100 Years Ago Today

[Hedeby]

11th December 1917

Lets start with a bit of a political hot potato - now I have no real idea when it comes to the politics of the Middle East as most of what I am able to read is very much coloured by the press of the main protagonists, therefore I am not looking to make any political point here just present the information I have found...

On 11th December 1917, General Edmund Allenby entered Jerusalem on foot. He dismounted from his horse and humbly walked from the Jaffa Gate. His troops had captured the city in the preceding weeks. His mode of entry had been ordered by the Prime Minister, David Lloyd George, and was recorded by newsreels. Allenby was the first Christian conqueror of Jerusalem since the First Crusade captured it in 1099, slaughtering Muslims and Jews indiscriminately as it did so. Jerusalem as a Christian city lasted only last 87 years until Saladin recaptured it in 1187. Muslim rule was never re-established after 1917. In the preceding centuries, Jerusalem had been a provincial city of religious importance, but the British made it a capital again – capital of the British Palestine Mandate which lasted until 1947. As the Ottoman Empire contracted, the vacuum was filled by the two imperial powers, Britain and France. France took Syria and Lebanon, while Britain kept the rest under an indirect rule system. Some self-government was granted, but the two powers kept most of the military muscle to themselves, and the exploitation of the natural resources.

Is coincidental that Jerusalem and its status is again in the news (thanks mainly to 'The Donald'). It is a fact that the shape of the modern Middle East had been set up to now by the First World War. The Second World War made little or no change. Here are the forces that shaped the Middle East:

Imperial & Economic Power, first by the successor powers to the Ottomans (Britain and France), then by the USA. The massive changes under way at the moment are due mainly to the decline of the US in the region.
Arab Nationalism, represented in 1917 by the Arab Revolt with the legendary T.E.Lawrence “Lawrence of Arabia” as one of its advisers. But the Arabs were misled, and instead of independence they were fobbed off with client kingdoms, of which only Jordan survives today. But the borders of Lebanon, Syria, Arabia, the Gulf states, Yemen and Iran were all settled, not by the Arabs, but by the British and French under the guise of the League of Nations. Today, the only Arab people without their own nation are the Palestinians.
Zionist, taking advantage of the Balfour Declaration, represented today by the State of Israel.
Jidahism. It is little known, but at the behest of the Kaiser, the Turkish Caliphate in Istanbul proclaimed a Jihad against the British Empire. However, it had little effect, except to inspire some desertions among Britain’s partly Muslim Indian Army, then in action in Mesopotamia (modern Iraq). But who knew this medieval rite would still be influential a century later?

anyway moving on...



After an intense gas attack at Givenchy a strong enemy patrol tries to rush British posts, the garrisons of which have been overcome. Private Walter Mills (Manchester Regiment) although badly gassed himself, meets the attack single-handed and continues to throw bombs until the arrival of reinforcements and remains at his post until the enemy have been finally driven off. While being carried away he dies of gas poisoning but it is entirely due to him that the enemy is defeated and the line remained intact. For his actions on this day he will be awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross. Mills was buried at Gorre British & Indian Cemetery, Nr Bethune, Pas-De-Calais, France.[3]

His VC Medal was buried with his Daughter Ellen, who died in the 1934

EASTERN FRONT
Russia: National Council proclaims Lithuanian independence. Russian Front forces sent against Don Cossacks. Commissar for Polish Affairs appointed.

HOME FRONTS
Russia: Constituent Assembly meets at Petrograd until 13 December, when its broken up by Bolsheviks.
France: *Clemenceau demands removal of parliament immunity from ex-Prime Minister Caillaux (arrested December 12) and two other deputies (done December 22-23).

SOUTHERN FRONTS
Piave: Krauss with 4 divisions and 460 guns attacks Mt Grappa (‘Sacred Mountain’) sector; German 5th Div storms Mt Spinoncia but can get no farther despite repeated attacks. Austrian 4th Division, arrived from Eastern Front, captures Col della Berretta.

SEA WAR
East Atlantic: U-155 shells Funchal on the Portuguese island of Madeira.



Deutschland was a blockade-breaking German merchant submarine used during World War I. It was developed with private funds and operated by the North German Lloyd Line. She was one of the first of seven U-151 class U-boats built and one of only two used as unarmed cargo submarines.After making two voyages as an unarmed merchantman, she was taken over by the German Imperial Navy on 19 February 1917 and converted into U-155, armed with six torpedo tubes and two deck guns. As U-155, she began a raiding career in June 1917 that was to last until October 1918, sinking 120,434 tons of shipping and damaging a further 9,080 tons of shipping. Deutschland was one of seven submarines designed to carry cargo between the United States and Germany, through the naval blockade of the Entente Powers. Mainly enforced by Great Britain's Royal Navy, the blockade had led to great difficulties for German companies in acquiring raw materials which could not be found in quantity within the German sphere of influence, and thus substantially hindered the German war effort.

Deutschland was built together with her sister ship Bremen in 1916 by the Deutsche Ozean-Reederei, a private shipping company created for the enterprise, a subsidiary company of the North German Lloyd shipping company (now Hapag-Lloyd) and the Deutsche Bank.She was constructed without armaments, with a wide beam to provide space for cargo. The cargo capacity was 700 tons (230 tons of rubber could be stored in the free-flooding spaces between the inner and outer hulls), relatively small compared to surface ships. Britain and France soon protested against the use of submarines as merchant ships, arguing that they could not be stopped and inspected for munitions in the same manner as other cargo vessels. The US, under diplomatic pressure for supposedly showing favoritism while having declared itself neutral, rejected the argument. Even submarines, as long as they were unarmed, were to be regarded as merchant vessels and accordingly would be permitted to trade. Only two submarines were completed according to the original design: Deutschland and Bremen, which was lost on a voyage to the United States. Due to the United States' entry into the war the other five submarine freighters were converted into long-range cruiser U-boats (U-kreuzers), equipped with two 150mm deck guns and were known as the Type U 151 class.

During the summer of 1917 U-155 made a 105-day cruise, commanded by Kptlt. Karl Meusel, leaving Germany around 24 May and returning on 4 September. During her traverse of the Northern Passage around the northern end of the British Isles and out into the Atlantic Ocean, she was stalked and nearly sunk by U-19 near Utsira Island, Norway. During this patrol, the boat fired on the port city of Ponta Delgada in the Azore Islands on 4 July at 3 a.m. with its deck guns. Portuguese army units did not respond due to being equipped with obsolete artillery. The coal collier USS Orion happened to be in port at the time undergoing repairs. Its company returned U-155's fire and dueled with the German boat for about 12 minutes. U-155 submerged without being hit and eventually retired. While the raid was light in damage (it killed four people), it alarmed Allied naval authorities about the defenseless nature of the Azores and their possible use as a base by boats like U-155 in the future. Allied naval forces, led by the U.S. Navy, began to send ships and establish a naval operating base in Ponta Delgada as a result. During her patrol she sank 19 merchant ships, most by either scuttling or gunfire. She attacked 19 Allied armed merchantmen but only succeeded in sinking 9 of them. Upon her return to Germany she had covered a distance of 10,220 nmi (18,930 km; 11,760 mi), of which 620 nmi (1,150 km; 710 mi) had been travelled submerged, one of the longest voyages made by a U-boat during World War I.

U-155 returned to Germany from her final cruise on 12 November 1918 and was surrendered on 24 November 1918 with other submarines as part of the terms of the Armistice. She was taken to Britain and exhibited in London and elsewhere and was eventually sold for scrap in 1921. On 17 September 1921 she was being broken up at Robert Smith and Sons, Birkenhead, when an explosion ripped the ship apart, killing five apprentices.


U-155 'Deutschland' in London after the war

The War in the Air

General Headquarters, December 11th.

“At 11 o'clock on the 11th instant our machines left their aerodromes in fine weather to bomb certain factories in Germany. On reaching the area of their objectives, our pilots found their target obscured by clouds, but seeing a clear gap farther north-east they continued their flight in that direction. Through the gap in the clouds they recognised the large railway junction north-east of Pirmasens and dropped their bombs upon it. The closing of the gap in the clouds prevented observation of the results.

“Although the whole sky was covered by low clouds during the return journey all our pilots succeeded in reaching their aerodrome safely.

RFC Communiqué number 117:

Low clouds and a slight drizzle prevented much work being done.
A total of 1,052 rounds were fired at ground targets, 550 being by two machines of No 5 Squadron.
Eight 25-lb bombs were dropped by the 2nd Brigade and 18 25-lb bombs by the 3rd Brigade on various targets.
With aeroplane observation, five hostile batteries were succesfully engaged for destruction by artillery of the Third Army, which destroyed one pt and caused an explosion. Machines of this brigade sent down 10 zone calls.

With observation by balloons, two hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction, six neutralised, and 21 other targets were successfully dealt with by artillery of the Second Army. Two of the shoots were carried out in conjuction with aeroplanes and one fire and three explosions were caused.

Artillery of the Third Army dealt with three targets.

41st Wing - seven machines of No 55 Squadron left the ground in fine weather to bomb the boot factory at Pirmasens, but found the target obscured by clouds, so flew to a gap farther north from which point they saw the large railway junction north-east of Pirmasens and dropped 12 112-lb and 10 25-lb bombs from 13,000 feet. The results were not observed owing to the drifting clouds.

On the return flight the machines kept together, but became split up after recrossing the lines owing to the heavy banks of clouds at 600 feet. All machines, however, landed safely in different places, with one exception when a machine was damaged, but the crew were uninjured.

Admiralty, December 12th.

"During the night of December 10th-11th naval aircraft carried out a bombing raid on Oostacker aerodrome and Bruges Docks. Many tons of bombs were dropped on both objectives. On the former, owing to poor visibility, results were difficult to observe, but at the latter good shooting was made and a fire started. All our machines returned safely.”

Admiralty, December 13th.

“On the night of December 11th a bombing raid was made by naval aircraft on Bruges Docks. Visibility was bad, with low-lying clouds. One of our machines is missing. The usual fighter patrols were carried out; one enemy aircraft was driven down out oi control and observed to crash.”

RNAS Communiqué number 11:

Owing to unfavourable weather conditions, little work could be carried out during the day. During one of the coast patrols several ground targets were attacked.
Bombing raid by night, Nos 7 and 14 Squadrons, H.Ps: A bomb raid was carried out on the evening of the 10th on Oostacker Aerodrome and Bruges Docks.
Visibility at first was fairly good, but soon afterwards deteriorated considerably, so much so, that the last machine to leave was forced to land, as the ground by then could not be seen.
Eight 250-lb and forty 112-lb bombs were dropped on this objective; and on Bruges Docks, eight 250-lb and fifty-four 112-lb bombs were dropped.
Bombs were seen to explode among the sheds just N. of the E. Bassin, and the Docks in general were well straddled. All machines returned safely.

Enemy Aircraft

Enemy aircraft were inactive and no combats took place.

Casualty

Capt A G Waller (Ok) & Lieut L H Mackay (Ok), 55 Sqn, DH4 A7775 - force landed in ploughed field Gironcourt due bad weather on return from bombing Pirmasens

The following aerial victory claims were made by aces on this day...



There were six British airmen lost on this day



Captain Tunstill's Men (who have been pretty quiet of late)

In the morning there was heavy shelling of the British front line and of the reserve positions, which raised concerns about a possible Austrian attack, but nothing materialised. Pte. John Killerby (see 3rd September) was wounded, suffering shrapnel wounds to his left arm and shoulder, including a fractured scapula. He would be evacuated to the UK, arriving at Oakbank War Hospital, Glasgow, on 2nd January 1918.

Pte. William Postill Taylor (see 15th November), serving in France with 2DWR, was admitted to hospital suffering from a high temperature.
Pte. James Wilson (see 19th November), serving in East Africa as a lorry driver with the Motor Transport Section of the ASC, was admitted to hospital in Ndanda (in modern day Tanzania) suffering from malaria.
Pte. Herbert Farrand Hogley (see 25th November), who was in England having been wounded in action serving with 2/6thDWR, was transferred from hospital in Eastleigh to the Military Hospital in Bangor, North Wales.
CSM Harry Dewhirst (see 13th October), formerly of 10DWR, was posted from 3DWR at North Shields to 4DWR at Rugeley Camp, Staffs.

Pte. Ernest William Evans (see 24th October), who had been in England since having been wounded in June, was formally discharged from the Army as being no longer physically fit. His discharge report stated that following his abdominal wounds, “Has considerable bladder disturbance. Very sudden necessity to pass water always ‘wets himself’ if he does not get the chance to pass it at once. Has to support abdomen with hands while urinating. Will not make Class A, B or C”. He was awarded a pension of 27s. 6d. for four weeks, reducing thereafter to 8s. 3d; to be reviewed in a year.

[Rebel]

A fine issue Chris.
Is there any chance that the , 'Airmen lost on this day' section could be produced in a larger font size. My old eyes are not up (or should that be down?) to the small print.
Cheers
Reg

[Hedeby]

Message received Reg.



WEDNESDAY, 12 DECEMBER 1917

Lets start with the War in the Air

General Headquarters, December 13th.

“On the 12th inst., in spite of low clouds and mist, a great many of our aeroplanes were in the air. The enemy's troops were engaged with machine-gun fire during their attack on our positions at Bullecourt, bombs were dropped, and low reconnaissances carried out. There was much air fighting, in which a Gotha aeroplane and one other German machine were brought down, and three other hostile machines driven down out of control. Another hostile machine was shot down in our lines by anti-aircraft gun fire. All our aeroplanes returned.”

RFC Communiqué number 118:

The weather was fine in the morning, but clouds interfered, with work in the afternoon.
Three reconnnaissances were carried out by the 2nd Brigade and 11 by the 3rd, who also did eight contact patrols.
Artillery co-operation: With aeroplane observation, five hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction by the First Army artillery. One was neutralized, five gun-pits were destroyed and three explosions and four fires caused.
Seventy-two zone calls were sent down, 63 of which were by the 3rd Brigade.
12,334 rounds were fired at ground targets; 1,100 were by pilots of Naval Squadron No 8 and 1,150 by No 24 Squadron.

Bombing:
1st Brigade - No 2 Squadron dropped four 25-lb bombs, and No 4 Squadron seven 25-lb bombs on various targets.
2nd Brigade – Seventy-five 25-lb bombs were dropped by Corps machines.
3rd Brigade – Fifty-four 25-lb bombs were dropped by machines of the Corps Wing, which also fired 2,177 rounds. Low-flying scouts dropped 20 25-lb bombs on troops aid other targets.

RNAS Communiqué number 11:

Two photographic reconnaissances were attempted by No. 2 Squadron, but had to be abandoned owing to thick clouds over all objectives.
Anti-submarine patrol was carried out by Seaplanes. Nothing to report.
Owing to weather few fighter patrols could be carried out.
Bombing raid by night, Nos 7 and 14 Squadrons, H.P.s: On the evening of the 11th and morning of the 12th a bomb raid was carried out on Bruges Docks.

Four 250-lb and thirty-four 112-lb bombs were dropped, but owing to the low clouds results were difficult to observe. It was noted, however, that one of the bombs caused a particularly large explosion.
All machines returned safely.

While making a sweep round by Ghistelles and Dixmude, nine Camels from No 10 Squadron encountered six Albatross scouts. A general engagement took place in which one of our machines was attacked and shot down by an Albatross. Flight Commander Macgregor immediately attacked the EA and drove him down out of control.

Other indecisive engagements took place.

Confirmation of the destruction of this EA has since been received from the Belgians, who state that a British and a hostile machine were seen to go down at this time, near Leke.

During the course of the patrols several hundred rounds were fired into enemy trenches.

Enemy Aircraft:
Enemy aircraft activity was slight on all fronts except the 2nd Brigade, where a number of combats took place, and a Gotha machine was destroyed.
Lieut V Wigg, 65 Sqn, Albatros Scout captured St Julien at 09:25/10:25
Lieut V Wigg and Lieut C B Matthews, 65 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Houthulst Forest - Ypres at 09:25/10:25

Another hostile machine was brought down in our lines by Lieut V Wigg, No 65 Squadron, who, with the assstance of Lieut C Matthews, drove one down out of control and then attacked the second, with which he nearly collided owing to the closeness of the fighting, and finally shot it down in flames in our lines; Uffz Kählert, Jasta 26, Pow

Lieut K A Seth-Smith, 70 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Westroosebeke at 09:30/10:30
2nd-Lieut F G Quigley, 70 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Westroosebeke at 09:30/10:30
Capt E Y Hughes, 3 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Cambrai at 10:20/11:20
Capt K M St C G Leask, 84 Sqn, two-seater crashed ? Hendecourt at 13:45/14:45



Capt W W Rogers, 1 Sqn, Gotha G broke up north of Frelinghem at 14:15/15:15 – Capt W Rogers, No 1 Squadron, flying a Nieuport, saw two formations of eight or nine Gothas flying west, so climbed up with his patrol. Observing one of the enemy machines turn back, he attacked and after firing three-quarters of a drum at from 20 to 30 yards' range, the machine burst into flames, fell to pieces and crashed just, north of Frelinghien. This is confirmed by infantry and anti-aircraft; Hpt Rudolf Kleine & Ltn Werner Bülowius & Ltn Gunther von der Nahmer & Gefr Max Weber, KG3, all Kia,

Capt A E McKay, 23 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Houthulst Forest at 14:20/15:20 - Ja7 ?,
Flt Cdr N M MacGregor, 10N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control east of Dixmude at 14:40/15:40 -
Capt W M Fry, 23 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Staden at 15:00/16:00
Lieut L D Baker, 23 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Staden - Oostnieuwkerke at 15:00/16:00

Casualty

Flt Sub-Lieut J G Clark (Pow), 10N Sqn, Camel N6330 - combat with Albatros Scouts at 14,000 feet shot down out of control north of Dixmude at 15:45/16:45; Ltn Paul Billik, Js7, 8th victory [Keiem at 15:30/16:30]

The Following Aerial Victory Claims were made on this day



The Following British Airmen were lost on this day...





Today also saw the The first prototype of the Beardmore W.B.IV aircraft flown for the first time

The W.B.IV was designed to meet Admiralty Specification N.1A for a naval land- or ship-based fighter aircraft. The design was dominated by the demands for the aircraft to be able to be safely ditching and remain afloat. A large permanent flotation chamber was built into the fuselage under the nose and the pilot was in a watertight cockpit. The propeller shaft ran underneath the cockpit from the Hispano-Suiza V-8 engine which was over the centre of gravity of the aircraft. The entire undercarriage could be released from the plane for water landings. The wing tips were fitted with additional floats, while the aircraft's two-bay wings could fold for storage on board ship. The single prototype first flew at Beardmore's Dalmuir factory on 12 December 1917, being delivered for evaluation at Martlesham Heath in July 1918. The W.B.IV had poorer performance than the much simpler and smaller shipborne version of the Sopwith Camel and was not developed further. The sole prototype was lost when it sank during ditching.



The War at Sea

HMS Partridge (Lieutenant Commander Reginald Hugh Ransome killed at age 31) is sunk by German destroyers in the North Sea while escorting a convoy of 6 merchant ships from Lerwick to Norway. The other escort ship HMS Pellew (Lieutenant Commander J R Cavendish) escapes while all the merchant ships are sunk. Seventy-four of the crewmen are killed on HMS Partridge including:

Lieutenant Lancelot John Barrington Walters age 22 son of the Reverend Charles Barrington Walters Rector of Sywell while Pellew suffer four fatalities before escaping.
Officers Steward 2nd Class William Spedding is lost at age 22. His brother was killed when HMS Hampshire struck a mine in June 1916.



HMS Partridge was a Royal Navy Admiralty M-class destroyer constructed and then operational in the First World War, later being sunk by enemy action in 1917. The destroyer was the sixth Royal Navy vessel to carry the name HMS Partridge. The vessel was assigned to the Fourteenth Destroyer Flotilla by July 1916.[2] On 11 December 1917 the destroyer left from Lerwick on the Shetland Islands, along with HMS Pellew and several armed trawlers to escort six merchant ships to Bergen, in Norway.[3] The convoy was spotted by a flotilla of German destroyers and they unsuccessfully fought an engagement with the attacking destroyers, with Partridge being hit repeatedly by shells and torpedoes.[3] The destroyer subsequently sank in the North Sea on 12 December 1917.[4] Reports indicate that 97 of the crew were killed and only 24 were rescued.[3] The wreck is believed to be off the Norwegian coast.[3] One incident of reported heroism in the sinking, in which a Lieutenant Grey sacrificed a place in a life-raft for another officer resulted in the award of the Stanhope Gold Medal by the Royal Humane Society.



The Royal Australian Navy battlecruiser HMAS Australia was damaged in a collision with the British cruiser HMS Repulse. HMAS Australia was one of three Indefatigable-class battlecruisers built for the defence of the British Empire. Ordered by the Australian government in 1909, she was launched in 1911, and commissioned as flagship of the fledgling Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in 1913. Australia was the only capital ship ever to serve in the RAN.



Away from the fighting...

More than 500 French soldiers are killed when their train derails in Modane, France, on this day in 1917. The troops were returning from fighting World War I in Italy. There was ample warning that the conditions were dangerous, but the French officers ignored the expert advice and insisted that the overcrowded train proceed as scheduled.

More than a 1,000 (some estimate the number to be as high as 1,200) French soldiers were trying to travel between Turin, Italy, and Lyon, France, through the Alps in southeastern France to return home in time for Christmas. However, so many coach cars were attached to a single locomotive that the engineer in charge protested and refused to leave the station. The danger was not so much that the locomotive would not be able to pull the 19 cars, but that it wouldn’t be able to stop the cars since there were no brakes on 16 of the coaches.

A French officer, anxious to get the men home for the holidays, pulled out a gun and threatened the engineer until he agreed to begin the trip. Unfortunately, the engineer’s concerns were valid: As the train came out of the Mount Cern tunnel and approached the town of Modane in France, it had to descend a steep grade. The brakes could not hold the weight of the crowded coach cars and the train went out of control down the hill. Near the bottom, the train came to a wooden bridge and shot off the rails. The coach cars piled up; as they were made mostly of wood, many caught fire immediately.

The death toll was estimated at between 500 and 800 men. The fire was so intense that it burned at least 400 of the bodies beyond recognition. Although the army attempted to cover up the details of the tragedy because it implicated French officers, the engineer–who survived–finally released the full story some 15 years later.

EASTERN FRONT
Russia: Bolsheviks fight Cossacks at Rostov, occupy it on December 14. General Kaledin retakes it on December 15 with Alexeiev’s Volunteer Army forcing local Reds to flee to Black Sea Fleet.
Baltic: Estonian nobility appeal for German help. General Count Kirchbach takes over German Eighth Army (Hutier to Western Front).

MIDDLE EAST
Turkey: Djemal Pasha resigns as Gouverneur-General of Syria and Arabia and as C-in-C Fourth Army, returns to Constantino*ple.

[Lt. S.Kafloc]

Thursday 13^th December 1917

Today we lost: 484

Today’s losses include:

• Multiple families that will lose two sons in the Great War
• Multiple sons of members of the clergy
• A woman will die on service whose brother will be killed next March
• 
  

Today’s highlighted casualties include:

• Captain Herbert Mataher Spoor MC (Royal Army Medical Corps) is killed at age 45. He is the son of the Reverend Spoor.
• Lieutenant Digby Guy Learoyd (Royal Engineers) is killed in Mesopotamia at agae 28. He is the son of the Reverend Digby Johnson Learoyd Rector of Debden.
• Second Lieutenant Harold Wyse Allin (Shropshire Light Infantry) dies of wounds at El Arish Egypt at age 28. He is the son of the Reverend Alfred Thomas Allin.
• Regimental Sergeant Major Walter Charles Grubby (Royal Garrison Artillery) is killed at age 35. His brother will be killed next August.
• Chauffeuse Helen Maud Peel (Volunteer Aid Detachment British Red Cross Society) dies at home at age 22. Her brother will be killed in action the following March.

Home Fronts:

USA: Hoover calls for porkless days and wheatless meals!



December 13 1917, Washington–Herbert Hoover’s Food Administration was in charge of providing food to US Army both at home and in Europe and providing food relief to Europe. Many of Hoover’s efforts were voluntary programs to reduce food consumption on the home front, leaving more food for the Army and Europe while also letting every American feel like they were participating in the war effort through their daily meals. The voluntary “food instructions” included a “wheatless day” every Tuesday with no wheat products and a “meatless day” every Wednesday with no beef, pork, or lamb. On December 13, Hoover added a “porkless day” on Saturdays, and urged everyone to have at least one wheatless and one meatless meal every day, telling Americans that “as a nation we eat and waste 80% more protein than we require to maintain health. Therefore we can reduce the amount of meat we eat without harm.” Such voluntary programs helped avoid food rationing in the United States, though it is unlikely rationing ever would have happened regardless of consumption patterns. In the United Kingdom, which was under a dire U-boat threat and which had been at war for over three years, rationing was still purely voluntary at the end of 1917.

Air Operations:

General Headquarters

“On the 13th inst., one German aeroplane was shot down by our infantry. There is nothing further of special interest to report concerning aerial activity on either side.”

RFC Communiqué number 118:

Low clouds and ground mist made work in the air practically impossible.

One reconnaissance was carried out by the 1st Brigade and five by the 3rd Brigade.

8,702 rounds were fired at ground targets and 70 25-lb bombs dropped during course of the day. Machines of the 1st Brigade dropped six, the 2nd Brigade four and the 3rd Brigade 60 25-lb bombs, while pilots of No 12 Squadron fired 7,011 rounds from heights varying from 100 to 2,000 feet.

RNAS Communiqué number 11:

During the day the sky was completely overcast, with low clouds and mist. It was only possible to carry out a very little war work.

Search patrols were carried out for missing C.M.B., and an airship reported to be in trouble. Information was received later that the airship had landed in Holland and the crew interned.

Fleet protection patrols were also carried out, no EA were seen.

Enemy Aircraft

Enemy aircraft were inactive and no combats took place. One hostile machine was shot down by infantry of the Third Army.

Casualties

2nd-Lieut A L Clark (Pow), 46 Sqn, Camel B5209 – took off 16:15/17:15 then lost way and landed Colonne near Merville with pressure pump trouble, took-off again and last seen in mist by 102 Sqn on offensive patrol

? (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut T R Scott (Wia), 12 Sqn, RE8 - hit by anti-aircraft fire on artillery patrol

Royal Flying Corps Casualties today: 8

2Lt Andrew, J.L. (James Lionel), 56 Training Squadron, RFC.
2Lt Arthur, W.H. (William Herbert), 39 Squadron, RFC.
Ac Flt Lt Beale, E.E. (Ernest Edward), Cranwell Central Depot and Training Establishment, RNAS.
A Mech 1 Gent, C.L. (Clarence Linzee), 1 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps.
A Mech 3 Leonard, C. (Cornelius), No.4 Stores Depot, RFC.
Lt Liardet, F.C.E. (Frederick Charles Evelyn), RFC.
Lt Rowles, S.W. (Stanley Walter), 10 Squadron, RFC.
2Lt Scott, D.G. (Douglas Gordon), RFC.

