and burned copies of his speeches, because they considered him to be an enemy of the women’s rights movement.[citation needed] The unrelenting suffragists, who began protesting in January when Wilson took office, were prompted by the chief of police to stop picketing. The women did not stop, and arrests for "obstructing traffic" began in June. The women were imprisoned in the Occoquan Workhouse. After three days the women were released and they went back to the White House to continue protesting.

    By November arrests began again, and on November 14, superintendent of the workhouse, W.H. Whittaker welcomed the 33 returning prisoners by brutally torturing and beating the women. This brutal greeting is known as the "Night of Terror", but it was not the only time the women were mistreated during their imprisonment. There was continued mistreatment in the form of harsh living conditions, rancid food, being denied medical care when many of the women were ill and some very old, being denied visitors, and "punishment cells". Many women went on a hunger strike, sparked by the co-founder of the NWP, Alice Paul. These women were placed in solitary confinement and subject to force-feeding.

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    National Woman's Party members, called the Silent Sentinels, picketing the White House in 1917
    After about two weeks, a court-ordered hearing for charges against the women suffragists took place. The decision of the hearing declared that every one of the 218 suffragists had been illegally arrested, illegally convicted and illegally imprisoned. The Night of Terror was not addressed in the hearing. The women who were illegally imprisoned and tortured for picketing were aiming to promote women’s rights, and they were backed by the National Woman’s Party. However, when the Nineteenth Amendment for women's rights was passed in 1920, very little credit was given to the NWP.

    On the Night of Terror, November 14, 1917, a group of 33 returning prisoners, including at least one 73-year-old woman, were greeted by W.H. Whittaker and many prison guards wielding clubs. W.H. Whittaker ordered the nearly forty guards to brutalize the suffragists. They beat Lucy Burns, chained her hands to the cell bars above her head, then left her there for the night. They threw Dora Lewis into a dark cell and smashed her head against an iron bed, which knocked her out. Her cellmate, Alice Cosu, who believed Lewis to be dead, suffered a heart attack. According to affidavits, guards grabbed, dragged, beat, choked, pinched, and kicked other women.
    Newspapers carried stories about how the protesters were being treated. The stories angered some Americans and subsequently created more support for the suffrage amendment. On November 27 and 28, all the protesters were released, including Alice Paul after spending five weeks in prison. Later, in March 1918, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals declared that all the suffrage arrests, trials, and punishments had been unconstitutional. Lucy Burns, co-founder of the NWP, had only just finished her previous 60 day sentence, and was identified by Whittaker as the ringleader of the group. She was then manacled to her cell bars, hands above her head, and remained that way until morning; later, her clothing was removed and she was left with only a blanket. Co-founder Alice Paul, although not at the Occoquan Workhouse, was imprisoned in the District Prison in Washington, DC, at the time. There she started a hunger strike until she was put in solitary confinement in the psychiatric ward and force-fed raw eggs through a tube down her throat.
    Last edited by Hedeby; 11-25-2017 at 04:42.

  46. #2846

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    Thursday 15th November 1917


    Today we lost: 467

    Today’s losses include:

    · A Member of Parliament
    · The son of a former Prime Minister
    · A man whose cousin will die of wounds in two days
    · The son-in-law of the 17th Earl of Derby
    · A man whose brother was killed in the South Africa War
    · Multiple families that will lose two sons in the Great War
    · A Baronet
    · The brother of a Baronet
    · Men who will lose one and two sons in the Second World War
    · Multiple men whose sons were previously killed in the Great War
    · The son of an Admiral · A YMCA Chaplain
    · The son of a member of the clergy

    Today’s highlighted casualties include

    · Major Francis Morphet Twisleton (Auckland Mounted Rifles) dies of wounds he received in the abdomen the previous day at age 44. His brother Thomas was killed in South Africa in 1901.
    · Captain Harold Christian (HMS President Royal Navy) dies at home at age 50. He is the son of Admiral Henry Christian MVO.
    · Captain ‘Sir’ George Everard Arthur Cayley (Royal Defence Corps) the 9th Baronet dies at age 56. His son F D E Christian has been killed in action previously.
    · Lieutenant Frederick Caesar Hawkins (South African Horse attached King’s African Rifles) is killed in East Africa at age 30. His brother will be killed in April 1918 and they are younger brothers of the 6th
    · YMCA Chaplain ‘the Reverend’ Oswald Chambers dies of a ruptured appendix in Egypt while serving the forces at age 43.
    · Corporal Frank Pennock (Yorkshire Regiment) is killed in action. His son will be killed serving in the Royal Air Force in May 1941.
    · Private Mark Hewett (Manitoba Regiment) is killed at age 24. His brother was killed on HMS Goliath in May 1915. · Private Wilfrid Entwisle Bury (Canadian Mounted Rifles) is killed at age 36. He is the son of the Reverend Edward Bury Vicar of New Ferry.
    ·
    Private Frank Pennock (Yorkshire Regiment) is killed in action on the Western Front. He has two sons who will be killed in the Second World War.
    · Private Joseph Stanley Claydon MM (Cambridgeshire Regiment) is killed in action at age 19. His brother died of wounds in September 1916.
    · Private James F Moore (New Brunswick Regiment) is killed at age 48 two weeks after his son died of wounds.
    · Private Thomas Hemshall (East Yorkshire Regiment) is killed at age 21. His brother was killed last July.

    Air Operations:

    Although the weather was fine, visibility was bad owing to ground mist and low clouds.

    Nine reconnaissances were carried out, two by the 2nd Brigade, one by the 3rd Brigade and six by the 14th Wing, and two contact patrols in which much useful information was obtained, were done by the 2nd Brigade.

    With aeroplane observation five hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction, two were neutralised and one pit was damaged; 5,100 rounds were fired from low altitudes at ground targets.

    304 photographs were taken, and 32 25-lb bombs were dropped on various targets.

    A German aeroplane was hit and brought down by anti-aircraft gunners of the Second Army.

    RNAS - Overcast sky and clouds prevented reconnaissance and photographic work from being attempted.

    Indecisive fights took place between two Camels (No. 1 Squadron), a scout, and two two-seaters, in which the E.A. were driven eastwards. In the evening a patrol of eight Camels from No. 9 Squadron observed two Gothas over Dunkerque, but were unable to engage them as E.A. were lost in the clouds.

    Bombing raid by day – No 5 Squadron, D.H.4’s: a bombing raid was attempted on Uytkerke Aerodrome. Owing to very high wind of over 60 miles per hour from the N. the formation was unable to proceed to objective, and eight 50-lb, thirty-two 16-lb and one 10-lb bombs were dropped on sheds N. of Handzaeme. No results could be observed owing to heavy banks of clouds. All machines returned safely, though one crashed owing to a forced landing, pilot and passengers uninjured.

    Enemy Aircraft

    Enemy aircraft were active in the morning and endeavoured to stop our artillery machines working, while 15 of theirs attempted to work on the Second Army front.

    2nd Lt H L Symons, 65 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Dadizeele at 07:40/08:40
    Lt G M Cox, 65 Sqn, Albatros Scout driven down (out of control?) Dadizeele at 07:40/08:40

    A fight took place between EA scouts and No 65 Squadron over Dadizeele and Lt F Symons shot one down out of control. Lt G Cox shot down another which was badly damaged

    Lt J M Leach, 29 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames north of Warneton at 08:15/09:15 - 2nd Lt J Leach, No 29 Squadron, dived at four enemy scouts which were attacking Camels and after firing 30 rounds at close range into one of the machines, it went down in flames and crashed; Ltn Hans Adam, Jasta 6, Kia. (See German Obituary below).

    2nd Lt P Carpenter, 45 Sqn, Rumpler C crashed Houthulst Forest at 09:10/10:10 - a patrol of No 45 Squadron attacked a German two-seater which was destroyed by 2nd Lt P Carpenter

    Sqn Cdr R S Dallas, 1N Sqn, DFW C crashed Ruggevelde at 09:15/10:15 - while on a special mission, Squadron Commander Dallas, D.S.C., observed several E.A. near Houthulst Forest, and joining up with some S.E.5’s he attacked a D.F.W. two-seater. After receiving several bursts the enemy purposely spun for 4,000 feet followed by Squadron Commander Dallas who fired another long burst; E.A. then dived, and his tail plane was seen to crumple up, after which he got into a flat spin, crashing on the ground at Roggevelde. A small body of troops was also attacked, the remaining ammunition being expended on two D.F.W. two-seaters

    2nd Lt K B Montgomery, 45 Sqn, Albatros Scout broke up (or 29 Sqn RFC?) Langemarck at 09:35/10:35
    2nd Lt E McN Hand, 45 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Poelcappelle at 09:40/10:40 - Ltn Richard Runge, Jasta 18, Kia [?],
    Capt J C B Firth, 45 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control east of Comines at 09:45/10:45

    After attacking a two-seater EA which was destroyed by 2nd Lt Carpenter, a patrol of No 45 Squadron engaged another formation of EA scouts and 2nd Lt K Montgomery shot one down in flames which broke to pieces before reaching the ground; another was shot down in flames by 2nd Lt E Hand, while Capt J Firth shot one down out of control

    Maj A D Carter and 2nd Lt E Olivier, 19 Sqn, two-seater crashed Zandvoorde at 10:15/11:15 - Major A Carter and 2nd Lt E Olivier, No 19 Squadron, were pursuing an enemy machine when they saw a two-seater near Zandvoorde so attacked and destroyed it

    Capt P F Fullard, 1 Sqn, Albatros Scout broke up Zandvoorde at 11:15/12:15
    Capt P F Fullard, 1 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Zandvoorde at 11:15/12:15 – Ltn d R Hans Hoyer, Jasta 36, Kia [?]
    Lt L Cummings, 1 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Gheluwe at 11:56/12:56

    Capt P Fullard, No 1 Squadron, dived at an enemy scout, which had obtained a favourable position on a Nieuport’s tail, and destroyed it. Meanwhile another scout was getting into a favourable position on his tail, but he outmanoeuvred this machine and after firing three-quarters of a drum into it, the EA fell out of control and was seen to break up before reaching the ground. 2nd Lt L Cummings, of the same squadron, shot down a German scout out of control during the same fight

    Flt Sub-Lt J G Manuel, 10N Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Keyem at 12:45/13:45 - Flight Sub-Lt Manuel, Naval Squadron No 10, attacked an Albatros scout which he drove down and followed until he saw it fall out of control and crash; Ltn d R Viktor Schobinger, Jasta 12, Wia[?]

    Flt Sub-Lt W A Curtis, 10N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Keyem at 12:45/13:45 – Flight Sub-Lt Curtis, Naval Squadron No 10, shot down an Albatros Scout out of control; Ltn d R Viktor Schobinger, Jasta 12, Wia[?]

    2nd Lt P A McDougall, 24 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Dixmude at 12:50/13:50 - a fight took place south-east of Dixmude between an Offensive Patrol of 24 Squadron and EA scouts. Lt MacDougall drove down one EA scout out of control [same machine claimed by Hall, 10N Sqn?]

    Flt Lt S M Kinkead, 1N Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Beerst at 13:00/14:00 - during the morning, No. 1 Squadron high offensive patrol of five Camels encountered a formation of seven Albatross scouts, and two two-seaters. The patrol dived on the E.A.; in the general fight which ensued Flight Lieut. Kinkhead shot down a scout, which was seen to crash amongst some shattered buildings near Beerst. After two more indecisive combats Flight Lieut. Kinkhead shot down another Albatross completely out of control to N. of Dixmude.

    Flt Sub-Lt F V Hall, 10N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north-north-east of Dixmude at 13:00/14:00 - Flight Sub-Lt F V Hall, Naval Squadron No 10, attacked an Albatros scout which had been driven dwn by a DH5 and followed it through a cloud, firing until the EA went down in an erratic dive and appared to be out of control [same machine claimed by McDougall, No 24 Sqn?]

