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Thread: 100 Years Ago Today

  1. #3101

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    Thanks Mike, and we have not forgotten your stepping up to the plate when things got difficult, so thanks for that.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  2. #3102

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    Going to try a short stint back in the office on Sunday. Hoping all goes well.

    Now where did I put the bloody typewriter? Whiskey and toilet paper; not necessarily in that order though!

    MIA but now found.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  3. #3103

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    8th March 1918

    Battle of Bakhmach (Bitva u Bachmače in Czech), was a battle between the Czechoslovak Legion in Russia and German forces occupying Ukraine. The battle lasted from March 8 to March 13, 1918 over the city of Bakhmach (Бахмач), today in Ukraine. Following a Legion victory, the Germans negotiated a truce.

    On March 3, 1918 Russia, controlled by the Bolsheviks, signed the Brest-Litovsk peace treaty with Germany in which it gave up, among others, control over Ukraine. On March 8 Germans reached Bakhmach, an important railroad hub and Legion was in danger of being encircled. The threat was grave because captured legionnaires were summarily executed as traitors of Austria-Hungary. 6th "Hanácký" and 7th "Tatranský" Rifle Regiments, together with The Assault battalion of Czechoslovak Army Corps of the Legion set up defense at the town against incoming German 91st and 224th Infantry divisions. Notable were not only fighting for Bakhmach railway junction (victory of Stanislav Čeček), but also the battle for the bridge over the river Desna, this led to bloody battles at Doch. The fights peaked on March 10. Thanks to Legion victory the Germans negotiated a truce, during which Czechoslovak armoured trains could freely pass through Bakhmach railway junction to Chelyabinsk. The Czechoslovak Legion (about 42,000 soldiers) during truce set up for escape from Russia via the Trans-Siberian railroad. Armies of Germany and Austria-Hungary then started to occupy the land without much resistance. Losses of the Legion were: 145 killed, 210 wounded, 41 missing. Estimate of German losses is around 300 dead and hundreds wounded. Similarly to Battle of Zborov or the "Siberian anabasis", the battle of Bakhmach became one of the symbols of the Czechoslovakian Legions and their fight for independence.

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    Memorial plaque of Battle of Bakhmach in Olomouc (Czech Republic). Statue of legionar in winter uniform was made by Otakar Španiel.

    The Battle of Tell 'Asur, known as the Action of Tell 'Asur also known as the Battle of Turmus 'Aya, took place between 8 and 12 March 1918, after the decisive victory at the Battle of Jerusalem and the Capture of Jericho during the Sinai and Palestine Campaign of World War I. Fighting took place over an area which extended from the Mediterranean to Abu Tellul and Mussalabeh on the edge of the Jordan Valley.

    After the Capture of Jericho by the Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF) in February 1918 the occupation of the Jordan Valley began. However, the captured territory was not sufficiently broad to provide a strong enough base for the planned Transjordan operations. The EEF's front line was successfully pushed northwards following attacks by the XX and XXI Corps against the Ottoman Seventh Army and Eighth Army. At the end of March the First Transjordan attack on Amman was launched to be followed the next month by the Second Transjordan attack on Shunet Nimrin and Es Salt. General Edmund Allenby's right flank was secure but was not sufficiently broad to support the planned operations across the Jordan to the Hedjaz railway. During these operations a general advance on a front of 14–26 miles (23–42 km) and up to a maximum of 5–7 miles (8.0–11.3 km) in depth by both the XX and XXI Corps pushed Ottoman forces north from the River Auja on the Mediterranean coast, from Abu Tellul and Mussallabeh on the edge of the Jordan Valley and up the Jerusalem to Nablus road capturing Ras el Ain. The objectives of the XX Corps were Kh. el Beiyudat and Abu Telul in the Jordan Valley north of the Wadi el Auja and to the west astride the Jerusalem to Nablus road, the road running from Mughaiyrir through Sinjil and Jiljliya (Gilgal) to Abwein. The XXI Corps' right was to advance to Deir Ballut and Majdal Yaba 4.5 miles (7.2 km) north of its present position at Et Tire.

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    Jerusalem to Nablus Road shows Ain Sinia on left and Yebrud on right. Photo taken by the 230th Brigade, 74th Division.

    Some preliminary operations mainly to gain better gun positions commenced on the night of 2 March when infantry from the 53rd (Welsh) Division advanced west of the Nablus road on a 3 miles (4.8 km) front from north-west of Rammun to south-west of Bir ez Zeit and the 10th (Irish) Division advanced to Beit Ello 5 miles (8.0 km) west of Bir ez Zeit. On the night of 6 March 53rd (Welsh) Division occupied the village of Taiyibe and the artillery was then brought up.

    The main advance by infantry from the XX Corps, began during the night of 8 March, by the 53rd (Welsh) Division with the 1st Light Horse Brigade (probably operating dismounted in the rough terrain — see map opposite), the 74th (Yeomanry) Division and the 10th (Irish) Division. On the right flank the 181st Brigade, 60th (2/2nd London) Division, which took part on the first day only, was to secure the line of the Wadi el Auja in and just above the Jordan Valley and guard it and the open right flank of the 53rd (Welsh) Division against an attack. The 60th (2/2nd London) Division pushed Ottoman units back from high ground on the north bank of the Wadi Auja, well beyond the valuable water supply in the river. The XX Corps began its advance during the night of 8 March at the same time as the Ottoman XX Corps began to arrive on the Auja. The wadi was 20 yards (18 m) across but only 3 feet (0.91 m) deep and the 2/22nd and 2/21st Battalion, London Regiment crossed the wadi in the plain without incident before 05:00. The 2/24th and 2/23rd Battalions, London Regiment in the hills had difficulties and a gap of 5 miles (8.0 km) developed where an Ottoman division had given the defences an unexpected strength.

    Meanwhile, infantry from the 53rd, 74th and 10th Divisions advanced north up both sides of the Jerusalem to Nablus road from Kefr Malik to Nebi Saleh cutting off all tracks and roads leading to the lower Jordan Valley.The 53rd (Welsh) Division's objective; the capture of Tell 'Asur, was assigned to the 158th Briagde. The Tell was a very valuable observation post with views extending north to the hills of Galilee with Mount Hermon in the background 90 miles (140 km) away, in the east and south-east to Gilead, Moab and most of the Dead Sea, in the south over the Mount of Olives to the heights of Hebron and west to the Mediterranean from south of Jaffa to north of Caesarea. It was captured by the 5th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers about 09:30 after a heavy bombardment by the 91st Heavy Battery but the position was far from secure being subjected to a successful counter-attack shortly after, but the 6th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers drove them off. Four unsuccessful attempts by Ottoman forces were made to regain this hill.

    Infantry from the 74th (Yeomanry) Division's attack was made astride the Jerusalem to Nablus road; the 231st Brigade on the right moving towards Mezra ash Sherqiye a 1.5 miles (2.4 km) north north west of Tell 'Asur. But the difficult night advance was further complicated by the terrain and Ottoman machine guns and despite reinforcements being brought forward, the infantry were held up later in the day by the cavernous gorge of the Wadi el Jib. Operating in two groups; the 10th (Irish) Division's right attacked Atara and Ajul and the left attacked from Deir es Sudan to Nabi Salih. After a late start due to fog rapid advances were made and during the following night the advance continued on most of the front. The bridge over the Wadi el Jib was found to be intact and the top of the cliff was won just before dawn. Daylight found them on the lower slopes of the hills while Ottoman machine gun defenders made determined stands. During these operations the infantry advanced up and down precipitous cliffs and through deep gorges with every Ottoman machine gun carefully placed in strong defensive positions. These had to be located by careful reconnaissance on foot as the country was very rough and due to the low cloud and mist aerial reconnaissance could not be used. Artillery was also severely hampered by the rough terrain making it virtually impossible to produce effective artillery fire support.

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    On the plain the operations of the XXI Corps were carried out without any of the difficulties suffered by the XX Corps.The XXI Corps moved its right forward from the Wadi Deir Ballut to Ras el Ain and secured a commanding position near Abu Tellul and Musallabeh which overlooks the Jordan Valley and the Beisan to Jericho road.

    Their final objective was a line north of the Wadi Deir Ballut (which becomes the Wadi el Jib) and the Wadi Abu Lejja where it enters the Nahr el Auja north of Mulebbis an advance of 4.5 miles (7.2 km). After the passage of the Nahr el Auja an advance had reached El Haram near ancient Arsuf making it possible to take the Ottoman positions in enfilade. The attack was carried out by infantry from the 232nd Brigade and 234th Brigade of the 75th Division and the 162nd Brigade of the 54th (East Anglian) Division closely supported by artillery in a creeping barrage. One section followed close behind the infantry leaving the rest of the battery in action and as soon as the leading section was able to open fire the four other guns moved forward to join it. Deir el Ballut was taken about at 14:00 on 10 March and by 11:00 on 11 March all the ground to the south of the Wadi had been evacuated by the Ottoman forces leaving behind 112 soldiers who were taken prisoner and about 40 dead at a cost to the two infantry divisions of 104 casualties. The final line captured was found to be overlooked on all sides so a slight retirement to the heights just to the south was made and the positions consolidated. Elsewhere objectives had not all been gained but the depth of the advance in the centre was 5 miles (8.0 km) over a 14-mile (23 km) front at a cost of over 1,300 casualties; only 169 prisoners had been captured. The new line established by these infantry corps remained almost the same for six months; until the general advance in September 1918. The success of these infantry operations provided a sufficiently large base to support the Transjordan operations which began at the end of the month with the first Transjordan attack on Amman.

    Eastern Front
    USSR: Trotsky appointed People’s Commissar for War.
    Baltic: Duchy of Courland’s throne offered to Kaiser; Germans declare protectorate on March 15.

    Sea War
    Irish Sea: German U-boat mine found off Walney Island (Lancashire). Mersey-laid mines found on March 9 and cleared by paddle-steamers in 48 hours.

    Air War
    France: 60 Gotha bombers (1 lost) drop 92 bombs on Paris (59 casualties).
    Mesopotamia: Royal Flying Corps bombs and strafes Turks retreating from Hit (until March 10), 225 bombs dropped.

    General Headquarters, March 9th.

    “Great aerial activity prevailed on the 8th instant. Work in conjunction with the artillery, reconnaissances, photography, and bombing were carried out incessantly by our aeroplanes. Over 400 bombs were dropped on the enemy's ammunition dumps and sidings at Menin, Busigny, and Guise, east of St. Quentin, in spite of the most determined attacks made by the enemy's scouts against our bombing machines. In air fighting, 12 hostile aeroplanes were brought down and 10 others were driven down out of control. Another hostile machine was shot down by anti-aircraft gunfire. Three of our aeroplanes are missing. After dark, the greater part of the front was enveloped in mist, but in one sector our night-flying machines dropped 24 heavy bombs and 48 lighter bombs on the ammunition dump and railway sidings at Fresnoy, north-east of St. Quentin. All our machines returned.”

    RFC Communiqué number 130:

    The weather was fine all day, but the visibilily was indifferent.

    Twenty-two reconnaissances were carried out by Brigades and six successful long distance photographic flights by the 9th Wing.

    Fifty-four hostile batteries were engaged for destruction with aeroplane observation and six neutralized; 14 gun-pits were destroyed, 22 damaged, 24 explosions and 12 fires caused; 36 zone calls were sent down.

    2,534 photographs were taken and 9˝ tons of bombs dropped as follows:-

    Night, 7th/8th - 9th Brigade: No 58 Squadron dropped 111 25-lb bombs on railway sidings; No 101 Squadron dropped 30 112-lb and 68 25-lb bombs on Busigny railway sidings, and 140 25-lb bombs were dropped on billets and active hostile batteries.

    By Day -
    1st Brigade: 375 photographs. No 18 Squadron dropped 10 112-lb and 22 25-lb bombs on Salome, and 1st Wing dropped 30 25-lb bombs.
    2nd Brigade: 549 photographs. No 57 Squadron dropped two 230-lb and four 112-lb bombs on Menin, and 2nd Wing dropped 30 25-lb bombs.
    3rd Brigade: 800 photographs were taken, and 85 25-lb bombs dropped.
    5th Brigade: 654 photographs. Naval Squadron No 5 dropped 47 25-lb bombs on Guise railway sidings; 15th Wing dropped 95 25-lb bombs, and No 48 Squadron dropped 16 25-lb bombs.
    9th Wing: 156 photographs. No 27 Squadron dropped 32 25-lb bombs on Busigny railway station.

    Miscellaneous: No 38 Balloon was shot down by E.A. and destroyed, both observers parachuted successfully.

    Enemy Aircraft:

    Enemy aircraft were active but not abnormal, and a considerable amount of fighting took place. One hostile macghine was brought down by anti aircraft fire in the Third Army area.

    2nd-Lieut J L Sweeney & Lieut H G Burgess, 4 Sqn, EA out of control -
    2nd-Lieut H D Arkell, 41 Sqn, EA destroyed -
    Capt R E Dodds & Lieut D Wishart-Orr, 48 Sqn, Pfalz Scout in flames La Fčre and Pfalz Scout in flames La Fčre -

    2nd-Lieut C G D Napier & 2nd-Lieut J M J Moore, 48 Sqn, DFW C in flames St Quentin at 06:00/07:00 -
    Capt G E H McElroy, 24 Sqn, DFW C out of control east of St Quentin at 07:55/08:55 -

    2nd-Lieut A K Cowper, 24 Sqn, Rumpler C crashed Bellenglise at 08:00/09:00 - Lieut A Cowper, No 24 Squadron, attacked the leader of three E.A., and fired 100 rounds at close range. The E.A. dived side-slipping right to the ground and was seen to crash; Gfr Willi Sellenbohme (Kia) & Gfr Walter Behm (Kia), Schsta 5 [?]

    2nd-Lieut L A Payne & Lieut G H H Scutt, 48 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Mont d'Origny aerodrome at 08:00/09:00 -
    2nd-Lieut L A Payne & Lieut G H H Scutt, 48 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control by Scutt Mont d'Origny aerodrome at 08:00/09:00 -
    2nd-Lieut J Gray & Lieut J A McGinnis, 27 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Busigny at 10:00/11:00 -
    Lieut R H Topliss, 64 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control Cambrai at 10:40/11:40 -
    Capt J A Slater, 64 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control Cambrai at 10:40/11:40 -
    Capt N C Millman & 2nd-Lieut A C Cooper, 48 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control by Cooper Bohain at 10:40/11:40 -
    2nd-Lieut E J Smetham-Jones & 2nd-Lieut G Dixon, 48 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Bohain - Busigny at 10:45/11:45 -
    Lieut W A McMichael & 2nd-Lieut E G Humphrey, 48 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control SE La Fčre at 10:45/11:45 -
    2nd-Lieut H H Hartley & Lieut J H Robertson, 48 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Busigny at 10:50/11:50 -
    2nd-Lieut H H Hartley & Lieut J H Robertson, 48 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Busigny at 10:50/11:50 –
    Lieut M E Mealing, 56 Sqn, two-seater out of control Villers Outreaux at 10:50/11:50 -
    Lieut J E Drummond & 2nd-Lieut N Sillars, 48 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north-east of Laon at 11:00/12:00 -

    Capt R W Howard and 2nd-Lieut A L Paxton, 2 AFC, two-seater out of control Hénin-Liétard at 11:05/12:05 – patrol dived at a black-cloured two-seater and Capt howard and 2nd-Lieut Paxton both fired a short burst and the E.A. descended steeply, apparently out of control

    Capt P Huskinson, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Gheluwe at 11:05/12:05 -
    Capt O C Bryson, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Gheluvelt at 11:10/12:10 - Capt O C Bryson, No 19 Squadron, attacked an Albatros Scout. The wings of this E.A. folded back and the machine went down in a spin; OfStv Willi Kampe, Jasta 27, Kia [?]

    Capt D P Flockart, 4 AFC, Albatros Scout broke up west of Douai at 11:15/12:15 – Capt D Flockart, 4th Squadron A.F.C., whilst on offensive patrol, attacked the rear machine of two Albatros Scouts into which he fired a burst at 25 yards’ range. The E.A. burst into flames and turning on its back started spinning; the wings were observed to fall off about 1,000 feet lower down

    Lieut G Nowland, 4 AFC, Scout out of control west of Douai at 11:20/12:20 -
    Capt R W Howard, 2 AFC, Albatros Scout out of control Brebičres at 11:20/12:20 -
    Lieut M E Mealing, 56 Sqn, two-seater out of control Hamblieres at 11:25/12:25 -

    Flt Sub-Lieut A B Ellwood, Flt Sub-Lieut K D MacLeod and Flt Sub-Lieut C S Devereux, Camel B7230, 3N Sqn, Albatros C in flames Tortequesne at 12:00/13:00 - Flight Lieut., A. B. Ellwood with Flight Sub-Lieuts K D MacLeod and C S Devereux, Naval Squadron No 3, attacked an EA two-seater which immediately dived eastwards. They followed, firing at about 100 yards' range; the E.A. continued to dive, and a large trail of yellow smoke was observed to coke from it. It was last seen on ther ground on fire near Tortequesne

    Capt G O Horsley, 40 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Dourges at 12:00/13:00 -
    Capt G E Thomson, 46 Sqn, two-seater out of control Écourt-Saint-Quentin at 12:15/13:15 -
    Capt H W Woollett, 43 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames north-east of La Bassée at 12:15/13:15 – Capt H W Woollett, No 43 Squadron, shot down an Albatros Scout in flames
    Lieut T Rose, 64 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Graincourt at 12:30/13:30 -
    Capt E R Tempest, 64 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Graincourt at 12:30/13:30 – Capt E R Tempest, No 64 Squadron, while leading his patrol, shot down an E.A. scout, which was confirmed by anti-aircraft as crashed
    Lieut H F Davison & 2nd-Lieut J L Morgan, 22 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Lille - Douai at 12:45/13:45 and Albatros Scout out of control Lille - Douai at 12:45/13:45 –
    Sergt E J Elton & Sergt S Belding, 22 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed south-east of Lille at 12:45/13:45 – Sergts E J Elton and S Belding, No 22 Squadron, shot down an Albatros Scout which crashed south-west of Lille
    Capt F G Quigley, 70 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Roulers at 13:05/14:05 -
    Lieut H F Davison & 2nd-Lieut J L Morgan, 22 Sqn, Pfalz Scout broke up Douai at 13:10/14:10 - 2nd-Lieuts H F Davison and J L Morgan, No 22 Squadron, shot down an EA scout, and the wing of the enemy machine was seen to break off in the air
    Lieut G Fox-Rule & 2nd-Lieut P T Holligan, 49 Sqn, Rumpler C out of control Brebičres at 13:15/14:15 -
    2nd-Lieut G R Howsam, 70 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Roulers at 13:15/14:15 -

    Capt G E H McElroy, 24 Sqn, Fokker DrI crashed SE La Fčre at 14:55/15:55 - Capt G E McElroy, No 24 Squadron, got on the tail of an E.A. triplane and fired bursts from both guns at very close range; pieces were seen to fall from the E.A. which was seen to crash in a field

    Flt Sub-Lieut E V Bell, Flt Sub-Lieut J de C Paynter and Flt Sub-Lieut F C Stovin, 13N Sqn, Rumpler C crashed Dixmude - Cockelaere at 15:00/16:00 -
    Flt Sub-Lieut M H Findlay, 1N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Roulers at 15:00/16:00 -

    2nd-Lieut H D Barton, 24 Sqn, Fokker DrI in flames SE La Fčre at 15:00/16:00 – 2nd-Lieut H D Barton, No 24 Squadron, saw a triplane attack an S.E. He opened fire at 20 yards; the E.A. did a half stall and went vertically down, with black smoke issuing. This machine was observed 3,000 feet below still going down vertically, with large columns of smoke coming from it

    Lieut L H Holden, 2 AFC, two-seater out of control Illuies at 15:30/16:30 -
    Capt N C Millman & 2nd-Lieut A C Cooper, 48 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Bohain at 15:55/16:55 -
    Capt R E Dodds & Lieut D Wishart-Orr, 48 Sqn, two-seater out of control Bellicourt - Quesnoy at 16:00/17:00 -

    2nd-Lieut H H Hartley & Lieut J H Robertson, 48 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed by Robertson south of Bohain at 16:00/17:00 - 2nd-Lieut H H Hartley and Lieut J H Robertson, No 48 Squadron, attacked an enemy machine which firing at them from below. The E.A. fell slowly spinning to the ground and was observed to crash.

    The German ace Offizierstellvertreter Willi Kampe of Jasta 27 was killed in action on this day

    There was a lot of fighting on this day with 4 pilots claiming hat tricks of kills

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    There were 13 British airmen lost on this day

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    Captain Tunstill's Men: The weekly edition of the Craven Herald reported on the medal presentation recently attended by Mrs. Jane Earnshaw, widow of Sgt. Kayley Earnshaw DCM (see 28th February), who had been killed in June 1916.

    AIRTON - PRESENTATION OF D.C. MEDAL

    During the early part of 1916 the honour of D.C.M. was given to Sergeant Kayley Earnshaw, of the Machine Gun Section, West Riding Regiment, for recovering his gun after it had been buried by shell fire, and for conspicuous courage in attending to the wounded under heavy shell fire. The people in the district raised a substantial sum as a mark of their appreciation. On June 14th the sad news was received that Sergeant Earnshaw had been killed on the 9th of June. He had served in the R.F.A. through the South African Campaign. On Thursday the 28th, Lieut.-General Sir John Maxwell and a distinguished company met at the Leeds Town Hall, when he presented 86 medals to soldiers, or their nearest relatives; 66 being received by soldiers and 20 by relatives. Each of the men received an encouraging reception when they mounted the platform, especially warm and sympathetic being the greetings given to relatives of soldiers who had fallen. Amongst this number was Mrs. Kayley Earnshaw, of Scosthrop, whose husband, as already stated, made the supreme sacrifice on June 9th 1916. The money raised for Sergeant Earnshaw was invested in War Bonds for Mrs. Earnshaw.

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    83

    Never Knowingly Undergunned !!

  4. #3104

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    9th March 1918

    Air War

    Western Front: DH9 operational debut; controversial DH4 replacement aircraft of No 6 (Naval) Squadron attack St Pierre Capelle. 53 Royal Flying Corps aircraft attack 3 German airfields west of Le Gateau, hits on all three (repeated on Busigny on March 17 and 18). Ludendorffs Michael offensive, air units fly in (until March 12).

    The Airco DH.9 (from de Havilland 9) – also known after 1920 as the de Havilland DH.9 – was a British single-engined biplane bomber developed and deployed during the First World War. The DH.9 was a development of Airco's earlier successful DH.4, with which it shared many components. These were mated to an all-new fuselage and the BHP/Galloway Adriatic engine, which promised increased performance. Anticipating its usefulness, the type was ordered in very large numbers for Britain's Royal Flying Corps (RFC). Upon entering service, the DH.9's performance was found to be unsatisfactory. The Adriatic engine was unreliable and failed to provide the expected power, which gave the DH.9 poorer performance than the aircraft it had been meant to replace. The performance deficit was blamed for the heavy losses they suffered over the Western Front. The redesigned DH.9A was fitted with a more powerful and reliable American Liberty L-12 engine which rectified the shortcomings of the original DH.9 model.

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    During June 1917, partially as a result of attacks by German bombers on London, the War Office issued its recommendation to almost double the size of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) to a total of 200 squadrons. In early July 1917, the British Cabinet accepted the recommendation, with the intention that the majority of the new squadrons planned to be equipped with bombers. While an order for 700 DH.4s was placed on 28 June 1917, on 23 July 1917, the Air Board were presented with drawings for a modified DH.4 that delivering greater range under a new type number, DH.9. The DH.9 was designed by de Havilland for the Aircraft Manufacturing Company in 1916 as a successor to the DH.4. It used the wings and tail unit of the DH.4 but featured a modified fuselage which moved the pilot closer to the gunner/observer and away from the engine and fuel tank, which facilitated communication and was a more optimal fighting configuration. The other major change from the DH.4 was the choice of the promising new BHP/Galloway Adriatic engine, which was predicted to produce 300 hp (224 kW) to provide adequate performance to match enemy fighters. Based on the performance estimates for the DH.9 (which were initially expected to surpass those of the DH.4), and the similarity to the DH.4, which meant that it would be easy to convert production over to the new aircraft, it was decided to place a massive number of orders (totalling 4,630 aircraft) for the type prior to the aircraft even flying for the first time. Existing contracts originally placed for the DH.4 were also converted to the DH.9. The Air Board had been specifically assured that there would be an initial production delay of no more than a month. According to aviation author J.M Bruce, the selection of the DH.9 "seems to have been taken in a spirit of optimism or blind faith, for its chosen engine was, in July 1917, experiencing serious manufacturing difficulties"

    In July 1917, the prototype (a converted DH.4) performed its maiden flight from Hendon Aerodrome, Colindale, London. Trials of the type were extensive, including a number of tests performed at RAF Martlesham Heath. Unfortunately, the BHP engine proved unable to reliably deliver its expected power; the engine having been de-rated to 230 hp (186 kW) in order to improve its reliability. This deficit had a drastic effect on the aircraft's performance, especially at high altitude, with it being inferior to that of the DH.4 it was supposed to replace. The poor performance of the aircraft meant that the DH.9 would have to fight its way through enemy fighters, which could easily catch the DH.9 where the DH.4 could avoid many of these attacks. As early as November 1917, some officials, such as General Hugh Trenchard, raised repeated objections to the aircraft based upon its disappointing performance; however, in his response, President of the Air Council Sir William Weir started that "it was the choice of having the DH.9 with the B.H.P. engine, or of having nothing at all. Additionally, by this point, production of the DH.9 was already well underway. Multiple attempts were made to provide the DH.9 with an adequate engine; a number of aircraft were powered by the Siddeley Puma, a lightened and supposedly more powerful version of the BHP. In August 1917, an order for 2,000 Fiat A12 engines was placed, intending to be delivered between January and June 1918 and used upon some production batches of the D.H9; however, deliveries of the Fiat engine were unsatisfactory. Another alternative powerplant was adopted in the form of the 430 hp (321 kW) Napier Lion engine; one such Lion-engined aircraft achieved a World Altitude Record of 30,500 ft (13,900 m) on 2 January 1919. However, none of these options were deemed to be entirely satisfactory, it required being redesigned into the DH.9A, for which an American V-12 Liberty engine was adopted, to transform the aircraft. According to Bruce, aside from the engine issue: "Certainly, there was little wrong with the aircraft itself"

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    To boost the rate of production, quantity orders for the DH.9 were also placed with Alliance, G & J.Weir, Short Brothers, Vulcan, Waring & Gillow and National Aircraft Factories No. 1 and No. 2. The first deliveries of the type occurred during November 1917 to 108 Squadron RFC; by the end of 1917, a total of five DH.9s had been delivered and passed their final inspections.[12] The first combat engagement of the type, performed over France, was performed in March 1918 by 6 Squadron. By July 1918, a total of nine operational squadrons deployed to the Western Front were using the type.

    The DH.9's performance in action over the Western Front was typically deemed to have been a disaster; heavy losses of the type were quickly incurred, attributed to both its poor performance and to engine failures, despite the prior derating of its engine to reduce the failure rate. Between May and November 1918, a pair of squadrons stationed at the Western Front (Nos. 99 and 104) had 54 of its DH.9s shot down and another 94 aircraft written off due to accidents. On multiple occasions, less than half of a flight of bombers would reach their intended targets; according to Bruce, the successful missions performed by the DH.9 were frequently a product of "the courage and determination of the pilots and observers that flew them". Squadrons would often implement their own home-built enhancements to their aircraft, such as enlarged carburetor air intakes and modified fuel mixture controls. Nevertheless, the type proved capable during some engagements; on 23 August 1918, a DH.9 flown by Lieutenant Arthur Rowe Spurling of 49 Squadron, with his observer, Sergeant Frank Bell, single-handedly attacked thirty Fokker D.VII fighters, downing five of them.On 9 August 1918, Lieutenant E.A. Simpson of 49 Squadron, while flying a bombing mission upon bridges at Falvy and Bethencourt, shot down four hostile fighters while defending against repeated attacks upon the formation. In another instance, Captain John Stevenson Stubbs achieved 11 aerial victories in a DH.9, including the highly unusual feat of balloon busting while flying the type. Despite its general lack of performance, due to its large numbers, the DH.9 was introduced to nearly every theatre of the conflict prior to the signing of the Armistice of 11 November 1918, which ended the conflict. Reportedly, the DH.9 was also more successful in combat against the Turkish forces in the Middle East, where they faced less aerial opposition. Stationed at coastal aerodromes across the British mainland, the type was also used extensively to perform coastal patrol missions with the aim of deterring the operations of enemy U-boats

    Germany: British raid to Mainz.

    Italy: Germany Navy airship L59 (Bockholt) attacks Naples naval base and steel plant (50 casualties); raid attributed to Austrians (their seaplanes do raid on March 11). Royal Flying Corps claim 64 kills since November 10, 1917 for only 12 losses.

    On this day Canadian airman Captain Frank Granger Quigley DSO, MC & Bar 70 Squadron RFC shot down four enemy aircraft, a feat he would repeat in a few days time along with a hat trick in the same week

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    The youngest son of R. J. Quigley, Frank Granger Quigley attended St Andrew's in Aurora, Ontario from 1907 to 1909. When the war began, he was in his second year as a student at Queen's University in Toronto where he excelled in football and hockey. He enlisted in December 1914, serving with the Canadian Army Engineers on the Western Front. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in early 1917 and was posted to 70 Squadron in France on 12 September 1917. Flying the Sopwith Camel, he scored 33 confirmed victories before he was wounded in action on 27 March 1918. Recovering from a shattered ankle at Le Touquet hospital, he returned to Canada where he served as an instructor at Armour Heights. En route back to England in October 1918, Quigley came down with influenza and died in hospital two days after his ship reached Liverpool.

    DSO Citation: T./Capt. Frank Granger Quigley, M.C., R.F.C.
    For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While leading an offensive patrol he attacked a very large number of enemy aeroplanes, destroyed one of them and drove another down out of control. On the following day, while on a low-flying patrol, he was attacked by several enemy scouts, one of which dived at him. He out-manoeuvred this machine and fired on it at very close range. He followed it down to 500 feet, firing on it, and it spiralled very steeply to the ground in a cloud of black smoke. During the three following days, while employed on low-flying work, he showed the greatest skill and determination. He fired over 3,000 rounds and dropped thirty bombs during this period, inflicting heavy casualties on enemy infantry, artillery and transport.

    On a busy day in the air the following claims were registered...

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    13 British Airmen lost their lives on this day

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    Western Front
    German gas bombardment for Somme offensive (Ypres-St Quentin): 500,000 rounds mustard gas and phosgene, of which 1,000t directed at British, esp. Flesquieres salient opposite Cambrai, and French positions. 7,223 soldiers gassed (87 deaths) until March 19.

    Daily Activity: 9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
    9 March - Patrolling and wiring nightly until 14th March.

    Our artillery lively cutting enemy wire and sweeping likely places of assembly for enemy attack. Enemy artillery unusually quiet. Great aerial activity owing to fine weather and visibility. One enemy aircraft brought down on enemy line opposite left Battalion front.

    1500 9th March Enemy machine gun captured without opposition by 2nd Lieutenant W.G Greenaway and three Other Ranks from position at B.17.a.9.8.

    Effective strength: Officers 46, Other Ranks 1076, horses 36, mules 16. Decrease: Seven Other Ranks.



    Eastern Front

    Russo-Rumanian Peace Treaty. Berthelot’s French Military Mission leaves Rumania (3 trains to Murmansk).
    Finland: 15,000 Red Guards attack and fail against 7,350 Whites in central region (until March 14). Red C-in-C sacked on March 15.

    Middle East
    Mesopotamia – Euphrates: Brooking’s 15th Indian Division occupies Hit (valuable bitumen fields), Turks retreat 22 miles to Khan Baghdadi.
    Palestine – Actions of Tell ‘Asur or Battle of Termus Aya: Chetwode’s XX Corps (21,500 soldiers with 325 guns) crosses Wadi Auja, captures Tell ‘Asur (2,958ft) despite five Turk counter*attacks (8,800 soldiers with c.150 guns), advancing 2-5 miles on 13-mile front until March 12 for 1,313 casualties, only 169 Turk PoWs.

    Politics
    Last peace feelers till September: Smuts meets Austrian diplomat Skrzynski in Switzerland (until March 14) and Lloyd George’s Private Secretary Kerr also has meeting on March 15. Czernin cables Vienna on March 19 that Franco-Italian annexation demands destroy any continued talks.

    The Air War

    General Headquarters, March 9th.

    “At midday on the 9th instant the railway sidings and factories at Mainz (at the junction of the Rivers Rhine and Main), in Germany, were bombed by our aeroplanes with good results. Well over a ton of bombs were dropped, and bursts were seen on and around the barracks, on the railway sidings, and on a factory. A large fire was started. All our machines returned.”

    General Headquarters, March 10th.

    “The aerial activity of the last few days continued on the 9th inst. Several long-distance reconnaissances were successfully completed by our aeroplanes, and many photographs were taken. Observation for artillery was carried out all day. Six hundred bombs were dropped by us on the enemy's ammunition dumps, billets, and aerodromes, and on an important railway centre north-east of St. Quentin. In particular, a most successful attack was carried out at a low height by a large number of our machines against three hostile aerodromes. Bombs were dropped from an average height of 400 ft., and at each of the aerodromes direct hits were obtained on hangars and on machines in the open. While returning from this attack our pilotsilew at a height of 100 ft., firing on favourable targets on the ground with their machine-guns and causing casualties and much confusion among the enemy. In one case horse transport on the road was engaged with the result that some of the wagons were upset into the ditch. In another horses in an orchard were stampeded. A company of German infantry was scattered in all directions and a group of officers on horseback dispersed. The fighting in the air was heavy. Ten hostile machines were brought down and 10 others driven down out of control. A German observation balloon was also destroyed. Two of our machines are missing.

    Admiralty, March 10th.

    “A bombing raid was carried out yesterday by naval aircraft on billets and railway sidings at St. Pierre Capelle. Direct hits were observed on three sheds and a fire started. Many bombs were dropped. Bombs were also dropped on a large hostile machine which was seen to have made a forced landing. No direct hits were observed. Several soldiers and motors in the vicinity were subjected to machine-gun fire. On the return journey our formation was attacked, and one enemy machine was brought down in flames. All our machines returned safely.”

    RFC Communiqué number 130:

    The weather was fine all day but the visibility indifferent.

    Thirty-two reconnaissances were carried out by Brigades and five successful long-distance photographic flights by the 9th Wing.

    Forty-one hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction with aeroplane observation and five neutralized; seven gun-pits were destroyed, 11 damaged, 19 explosions and four fires caused. Twenty-six zone calls were sent down.

    2,097 photographs were taken and nine tons of bombs dropped as follows:-

    Night 8th/9th – 9th Brigade: No 58 Squadron dropped nine 25-lb bombs on Courtrai railway station, and No 101 Squadron dropped 24 112-lb and 48 25-lb bombs on the ammunition dump and station at Fresnoy-le-Grand where a fire was caused as the result of three direct hits.

    By Day -
    1st Brigade: 350 photographs. No 18 Squadron dropped 17 112-lb and 40 25-lb on dumps and billets, and 1st Wing dropped 36 25-lb bombs.
    2nd Brigade: 498 photographs. No 57 Squadron dropped 5 112-lb bombs; 11th Wing dropped 49 25-lb bombs, and 2nd Wing dropped 58 25-lb bombs.
    3rd Brigade: 474 photographs. 77 25-lb bombs.
    5th Brigade: 648 photographs. 15th Wing dropped 106 25-lb bombs; Naval Squadron No 5 dropped 65 25-lb bombs on Mont d’Origny Aerodrome, and Nos 23, 54 and 48 Squadrons dropped 88 25-lb bombs on Bertry, Escaufort, and Busigny Aerodromes

    9th Wing: 127 photographs. No 27 Squadron dropped 57 25-lb bombs on Bohain railway station.

    An attack on three hostile aerodromes was made by 61 machines of the 22nd Wing, 88 bombs being dropped. Squadrons were led by their Squadron Commanders and the whole watched from above by the Wing Commander.

    No 23 Squadron covered by No 24 Squadron dropped 14 bombs from a low altitude on Bertry Aerodrome. Four direct hits were obtained on hangars and five bombs fell amongst machines which were out on the aerodrome. They flew back to the linrs at a height of 100 feet, attacking horse transport on roads, horses in an orchard (causing a stampede), a company of infantry, a group of officers on horses - two of whom were seen to fall off, and a balloon which was drawn down emitting smoke.

    Busigny and Escaufort Aerodromes were attacked by machines of Nos 48 and 54 Squadrons, covered by No 84 Squadron. No 54 Squadron dropped 22 bombs from a height of 500 feet, five direct hits being obtained on the hangars. Machines returned at a low height, firing on horse transport (causing a stampede), at troops at drill, cavalry and trains. Pilots of No 48 Squadron dropped 32 25-lb bombs from 400 feet, obtaining direct hits on hangars, two of which were set on fire. They returned flying at a low altitude and engaged ground targets en route.

    8th Brigade: 11 machines of No 55 Squadron started off at mid-day to bomb Mainz in Germany – a distance of 132 miles from their aerodrome - and dropped two 230-lb, 16 112-lb and seven 25-lb bombs from a height of 13,000 feet. Bursts were seen on the barracks, railway sidings and factories, and a large fire was started. Thirty-four photographs were taken. All machines returned.

    One machine of No 55 Squadron carried out a successful photographic reconnaisance of the railways south of Metz, and of hostile aerodromes.

    Enemy Aircraft:

    Enemy aircraft activity was great on the front of the 2nd Brigade, and about normal on the other Brigade fronts.

    2nd-Lieut W F Mayoss & 2nd-Lieut W Haddow, 15 Sqn, EA out of control -
    2nd-Lieut J Baird & 2nd-Lieut F Keith, 48 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control [by Keith] Caudry at 07:00/08:00 -
    Lieut D G Cooke & 2nd-Lieut J J Scaramanga, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control S Comines at 08:00/09:00 -
    Lieut L H T Capel & Cpl M B Mather, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south of Menin at 08:00/09:00 -
    Lieut L H T Capel & Cpl M B Mather, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south of Menin at 08:00/09:00 -

    Capt J Fitz-Morris, Lieut J F N MacRae and Lieut G W R Pidsley, 23 Sqn, Rumpler C crashed south of Masničres at 09:15/10:15 - Capt J F Morris, Lieut J F N MacRae and 2nd-Lieut G W R Pidsley, No 23 Squadron, all fired hursts at an E.A. which they drove down, the E.A. crashing in a field near Walincourt

    2nd-Lieut G R Howsam, 70 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Menin - Roulers at 09:30/10:30 -
    Capt F G Quigley, 70 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames Menin at 09:30/10:30 - Capt F G Quigley, No. 70 Squadron, attacked an Albatros Scout, firing three bursts at close range; the E.A. went. down in a steep spiral and on fire
    2nd-Lieut H V L Tubbs, 24 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north-east of La Fčre at 09:30/10:30 -
    Capt G E H McElroy, 24 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north-east of La Fčre at 09:30/10:30 -
    2nd-Lieut H V L Tubbs, 24 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north-east of La Fčre at 09:30/10:30 -
    Lieut A G Clark, 2 AFC, Albatros Scout out of control Illies at 09:35/10:35 -
    2nd-Lieut G R Howsam, 70 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Menin at 09:40/10:40 - 2nd-Lieut G R Howsam, No 70 Squadron, attacked one of five Albatros Scouts which he shot down, the E.A. being observed to go to the ground

    Capt F G Quigley, 70 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Menin at 09:45/10:45 - Capt F G Quigley, No. 70 Squadron, after shooting down an Albatros Scout in flames, engaged an Albatros two-seater which he shot down, the E.A. crashing in a field

    Capt R W Howard, 2 AFC, Albatros Scout out of control Illies at 09:45/10:45 -
    2nd-Lieut H Whiteside, 70 Sqn, Albatros out of control Menin at 09:50/10:50 -
    Capt G M Cox, 65 Sqn, Fokker DrI broke up Becelaere - Dadizeele at 10:10/11:10 - Capt G M Cox, No 65 Squadron, attacked a Fokker triplane, which stalled and went down in a spin with one of its planes folded up
    2nd-Lieut G A Lingham, 43 Sqn, DFW C out of control north-east of Pont-ŕ-Vendin at 10:15/11:15 -
    2nd-Lieut H C Daniel, 43 Sqn, DFW C out of control Pont-ŕ-Vendin at 10:15/11:15 -
    Flt Sub-Lieut G E Siedle & Sergt AGL W J H Middleton, 5N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Mont d'Origny at 10:30/11:30 -
    Lieut Lieut T Watkins & Sub-Lieut W H Scott, 5N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Mont d'Origny at 10:45/11:45 -
    2nd-Lieut J S Griffith, 60 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north of Menin at 11:10/12:10 -
    Flt Sub-Lieut J A Glen and Flt Sub-Lieut W H Chisam, 3N Sqn, DFW C in flames Hénin-Liétard at 11:20/12:20 - Flight Lieut J A Glen and Flight Sub-Lieut Adam (?), Naval Squadron No 3, attacked an E.A. two-seater which they shot down in flames

    2nd-Lieut C G Evans, 60 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control north of Menin at 11:20/12:20 -
    Sergt D W Beard & Sergt H W Scarnell, 11 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control [by Beard] Douai at 11:30/12:30 -

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    Charles Graham Robertson VC MM (4 July 1879 – 10 May 1954) 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.

    Robertson first served with the Imperial Yeomanry during the Second Boer War. Robertson was 38 years old, and a lance-corporal in the 10th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers,British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

    On 8/9 March 1918 west of Polderhoek Chateau, Belgium, Lance-Corporal Robertson having repelled a strong attack by the enemy, realised that he was being cut off and sent for reinforcements, while remaining at his post with only one man, firing his Lewis gun and killing large numbers of the enemy. No reinforcements arrived, so he withdrew, and then was forced to withdraw again to a defended post where he got on top of the parapet with a comrade, mounted his gun and continued firing. His comrade was almost immediately killed and he was severely wounded, but managed to crawl back with his gun, having exhausted his ammunition.

    He served in World War II in the Home Guard.

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    84
    Last edited by Hedeby; 03-10-2018 at 12:28.

    Never Knowingly Undergunned !!

  5. #3105

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    10th March 1918

    Delighted to say that the editorial team has been boosted by the very welcome return of Neil (Scafloc), so after 85 straight days I can pass the baton over for a few days at least. Welcome back Neil.

    A German submarine attacks the British hospital ship Guildford Castle in the Bristol Channel at 17:35. She is carrying four hundred thirty-eight wounded soldiers, is flying a large Red Cross flag and has her navigation lights burning. Two torpedoes are fired and both are seen by the British ship’s skipper, Captain Thomas Martin Lang, Royal Naval Reserve. The second torpedo strikes the Guildford Castle, after the first misses. The hit is a sharp blow on the port side abreast the mainmast causing her to vibrate considerably fore and aft. The torpedo does not explode and the Guildford Castle proceeds to port.

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    Guildford Castle

    GUILDFORD CASTLE was built in 1911 by Barclay, Curle & Co. at Glasgow with a tonnage of 7995grt, a length of 450ft 7in, a beam of 56ft 2in and a service speed of 13 knots. Sister of the Gloucester Castle and the Galway Castle she undertook the first intermediate sailing which terminated at Mauritius in July 1914. When the First World War broke out she participated in the first troop convoy to Europe and on 22nd September 1914 was commissioned as a hospital ship with 427 beds. During the German West and East African campaigns in 1915 she remained in Southern African waters where she was more occupied with coping with disease rather than war wounds. On 10th March 1918, while inbound to Avonmouth, she was hit by a torpedo which failed to explode. She was decommissioned on 9th November 1918 and returned to commercial service initially on the Intermediate service in 1920 and then on the round Africa service. On 31st May 1933 she was in collision with the Blue Funnel ship Stentor in the estuary of the River Elbe when two people lost their lives, an accident for which the pilot was blamed. She was beached on the following day and declared a total constructive loss.

    It was whilst sailing from Hamburg for London that, on the 31st of May 1933, the Guildford's luck ran out. Whilst sailing "To Master's Orders, on Pilot's Advice", the standard (legal) entry in the Bridge Note Book, in the River Elbe off Cuxhaven, near Oste Riff, the "Guildford Castle", emerging from a fog bank, suddenly saw the Blue Funnel Line (Alfred Holt) ship "Stentor", on her way up to Hamburg, on her Starboard bow, making the "Guildford Castle" the 'give way vessel. The "Guildford Castle"s helm was put to port, the "Stentor" ploughed into the port side of the "Guildford Castle", leaving her badly damaged, she was beached to prevent her sinking. Three lives were lost, two deck boys and one of the cooks. There were 37 passengers aboard, these were transferred to the "Stentor" and other vessels and landed at Cuxhaven. The "Guildford Castle", probably considering her age, was declared a constructive total loss. The collision was blamed on pilot error, but both the masters of the "Stentor" and "Guildford Castle" shared the blame.

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    For most conspicuous bravery, initiative and absolute disregard of personal safety in Egypt, Private Harold Whitfield (King’s Shropshire Light Infantry) will be awarded the Victoria Cross. During the first and heaviest of three counterattacks made by the enemy on the position which has just been captured by his battalion, Private Whitfield, single-handedly, charges and captures a Lewis gun which is harassing his company at short range. He bayonets or shoots the whole gun team, and turning the gun on the enemy, drives them back with heavy casualties, thereby restoring the whole situation in his part of the line. Later he organizes and leads a bombing attack on the enemy who have established themselves in an advanced position close to our lines, and from which they are enfilading his company. He drives the enemy back with great loss, and by establishing his party in their position saves many lives and materially assists in the defeat of the counter-attacks.

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    Harold Edward Whitfield VC (10 June 1886 – 19 December 1956) 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.

    Born in Oswestry, Whitfield joined the Shropshire Yeomanry in 1908. When World War I broke out in 1914 he was mobilized spending the next two years in England. In 1916 he was shipped to Egypt, his unit becoming part of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force. He was now a member of the 10th Battalion of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry as his unit had been re-designated.[1]

    Whitfield was 31 years old, and a private in the 10th Battalion, The King's Shropshire Light Infantry, British Army during the First World War Battle of Tell 'Asur when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

    On 10 March 1918 at Burj El Lisaneh, Egypt, during the first of three counter-attacks made by the enemy on the position which had just been captured by his battalion, Private Whitfield, single-handed, charged and captured a Lewis gun, killed the whole gun team of three and turned the gun on the enemy, driving them back with heavy casualties. Later he organised and led a bombing attack on the enemy, again inflicting many casualties and by establishing his party in their position saved many lives and materially assisted in the defeat of the counter-attac

    After a brief artillery barrage at 05:00 a party of over 30 members of the Welsh Guards slip into No Man’s Land at Fampoux, near Arras to carry out a trench raid. They quickly capture a single prisoner and begin to make their way to the British lines. At this point they are attacked by German troops who have been hiding in a shell hole near their own trenches. The attack is beaten off, but a number of the Guardsmen are wounded and their return slowed down. An artillery barrage comes from the German positions and a shell lands near the German prisoner and the two Guardsmen bringing him in killing all three.

    Chief Petty Officer Henry Ernest Wild (HMS Biaritz) dies of typhoid in Malta at age 38. As a member of Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition he will be awarded a posthumous Albert Medal.