Claims: 8 confirmed today (Entente 3: Central Powers 5)

Jean Georges Bouyer (France) #5.
Attilio Imolesi (Italy)#5.
Giovanni Nicelli (Italy) #4.

Godwin Brumowski #29.
Karl Kaszala #8.
Frank Linke-Crawford #13.
Karl Schattauer #2.
Alwin Thrum #4.

Western Front:
Moderate fighting on Ypres, Cambrai and Verdun fronts.

700 French Soldiers killed in train crash:


Some of the train wreckage pictured after the crash and fire.

December 12 1917, Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne–French soldiers from Salonika had been returning for leave via Italy for some time now. Added to this in December 1917 were the thousands of French troops now stationed in Italy itself after Caporetto. The latter had been rushed there as quickly as possible, and many of them were already due leave. Wanting to keep morale up after the mutinies earlier in the year, French officers were determined to get their troops back for leave in France before Christmas. Finding enough locomotives to do so, especially over the difficult Alpine passes on the border, was another matter.

On the evening of December 12, a train filled with over 1000 soldiers left Modane, near the Italian border. Only one locomotive was available for the train and few of the coaches had proper brakes. The train’s engineer initially refused to depart as a result, but was apparently forced to do so at gunpoint by an officer. The train’s route included a steep downgrade of 3.3% for several miles, and the brakes were not up to the task. The train’s speed grew out of control, eventually reaching 84 mph (the speed limit for the section was 25 mph). The first car derailed just after crossing a bridge into a narrow valley, and several of the remaining cars telescoped into it, killing many. Fire soon broke out; due to electrical problems, many of the cars were lit with candles. The confined space in the valley increased the strength of the fire and made efforts to combat it more difficult. Furthermore, the fire ignited grenades that had been carried by some soldiers, causing even more fatalities.

In all, around 700 French soldiers were killed in the crash, making it likely the deadliest train disaster until the 2004 tsunami. Military censorship meant that the crash was not widely reported in the press at the time.

Eastern Front:

General Kornilov's troops worsted by Bolsheviks near Bielgorod (southern Russia).

• Armistice negotiations on Russian front resumed (see 6th and 15th).

Southern Front:

Tunstills Men Thursday 13^th December 1917:

Support positions between roads 12 and 13 on the Montello.

The day was mainly fine but with some light snow showers. Normally snow would have been expected in late November but this was the first snow of the winter.

Pte. Ernest Portman (see 29^th October) was transferred to 23^rd Division Military Police “on traffic control duties”.

Pte. Robert Frank Smith (25829) (see 2^nd November) was admitted to 23^rd Divisional Rest Station suffering from swelling to his right knee.

Pte. Leonard Beaconsfield Turner (see 28^th June) was admitted to 69^th Field Ambulance, suffering from boils; he would be discharged to duty after two days.

Pte. Selwyn Stansfield (see 5^th December), who had been in England since being wounded in May, and was serving with 3DWR at North Shields, was posted back to France and would join 2^nd/5^th DWR.

Pte. Ben Hutchinson (see 25^th September), who had been in England since having been wounded on 20^th September, appeared before an Army Medical Board which recommended that he be discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit for service.

A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Charles Arthur Stott (see 27^th August), who had been killed in action on 10^th June; his widow, Marcella, was awarded 18s. 9d. per week for herself and her daughter, Teresa.

Asiatic, African, Egyptian Front:

British line extended north-east of Jerusalem and advanced between latter and Jaffa.

Naval Operations:

SM U-75, Kaiserliche Marine, a type UE I submarine struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Terschelling, Friesland, Netherlands with the loss of 23 of her crew.

Shipping Losses: 10 (1 to a mine 9 to U-Boat action)

The armed boarding cruiser Stephen Furness is sunk in the Irish Sea west of the Isle of Man by German submarine UB-64. Six officers and 95 ranks are killed.

• Assistant Stewart Richard Henry Buckett is among the dead. He had been awarded the DSM for his actions during the sinking of the Alcantar in February 1916.
• Telegraphist Arthur Frederick Churchhouse is killed at age 19. His brother was killed last July.

The steamer Garthwaite (Master James Smith) is also sunk by a submarine four miles east of Whitby. Fourteen including the master are lost.

Political:

Constituent Assembly at Taurida Palace dispersed by Bolshevist troops.

• Russian Constituent Assembly dispersed by Bolsheviki (see 11th, and November 8th, 1917, and January 19th, 1918

[Lt. S.Kafloc]

Friday 14^th December 1917

Today we lost: 365

Today’s losses include:

• A son of the man who will conceive the idea of the two minute silence observed on Armistice Day
• A Wales International Rugby player
• A man whose son will be killed in the Second World War

Today’s highlighted casualties include:

• Piper Sergeant Thomas Henderson (Gordon Highlanders) is killed at age 36. His son Sergeant Pilot Thomas Valentine Henderson will be killed with the Royal Air Force in September 1940.

Air Operations:

RFC Communiqué number 118:

Practically no work was possible owing to low clouds, mist and rain. One reconnaissance was carried out by the 1st Brigade and a machine of this Brigade fired 60 rounds into Fosse 8.

Twelve 25-lb bombs were dropped by Nos 7 and 53 Squadrons and 700 rounds fired at enemy in Houthulst Forest.

RNAS Communiqué number 11:

Unfavourable weather prevented any war work being carried out.

Royal Flying Corps Casualties today: 2

A Mech 2 Ryalls, F.E., Recruits Depot, RFC.
A Mech 3 Wassell, A.E., No.3 Stores Depot, Milton, RFC.

Claims: 3 confirmed today (Entente 3 : Central Powers 0)

Roy Drummond #4.
F.J. Knowles #4.
Guido Masiero (Italy) u/c.
Stanley Stanger #1.

Western Front:

All quiet on the Western Front.

Eastern Front:

Rostov occupied by Bolshevist troops.

Southern Front:

Italians surrender Col Caprile (Valstagna, Brenta river); otherwise enemy repulsed.

General Sarrail recalled from Salonika (see 22nd, and January 16th, 1916).

Tunstills Men Friday 14^th December 1917:

Support positions between roads 12 and 13 on the Montello.

A fine but dull day.

Pte. Frank Wood (see 5^th November) was reported by Sgt. Harry Holmes (see 20^th September) as having “dirty boots on 8.45am parade”; he was reprimanded by Capt. Henry Kelly VC (see 10^th December).

Ptes. Ellis Sutcliffe (see 5^th December) and Milton Wood (see 10^th November) were posted from 3DWR back to France and would join 2^nd/5^th DWR.

Capt. Bob Perks DSO (see 27^th November), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, wrote to his father with news of his prospects of leave over Christmas; “Thanks for the letter. I seem to have made some mistakes with my dates. My leave is from 21^st to 27^th inclusive. That means from early morning to late at night on the dates. But one’s time after tea is usually free and thus I shall be able to start on the Thursday 20^th but not able to reach Hebden same night and hit upon Leads as a resting place. Similarly I intend to get back as far as Newcastle on 27^th but it will be all right if I blow up here by morning 28^th. As to meeting you, I should like it immensely but am rather doubtful as to how soon I can get off. With luck and an awful rush I might manage to arrive by 7.35pm, otherwise it will be something after ten. I will try and let you know nearer. Am very busy now, very and have had a touch of flu too but am recovering now. Am going to play Bridge with my vicarage friends to-night”.

The weekly edition of the Craven Herald reported news of the progress of two men who had been among Tunstill’s original volunteers. Pte. Jim Coates (see 9^th November) had been wounded while serving with the West Yorks; Pte. Richard Howell (see 15^th September 1914) had originally failed to pass his Army medical, but had apparently been called up at a later date (details unknown). There was also a mention of George Singleton, brother of Pte. Robert Singleton (see 8^th December 1916), who had been another of Tunstill’s original recruits.

BOLTON-BY-BOWLAND

“Our Boys”: News was received on Sunday morning last that Pte. Albert Geldard, who was seriously wounded, has much improved. Mr. and Mrs. Singleton of ‘Closes’ have had official intimation that their son, Pte. George Singleton, has been wounded in France to the left arm and right leg. He is now in hospital in England. Corporal James Coates, who is still in hospital, is reported as being much better, and expected to be home before long. Pte. Richard Howell is engaged on farm work in France.

Asiatic, African, Egyptian Front:

Two officers of the 71^st Siege Battery of the South African Heavy Artillery are killed when the battery car they are driving to a railhead is struck by a stray 4-inch shell. Major Percy Nugent George Fitzpatrick is killed at age 28. He is the son of ‘Sir’ Percy and Lady Fitzpatrick and had volunteered on 4 August 1914 and served in the Rebellion and German South West Africa with the Imperial Light Horse. His father is the author of “Jock of the Bushveld” and conceived the idea of the two-minute silence observed on Armistice Day in memory of all those men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Also killed is Lieutenant Philip Dudley Waller who is killed at age 28. He is and English-born international rugby union forward who won six caps for Wales and also played for the British Isles in their 1910 tour of South Africa earning three caps.

Naval Operations:

Naval Allied Council to be created (Ministers of Marine and Chiefs of Staffs).
UC-38, KAiserliche Marine, a type UC II submarine, was depth charged and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea by Lansquenet, French Navy. There were 20 survivors.

Shipping Losses: 5 (1 to a mine & 4 to U-Boat action)

French cruiser "Chãteau Renault" sunk by submarine.

Political:

Naval Allied Council to be created (Ministers of Marine and Chiefs of Staffs).

[Lt. S.Kafloc]

Saturday 15^th November 1917

Today we lost: No reports available. (None on website appears this day is missing)

Air Operations:

General Headquarters

"Although the weather was fine on the 15th inst., a very high wind and ground mist interfered with reconnaissance and artillery work.

“During the day many rounds were fired from the air into the enemy's trenches and bombs were dropped by our aeroplanes on numerous targets, including two positions of long-range guns south-west of Lille. These gun positions were again bombed by us during the night.

“Enemy aircraft activity was considerable all day, and several fights took place. Three hostile machines were brought down, and two driven down out of control. None of our aeroplanes are missing.”

RFC Communiqué number 118:

The weather was fine but ground mist interfered with artillery work.

Eight reconnaissances were carried by the 2nd Brigade, during one of which useful information was obtained by No 20 Squadron in the early morning and three reconnaissances were done by the 3rd Brigade.

4,627 rounds were fired at ground targets and, 1,287 plates exposed.

With aeroplane observation 29 hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction and 30 were neutralised; nine gun-pits were damaged, 12 explosions and four fires caused.

Bombing - Nearly three tons of bombs were dropped during the day.

1st Brigade - No 18 Squadron dropped 10 112-lb bombs on a large gun position at Maugre and four 112-lb bombs on another large gun position at Bauvin, while Corps machines dropped 19 25-lb bombs on various targets.

Corps machines of the 2nd Brigade dropped 88 25-lb bombs and those of the 3rd Brigade dropped 81 25-lb bombs.

RNAS Communiqué number 11:

Owing to unfavourable weather conditions, no operations of importance could be carried out.

Enemy Aircraft: Enemy aircraft activity was considerable on all Army fronts and his machines dropped bombs in the neighbourhood of Bapaume in the morning.

Lieut R C Wade, 40 Sqn, two-seater out of control south-east of Lens – during a patrol by No 40 Squadron 2nd-Lieut R C Wade attacked a two-seater, which appeared to fall out of control

Lieut H S Wolff, 40 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control

Lieut A V Blenkiron, 56 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Bourlon Wood at 09:00/10:00 - Lieut A Blenkiron. No 56 Squadron, shot down an EA Scout out of control during a fight, between eight enemy machines and SEs

Maj A D Carter, 19 Sqn, two-seater in flames near Comines at 09:50/10:50
Lieut E J Blyth and Lieut M R N Jennings, 19 Sqn, two-seater crashed west of Comines at 10:30/11:30

Major A D Carter, No 19 Squadron, attacked a two-seater from behind at about 25 yards range and shot it down in flames, while Lieuts E Blyth and M Jennings of the same Squadron shot down a two-seater which was seen by ground observers to crash

2nd-Lieut A H Rayner, 43 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Esquerchin at 11:00/12:00 - a patrol of Sopwith Camels of No 43 Squadron fought five EA Scouts and 2nd-Lieut A H Rayner shot one down out of control

Capt J T B McCudden, 56 Sqn, Rumpler C crashed east of Bois de Vaucelles at 11:05/12:05 - The following given by Capt J B McCudden, No 56 Squadron, who has just been awarded the DSO, of his encounters with two different two-seater EA:

“While looking for EA I thought would probably be about out over our lines, I saw one two-seater going NNW at 18,500 feet over Gouzeaucourt at 10.30. I stayed in the sun at 19,800 feet and dived on EA over Metz. Owing to miscalculation of EA's speed, I was only able to fire a few shots at it as I was closing on it too fast. EA continued to glide down with me pursuing him, but he got off too far east as the wind was very strong and we were going at 160 mph. I returned west climbing and at 11 am saw EA going north-west over Villers at 16,000 feet. I pursued EA who turned east, and secured a firing position at 200 yards range, just north of Gonnelieu at 11.5, and after firing about 30 shots from both guns, EA half span to the right and then went into a spiral dive for about 5,000 feet, then went down in an almost vertical dive and hit the ground half a mile east of Bois de Vancelles and nothing was left of it."

Lieut P A de Fontenay, Nieuport 27 B3625 and Lieut E S Meek, 29 Sqn, Nieuport 27 B6812, Albatros Scout out of control Westroosebeke at 14:00/15:00 - Nieuport Scouts of No 29 Squadron met five enemy scouts and 2nd-Lieut P de Fontenay shot one down which fell vertically, after which 2nd-Lieut E S Meek dived and fired at it and it was seen to fall out of control

Lieut J H Tudhope, 40 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Douai at 15:10/16:10 - S.E.5s of No 40 Squadron attacked four hostile scouts near Douai and Capt J Tudhope hit one which appeared to fall out of control

Casualty:

2nd-Lieut H V Caunt (Pow), 29 Sqn, Nieuport 23 B1651 – took off 08:45.09:45 and last seen gliding west between the lines and Ypres on reserve patrol

Royal Flying Corps Casualties today: No records available to confirm.

Claims: 13 confirmed (Entente 12: Central Powers 1)

		Albert Carter #9
		Earl Meek #3
		John Tudhope #3
		Alfred Blenkiron #3
		Philip De Fontenay #3
		James Thomas Byford McCudden #27
		Gilbert de Guingand #4
		Robert Delannoy #5
		Omer Demeuldre #4
		Marcel Dhome #5
		Antoine Laplasse #1
		Jacques Victor Sabattier de Vignolle #2
		Hans-Georg von der Osten #5

Western Front:

Snow interferes with operations.

Germans repulsed at Chaume Wood (Verdun).

Eastern Front:

Russian Armistice (28 days) agreement signed.

After six days' fighting, General Kaledin (Cossacks) enters Rostov; local Bolshevist chiefs flee to Black Sea fleet.

Southern Front:

General Guillaumet succeeds General Surrail at Salonika as Commander-in-Chief.

Tunstills Men Saturday 15^th November 1917:

Support positions between roads 12 and 13 on the Montello.

A cold and dull and day.

Brig. Genl. Lambert (see 10^th December) inspected new draft of 10 officers and 400 men at Vengazzu, describing them as, “all good”.

2Lt. John Robert ****inson (see 5^th December), who had suffered gas poisoning ten days previously while serving with 2DWR in the line near Arras, reported sick and left his unit for further medical treatment in France (details unknown).

Pte. Ernest Thorn (see 20^th September), who had been in England since having been wounded on 20^th September, was posted to 3DWR at North Shields.

Asiatic, African, Egyptian Front:

British left centre in Palestine advanced 1.5 miles on five mile front.

Naval Operations:

Shipping Losses: 5 (All to U-Boat action)

Political:

Bolshevist ultimatum to the Ukraine demands free passage for troops.

Brest-Litovsk–Trotsky’s attempts to get the other Allied powers to join them in armistice negotiations had been completely ignored. Likewise, the Allies had largely given up on their attempts to prevent a separate armistice, with the British ambassador in Russia writing on December 10: “It has always been my one aim and object to keep Russia in the war, but one cannot force an exhausted nation to fight against its will.” A handful of Bolsheviks wanted to keep fighting and to use the war to export the revolution, as the French had done in the 1790′s, but Lenin saw that this was madness:

Our tactics ought to rest on the principle of how to ensure that the socialist revolution is best able to consolidate itself and survive in one country until such time as other countries join in.
On December 15, an armistice was signed at Brest-Litovsk, formalizing and extending the ceasefire that had already been in place for a week. The armistice would last thirty days, but would automatically renew every thirty days unless one side pulled out. A week’s notice would be required to resume hostilities. The Central Powers would not be allowed to remove troops from the front, except those who had already received orders to redeploy; in practice, such orders were conveniently found when necessary. Fraternization centers would be set up to allow yet control the level of interaction between the two sides’ troops, and postal service would be restored between them as well.

[Hedeby]

16th December 1917

The War in the Air

RFC Communiqué number 118:

The weather was fine in the morning, but in the afternoon snow fell and completely stopped work. Up till then reconnaissances were carried out by the 1st Brigade, and on the night of the 15th/16th a machine of No 2 Squadron went out and reconnoitered certain areas. Four reconnaissances were carried out by Bristol Fighters and D.H.5s of the 3rd Brigade whose Corps machines did three contact patrols. With aeroplane observation nineteen hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction; one gun-pit was destroyed, seven damaged, thirteen explosions and six fires caused. Fifty-nine hostile batteries were reported by zone call.

A total of 7,499 rounds were fired at ground targets and 120 photographs taken during day.

Bombing - Corps machines dropped bombs as follows:

1st Brigade - Thirteen 25-lb bombs; 2nd Brigade – Sixty-three 25-lb bombs; and the 3rd Brigade – Sixty-one 25-lb bombs on various targets.
9th Wing- ln spite of bad visibility and darkness on the night of the 15th/16th machines of No 101 Squadron dropped two 230-lb, eight 112-lb and six 25-lb bombs on the large gun at Maugre which had been firing into Hazebrouck the previous day. During this raid 700 rounds were fired into Maugre village and trench points.

RNAS Communiqué number 12:

Owing to the very unfavourable weather conditions, no war work of importance could be carried out.

Enemy Aircraft: Enemy aircraft activity was about normal during the fine period.

Lieut J G Coombe, 29 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Roulers at 10:20/11:20
Capt R H Rusby, 29 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Roulers at 10:25/11:25
Lieut A Wingate-Grey, 29 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Roulers at 10:35/11:35
Lieut E S Meek, 29 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Roulers at 10:35/11:35

An offensive patrol of No 29 Squadron attacked thirteen EA Scouts over Roulers, and four were shot down probably out of control - one by each of the following pilots:- Lieuts J Coombe and A Wingate-Grey, Capt. R Rusby and 2nd-Lieut E Meek. All our machines returned safely

Casualty:

? (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut H Keeton (Wia), 9 Sqn, RE8 - wounded in combat on artillery observation; Vfw Paul Baumer, Js2, 17th victory [north of Boesinghem] at 13:10/14:10] ?

The following Aerial Victories were claimed on this day

Julius Arigi Austro-Hungarian Empire #25
Josef Kiss Austro-Hungarian Empire #17
Franz Lahner Austro-Hungarian Empire #3

Hilliard Bell Canada #1

The son of Sarah Bell and a student at the University of Toronto, class of 1919, Hilliard Brooke Bell attended University College and was in the Canadian Officer Training Corps (C.O.T.C.) for a year before he enlisted in the 67th University of Toronto Battery of the Canadian Field Artillery in May 1916. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps as a 2nd Lieutenant in July 1917. He was promoted to Lieutenant in September 1917 and posted to France with 66 Squadron a month later. In December 1917 his squadron moved to Italy where Bell scored 10 victories flying the Sopwith Camel. He was promoted to Captain and became a Flight Commander in March 1918.

Earl Meek Canada #4
James Coombe England #3



Reginald Howard Rusby England #1
Paul Bäumer Germany #17
Max von Müller Germany #36

There were just the two British Airmen lost on this day



The Luftstreitkräfte established air squadron Jagdstaffel 47 Royal Württemberg Jagdstaffel 47, commonly abbreviated to Jasta 47 or Jasta 47W, was a "hunting group" (i.e., fighter squadron) of the Luftstreitkräfte, the air arm of the Imperial German Army during World War I. Incomplete records credit the squadron with 14 aerial victories during the war. The unit's known casualties include three killed in action, one injured in a flying accident, three wounded in action, and one taken prisoner of war.

Jasta 47 was formed at Flieger-Abteilung ("Flier Detachment") 10, Boblingen, Kingdom of Württemberg, on 16 December 1917. It was forwarded into action on the 24th. Its first combat sorties came on 6 March 1918, with its first aerial victory on 11 March 1918. The squadron would be assigned to at least five Jagdgruppes during its existence. There are no records of squadron victories after 16 July 1918, nor of casualties suffered after 24 September 1918.Nevertheless, Jasta 47 did serve through war's end.



Western Front
Artois: British success east of Avian.

Sea War
Bristol Channel: Sloop HMS Arbutus sunk by U-boat.

Home Fronts
Britain: Lieutenant-Colonel Freyberg – Victoria Cross – condemns Sassoon’s anti-war attitude to Lady Cynthia Asquith.

Politics

Russo-German Armistice, 16 December 1917

Between the representatives of the higher command of Russia on the one hand and of Bulgaria, Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Turkey on the other hand, for the purpose of achieving a lasting and honourable peace between both parties, the following armistice is concluded:

The armistice shall begin on December 17th at 2 o'clock in the afternoon and continue until January 14th. The contracting parties have the right to break the armistice by giving seven days' notice. Unless notice is given the armistice automatically continues.

The armistice embraces the land and aerial forces on the front from the Baltic to the Black Sea and also the Russo-Turkish front in Asia Minor. During the armistice the parties concerned obligate themselves not to increase the number of troops on the above fronts or on the islands in Moon Sound, or to make a regrouping of forces.

Neither side is to make operative any transfers of units.

Born on this day...



Arthur C. Clarke, British science-fiction writer and inventor, author of Childhood's End, Rendezvous with Rama and the screenplay for 2001: A Space Odyssey, leading proponent in the development of geosynchronous satellites, in Minehead, England (d. 2008); Nabi Bakhsh Khan Baloch, Pakistani literary scholar, leading researcher and critic on Sindh poetry and other literary writing, in Sanghar District, British India (d. 2011); Pete Cenarrusa, American politician, Secretary of State of Idaho from 1967 to 2003, in Carey, Idaho

[mikeemagnus]

Many thanks guys. I'm still playing catch up after an enforced break. But what I have read so far is great material. I like the expression "The Donald" Not heard it put like that before!

[Hedeby]

December 17th 1917

OK still operating out of the back up office (i.e. the good lady wife's laptop) as it looks like the Ethernet port on my PC is FUBAR !!
Means lots of my links are missing so doing the best I can. Weather reports from the day indicate heavy snow which mean not a lot is happening especially in the air

Britain fights back against the U-Boat menace


Don’t waste bread: British appeal for economy in face of the U-boat menace.

HOME FRONTS
Britain: Lord Rhondda says ‘Food queues must be stopped’, rationing probably inevitable. No post to neutrals, except to PoWs or under permit.
Russia: All Church property to be confiscated, religious teaching abolished.
Canada: Unionist Government wins General Election.

EASTERN FRONT
ARMISTICE FROM NOON.

MIDDLE EAST
Arabia: British Government give King of Hejaz written assurance of future Arab independence.

AFRICA
Mozambique: Lettow with headquarter arrive at Chirumba (Mtarika), Portuguese Nyasa Business Company’s station.

SEA WAR
Mediterranean: Italian Navy ordered to economize stringently on coal and oil fuel (c.50,000t used per month and national stocks only c.360,000t).
Pacific: 2 US submarines collide in fog; Carp (F1) sinks with 19 crew members.

The War in the Air

General Headquarters, December 18th.

“On the 17th instant heavy snow prevented flying except on a small portion of the northern front. In this locality a certain amount of work was done by our aeroplanes, and bombs were dropped upon a hostile aerodrome near Courtrai. The enemy's trenches were also attacked with bombs and machine-gun fire. At night, Roulers station and aerodrome and Ledeghem and Menin stations were heavily bombed by us. In air fighting, two German machines were brought down in our lines and two others were driven down out of control. One of our machines is missing.”

General Headquarters, December 19th.

"Good work was done in the air on the 17th inst. by the Australian squadrons. Two of their pilots, who were attacked by many hostile scouts when employed on artillery work, succeeded in bringing down one of the enemy machines in our lines and dispersed the remainder.”

RFC Communiqué number 118:

Snow fell heavily on the whole front except on the Second Army.

With aeroplane observation by the 2nd Brigade, eight hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction; seven explosions and one fire caused, and 16 zone calls sent down.

3,165 rounds were fired at ground targets by the 2nd Brigade and nearly a ton of bombs were dropped - 14 25-lb by machines of the 1st Wing; 31 25-lb by Corps machines of the 2nd Brigade, and 11 25-lb by 11 pilots flying Sopwith Camels of No 70 Squadron. During this raid by No 70 Squadron, fire of description was put up in in enormous quantity, yet in spite of this the pilots dropped their bombs from a height of 1,500 feet and returned safely.

RNAS Communiqué number 12:

A very high wind and low clouds prevented any work being carried out.

Enemy Aircraft: Enemy aircraft were fairly active on the front of the Second Army.

Lieut J L M Sandy & Sergt H F Hughes, 69 Sqn, Albatros Scout captured Armentières at 13:00/14:00 - six hostile scouts attacked Lieut Sandy and Sergt Hughes, No 69 Squadron, flying an R.E.8. This pilot and observer refused to dive away but fought and shot one down within our lines. Lieuts Jones and Hodgson of the same squadron went to their assistance and fired away all their ammunition so returned for more, but did not find the enemy. Lieut Sandy and Sergt Hughes were unfortunately shot down and killed; Ltn Rudolf Clauss, Js29, Pow (G.101)

Capt W W Rogers, Lieut W D Patrick and Lieut R C Sotham, 1 Sqn, two-seater out of control south-west of Moorslede at 14:20/15:20
Lieut G B Moore, 1 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south-west of Moorslede at 14:23/15:23
2nd-Lieut P Kelsey, 1 Sqn, Scout captured north of Ypres 14:25/15:25 - Ltn s Z Karl-Heinrich Voss, MFJ I, Kia [?] (G.100)

An offensive patrol of No 1 Squadron engaged scouts and two-seaters near Gheluvelt. Capt Rogers and 2nd-Lieut G Moore shot down one each out of control, while 2nd-Lieut P Kelsey, of the same squadron, engaged a scout over Passchendaele which went down in flames, broke to pieces and crashed in our lines north of Ypres

Casualties:

Lieut J L M Sandy (Kia) & 559 Sgt H F Hughes (Kia), 69 Sqn, RE8 A3816 - both hit by armour piercing bullet in aerial combat over Armentières at 13:00/14:00 and crashed near main Bruay - St Pol road at 15:00/16:00 on artillery observation. After the crew were killed, the R.E.8 continued to fly in circles for two hours before finally crashing fifty miles away from the scene of the combat.