    Flt Sub-Lt H B Maund and Flt Sub-Lt W M Alexander, 10N Sqn, two-seater out of control west of Dixmude at 13:00/14:00 - Flight Sub-Lt H B Maund, Naval Squadron No 10, attacked a German two-seater which had been driven down by another naval pilot and after following this machine for some time, and firing, it fell out of control

    Flt Lt S M Kinkead, 1N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north of Dixmude at 13:15/14:15 - during the morning, No. 1 Squadron high offensive patrol of five Camels encountered a formation of seven Albatross scouts, and two two-seaters. The patrol dived on the E.A.; in the general fight which ensued Flight Lieut. Kinkhead shot down a scout, which was seen to crash amongst some shattered buildings near Beerst. After two more indecisive combats Flight Lieut. Kinkhead shot down another Albatross completely out of control to N. of Dixmude. One of our machines was badly shot about

    2nd Lt J H Jephson, 24 Sqn, EA out of control south-east of Dixmude at 13:30/14:30
    2nd Lt I D R McDonald, 24 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south-east of Dixmude at 13:30/14:30

    A fight took place south-east of Dixmude between an offensive patrol of No 24 Squadron and EA scouts. Lt Jephson and 2nd Lt Macdonald each drove down one EA scout out of control

    Flt Sub-Lt H R de Wilde, 1N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control (driven down?) north-east of Dixmude at 13:55/14:55 - during the morning, No. 1 Squadron high offensive patrol of five Camels encountered a formation of seven Albatross scouts, and two two-seaters. The patrol dived on the E.A.; in the general fight which ensued an E.A. was driven down.

    Flt Sub-Lt M H Findlay, 1N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north-east of Dixmude at 13:55/14:55 - during the morning, No. 1 Squadron high offensive patrol of five Camels encountered a formation of seven Albatross scouts, and two two-seaters. The patrol dived on the E.A.; in the general fight which ensued Flight Sub-Lieut. Findlay, firing from 20 yards range, brought down a scout completely out of control.

    2nd Lt R M Makepeace & 2nd Lt W V T Harmer, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Moorslede at 15:00/16:00 - 2nd Lts Makepeace & Harmer, No 20 Squadron, shot down a hostile scout out of control near Moorslede

    Royal Flying Corps Casualties today: 12

    2nd Lt C E Ogden (Ok), 1 Sqn, Nieuport 27 B6819 - shot through and force landed 28.c19.c [north of Ypres] on north patrol

    2nd Lt H J Stone (Wia, dow), 19 Sqn, Spad VII A6687 - crashed at 28.s.23.a [east of Bailleul] on low line patrol and died in hospital; said to be Ltn d R Josef Veltjens, Js18, 9th victory [Langemarck at 08:50/09:50] but location ?

    Capt P Huskisson (Ok), 19 Sqn, Spad VII B6773 - force landed in shell hole at 28.j.11.C.85 [west of Becelaere] and destroyed on low line patrol

    2nd Lt W A Barnett (Wia; dow) & Lt J G Bakewell (Inj; doi 16-Nov-17), 21 Sqn, RE8 A4652 – took off 06:50/07:50 then hit by EA fire and crashed at Sh28.c.8.D [south of Pilckem] on artillery observation Ypres; Offz Stv Julius Buckler, Js17, 26th victory [north-east of Ypres at 07:45/08:45]

    2nd Lt F C Gorringe (Ok), 70 Sqn, Camel B5409 – took off 07:50/08:50 then shot through in aerial combat on WEA

    2nd Lt T P Morgan (Pow), 65 Sqn, Camel B2458 - last seen in combat over Comines at 10:00/11:00 on offensive patrol; Vzfw Otto Esswein, Js6, 1st victory [St Marquerite - south of Comines at 09:55/10:55]

    2nd Lt T Elder-Hearn (Wia), 19 Sqn, Spad VII B3646 – took off 10:20/11:20 then shot down at 28.j.15.B.38 [south of Polygon Wood] during wireless interrupting

    Lt J M Leach (Pow), 29 Sqn, Nieuport 27 B6800 – took off 10:35/11:35 and last seen south of Zandvoorde looking for shot down enemy machine

    Lt R Maybery (Kia), 70 Sqn, Camel B2444 - last seen in combat over Tenbrielen at 11:50/12:50 on southern offensive patrol; Uffz Kurt Reinhold, Js24, 3rd victory [east of Zillebeker See at 12:25/13:25] ?

    2nd Lt S S Henry (Pow), 29 Sqn, Nieuport 27 B6792 – took off 13:45/14:45 and last seen over lines at Zonnebeke at 14:50/15:50 on offensive patrol

    A Mech 1 Dolley, B.F. (Bertie F.), 'A' Squadron , Autreville and Air Depot, Dunkerque, RNAS.
    2Lt Hemming, W.N. (William Norman), 65 Squadron, RFC.

    German Obituary:

    Hans Ritter von Adam, born Hans Adam, (24 May 1886 – 15 November 1917) was a Bavarian flying ace, with 21 victories before being killed in action. He enlisted as an infantry private, and rose through the ranks to be commissioned an officer. His valor earned him his nation's highest awards, including one that posthumously raised him to nobility.
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    He was born on 24 May 1886, in Bayerisch Eisenstein in the Lower Bavaria region of the Kingdom of Bavaria (a town now divided between Germany and the Czech Republic), son of a railway official, Andreas Adam, and his wife Hildegard née Fischer. Hans Adam entered the Royal Bavarian Army as a one-year volunteer (Einjährige-Freiwilliger) on 1 October 1906, serving in the 4th Infantry Regiment in Metz. He then became a businessman in Munich. By the time World War I began, Adam was married, with two children.
    Adam returned to service as a lieutenant in the Bavarian Landwehr (Leutnant der Landwehr) when World War I began. He was assigned to the Bavarian 15th Reserve Infantry Regiment. He fought in the Battle of the Frontiers and while fighting around the French fortifications in the Nancy-Epinal region was wounded in action on 2 September 1914.
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    After recuperating, he returned to the front in late 1915, but then chose to enter pilot training (despite his age, which made him much older than most pilot trainees). He received his Observer's Badge on 15 May 1916 and began service as an aerial observer. He flew as an observer for Eduard Ritter von Schleich.
    On 2 March 1917, he joined Jasta 34 and scored his first three victories in an Albatros DIII. He then transferred to Jasta 6 when Oberleutnant Eduard Ritter von Dostler took command. On 12 July 1917 he shot down and killed ace Lt. A.W.B. Miller (6 victories) of No 29 Squadron, RFC for his fifth victory. Adam continued to score, totaling 12 confirmed victories by the end of August. He rose to become Staffelfuhrer of Jasta 6 on 30 August 1917, after Dostler was shot down.Adam scored again the following day, then ran off seven more victories in September. He scored his 21st and final victory on 6 November 1917.
    Adam was shot down and killed on 15 November 1917 near Langemarck in his Albatros D.V. He was fighting enemy aircraft from both No 29 Squadron, and No 45 Squadron, RFC; Captain Kenneth Barbour Montgomery of No.45 Squadron was the apparent victor.

    By the time of his death, Adam had already won the Iron Cross First Class and the Military Merit Order of Bavaria. However, posthumous awards continued. On 2 February 1918, Adam received the Knight's Cross with Swords of the Royal House of Hohenzollern. On 20 May 1919, Bavaria's highest military decoration, the Miliary Order of Max Joseph (Militär-Max-Joseph-Orden), was posthumously bestowed on him, with effect from 28 July 1917. On that date, as deputy Staffelführer of Jasta 6, while his Staffelführer chased one bomber, Adam had attacked and broken up the rest of a formation of enemy bombers, and continued the pursuit despite damage to his own aircraft, until his squadron had destroyed the enemy formation. For a commoner, award of the Military Order of Max Joseph carried with it a patent of non-hereditary nobility signified by the title "Ritter von", and Hans Adam posthumously became Hans Ritter von Adam.
    Hans Ritter von Adam was interred in the Waldfriedhof in Munich, Germany.

    Claims: 40 confirmed (Entente 23: Central Powers 17)

    Francesco Baracca (Italy) #28.
    Peter Carpenter #5.
    Albert Carter #6.
    George Cox #1.
    Lumsden Cummings #4.
    Wilfred Curtis #10.
    Roderic Dallas #21.
    Maxwell Findlay #3.
    John Firth #9.
    Phillip Fletcher Fullard #39 & #40.
    Frederick Hall #2.
    Earl Hand #1.
    Samuel Kinkead #10 & #11.
    Reginald Makepeace #14.
    John Manuel #4.
    Hugh Maund #2.
    Ian McDonald #1.
    Peter McDougall #1.
    Kenneth Montgomery #10.
    Eric Olivier #3’
    Harry Lutz Symons #1.


    Julius Arigi #15, #16 & #17.
    Heinrich Bongartz #23.
    Julius Buckler #26.
    Rudolph von Eschwege #16.
    Otto Esswein #1.
    Franz Graser #7.
    Hans Hoyer u/c.
    Alexander Kasza #1.
    Josef Kiss #8 & #9.
    Josef von Maier #1 & #2.
    Franz Rudorfer #1.
    Ernst Strohschneider #10.
    Alwin Thurm #3.
    Joseph Veltiens #9.

    Western Front:

    Enemy attacks north of Menin road and north-east of Passchendaele repulsed.

    Build up and Orders issued today for:

    The Cambrai operations, 1917 (Battle of Cambrai)

    20 November – 30 December 1917: the Cambrai operations. A British attack, originally conceived as a very large scale raid, that employed new artillery techniques and massed tanks. Initially very successful with large gains of ground being made, but German reserves brought the advance to a halt. Ten days later, a counter-attack regained much of the ground. Ultimately a disappointing and costly outcome, but Cambrai is now seen by historians as the blueprint for the successful “Hundred Days” offensives of 1918.
    “The Battle of Cambrai ranks as one of the most thrilling episodes of the whole war. Tanks at last came into their kingdom. The notion that the Hindenburg Line was impregnable was exploded”.
    Captain Stair Gillon: The Story of the 29th Division: a record of gallant deeds.

    There is a trend among military historians to assign the eventual military defeat of Germany to well planned and co-ordinated assaults by the Allies, in which industrial might and the hard learning of four years of war combined to great effect. Beginning on 8 August 1918, the British Expeditionary Force undertook a series of large scale attacks on multiple fronts in which artillery, armour, aircraft and infantry operated effectively together in “all arms” battles. The opening of the Battle of Cambrai on 20 November 1917 is often identified as the first demonstration of the sophisticated techniques and technologies required to effect such a battle. On that day, the British attack broke deeply and quickly into apparently impregnable defences with few casualties. This early result was widely regarded as being a great and spectacular achievement, so positive was it in comparison with the recent ghastly slog to Passchendaele. The Daily Mail called it a “Splendid Success” and headlined on 23 November with “Haig through the Hindenburg Line”.

    Yet two months later, a court of enquiry convened at Hesdin to examine what had gone wrong at Cambrai. This unusual step was taken after questions had been asked by the War Cabinet, following a German counter attack that had apparently come as a surprise and against which the British forces lost ground and suffered heavy losses. Initial success, even if containing the seeds of a war winning approach that would germinate on the Santerre plateau in August 1918, had been short lived, and there was bitter disappointment at the net result. One respected commentator, a former junior officer, said that “Cambrai was a highly speculative gamble which I find inexplicable, so out of character is it with the rest of Haig’s career, not because it was inventive but because it was haphazard, not thought through” and that it was a “harum-scarum affair, ill-planned and feebly directed, yet in military history it stands as the most significant battle of the First World War“. [Charles Carrington, Soldier from the wars returning (London: Hutchinson & Co, 1965), pp.205-6]

    When the Official History of the battle was being compiled, Lieutenant General Sir Launcelot Kiggell, Haig’s Chief of General Staff in late 1917, said that he could give no definite date as to the first discussion of Cambrai, nor would any written record be found as all was verbal at the inception of the campaign. He recalled that General Hon. Sir Julian Byng, commanding Third Army, had come to see Haig around three months before the attack, asking to be allowed to make a surprise assault at Cambrai. Thereafter, according to Kiggell, the plan “just growed”.