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    Lieutenant George Ralph Miles MC (Dragoon Guards) dies of wounds received the previous day at age 34. His brother was killed last October. He went to South Africa and took a farm under Lord Milner’s Settlement Scheme. Lieutenant Miles served in Commando against the Rebels, and also served as a machine gunner with the Bechuanaland Mounted Rifles, in German South West Africa. After the conquest of German South West Africa and the consequent disbandment of the forces, he came to England and entered a Cavalry Cadet School, obtaining a Commission in the Dragoon Guards. He went to France in December 1916.

    Western Front
    Britain: BEF GHQ Weekly Intelligence Summary: ‘… the imminence of the [German] offensive in the Arras-St Quentin area has been confirmed …’.
    Germany: Hindenburg orders Operation Michael. Germans begin diversionary operations and feints in various sectors including Champagne and Verdun.

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    A German 21-cm howitzer is towed for Operation Michael in position.

    Sea War
    Adriatic: Emperor Charles makes 49-year-old Captain Horthy Rear-Admiral and Austrian C-in-C, 4 cruisers and 2 old battleships soon taken out of service to redeploy crews. (
    Italy: Younger Vice-Admiral Cusani (ex-CNS) appt Italian Fleet commander.
    Bristol Channel: Hospital ship Guilford Castle torpedoed in by U-boat but makes port.

    Air War
    Germany: 11 DH4s (1 lost, crew taken PoW) of No 55 Squadron attack Stuttgart Daimler motor works; formation attacked after bombing (1 fighter driven down). Same sequel after 9 DH4s hit Koblenz barracks (70 casualties on March 12).

    Home Fronts

    France: Bombing causes mainly orderly 200,000-strong rail exodus from Paris (until April 6).
    USA*: Film The Kaiser, the Beast of Berlin opens.

    General Headquarters, March 10th.

    “On the 10th inst. Germany was again bombed by our aeroplanes in broad daylight. On this occasion the Daimler Motor Works at Stuttgart were attacked, and over one and a quarter tons of bombs were dropped by us. Several bursts were observed on the railway station, where a stationary train was hit and set on fire. Three bursts were seen on the munition factory south-east of the town, and other bursts on the Daimler works and on buildings round them. Hostile machines made a weak attempt to attack the formation over the objective, but withdrew on being attacked. All our machines returned except one, which evidently had engine trouble and went down under control just before recrossing the lines on the homeward journey.”

    General Headquarters, March 11th.


    “On the 10th instant the thick haze rendered work by our aeroplanes in conjunction with the artillery almost impossible. Several reconnaissances, however, were carried out by us, and over 400 bombs were dropped. Amongst other targets, Menin, Roulers, Ledeghem, Cambrai, and Solesmes (east of Cambrai) railway stations were bombed by our machines. Three hostile observation balloons were destroyed by our aeroplanes, and five German machines were brought down in air fighting, in addition to seven others driven down out of control. One low-flying hostile machine was shot down by our infantry. Four of our aeroplanes are missing.”

    RFC Communiqué number 130:

    The weather was fine all day, but the visibility was very bad.

    Twenty reconnaissances were carried out by Brigades and six photographic reconnaissances by the 9th Wing.

    Thirty-two hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction with aeroplane observation and six neutralized; three gun-pits were destroyed, 10 damaged, 12 explosions and five fires caused. Thirty-four zone calls were sent down.

    1,533 photographs were taken and 5˝ tons of bombs dropped as follows:-

    1st Brigade: 448 photographs. No 18 Squadron dropped 6 112-lb and 42 25-lb_ bombs on ammunition dumps and railway stations; 1st Wing dropped 54 25-lb bombs, and No 57 Squadron dropped 11 112-lb bombs on Menin, Roulers and Ledeghem.

    2nd Brigade: 183 photogaphs. 2nd Wing dropped 24 25-lb bombs and 11th Wing dropped 4 25-lb bombs.
    3rd Brigade: 584 photographs were taken and 68 25-lb bombs dropped.
    5th Brigade: 126 photographs. 15th Wing dropped 54 25-lb bombs; No 48 Squadron dropped 32 25-lb bombs, and Naval Squadron No 5 dropped 48 25-lb bombs on Premont ammunition dump.
    9th Wing: 192 photographs. No 25 Squadron dropped 10 112-lb bombs on Cambrai railway station, and No 27 Squadron dropped 52 25-lb bombs on Solesmes railway station.

    8th Brigade: Eleven machines No 55 Squadron attacked, in broad daylight, the Daimler Works at Stuttgart in Germany (150 miles from their aerodrome). Two 230-lb, 16 112-lb and seven 40-lb phosphorus bombs were dropped from a height of 12,500 feet, and bursts were seen on the railway station and the works alongside it, three on a munition factory south-east of the town, one near the gas works, and several on the Daimler Works. A stationary train in the ststion was hit and seton fire. Eighteen plates were exposed. The formation was attacked by three E.A., but, the E.A. withdrew on being attacked. All our machines returned, with the exception of one which evidently had engine trouble on the homeward journey, just before crossing the lines, as the pilot fired a green light and went down under control.

    Enemy Aircraft:

    Enemy aircraft activity very owing to the mist. In addition to the enemy machines brought down by our aeroplanes, one low-flying E.A. was brought down by the infantry.

    2nd-Lieut C Allen & Lieut J M Hay, 62 Sqn, EA out of control -
    2nd-Lieut M H Cleary & Lieut N T Watson, 62 Sqn, EA out of control -
    Capt G F Hughes & Capt H Claye, 62 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames - Capts G F Hughes and H Claye, No 62 Squadron, shot down an Albatros Scout, which fell in flames
    Capt G F Hughes & Capt H Claye, 62 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control -
    Lieut C W Robinson & Lieut C D Wells, 62 Sqn, EA out of control -
    Lieut C W Robinson & Lieut C D Wells, 62 Sqn, EA out of control -
    Capt C J Marchant, Lieut M M Freehill 2nd-Lieut D R MacLaren, 46 Sqn, Scout crashed Rumilly at 06:30/06:30 -
    2nd-Lieut D R MacLaren, 46 Sqn, Albatros Scout broke up west of Graincourt at 07:30/07:30 - 2nd-Lieut D R MacLaren, No 46 Squadron, shot down an E.A. scout, the tail of which was seen to fail to pieces
    Lieut J C Bateman, 1 Sqn, Balloon deflated Roulers - Staden at 07:40/07:40 -
    Lieut F P Magoun, 1 Sqn, Balloon deflated Roulers - Menin at 07:40/07:40 -
    Lieut G W F Darvill & Sergt A Pollard, 18 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Allennes[-les-Marais] at 12:15/12:15 -
    Capt A G Waller & Sergt M B Kilroy, 18 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Carvin - Fromelles at 12:15/12:15 -

    2nd-Lieut D A Stewart & Sergt C Beardmore, 18 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control Carvin - Fromelles at 12:45/12:45 - 2nd-Lieut D A Stewart and Sergt C Beardmore, No 18 Squadron, whilst on a bomb raid, were attacked by several formations of E.A. scouts. They shot one down out of control, which was reported by anti aircraft to have crashed

    Flt Sub-Lieut A T Whealy, 3N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control east of Lens at 13:15/13:15 - Flight Lieut A T Whealy, Naval Squadron No 3, shot down an E.A. Scout, which was observed by other pilots of the squadron to crash; Hpt Hans-Joachim Buddecke, Jasta 18, Kia [?]

    Flt Sub-Lieut W H Chisam, 3N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control east of Lens at 13:15/13:15 - Hpt Hans-Joachim Buddecke, Jasta 18, Kia [?]
    Flt Lieut A B Ellwood, 3N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Lens at 13:15/13:15 - Hpt Hans-Joachim Buddecke, Jasta 18, Kia [?]
    Flt Sub-Lieut F J S Britnell, 3N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south-east of Lens at 13:15/13:15 - Hpt Hans-Joachim Buddecke, Jasta 18, Kia [?]
    Capt R S C McClintock, 64 Sqn, LVG C out of control Marquion at 13:50/13:50 -
    Lieut G Fox-Rule & 2nd-Lieut P T Holligan, 49 Sqn, LVG C out of control Marquion at 14:00/14:00 -
    Capt M Le Blanc Smith, 73 Sqn, Fokker DrI crashed west of Bohain at 14:15/14:15 - Capt M Le Blanc Smith, No 73 Squadron, shot down a Fokker triplane, which is reported by another pilot of the same squadron to have crashed
    Capt St C C Tayler, 80 Sqn, EA out of control Bohain - Ribemont at 14:15/14:15 -
    Capt St C C Tayler, 80 Sqn, EA out of control Bohain - Ribemont at 14:15/14:15 -
    Lieut D Gardiner, 80 Sqn, EA out of control Bohain - Ribemont at 14:15/14:15 -
    Lieut D Gardiner, 80 Sqn, EA out of control Bohain - Ribemont at 14:15/14:15 -
    2nd-Lieut E A Clear, 84 Sqn, two-seater out of control west of Estrées at 14:20/14:20 - 2nd-Lieut E A Clear, No 84 Squadron, shot down an E.A. two-seater which crashed in a field near Estrées [forced to land?]
    2nd-Lieut W H Brown, 84 Sqn, two-seater out of control Bellicourt at 14:20/14:20 -
    2nd-Lieut G S Hodson, 73 Sqn, Fokker DrI broke up west of Bohain at 14:25/14:25 -
    Capt W B Tunbridge, 4 AFC, Albatros Scout out of control Salomé at 15:30/15:30 -
    Flt Sub-Lieut M H Findlay, 1N Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Menin at 15:30/15:30 -
    Flt Lieut S W Rosevear, 1N Sqn, Scout out of control Menin at 15:30/15:30 -
    Flt Lieut S M Kinkead, 1N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north-west of Menin at 15:30/15:30 -
    Capt R W Howard, 2 AFC, Albatros Scout out of control Pont-a-Vendin at 15:40/15:40 -
    Flt Cdr W M Alexander, 10N Sqn, two-seater out of control Roulers at 15:45/15:45 -
    Flt Lieut W G R Hinchliffe, 10N Sqn, two-seater out of control Roulers at 15:45/15:45 -
    Flt Lieut H T Mellings, 10N Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed south-east of Dixmude at 16:00/16:00 -
    Flt Lieut J G Manuel, 10N Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed south-east of Dixmude at 16:00/16:00 -
    Flt Cdr W M Alexander, 10N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south-east of Dixmude at 16:00/16:00 - ?

    Casualties:

    Lieut B A Cooke (Wia), 3 Sqn, Camel – combat?; often said to be Ltn d R Kurt Wüsthoff, Js4, 27th victory [Souchez at 16:40/16:40]

    ? (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut G Gilham (Wia), 52 Sqn, RE8 – combat?

    2nd-Lieut C Cavaghan (Ok) & Lieut J M Carroll (Wia), 55 Sqn, DH4 A7556 - petrol tank shot through and force landed Bainville-aux-Miriois during bombing Stuttgart

    2nd-Lieut R Caldecott (Pow) & 2nd-Lieut G P F Thomas (Pow), 55 Sqn, DH4 A7569 - last seen going down under control south-east of Oberkirch during bombing Stuttgart

    2nd-Lieut E P P Edmonds (Interned; Dow 18-Mar-18), 3 Sqn, Camel B9147 – took off 07:20/07:20 and last seen north-east of Marquion diving on motor transport during low flying; possibly Ltn d R Karl Hertz, Js59, 1st victory [Sains-lčs-Marquion at 07:30/07:30]

    Flt Sub-Lieut K D Campbell (Pow), 3N Sqn, Camel B7230 - went down in spin for no apparent reason then flattened out and continued to dive eastward near Lens at 09:50/09:50 on patrol;

    2nd-Lieut J N B McKim (Kia) & Lieut C R H Folliott (Kia), 18 Sqn, DH4 A7719 – took off 10:55/10:55 and last seen going down under control near Oignies at 12:00/12:00 during combat with EA during bombing; Oblt Hans Bethge, Js30, 20th victory [Allennes at 12:10/12:10]

    2nd-Lieut C H Flere (Pow), 80 Sqn, Camel C6719 - last seen five miles north-east of St Quentin at 14:15/14:15 at 14,000 feet engaged with Fokker Triplane on patrol; Vzfw Franz Hemer, Js6, 3rd victory [Montbrehain at 14:20/14:20]

    Capt C H Brewer MC (Wia) & 2nd-Lieut D S Broadhurst (Wia), 58 Sqn, FE2b B484 – took off 22:30/22:30 then crashed between lines at Roeux on railway reconnaissance; ground fire


    Today we see the loss of the German ace - Hans-Joachim Buddecke

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    Hans-Joachim Buddecke (22 August 1890 – 10 March 1918) was a German flying ace in World War I, credited with thirteen victories. He was the third ace, after Max Immelmann and Oswald Boelcke, to earn the Blue Max (Pour le Mérite). He saw combat in three theaters during the First World War: Bulgaria, Turkey, and the Western Front. Buddecke was born in Berlin and followed his father's footsteps into the Army. In 1904, he started as a Cadet; in 1910, he received his commission as Leutnant in the 115th Life Guards Infantry Regiment. He left the army in 1913 due to his little time for a social life and his new enthusiasm for flying.[citation needed] In the same year, he moved to the USA to start a new life, and flew for a time from the early airfield in Cicero, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. While in the USA, he worked as a mechanic at a car factory in Indianapolis. By saving his earnings, he soon was able to buy his own aircraft (a Nieuport monoplane) and he immediately taught himself how to fly. On the day Buddecke started his own aircraft production company, war was declared and he abandoned his business plans and returned to Germany. Travelling under a fake name, Buddecke crossed the Atlantic in the Greek ship Athene to Palermo (Italy). After he arrived in Europe, he immediately made his way home to join the German Army's Fliegertruppe air service.

    Buddecke was sent to the Western Front in September 1914. Initially he flew as an observer but soon he would become a single-seater fighter pilot with FFA 23. Because of his previous experience on monoplanes, Buddecke's good friend, Rudolph Berthold, suggested that he should fly the first of the Fokker Eindecker aircraft delivered to the unit. Buddecke and Berthold, flying the Eindecker and an AEG G.II, respectively, formed a small Kampfstaffel within the unit, intercepting British reconnaissance aircraft. Buddecke scored his first three victories during this assignment.

    Buddecke scored his and the new unit's first victory on 19 September 1915; a B.E.2c of No 8 Squadron RFC, crewed by pilot Lt WH Nixon and observer Capt JNS Stott. Opening fire from 200 meters he disabled the observer's machine gun, although Captain Stott then returned fire with a pocket pistol. It was shot out of his hands at a range of ten meters and Nixon was hit. Buddecke's gun then jammed when its cartridge belt tore in the slipstream. As Buddecke struggled with the jammed gun, Stott clambered atop the shoulders of his dying pilot, set his heels on the pilot's knees to operate the rudder and bent forward to grab the controls. Buddecke cleared his gun and aimed at the British observer's yellow leather coat. The BE.2c crash landed near Saint Quentin. Buddecke drove to the wreck after landing, where the uninjured captive Stott showed him the bullet holes in his coat. Buddecke followed this up with confirmed claims on 23 October (a B.E.2 of No. 13 Squadron RFC, with Capt CH Marks and Lt WG Lawrence-the brother of TE Lawrence,of Arabian fame-both killed) and 11 November and an unconfirmed victory on 6 December 1915. He was then sent to Gallipoli to fly the Halberstadt D.II and Fokker E.III with Ottoman FA 6 against the Royal Naval Air Service. The Turkish campaign was successful, with four confirmed victories and seven unconfirmed, and Buddecke was personally awarded he Gold Liakat Medal by Enver Pasha. He was recalled to the Western Front in late August 1916 as leader of the newly formed Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 4. After three kills during September, he again left for Turkey to fly with Ottoman FA 5. By early 1918 he was back in France with Royal Prussian Jasta 30, before switching to Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 18.

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    Grave of Hans Joachim Buddecke (1918) on the Invalidenfriedhof Berlin

    Within a few days Buddecke was killed during an aerial combat above Lens, France on 10 March 1918, victim to Sopwith Camels of 3 Naval Squadron RNAS. Hans-Joachim Buddecke is buried at the Invalidenfriedhof Cemetery in Berlin.

    The following claims were made on this day:

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    15 British Airmen were lost on this day

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    85
    Last edited by Hedeby; 03-11-2018 at 04:57.

    Never Knowingly Undergunned !!

  6. #3106

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    Monday 11th March 1918


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    Armistice Countdown 245 days

    Ed Note: A very big thank you to Chris for devotion above and beyond for single handedly keeping the publication alive and kicking during my abscence. It's nice to be back.

    Today we lost: 290

    Today’s losses include:
    ˇ Multiple men who are the sons of members of the clergy
    ˇ The son of a Military Chaplain
    ˇ Multiple families that will lose two sons in the Great War
    ˇ The grandson of an Admiral
    Today’s highlighted casualties include:
    ˇ Captain Albert Evelyn Alderson (Royal West Surrey Regiment attached King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry) drowns in Greece. He is the son of the late Reverend E A Alderson, Chaplain to the Forces.
    ˇ Captain Eric Scott Aplin (Worcestershire Regiment) dies of wounds received yesterday on the eastern slope of Passchendaele Ridge leading an offensive patrol at age 22. His brother died of wounds in May 1915 and they are grandsons of Admiral E D’O Alpin.
    ˇ Lieutenant John Lorenzo Patrick Haynes (North Lancashire Regiment attached Royal Flying Corps) is killed in air combat over Fresnoy Park at age 21. He is the son of the Reverend Canon Charles E Haynes.
    ˇ Private Duncan Atwill (Newfoundland Regiment) is killed at age 21. His brother was killed in July 1916.
    ˇ Bombardier Leonard Spencer Moss (Royal Field Artillery) is killed at age 28. His brother will be killed in August.
    ˇ Private George Ernest Chapman (Devonshire Regiment) is killed at age 21. His brother will be killed in August.

    Air Operations:

    The first regular international airmail service begins, with Hansa-Brandenburg C.I aircraft linking Vienna, L'viv,
    Proskurov and Kiev.

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    Lt. Paul Baer, pilot with the 103d Aero Squadron, is awarded the first Air Service Distinguished Service Cross for shooting down his first German aircraft. Originally joining the Lafayette Flying Corps in 1917, he transferred to the Lafayette Escadrille in January 1918 to transition into the 103rd Aero Squadron of the US Army Air Service. The Distinguished Service Cross wass presented to Paul Frank Baer, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism on March 11, 1918. First Lieutenant Baer attacked, alone, a group of seven enemy pursuit machines, destroying one, which fell near the French lines northeast of Reims, France.

    General Headquarters.

    “Another fine day on the 11th inst. enabled our aeroplanes to continue their activity. Visibility, however, was again poor and prevented work with the artillery from achieving much success. Many photographs were taken by us, and several reconnaissance were carried out well to the east of the line. Over 500 bombs were dropped by our aeroplanes, the chief target being the large sidings and ammunition depots at Aulnoye (south-east of Maubeuge) and ammunition depots south of Valenciennes, south-east of Cambrai, and south of Douai. The enemy's aeroplanes were also active, and attacked our bombing machines. As the result of air fighting ten hostile machines were brought down and seven others were driven down out of control. In addition a German observation balloon was attacked, and brought down in flames. Two of our machines are missing.

    “After dark most of our night-bombing machines were again prevented from leaving the ground by mist but on the southern portion of our front, where the night was clear, 200 bombs were dropped by us on a hostile ammunition dump and railway sidings north-east of St. Quentin. All our machines returned. The enemy also dropped a few bombs during the night, but lost a four-seater machine, which landed in our lines. The occupants were taken prisoners.”

    Admiralty, March 11th.

    “A bombing raid was carried out by naval aircraft on Engel aerodrome and Engel dump, two fires being started. In aerial fighting three enemy aircraft were destroyed and four driven down out of control. All our machines returned safely.”

    “On the night of March 11th a bombing raid was carried out by naval aircraft on Bruges Docks. Over 3 tons of bombs were dropped on the objective, but, owing to poor visibility, results could not be observed.”

    RFC Communiqué number 130:

    The fine weather continued, but the visibility was again bad.

    During night of the 10th/11th instant, reconnaissance were carried out by a machine of No 2 Squadron and one of No 58 Squadron.

    On the 11th, 20 reconnaissance were carried out by Brigades and six successful photographic reconnaissances by the 9th Wing.

    Seventeen hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction with aeroplane observation and three neutralized. Eight zone calls were sent down. Three gun-pits were destroyed, 13 damaged, 19 explosions and two fires caused.

    1,800 plates were exposed and eight tonnes of bombs dropped as follows:-

    1st Brigade: 250 photographs. 22 112-lb and 34 25-lb bombs on billets and dumps by No 18 Squadron, and 62 25-lb bombs by the 1st Wing.

    2nd Brigade: 228 photographs. No 57 Squadron dropped 13 112-lb bombs on Mouscron, Ledeghem and Menin; 2nd Wing dropped 22 25-lb bombs, and 11th Wing dropped 65 25-lb bombs.

    3rd Brigade: 616 photographs. No 49 Squadron dropped nine 112-lb bombs on Dury Dump, and 62 25-lb bombs were dropped on various objectives.

    5th Brigade: 521 photographs. Naval Squadron No 5 dropped 59 25-lb bombs on Elincourt Ammunition Dump. No 48 Squadron dropped 22 25-lb bombs, and 15th Wing dropped 44 25-lb bombs.

    9th Wing: 180 photographs. No 25 Squadron dropped seven 112-lb and 40 25-lb bombs on Aulnoye Station and Dump, and No 27 Squadron dropped four 112-lb and 40 25-lb bombs on Beaudignies Ammunition Dump (seven miles south of Valenciennes).

    Enemy Aircraft:

    Enemy aircraft were very active in the vicinity of Lens and Lille.

    Capt D H Oliver & 2nd-Lieut W H Eastoe, 59 Sqn, EA out of control -

    2nd-Lieut S W Symons & Sergt W N Holmes, 62 Sqn, Fokker DrI in flames - 2nd-Lieut S W Symons and Sergt W N Holmes, No 62 Squadron, brought down an E.A. triplane which burst into flames near the ground

    Capt G F Hughes & Capt H Claye, 62 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control -

    Flt Sub-Lieut R C Berlyn, 3N Sqn, and three members of patrol, DFW C out of control Bellicourt - Nauroy -

    2nd-Lieut E R Varley, 23 Sqn, EA crashed – 2nd-Lieut E R Varley, No 23 Squadron, attacked one of two E.A. and fired a good burst at close quarters with both guns. The E.A. rolled over on to its back and was seen to crash. (Confirmed by A.A.)

    Capt F E Brown and Lieut G O Johnson, 84 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Lavergies at 10:40/10:40 – Capt F E Brown and Lieut G O Johnson, both of No 84 Squadron, attacked an E.A. scout which finally crashed to the ground near Lavergies

    Flt Cdr F C Armstrong, 3N Sqn, Albatros Scout broke up Drocourt at 11:20/11:20 - Flight-Commander F C Armstrong, Naval Squadron No 3, shot down an Albatros scout, the tail of the E.A. falling off in the air

    Capt J A Slater, 64 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control Cambrai at 11:30/11:30 -

    Capt H F S Drewitt, 23 Sqn, two-seater out of control Beaurevoir at 11:35/11:35 -

    2nd-Lieut W L Harrison, 40 Sqn, two-seater crashed west of La Bassée at 11:35/11:35 - 2nd-Lieut W L Harrison, No 40 Squadron, shot down an E.A. two-seater which was being fired at by our A.A. guns; the E.A. crashed near the Canal, west of La Bassée

    Capt J A Slater, 64 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames Douai at 11:57/11:57 – Capt J A Slater, No 64 Squadron, attacked an Albatros Scout which he shot down in flames

    Flt Lieut S W Rosevear, 1N Sqn, two-seater out of control Comines - Warneton at 12:00/12:00 -

    Flt Sub-Lieut H le R Wallace, 1N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control east of Armentičres at 12:00/12:00 -

    Capt G E Thomson, 46 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Chérisy at 12:15/12:15 -

    Lieut L H Holden, 2 AFC, two-seater out of control Illies at 12:20/12:20 -

    Capt F G Quigley, 2nd-Lieut A Koch, 2nd-Lieut K A Seth-Smith and 2nd-Lieut W M Carlaw, 70 Sqn, Balloon in flames Menin at 12:30/12:30 – Capt F G Quigley, No 70 Squadron, attacked an enemy balloon and fired two long bursts into it, and smoke was observed coming out of its side. 2nd-Lieut A Koch, Lieut K A Seth-Smith, and 2nd-Lieut W M Carlaw, of the same squadron, then attacked it and the balloon went down in flames. Two men were seen in the basket when the balloon was set on fire

    Capt H H Balfour, 43 Sqn, DFW C out of control Fromelles at 12:40/12:40 -

    2nd-Lieut H H Hartley & Lieut J H Robertson, 48 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control St Quentin at 12:55/12:55 - Js11

    2nd-Lieut F H Davies & 2nd-Lieut E M Cleland, 13 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Sailly at 12:55/12:55 – 2nd-Lieuts F H Davies and E M Cleland, No 13 Squadron, while on artillery patrol, were attacked by five Albatros scouts, one which they shot down and observed to crash near Sailly

    2nd-Lieut E J Smetham-Jones & 2nd-Lieut A C Cooper, 48 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control NE St Quentin at 13:00/13:00 -

    Capt A J Brown, 2nd-Lieut H B Richardson, 2nd-Lieut E W Lindeberg, 2nd-Lieut R G Hammersley, 2nd-Lieut R T Mark and 2nd-Lieut P J Nolan, 24 Sqn, two-seater out of control east of Bellenglise at 13:15/13:15 - Vfw Paul Diehl (Kia) & Ltn Wilhelm Ordelheide (Kia), FA 271[?]

    Capt J L Trollope, 43 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Sainghin at 13:50/13:50 -

    Lieut R J Owen, 43 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Sainghin at 13:50/13:50 -

    Capt T S Sharpe, 73 Sqn, Fokker DrI crashed Hancourt (south-west of Caudry) at 13:55/13:55 – Capt T S Sharpe, No 73 Squadron, attacked an E.A. triplane at very close range. The enemy machine went down out of control and was seen to crash near Hancourt

    2nd-Lieut W A B Probart, 73 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control south-east of Caudry at 13:55/13:55 -

    2nd-Lieut R G Lawson, 73 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control south-east of Caudry at 13:55/13:55 -

    Lieut G L Graham, 73 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control ? south-east of Caudry at 13:55/13:55 -

    2nd-Lieut A K Lomax, 43 Sqn, two-seater out of control La Bassée at 14:00/14:00 -

    2nd-Lieut S H Wallage & Sergt J H Jones, 22 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Ligny at 14:20/14:20 -

    2nd-Lieut S H Wallage & Sergt J H Jones, 22 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Lomme at 14:20/14:20 -

    Capt H W Woollett, 43 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control La Bassée at 14:25/14:25 -

    Sergt E J Elton & 2nd-Lieut G S L Hayward, 22 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Vendeville - Faches at 14:25/14:25 - Sergt E J Elton and 2nd-Lieut G S L Hayward, No 22 Squadron, in a general engagement with E.A. scouts shot down one which was seen to crash at Faches

    Sergt E J Elton & 2nd-Lieut G S L Hayward, 22 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Lille at 14:30/14:30 -

    Flt Sub-Lieut J E L Hunter, 4N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Coxyde - Keyem at 16:30/16:30 -

    Flt Cdr A M Shook, 4N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Coxyde - Keyem at 16:40/16:40 -

    2nd-Lieut H N C Robinson, 46 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Dury (west of Cambrai) at 16:45/16:45 -

    Capt F G Quigley and 2nd-Lieut A Koch, 70 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed Dadizeele at 17:00/17:00 -

    Capt F G Quigley, 70 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control Dadizeele at 17:00/17:00 -

    Capt F G Quigley, 70 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control Dadizeele at 17:00/17:00 -

    2nd-Lieut W C Dennett, 3 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control Hancourt at 17:30/17:30 -

    Capt D J Bell, 3 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Quéant - Pronville at 17:30/17:30 -

    Capt H J Hamilton and 2nd-Lieut P J Clayson, 1 Sqn, two-seater out of control Ypres at 18:10/18:10 -

    2nd-Lieut H B Richardson, 24 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Ribemont at 18:15/18:15 -

    Capt A J Brown, 24 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control Ribemont at 18:15/18:15 -


    Royal Flying Corps casualties today:

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    CaptainAndrew Frederick Weatherby "Proccy" Beauchamp-Proctor:

    The son of a school teacher, Andrew Frederick Weatherby Beauchamp-Proctor was South Africa's highest scoring ace during World War I. When the war began, he was a student of engineering at the University of Cape Town but abandoned his studies to join the army. He served as a signaller in the Duke of Edinburgh's Own Rifles and saw action in German South-West Africa before his discharge from the army in August 1915. After completing his education, Beauchamp-Proctor joined the Royal Flying Corps in March 1917 and was commissioned upon his arrival in England. Having successfully completed pilot training, he was posted to 84 Squadron in late July and accompanied this unit to France in September 1917.

    An SE5a pilot, Beauchamp-Proctor was just five feet two inches tall. His height made it necessary to raise the seat and modify the controls of the aircraft he flew. Despite these difficulties and a crash on 11 March 1918, Beauchamp-Proctor claimed 54 victories that year and became the British Empire's highest scoring balloon buster.

    Capt C H Brewer (Wia) & 2nd-Lieut D S Broadhurst (Wia), 58 Sqn, FE2b B484 - crashed between lines on reconnaissance after combat.

    2nd-Lieut J W Bell (Wia), 64 Sqn, SE5a B8296 - damaged by EA gunfire in combat on DOP.

    2nd-Lieut D Woodman (Kia), 56 Sqn, SE5a B54 – took off 12:10/12:10 and last seen entering combat with 5 EA and landed in British trenches at Sh62b.M.7 [north-west of Pontru] on COP; Ltn Edgar Scholtz, Js11, 2nd victory [Honon Wood at 13:10/13:10] ?

    2nd-Lieut F H Davies (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut E McL Cleland (Wia), 13 Sqn, RE8 C5051 - combat St Quentin at 12:55/12:55

    2nd-Lieut H H Hartley (Ok) & Lieut J H Robertson (Wia; Dow), 48 Sqn, Bristol F.2B A7114 – combat St Quentin at 12:55/12:55; Ltn Lothar von Richthofen, Js11, 7th victory ?

    2nd-Lieut WL Thomas (Ok) & 52874 Cpl J Bowler (Ok), 48 Sqn, Bristol F.2B A7227 - shot up in aerial combat on OP at 13:00/13:00

    Lieut J A Convery (Kia) & Lieut J L P Haynes (Kia), 5 Sqn, RE8 B835 – took off 14:00/14:00 and reported to have been attacked by EA over Oppy and brought down in Fresnoy Park at 16:00/16:00 on artillery registration; Ltn Hans Viebig, Js57, 2nd victory [Arleux at 16:15/16:15]

    Maj E J Tyson DSO MC (Wia; Dow) & 2nd-Lieut B Bidmead (Wia), 5 Sqn, RE8 C5096 - attacked by 9 EA and force landed Arras - Souchex road at 16:00/16:00 on artillery observation; Gfr Sielemann, Js57, 1st victory [Rouvroy at 16:20/16:20] ?

    Flt Sub-Lieut C G Macdonald (Kia) & G/L P J Capp (Kia), 2N Sqn, DH4 N5965 – took off 16:45/16:45 and force landed in sea off La Panne after combat; Ltn Bertram Heinrich, MFJI, 10th victory [at sea off La Panne]

    Royal Flying Corps Losses today: 17

    The son of William and Elizabeth Robertson, John Henry Robertson served as a Brisfit pilot with 48 Squadron (see below). Becoming an ace on 11 March 1918 (see claims below), he scored his fifth victory by downing a Fokker Dr1. Mortally wounded in the fight, Robertson died from his wounds later that day.

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    Claims: 63 confirmed (Entente 58 : Central Powers 5)

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    Home Fronts:

    USA:

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    The influenza ward at Fort Riley.

    March 11 1918, Fort Riley–On the morning of March 11, US Army cook Albert Gitchell reported in sick to the infirmary on base, exhibiting a 103-degree fever and other flu-like symptoms. By that afternoon, well over a hundred soldiers, many of whom Gitchell had served food to the previous night, reported similar symptoms, and the number was closer to 500 within days. Ultimately, over 50 soldiers in Fort Riley would die, an astonishingly high number for otherwise young, healthy men. The Army apparently dismissed the cases as a local, if deadly, outbreak of pneumonia. However, the disease would not stay contained to Kansas; these were the first confirmed cases of what the Allies would eventually call the “Spanish Flu.”

    The resulting pandemic would ultimately kill over 50 million people, far more than the war itself. The actual origin of the flu is still unclear; it may have been at Fort Riley, but others have suggested the British camp at Etaples or in China. Regardless, it is clear that the large-scale worldwide movement of manpower caused by the war–especially the US Army, now arriving in France at a rate of over 100,000 per month–was the major contributing factor to the pandemic’s spread. It would still take some time to do so, however, and it hit in multiple waves–the most deadly would not strike until the fall.

    The eventual common name for the pandemic, the “Spanish Flu,” was as a result of wartime censorship; the spread of the disease was deliberately not widely reported in the belligerent press to avoid giving an impression of weakness to the enemy. This had some justification; in the final weeks of the war, Ludendorff would hold out hope that the flu would be what saved Germany from the advancing Allied armies. The same restrictions did not apply in neutral countries or in reporting about them. Much coverage of the flu in the Allied press thus dealt with Spain, whose King was taken seriously ill, and which eventually gave its name to the pandemic.

    Western Front:


    Big German raids near Ypres and Armentieres repulsed.

    With Paris now a regular target, many civilians decided it was best to leave the city; in the four weeks starting March 10, over 200,000 left by train for other parts of France. The first ones to leave were quickly justified in their decision by another 60-Gotha raid on Paris (4 Gotha’s shot down) on the night of March 11. The War Ministry was hit, killing 101 there alone. Another 66 people were killed in stampedes as Parisians desperately sought cover in Metro stations. The pace of civilian evacuations only increased after that raid, and would pick up even more after the Germans began shelling Paris directly later in the month.


    Southern Front:


    Seaplane raid by night on Naples.

    Tunstills Men Monday 11th March 1918:


    Billets at Biadene.

    On another hot day, the Battalion was relieved by a Battalion of A Brigade, 51st Italian Division. Startng out at 9.12am the Battalion marched ten miles south-west, via Caselle, Casoni and Valla to Castelfranco Veneto.

    Pte. James Hillhouse (see 20th January) was reported by Sgt. Joseph Maddison MM (see 7th March) for “leaving the ranks whilst on the line of march without permission”; on the orders of Capt. **** Bolton MC (see 7th March) he would confined to barracks for four days.

    Pte. Harry Pullin (see 5th October 1917) was reported by Sgt. James Robinson (see below) for “falling out on the line of march without permission”; on the orders of 2Lt. John William Pontefract (see 23rd December 1917) he would be confined to barracks for five days.

    Sgt. James Robinson was an original member of the Battalion. He was 24 years old and originally from Shipley, though he had been living in Bradford; he was married with one child.

    Ptes. Alfred Fishlock (see 29th October 1917) and Stanley Hirst (see 13th December 1916) departed on two weeks’ leave to England.

    Pte. Erwin Wilkinson (see 18th August 1917) was admitted via 69th Field Ambulance and 24th Casualty Clearing Station to 11th General Hospital at Genoa; he was suffering from “P.U.O.” (pyrexia, or high temperature, of unknown origin).

    Capt. Gilbert Tunstill (see 7th January) appeared before a further Army Medical Board assembled at Tynemouth. The Board found, “condition unchanged … the foot swells at times and he complains of pain in it”. He was again declared fit for light duty at home and instructed to re-join 3DWR; he would re-examined in a further month.

    Pte. Charles Leslie Gooch (see 15th September 1917) was discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit for service due to wounds. In the absence of his service record it has not been possible to establish when he had been wounded.

    Asiatic, African, Egyptian Front:


    Further British progress astride Nablus road. Following the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk in March 1918, which ended the war on the Eastern Front between Imperial Russia and Imperial Germany, the main focus of the Ottoman Army turned to the Anatolian provinces and territories lost in 1877–1878 during the Russo-Turkish War. The Ottoman Army embarked on a series of territorial conquests in the Caucasus beginning in northern Persia. Erzerum which had been captured by the Russians in 1916, was retaken on 24 March 1918, followed by Van on 5 April and later Batum, Kars and Tiflis. Reoccupation of these former possessions brought little strategic advantage to the Ottoman Empire, compared with the potential benefits of military success in Palestine.

    Major offensive operations in Palestine also became a low priority for the British Army in March; being postponed because of the Spring Offensive in France,

    Naval Operations:

    Shipping Losses:
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    Political:


    Mr. Lloyd George on connection between Government and Press.

    National Expenditure Committee report on extravagance in munitions, etc.

    First meeting of the Allied Maritime Transport Council (see February 15th).

    First confirmed cases of the Spanish Flu in the US are reported at Fort Riley, Kansas
    Moscow becomes capital of revolutionary Russia

    Save the Redwoods League founded

    Anniversary Events:

    537 The Goths lay siege to Rome.
    1649 The peace of Rueil is signed between the Frondeurs (rebels) and the French government.
    1665 A new legal code is approved for the Dutch and English towns in America, guaranteeing religious observances unhindered.
    1702 The Daily Courant, the first regular English newspaper is published in London.
    1810 The Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte is married by proxy to Archduchess Marie Louise.
    1811 Ned Ludd leads a group of workers in England in a wild protest against mechanization.
    1824 The U.S. War Department creates the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Seneca Indian Ely Parker becomes the first Indian to lead the Bureau.
    1845 Seven hundred Maoris led by their chief, Hone-Heke, burn the small town of Kororareka in protest at the settlement of Maoriland by Europeans, in breach with the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi.
    1861 A Confederate convention is held in Montgomery, AL, where the new constitution is adopted.
    1863 Union troops under General Ulysess S. Grant give up their preparations to take Vicksburg after failing to pass Fort Pemberton, north of Vicksburg.
    1865 Union General William Sherman and his forces occupy Fayetteville, NC.
    1888 A disastrous blizzard hits the northeastern United States. Some 400 people die, mainly from exposure.
    1900 British Prime Minister Lord Salisbury rejects the peace overtures offered from Boer leader Paul Kruger.
    1905 The Parisian subway is officially inaugurated.
    1907 President Teddy Roosevelt induces California to revoke its anti-Japanese legislation.

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    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 03-11-2018 at 17:48.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  7. #3107

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    Air war section updated for March 10th

    Never Knowingly Undergunned !!

  8. #3108

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    Welcome back Neil. Good to have you there, hopefully fit and well again
    Many thanks to Chris for such a long stint. No mean feat that, 85 days on the trot Congrats

  9. #3109

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    Yes indeed Neil. Good to have you back in the Editor's chair as we count down towards ?
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  10. #3110

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    I'm going to be back for short spurts of effort but it wont be continuous.

    March 11th updated (Home Fronts).

    Will update Air War when more info comes in tomorrow.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  11. #3111

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    As the Actor said to the Wardrobe Mistress.
    Kyte.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  12. #3112

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    MArch 11th updated: Air Operations
    See you on the Dark Side......

  13. #3113

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    Tuesday 12th March 1918

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    Armistice Countdown 244 days

    Today we lost: 315
    Today’s losses include:
    ˇ A battalion commander
    ˇ Multiple families that will lose two and three sons in the Great War
    ˇ A man who escaped after 14 months as a prisoner of war and made it back to England
    ˇ A man whose son will be killed in the Second World War ˇ A man killed by friendly fire

    Today’s highlighted casualties include:

    ˇ Lieutenant Colonel St Barbe Russell Sladen (commanding 1st Royal West Surrey Regiment) is killed on Passchendaele Ridge at age 45.
    ˇ Major Eric James Tyson DSO MC (Royal Flying Corps) dies of wounds received the previous day at age 24. His son Flying Officer Hampson John Philip Tyson (Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve) will be killed in North Africa on 19th December 1942.
    ˇ Lieutenant Archibald Hamilton Fitzmaurice (Royal Flying Corps) is killed in a dogfight with four enemy aircraft at age 23. He is the son of the late Honorable F O B Fitzmaurice and his brother was killed in May 1915.
    ˇ Lieutenant Edward Lloyd Cheney MC (Australian Infantry) is killed at age 25. His brother was killed last April.
    ˇ Gunner Henry John Smith (South African Heavy Artillery) is killed. His brother died of wounds in November 1916.
    ˇ Private James Robert Watts (Monmouthshire Regiment) is killed at age 18. His brother will be killed in November.
    ˇ Private Albert Edward Tingley (Suffolk Regiment) is killed at age 22. He is the last of three brothers who are killed in the Great War.

    Air Operations:

    12-20 March

    This period is marked by greatly intensified air operations on the part of the Luftstreitkräfte (the German Army Air Corps), enabling it to gain air superiority on the Somme sector. Over the Somme, 730 German aircraft, including 326 fighters, are opposed by 579 Royal Flying Corps aircraft, which include 261 fighters.

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    The French airship AT-0 is patrolling in the English Channel when at 14:20 a vessel is spotted to her north east. The airship draws close for recognition purposes and according to her commander, the submarine fires rockets at her. Four 52-kilo bombs are dropped by the airship and the submarine D3 (Lieutenant William McKinstry Maitland-Dougall age 23) disappears and several minutes later men are seen in the water. Attempts are made by the airship to rescue the men but it proves impossible. The airship withdraws to seek help but all 29 of the men drown before help arrives. The identifications rockets fired by D3 are mistaken for aggressive gunfire causing the error off Fechamp. The commander’s brother was killed in April 1917 serving in the Central Ontario Regiment.

    Daylight air-raid by British on Coblenz.

    Zeppelin raid on Yorkshire; Hull bombed, one woman killed:


    The first Zeppelin raid to reach Britain since the disastrous ‘silent raid’ of 19/20 October 1917 took place on the night of 12 March 1918. Five Zeppelins set out but thick cloud made navigation difficult. Most commanders believed they had travelled further west than they had.

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    L54

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    Zeppelin L 54, commanded by Kapitänleutnant von Buttlar, dropped his bombs on a fleet of trawlers out of Grimsby. Between the initial sighting and the bombing, the trawlers relocated a mile or so to the north so all the bombs missed the fleet by a long distance. Presumably the cloud made observation difficult. After dropping his bombs, von Buttlar turned for home.

    Kapitänleutnant Prölss, commanding L 53, reached the Yorkshire coast shortly before 10.00pm but appears not to have come inland. Prölss claimed to have dropped 3,000kgs of bombs but they presumably fell at sea.

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    The first to come inland, L 63, commanded by Kapitänleutnant von Freudenreich, crossed the Yorkshire coast at Hornsea at 8.30pm, although it appears likely that he believed he had crossed it earlier. Von Freudenreich reported bombing Leeds and Bradford, whereas he never passed far inland from the coast. L 63 was on a direct course for Hull at 8.40pm when an AA gun opened fire from the Marfleet. Seven minutes later the Sutton gun joined in. Von Freudenreich turned westwards and skirted around the north of Hull until turning to attack fom a position north-west of the city. However, from a height of between 16,000 and 18,000 feet, and with a thick layer of cloud further hindering accurate location, only six bombs fell within the city itself. The first bombs — one of 100kg and two of 50kg — fell in fields between Oak Road and the River Hull, where they all exploded harmlessly. Another 50kg bomb exploded in a field between two railway lines: the Hull & Barnsley Railway and the Hornsea branch of the North Eastern Railway. The police reported no damage. Seconds later another 50kg bomb exploded on a railway embankment in Montrose Street. It badly damaged one house, caused lesser damage to others, destroyed a workman’s cabin, damaged a signal box and dug a hole in the embankment. A final bomb, dropped on allotments along Southcoates Avenue, damaging several houses, including smashed roofs, broken ceilings, gouges in walls and broken windows. Sarah Masterman, aged 58, died of shock brought on by the raid. Leaving Hull on a north-east course, L 63 dropped four HE and two incendiary bombs in fields at Sutton-on-Hull at 9.10pm, followed a few minutes later by 10 bombs in fields at Swine. None of these caused any damage. L 63 went back out to sea at Tunstall at 9.30pm.

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    Peter Strasser

    Zeppelin L 62, commanded by Hauptmann Manger with Peter Strasser on board, came inland south of Flamborough Head at about 9.15pm, but her commander appears to have found navigation difficult as he remained in the area north of Bridlington for about 30 minutes. L 62 then followed a course that took her over Driffield at 10.20pm, north-east of Pocklington ten minutes later, circled around Bishop’s Wilton at 10.50pm, and reached Market Weighton ten minutes after that before heading towards Howden where the RNAS had an airship station. It appears, however, that Manger did not know he had a worthwhile target ahead as he reported that he attacked Leeds, which is about 30 miles west of Howden. As L 62 headed towards Howden, four AA guns opened fire and Manger steered away to the north-west and at 11.15pm turned north-east near the village of Seaton Ross where he began dropping his bombs. Thirteen HE bombs and 10 incendiaries descended around the village, mainly falling in fields, however, two that straddled the Black Horse Inn, which damaged the roof and outbuildings, broke all the widows at the front, damaged ceilings, tore off three bedroom doors and inflicted damage on eight other houses nearby, but no one suffered any injury. Moments later L 62 dropped four more HE bombs at the village of Melbourne where all fell in fields gouging craters up to 10 feet deep. Heading back to the coast now, L 62 passed out to sea at 11.40pm near Barmston.
    Kapitänleutnant Ehrlich brought L 61 inland at 10.10pm after AA fire had repulsed three earlier attempts. It appears that Ehrlich struggled to identify his position through the clouds and roamed around an area of Yorkshire between Hornsea in the east to Burnby, near Pocklington, in the west, and from Beverley in the south to Filey in the north, without finding any target. Although Ehrlich claimed to have bombed a ‘fortified place on the Humber’, no bombs dropped on land.

    Low cloud hindered the searchlights and anti-aircraft guns throughout the raid. The guns defending Hull fired 139 rounds, while those on the south side of the Humber got off 30 more. The other guns in action that night in Yorkshire fired 290 rounds. The bad weather limited the RFC response too and only nine aircraft flew patrols. None saw the raiders.

    Casualties: 1 killed, 0 injured
    Damage: Ł3,474



    General Headquarters.

    “On the 12th inst. another daylight raid into Germany, making the third within the last four days, was carried out by our aeroplanes. On this occasion the factories and station and the barracks at Coblenz (at the junction of the Rhine and the Moselle) were attacked. Over a ton of bombs were dropped, and bursts were seen on all the objectives, causing two fires. A hit obtained upon a building in the south-west corner of the town created a very large explosion. A few enemy machines were encountered, but all our machines returned safely.”


    “During the night of the 11th-12th inst., in addition to the raids reported in last night's communique, over 3 tons of bombs were dropped by us on Bruges docks. All our machines returned. On the 12th inst. a distinct improvement in visibility enabled more work to be done by our aeroplanes in conjunction with the artillery than has been possible during the last few days. Many reconnaissances also were carried out and photographs were taken. Bombing was continued with even greater vigour than on previous days. Over t 3 j tons of bombs were dropped by us on various targets, which included the railway sidings at Mons and at Bavai (midway between Valenciennes and Maubeuge), on large ammunition dep6ts north-east of St. Quentin, and south of Douai, and on hostile billets east of Lens. In the course of the fighting, which was continuous throughout the day, 14 German machines were brought down, and eight others were driven down out of control. One hostile observation balloon was also destroyed. Six of our aeroplanes are missing.

    “During the night of the 12th-13th inst., 7 tons of bombs were dropped on the enemy's billets between Lille and Cambrai. Ail our machines returned. On the afternoon of the 13th inst. our squadrons attacked the munition works and barracks at Freiburg, in Germany. All our machines reached their objectives, and nearly a ton of bombs was dropped. Further details of the raid have not yet been received.”