The French Air Ace Capitaine Mathieu Marie Joseph Antoine de la Tour was killed on this day



After serving in the cavalry, Mathieu de la Tour transferred to the French Air Service in 1915, receiving a Pilot's Brevet on 6 May. After recovering from injuries received in a flying accident on 30 October, he was posted to Escadrille N57 on 29 December. In the first month of 1916, he scored his first victory, downing a German observation balloon. Wounded in combat on 25 April, de la Tour did not return to combat duty until the summer. Reassigned to N3, he scored 7 more victories during 1916, including a second observation balloon. Following a promotion in 1917, he assumed command of N26, scoring his final victory on 7 May 1917. Toward the end of the year, de la Tour was killed in a crash while flying a SPAD XIII.



Flight Lieutenant Joseph Gorman (Royal Naval Air Service) a sportswriter and brother of the part owner of the original Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League who played their first game just two days before today is killed on his 28th birthday while on a training flight in Italy.

The following aerial victory claims were made on this day

Guy Moore Canada #6
William Rogers Canada #8
Charles Davidson Scotland #3
William Patrick Scotland #2

Three British Airmen were lost on this day



Captain Tunstill's Men

There was heavy snow overnight 16th/17th, leaving about three inches on the ground; this was followed by further snow and rain in the evening.

The Battalion was based in dugouts and Italian tents in small wooded gullies close to the river. Conditions were described as very quiet, with the men occupied in making new dugouts and improving the defences.

The London Gazette published official notice of the award of the Military Medal to a number of men from 10th Battalion for their conduct in the actions of 20th September. Four of the men decorated had subsequently been killed: Sgt. James Scott (14445) (see 18th October); Cpl. Joseph Smith (12748) (see 20th October); L.Cpl. Arthur Dyson (see 17th October); and Pte. Arthur Samuel Potter

[Rebel]

Thanks for the increased font size in the casualty boxes, can now read them again.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Oh yes!
Rob.

[Hedeby]

18th DECEMBER 1917

Lets start with the war in the air... just for a change

General Headquarters, December 19th.

“On the 18th inst., the thick haze again limited flying to the northern part of the front, where a great deal of artillery and photographic work was done. During the day over 150 bombs were dropped on the enemy's railway stations, sidings, and trenches, and many rounds were fired from the air into his trenches and billets. Fighting in the air on this part of the front was intense all day, and resulted greatly in our favour. Seven hostile machines were brought down by our aeroplanes, one was shot down in our lines by anti-aircraft gun fire, and another by the fire of our infantry. Three other hostile machines were driven down out of control. Three of our aeroplanes are missing. After dark yesterday, our aeroplanes bombed St. Denis Westrem, Roulers, and Lichtervelde aerodromes, and Thourout, Ledeghem, Cambrai, and Menin railway stations. All our machines returned.”

RFC Communiqué number 119:

Although fine, the dense haze greatly interfered with artillery work and photography, with the exception of on the front of the Second Army where 26 hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction, two gun-pits were destroyed, eight damaged, 19 explosions and five fires caused.

Artillery of the First Army successfully engaged three hostile batteries for destruction.
Three reconnaissances were carried out by the 1st Brigade, one by the 2nd, two by the 3rd and a long distance photographic reconnaissance by No 27 Squadron.
1,057 plates were exposed, 583 being by the 2nd Brigade, and 6,541 rounds were fired at ground targets.

Bombing:
1st Brigade - Corps machines dropped 32 25-lb bombs.
2nd Brigade - Corps machines dropped 114 25-lb bombs on various targets, and No 70 Squadron dropped five 25-lb bombs from 2,800 feet on a railway siding.
3rd Brigade - Sixteen 25-lb bombs were dropped on various targets.
9th Wing - On the night of the 17th/18th December, No 101 Squadron dropped 14 112-lb and eight 25-lb bombs on Roulers and Ledeghem Stations and Rumbeke Aerodrome. One machine was hit by AA fire on the outward journey, carrying away portions of the lower plane and breaking the main spar and aileron. The pilot, however, dropped his bombs on Rumbeke Aerodrome.

No 102 Squadron dropped 10 112-lb and five 25-lb bombs on Menin.

On the 18th, No 27 Squadron dropped seven 112-lb bombs on Menin.

Admiralty, December 20th.

“On the night of December 18th a raid was carried out by naval aircraft on Brugeoise works, Bruges. Direct hits were observed on buildings, one of which started a large fire, which was observed by the returning machines to be still burning. Large quantities of explosives were dropped. Another raid was made at noon on December 19th on Vlisseghem aerodrome. Bombs were seen to burst among the sheds round the aerodrome, and several direct hits are reported. One enemy aircraft was destroyed, and another driven down probably out of control. One of our machines is missing.”

RNAS Communiqué number 12:

A Photographic Reconnaissance was attempted by No 2 Squadron in the vicinity of Ghent, but had to be abandoned on account of low clouds which stretched far inland over the objective.

The Reconnaissance, therefore, took photos of the West Cappelle— Ramscappelle district.

The bombing formation took photographs of Engel Aerodrome and Dump.

Bombing raid by day, No 5 Squadron, D.H.4s: During the afternoon a raid was carried out on Engel Aerodrome and Dump by five bombers accompanied by three D.H.4s as escort.

Eight 50-lb and thirty-two 16-lb bombs were dropped. Two 50-lb bombs were observed to explode close to the S.W. sheds of the aerodrome, from which all Bessoneaux had been removed. The dump was well straddled, and bombs were seen to burst on the railway sidings and sheds. Visibility was good.

Encounters with EA took place whilst commencing the return journey.

All machines returned safely.

On one occasion a patrol of six Camels, No 9 Squadron, attacked two Albatross scouts and a new unknown type with pointed wing tips and elevators. One of these was driven down and forced to land by Flight Sub-Lieut Taylor, who followed it to within 30 feet of the ground and fired a number of rounds into it.

A returning photographic machine attacked EA two-seater over Bergues without decisive result.

During the day many other encounters with EA took place without any decisive results. Difficulty was experienced with the guns owing to the intense cold. In three other cases it is thought that the observer was killed or wounded as no fire was returned.

The unknown type of scout described by R.F.C. is stated to be a Pfalz scout.

Enemy Aircraft: Enemy aircraft activity was slight on all fronts except on the Second Army where 40 combats took place. One EA was brought down near Gavrelle by machine-gun fire from the ground (First Army), and another was shot down by anti-aircraft fire of the Second Army and fell in our lines near St Julien. In this fighting only three of our machines were missing brought down. These were three of No 65 Squadron and were the only ones missing during the day.

2nd-Lieut A A McLeod & ?, 2 Sqn, AW FK8, Albatros Scout out of control

Lieut F O Soden, 60 Sqn and Lieut A W Morey, 60 Sqn, Albatros C out of control Gheluvelt at 08:15/09:15

Capt O C Bryson and Lieut A B Fairclough, 19 Sqn, two-seater out of control Comines at 10:35/11:35 - pilots of No 19 Squadron took part in a number of different fights with considerable success. A two-seater EA was attacked by Capt A Bryson and Lieut A Fairclough, and was shot down out of control

Capt A E McKay, 23 Sqn, DFW C crashed Gheluvelt at 10:40/11:40 and DFW C out of control south of Gheluvelt at 10:45/11:45 - Capt A McKay, No 23 Squadron, was patrolling in the vicinity of Becelaere when he saw two two-seaters so led his patrol to attack them. He got on the tail of one which did not see him and opened fire at close range and the EA spun straight to the ground and was completely wrecked. Shortly afterwards he attacked another and after firing 100 rounds from close range, the enemy machine, which was a two-seater, went down completely out of control. He then had stoppage and in rectifying this lost sight of the falling aeroplane; ? & Ltn Wald (Wia), FAA 250 [?]

Capt W W Rogers, 1 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Moorslede at 11:40/12:40
Lieut W D Patrick, 1 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed north of Wervicq at 11:50/12:50

Five Nieuports of No 1 Squadron attacked seven EA scouts and Capt W Rogers shot one down out of control, while 2nd-Lieut W Patrick fired 50 rounds one from about 10 yards range just when it was firing at a Nieuport, and it fell down vertically with its engine full on and was seen by anti-aircraft to crash

2nd-Lieut F A Lewis & Cpl G Holmes, 53 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Gheluvelt at 12:00/13:00 - 2nd-Lieut F Lewis and Corpl G Holmes, No 53 Squadron, were taking photographs when they were attacked by a formation of about 10 EA which dived on them from about 1,000 feet above. The observer fired two drums into them and one machine was seen suddenly to fall apparently out of control, but was not actually seen to crash

2nd-Lieut F C Gorringe, 70 Sqn, two-seater crashed north of Comines at 12:45/13:45 - 2nd-Lieut F Gorringe, No 70 Squadron, observed an enemy machine approaching the lines, so got into the sun and then dived at it and shot it down and it was seen to crash and burn on the ground

Lieut A B Fairclough, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed near Gheluvelt at 12:50/13:50
Capt G W Taylor, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed east of Gheluvelt at 12:50/13:50

Later in the day, Lieut Fairclough saw six EA and with his formation attacked them from above. He got good bursts into two of the machines, both of which he saw going down steeply. In the same combat, Capt G Taylor engaged another scout which went down apparently out of control. An anti-aircraft battery witnessed the fight and saw two German machines crash

Flt Cdr C B Sproat & AGL W Naylor, 5N Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames Engel airfield at 14:00/15:00 and Albatros Scout out of control Engel airfield at 14:00/15:00 - whilst starting the return journey, the bombing formation was attacked by EA. Flight Commander Sproatt with A/GL Naylor engaged two Albatross scouts at short range. The first was shot down in flames by Flight Commander Sproatt. A/GL Naylor fired at the second machine which was observed to go down in a spin and was last seen in a nose dive. Several other EA were attacked and successfully driven off.

Air War
Britain: 14 of 16 German bombers (1 Giant) attack southeast England, 6 reach London. Total of 11,300lb bombs cause 97 casualties and £238,861 property damage, worst since Zeppelin Raid vom September 8-9, 1915. No 44 Squadron commander Captain Murlis Green MC achieves first night fighter success against aircraft over Britain in Sopwith Camel with 4 attacks over East London, forcing Gotha to ditch off Folkestone (armed trawler Highlander rescues 2 survivors); 2 other Gothas burnt after crash landing.

The following aerial victory claims were made on this day...

Albert Carter Canada #10 #11
Arthur Fairclough Canada #3 #4
Alfred McKay Canada #9 #10
William Rogers Canada #9
Frank Soden Canada #11

Godfrey Bremridge England #1



The son of Henry and Charlotte Bremridge, Godfrey Bremridge scored five victories flying the Sopwith Camel with 65 Squadron. He received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 11953 on a D.H.60 Moth at Brooklands Flying Club on 6 June 1934.

Oliver Campbell Bryson England #9
Jack Cunningham England #4 #5
Frank Clifton Gorringe England #2
Gilbert Ware Murlis Green England #8
Walter Naylor England #3 #4
Paul Bäumer Germany #18
Karl Bolle Germany #3
Heinrich Bongartz Germany #27
Hans von Häbler Germany #5 #6

Josef Jacobs Germany #12





Paul Lotz Germany #2
Gotthard Sachsenberg Germany #8
John Gilmour Scotland #4 #5
William Patrick Scotland #3

The following airmen were lost on this day




The U.S. Army established the 163rd, 166th, and 168th Aero Squadrons

Southern Fronts
Piave: Austrian 4th Division captures Mt Asolone (5315 ft) with 2,000 PoWs and view of plains below, farthest Austrian advance. Rommel’s Wurttemberg Mountain Batallion withdrawn from final but local and costly success (after German failure to take Mt Solarolo); he and his commander receive Pour le Merite.


A mountain gun is positioned on the Italian front.

Eastern Front
Germany: Kaiser in Kreuznach Crown Council approves Armistice terms.
Ukraine: Ukrainian Rada rejects Red transit demands (Lenin ultimatum from December 17) and mobilizes and cuts telegraph links on December 19.

Russia: Trotsky appeals to Europe’s ‘oppressed peoples’ after Brest*-Litovsk armistice signing.

Secret War
Smuts meets Austrian Mensdorff (ex-*Ambassador to London) on separate peace chances (until December 19). At Geneva Lloyd George’s Secretary Philip Kerr meets Dr Parodi (Turkey).

The steamship S S Coningbeg (Master Joseph Lumley) is torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea killing all 15 on board. Her master dies at age 56.



Lieutenant James Hubert Steer (South African Field Artillery) is killed in Palestine at age 21. His brother will die on service just before the Armistice next year.

Lieutenant Edward John Woodhouse (Indian Army Reserve of Officers attached King George’s Own Central India Horse) is killed in action at age 33. He had been an economic botanist to the Government of Bihar-Orissa and Principal of Sabour Agricultural College.
Second Lieutenant Frederick Godfrey Flower (General List attached Royal Flying Corps) is killed at age 23. He is the fourth son of the Reverend Frederick William Flower who lost another son in September 1916. After spending several years in Montreal, he volunteered for general service in 1915 with a Canadian Siege Battery, proceeding to France in the following year. He subsequently obtained a commission in the Royal Flying Corps as pilot.

Sergeant Horace Roy Stiff (Royal Field Artillery) dies of rheumatic fever at age 23. His brother was killed earlier this year.
Private Maurice Arthur Hill MM (Somerset Light Infantry) is killed at age 21. His brother will be killed in April 1918.

USS Mississippi was commissioned on this day

USS Mississippi (BB-41/AG-128), the second of three members of the New Mexico class, was the third ship of the United States Navy named in honor of the 20th state. The ship was built at the Newport News Shipbuilding Company of Newport News, Virginia, from her keel laying in April 1915, her launching in January 1917, and her commissioning in December that year. She was armed with a battery of twelve 14-inch (356 mm) guns in four three-gun turrets, and was protected by heavy armor plate, with her main belt armor being 13.5 inches (343 mm) thick.

The ship remained in North American waters during World War I, conducting training exercises to work up the crew. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, the ship served in the Pacific Fleet. In May 1941, with World War II and the Battle of the Atlantic raging, Mississippi and her two sister ships were transferred to the Atlantic Fleet to help protect American shipping through the Neutrality Patrols. Two days after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Mississippi departed the Atlantic to return to the Pacific Fleet; throughout her participation in World War II, she supported amphibious operations in the Pacific. She shelled Japanese forces during the Gilbert and Marshall Islands and the Philippines campaigns and the invasions of Peleliu and Okinawa. The Japanese fleet attacked American forces during the Philippines campaign, and in the ensuing Battle of Leyte Gulf, Mississippi took part in the Battle of Surigao Strait, the last battleship engagement in history.

After the war, Mississippi was converted into a gunnery training ship, and was also used to test new weapons systems. These included the RIM-2 Terrier missile and the AUM-N-2 Petrel missile. She was eventually decommissioned in 1956 and sold to ship breakers in November that year.



The keel for Mississippi was laid down on 5 April 1915 at the Newport News Shipbuilding Company of Newport News, Virginia. She was launched on 25 January 1917, and after completing fitting-out work, was commissioned into the US Navy on 18 December 1917. Then-Captain Joseph Lee Jayne served as the ship's first commanding officer. After completing sea trials off Virginia, Mississippi departed the United States on 22 March 1918 for the Gulf of Guacanayabo in Cuba, where she conducted further training. Later in the year, she returned to Hampton Roads, Virginia, where she began a cruise between Boston and New York. From 1919 to 1921, William A. Moffett served as the ship's commander. On 31 January 1919, she left for another round of training in the Caribbean. Mississippi was reassigned to the Pacific Fleet and she accordingly left the east coast on 19 July. Throughout the 1920s, the ship routinely returned to the Caribbean for winter training exercises. Two of the original fourteen 5-in/51 caliber guns were removed in 1922. During Fleet Problem I, held in February 1923, Mississippi sank the old pre-dreadnought Coast Battleship No. 4 (formerly USS Iowa), battering her first with her 5-inch guns at ranges between 8,000 to 10,000 yards (7,300 to 9,100 m) before firing a salvo of 14-inch shells that struck Coast Battleship No. 4 amidships and inflicted fatal damage. During the gunnery exercise, spotter aircraft were used for the first time to help direct an American battleship's guns in a major exercise.

While conducting gunnery practice off San Pedro on 12 June 1924, there was an explosion in her forward superfiring Gun Turret No. 2. The resulting fire asphyxiated 44 members of the turret crew. Upon returning to port the gunpowder that was still in Gun No. 5, the remaining gun in the turret, exploded and killed four members of the rescue team. The shell that was in the gun narrowly missed the passenger ship Yale. This was, at the time, the deadliest peace-time disaster in the Navy's history.

She left San Francisco on 15 April 1925 for war games held off Hawaii, after which she went on a cruise to Australia, returning to California on 26 September. The ship returned to the east coast in early 1931 for a major modernization at Norfolk Navy Yard that began on 30 March. This overhaul significantly changed the ship's profile by removing the original fore and aft lattice mast. The former was replaced with a tower. Modernization also included replacement of earlier 3-inch/50 cal anti-aircraft guns with eight 5-inch/25 caliber guns. Further training exercises followed in September 1933. On 24 October 1934, she passed through the Panama Canal on her way back to the Pacific Fleet, where she remained through mid-1941, apart from the normal winter cruises in the Caribbean. By this time, World War II had broken out in Europe, spawning the Battle of the Atlantic. In response, President Franklin D. Roosevelt initiated the Neutrality Patrols to protect American shipping. On 7 May 1941, Admiral Harold Rainsford Stark, the Chief of Naval Operations, transferred Mississippi, the battleships Idaho and New Mexico, the aircraft carrier Yorktown, four light cruisers, and two destroyer squadrons to the Atlantic to reinforce the Neutrality Patrols. On 15 June, Mississippi arrived back in Norfolk, where she prepared to make her first patrol in the North Atlantic, which consisted of escorting a convoy from Newport, Rhode Island to Hvalfjordur, Iceland. She began another convoy escort mission on 28 September, also to Iceland. Mississippi remained there through November to protect American shipping in the area. During this period, she was assigned to the "White Patrol", a special task group, along with the other two battleships and a pair of heavy cruisers.

On 9 December, two days after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Mississippi departed Iceland, bound for the Pacific Theater. She reached San Francisco on 22 January 1942, where she conducted training and escorted convoys along the west coast over the following seven months. Beginning in May 1942, the original 5-inch/51 caliber guns of the secondary battery were removed to make room for anti-aircraft machine guns. On 6 December, she escorted a convoy of troop ships to Fiji, returning to Pearl Harbor on 2 March 1943. Her first major combat operation began on 10 May, when she left Hawaii to support the liberation of the Aleutian Islands. She bombarded Kiska on 22 July, and the Japanese garrison withdrew from the island a few days later. After the conclusion of the campaign, Mississippi returned to San Francisco for an overhaul. On 19 October, she left San Pedro to join the invasion fleet that would attack the Gilbert Islands. During the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign on 20 November, Mississippi bombarded Makin, there was again an explosion in her No. 2 turret, this time killing 43 men. After repairs, she continued on in the campaign, bombarding Kwajalein on 31 January 1944, Taroa on 20 February, and Wotje on 21 February. On 15 March, she shelled Japanese positions at Kavieng on New Ireland, before returning to the United States for an overhaul in Puget Sound. This overhaul increased the number of 5-inch/25 cal guns from eight to 14.

After returning to the fleet, Mississippi provided gunfire support for the Marines that went ashore at Peleliu, bombarding Japanese positions on 12 September, three days before the landing. She remained there, shelling the island for a week, before proceeding on to Manus, which had recently been taken by American forces. Assigned to the invasion fleet for the Philippines under Rear Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf, Mississippi left Manus on 12 October and arrived off Leyte on the 19th, when she began the coastal bombardment. During the Battle of Leyte Gulf, on the night of 24 October, Mississippi and the rest of the coastal bombardment battleships decisively defeated the Japanese Southern Force under Vice Admiral Shōji Nishimura in the Battle of Surigao Strait. During the battle, the Japanese warships failed to detect the American vessels with their radar. Additionally, the narrow strait forced the Japanese to steam in line ahead, while Mississippi and the other battleships were stationed at the entrance, where they were able to fire full broadsides. As a result, Nishimura was unable to avoid having his "T" crossed. In the ensuing action, American destroyers inflicted heavy damage on the Japanese force, which was then annihilated by the concentrated fire from the battleships. Mississippi, which was equipped with older fire control radar, had trouble identifying targets in the darkness, and so fired only one 12-gun salvo, after Oldendorf had given the order to cease fire. This salvo was the last fired in the action, and proved to be the last time a battleship fired its guns at another battleship.

Mississippi remained off Leyte, providing gunfire support until 16 November, when she withdrew to the Admiralty Islands to make preparations for the next operation. On 28 December, she returned to Leyte, anchoring in San Pedro Bay. The ship began shelling Japanese positions on the island of Luzon on 6 January 1945. During the bombardment, a Japanese kamikaze struck the ship, but she remained on station, bombarding the Japanese defenses, until 10 February, when she withdrew to Pearl Harbor for repairs. She returned to service in time to join the invasion fleet that attacked Okinawa, arriving off Nakagusuku Wan on 6 May. She shelled Shuri Castle, inflicting heavy damage on a major strongpoint in the Japanese defensive line. Another kamikaze (initially identified as a friendly plane) hit the ship on 5 June, but she remained in action off Okinawa until 16 June. After the Japanese government announced it would surrender, Mississippi steamed to Sagami Wan, Honshū, as part of the occupation force, arriving there on 27 August. She was present during the signing of the surrender documents on 2 September in Tokyo Bay. Four days later, she left Japanese waters, bound for the United States. She reached Norfolk on 27 November.

[Lt. S.Kafloc]

13th is up. Apologies for the catch up delay but real life is taking a huge chunk out of me at present.

[mikeemagnus]

Very nice guys. Thanks - A heads up, Chris, for the December 17th post - I'm getting an invalid attachment 237983 a little below the portrait of de la Tour.

[Lt. S.Kafloc]

14th & 15th now up.

[Hedeby]

Very nice guys. Thanks - A heads up, Chris, for the December 17th post - I'm getting an invalid attachment 237983 a little below the portrait of de la Tour.

Sorted

[Hedeby]

19th December 1917

Captain Richard Aveline Maybery MC & Bar RFC was shot down and killed on this day



Richard Aveline Maybery, the son of Aveline and Lucy Maybery of The Priory, Brecon, transferred to the Royal Flying Corps after serving with the 21st (Empress of India's) Lancers. Upon completing his training, he was posted to 56 Squadron in June 1917. He quickly proved to be one of the best pilots in the unit, scoring 6 victories in the month of July. One month after he assumed command of A Flight, Maybery scored his 21st victory over Bourlon Wood, downing an Albatros D.V. As he followed the burning plane to the ground, Maybery's S.E.5a was hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashing 600 yards south of the village of Hayecourt. He was buried where he fell by members of K-Flakbatterie 108. Ever cheerful and extremely popular, Maybery's death was a tragic blow to the members of 56 Squadron.

Captain Richard Aveline Maybery (Lancers Indian Army attached Royal Flying Corps) is killed in action at age 22 when he is shot down near Hayecourt. He is a twenty-one-victory ace who was born in Brecon, Powys, Wales in January 1895, the only son of Aveline Maybery, a solicitor, and his wife Lucy. He was educated locally and at Wellington College, Berkshire, before going on to the Military College at Sandhurst. After his graduation he joined the 21st (Empress of India’s) Lancers. At the outbreak of war he served in the North West Frontier province until he was injured in a riding accident. Bored during his rehabilitation and unable to sit on a horse he became involved in observing for a unit of the Royal Flying Corps who were based nearby. Later he travelled to Egypt where he trained to be a pilot, before he was posted to France with 56 Squadron. There he served with James McCudden, Arthur Rhys Davids and Keith Muspratt. Maybery scored his 21st and final victory on this day when he shot down an Albatros DV over Bourlon Wood. Maybery’s SE5a is then struck by enemy anti-aircraft fire, and crashes near the village of Haynecourt.

Lt. Richard Aveline Maybery, Lrs. and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. After attacking two aerodromes in succession at very low altitudes, and inflicting considerable damage, he attacked and dispersed a number of mounted men and then attacked a goods train. He next attacked and shot down a hostile machine at 500 feet, and before returning attacked a passenger train. On numerous occasions he has attacked, single handed, large hostile formations and set a fine example by his gallantry and determination.

Military Cross (MC) Bar
Lt. Richard Aveline Maybery, M.C., Lrs. and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as leader of offensive patrols for three months, during which he personally destroyed nine enemy aeroplanes and drove down three out of control. On one occasion, having lost his patrol, he attacked a formation of eight enemy aeroplanes. One was seen to crash and two others went down, out of control, the formation being completely broken up.

Eight Airmen were lost on this day




General Headquarters, December 20th.

“Although the weather on the 19th inst. was very fine, a dense haze prevented observation by our aeroplanes for artillery. Many photographs were taken, however, of the enemy's aerodromes in back areas, and a few bombs were dropped on his hutments and billets.

“Three hostile machines were brought down in air fighting, and two others driven down out of control. One of our aeroplanes is missing.”

RFC Communiqué number 119:

Dense haze greatly interfered with work.

With aeroplane observation 11 hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction; two gun-pits were damaged, five explosions and two fires caused.

Three reconnaissances were carried out by the 1st Brigade, five by the 3rd Brigade and eight by the 9th Wing when valuable photographs were taken of new enemy aerodromes. In all 683 photographs were taken during the day and 6,520 rounds fired at ground targets, 3,800 being by pilots of Naval Squadron No 8.

Bombing - Nearly three tons of bombs were dropped as follows:

1st Brigade - Two 112-lb bombs were dropped on a big gun position Maugre and two 112-lb bombs on Bauvin by No 18 Squadron.
Machines of the 1st Wing dropped 17 25-lb bombs on various targets.
Corps machines of the 2nd Brigade dropped 39 25-lb and those of the 3rd Brigade eight 25-lb bombs on various targets.
9th Wing – No 27 Squadron attacked Ledeghem on which eight 112-lb bombs were dropped.