    Byng would have been aware of an existing arrangement, prepared in June 1917 by Fourth Army’s III Corps after Haig had ordered it to examine breaking the German defences in the Cambrai area. Some preparations had already been made in accordance with this plan before Third Army took over the Cambrai front in early July. It required a methodical “bite and hold” advance in four stages using six Divisions. This approach probably seemed unimaginative to the characteristically optimistic Byng, but it was conventional by the standards of the latter half of 1917.

    It appears that it was the enthusiasm of the Tank Corps and the artillery that swayed opinion at GHQ and Third Army and built support for the “harum-scarum” operation that eventually took place. Brigadier General Hugh Elles, commanding the Tank Corps in France, and his chief staff officer, Lieutenant Colonel John Fuller, visited both the Montreuil General Headquarters and that of Third Army at Albert several times in August 1917. They made a convincing case that with growing strength in France, the Corps should not be frittered away at Ypres but used collectively to punch a hole into the enemy defences. Cambrai, being on relatively undamaged rolling chalk land, would be ideal although they favoured an attack in French Flanders, which GHQ vetoed. Elles and Fuller talked of a short, limited heavy raid designed to cause damage and chaos – a tactical operation designed to kill, not capture ground. Major General John Davidson, Chief of Operations staff at GHQ, was taken with the idea as was Byng, already mulling over such an operation at Cambrai. Independently and at the same time, IV Corps in Byng’s Army had developed a scheme for a surprise attack using unregistered artillery. The Tank Corps much approved of the idea, for it would avoid the devastation of ground that had caused so much difficulty for the machines at Ypres.

    Hindsight: The genesis of Cambrai can be traced easily enough through these developments in the summer of 1917. Enthusiasts, learning from prior disappointments, were developing new ideas and advocating their use, finding in Byng an equally enthusiastic and respected figure who achieved a consensus of support at the highest levels of command. The pace at which Third Army created the plan, then trained and assembled their forces and executed a successful attack indicates a growing maturity of the organisation and processes required to make this so. Yet the improvised, experimental nature of Cambrai was a root cause of the lack of planning and feeble direction highlighted by Charles Carrington. The sketchy nature of the plan is to some extent forgivable, for here was a chance to leave the disappointments of Passchendaele behind and do something audacious. What is much more difficult to understand is the strategic need to carry out this operation at all, the objective of employing these ideas at this place and at this time, and the evident lack of thought about potential outcomes.

    Why Cambrai at all? Its strategic significance as the target of a surprise attack is far from clear. After falling to the Germans in 1914, Cambrai had become an important railhead, billeting and headquarters town. It lay at a junction of railways connecting Douai, Valenciennes and Saint-Quentin, and as such was on the supply routes coming in from Germany and the northern and eastern industrial areas of occupied France, as well as a lateral route down which men and material could be moved along the western front. It was also on the Saint-Quentin canal, from which the front could be supplied along the River Scheldt with which it was contiguous. As a military target, Cambrai would be a useful capture to deny the enemy a key part of his communication system. But it lay behind a formidable defensive position. Assuming this could be breached, it would also be most difficult to fight through an industrial town, as had been recognised in 1915 when attacks on the not dissimilar Lens were avoided. It would seem that Cambrai was chosen at least as much because it was in Byng’s area and that the Tank Corps were convinced the ground was to their advantage, as for any other sound military reason.

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    The Hindenburg Line

    By 1917, Cambrai had become one of the most important railheads and HQ towns behind the German lines. In front of it lay the immensely powerful Siegfried Stellung – better known to the British as the Hindenburg Line. So strong was the defensive position here that German Divisions decimated during Third Ypres were sent here to recuperate and refit. It included two lines of fortifications, with barbed wire belts tens of yards wide, concrete emplacements and underground works. A third parallel line was also under construction. The map inset above shows the German withdrawal from he Somme to the Hindenburg Line in spring 1917 and the main defensive position faced by the British at Cambrai..

    Byng’s growing enthusiasm, even with Haig’s support, was insufficient to summon up forces for the operation while Third Ypres was still underway. One GSO1 staff officer at GHQ – Brigadier General E. N. Tandey – recalled a meeting in September 1917:

    “I was called one afternoon, in the absence of the MGGS, to the Chief’s chateau. I found him alone with General Byng. He quietly announced that as he intended to attack with the Third Army at Cambrai with tanks in early November … he wanted to tell General Byng exactly which Divisions he could have for the purpose. He told me that he had offered him 2 or 3 which he named. I remember my quandary as I had to tell him that none of those he had selected (and one or two others he also mentioned) … would be fit to go into the attack by the date named, as they would not have had the minimum time necessary to absorb their reinforcements without which they could not be battle formations. I thought he would eat me”.

    Kiggell counselled that there were insufficient troops to undertake both operations and Third Army’s action was placed on hold. It was not until 13 October that Haig gave his approval, and another two weeks after that before Byng briefed his Corps commanders.

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    The Hindenburg Line in the Cambresis (Cambrai area)

    In Third Army orders – codenamed Operation GY – issued on 13 November 1917, the attack was defined as acoup de main, “to take advantage of the existing favourable local situation” where “surprise and rapidity of action are … of the utmost importance”. It was also to be a deep attack on a 10,000 yard (5.6 mile) front that would be “widened as soon as possible”. Once the key German Masnieres-Beaurevoir line had been breached by III Corps, the cavalry would pass through, reach around to isolate Cambrai from the rear and cut the railways leading from it. Haig would later say that the purpose of the attack was to compel the enemy to withdraw from the salient between the Canal du Nord and the Scarpe, although the objectives must be achieved within 48 hours before strong enemy reserves could come into play. So the high speed and short tactical operation had somehow become one of seizing and holding ground, and while not quite a plan for strategic breakthrough – there were never enough reserves to exploit a breakthrough – the orders had faint resemblance to the original concepts.

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    The strong defences of the Hindenburg Line

    This is a map of a small part of the Hindenburg Line, north west of Flesquieres. The position to be attacked consisted of two trench systems, with deep barbed wire defences in front of each. The trenches were dotted with concrete blockhouses containing machine gun posts, signals stations, infantry shelters and so on

    The operational factors that led to initial British success were
    > the ability to maintain surprise
    > emphasis on neutralisation of enemy firepower
    > adequate weight of artillery and deployment of well trained if hardly fresh troops.
    A contributory factor was intelligence of the enemy’s dispositions and ability to reinforce and counter attack, which appears to have been reasonably accurate. Things were also helped by a corresponding intelligence failure on the part of the German Second Army.

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    Cambrai battle lines

    This is a map of a small part of the Hindenburg Line, north west of Flesquieres. The position to be attacked consisted of two trench systems, with deep barbed wire defences in front of each. The trenches were dotted with concrete blockhouses containing machine gun posts, signals stations, infantry shelters and so on.

    Previous British offensives in France had characteristically opened with a long bombardment of the German positions, with the intention of destroying barbed wire defences, trenches and strong points to allow as unhindered as possible a passage for the infantry to capture the position. Even before bombardment opened, guns would be registered by the firing of observed ranging shots, with adjustments being made to line, range and shell fuze setting to ensure that firing would be accurate. These methods had proven to have several disadvantages, not least being that there was no concealment of imminent attack.
    By mid 1917, a series of technological developments had made it possible to fire accurately without registering. The new technologies and associated methods included accurate survey of the gun position; mapping of enemy positions through aerial and ground observation; calculated reckoning of invisible enemy battery positions through triangulation on sources of sound and gun flash; advanced local meteorology and understanding of the effect of weather on the flight of the shell; improved reliability of munitions through improved quality control in manufacture; calibration of the wear condition of the gun barrel, and the training of battery officers and NCOs in the mathematical methods required to turn this complex set of factors into physical settings of the fuze, sights, elevation and position.

    It is apparent that although the methods to exploit these developments were evolving, they had not as a whole been driven into artillery doctrine from the top: their use at Cambrai was an innovation from below, for the idea of a surprise bombardment using the new methods came from Brigadier General Tudor, officer Commanding Royal Artillery of the 9th (Scottish) Division. By August he had discussed his idea with Brigadier General Hugo de Pree of IV Corps General Staff and in turn had gained the approval of the commander of IV Corps, Lieutenant General Sir Charles Woollcombe. That the new methods had not been enthusiastically adopted may have been due to lingering doubts about their effectiveness: IV Corps Order 320, issued on 15 November 1917, said that the barrage “being unregistered cannot be expected to be as accurate as usual”.

    Southern Front:

    Italians give ground both sides of the Brenta; enemy capture Cismon. On Lower Piave resistance maintained.

    Allied reinforcements arrive daily.

    Tunstills Men Thursday 15th November 1917:

    In billets at Sacca.

    The weather was “very fine and bright by day, with very cold nights, in contrast to the warm sun by day”.

    Cpl. Joseph Haywood (see 4th November) began to be paid according to his rank, having previously held the post unpaid.

    Pte. Frederick Thorn (see 29th October) was reported by Sgt. James Henry Howarth (see 24th October) as having been ‘unshaven on parade’; on the orders of Capt. John Edward Lennard Payne (see 30th October) he was to be confined to barracks for three days.

    Pte. Louis Charles Preen (see 30th October) was reported as absent without leave; he would not return until 9.15am on 17th November, at which point he would be placed in detention to await court martial.

    The rigours of the long journey to Italy began to be seen in a number of men reporting sick.

    Pte. Hartley Gibb (see 23rd February) was admitted via 69th Field Ambulance and 38th Casualty Clearing Station to 11th General Hospital in Genoa; he was suffering from ICT (inflammation of the connective tissue) in both legs.

    Pte. Willie Holmes (see 21st October) was admitted via 69th Field Ambulance and 38th Casualty Clearing Station to 38th Stationary Hospital in Genoa; he was suffering from diarrohea.

    Pte. John Richard Newell (see 29th October) reported sick, suffering from constipation; he would be admitted to 11th General Hospital in Genoa.

    Pte. Reginald James Nosworthy (see 29th October) was admitted via 69th Field Ambulance and 38th Casualty Clearing Station to 11th General Hospital in Genoa; he was suffering from scabies.

    Pte. Gott Fielding (see 4th August), who had been under treatment in France for shellshock, was posted back to England; he had not travelled to Italy.

    Pte. Harry Briggs (19286) (see 7th September), serving with 5th Army School of Mortars, was awarded Proficiency Pay, Class II.

    Ptes. Joseph Clough (see 7th November), John Foster (see 7th November), Charles Hammond (see 7th November), George Edward Milner (see 12th June), Walter Pedley (see 7th November) and Fred Slater (see 7th November), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, were all posted back to France. They had initially been due to re-join to 10DWR but with the Battalion having departed for Italy they were instead re-directed to join 2/7th DWR and would report for duty on 20th November.

    Pte. William Postill Taylor (see 24th October) was also posted back to France; he would join 2DWR on 25th November.

    Pte. George Frederick Ford (see 24th June), serving with the non-combatant Labour Corps, appeared before a Medical Board which recommended that be discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit due to chronic bronchitis.

    2Lt. Cecil Crowther Hart (see 30th April), serving with 3/3rd Battalion, King’s African Rifles was killed in action at Mwite, East Africa; he was buried locally close to Massassi, in what is now Malawi.

    Lt. Ernest Cyril Coke (see 19th October) was promoted Acting Captain; it is unclear with what unit he was serving having been sent back to England a month previously.

    Lt. David Lewis Evans (see 16th October), serving with 3DWR, appeared before an Army Medical Board assembled at Tynemouth. The Board reported, “he states that he is short of breath on active exertion and cannot march. The deafness is still present although hearing is improving; he states that the deafness varies. He has pain in his chest on coughing and sneezing”. The Board declared him fit for light duties at home and instructed him to re-join 3DWR.

    Lt. Philip Howard Morris (see 15th October), who had been wounded on 7th June and was now serving with 3DWR at North Shields, appeared before a further Army Medical Board assembled at Tynemouth. The Board found him fit for general service and instructed him to re-join 3DWR.