    Admiralty.

    “March 12th a raid was made on billets and sidings at St. Pierre Capelle. Many bombs were dropped. Bursts were observed on the objectives, and a large fire started. During the usual offensive patrols enemy trenches were attacked by machine gun fire, and two enemy machines were shot down in flames, one crashing into the sea. A hostile kite balloon which had broken adrift was also shot down. One of our machines is missing.”

    “On March 12th two British seaplanes encountered and attacked five enemy aircraft in the southern part of the North Sea. An engagement took place which lasted for 30 minutes. One enemy two-seater was shot down and destroyed, the observer of a second machine was killed, and a third seaplane was driven down on the water. The engagement terminated when the British seaplanes had expended all their ammunition. Both machines returned safely.”

    RFC Communiqué number 131:

    The weather was fine and there was a considerable improvement in the visibility.

    A machine of No 2 Squadron carried out a reconnaissance on the night of the 11th/12th.

    Twenty-seven reconnaissances were carried out by Brigades and two photographic reconnaissances by the 9th Wing.

    Eighty-six hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction with aeroplane observation and seven neutralized; 13 gun-pits were destroyed, 29 damaged, 50 explosions and 32 fires caused. Forty-seven zone calls were sent down.

    2,134 photographs were taken and 15˝ tons of bombs dropped as follows:-

    Night 11th/12th - 5th Brigade: No 101 Squadron dropped 180 25-lb and 15 15-lb bombs on the ammunition dumps at Brancourt-le-Grand.

    By Day, 12th – 1st Brigade: 388 photographs. No 18 Squadron dropped 26 112-lb and 54 25-lb bombs on Haubourdin, and two 112-lb and four 25-lb obms on billets at Sallaumines and Moisnil. Fifty-four 25-lb bombs were dropped on various objectives.

    2nd Brigade: 275 photographs. No 57 Squadron dropped 13 112-lb bombs on Tourcouing, Ledeghem and Wervicq; 2nd Wing dropped 77 25-lb bombs, and 11th Wing dropped 99 25-lb bombs.

    3rd Brigade: 521 photographs. No 49 Squadron dropped 14 112-lb and 15 25-lb bombs on Dury, and 100 25-lb bombs were dropped on various targets.

    5th Brigade: 820 photographs. 15th Wing dropped 122 25-lb bombs; Naval Squadron No 5 dropped 99 25-lb bombs on Etreux ammunition dump, and No 48 Squadron dropped 16 25-lb bombs.

    9th Wing: 130 photographs. No 25 Squadron dropped nine 112-lb and 30 25-lb bombs on Mons railway sidings, and No 27 Squadron dropped eight 112-lb and 32 25-lb bombs on Bavai railway junction.

    8th Brigade: No 55 Squadron carried out a long distance bomb raid, this being the third within the last four days. Nine machines dropped one 230-lb, 10 112-lb, 28 25-lb, and 10 40-lb bombs on the railway station, factories and barracks at Coblenz (a distance of 130 miles). Two fires were started and bursts were seen on the objective. A very large explosion was caused, a building in the south-west corner of the town being hit. 72 plates were exposed. All machines returned.

    During the night of the 11/12th inst., a Friedrichshafen landed in our lines in the Third Army area, the four occupants being taken prisoners

    Enemy Aircraft:

    Enemy aircraft were active and a considerable amount of fighting took place.

    Enemy aircraft were shot down out of control by the following:

    2nd-Lieut A McN Denovan, No 1 Squadron; Flight Commander L Rochford, Naval Squadron No 3; 2nd-Lieut A K Lomax, No 43 Squadron; Capt W B Tunbridge, 4th Squadron A.F.C.; Capt H J Hamilton, No 1 Squadron; and 2nd-Lieut P J Clayson, of the same squadron, one; Capt F G Quigley, No 70 Squadron; Lieut K A. Seth-Smith, No 70 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut J Todd, No 70 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut W M Carlaw, No 70 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut J S Chick and Lieut P Douglas, No 11 Squadron, five; Capt A P Maclean and Lieut F H Cantlon, No 11 Squadron; Capt C C Haynes and Lieut J L Smith, No 11 Squadron; Capt G E Thomson, No 46 Squadron; Capt A J Brown, No 24 Squadron, two; 2nd-Lieut H T Richardson, No 24 Squadron; Capt L D Baker, No 23 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut C A Hore and Corpl J Cruickshank, No 48 Squadron, two; Flight Commander A M Shook, Naval Squadron No 4; Lieut G E Gibbons and Lieut S A W Knights, No 62 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut P R Hampton and 2nd-Lieut L Lane, No 62 Squadron.

    Lieut P R Hampton & 2nd-Lieut L C Lane, 62 Sqn, EA out of control -

    2nd-Lieut I D R McDonald, 24 Sqn, EA crashed -

    Flt Cdr L H Slatter, Flt Sub-Lieut M L Cooper, Flt Sub-Lieut J E Greene, Flt Sub-Lieut E V Bell and Flt Sub-Lieut G C Mackay, 13N Sqn, Rumpler C in flames Ostende - Wenduyne at 09:05/09:05 - Ltn M I Oskar Kampmann (Kia) & Ltn d R M A Ernst Steinadler (Kia)

    Lieut T Drew-Brook, 73 Sqn, Albatros Scout driven down Le Cateau at 09:55/09:55 -

    2nd-Lieut P A McDougall, 24 Sqn, two-seater crashed south-west of St Quentin at 10:15/10:15 - 2nd-Lieuts P A MacDougall and W Selwyn, both No 24 Squadron, each attacked an E.A. two-seater which dived away east. It was followed by 2nd-Lieut MacDougall who shot it down

    2nd-Lieut A McN Denovan, 1 Sqn, DFW C out of control Houthulst Forest at 10:15/10:15 - Ltn Hans Schulze, FAA256, Kia [?]

    Capt J Fitz-Morris, 23 Sqn, two-seater out of control St Quentin at 10:30/10:30 - Capt J F Morris, No 23 Squadron, was attacked by five E.A. He dived on the nearest and fired about 150 rounds at close range; the E.A. dived away and was seen to crash by A/177 Battery, R.F.A.

    Capt H H Balfour, 43 Sqn, Rumpler C in flames Rodinghem at 10:45/10:45 – Capt H H Balfour, No 43 Squadron, attacked a two-seater; the observer was seen to collapse in the cockpit. After Capt Balfour had fired several more bursts the E.A. suddenly dived vertically, then spun slowly with clouds of black smoke coming out of the fuselage, finally catching fire

    Capt H F S Drewitt, 23 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed east of Bellenglise at 10:45/10:45 – Capt H F S Drewitt, No 23 Squadron, shot down an E.A. Scout which was attacking an S.E.5. The E.A. eventually crashed near the canal just east of Bellenglise

    2nd-Lieut H D Barton, 24 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Bellenglise at 10:45/10:45 -

    2nd-Lieut J J Dawe, 24 Sqn, Albatros out of control Bellenglise at 10:45/10:45 -

    2nd-Lieut H V L Tubbs, 24 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Bellenglise at 10:45/10:45 -

    Capt L D Baker, 23 Sqn, DFW C out of control north-east of Brissay at 10:50/10:50 -

    Lieut G E Gibbons & 2nd-Lieut S A W Knights, 62 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control north-east of Nauroy at 11:00/11:00 -

    A/Flt Cdr L H Rochford, 3N Sqn, Albatros C out of control Brebičres at 11:00/11:00 -

    Sqn Cdr R S Dallas, 1N Sqn, Rumpler C captured Dixmude at 11:15/11:15 - Ltn Horst Haustein (Kia) & Ltn Ernst Stempel (Kia), FA 13 [?]

    Lieut J S Chick & 2nd-Lieut P Douglas, 11 Sqn, two-seater out of control [by Douglas] south of Cambrai at 11:15/11:15 -

    Lieut M E Mealing, 56 Sqn, two-seater captured north of Beaucamp at 11:20/11:20 - Lieut M E Mealing, No 56 Squadron, attacked an E.A. two-seater over Ribecourt. He fired a good burst from both guns at close range; the E.A. dived steeply and finally hit the ground in our lines; ? & Ltn Heinemann, FAA 259
    Capt T E Withington, 65 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Westroosebeke at 11:35/11:35 -
    Maj J A Cunningham, 65 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Westroosebeke at 11:35/11:35 -

    Capt T E Withington, No 65 Squadron, and Major J A Cunningham, of the same Squadron, each shot down an Albatros Scout completely out of control, but were unable to observe the result owing to the presence of other enemy scouts. These two machines were reported by pilots of Naval Squadron No 23 to have been shot down east of Ypres

    Lieut J S Chick & 2nd-Lieut P Douglas, 11 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control [by Chick] Caudry at 11:45/11:45 -

    Capt A P Maclean & Lieut F H Cantlon, 11 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames [by Cantlon] south of Cambrai at 11:45/11:45 – Capt A P Maclean and Lieut F H Cantlon, No 11 Squadron, engaged one E.A. with their rear gun at 100 yards range; the E.A. burst into flames [and 1 ooc by Maclean ?]

    Capt C C Haynes & Lieut J L Smith, 11 Sqn, Scout out of control south-east of Cambrai at 11:45/11:45 -

    Lieut J S Chick & 2nd-Lieut P Douglas, 11 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control by Chick Caudry at 11:50/11:50 -

    Lieut L H Holden, 2 AFC, Albatros Scout in flames south of ****ebusch Lake at 11:55/11:55 - Lieut L H Holden, 2nd Squadron A.F.C., fired a burst of about 50 rounds at one E.A. which immediately fell out of control and is reported by “A” Battery Anti-Aircraft to have gone down flames near Wingles

    Lieut J P Seabrook & 2nd-Lieut C Wrigglesworth, 11 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control [by Seabrook] south-east of Cambrai at 11:55/11:55 - 2nd-Lieuts J P Seabrook and C Wrigglesworth, No 11 Squadron, whilst on offensive patrol, engaged one of a large number of enemy scouts which they shot down, the E.A. crashing in a field south-east of Cambrai
    Lieut J S Chick & 2nd-Lieut P Douglas, 11 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control [by Chick] Caudry at 11:55/11:55 -

    Lieut J S Chick & 2nd-Lieut P Douglas, 11 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control [by Douglas] Caudry at 11:55/11:55 -

    2nd-Lieut N Roberts & Cpl W E Lawder, 48 Sqn, Fokker DrI crashed [by Lawder] north-north-east of St Quentin at 12:00/12:00 – 2nd-Lieut N Roberts and Corpl W Lawder, No 48 Squadron, shot down a Fokker triplane which was observed to crash in a wood at St. Claude, north-east of St. Quentin

    Lieut L A Payne & Lieut G H H Scutt, 48 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control north-esast of St Quentin at 12:00/12:00 -

    2nd-Lieut N Roberts & Cpl W E Lawder, 48 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control north-north-east of St Quentin at 12:00/12:00 -

    2nd-Lieut C A Hore & Cpl J A Cruikshank, 48 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control south of Le Cateau at 12:00/12:00 -

    2nd-Lieut C A Hore & Cpl J A Cruikshank, 48 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control south of Le Cateau at 12:00/12:00 -

    2nd-Lieut J W Aldred, 70 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Menin - Wervicq at 12:45/12:45 – Lieut J W Aldred, No 70 Squadron, shot down an E.A. Scout completely out of control; the E.A. was seen to crash by another pilot of the patroI

    2nd-Lieut H Whiteside, 70 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed north-west of Wervicq at 12:45/12:45 – 2nd-Lieut H L Whiteside, No 70 Squadron, attacked an Albatros Scout, and followed it down to a height of 5,000 feet, the E.A. being finally seen to crash into the ground

    2nd-Lieut J Todd, 70 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north of Menin at 12:45/12:45 -

    Capt F G Quigley, 70 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames Dadizeele at 12:45/12:45, Albatros Scout crashed Dadizeele at 12:45/12:45 and Albatros Scout out of control Dadizeele at 12:50/12:50 – Capt F G Quigley, No 70 Squadron, fired three bursts into one of four E.A. Scouts. The E.A. immediately dived, leaving a trail of blue smoke. This machine was shortly seen smoking on the ground near Dadizeele. Capt Quigley shot down another E.A. Scout, which burst into flames at 4,000 feet; Flgr Georg Boit, Jasta 51, Kia

    2nd-Lieut K A Seth-Smith, 70 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north of Wervicq at 12:50/12:50 -

    Capt S P Smith, 46 Sqn, two-seater out of control at 13:00/13:00 -

    Capt G E Thomson, 46 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Écourt-Saint-Quentin at 13:00/13:00 -

    2nd-Lieut W M Carlaw, 70 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north-west of Gheluwe at 13:00/13:00 -

    Lieut R W McKenzie, 2 AFC, two-seater crashed Wingles at 13:05/13:05 – Lieut R W Mckenzie, 2nd Squadron A.F.C., dived on an E.A. two-seater; smoke was seen issuing from the enemy machine which fell out of control and was reported by “A” Battery Anti-Aircraft to go down in flames

    Lieut H W Sellars & Lieut C C Robson, 11 Sqn, LVG C in flames [by Sellars] Doignies at 14:40/14:40 – Lieuts H W Sellars and C Robson, No 11 Squadron, while returning from a reconnaissance, attacked an Albatros two-seater which fell in flames in our lines near Doignies

    Flt Cdr C B Ridley, 1N Sqn, two-seater in flames Dixmude - Nieuport at 15:15/15:15 - Ltn Horst Haustein (Kia) & Ltn Ernst Stempel (Kia), FA 13 [?]

    Flt Cdr C B Ridley and Flt Cdr H V Rowley, 1N Sqn, Balloon in flames Kemmel at 15:15/15:15 -

    2nd-Lieut H B Richardson, 24 Sqn, EA out of control at 18:10/18:10 -

    Capt A J Brown, 24 Sqn, two-seater crashed south-west of St Quentin at 18:40/18:40 - Capt A J Brown, No 24 Squadron, got in a burst of 50 rounds at close range at an E.A. which went down vertically and crashed near the enemy’s front lines


    Royal Flying Corps casualties today:
    2nd-Lieut P J Nolan (Ok), 24 Sqn, SE5a C6400 - badly shot about on OP

    2nd-Lieut J A Muir (Kia), 46 Sqn, Camel B9157 - last seen by formation over Moeuveres at 07:00/07:00 on bombing patrol

    2nd-Lieut G D Falkenburg (Pow), 46 Sqn, Camel B9317 - last seen by formation over Moeuveres at 07:00/07:00 on bombing patrol

    2nd-Lieut P A MacDougall (Wia), 24 Sqn, SE5a B891 - wounded in combat at 10:15/10:15 and propellor shot away on patrol

    Lieut A H Fitzmaurice (Kia), 1 Sqn, SE5a B4889 – took off 09:45/09:45 and last seen in combat with 4 EA north of Staden at 10:30/10:30 on reserve patrol; Ltn Helmut Steinbrecher, Js46, 1st victory [west of Houthulst at 10:50/10:50] ?

    Capt D S Kennedy MC (Kia) & Lieut H G Gill (Kia), 62 Sqn, Bristol F.2B B1247 – took off 09:30/09:30 and last seen going down out of control east of Cambrai at 11:10/11:10 during combat on offensive patrol; Oblt Lothar von Richthofen, Js11, 28th victory [Maretz at 11:00/11:00]

    2nd-Lieut O B Fenton (Pow) & Lieut H B P Boyce (Pow), 62 Sqn, Bristol F.2B B1250 – took off 09:30/09:30 and last seen going down east of Cambrai at 11:10/11:10 during combat on offensive patrol; Oblt Lothar von Richthofen, Js11, 29th victory [Clary at 11:10/11:10]

    2nd-Lieut L C F Clutterbuck (Pow) & 2nd-Lieut H J Sparks (Pow), 62 Sqn, Bristol F.2B B1251 – took off 09:30/09:30 and seen by formation to go down in flames east of Cambrai at 11:10/11:10 during combat on offensive patrol; Ritt Manfred von Richthofen, JGI , 64th victory [north of Nauroy at 11:15//11:15]

    Lieut J A A Ferguson (Pow) & 67775 Sergt L S Long (Pow), 62 Sqn, Bristol F.2B C4824 – took off 09:30/09:30 and last seen going down east of Cambrai at 11:10/11:10 during aerial combat on offensive patrol; Ltn Werner Steinhäuser, Js11, 4th victory [Beauvais at 11:00/11:00]

    2nd-Lieut C A Hore (Ok) & Cpl J Cruikshank (Kia), 48 Sqn, Bristol F.2B A7290 - force landed in field near aerodrome at 12:30/12:30 after combat on OP Le Catelet; OffStllv Freidrich Altemeier, Js24, 12th victory [Villeret at 11:40/11:40] ?


    Royal Flying Corps Losses today: 12
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    Captain Richard James Tipton (Royal Field Artillery attached Royal Flying Corps) dies of wounds received three days earlier at age 25. In June 1916 while on a bombing raid on El Arish he was forced down in enemy territory where he burned his machine before being taken prisoners by the Turks. After fourteen months as a prisoner while being moved to another prison he and two other officers escaped and after forty-nine days journey including recapture and rescue by bandits he reaches Russia and is sent back to England where he rejoined the Royal Flying Corps.

    Claims: 60 confirmed (Entente 49 : Central Powers 11)

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    Western Front:

    Repulse of big German raid on Portuguese near Laventie.

    Eastern Front:


    German troops land at Aabo (Finland-Turku), and advance inland.

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    Finland after 1917 was bitterly divided along social lines. The Whites consisted of the Swedish-speaking middle and upper classes and the farmers and peasantry who dominated the northern two-thirds of the land. They had a conservative outlook and rejected socialism. The Socialist-Communist Reds comprised the Finnish-speaking urban workers and the landless rural cottagers. They had a radical outlook and rejected capitalism.

    From January to May 1918, Finland experienced the brief but bitter Finnish Civil War. On one side there were the "white" civil guards, who fought for the anti-Socialists. On the other side were the Red Guards, which consisted of workers and tenant farmers. The latter proclaimed a Finnish Socialist Workers’ Republic. World War I was still underway and the defeat of the Red Guards was achieved with support from Imperial Germany, while Sweden remained neutral and Russia withdrew its forces. The Reds lost the war and the White peasantry rose to political leadership in the 1920s–1930s. About 37,000 men died, most of them in prisoner camps ravaged by influenza and other diseases.

    Southern Front:

    Vertikop [Skydra]–Before the fall of the Czar, the Russians had sent 4 brigades overseas, via the Arctic or the Pacific, to help their allies on the other fronts. Two were sent to France; the other two were sent to Salonika. Many of the troops in France contributed to the French army’s mutinies in 1917 and then mutinied themselves, and had to be violently suppressed by French troops. The two brigades in Salonika, more out of touch with events in Russia than their comrades in France, continued to serve on the front lines throughout 1917, although there was a brief mutiny by troops returning from extended leave in Athens. The Provisional Government even sent a small amount of reinforcements, which arrived in October; these, however, spread revolutionary unrest throughout both Russian brigades, which became increasingly unreliable.
    After the October Revolution and Brest-Litovsk armistice, the Russian forces were pulled off the front lines and disarmed in January. Some volunteered for continuing service with the Allies within the French Foreign Legion; many more were used in labor battalions, while the worst troublemakers were simply interned while the Allies figured out what to do with them. The Russians’ patience wore thin, especially after Russia had officially departed the war by signing the treaty at Brest-Litovsk. On March 12, three thousand Russians in an internment camp at Vertikop began to riot; the brief insurrection was quickly put down by a force of French cavalry.

    Tunstills Men Tuesday 12th March 1918:

    Billets at Castelfranco Veneto

    The Battalion formed up at 9.37am marched 15 miles west, via Galliera, Citadella and Fontaniva to San Pietro in Gu.

    On arrival at their new billets Pte. Lewis Batey (see 5th July 1918) suffered an accidental injury to his right knee. The circumstances were described in a statement by L.Cpl. Harry Bailey (25248) (see 16th November 1917), which was corroborated by L.Cpl. Reginald James Nosworthy (see 9th February) and recorded by 2Lt. Keith Sagar Bain (see 2nd March),

    “On arrival of the Company in billets at St. Pietro in Gu, no.8 platoon, to which Pte. Batey belonged, was billeted in a loft. Pte. Batey went up the ladder to the loft and took off his equipment. He immediately began to descend the ladder. He placed his left foot on the first rung of the ladder below the floor of the loft and, while placing his right foot on the second rung, he slipped and fell to the floor, a distance of about twelve feet”.

    Batey was admitted to 69th Field Ambulance and then transferred to 23rd Division Rest Station.

    A congratulatory message was received at 69th Brigade HQ and passed on to all units,

    “While the Brigade Commander was watching the Brigade group pass today, the C-in-C drove up from behind the column and stopped his car to congratulate the Brigade Commander on the excellent turnout and march discipline of the whole Brigade Group. A few minutes after he had left, the GOC 27th Italian Army Corps, who had driven in the opposite direction from the head of the column, also stopped his car and got out to shake hands with the GOC and offer him his heartiest congratulations on the appearance and march discipline of the troops which he described as magnificent. The GOC desires that all ranks may be informed of this high praise which their efforts earned on the march today and is sure that it will be an encouragement to them to maintain this standard, both on the march and at all times”.

    Pte. John Walter Gethen (see 15th January), serving with 69th Trench Mortar Battery, was reported absent from roll call at 8.30pm; he would not return until 8.25pm on 20th March. On his return he was ordered to undergo 16 days Field Punishment no.1 and to forfeit nine days’ pay.

    Sgt. William Eley MM (see 23rd March 1917), who was serving at the Dukes’ Regimental Depot in Halifax, having been posted back to England a year previously suffering from ‘neurasthenia’ and deafness in his left ear, was reprimanded for “neglect of duty … reporting a man absent from picquet when on pass”.

    An examination conducted at the Ida Convalescent Hospital, Leeds on the condition of Carl Parrington Branthwaite (see 27th July 1917), who had been permanently discharged from the Army on account of illness contracted in service, found him to be, “delicate, cheeks flushed, nutrition poor, wound unhealed with drainage tube in situ”. He was to remain in hospital.

    Asiatic, African, Egyptian Front:


    British advance three miles on 11-mile front in coastal sector of Palestine.

    Turks report recapture and burning of Erzerum.

    Enemy driven from Poluvu (Portuguese East Africa).

    Naval Operations:


    Naval Losses:

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    Political:


    General Averescu, Rumanian Premier and Foreign Minister, resigns (see 21st, and February 9th).

    Anniversary Events:

    1496 The Jews are expelled from Syria.
    1507 Cesare Borgia dies while fighting alongside his brother, the king of Navarre, in Spain.
    1609 The Bermuda Islands become an English colony.
    1664 New Jersey becomes a British colony.
    1789 The United States Post Office is established.
    1809 Great Britain signs a treaty with Persia forcing the French out of the country.
    1863 President Jefferson Davis delivers his State of the Confederacy address.
    1879 The British Zulu War begins.
    1884 Mississippi establishes the first U.S. state college for women.
    1894 Coca-Cola is sold in bottles for the first time.
    1903 The Czar of Russia issues a decree providing for nominal freedom of religion throughout the land.
    1909 British Parliament increases naval appropriations for Great Britain.
    1911 Dr. Fletcher of the Rockefeller Institute discovers the cause of infantile paralysis.
    1912 Juliet Low founds the Girl Scouts in Savannah, Georgia.
    1917 Russian troops mutiny as the "February Revolution" begins.

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    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 03-12-2018 at 16:38.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  14. #3114

    Default

    Air Operations update to follow.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  15. #3115

    Default

    12th March Air Operations updated.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  16. #3116

    Default

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    Wednesday 13th March 1918

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    Armistice Countdown 243 days

    Today we lost: 319
    Today’s losses include:
    ˇ An Olympic Gold Medal winning field hockey player
    ˇ A Warwick and Hertford cricketer
    ˇ Multiple families that will lose two sons in the Great War

    Today’s highlighted casualties include:

    ˇ Major Reginald George Pridmore MC (Royal Field Artillery) is killed near Piave River at age 31. He is a former field hockey player on the gold medal winning England team in the 1908 Olympics. He is also a first class cricketer as a right-handed batsman for Warwickshire and minor county cricket for Hertfordshire. The inscription placed upon his wooden cross read “A most gallant sportsman and comrade”.
    ˇ Second Lieutenant John James Roy (Worcestershire Regiment) is killed at age 25. His brother was killed in February 1917.
    ˇ Sergeant and observer Herbert Gostling (Royal Flying Corps) is killed in action at age 26. His brother died of wounds in November 1916.

    Air Operations:

    Daylight air-raid by British on Freiburg.

    Zeppelin raid on Co. Durham, Hartlepool bombed:

    Three Zeppelins — L.42, L.52 and L.56 — set out to attack the industrial north on 13 March but a changing weather forecast prompted a recall. L.52 and L.56 turned back but Kapitänleutnant Martin Dietrich, commanding L.42, did not. He had avoided bad weather over the North Sea and found himself in sight of the British coast when the recall order came through by wireless. The temptation was too great for Dietrich who decided to ignore the order and make an attack. The British authorities experienced considerable difficulties tracking the Zeppelin movements over the North Sea that night and as such they issued no air raid warning.
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    L42 an S Type Zeppelin

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    L.42 remained off the coast for about an hour before coming inland undetected to the north of Hartlepool at about 9.15pm. At a height of about 18,000 feet and with her engines switched off, she drifted silently on the wind towards West Hartlepool. In the town all the lights in the factories, at the docks and in the streets were alight providing a perfect target.

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    The first four HE bombs fell in fields near the Hartlepool Union Workhouse to the north-west of the town at about 9.20pm. The sound of these exploding bombs was the first anyone in the town knew of the raid. The next bomb fell at Amberton Road, close to the tracks of the North Eastern Railway (NER), but only broke a few windows. With her engines now running again, L.42 headed towards the docks. As she crossed the railway tracks a bomb landed in the dock, followed by one that fell on the edge of No. 4 Timber Pond, carrying away part of the bank. Two bombs fell in Central Dock as the Hartlepool AA gun opened fire, causing L.42 to turn southwards. Two bombs that fell on the sea side of the dock entrance, close to Dockgate Cottages, broke a few windows, and these were followed by a bomb in the West Harbour and another that landed in mud by a graving dock. To the south of Coal Dock, two bombs landed about 20 yards apart in the NER sidings, damaging 12 or 15 coal trucks. Continuing to the south, L.42 now reached the tightly-packed streets of West Hartlepool.

    In South Street a bomb destroyed an empty house, practically wrecked the Normanby Hall public house and damaged other houses. The next bomb, exploding on the pavement in Mainsforth Terrace, gouged a crater, knocked down part of wall close to the railway and smashed windows. The next four bombs all fell close together. The first, in Temperance Street, exploded on the pavement outside No. 23. The explosion blew in the front of the house, seriously damaged those on either side and caused lesser damage to most other houses in the street. Four people were killed and five injured. Two bombs exploded in Frederick Street, killing two people and injuring nine. One destroyed No. 27 and the other detonated in the road. Both Nos. 28 and 30 suffered serious damage and almost all the houses in the street suffered to some degree. The last bomb exploded in the roadway in Burbank Street close to No. 108, seriously damaging two houses and impacting on many more. One person died and five suffered injury.
    L.42 continued southwards before passing out to sea near the mouth of the River Tees, under fire from the AA guns. The guns ceased firing at 9.34pm. The Hartlepool, Seaton Carew and Tees Mouth guns fired 34 rounds but they all appear to have underestimated the height of L.42. Two RFC squadrons, No. 36 and No. 76, flew 15 sorties. Only the crew of FE2d from No. 36 Squadron saw L. 42 and although they gave chase for about 40 miles out to sea they were never able to attain the Zeppelin’s height. They had to content themselves with opening a long-range machine gun fire at the homeward bound raider.

    Casualties: 8 killed, 39 injured
    Damage: Ł14,280

    General Headquarters.

    “On the afternoon of the 13th inst. our squadrons attacked the munition works and barracks at Freiburg, in Germany. All our machines reached their objectives, and nearly a ton of bombs was dropped. Further details of the raid have not yet been received.”

    “Our aeroplanes were again able to accomplish a full day's work in the air, and reconnaissance, bombing, photographic, and artillery work was continued as on previous days. Seven hundred bombs were dropped by us on the enemy's rest billets and ammunition dumps and on the railway sidings at Courtrai and Denain. An aerodrome occupied by some of the enemy's night-flying squadrons was also attacked. Fighting was most severe, encounters taking place between large formations of our own and the enemy's aeroplanes. Nineteen hostile machines were brought down, and five others driven down out of control. Five of our machines are missing.

    “During the recent spell of fine weather the Australian and Naval Squadrons attached to the Royal Flying Corps have again proved of the greatest value.

    “The following further information has been received regarding the raid on the German town of Freiburg reported yesterday. The bombs dropped by us were seen to burst on the railway station and round the power station. Just after our pilots had released their bombs our formation was attacked by a large number of hostile machines. A fierce fight ensued, which lasted until all the enemy's machines were forced to withdraw. Three of our machines have not returned.”

    RFC Communiqué number 131:

    On the 13th the weather was fine and the visibility fair.

    Thirty-one reconnaissances were carried out by day by Brigades and three photographic flights by the 9th Wing. Ten night reconnaissanceswere carried out by Brigades.

    Fifty-nine hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction, 12 nenutralized; nine gun-pits were destroyed, 29 damaged, 28 explosions and 16 fires caused. Forty-seven zone calls were sent down.

    1,547 photogtraphs were taken and 17 tons of bombs dropped as follows:-

    Night 12th/13th - 1st Brigade: No 2 Squadron dropped eight 25-lb bombs on Marquillies dump.

    9th Brigade: No 58 Squadron dropped 117 25-lb bombs on rest billets opposite the front the First Army. A direct hit was obtained on a bridge over the canal south-west of Haubourdin.

    No 102 Squadron dropped 552 25-lb bombs on billets opposite the front of the Third Army.

    Day 13th – 1st Brigade: 191 photographs. Fourteen 112-lb and 16 25-lb bombs were dropped on Pont-ŕ-Vendin, Wavrin and Fournes by No 18 Squrdron, and 64 25-lb bombs were dropped by machines of the 1st Wing.

    2nd Brigade: 394 photographs. No 57 dropped 10 112-lb bombs on Courtrai railway sidings, and six 112-lb and 22 25-lb bombs on Ledeghem, Staden and Wervicq. Seventy-two 25-lb bombs were dropped by 11th Wing and 43 25-lb by 2nd Wing.

    3rd Brigade: 452 photographs. No 49 Squadron dropped 12 112-lb and 16 25-lb bombs on Cantin. 88 25-lb bombs were dropped on miscellaneous targets.

    5th Brigade: 376 photographs. 68 25-lb bombs were dropped on Etreux Aerodrome and 12 25-lb on huts east of St. Quentin by Naval Squadron No 5; 154 25-lb bombs were dropped by the 15th Wing and 31 25-lb bombs by No 48 Squadron.

    9th Wing: 130 photographs. Six 112- lb and 16 25-lb bombs were dropped on Denain railway station by No 25 Squadron, and seven 112-lb and 24 25-lb bombs on the same objective by No 27 Squadron.

    8th Brigade: On the afternoon of the 13th instant, nine machines of No 55 Squadron left to bomb the railway station and barracks at Freiburg (Germany). Eight machines reached the objective and dropped two 230-lb, 12 112-lb, two 40-lb and four 25-lb bombs from 14,000 feet. Bursts were seen around the power station, in the railway station and on the railway north of the town. 41 photographs were taken. Afyer the formation dropped the bombs it was attacked by 16 hostile machines. Three of our machines are missing.

    A machine of the same squadron carried out a photographic reconnaissance, exposing 29 plates.

    Enemy Aircraft:

    Enemy aircraft were active all day on all the Army fronts, large formations being encountered east of Cambrai and east of La Bassée.

    Hostile machines were driven down out of control by the following:

    Capt A J Brown, No 24 Squadron, 1; Lieut R T Mark, No 24 Squadron, 1; 2nd-Lieut A K Cowper, No 24 Squadron, 1; 2nd-Lieut C L Stubbs, No 84 Squadron, 1; Lieuts H W Sellars and C C Robson, No 11 Squadron, 1; 2nd-Lieut J S Chick and Lieut P Douglas, No 11 Squadron, Capt C C Haynes and Lieut D S Allsion, No 11 Squadron, 11 Squadron, 1; Capt A Roulstone and Lieut D F V Page, No 57 Squadron, 1; 2nd-Lieuts D Latimer and J J Scaramanga, No 20 Squadron, 1; 2nd-Lieut E Lindup and Cpl F Archer, No 20 Squadron, 1; Capt G M Cox, No 65 Squadron, 1; Lieut A C Dean, No 43 Squadron, 1; 2nd-Lieut H S Montgomerie and Lieut W H Wardrope, No 2 Squadron, 1; 2nd-Lieut M F Peiler, No 43 Squadron, 1; Capt H W Woollett, No 43 Squadron, 1; Capt A H Orlebar, No 73 Squadron, 1; Lieut B Balfour, No 65 Squadron, 1; 2nd-Lieut G L Ormerod and Sergt A Burton, No 22 Squadron, 1; Lieut A R James and Lieut J M Hay, No 62 Squadron, 1; 2nd-Lieut W E Staton and 2nd-Lieut H E Merritt, No 62 Squadron, 2; Capt S W Symons and Sergt W N Holmes, No 62 Squadron, 1.

    Capt St C C Tayler, 80 Sqn, Camel B9209 ?, Albatros Scout crashed - Capt St C C Taylor [sic], No 80 Squadron, attacked an E.A. scout which was diving on another member of his patrol. Capt Taylor fired two long bursts, and the E.A. went down, breaking up before it reached the ground

    Lieut A R James & Lieut J M Hay, 62 Sqn, EA out of control -

    2nd-Lieut H S Montgomerie & Lieut W H Wardrope, 2 Sqn, EA out of control -

    2nd-Lieut G L Ormerod & Sergt A Burton, 22 Sqn, EA out of control -

    Lieut E Lindup & Cpl F Archer, 20 Sqn, EA out of control -

    Capt C C Haynes & Lieut D S Allison, 11 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control by Allison E Awoignt at 07:00/07:00 -

    Flt Cdr R P Minifie, 1N Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed south-east of Dixmude at 07:25/07:25 -

    Flt Sub-Lieut S W Rosevear, 1N Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed south-east of Dixmude at 07:25/07:25 -

    Flt Cdr R P Minifie, 1N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south-east of Dixmude at 07:25/07:25 -

    Lieut R W McKenzie, 2 AFC, Albatros Scout crashed Wingles - Meurchin at 10:05/10:05 – Lieut R W McKenzie, 2nd Squadron A.F.C., dived on an Albatros Scout which he shot down, the E.A. crashing between Wingles and Meurchin

    Capt A H Orlebar, 73 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control SE Cambrai at 10:10/10:10 - Ltn Lothar von Richthofen, Js11, Wia,

    2nd-Lieut P K Hobson, 84 Sqn, Albatros Scout broke up north-east of St Quentin at 10:10/10:10 – 2nd-Lieut P K Hobson, No 84 Squadron, whilst on patrol, attacked an E.A. scout which broke pieces in the air, the top and bottom left hand planes breaking away; Oblt Konrad Mettlich, Js8, Kia

    2nd-Lieut C L Stubbs, 84 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north-east of St Quentin at 10:10/10:10 -

    Capt A H Orlebar, 73 Sqn, Fokker DrI broke up south-east of Cambrai at 10:15/10:15 - Capt A H Orlebar, No 73 Squadron, dived on a Fokker Triplane, opening fire at close range. The E.A. instantly nose-dived, its top plane coming off

    2nd-Lieut G S Hodson, 73 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames Wambaix, south-east of Cambrai at 10:15/10:15 - 2nd-Lieut G S Hodson, No 73 Squadron, dived on an E.A. scout which went down completely out of control and crashed near Wambaix, south-east of Cambrai; Ltn d R Walter Bowien, Js56, Kia

    Lieut W E Staton & Lieut H E Merritt, 62 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Cambrai at 10:30/10:30 -

    Lieut W E Staton & Lieut H E Merritt, 62 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control Cambrai at 10:30/10:30 -

    Capt G F Hughes & Capt H Claye, 62 Sqn, Fokker DrI crashed east of Cambrai at 10:30/10:30 and Fokker DrI out of control (with 73 Sqn?) east of Cambrai at 10:30/10:30 - Capt G F Hughes & Capt H Claye, No 62 Squadron, in a general engagement between his patrol and a very large formatrion of E.A. scouts, shot down one E.A. triplane, which was confirmed by other members of his patrol to have crashed. He then attacked one of three triplanes which were diving on his tail. This E.A. went down vertically; the top plane seen falling away in pieces. Capt Hughes was then attacked by at least six other Albatros scouts and triplanes. The observer’s gun was out of action, and he found it impossible to keep the E.A. off his tail, but he finally outdistanced all the E.A. except one Fokker triplane which was handled remarkably well. Capt Hughes managed to eventually out-manoeuvre this machine by diving with the engine full on, and succeeded in recrossing the line at 3,000 feet; Ltn Lothar von Richthofen, Js11, Wia

    Capt S W Symons & Sergt W N Holmes, 62 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Cambrai at 10:40/10:40 -

    Capt F E Brown, 84 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Homblieres at 12:10/12:10 - Captain F E Brown, No 84 Squadron, whilst on patrol, attacked an E.A. Scout which he shot down, and it was seen to crash on Homblieres village


    Capt H J Hamilton, 2nd-Lieut A Hollis and 2nd-Lieut A E Sweeting, 1 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed Wieltje at 12:20/12:20 -

    Capt W D Patrick, Capt G B Moore, 2nd-Lieut L W Mawbey, 2nd-Lieut W M R Gray, Lieut H A Rigby and 2nd-Lieut P J Clayson, 1 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed Wieltje at 12:20/12:20 -

    A patrol of No 1 Squadron attacked an E.A. scout which they shot down completely out of control. This machine was confirmed as crashed by Signals, 49th Division. The following officers of No 1 Squadron took part in this combat: Capt W D Patrick, Capt G B Moore, Capt H J Hamilton, 2nd-Lieut A Hollis, Lieut H Rigby

    Capt F L Luxmoore and 2nd-Lieut J R Moore, 54 Sqn, DFW C crashed Mezieres at 12:25/12:25 – Capt F L Luxmoore, No 54 Squadron, attacked an E.A. two-seater and fired several bursts at close range. This machine was also attacked by 2nd-Lieut J R Moore of the same squadron, who got in several bursts. The E.A. was seen diving down, and it eventually crashed

    Capt A Roulstone & Lieut D F V Page, 57 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control east of Ledeghem at 12:30/12:30 -

    2nd-Lieut A K Cowper, 24 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Mezieres at 12:35/12:35 -

    Capt A J Brown, 24 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Bellicourt at 12:45/12:45 -

    2nd-Lieut R T Mark, 24 Sqn, two-seater out of control Bellicourt at 12:45/12:45 -

    2nd-Lieut D Latimer & 2nd-Lieut J J Scaramanga, 20 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control Comines - Wervicq at 12:55/12:55 -

    Lieut B Balfour, 65 Sqn, two-seater out of control Frelinghem at 13:30/13:30 -

    2nd-Lieut M F Peiler, 43 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed east of La Bassée at 13:30/13:30 - 2nd-Lieut M F Peiler, No 43 Squadron, dived on one of 12 E.A. which were attacking three A.W.s. The E.A. went down completely out of control and was seen to crash

    2nd-Lieut C F King, 43 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed La Bassée at 13:30/13:30 - 2nd-Lieut C F King, No 43 Squadron, attacked one of two E.A. Scouts, which went down in a slow spin and finally crashed; Ltn Werner Haffner, Js57, Kia [?]

    Capt H W Woollett, 43 Sqn, Albatros Scout broke up La Bassée at 13:30/13:30 – Capt H W Woollett No 43 Squadron, whilst leading his patrol, attacked two E.A. scouts, one of which he shot to pieces, the machine collapsing in the air and falling to bits; Ltn d R Heinrich Kämmerer, Js20, Kia [?]

    2nd-Lieut G A Lingham, 43 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed La Bassée at 13:30/13:30 – 2nd-Lieut G A Lingham, No 43 Squadron, also attacked one of the E.A. Scouts, the E.A. going down completely out of control and crashing near La Bassée; Ltn d R Heinrich Kämmerer, Js20, Kia [?]

    2nd-Lieut A K Lomax, 43 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed south-east of Bois du Biez at 13:30/13:30 – 2nd-Lieut A K Lomax, No 43 Squadron, attacked a third E.A. which he shot down south-east of Bois du Biez; Ltn d R Heinrich Kämmerer, Js20, Kia [?]

    2nd-Lieut M F Peiler, 43 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control east of La Bassée at 13:30/13:30 -

    2nd-Lieut A C Dean, 43 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control La Bassée at 13:30/13:30 -

    Capt H W Woollett, 43 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control La Bassée at 13:30/13:30 –

    2nd-Lieut J S Chick & 2nd-Lieut P Douglas, 11 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control by Douglas S Cambrai at 13:45/13:45 -

    Lieut H W Sellars & Lieut C C Robson, 11 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control by Sellars Oisy at 14:00/14:00 -

    Capt D J Bell, 3 Sqn, Albatros Scout broke up Villers at 15:45/15:45 - Capt D J Bell, No 3 Squadron, attacked an Albatros two-seater at very close range. The left plane of the E.A. came off, and the wreckage of the machine crashed near Villers

    Capt G M Cox, 65 Sqn, two-seater out of control Houthem at 16:05/16:05 -

    Lieut H F Davison & 2nd-Lieut J L Morgan, 22 Sqn, Pfalz Scout in flames Annoeullin at 16:15/16:15 – 2nd-Lieut H F Davison & 2nd-Lieut J L Morgan, No 22 Squadron, opened fire on one E.A. at about 100 yards range and continued firing until the E.A. turned over and burst into flames. This machine eventually crashed near Annoeullin

    Lieut F G C Weare & 2nd-Lieut S J Hunter, 22 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Seclin - Houplin at 16:15/16:15 - Lieut F G C Weare & 2nd-Lieut S J Hunter, No 22 Squadron, whilst on patrol, dived on one of seven hostil scouts and fired a burst at very close range. The E.A.’s right wing came off, and it crashed between Seclin and Houplin

    Sergt E J Elton & 2nd-Lieut G S L Hayward, 22 Sqn, Albatros Scout broke up south-south-west of Lille at 16:20/16:20 and Pfalz Scout crashed south-south-west of Lille at 16:30/16:30 - Sergt E J Elton & 2nd-Lieut G S L Hayward, No 22 Squadron, attacked one E.A. which they shot down out of control. They followed it down and, after they fired another burst, the E.A. broke to pieces, the wings falling off. They then attacked another machine which crashed near Herrin

    Lieut W L Wells & 2nd-Lieut P S Williams, 22 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed west of Emmerin at 16:30/16:30 - Lieut W L Wells & 2nd-Lieut P S Williams, No 22 Squadron, fired about 150 rounds into an E.A. scout which turned over sideways and went down spinning until it crashed just west of Emmerin

    Royal Flying Corps casualties today:


    ? (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut D E Stevens (Kia), 20 Sqn, Bristol F.2B – combat?

    ? (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut E G Humphrey (Wia), 48 Sqn, Bristol F.2B – combat?

    2nd-Lieut R B Brookes (Pow) & 51342 Sergt H Gosling (Pow), 55 Sqn, DH4 A7489 - missing from bombing Freiburg

    2nd-Lieut T S Wilson (Pow) & 2nd-Lieut L Cann (Kia), 55 Sqn, DH4 A7579 - missing from bombing Freiburg

    2nd-Lieut C Gavaghan (Kia) & P15219 Sergt A Brockbank (Kia), 55 Sqn, DH4 B3966 - missing from bombing Freiburg

    These three machines were probably brought down by:

    Ltn Wilhelm Schulz, Js42, 4th victory [Heiteren at 16:10/16:10]
    Ltn d R Georg Schlenker, Js41, 13th victory [Rüstenhart at 16:50/16:50]
    Vzfw Ludwig Weber, Kest 4b, 3rd victory [Freiburg, no time]

    2nd-Lieut F J Milligan (Wia; dow), 80 Sqn, Camel – combat?

    Lieut J K Von I Peden (Ok), 3 Sqn, Camel C6705 – took off 06:35/06:35 and damaged by machine-gun fire during low flying and ground targets, returned 07:10/07:10

    2nd-Lieut M M Freehill (Ok), 46 Sqn, Camel B5429 - shot up Third Army area

    2nd-Lieut E A Whitehead (Kia), 24 Sqn, SE5a C1070 – took off 09:35/09:35 then wing shot off in combat with EA over La Fčre on patrol

    2nd-Lieut E E Heath (Pow), 73 Sqn, Camel B2523 – took off 09:35/09:35 then not seen after formation attacked a group of EA on offensive patrol south-east of Cambrai at 10:15/10:15; Ltn Edgar Sholtz, Js11, 3rd victory [Vaucelles at 10:40/10:40] or Vzfw Franz Hemer, Js6, 4th victory [south of Cambrai at 10:40/10:40] Vaucelles is 9 Km south of Cambrai

    2nd-Lieut J N L Millett (Kia), 73 Sqn, Camel B5590 – took off 09:35/09:35 and believed brought down in flames by Fokker Triplane on offensive patrol south-east of Cambrai at 10:15/10:15; Ritt Manfred von Richthofen, JGI, 65th victory [Banteux at 10:35/10:35] or Vzfw Franz Piechulek, Js56, 4th victory [north-east of Gonnelieu at 10:30/10:30] Banteux is 15 Km south of Cambrai, Gonnelieu is 3 Km west of Banteux

    2nd-Lieut C Allen (Kia) & Lieut N T Watson (Pow), 62 Sqn, Bristol F.2B B1207 – took off 09:00/09:00 and engaged in combat together with 10 other Bristols and several formations of enemy Scouts east of Cambrai on patrol at 10:30/10:30; Ltn d R Rudolph Heins, Js56, 1st victory [Marcoing at 10:16/10:16]

    2nd-Lieut N B Wells (Pow) & Lieut G R Crammond (Pow), 62 Sqn, Bristol F.2B B1268 – took off 09:00/09:00 and engaged in combat together with 10 other Bristols and several formations of enemy Scouts east of Cambrai on patrol at 10:30/10:30; Ltn Franz Schleiff, Js56, 8th victory [La Terričre at 10:20/10:20]

    2nd-Lieut J R Moore (Inj), 54 Sqn, Camel B9279 – took off 11:30/11:30 then controls shot away during engagement with EA force landed Sh66c.NW.h.14 [north-west of Renansart] during wireless interrupting

    Royal Flying Corps Losses today: 20
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    Claims: 68 confirmed (Entente 52 : Central Powers 16)

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    Western Front:


    Increased air activity.

    Eastern Front:


    Germans and Austrians occupy Odessa.

    Per the terms of the preliminary Peace of Buftea, the Romanians were to help the transit German forces across their territory towards Odessa. On March 8, a convoy of 100 trucks left Galați on the Danube, bound for Odessa. Romanian forces helped organize their route and provided needed supplies. In addition to being a stipulation of the treaty, a German capture of Odessa would be in Romania’s best interest; the only major resistance to Romania’s occupation of Bessarabia was from the Red Forces in Odessa; the Romanians would only complete that occupation with the capture of Cetatea Albă [Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi] at the mouth of the Dniester on March 9.