On the night of the 18th/19th No 101 Squadron dropped six 112-lb, two 230-lb, and four 25-lb bombs on Rumbeke Aerodrome, one 230-lb and two 25-lb. on Thourout where a direct hit was obtained on a train, two 112-lb on Lichtervelde Aerodrome and eight 25-lb on Ledeghem Station, and 1,220 rounds were fired at lights other targets during this raid. No 102 Squadron dropped four 112-lb on St Denis Westrem Aerodrome where three bombs were seen to fall on sheds in the south-east corner of the aerodrome, two 112-lb on Courtrai, and four 112-lb and eight 25-lb on Menin. Lieut A B Whiteside and 2nd-Lieut J Richardson in one machine and 2nd Lieuts R W London and Lawrence in another machine flew over Gontrode Aerodrome, but it appeared to be deserted, so they flew back to St Denis Westrem, which was lit up, and dropped their bombs.

RNAS Communiqué number 12:

A Photographic Reconnaissance was carried out by No 2 Squadron over Oostacker, Mariakerke and Ghent, including the docks at Ghent and railway centres. Thirty-two plates were exposed with good results.

Spotting operations were carried out by No 2 Squadron for ships firing on Ostende. On the way home the machines were attacked by EA

Bombing raid by night, Nos 7 and 14 Squadrons, H.P.s: During the night 18th-19th, a raid was carried out on La Brugeoise Works, Bruges; twelve 250-lb and seventy-four 112-lb bombs were dropped. Visibility was extremely good, enabling good observations to be made. The northern end of the works was hit and a large fire was started which was still burning when machines re-crossed the lines. The remainder of the works were also straddled and bombs were seen to explode among the main buildings. All machines returned safely.

Bombing raid by day, No 5 Squadron, D.H.4s: At noon, Vlisseghem Aerodrome was attacked by six machines. Twelve 50-lb and fifty 16-lb bombs were dropped on the objective. A number were observed to explode among the group of sheds on the west side of the aerodrome, and a direct hit was reported on one of the smaller sheds.

The bombing formation was attacked on the return journey. One machine failed to return.

A patrol of No 4 Squadron encountered a formation of six enemy scouts of new type with rotary engine, dihedral bottom plane, straight top plane with extensions, and a very good climb. They were working in two formations, one above the other, the lower one was broken up, the other taking no part in the fight.

Many other indecisive engagements took place during the day.

Enemy Aircraft: Enemy aircraft activity was not great, although on several occasions formations were encountered in the Second Army Front.

Lieut A B Fairclough, 19 Sqn, two-seater out of control east of Hooglede at 08:05/09:05
2nd-Lieut H E Gales, 19 Sqn, two-seater out of control west of Roulers at 08:15/09:15

Pilots of No 19 Squadron again had a considerable amount of fighting, with successful results. In another patrol, Lieut Fairclough shot a two-sealer down out of control and 2nd-Lieut H Gales drove one down, which he followed near the ground, when he broke off the combat owing to a stoppage. The enemy machine appeared to be completely out of control

2nd-Lieut F C Gorringe and 2nd-Lieut F G Quigley, 70 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames 20.q.27 [Sleyhage] at 09:45/10:45 - 2nd-Lieut F Gorringe and 2nd-Lieut F Quigley, No 70 Squadron, attacked a scout which was manoeuvred extraordinarily well by a man who appeared to be a very experienced pilot. The enemy machine, however, was eventually driven down, and was last seen falling near the ground into the mist. There is little doubt that it was destroyed

Capt O C Bryson and Lieut A B Fairclough, 19 Sqn, two-seater crashed west of Passchendaele at 11:30/12:30 - pilots of No 19 Squadron again had a considerable amount of fighting, with successful results. Capt O Bryson and Lieut A Fairclough attacked a two-seater which they destroyed

Flt Cdr C B Sproat & AGL W Naylor, 5N Sqn, Albatros Scout destroyed off Ostende at 12:30/13:30 - returning from Vlisseghem while escorting the bombers, Flight Commander Sproatt with A/GL Naylor attacked an Albatross Scout. It was observed to spin down rapidly and a few seconds afterwards to fall to pieces in the air. Other EA were driven off; FlugM Erich Jankowski (Kia) [?]

2nd-Lieut F H Hobson, 70 Sqn, two-seater crashed Stadenberg at 12:35/13:35 and two-seater in flames Stadenberg at 12:35/13:35 - 2nd-Lieut F Hobson, No 70 Squadron, was leading a patrol of Camels when he saw three EA two-seaters below, so dived at them and attacked one, which he destroyed. He then attacked a second, but swerved round as he was attacked from behind, so lost sight of the one he had just fired at, but another pilot saw it fall in flames.

Capt R A Maybery, 56 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames Bourlon Wood at 12:50/13:50 - an S.E.5 formation of No 56 Squadron saw eight EA south of Masniéres, so dived at them. Capt R A Maybery failed to return from this patrol and he was last seen behind a German machine machine which he had shot down in flames. This pilot has accounted for 20 EA and his is the only machine missing during the day

Lieut G H Lewis, 40 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Lens - Pont-à-Vendin at 13:00/14:00
Lieut J H Tudhope, 40 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Lens at 13:00/14:00

A patrol of No 40 Squadron met four EA scouts, and Capt Lewis and Capt Tudhope each shot down one out of control

Flt Sub-Lieut G C Mackay, SDS, Albatros C out of control Ostende - Zeebrugge at 14:45/15:45
Flt Cdr R Collishaw, SDS, Albatros Scout out of control Ostende at 15:20/16:20

While escorting D.H.4 Spotters, three Camels of Seaplane Defence Squadron encountered two Albatross two-seaters between Ostende and Zeebrugge. Flight Sub-Lieut Mackay attacked one diving towards Zeebrugge and fired two bursts, the observer then stood up holding up his hands, and was shortly afterwards seen to fall out of the machine, which went down out of control. Later, Flight Commander Collishaw carried out a surprise attack on four Albatross scouts, shooting one down out of control.

Maj A D Carter, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control [driven down?] Hollebeke at 15:45/16:45 - Major A D Carter, No 19 Squadron, was flying in the vicinity of Hollebeke when he saw an enemy scout attacking one of our artillery machines, so dived, at it and drove it down. Unfortunately, his engine cut out and he was unable to follow it down, but ground observers report that it fell completely out of control

Casualties:

Flt Sub-Lieut S S Richardson (Kia) & A/Gl R A Furby (Kia), 5N Sqn, DH4 N6008 - crashed into the sea off Blankenberghe on bombing; Flgmt Albin Bühl, MLS II, 2nd victory [Bühl claimed two victories, the first Nieuport – Ostende at 12:35/13:35 and the second Blankenburghe at 12:47/13:47]

Capt R A Maybery MC (Kia), 56 Sqn, SE5a B506 – took off 12:20/13:20 and last seen possibly out of control over Bourlon Wood at 13:00/14:00 immediately after bringing down EA in flames on DOP; Vzfw Artur Weber, Js5, 1st victory [north of Bourlon Wood at 13:30/14:30] ?

2nd-Lieut H R Gates (Ok), 29 Sqn, Nieuport 23 B3585 - force landed Sh28.j.10.a.4.6 [Polygon Wood] at 13:45/14:45 due engine failure on reserve patrol; anti-aircraft fire ?

The following aerial victory claims were made on this day.



The War at Sea

German submarine SM UB-56 struck a mine and sank in the Strait of Dover with the loss of all 37 crew.

SM UB-56 was a German Type UB III submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy (German: Kaiserliche Marine) during World War I. She was commissioned into the Flanders Flotilla of the German Imperial Navy on 19 July 1917 as SM UB-56. She operated as part of the Flanders Flotilla based in Zeebrugge. UB-56 was sunk at 23:41 on 19 December 1917 at 50°58′N 01°21′E after striking a mine, 37 crew members lost their lives in the even.

She was built by AG Weser, Bremen and following just under a year of construction, launched at Bremen on 6 June 1917. UB-56 was commissioned later that same year . Like all Type UB III submarines, UB-56 carried 10 torpedoes and was armed with a 8.8 cm (3.46 in) deck gun. UB-56 would carry a crew of up to 3 officer and 31 men and had a cruising range of 9,020 nautical miles (16,710 km; 10,380 mi). UB-56 had a displacement of 516 t (508 long tons) while surfaced and 646 t (636 long tons; 712 short tons) when submerged. Her engines enabled her to travel at 13.4 knots (24.8 km/h; 15.4 mph) when surfaced and 7.8 knots (14.4 km/h; 9.0 mph) when submerged.



Today’s highlighted casualties include:

Lance Corporal Mervyn Hugh Egerton Gorringe (Otago Regiment) dies of wounds at age 40. He is the son of the Reverend Peter Rollins Gorringe Rector of Manston.
Sapper John W Hickson (Royal Engineers) is killed at age 34. His brother was killed last August.
Private Arthur Hamilton Houghton (Royal Marines Medical Unit) is killed at age 26. He is the son of the Reverend Arthur Webster Houghton Vicar of St Stephen’s Bury.

AIR WAR
Britain: Air defences finally told of Giant bomber, codenamed Bertie, after its eight raid.


Five-engined Zeppelin Staaken ‘Gigant’ bomber

SEA WAR
Channel: New Dover Straits minefield claims first victim, coastal submarine UB-56 after Vice-Admiral Bacon advised to start flare and searchlight surface patrol along it.
Adriatic: 2 old Austrian battleships, 1 cruiser, 6 destroyers shell Italian Cortellazzo batteries again, but big ships withdrawn to Pola on December 20, 3 old battleships mothballed after December 28 to obtain personnel.

SOUTHERN FRONTS
Piave: British artillery in action at Montello. Italian counter*-attacks against Mts Rertica and Asolone fail to gain ground until fog and thick snow end operations on December 21.

[Rebel]

Just attachment numbers Chris, no photos!.

[fast.git]

Just attachment numbers Chris, no photos!.

Yeah... here, too. So it's not a "Reg" problem... Unless it's a "Reg" and "Chris (fast.git)" problem!

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Same here. It is a general problem.
Rob.

[mikeemagnus]

Me too - only "Attachment numbers".

[Hedeby]

Yeah - got internet issues my end - PC has busted ethernet port. So scrounging round rest of family for laptops

[Hedeby]

20th December 1917

The Battle of Jaffa

The Battle of Jaffa was an engagement fought during the Southern Palestine Offensive of the Sinai and Palestine Campaign in World War I, between the Egyptian Expeditionary Force of the British Empire on one side and the Yildirim Army Group of the Ottoman Empire and German Empires on the other. The port of Jaffa had been occupied by the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade on the 16 November, as a result of the victory gained by that brigade and the 1st Light Horse Brigade at the Ayun Kara two days before, but the Ottoman forces were only 3 miles (4.8 km) away across the Auju River (Yarkon River), the mouth of which is known as the Nahr-el-Auja. The closeness of the Ottoman army made the port and town unusable to shipping, still being within range of Ottoman artillery.

Over the night of the 20–21 December 1917, the 52nd (Lowland) Division carried out an assault river crossing. With the far side of the river taken, the other divisions of the XXI Corps with their supporting artillery crossed and forced the Ottoman defenders to withdraw 5 miles (8.0 km). With the Ottoman forces pushed back, Jaffa and communications between it and Jerusalem were made secure. The night crossing of the river has been regarded as one of the most remarkable feats of the Palestine campaign.

On 16 November 1917 the British forces occupied the port of Jaffa on the Mediterranean coast. However the Ottoman forces forced out of the town were still able to interdict shipping and harass troop movements from their positions on the northern bank of the Yarkon River—the Nahr el Auja as it was called in Arabic. The British commander General Edmund Allenby needed to establish a defensive line running from the Mediterranean Sea which could be held with reasonable security once his right flank was secured on the Dead Sea.[3] In order to consolidate a strong British line, it was necessary to push the 3rd and 7th Divisions, part of the XXII Corps, of the Ottoman Eighth Army away from the Nahr el Auja 4 miles (6.4 km) north of Jaffa on the Mediterranean coast. The river was defended on the northern bank, by a trench system, from Mulebbis and Fejja to Bald Hill. From Mulebbis to the sea the river is between 40 to 50 feet (12 to 15 m) wide and 10 feet (3.0 m) deep except for the ford. The first attack across the Nahr el Auja, was little more than a raid, on the night of 24/25 November by two infantry battalions from the 54th (East Anglian) Division and the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade. The outnumbered battalions, were driven back by the Ottoman defenders, as they recaptured the bridgeheads and restored the tactical situation.



Three infantry divisions of the British XXI Corps, under the command of Lieutenant General Edward Bulfin, began moving their units into position on the coastal plain on 7 December. The 75th Division was on the right with the 54th (East Anglian) Division in the centre and the 52nd (Lowland) Division on the left at the coast. The 162nd (East Midland) Brigade, relieved the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade in the front line on 11 December and the mounted riflemen, who had been heavily involved in the earlier attempt to capture the Nahr el Auja, moved back to bivouac near Ayun Kara. On 14 December Major General John Hill, the commanding officer of the Lowland Division, submitted a plan for a surprise assault across the river by his division. Artillery was concentrated behind the lines, while the division's Royal Engineers, formed pontoons and canvas coracle boats, that were large enough to accommodate twenty men. It had initially been planned for a heavy artillery bombardment to proceed the attack, however Hill suggested they instead try a surprise attack without the artillery bombardment. Then in the days preceding the attack, the artillery batteries conducted several engagements, mostly to suppress Ottoman patrol activity and registrar the guns on targets, in case they were needed in the coming assault.

Over the night of 18/19 December, the 161st (Essex) Brigade from the 54th (East Anglian) Division and the Auckland and Wellington Mounted Rifles Regiments, from the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade, moved into the front line replacing the 52nd (Lowland) Division. To cover the gap in the line left by the redeployment of the 161st Brigade the 75th Division extended its front westwards to include Ludd. The preparations for the attack were hindered by the sodden state of the low and swampy ground on the southern banks of the Nahr el Auja where the attack would be launched, made worse by three days of rain.



Over the night of 20/21 December in heavy rain the division carried out an assault river crossing, using pontoon bridges and boats.[13] The 155th (South Scottish) Brigade crossed the river east of Jerisheh, and then turned right attacking the Turkish position. The 156th (Scottish Rifles) Brigade and the 157th (Highland Light Infantry) Brigade both crossed the river west of Jerisheh.[13]

The first unit to cross about a 1 mile (1.6 km) from the river mouth was a company of the 7th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), of the 156th Brigade.[15] Several of the flimsy boats collapsed, and the men were forced to wade across the chest deep river.[13] Once across they established a bridgehead on the Ottoman bank of the river. When they were secure the engineers started building a pontoon bridge, for the main force to cross.[16] By 23:00 almost three of the division's battalions had crossed the river. The 8th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) and the 4th Battalion, Royal Scots, from the 156th Brigade and the 7th Battalion Highland Light Infantry from the 157th Brigade.[14]


Pontoon bridge built by British engineers

By midnight all the 156th Brigade had crossed over attacked the Ottoman position on a hill at Sheikh Muannis, which overlooked the river and all the other positions in the area.

The rest of the 157th Brigade were not as fortunate, when they were crossing the river, being targeted by an Ottoman artillery barrage. However, by 01:30 two other battalions—the 6th Highland Light Infantry and the 5th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders—had crossed the river and secured the high ground overlooking the crossing point by 03:30. The 157th also secured the northern bank of a ford to assist the crossing.The 155th Brigade mounted two distraction attacks to cover their real attempt by the 5th Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers who, using rafts, crossed the river. By dawn the whole brigade had crossed the river and secured the heights at Khirbet Hadra.

The whole division had crossed the river in darkness, and all Ottoman resistance was overcome by British troops using their bayonets and no shots were fired. The attack completely surprised the Ottoman defenders and their front line were forced back 5 miles (8.0 km). By dawn the British held a line from Hadrah to Tel el Rekkeit, around 2 miles (3.2 km) north of the river. It had been intended for the ANZAC Mounted Division, to cross over and pursue the retreating Ottomans. However the rainfall over the preceding days and the damp boggy ground, prevented them from following the retreating Ottoman survivors, who escaped unhindered.
With the northern river bank in British hands, the engineers constructed bridges to allow their artillery to cross the river. The next day, 22 December, the British position was made even more secure when the 54th (East Anglian) Division captured Bald Hill to the right of the 52nd. In doing so the Ottoman defenders lost fifty-two killed and forty-four more were taken prisoner. By dawn the 54th Division had advanced further north occupying Mulebbis and Fejja; later in the day they also captured Rantieh. The 52nd Division continued the advance on the left, supported by naval gunfire from a Royal Navy flotilla. Three destroyers Grafton, Lapwing and Lizard and three monitors M29, M30 and M32. By the end of the day they had secured Tel el Mukhmar the Wadi Ishkar and the Auja-Sheikh el Ballutah-Arsuf, on the cliffs above the sea 8 miles (13 km) north of Jaffa. During the battle of Jaffa the attacks by the two British divisions had forced the Ottoman forces back 5 miles (8.0 km)

The battle was a success for the British, with 316 Ottoman prisoners taken and ten machine guns captured. The battle was mentioned in General Sir Edmund Allenby's despatch;

"The successful crossing of the Nahr el Auja reflects great credit on the 52nd (Lowland) Division. It involved considerable preparation, the details of which were thought out with care and precision. The sodden state of the ground, and, on the night of the crossing, the swollen state of the river, added to the difficulties, yet by dawn the whole of the infantry had crossed. The fact that the enemy were taken by surprise, and, that all resistance was overcome with the bayonet without a shot being fired, bears testimony to the discipline of this division....The operation, by increasing the distance between the enemy and Jaffa from three to eight miles, rendered Jaffa and its harbour secure, and gained elbow-room for the troops covering Ludd and Ramleh and the main Jaffa-Jerusalem road."

The British official history described the battle;

The passage of the Auja has always been regarded as one of the most remarkable feats of the Palestine campaign...its chief merits were its boldness — justifiable against troops known to be sluggish and slack in outpost work and already shaken by defeat — its planning, the skill of the engineers;the promptitude with which unexpected difficulties in the bridging the river were met; finally, the combined discipline and dash of the infantry which carried out the operation without a shot being fired and won the works on the right with the bayonet. This was one of the last actions the 52nd (Lowland) Division fought in this campaign. In March 1918, they were ordered to move to the Western Front in France. The 54th (East Anglian) Division remained in Palestine taking part in operations at Berukin in April 1918 and the battle of Sharon in September.

The British units involved in the battle were awarded the distinct battle honour Jaffa.

The War in the Air

There were no aerial victory claims today just one unconfirmed...



Six airmen were lost today despite the lack of action




RFC Communiqué number 119:

Very little work was possible owing to thick fog and mist.

On the night of the 19th/20th five machines of No 101 Squadron went out, but had to return, owing to unfavourable weather.

RNAS Communiqué number 12:

Owing to unfavourable weather conditions, no war work of importance could be carried out.

On this day while landing in the fog at Polegate, England SSZ.7 collides with SSZ.10. This collision causes a fire to breakout on board both airships. Flight Lieutenant Victor Watson (Royal Navy), who is the senior officer on the sight, immediately rushes up to the car of one of the airships under the impression that one of the crew is still in it., although he is well aware that there are heavy bombs attached to the airship which it is impossible to remove owing to the nearness of the fire, and which are almost certain to explode at any moment due to the heat. Having satisfied himself that there is in fact no one in the car, he turns away to render assistance elsewhere, and at that moment one of the bombs explodes, a portion of it shattering Lieutenant Watson’s right arm at the elbow. The arm has to be amputated almost immediately. For his actions on this day Lieutenant Watson will be awarded the Albert Medal.

On this day while landing in the fog at Polegate, England SSZ.7 collides with SSZ.10. This collision causes a fire to breakout on board both airships. Flight Lieutenant Victor Watson (Royal Navy), who is the senior officer on the sight, immediately rushes up to the car of one of the airships under the impression that one of the crew is still in it., although he is well aware that there are heavy bombs attached to the airship which it is impossible to remove owing to the nearness of the fire, and which are almost certain to explode at any moment due to the heat. Having satisfied himself that there is in fact no one in the car, he turns away to render assistance elsewhere, and at that moment one of the bombs explodes, a portion of it shattering Lieutenant Watson’s right arm at the elbow. The arm has to be amputated almost immediately. For his actions on this day Lieutenant Watson will be awarded the Albert Medal.

The Australian people again vote on the conscription issue. The results are the same with 1,015,159 voting in favor while 1,181,747 voting against. Among the armed services 103,789 vote in favor with 93,910 against.

Captain Henry Colt Arthur Hoare (Dorset Yeomanry) dies of wounds at age 29. He was wounded on 13th November at Mughair Ridge, and was removed to the Raseltin Hospital at Alexandria where he dies. He is the only son of ‘Sir’ Henry Hoare 6th Baronet and Lady Hoare. Captain Hoare was sent to Egypt with the Dorset Yeomanry in March 1915 and from there to Gallipoli until the evacuation, when he was invalided with pneumonia and typhoid. He returned to his Regiment in July 1916, and was wounded at Gaza in March 1917, rejoining in the following May.


Henry Colt Arthur Hoare

The Royal Flying Corps established air squadrons No. 188 and No. 189.

No. 188 Squadron RAF: The squadron formed at Throwley Aerodrome on 20 December 1917 to train night-fighter pilots and was equipped with Avro 504s. It also trained pilots to fly the Sopwith Camel and Sopwith Pup at night. It disbanded on 1 March 1919 and never reformed in later years, however a squadron code was allocated to it in 1939.

No. 189 Squadron was formed at Ripon on 20 December 1917 as a night-flying training unit, moving shortly afterwards to Sutton's Farm to continue their work until the end of World War I. On 1 March 1919, the squadron was disbanded.

The squadron was re-formed as part of No. 5 Group RAF on 15 October 1944 at RAF Bardney near the village of Bardney in Lincolnshire. They flew Lancaster bombers in raids over occupied Europe towards the end of World War II in 1944 and 1945.

The commanding officer was Wing Commander J. S. Shorthouse DFC.

After RAF Bardney, the squadron was based at RAF Fulbeck near the village of Fulbeck, returning to Bardney in April 1945 and then on to RAF Metheringham near Metheringham. The unit was mixed, with many personnel from other parts of the Commonwealth including Australians, New Zealanders and Canadians. No. 189 Squadron was among the 107 Lancasters and 12 Mosquitos of No 5 Group which attacked the oil refinery in Tonsberg in Southern Norway on 25 April 1945 in the last raid of the war flown by heavy bombers of RAF Bomber Command. After the war the unit was involved in dropping food to the Dutch and repatriating POWs until it was disbanded on 20 November 1945.



Western Front
France: Petain Directive urges defence in depth (and on December 22) but not all generals comply.
Flanders: *Germans capture fog-shrouded British advanced post west of Messines.

Eastern Front
Don: Kornilov arrives at Novocherkask, is made White C-in-C.

Home Front
Austria: Lower House adopts peace resolution.
Australia: Second referendum again defeats conscription 1,181,747 vs 1,015,159 votes; 1918 recruiting falls to c.2,500 per month.
Russia*: Bolshevik Cheka Secret Police founded under Pole Dzerzhinski to ‘fight counter*-revolutionaries and saboteurs’.



Cheka (Russian: ЧК, IPA: [tɕɪˈka]) was the initialism for the first of a succession of Soviet secret police organizations. Established on December 5 (Old Style), 1917 by the Sovnarkom[1], it came under the leadership of Felix Dzerzhinsky, a Polish aristocrat-turned-communist.By late 1918, hundreds of Cheka committees had sprung up in various cities at the oblast, guberniya, raion, uyezd, and volost levels.

In 1921 the Troops for the Internal Defense of the Republic (a branch of the Cheka) numbered at least 200,000. These troops policed labor camps; ran the Gulag system; conducted requisitions of food; subjected political opponents to secret arrest, detention, torture and summary execution; and put down rebellions and riots by workers[citation needed] or peasants, and mutinies in the desertion-plagued Red Army. After 1922 Cheka groups underwent the first of a series of reorganizations; however the theme of a government dominated by "the organs" persisted indefinitely afterward, and Soviet citizens continued to refer to members of the various organs as Chekists

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Yeah - got internet issues my end - PC has busted ethernet port. So scrounging round rest of family for laptops

Nil desperandum Chris. Keep the Aspidistra flying and all that stuff my boy. Well done.
Kyte.

[mikeemagnus]

Yea, we can do without the pics ok Although I shall miss the inevitable Bristol or three

[Hedeby]

Just don't get it. The images are there when i save it and then check back but then the bloody things vanish.... I will re-instate - just means every post takes twice as long

[Hedeby]

21st December 2017

WESTERN FRONT
Alsace: Fierce clashes at Harmannsweilerkopf, Germans ejected.


Special offer in Germany to send gifts for Christmas 1917 to the front.

EASTERN FRONT
Russia: Antonov, People’s Commissar for War, made C-in-C ‘for the struggle with counter*-revolution’.

HOME FRONTS
Italy: now 3,500 munition plants vs 125 in 1915.
Britain: Prime Minster calls for higher food production. Local rationing schemes authorized. Munitions Ministry empowered to restrict lighting.

The War in the Air

RFC Communiqué number 119:

A thick ground mist and fog made aerial work practically impossible.

Three hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction by artillery of the First Army, and machines of the 1st Brigade took 32 photographs, and fired 1,180 at ground targets. 126 photographs were taken by machines of the 3rd Brigade.

RNAS Communiqué number 12:

Owing to unfavourable weather conditions, no war work of importance could be carried out.

There was again just the one aerial victory claim on this day due to the poor weather...

Sous Lieutenant Henri Albert Péronneau



While serving in the engineers in Western Morocco, Péronneau transferred to aviation in 1912. After pilot training in 1915, he was assigned to Escadrille N49 on 30 March 1916. He was reassigned to N65 on 26 May 1916 before joining Escadrille N81 on 26 December 1916. He served the remainder of the war with this unit and scored 9 victories. Péronneau remained in the military until he retired in 1954.

Despite no flying there were still 8 airmen lost on this day...




Chaplain the Reverend Bernard Kavanagh dies of wounds in Palestine at age 53. He is shot by a sniper while ministering to a soldier.



John Alexander Christie VC (14 May 1895 – 10 September 1967) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Christie was 22 years old, and a lance-corporal in the 1/11th (County of London) Battalion, (Finsbury Rifles), London Regiment, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 21 December/22 December 1917, at Fejja, Palestine,[1] after a position had been captured, the enemy immediately made counter-attacks up the communication trenches. Lance-Corporal Christie, seeing what was happening, took a supply of bombs and went alone about 50 yards in the open along the communication trench and bombed the enemy. He continued to do this in spite of heavy opposition until a block had been established. On his way back he bombed more of the enemy who were moving up the trench. His prompt action cleared a difficult position at a most difficult time and saved many lives.[2]

His medal is privately held

Captain Tunstill's Men: The only note was that the weather was Cold and dull but fine.