    Lt. Harold Lockhart Waite, (see 4th October), who had served with the Battalion from its creation until being transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in May 1916, appeared before a further RFC Medical Board, having been wounded in August. He was now declared fit for light duties at home, but with no flying; he would be re-examined in a further month.

    Asiatic, African, Egyptian Front:

    General Allenby advances to within three miles of Jaffa.

    Since 31 October over 9,000 prisoners taken.

    Further actions on Makonde Plateau (East Africa).

    Enemy driven from Chivata; make for Portuguese territory.

    Naval Operations:

    Shipping Losses: 1 (to U-Boat action)

    Political:

    November 13 1917, Malta–The disaster at Caporetto had raised the specter that Italy might try to negotiate a separate peace with the Central Powers; in the days before his dismissal, Cadorna had hinted as much. The King and the new Italian Prime Minister, Orlando, however, had both reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to the war, and the Italian line had (for now) stabilized behind the Piave, although the Austrians and Germans were making their first attempts to cross the river. In an attempt to keep Italy in the war, the French and British had both committed several divisions, but they were also making plans in case they did not. On November 13, the commander of British naval forces in the Mediterranean, Admiral Calthorpe, outlined his plans for such an eventuality to the Admiralty.

    If Italy left the war, the Royal Navy’s main concern was keeping the Austrian fleet penned in the Adriatic. While they had managed to do so easily in the year before Italy entered, the submarine threat had greatly increased since then. The Otranto barrage, while largely ineffective, was still viewed as a top priority. If the Otranto side could not be maintained, the British and French would attempt to do so from the Albanian and Greek side. In Italian territorial waters, a heavy minefield would be laid in the days before Italy exited the war to prevent any submarines from sneaking through there; they would then conveniently forget to disclose the locations of those mines to the Italians. The British and French would have to increase their presence in Albania to replace the Italian troops who would presumably leave; if this could not be done in time and the Austrians and Bulgarians took Valona [Vlorë], the barrage would have to be abandoned.

    Calthorpe also made plans for a seizure of Italian-occupied Rhodes and the other Dodecanese, in the event the Turks attempted to reoccupy them. A more concerning subject was the fate of the Italian fleet in the Adriatic; the British were concerned that they would fall into Austrian hands and tip the balance of power there. Calthorpe thus intended to seize 35 Italian destroyers in the event of a separate peace; he hoped that the Italian government would agree to give them up (under threat of force if necessary), but made few plans if the Italians were prepared to resist. Calthorpe did not intend to seize any larger ships, though he hoped the Italians could be convinced to move them out of the Adriatic, to where they would no longer be a serious threat.

    Allied shipping in the Mediterranean would also be greatly affected by an Italian exit. While Italy would no longer have to be supplied, Italian naval craft being used in convoy routes would have to be replaced, and troop convoys to Salonika or Egypt would now be much longer, as they could no longer use the Italian rail network and depart from Taranto.

    Supreme War Council Debated in Commons:
    November 14 1917, London–The disaster at Caporetto resulted in an emergency war conference among the western Allies at Rapallo starting on November 5. In addition to agreeing to an immediate commitment of troops and guns to bolster the outnumbered Italians, the conference also set up a Supreme War Council, designed to coordinate military strategy among the Allies. Before this point, there had been no such higher body, and military cooperation was done on an ad hoc basis. Lloyd George was a major proponent of this idea, likely hoping that it would undercut Haig’s (and CIGS Robertson’s) authority to some extent by forcing them to cooperate with the French. This was seen immediately as a threat by Haig’s political allies, and a political firestorm ensued when Lloyd George returned to London on November 14th. Lloyd George defended the Supreme War Council to the Commons, stressing that it had no actual authority and was a purely advisory body, and that Haig and Robertson would still be in command of the British Army, not Lloyd George or the French. He also had to deny a rumor that Churchill (hated by the Conservatives) had been at Rapallo and that the Supreme War Council was his idea.

    In France, the Supreme War Council idea was less controversial, especially as it was apparent a French general (likely Foch) would eventually lead it. They had also gained assurances that it would be confined to the Western Front (and Italy). France retained primacy at Salonika, the British in Mesopotamia and Palestine, and the Russians were left to their own devices in the East. Nevertheless, this was not enough to save the French government, which failed a confidence vote the previous day, leading to PM Paul Painlevé’s resignation.

    M. Clemenceau accepts office and forms a new Minsstry. Himself Prime Minister and Minister of War, M. Pichon Foreign Minister.

    Georgian Nobility declares its property national.

    Flight of Kerenski. Bolsheviks in power in Petrograd. Bitter fighting in Moscow, over 4,000 killed.

    British Government give further pledge in house of Commons that restitution of Alsace-Lorraine is a War Aim (see February 15th).

    Japanese Government unable to comply with request of British Government that two Japanese battle cruisers should join the Grand Fleet in the North Sea (see February 8th, 1916, and April 17th, 1917).

    October Revolution – The Bolshevik government released the Declaration or the Rights of the People of Russia, signed by Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin, which recognized the sovereignty of the all peoples of Russia and the right to self-determination, including the right to secede.

    The Parliament of Finland passed another "Sovereignty Act", dissolving Russian sovereignty over Finland and effectively declaring the country independent.

    The Estonian Provincial Assembly declared itself the highest legal body in Estonia.

    The Commonwealth Liberal Party led by John Bower defeated the incumbent Australian Labour Party government led by Alexander Peacock in a general election held in Victoria.

    James Gunson, Mayor of Auckland, held a civic reception in the General Assembly House, the first house of the New Zealand Parliament, to mark its historical significance just prior to it demolition.

    Alexeyev Attempts to Organize First “White” Forces
    November 15 1917, Novocherkassk–The Bolsheviks were swiftly consolidating their hold on what parts of Russia they could. Kerensky’s attempt to retake Petrograd had been rebuffed, and he was now in hiding. On November 15, the Bolsheviks secured the Kremlin after a week of on-and-off fighting, cementing their hold on Moscow. They had also by this point secured Smolensk, Tashkent, and other major cities. For the most part, however, as in Petrograd, life continued as normal. On the other hand, many officers viewed the rise of the Bolsheviks as an existential threat, and some of them began to organize against them.

    The chief anti-Bolshevik figure at this time was General Alexeyev, who had effectively been the head of the Russian military from September 1915 to May 1917. Although in poor health, he was committed in his opposition to the Bolsheviks, and in November began to explore options for active resistance against them. On November 15, he arrived in Novocherkassk, home of the Don Cossacks, hoping (as had Kerensky) that they could be relied upon to fight the Bolsheviks. He was to be disappointed by his first meeting with the Cossack General Kaledin, however, who told him that his men, like the rest of the Russian Army, were tired of years of fighting and just wanted to return to their families. Kaledin refused to help Alexeyev, and cautioned him to keep a low profile. Undeterred, Alexeyev began reaching out to Stavka and as many officers as he could, in an attempt to form a nucleus of opposition to the Soviets.

    This effort would eventually result in the Volunteer Army, the first organized force of Whites (as opposed to the Bolshevik ‘Reds’). Most of those who heeded Alexeyev’s call were officers; enlisted men (even among the Cossacks) were not responsive. Furthermore, many officers would join the Reds–most notably, Brusilov, who was wounded in the November fighting in Moscow but still went on to serve the Red Army.

    Anniversary Events:

    1315 Swiss soldiers ambush and slaughter invading Austrians in the battle of Morgarten.
    1533 The explorer Francisco Pizarro enters Cuzco, Peru.
    1626 The Pilgrim Fathers, who have settled in New Plymouth, buy out their London investors.
    1777 The Articles of Confederation, instituting perpetual union of the United States of America, are adopted by Congress.
    1805 Meriwether Lewis, William Clark and their party reach the mouth of the Columbia River, completing their trek to the Pacific.
    1806 Explorer Zebulon Pike discovers the Colorado Peak that bears his name, despite the fact that he didn’t climb it.
    1864 Union Major General William T. Sherman‘s troops set fires that destroy much of Atlanta’s industrial district prior to beginning Sherman’s March to the Sea.
    1881 The American Federation of Labor is founded.
    1909 R. Metrot takes off in a Voisin biplane from Algiers, making the first manned flight in Africa.
    1917 Kerensky flees and Bolsheviks take command in Moscow.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 11-24-2017 at 08:46.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  47. #2847

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    Friday 16th November 1917


    Today we lost: 435

    Today’s losses include:

    · The son of the Inspector of Constabulary in Jamaica
    · Multiple families that will lose two and three sons in the Great War

    Today’s highlighted casualties include:

    · Major Arthur Crichton (Royal Garrison Artillery) is killed at age 27. He is the last of three sons of Herbert T Thomas Inspector of Constabulary Jamaica who are killed in the Great War and a fourth son will be killed in the R-38 airship crash in 1921.
    · Lieutenant John Albert Stewart (Manitoba Regiment) is killed in action at age 23. His brother was killed in March 1917.
    · Gunner Frederick William Gatrell (Royal Field Artillery) dies in the Persian Gulf at age 24. His younger brother died on service in February 1915.

    Air Operations:

    RFC - Very little flying was possible owing to low clouds and a mist.

    RNAS - Owing to unfavourable weather, fog and low clouds, no war work was carried out.
    U.S. military air base Taylor Field was established near Montgomery, Alabama.

    The U.S. Army established the 186th Aero Squadron.

    Royal Flying Corps Casualties today: 7

    Lt Bakewell, G.J. (George John), 21 Squadron, RFC
    DvrHolt, J.E. (John Edmund), 'C' Aerodrome, RFC.
    Pte Lauchland, R. (Robert), Australian Flying Corps.
    A Mech 3 Powers, J.E. (James Ernest), 42nd Wing, Canada, RFC.
    Lt Robertson, J.S. (John Shirley), RFC.
    Lt Rutledge, S.A. (Stanley Arthur), RFC.
    Armr Sgt Tassell, P.J. (Philip Jessee), RFC.

    Claims: 3 confirmed today (Entente 2: Central Powers 1)

    Andre Levy (France) #1.
    Mikhail Safanov (Russia) #4.

    Reinhard Treptow #5.

    Western Front:


    Intense fighting round Passchendaele.

    Southern Front:

    Strong enemy onslaughts on whole Italian front. Italians give ground between Brenta and Piave, are driven from Mt. Prassolan, and retreat to Mt. Grappa. They hold enemy on Lower Piave.

    On the 15th of November a Hungarian division crossed the lower Piave, only 25 kilometers from Venice. The same night, four German battalions crossing the Piave were driven back by the Italians, who took over 600 prisoners. With a raging Piave in front of them, another method of attack was necessary for the Austrian advance. Heavy snowfall and 7,000 Austrians falling ill with influenza crippled the offensive on the nearby Altipiano. Here no further action was possible. All Austro-German efforts would have to focus on Monte Grappa, the only section of the front line actually behind the Piave River--before Italy regained her footing or the winter snows arrived.

    Austrian strategy on Monte Grappa would involve capturing the eastern and western flanks of the mountain. A central attack was out of the question due to the Italian fortress dug into living rock underneath the summit. No weapon existed until 1945 capable of destroying Caserma Milano. In 1917 this would mean bypassing the fort and containing it. The western objective of the Austrian and German forces would be Monte Asolone. Here was the final southwestern ridge of Monte Grappa. From Asolone the vital supply road to the central peak could be observed and cut off. Logistical support on the massif also came from the elevated teleferica essential to the logistics of mountain warfare across this entire front. The most vital supplies came up and the seriously wounded were taken down in these cable cars. Other cargo was carried on the backs of men and mules. The great southeastern objective would be the aptly named Monte Tomba. From this great ridge, the Piave River and its trenches were in full sight. Atop Monte Tomba forward observers could direct artillery in support of Austrian river crossings, or to thwart Italian counterattacks. On the 16th of November 1917, the northern edge of the Grappa massif became the front line, with Austrian troops capturing Monte Tomacito and Monte Roncone. In the following days the Austro-German juggernaut captured one peak or ridge after another.

    Tunstills Men Friday 16th November 1917:

    In billets at Sacca.