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    Austrian forces pausing on the way to Odessa after being attacked by Red forces; the Germans, able to cut through Romania and Bessarabia, would beat them to the city.
    The one awkward point of the German transit was the simultaneous evacuation of Berthelot’s French military mission in Romania, whose departure was also a stipulation of the peace. They had rejected an offer from Mackensen to transit via Austria-Hungary (with significant delays and the risk of being treated as prisoners of war), and instead decided to risk travel via Ukraine and Russia. The Romanians did not want their faithful allies to be interfered with, and King Ferdinand told the Germans in no uncertain terms that their safe departure was “a point of honor.” Although the Germans had no intention of doing so, threats escalated from both sides until the French were able to slip out by train towards Odessa only five hours ahead of the Germans.
    German forces entered Odessa on March 13, quickly dispersing the Red resistance. The shortcut through Bessarabia meant they arrived ahead of the Austrian forces who had been advancing south through Ukraine east of the Dniester, much to the Austrians’ chagrin. Although technically all operations in the Ukraine were on behalf of the recognized Ukrainian government in Kiev, in practice it was a military occupation, and both the Austrians and Germans were eager to claim their share of the spoils first.


    Southern Front:


    Tunstills Men Wednesday 13th March 1918:


    Billets at San Pietro in Gu.

    As the recent hot weather continued, the Battalion, starting at 9.45am, marched seven miles south-west to Marola, just east of the city of Vicenza.

    L.Cpl. Robert Henry Arnold (see 1st December 1917) was reported by CSM Charles Edward Parker, MM (see 17th February) and Cpls. Thomas Butler (see 1st December 1917) and Charles Fleming (I am currently unable to make a positive identification of this man) as “contravening fire orders, ie allowing a naked light to burn in his billet”; on the orders of Maj. James Christopher Bull MC (see 22nd February) he was deprived of his Lance Corporal’s stripe, reduced to the ranks and ordered to be confined to barracks for five days.

    Pte. Henry Grimshaw (see 8th February) was ordered to undergo seven days’ Field Punishment no.2 and to forfeit two days’ pay; the nature of his offence is unknown.

    L.Cpl. Martin Reddington (see 26th January) was discharged from hospital and posted to XIV Corps Reinforcement Camp at Arquata Scrivia.

    Pte. Leonard Briggs (see 8th January) was discharged from 7th Convalescent Depot at Boulogne and posted to ‘B’ Infantry Base Depot at Arques.

    2Lt. William Edmondson Gaunt (see 31st October 1917) embarked in England for Alexandria, where he was to join 2nd/4th Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment.

    Pte. Herbert Rushworth (see 20th February) was formally discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit for service as a result of the wounds he had suffered on 20th September 1917. He was awarded a pension of 27s. 6d. per week for four weeks, reducing thereafter to 13s. 9d. and to be reviewed in a year’s time.

    A payment of Ł2 7s. 8d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. John Myles Raw (see 11th January), who had been killed in action on 20th September 1917; the payment would go to his father, Robert. He would also receive a parcel of his son’s personal effects, comprising of, “purse, disc, key, 3d. piece (holed)”.

    Naval Operations:

    Ship Losses:

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    Political:


    Lts. Sholtz and Woolley released by Germans (v. 6 February 1918).

    Anniversary Events:

    483 St. Felix begins his reign as Catholic Pope.
    607 The 12th recorded passage of Halley's Comet occurs.
    1519 Hernando Cortez lands in what will become Mexico.
    1660 A statute is passed limiting the sale of slaves in the colony of Virginia.
    1777 Congress orders its European envoys to appeal to high-ranking foreign officers to send troops to reinforce the American army.
    1781 Astronomer William Herschel discovers the planet Uranus, which he names 'Georgium Sidus,' in honor of King George III.
    1793 Eli Whitney patents the cotton gin.
    1861 Jefferson Davis signs a bill authorizing slaves to be used as soldiers for the Confederacy.
    1868 The U.S. Senate begins the impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson.
    1881 Czar Alexander II is assassinated when a bomb is thrown at him near his palace.
    1915 The Germans repel a British Expeditionary Force attack at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle in France.
    1918 Women are scheduled to march in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York due to a shortage of men.
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    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 03-17-2018 at 16:25.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  17. #3117

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    I only have Air Operations to update when I get the information.

    Handing back over to Chris from tomorrow until Sunday.

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

  18. #3118

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    Thanks for your stint Neil
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  19. #3119

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    Nope correction Chris from tomorrow. (He slept in for last patrol...bless, he's tired, overworked etc)
    See you on the Dark Side......

  20. #3120

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    Thursday 14th March 1918

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    Armistice Countdown 242 days

    Today we lost: 274
    Today’s losses include:
    ˇ The great grandson of the Chief Justice of New South Wales
    ˇ An author
    ˇ The son of a member of the clergy
    ˇ A 7-victory ace
    ˇ Multiple families that will lose two sons in the Great War

    Today’s highlighted casualties include:

    ˇ Major Adrian Consett Stephen MC (Royal Field Artillery) is killed at age 25. He is the author of Four Plays and An Australian in the R F A which will be published posthumously. The Adrian Consett Stephen Memorial Prize will be awarded to an undergraduate at the University of Sydney for a short story or play. He is the great grandson of the Chief Justice of New South Wales.
    ˇ Lieutenant Hugh Alexander Wark (Gordon Highlanders) is killed at age 23. He is the son of the Reverend James Wark. ˇ Lieutenant Herbert Henry Hartley (Royal Flying Corp) is killed in action at age 22. He is a seven-victory ace.
    ˇ Private Robert A Harper (Seaforth Highlanders) is killed. His brother was killed in May of last year.
    ˇ Petty Officer Robert Charles Keen (HMS Victory) dies of pneumonia on service at age 28. His brother was killed at Jutland.

    Air Operations:

    Severe aerial fighting; 223 enemy machines disabled since 1 March.

    The US 95th Aero Squadron flies the first offensive patrol of the American First Pursuit Group. The squadron was assigned as a Day Pursuit (Fighter) Squadron as part of the 1st Pursuit Group, First United States Army. Its mission was to engage and clear enemy aircraft from the skies and provide escort to reconnaissance and bombardment squadrons over enemy territory. It also attacked enemy observation balloons, and perform close air support and tactical bombing attacks of enemy forces along the front lines.

    In combat, squadron members shot down 35 enemy aircraft and 12 observation balloons and had 6 Air Aces. Lieutenant Quentin Roosevelt, the youngest son of President Theodore Roosevelt was assigned to the 95th. He lost his life in combat on 14 July 1918.

    On 16 February 1918, the 95th Squadron was transferred to Villeneuve les Vertus Aerodrome where it arrived at the "Zone of the Advance" (Western Front) on 18 February. This was another new camp with a tremendous amount of mud. The squadron did not have any planes to fly or maintain so it was immediately put to work on construction tasks. Finally, on 5 March the first airplane arrived, a Nieuport 28 and the 95th was designated as a Pursuit (Fighter) squadron. Over the next few days, additional Nieuport 28s were received from Orly Field, near Paris. However the aircraft were received without any machine guns.

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    However, without machine-guns, the 95th flew familiarization flights with French Air Service squadrons. However, on 8 March the 95th was reminded there was a war, when its commanding officer, Captain Miller, was shot down on his first flight behind the German lines. However, despite not having machine guns on their planes, proceeded to fly reconnaissance patrols daily, however after Captain Miller was shot down, the pilots of the 95th were restricted to flying over friendly territory.

    General Headquarters.

    “On the morning of the 14th inst. rain prevented flying, but in the afternoon the weather cleared. Bombs were dropped by our aeroplanes on the enemy's rest billets, on a railhead near Lille, and on an aerodrome 20 miles north-east of St. Quentin, used by night-flying aeroplanes. Another hostile aerodrome, due east of St. Quentin, was attacked by a large number of our machines. Bombs were dropped from a low height on to the hangars, one of which was set on fire, while two others were badly damaged. On the homeward flight horse transport, troops, and motor-cars were fired on with machine-guns. None of our machines is missing.”

    RFC Communiqué number 131:

    Low clouds and mist and rain in the morning prevented flying, though the weather improved a little in the afternoon.

    Seventeen recnnaissances were carried out by brigades; 36 hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction and one neutralized. Two gun-pits were destroyed, 21 damaged, 18 explosions and 14 fired caused; 38 zone calls were sent down.

    436 photographs were taken, and 4˝ tons of bombs dropped as follows:-

    1st Brigade: 126 photographs. Eight 112-lb and 28 25-lb bombs were dropped on La Carnoy by No 18 Squadron, and 19 25-lb bombs were dropped by the 1st Wing.

    2nd Brigade: 126 photographs. Three 25-lb bombs were dropped on Perenchies by machines of the 11th Wing; 47 25-lb bombs were driopped by those of the 2nd Wing.

    3rd Brigade: 26 25-lb bombs were dropped on miscellaneous targets.

    5th Brigade: 184 photographs. Naval Squadron No 5 dropped 62 25-lb bombs on Etreux Aerodrome and six 25-lb bombs on Manneruet Aerodrome. A direct hit was obtained on a hangar.

    Fifty-six 25-lb bombs were dropped by 15th Wing and 110 25-lb bombs by the 22nd Wing.

    An attack on Mont; d'Origny Aerodrome was carried out by machines of Nos 24, 48 and 84 Squadrons; 42 bombs were dropped on and 4,760 rounds fired at hangars on the aerodrome and other favourable targets. No 24 Squadron dropped 12 bombs from 100 to 2,000 feet. One hangar was set on fire, and at least two others were damaged; 100 rounds were fired into the nose of a Pfalz Scout which was seen protruding through a hangar; 910 rounds were fired into horse transport, troops, etc., on way back.

    No 48 Squadron dropped 16 bombs from 1,000 to 2,000 feet on various targets and fired over 3,600 rounds troops on the road, billets and lorries, driving the troops to cover.

    No 84 Squadron missed the objective and got four bombs on barges at Bernot from 500 feet; one of the barges was hit. Fifty rounds were fired into the barges, and on the way back 200 rounds were fired at motor cars on the road.

    Enemy aircraft:

    Enemy aircraft activity was very slight, and no combats took place.

    Royal Flying Corps casualties today:


    2nd-Lieut P J Nolan slightly (Wia), 24 Sqn, SE5a B85 - shot on patrol during special mission

    2nd-Lieut H H Hartley (Kia) & 2nd-Lieut G Dixon (Wia), 48 Sqn, Bristol F.2B C4640 - pilot shot through heart while flying 100 feet over trenches on ground shooting patrol Estrees

    ? (Ok) & Sergt J Lake (Wia), 62 Sqn, Bristol F.2B -

    2nd-Lieut A M Kinnear (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut E I Wells (Ok), 8 Sqn, AW FK8 A2732 - force landed near Bus after controls shot away on special reconnaissance


    Royal Flying Corps Losses today: 5
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    Claims: 2 confirmed (Entente 0: Central Powers 2)
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    Western Front:


    French recover trenches near Butte de Mesnil lost on 1 March.

    Southern Front:


    Tunstills Men Wednesday 13th March 1918:


    Billets at Marola

    The recent fine weather continued.

    Orders were received at Divisional level for 23rd Division to be made ready to take over part of the front on the Asiago Plateau, and plans began to be made accordingly. 23rd Division would, by 28th March, take over the right half of an 8,000 yard front on the Asiago Plateau, relieving Italian divisions. To the left of 23rd Division would be 7th Division and the line to the right would be held by French troops. In accordance with the new orders, a training programme was put in place which was described in the Brigade War Diary: “Mornings were devoted to training under Battalion arrangements, including the training of specialists and close order drill etc. In the afternoons, recreational training was carried out. Owing to the difficulty in finding suitable ground only one Brigade scheme was carried out.”
    Pte. Hiram Tasker (see 14th February), who was being treated for ‘trench fever’, was transferred from 11th General Hospital at Genoa to 66th General Hospital at Bordighera.

    At home in Skipton, Lizzie Dawson, wife of Pte. Garibaldi Edwin Dawson (see 2nd October 1917), gave birth to the couple’s first child; the boy would be named Eric.

    Pte. William Axton (see 22nd September 1917), who had been in England since having been severely wounded on 20th September 1917, appeared before an Army Medical Board which recommended that be discharged as being no longer physically fit for service.

    Alice Pemberton, widow of the late Pte. Percival James (Percy) Pemberton (see 12th January), who had been killed in action on 20th September 1917, secured a grant of probate in her husband’s estate, valued at Ł941.

    Asiatic, African, Egyptian Front:


    British make small advance in Jordan valley.

    Naval Operations:


    The trawler Agate is sunk when she strikes a mine. Four members of her crew are killed.

    Ships Lost:

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    Political:


    Mr. Balfour, speaking in House of Commons, defends proposed Japanese intervention in Asiatic Russia.

    Meeting of Supreme War Council in London, attended by Entente Premiers and Foreign Ministers.

    Congress of Soviets at Moscow ratifies Best-Litovsk treaty by 704 votes to 261.

    Anniversary Events:

    1629 A Royal charter is granted to the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
    1743 First American town meeting is held at Boston's Faneuil Hall.
    1757 British Admiral John Byng is executed by a firing squad on board HMS Monarch for neglect of duty.
    1794 Inventor Eli Whitney receives a patent for his cotton gin.
    1900 United States currency goes on the gold standard.
    1903 The Senate ratifies the Hay-Herran Treaty, guaranteeing the United States the right to build a canal in Panama.
    1912 An anarchist named Antonio Dalba unsuccessfully attempts to kill Italy's King Victor Emmanuel III in Rome.
    1915 The British Navy sinks the German battleship Dresden off the Chilean coast.
    1918 An all-Russian Congress of Soviets ratifies a peace treaty with the Central Powers.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 03-17-2018 at 16:29.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  21. #3121

    Default

    and as the sun sets over the yardarm (ooops sorry Tim no ref to sails), correction as the sun sets over the Western Front I bid you all good night. Until we meet again (nope that's for another war too), next Sunday.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  22. #3122

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    Well thank you again Squadron Leader.
    Kyte.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  23. #3123

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    Thanks for the rest Neil, much appreciated. We should now be splitting the weeks as we move forwards.

    15th March 1918

    Lets start today with an except from the diary of the American air ace Eddie Rickenbacker


    Eddie V. Rickenbacker WWI Diary

    Capt. Edward V. Rickenbacker's 1918 wartime diary entry. (03/15/1918). Nothing of importance today. Still waiting for the boys to return from Paris with the new planes which are to be mounted with machine guns. Have been trying to write 5 letters per day in order that I may get caught up with my correspondence. Seems impossible as today I received 8 letters, so what can I do but continue for I sure love letters from home and happiness. “Ok” the yell all lights out and into your dugout. Germans dropping more peace pills and to think its darn cold on the outside.

    Dogfight of Aces

    Today saw a dogfight between two opposed air aces resulting in the death of Adolf Ritter von Titschek at the hands of the South African Ace Harold Redler MC

    Mid-morning on 15 March 1918, 24 Squadron tangled with Jasta 12 triplanes near Brancourt. Harold Bolton Redler, flying an S.E.5a, shot down Adolf von Tutschek by firing a burst at the Jasta leader's green Fokker DR.I. On 21 April 1918, Redler was wounded in action and left 24 Sqaudron. Later that year, Redler and Scottish ace Ian Henderson were killed in a D.H.9 (D1018) crash.

    Listed as Herbert Bolton Redler in some sources. The son of Daniel and Annette (Crocker) Redler.

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    T./2nd Lt. Harold Bolton Redler, Gen. List, and R.F.C.
    For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He encountered four enemy two-seater machines, and attacking the lowest drove it to the ground with its engine damaged. Later, he attacked one of five enemy two-seater machines, and drove it down out of control. He has destroyed in all three enemy machines and driven three others down out of control. He continually attacked enemy troops and transport from a low altitude during operations, and showed splendid qualities of courage and determination throughout.

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    After graduating from the Royal Bavarian Cadet School, von Tutschek's joined the 3rd Bayerischen Infantry Regiment in 1910. During the war, he distinguished himself in combat while serving in France and on the Eastern Front. Severely wounded during a gas attack at Verdun (his second wound of the war), von Tutschek was ill for months. When he recovered, he transferred to the German Air Force and after pilot training, served as a two-seater pilot with FA 6. On 25 January 1917, he was assigned to Jasta Boelcke as a scout pilot. Having scored three victories with this unit, he was given command of Jasta 12 on 28 April 1917. On 11 August 1917, von Tutschek was badly wounded in the right shoulder when his black-tailed Albatros D.V was shot down by Charles Booker of 8 Naval Squadron. Out of action for six months, he wrote his memoirs while recovering: Sturme and Luftsiege (Attack and Air Victories). On 1 February 1918, von Tutschek assumed command of Jagdgeschwader II. Mid-morning on 15 March 1918, the triplanes of JG II tangled with the Royal Flying Corps near Brancourt. Tutscheck was killed when his green Fokker DR.I (404/17) was shot down by an S.E.5a flown by South African ace Harold Redler.

    Aerial activity was again heavy and the following claims were made

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    Seven British airmen were lost on this day

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    Squadron Commander Roderic Stanley Dallas becomes the first Royal Naval Air Service officer to command a Royal Flying Corps squadron when he takes over the command of 40th squadron. Flight Lieutenant Stanley Wallace Rosevear attacks a formation of eight enemy aircraft, destroying two of the enemy machines.

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    Dallas joined the Australian army in 1913. When war broke out, he applied for a transfer to the Royal Flying Corps but was rejected. Instead, he joined the Royal Naval Air Service in 1915. Flying Nieuport Scouts, Sopwith Triplanes and Sopwith Camels, Dallas scored 23 victories before he assumed command of 40 Squadron on 1 April 1918. Two weeks later, he was wounded while strafing enemy troop positions but continued flying combat missions. With the S.E.5a, he scored 9 more victories before he encountered three members of Jasta 14 and was killed in action, shot down by Johannes Werner in a Fokker DR.I.

    General Headquarters, March 16th.


    “On the 15th inst. our aeroplanes were again active. Reconnaissance and artillery work, photography, and bombing were continued, and a great deal of fighting took place east of the lines on the whole front. Over 12 tons of bombs were dropped by us on hostile rest billets, ammunition depots, and aerodromes. A successful raid was carried out upon the important railway sidings at Hirson, where hits were obtained on the railway. Twelve hostile machines were brought down by our aeroplanes and seven others were driven down out of control. None of our machines is missing.

    “After dark the aerial activity was continued by our night-flying machines until early morning. Over 8ą tons of bombs were dropped on the enemy's rest billets. All our machines returned.”

    RFC Communiqué number 131:


    On the 15th the weather was fine with a strong east wind.

    Twenty-four reconnaissances were carried out by Brigades and two long dostance photgraphic flights by the 9th Wing.

    Thirty-four hostile batteries were successlully engaged for destruction with aeroplane observation and two neutralized. Twenty-one gun-pits were destroyed 12 damaged, 42 explosions and 17 fires caused. Twenty-three zone calls were sent down.

    1,648 plates were exposed, and 12 tons of bombs dropped as follows:-

    1st Brigade: 324 photographs. No 18 Squadron dropped five 112-lb, 20 25-lb and four 40-lb bombs on Avelin Aerodrome, and four 112-lb and 12 25-lb bombs on billets; 41 25-lb bombs were dropped by machines on the 1st Wing.
    2nd Brigade: 273 photographs. No 57 Squadron dropped 12 112-lb and 72 25-lb bombs on Menin, and eight 112-lb and 143 25-lb bombs on rest billets; 61 25-lb bombs were dropped by machines of 2nd Wing.
    3rd Brigade: 386 photographs. No 49 Squadron dropped four 112-lb and 19 25-lb bombs on Oisy-le-Verger Ammunition Dump; 94 25-lb bombs were dropped on miscellaneous targets.
    5th Brigade: 593 photographs. Naval Squadron No 5 dropped 52 25-lb bombs on Bohain Aerodrome and 30 25-lb bombs on Bohain Dump. No 48 Squadron dropped 36 25-lb and 15th Wing 124 25-lb bombs on miscellaneous targets.
    9th Wing: 72 photographs. No 25 Squadron dropped 10 112-lb and 48 25-lb bombs on Hirson Railway Station, and No 27 Squadron dropped six 112-lb and 32 25-lb bombs on the same objective.

    Enemy Aircraft:

    Enemy aircraft were very active up to noon, after which the activity decreased.

    E.A. were driven down out of control by the following:

    Lieut M Mealing, No 56 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut H J Walkerdine, No 56 Squadron, No Capt L R Wren & 2nd-Lieut E Gilroy, No 11 Squadron; Lieut H W Sellars & Lieut C C Robson, No 11 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut J S Chick & Lieut P Douglas, No 11 Squadron; Sergt D W Beard & Sergt H W Scarnell, No 11 Squadron (two); Capt J A Slater, No 64 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut J F T Barrett, No 64 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut H B Redler, No 24 Squadron; Capt F M Kitto, No 54 Squadron; Lieut J F Larson, No 84 Squadron; Major A D Carter, No 19 Squadron; Capt P Huskinson, No 19 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut N W Hustings, No 19 Squadron; Capt J Leacroft, No 19 Squadron (two); Lieut A W Adams, 4th Squadron AFC; Lieut J C Courtney, 4th Squadron AFC; Capt A G Waller & Lieut J Brisbane, No 18 Squadron; Lts A R James & J M Hay, No 62 Squadron.

    2nd-Lieut C T Travers, 84 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames - 2nd-Lieut C T Travers, No 84 Squadron, attacked one of three E.A. scouts. After he had fired 150 rounds the E.A. started to dive, smoke and flames coming out of its fuselage. The other E.A. then attacked 2nd-Lieut Travers, but he succeeded in driving them east and he returned to the lines

    2nd-Lieut A W F Beauchamp-Proctor, 84 Sqn, DFW C captured south of Villeret at 08:20/08:20 - 2nd-Lieut A W B Proctor, No 84 Squadron, saw an E.A. attacking an S.E.5. 2nd-Lieut Proctor got beneath the E.A. opened fire at 200 yards range. At 100 yards he opened fire with both guns, and after a short burst the E.A. started to spin down slowly and crash[ed] in our lines south of Villeret; Gfr Johann Ommen (Kia) & Ltn August Wagner (Kia), FA 207[?]

    2nd-Lieut J F Larson, 84 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control north-east of Ribemont at 09:20/09:20 -
    2nd-Lieut E A Clear, 84 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Mesnil St Laurent at 09:45/09:45 - 2nd-Lieut E A Clear, No 84 Squadron, attacked an Albatros scout which he observed crashing into the ground near Mesnil St Laurent

    Capt W D Patrick, 1 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Stadenberg at 10:10/10:10 - Capt W D Patrick, No 1 Squadron, got on the tail of an Albatros scout and fired a long burst from both guns. The E.A. nose dived and was observed by the rest of the patrol to crash

    Capt H F S Drewitt and Lieut G G MacPhee, 23 Sqn, DFW C crashed Brissey at 10:15/10:15 - Capt R F S Drewitt, No 23 Squadron, dived on a two-seater E.A. and continued to fire with both guns until almost on top of the E.A. The E.A. went down in a steep glide, and was then followed by Capt Drewitt and Lieut G G MacPhee, both firing into it. Lieut MacPhee followed the E.A. down and saw it crash in a field

    2nd-Lieut A K Cowper, 2nd-Lieut R T Mark and 2nd-Lieut H B Richardson, 24 Sqn, Rumpler C crashed north of Prémont at 10:20/10:20 - 2nd-Lieut A K Cowper, No 24 Squadron, dived on one of two Rumplers, firing about 100 rounds from 50 to 10 yards range. The E.A. started going down steeply, and 2nd-Lieut Mark got on its tail and fired 100 rounds at 60 yards range. The E.A. continued to dive and was finally attacked by 2nd-Lieut H B Richardson, and it was seen to crash into the wood north of Premonte [sic]

    2nd-Lieut H B Redler, 24 Sqn, Fokker DrI crashed Prémont at 10:30/10:30 - Hpt Adolf von Tutscheck, JG II, Kia [claimed as out of control]
    Lieut A W Adams, 4 AFC, two-seater out of control Vitry-en-Artois at 10:35/10:35 -
    Lieut J G Courtney, 4 AFC, two-seater out of control Vitry-en-Artois at 10:35/10:35 -

    Lieut F P Magoun and 2nd-Lieut L W Mawbey, 1 Sqn, DFW C crashed Dadizeele – south of Ledeghem at 10:35/10:35 - 2nd-Lieut F P McGoun, No 1 Squadron, attacked an E.A. and fired a long burst up to within 20 to 30 yards. This E.A. was also attacked by 2nd-Lieut L W Mawbey who fired a burst of 50 rounds. The E.A. stalled, went down in a vertical dive and crashed south of Ledeghem

    Lieut M E Mealing, 56 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed north of Bourlon Wood at 10:50/10:50 - Lieut M Mealing, No 56 Squadron, attacked an E.A. at very close range. This E.A. went down at a terrific speed in a spin and was seen to crash by another pilot of the same patrol

    2nd-Lieut H J Walkerdine, 56 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north of Bourlon Wood at 10:50/10:50 -
    Lieut M E Mealing, 56 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north of Bourlon Wood at 10:50/10:50 -

    Capt W S Fielding-Johnson, 56 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames north of Bourlon Wood at 10:50/10:50 - Capt W Fielding-Johnson, No 56 Squadron, shot down an E.A. scout out of control. This E.A. was reported by another pilot to have burst into flames

    Capt J Leacroft, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control east of Turcoing at 11:15/11:15 -
    Maj A D Carter, 19 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control south of Halluin at 11:15/11:15 -
    Capt L R Wren & Lieut E C Gilroy, 11 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control by Wren Rumilly at 11:15/11:15 -

    Sergt D W Beard & Sergt H W Scarnell, 11 Sqn, Albatros Scout broke up [by Beard] Rumilly at 11:15/11:15 - Sergt D W Beard & Sergt H W Scarnell, No 11 Squadron, attacked one E.A. and fired about 20 rounds at 40 yards range. The E.A. pilot fell forward in his seat; the machine immediately nose dived and shortly afterwards broke up in the air

    The destroyers HMS Michael and HMS Moresby depth charge and force to the surface the German submarine U-110. When on the surface the German submarine is abandoned.

    Air War
    Western Front: French ace Fonck (20 victories to date) kills German ace and fighter leader Tutshek (27 victories) over Champagne. (which obviously diesn't match the previous source)

    Eastern Front
    Britain: Allies in London discuss Japanese intervention against Germans in Russia but Americans object. Sovnarkom allows Czech Legion evacuation to Omsk.
    Finland*: Mannerheim Offensive (12,000 troops) towards Tampere (until March 19), takes 700 PoWs and 10 guns. Second phase (March 20-25) cuts off town (until March 25), he cables for speedy German arrival on March 20.

    Sea War
    Eastern Atlantic: Destroyer HMS Michael depth charges and sinks U-110 off North Ireland.

    Home Fronts
    France: Explosion in Courneuve district near Paris (30 killed, 1500 wounded).

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    Britain: Haig’s son (later Earl Haig) born.

    an update from Worcestershire...

    War Front:

    4th Batt: The whole Batt was employed in riveting round the huts in Camp.

    Home Front:

    Shooting of a Boy Soldier: Mr. Pringle, in the House of Commons, on Thursday, raised the question of the reform of court-martial procedure. Death verdicts, he said, should be given at once and not conveyed to the victim when he was playing cards, as in the case of the boy shot at dawn. Mr. Macpherson said he had been impressed by the statement that this boy only saw his friend half-an-hour before trial. He now discovered he was in consultation with him four times on the Sunday before. Verdicts could not be delivered at once. Where any suspicion of shell-shock, adequate medical reports were secured.

    Pershore Officer’s Illness: 2nd Lieut. G. Stevenson (son of Mr. T.G. Stevenson, of Wick Post Office, Pershore), who was in the fight at Cambrai, has been home on sick leave, suffering from trench fever and from being gassed. He first joined the colours as a private. He was gazetted at the end of last year and was attached to a Leicestershire Regiment.

    Concert at Battenhall Hospital: A farewell concert was given at the hospital for one of the Sisters – Sister Carey. It was arranged by Pte. R. Davis, of the hospital. The popular comedian of Battenhall, Mr. T. Brampton, sang humorous songs and then the boys asked for the most favourite songs, such as “Roly Poly.” To show the esteem in which the patients held Sister Carey they made her a present of a gold wrist watch. The concert was a huge success and was attended by a large audience. The lighting and stage effects were by Gnr. J.C. Slaughter.

    Worcester Tank Bank Week: Worcester will be the first place of the 50,000 population standard to be visited by a tank and it is the city’s obligation to set up a standard of financial patriotism for all other towns of a similar size. The city has been making history any time during the last thousand years; and it has another chance of making history next week. It will be honoured by the visit of “Julian,” a tank which has collected more money than all the other five tanks put together.”Julian” has never taken less than a million pounds in a week. He has ample accommodation for all the money in the city in paper or in coin; and he offers the guarantee of the best security in the world. His telephone number for the week will be 1,000,000 Worcester. That is significant. He will be accommodated in St. Michael’s Green, thanks to the Dean and Chapter, who have abandoned all scruples of ownership of the site, of precedent and so forth and who have done all that is possible to provide a site which is accessible and commodious. The tank will stand near the Boer War Memorial.

    The Town Clerk reported that applications for Flag Days had been received from the Salvation Army, Serbian Relief Fund, Smokes for Soldiers and Sailors, Palestine Jews’ Fund, and Dr. Barnardo’s Homes. It was decided to inform the Salvation Army that the Committee adhered to their previous decision refusing a flag day and no action was taken in the other cases.

    Girls’ Institute: A meeting of the British Women’s Temperance Society was held at the Girls’ Institute, Bridge Street, on Wednesday. Mrs. Cobbold, of Pershore presided and an address on Temperance was given by Miss Shrimpton of Worcester. A hearty invitation was given by Miss Shrimpton to the members of the Institute to attend the rally of the B.W.T.S. at the Mission Hall this month.

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    Last edited by Hedeby; 03-16-2018 at 06:51.

    Never Knowingly Undergunned !!

  24. #3124

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    16th March 1918


    This will be uploaded in installments today as teh parental taxi is required this afternoon, so please bear with us.. Thank you

    Lets start with a bit of a teaser on what is due to happen next Wednesday...

    Operation Michael / The Ludendorff Offensive / The German Spring Offensive


    Operation Michael was a major German military offensive during the First World War that began the Spring Offensive on 21 March 1918. It was launched from the Hindenburg Line, in the vicinity of Saint-Quentin, France. Its goal was to break through the Allied (Entente) lines and advance in a north-westerly direction to seize the Channel ports, which supplied the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) and to drive the BEF into the sea. Two days later General Ludendorff, the Chief of the German General Staff, changed his plan and pushed for an offensive due west, along the whole of the British front north of the River Somme. This was designed to separate the French and British Armies and crush the British forces by pushing them into the sea. The offensive ended at Villers-Bretonneux, to the east of the Allied communications centre at Amiens, where the Allies managed to halt the German advance; the German Armies had suffered many casualties and were unable to maintain supplies to the advancing troops.

    Much of the ground fought over was the wilderness left by the Battle of the Somme in 1916. The action was therefore officially named by the British Battles Nomenclature Committee as The First Battles of the Somme, 1918, whilst the French call it the Second Battle of Picardy (2čme Bataille de Picardie). The failure of the offensive marked the beginning of the end of the First World War for Germany. The arrival in France of large reinforcements from the United States replaced Entente casualties but the German Army was unable to recover from its losses before these reinforcements took the field. Operation Michael failed to achieve its objectives and the German advance was reversed during the Second Battle of the Somme, 1918 (21 August – 3 September) in the Allied Hundred Days Offensive.

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    German gains on the Western Front - early 1918

    On 11 November 1917, the German High Command (Oberste Heeresleitung, OHL) discussed what they hoped would be a decisive offensive on the Western Front the following spring. Their target was the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), commanded by Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, which they believed had been exhausted by the battles in 1917 at Arras, Messines, Passchendaele and Cambrai. A decision to attack was taken by General Erich Ludendorff on 21 January 1918. At the start of 1918, the German people were close to starvation and growing tired of the war. By mid-February 1918, while Germany was negotiating the Russian surrender and the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, Ludendorff had moved nearly 50 divisions from the east, so that on the Western Front, Germany's troops outnumbered those of the Allied armies. Germany had 192 divisions and three brigades on the Western Front by 21 March, out of 241 in the German Army. Of these divisions, 110 were in the front line, 50 of which faced the shorter British front. Another 67 divisions were in reserve, with 31 facing the BEF. By May 1918, 318,000 American soldiers were due in France, with another million planned to arrive before August. The Germans knew that the only chance of victory was to defeat the Allies before the build-up of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) was complete.

    The German strategy for the 1918 Spring Offensive or Kaiserschlacht (Kaiser's Battle), involved four offensives, Michael, Georgette, Gneisenau and Blücher–Yorck. Michael took place on the Somme and then Georgette was conducted on the Lys and at Ypres, which was planned to confuse the enemy. Blücher took place against the French in the Champagne region. Although British intelligence knew that a German offensive was being prepared, this far-reaching plan was much more ambitious than Allied commanders expected. Ludendorff aimed to advance across the Somme, then wheel north-west, to cut the British lines of communication behind the Artois front, trapping the BEF in Flanders. Allied forces would be drawn away from the Channel ports, which were essential for British supply; the Germans could then attack these ports and other lines of communication. The British would be surrounded and surrender. The British Prime Minister, David Lloyd George, had agreed that the BEF would take over more of the front line, at the Boulogne Conference, against military advice, after which the British line was extended. The "line", taken over from the French, barely existed, needing much work to make it easily defensible to the positions further north, which slowed progress in the area of the Fifth Army (General Hubert Gough). During the winter of 1917–1918, the new British line was established in an arc around St. Quentin, by many small unit actions among the ruined villages in the area. There were many isolated outposts, gaps in the line and large areas of disputed territory and waste land. These positions were slowly improved by building the new three-zone system of defence in depth but much of the work was performed by infantry working-parties. Most of the redoubts in the battle zone were complete by March 1918 but the rear zone was still under construction.

    The BEF had been reorganised due to a lack of infantry replacements; divisions were reduced from twelve to nine battalions, on the model established by the German and French armies earlier in the war. It was laid down that the senior regular and first-line territorial battalions were to be retained, in preference to the higher-numbered second-line territorial and New Army battalions. Second-line territorial and New Army divisions were badly disrupted, having in some cases to disband half of their battalions, to make way for units transferred from regular or first-line territorial divisions. Battalions had an establishment of 1,000 men but some had fewer than 500 men, due to casualties and sickness during the winter.

    Tactical developments

    The German army trained using open-warfare tactics which had proved effective on the Eastern Front, particularly at the Battle of Riga in 1917. The Germans had developed Stormtroop (Stoßtruppen) units, elite infantry which used infiltration tactics, operating in small groups that advanced quickly by exploiting gaps and weak defences. Stoßtruppen by-passed heavily defended areas, which follow-up infantry units could deal with once they were isolated, and occupied territory rapidly to disrupt communication by attacking enemy headquarters, artillery units and supply depots in the rear. Each division transferred its best and fittest soldiers into storm units, from which several new divisions were formed. This process gave the German army an initial advantage in the attack but meant that the best troops would suffer disproportionate casualties, while the quality of the men in reserve declined.

    Developments in artillery tactics were also influential. Ludendorff was able to dispense with slow destructive and wire-cutting bombardments by using the large number of artillery pieces and mortars to fire "hurricane" bombardments concentrated on artillery and machine-gun positions, headquarters, telephone exchanges, railways and communication centres. There were three phases to the bombardment: a brief fire on command and communications, then a destructive counter-battery bombardment and then bombardment of front-line positions. The deep bombardment aimed to knock out the opponent's ability to respond; it lasted only a few hours to retain surprise, before the infantry attacked behind a creeping barrage. Such artillery tactics had been made possible by the vast numbers of accurate heavy guns and large stocks of ammunition that Germany had deployed on the Western Front by 1918.

    An officer of the 51st (Highland) Division wrote,

    "The year 1917 ... closed in an atmosphere of depression. Most divisions on the Western front had been engaged continuously in offensive operations ... all were exhausted ... and weakened." The last German offensive on the Western Front, before the Cambrai Gegenschlag (counter-stroke) of December 1917, had been against the French at Verdun, giving the British commanders little experience in defence. The development of a deep defence system of zones and trench lines by the Germans during 1917, had led the British to adopt a similar system of defence in depth. This reduced the proportion of troops in the front line, which was lightly held by snipers, patrols and machine-gun posts and concentrated reserves and supply dumps to the rear, away from German artillery. British divisions arranged their nine infantry battalions in the forward and battle zones according to local conditions and the views of commanders; about ​1⁄3 of the infantry battalions of the Fifth Army and a similar number in the Third Army held the forward zone.

    The Forward Zone was organised in three lines to a depth depending on the local terrain. The first two lines were not held continuously, particularly in the Fifth Army area, where they were in isolated outpost groups in front of an irregular line of supporting posts. The third line was a series of small redoubts for two or four platoons. Posts and redoubts were sited so that intervening ground could be swept by machine-gun and rifle-fire or from machine-guns adjacent to the redoubts. Defence of the Forward Zone depended on fire-power rather than large numbers of troops but in the Fifth Army area a lack of troops meant that the zone was too weak to be able to repulse a large attack. The Battle Zone was also usually organised in three defensive systems, front, intermediate and rear, connected by communication trenches and switch lines, with the defenders concentrated in centres of resistance rather than in continuous lines. About 36 of the 110 infantry and pioneer battalions of the Fifth Army held the Forward Zone. Artillery, trench mortars and machine-guns were also arranged in depth, in positions chosen to allow counter-battery fire, harassing fire on transport routes, fire on assembly trenches and to be able to fire barrages along the front of the British positions at the first sign of attack. Artillery positions were also chosen to offer cover and concealment, with alternative positions on the flanks and to the rear. About ​2⁄3 of the artillery was in the Battle Zone, with a few guns further forward and some batteries were concealed and forbidden to fire before the German offensive began.


    Western Front
    Germany: Most German Operation Michael artillery now in position, infantry begins night approach marches until March 18.
    Verdun: Raid and counter*-raiding, French take 160 PoWs, Germans 200.

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    German infantry marches for Operation Michael to the Western Front.

    Middle East
    Arabia: Arabs disperse Turk camel corps northwest of Medina. Hejaz Railway near Bowat damaged, train derailed (March 19-20).

    Secret War

    Britain: Haig tells King he can smash any attack. Churchill memo envisages mine-clearing tanks.
    Austria: *Vienna police report ‘… great and rather widespread resentment against Germany’.

    The Battle of Lankipohja

    The Battle of Länkipohja was a Finnish Civil War battle fought in the village of Länkipohja (now part of the Jämsä municipality) in 16 March 1918 between the Whites and the Reds. Together with the battles fought in Kuru, Ruovesi and Vilppula between 15 and 18 March, the Battle of Länkipohja was one the first military operations related to the Battle of Tampere, which was the decisive battle of the Finnish Civil War. The battle is known for its bloody aftermath as the Whites executed 70–100 capitulated Reds. One of the executions was photographed and the images have become one of the best known pictures of the Finnish Civil War.

    The village of Länkipohja is located by the Tampere–Jyväskylä highway, 60 kilometers northeast of Tampere which was the main base for Red Guards on the Tavastia Front. The Reds took control in Länkipohja in 10 February. It was one of the northernmost areas occupied by the Reds. Their intention was to proceed to the town of Jyväskylä in Central Finland and reach the Haapamäki–Jyväskylä and Jyväskylä–Pieksämäki railways. As the Whites launched their offensive against Tampere, Länkipohja's location was strategically important as the village closed the way to the town. Preceding clashes occurred in 12 March, as 360 men of the Red Guards from Urjala, Jämsä and Hämeenlinna attacked to the village of Eväjärvi, 9 kilometres north of Länkipohja, but the offense failed. At the same time, a White Guard unit from Kuortane invaded Länkipohja from the east. They were pushed back as the Reds returned from Eväjärvi. Several Reds were killed and the local Red commander Vihtori Hurri was severely wounded, but the Whites had no fatalities.

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    Executed 'Reds' after the battle

    As the White Army launched their major offensive against Tampere, their plan was to take Länkipohja, then attack Orivesi 25 kilometres west of Länkipohja and cut the Tampere–Haapamäki railway. The White troops were commanded by the colonel K. F. Wilkman. The 2,500-men regiment was divided into three battalions which were led by the major Torsten Aminoff, rittmeister Oskar Wilkman and captain Aarne Heikinheimo. They were supported by an artillery battery commanded by the Swedish volunteer Nils Palme and a reserve battalion under the command of the major Sixten Öberg. The number of Red Guard fighters in Länkipohja is unknown, but most likely there was about 1,000 Reds. The Swedish count Archibald Douglas, who fought for the Whites, estimated about 2,000 fighters. According to the Red commander Vihtori Hurri, a couple of days before the battle the number of Reds was only 552. The Red Guards came from the nearby villages of Längelmäki, Jämsä and Orivesi, and from the southern Finland from Urjala, Hämeenlinna, Tuusula, Kerava, Mäntsälä, Espoo and Helsinki. The Helsinki Red Guard had sent its famous A-komppania (the ″A Company″). It was one of the Red elite units, composed of strength sports athletes and gymnasts.

    The Reds were aware of the oncoming offensive. For example, the newspaper Työmies wrote a day before how the Whites had gathered their troops in the Länkipohja area. In the night before the battle, a large number of civilians fled the village. The Reds had built their main defensive line to the Hirsikangas Hill, two kilometres north of Länkipohja. They had brought down a large number of trees, then piled the cut logs on the both sides of the road and soaked them with water. In the below zero temperature, the stacks of wood were now covered by thick ice. The structure extended more than 50 meters on both sides of the road. As the trees in the slopes were cut, the attacking Whites had to cross a wide open ground covered in deep snow. The Whites attacked Länkipohja from three directions; rittmeister Wilkman from north, major Aminoff from east and captain Heikinheimo from west. The white offensive was launched at 7 AM with heavy artillery fire. The bombing destroyed several buildings in both Länkipohja and the nearby village of Vilkkilä where the Heikiheimo battalion was to strike. Most of the Reds remained in the village, the defensive post in the Hirsikangas Hill was occupied with only 80 fighters of the Tuusula and Helsinki Red Guards. The Urjala Red Guard was placed behind them, while the rest were ensuring the eastern and western sides. The Aminoff battalion, which attacked from east, was stopped in a less than an hour as well as the Heikinheimo battalion in Vilkkilä, two kilometres west of Länkipohja. The Wilkman battalion attacking the main defensive line was forced to retreat at 10 AM. With the help of Öhman reserves, Wilkman soon launched a new offensive and finally reached the Red positions. The battle was now fought with bayonets and knives and the outnumbered Reds were forced to retreat. The wounded Reds remaining in the defensive posts were killed.

    As the Red defense collapsed, Wilkman was now able to enter Länkipohja, only to be hit by their own men as the Aminoff battalion mistook them for Reds. Finally the Whites took the village at 3 PM as the Reds fled south across the frozen lake Längelmävesi. After Länkipohja was lost, the only remaining Reds were now the 300 fighters of Tuusula Red Guard who were still resisting in Vilkkilä. The Wilkman battalion attacked from their rear and the battle was over in the late afternoon. Most of the Reds managed to flee, but about 100 surrendered believing that they were treated like prisoners of war. However, all the surrendered Reds were executed. Leander Viljanen, the commander of the Tuusula Red Guard, hid from the Whites and committed suicide the next day.

    The executions started immediately as the fighting ceased. They were carried out by the battalions of Oskar Wilkman and Sixten Öberg. The firing squads were led by the Jäger officers Bjarne Wegelius and Jarl Wegelius. The number of executed is estimated between 70 and 100, including several local civilians. The number of Reds killed in the battle is estimated 20–60. The White casualties were 37 men, including two Swedish volunteers.

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    A White firing squad executes Red prisoners

    The War in The Air

    Three aces lost their lives on this day

    Captain Keith Knox Muspratt MC 56 Squadron RFC

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    Keith Knox Muspratt received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 2789 on 27 April 1916.

    T./2nd Lt. Keith Knox Muspratt, Gen. List and R.F.C.
    For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He showed great initiative throughout the offensive operations, and seldom failed to become engaged with enemy aircraft when on offensive patrol. He destroyed several hostile machines. He took part in over forty offensive patrols, the majority of which entailed very severe fighting at low altitudes under heavy fire, and he set a magnificent example by his skill, gallantry, and initiative.

    Sous Lieutenant François de Rochechouart de Mortemart
    Spa23

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    The Prince de Tonnay-Charente transferred to the French Air Service in 1917. Assigned to Escadrille Spa23, he scored 5 victories in 1917 and 2 victories in 1918. Killed in action on 16 March 1918, he was shot down over Consenvoye.

    "Pilot of escadrille N23, an excellent pilot who has demonstrated in his pursuit escadrille the great qualities of bravery and audacity. He has distinguished himself in many combats by his skill, resolution and disregard for danger. On 20 October 1917, he downed his fifth enemy plane during the course of a very difficult combat in which he was wounded. Four citations." Légion d'Honneur citation, 22 November 1917

    Lieutenant Llewyn Crichton Davies
    22 Squaron RFC

    Llewelyn Crichton Davies, the son of Henry and Anne Davies, enlisted in 1915 and was posted to 22 Squadron as an observer in 1917. He was wounded once and scored 5 victories flying with F.E.2b and Bristol Fighter pilots. He died from injuries sustained in the crash of a D.H.4 on 13 March 1918.

    Birth registered in the 4th quarter of 1898 at Bala, Merionethshire; 1901 residence was Llanrwst, Denbighshire.

    General Headquarters, March 16th.


    “On the 16th inst. further military objectives in Germany were attacked by our aeroplanes. Fourteen heavy and 10 lighter bombs were dropped on the barracks, munition factories, and railway station of Zweibrücken. Bursts were seen on the barracks and all round the railway station. The formation was attacked by hostile scouts and engaged by anti-aircraft guns, but all machines returned.”

    General Headquarters, March 17th.

    “On the 16th inst. there was again great activity in the air. The enemy's billets, which had been bombed continually for the last 24 hours, were again heavily attacked by our aeroplanes. A total of 13 tons of bombs were dropped, our objectives including two hostile aerodromes and three large ammunition dumps, in addition to billets. At one of the aerodromes a hangar was completely burnt, and a Gotha machine which was in the act of rising from the ground, was seen to crash. The fighting was intense during the morning, but became slightly less vigorous during the afternoon. Sixteen hostile machines were brought down and seven others were driven down out of control. Six of our machines are missing.

    “After dark the enemy's rest billets were again attacked by our squadrons, bombs being dropped until just after midnight, when a thick mist developed. All our machines returned.”

    RFC Communiqué number 131:

    On the 16th the weather was fine.

    Thirty-eight reconnaissances were carried out by Brigades, one photographic reconnaissance by the 9th Wing, one night reconnaissance by the 1st Brigade and one by the 9th Brigade.

    Twenty-seven hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction and eight neutralized; one gun-pit was destroyed, 11 damaged, 14 explosions and eight fires caused; 39 zone calls were sent down.

    1,560 photographs were taken and 21ž tons of bombs dropped as follows:-

    Night, 15th/16th – 1st Brigade: No 2 Squadron dropped two 40-lb phosphorus bombs during a night reconnaissance.

    9th Brigade: No 58 Squadron dropped 195 25-lb bombs and fired two 2-lb shells on Comines, Wervicq, Roncq, Halluin, Linselles and Menin.