[Hedeby]

Well a bit of good news, fixed the internet problems with my PC so fully operational once again. Should be good through to 29th. I am going to have to rely on pub wifi for a few days after that but I will do my best to keep the stories flowing.



22nd December 1917

The War in the Air


For those who have missed their Bristol Fix...

General Headquarters, December 23rd.

“On the 22nd inst. when the haze had cleared, our aeroplanes carried out artillery work, and took photographs of the enemy front and back areas. Bombs were dropped on a big gun near Lille and on other targets, including hostile hutments, billets, and trenches. The enemy's infantry were also engaged in their trenches with machine-gun fire, many thousands of rounds being fired by our pilots. In air fighting four hostile machines were brought down. As soon as it was dark our aeroplanes showed greatest activity, bombing the aerodromes of the enemy's night-flying squadrons, as well as important railway stations where activity was observed. In spite of the intense cold several of our pilots made two consecutive flights to one of the enemy's aerodromes, where many hits were obtained on the sheds. All our machines returned.”

RFC Communiqué number 119:

Thick ground mist prevented flying early, but visibility improved about 11 a.m. and a large amount of work was done.
Twelve reconnaissances were carried out by the 1st Brigade, four by 2nd, five by the 3rd and two by the 9th Wing.
A total of 582 photographs were taken during the day and 5,595 rounds fired at ground targets.

With aeroplane observation, 55 hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction, five gun-pits were destroyed, 16 damaged, 19 explosions and 16 fires caused, and 51 active hostile batteries were reported by zone call. Thirteen of the hostile batteries engaged for destruction were by artillery of the First Army, 28 by the Second, 13 by Third and one by the Fifth.

Bombing - 1st Brigade: 18 Squadron dropped four 112-lb bombs on a large gun position at Bauvin, and Corps machines dropped 37 20-lb bombs on various targets.

3rd Brigade: Thirty-seven 25-lb bombs were dropped on various targets.

Admiralty, December 23rd.

“During the night of December 22nd-23rd naval aircraft carried out bombing raids on the following enemy aerodromes:— St. Denis Westrem, Mariakerke, Oostacker. Visibility was excellent, and good shooting was made on all three aerodromes. In all about 6 tons of bombs were dropped. All our machines returned safely.”

RNAS Communiqué number 12:

Owing to unfavourable weather conditions, no reconnaissance could be carried out during the day.
A pilot of No 9 Squadron attacked a Kite Balloon east of Dixmude, forcing the observer to jump out in a parachute.

Enemy Aircraft: Enemy aircraft activity was not great.

2nd-Lieut Bacon & 1/AM Connor, 10 Sqn, Scout out of control - 2nd-Lieut Bacon and 1/AM Connor, No 10 Squadron, were attacked by five EA Scouts, but returned safely after having shot one down out of control
Capt J D Payne, 29 Sqn, Nieuport 27 B6820, Albatros Scout out of control Staden at 10:50/11:50 - Capt J D Payne was leading an offensive patrol of No 29 Squadron which attacked four EA, and he got on the tail of one and shot it down out of conrol

Flt Sub-Lieut W H Wilmot, 10N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control ? west of Lille at 10:50/11:50 - five Camels of No 10 Squadron had engagements with four Albatross scouts. The results were indecisive, but it is probable that one of the EA was damaged and one out of control; Sergt Wilhelm Foge, Js30, Kia [?]

Capt J T B McCudden, 56 Sqn, DFW CV captured south-west of St Quentin at 12:05/13:05 - Capt J B McCudden, No 56 Squadron, when looking for EA, saw two machines flying west so attacked one of them. He shot the gunner and hit the engine and the EA glided west partially under control, so he left this machine and attacked the other, but saw that the pilot of the first machine had turned and was gliding east. He therefore swerved round, fired a burst at 50 yards range, and the German aeroplane went into a spiral glide and crashed in our lines south-west of St Quentin; Uffz Biesenbach (Kia) & Uffz Anton Bode (Kia), Schsta 5 [G104]



2nd-Lieut G E F Elliott, 70 Sqn, two-seater crashed west of Westroosebeke at 13:20/14:20 - 2nd-Lieut G Elliott of No 70 Squadron, engaged a two-seater EA which he shot down out of control which was seen to burn after crashing

2nd-Lieut F H Hobson, 70 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Westroosebeke at 13:50/14:50 - 2nd-Lieut F Hobson was leading a patrol of No 70 Squadron which engaged six EA Scouts, so he picked one and shot it down out of control

Sergt F Johnson & Capt J H Hedley, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Roulers at 14:00/15:00
2nd-Lieut R M Makepeace & Lieut G A Brooke, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Moorslede at 14:15/15:15
Sergt F Johnson & Capt J H Hedley, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames Roulers at 14:20/15:20

A patrol of No 20 Squadron engaged seven EA over Moorslede. Sergt Johnson and Capt Hedley shot one down completely out of control and then engaged two others, and Capt. Hedley fired 80 rounds from close range into one which burst into flames and crashed. One enemy Scout secured a favourable position under his machine, so 2nd-Lieut Makepeace and Lieut Brooke dived, and after a burst of fire the German scout went down in a vertical dive and was followed until it was seen to crash

Capt O C Bryson, 2nd-Lieut E Olivier, Lieut A B Fairclough, Capt G W Taylor, 2nd-Lieut E J Blyth, Maj A D Carter and 2nd-Lieut H E Gales, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames south of Quesnoy at 14:20/15:20 - Capt O Bryson and Lieuts E Olivier and A Fairclough, No 19 Squadron, fought a formation of eight EA and one was seen to fall completely out of control; Ltn d R Hans Vilinger, Js18, Kia

Flt Cdr J S T Fall, 9N Sqn, Albatros C crashed south-east of Quesnoy at 15:30/16:30 - Flight Commander Fall, while on a solo offensive patrol, attacked a two-seater Albatross, S.E. of Quesnoy. The EA went down completely out of control and was seen to crash in a field

Casualties:

? (Ok) & Lieut N M Sanders (Wia), 20 Sqn, Bristol F.2B - wounded in eye in combat on offensive patrol

Lieut A M Kinnear (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut M H Picot (Ok), 8 Sqn, AW FK8 B3321 – took off 10:20/11:20 then attacked by EA and undercarriage collapsed after landing from photography

2nd-Lieut F E Neily (Kia) & 2nd-Lieut L L Medlen (Kia), 16 Sqn, RE8 B3403 - shot down by EA 2-str and totally destroyed at 36c.M.28.b.6.2 [Liévin] on artillery observation Lens at 12:05/13:05; Uffz Marczinke & Ltn Hertel, FA235 ?

The following aerial victory claims were made on this day...



Leutnant Herbert "Bubi" Boy



Having served as a two-seater pilot with Schusta 30, Boy was reassigned to Jasta 14 in December 1917. He was credited with 5 victories before his Fokker D.VII was shot down in flames by an S.E.5a near Staden on the morning of 7 October 1918. His opponent that day was Canadian ace Camille Lagesse of 29 Squadron, who watched Boy bale out of his plane with a burning parachute. Badly wounded, Boy survived the jump but was captured when he reached the ground.

Six British airmen were lost on this day



Second Lieutenant Leslie Lashbrook Medlen (Royal Flying Corps and General List) is killed in action when he is shot down at age 21. When news of his death is conveyed by wire from the War Office on Christmas Day it so deeply affects his mother that she passes away that same evening, overwhelmed by the event.

WESTERN FRONT
Britain: Lieutenant-General Sir R Maxwell BEF QMG since January 1915 resigns; succeeded by Lieutenant-General Sir T Clarke.
France: General Debeney in command of French First Army for duration of war.
Flanders*: Germans storm some British advanced posts on Ypres*-Staden rail line, trench raid near (December 29).


The town of Ypres, its houses ruined and deserted, pitted by huge water filled shell craters.

EASTERN FRONT
Brest-Litovsk peace negotiations begin.
Rumanian troops occupy Bessarabia. Independent Moldavian Republic proclaimed there on December 23.

SOUTHERN FRONTS
Salonika: New Allied C-in-C General Guillaumat (aged 54) arrives, reads Milne his instructions pn December 30 to protect Greece, then use her army in offensive.

AIR WAR
Britain: Several Gothas thwarted in raid on southeast England by bad weather (1 Gotha emergency lands south of Margate, burnt by crew), 3 Giants (1 diverts to Boulogne) merely drop bombs in sea off Kent.

POLITICS
Russia: Bolsheviks peace proposals; Austrian Czernin rejects most on December 25.

OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
Belgium: *Flanders proclaimed independent.

Russian-German peace talks begin at Brest-Litovsk

A week after the armistice was signed between Russia and Germany and nearly three weeks after a ceasefire was declared on the Eastern Front, representatives of the two countries begin peace negotiations at Brest-Litovsk, near the Polish border in what is now the city of Brest, in Belarus.

The leader of the Russian delegation was Leon Trotsky, the Bolshevik People’s Commissar for Foreign Relations. Max Hoffmann, the commander of German forces on the Eastern Front, served as one of the chief negotiators on the German side. The main difference of opinion in Brest-Litovsk was over cessation of Russian land to the Germans—the Russians demanded a peace without annexations or indemnities and the Germans were unwilling to concede on this point. In February 1918, Trotsky announced he was withdrawing the Russians from the peace talks, and the war was on again.



Unfortunately for Russia, with the renewal of fighting the Central Powers quickly took the upper hand, seizing control of most of Ukraine and Belarus. The Bolshevik hope that the workers of Germany and Austria, offended by their governments’ naked territorial ambition, would rise up in rebellion in the name of the international proletariat soon vanished. On March 3, 1918, Russia accepted peace terms even harsher than those originally suggested, losing Poland, Lithuania, and the Baltic states of Estonia, Livonia, and Courland to Germany. Meanwhile, Finland and the Ukraine saw Russia’s weakness as an opportunity to declare their independence. In all, Brest-Litovsk deprived Lenin’s new state of one million square miles of territory and one-third of its population, or 55 million people.

[Hedeby]

and the pictures have stayed put this time... always a bonus

[Rebel]

[QUOTE=[B]WESTERN FRONT[/B]
Alsace: Fierce clashes at Hartmannsweilerkopf, Germans ejected.

I've walked this battlefield where I believe the Germans held the high ground until their complete withdrawal in 1918.
I feel that a worse place to fight would be hard to find. This is a mountain and the Germans were always literally above the French. The lines were at most 20 yards apart with the german line 20 yards above the French, the slope something like 1 in 4 or worse.. German pillboxes perched above and overlooking the French positions. I have a book somewhere with photographs of the site which I will try to search out (think it's in a box up in the loft since moving 14 years agio-must finish the unpacking sometime). If I find it I will post details

[Flying Officer Kyte]

But it is not up-gunned Chris!
Rob.

[Hedeby]

The other guns are away being cleaned...

[Hedeby]

So only a couple of days to go before we get all super festive, today's edition may well go on in sections as I'm quite busy this evening....

23rd December 1917

Captain James Thomas Byford McCudden (Royal Flying Corps) performs one of the acts that will lead him to being awarded the Victoria Cross. While leading his patrol, eight enemy airplanes are attacked between 14:30 and 15:50 and of these, Captain McCudden shoots down two in our lines. Earlier, during this morning, he leaves the ground at 10:50 and encounters four enemy airplanes and of these he shoots down two.



The RFC Communique reported “This is the first occasion on which one pilot has shot down four Enemy Aircraft in a day, and Capt McCudden's accounts are as follows:—

Left ground 10.50 to look for EA west of our lines, and at 11.15 saw three EA two-seaters together over Vendelles, N-W of St Quentin, at 13,000 feet. As they were above I could not engage them decisively, but drove them all east of the lines. At about 11.10 an LVG came W just north of St Quentin at 17,000. Chased him and caught him up over Etreillers. He then turned south. I secured a firing position and fired a burst, from both guns, when EA’s engine stopped and water came pouring from the radiator in the centre section. EA turned south and I tried to turn him west because the observer was waving his rightn arm, apparently in token of surrender, but the machine was still going south-east very faSt. However, I fired another burst at close eange, whereupon he went down in a steep dive and crashed completely between the canal and the road at Anguilcourt, which is NE of La Fere, at 11.25. I returned north climbing, and 11.50 saw a Rumpler at 17,500 just south of Peronne. I climbed for 20 minutes and attacked EA over Beanvois at 18,200 feet at 12.15. Going SE, EA fought extraordinarily well and we got down to 8,000 feet over Roupy, when after a burst from both guns at close range EA's right hand wings fell off and the wreckage fell in our lines near Contescourt at 12.20. Returned north climbing and at 12.50 attacked two LVG's over Gouzeaucourt at 16,000. However, both machines co-operated very well, using their front guns as well the rear, and I fought them east of the lines and then left them I had no more petrol.

“Leading my formation E over Ytres towards the lines at 14,000 feet, at 2.30 I saw a Rumpler coming W over Metz at 14,000. EA saw my formation and then turned east, nose down. I caught up to EA at 13,000 feet over Bois de Gouzeaucourt, and engaged him down to 6,000 feet, when EA went into spiral dive and crashed in our lines NW of Gouzeaucourt at 2.40 pm. Reformed my patrol and crossed lines at 13,000 over Masnieres. At about 3.5 engaged six Albatross Scouts over Fontaine at 13,000. My patrol fought these EA down to 8,000 feet over Bourlon Wood and then left EA who dived eaSt. The fight was indecisive except that Lieut Galley, in fighting one E.A end on, got hit in the oil tank and had to land at Advanced Landing Ground, and apparently he hit the EA's engine and he went off down E as if to land. The EA scouts (red-nosed Albatross) kept rolling and spinning down. After the fight, whilst reforming the patrol over Flesquieres, I saw an LVG coming West over Trescault at 12,000 feet. I got into position at close range, fired about 20 shots, when EA went down absolutely out of control, alternately stalling, turning upside down and then spinning for a short distance before stalling again, etc. EA took five minutes to reach the ground and in a vertical dive landed on a train in our lines a few hundred yards west of Metz at 3.30. Returned at 3.50.”



General Headquarters, December 24th.

“On the 23rd inst. a dense haze made little work possible in the air, except bombing and fighting, both of which were carried on with the utmost vigour. The enemy's artillery machines were very active, and five were brought down in air fighting, three of them falling in our lines. Two other hostile machines were brought down in our lines by anti-aircraft gun fire. One of these latter was a large twin-engined machine with three occupants, who were taken prisoner. After dark a thick mist set in which did not lift till the early morning. Our night-flying machines then left the ground and bombed several of the enemy's aerodromes with good effect. In daylight on the 24th inst. one of our squadrons bombed Mannheim-on-the-Rhine with excellent results. A ton of bombs were dropped, and bursts were observed in the large main station, in the works, and also in the town, where fires were started. Very heavy anti-aircraft gunfire was directed against our aeroplanes when over their objective, and one of our machines was damaged and forced to land. Several of the enemy's scouts made repeated attacks on our formations, but were driven off. All of our machines returned, with the exception of the one machine mentioned above.”

RFC Communiqué number 119:

The weather was fine but a thick haze allowed only a little artillery work to be done.

Six hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction with aeroplane observation. Three gun-pits were damaged and two fires caused.

With balloon observation, two hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction by artillery of the First Army and two neutralised, while artillery of the Second Army engaged eight for destruction, neutralised one and dealt with 22 other targets.

Three reconnaissances were carried out by machines of the 3rd Brigade, during which 320 photographs were taken. A total of 631 photographs were taken by Brigades during the day and 5,861 rounds fired ground targets. Of the latter, 1,100 were fired by pilots of Naval Squadron No 8.

None of our machines were missing during the day, but one was shot down in “No Man’s Land.”

Bombing:
1st Brigade - On the night of the 22nd/23rd, No 2 Squadron dropped 54 25-lb bombs on Meurchin and on the 23rd No 4 Squadron dropped two 25-lb bombs on Benifontaine.
3rd Brigade – Twenty-nine 25-lb bombs were dropped by Corps machines on various targets.
5th Brigade – Corps machines dropped 33 25-lb bombs on various targets.

9th Wing - On the night of the 22nd/23rd, No 101 Squadron dropped eight 25-lb bombs on Rumbeke Aerodrome where a dlirect hit was obtained on a hangar; eight 25-lb and two 40-lb phosphorus bombs on Scheldewendeke Aerodrome; two 230-lb and 84 25-lb bombs on Maria Aalter Aerodrome where five direct hits were obtained.

3,014 rounds were fired during this raid and some pilots carried extra 25-lb and incendiary hombs in the nacelles of their machines.
During the same night, No 102 Squadron dropped eight 112-lb and 80 25-lb bombs on Sotteghem, Audenarde, Courtrai, Menin and Comines Railway Stations and Scheldewendeke, St Denis Westrem and Cuerne Aerodromes.

Admiralty, December 24th.

“During the night of December 23rd-24th bombing raids by naval aircraft were carried out on the following objectives:— Bruges Docks, enemy aerodromes at St. Denis Westrem and Ghistelles. About 3 tons of explosives were dropped on the docks; and about 1½ tons on the two aerodromes. All machines returned safely.”

RNAS Communiqué number 12:

Bombing raid by night, Nos 7 and 14 Squadrons, H.P.s: During the evening of the 22nd a raid was carried out on the following aerodromes. Eight machines took part in the raid.

Mariakerke, twenty-eight 112-lb bombs. Bombs were observed to burst close to and among the sheds and buildings in the N.W. and N.E. portions of the aerodrome.

St Denis Westrem, four 250-lb and twenty-two 112-lb bombs. Two direct hits were claimed and in addition, a certain number of bombs were observed to burst close to the sheds and hangars.

Oostacker, twelve 250-lb and thirty-two 112-lb bombs. Two direct hits were claimed, bombs also burst among principal group of sheds.

Many useful observations were made by pilots and observers during the raid.

All pilots and machines returned safely.

Enemy Aircraft: Enemy aircraft were not particularly active and nearly all the machines encountered were two-seaters.

Seven enemy machines were brought down, five within our lines. Three of these were by Capt McCudden, No 56 Squadron, who shot down a fourth on the enemy's side; and two were by anti-aircraft, one which was a Gotha. The Gotha machine, which was hit by anti-aircraft of the Third Army, landed near Achiet le Grand and the three occupants were taken prisoners. (See above)

Including McCudden the following aerial victory claims were made on this day



Two aces were lost on this day:

Leutnant Ernst Hess (Jasta 19)



On 19 August 1917, Hess shot down a two-seater and captured Australian ace Cecil Richards. Hess was killed when his Albatros D.Va was shot down by a member of Escadrille N96.

Captain Clive Franklyn Collett 70 Squadron RFC



The son of Captain Horace and Alice Collett, Clive Franklyn Collett was educated at Queen's College, Tauranga and completed a course in electrical engineering at Cable's foundry, Wellington. Traveling to England, he received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 1057 on an L. & P. biplane at the L. & P. School, Hendon on 29 January 1915. In February he enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps. As a test pilot, he voluntarily jumped from a B.E.2c wearing a parachute. Posted to 70 Squadron as a Sopwith Camel pilot, he scored 12 victories in 1917. According to James McCudden, Collett "used to come back shot to ribbons nearly every time he went out. One day he drove a German machine down to the ground behind the German lines, and then to make quite sure he fired at it on the ground until it burst into flames. Collett was always for downing the Hun, whenever and wherever he could find him." Collett drowned in the River Forth when he crashed while flying a captured Albatros. McCudden believed "something flew off the bonnet of the engine and stunned him, for he was seen to dive straight into the water without attempting to recover himself."

On a busy days in the skies - 13 British Airmen are lost





Captain Clive Franklyn Collett MC (Royal Flying Corps) a 12-victory ace is accidentally killed at age 31 when he crashed flying a captured Albatros over the Firth of Forth.
Lieutenant Reginald Benade Glendower Ottley (North Staffordshire Regiment attached Royal Flying Corps) is killed at age 21. He is the last of three brothers who are killed in the Great War and they are grandsons of Major General C G Ottley (Madras Army).
Flight Sub Lieutenant Douglas Ross Cameron Wright (Royal Naval Air Service) is killed when his Tri-plane spins into the ground over his aerodrome while returning from a patrol at age 25. He is the grandson of ‘Sir’ M C Cameron.

The Luftstreitkräfte established air squadrons Jagdstaffel 49 and Jagdstaffel 50.

A mine near the Maas light buoy sinks HMS Torrent (Lieutenant Commander Frederick Archibald Warner DSO) while en route to meet a convoy. While trying to assist her, HMS Surprise (Commander Wilfred Arthur Thompson) also strikes a mine. HMS Tornado (Lieutenant Commander Ralph Michael Mack killed) then tries to clear the area but strikes two mines and sinks. The only destroyer in the unit to escape is HMS Radiant (Commander G F Nash). HMS Tornado has only one survivor. A total of 252 sailors are killed. Among the dead are...

Able Seaman William Streaton Dempster (HMS Surprise) killed at age 26. His brother was killed in March 1916.
Ordinary Seaman John Brydon Thallon is also killed. His brother will be killed in May 1918.
Leading Seaman Walter Love is killed at age 33. His brother will die on service in January 1919.

Torrent was ordered from Swan Hunter by the British Admiralty in March 1916 as part of the Eighth War Construction Programme. The ship was launched at Swan Hunter's Wallsend, Tyne and Wear shipyard on 26 November 1916 and completed in February 1917.

Torrent was 276 feet (84.12 m) long overall, with a beam of 26 feet 6 inches (8.08 m) and a draught of 9 feet (2.74 m). Displacement was 975 long tons (991 t) normal and 1,075 long tons (1,092 t) deep load. Three Yarrow boilers fed steam to two sets of Brown-Curtis geared steam turbines rated at 27,000 shaft horsepower (20,000 kW) and driving two shafts, giving a design speed of 36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph). Three funnels were fitted.[3] 296 tons of oil were carried, giving a design range of 3,450 nautical miles (6,390 km; 3,970 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph). Armament consisted of three QF 4in Mk IV guns on the ship's centreline, with one on the forecastle, one aft on a raised bandstand and one between the second and third funnels. A single 2-pounder (40 mm) pom-pom anti-aircraft gun was fitted, while torpedo armament consisted of four 21 inch (533 mm) torpedoes in two twin mounts. The ship had a complement of 82 officers and men


HMS Tornado & Torrent were similar to this picture of HMS Satyr (taken in 1916)

Major Robert Egerton MC (Royal Irish Fusiliers attached Royal Flying Corp) is accidentally killed at age 25. He is the third son of ‘Sir’ Reginald Egerton CB. He was educated at the Oratory School, Birmingham, and at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and entered the Royal Irish Fusiliers in 1913, joining his regiment in India in that year. He proceeded from India with his regiment to the front in November, 1914. In March, 1915 he was awarded the Military Cross “for gallantry, ability, and useful reconnaissance work on many occasions at great personal risk. By the gallant leading of his platoon at St. Eloi he prevented the advancing enemy from taking an important position, and later rendered very material assistance in the reconnaissance prior to our counter-attack”. He was soon invalided home being pronounced by a medical board as unfit for trench work. He devoted his time at home learning to fly, obtained his “wings,” and was appointed a flying officer in the Royal Flying Corp. At the time of his death he is in command of a squadron.

SOUTHERN FRONTS
Italian Front: French Tenth Army C-in-C Fayolle informs Foch that Italians ‘had recovered their spirit and wanted to fight’.
Trentino: Conrad’s final attempt to break through before winter snows, promises soldiers winter at Bassano in plains below and Christmas Mass in Venice. After hurricane shelling including gas (by 550 guns) Austrian Eleventh Army captures Col del Rosso (4183ft), Mt Melago and 3 other features in 2-mile advance, claims 9,000 PoWs until December 24.


Austrian 10.4cm Langrohrkanone on the Italian Front firing gas shells. The crew wears gas masks.

SEA WAR
Irish Sea: Armed boarding steamer HMS Stephen Furness (101 lives lost) sunk by U-boat.
North Sea: 3 Harwich Force destroyers on Dutch convoy duty (Torrent, Surprise and Tornado) sink on German minefield north of Maas Light Buoy, 252 lives lost. Flotilla leader Valkyri gets home with broken back. Surviving destroyer Radiant rescues survivors.

POLITICS
Germany: Kaiser, visiting Second Army on Western Front, says 1917 proof that God an ally of German people.

SECRET WAR
France: Anglo-French Paris Convention on spheres of influence in Southern Russia (British War Cabinet approve on December 26).

[Hedeby]

24th December 1917

Not much Christmas cheers about in 1917.....

Sea War
Britain: Jellicoe resigns as First Sea Lord at Geddes’ request (made public on December 26). Admiral Sir W Wemyss succeeds, Admiral Sir S Fremantle replaces Oliver as DCNS; Bacon recalled from Dover Patrol on December 28.

Royal Navy vessel HMS Penshurst was torpedoed and sunk in the Bristol Channel by German submarine SM U-110 with the loss of two crew

HMS Penshurst was a Royal Navy warship that was active during World War I. She was a Special Service Vessel (also known as Q-ships) whose function was to act as a decoy, inviting attack by a U-boat in order to engage and (if possible) destroy it. Penshurst fought a number of engagements against German U-boats during her service, and was successful on two occasions, destroying UB-19 in November 1916, and UB-37 in January 1917. Penshurst was sunk following an action with U-110 in December 1917.

Penshurst was built in 1906 as a cargo steamer, and had an uneventful peacetime career before the start of World War I. In 1915 she was requisitioned by the Royal Navy for conversion into a special service vessel. She was taken in hand at Longhope, part of the Scapa Flow naval base in the Orkney Islands. She was armed with five guns originally; this was increased later in the campaign. These were a 12 pounder, two 6 pdr and two 3 pdr guns, hidden behind screens and dummy fixtures. Penshurst was manned with a volunteer crew and commanded by Cdr FH Grenfell. She commissioned on 6 November 1915.



HMS Penshurst commenced operations around the North coast of Scotland before being transferred in spring 1916 to Queenstown, operating around the coast of Ireland and in the English Channel. For almost a year she had little success; during 1916 the German Navy had scaled down their U-boat operations against commerce around Britain, and there were few contacts in this theatre.

On 29 November 1916 Penshurst fell in with a U-boat which was attacking the steamer Wileyside. Penshurst was able to approach to 3000 yards before the U-boat ordered her to stop. Grenfell's crew went through their "abandon ship" evolution, putting out boats manned by a "panic party", while Penshurst stopped, waiting for the U-boat to come closer. However the U-boat declined to come closer, and with it partly hidden in the glare of the setting sun Penshurst opened fire. She got several shots off before the U-boat dived, and closed to drop depth charges on the spot, but the U-boat (which was unidentified) escaped.