    Capt. James Christopher Bull (see 1st November) re-joined the Battalion having been in England since being wounded on 7th June.

    Pte. Harry Bailey (25248) (see 5th July) was appointed Lance Corporal.

    Pte. John Gayton (see 29th October) was reported by Sgt. William Henry Mears (1st April) as having “a dirty rifle on parade”; on the orders of Capt. John Edward Lennard Payne (see 15th November) he would be confined to barracks for three days.

    L.Cpl. Edward Shaw Powell (see 15th June) was placed in confinement to await trial on a charge of “disobeying a lawful command given by his superior officer” (the details of the offence are unknown).

    L.Cpl. Fred Wilson Fawcett (see 9th July) and Pte. John Thorp Newsome (see 24th July)were admitted via 69th Field Ambulance and 38th Casualty Clearing Station to 11th General Hospital in Genoa; both were suffering from boils.

    L.Cpl. Louis Feather (see 20th September) was also admitted via 69th Field Ambulance and 38th Casualty Clearing Station to 11th General Hospital in Genoa; he was suffering from diarrohea.

    Pte. Menhell Hudson (see 10th September), who had been serving in France with 2/6thDWR, was evacuated to England, suffering from rheumatic fever.

    Ptes. Charles Oldham (see 28th September), who was in England having been wounded on 20th September, was discharged from hospital and posted to Northern Command Depot at Ripon.

    2Lt. Fred Baume (see 3rd September), currently on light duty with 3DWR at North Shields, appeared before a further Army Medical Board which declared him fit for general service and instructed him to re-join his unit.

    The father of the late Capt. Leo Frederick Reincke (see 13th November) replied, through his solicitors, Messrs. Goldberg, Barrett and Newall, to the recent letter from the War Office, regarding a claim for his son’s loss of kit in a fire in April,

    “I beg to say that I have no evidence such as dated and receipted bills in support of the claim. I only heard from my son verbally that part of his kit was burnt when his Mess was destroyed by fire and that he made a claim for various kits destroyed by such fire … I do not know the amount he claimed but believe it to be between £20 and £30”.

    The weekly edition of the Craven Herald reported news concerning a number of current and former members of 10DWR.

    SETTLE - LANGCLIFFE SOLDIER’S DOUBLE HONOUR

    Mr. John Hoyle, of West Side House, near Langcliffe, has received an official intimation that his son, Lance Corporal William Hoyle (see 20th September), has been awarded a bar to the Military Medal he has already won at the Front. The circumstances under which this second recognition of Lance Corporal Hoyle’s bravery is awarded are given as follows:

    “On the day of the first attack this NCO, as company runner, displayed great daring during a heavy bombardment. When the enemy counter-attacked he organised a party and brought up ammunition at a very critical stage under heavy shell and machine gunfire. Throughout the engagement he showed great bravery and devotion to duty”.

    Lance Corporal Hoyle is to be congratulated on his splendid example of British pluck.

    LONGPRESTON

    Corpl. Hitchin, M.M. (Cpl. John Henry Hitchin, see 24th August), who was severely wounded last summer and has since been in a convalescent camp in Ireland, has had a short leave before returning to France.

    SETTLE - DEATH OF MR. JOSEPH BELL

    A well-known and highly respected townsman passed away on Sunday morning, in the person of Mr. Joseph Bell, joiner and wheelwright, Chapel Hill. Sixty-nine years of age, the deceased had been ailing for twelve months, but he had only been confined to the house for the past six weeks. His father, who belonged to Long Preston, came to Settle in 1829, and founded the business to which deceased in due course succeeded and carried on with much success. The latter had also during the last forty years added to the business that of furniture broker, and he was a well-known figure at sales in this district. In the public and social life of Settle Mr. Bell also played a useful part for many years. He served on the Parish Council for a number of years, was an enthusiastic member of the old Volunteer Company, retiring with the rank of colour sergeant, and was also a keen supporter of the Settle Cricket Club, undertaking the duties of umpire for many years. In Friendly Society work also he was greatly interested, and was secretary of the Friendly United Order cf Mechanics for forty years, only retiring from this position a few months ago. He leaves a widow and five grown-up children. One of his sons, Private R. W. Bell (Pte. Robert William Bell, see 11th November), West Riding Regiment, was killed on the Somme on October 4th, 1916, while another, Sapper J. Bell, is serving with the Royal Engineers. At the funeral, which took place at Settle Church on Tuesday afternoon, representatives were present from the Friendly United Order of Mechanics and several other of the organisations with which deceased had been associated. The service was conducted by Rev. R. Wilson.

    EARBY FAMILIES BEREAVED - One Son Killed, Another Missing

    News of the death of two more Earby soldiers came to hand last weekend. In the case of Private William John Williamson (see 1st October), a stretcher-bearer in the Duke of Wellington's Regiment, who is officially reported killed in action on October 1st, the blow has fallen all the heavier by reason of the fact that his brother, Private Sydney Geo. Williamson, K.O.Y.L.I., was reported missing on April 9th, since when no tidings have been heard of him. They are the sons of Mrs. Williamson, widow, residing at 42, Skipton Road, Earby, who has another son fighting on the Western Front. The first mentioned was 29 years of age and single. Before joining the Army he was a warehouseman employed by the Earby Co-operative Society. A letter from one of his comrades, Pte. John William Atkinson, M.M., of Skipton (see 1st October) dated October 3rd states that Pte. Williamson was rather badly wounded by a German shell while in a dugout. "He got a wound about the size of half-a-crown just over the heart, but we hope he is in good old England now making a speedy recovery. He was a stretcher-bearer along with me, and I am very sorry to lose such a good pal. He was a good willing worker whose one thought on the battlefield was to get his wounded comrades away to a place of safety. He had got over the push safe and sound, but his Company was called into the line again, so he had to go with them."

    Following the above letter, Mrs. Williamson received no further news until the announcement of her son's death.

    Asiatic, African, Egyptian Front:

    Sinai and Palestine Campaign – British troops captured Tel-Aviv and Jaffa in Palestine without resistance.

    Naval Operations:

    Shipping Losses: 8 (1 capsizes, 1 to a collision, 2 to mines & 4 to U-Boat action)

    The merchant ship SS Garron Head strikes a mine and sinks 40 miles east northeast from Bayonne. Twenty eight are killed.

    The Italian monitor ship Alfredo Cappallini capsized and sank in the Adriatic Sea.

    Political:


    Lord Cowdray resigns Chairmanship of Air Board.

    M. Venizelos welcomes at Mansion House.

    Georges Clemenceau became the 54th Prime Minister of France, and the second time in his political career.

    November 16 1917, Paris–The French government had been plagued by scandals and strife the entire year. Briand’s government resigned in March as a result of disagreements about the Nivelle Offensive; Ribot’s government resigned in September after a scandal in the interior ministry. In mid-November, mathematician Paul Painlevé’s government lost a confidence vote after returning from the Rapallo conference that set up the Supreme War Council. Chosen to replace Painlevé was George Clemenceau, the 76-year-old editor of L’Homme Enchainé. Having not served in government during the war, he was not associated with any wartime failings or scandals. His firm commitment to victory over Germany disappointed those who may have hoped for a negotiated peace (such as Joseph Caillaux, Mme Caillaux’s husband, who had hoped to be named PM himself). The Socialists, longtime enemies of Clemenceau, adamantly refused to support his government, but Clemenceau was able to secure a majority in parliament without them.

    M. Stephen Pichon appointed French Foreign Minister (see 14th).

    M. Jonnart succeeds M. Métin as French Minister for Blockade [First Minister: formerly Blockade was under an Under-Secretary.] (see 23rd and August 17th).

    Anniversary Events:

    1798
    British seamen board the U.S. frigate Baltimore and impress a number of crewmen as alleged deserters, a practice that contributed to the War of 1812.
    1813 The British announce a blockade of Long Island Sound, leaving only the New England coast open to shipping.
    1821 Trader William Becknell reaches Santa Fe, N.M., on the route that will become known as the Santa Fe Trail.
    1846 General Zachary Taylor takes Saltillo, Mexico.
    1864 Union General William T. Sherman departs Atlanta and begins his "March to the Sea."
    1892 King Behanzin of Dahomey (now Benin), leads soldiers against the French.
    1902 A cartoon appears in the Washington Star, prompting the Teddy Bear Craze, after President Teddy Roosevelt refused to kill a captive bear tied up for him to shoot during a hunting trip to Mississippi.
    1907 The Indian and Oklahoma territories are unified to make Oklahoma, which becomes the 46th state.
    1913 Swann's Way, the first volume of Marcel Proust's 7-part novel Remembrance of Things Past, is published.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 11-24-2017 at 08:51.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  48. #2848

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    John Henry Carless VC (11 November 1896 – 17 November 1917) was born in 1896 to John Thomas and Elizabeth Carless, of 31 Tasker Street, Walsall, Staffordshire (now in the West Midlands). He died when he was 21 years old, and an Ordinary Seaman in the Royal Navy during World War I. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallant actions on 17 November 1917 aboard HMS Caledon at the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight, Germany, which led to his death.

    In mid-November 1917 British ships battled German forces in the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight (off Germany's north coast). During the action Seaman Carless took a terrible shrapnel wound to the stomach but kept loading his gun, and encouraged his colleagues to do likewise. Once relieved, he collapsed and died. He was buried at sea the following day.

    In June 1918, Carless' parents received his posthumous VC from King George V.
    Citation:

    For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. Although mortally wounded in the abdomen, he still went on serving the gun at which he was acting as rammer, lifting a projectile and helping to clear away the other casualties. He collapsed once, but got up, tried again, and cheered on the new gun's crew. He then fell and died. He not only set a very inspiring and memorable example, but he also, whilst mortally wounded, continued to do effective work against the King's enemies.
    — The London Gazette, No. 30687, 17 May 1918

    Carless is listed on Panel 25 of the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

    Today we lost: 507
    Today’s losses include:

    · A Victoria Cross winner
    · A fourteen year old Marine bugler
    · Captain of HMS Calypso
    · Grandson of Baron de Rothschild
    · The son of a member of the clergy and Chaplain to the services
    · Multiple families that will lose two sons in the Great War

    Today’s highlighted casualties include:

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    Evelyn Achille de Rothschild


    · Major Evelyn Achille de Rothschild (Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars) dies at Citadel Hospital, Cairo of wounds received during the Battle of Mughar Ridge age 31. He is a member of the prominent Rothschild banking family. He was born into wealth and privilege and was expected to play a major role with the N M Rothschild & Sons At the outbreak of the Great War he and his brother Anthony joined the Army. In November 1915 while on the Western Front he was wounded and sent home to recuperate. Within a few months he was back at the Front where in March 1916 his service resulted in his being Mentioned in Dispatches. Sent to fight in Palestine, he was critically wounded on 13th November fighting the Turkish Seventh Army and he dies of those wounds today. On 5th December 1920 his brother, Captain Anthony de Rothschild, will unveil the War Memorial in the churchyard of All Saints Church at Wing, Buckinghamshire honoring Evelyn and his other comrades from Wing who were killed in the war. He is the grandson of Baron Lionel Nathan de Rothschild. · Captain (Brigade Major) Charles Gordon Dowding MC (Punjabis) is killed in action in East Africa at age 28. He is the son of the late Reverend William Berkeley Dowding Chaplain to the Forces. · Driver William Francis Pulham (King Edward’s Horse) dies at home as a result of shell shock. His brother will be killed next March.

    Air Operations:

    RFC - Low clouds and mist prevented much flying being done.

    RNAS - Owing to unfavourable weather, fog and low clouds, no war work was carried out.

    Royal Flying Corps Casualties today: 15 (9 from 39th Balloon Section!)