    No 101 Squadron dropped five 230-lb, six 112-lb and eight 25-lb bombs on Poncheaux Ammunition Dump, and three 230-lb bombs on a railway bridge south-west of Le Cateau.

    No 102 Squadron dropped 470 25-lb bombs on Bourlon, Tilloy and Fontaine Notre Dame. Four large fired were started. Nearly all pilots carried out three consecutive trips.

    Day, 16th – 1st Brigade: No 18 Squadron dropped 27 112-lb, eight 25-lb, and 18 40-lb bombs on Haubourdin, Sallaumines and Wavrin. One 40-lb and 54 25-lb bombs were dropped by the 1st, Wing.

    2nd Brigade: 364 photographs. No 57 Squadron dropped 28 112-lb and 211 25-lb bombs on Halluin, Comines, Wervicq, Roncq. 47 25-lb bombs were dropped by machines of the 2nd Wing.

    3rd Brigade: 539 Photographs. No 49 Squadron dropped four 112-lb and 18 25-lb bombs on Tilloy Ammunition Dump; other squadrons dropped 68 25-lb bombs.

    5th Brigade: 376 photographs. Naval Squadron No 5 dropped 101 25-lb bombs on Etreux Aerodrome. One hangar was hit and a Gotha which attempted to get off the ground was seen to crash. This squadron also dropped 28 25-lb bombs on Busigny Aerodrome and 65 25-lb bombs on Busigny Ammunition Dump. No 48 Squadron dropped 32 25-lb bombs, and machines of 15th Wing 103 25-lb bombs on miscellaneous targets.

    9th Wing: 61 photographs. No 25 Squadron dropped 10 112-lb and 50 25-lb bombs on Etreux Aerodrome. No 27 Squadron dropped four 112-lb and 16 25-lb bombs on Bohain and two 112-lb and 16 25-lb bombs on Etreux Aerodrome.

    8th Brigade: Ten machines of No 55 Squadron left to bomb military objectives at Mannheim. Three machines returned - two with engine trouble and one shot through the petrol tank by E.A. The remaining seven machines were unable to reach their objective, as they ran into thick clouds, but they attacked the barracks and railway station at Zweibrucken 12,500 feet, dropping 14 112-lb, six 25-lb and four 40-lb phosphorus bombs. Bursts were seen on the barracks and all round the station. Four E.A. attacked the formation but were driven off. All machines returned.

    Enemy Aircraft:

    Enemy aircraft were again active, especially in the morning.

    EA were driven down out of control by the following:

    Sergt C W Noel & 2nd-Lieut L L T Sloot, No 57 Squadron (two); Flight Lieut H T Mellings, No 10 Squadron RNAS; 2nd-Lieut C E Mayer, No 3 Squadron; Capt L W Jarvis, No 56 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut H J Walkerdine, No 56 Squadron; Capt G E Thomson, No 46 Squadron; Capt S P Smith, No 46 Squadron; Lieut W L Wells & 2nd-Lieut G S L Hayward, No 22 Squadron (two); 2nd-Lieut W F J Harvey & Sergt A Burton, No 22 Squadron; Sergt E J Elton & 2nd-Lieut R Critchley, No 22 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut G W Bulmer & 2nd-Lieut P S Williams, No 22 Squadron (two); Lieut G F Malley, 4th Squadron AFC; 2nd-Lieut A W Adams, 4th Squadron AFC; Capt J F Gordon & 2nd-LieutJ C O'Reilly King, No 25 Squadron; Lieut P Burrows & 2nd-Lieut R S Herring, No 48 Squadron (two); Flight Lieut T Watkins & Squadron Cdr S J Goble, No 5 Squadron RNAS; Lieut H V L Tubbs and 2nd-Lieut J J Dawe, No 24 Squadron; Lieut F H Taylor, No 41 Squadron.

    Capt H A Whistler, 80 Sqn, Scout crashed - 17 Mar ?
    Lieut J R Roger, 80 Sqn, Scout crashed - 17 Mar ?
    Capt H A Whistler, 80 Sqn, E.A. out of control - 17 Mar ?
    2nd-Lieut O C Bridgeman, 80 Sqn, E.A. out of control -
    Capt J F Gordon & 2nd-Lieut J C O'Reilly King, 25 Sqn, E.A. out of control -
    Flt Sub-Lieut M T Spence, 1N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control -
    2nd-Lieut E R Varley, 23 Sqn, two-seater crashed Lehaucourt - 2nd-Lieut E R Varley, No 23 Squadron, attacked a two-seater EA flying north over Lehaucourt and it fell emitting smoke and crashed
    2nd-Lieut C G D Napier & 2nd-Lieut J M J Moore, 48 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control at 06:00/06:00 -
    2nd-Lieut C G D Napier & 2nd-Lieut J M J Moore, 48 Sqn, LVG C out of control at 06:00/06:00 -

    Capt H F S Drewitt, 23 Sqn, two-seater in flames Pontruet at 07:20/07:20 - Capt R F S Drewitt, No 23 Squadron, shot down a two-seater in flames (confirmed by AA observers); Vfw Rudolf Grieff (Kia) & Vfw Xaver Zollinger (Kia), Schusta 6

    2nd-Lieut C E Mayer, 3 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control SE Cambrai at 09:10/09:10 -

    Capt D J Bell, 3 Sqn, Albatros Scout broke up Cambrai at 09:15/09:15 and two-seater broke up Cambrai at 09:15/09:15 - Capt D J Bell, No 3 Squadron, fired just ten rounds at an EA at about 15 yards range and it spun down, then broke up in the air. He then saw an EA some 2,000 feet below him, so dived, got below its tail, and fired a short burst at very close range. The EA's left wing broke off

    Flt Lieut H T Mellings, 10N Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control Roulers at 09:30/09:30 -
    Flt Cdr C R Lupton & AGL Smith and Flt Cdr C P O Bartlett & AGL W Naylor, 5N Sqn, EA crashed Busigny at 09:44/09:44 -
    Flt Cdr C R Lupton & AGL Smith and Flt Cdr C P O Bartlett & AGL W Naylor, 5N Sqn, EA crashed Busigny at 09:44/09:44 -
    Lieut A W Adams, 4 AFC, Scout out of control Annoeullin at 10:00/10:00 -
    Lieut G F Malley, 4 AFC, Pfalz Scout out of control Annoeullin at 10:00/10:00 -
    Sergt E J Elton & Lieut R Critchley, 22 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Carvin at 10:30/10:30 -
    2nd-Lieut G W Bulmer & 2nd-Lieut P S Williams, 22 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control Hénin-Liétard at 10:30/10:30 -
    2nd-Lieut G W Bulmer & 2nd-Lieut P S Williams, 22 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control Hénin-Liétard at 10:30/10:30 -
    2nd-Lieut H L Christie & Sergt S Belding, 22 Sqn, Scout in flames Carvin at 10:30/10:30 - 2nd-Lieut H L Christie & Sergt S Belding, No 22 Squadron, shot an EA down in flames which crashed in a wood at Carvin

    There were over 50 aerial victory claims by aces alone on this day...

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    Amongst these was Captain George Edwin Thomson DSO, DFC, MC who claimed 4 on this day

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    George Edwin Thomson, the son of James and Ellen Thomson, of Glenfuccan, Helensburgh, Dumbartonshire, transferred from the King's Own Scottish Borderers to the Royal Flying Corps in September 1916. During flight training, he was badly injured in a crash which left him with a permanently scarred face. In the summer of 1917, he joined 46 Squadron in France and scored 1 victory with a Sopwith Pup before the squadron received Sopwith Camels. During March 1918, Thomson scored 15 victories, was awarded the Military Cross and was posted to the Home Establishment. Two months later, he was killed during take-off at Port Meadow when his aircraft burst into flames and crashed.

    Lt. (T./Capt.) George Edwin Thomson, M.C., Gen. List, and R.F.C.
    For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On one occasion, encountering a number of enemy two-seater planes, he dived on one of these and sent it down in flames. On returning to our lines, he dived on to another enemy machine, the observer of which was seen to collapse in his cockpit, the hostile machine going down completely out of control. On the following day, observing a hostile two-seater machine, he dived on it, engaging it at 100 yards range. On the hostile plane going down in a slow spin, he followed it to within 2,500 feet, but was compelled to withdraw owing to heavy machine-gun fire from the ground. He has, in all, accounted for twenty-one enemy machines, and has at all times during recent operations displayed the most marked skill and gallantry.

    14 British Airmen were lost on this day

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    Last edited by Hedeby; 03-17-2018 at 15:09.

    Never Knowingly Undergunned !!

  25. #3125

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    17th March 1918

    Firstly I have updated yesterday's with latest air war information

    SUNDAY, 17 MARCH 1918

    General Headquarters, March 17th.

    “On the 17th inst. our aeroplanes once more raided Germany, attacking the barracks and railway station at Kaiserslautern with good results. Direct hits were observed on the railway station and a large fire was caused. The formation was attacked by a large number of hostile machines, which were driven off. All our machines returned.

    General Headquarters, March 18th.

    “On the 17th instant good visibility enabled us to carry out even more work in the air than on previous days. Much work was done by our artillery with observation from the air, and photography and reconnaissances by our aeroplanes were continued. The railway sidings at Somain, hostile rest billets on all parts of the front, and three of the enemy's aerodromes were all heavily bombed by us. A total of 10˝ tons of bombs were dropped on these various targets. Over one of the aerodromes attacked a fierce encounter took place, as the result of which three hostile aeroplanes were brought down. Our own machines suffered no losses.

    “During the day, 18 German machines were brought down and eight were driven down out of control. A hostile observation balloon was also destroyed by us. Four of our machines are missing.

    “In the early part of the night, before the mist set in, our night-flying squadrons dropped five tons of bombs on two hostile aerodromes (one of which is occupied by large bombing machines), also on a big ammunition dump north-east of St. Quentin, and on hostile billets in the neighbourhood of Douai and Menin. All our machines returned.”

    Admiralty, March 18th.

    “During offensive patrols carried out by R.N.A.S. machines from Dunkirk from March 14th to 17th, five enemy machines were destroyed and five shot down out of control. In addition, in one engagement two enemy observers were seen to have been killed. All our machines returned safely.”

    RFC Communiqué number 131:


    On the 17th the weather was fine and the the visibility good.

    Eighteen reconnaissances were carried out by Brigades and two photographic flights by 9th Brigade.

    106 hostile batteries were engaged for destruction and 13 neutralized. Thirteen gun-pits were destroyed, 49 damaged, 63 explosions and 50 fires caused. Eighty-five zone calls were sent down.

    134 [actually 1,434] photographs were taken, and 13ź tons of bombs dropped as follows:-

    Night 16th/17th – 116 25-lb bombs and seven 2-lb shells on billets opposite the Second Army front by No 58 Squadron.

    134 25-lb bombs on rest billets opposite the 2nd Army front by No 102 Squadron.

    Day 17th – 1st Brigade: 188 photographs. No 18 Squadron dropped four 112-lb, six 25-lb, and two 40-lb bombs on La Bassée, and eight 112-lb, two 25-lb and six 40-lb bombs on Avelin Aerodrome. 1st Wing dropped 63 25-lb bombs.
    2nd Brigade: 408 photographs. No 57 Squadron dropped 13 112-lb and 72 25-lb bombs on Menin and Halluin. 11th Wing dropped 25 112-lb and 91 25-lb bombs on billets and 2nd Wing dropped 83 25-lb bombs on miscellaneous targets.
    3rd Brigade: 421 photographs. Sixty-one 25-lb bombs were dropped.
    5th Brigade: 366 photographs. Naval Squadron No 5 dropped 52 25-lb bombs on Busigny Aerodrome. No 48 Squadron dropped 29 25-lb on miscellaneous targets. 155 25-lb. bombs were dropped by the 15th Wing.
    9th Wing: 51 photographs. No 27 Squadron dropped six 112-lb and 30 25-lb bombs on Saultain (Valenciennes) Aerodrome and one 112-lb and 28 25-lb on Somain Sidings.

    8th Brigade: On the morning of the 17th inst., 10 machines of No 55 Squadron left to bomb military objectives at Mannheim. One returned with engine trouble and the remainder ran into thick clouds which prevented them from reaching their objective. Twenty 112-lb., nine 25-lb, and three 40-lb bombs were dropped from between 19,000 and 15,000 feet on the factories and railway station at Kaiserslautern. Rwo direct hits were obtained on the station, one truck being set on fire, and a large fire started. Sixteen E.A. attacked the formation but were driven off. Twenty-seven photographs were taken, shewing excellent results. All machines returned.

    Enemy Aircraft:

    EA were very active and a considerable amount of fighting took place.

    EA were brought down out of control by the following:

    Capt J L Trollope, No 43 Squadron; Flight Lieut A T Whealy, No 3 Squadron RNAS; Major A D Carter, No 19 Squadron; Capt A Roulstone, No 57 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut A E Venmore, No 57 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut H E Stewart, No 3 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut W C Dennett, No 3 Squadron; Capt G E Thomson, No 46 Squadron; Capt E R Tempest, No 64 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut A W B Proctor, No 84 Squadron (two); 2nd-Lieut J Loupinsky & Sergt A Remington, No 25 Squadron; Lieut G E Gibbons & 2nd-Lieut S A W Knights, No 62 Squadron; Capt H A Whistler, No 80 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut R T Mark, No 24 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut H B Richardson, No 24 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut W H Brown, No 84 Squadron (two); Capt F E Brown, No 84 Squadron (two).

    Lieut G E Gibbons & 2nd-Lieut S A W Knights, 62 Sqn, Scout out of control - Vzfw Jedwiel, Js46, Wia
    2nd-Lieut J Loupinsky & Sergt A Remington, 25 Sqn, E.A. out of control -
    2nd-Lieut N W Hustings, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed - Lieut N W Hustings, No 19 Squadron, shot down an E.A. out of control which was confirmed to have crashed
    Lieut J K Von I Peden, 3 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed at 07:10/07:10 - LtJ K V Peden, No 3 Squadron, whilst on low bombing, engaged one of two E.A. and sent it down to crash
    2nd-Lieut H E Stewart, 3 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control at 07:10/07:10 -
    Capt G E Thomson, 46 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Cambrai at 08:45/08:45 - Ltn Otto Wachhorst de Wente, Js46, Kia [?]
    Capt G E Thomson, 46 Sqn, two-seater out of control Cambrai at 09:30/09:30 -
    Flt Sub-Lieut A T Whealy, 3N Sqn, Aviatik C out of control west of Haubourdin at 10:50/10:50 -
    Maj J A Cunningham, 65 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Zuidhoek at 11:25/11:25 - Major J A Cunningham, No 65 Squadron, attacked an E.A. scout which turned east and dived. Major Cunningham followed, firing both guns at close range, and the E.A. crashed at Zuidhoek
    Capt E R Tempest, 64 Sqn, Pfalz Scout in flames Douai at 11:30/11:30 - Capt E R Tempest, No 64 Squadron, dived on one of five E.A. scouts and shot it down in flames; Vfw Otto Schulz, Js20, Kia [?]
    Capt A Roulstone & 2nd-Lieut W C Venmore, 57 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north of Menin at 11:30/11:30 -
    Capt E R Tempest, Lieut C A Bissonette, Lieut K G P Hendrie, Lieut J F T Barrett and Lieut C B Stringer, 64 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control Biache at 11:35/11:35 -
    Capt F E Brown, 84 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Busigny at 11:40/11:40 -
    2nd-Lieut A W F Beauchamp-Proctor, 84 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Busigny at 11:40/11:40 -

    2nd-Lieut A W F Beauchamp-Proctor, 84 Sqn, Albatros Scout broke up west of Busigny at 11:42/11:42 - 2nd-Lieut A W B Proctor, No 84 Squadron, got on the tail of one E.A. scout and fired 100 rounds. The E.A. did a steep dive, followed by a zoom and a quick left-hand turn, whereupon the bottom left-hand plane gave way and the whole left wing crumpled up against the fuselage; OfStv Adolf Schreder, Js17, Kia [?]

    2nd-Lieut A W F Beauchamp-Proctor, 84 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control west of Busigny at 11:45/11:45 -
    2nd-Lieut C L Stubbs, 84 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Busigny at 11:45/11:45 - 2nd-Lieut C L Stubbs, No 84 Squadron, attacked an E.A. scout which he followed down to 5,000 feet continually firing, and the E.A. crashed in a village; OfStv Adolf Schreder, Js17, Kia [?]
    2nd-Lieut J V Sorsoleil, 84 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed east of Mametz at 11:45/11:45 - 2nd-Lieut J V Sorsoleil, No 84 Squadron, shot down an E.A. which crashed one mile east of Moretz [sic]
    Capt F E Brown, 84 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control W Busigny at 11:45/11:45 -
    Capt J L Trollope, 43 Sqn, Schuckert D in flames Maugre at 11:45/11:45 - Capt J L Trollope, No 43 Squadron, attacked one of four E.A. at close range and it dived vertically, burst into flames, then broke up in the air
    Capt J L Trollope, 43 Sqn, Schuckert D out of control east of Armentičres at 12:00/12:00 -

    Lieut A B Fairclough and 2nd-Lieut E Olivier, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames north-east of Menin at 12:15/12:15 - Lieut A B Fairclough, No 19 Squadron and 2nd-Lieut E Olivier both attacked one E.A. scout which went down in flames; Ltn d R Waldemar Janshen, Js28, Kia [?]

    Capt P Huskinson, 19 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed near Roulers at 12:25/12:25 - Capt P Huskinson, No 19 Squadron, dived on an E.A. scout and followed it down to 3,500 feet, and saw it crash near Roulers; Ltn d R Waldemar Janshen, Js28, Kia [?]
    2nd-Lieut E Olivier, 19 Sqn, Pfalz Scout destroyed Roulers at 12:25/12:25 - Ltn d R Waldemar Janshen, Js28, Kia [?]
    Capt J Leacroft, 19 Sqn, Pfalz Scout in flames near De Ruiter at 12:25/12:25 - Capt J Leacroft, No 19 Squadron, shot down one E.A. in flames which was seen to crash; Ltn d R Waldemar Janshen, Js28, Kia [?]
    Lieut M R N Jennings, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed souith-west of Roulers at 12:25/12:25 - Lieut M R N Jennings, 19 Squadron, shot down an E.A. seen to crash; Ltn d R Waldemar Jahnsen, Js28, Kia [?]
    Maj A D Carter, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Oostnieuwkerke at 12:35/12:35 - Ltn d R Waldemar Janshen, Js28, Kia [?]

    Two aces lost their lives on this day

    Captain Maurice Douglas Guest Scott MC 91 Squadron RFC

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    Maurice Douglas Guest Scott was the son of Philip William Guest and Agnes Mary (Kirkham) Scott. Having served with the 3rd Loyal North Lancashires, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in February 1916. Posted to 18 Squadron, he scored his first victory as an observer aboard a Vickers F.B.5. After becoming a pilot, he was posted to 54 Squadron in 1917 and scored 4 victories flying the Sopwith Pup. Later that year, he was reassigned to 46 Squadron and claimed 7 more victories as a Flight Commander before being sent to the Home Establishement on 8 October 1917. The following year, Scott was killed in a crash.

    Lt. (T./Capt.) Maurice Douglas Guest Scott, N. Lan. R., Spec. Res., and R.F.C.
    For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in aerial combats. On one occasion his patrol encountered seven enemy machines, two of which he drove down out of control. He has destroyed eleven enemy aeroplanes, and proved himself a very dashing patrol leader.

    Oberleutnant Hans Bethge Jasta 30

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    Following his 20th victory, Bethge was recommended for the Blue Max. Before the recommendation could be approved, he was killed in on the morning of 17 March 1918. His Pfalz D.III was shot down over Passchendaele by a D.H.4 of 57 Squadron

    On a very busy day in the air the following aerial victory claims were made

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    20 British airmen lost their lives on this day

    apologies attachment lost


    Western Front

    Britain: Two German deserters tell BEF XVIII Corps to expect 6-hour barrage, but no date.

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    German 10.5 cm light field howitzers 16 at the acceptance by the army administration.

    Eastern Front
    Ukraine: Kosch’s German LII Corps (from Dobruja) occupies Nikolayev, hold all west of Dnieper including Kherson (March 20), advance continues (until March 29).

    Sea War
    Black Sea: German occupation of Nikolayev gains ships building including 1 dread*nought, 3 cruisers, 4 destroy*ers, 2 gunboats and 3 submarines.

    Captain Tunstill's Men
    : Billets at Marola

    The weather was described as being, “wonderful, like warm summer days in England”. Some men reflected on the contrast with France, “I think it will be hot here in summer as some parts of the day now it is awful. We are having a quite time here, well it is a picnic against France. We can’t grumble at the rations we are getting out here but of course it is the same thing over and over again”.

    Pte. James Frederick Coldwell (see 2nd February), re-joined the Battalion, having missed the departure for Italy in November 1917 as a result of being in hospital. A number of other men also joined the Battalion having been posted from ‘B’ Depot at Le Havre. Among them was Pte. Ralph Pocock Crease; he was a 29 year-old married man from South Norwood, where he had worked as a master butcher. He had attested in December 1915 under the Derby Scheme and had been called up to the ASC in November 1916. In July 1917 he had been transferred to 3DWR and then posted to France, originally to join 9DWR, in January 1918, before being re-posted to 10DWR.

    Ptes. James Kilburn (see 5th October 1917) and Thomas Bates (see 6th December 1917) departed on two weeks’ leave to the UK.

    Divisional orders were issued regarding kit and equipment for the forthcoming move into the mountains, under the heading “Special clothing and equipment for divisions in the mountain area”

    The division in the line in the mountains will hold the following equipment as trench stores during the winter months:

    Fur sleeping bags, 2,000
    Short, fur boots, 2,000
    Hoods, fur or cloth, 5,000
    Ice grips (crampons), pairs, 5,000
    Alpenstocks, 5,000
    Hose Tops, 10,000
    Hot food containers, 150
    Packsaddlery, 150
    Ice axes, 100
    Coloured glasses, 1,000
    Goggles, stonebreakers, 1,000

    The fur sleeping bags, short fur boots and hoods are for the use of men in exposed positions, ie front line trenches, observation posts, on sentry duty etc. The hose tops are to obviate the wearing of puttees when exposed to danger of frostbite.

    In addition to the above the following special articles are available: special nails for ankle boots, to re-nail boots when necessary; special mule shoes.

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    Last edited by Hedeby; 04-07-2018 at 03:56.

    Never Knowingly Undergunned !!

  26. #3126

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    The Attachment Fairy strikes again!

  27. #3127

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    Monday 18th March 1918

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    Armistice Countdown 238 days

    Today we lost: 271
    Today’s losses include:
    ˇ A General
    ˇ The brother of a Victoria Cross winner
    ˇ An 8-victory ace
    ˇ Multiple families that will lose two sons in the Great War
    ˇ Multiple member of the Clergy
    ˇ A 1912 Canadian Olympian
    ˇ A military Chaplain
    ˇ A Civilian Chaplain
    Today’s highlighted casualties include:
    ˇ Brigadier General George Augustus Stewart Cape CMG Commanding Royal Artillery, Acting General Officer Commanding 39th Division is killed in action at age 51.
    ˇ Lieutenant John Anthony ‘Jack’ McCudden MC (Royal Flying Corps) is killed in action at age 20. He is an eight-victory ace and the brother of James McCudden VC.
    ˇ Lieutenant Leonard A Edens (Newfoundland Regiment attached Royal Flying Corps) is killed at age 27. His brother was killed last November.
    ˇ Lieutenant E T Akril-Jones (Sherwood Foresters attached Royal Flying Corps) is accidentally killed at age 19. He is the son of the Reverend Canon David Akril-Jones.
    ˇ Lieutenant Thomas Clarence Gorman (Canadian Engineers) is killed in action at age 30. He played La Crosse for Canada in the 1912 Olympics and his brother will be killed in August.
    ˇ Probationary Flight Officer Eustace William Harland (Royal Naval Air Service) is accidentally killed at home at age 18. He is the son of the Reverend William George Harland Vicar of Lythe.
    ˇ Chaplain Edward Walter Barker (attached 176th Infantry Brigade) dies of wounds at age 30 received nine days earlier in action in the Arras sector. He was an exhibitioner of Bedford and Queen’s, Cambridge.
    ˇ Civilian Chaplain “the Reverend” Emlyn Holt Davies (Young Men’s Christian Association attached Indian Labour Corps) dies in France at age 41.

    Air Operations:

    General Headquarters.


    “On the 18th inst. the atmosphere was again clear and favoured the co-operation of the aeroplanes and artillery. Several long-distance reconnaissances were successfully completed, and many photographs were taken by us. Nine tons of bombs were dropped on the enemy's rest billets and ammunition dumps and also on Busigny railway station and two hostile aerodromes. One of these latter is occupied by large hostile bombing machines. Fighting in the air was exceedingly intense, encounters taking place between large formations of our own and the enemy's machines. Nineteen German aeroplanes were brought down and nine driven down out of control. Twelve of our machines are missing. Our bombing machines also attacked military objectives at Mannheim, on the Rhine, dropping over a ton of bombs with excellent results. Eight direct hits were obtained on the Badische soda factory, causing an abnormally large column of black and white smoke to ascend. Two bursts were also seen on the docks, and one on another large factory. Our aeroplanes were attacked by two formations of hostile machines. As the result of the fighting two German aeroplanes were driven down out of control over Mannheim and the remainder of the enemy's machines were driven off. All our machines returned.

    “During the night, a further 600 bombs were dropped by us on two aerodromes used by the enemy's night-flying machines, and on ammunition depots and billets. All our machines returned.”

    RFC Communiqué number 131:

    On the 18th, fine weather continued, enabling a considerable amount of work to be done.

    Fourteen reconnaissances were carried out by Brigades and three photographic reconnaissances.

    Ninety-six hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction with aeroplane observation and 15 neutralized. 20 gun-pits were destroyed, 33 damaged, 67 explosions and 41 fires caused. 104 zone calls were sent down.

    1,682 photographs were taken and 14 tons of bombs dropped as follows:—

    Night, 17th/18th - 9th Brigade: No 58 Squadron dropped 126 25-lb bombs on Mouchin Aerodrome, two fires being started amongst the hangars and one hut burnt. This Squadron also drooped 28 25-lb bombs on Don, Seclin and Haubourdin.

    No 101 Squadron dropped two 230-lb., six 112-lb and four 25-lb bombs on Premont Ammunition Dump; seven 250-lb, six 112-lb and 24 25-lb bombs on a railway bridge S W of Le Cateau.

    No 102 Squadron dropped 50 25-lb bombs on Emerchicourt Aerodrome, and 100 25-lb bombs on billets.

    Day, 18th – 1st Brigade: 275 photographs. No 18 Squadron dropped 12 112-lb, 10 25-lb and six 40-lb bombs on Fournes and Le Carnoy railhead. 65 25-lb bombs were dropped by 1st Wing.

    2nd Brigade: 249 photographs. No 57 Squadron dropped 12 112-lb bombs on Zarren. 79 25-lb bombs were dropped by 2nd Wing and 33 25-lb bombs by 11th Wing.

    3rd Brigade: 453 photographs. No 49 Squadron dropped 11 25-lb bombs Iwuy Dump, six 25-lb on Oisy-le-Verger and six 112-1b bombs on Aubencheul.

    Seventy-one 25-lb bombs were dropped on miscellaneous targets.

    5th Brigade: 548 photographs. Naval Squadron No 5 dropped 68 25-lb bombs on Busigny Aerodrome. One hangar and one shed were hit. No 48 Squadron dropped 23 25-lb, and 15th Wing 168 25-lb bombs on various targets.

    9th Wing: 157 photographs. No 25 Squadron dropped four 112-lb and 30 25-lb bombs on Busigny Railway Station. No 27 Squadron dropped five 112-lb and 32 25-lb bombs on Etreux Aerodrome, and two 112-lb and 16 25-lb bombs on Busigny Railway Station.

    8th Brigade: Ten machines of No 55 Squadron left to bomb military objectives at Mannheim on the Rhine. Nine machines reached the target and dropped 18 112-lb, 10 25-lb and two 10-lb bombs from an average height of 13,500 feet. As a result, bursts were seen as follows:-

    Direct hits on the Badische-Aniline und Soda Fabrik, causing a huge cloud of black and white smoke to ascend, four direct hits on the docks, one on and one alongside the Sulzer Factory and others round the objective. The bombing machines were attacked by two formations of E.A. scouts (14 machines) over the objective. A combat ensued, as a result of which two E.A. were driven down of control, but owing to the fighting and the fact that there was a certain amount of mist, these machines were not actually seen to crash. They were, however, followed down for 5,000 feet and were then still completely out of control. A total of 36 plates were exposed with good results. All our machines returned safely.

    Enemy Aircraft:

    Enemy aircraft were very active, and the fighting throughout the day was intense.

    EA were driven down out of control by the following:

    Capt F C G Weare & 2nd-Lieut G S L Hayward, No 22 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut H L Christie & Sergt R Pritchard, No 22 Squadron; Flight Lieut E T Hayne, No 3 Squadron RNAS; Lieut A G Wingate-Grey, No 29 Squadron; Capt J G Coombe, No 29 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut F J Davies, No 29 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut C F Cunningham, No 60 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut J S Griffiths, No 60 Squadron; Lieut J F Larson, No 84 Squadron; Capt F E Brown, No 84 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut W H Brown, No 84 Squadron; Flight Lieut E ****son & Sub-Lieut W H Scott, No 5 Squadron RNAS; Flight Cdr C P O Bartlett & Aerial Gunlayer Naylor, No 5 Squadron RNAS; 2nd-Lieut N M Drysdale, No 54 Squadron; Capt B P G Beanlands, No 2nd-Lieut H B Redler, No 24 Squadron; Lieut A K Cowper, No 24 Squadron; Capt K G Leask, No 84 Squadron; Lieut G O Johnson, No 84 Squadron; Capt E R Tempest, No 64 Squadron; Lieut H W Sellars & Lieut C C Robson, No 11 Squadron; Major C M Crowe, No attached 56 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut C A Bridgland & 2nd-Lieut E R Stewart, No 55 Squadron; Capt S B Collett & Lieut G Breyer-Ash, No 55 Squadron.

    2nd-Lieut H L Christie & Sergt R Pritchard, 22 Sqn, E.A. out of control -

    Flt Sub-Lieut S Smith, 3N Sqn, Scout crashed - Flight Sub-Lieut S Smith, 3 Squadron RNAS, attacked one of five EA scouts, fired 300 rounds into it, and it fell out of control and crashed, witnessed by the rest of his patrol

    Lieut C R Steele & ?, 48 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control -

    Capt W S Fielding-Johnson, 56 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed east of Marquion at 06:50/06:50 and Pfalz Scout crashed north of Buissy at 06:50/06:50 - Capt W S Fielding-Johnson, No 56 Squadron, saw about ten E.A. attacking a patrol of Camels. He attacked one E.A. scout which fell and crashed. He then attacked another which did a left-hand spin and crashed into the ground on its back

    2nd-Lieut H J Walkerdine, 56 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed north of Baralle at 06:50/06:50 and Pfalz Scout crashed north-east of Marquion at 06:50/06:50 - 2nd-Lieut H J Walkerdine, No 56 Squadron, in the same combat, shot down one E.A. scout which was seen to crash, then attacked another which also crashed, confirmed by Capt Fielding-Johnson

    2nd-Lieut E R Varley and 2nd-Lieut H A F Goodison, 23 Sqn, Albatros Scout captured Essigny le Grand at 07:45/07:45 - 2nd-Lieuts E R Varley and H A F Goodison, 23 Squadron, saw A.A. bursts east of Urvillers and dived to attack an E.A., finally forcing it to land in our lines near Essigny-le-Grand

    Capt F G C Weare & Lieut G S L Hayward, 22 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Carvin at 10:15/10:15 -

    2nd-Lieut W L Harrison, 40 Sqn, two-seater in flames Courcelles at 10:25/10:25 - 2nd-Lieut W L Harrison, 40 Squadron, shot a two-seater down in flames

    Capt H W Woollett, 43 Sqn, two-seater crashed east of La Bassée at 10:30/10:30 - Capt H W Woollett, No 43 Squadron, attacked a two-seater and followed it due east until he got to close quarters, then fired about 90 rounds into it. The E.A. spun down and was seen to crash and immediately went up like an explosion, clouds of black smoke appearing from it

    Sergt E J Elton & Lieut R Critchley, 22 Sqn, Albatros Scout broke up Carvin at 10:30/10:30 - Sergt E J Elton & 2nd-Lieut R Critchley, No 22 Squadron, attacked an EA which went into a vertical dive. Its top wing came off and it was seen to crash

    2nd-Lieut W F J Harvey & 2nd-Lieut J L Morgan, 22 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames Carvin at 10:30/10:30 - 2nd-Lieut W F J Harvey & 2nd-Lieut J L Morgan, No 22 Squadron, shot down an EA in flames

    Flt Lieut E ****son & Obs Sub-Lieut W H Scott, 5N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Busigny at 10:45/10:45 -

    Flt Sub-Lieut G B S McBain & AM1 AGL W Jones, 5N Sqn, Albatros Scout broke up Prémont at 10:55/10:55 - Flight Sub-Lieut G B McBain & Aerial Gunlayer W Jones, 5 Squadron RNAS, engaged one of five EA scouts which went into a dive, seemed to lose control, and its tail plane dropped off

    Flt Sub-Lieut C E Wodehouse & AGL L James, 5N Sqn, Fokker DrI crashed? at 11:00/11:00 - The Communique records bomb raid by 5N with 54 and 84 Squadrons RFC upon Busigny aerodrome; it states four E.A. were brought down and eight driven down out of control.

    2nd-Lieut N M Drysdale, 54 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control east of Busigny at 11:00/11:00 -

    2nd-Lieut E A Richardson, 54 Sqn, Fokker DrI broke up east of Busigny at 11:00/11:00 - 2nd-Lieut E A Richardson, No 54 Squadron, during an engagement between Camels, SE5s and a large E.A. formation, attacked a Fokker Triplane which nose-dived, burst into flames, then broke up in the air; Uffz Gustav Ecke, Js54s, Kia [?]

    Flt Sub-Lieut S Smith, 3N Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Haubourdin at 11:00/11:00 -

    Lieut H W Sellars & Lieut C C Robson, 11 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control by Sellars north of St Quentin at 11:00/11:00 -

    Flt Cdr C P O Bartlett & AGL W Naylor, 5N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Busigny at 11:02/11:02 -

    Flt Lieut E T Hayne, 3N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Haubourdin - Seclin at 11:05/11:05 -

    Maj C M Crowe, 56 Sqn, two-seater out of control west of Maquigny at 11:10/11:10 -
    Lieut J F Larson, 84 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control Le Cateau at 11:30/11:30 - The Communique records bomb raid by 5N with 54 and 84 Squadrons RFC upon Busigny aerodrome; it states four E.A. were brought down and eight driven down out of control.

    2nd-Lieut W H Brown, 84 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control St Souplet at 11:30/11:30 - Ltn d R Franz Riedle, Js16, Kia [?]

    2nd-Lieut W H Brown, 84 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control St Souplet at 11:30/11:30 - Ltn d R Franz Riedle, Js16, Kia [?]

    Capt K M G St C G Leask, 84 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Wassigny at 11:30/11:30 -

    2nd-Lieut E A Clear, 84 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control west of Busigny at 11:35/11:35 - A patrol of No 84 Squadron saw several E.A. north of Busigny. 2nd-Lieut E A Clear singled out one red Fokker Triplane and fired a burst from his Lewis gun. The E.A. went into a spin, then flattened out. 2nd-Lieut Clear expected this and followed the E.A. down, firing another burst at 30 yards range. The E.A. stalled, then fell completely out of control and was followed down to 9,000 feet by 2nd-Lieut Clear who was then compelled to leave the EA owing to gun stoppages. This E.A. is confirmed as crashed by No 54 Squadron; Flgr Ihde, Js10, Kia [?]

    Capt F E Brown, 84 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south-east of Sequehart at 11:40/11:40 -

    Lieut G O Johnson, 84 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Sesquehart at 11:40/11:40 -

    Capt B P G Beanlands and 2nd-Lieut H B Redler, 24 Sqn, two-seater out of control Villers Le Sec at 11:40/11:40 -

    Capt W E Molesworth, 29 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed south-east of Rumbeke at 11:45/11:45 - Capt W E Molesworth when leading a patrol of No 29 Squadron met an E.A. patrol. He engaged the leader, firing 20 rounds at 100 yards range. The E.A. fell out of control and crashed south-east of Rumbeke

    Lieut F J Williams, 29 Sqn, Pfalz Scout broke up south-east of Rumbeke at 11:45/11:45 - In the same patrol 2nd-Lieut F J Williams, 29 Squadron, fired a drum into another EA at about 50 yards range. The left wing of the EA was completely shot away and was seen to fall off

    Capt J G Coombe, 29 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control south-east of Rumbeke at 11:45/11:45 -

    Lieut F J Davies, 29 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control south-east of Rumbeke at 11:45/11:45 -

    Lieut A Wingate-Grey, 29 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control south-east of Rumbeke at 11:45/11:45 -

    Lieut A K Cowper, 24 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control Hancourt at 11:45/11:45 -

    Maj C M Crowe, 56 Sqn, two-seater crashed north-east of Rumaucourt at 11:45/11:45 - Major C M Crowe (attached to No 56 Squadron) saw an E.A. two-seater over Inchy and attacked with both guns at close range. It fell out of control and was seen to crash

    Capt E R Tempest, 64 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Cambrai at 12:35/12:35 -

    Flt Lieut E T Hayne and Flt Sub-Lieut R C Berlyn, 3N Sqn, DFW C crashed east of Hénin-Liétard at 12:40/12:40 - Flight Lieut E T Hayne, 3 Squadron RNAS, dived on an E.A. two-seater and fired 100 rounds at point-blank range. The E.A. dived below him and was then attacked by Flight Sub-Lieut R C Berlyn at close range. The E.A.'s Observer was seen to fall on his gun, and the E.A. crashed alongside houses about a mile east of Henin Lietard

    Capt S B Collett & Lieut G Breyer-Ash, 55 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Mannheim at 12:45/12:45 -

    2nd-Lieut C A Bridgland & 2nd-Lieut E R Stewart, 55 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Neustadt at 12:50/12:50 -

    2nd-Lieut J S Griffith, 60 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Roulers at 12:50/12:50 -

    2nd-Lieut C F Cunningham, 60 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Roulers at 12:50/12:50 -

    Capt H A Hamersley, 60 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Rumbeke at 12:50/12:50 - Capt H A Hamersley, No 60 Squadron, attacked one of several E.A. scouts over Roulers and its right-hand bottom plane came off. The E.A. went into a spin and its top plane collapsed, and it crashed just east of Rumbeke aerodrome

    Capt R W Howard, 2 AFC, two-seater in flames Haubourdin at 12:55/12:55 - Capt R W Howard, 2nd Squadron AFC, fired 60 rounds into an E.A. two-seater; smoke immediately issued from its fuselage and it dived steeply out of control and in flames

    Lieut F H Taylor, 41 Sqn, two-seater crashed Lécluse at 14:15/14:15 - Lieut F H Taylor, No 41 Squadron, whilst on a test flight, saw five E.A. two-seaters over Lecluse. He dived on one E.A. firing about 100 rounds and it dived through the clouds and was lost to sight, but was confirmed as crashed by two A.A. batteries


    Claims in this general location and appropriate time are:

    Gefr Schwind, Js54, 1st victory [Honnechy at 11:00/11:00] – Honnechy is less than 4 Km north of Busigny

    Ltn d R Hans Kirschstein, Js6, 1st victory [Vaux–Audigny at 11:05/11:05] – Vaux-Audigny is 3 Km south-east of Busigny

    Hptm Wilhelm Reinhard, Js6, 9th victory [St Souplet at 11:05/11:05] – St Souplet is 4 Km north-east of Busigny

    Vzfw Karl Bohnenkamp, Js22, 4th victory [St Martin at 11:10/11:10] – Saint-Martin-Riviere is just south of St Souplet

    Vzfw Robert Heibert, Js46, 5th victory [Honnechy at 11:10/11:10]
    Ltn Edgar Scholtz, Js11, 4th victory [east of Bohain at 11:15/11:15] – Bohain-en-Vermandois is 4 KLm south of Busigny
    Ritt Manfred von Richthofen, JGI, 66th victory [Aubigny at 11:15/11:15] – presume ‘Audigny’ intended

    Oblt Hermann Kohze, Js3, 1st victory [north-west of Montbrehain at 11:15/11:15] - Montbrehain is 10 Km south-west of Busigny

    Vzfw Benedikt Jehle, Js16, 1st victory [Busigny at 11:20/11:20]

    2nd-Lieut R E Neale (Kia), 29 Sqn, Nieuport 27 B6823 – took off 10:45/10:45 and last seen 11:45/11:45 with rest of patrol engaged in combat south-east of Roulers on offensive patrol; Vfw Friedrich Ehmann, Js47, 3rd victory [Hooglede at 12:05/12:05] ? – Hooglede is just north-west of Roulers

    Lieut L A Edens (Kia), 29 Sqn, Nieuport 27 B6836 – took off 10:45/10:45 and last seen 11:45/11:45 with rest of patrol engaged in combat south-east of Roulers on offensive patrol

    Flt Sub-Lieut G T Steeves (Pow), 10N Sqn, Camel B3781 - lost east of Roulers - Courtrai after general engagement with E.A. at 12:45/12:45; Ltn d R Emil Thuy, Js28, 9th victory [Zverveseeve at 12:50/12:50]

    Royal Flying Corps casualties today:

    Flt Sub-Lieut R B Ransford (Kia) & 4430 AM/1 G Smith DSM (Kia), 5N Sqn, DH4 A7663 - last seen diving near Prémont during bombing; Hpt Wilhelm Reinhard, Js6, 9th victory [St Souplet at 11:05/11:05] – Saint-Souplet is about 9 Km north-east of Prémont

    2nd-Lieut R C Sansom (Ok) & Sergt J Ryan (Ok), 55 Sqn, DH4 A7548 - force landed near aerodrome after shot through during bombing Mannheim

    Lieut J H Wensley (Pow) & 2nd-Lieut A W Matson (Pow), 25 Sqn, DH4 A2171 – took off09:10/09:10 then missing from photography Liesses - Mauberge - Jamioulx - Ham

    Lieut A P Maclean (Pow; dow) & Lieut F H Cantlon MC (Kia), 11 Sqn, Bristol F.2B C4844 – took off 09:30/09:30 then reported killed between Fresnoy-le-Grand and Bohain on DOP; Ltn Siegrfried Gussmann, Js11, 3rd victory [south of Joncourt at 11:00/11:00] Joncourt is 7 Km west of Fresnoy-le-Grand

    Flt Sub-Lieut C E Wodehouse (Wia) & G/L L James (Ok), 5N Sqn, DH4 A7587 – took off 09:44/09:44 then shot through and force landed near Estrées after engine fell to pieces during attempted bomb raid

    Flt Sub-Lieut J L Allison (Kia), 3N Sqn, Camel B7217 – took off 10:00/10:00 and last seen 11:05/11:05 in nosedive with hostile Scout attacking during combat near Haubourdin; Ltn d R Hans Gottfried von Haebler, Js36, 8th victory [Gondecourt – Carvin at 11:20/11:20] ? - Gondecourt is 7 Km south of Haubordin

    Lieut E B Lee (Pow), 54 Sqn, Camel C1576 - took off 10:00/10:00 and last seen 11:00/11:00 in a fight 2 miles east of Busigny with large formation of E.A. during offensive patrol

    Lieut W G Ivamy (Pow), 54 Sqn, Camel B5243 - took off 10:10/10:10 and last seen 11:00/11:00 in a fight 2 miles east of Busigny under control during offensive patrol

    Lieut N Clark (Kia), 54 Sqn, Camel B5421 - took off 10:10/10:10 and last seen 11:00/11:00 in a fight 2 miles east of Busigny with large formation of E.A. during offensive patrol

    2nd-Lieut J G Russell (Kia), 54 Sqn, Camel C1566 - took off 10:10/10:10 and last seen 11:00/11:00 in a fight 2 miles east of Busigny with large formation of E.A. during offensive patrol

    Capt F L Luxmoore (Pow), 54 Sqn, Camel C6720 - took off 10:10/10:10 and last seen 11:00/11:00 in a fight 2 miles east of Busigny under control during offensive patrol

    2nd-Lieut H A Payne (Kia), 84 Sqn, SE5a B169 – took off 10:00/10:00 and last seen 11:30/11:30 fighting over Busigny at 15,000 feet on offensive patrol

    2nd-Lieut J A McCudden MC (Kia), 84 Sqn, SE5a B172 – took off 10:00/10:00 and last seen 11:30/11:30 fighting over Busigny at 15,000 feet on offensive patrol


    Royal Flying Corps Losses today: 23 (records for 20 found)

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    John Anthony McCudden

    Younger brother of James McCudden, John McCudden was shot down by Ulrich Neckel of Jasta 12 on 28 February 1918. The following month, he was killed in combat when his S.E.5a was shot down by Hans Wolff of Jasta 11. John
    was awarded the MC, citation:

    2nd Lt. John Anthony McCudden, Gen. List, R.F.C.
    For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While on patrol he attacked single-handed two enemy triplanes, causing one to dive down steeply under control and the other to crash to the ground. On the day previous to this he destroyed a hostile two-seater, besides which he has driven down one other machine, which was observed to be destroyed, and four others completely out of control. He has always displayed great courage and determination.

    Claims: 69 confirmed (Entente 50 : Central Powers 19)

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    Western Front:


    Big air battle over Busigny.


    Belgians repulse heavy local attacks in Flanders.

    Daylight air-raid by British on Mannheim.

    Brunecourt
    –Ludendorff’s gamble, his first planned major offensive on the Western Front, was due to begin on March 21. The Germans were to bring a massive superiority in numbers and artillery to bear on the southern part of the British front–in large part into ground they had willingly given up exactly one year previous. The Germans did their best to attempt to conceal the large movements of men and materiel. The new German troops in the area began marching towards their forward staging areas (around 6 km behind the front line) on the evening of March 16, moving solely at night and with the utmost quiet. There would be no music on the march, any marks identifying units would be covered up, and wheels and horses’ hooves were muffled as much as possible–all so that French locals would get as little information as possible. Fraternization among units could not be fully forbidden, however; Private Max Brenner recalled:

    We kept meeting other infantry and artillery regiments and, as we passed them, we always called out the names of our towns and villages. We heard about many friends and news from home in this way. This had a strangely depressing effect because so often the news of friends was bad news. We all knew too that we were off into battle again and to the slaughterhouse.

    Despite the careful planning, it was difficult to move so many men over a limited number of roads solely at night.

    Ernst Jünger recalled:
    All the roads were crowded with columns on the march, eagerly pressing forward, with countless guns and endless transport….Woe betide any unit whose movements were not up to scheduled time. They were ruthlessly relegated to the ditch and had to wait hours before they found a gap into which they could squeeze.
    For the average British soldier on the other side of no-man’s land, they had little idea what was soon to come their way. The 1st East Lancs reported that the 16th was:

    Another uneventful day. A capital afternoon’s ratting resulted in a bag of over fifty large rats being killed in the railway cutting where Bn H.Q. is located.

    Southern Front:


    Tunstills Men Monday 18th March 1918:

    Billets at Marola
    It was during the stay at Marola that the red, white and blue ribbon of the 1914-15 star was issued to all troops who had been abroad before 1st January 1916; active service chevrons were also issued – red for 1914 and blue for other years, with one being issued for going abroad and one more for each full years service.