The following day on 30 November Penshurst, having changed her appearance and moved to a different part of the Channel, came upon a U-boat, UB-19 attacking the steamer Ibex. She again closed, but was overtaken by an approaching seaplane, which bombed the U-boat as it quickly submerged. When the pilot became aware of who Penshurst was he landed, and agreed to spot for her while she dropped depth charges. However, on take-off the seaplane went out of control and crashed into the sea. As Penshurst stopped to pick up the crew, the U-boat, thinking it was safe, came to the surface again to attack. Taking the opportunity, Grenfell waited until the U-boat drew nearer, then opened fire. UB-19 was fatally damaged and sank. Grenfell was awarded the DSO for this achievement.

On 14 January Penshurst was able to repeat her success. Two months later she was on patrol in the Channel when she encountered a U-boat, UB-37. The U-boat closed in, opening fire at 3,000 yards. Grenfell sent off his panic party, and allowed Penshurst to turn as she slowed, to be broadside-on to the U-boat. However, the U-boat made to cross Penshurst's bow, continuing to fire, causing damage and several casualties over a twenty-minute period. At length, when no further advantage could be gained, Penshurst opened fire, and scored several hits with her first shots. UB-37 was crippled and started to sink, and Penshurst finished her attack by dropping depth charges over the site. UB-37 was destroyed, with no survivors.

On 20 February Penshurst again encountered a U-boat in the Southwest Approaches. She was again attacked, and after the U-boat closed was able to fire on her, causing damage. The U-boat submerged and was depth charged, but on this occasion was able to escape, returning to base despite the damage.

Two days later on 22 February Penshurst again met with a U-boat, U-84, which had just sunk the sailing ship Invercauld. As Penshurst drew up to pick up Invercauld's survivors, U-84 fired a torpedo at her, which was narrowly avoided. Penshurst then feigned running, but at half speed, and, as the U-boat opened fire, sent off her boat party. U-84 submerged to examine Penshurst in safety, but was satisfied, surfacing 600 yards away. Penshurst was then able to open fire, damaging the U-boat, and dropping depth charges as she submerged. As she did this, Penshurst was joined by the sloop Alyssum, which joined the attack. However, U-84 was able to surface, away from the two hunters, and fled on the surface, outstripping her two pursuers.

The following month, on 30 March, Penshurst again encountered a U-boat, UB-32, but on this occasion the U-boat was able to inflict severe damage to her before escaping. Penshurst was towed back to Portsmouth where she was docked for repairs and a refit.

On 2 July, back in service and under a new commander, Lt C Naylor, Penshurst was again in the SW Approaches when she fell in with another U-boat. The boat submerged as Penshurst approached and fired a torpedo, which missed. Naylor sent his boat party off, and then waited for the U-boat to come into range. Penshurst was under fire for some thirty minutes until she was able to open fire herself. The U-boat was damaged, but again was able to escape, despite the arrival of a group of destroyers. For this action, and his resolution under fire, Naylor received the DSO. On 19 August Penshurst was following up a report from a merchantman when she fell in with UC-72. As she approached, the U-boat fired a torpedo, which struck below the bridge. As the boat surfaced, Penshurst fired using a 3 pdr gun she carried in plain sight. By this stage of the campaign many merchant ships were defensively armed, and a Q-ship would look suspicious if she did not do the same.[5] It was a further development in the process of bluff and double-bluff which typified the Q-ship campaign. However UC-72 was not fooled by this lacklustre response, and Penshurt was not fully under control, so Naylor refrained from sending off his boat party, but opened fire with all guns. He had also sent a distress call, and after a short time was joined by the destroyer Leonidas. At this UC-72 submerged and fled. Penshurst, escorted by Leonidas then made her way back to Plymouth, where she remained in dock for repair and refit. One of the changes was to improve her armament, adding two 4-inch guns and upgrading to two 12 pdr and two 6 pdr guns. These were re-positioned to give more firepower over the bow and stern. These changes were to take account of the changes in U-boat armament and tactics.

On 24 December 1917 Penshurst was again on patrol in the southern part of the Irish Sea, when she encountered a U-boat off The Smalls. The boat, U-110, submerged in order to let Penshurst come into range, and just after midday fired a torpedo, which hit her in the engine room. Naylor sent his boat crew off, but U-110 remained under for two hours, examining the ship, until she surfaced off Penshurst's bow and commenced shelling. Penshurst replied, but was unable to bring all her guns to bear, as she was down by the stern. She scored some hits, but U-110 submerged again, and, when a RN submarine chaser arrived around 4 pm, made off, having suffered little damage. Penshurst, however, was seriously hurt, and despite attempts to bring her home, she sank at 8.05 pm. All her crew were successfully removed, though stoker 1st class Albert Brewer died later the same day. Irish medals web page, including Albert Brewer. Naylor was awarded a second bar to his DSO for this action.

Penshurst was one of the RN’s most successful Q-ships, fighting eleven engagements over a two-year period, and destroying two U-boats and damaging several others in that time.



Eastern Front
Austrians row with Bulgars at Brest-Litovsk.
Ukraine*: Battles at Tamarovka Station and Oboyan (West of Kharkov), Sievers’ Reds capture Lyubotin on December 25.

Southern Fronts
Trentino: Italian counter*-stroke recaptures Mt Melago and Col del Rosso save summit. First heavy snow, a month late.

Politics
Belgium: King Albert replies to Papal peace note.
Austria: Czernin (Red delegate Joffe at Brest-Litovsk assures him over Tsar on December 26) to Emperor Charles ‘Your Majesty must therefore get Poland in order to maintain parity’ (with Germany).
The first All-Ukrainian Congress of Soviets took place in Kharkiv, with initially 964 participants which later grew to 1250. It approved the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk between Russia and Central Powers and declared the nation state of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. The All-Ukrainian Central Executive Committee was also established with 41 members and Yukhym Medvedev as chair

The British Army established the 18th Indian Division to serve in the Mesopotamian campaign.

The 18th Indian Division was formed in Mesopotamia on 24 December 1917, although the last of its brigades (55th) was not formed until January 1918. Many of the division's units transferred directly from India so time was needed for them to become acclimatized. It remained in Mesopotamia for the rest of the First World War, taking part in the Action at Fat-ha Gorge on the Little Zab (23–26 October 1918) and the Battle of Sharqat (28–30 October 1918) under the command of I Corps. At the end of the war, the 18th Division was chosen to form part of the occupation force for Iraq. It took part in the Iraq Rebellion in 1920 and was broken up in the following year.

Lieutenant Thomas Ewart Mitton (Royal Engineers) is killed at age 20 while erecting telegraph wires across a railway track. He is the cousin of J R R Tolkien.

The War in the Air

FC Communiqué number 119:

Very little flying was done owing to dense fog.

A reconnnaissance was carried out on the night of the 23rd instant, by No 2 Squadron of the area bounded by Douai, Valenciennes, Tournai, Lille to discover if possible from which aerodrome the EA which bombed Bethune and Bruay had come. The result was that no active enemy aerodrome with Ianding lights was discovered.

A reconnaissance was carried out by the 3rd Brigade, and 704 rounds were fired at ground targets.

With aeroplane observation, two hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction by artillery of the Third Army and two targets were dealt with by balloons.

Eight 25-lb bombs were dropped by machines of the 3rd Brigade.

On the night of the 23rd/24th, No 2 Squadron dropped 60 25-lb bombs on Noyelle-Godault, Don and Carvin. No 101 Squadron dropped 40 25-lb bombs on Maria Aalter Aerodrome, and eight 25-lb bombs on Thielt Aerodrome. No 102 Squadron dropped 45 25-lb bombs on Cruyshautem, Gontrode, Oyghem and Waereghem Aerodromes, and on Deynze, Menin and Comines Stations,

41st Wing - Ten machines of No 55 Squadron dropped 16 112-lb and two 230-lb bombs on the Factory at Ludwigshafen west of Mannheim, on the Rhine. Direct hits were obtained in the sidings of Badische and Heinrichlanz Works and in the Gas Works and a fire was started in the town. The station was full of rolling stock and a great number of dumps were also seen.

Anti-aircraft fire was very heavy over Mannheim. One machine was evidently hit as it went down under control near Speyer. Eleven EA attempted to attack the formation, but were kept at a distance of 300 yards. All our machines returned, except the one mentioned above.

RFC Communiqué number 120:

Miscellaneous: With reference to the raid on Mannheim by the 41st Wing on the 24th instant, the Daily Express, Geneva, states:-

“The Kaiser and his Staff had a narrow escape during the British raid on Mannheim, the Kaiser's train passing through the station only one hour before the structure was partially wrecked by bombs. The line was destroyed some distance beyond the station. Bombs fell on the palace of the Palatinate and on the suspension bridge which crosses the Neckar. Both were badly damaged. A munitions factory was blown up and number of persons killed and injured. Heavy damage was done.”



RNAS Communiqué number 12:

No reconnaissance or fighter patrols could be carried out owing to weather conditions.

Bombing raid by night, Nos 7 and 14 Squadron, H.P.s: On the night of 23rd-24th, the following raid was carried out by six machines:—

St. Denis Westrem Aerodrome, fourteen 112-lb bombs; Bruges Docks, eight 250-lb and forty 112-lb bombs; Ghistelles Aerodrome, fourteen 112-lb bombs.

Visibility was poor and became worse, making observation of results very difficult.

Casualties:

2nd-Lieut G F Turner (Pow) & 2nd-Lieut A F Castle (Pow), 55 Sqn, DH4 A7465 - last seen going down under control near Speyer [south of Mannheim] on bomb raid to Mannheim; Vzfw Otto Rosenfeld, Js41, 7th victory [Vauthiermont] ?

TheThere was just the one aerial victory claim by an ace on this day

Vizefeldwebel Otto Rosenfeld of Jasta 41 claimed his 7th victory

Wounded in action on 12 June 1917, Otto Rosenfeld was captured on 29 December 1917 and repatriated. After his release, he scored five more victories before he was killed in action on 7 July 1918, believed to have been shot down by Sumner Sewall of the 95th Aero Squadron.

Despite the lack of aerial combat there were still 11 British airmen lost on this day



Captain Tunstill's Men: A competition was held across the Brigade “to judge the best interior economy arrangement in Transport Lines of the Brigade”. Brig. Genl. Lambert (see 23rd December), along with Major Owen DSO, DAAG, 23rd Division, would award marks for the condition and cleanliness of: “cookhouses, ovens, dixie trenches, ablution arrangements, latrines, incinerators, billets, horse lines, water supply, harness and metal work”. 10DWR finished in joint second place, along with 11WYR, sharing a prize of 175 lira; the winner was the Brigade Machine Gun Company.

[Hedeby]

Not got a massive aount of time to get this edition out today, but will do our best.So its a merry Christmas to all our readers both within and from outside our forum.
Now back to the events of 100 years ago.

25th December 1917

AFRICA
Mozambique: British patrols pursue Germans 40 miles south of river Rovuma. Lettow receives Christmas dinner from his officers.


KAR (King’s African Rifles) Native troops follow Lettow-Vorbeck’s troops into Portuguese East Africa (Mozambique).

EASTERN FRONT
Ukraine: RNAS Armoured Car Squadron rear party disable remaining cars and guns after ugly confrontation with local Reds.
A Bolshevik uprising against the Central Council of Ukraine occurred in Aleksandrovsk, Ukraine. It was put down three days later.

SOUTHERN FRONTS
Trentino: Toscana Brigade and 5th Bersaglieri regiment etc stiffen Italian line and repulse final Austrian attack.

The USA
Brite Ranch Raid – Mexican raiders attacked a ranch in Presidio County, Texas, resulting in four deaths. It is still debated whether the raiders were loyal to Pancho Villa or Venustiano Carranza

SEA WAR
Irish Sea: Royal Navy sloop Buttercup and PC56 (convoy escorts) ram and sink U-87.

SM U-87 was one of the 329 submarines serving in the Imperial German Navy (Kaiserliche Marine) in World War I. U-87 was engaged in the naval warfare and took part in the First Battle of the Atlantic. She sank some 22 merchant vessels before 25 December 1917, when HMS Buttercup rammed U-87 in the Irish Sea and depth-charged her. Then the P-class sloop P.56 sank her. U-87's entire crew of 44 were lost.

German Type U 87 submarines were preceded by the shorter Type U 81 submarines. The first of its type, U-87 had a displacement of 757 tonnes (745 long tons) when at the surface and 998 tonnes (982 long tons) while submerged. She had a total length of 65.80 m (215 ft 11 in), a pressure hull length of 50.07 m (164 ft 3 in), a beam of 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in), a height of 9.35 m (30 ft 8 in), and a draught of 3.88 m (12 ft 9 in). The submarine was powered by two 2,400 metric horsepower (1,800 kW; 2,400 shp) engines for use while surfaced, and two 1,200 metric horsepower (880 kW; 1,200 shp) engines for use while submerged. She had two propeller shafts. She was capable of operating at depths of up to 50 metres (160 ft).

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 15.6 knots (28.9 km/h; 18.0 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 8.6 knots (15.9 km/h; 9.9 mph). When submerged, she could operate for 56 nautical miles (104 km; 64 mi) at 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 11,380 nautical miles (21,080 km; 13,100 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph). U-87 was fitted with four 50 centimetres (20 in) torpedo tubes (two at the bow and two at the stern), ten to twelve torpedoes, one 10.5 cm (4.1 in) SK L/45 deck gun, and one 8.8 cm (3.5 in) SK L/30 deck gun. She had a complement of thirty-six (thirty-two crew members and four officers

In August 2017, researchers from Bangor University in Wales announced they had discovered the sunken wreck of U-87 while conducting ‘multibeam’ surveys around the coast of Wales as part of the marine renewable energy SEACAMS 2 project. Detailed sonar images reveal the wreck to be lying in one piece with what appears to be a large area of damage near the conning tower, presumably caused by in the ramming collision by escort P.56

A much quieter day than usual with only 283 British losses being reported

Today’s highlighted casualties include:

Second Lieutenant William George Moncur (Royal Scots) dies of wounds as a prisoner of war received during a trench raid at age 23. His brother was killed in April 1917.



Piper John Robson Harper (Black Watch) is killed at age 22. His brother was killed last October.

The War in the Air

RFC Communiqué number 120:

Very little work was possible owing to snow and mist.

Four reconnaissances were carried out by the 1st Brigade, three by the 2nd, and two by the 5th.

With aeroplane observation, one hostile battery was successfully engaged for destruction by artillery of the First Army, and one zone call was sent down.

116 plates were exposed and 2,300 rounds fired at ground targets. 1,150 of these were by No 4 Squadron, which also dropped 12 25-lb bombs. Machines of the 3rd Brigade dropped nine 25-lb bombs and fired 200 rounds, and Corps Squadrons of the 5th Brigade dropped 34 25-lb bombs and fired 950 rounds at various targets.

RNAS Communiqué number 12:

Heavy banks of clouds, high winds with snow and sleet, made flying impossible.

There were NO aerial victory claims on this day from either side

There was just the one British airman lost on this day



Captain Tunstill's Men: (remember of course that the boys were now on the Italian front rather than the western front- so at least things were slightly warmer and drier for them)

A fine and frosty day.

There were allied air raids against Austrian positions.

On Christmas Day all non-essential work was suspended and the men were fed special rations; the exact detail for 10DWR is unknown, but elsewhere in the Division this consisted of, “Breakfast:- Quaker oats, sausage (tinned), Bacon, SM tea. Dinner:- Roast pork, potatoes, cabbage, plum pudding (tinned), Rum sauce, quart Italian beer. Tea:- Rolypoly duff, jam, margarine, 3pkts Italian fags and 2pkts Gold Flake per man”. Copies of the 23rd Division annual review, ‘The Dump’, were issued and well-received by the men.
The Battalion band played at the Brigade Christmas Dinner.

Officers and men had sent home Battalion Christmas cards to friends and family. One survives among the collection of Capt. Leonard Norman Phillips MC (see 19th June) and a second, sent by original Tunstill recruit, Pte. Solomon Richard Webb (see 8th January 1916), to Mrs. Geraldine Tunstill (see 3rd October) has also survived.



I can't think of a better way to close this edition than with a Christmas card from the trenches. So Merry Christmas everyone

ps. as more updates become available I will update and add to this edition

[Angiolillo]

On the Southern front, William Barker with two other RFC pilots raid a German airfield ignoring the unsigned Christmas truce. This brings to a retailation attack on the 26th, later known as the Battle of Istrana.
https://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/sh...-and-Hemingway

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Thanks for the update Andrea, and a Merry Christmas to our esteemed founder.

Rob.

[Hedeby]

On the Southern front, William Barker with two other RFC pilots raid a German airfield ignoring the unsigned Christmas truce. This brings to a retailation attack on the 26th, later known as the Battle of Istrana.
https://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/sh...-and-Hemingway

Many thanks Andrea

[zenlizard]

Interesting note about finding the wreck of SM U-87.

[Hedeby]

Interesting note about finding the wreck of SM U-87.

Thanks Sam - its always nice when you can link an article to the present day

[Hedeby]

26th December 1917

Blimey - what a chaotic day - all a bit mental, thankfully peace and quiet has descended. I need a holiday to get over the past few days...

Well its another quiet day in the reports but we'll see what we can find

The War in the Air

Three British airmen were lost on this day



General Headquarters, December 27th.

“On the 26th inst. a certain amount of flying was done between the snowstorms. Photographs were taken, a few bombs dropped on various targets, and many rounds fired into the enemy's trenches. One hostile machine was brought down. During the night a few machines took advantage of a short fine spell and dropped bombs on the enemy's billets close to the lines. None of our machines are missing.”

RFC Communiqué number 120:

Snow-storms interfered with aerial work.

One reconnaissance carried out by the 1st Brigade, one by the 2nd, and one by the 5th. Six hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction with aeroplane observation, four of which were by artillery of the First Army; one gun-pit was destroyed, two damaged, six explosions and one fire caused, and 35 zone calls were sent down.

459 photographs were taken, 70 25-lb bombs dropped and 5,443 rounds fired at ground targets as follows:

1st Brigade: No 2 Squadron dropped five 25-lb bombs and fired 50 rounds; No 4 Squadron dropped seven 25-lb bombs; Corps Squadrons fired 1,250 rounds, and Naval Squadron No 8 fired 1,250 rounds.
2nd Brigade: 743 rounds were fired.
3rd Brigade: Ten 25-lb bombs were dropped and 900 rounds fired.
5th Brigade: 48 25-lb bombs were dropped and 1,250 rounds fired.

RNAS Communiqué number 12:

Heavy banks of clouds, high winds with snow and sleet, made flying impossible.

Enemy Aircraft:

There was very little enemy aircraft activity in the morning, but at times in the afternoon enemy aircraft were quite active.

2nd-Lieut F G Quigley, 70 Sqn, two-seater in flames 20.q.23 [south of Hooglede] at 13:20/14:20 - 2nd-Lieut F Quigley, No 70 Squadron, attacked a two-seater, which dived vertically after a burst of fire, but was followed and more shots fired into it, then when it had gone down to 1,500 feet, 2nd-Lieut Quigley circled round and watched the pilot attempting to flatten out. This he did not succeed in doing and the machine crashed into the ground and burst into flames

Casualties:

Lieut E H Read (Kia) & 2nd-Lieut H R Donovan (Wia), 16 Sqn, RE8 B5898 - hit by AA spun from about 6,000 feet and caught fire on hitting ground near Liévin on photography and fighting duty

The folloing aerial victory claims were made on this day - as is eveodent most on the Southern front where the Italian airforce had a great day





The son of Arthur and Fanny Jarvis, Arthur Gordon Jarvis joined the Royal Flying Corps in 1916. 2nd Lieutenant Jarvis received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 4086 on 29 August 1916. As a Sopwith Camel pilot, he scored five victories with 28 Squadron in Italy.



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.


An Austro-Hungarian Brandenburg D.I before take-off, built by the Phoenix Works in Vienna.

Italy: Large air battle 18 miles north of Venice, 9 of 30-40 Austrian aircraft shot down bombing Istrana airfield (RFC hangars suffer minor damage, 2 Italian aircraft destroyed). Raids repeated nights December 29-30 and 30-31.

EASTERN FRONT
Bolsheviks break off Brest*-Litovsk talks when Germans say Poland and Baltic States will become independent.

POLITICS
Germany: Ukraine tells Berlin she wants separate status at Brest-Litovsk peace talks.

AFRICA
Jubaland: 502 King’s African Rifles and levies disperse Aulyehan at Hagagabli, capture 1,233 camels. By February 20, 1918 fines, 402 rifles and chiefs collected excluding the leader.

A total of 319 British lives were lost on this day, including...

Corporal Eric William Briggs (Royal Garrison Artillery) is killed in action at age 24. His brother was killed in February 1916.
Lance Corporal William Arthur Balaam (Northamptonshire Regiment) is killed in action. His son will be killed in action on 31st July 1943 at age 26.

Elsewhere

U.S. President Woodrow Wilson used the Federal Possession and Control Act to place most U.S. railroads under the United States Railroad Administration, hoping to transport troops and materials for the war effort more efficiently.

Eight months after the United States enters World War I on behalf of the Allies, President Woodrow Wilson announces the nationalization of a large majority of the country’s railroads under the Federal Possession and Control Act.

The U.S. entry into the war in April 1917 coincided with a downturn in the fortunes of the nation’s railroads: rising taxes and operations costs, combined with prices that were fixed by law, had pushed many railroad companies into receivership as early as late 1915. A year later, in a last-minute bill passed through Congress, Wilson had forced the railroad management to accept union demands for an eight-hour work day. Still, many skilled workers were leaving the cash-poor railroads to work in the booming armaments industry or to enlist in the war effort.

By the end of 1917, it seemed that the existing railroad system was not up to the task of supporting the war effort and Wilson decided on nationalization. Two days after his announcement, the United States Railroad Administration (USRA) seized control. William McAdoo, Wilson’s secretary of the treasury, was appointed Director General of Railroads. The railroads were subsequently divided into three divisions—East, West and South. Passenger services were streamlined, eliminating a significant amount of inessential travel. Over 100,000 new railroad cars and 1,930 steam engines were ordered–designed to the latest standards–at a total cost of $380 million.

In March 1918, the Railroad Control Act was passed into law. It stated that within 21 months of a peace treaty, the railroads would be returned by the government to their owners and that the latter would be compensated for the usage of their property. Consequently, the USRA was disbanded two years later, in March 1920, and the railroads became private property once again.

Brite Ranch raid (see mention yesterday)



The Brite Ranch raid was an incident that occurred on Christmas day 1917, in which Mexican raiders crossed the Rio Grande border and attacked a ranch in Presidio County, Texas. At the time the raiders were thought to be Villistas, as they were responsible for several other previous incursions into American territory, though other accounts say that some Carrancistas were involved as well. During the raid the Mexicans murdered three people, robbed a general store and rode back to Chihuahua under pursuit by a motorized posse and troops of the United States Army 8th Cavalry. The Americans fought a running battle with the Mexicans on December 26 that resulted in the deaths of several raiders and the recovery of some stolen property, but another more violent episode was directly caused by the raid when on January 27, 1918, a force of Texas Rangers executed 15 Mexicans in what became known as the Porvenir Massacre.

Brite Ranch was like other ranches in West Texas—it was as much a small town as a cattle operation. The ranch was owned by Lucas Charles Brite and located in the Big Bend region, between the town of Marfa and the Rio Grande, 15 miles east of the river. Since it was Christmas morning most of the locals were away, except for ranch foreman T.T. Van Neill, his family and one or two Mexican-American families. It was just after dawn when the raid began. Van's father, Sam, was the only one awake. He was sitting down drinking coffee when all of a sudden about 45 armed Mexicans galloped into the ranch complex. Sam knew immediately who the Mexicans were so he ran to his son's room, equipped himself with a rifle, took aim at who he thought was the leader and fired. He killed the man and the others returned fire on the house. By that time Van was awake and joined in the fight. Mrs. Van Neill attempted to alert the police but the raiders cut the telephone lines. The skirmish lasted for a while before the raiders realized they had little chance of getting into the Neill house without significant losses. They captured a pair of ranch hands, one of whom, José Sánchez, was sent to the house to warn the Neills that if they continued to resist, both he and the other ranch hand would be shot. Van and his father were prepared to continue the fight but Mrs. Neill convinced her husband to give the Mexicans the keys to Lucas Brite's general store and avoid further confrontation. Van agreed, so instead of trying to break into the house, the raiders spent their time robbing the general store of clothes, food and money. They also gathered up all the best horses at the ranch and took them, too. While this was going on, the unsuspecting postman, Mickey Welch, arrived at the store in his wagon with two Mexican passengers. The raiders captured all three of the men, shot the two passengers and hung Welch inside the store.

That night the Neills were hosting a Christmas dinner party for some of their friends. The raiders occupied the ranch for several hours so when Rev. H.M. Bandy and his family arrived from Marfa to have dinner with the Neills, Van had to send a young Mexican boy out to tell the raiders not to shoot them. The raiders let the reverend and his family go to the Neill's house, and when they got out of their wagon Bandy delivered a quick prayer and then armed himself with a rifle to help defend the ranch. According to Ronnie C. Tyler, author of The Big Bend: A History of the Last Texas Frontier, there were other dinner guests already at the ranch but they escaped somehow and went to get help. Rancher James L. Cobb, who lived three miles outside of the ranch complex, heard the gunfire and drove towards the sound to investigate the situation. He stopped a short distance away from the ranch and saw the Mexicans robbing the store. He then got back into his car and drove 12 miles to the nearest telephone and called Lucas Brite, who was at his home in Marfa. Brite informed the local sheriff and went even further by alerting the 8th Cavalry, which was stationed in the area. Shortly thereafter a large posse and some cavalrymen assembled in vehicles to drive to Brite Ranch. They almost caught up with the raiders but the Mexicans quickly mounted up and rode south across the Candelaria Rim, where the Americans could not follow.

On the next day Col. George Langhorne launched a punitive expedition into Mexico with the intention of capturing or killing the raiders and returning stolen property. Langhorne borrowed some horses from the ranchers for his men, who arrived in vehicles, and after joining up with reinforcements from Ruidosa the expedition crossed the Rio Grande into Chihuahua at a ford called Los Fresnos. Altogether the expedition included two troops of 8th Cavalry, approximately 200 soldiers, and several men from the posse. Langhorne caught up with 29[7] raiders just across the Rio Grande in San Bernardino Canyon, near Pilares. During the running battle that followed the cavalrymen killed ten of the Mexicans and recovered some of the stolen property, including several horses, most of which had to be shot because they had been ridden too hard and would die anyway if taken back across the border. Only one soldier was wounded. Meanwhile, the citizens in the Big Bend region were outraged about the raid and the murders of Mickey Welch and his passengers on Christmas Day. Some citizens formed a committee to disarm and keep watch on the Mexican population in the area but the Texas Ranger company of Capt. Monroe Fox went even further. At around midnight on January 27, 1918, a force of rangers and 8th Cavalry soldiers surrounded the village of Porvenir, located on the Rio Grande across the border from a Mexican village. A search of the town then commenced and while the soldiers were looking through houses, the rangers gathered up 15 men and took them to a nearby hill where they were executed.