    A Mech 3 Ackroyd, S. (Samuel), 39th Balloon Section, RFC.
    Lt Bevon, W.V. (William Victor), Armament Experimental Station, Orfordness, RFC.
    A Mech 3 Booth, H. (Harry), 39th Kite Balloon Section, RFC.
    Lt Dunnett, R.F. (Raymond Frederick), Central Flying School, Upavon, Wiltshire, RFC.
    2Lt Elwood, R.V. (Robert Vernon), 76 Squadron, RFC.
    Lt Harman, J.A. (John Augustus), 33 Squadron, RFC.
    A Mech 1 Harsant, H.A. (Harold Alfred), 5th Wing, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, RFC.
    A Mech 1 McAlpin, J. (John), 39th Balloon Section, RFC.
    Pte Myers, T. (Tom), 39th Balloon Section, RFC.
    A Mech 3 Parsons, D.V. (David V.), 39th Balloon Section, RFC.
    A Mech 3 Peel, G. (George), 39th Balloon Section, RFC.
    A Mech 1 Ponder, H.E. (Herbert E.), 39th Balloon Section, RFC.
    A Mech 3 Spence, J.T. (John Thomas), 39th Balloon Section, RFC.
    A Mech 3 Waters, J.A. (James Alfred), 39th Balloon Section, RFC.
    2Lt Wells, J.R. (James Ritchie), RFC.

    Claims confirmed 9 (Entente 1: Central Powers 8)

    Mikhail Safonov (Russia) #5.


    Julius Arigi #18, #19 & #20.
    Godwin Bromowski #25. (A balloon along the Piave River)
    Alexander Kasza #2.
    Josef Kiss #10.
    Josef von Maier #3 & #4.

    Western Front:

    British salient widened on Passchendaele ridge.

    Successful raid south of River Scarpe.

    Surprise attacks by French south-east of St. Quentin and in Champagne.

    Southern Front:

    Fierce mountain fighting: Germans take Quero and Monte Cornella.

    Tunstills Men Saturday 17th November 1917:

    In billets at Sacca.

    A very bright morning following a sharp white frost overnight.

    Brig. Genl. Lambert (see 5th November) had lunch with the officers of 10DWR and had some photographs taken with them.

    2Lt. Alfred Ernest Pass (known as ‘Alf’) (see 26th September) was posted to France; he would later serve with 10DWR.

    Sgt. George Thomas Bates (see 14th May) serving with 32nd Company, Labour Corps, died of wounds and was buried at Duhallow A.D.S Cemetery, north of Ypres. The circumstances of his death are unknown.

    Pte. Harry Hartley (see 18th September), who had been posted back to England since being taken ill in August, was posted from Northern Command Depot at Ripon to 3DWR at North Shields.

    Cpl. Christopher John Kelly (see 8th June), who had been working as a limestone quarryman at the Swinden Lime Works near Skipton, having been transferred to the Army Reserve Class W, was formally discharged from the Army. His disability was regarded as minor and he was awarded a gratuity of £24 but no service pension.

    Asiatic, African, Egyptian Front:

    British troops capture Jaffa; Turks again retire north.

    In East Africa British troops pursue enemy and occupy Lutshemi.

    Naval Operations:

    SMS A50, Kaiserliche Marine, a class A26 torpedo boat struck a mine and sank in the Noerth Sea with the loss of 18 of her crew.

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    German sailors on the deck of the U-58 after the vessel had announced its intent to surrender.

    SM U-58, Kaiserliche Marine, a type U57 submarine was depth charged and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean by USS Fanning and USS Nicholson with the loss of 2 of her 40 crew.

    Based in Queenstown, Ireland, USS Fanning and her sister destroyer USS Nicholson patrolled the eastern waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Their mission was to escort convoys and rescue survivors of sunken merchant ships as well as to seek out and destroy German U-boats. While escorting the eight vessel convoy OQ-20 eastbound, the two destroyers made contact with an enemy submarine.

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    USS Nicholson during trials in 1915.

    With Arthur S. Carpender commanding, at 4:110 on 17 November 1917, Coxswain Daniel David Loomis of the Fanning sighted U-58, commanded by Kapitanleutnant Gustav Amberger, when the U-boat had surfaced to extend her periscope. The German submarine lined up for a shot at the British merchant steamer SS Welshman and almost immediately Officer of the Deck, Lieutenant William O. Henry ordered the destroyer to make circles and engage.

    At 4:00 Fanning dropped three depth charges, scoring a hit which shook up the U-boat well. Then USS Nicholson joined in the fighting, commanded by Frank Berrien, and dropped another depth charge herself. The Americans spotted U-58 when it surfaced, and Fanning fired three shots with her stern gun. Nicholson struck the U-boat with at least one shot from her bow gun. The Germans unsuccessfully returned fire and surrendered at around 4:30. American fire had hit the submarine near its diving planes, making the ship un-manueverable.

    Kapitänleutnant Amberger ordered the ballast tanks blown and the submarine went up. Charges also knocked out the main generator aboard the Fanning. If U-58 had surfaced in a battle ready position, Fanning would have surely been attacked and possibly sunk. The German submariners surrendered and Fanning maneuvered to take prisoners. That ended the action with an American victory.

    The Fanning and Nicholson's sinking of U-58 was one of only a few engagements of WW1 in which U.S. Navy warships sank an enemy submarine. Also the first time U.S. ships sank a submarine in combat. Lieutenant William O. Henry and Coxswain Daniel Lommis both received a Navy Cross for their actions during their encounter with U-58.

    Fanning and Nicholson continued the war escorting and patrolling the North Atlantic, making several more inconclusive contacts with German submarines. Thirty-eight of the 40 crew members of the U-58 survived to become prisoners of war in the United States

    The destroyer HMS Firedrake sinks the German submarine UC-51 off Harwich.

    The Second Battle of Heligoland Bight, also called the Action in the Helgoland Bight was an inconclusive naval engagement fought between British and German squadrons on 17 November 1917.

    Following the German Navy's successful raid on the Scandinavian convoy on 17 October 1917, Admiral Sir David Beatty, Commander-in-Chief of the British Grand Fleet, was determined to retaliate. On 17 November 1917 a strong force of cruisers under Vice Admiral Trevylyan Napier was sent to attack German minesweepers, which were clearing a channel through British minefields in the Heligoland Bight. The intentions of the German force had been revealed by British Naval Intelligence, allowing the British to mount an ambush.The German sweepers were escorted by a group of cruisers and torpedo-boats under Rear Admiral Ludwig von Reuter.

    The action began at 7.30 a.m., roughly 65 nautical miles west of Sylt, when HMS Courageous sighted the enemy. She opened fire at 7:37 a.m. Admiral Reuter, the German commander, with four light cruisers and eight destroyers, advanced to engage the Royal Navy units in order to cover the withdrawal of his minesweepers, all of which escaped except for the trawler Kehdingen, which was sunk. The battle thereafter developed into a stern chase as the German forces, skilfully using smoke-screens, withdrew south-east at their best speed, under fire from the pursuing British ships of the 1st Cruiser Squadron, the 1st and 6th Light Cruiser Squadrons, and, later, HMS Repulse (which had been detached from the 1st Battle Cruiser Squadron and came up at high speed to join the battle). Both sides were hampered in their maneuvers by the presence of naval minefields.

    The British ships gave up the chase some two hours later, as they reached the edge of known minefields. At about the same time, the light cruisers came under fire from two German Kaiser-class battelships, SMS Kaiser and SMS Kaiserin which had come up in support of Reuter's ships; HMS Caledon was struck by one 30.5 cm (12.0 in) shell which did minimal damage; shortly thereafter, the British forces withdrew.
    All personnel on the bridge of the light cruiser HMS Calypso, including her captain, Herbert Edwards, were killed by a 15 cm (5.9 in) shell. The battle cruiser HMS Repulse, briefly engaged the German ships at about 10:00, scoring a single hit on the light cruiser SMS Königsberg that ignited a major fire on board.

    It was during this battle that Able Seaman John Henry Carless of HMS Caledon won a posthumous Victoria Cross for his bravery in manning a gun despite mortal wounds.

    Shipping Losses: 8 (1 due to collision, 1 to a mine & 6 to U-Boat action)


    Anniversary Events:

    375 Enraged by the insolence of barbarian envoys, Valentinian, the Emperor of the West, dies of apoplexy in Pannonia in Central Europe.
    1558 Queen Elizabeth ascends to the throne of England.
    1558 The Church of England is re-established.
    1636 Henrique Dias, Brazilian general, wins a decisive battle against the Dutch in Brazil.
    1796 Napoleon Bonaparte defeats an Italian army near the Alpone River, Italy.
    1800 The Sixth Congress (2nd session) convenes for the first time in Washington, D.C.
    1842 A grim abolitionist meeting is held in Marlboro Chapel, Boston, after the imprisonment of a mulatto named George Latimer, one of the first fugitive slaves to be apprehended in Massachusetts.
    1862 Union General Ambrose Burnside marches north out of Washington, D.C., to begin the Fredericksburg campaign.
    1869 The Suez Canal is formally opened.
    1877 Russia launches a surprise night attack that overruns Turkish forces at Kars, Armenia.
    1885 The Serbian Army, with Russian support, invades Bulgaria.
    1903 Vladimir Lenin's efforts to impose his own radical views on the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party splits the party into two factions, the Bolsheviks, who support Lenin, and the Mensheviks.
    1913 The first ship sails through the Panama Canal, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 11-24-2017 at 09:05.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  49. #2849

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    18th November 1917

    Lieutenant General ‘Sir’ Frederick Stanley Maude KCB, CMG, DSO,
    Commander in Chief Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force dies of cholera at age 51 in Baghdad. While leading the attack on Ramadi Maude went down with cholera and although he was quickly taken back to Baghdad he dies there today. Rumours circulate that he had been poisoned but the evidence suggests that he probably contracted the disease from contaminated milk. Maude was born in Gibraltar into a military family; his father was ‘Sir’ Frederick Francis Maude – a general who had been awarded the Victoria Cross in 1855 during the Crimean War, and who is buried in Brompton Cemetery, London. He attended Eton College and then the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He graduated in 1883 and joined the Coldstream Guards in February 1884. Maude first saw active service in Egypt from March to September 1885, where he was awarded the Egyptian Medal and the Khedive’s Egyptian Star. He next saw service as a Major during the South Africa War, where he served from January 1900 to March 1901 he won a DSO and the Queen’s South African Medal. From 1901 to 1904, he served on the staff of the Governor-General of Canada, in which capacity he accompanied the Duke and Duchess of York on their Royal Tour of Canada in September and October 1901. He returned to Britain to become second-in-command at the Coldstream Guards and then he joined the General Staff, was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in 1907 and Colonel in 1911.

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    In the Great War Maude first served in France. He was a staff officer with III Corps when, in October 1914, he was promoted to Brigadier-General and given command of the 14th Brigade. He was wounded in April 1915 and returned home to recover. He returned to France in May and, in June, he was promoted to Major-General and transferred to command the 33rd Division still in training. In mid-August, however, Maude was instead given charge of the 13th Division in Suvla. The 13th suffered heavy casualties retreating from Suvla and landing and later evacuating from Helles before being shifted to Mesopotamia in March 1916. Maude arrived to catch the end of the British failure at the Siege of Kut where he was promoted to Lieutenant-General, replacing General George Gorringe as commander of the newly dubbed Tigris Corps (III Army Corps) in July 1916. Despite being instructed to do no more than hold the existing line, Maude set about to re-organising and re-supplying his mixed British and Indian forces. He was made commander of all Allied forces in Mesopotamia in late July 1916, replacing ‘Sir’ Percy Lake.
    Given reinforcements and more equipment, Maude directed his force in a steady series of victories. Advancing up the Tigris and winning the battles of Mohammed Abdul Hassan, Hai and Dahra in January 1917, recapturing Kut in February 1917 and then taking Baghdad on 11th March 1917. From Baghdad, he launched the Samarrah Offensive and extended his operations to the Euphrates and Diyala rivers. After a lull over the summer, by November his forces were engaged at Ramadi and Tikrit when he became ill from cholera. Curiously, he died in the same house as German General von der Goltz a year earlier. He will be succeeded by General Marshall, who takes a more passive approach as a commander.