    Pte. Walter James Biddle (see 5th January) was reported by L.Cpl Howarth Reid (see 12th October) as “unshaven on parade”; on the orders of Capt. **** Bolton MC (see 11th March) he would be confined to barracks for four days.

    L.Cpl. Herbert Newton (see 8th January) and Ptes. Joseph Leonard Holmes (see 9th January), Henry Charles Lindsay (see 18th February) and Arthur Wood (29040) (see 2nd February) were posted back to France from 3DWR at North Shields; they were originally to have joined 9DWR but would instead be re-posted to other Dukes battalions. Holmes and Lindsay were posted to 2DWR and Newton and Wood to 5DWR. Newton also reverted to the rank of Private.

    Pte. James Wilson (see 7th February), who had been serving in East Africa as a lorry driver with the Motor Transport Section of the ASC, was transferred from hospital in Dar es Salam to South Africa onboard the hospital ship Takada.


    A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Arthur Prestwood (see 26th February), who had died of wounds on 22nd September 1917; his widow, Elsie, was awarded 22s. 11d. per week for herself and her two children.

    Naval Operations:


    HM CMB-20 depth charges and sinks the submarine UB-17 in the North Sea. The steamer SS Baygitano is torpedoed and sunk at 11:45 by UC-77 while on a voyage from Le Havre to Cardiff. Two crewmembers are killed. Lieutenant Edwin Ballard Dalby (SS Joshual Nicholson, Royal Naval Reserve) is killed when his ship is sunk by the German U-boat U-70. He is the grandson of the Reverend William Ballard Dalby and had been present at the engagement between the Carmania and Cap Trafalgar and lost his life along with twenty-five of his crew mates.

    Ships Lost:

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    Political:

    Publication of manifesto by Premiers and Foreign Ministers of Entente regarding Germany's policy towards Russia and Romania; they refuse to recognise the peace treaties.

    Holland accepts Entente demands in regard to Dutch shipping, with reservations.

    The first Norwegian airline, Det Norske Luftfartrederi, is founded.

    Anniversary Events:

    37 The Roman Senate annuls Tiberius’ will and proclaims Caligula emperor.
    1692 William Penn is deprived of his governing powers.
    1863 Confederate women riot in Salisbury, NC to protest the lack of flour and salt in the South.
    1865 The Congress of the Confederate States of America adjourns for the last time.
    1874 Hawaii signs a treaty giving exclusive trading rights with the islands to the United States.
    1881 Barnum and Bailey’s Greatest Show on Earth opens in Madison Square Garden.
    1911 Theodore Roosevelt opens the Roosevelt Dam in Phoenix, AZ, the largest dam in the United States to that date.
    1913 Greek King George I is killed by an assassin. Constantine I succeeds him.
    1916 On the Eastern Front, the Russians counter the Verdun assault with an attack at Lake Naroch. The Russians lose 100,000 men and the Germans lose 20,000.
    1917 The Germans sink the U.S. ships, the City of Memphis, the Vigilante and the Illinois without any type of warning.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 03-18-2018 at 13:08.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  28. #3128

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    Updated 13th & 14th Air Operations.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  29. #3129

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    and now the real work begins...........................catch up time.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  30. #3130

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    Tuesday 19th March 1918
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    Armistice Countdown 237 days
    Today we lost: 285
    Today’s losses include:
    ˇ A 10-victory ace
    Today’s highlighted casualties include:
    ˇ Captain Saint Cyprian Churchill Tayler MC (General List attached Royal Flying Corps) is killed at age 22. He is a 10-victory ace.
    ˇ Private Richard Grimshaw Calvert (Border Regiment) dies of wounds at age 37.

    Air Operations:

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    The 94th (the “Hat in the Ring”) Pursuit Squadron flies its first mission across German lines.

    The squadron was assigned as a Day Pursuit (Fighter) Squadron as part of the 1st Pursuit Group, First United States Army. Its mission was to engage and clear enemy aircraft from the skies and provide escort to reconnaissance and bombardment squadrons over enemy territory. It also attacked enemy observation balloons, and perform close air support and tactical bombing attacks of enemy forces along the front lines.

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    Eddie Rickenbacker, Douglas Campbell, and Kenneth Marr of the 94th Aero Squadron pose next to a Nieuport 28 fighter, 1918.

    The squadron was one of the first American pursuit squadrons to reach the Western Front and see combat, becoming one of the most famous. The 94th was highly publicized in the American print media of the time, and its exploits "over there" were widely reported on the home front. Its squadron emblem, the "Hat in the Ring" became a symbol in the minds of the American Public of the American Air Service of World War I.

    Three notable air aces served with the squadron, Eddie Rickenbacker, who was awarded almost every decoration attainable, including the Medal of Honour and the Distinguished Service Cross. Douglas CAmpbell was the first American trained pilot to become an air ace. He shared the honor of having the first official victory over an enemy aircraft with Alan Winslow. Another squadron member, Raoul Lufbery, attained 17 aerial victories before leaping to his death from a fiery Nieuport 28 aircraft in May 1918.

    Admiralty.

    “On March 19th a British seaplane patrol flying in the Heligoland Bight encountered two enemy seaplanes 10 miles to the north-eastward of Borkum. The enemy was engaged and one of his machines driven down in flames. Our machines returned safely.”

    RFC Communiqué number 132:

    Rain almost entirely prevented flying during the day.

    Thirteen day reconnaissances were carried out by Brigades, two night reconnaissances by the 5th Brigade and one by the 9th Brigade.

    Thirty-five hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction with aeroplane observation and 21 neutralized; 14 gun-pits were destroyed, 30 damaged, 24 explosions and 27 fires caused. One hundred and twenty-nine zone calls were sent down.

    Eighteen photographs were taken, and 9˝ tons of bombs dropped as follows:-

    Night 18th/19th - 9th Brigade: No 58 Squadron dropped 102 bombs on Mouchin Aerodrome, where one direct hit was obtained on a hangar and one fire started in a shed. This squadron also dropped dropped 12 25-lb bombs on Haubourdin; No 101 Squadron dropped 280 25-lb, 96 15-lb, and four 40-lb bombs on Etreux Aerodrome, six direct hits being obtained on the hangars, also 36 25-lb and 12 15-lb bombs on Bohain Dump, Fresnoy Dump and Seboncourt Aerodrome, and No 102 Squadron dropped 98 25-lb bombs on rest billets opposite the Third Army front.

    Day 19th - 1st Brigade: 18 photographs.

    No 18 Squadron dropped two 112-lb and two 40-lb bombs on Le Carnoy Railhead. Twenty-eight 25-lb bombs were dropped by 1st Wing.

    2nd Brigade: 2nd Wing dropped 46 25-lb bombs.

    3rd Brigade: 28 25-lb bombs were dropped.

    5th Brigade: 15th Wing dropped 87 25-lb bombs.

    9th Wing: No 27 Squadron dropped two 112-lb and six 25-lb bombs on Busigny Railway Station.

    Enemy Aircraft:

    Enemy aircraft w
    ere not active and no combats took place.

    Royal Flying Corps casualties today:

    2nd-Lieut J G W March (Inj) & 2nd-Lieut E Betley (Inj), 82 Sqn, AW FK8 B5842 - damaged on artillery patrol

    2nd-Lieut W Whitfield (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut M A'B Boyd (Ok), 57 Sqn, DH4 A7637 - overturned and wrecked in forced landing at Watou due engine trouble on early reconnaissance

    ? (Ok) & Lieut C K S Metford (Wia), 5 Sqn, RE8 – ground fire ?

    Lieut W H Statham (Ok), Rep Pk 1 ASD, Camel B7398 - force landed east of aerodrome and overturned after engine failure on test

    Royal Flying Corps Losses today:

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    Claims: 6 confirmed (Entente 6 : Central Powers 0)

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    Home Fronts:


    USA:

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    A poster from United Cigar Stores celebrating the adoption of Daylight Saving Time.

    Washington–To increase productivity during the war, Germany, Austria-Hungary, the United Kingdom, and France adopted Daylight Saving Time during the summer of 1916; most of the rest of Europe followed within a year. The change did not extend across the Atlantic, though, with the exception of a few municipalities within Canada. It was not until 1918, in preparation for their second wartime summer, that the United States adopted Daylight Saving Time. On March 19, President Wilson signed the Standard Time Act into law. This codified time zones into US law for the first time; they had previously only been technically voluntary agreements among the US railroads. The exact boundaries of the time zones were not defined in the law; the authority to set them was delegated to the Interstate Commerce Commission, but they roughly correspond to the Eastern, Central, Mountain, Pacific, and Alaska time zones used today.


    Daylight Saving Time would go into effect each year on the last Sunday in March (March 31, 1918) and would revert to Standard Time on the last Sunday in October (October 27, 1918). The change proved unpopular, and Daylight Saving Time would only be in use for two years; in 1919, it was repealed over Wilson’s veto. Although a few states would continue using it on a local basis, DST would not be adopted again nationwide until World War II, when it was used year-round.

    Western Front:


    The 1918 Spring Offensive or Kaiserschlacht (Kaiser's Battle), also known as the Ludendorff Offensive, was a series of German attacks beginning on 21 March 1918, which marked the deepest advances by either side since 1914. The Germans had realised that their only remaining chance of victory was to defeat the Allies before the overwhelming human and material resources of the United States could be fully deployed. They also had the temporary advantage in numbers afforded by the nearly 50 divisions freed by the Russian surrender (the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk).

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    There were four German offensives, codenamed Michael, Georgette, Gneisenau, and Blücher-Yorck. Michael was the main attack, which was intended to break through the Allied lines, outflank the British forces which held the front from the Somme River to the English Channel and defeat the British Army. Once this was achieved, it was hoped that the French would seek armistice terms. The other offensives were subsidiary to Michael and were designed to divert Allied forces from the main offensive on the Somme.

    No clear objective was established before the start of the offensives and once the operations were underway, the targets of the attacks were constantly changed according to the battlefield (tactical) situation. The Allies concentrated their main forces in the essential areas (the approaches to the Channel Ports and the rail junction of Amiens), while leaving strategically worthless ground, devastated by years of combat, lightly defended.

    The Germans were unable to move supplies and reinforcements fast enough to maintain their advance. The fast-moving stormtroopers leading the attack could not carry enough food and ammunition to sustain themselves for long and all the German offensives petered out, in part through lack of supplies.

    Strategy


    The German High Command—in particular General Erich Ludendorff, the Chief Quartermaster General at Oberste Heeresleitung, the supreme army headquarters—has been criticised by military historians for the failure to formulate sound and clear strategy. Ludendorff privately conceded that Germany could no longer win a war of attrition, yet he was not ready to give up the German gains in the West and East and was one of the main obstacles to the German government's attempts to reach a settlement with the Western Allies.

    Although Ludendorff was unsure whether the Americans would enter the war in strength, at a meeting of the Chiefs of Staff of the German armies on the Western Front on 11 November 1917, he decided to launch an offensive. The German government and Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg, nominally the Chief of the General Staff, were not party to the planning process. Eventually it was decided to launch Operation Michael near Saint-Quentin, at the hinge between the French and British armies, and strike north to Arras. The main reason for the choice was tactical expediency. The ground on this sector of the front would dry out much sooner after the winter and spring rains and would therefore be easier to advance across. It was also a line of least resistance as the British and French armies were weak in the sector.

    The intention was not to reach the English Channel coast, but to break through the Allied lines and roll up the flank of the British army from the south, pushing it back against the Channel Ports or destroying it if the British chose to stand and fight. Further operations such as Operation Georgette and Operation Mars were designed to strike further north to seize the remaining Allied ports in Belgium and France while diverting Allied forces from Michael. However, these remained only secondary and weaker operations, subordinate to Michael.

    The constant changing of operational targets once the offensive was underway gave the impression the German command had no coherent strategic goal. Any capture of an important strategic objective, such as the Channel ports, or the vital railway junction of Amiens would have occurred more by chance than by design.

    Supply constraints


    The success of Operation Michael led German infantry to advance too far from its supply bases and railheads. The stormtrooper units leading the advance carried supplies for only a few days, to avoid being overburdened, and relied on supplies delivered quickly from the rear. The advance was slowed by supply shortages, which gave Allied commanders more time to reinforce the threatened areas and to slow the advance still more. German supply difficulties were made worse by the direction of advance, which crossed the wasteland created during the Battle of the Somme in 1916 and by Operation Alberich, the German retirement to the Hindenburg Line from February to March 1917.

    Tactical change


    The German army had concentrated many of its best troops into stormtrooper units, trained in infiltration tactics to infiltrate and bypass enemy front line units, leaving these strong points to be "mopped-up" by follow-up troops. The stormtrooper tactic was to attack and disrupt enemy headquarters, artillery units and supply depots in the rear areas, as well as to occupy territory rapidly. Each major formation "creamed off" its best and fittest soldiers into storm units; several complete divisions were formed from these elite units. This process gave the German army an initial advantage in the attack, but meant that the best formations would suffer disproportionately heavy casualties, while the quality of the remaining formations declined as they were stripped of their best personnel to provide the storm troops. The Germans also failed to arm their forces with a mobile exploitation force, such as cavalry, to exploit gains quickly. This tactical error meant the infantry had to keep up an exhausting tempo of advance. Notwithstanding the effectiveness of the stormtroopers, the following German infantry often made attacks in large traditional waves and suffered heavy casualties.

    To enable the initial breakthrough, Lieutenant Colonel Georg Bruchmuller, a German artillery officer, developed the Feurwalz, (literally: rolling fire, rolling barrage) an effective and economical creeping barrage scheme. There were three phases: first, a brief bombardment on the enemy's command and communications (headquarters, telephone exchanges, etc.); then, destruction of their artillery; lastly an attack upon the enemy front-line infantry defences. Bombardment would always be brief so as to retain surprise. Bruchmüller's tactics were made possible by the vast numbers of heavy guns—with correspondingly plentiful amounts of ammunition for them—which Germany possessed by 1918.

    Defensive tactics

    In their turn, the Allies had developed defences in depth, reducing the proportion of troops in their front line and pulling reserves and supply dumps back beyond German artillery range. This change had been made after experience of the successful German use of defence in depth during 1917.

    In theory, the front line was an "outpost zone" (later renamed the "forward zone"), lightly held by snipers, patrols and machine-gun posts only. Behind, out of range of German field artillery, was the "battle zone" where the offensive was to be firmly resisted, and behind that again, out of range of all but the heaviest German guns, was a "rear zone" where reserves were held ready to counter-attack or seal off penetrations. In theory, a British infantry division (with nine infantry battalions) deployed three battalions in the outpost zone, four battalions in the battle zone and two battalions in the rear zone.

    This change had not been completely implemented by the Allies. In particular, in the sector held by the British Fifth Army, which they had recently taken over from French units, the defences were incomplete and there were too few troops to hold the complete position in depth. The rear zone existed as outline markings only, and the battle zone consisted of battalion "redoubts" which were not mutually supporting (allowing stormtroopers to penetrate between them).

    Eastern Front:

    Germans still advancing in Ukraine.

    Nikolayev [Mykolaiv]–Only days after capturing Odessa, on March 17 the Germans entered the main (formerly) Russian Black Sea shipyards at Nikolayev. There they captured many ships the Russians had been constructing, including one dreadnought, the Demokratiia (formerly the Emperor Nicholas I).

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    She was still perhaps two-thirds complete, however; unrest in the shipyards in 1917 had slowed construction until the Provisional Government finally halted construction in the last days before the October Revolution. The Germans had little desire to spend resources on completing a dreadnought on the wrong side of Europe, and did not restart construction before the war’s end. The Germans would certainly have loved to have captured either of Russia’s two intact dreadnoughts in the Black Sea (the third having capsized in 1916), which would be at least useful to harass Allied forces in the Aegean; both of them were still safe (for now) with the remainder of the Black Sea Fleet at Sevastopol.

    Southern Front:


    Tunstills Men Tuesday 19th March 1918:


    Billets at Marola

    Brigade sports and transport competitions were held; “An excellent ground was lent by Signor Forasaco Paolo, the proprietor of the Brigade Headquarter billet at Gaianigo. The programme was carried out with great success. A large number of entries being made for the various events”. Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge DSO (see 2nd March), along with the other Battalion CO’s was part of the organizing committee and the Battalion Chaplain, Rev. Hugh Wilfrid Todd (see 23rd September 1917) was a member of the sub-committee. Former 10DWR officer, Capt. Hugh William Lester MC (see 15th August 1917) was a judge for both the tug o’ war and the cross country race.

    There was an extensive programme of events, which began with the judging of the transport competitions at 2pm. The rest of the programme was:

    2.15 Semi-finals of the inter-Battalion tug o’ war.

    2.45 Battalion relay race, with teams of 40 men per Battalion.

    3.15 Cross-country race over two kilometres, with 15 water jumps; men who had competed in the relay race were not allowed to race again in this event.

    3.45 Driving competition

    4.15 Officers’ jumping competition.

    5.00 Officers’ lemon cutting etc; “two lemons, two rings and one peg to be taken with sword”; with a prize of a cigarette case presented by Brig. Genl. Lambert (see 29th January).

    5.30 Limber competition.

    6.00 Final of the tug o’ war.

    6.15 Officers’ hurdle race.

    6.30 Mule race for NCO’s and men, with first prizes of 10 and 5 lire respectively.

    Over the following days there were also to be other events including pack transport and Yukon pack competitions, musketry and Lewis Gun competitions, boxing, football and a Khud race; all of which would accumulate points towards the award of the shield to be presented to the overall winners.

    Unfortunately the Brigade War Diary does not record details of the outcome of the various events, but Pte. Harold Charnock (see 25th February) remembered that, “The weather was splendid and the first part of the Brigade competition was held with transport and horse shows, tug of war and other competitions. We were a good second to the 11th West Yorkshires”.

    Pte. James Arthur Markinson MM (see 27th December 1917) was posted back to France from 3DWR at North Shields; he would join 2DWR.

    Pte. Ernest Smith (29167) (see 18th February) was posted back to France from 3DWR at North Shields; he would join 5DWR.

    Cpl. Edwin Lightfoot (see 28th February), who had been in England since having wounded on 20th September 1917, was formally discharged from the army as no longer physically fit for service. He was awarded a pension of 30s. per week for 13 weeks, reucing thereafter to 15s.per week and to be reviewed in a year’s time.

    Pte. James Duncan Foster (see 9th February), serving with 2DWR, was again admitted to hospital, suffering from inflammation to both legs. He would spend around two weeks in hospital before re-joining his battalion.

    Asiatic, African, Egyptian Front:


    Small British advance in coastal sector of Palestine.

    Naval Operations:


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    Political:

    Debate in House of Lords on resolution approving principle of League of Nations: debate adjourned.
    Entente Governments issue Note refusing to recognise Russo-German peace treaty (see 3rd and 14th).
    Allies demand unconditional acceptance of their demands by Dutch.

    The Hague–The Netherlands, while still completely neutral in the war, had been placed in a very difficult position due to the British blockade of Germany and German unrestricted submarine warfare. In order to prevent the Dutch from circumventing the blockade, the British effectively mandated that all ships bound for the Netherlands make a “voluntary” stop for inspection in a British port beforehand. The Germans, on the other hand, allowed safe passage to the Atlantic for Dutch ships in a narrow corridor, but would sink any that attempted to make a stop in British ports. In response, the Dutch government effectively instructed all of its ships to remain in port rather than risk being sunk or seized by either side.

    This was clearly not an ideal arrangement for the Netherlands, which suffered greatly during the winter of 1918 as a result, although trade with the outside world did remain open via British convoys. The Netherlands Overseas Trust Company, which effectively controlled trade via Britain during the war, wanted to come to an arrangement to escape this deadlock. After a long and secret negotiation, the best solution found was that the Allies would take over Dutch shipping currently hiding in Allied ports in exchange for letting their remaining shipping bypass Britain (and the German submarine threat) on their way out of the North Sea.

    There were many issues with implementing this arrangement quickly, however. First, the Dutch government, which was relatively close to the Germans, was not enthusiastic about handing over much of their merchant fleet to the Allies. More practically, they were also worried that Germany would take retaliatory action, perhaps expanding the range of their submarine operations to close off all possible routes for Dutch shipping. As a result, the Allies had to issue repeated ultimatums to the Dutch government, which at the very least had to seem that they were cooperating only under extreme duress. On March 18, the Dutch accepted the Allied ultimatum, albeit with multiple reservations. Two days later, the US Navy began the seizure of 40 Dutch ships in American ports, and the Royal Navy followed the next day. While full compensation was to be given to the owners, and Dutch sailors were given the option of repatriation, it was still an awkward moment for the Americans. They had entered the war to preserve the right of neutral countries to the high seas during war time, and now they were seizing neutral shipping themselves.

    Anniversary Events:

    1687 The French explorer La Salle is murdered by his own men while searching for the mouth of the Mississippi, along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.
    1702 On the death of William III of Orange, Anne Stuart, sister of Mary, succeeds to the throne of England, Scotland and Ireland.
    1822 Boston is incorporated as a city.
    1879 Jim Currie opens fire on the actors Maurice Barrymore and Ben Porter near Marshall, Texas. His shots wound Barrymore and kill Porter.
    1903 The U.S. Senate ratifies the Cuban treaty, gaining naval bases in Guantanamo and Bahia Honda.
    1916 The First Aero Squadron takes off from Columbus, NM to join Gen. John J. Pershing and his Punitive Expedition against Pancho Villa in Mexico.
    1917 The Adamson Act, eight hour day for railroad workers, is ruled constitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court.
    1918 Congress authorizes Daylight Savings Time.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 04-05-2018 at 23:14.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  31. #3131

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    Wednesday 20th March 1918

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    Armistice Countdown 236 days
    Today we lost: 351
    Today’s losses include:
    ˇ A Military Chaplain
    ˇ Multiple members of the clergy
    ˇ Multiple families that will lose two sons in the Great War

    Today’s highlighted casualties include:

    ˇ Second Lieutenant Albert Rowland Cortis Hodges (Royal Flying Corps) is accidentally killed at age 21. He is the son of the Reverend Albert Henry Hodges.
    ˇ Chaplain William Andrew Wilson, the Presbyterian Minister of New Row, Coleraine dies in a motor accident on the Western Front at age 52. He is the son of the Reverend A J Wilson DD.
    ˇ Gunner George William Swanson (Royal Garrison Artillery) dies of wounds received in action at age 29. His brother died of wounds in September 1917.
    ˇ Driver Frederick Charles Fitkin (Royal Field Artillery) is killed in action in Palestine at age 28. His brother will die in December 1918.

    Air Operations:

    The RFC develops a strategy to employ its forces in the face of the expected German attack. The “corps” aircraft are to concentrate on counter-battery fire, photography, harassment of enemy troops and night bombing. “Army” squadrons are to focus on protect “Corps” machines, attack enemy troop concentrations, interdict transport and provide high altitude offensive patrols.

    General Headquarters.


    “On the 20th inst. rain and clouds almost entirely prevented flying. After dark, when the weather cleared, our night-flying squadrons dropped 300 bombs on a hostile aerodrome, south-west of Tournai, used by the enemy's night-flying machines, and also on a large ammunition depôt north-east of St. Quentin. All our machines returned.”

    RFC Communiqué number 132:

    Low cloud and rain prevented flying during the morning. In afternoon the weather improved a Iittle when a certain amount of service flying was carried out, although no work in conjunction in the artillery was possible.

    Five 25-lb bombs were dropped, four of which were by machines of the 5th Brigade.

    Enemy Aircraft:

    Enemy aircraft were inactive. No combats took place.

    However, I have noted:

    2nd-Lieut H N Arthur & 2nd-Lieut J Bruce-Norton, 62 Sqn, two E.A. out of control –
    2Lt Hugh Newton Arthur, born 17 August 1883, at Collinwood, Ohio, U.S.A.,
    1900 residence, Collinwood; WIA 28 March 1918; 1942 residence, Pepper,
    Ohio (from WW2 Draft Registration); died 20 May 1968, at Perry, Ohio.

    2Lt John Bruce-Norton (British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John of
    Jerusalem; West Yorkshire Regiment 2Lt; RFC/RAF 2Lt); born at Madras,
    India 31 March 1895; died 1964, in London (registered at Islington, in 3rd Quarter)
    Death registration lists him as "Bruce-Norton," but his Army Officer Service Record
    (WO 339), RAF Officer Service Record (AIR 76) and Medal Index Card (WO 372)
    all list "John Bruce Norton" (no hyphen). Arthur had 3 claims with
    Bruce-Norton as observer; Bruce-Norton had 5 claims (3 with Arthur
    and 2 with Capt Herbert Rees Jones, Manchester Regiment Capt; RFC/
    RAF Capt; "Rees Jones" in AIR 76, WO 339 and WO 372--no hyphen).

    Royal Flying Corps casualties today:

    2nd-Lieut C B Stringer (Inj), 64 Sqn, SE5a D3430 - wrecked in forced landing near Pow camp Amiens in thick mist.

    Royal Flying Corps Losses today: 9


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    Claims: 5 confirmed (Entente 5 : Central Powers 0)


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    Western Front:


    Repulse of strong German local attacks in Champagne, near Verdun, in the Woevre, and in Lorraine.

    March 20 1918, Saint-Quentin
    –On the night of the 19th, German infantry slated for the upcoming offensive marched the final 6km to trenches and other shelters near the front line. On the day of the 20th, they would remain there, crammed into spaces not intended for so many people, trying to remain hidden from the British. Private Willy Adams with the Lehr Infantry Regiment recalled:

    There was a platoon of us, about twenty-five men I should say, under a staff sergeant. We were in a small underground shelter but only just below ground level. It was a very frightening time; we couldn’t leave. We tried to sleep but most of the day we were just talking nonsense, arguing a bit – not real arguments just rude jokes on each other – or just getting plain bored, but always hoping that a shell wouldn’t come through that thin roof. Toilet? You did it on a spade and then went up the steps and threw it outside. The other things we had tins for and, if you were careless, you got the contents of this back when you threw them out the top of the steps.

    On the other side of no man’s land, the British had had plenty of indications that the Germans were preparing something big–but they had no firm idea of when it was supposed to happen. A series of false alarms over the previous few days had just left the troops exhausted, and on March 20 few British soldiers, even at the highest levels, had much indication that today would be the last “normal” day of trench warfare.

    At around 10PM, a trench raid two miles north of Saint-Quentin captured around a dozen German prisoners. These PoWs were well aware of the massive artillery bombardment slated to begin at 4:40AM the next day, and self-preservation was foremost on their minds–if they were still near the front line they would likely become casualties soon after. They quickly divulged what they knew of the upcoming attack, but the information may not have been fully believed, and, regardless, came far too late to make any difference except on a local level.

    Southern Front:


    Tunstills Men Wednesday 20th March 1918:


    Billets at Marola

    A Brigade “Aeroplane Contact Patrol” exercise was carried out; “During this practice troops carried small coloured flags with which to signal their positions to the aeroplane. This means of communication was not found to be satisfactory as only white flags could be clearly seen”.

    The final of the Brigade football competition was held, between 11West Yorks and 9Yorks.

    L.Cpl. Frederick William Warner (see 14th February) was reported by L.Cpl. Frederick James Lynch (see 2nd March) and Cpl. Reginald Robinson (see below) as, “absent from roll call at 9am until reporting himself at 9.40pm” and for “breaking out of billets whilst on sick”; on the orders of Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge DSO (see 2nd March) he was deprived of his Lance Corporal’s stripe and reverted to Private.

    Cpl. Reginald Robinson was an original member of the Battalion, but beyond that I am unable to make a positive identification of this man.

    A second payment, of Ł1 7d., was authorised, on the account of the late Pte. Arthur Samuel Potter MM (see 23rd January), who had died of wounds on 17th October 1917; this payment, like the first, would go to his mother, Harriet.

    Naval Operations:


    HMS Loyal badly damages the German submarine UC-48 n the English Channel. Three days later she will put into Ferrol, Spain where she will be interned.

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    Political:


    Allied Blockade Committee formed.

    Dutch ships in port of U.S.A. seized by Government.

    Sir E. Geddes, speaking in House of Commons, gives figures relating to submarine warfare and shipbuilding, and announces that Lord Pirrie is to be Controller-General of Merchant Shipbuilding.

    M. Marghiloman, Romanian Prime Minister.

    Mr. A. Henderson declares that Labour cannot accept peace of Brest-Litovsk.

    Anniversary Events:

    1413 Henry IV of England is succeed by his son Henry V.
    1739 In India, Nadir Shah of Persia occupies Delhi and takes possession of the Peacock throne.
    1760 The Great Fire of Boston destroys 349 buildings.
    1792 In Paris, the Legislative Assembly approves the use of the guillotine.
    1815 Napoleon Bonaparte enters Paris and begins his 100-day rule.
    1841 Edgar Allan Poe's The Murders in the Rue Morgue, considered the first detective story, is published.
    1852 Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom's Cabin is published.
    1906 Army officers in Russia mutiny at Sevastopol.
    1915 The French call off the Champagne offensive on the Western Front.
    1918 The Bolsheviks of the Soviet Union ask for American aid to rebuild their army.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 04-05-2018 at 23:22.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  32. #3132

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    Thursday 21st March 1918
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    Armistice Countdown 235

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    Ernest Frederick Beal VC (27 January 1883 – 22 March 1918) l was born to John J. W. and Jane Stillman Beal, who resided at 55, East St., Brighton.

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    Beal was 35 years old, and a temporary second lieutenant in 13th Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment (Alexandra, Princess of Wale’s Own), and was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 21/22 March 1918 at St-Leger, France.

    For most conspicuous bravery and determined leading when in command of a company detailed to occupy a certain section of trench. When the company was established, it was found that a considerable gap of about 400 yards existed between the left flank of the company and the neighbouring unit, and that this gap was strongly held by the enemy. It was of vital importance that the gap should be cleared, but no troops were then available. Organising a small party of less than a dozen men, he led them against the enemy. On reaching an enemy machine gun, 2nd Lt. Beal immediately sprang forward, and with his revolver killed the team and captured the gun. Continuing along the trench he encountered and dealt with another machine gun in the same manner, and in all captured four enemy guns, and inflicted severe casualties. Later in the evening, when a wounded man had been left in the open under heavy enemy fire, he, regardless of danger, walked up close to an enemy machine gun and brought in the wounded man on his back. 2nd Lt. Beal was killed by a shell on the following morning.
    — London Gazette, 31 May 1918

    Beal is commemorated on the Arras Memorial. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Green Howards Museum, Richmond, North Yorkshire, England. Two Brighton & Hove buses have been named after him.

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    John Crawford Buchan VC (10 October 1892 – 22 March 1918) was born on 10 October 1892 in Alloa, Clackmannanshire, Scotland, he was the son of the local newspaper editor. He worked as a reporter before enlisting in the Royal Army Medical Corps in the ranks when WW1 broke out. He was later commissioned into the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

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    Buchan was 25 years old, and a second lieutenant in the 7th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's), attached to 8th Battalion and was awarded the VC for an act he performed on 21 March 1918 east of Marteville, France. He died the following day, 22 March 1918.

    For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. When fighting with his platoon in the forward position of the battle zone, 2nd Lt. Buchan, although wounded early in the day, insisted on remaining with his men, and continually visited all his posts, encouraging and cheering his men in spite of most severe shell fire, from which his platoon was suffering heavy casualties. Later, when the enemy were creeping closer, and heavy machine-gun fire was raking his position, 2nd Lt. Buchan, with utter disregard of his personal safety, continued to visit his posts, and though still further injured accidentally, he continued to encourage his men and visit his posts. Eventually, when he saw the enemy had practically surrounded his command, he collected his platoon and prepared to fight his way back to the supporting line. At this point the enemy, who had crept round his right flank, rushed towards him, shouting out "Surrender." ;" To hell with surrender," he replied, and shooting the foremost of the enemy, he finally repelled this advance with his platoon. He then fought his way back to the supporting line of the forward position, where he held out till dusk. At dusk he fell back as ordered, but in spite of his injuries again refused to go to the aid post, saying his place was beside his men. Owing to the unexpected withdrawal of troops on the left flank it was impossible to send orders to 2nd Lt. Buchan to withdraw, as he was already cut off, and he was last seen holding out against overwhelming odds. The gallantry, self-sacrifice, and utter disregard of personal safety displayed by this officer during these two days of most severe fighting is in keeping with the highest traditions of the British Army.
    — The London Gazette, 21 May 1918

    He was buried at Roisel Communal Cemetery Extension, Roisel, Somme, France (Plot: II. I. 6)
    His medals are in the collection of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Museum, Sterling Castle, Scotland.

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    Edmund De Wind, VC (11 December 1883 – 21 March 1918) was a was born in Comber, County Down, Ireland on 11 December 1883 to Arthur Hughes De Wind, C.E., and Margaret Jane De Wind. He was educated at Campbell College and then went to work for the Bank of Ireland, Clones branch.

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    De Wind was living in Canada in 1914 and working for the Edmonton branch of the CIBC when WW1broke out.
    He served with The Queens’s Own Rifles of Canada for a period of six months prior to his enlistment as a private on 16 November 1914 in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force. He arrived in France with 2nd Division of C.E.F. in September 1915. He saw action in the Battle of the Somme (1916) and at Vimy Ridge (1917). He earned a commission in September 1917 in the British Army.

    As a 34-year-old second lieutenant in the 15th Battalion, The Royal Irish Rifles, he was awarded the VC for deeds committed on 21 March 1918. He died on that day.

    For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice on the 21st March, 1918, at the Race Course Redoubt, near Grugies. For seven hours he held this most important post, and though twice wounded and practically single-handed, he maintained his position until another section could be got to his help. On two occasions, with two N.C.O.'s only, he got out on top under heavy machine gun and rifle fire, and cleared the enemy out of the trench, killing many. He continued to repel attack after attack until he was mortally wounded and collapsed. His valour, self-sacrifice and example were of the highest order.
    The London Gazette, 13 May 1919

    De Wind is commemorated by a pillar, bearing his name and date of death, commissioned by his mother and installed at the main entrance on the west front of St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast. The entire west front, dedicated in 1927, forms a memorial to the Ulster men and women who served and died in the Great War. He is also named on the Pozieres Memorial to the missing of the Fifth Army. There is a plaque memorial in his old school, Campbell College, Belfast. In his home town of Comber, he is commemorated by an Ulster History Circle blue plaque, unveiled in 2007.
    Mount De Wind, Alberta, Canada, is named after him. A housing estate in Comber is also named in his honour.

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    Lieutenant Colonel Wilfrith Elstob VC, DSO, MC (8 September 1888 – 21 March 1918) was born in Chichester in 1888, the son of the Rev. Canon J. G. Elstob and Frances Alice Elstob. He was educated at Christ’s Hospital. Until war broke out and he volunteered, he was a schoolteacher. When Elstob was 29 years old, and a temporary lieutenant colonel commanding the 16th (Service) Battalion, Manchester Regiment, he was awarded the VC for his actions on 21 March 1918 at the Manchester Redoubt, near St. Quentin, France on the first day of the Spring Offensive. He was killed in action that same day.

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    For most conspicuous bravery, devotion to duty and self-sacrifice during operations at Manchester Redoubt, near St. Quentin, on the 21 March 1918. During the preliminary bombardment he encouraged his men in the posts in the Redoubt by frequent visits, and when repeated attacks developed controlled the defence at the points threatened, giving personal support with revolver, rifle and bombs. Single-handed he repulsed one bombing assault driving back the enemy and inflicting severe casualties. Later, when ammunition was required, he made several journeys under severe fire in order to replenish the supply. Throughout the day Lieutenant-Colonel Elstob, although twice wounded, showed the most fearless disregard of his own safety, and by his encouragement and noble example inspired his command to the fullest degree. The Manchester Redoubt was surrounded in the first wave of the enemy attack, but by means of the buried cable Lieutenant-Colonel Elstob was able to assure his Brigade Commander that "The Manchester Regiment will defend Manchester Hill to the last." Sometime after this post was overcome by vastly superior forces, and this very gallant officer was killed in the final assault, having maintained to the end the duty which he had impressed on his men – namely, "Here we fight, and here we die." He set throughout the highest example of valour, determination, endurance and fine soldierly bearing.
    London Gazette, 6 June 1919

    His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Museum of the Manchester Regiment, at Ashton Town Hall, Ashton-Under-Lyne, England.

    Elstob has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, in the Somme department of France, to the missing of the Fifth Army; and on the war memorial in Macclesfield, Cheshire. There is a memorial to him in All Saints Church, Siddington, where his father was vicar.

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    Reginald Frederick Johnson Hayward, VC, MC & Bar, ED (17 June 1891 – 17 January 1978) was born in Swartberg, East Griqualand, South Africa. He was educated at Hilton College.He was 26 years old, and an acting captain in the 1st Battalion, (Duke of Edinburgh’s) The Wiltshire Regiment when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

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    On 21/22 March 1918 near Fremicourt, France, while commanding a company, Captain Hayward displayed almost superhuman powers of endurance. In spite of the fact that he was buried, wounded in the head and rendered deaf on the first day of operations and had his arm shattered two days later, he refused to leave his men (even though he received a third serious injury to his head) until he collapsed from sheer exhaustion. Throughout this period the enemy were attacking the company's front without cessation, but Captain Hayward continued to move across the open from one trench to another with absolute disregard for his own safety.

    Hayward served in the Anti-Aircraft Command as part of the Royal Army Service Corps, during WW2. He was also commander of prisoner of war camps from 1945 to 1947, and achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel. He died in Chelsea, London, in 1978.

    His Victoria Cross is displayed at The Wardrobe Museum in Salisbury, Wiltshire.

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    Second Lieutenant Basil Arthur Horsfall, VC (4 October 1887 – 27 March 1918) was born on 4 October 1887 in Colombo, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Horsfall was educated at St.Thomas’s, Mount Lavinia in Ceylon, and at Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School, Marlow. He left a position with Barclay's Bank, London, to become a rubber planter back in Ceylon, where he also held a civil service position with the Public Works Department and served with theCeylon Engineer Volunteers. During WW1, he returned to Britain in July 1916 to enlist in the British Army and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the East Lancashire Regiment in December. He was wounded at Rouex on 11 May 1917 while serving with the 1st Battalion. After recovering from his wound he joined the 11th Battalion, (the Accrington Pals), in the Autumn of 1917.

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    Horsfall was 30 years old, and a second lieutenant in the 11th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment, during World War I when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

    21 March 1918 (World War I). Between Moyenneville and Ablainzevelle, France, when the enemy attacked Second Lieutenant Horsfall's centre platoon, his three forward sections were driven back and he was wounded in the head by enemy fire. Ignoring the wound, he immediately reorganised what remained of his troops and counterattacked to regain his original position. Despite the severity of his head wound, he refused to go to the dressing station, as the three other officers in his company had been killed. Later, he made another counterattack, but was ordered to withdraw. The last to leave his position, he was shot soon afterwards.

    Horsfall's name is on the Arras Memorial in France. It is not known where he is buried.

    Horsfall's medal is kept in the Queen’s Lancashire Regiment Museum at Fulwood Barracks, Preston, Lancashire.

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    Brigadier Manley Angell James, VC, DSO, MBE, MC (12 July 1896 – 23 September 1975) was was born in Odiham, Hampshire on 12 July 1896, the son of Dr. John Angell James and Emily Cormel James, the second of four children. The family later moved to Bristol, where Manley was educated at Bristol Grammar School in 1906 and joined the Officers’ Training Corps (OTC), where he rose to the rank of sergeant.
    Although intending to follow his father into the medical profession, having already entered a medical course at Bristol University in the autumn, the outbreak of the WW1 in August 1914, shortly after his eighteenth birthday, saw James, along with many others of his generation, volunteer for service with the British Army instead. As a result, on 1 December 1914, James was gazetted as a temporary second lieutenant into the 8th (Service) Battalion of the

    Gloucestershire Regiment.

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    The battalion, a Kitchener’s Army unit raised from civilian volunteers in September, formed part of the 57th Brigade of the 19th (Western) Division (nicknamed "The Butterly Division" due to its divisional insignia) and, after many months of training, departed for service on the Western Front in July 1915, arriving in France on 18 July as part of the BEF. The battalion was to remain on the Western Front for the rest of the war. By this time James, promoted to temporary lieutenant on 28 June 1915, was in command of the battalion's lewis gun detachment.

    With most of the rest of 1915 spent learning about the basics of trench warfare, July 1916 saw the battalion — then commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Adrian Carton de Wiart — engaged in the Battle of the Somme, specifically in the capture of La Boiselle. James was wounded in this action and evacuated to England for treatment. He was mentioned in dispatches for his handling of the battalion's Lewis guns, and returned to France in December as a member of the 57th Brigade HQ staff, which was not to his liking. He rejoined his battalion soon afterwards and was promoted to the temporary rank of captain on 22 February 1917, he was given command of 'A' Company and was again wounded, this time by shrapnel, and in April he was again mentioned in dispatches. Returning again to the front, he fought in the Battle of Messines in June 1917, where he was slightly wounded and awarded the Military Cross for his part in capturing a position called Druid's Farm. James's company was singled out for praise by the 19th Division's General Officer Commanding (GOC), Major General Tom Bridges, who issued a special order, awarding a badge of Honour to 'A' Company, enabling the badge to be worn on the right sleeve of every member of James's company.

    The German Army launched its Spring Offensive in March 1918 with the aim of cutting off the BEF, deployed mainly in northern Belgium, from the French Army in the south. The German intention was to force a victory on the Western Front before the United States (which had entered the war in April 1917) were able to deploy significant numbers of troops on the Western Front, thereby making victory for Germany all but impossible against the overwhelming resources of the United States.

    On 21 March 1918, near Velu Wood, France, James led his company forward, capturing 27 prisoners and two machine-guns. Although wounded, he refused to leave his company and repulsed three enemy assaults over the next day. Two days later, the enemy having broken through, he made a determined stand. His company inflicted heavy losses and gained valuable time for the withdrawal of the guns. After holding out to the last to enable the brigade to be extricated, he led his company forward in a local counter-attack, being again wounded in the process. He was last seen working a machine-gun single-handed, was wounded a third time and eventually taken prisoner.
    James's company sustained seventy-five percent casualties in the offensive and many believed James himself to have been killed in action. In May he managed to send a postcard to his father informing him he had been taken prisoner and he was released soon after the Armistice with Germany in November and arrived in England on 25 December 1918.

    James was invested with his VC by King George V on 22 February 1919. He was later discharged from the army.

    His VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London.

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    Major Allan Ebenezer Ker VC (5 March 1883 – 12 September 1958) was a 35 years old, and a lietenant in the 3rd Battalion, The Gordon Highlanders, attached 61st Battalion, Machine Gun Corps when the following deed took place
    for which he was awarded the VC.

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    On 21 March 1918 near St. Quentin, when the enemy had penetrated the British line, Lieutenant Ker, with one Vickers gun, succeeded in holding up the attack, inflicting many casualties. He then stayed at his post with a sergeant and several men who had been badly wounded, beating off bayonet attacks with revolvers, the Vickers gun having been destroyed. Although exhausted from want of food and gas poisoning, as well as from fighting and attending to the wounded, Lieutenant Ker only surrendered when all his ammunition was spent and the position overrun - he had managed to hold 500 of the enemy off for three hours.

    He later achieved the rank of major. Anthony Powell later used him as the inspiration for the character of Colonel Finn in his novels The Soldiers Art (1966) and The Military Philosophers (1968).

    His VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London.

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    John William Sayer VC (12 April 1879 – 18 April 1918) was 38 years old, and a Lance Corporal in the 8th Battalion, The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment) when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

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    On 21 March 1918 at Le Verguier, France, Lance Corporal Sayer held the flank of a small isolated post for two hours. Owing to mist the enemy approached from both sides to within 30 yards before being discovered, but the lance corporal, on his own initiative without assistance, beat off a succession of attacks, inflicting heavy losses. During the whole time he was exposed to heavy fire but his contempt of danger and skill in the use of his fire-arms enabled the post to hold out until nearly all the garrison had been killed and he himself wounded and captured. He died as a result of wounds four weeks later.

    Sayer's actions on the day have been cited as having an immense effect on holding back the German offensive which stalled as they were held up by the Queen's Regiment defence.

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    Charles Edwin Stone VC, MM (4 February 1889 – 29 August 1952) was born in the town of Ripley, Derbyshire. When he was 29 years old, and a gunner in the 'C' Battery 83rd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

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    On 21 March 1918 at Caponne Farm, France, after working at his gun for six hours under heavy gas and shell fire, Gunner Stone was sent back to the rear with an order. He delivered it and then, under a very heavy barrage, returned with a rifle to assist in holding up the enemy on a sunken road. First lying in the open under very heavy machine-gun fire and then on the right flank of the two rear guns he held the enemy at bay. Later he was one of the party which captured a machine-gun and four prisoners.

    He later achieved the rank of Bombardier. His brother Ernest was killed in 1917. Stone is buried in Belper in Derbyshire.
    His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Artillery Museum, Woolwich, England.

    Today we lost: 8,731

    Today’s losses include:
    ˇ Multiple Battalion Commanders
    ˇ Multiple Victoria Cross winners
    ˇ Multiple sons of members of the clergy
    ˇ Multiple families that will lose two, three and four sons in the Great War
    ˇ Two brothers killed today in different actions
    ˇ Multiple sons of Baronets
    ˇ Multiple sons of Justices of the Peace
    ˇ The son of a General
    ˇ A man whose daughter will be born next July
    ˇ The son of a Deputy Clerk of the Peace and Deputy Sheriff Clerk
    ˇ A Royal Humane Society Medal for life saving
    ˇ A man who will be buried in the Churchyard where his father is rector
    ˇ A writer to the Signet
    ˇ A Northamptonshire cricketer
    ˇ An England player
    ˇ The Assistant Master of Wem Grammar School
    ˇ The Assistant Master at Ducie Avenue School
    ˇ The brother of a Victoria Cross winner
    ˇ
    A Military Chaplain
    ˇ The son of the Clerk of the House of Commons
    ˇ A man whose brother-in-law is killed in the Great War
    ˇ A man whose son will be killed in 1941
    ˇ A Police Constable for Aberdeen
    ˇ A man whose father is killed in the Great War
    ˇ The nephew of the Vice General of the Isle of Man

    Air Operations:

    Germany launches Operation Michael, marking the beginning of the Spring Offensive on the Allies on the Somme. In the initial attack against the British front west of St Quentin, the German Air Force has 1,680 aircraft to the RFC's 579 on the Somme. Thirty-eight German close air support squadrons take part in the offensive; massed at key points of the attack, the German ground-attack aircraft engage the Allied front line and disrupt the flow of Allied supplies, replacements, and reinforcements behind the line. The German Air Force throws itself into the battle, but it is hampered by fuel shortages, pilot shortages and increasing distance from the moving front lines. Nevertheless, the German offensive is quite successful, advancing 30 miles in eight days, the same distance it took the Allies six months to gain in 1916.

    At the beginning of the great German offensive the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service have a total of five hundred seventy nine serviceable aircraft in the battle area, two hundred sixty one of them single-seaters. Against them are deployed seven hundred thirty aircraft, of which three hundred twenty six are scouts.
    Canadian Donald MacLaren, 46 Squadron, destroys a railway gun with bombs, then shoots down a German balloon and finishes this sortie by shooting down two LVG two-seaters. For this mission he earns the Military Cross When the squadron commander was killed in a crash later in the year MacLaren was given command. He extends his victory list to 54, to tie with Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor for fourth in the British list of aces and eighth overall. After the war, he returned to Canada and formed Pacific Airways which was eventually acquired by Western Canada Airways. He died on 4 July 1988, aged 95. One of his comrades in 46 Squadron was VM Yeates, the author of the seminal World War I novel, "Winged Victory" in which Tom Cundall, the main protagonist's flight commander is a Canadian called "Mac". It is widely believed that this character was based on MacLaren.