The Porvenir Massacre was investigated in 1919, during a state hearing investigating misconduct among the Texas Rangers, but nobody was charged for the crime. The grand jury of Presidio took no action for the killings. On June 4, 1918, Governor William P. Hobby disbanded Company B of the Texas Rangers and dismissed five rangers for their actions. After the raid and the subsequent punitive expedition, Lucas Brite built a small fort to house Texas Rangers and protect the ranch but it was never needed

Captain Tunstill's Men: A fine, sunny day with another hard frost and snow lying on the ground. Brig. Genl. Lambert (see 24th December), accompanied by the Prince of Wales, who was on the staff of XIV Corps Commander, the Earl of Cavan, visited the Battalion positions. The outcome of the visit was a set of orders which were issued by XIV Corps regarding the organisation and defence of the front line.

1. The Corps Commander is thoroughly aware of the amount and excellence of the work on defensive lines which as been carried out by all units in the Corps, and has no complaints to make on this head.

2. At the same time, every one can learn, and he is of opinion that the work done in the Sector held by the 69th Infantry Brigade of the 23rd Division is in advance of anything that is being carried out at the moment, both as regards organisation of labour, and as regards the tactical dispositions.

3. He wishes all units of the Corps to study, and where possible to initiate the system which is to be seen in this Brigade Sector. He wishes therefore G.S.Os.1. and C.R.E. of Divisions and all Brigadiers to visit this Sector at as early a date as possible, and in any case before January 3rd, the arrangements to be made direct with the G.O.C. 23rd Div.

4. There are many points of interest to be seen. Special attention is called to:

(a) The combined action of Machine and Lewis Guns with Trench Mortars in the defence.

(b) The amount of tunnelling work which is carried out by men who are not trained as tunnellers. Units have complained that they have no tunnellers available, but the GOC 69th Infantry Brigade has clearly proved that tunnellers can be produced from any Unit.

(c) The excellent interior economy and cleanliness. Every dugout has its rifle rack, in which rifles are standing as clean as if in a barrack room.

5. If it were possible, and can be arranged with the GOC 23rd Division, the Corps Commander would like Battalion Commanders to visit these lines, in addition to the officers enumerated above.

[mikeemagnus]

Many thanks Chris. Good reading and great to see the Bristols back Celebrations here pretty hectic too, but it was a special time with the family - boy are the grand children noisy Sorry, rep gun jammed right now. Shall have to try again later.

[Hedeby]

27th December 1917

Today's update from a wintry Doncaster is as follows...



James Duffy VC (17 November 1889 – 8 April 1969) (Irish: Séamus Ó Dubhthaigh) was a British Army soldier during the First World War, and an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Duffy was born on 17 November 1889 in Gweedore (Gaoth Dobhair), County Donegal, Ireland. He was 28 years old, and a private in the 6th Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 27 December 1917 at Kereina Peak, Palestine, whilst the company was holding a very exposed position, Private Duffy, a stretcher-bearer, and another stretcher-bearer went out to bring in a seriously wounded comrade. When the other stretcher-bearer was wounded, Private Duffy returned to get another man, who was killed almost immediately. The private then went forward alone and, under very heavy fire, succeeded in getting both wounded men under cover and attended to their injuries. His gallantry undoubtedly saved both men's lives. He died in Drumany , Letterkenny on 7 April 1969 and was buried in Conwal Cemetery, Letterkenny, County Donegal. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Inniskilling Museum in Enniskillen Castle, Northern Ireland. A stone bench was unveiled in Letterkenny Town Park on 10 July 2007 to honour the war veteran. His daughter Nelly was present when former Letterkenny Mayor Ciaran Brogan unveiled the bench in one of his final duties


James Duffy VC

A Turkish-German attempt to recapture Jerusalem is repulsed. The Turks attack on the road from Nablus in the north, the British counter attack the Turkish flank, fighting goes on for 3 days, but the British hold the city. By 30th December, the British control the entire road from Jerusalem to Jaffa, but Allenby has lost 30,000 of his 97,000 and is suffering supply problems. Allenby also faces a communication and supply crisis in Jerusalem, the heavy rains having washed out the bridges and railroad construction, only the camels can cross the desert, though some trucks are able to bring supplies from the railhead to camels.

Palestine: Turk counter*attack towards Jerusalem fails 3 miles north astride Nablus road despite fresh 1st Division. Deciphered radio message warns Allenby and Chetwode before December 24; British 60th Division repels eight Turk attacks; 10th and 74th Divisions capture Zeitun Ridge and village in 4,000 yards advance. 33,000 British troops and 180 guns advance up to 6 miles against strong but flagging resistance by 20,000 Turks and c.100 guns (December 28-30).


Turkish troops at Jerusalem

Among those killed in the actions around Jerusalem today is

Captain James Logan Mackie (Ayreshire Yeomanry attached Scots Fusiliers) is killed at age 24. He is the son of ‘Sir’ Peter J Mackie the 1st
Captain James Hamilton Langdon Yorke MC (Yeomanry) is also killed at age 33. He competed in the high jump for Oxford University in the University Sports and is the son of J C Yorke JP.
Lieutenant George Hare (Dublin Fusiliers) is killed at age 31. His brother will die on service in India in July 1919 and they are sons of the Reverend Henry Hare.


James Logan Mackie

Captain John Bell (Australian Flying Corps) dies of injuries after crashing his plane on the Western Front at age 31. He played 18 Australian Rules football games for Geelong in 1906 and 1908.
Lieutenant Frank Dulcken Purser (Nelson Battalion Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve) is killed at age 27. He is a Rosslyn Park Rugby footballer and schoolmaster at Haileybury College.

WESTERN FRONT
Germany: Second conference between Ludendorff and army group staff chiefs on 1918 offensive in the West. General Hutier, from Eastern Front, takes over new Eighteenth Army at St Quentin.

EASTERN FRONT
Baltic Provinces: Riga Council declares Latvian independence from Russia and requests Kaiser’s protection.

The war in the air

General Headquarters, December 28th.

“On the 27th inst. snowstorms again made it impossible to do much flying. A hostile scout machine was brought down in our lines and the pilot captured.

“During the night of the 27th-28th inst. our aeroplanes dropped 240 bombs on four of the enemy’s aerodromes round Roulers, and on hostile billets south of Lille. Several trains were also bombed by us, and a direct hit was obtained on one of them.

“None of our machines are missing.”

RFC Communiqué number 120:

Very little flying was possible owing to snow storms and high wind.

Two reconnaissances were done by the 1st Brigade, two by the 2nd Brigade, four by the 3rd Brigade and one by the 5th Brigade when Lieuts Mackensen and Hurt, No 35 Squadron, obtained useful information.

On the night of the 26th, Major C F Portal and Lieut Nicholls, No 16 Squadron, ranged one of our batteries on to a hostile battery by moonlight and bursts were clearly visible and an explosion caused in the battery position.

5,270 rounds were fired at ground targets, 63 photographs taken, and 136 bombs dropped as follows:—

Night, December 26th/27th - 1st Brigade: No 2 Squadron dropped 36 25-lb bombs on Carvin, 23 25-lb on Estevillers and 10 25-lb on Ayelin. No 16 Squadron dropped 12 25-lb [bombs] on billets.

Day, December 27th –
1st Brigade: No 4 Squadron dropped 12 25-lb bombs on various targets. Corps Squadrons fired 750 rounds and Naval Squadron No 8 300 rounds various targets.
2nd Brigade: Machines of this Brigade fired 2,570 rounds.
3rd Brigade: 9 25-lb bombs were dropped by Scout Squadrons and 14 25-lb by Corps Squadrons. 550 rounds were fired at various targets.
5th Brigade: Corps Squadrons of the 5th Brigade fired rounds 1,100 rounds at ground targets.

RNAS Communiqué number 12:

Heavy banks of clouds, high winds with snow and sleet, made flying impossible.

Enemy Aircraft: Enemy aircraft activity was slight all day.

2nd-Lieut Hanna & 2nd-Lieut R A Burnand, 35 Sqn, Pfalz Scout captured north of Vermand - 2nd-Lieuts Hanna and Burnand, No 35 Squadron, observed an enemy scout on our side of the line in the vicinity of Vermand, so they attacked it and forced it to land in our lines north of Vermand; Vzfw Hecht, Js10, Pow

Lieut K A Seth-Smith and 2nd-Lieut F G Quigley, 70 Sqn, two-seater destroyed Zarren at 10:50/11:50

Flt Cdr G W Price and Flt Sub-Lieut H Day, 8N Sqn, DFW C out of control Hénin-Liétard at 14:35/15:35 - Flight Commander G Price and Flight Sub-Lieut H Day, Naval Squadron No 8 shot down one machine which appeared to fall out of control.

Because of the weather there were limited air actions and only the following aerial victory claims by aces on this day...



There were still three British airmen lost on this day



The Imperial German Army established the 18th Army to serve on the Western Front. It was dissolved in 1919

18th Army was one of three armies (along with 17th Army and 19th Army) formed in late 1917 / early 1918 with forces withdrawn from the Eastern Front. They were in place to take part in Ludendorff's Spring Offensive. The Germans had realised that their only remaining chance of victory was to defeat the Allies before the overwhelming human and matériel resources of the United States could be deployed. They also had the temporary advantage in numbers afforded by nearly 50 divisions freed by the Russian withdrawing from the war (Treaty of Brest-Litovsk). At the end of the war it was serving as part of Heeresgruppe Deutscher Kronprinz.

The Luftstreitkräfte established air squadrons Jagdstaffel 51, Jagdstaffel 52, and Jagdstaffel 53.


Jasta 51 was founded on 27 December 1917. It went operational on 9 January 1918. Also in January, it joined Jagdgruppe 3. Its first aerial victory came 14 March 1918. The squadron would operate its Fokker D.VIIs through war's end

Jasta 52 was founded at Flieger-Abteilung (Flier Detachment) 7, at Braunschweig, Germany on 27 December 1917. It became operational on 9 January 1918. On 14 January, it was moved to support 6 Armee. The new squadron flew its first combat missions 30 January. Paul Billik would score the unit's first aerial victories on 9 March 1918, and would go on to score about half his squadron's total. Jasta 52 would support 6 Armee for the remainder of the war

Jasta 53 was founded on 27 December 1917 at Flieger-Abteilung (Flier Detachment) 9, Darmstadt, Germany. It began operations on 9 January 1918. However, the new squadron did not fly its first combat missions until 10 March 1918. On 22 March 1918, they scored their first three aerial victories

The U.S. Navy destroyer Rathburne was launched by William Cramp and Sons in Philadelphia.



USS Rathburne (DD–113) was a Wickes-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War I. She was the first ship named for John Peck Rathbun.

Rathburne was laid down 12 July 1917 by William Cramp and Sons Company, Philadelphia; launched 27 December 1917; sponsored by Miss Malinda B. Mull; and commissioned 24 June 1918, Commander Ward R. Wortman in command

During the final months of World War I, July to November 1918, Rathburne escorted coastal convoys from the mid-Atlantic seaboard as far north as Halifax, Nova Scotia and oceanic convoys to the Azores. Completing her last convoy at New York 27 November, she remained there until the new year, 1919, then sailed south to Cuba for winter maneuvers. With the spring, she again crossed the Atlantic, operated from Brest during May and June, and returned to New York in July. In August she was transferred to the Pacific Fleet. West coast operations occupied the remainder of the year, while the first half of 1920 was spent in overhaul at Puget Sound. Designated DD-113 in July, she cruised the waters off Washington and in the Gulf of Alaska from August 1920 until January 1921, and then shifted south for operations off California. In July, she headed west and in late August arrived at Cavite to join the Asiatic Fleet. Based there for almost a year, she departed the Philippines on 16 July 1922, cruised off the China coast into August and on the 30th of that month sailed from Nagasaki en route to Midway, Pear Harbor, and San Francisco. Arriving at the latter 2 October, she soon shifted to San Diego, where she was decommissioned 12 February 1923 and was berthed with the reserve fleet until 1930. Recommissioned 8 February 1930, Rathburne remained in the eastern Pacific, engaged in exercises including fleet problems involved with strategic scouting, tracking, attacking, and defense of convoys and the defense of the west coast, through 1933. In the spring of 1934 she departed San Diego for the Panama Canal and the Caribbean for Fleet Problem XV, a three-phased problem involving the attack and defense of the Canal; the capture of advanced bases; and fleet action. A cruise along the east coast followed and in the fall she returned to San Diego.

[Hedeby]

28th December 1917

As the year draws to a close, still not a great deal happening, I guess this could be the pattern as the winter months continue...

However plenty of action in the skies on whar for the most part was a clear day, including a 'hat trick' for James McCudden



General Headquarters, December 29th.

“On the 28th inst. the weather was fine with a strong east wind, which late in the afternoon increased almost to a gale. A great many successful photographs were taken by our aeroplanes, and over a hundred bombs were dropped on three of the enemy's aerodromes north of Lille. The enemy's artillery machines were very active, and were repeatedly attacked by our scouts and engaged by our anti-aircraft guns. Seven hostile machines, four of which fell in our lines, were brought down by our aeroplanes, and two others were driven down out of control. Four other hostile machines were shot down by our anti-aircraft guns, three of them falling in our lines. Three of our aeroplanes are missing.”

RFC Communiqué number 120:

The weather was fine with the exception of on the front of the 5th Brigade where snow fell, but in the afternoon a very strong north-easterly wind blew.

Two reconnaissances were carried out by the 2nd Brigade, five by the 3rd, and one by the 9th Wing.

Artillery Co-operation: With aeroplane observation 29 hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction; one gun-pit was destroyed, 12 damaged, 13 explosions and two fires caused. Forty-eight active batteries were reported by zone call.

1,245 photographs were taken. 5,200 rounds fired at ground targets and approximately five tons of bombs dropped, as follows:-

1st Brigade: On the night of the 27th/28th, No 16 Squadron fired 640 rounds at searchlights and other targets. No 2 Squadron dropped 56 25-lb bombs on Meurchin and on Carvin. No 5 Squadron dropped one 112-lb bomb on Carvin, and one 112-lb and one 25-lb on Vitry, also 12 25-lb bombs on Meurchin. No 16 Squadron dropped 14 25-lb bombs on Meurchin, four 25-lb on Carvin, and three 25-lb on Pont-à-Vendin.

On the 28th, No 2 Squadron dropped 16 25-lb bombs on various targets. No 18 Squadron dropped eight 112-lb bombs on Moncheaux Aerodrome and two 112-lb on Annay.
Machines of the 1st Wing fired 1,400 rounds at ground targets and Naval No 8 Squadron fired 950 rounds.
2nd Brigade: No 67 Squadron dropped 24 25-lb bombs on Rumbeke Aerodrome, and machines of this Brigade fired 940 rounds.
3rd Brigade: Machines dropped thirty-eight 25-lb bombs on various targets and fired 100 rounds.
5th Brigade: Machines dropped twenty 25-lb bombs and fired 270 rounds.
9th Wing: No 27 Squadron dropped six 112-lb bombs on Menin.

On the night of the 27/28th, No 101 Squadron dropped seventy-six 25-lb bombs and fired 850 rounds. Twenty of the bombs were dropped on Rumbeke Aerodrome, eighteen on Staden Aerodrome and sidings, and direct hits were obtained on buildings, railway and billets. Twelve bombs were dropped on Ledeghem, eight on hutments on either side of the Roulers - Menin railway line which were hit; four on Moorslede; twelve on Roulers where the railway and station were hit; one 25-lb and one incendiary bomb on huts at Hooglede.

On the same night, No 102 Squadron dropped forty 25-lb bombs on Gheluwe, Cormines, Wervicq and other targets, and one observer fired 50 rounds at an enemy machine.

RNAS Communiqué number 12:

Fighter Patrols were maintained during the greater part of the day. Nothing of importance to report.

Enemy Aircraft: Enemy scouts were not particularly active, but a number of two-seaters crossed our lines. Thirteen of his machines were brought down during day, seven of which fell in our lines. Three of those were by anti-aircraft, which shot down one on the other side also, and five were driven down out of control. We had only three machines missing.

Anti-aircraft of the First Army shot down an enemy machine which crashed near Auchy; and anti-aircraft of the Third Army shot one down at Saillisel, one at Transloy and one at Monchy which a machine of No 13 Squadron also attacked.

Maj A D Carter, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed north-west of Houthulst Forest at 10:05/11:05 – Major A D Carter, No 19 Squadron, secured a favourable position on an EA’s tail which he followed down until he saw it fall out of control and crash

Capt F H B Selous, 60 Sqn, Rumpler C crashed west of Roulers at 10:45/11:45

2nd-Lieut F H Hobson and Lieut K A Seth-Smith, 70 Sqn, two-seater crashed Zarren at 11:00/12:00 - pilots of No 70 Squadron took part in a number of fights and destroyed three EA. One of these was destroyed by 2nd-Lieut F Hobson, who dived one which Lieut Seth-Smith had driven down. This machine, which was a two-seater, landed on its nose, when 2nd Lieut-Hobson fired another burst at it, after which it, burst flames and was seen to burn up

2nd-Lieut G R Howsam, 70 Sqn, Albatros C destroyed Zarren at 11:00/12:00 - pilots of No 70 Squadron took part in a number of fights and destroyed three EA. One of these was destroyed by 2nd-Lieut G Howsam

Flt Cdr G W Price and Flt Sub-Lieut H Day, 8N Sqn, DFW C out of control Vitry at 11:00/12:00 - a patrol of Naval No 8 Squadron attacked n hostile scout and Flight Sub-Lieut W Jordan shot it down out of control. Two more were shot down out of control; Flight Commander Price and Flight Sub-Lieut Day accounting for one and Flight Sub-Lieut W Crundall for the other

2nd-Lieut G Bremridge and Lieut C B Matthews, 65 Sqn, two-seater out of control north-west of Houthulst Wood at 11:15/12:15

Capt J T B McCudden, 56 Sqn, Rumpler C captured Vélu Wood at 11:15/12:15 - Capt J B McCudden, No 56 Squadron, during one flight, engaged four EA and shot three of them down in our lines. “Left aerodrome at 10.15 to look for EA west of the lines. At 11.10 I saw a Rumpler coming west over Boursies. I got into position at 75 yards, fired a short burst from both guns, when EA at once went into a right-hand spiral dive and its right-hand wings fell off at about 17,000, and the wreckage fell in our lines north of Velu Wood at 11.15.”; Uffz Munz & Ltn Rucker, FA7, Kia, G.111

Lieut G E H McElroy, 40 Sqn, LVG C crashed Drocourt - Vitry at 11:20/12:20 - observed EA at about 4,000 feet approaching our lines. Dived down, evidently unobserved, and fired about 100 rounds at 50 yards range. EA went down out of control. In dive S.E. overshot falling EA, but on turning round observed machine at rest on ground, and evidently crashed.

Flt Sub-Lieut W L Jordan, 8N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Méricourt at 11:25/12:25 - a patrol of Naval No 8 Squadron attacked a hostile scout and Flight Sub-Lieut W Jordan shot it down out of control

Capt G O Horsley, 40 Sqn, Scout [described as being a single seater of large size and new type with long fuselage, along which ran a zigzag white marking] out of control Thelus at 11:30/12:30 – flying at 10,000 feet he saw an enemy machine attacking an SE from behind so came up behind the EA’s tail. He fired a burst of 20 to 30 rounds from the Vickers at a range of 30 yards. The EA went down in a spin, followed by Capt Horsley who went no lower than 2,000 feet; he did not see the EA crash due to the presence of another enemy machine

Flt Sub-Lieut W F Crundall, 8N Sqn, Albatros out of control north of Scarpe (near Vitry) at 11:30/12:30 and Albatros out of control north of Scarpe (near Vitry) at 11:30/12:30 - a patrol of Naval No 8 Squadron attacked n hostile scout and Flight Sub-Lieut W Jordan shot it down out of control. Two more were shot down out of control; Flight Commander Price and Flight Sub-Lieut Day accounting for one and Flight Sub-Lieut W Crundall for the other

Capt J T B McCudden, 56 Sqn, Rumpler C captured Flers at 11:35/12:35 – “at 11.30 saw a Rumpler going north over Haplincourt at 17,000 feet. I secured a firing position and fired a good burst from both guns, when flames once came from EA's fuselage and he went, down in right-hand flat spin, and crashed in our lines near Flers (as near as I could judge), as I remained 17,000 feet so as not to lose time by going down and having to climb up again. E.A. crashed about 11.35 am”; Uffz Oskar Guntert (Kia) & Ltn Hans Mittag (Kia), FA 40, G.112

2nd-Lieut F C Gorringe, 70 Sqn, two-seater crashed Ploegsteert at 11:50/12:50 - pilots of No 70 Squadron took part in a number of fights and destroyed three EA. 2nd-Lieut F Gorringe destroyed one of these

Lieut H N C Robinson and 2nd-Lieut G D Lamburn, 46 Sqn, two-seater captured west of Havrincourt at 12:00/13:00 - 2nd Lieuts Robinson and Lamburn, No 46 Squadron, attacked a two-seater which they shot down in flames and which broke to pieces before reaching the ground near Gonzeaucourt in our lines

Lieut J S Green & Lieut W K McMillan, 13 Sqn, Rumpler C captured west of Monchy-le-Preux at 12:15/13:15 - Lieuts J Green and W McMillan, No 13 Squadron, saw a German aeroplane doing photography and attacked it. This machine eventually landed in our lines west of Monchy-le-Preux, and on examination was found to have been hit by anti-aircraft shell

Capt J T B McCudden, 56 Sqn, LVG C captured Havrincourt Wood at 12:15/13:15 – “I now saw an LVG being shelled by our anti-aircraft over Havrincourt at 16,000. Anti-aircraft fire did not until I was within range of EA. I obtained a good position at fairly long range, fired a burst with the object of making him dive, which he did. EA dived very steeply (about 200 miles per hour) starting at about 16,000 feet, and at about 9,000 feet I fired another burst into EA at 100 yards range, when flames issued from EA’s fuselage and then he broke up over Havrincourt Wood, the wreckage falling in our lines. The EA had been diving so fast that the hostile observer could not fire even if I gave him the chance”; Ltn Albert Weinrich (Kia) & Ltn Walter Bergmann (Kia), FA 210[?], G.113

Flt Cdr R J O Compston, 8N Sqn, DFW C in flames Harnes - Pont-à-Vendin at 12:40/13:40

Losses on this day


Captain Alfred Edwin "Eddie" McKay

Alfred Edwin McKay attended the University of Western Ontario. On 28 October 1916, he and Arthur Knight were on patrol over the Somme when they were attacked by Oswald Boelcke. In the ensuing battle, Boelcke was killed when his Albatros collided with that of Erwin Böhme. McKay was killed the following year when his SPAD was shot down by a German two-seater. He was flying a Spad VII from 23 Squadron and had accumulated 10 kills. Prior to the war he enrolled in a Faculty of Arts program at the University of Western Ontario. Once there he excelled in varsity athletics. In particular, his speed was often cited by a student newspaper – The Western University Gazette – as a reason for the success of Western’s 1915 Canadian Junior Championship rugby team.

McKay was one of six British airmen lost on this day



The following aces claimed victories on this day... including a couple celebrating their first victories



Captain George Robert Howsam MC 70 Squadron RFC (Sopwith Camel)



The son of George and Ida (Cutting) Howsam, George Robert Howsam went from high school into the army in March 1916, serving with the 116th Battalion and 182nd Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in the spring of 1917, learning to fly at Deseronto and Camp Borden, Ontario. In August 1917 he went to France and was posted to 70 Squadron. Flying the Sopwith Camel he scored his first victory in December 1917. On 22 January 1918, he shot down four Albatros scouts in one day. After recovering from wounds received in combat on 24 March 1918, he was posted to 43 Squadron as a flight commander in October 1918. Flying a Sopwith Snipe, he scored his final victory on 30 October, shooting down a Fokker D.VII over Aulnoye. Howsam returned to Canada in May 1921. He attended the Royal Air Force staff college in 1930. During World War II, Howsam served as director of training with the Royal Canadian Air Force and retired in 1945 with the rank of Air Vice-Marshal.

Captain Harry Noel Cornforth Robinson MC Croix de Guerre 46 Squadron RFC (Sopwith Camel)



Robinson joined the Royal Flying Corps in March 1917. Later that year, he was posted to 46 Squadron where he flew the Sopwith Pup before his unit was re-equipped with the Sopwith Camel. After scoring 8 victories and receiving a promotion to Captain, Robinson was reassigned to 70 Squadron in the spring of 1918 and scored 2 more victories as a Flight Commander.

"T./2nd Lt. Harry Noel Cornforth Robinson, Gen. List and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While on an offensive patrol he had trouble with his petrol pressure and was forced to turn back towards our lines. On his way back he saw seven enemy scouts attacking two of our artillery machines. He immediately dived on to the enemy and drove one of them down. During this operation one of his guns jammed. The enemy still continued the attack and he again dived on them, but his remaining gun also jammed. Though both his guns were out of action and he had very little petrol left, he continued to dive on the enemy repeatedly and eventually drove them away. He showed splendid courage and resource."

Captain George Edward Henry "McIrish" McElroy DFC (& Bar), MC (& 2 Bars) 40 Squadron RFC



Before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps, George Edward Henry McElroy spent time in the trenches until he was badly wounded in a gas attack. He was Ireland's highest scoring ace and Edward Mannock's star pupil. Five days after Mannock was killed in combat, McElroy's S.E.5a was shot down over Laventie by anti-aircraft fire. The Royal Air Force lost two of its finest pilots in less than one week. At the time of his death McElroy had 47 victories.

Lt. (T./Capt.) George Edward Henry McElroy, M.C.
A brilliant fighting pilot who has destroyed thirty-five machines and three kite balloons to date. He has led many offensive patrols with marked success, never hesitating to engage the enemy regardless of their being, on many occasions, in superior numbers. Under his dashing and skilful leadership his flight has largely contributed to the excellent record obtained by the squadron.

2nd Lt. George Edward Henry McElroy, R.G.A. and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has shown a splendid offensive spirit in dealing with enemy aircraft. He has destroyed at least two enemy machines, and has always set a magnificent example of courage and initiative.

2nd Lt. George Edward Henry McElroy, M.C., R.G.A., and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When on an offensive patrol, observing a hostile scout diving on one of our aeroplanes, he opened fire, and sent down the enemy machine in an irregular spin out of control, when it finally crashed completely. Later in the same day, he sent down another enemy machine in flames. On another occasion, when on offensive patrol, he singled one out of four enemy machines, and sent it down crashing to earth. On the same day he attacked another enemy machine, and, after firing 200 rounds, it burst into flames. On a later occasion, he opened fire on an enemy scout at 400 yards range, and finally sent it down in a slow spin out of control. In addition, this officer has brought down two other enemy machines completely out of control, his skill and determination being most praiseworthy.