    The War at Sea

    The light cruiser HMS Blonde is leading the submarines K1 (Commander C S Benning), K3, K4 and K7 in line ahead off the Danish coast when she is forced to turn sharply to port to avoid three cruisers that cross her bows from starboard to port. The abrupt change of course takes the submarines by surprise and K1 and K4 collide. K1 had stopped due to salt water instead of fuel coming through the sprayers and extinguishing her boilers. K3 passes close on the port side. K4, following K3, suddenly observes the red light of K1 and although taking avoiding action strikes K1 a glancing blow abreast the conning tower. Water pours into the control room. Within minutes, chlorine gas was being released from the batteries. Blonde is signaled that K1 is sinking and the cruiser closes lowering two cutters. Rescue boats make five trips and transfer all 56 members of the crew to Blonde. A discussion is then held as to whether K1 can be saved and it is decided to sink her.

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    HMS Blonde was the lead ship of her class of scout cruisers built for the Royal Navy in the first decade of the 20th century. She led the 7th Destroyer Flotilla in the Mediterranean Fleet from completion until 1912. The ship was temporarily assigned to the 1st Destroyer Flotilla before she joined the 4th Battle Squadron in 1913. During the First World War, Blonde was assigned to various battleship squadrons of the Grand Fleet. The ship was converted into a minelayer in 1917, but never actually laid any mines. She was reduced to reserve in 1919 and sold for scrap in 1920.

    The ship was still assigned to the 4th Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet in Scapa Flow at the start of the war in August 1914. Captain John Casement was in command 20 March–21 May 1916. Blonde and the Flotilla leader Broke were on patrol east of Scapa Flow when a depth charge carried by Blonde accidentally exploded., damaging here upper deck and killing two of her crew. The accident resulted in the type of depth charge carried by Blonde, the Egerton Depth Charge, being withdrawn from use by the Grand Fleet. The ship was under refit in April 1916 and missed the Battle of Jutland on 31 May–1 June 1916. Blonde was still detached in August. By October, she had rejoined the 4th Battle Squadron, with Captain Basil Brooke in command, but had been transferred to the 1st Battle Squadron by April 1917, Captain The Honourable Arthur Forbes-Semphill having assumed command in February. On 1 June, Commander Theodore Hallett relived Forbes-Semphill. In September 1917, she was converted into a minelayer, but never laid any mines in combat. Hallett was relieved by Captain Gregory Wood-Martin on 30 December and he retained command until 10 January 1919 when he was relieved in turn by Captain Maurice Evans. Blonde was in reserve by February and had been assigned to the Nore Reserve by 1 May, together with her sister ship Blanche. The sisters were listed for sale by 18 March 1920 and Blonde was sold for scrap on 6 May to T. C. Pas, and was broken up in the Netherlands

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    At 06:23 in the early morning dark the German submarine UC-47 is found by HMS P-57 (Lieutenant Commander Harry Charles Birnie), one of sixty patrol boats designed specifically to hunt submarines. It has bows of hard steel for ramming U-boats, a 4-inch gun, pom-poms and two special depth-charge throwers. A lookout on P-57 spots a “big buoy” which turns out to be the conning tower of the submarine only two hundred yards away. P-57 swings violently to port by her commander and her engines race at full speed ahead. The patrol boat strikes the submarine just before the conning tower and almost at a right angle to the hull. The force of the attack drives the submarine down and away and she starts to pass astern the patrol boat. The crew of P-57 quickly releases a depth charge and then turn and releases another. Soon oil is seen coming to the surface close to a buoy the patrol boat has dropped and P-57 drops another depth charge. P-57 patrols around for the rest of day and the next night but none of the German submarine’s crew comes to the surface. Commander Birnie will be awarded the Distinguished Service Order for this action.

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    The sloop Candytuft, Cdr. W. O. G. Cochrane, disguised as a Q-ship, was escorting the S.S. Tremayne from Gibraltar to Malta on November 18th, 1917, when both vessels were attacked by a submarine. A torpedo fired at the Tremayne missed that ship but struck the Candytuft on the starboard quarter, blowing off her stern and killing or wounding all the officers save Cdr. Cochrane and Lt. Phillips. A second torpedo from U39, fired about 30 minutes later, struck the sloop as she was slowly heading for the beach near Bougie and blew a hole just forward of the bridge, causing her to break in two, the bow portion sinking immediately. The remnant of the ship then grounded.

    Baltic*: Russian Gulf of Finland mine sinks UC-57.
    Britain: Jellicoe memo to War Cabinet ‘… our naval policy is necessarily governed by the adequacy of our destroyer forces’

    The War in The Air

    Low clouds and mist again interfered with aerial work.

    Five reconnaissances were carried out and 22 counter attack patrols by the 2nd Brigade.

    Twenty-five plates were exposed by the 3rd Brigade and 31 25-lb bombs and one 112-lb bomb were dropped on various targets.

    With aeroplane observation five hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction and fourteen neutralised. One pit was destroyed, three damaged, one explosion and two fires caused. Ninety-three zone calls were sent down, of which 20 were seen to be answered. 9,014 rounds were fired at ground tarhets from low altitudes, of which 6,614 were by the 2nd Brigade.

    Infantry of the Second Army shot down one EA which was destroyed.

    RNAS - The sky was overcast throughout the day, it was only possible to carry out two patrols.

    Five Camels from Seaplane Defence Squadron attacked four hostile seaplanes which had been reported off La Panne. A running fight ensued in which tracers were seen to enter the rearmost E.A., who afterwards appeared in difficulties. Gun jambs greatly hampered our pilots, who, nevertheless, engaged the seaplanes at a height of 200 feet to within one mile of Ostende.

    A flight of five Camels from No. 1 Squadron attacked several E.A. at long range, without result. The low clouds prevented the delivery of a proper attack.

    Enemy Aircraft
    Enemy aircraft were not very active.

    Lt J F N MacRae, 23 Sqn, two-seater out of control south of Westroosebeke at 07:00/08:00
    Capt H G Reeves, 1 Sqn, DFW C out of control Becelaere at 08:15/09:15
    Capt J T B McCudden, 56 Sqn, DFW CV crashed Bellicourt at 09:40/10:40 - when on line patrol, SE5s of No 56 Squadron observed a two-seater flying west and Capt J McCudden dived on its tail and after a burst from both guns the German gunner was seen to collapse. The machine went down and was completely wrecked in a trench in the enemy’s lines

    Maj A D Carter, 2nd Lt E Olivier and Lt A Reid-Walker, 19 Sqn, Albatros C out of control south of Passchendaele at 10:45/11:45 - whilst on offensive patrol, Major Carter and 2nd Lt E Olivier, No 19 Squadron, attacked a two-seater which they drove down out of control

    Capt B P G Beanlands and 2nd Lt D Sutherland, 24 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Nieuport - Dixmude at 11:05/12:05 - Ltn Kuke, Jasta 33, Kia [?],
    Lt J H B Cordes & 1/AM E J Dunford, 48 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Nieuport - Dixmude at 11:05/12:05 - a patrol of No 48 Squadron engaged six enemy scouts and in the fighting Lt J Cordes & 1/AM E Dunford shot down one which crashed and burst into flames

    Capt R L Chidlaw-Roberts and Capt H A Hamersley, 60 Sqn, DFW C crashed north-east of Westroosebeke at 11:05/12:05 - Capts R Chidlaw-Roberts and H Hamersley, No 60 Squadron, saw two EA two-seaters at work so attacked them and destroyed one

    Capt A W Field & 2nd Lt G R Horsfall, 48 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control west of Dixmude at 12:05/13:05 - a patrol of No 48 Squadron engaged six EA scouts, one of which was shot down, apparently out of control, by Capt Field & 2nd Lt Horsfall

    Casualties
    2nd Lt A Reid Walker (Ok), 19 Sqn, Spad VII B6817 - shot down at 28.d.13.b.31 [south-east of Saint Julien] on northern offensive patrol; Vzfw Wawzin; Js10, 1st victory [north of Ypres at 08:25/09:25]
    ? (Ok) & 2nd Lt F B Wallis (Wia), 20 Sqn, Bristol F.2B; Ltn d R Rudolf Wendelmuth, Js20, 14th victory [Lampernisse at 12:10/13:10] ?
    ? (Ok) & Lt L H Phelps (Wia), 20 Sqn, Bristol F.2B; Ltn d R Rudolf Wendelmuth, Js20, 14th victory [Lampernisse at 12:10/13:10] ?
    2nd Lt G A Cranswick (Kia), 23 Sqn, Spad VII B3575 – took off 09:28/10:28 and last seen flying north-west from Passchendaele at 10:20/11:20 during wireless interruption; Ltn d R Wilhelm Papenmeyer, Js2, 1st victory [north-east of Langemarck at 10:00/11:00] ?
    2nd Lt W J H Courtis (Ok) & 2nd Lt E T Taylor (Ok), 9 Sqn, RE8 A3669 – took off 10:20/11:20 then brought down by EA at Sh28.u.11.c.83 [west of Warneton] on artillery observation; Offz Stv Julius Buckler, Js17, 29th victory [Bixschoote at 13:15/14:15] ?
    2nd Lt S L G Pope (Wia), 60 Sqn, SE5a B519 - force landed in crater full of water at Sh27.c.17.d.52 [south-east of Wormhout] at 11:50/12:50 after propellor broke in air on northern OP
    2nd Lt W S McLaren (Wia; dow 19-Nov-17) & 2nd Lt D W Hardie (Kia), 48 Sqn, Bristol F.2B A7282 - shot down in flames Sh20.nw.a.29.d [north of Houthulst] at 12:40/13:40 on offensive patrol Dixmude

    The following aerial victories were claimed by aces on this day

    Harold Hamersley Australia #6
    Julius Arigi Austro-Hungarian Empire #21 #22
    Georg Kenzian Austro-Hungarian Empire #4
    Josef Kiss Austro-Hungarian Empire #11 #12

    Franz Lahner Austro-Hungarian Empire #1

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    Josef von Maier Austro-Hungarian Empire #5
    Bernard Beanlands Canada #6
    Albert Carter Canada #7

    John MacRae
    MC Canada #1

    From the Royal Highlanders, John Finlay Noel MacRae transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in 1915. Posted to 23 Squadron in 1917, he scored five victories flying SPADs.
    2nd Lt. (T./Lt.) John Finlay Noel Macrae, Gen. List and R.F.C.

    For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While on an offensive patrol he attacked an enemy machine and drove it down damaged. On the same day he took part in a bombing raid at a low altitude on an enemy aerodrome, and secured a direct hit on one of the hangars. While returning, he engaged enemy troops and transport on a road, causing casualties and confusion. He then climbed and attacked an enemy kite balloon, and, in spite of intense fire, succeeded in forcing it down damaged. He showed splendid courage and initiative.

    Robert Leslie Chidlaw-Roberts Wales #6

    James Thomas Byford McCudden England #19

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    Eric Olivier England #4
    Harry Gosford Reeves England #13
    Paul Bäumer Germany #13
    Julius Buckler Germany #27 #28 #29
    Gotthard Sachsenberg Germany #7

    Marat Schumm Germany #1

    Schumm served with Schutzstaffel 26, scoring two victories in late 1917. After Jastaschule I he joined Jasta 52 on 10 January 1918. Marat Schumm's sixth victory came on 24 July 1918 when he shot down Philip Burge of 64 Squadron.

    Rudolf Wendelmuth Germany #14
    Rudolf Windisch Germany #6
    Antonio Amantea Italy #3 u/c
    Silvio Scaroni Italy #2

    6 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 18TH 1917

    Lt. Cranswick, G.A. (George Alec) 23 Squadron RFC
    2nd Lt. Cutler, W.R. (William Reynolds) 70 Squadron RFC
    Off Stwd 3 Elliott, A.C. (Alfred Charles) Royal Naval Air Service, H.M.S. 'President'
    Lt. Halligan, M. (Matthew) No.1 Aeroplane Supply Depot RFC
    2nd Lt. Hardie, D.W. (David Whyte) 48 Squadron RFC
    2nd Lt. Waters, J.P. (John Patrick) 56 Squadron RFC

    Middle East

    Mesopotamia: Death of Maude of cholera in Baghdad, aged 53. Lieutenant-General Marshall succeeds, has 69,500 men and 302 guns near Baghdad (total MEF strength 254,924 soldiers plus 158,428 followers).
    Palestine: Allenby resumes operations against Jerusalem until November 24 with 14,500 men and 18 guns vs c.5,900 Turks with 50 guns. British enter Judean Hills as winter rains begin on November 19. Falkenhayn moves headquarter from Jerusalem to Nablus.