    Admiralty, March 21st.

    “Ostend was bombarded this afternoon by British monitors with successful results. Prior to the bombardment four enemy aircraft were destroyed by a naval air squadron. Enemy aircraft attacked British machines while spotting for bombardment, with the result that another enemy machine was destroyed.

    “British seaplanes engaged in reconnaissance in the Heligoland Bight attacked enemy minesweepers with machine-gun fire. No casualties on the British side. All machines returned safely.”

    RFC Communiqué number 132:

    The weather was very misty but in spite of this a great deal of low-flying took place.

    Twenty-six reconnaissances were carried out by day and one by night.

    Thirteen hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction with aeroplane observation and one neutralized; two gun-pits were damaged, two explosions and six fires caused. Eighty-five zone calls were sent down.

    711 photographs were taken and 15˝ tons of bombs dropped as follows:-

    Night 20th/21st - 9th Brigade: No 58 Squadron dropped 7 112-lb, 125 25-lb and 4 15-lb bombs on Mouchin Aerodrome and fired 12 2-lb shells; and No 101 Squadron dropped 128 25-lb, 2 40-lb and 44 15-lb bombs on Marcy Ammunition Dump.

    1st Brigade: No 4 Squadron dropped 28 25-lb bombs on various villages.

    Day 21st - 1st Brigade: 224 photographs. 1st Wing dropped 46 25-lb bombs and No 18 Squadron dropped 8 25-lb bombs on Fournes.

    2nd Brigade: Ninety photographs. No 20 Squadron dropped 4 112-lb bombs on a high velocity gun; No 57 Squadron dropped 10 112-lb bombs on Staden and 16 112-lb bombs on billets and a high velocity gun, and 2nd Wing dropped 31 25-lb bombs.

    3rd Brigade: 367 photographs were taken and 188 25-lb bombs dropped.

    5th Brigade: 26 photographs. Four hundred 25-lb bombs were dropped. Naval Squadron No 5 dropped 200 25-lb bombs on Honnecourt.

    9th Wing: 14 photographs.

    Enemy Aircraft:

    Enemy aircraft were active, much fighting taking place during the day. In addition to E.A. brought down in combat, one hostile machine was brought down in our lines by infantry.

    E.A. were driven down out of control by the following:

    Capt P W S Bulman, No 3 Squadron; Lieut F L Hird, No 3 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut J L Butler, No 3 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut A D Shannon & Sergt B J Maisey, No 11 Squadron; Lieut E E Stock & Corpl J H Bowler, No 48 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut H B Richardson, No 24 Squadron (two); 2nd-Lieut A K Cowper, No 24 Squadron (two); 2nd-Lieut H M Arthur & 2nd-Lieut J Bruce-Norton, No 62 Squadron ; Capt J A Slater, No 64 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut V W Thompson, No 64 Squadron; Lieut H N C Robinson, No 46 Squadron; Lieut M E Mealing, No 56 Squadron; Lieut T Durrant, No 56 Squadron: Lieut E D G Galley, No 56 Squadron; Lieut H J Burden, No 56 Squadron; Flight Cdr L H Rochford, No Flight Lieut J A Glen, No 3 Squadron RNAS (one); Flight Cdr F C Armstrong, No 3 Squadron RNAS; Lieut A E Robertson, 4th Squadron AFC; Lieut A H Cobby, 4th Squadron AFC (two); Lieut E F Pflaum, 4th Squadron AFC.

    Lieut R St J Dix & Lieut R M Montgomery, 82 Sqn, two-seater crashed north of La Folie - Lieut R St J Dix & Lieut R M Montgomery, No 82 Squadron, dived on an E.A. two-seater which was doing contact patrol work at about 1500 feet. The E.A. crashed just north of La Folie

    2nd-Lieut H N Arthur & 2nd-Lieut J Bruce-Norton, 62 Sqn, Albatros Scout destroyed -

    Capt T L Purdom & 2nd-Lieut P V G Chambers, 62 Sqn, Albatros Scout broke up – in a general engagement between a patrol of Bristol Fighters and a formation of E.A. Triplanes and scouts, Capt T L Purdom & 2nd-Lieut P V G Chambers, No 62 Squadron, shot down an Albatros scout and its top plane came off

    Capt T L Purdom & 2nd-Lieut P V G Chambers, 62 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control – [dated 23 March, possibly a duplicated entry]

    Lieut W E Staton & Lieut J R Gordon, 62 Sqn, Fokker DrI in flames - 2nd-Lieut W E Staton & Lieut J R Gordon, No 62 Squadron, in a general engagement between a patrol of Bristol Fighters and a formation of E.A. Triplanes and scouts, engaged a Triplane at very close range. Tracers were seen to hit the E.A. pilot and the Triplane went into a vertical nose-dive, then fell in flames

    2nd-Lieut C R Keary, 23 Sqn, Scout crashed - Lieut C R Keary, No 23 Squadron, was attacked by two E.A. scouts simultaneously. He managed to get on the tail of one, fired both guns, and the E.A. went down and was seen to crash

    2nd-Lieut P J Nolan, 24 Sqn, E.A. out of control -

    Lieut L A Payne & Lieut G H H Scutt, 48 Sqn, LVG C out of control -

    Flt Lieut S W Rosevear, 1N Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames south-east of Nieuport at 07:15/07:15, Albatros Scout out of control Nieuport at 07:20/07:20 and Pfalz Scout in flames south of Nieuport at 07:20/07:20 -

    Flt Sub-Lieut M H Findlay, 1N Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames south-east of Nieuport at 07:20/07:20 -

    Flt Sub-Lieut J E L Hunter, 4N Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed ? off Middlekerke at 08:25/08:25 -

    Lieut A H Cobby, 4 AFC, Albatros Scout out of control south of Brebičres at 09:05/09:05 -

    Lieut A H Cobby, 4 AFC, Albatros Scout out of control south of Brebičres at 09:05/09:05 -

    Lieut E F Pflaum, 4 AFC, Albatros Scout out of control Brebičres at 09:05/09:05 -

    2nd-Lieut A E Robertson, 4 AFC, Albatros Scout out of control south of Brebičres at 09:05/09:05 -

    Flt Cdr L H Rochford and Flt Sub-Lieut J A Glen, 3N Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Douai at 11:15/11:15 -

    Lieut A G Vlasto, 46 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Lagnicourt at 11:45/11:45 - Lieut A G Vlasto, No 46 Squadron, attacked an E.A. doing contact patrol work, getting on its tail and opening fire at 400 yards and continuing to fire till within 50 yards. The E.A. went down vertically into the ground

    Flt Cdr F C Armstrong, 3N Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control Esquerchin at 11:50/11:50 -

    2nd-Lieut H N C Robinson, 46 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed at 12:00/12:00 -

    Capt J A Slater, 64 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Inchy en Artois at 12:05/12:05 - Capt J A Slater, 64 Squadron, shot down an Albatros scout which was seen to crash

    Lieut H J Burden, 56 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Inchy at 13:15/13:15 -

    Lieut T Durrant, 56 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Inchy at 13:15/13:15 -

    Lieut E D G Galley, 56 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Inchy at 13:15/13:15 -

    Lieut M E Mealing, 56 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control Inchy at 13:15/13:15 -

    Capt J A Slater and Lieut V W Thompson, 64 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control Bourlon Wood at 13:35/13:35 -

    2nd-Lieut A S Hemming, 41 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Bourlon at 13:45/13:45 -

    2nd-Lieut H E Watson, 41 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control Bullecourt - Bourlon Wood at 13:50/13:50 -

    Lieut A K Cowper, 24 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Bellicourt at 14:15/14:15 - Ltn Herbert Kohl, Js34, Pow [?]

    2nd-Lieut H B Richardson, 24 Sqn, two Pfalz Scouts out of control Bellicourt at 14:15/14:15 and Pfalz Scout crashed Bellicourt at 14:20/14:20 - Lieut Richardson, No 24 Squadron, shot down an E.A. scout which crashed near Magny-la-Fosse [4 Km south-east of Bellicourt]; Ltn Herbert Kohl, Js34, Pow [?]

    Capt J F Morris, 23 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Aubencheul-au-Bois at 14:20/14:20 - Capt J F Morris, No 23 Squadron, observed tracers coming up past his right wing as he was attacked from below by an E.A. scout. He dived on the E.A., fired 200 rounds at close range, and the E.A. dived straight into the ground and crashed

    Capt W L Wells & Corpl W Beales, 48 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed south-west of Honecourt at 14:20/14:20 - Capt W L Wells & Corpl W Beales, No 48 Squadron, shot down an E.A. scout which was seen to crash

    Lieut E Stock & Corpl J H Bowers, 48 Sqn, LVG C out of control east of Epehy at 14:45/14:45 -

    Flt Cdr H V Rowley, 1N Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed north-east of Nieuport at 15:50/15:50 -

    Flt Lieut S M Kinkead, 1N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Nieuport at 15:50/15:50 -

    2nd-Lieut A D Shannon & Sergt B J Maisey, 11 Sqn, Albatros C out of control [by Shannon] south-east of Cambrai at 15:50/15:50 -

    Lieut F L Hird, 3 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Lagnicourt at 16:15/16:15 -

    Capt P W S Bulman, 3 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Lagnicourt at 16:15/16:15 -

    2nd-Lieut D R MacLaren, 46 Sqn, LVG C crashed Douai at 16:15/16:15 - 2nd-Lieut D R MacLaren, No 46 Squadron, while returning from low bombing saw an LVG below him flying east. He dived on the E.A.'s tail, fired about 100 rounds, and E.A. went into a spin and crashed at the western corner of Douai

    Lieut H W Sellars & Lieut C C Robson, 11 Sqn, Albatros C captured [by Sellars] north of the Bapaume - Cambrai road at 16:15/16:15 and Albatros Scout in flames [by Robson] north of Morchies at 16:15/16:15 - Lieut H W Sellars & Lieut C C Robson, No 11 Squadron, attacked an Albatros two-seater doing artillery observation. The E.A. dived vertically and then spun out of control after three bursts had been fired at it from the Bristol Fighter. Lieut Robson observed smoke coming from its engine and it crashed this side of the line north of the Bapaume - Cambrai road. Shortly afterwards Lieuts Sellars & Robson were attacked by three Albatros scouts. Two bursts were fired at the nearest which burst into flames and crashed north of Morchies; Ltn d R Ludwig Hanstein, Js35, Kia [?]
    2nd-Lieut D R MacLaren, 46 Sqn, Balloon in flames Biache-Saint-Vaast at 16:30/16:30 and LVG C crashed east of Marquion at 16:45/16:45 - 2nd-Lieut D R MacLaren, No 46 Squadron, while returning from low bombing attacked an enemy balloon and its Observer jumped out with parachute; the balloon burst into flames. On getting over the lines, he saw a two-seater below him over Graincourt. He dived on it from the front, firing about 50 rounds. The E.A. immediately turned east and went down under control. 2nd-Lieut MacLaren gave chase, firing in all another 50 rounds and the E.A. finally crashed completely just east of Marquion

    Flt Cdr L H Rochford, Flt Sub-Lieut W H Chisam, Flt Sub-Lieut J A Glen, Flt Sub-Lieut E T Hayne, Flt Sub-Lieut R C Berlyn, Flt Sub-Lieut O P Adam, Flt Sub-Lieut L A Sands, Flt Sub-Lieut C S Devereux, Flt Sub-Lieut K D Macleod and Flt Sub-Lieut A B Ellwood, 3N Sqn, Albatros C in flames east of Bapaume at 16:45/16:45 - an Offensive Patrol of Naval Squadron No 3 attacked an E.A. two-seater and shot it down out of control, and the wreckage fell near Vaulx; Vfw Oswald Weiss (Kia) & Ltn Josef Szajkowski (Kia), FA 228[?]

    2nd-Lieut J O Butler, 3 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south-east of Morchies at 17:00/17:00 -

    Lieut A K Cowper, 24 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames south of Havrincourt at 17:00/17:00 -

    Lieut J F N MacRae, 23 Sqn, two-seater out of control Holnon Wood at 18:00/18:00 -

    Flt Cdr C P O Bartlett & AGL W Naylor, 5N Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control Honnecourt-sur-Escaut at 18:04/18:04 -

    Lieut J F N MacRae, 23 Sqn, Albatros Scout Destroyed Holnon Wood at 18:55/18:55 -

    Royal Flying Corps casualties today:

    2nd-Lieut J K von I Peden (Wia), 3 Sqn, Camel – combat ?

    2nd-Lieut H E Stewart (Ok), 3 Sqn, Camel B5450 - damaged by macine-gun fire on reconnaissance Cambrai front

    Lieut J T Quick (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut A J Ord (Ok), 8 Sqn, AW FK8 B5830 - wrecked on landing after elevator controls shot away on artillery patrol

    Capt E T Owles MC (Wia) & ? (Ok), 12 Sqn, RE8 – combat ?

    2nd-Lieut C J S Dearlove (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut W M Irvine (Ok), 12 Sqn, RE8 B2292 - shot down by machine-gun fire from ground near Sapignies during photography and machine destroyed by pilot as near enemy lines

    2nd-Lieut V J Reading (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut M Leggat (Ok), 15 Sqn, RE8 A4393 - shot through by machine-gun fire from ground on patrol

    2nd-Lieut R B E Turnbull (Wia), 29 Sqn, SE5a - ground fire

    2nd-Lieut G E F Elliott (Wia), 46 Sqn, Camel C1641 – reported missing while returning from Bapaume ALG to 59 Sqn

    2nd-Lieut C G D Napier (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut J M J Moore (Ok), 48 Sqn, Bristol F.2B B1187 - shot through rear petrol tank and force landed 62c.E.21 [north-west of Villers-Faucon] on OP and reconnaissance

    Capt R E Bryson (Wia) & Lieut B T Head (Ok), 52 Sqn, RE8 A4259 - force landed near Roupy after pilot wounded on contact patrol and set on fire as German attack in progress

    Lieut A P Kelly (Wia) & 2nd-Lieut R Hogan (Ok), 59 Sqn, RE8 B6517 - shot through by machine-gun fire from ground while flying low over enemy lines on contact patrol

    Capt D H Oliver (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut W H Leighton (Ok), 59 Sqn, RE8 B6547 - enemy shell came through fuselage at 1,000 feet over Lagnicourt on patrol

    2nd-Lieut C S L Coulson (Ok), 80 Sqn, Camel B2456 - combat St Quentin - Roupy force landed, abandoned and burnt

    Capt G I Paterson Ok) & Lieut T I Findley (Ok), 82 Sqn, AW FK8 B5839 - shot up by machine-gun fire on contact patrol

    2nd-Lieut L S Kiggell (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut A O Matt (Inj), 82 Sqn, AW FK8 C3640 - shot up by ground fire on reconnaissance

    2nd-Lieut J L S Hanman (Ok) & Lieut C R Cuthbert (Ok), 12 Sqn, RE8 B833 – took off 10:20/10:20 then longeron shot through by machine-gun fire from ground on contact patrol, returned 12:05/12:05

    2nd-Lieut J A Scrivener (Inj) & 2nd-Lieut F Catterall (Ok), 12 Sqn, RE8 B6594 (or B5119?) – took off 12:20/12:20 (?) crashed in fog at Log Eastwood at 12:25/12:25 on patrol

    Lieut J H Smith (Ok), 46 Sqn, Camel B6405 – took off 11:05/11:05 then shot through during low work, returned 13:05/13:05

    2nd-Lieut H C Adams (Ok) & Lieut H C Batchelor (Ok), 12 Sqn, RE8 B2273 - shot through by hostile aircraft at 13:15/13:15 on patrol

    Capt B P G Beanlands (Ok), 24 Sqn, SE5a C1798 – force landed near Ham 13:20/13:20 after badly shot on OP

    2nd-Lieut A T Isbell (Pow), 41 Sqn, SE5a B698 – took off 13:20/13:20 and last seen over Queant going down during patrol; Ltn Schutze, Js48

    2nd-Lieut E C Hucklebridge (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut L G Warren (Ok), 12 Sqn, RE8 B2297 – took off 13:10/13:10 longeron shot through by machine-gun fire from ground on contact patrol, returned 14:25/14:25

    Lieut H V L Tubbs (Wia), 24 Sqn, SE5a B8388 – took off 14:35/14:35 then pilot wounded and landed at 7 Corps HQ and abandoned during OP and ground targets; ground fire

    Lieut W J Shorter (Ok), 46 Sqn, Camel C1613 - shot about and force landed 59 Sqn 14:40/14:40 during low work

    Lieut E Stock (Ok) & Corpl J H Bowers [Bowler?] (Wia), 48 Sqn, Bristol F.2B B1269 - forced to land after combat with 2-seater east of Epehy 14:45/14:45

    2nd-Lieut B L Norton (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut R W Briggs (Ok), 35 Sqn, AW FK8 B3311 – took off 13:30/13:30 then shot through on patrol Roisel district, returned 14:50/14:50

    2nd-Lieut R K McConnell (Ok), 46 Sqn, Camel C1558 - shot through and went on nose in forced landing near Mory 14:50/14:50 during low work

    Capt G E Thomson (Ok), 46 Sqn, Camel C1627 – took off 13:20/13:20 longeron shot through during low work, returned 15:10/15:10

    2nd-Lieut C B Banfield (Pow; dow) & 2nd-Lieut F K Kneller (Pow; dow), 8 Sqn, AW FK8 C3562 – took off 15:25/15:25 then missing on artillery patrol; Uffz Hellmuth Krätzschmer, Js48, 1st victory [north-west of Seraucourt] ?

    Capt C M Leman (Ok), 3 Sqn, Camel B9155 - shot down Vaulx Vraucourt 16:00/16:00 on special mission

    2nd-Lieut J H Reeves (Wia) & 2nd-Lieut L F Goodwin (Ok), 52 Sqn, RE8 B6519 - landed near CCS Ham 17:35/17:35 after badly shot on artillery patrol

    Lieut F R McCall (Ok) & Lieut G Dania (Ok), 13 Sqn, RE8 B8895 – took off 15:55/15:55 then longeron and aileron shot through on patrol.

    Royal Flying Corps Losses today:


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    Claims: 73 confirmed (Entente 62 : Central Powers 11)

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    Western Front:

    At 04:50 a German bombardment begins on the British trenches, with one artillery piece firing for every 10 yards of the line. Gas shells and trench mortars also rain down on the British. The bombardment lasts until 07:00 and under its cover the enemy infantry cross the St Quentin Canal and assault the 2nd/2nd London Regiment positions in the Forward Zone. The Germans exploit the dense fog and are soon behind the Forward Zone positions. Two keeps (Japy and Brickstack) held by the London Regiment fall early but the Main Keep holds out until after midday before it is finally taken. At Travecy Keep the artillery bombardment lasts until 08:00, by which time all communication links have been severed and, in the thick fog, A Company is without support and completely isolated. As the barrage lifts the enemy attacks and takes a number of the forward posts and briefly penetrated the Keep’s outer defences to the north and south and heavy fighting develops on the right flank held by one platoon is reduced to 10 men and an officer. By 10:00 the surviving two men of this platoon fall back to the Keep. An hour later an attack, assisted by an aeroplane, develops to the north forcing two sections of A Company back to the Keep which is now under continuous machine gun and rifle grenade fire. An advance section are still undetected forward of the Keep and they inflict many casualties on the enemy during this attack with a Lewis Gun before retiring. During the afternoon the enemy makes a number of determined assaults on the Keep, all of which are repulsed. At 17:00 Captain Maurice Harper calls for two volunteer runners to report to Brigade HQ. The men, Privates Banks and Ancliffe, return two hours later with the news that the enemy had penetrated two miles to the northwest and nearly three miles to the west and southwest. With its flanks driven in and the enemy behind it, Travecy Keep is completely surrounded. At this point Captain Harper’s force consists of 3 officers and 60 men. Just before dusk the Germans launch a further assault on all sides of the Keep and the fight rages for an hour before the enemy falls back. During the night the Germans continue to bomb the Keep and sweep it with machine gun and rifle fire. At 09:40 for the first time five captured British tanks start their advance against British trenches at St Quentin. Two are damaged by British artillery fire, while the other three continue until they run out of fuel. Lieutenant Colonel Wilfrith Elstob VC DSO MC (commanding 16th Manchester Regiment) is killed in action at Manchester Redoubt, near St. Quentin performing the duties that will result in his being awarded the Victoria Cross at age 29. Elstob is the son of the Reverend Canon J G Elstob Vicar of Capesthorne, Manchester Hill. During the preliminary enemy bombardment he encourages his men in the posts in the Redoubt by frequent visits, and when repeated attacks develop he controls the defense at the points threatened, giving personal support with revolver, rifle and bombs. Single-handedly he repulses one bombing assault driving back the enemy and inflicting severe casualties. Later, when ammunition is required, he makes several journeys under severe fire in order to replenish the supply. Throughout the day Lieutenant-Colonel Elstob, although twice wounded, shows the most fearless disregard of his own safety and by his encouragement and noble example inspires his command to the fullest degree. The Manchester Redoubt is surrounded in the first wave of the enemy attack, but by means of the buried cable Lieutenant-Colonel Elstob is able to assure his Brigade Commander that “The Manchester Regiment will defend Manchester Hill to the last.” Sometime after this the post is overcome by vastly superior forces, and this very gallant officer is killed in the final assault, having maintained to the end the duty which he had impressed on his men – namely, “Here we fight, and here we die.” Second Lieutenant Edmund De Wind (Royal Irish Rifles) dies of wounds received at Race Course Redbout, near Grugies at age 34. For seven hours he holds this post and though twice wounded and practically single-handed, he maintains his position until another section could get to his aid. He continues to repel attack after attack until he is mortally wounded. For his actions on this day he will be awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously.

    From the Despatch from Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, K.T., G.C.B., G.C.V.O., Commanding-in-Chief, British Armies in France:

    Shortly before 5 a.m. on the 21st March, a bombardment of great intensity, with gas and high explosive shell from all natures of artillery and trench mortars was opened against practically the whole fronts of the Fifth and Third Armies from the Oise to the Scarpe River, while road centres and railways as far back as St. Pol were engaged by high velocity guns. Violent bombardments were opened also on the French front in wide sectors east and north-east of Reims, and on portions of the British front between the Scarpe River and Lens. Our positions from south of the La Bassee Canal to the River Lys were heavily shelled with gas, and battery areas between Messines and the Ypres-Comines Canal were actively engaged. Dunkirk was bombarded from the sea.

    The hour of the enemy's assault varied in different sectors, but by about 9.45 a.m. a general attack had been launched on a battle front of fifty-four miles between the Oise and the Sensee Rivers. Later in the day, as visibility improved large numbers of low-flying aeroplanes attacked our troops and batteries.

    Favoured by a thick white fog, which hid from our artillery and machine gunners the S.O.S. signals sent up by our outpost line, and in numbers which made loss of direction impossible, the attacking German infantry forced their way into our foremost defensive zone. Until 1 p.m. the fog made it impossible to see more than 50 yards in any direction and the machine guns and forward field guns which had been disposed so as to cover this zone with their fire were robbed almost entirely of their effect. The detachments holding the outpost positions were consequently overwhelmed or surrounded, in many cases before they were able to pass back information concerning the enemy's attack.

    The attack being expected, reserves had been brought forward and battle stations manned. On all parts of the battle front garrisons of redoubts and strong points in the forward zone held out with the utmost gallantry for many hours. From some of them wireless messages were received up to a late hour in the day, giving information of much value. The losses which they were able to inflict upon the enemy were undoubtedly very great and materially delayed his advance. The prolonged defence of these different localities, under conditions which left little hope of any relief, deserves to rank among the most heroic actions in the history of the British Army.

    So intense was the enemy's bombardment that at an early hour our communications were severed, and so swift was his advance under the covering blanket of the mist that certain of our more advanced batteries found the German infantry close upon them before they had received warning from their own infantry that the expected attack had been launched. Many gallant deeds were performed by the personnel of such batteries, and on numerous occasions heavy losses were inflicted on bodies of hostile troops by guns firing over open sights at point-blank range.

    During the morning reports were received that the enemy had penetrated our front line opposite La Fere, and had also broken into our forward positions north of the Bapaume-Cambrai road, and opposite Lagnicourt and Bullecourt. The first indication that the progress made by him was developing a serious aspect was the news that at noon German infantry were entering Ronssoy. This meant that in this sector the attack had already reached and penetrated a considerable distance into the second defensive belt which constituted our battle positions.

    The enemy's success at this point was followed up vigorously. Templeux-le-Guerard fell into his hands shortly afterwards, while the villages of Hargicourt and Villeret, attacked simultaneously in flank and rear, were practically surrounded, and were entered about midday.

    Thereafter the enemy was held up by the resistance of our troops in the rear defences of the battle zone, greatly assisted by the very gallant action of the 24th Division in Le Verguier and the 21st Division at Epehy, on the two flanks of his advance. Both these divisions, under command respectively of Major-General A. C. Daly, C.B., and Major-General D. G. M. Campbell, C.B., held out throughout the day against repeated attacks delivered in great strength, and killed large numbers of the enemy. In this fighting parties of German troops who had entered Peizičre on the northern outskirts of Epehy were driven out by our infantry, with the assistance of Tanks, which on this and many subsequent occasions did valuable and gallant work.

    Operation Michael
    began the Spring Offensive on 21 March 1918. It was launched from the Hindenburg Line, in the vicinity of Saint-Quentin, France. Its goal was to break through the Allied (Entente) lines and advance in a north-westerly direction to seize the Channel ports, which supplied the BEF and to drive the BEF into the sea. Two days later General Ludendorff changed his plan and pushed for an offensive due west, along the whole of the British front north of the River Somme. This was designed to separate the French and British and crush the British forces by pushing them into the sea. The offensive ended at Villers-Bretonneux, to the east of the Allied communications centre at Amiens, where the Allies managed to halt the German advance; the German Armies had suffered many casualties and were unable to maintain supplies to the advancing troops.
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    Much of the ground fought over was the wilderness left by the Battle of the Somme in 1916. The action was therefore officially named by the British Battles Nomenclature Committee as The First Battles of the Somme, 1918, whilst the French call it the Second Battle of Picardy (2čme Bataille de Picardie). The failure of the offensive marked the beginning of the end of the First World War for Germany. The arrival in France of large reinforcements from the United States replaced Entente casualties but the German Army was unable to recover from its losses before these reinforcements took the field. Operation Michael failed to achieve its objectives and the German advance was reversed during the Second Battle of the Somme (21 August – 3 September) in the Allied Hundred Days Offensive.
    On 11 November 1917, the German High Command (Oberste Heeresleitung, OHL) discussed what they hoped would be a decisive offensive on the Western Front the following spring. Their target was the BEF which they believed had been exhausted by the battles in 1917 at Arras, Messines, Passchendaele and Cambrai. A decision to attack was taken by General Erich Ludendorff on 21 January 1918. At the start of 1918, the German people were close to starvation and growing tired of the war. By mid-February 1918, while Germany was negotiating the Russian surrender and the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, Ludendorff had moved nearly 50 divisions from the east, so that on the Western Front, Germany's troops outnumbered those of the Allied armies. Germany had 192 divisions and three brigades on the Western Front by 21 March, out of 241 in the German Army. Of these divisions, 110 were in the front line, 50 of which faced the shorter British front. Another 67 divisions were in reserve, with 31 facing the BEF. By May 1918, 318,000 American soldiers were due in France, with another million planned to arrive before August. The Germans knew that the only chance of victory was to defeat the Allies before the build-up of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) was complete.

    The German strategy for the 1918 Spring Offensive or Kaiserschlacht (Kaiser's Battle), involved four offensives, Michael, Georgette, Gneisenau and Blücher–Yorck. Michael took place on the Somme and then Georgette was conducted on the Lys and at Ypres, which was planned to confuse the enemy. Blücher took place against the French in the Champagne region. Although British intelligence knew that a German offensive was being prepared, this far-reaching plan was much more ambitious than Allied commanders expected. Ludendorff aimed to advance across the Somme, then wheel north-west, to cut the British lines of communication behind the Artois front, trapping the BEF in Flanders. Allied forces would be drawn away from the Channel ports, which were essential for British supply; the Germans could then attack these ports and other lines of communication. The British would be surrounded and surrender.

    The British Prime Minister, David Lloyd George, had agreed that the BEF would take over more of the front line, at the Boulogne Conference, against military advice, after which the British line was extended. The "line", taken over from the French, barely existed, needing much work to make it easily defensible to the positions further north, which slowed progress in the area of the Fifth Army (General Hubert Gough). During the winter of 1917–1918, the new British line was established in an arc around St. Quentin, by many small unit actions among the ruined villages in the area. There were many isolated outposts, gaps in the line and large areas of disputed territory and waste land. These positions were slowly improved by building the new three-zone system of defence in depth but much of the work was performed by infantry working-parties. Most of the redoubts in the battle zone were complete by March 1918 but the rear zone was still under construction.

    The BEF had been reorganised due to a lack of infantry replacements; divisions were reduced from twelve to nine battalions, on the model established by the German and French armies earlier in the war. It was laid down that the senior regular and first-line territorial battalions were to be retained, in preference to the higher-numbered second-line territorial and New Army battalions. Second-line territorial and New Army divisions were badly disrupted, having in some cases to disband half of their battalions, to make way for units transferred from regular or first-line territorial divisions. Battalions had an establishment of 1,000 men but some had fewer than 500 men, due to casualties and sickness during the winter.

    Tactical developments


    The German army trained using open-warfare tactics which had proved effective on the Eastern Front, particularly at the Battle of Riga in 1917. The Germans had developed Stormtroop (Stoßtruppen) units, elite infantry which used infiltration tactics, operating in small groups that advanced quickly by exploiting gaps and weak defences. Stoßtruppen by-passed heavily defended areas, which follow-up infantry units could deal with once they were isolated, and occupied territory rapidly to disrupt communication by attacking enemy headquarters, artillery units and supply depots in the rear. Each division transferred its best and fittest soldiers into storm units, from which several new divisions were formed. This process gave the German army an initial advantage in the attack but meant that the best troops would suffer disproportionate casualties, while the quality of the men in reserve declined.
    Developments in artillery tactics were also influential. Ludendorff was able to dispense with slow destructive and wire-cutting bombardments by using the large number of artillery pieces and mortars to fire "hurricane" bombardments concentrated on artillery and machine-gun positions, headquarters, telephone exchanges, railways and communication centres. There were three phases to the bombardment: a brief fire on command and communications, then a destructive counter-battery bombardment and then bombardment of front-line positions. The deep bombardment aimed to knock out the opponent's ability to respond; it lasted only a few hours to retain surprise, before the infantry attacked behind a creeping barrage. Such artillery tactics had been made possible by the vast numbers of accurate heavy guns and large stocks of ammunition that Germany had deployed on the Western Front by 1918.

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    A German 21cm heavy howitzer being brought into position.

    The Forward Zone was organised in three lines to a depth depending on the local terrain. The first two lines were not held continuously, particularly in the Fifth Army area, where they were in isolated outpost groups in front of an irregular line of supporting posts. The third line was a series of small redoubts for two or four platoons. Posts and redoubts were sited so that intervening ground could be swept by machine-gun and rifle-fire or from machine-guns adjacent to the redoubts. Defence of the Forward Zone depended on fire-power rather than large numbers of troops but in the Fifth Army area a lack of troops meant that the zone was too weak to be able to repulse a large attack. The Battle Zone was also usually organised in three defensive systems, front, intermediate and rear, connected by communication trenches and switch lines, with the defenders concentrated in centres of resistance rather than in continuous lines. About 36 of the 110 infantry and pioneer battalions of the Fifth Army held the Forward Zone. Artillery, trench mortars and machine-guns were also arranged in depth, in positions chosen to allow counter-battery fire, harassing fire on transport routes, fire on assembly trenches and to be able to fire barrages along the front of the British positions at the first sign of attack. Artillery positions were also chosen to offer cover and concealment, with alternative positions on the flanks and to the rear. About ​23 of the artillery was in the Battle Zone, with a few guns further forward and some batteries were concealed and forbidden to fire before the German offensive began.

    German offensive preparations


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    The front line between British and German forces, 21 March – 5 April 1918

    The Germans chose to attack the sector around St. Quentin taken over by the British from February–April 1917, following the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line. Germany had begun construction of the Siegfried Stellung (Hindenburg Line) in September 1916, during the battle of the Somme. It stretched over 500 km (300 mi) from the Channel to the Moselle River and was built by Belgian and Russian prisoners of war. The strongest section was the salient at St. Quentin between Arras and Soissons. The line was 1.5 km (1 mi) deep with barbed wire in zig-zag lines of 15 m (50 ft), protecting three lines of trenches, interconnecting tunnels and strong points. In the rear were deep underground bunkers known as stollen (galleries) and artillery was hidden on reverse slopes.The Germans withdrew to this line in an operation codenamed Alberich over five weeks, during which time German High Command ordered a scorched earth policy. The ground abandoned in the retreat was laid waste, wells were poisoned, booby-traps laid and most towns and villages were destroyed.

    German plan of attack

    The attacking armies were spread along a 69-kilometre (43 mi) front between Arras, St. Quentin and La Fere. Ludendorff had assembled a force of 74 divisions, 6,600 guns, 3,500 mortars and 326 fighter aircraft, divided between the 17th Army (Otto von Below), 2nd Army (Georg von der Marwitz) of Heeresgruppe Kronprinz Rupprecht (Army Group Rupprecht of Bavaria) and the 18th Army (General Oskar von Hutier), part of Heeresgruppe Deutscher Kronprinz (Army Group German Crown Prince) and the 7th Army. The main weight of attack was between Arras and a few kilometres south of St. Quentin, where the 18th Army had 27 divisions. Forty-four divisions were allocated to Operation Michael and called mobile divisions, which were brought up to full strength in manpower and equipment. Men over 35 years old were transferred, a machine-gun unit, air support and a communications unit were added to each division and the supply and medical branches were re-equipped but a chronic shortage of horses and fodder could not be remedied. Around the new year the mobile divisions were withdrawn for training according to Der Angriff im Stellungskriege und einige Verfügungen, die in den Erfahrungen über den Angriff ihren Niederschlag finden (The Offensive in Trench Warfare and Some Regulations that reflect Lessons Learned about the Offensive).

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    German A7V tank in Roye, Somme, 26 March 1918

    Training emphasised rapid advance, the silencing of machine-guns and maintaining communication with the artillery, to ensure that infantry and the creeping barrage moved together. Infantry were issued with light machine-guns, mortars and rifle grenades and intensively trained. Thirty divisions were trained in the new tactics but had a lower scale of equipment than the elite divisions and the remainder were stripped of material to supply them, giving up most of their remaining draught animals. In the north, two German armies would attack either side of the Flesquieres salient, created during the Battle of Cambrai. The 18th Army, transferred from the Eastern Front, planned its attack either side of St. Quentin, to divide the British and French armies. The two northern armies would then attack the British position around Arras, before advancing north-west to cut off the BEF in Flanders. In the south, it was intended to reach the Somme and then hold the line of the river against any French counter-attacks; the southern advance was extended to include an advance across the Somme.

    British defensive preparations


    In the north, the Third Army (General Julian Byng), defended the area from Arras south to the Flesquičres Salient. To the south, the Fifth Army held the line down to the junction with the French at Barisis. Byng had commanded the Canadian Corps who took Vimy Ridge at the Battle of Arras (1917) and the Battle of Cambrai (1917) and Gough had commanded the Reserve Army (renamed the Fifth Army in October 1916), which had taken over part of the Somme battlefront in July 1916. The Fifth Army held the longest front of the BEF, with twelve divisions and three cavalry divisions, 1,650 guns, 119 tanks and 357 aircraft. An average British division in 1918 consisted of 11,800 men, 3,670 horses and mules, 48 artillery pieces, 36 mortars, 64 Vickers heavy machine guns, 144 Lewis light machine-guns, 770 carts and wagons, 360 motorcycles and bicycles, 14 trucks, cars and 21 motorised ambulances.

    In the Weekly Intelligence Summary of 10 March 1918, British intelligence predicted a German offensive in the Arras–St. Quentin area based on air reconnaissance photographs and the testimony of deserters; the prediction was reiterated in the next summary on 17 March. Allied aircraft had photographed German preparations, new supply roads had been constructed and shell craters had been turned into concealed trench mortar batteries. Heavily laden motorised and horse-drawn transports had been seen heading into St. Quentin from the east, and in the distance German officers were observed studying British lines. The British replied with nightly bombardments of the German front line, rear areas and possible assembly areas. A few days before the attack, two German deserters slipped through No Man's Land and surrendered to the 107th Brigade. They spoke of troops, batteries of artillery and trench mortars massing on the German front. They reported massed trench mortars directly in front of 36th Division lines for wire cutting and an artillery bombardment, lasting several hours, as a preliminary to an infantry assault.
    The war diary of the 9th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers describes their activities from 18–20 March as being intensive training during the day, with specialist training in the evening. During the night of 20 March, troops of the 61st (2nd South Midland) Division conducted a raid on German positions and took more prisoners, who told them that the offensive would be launched the following morning. The Fifth Army defences which were still incomplete, the Rear Zone existed as outline markings only and the Battle Zone consisted of battalion "redoubts" that were not mutually supporting and vulnerable to German troops infiltrating between them. The British ordered an intermittent bombardment of German lines and likely assembly areas at 03:30 and a gas discharge on the 61st Division front. At 04:40 a huge German barrage began along all the Fifth Army front and most of the front of the Third Army.

    Battle of St. Quentin, 21–23 March


    Day 1, 21st March

    “And then, exactly as a pianist runs his hands across the keyboard from treble to bass, there rose in less than one minute the most tremendous cannonade I shall ever hear...It swept round us in a wide curve of red leaping flame stretching to the north far along the front of the Third Army, as well as of the Fifth Army on the south, and quite unending in either direction...the enormous explosions of the shells upon our trenches seemed almost to touch each other, with hardly an interval in space or time...The weight and intensity of the bombardment surpassed anything which anyone had ever known before.”

    The artillery bombardment began at 04:35 with an intensive German barrage opened on British positions south west of St. Quentin for a depth of 4–6 km (2.5–3.7 mi). At 04:40 a heavy German barrage began along a 60 km (40 mi) front. Trench mortars, mustard gas, chlorine gas, tear gas and smoke canisters were concentrated on the forward trenches, while heavy artillery bombarded rear areas to destroy Allied artillery and supply lines. Over 3,500,000 shells were fired in five hours, hitting targets over an area of 400 km2 (150 sq mi) in the biggest barrage of the war, against the Fifth Army, most of the front of Third Army and some of the front of the First Army to the north. The front line was badly damaged and communications were cut with the Rear Zone, which was severely disrupted.

    When the infantry assault began at 09:40, the German infantry had mixed success; the German 17th and 2nd Armies were unable to penetrate the Battle Zone on the first day but the 18th Army advanced further and reached its objectives. Dawn broke to reveal a heavy morning mist. By 05:00, visibility was barely 10 m (10 yd) in places and the fog was extremely slow to dissipate throughout the morning. The fog and smoke from the bombardment made visibility poor throughout the day, allowing the German infantry to infiltrate deep behind the British front positions undetected. Much of the Forward Zone fell during the morning as communication failed; telephone wires were cut and runners struggled to find their way through the dense fog and heavy shelling. Headquarters were cut off and unable to influence the battle.

    Around midday German troops broke through south-west of St. Quentin, reached the Battle Zone and by 14:30 were nearly 3 km (1.9 mi) south of Essigny. Gough kept in contact with the corps commanders by telephone until 15:00 then visited them in turn. At the III Corps Headquarters ("HQ"), he authorised a withdrawal behind the Crozat canal, at the XVIII Corps HQ he was briefed that the Battle Zone was intact and at the XIX Corps HQ found that the Forward Zone on each flank had been captured. Gough ordered that ground was to be held for as long as possible but that the left flank was to be withdrawn, to maintain touch with the VII Corps. The 50th Division was ordered forward as a reinforcement for the next day. On the VII Corps front, Ronssoy had been captured and the 39th Division was being brought forward; on the rest of the front, the 21st and 9th divisions were maintaining their positions and had preserved the link with V Corps of the Third Army in the Flesquičres Salient to the north. The Fifth Army "Forward Zone", was the only area where the defences had been completed and had been captured. Most of the troops in the zone were taken prisoner by the Germans who moved up unseen in the fog; garrisons in the various keeps and redoubts had been surrounded. Many parties inflicted heavy losses on the Germans, despite attacks on their trenches with flame throwers. Some surrounded units surrendered once cut off, after running out of ammunition and having had many casualties; others fought to the last man.

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    British Prisoners

    In the Third Army area, German troops broke through during the morning, along the Cambrai–Bapaume road in the Boursies–Louverval area and through the weak defences of the 59th Division near Bullecourt. By the close of the day, the Germans had broken through the British Forward Zone and entered the Battle Zone on most of the attack front and had advanced through the Battle Zone, on the right flank of the Fifth Army, from Tergnier on the Oise River to Seraucourt-le-Grans. South-west of St. Quentin in the 36th Division area, the 9th Irish Fusiliers war diary record noted that there had been many casualties, three battalions of the Forward Zone had been lost and three battalions in the Battle Zone were reduced to 250 men each, leaving only the three reserve battalions relatively intact. Casualties in the division from 21–27 March were 6,109, the most costly day being 21 March.

    Gough had been forced to order a fighting retreat to win time for reinforcements to reach his army. As the British fell back, troops in the redoubts fought on, in the hope that they would be relieved by counter-attacks or to impose the maximum delay on the German attackers. The right wing of the Third Army also retreated, to avoid being outflanked. The morning fog had delayed the use of aircraft but by the end of the day, 36 squadrons of the RFC had been in action and reported losing 16 aircraft and crew, while having shot down 14 German aircraft; German records show 19 and 8 losses. The first day of the battle had been costly for the Germans, who had suffered c. 40,000 casualties, slightly more than they inflicted on the BEF. The attack in the north had failed to isolate the Flesquičres Salient, which had been held by the 63rd Division and the weight of the German offensive was increased in the south, where the 18th Army received six fresh divisions.

    Southern Front:

    Tunstills Men Thursday 21st March 1918:

    Billets at Marola

    In continuation of the Brigade sports, a boxing competition would be held over two days, commencing at 5pm each day and held in a field between Grantortino and Rampazzo. It was said that, “The number of entries did not come up to expectation but some good boxing took place”. 10DWR, however, did take to the boxing competition, with men from the Battalion making up nine of the 19 entrants across the various weight divisions. These included Pte. Louis Charles Preen (see 2nd December 1917), who, being the only entrant, was granted a walkover in the heavyweight division. The other contenders from 10DWR were Cpl. George Alma Cook (see 29th October 1917), Cpl. Sayers (I am unable to make a positive identification of this man), Cpl. Sidney Twine (see below) Pte. Joseph Binns (19614) (see 29th October 1917), Pte. John Craven (he was an original member of the Battalion, but I am otherwise unable to make a positive identification of this man), Pte. William Henry Luke (see 18th December 1917), L.Cpl. Victor Munnery (see 8th September 1917) and Pte. William Sugden (he had previously served with 8DWR, with whom he had gone to Gallipoli in July 1915; I am otherwise unable to make a positive identification of this man).

    Cpl. Sidney Twine was a 23 year-old former machine fitter from Keighley. He had previously served with 1st/6th and 2nd/7th DWR and had first gone to France in April 1915. In the absence of a surviving service record I am unable to establish when and in what circumstances he had joined 10DWR.

    Pte. Reginald Dayson (see 15th February) was reported by Cpl. James Shackleton MM (see 26th May 1917; it is not clear when Shackleton had re-joined the Battalion, having been wounded in February 1917), as having been, “drunk and crerating a disturbance in his billets after lights out”; on the orders of Maj. James Christopher Bull MC (see 13th March) he was to undergo 21 days’ Field Punishment no.1.

    Pte. Frank Wood MM (see 17th December 1917) was reported by L.Cpl. Robert Whitaker (see 30th January) and Cpl. Reginald Robinson (see 20th March) as being, “absent from roll call 9am until reporting himself at 9.45pm”; on the orders of 2Lt. John William Pontefract (see 11th March) he was to confined to barracks for five days.

    Cpl. Joseph Haywood (see 15th November 1917) was reported by L.Sgt. Jonathan Richardson Sunderland (see 7th January) as absent off 1.40pm parade; he was reprimanded by 2Lt. John William Pontefract (see above).

    Ptes. James Butterworth (see 15th March), Michael Hannigan (see 2nd February) and John Newton (see 5th October 1917) were reported by Cpl. Arthur Lee MM (see 6th October 1917), L.Cpl. Robert Hitchen (see 15th March) and Sgt. Frank Brierley (see 22nd February) as being “absent from billets from 9pm”; they would not return until 9.50pm on the 24th and would be ordered, by Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge DSO (see 20th March), to undergo 14 days Field Punishment no.1 and forfeit 14 days’ pay.

    Pte. Lewis Batey (see 12th March), who had suffered an accidental injury to his right knee ten days previously, was discharged to duty and re-joined the Battalion from from 23rd Division Rest Station.

    Pte. William Ryan (see 6th December 1917) suffered abrasions to his face and bruising to his right shoulder when falling from a ladder whilst climbing up to his billet at around 10.50pm. In Ryan’s own words, “I made my way up to my billet which was a loft over a barn by way of a ladder. When I reached the top I missed my footing and fell backwards to the ground. Then I was taken to the Battalion aid post”. Statements were also taken from a number of other men who corroborated Ryan’s account. According to Pte. Frederick Thomas Peart (see 29th October 1917), “I saw Pte. Ryan come up the ladder into the billet and when he got to the top he seemed to overbalance and then he fell down. I went down after him and helped him into the gurad room. Pte. Ryan was not drunk”. L.Cpl. Norman Moorhouse (see 17th January), stated that, “I saw Pte. Ryan come down the ladder from his billet to go to the latrines. When he returned, I heard him fall, but did not see him fall. I was on sentry duty and at the other end of my beat. Pte. Ryan was taken into the guard room. He did not seem to be drunk”. Pte. Louis Charles Preen (see above), added “I was awake and heard Pte. Ryan fall down the ladder from his billet. I awakened Pte. Holmes and helped to take Pte. Ryan to the aid post”. Pte. Willie Holmes (see 21st February) added that, “I was called because Pte. Ryan had fallen down the ladder from the billet. Pte. Jaeger and myself helped to bandage his head and take him to the aid post. Pte. Ryan was unconscious. He was sober”. Pte. Moses Henry Jaeger (see 5th October 1917) confirmed that, “I was awakened by the call for stretcher bearers at 10.50pm and found Pte. Ryan being taken into the guard room by Pte. Preen. He was cut over the left eye so I applied a dressing and then he was taken to the aid post in an unconscious condition. As far as I know he was sober”. Cpl. Harry Wood (see 20th September 1917) also confirmed the details, “I was NCO in charge of the billet guard. Pte. Ryan was brought into the guard room in an unconscious condition, caused by having fallen down the ladder from his billet. He was taken to the aid post immediately. Pte. Ryan was not drunk”.

    Ryan would be admitted via 69th Field Ambulance and 37th Casualty Clearing Station to 11th General Hospital in Genoa.

    Over the next few days a number of former members of 10DWR, now serving with other Battalions in France, would be caught up in the opening attacks of the massive German Spring Offensive, which became known as the Kaiserschlacht (Kaiser's Battle) or the Ludendorff Offensive, and which put the allies under enormous pressure.

    2Lt. Edwin Merrall (see 4th December 1917), serving with 2nd Battalion Yorks. and Lancs., was reported missing in action; it would be some weeks before confirmation was received that he had been taken prisoner.