Lt. (T./Capt.) George Edward Henry McElroy, M.C., R.G.A., and R.F.C.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While flying at a height of 2,000 feet, he observed a patrol of five enemy aircraft patrolling behind the lines. After climbing into the clouds, he dived to the attack, shot down and crashed one of them. Later, observing a two-seater, he engaged and shot it down out of control. On another occasion he shot down an enemy scout which was attacking our positions with machine-gun fire. He has carried out most enterprising work in attacking enemy troops and transport and in the course of a month has shot down six enemy aircraft, which were seen to crash, and five others out of control.

Lieut. (T./Capt.) George Edward Henry McElroy, M.C., D.F.C. (Royal G. Artillery).
In the recent battles on various army fronts this officer has carried out numerous patrols, and flying at low altitudes, has inflicted heavy casualties on massed enemy troops, transport, artillery teams, etc., both with machine-gun fire and bombs. He has destroyed three enemy kite balloons and forty-three machines, accounting for eight of the latter in eight consecutive days. His brilliant achievements, keenness and dash have at all times set a fine example and inspired all who came in contact with him.


AIR WAR
Italy: Austrians bomb Padua (until December 30), cause 79 casualties, bomb Treviso, Bassano, Vicenza and Castelfranco (December 31).

The VIII Brigade of the Royal Flying Corps was created by raising the 41st Wing to Brigade status, with Brigadier-General C. L. N. Newall as commander. Although the VIII Brigade had been established in December 1917 it did not exercise command authority until 1 February 1918, when Newall took command. The following month, on 1 April 1918, the VII Brigade was transferred to the Royal Air Force. With the British Government seeking to expand the bombing raids against Germany, the VIII Brigade itself was subsumed into a larger formation, becoming part of the Independent Air Force on 6 June 1918. The Brigade was probably disbanded towards the end of 1918 after the Armistice.

EASTERN FRONT
Russia: Lenin attends Demobilization Congress which votes for Army’s dissolution; he requests ‘revolutionary units’ to hold front line.

SOUTHERN FRONTS
Austria: Arz replies to Ludendorff (from December 23), agrees his Western Front 1918 spring offensive will be decisive and Austrian troops will be sent, once no longer needed in Russia.

Captain Tunstill's Men - and some recognition for a couple of the men...

Private Edmund Peacock, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, has been highly commended for his bravery at the Front. He has been presented with a tasteful certificate, signed by Major-General Robertson, commander of the 17th Division, with the following inscription: “Pte. Edmund Peacock, Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment, in recognition of conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in conveying messages under fire on 13th November 1917”. In a letter to the parents, who live at Bentley Street, Nelson, Captain Mackenzie states that the card was awarded Pt. Peacock for having made several journeys over bad ground with messages and keeping up communication between the company and battalion headquarters. He was engaged on this work when wounded and carried on his work, not complaining till next morning of any injury.

The London Gazette published official notice of the award of the Albert Medal in gold to the late Lt. Arthur Halstead (see 6th December), who had been killed in a bombing accident at X Corps School. The citation confirmed the circumstances of the incident: “On 31st July 1917 during instruction in the throwing of live bombs, a bomb was accidentally dropped. Lt. Halstead placed himself between the bomb and the soldier who had dropped it, in order to screen him, and tried to kick the bomb away, but it exploded, fatally wounding him. The soldier was slightly wounded and there can be little doubt that Lt. Halstead’s gallant action saved the soldier’s life.”

[Flying Officer Kyte]

At last the news is swinging towards the Airforce. The very thing we started it up for, and less than twelve months to go.
Rob.

[Hedeby]

As Rob says, we are almost into the closing straight now, and I can with 100% confidence say the war will be over by Christmas...

29th December 1917

The War in the Air

General Headquarters, December 30th.

“Although the weather was fine on the 29th inst., visibility was bad, and greatly interfered with the co-operation of our aeroplanes and artillery. Much successful photographic work was accomplished, however, and many bombs were dropped on Ingelmunster aerodrome and Staden and other hostile billets. Two hostile machines were brought down in our lines and a third in the enemy's lines. Two other hostile machines were driven down out of control. None of our aeroplanes are missing,”

RFC Communiqué number 120:

Low clouds and mist prevented much work being done.
Three reconnaissances were carried out by the 3rd Brigade and two by the 5th Brigade.

Nine long photographic reconnaissances were attempted by the 9th Wing but all proved unsuccessful owing to the weather. 801 photographs were taken during the day (442 by the 3rd Brigade), 188 bombs dropped and 4,960 rounds fired at ground targets as follows:—

1st Brigade: Eighteen 25-lb bombs on various targets. (No 4 Squadron).
Thirteen 25-lb bombs on various targets. (Corps Squadron).
1,100 rounds fired by Corps Squadrons
1,100 rounds by Naval Squadron No 8.

2nd Brigade: Forty-eight 26-lb bombs on Staden. (No 57 Squadron).
500 rounds at various targets,
300 rounds on an active machine gun which was silenced. (No 70 Squadron).

3rd Brigade: Fifty-one 25-lb bombs.
460 rounds.

5th Brigade: Fifty-eight 25-lb bombs. (Corps Squadrons).
400 rounds. (No 8 Squadron).
1,100 rounds. (No 35 Squadron).

With aeroplane observation, seven hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction, one gun-pit was destroyed and one fire caused.

RNAS Communiqué number 12:

Owing to the unfavourable weather conditions no reconnaissances or bomb raids could be carried out.

Fighter Patrols were maintained up to noon, but then low clouds and mist prevented any further flying during the day. Nothing of importance to report.

Enemy Aircraft: Enemy aircraft activity was slight all day.

2nd-Lieut F Westfield & Lieut Fenelon, 10 Sqn, Scout out of control - 2nd-Lieut F Westfield and Lieut Fenelon, No 10 Squadron, were attacked by three EA Scouts. After considerable fighting, one of the enemy machines was shot down completely out of control and the RE8 returned safely

Capt J T B McCudden, 56 Sqn, LVG C captured Havrincourt at 09:55/10:55 - Left aerodrome at 9 a.m. and crossed the lines east of Gouzeaucourt at 9.45 at 14,000. Saw three EA two-seaters coming west. I dived on these followed by my patrol and drove an LVG down from 13,500 to the ground. EA. made a pretence of landing in our lines, but put his engine on again and made north-east at about 10 feet. I headed him west again, but he turned east, so I fired another burst into him and then he got into a flat spin and crashed near Havrincourt at 9.55 a.m. Climbed and onlv found two members of my patrol. I then approached four Albatross Scouts over Bois de Vancelles, who went down east. Several EA two-seaters patrolling east of the Canal at Vendhuille at about 3,000, too low to engage. Returned 10.50; Vfw Kurt Gerschel (Kia) & Uffz Lehnert (Pow), Schsta 10, G.118

Lieut A B Fairclough, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Houthulst Forest at 10:10/11:10
Lieut J G S Candy, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north of Houthulst Forest at 10:10/11:10
Lieut A B Fairclough, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames Houthulst Forest at 10:15/11:15
Maj A D Carter, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north-east of Houthulst Forest at 10:15/11:15
Lieut J D de Pencier, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Houthulst Forest at 10:20/11:20
Capt P Huskinson, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Houthulst Forest at 10:20/11:20
Capt P Huskinson, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Houthulst Forest at 10:25/11:25

Pilots of 19 Squadron had considerable successful fighting but had one machine missing. Major Carter shot one EA down out of control, while Lieut Candy attacked another which was diving on Major Carter from behind and shot it down out of control. Lieut Fairclough destroyed one and shot down a second out of control, and Lieut De Pencier hit one which fell out of control, while Capt Huskinson shot down two out of control

Capt J T B McCudden, 56 Sqn, LVG C captured north-east of Epehy at 13:55/14:55 – Left ground at 11.25 to look for EA west of the lines. At 11.55 attacked an LVG over Lagnicourt at 16,000. I fired short burst into EA at 100 yards when water and steam came from EA's centre section. EA dived very steeply and by the time I caught up to EA again he was too far east of the line to re-engage. Last saw him gliding down north over Haucourt at 4,000 at 12 a.m. under control, but certainly damaged. At 1.50 dived on an LVG over Gouzeaucourt at 15,000. EA saw me and started a left hand circle, the EA gunner firing at long range. After half a dozen turns, EA pushed his nose down as we were drifting west. I now fired drum of Lewis and 100 rounds of Vickers into him at 100 yards range and then his right hand wings fell off and the wreckage fell in our lines north-east of Epéhy at 1.55. Returned at 2.5 as I had no more petrol. EA not very active west of the lines; Ltn Walter Dern (Kia) & Ltn Georg Muller (Kia), FA 33, G.119

Casualties:

2nd-Lieut D M Christie (Wia), 3 Sqn, Camel – shot up during bombing

2nd-Lieut H E Galer (Pow), 19 Sqn, Spad VII B6780 – took off 09:30/10:30 and last seen from lines with 2 EA on tail on offensive patrol; Ltn d R Carl Menckhoff, Js3, 18th victory [Draaibank at 10:20/11:20]

HOME FRONTS
Britain: National Labour Convention demands general rationing. Churchill letter ‘I am strongly pressing that the cavalry should be put by regiments into the Tanks’. Masterman of War Propaganda Bureau ‘As a result of the double propa*ganda, 19 countries have declared war against Germany and 10 have broken off relation*ships with her’.


Disgraced women and slain children behind them, medals for murder and destruction on the breat and the chunky boots set on a US flag – that’s how the propaganda sees the ‘bestial Germans’.

EASTERN FRONT
Russia: Old Russian Army ranks abolished; decision in principle to organize new Red Army. Admiral Kaiserling with German Military Mission arrive in Petrograd to discuss Armistice technical details.
Ukraine: Red Guards capture Lozoyova and Pavlograd on Kharkov-Crimea railway, occupy Kharkov on December 31.

NEUTRALS
Holland: First British PoW trainload arrives for internment.

Western Front

Local German attacks south of St. Quentin and near Ypres-Staden railway.

Southern Front

Padua again bombed, three killed, three injured.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Further British advance north of Jerusalem. The British line in Palestine is pushed forward another three miles. Birch, nine miles north of Jerusalem on the Shechem Road and several places east of the road are captured.

Naval and Overseas Operations

German Naval Mission under Admiral Kaiserling arrives at Petrograd.



Some cotton waste, which has been stored in a wooden cupboard in the magazine of H.M. Motor Launch No. 289, catches fire from an unknown cause. When the fire is discovered as a result of the smell of burning and by the smoke rising from the Magazine hatch, when it is opened, Deckhand John George Stanners Royal Naval Reserve, without hesitation, goes down into the magazine and brings up a quantity of the burning waste. Leading Deckhand Ruper Walter Bugg Royal Naval Reserve, who is in Motor Launch No. 285 alongside No. 289, smells something burning, and on observing Deckhand Stanners coming up from the Magazine with burning material, immediately goes down and extinguishes the remainder of the ignited cotton waste. The prompt of action and the courage shown by these men in the face of very grave danger averts a serious fire, and in all probability-saved both Motor Launches and the lives of those on board. Both men will be decorated with the Albert Medal.

In total 342 British lives were lost on this day, including...

Captain William Victor Edwards (Dublin Fusiliers) is killed in Palestine at age 30. He is an Irish International Rugby player, the Irish 200 yard swimming champion and water polo champion. He is also believed to be the first man to swim the Belfast Lough.


William Victor Edwards

Captain Christopher Russell Farmar-Cotgrave (Worcestershire Regiment) is accidentally killed in Winnezelle along with four others. His brother was killed in action seven weeks earlier.
Lieutenant William Reginald Karslake (Pembroke Yeomanry) dies at home at age 50. He is the son of the Reverend W H Karslake.
Sergeant Richard R Parry MM (Welsh Fusiliers) dies of wounds in Palestine at age 25. His brother died of wounds in September 1915.
Company Sergeant Major James Catto (Seaforth Highlandrers attached King’s African Rifles) is killed at age 28. He is the last of four brothers who will be killed in the war.
Rifleman Leonard Reeve Beechey (London Regiment) dies of wounds. He is the last of five sons of the Reverend Prince William Beechey who will lose their lives in the Great War.
Private David Allan Kininmont (Auckland Regiment) is killed at age 26. His brother was killed less than three months ago.

Major Ronald Graham DSO, DSC (& bar) RNAS is injured in combat on this day



The son of William Graham, Ronald Graham was educated at St. Joseph's College, Yokohama and Castle Douglas Academy in Scotland. He was commissioned a Temporary Sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Navy on 25 May 1915 and promoted to Flight Sub-Lieutenant in September 1915. He received Royal Aero Club Certificate 2041 on a Grahame-White biplane at Grahame-White School, Hendon on 15 November 1915. Graham was posted to the Dover Seaplane Station in early 1916; to Seaplane Base, Dunquerque, 8 June 1916; O.C. Seaplane Defence Flight, Baby-St. Pol, 30 June 1917; and was commanding officer of 213 Squadron from May 1918 until the end of the war. He received a permanent commission in the Royal Air Force as Captain on 1 August 1919. Post-war, he remained in the R.A.F. and retired as Air Vice-Marshal on 29 June 1948.

The following aces claimed victories on this day, including another brace for James McCudden, making it NINE kills in about a week...



There were only two British airmen lost on this day



Captain Tunstill's Men: Front line trenches on the Montello.

The weather became milder, with a slight thaw of the lying snow.

CQMS Frank Stephenson (see 13th June) had recently been taken ill, suffering a severe attack of pneumonia. Details of his illness and treatment are unknown, but his illness was reported in the Keighley News:

"Mrs. Frank Stephenson, Park Lane, Sutton Mill, received a telegram from Italy on Saturday, stating that her husband, Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant Frank Stephenson, was lying at a casualty clearing station in Italy, seriously ill, suffering from pneumonia. The War Office afterwards confirmed the news, but nothing further has yet come to hand. He is in the West Riding Regiment and joined up in the early months of the war. He took part in the Somme fighting last year. This is the first Christmas he has not spent at home since joining the Army".


CQMS Frank Stephenson

[Hedeby]

30th December 1917

Today's edition is brought to you from the 18th Century (1723) Lister Arms Inn at Malham deep within the snowy Yorkshire Dales. (Good job thry hve good wifi or we would have problems for the next few days)

Although judging by the first few information sites it could be a little sparse on the information front...

The War in the Air

RFC Communiqué number 120:

No service flying was possible on account of unfavourable weather.

RNAS Communiqué number 12:

Unfavourable weather conditions prevented any war work being carried out.

Reports from the German side show that Vizefeldwebel Ludwig Gaim was wounded in action on this day. Gaim joined the army in 1914, served with an artillery regiment at Verdun and transferred to the German Air Force in 1916. He was wounded in action on 6 January 1917 and posted to Jasta 39 in Italy on 27 June 1917. He scored 5 victories with this unit before he was wounded again on 30 December 1917.

There were a few claims listed...



There was a first aerial victory for Captain Clifford MacKay "Black Mike" McEwen MC, DFC (28 Squadron - Sopwith Camel B2461)



A graduate of the University of Saskatchewan, Clifford MacKay McEwen joined the Canadian Army in 1916. In April 1917 he was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps. A founding member of 28 Squadron, he served in Italy as a Sopwith Camel pilot, scoring 27 victories. In 1919 "Black Mike" returned to Canada where he served as an instructor with the Royal Canadian Air Force. From 1932 to 1941 he was commander of air training operations at Camp Borden, Ontario, then at Trenton, Ontario, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax, Nova Scotia. During World War II, he commanded two bomber group bases, assuming command of 6 Bomber Group in England in 1944. He attained the rank of Air Vice-Marshal and retired in 1946 but continued working as a consultant to various aircraft manufacturers. He was 69 when he died.

Despite the RFC and RNAS statements above the RAF records show a staggering 29 airmen lost on this day.... (A lot from the Egyptian Expeditionary Force who perished when the troop transport S. S. Aragon is torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine UC-34 while entering the port of Alexandria, Egypt.)





The hired transport S. S. Aragon is torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine UC-34 while entering the port of Alexandria, Egypt. The master and eighteen of the crew lose their lives, the total killed including from the 2,700 troops on board total 610 and the bodies of no fewer than three hundred eighty soldiers (including one Canadian flying officer) will not be recovered. The destroyers Attack and Points Castle come to the aid of Aragon.



Battery Sergeant Major Ernest George Horlock VC (General Base Depot Royal Field Artillery attached Egyptian Expeditionary Force) drowns at age 32 after being rescued by HMS Attack (Lieutenant Harry A D Keate) when it is sunk by a torpedo from the same submarine. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for conspicuous gallantry on 15th September 1914. His brother died during the Siege of Kut in January of last year.

Sapper Frederick William Fairclough (98th Light Railway Train Crew, Royal Engineers) is killed when his ship is sunk by a torpedo. His brother was killed early in the year and this is the second time Frederick has been torpedoed as he worked on RMS Lusitania when it was sunk in 1915.

Sapper Henry Wyatt of the same Royal Engineer battalion is killed at age 32. His brother was killed in September 1915.
Sapper William Harris (96th Light Railway Operating Company) is killed at age 22. His brother was killed in November 1916.
Private Oswald Pitchford (Devonshire Regiment) drowns. His brother was killed in October. Private Charles Hole (London Regiment) is killed. His brother was killed last September. Ten crew members of the Attack are also killed.

Lieutenant Harold Thorner (Machine Gun Corps) is examining some Mills and grenades in a small concrete dugout at Ypres prior to taking them to his machine-gun position during an expected enemy raid. One of the hand grenades begins to fizz when taken out of the box. There are twelve men in the dugout at the moment and there is no possible means of disposing of the bomb. Realizing what has happened Lieutenant Thorner shouts to his men to clear out while he himself holds the bomb in his hand close to his body until it explodes, killing him. By his magnificent act of courage, Lieutenant Thorner deliberately sacrificed his own life for others. Of the twelve men who were in the dugout all but two escaped without injury – the other two were slightly injured. For his actions he is awarded posthumously the Albert Medal in Gold.



On the 30th December 1917, the Troopship S.S. Aragon arrived at Alexandria Harbour, having sailed from Marseilles on the 17th December. She was laden with around 2,700 troops bound for the conflicts in Palestine. As she arrived in a convoy bound for the port, the rest of the ships sailed onwards to Alexandria and she lay up ten miles off shore, awaiting her escort. The 9588 tons of ocean liner drifted gently as she waited within sight of land but was torpedoed by the German Submarine and minelayer the UC-34.

The destroyer HMS Attack dashed to her rescue as she sunk quickly, as well as every available ship within reach. Many of the men rescued and taken onto the HMS Attack had just stripped their oil drenched clothes from their bodies and laid on the deck when she too was torpedoed by the same submarine, almost blowing her in two. The following day - New Years Eve - just as the rescue was called off, fleet auxiliary craft HMS Osmanieh also hit a mine in the area, taking another 197 soldiers and nurses down with her. 610 of the 2,700 passengers on board the HMS Aragon were lost at sea, including 25 of the new draft bound for the 5th Battalion of the Bedfordshire regiment.

Lieutenant Commander Patrick Houston Shaw-Stewart (Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve) called the financier is killed in action at Welsh Ridge. He is the son of Major General John Heron Shaw-Stewart, is a Great War poet, attended Eton and Bailliol with Julian Grenfell and was at the burial of Rupert Brooke. He is killed at age 29. He was the winner of the Hertford and Ireland Scholarships; a Double First.

Southern Fronts
Piave: French 47th Division (259 casualties) recaptures Mt Tomba in 25 minutes with nearly 1,564 PoWs. Austrians forced to evacuate Zenso bend bridgehead, Lower Piave.


Austro-Hungarian dressing station on the Italian Front.

Salonika: Sir R Ross urges the minimum of 15,000 British malaria cases be sent home; 9,000 repatriated by April 30, 1918.

Middle East
Palestine – Turk casualties since December 27: over 1,558 (558 PoWs) and 9 MGs vs British EEF of 1,360 soldiers, 1 armoured car and 2 MGs. Total Turk losses since October 31, 1917: 28,443

Captain Tunstill's Men (and more on the sinking of the Aragon)

One of Tunstill’s original recruits, Cpl. John Henry Hitchin (see 16th November) was killed when the troopship Aragon was torpedoed just outside Alexandria Harbour. Also killed in the sinking was Cpl. Harry Wilkinson of the ASC; he was the brother of James Wilkinson jnr. (see 9th November), who had also originally volunteered with Tunstill’s Company. The Aragon had sailed from Marseilles for Malta in the company of an escort group and was carrying some 2,500 bags of Christmas mail, 160 Nursing Sisters, 150 military officers, 2,200 troops, plus ship's officers and crew. The ship had arrived safely in Malta and remained there for four days before proceeding on to Alexandria. By all accounts the trip had been uneventful and, upon arrival, the ship had been allowed to enter the Port of Alexandria early on the morning of 30th December but had then been ordered back out of the port due to either there being no berth available, or that the harbour was mined (the story varies). Nonetheless, the Aragon had departed the harbour and stood off approximately ten miles from port when a submarine was sighted which had then fired a torpedo. Efforts to avoid the torpedo had been unsuccessful and the Aragon had been hit on the after port side of the ship and immediately began sinking. HMS Attack, which had also been in the convoy, had immediately come alongside the ship and had taken on as many personnel as was possible before being forced away from the sinking ship. As HMS Attack stood off rescuing men in the water, she had also been struck by a torpedo and had sunk as well. 610 lives were lost in total. Both Hitchin and Wilkinson are among 380 men killed in the disaster who are now commemorated on the Chatby Memorial, Alexandria.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Have a good break then Chris.
Rob.

[Hedeby]

I am having a great break thanks Rob - and still managing to find time to complete the thread, which is a bonus

[Hedeby]

31st December 1917

Well it's time to bid farewell to 1917 and move into the final year of the war. It has been quite a year, we have had 'Bloody April', Passchendaele, Cambrai, The Battle of Jerusalem, at least half a dozen Battles of Alonzo and much more. So lets close off the year...

The War in the Air

Two German Aces were killed on this day

Oberflugmeister Karl Meyer



Wounded in action on 28 December 1917. Died from his wounds three days later. He had eight victories to his name.

Leutnant Alwin Thurm of Jasta 31

Thurm scored his first victory with Jasta 24 in the summer of 1917. Later that year, he assumed command of Jasta 31 and scored 4 more victories before he was shot down in flames by Raymond Brownell and Henry Moody of 45 Squadron.

There were only a handful of aerial victory claims on this day, including



General Headquarters, January 1st.

“On December 31st very little flying was possible, owing to the mist. During the night, although the improvement in the weather was slight, our aeroplanes dropped over 100 bombs on hostile billets in the neighbourhood of Roulers and Menin. Several direct hits were obtained, and a train in movement was also bombed and hit. All our machines returned.”

RFC Communiqué number 120:

Low mist interfered with work.

Two reconnaissances were done by the 1st Brigade, one by the 2nd Brigade - Capt Martin and 2nd-Lieut Lomax, No 53 Squadron - and five by the 3rd Brigade. A pilot of No 53 Squadron fired 100 rounds at ground targets.

Sixteen 25-lb bombs were dropped on various targets and 200 rounds fired by the 3rd Brigade; two of the bombs were seen to burst among massed infantry near Cambrai and caused many casualties.

RNAS Communiqué number 12:

Unfavourable weather conditions prevented any war work being carried out.

A total of 52 Airmen were lost on this day, alas far too many to mention here. Again the majority (as yesterday) were killed when their troopship hit a mine and sank at Alexandria Harbour



Lieutenant Arthur Lewis Jenkins (Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry attached Royal Flying Corps) is killed in an airplane accident at age 25. He is a Great War Poet. His book of poems “Folorn Adventurer’s” was published in 1916. The forward in his book was by Frank Fletcher. The eldest son of ‘Sir’ John Lewis Jenkins KCSI, Arthur had hoped to enter the Indian Civil Service like his father. Educated at Balliol with a classical scholarship, he volunteered for service in the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry in December 1914. He served in India for a year and then went to Aden in charge of a machine gun section. In 1915 he moved with his battalion to Palestine. In January 1917 he was commissioned into the Royal Flying Corps and went to Egypt to learn how to fly. He returned to England and while serving in a home defence squadron was killed in a flying accident.

Happy Warriors (a tribute to his friends who fell in Palestine 1915)

Surely they sleep content, our valiant dead,
Fallen untimely in the savage of strife:
They have but followed whither duty led,
To find a fuller life.

Who, then, are we to grudge the bitter price
Of this our land inviolate through the years,
Or mar the splendour of their sacrifice
That is too high for tears…

God grant we fail not at the test – that when
We take, mayhap, our places in the fray,
Come life, come death, we quit ourselves like men,
The peers of such as they.

Western Front
British took 1,018 PoWs and 4 guns. 183,896 AEF (American Expedition Force) personnel now in Europe.


An American troopship has docked in a French port.

Sea War
Allied and neutral December shipping losses to U-boats: 160 ships (76 British, 520 lives lost) worth 382,060t (U-boat figure 411,766t including 148,331t in Mediterranean; 8 U-boats lost, only 2 in Mediterranean). 3,680 portable hydrophone sets now in British service.
North Sea: *British 1917 Dutch convoys (1,031 ships) lose only 6 ships, but escorts lose 5 destroyers, 9 damaged, and 1 cruiser damaged in collision (520 lives lost).
Baltic: Russians have laid annual record of 13,418 mines.

The hired transport S S Osmanieh strikes a mine at the same place the S S Aragon struck one the previous day, and sinks. One hundred ninty-eight eight are killed. The bodies of at least seventy-six soldiers who sailed in here (including one Indian medical officer) are not recovered. Among the dead are eight Nurses including Una Marguerite Duncanson (Volunteer Aid Detatchment) who dies at age 25. Her two brothers have previously been killed in the war.

Built by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson, Ltd., Newcastle in 1906 and owned by the Kedivial Co., was hired at the time of her loss by the British Royal Navy as a troop transport and was 4041 tons.

The steamship S S Hercules (Master Alfred Longstaff age 50) is torpedoed and sunk by a submarine three miles from Whitby. Twelve are killed including the Master.


S.S. Osmanieh

Home Fronts
Britain: Lowest working days lost since April. Now 217,000 allotments in urban areas.
France: Elections postponed for duration. Stamp duty on purchases over 10 francs.
USA: Army strength 485,250; National Guard 416,031; National Army 480,000; Reserve 157,225.

Sugar is rationed in Britain, as a result of shortages created by the U-boat war. This is the first time food rationing has ever been imposed in Britain on a national scale.

Captain Tunstill's Men: A message was issued by 69th Brigade HQ, “After visiting various parts of the Brigade Front today the Commander-in-Chief expressed to the Brigade Commander his high appreciation of all the work done and of the system of defence and desired him to give to all ranks his good wishes for a very happy New Year”.

Well that brings 1917 to something of a quiet end. Thanks to all our readers/viewers, see you in 1918.