    Southern Fronts

    Italian Front: Krauss’ Austrian troops and German Jaeger Division attack Mt Grappa sector until November 22 between rivers Brenta and Piave, take 1,286 PoWs.
    Last edited by Hedeby; 11-24-2017 at 14:35.

  50. #2850

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    19th November 1917


    Battle of Nebi Samwil

    The Battle of Nebi Samwil, (17–24 November 1917), was fought during the decisive British Empire victory at the Battle of Jerusalem between the forces of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force and the Ottoman Empire's Yildirim Army Group during the Sinai and Palestine Campaign, in the First World War. The Battle of Jerusalem began two days after the end of the decisive EEF victory at the Battle of Mughar Ridge which occurred after the EEF defeated the Ottoman Army at the decisive victory at the Battle of Beersheba and Third Battle of Gaza. The battle was the first attempt by the forces of the British Empire to capture Jerusalem. The village of Nebi Samwil (now spelled Nabi Samwil), also known as the "Tomb of Samuel", was part of the Ottoman defences in front of Jerusalem and its capture was considered vital to the eventual capture of the city. The British attacking force consisted of three divisions, two infantry and one mounted.

    The village was captured by the 234th Brigade, part of the 75th Division, on 21 November 1917, however the still had to defend it against almost Ottoman counter-attacks almost every day. Unsupported by their heavy weapons the British infantry could not break through the main Ottoman defensive line and the attack failed to reach its objective Jerusalem.

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    In November 1917, the British Empire's Egyptian Expeditionary Force, commanded by General Edmund Allenby had defeated the forces of the Ottoman Empire in the Third Battle of Gaza and the Battle of Mughar Ridge. Pursuing the withdrawing Ottoman army the 75th Division captured Junction Station on 14 November. The capture of the station cut the railway line from Jerusalem and the rest of the country and provided the British forces with a fresh water source. It also split the Ottoman Seventh and Eighth Army. The following day the ANZAC Mounted Division captured Ramleh and Ludd, 5 miles (8.0 km) north of the station and on the Mediterranean coast, then on 16 November the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade captured the port of Jaffa. In the ten days since the Battle of Gaza the British had advanced some 60 miles (97 km), but at the cost of 6,000 casualties. The numbers of the Ottoman forces killed is not known but 10,000 men had been captured by the British along with eighty pieces of artillery and 100 machine guns. Despite these losses the majority of the Ottoman armies had managed to withdraw relativity in one piece, but they had been split with no way for one to support the other if or when they were attacked. Further the Ottoman Seventh Army on the British right was cut off from the Palestinian rail network and all their supplies would have to be brought in by road.
    In preparation for the attack, against Jerusalem, the ANZAC Mounted Division and the 54th (East Anglian) Division, would form a defensive line on the coastal plain, while the XXI Corps moved into the Judaean Mountains. Instead of a direct assault on Jerusalem, Allenby planned to first cut off the city from their supply routes in the north. The plan was for two infantry division, the 75th Division on the left, the 52nd (Lowland) Division in the centre, with the horsemen from the Yeomanry Mounted Division on the right, to move on Jerusalem with the 75th using the main Jaffa–Jerusalem road. The two outer division's would circle around Jerusalem meeting at Bireh 10 miles (16 km) to the north of the city.

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    In the way of the 75th Division was the village of Nebi Samwil also known as the "Tomb of Samuel", the traditional burial site for the biblical prophet Samuel. Nebi Samwil rests at the top of a hill 2,979 feet (908 m) above sea level, 3.1 miles (5.0 km) to the north of Jerusalem. From the village observers can see into Jerusalem and it controls the road from the coast to the west and the road from Samaria to the north into the city. The village was part of the Ottoman defences in front of Jerusalem and its capture was considered vital, to the eventual capture of the city.

    The attack began on 18 November, with the Australian Mounted Division clearing Latron, which was in the way of the 75th Division. The next day the Yeomanry Mounted Division with the furthest to go moved off first. Followed by the 52nd (Lowland) Division which departed from Ludd and the 75th Division from Latron. The two other divisions travelling astride nothing more than tracks, found it more difficult and their vehicles and heavy weapons had to turn back. The advance also coincided with the start of the winter rains, which not only affected the terrain, but also caused problems for the troops, who were only equipped for a desert war and lacked any winter clothing. However, the 52nd Division did reach Beit Likia and the Yeomanry Division Beit Ur el Tahta by the end of the first day.[8] The 75th, advancing along the only real road in the area, made good progress, fighting through the Ottoman hilltop defences, secured the villages of Saris and Kuryet el Enab on 20 November. The first village in the afternoon, the second before nightfall, in an infantry assault under cover of a thick belt of fog, which obscured the defenders vision. They had however only come up against rearguard positions and still had to face the main Ottoman force.

    Elsewhere the 52nd Division were making some progress but the yeomanry were confronted by a strong position of 3,000 infantry supported by artillery on the Zeitun ridge west of Bireh. During a back and forwards battle the yeomanry did at one stage capture the position, but were forced back again on 21 November. On the same day, the 75th Division changed the direction of the attack north-east towards Biteh, to meet up with the mounted division. The division was stopped at Biddu, and the heights of Nebi Samwil. Fighting through the day, the village was eventually taken by the 234th Brigade that evening. However the two infantry divisions were now bogged down and no further progress could be made.

    The British attack continued on the next day, 22 November, against El Jib. However both infantry divisions were now in need of reinforcements, and unsupported by artillery, which could not get up the mountain tracks. Fighting for three days, but unable to break through the main Ottoman defensive position, the attack stalled. For the next two weeks, the Ottoman army tried to retake Nebi Samwil. The British captured 750 prisoners during the period. The heavy casualties they sustained during the attempt seriously affected their ability to stop the next British attempt to take Jerusalem. Considering the heavy casualties which had been sustained by his command, General Bulfin requested that XX Corps take over the line and by the 28th November the reliefs of the various of XXI Corps was completed. In obtaining a footing on some of the most difficult hills on the Judean heights the efforts of the 52nd and 75th divisions enabled General Allenby to initiate a new plan to capture Jerusalem so they share the honour with the 53rd, 60th (who were already attached to the XX Corps at Latrun) and 75th Divisions, as well the Yeoman Mounted division, which were present at the finish. The British first attempt to take Jerusalem, stalled for the lack of artillery support, the need for fresh troops and not least the weather condition and the strong Ottoman defence. In the lull before their next attack the British used the opportunity to improve the roads and tracks in the area. To bring forward their heavy artillery and ammunition, water and other supplies. Allenby also decided to relieve XXI Corps with XX Corps which had had a quieter time on the coastal plain.

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    The Ottoman Army, however did not sit back and conducted several attacks against the British forces at the end of November beginning of December using tactics similar to those that would be used by the Germans in their Spring Offensive on the Western Front in March 1918. British reinforcement arrived which stemmed the Ottoman assault and they went over to the attack themselves on 7 December. The Ottoman force left Jerusalem over the night of 8/9 December and the civic authorities handed over the city to the British. For their part in the battle the 75th Division divisional insignia became a key, representing that the battle was the key to the capture of Jerusalem. In recognition for their part in the battle, the British Empire regiments involved were awarded the battle honour Nebi Samwil.

    WESTERN FRONT

    Cambrai: British Tank Corps, moved up by train, begins to move to start line (night November 19-20).
    Flanders: German trench raids on British sector.
    Lorraine: Captain Patton joins US Tank Corps.

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    EASTERN FRONT

    Russia: HM Ambassador Buchanan’s diary ‘At the moment force alone counts’
    Western Russia: *Bolshevik armoured train retakes Minsk.

    POLITICS
    Russia: Bolsheviks call for immediate armistice on all fronts.
    Italy: Government successfully asks Britain and France for 300,000 rifles; 4,000 MGs, 640 guns and 40 tanks.

    The War at Sea
    Navy divers go down on the wreck of the German submarine UC-47, enter her despite their hard-hat gear and recover charts of the minefields she had laid in earlier operations.

    The first USS Chauncey (Destroyer No. 3/DD-3) was a Bainbridge-class destroyer, also referred to as a "Torpedo-boat destroyer", in the United States Navy named for Commodore Isaac Chauncey. She was launched in 1901 and sunk in 1917.

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    Chauncey served with the Coast Squadron until 20 September 1903, when she was transferred to the Asiatic Fleet and left Key West for the Orient on 18 December. After sailing by way of the Suez Canal, she arrived at Cavite to join the force representing US interest in the Far East as it cruised in the Philippines during winters and off China during summers. Aside from the period of 3 December 1905 – 12 January 1907, when she was in reserve at Cavite, Chauncey continued this service until the entrance of America into World War I. The destroyer sailed from Cavite on 1 August 1917 for convoy escort duty in the eastern Atlantic, based at St. Nazaire, France. On 19 November, while about 110 mi (180 km) west of Gibraltar on escort duty, Chauncey was rammed by the British merchantman SS Rose as both ships steamed in war-imposed darkness. At 03:17, Chauncey sank in 1,500 fathoms (9,000 ft; 2,700 m) of water, taking to their death 21 men including her captain, Lieutenant Commander Walter E. Reno, the namesake of the Clemson-class destroyer Reno, and LTJG Charles F. Wedderburn, the namesake of the Fletcher-class destroyer Wedderburn. Seventy survivors were picked up by Rose, and carried to port.

    The War in the Air

    Only a handful of claims on this day…

    William Duncan Canada #2 #3
    Alfred McKay Canada #5 #6
    William Jenkins England #9 #10
    Harold Mellings England #3
    Paul Bäumer Germany #14
    Rudolph von Eschwege Germany #19
    Guido Masiero Italy #2 u/c
    Silvio Scaroni Italy #3

    4 AIRMEN HAVE FALLEN ON MONDAY NOVEMBER 19TH 1917

    2nd Lt. Booth, J.T. (John Thomas) No.2 Aircraft Supply Depot RFC
    2nd Lt. Gates, H.J. (Horace John) 17 Squadron, 16th Wing RFC
    Cpl. Mariner, B.F.V. (Bertram Frederick Victor) No.1 Aircraft Supply Depot RFC
    2nd Lt. McLaren, W.S. (William Somerville) 48 Squadron RFC

    Captain Tunstill’s Men
    : Meanwhile back in the billets at Sarginesco.
    There was another sharp frost overnight 18th/19th. The Battalion, along with the whole of 23rd Division began the march which would take them to their new destination. Capt. William Norman Town (see 14th November), recalled how, “The 23rd Division began its historic march of 100 miles across the Italian plain. None who took part in that march will ever forget it”. Starting at 9.45am the Battalion marched eighteen miles via Grazie, Mantua and Stradella to the hamlet of Carpaneta, near Gazzo. Passing through Mantua around lunchtime the Battalion received a memorable welcome, remembered by Pte. Harold Charnock

    (see 18th November): “The inhabitants were most enthusiastic and were particularly astonished at the smart turnout of the men and the transport, so much that they thought we were just out from England. We marched down a narrow lane of people who threw flowers, confetti and apples, at the same time waving flags and cheering. This was almost too much for some of the horses”. Capt. Town, with his classical education, was equally struck by both the city and the reception, “we marched through the streets of historic Mantua, the home of Virgil, one of the fortresses of the Austrian Quadrilateral, with its two lakes and encircling River Mincio. We were received as if we had won the war rather than just arrived. Chrysanthemums, postcards, cigarettes, etc, were showered upon us; the Italian flag was waved in the faces of restive horses; vivas resounded and the stimulus to the Italian morale, which was no doubt one reason for our march, was manifest”.
    Last edited by Hedeby; 11-22-2017 at 13:13.

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