    Pte. Robert Cresswell (see 14th September 1917), serving with 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, was taken prisoner near Savy; he would be held at the Giessen Prisoner of War Camp, near Frankfurt.

    Pte. James Arthur Heap (see 7th March), serving in France with 63rd Labour Company, Labour Corps, was evacuated to England following two weeks’ treatment for diarrhoea and rectal bleeding; on arrival in England he would be admitted to the Auxiliary Military Hospital, Southall. Here it would be confirmed that he was suffering from an acute episode of haemmerhoids, from which he had suffered for six years.

    Capt. Bob Perks DSO (see 8th March), serving at Northern Command Depot at Ripon, appeared before a further Army Medical Board. The Board reported that he had “dentures fitted since last board” and instructed him to resume his duties, pending further instructions.

    2Lt. Eric Dixon (see 3rd December 1917), serving with the Royal Flying Corps, appeared before a further RFC Medical Board which now found him fit for general service.

    Pte. Sam Shepherd (see 27th July 1917), who had been one of Tunstill’s original recruits but had been transferred to the Army Cyclist Corps, was formally discharged from the army as no longer physically fit for service; he had been in England since July 1917, suffering from ‘trench fever’.

    The War Office declared an official presumption of death in the case of Pte. James Buckley Kenworthy (see 7th June 1917), who had been officially missing in action since 7th June 1917.

    A payment of Ł1 17s. 9d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late L.Cpl. Alfred Exley (see 18th October 1917), who had been killed in action on 18th October 1917; the payment would go to his father, Joseph.

    Asiatic, African, Egyptian Front:


    Passage of the Jordan by British forces (21st/23rd).

    Naval Operations:


    In the dark hour preceding dawn the British destroyers HMS Botha (Commander Roger L’E M Rede) and HMS Morris (Lieutenant Commander Percy R P Percival) and three French destroyers Mehl, Magon and Bouclierare are on patrol in the eastern waters of the English Channel, when a sudden outburst of firing is heard to the north. Vivid flashes of gunfire out to sea make it plain that the enemy is engaged in a bombardment of the crumbling bathing-sheds of deserted French watering places. The Allied force promptly makes for the flashes at full speed, led by the Botha. Star shells are fired in an attempt to light up the enemy and obtain their range, however, merely have the effect of quelling the bombardment and scattering the raiders, who are not seen again. The patrolling force then proceeds to search to the north and west in the hope of intercepting any divisions of the enemy which have ventured more into mid-Channel. Star shells are fired at intervals, as the morning is misty, and presently one of these bursting ahead reveals the outline of a force of enemy destroyers and torpedo boats heading through the darkness in the direction of their base. Botha challenges, and an unfamiliar reply is received. The next instant the British and French are pouring a heavy fire into the enemy. The Allies rapidly overhaul the raiders and set the darkness ablaze with flashes of gunfire and blazing wreckage-flying broadcast from shells bursting on impact. The Germans reply with torpedo shots, though none find their mark. Morris, emerging from a smoke screen flung up by the fleeing enemy cuts off a German torpedo boat and torpedoes her at 500 yards. The German blows up and sinks almost immediately, heeling over amid clouds of steam and vanishing stern first. In the meantime an enemy shell has severed the Botha’s main steam pipe, and she immediately begins to loose her way through the water. As a result her commander quickly fires his torpedoes at the leading enemy boats, and putting his helm hard over, rams the number four amidships. His speed has dropped considerably, but it is still sufficient to drive the knife-edge bow of the Botha clean through, cutting the enemy completely in half. The Botha then swings around and attempts to repeat the coup on the next ship astern. This German vessel succeeds in eluding the Botha’s crippling onslaught, but she falls victim to the French destroyers. She is soon a flaming wreck under torpedo and gunfire. The Morris by this time has relinquished her pursuit, having lost the quarry in the smoke and mist. She returns to the scene of action and takes her lame sister in tow, while the French destroyers circle in the gray dawn picking up prisoners. From statements made by these it appears that no fewer than eighteen torpedo craft have sallied forth for the raid. They have been unhesitatingly attacked and rather badly mauled by the two British and three French destroyers, torpedo boats A7 and A19 having been sunk in the action. Both British commanders will be awarded the Distinguished Service Order for their actions on this day along with several of their officers and men who will also receive decorations of various awards. pic

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    Political:

    Dutch ships in British ports requisitioned by British Government and Dutch ships in United States ports requisitioned by United States Government (see 18th).

    M. Marghiloman appointed Rumanian Premier (see 12th and November 8th).

    M. Constantine Arian appointed Rumanian Foreign Minister (see 12th and November 8th).

    Anniversary Events:

    630 Heraclius restores the True Cross, which he has recaptured from the Persians.
    1556 Thomas Cranmer, the Archbishop of Canterbury, is burned at the stake at Oxford after retracting the last of seven recantations that same day.
    1617 Pocahontas (Rebecca Rolfe) dies of either small pox or pneumonia while in England with her husband, John Rolfe.
    1788 Almost the entire city of New Orleans, Louisiana, is destroyed by fire.
    1806 Lewis and Clark begin their trip home after an 8,000 mile trek of the Mississippi basin and the Pacific Coast.
    1865 The Battle of Bentonville, N.C. ends, marking the last Confederate attempt to stop Union General William Sherman.
    1851 Emperor Tu Duc orders that Christian priests are to put to death.
    1858 British forces in India lift the siege of Lucknow, ending the Indian Mutiny.
    1906 Ohio passes a law that prohibits hazing by fraternities.
    1908 Frenchman Henri Farman carries a passenger in a bi-plane for the first time.
    1910 The U.S. Senate grants ex-President Teddy Roosevelt an annual pension of $10,000.
    1918 The Germans launch the 'Michael' offensive, better remembered as the First Battle of the Somme.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 04-05-2018 at 23:52.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  33. #3133

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    So my back issues commence here - but well played Neil what a monster of an edition for yesterday, that's a hard act to follow...

    March 22nd 1918

    Operation Michael

    On the second day of the offensive, British troops continued to fall back, losing their last footholds on the original front line. Thick fog impeded operations and did not disperse until early afternoon. Isolated engagements took place as the Germans pressed forward and the British held their posts, often not knowing who was to either side of them. Brigade and battalion control over events was absent. It was a day of stubborn and often heroic actions by platoons, sections and even individuals isolated from their comrades by the fragmented nature of the battle and lack of visibility.[45] The greatest danger facing the British on 22 March was that the Third and Fifth armies might become separated. Byng did not order a retirement from the Flesquičres salient, which his army had won at such cost and Haig ordered him to keep in contact with the Fifth Army, even if that required a further retreat; the day also saw the first French troops enter the battle on the southern flank.

    Small parties of British troops fought delaying actions, to allow those to their rear to reach new defensive positions. Some British battalions continued to resist in the Battle Zone and delay the German advance, even managing to withdraw at the last moment. At l'Épine de Dallon the 2nd Wiltshire battalion held out until 14:30 and at "Manchester Hill", the garrison of the 16th Manchesters commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Wilfrith Elstob, fought until he was killed at 16:30. Directly to their rear was the "Stevens Redoubt", of the 2nd Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment, to which the survivors retired. The redoubt was reinforced by two companies of the 18th King's and attacked from all sides after the units on the flanks had been pushed back. The Bedfords were ordered to retire just as their ammunition ran out and retreated through the lines of the 20th Division, having lost half their number.

    The longest retreat was made in the XVIII Corps area, where the corps commander General Ivor Maxse, appeared to have misinterpreted an order from Gough for a fighting retreat if necessary, to mean that the corps should fall back to the Somme. The Germans brought heavy artillery into Artemps under the cover of the morning mist, which forced the remaining battalions of the 109th Brigade (36th Division) to retreat to join the 108th Brigade at Happencourt. The result of the misunderstanding between Gough and Maxse and different interpretations placed on telephone messages and written orders, was that the 36th Division retired to Sommette-Eaucourt on the south bank of the Canal de Saint-Quentin, to form a new line of defence. This required the Division to cross the Canal at Dury. The daylight withdrawal to the Green Line, over almost 14 km (9 mi), was completed gradually, assisted by the defence of the Ricardo Redoubt whose garrison did not surrender until 16:40. During the retreat, Engineers blew the bridges across the Canal between Ham and Ollézy but the railway bridge at Pithon suffered only minor damage. The Germans were soon over the river and advanced up to 15 kilometres (10 mi) to the Crozat canal.

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    Continuing the fight of the previous day thick fog greets dawn and the London Regiment resists the continuing German attacks. During lulls in the fighting the men of the 2nd/2nd London Regiment crawl out of Travecy Keep in ones and twos into the ruins of St Quentin village and fire on enemy machine gun teams nearby. By midday the fog lifts and the men of A Company take the opportunity to fire on a column of enemy transport seen on the St Quentin to La Fere road. They even fire on a group of German Staff Officers and a working party on the Travecy to Achery road. The Londoners are rewarded with an attack by a German aircraft which drops two bombs on the Keep. Later in the afternoon further aircraft bomb the Keep, one of which is shot down by a Lewis Gun. At 19:30 Captain Harper holds a council of war with his remaining officers and CSM. Their ammunition has virtually run out, they are completely cut off and there is no hope of a counter attack. The London men are exhausted, hungry and outnumbered at least 50 to 1. Their wounded are exposed to enemy fire and need treatment. Captain Harper decides it will be futile to resist further. He gives orders to destroy all maps and plans together with the remaining 2 Lewis Guns and trench mortars. Shortly after midnight the Germans began another attack. Captain Harper goes out to meet them and surrenders, 44 hours after the initial German bombardment had commenced. A Company has fired over 18,000 rounds of ammunition, launched over 200 trench mortars and has thrown more than 400 hand grenades. With the capture of the remaining 44 men (including the wounded) the losses of the 2nd/2nd London Regiment stands at 570 men of 610 ranks. More than 60 are dead..

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    While fighting with his platoon in the forward position of the battle zone, Second Lieutenant John Crawford Buchan (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) although wounded early in the day insists on remaining with his men and continually visiting all his posts encouraging and cheering his men in spite of a most severe shell fire from which his platoon will suffer heavy casualties. Later when the enemy is creeping closer and heavy machine gun fire is raking his position Second Lieutenant Buchan continues to visit his posts and though accidentally injured again he continues to encourage his men and visit his posts. Eventually, when he sees that the enemy has practically surrounded his command, he collects his platoon and prepares to fight his way back to the support line. At this point the enemy who have crept around to his right flank, rush towards him, shouting “Surrender” to which replied “To hell with surrender” and shoots the foremost of the enemy finally repelling the enemy advance with his platoon. He then fights his way back to the support line of the forward position where he will hold out until dusk. At dusk he falls back as ordered but in spite of his injuries he again refuses to go to the aid post saying his place was beside his men. Owing to the unexpected withdrawal of troops on his left flank it is impossible to send orders to Second Lieutenant Buchan to withdraw, as he is already cutoff and he is last seen holding out against overwhelming odds. For his efforts during this and the previous day he will be awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.

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    At Hervilly Wood Private Herbert George Columbine (Machine Gun Corps) takes command of a gun and keeps firing it from 09:00 until 13:00 in an isolated position with no wire in front. During this time wave after wave of the enemy fail to get up to him, but at last with help of a low-flying aircraft he them manage to gain a strong foothold in the trench. As the position is now untenable Private Columbine tells the two remaining men to get away and although he is being bombed on either side he keeps his gun firing inflicting losses until he is killed by a bomb which blows up both he and his gun. For his actions Private Columbine will be awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.


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    British soldiers gather at a plug-in tank. The German spring offensive hits the Allied front with unexpected power.

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    Rifleman Colin Mitchell
    (Rifle Brigade) is killed in action. He is a Great War Poet.

    Trampled Clay

    …We went to seek the dead; with rough respect

    To roll their mangled bodies down the shade

    Of crater-lips that shrieking shells had made…

    Major Edward Hildred Hanbury Carlile (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) is killed at age 37. He is the only son of Colonel ‘Sir’ Hildred Carlile Baronet MP for Mid Herts, and of Lady Carlile, of Ponsbourne Park, Hertford. In the spring of 1917 he was adopted as the Conservative Candidate for the Mid Herts Division. Major Carlile, who spent ten years in the Yorkshire Dragoons and later transferred to the Hertfordshire Yeomanry, served with his Regiment in England from September 1914. He is subsequently attached to the Hertfordshire Regiment, and left for France in January 1918. Today he and all his men, with one exception, are killed near Peronne, having been sent forward to reinforce ‘if possible’. He is shot with a revolver by a German Officer.

    HMS Gaillardia is sunk by a mine off the Orkney Islands while carrying out buoying operations in the newly Northern Barrage. Among those killed in the sinking is

    Acting Commander John Sharpey Schafer killed at age 36. He is the son of ‘Sir’ Edward Sharpey Schafer Kt.
    Stoker 1st Class Albert Hawkes is also killed. His brother died on service as a Stoker in March 1915.
    Captain William Calder (SS Trinidad, Merchant Marine) is killed when his ship is sunk by a submarine twelve miles east of the Codling Light Vessel. His brother was killed in action in November 1917.

    The Air War

    General Headquarters, March 23rd.

    “On the 22nd inst. thick morning mist prevented our aeroplanes from leaving the ground during the early part ot the day. When the mist cleared activity in the air on the battle front became very great. The enemy's low-flying machines were particularly active, engaging our forward troops with their machine-guns. The enemy's massed troops again offered good targets to our own low-flying aeroplanes. The location of large bodies of hostile troops and transport were reported by our machines to our artillery and successfully engaged. Eight and a half tons of bombs were dropped on hostile railway stations in rear of the battle front and also on the enemy's billets, high-velocity guns, troops, and transport. Fighting in the air was very heavy indeed, almost all the combats taking place between Arras and St. Quentin. Twenty-seven enemy machines were brought down, and 20 were driven down out of control. Two hostile machines were also shot down in our lines by anti-aircraft gunfire, and another by our infantry. Eight of our machines are missing.

    “During the night our squadrons dropped over 14 tons of bombs on hostile billets and ammunition dumps, and upon the areas in which the enemy's attacking troops were concentrated. All our machines returned."

    RFC Communiqué number 132:

    Thick mist prevented flying till late in the morning. Seventeen hostile batteries were successfully engaged from aeroplane observation, 807 photographs taken, and 21 tons of bombs dropped.

    Enemy Aircraft:

    Enemy aircraft were very active on the battle front. Low-flying E.A. engaged our infantry with machine gun fire. Two E.A. were brought down by A.A. fire in our lines, and one by infantry.

    E.A. were brought down out of control by the following:

    Flight Lieut A B Ellwood, No Naval Squadron No 3; Flight Lieut L D Bawlf, No Naval Squadron No 3; Lieut H G W Debenham, No 46 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut A Koch, No 70 Squadron; Capt F Hobson, No 70 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut J Todd, No 70 Squadron; Capt F G Quigley, No 70 Squadron; Capt C J Marchant and 2nd-Lieut D R MacLaren, No 46 Squadron (one); 2nd-Lieut G R Riley, No 3 Squadron; Capt F Billinge, No 56 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut W Porter, No 56 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut G S Hodson, No 73 Squadron; Capt H G Forrest, No 2nd Squadron AFC; Lieut R W Mackenzie, No 2nd Squadron AFC; Lieut A R Rackett, 2nd Squadron AFC; 2nd-Lieut A C G Brown & 2nd-Lieut G G Bartlett, No 48 Squadron; Capt F E Brown, No 84 Squadron; Flight Cdr C R Lupton & Aerial Gunlayer Wood, No 5 Squadron RNAS; Flight Cdr C P O Bartlett & Aerial Gunlayer Naylor, No 5 Squadron RNAS; Capt R C Phillips, 2nd Squadron AFC; 2nd-Lieut G Pilditch, No 73 Squadron; Capt A H Orlebar, No 73 Squadron; Lieut L H Holden, 2nd Squadron AFC.

    2nd-Lieut D W Lees, 73 Sqn, EA destroyed -

    Capt W B Tunbridge and Lieut J W Wright, 4 AFC, two-seater crashed Inchy – Capt W B Tunbridge, 4th Squadron AFC, dived on one of three E.A. two-seaters, and Lieut Wright also attacked it. It nose-dived and was seen to crash [not shared?]

    2nd-Lieut P J Nolan, 24 Sqn, two-seater in flames Matigny - 2nd-Lieut P G Nolan, No 24 Squadron, was one of several pilots who shot down an E.A. two-seater in flames over Matigny

    Capt S P Smith and Capt G E Thomson, 46 Sqn, Albatros out of control Boursies at 06:15/06:15 -

    Capt F E Brown, 84 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed Fayet at 11:45/11:45 -

    Flt Cdr A M Shook, 4N Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames Slype at 12:10/12:10 -

    Flt Cdr A M Shook, 4N Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames Slype at 12:10/12:10 -

    Flt Lieut A T Whealy, 3N Sqn, Albatros Scout captured Marquion at 12:30/12:30 - Flight Lieut A T Whealy, Naval Squadron No 3, shot down an Albatros scout which finally fell in our lines in the enemy's barrage; Gefr Ernst Diehl, Js53, Pow or Flg August Schulze, Js53, Pow

    Flt Cdr L H Rochford, 3N Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Boursies at 12:30/12:30 - Flight Cdr L Rochford, Naval Squadron No 3, shot down an E.A. scout which crashed near Bousies [sic]

    Flt Cdr F C Armstrong, 3N Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Marquion at 12:30/12:30 - Flight Cdr F C Armstrong, Naval Squadron No 3, attacked one of nine E.A. at close range which crashed in the trenches in the enemy's barrage

    Flt Lieut L D Bawlf, 3N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Marquion at 12:30/12:30 -

    Flt Lieut A B Ellwood, 3N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Marquion at 12:30/12:30 -

    Flt Lieut E Pierce, 3N Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Boursies at 13:00/13:00 - Flight Lieut E Pierce, Naval Squadron No 3, attacked an E.A. which spun down followed by a thin trail of white steam and finally crashed just across the lines

    Lieut H G W Debenham, 46 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Doignies at 13:30/13:30 -

    2nd-Lieut D R MacLaren, 46 Sqn, two-seater crashed Bullecourt at 14:00/14:00 - 2nd-Lieut D R MacLaren, No 46 Squadron, fired 50 rounds at an E.A. two-seater which crashed on its back

    Flt Lieut S M Kinkead, 1N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Slype at 14:10/14:10 -

    Capt T S Sharpe, 73 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Douchy at 14:30/14:30 -

    Capt A H Orlebar, 73 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames Ham at 14:30/14:30 - Capt A H Orlebar, No 73 Squadron, opened fire on one of a large formation of E.A. scouts and it burst into flames and fell; Flg Erwin Tresenreuter, Js68, OK [?]

    2nd-Lieut A W Franklyn, 3 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south-east of Havrincourt at 14:30/14:30 - 2nd-Lieut A W Franklyn, No 3 Squadron, shot down an E.A. scout which was seen to crash

    Capt D J Bell, 3 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames Havrincourt Wood at 14:30/14:30 - Capt D J Bell, No 3 Squadron, attacked the leader of a large formation of E.A. scouts, and it fell in flames

    Lieut H G W Debenham, 46 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Bullecourt at 14:30/14:30 -

    Flt Cdr A M Shook, 4N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Slype at 14:30/14:30 -

    2nd-Lieut E E Stock and 2nd-Lieut R C Crowden, 54 Sqn, Rumpler C crashed Attilly at 14:45/14:45 - 2nd-Lieut E E Stock, No 54 Squadron, dived on an E.A. two-seater over Caulaincourt. The E.A. Observer ceased to fire, and the E.A. was then attacked by 2nd-Lieut R C Crowden,54 Squadron, and it crashed near Attilly

    2nd-Lieut A A McD Arnot, 3 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed St Quentin at 15:00/15:00 - 2nd-Lieut A A M Arnot, No 3 Squadron, attacked one of many E.A. scouts which was confirmed as crashed

    Capt C J Marchant and 2nd-Lieut D R MacLaren, 46 Sqn, two-seater out of control (s) Bullecourt at 15:00/15:00 -

    2nd-Lieut W S Stephenson, 73 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Marteville at 15:05/15:05 - 2nd-Lieut W S Stephenson, No 73 Squadron, attacked an E.A. scout. Tracers were seen to enter the E.A.'s cockpit and it stalled, rolled backwards, then fell completely out of control with engine full on and nose-dived into the ground

    2nd-Lieut G S Hodson, 73 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Marteville at 15:05/15:05 -

    Capt T S Sharpe, 73 Sqn, LVG C crashed N Roisel at 15:10/15:10 -

    Capt T S Sharpe, 73 Sqn, LVG C crashed Roisel at 15:10/15:10 -

    Capt A H Orlebar, 73 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Ham at 15:10/15:10 - Flg Erwin Tresenreuter, Js68, OK [?],

    2nd-Lieut G Pilditch, 73 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control Marteville at 15:10/15:10 -

    Capt H G Forrest, 2 AFC, two-seater out of control north-east of St Quentin at 15:10/15:10 - Capt H G Forrest, 2nd Squadron AFC, fired 40 rounds at close range into an E.A. two-seater and the E.A.'s Observer ceased firing and the E.A. went down out of control, rolling over and over in flames; ? (Ok) & Ltn Sebastian Dull (Kia), FA 295b ?

    Lieut R W McKenzie, 2 AFC, Albatros Scout out of control Omissy at 15:10/15:10 -

    2nd-Lieut W a'B Probart, 73 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames north of Roisel at 15:15/15:15 - 2nd Lieut W a'B Probart, No 73 Squadron, attacked one of five E.A. scouts and shot it down in flames; Ltn Hermann Manger, Js56, Kia [?]

    Capt R C Phillipps, 2 AFC, Fokker DrI in flames Sains les Marquion at 15:15/15:15 - ooc ?

    Flt Cdr C R Lupton & 1AM AGL A G Wood, 5N Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south-west of Vendhuille at 15:20/15:20 -

    2nd-Lieut W Porter, 56 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control north of Flesquičres at 15:25/15:25 -

    Capt F Billinge, 56 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south-east of Quéant at 15:25/15:25 -

    Capt H G Forrest, 2 AFC, Albatros Scout out of control Bullecourt at 15:30/15:30 -

    Lieut L H Holden, 2 AFC, Albatros Scout out of control Quéant at 15:30/15:30 -

    2nd-Lieut G R Riley, 3 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Havrincourt Wood at 15:30/15:30 -

    Flt Cdr A R Brown, 9N Sqn, two-seater out of control ? north-east of Houthulst Wood at 15:30/15:30 - Flight Cdr A R Brown, Naval Squadron No 9, attacked one of seven E.A. two-seaters and it fell in a vertical dive and was seen to crash

    The following claims were made on this day

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    There were a couple of 'hat tricks' on this day

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

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    A clerk and the son of Robert Forrest, Henry Garnet Forrest enlisted in the Australian infantry in September 1915 but transferred to the Royal Flying Corps on 5 December 1916. Posted to 43 Squadron on 12 May 1917, he was one of the first pilots to be sent to France. Reassigned to 32 Squadron on 31 July 1917, Forrest was injured in a crash on 5 August 1917. Upon returning to duty, he joined 68 Squadron in November 1917, flying the D.H.5 until January 1918. At that time, his squadron was redesignated 2 Squadron in the Australian Flying Corps and refitted with S.E.5a fighters. As a flight commander, Forrest scored his first three victories on the afternoon of 22 March 1918. After achieving eight more victories, he was reassigned to the Home Establishment on 19 July 1918. A replica of Forrest's S.E.5a is at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, Australia.

    Claiming their first victories were:

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    2nd Lieutenant Cecil James Marchant MC received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 3971 on 1 August 1916. He was wounded on 2 July 1918.

    T./Capt. Cecil James Merchant, Gen. List and R.F.C.
    For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He, with two other pilots of his squadron, bombed a freight train from a height of 50 feet, three trucks being derailed. Again, on a later occasion he, with five other pilots, bombed and fired at a column of enemy transport with such good effect that three-quarters of the personnel became casualties and most of the vehicles were destroyed. Whilst on a low bombing reconnaissance during the recent operations he brought down two hostile two-seater machines out of control and shot down a third in flames. He has at all times displayed marked gallantry and resource.

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    A veteran of two world wars, Gerald Pilditch MC attended Pretoria Boys High School and was a member of the Harlequins Rugby Club. On the afternoon of 11 June 1918, American pilot J. H. Ackermann was wounded in a fight with six Fokker D.VIIs. Attempting to escape, he struggled desperately to evade the three enemy planes on his tail. Observing Ackermann's dilemma, Pilditch intervened with his Sopwith Camel, shooting down one of the Fokkers and driving off the other two.

    The following airmen were lost on this day

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    Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

    British cross Jordan and advance eastward.

    British troops cross the River Jordan at El Ghoraniyeh, a short distance from the Red Sea. They move northeastward into the hills through the gorge as Wadi Shaib and capture Es Salt, an important depot on the track running from Shechem to the railway. The force then moves down the track to Amman on the railway line, which is found to be very strongly held. Seven hundred Turkish and German prisoners are captured in these operations. The entire column eventually marches back to the Jordan, followed by the Turks.

    Political, etc.

    Dutch Government informed that Allies have decided to seize Dutch ships in their ports.

    New Spanish Cabinet under Senores Maura and Dato.

    Captain Tunstill's Men :

    Pte. Walter James Biddle (see 18th March) again found himself on a charge. He was reported by Sgt. Joseph Bell (see 8th February) for “inattention on Commanding Officer’s parade”; on the orders of Capt. **** Bolton MC (see 18th March) he would be confined to barracks for three days.

    Pte. Frank Dunn (see 8th February) was reported by Sgt. Herbert Wheyland (see 9th February) for “leaving the ranks without permission”; on the orders of Capt. **** Bolton MC (see above) he was to be confined to barracks for five days.

    Pte. Richard Metcalfe (see 5th April 1917) was reported by Sgt. Harry Smith (12240) (see 16th November 1917), Pte. Ernest Taylor (12370) (see below) and Cpl. Harold Best (see 18th November 1917) as having been “absent off 2pm roll call until reporting himself at 4.45pm the same day” and also for “having in his possession the property of Italian civilians”; on the orders of Maj. James Christopher Bull MC (see 21st March) he would undergo seven days’ Field Punishment no.1.

    Pte. Ernest Taylor (12370) had been an original member of the Battalion; other than this, I am unable to make a positive identification of this man.

    Pte. Joseph William Carter (see 25th November) was reported by L.Cpl. Enoch Wilson Rhodes MM (see 11th January) and Cpl. Harold Best (see 18th November 1917) as having been “absent from 9.30pm until reporting himself at 9.45pm on the same date; on the orders of 2Lt. John William Pontefract (see 21st March), he was to be confined to barracks for seven days.

    Cpl. Joseph Edward Robinson (see 25th February) and Ptes. William George Clements (see 25th February), Walter Eary (see 18th February) Ernest Heyhirst (see 25th February) and Lancelot Johnson (see 18th February) all returned from two weeks leave; the reason for their delayed return is unclear.

    Pte. Tom Swales (see 15th August 1916), serving with 9DWR near Havrincourt, was reported wounded and missing. He would subsequently be presumed to have been killed on or around this date; he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.

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    Last edited by Hedeby; 04-09-2018 at 07:43.

    Never Knowingly Undergunned !!

  34. #3134

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    Catch up edition number 2

    March 23rd 1918

    West of St Quentin Canal and north of Tergnier Temporary Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Bushell DSO (Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment) personally leads a company of his battalion who are cooperating with an Allied regiment in a counter-attack. In the course of this attack he is severely wounded in the head but continues to carry on walking in front of both British and Allied troops encouraging them and visiting every portion of the lines in the face of terrific machine-gun and rifle fire. He refuses to go to the rear and has to be removed to a dressing station in a fainting condition. For his actions Lieutenant Colonel Bushell will be awarded the Victoria Cross.

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    Bushell was 29 years old, and a temporary lieutenant colonel in the 7th (S) Battalion, The Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment, British Army, Commander during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

    On 23 March 1918 west of St. Quentin's Canal and north of Tergnier, France, Lieutenant Colonel Bushell personally led C Company of his battalion, who were cooperating with an Allied regiment in a counterattack. In the course of this attack he was severely wounded in the head, but continued to carry on, walking in front of both English and Allied troops, encouraging them and visiting every portion of the lines in the face of terrific machine-gun and rifle fire. He refused to go to the rear until he had to be removed to the dressing station in a fainting condition. He was killed in action to the south of Morlancourt, Somme, France, on 8 August 1918. He is buried at Querrieu CWGC, Somme, France. In 1923, the Christopher Bushell Prize of books, for Modern History undergraduates, was established at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, where Bushell read Modern History from 1906-9.

    Operation Michael (The Ludendorf Offensive) Day Three

    Early on the morning of Saturday 23 March, German troops broke through the line in the 14th Division sector on the Canal de Saint-Quentin at Jussy. The 54th Brigade were holding the line directly to their south and were initially unaware of their predicament, as they were unknowingly being outflanked and surrounded. The 54th Brigade History records "the weather still favoured the Germans. Fog was thick over the rivers, canals and little valleys, so that he could bring up fresh masses of troops unseen". In the confusion, Brigade HQ tried to establish what was happening around Jussy and by late morning the British were retreating in front of German troops who had crossed the Crozat Canal at many points. All lines of defence had been overrun and there was nothing left to stop the German advance; during the day Aubigny, Brouchy, Cugny and Eaucourt fell.[52]

    Lieutenant Alfred Herring of the 6th Northamptonshire Battalion in the 54th Brigade, despite having never been in battle before, led a small and untried platoon as part of a counter-attack made by three companies, against German troops who had captured the Montagne Bridge on the Crozat Canal. The bridge was recaptured and held for twelve hours before Herring was captured with the remnants of his platoon.[53][c]

    The remnants of the 1/1st Hertfordshire Regiment were retreating across the southernmost edges of the 1916 Somme battlefield and by the morning of 24 March there were only eight officers and around 450 men left. The war diary read,

    Before dawn the Bn marched to BUSSU & dug in hastily on the east side of the village. When both flanks became exposed the Bn retired to a line of trenches covering the PERONNE–NURLU road. After covering the 4/5th Black Watch Regt on the left the Bn withdrew to the ST. DENNIS line which was very stubbornly defended. The Bn then retired with difficulty to the line protecting the PERONNE–CLERY road with the remainder of the 116th Inf. Bde. to cover the retreat of the 117th and 118th Inf. Bdes. When this had been successfully accomplished under very harassing machine gun fire from the enemy, the Bn conformed to the general retirement on CLERY village where it concentrated. The remnants of the Bn then defended a line of trenches between the village and running down to the River SOMME.”(23 March 1918)

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    Ludendorff issued a directive for the "continuation of the operations as soon as the line Bapaume–Peronne–Ham had been reached: 17th Army will vigorously attack in the direction Arras–St Pol, left wing on Miraumont (7 km (4 1⁄2 mi) west of Bapaume). 2nd Army will take Miraumont–Lihons (near Chaulnes) as direction of advance. 18th Army, echeloned, will take Chaulnes–Noyon as direction of advance, and will send strong forces via Ham". The 17th Army was to roll-up British forces northwards and the 2nd Army was to attack west along the Somme, towards the vital railway centre of Amiens. The 18th Army was to head south-west, destroying French reinforcements on their line of march and threatening the approaches to Paris in the Second Battle of Picardy (2e Bataille de Picardie). The advance had been costly and the German infantry were beginning to show signs of exhaustion; transport difficulties had emerged, supplies and much heavy artillery lagged behind the advance.

    Another heavy mist restricted visibility to 50 yards, and this was used to cover a withdrawal through Courcelles to a position at the Bois des Flaques covering Bussu and Peronne. . The retreat began at 7am and they used compasses to guide themselves in the mist. They were supported by tanks. Their new position was on a line from Doight to Bussu

    1st Dublins were the Brigade reserve, and reached their positions without incident at 11am. They were 1mile SE of Peronne at Doingt, and their role was to cover the retreat of the brigade across the Somme if that became necessary. And at 2pm they were ordered to cross the Somme and take up a position at La Maisonette, a height overlooking Peronne and Biaches, and some men were sent further west to a position 2 miles east of Flaucourt

    2nd Dublins were on the northern edge of Doingt when the Germans attack. This attack was repulsed and the brigade withdrew west of Peronne, where it was ordered to hold the bridgehead over he Somme for as long as possible.The Brigades on either side of them had already fallen back over the Somme. The platoon that was left holding the bridge was never heard from again

    At 10.30 pm the depleted remains of 16th (Irish) division were ordered to march the 7 miles from Biaches to Cappy and form a reserve.


    Western Front
    Somme – Battle of St Quentin ends. British lose line of Crozat Canal: Gough decides to continue retreat to western bank of the Somme. Germans enter Ham and Peronne (evacuated) and pursue to there; some bridges lost more or less intact. French infantry (5 divisions ordered) begin to arrive by lorry to take over front south of Peronne, 1 regiment in action. Byng’s Third Army abandons Flesquieres (Cambrai) Salient.
    Paris Gun: 3 special 8.26in Krupp guns (misnamed ‘Big Berthas’) begin daily shelling (303 rounds) of Paris (until August 9) with 23 shots at range of 74 miles (256 killed, 620 wounded). First bombardment 183 shells (until May 1).

    Big Bertha (German: ****e Bertha, lit. 'Fat (or heavy) Bertha') is the name of a type of super-heavy siege artillery developed by the armaments manufacturer Krupp in Germany and used in World Wars I and II. Its official designation was the L/12, Type M-Gerät 14 (M-Equipment 1914) Kurze Marine-Kanone ("short naval gun", a name intended to conceal the weapon's real purpose). Its barrel diameter calibre was 420 mm (16.5 in)

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    The howitzer was mainly designed by Krupp's Director of design, Professor Fritz Rausenberger, and his predecessor, Director Max Dreger (1852–1929). Many sources say that Bertha is a reference to Bertha Krupp, heiress and owner of the Krupp industrial empire. ("****e", meaning fat or thick in German, is apparently not a reference to the physical aspect of Mrs. Krupp.) However, not all accept this connection, and the Germans gave numerous other nicknames to the M-Device. The name "Big Bertha" subsequently came to be applied generically by the Allies to any very large German gun, such as the railway-mounted battleship guns known as "Langer Max" and the ultra-long range "Paris Gun"; although strictly speaking, ****e Bertha, or Big Bertha, is only applicable to the 420-mm M-Gerät howitzer

    The Big Bertha had its genesis in the lessons learned by the Germans (and Austrians) from the Russo-Japanese War of 1904–1905. During the war, the Japanese had dismounted some of their coastal defence 28-cm (11") howitzers and used these to help break the defences of the fortified Russian naval base at Port Arthur. This was a complete novelty as, until that time, it had been assumed by military experts that the largest transportable siege guns were around 20 cm in calibre. Nevertheless, other Europeans failed to learn the lesson. The Germans and Austrians also developed a series of road-mobile superheavy guns, including the 30.5-cm Schlanke Emma howitzer, the 38-cm Barbara and Gudrun howitzers, and their own 420-mm howitzer). During the early 1900s Krupp began to develop a series of road-mobile heavy mortars and howitzers, ranging from 28 cm calibre to 30.5 cm. These built upon Krupp's experience with building coastal defence mortars (Küstenmörser), such as the 30.5-cm Beta-Gerät, the first model of which had been introduced in 1897 (though other nations, including Britain and the United States, also built similar weapons).

    A new version of the 30.5-cm Beta-Gerät howitzer, vastly superior to the 1897 model, was developed in 1908, but finding it wanting in offensive power, the Artillerieprüfungskommission ("artillery testing committee," APK) asked Krupp to build a larger gun capable of smashing modern fortifications. Krupp first investigated the possibility of building a 35-cm weapon, but instead jumped to 42-cm as this was the smallest shell that could carry the large bursting charge required to fulfill the APK's requirements. The first 42-cm design was the massive L/16 (the barrel was 16 calibres in length) Gamma-Gerät howitzer, which was a scaled-up version of the Beta-Gerät. Unusually for Krupp, both the Beta and Gamma weapons eschewed the usual sliding-wedge breech mechanism in favour of a screw-type breech, after the practice common in Britain and France. Gamma fired shells weighing up to 1,160 kg. It weighed 150 tons, and was what the Germans called a Bettungsgeschütz, or "bedding gun", i.e., it was mounted on a stationary carriage that was emplaced in a concrete foundation, which took days to prepare. It had to be transported in sections on ten railway cars—six for the gun and another four for the bedding. Moving Gamma and preparing it to fire required significant resources. Consequently, the APK asked Krupp for a more mobile version, and ordered one gun on 15 July 1912. Even before it was delivered in December 1913, the APK went ahead and ordered a second example in February 1913. The first howitzer was demonstrated to Kaiser Wilhelm II in March 1914, who was greatly taken by the new weapon, and the second was delivered in June 1914.

    The new howitzer was a road-mobile weapon mounted on a two-wheeled field type carriage of conventional construction. It was a completely different weapon from the Gamma-Gerät. The barrel was shorter than Gamma's by four calibres length, and reverted to the conventional Krupp sliding-wedge breech. With thinner walls, the barrel was of generally lighter construction than Gamma's and fired lighter shells of around 830 kg. Fully assembled it weighed 43 tons, much less than Gamma, and did not have to be emplaced in concrete. Special steel "mats" were developed, onto which the wheels were driven, with a steel aiming arc at the rear of the carriage that allowed limited traverse. This aiming arc was fitted with a massive "spade" that was buried in the ground and which helped anchor the weapon. To prevent the weapon bogging down in muddy roads the guns were equipped with Radgürteln, feet attached to the rim of the wheels to reduce ground pressure. Krupp and Daimler developed a tractor for the Bertha, though Podeus motorploughs were also used to tow the guns, which were broken down into five loads when on the road.

    Only two operational M-Gerät were available at the beginning of World War I, although two additional barrels and cradles had apparently been produced by that time. The two operational M-Geräte formed the Kurze Marine Kanone Batterie (KMK) No. 3; the 42 cm contingent contained four additional Gamma Geräte organized in two batteries, and one more Gamma became operational two weeks into the war as "half-battery". They were used to destroy the Belgian forts at Ličge, Namur, and Antwerp, and the French fort at Maubeuge, as well as other forts in northern France. Bertha proved very effective against older constructions such as the Belgian forts designed in the 1880s by Brialmont, destroying several in a few days. The first wartime shot of an M-Gerät was fired against Fort Pontisse on the outskirts of Liege on August 12. The most spectacular success was against the nearby Fort Loncin, which exploded after taking a direct hit to its ammunition magazine. The concrete used in the Belgian forts was of poor quality, and consisted of layers of concrete only, with no steel reinforcement.

    Big Bertha gained a strong reputation on both sides of the lines due to its early successes in smashing the forts at Liege. The German press went wild with enthusiasm and declared the Bertha a Wunderwaffe. Later during the German assault upon Verdun in February 1916, it proved less effective, as the newer construction of this fort, consisting of concrete reinforced with steel, could mostly withstand the large semi-armour-piercing shells of the Berthas. Only Fort Vaux was severely damaged during this event, destroying the water storage and leading to the surrender of the fort. A total of 12 complete M-Gerät were built; besides the two available when the war started, 10 more were built during the war. This figure does not include additional barrels; two extra barrels were already available before the war started, and possibly up to 20 barrels were built, though some sources state 18.As the war ground on, several Berthas were destroyed when their barrels burst due to faulty ammunition. Later in the Great War, an L/30 30.5-cm barrel was developed and fitted to some Bertha carriages to provide longer-range, lighter fire. These weapons were known as the Schwere Kartaune or Beta-M-Gerät.

    Sea War
    North Sea: 4 British echo-ranging East Coast stations accurately fix Dover Patrol monitors bombarding Zeebrugge.
    Western Mediterranean: Italian minelayer Partenope sunk by UC-67 off Tunisia after firing her last shell.

    Air War
    Western Front: French fighters reinforce Royal Flying Corps (38 planes lost including 6 in Flanders; Germans claim 29 Allied aircraft for loss of 14) between the Oise and Somme (until March 24) who claim 36 German aircraft as weather improves.

    General Headquarters, March 24th.

    “On the 23rd inst. the weather again favoured operations in the air. Our aeroplanes were constantly employed in reconnoitring the position of troops, in photography and bombing, and in reporting suitable targets to our artillery. Many thousands of rounds were fired by our pilots from a low height on hostile troops massed in villages and in the open. Bombing was carried on continuously throughout the day. Over 14 tons of bombs were dropped on the enemy's billets, on his high velocity guns, and on railway stations in the battle area. The enemy's low-flying aeroplanes were most persistent in their attacks on our infantry in forward areas. Many of these machines were attacked and brought down by our pilots. A total of 29 hostile machines were brought down, and 25 others were driven down out of control. Two of the enemy's balloons also were destroyed. Nine of our machines are missing.

    “From nightfall until early morning our night-flying squadrons bombed the areas on the battle front in which hostile troops were concentrated as well as the enemy's ammunition dumps and large guns. Over 14 tons of bombs were again dropped by our machines, 2˝ tons of which were dropped on the docks at Bruges. All our machines returned.

    “During the same night 10 heavy bombs were dropped on the important railway bridge and works at Konz (just north of Treves in Germany). Eight of these bombs were clearly seen to burst among the railway works. Nearly two tons of bombs were dropped from low heights on a hostile aerodrome south of Metz. Six bombs were seen to burst among the hangars and set fire to some huts on the aerodrome. All our machines returned.

    RFC Communiqué number 132:

    The weather was fine all day, with a certain amount of mist in the morning.

    Thirty-eight reconnaissances were carried out by Brigades, and three long-distance photographic reconnaissances by the 9th Wing.

    Thirty-nine hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction with aeroplane observation, and 24 neutralized; three gun-pits were destroyed, three damaged, 34 explosions and 19 fires caused. Ninety-five zone calls were sent down.

    A total of 825 photographs were taken, and 33 tons of bombs dropped as follows:-

    Night, 22nd/23rd - 2nd Brigade: Twenty-two 25-lb bombs were dropped on Bousbecque.

    9th Brigade: No 58 Squadron dropped two 112-lb and 105 25-lb bombs aud fired six 2-lb shells on Deerlyck and Harlebeke ammunition dumps; No 83 dropped one 230-lb and 117 25-lb bombs on billets opposite the First Army front; No 101 Squadron dropped 25-lb and six 40-lb phosphorous bombs on targets between Gobain Wood and Bellecourt; No 102 Squadron dropped 321 25-lb bombs on various targets opposite the Third Army front.

    1st Brigade: No 2 Squadron dropped five 112-lb, 74 25-lb and 8 40-lb phosphorous bombs on high velocity guns and Wavrin Dump; No 16 Squadron dropped 11 112-lb bombs on high velocity guns, and No 4 Squadron dropped 36 25-lb bombs on Lomme.

    Day, 23rd -
    1st Brigade: 170 photographs. No 18 Squadron dropped seven 112-lb and four 40-lb phosphorous bombs on Fournes, and 13 112-lb, 12 25-lb and six 40-lb phosphorous bombs on Haubourdin, and 1st Wing dropped 24 25-lb bombs.
    2nd Brigade: 283 photographs. No 57 Squadron dropped 35 112-lb, 53 25-lb and six 230-lb bombs on Wervicq and high velocity guns, and 2nd Wing dropped 78 25-lb bombs.
    3rd Brigade: Ninety photographs. No 49 Squadron dropped 32 112-lb and 48 25-lb bombs on Queant, Tilloy and Oisy-le-Verger. 222 25-lb bombs were dropped on various targets.

    9th Wing: 282 photographs. No 27 Squadron dropped 12 112-lb and 31 25-lb bombs on Busigny Railway Station, and 14 112-lb and 32 25-lb bombs on Le Cateau Railway Station; No 25 Squadron dropped 21 112-lb and 108 25-lb bombs on Wassigny Railway Station.

    5th Brigade: 142 25-lb bombs were dropped on various targets by Corps Squadrons; 138 25-lb bombs by Army Squadrons, and 464 25-lb and 20 112-lb bombs by Naval Squadron No 5.

    Enemy Aircraft:

    Enemy aircraft were very active, especially on the battle front, fighting taking place at a height not over 10,000 feet.

    E.A. were driven down out of control by the following: Flight Lieut A T Whealy, No 3 Squadron RNAS; Lieut F J Scott, 4th Squadron AFC; Capt R C Phillips, 2nd Squadron AFC; 2nd-Lieut H V Highton, No 43 Squadron; Capt D M McGoun & 2nd-Lieut F N Harrison, No 22 Squadron; Capts R K Kirkman & J H Hedley, No 20 Squadron (two); Capt T L Purdom & 2nd-Lieut P V G Chambers, No 62 Squadron; Lieut W J Shorter and 2nd-Lieut H N C Robinson, No 46 Squadron (one); Capt G E Thomson, No 46 Squadron; Capt R W Chappell, No 41 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut E F H Davis, No 41 Squadron; Capt D J Bell, No 3 Squadron; Lieut F H Taylor, No 41 Squadron; Capt C J Marchant, No 46 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut D R MacLaren, No 2nd-Lieut R K McConnell, No 46 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut H N C Robinson and 2nd-Lieut G Hudson, No 46 Squadron (one); Lieut A G Vlasto, No 46 Squadron; Capt D W Forshaw, No 46 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut M M Freehill, No 46 Squadron; Capt J A Slater, No 64 Squadron; Lieut A A Duffus, No 64 Squadron; Capt R S C McClintock, No 64 Squadron; Lieut J P McCone, No 41 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut A Koch, No 70 Squadron; Capt D J Bell, No 3 Squadron.

    Lieut M E Mealing, 56 Sqn, Balloon in flames Pronville at 07:30/07:30 – Lieut M E Mealing, No 56 Squadron, attacked a hostile balloon, which crumpled up and fell to the ground, the observer jumping out immediately he saw Lieut Mealing attack

    2nd-Lieut W S Maxwell, 56 Sqn, two-seater destroyed Moreuil at 07:40/07:40 -

    Lieut M E Mealing, Lieut H J Burden, Lieut E D G Galley, Capt L W Jarvis and 2nd-Lieut H J Walkerdine, 56 Sqn, two-seater crashed Moreuil at 07:40/07:40 – Lieut Mealing, No 56 Squadron, attacked an E.A. two-seater over Noreuil; the E.A. did a right-hand turn and crashed nose first into a fence

    Lieut A Koch, 70 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Hamel (north-west of Cambrai) at 08:35/08:35 -
    2nd-Lieut D R MacLaren, 46 Sqn, Albatros C out of control north-east of Croisilles at 09:00/09:00 -
    2nd-Lieut D R MacLaren, 2nd-Lieut J H Smith and 2nd-Lieut H P Blakely, 46 Sqn, Albatros C out of control north-east of Croisilles at 09:00/09:00 -
    Lieut M M Freehill, 46 Sqn, Albatros out of control smoking Cantaing at 09:10/09:10 -
    Capt R C Phillipps, 2 AFC, Albatros Scout out of control north of Bourlon Wood at 09:45/09:45 -

    Lieut R W McKenzie, 2 AFC, two-seater in flames Brebičres - Vitry at 09:45/09:45 – Lieut R W McKenzie, 2nd Squadron A.F.C., engaged an E.A. two-seater; after he had fired one drum at close range into it, the E.A. burst into a cloud of smoke and fell in flames

    Lieut H G W Debenham, 46 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Lagnicourt at 09:45/09:45 – Lieut H G W Debenham, No 46 Squadron, attacked an Albatros Scout which was attacking another machine of his patrol; the E.A. went down in a spin, and 2nd-Lieut Debenham saw it crash near Lagnicourt

    2nd-Lieut H N C Robinson, 46 Sqn, LVG C crashed north of Vaulx at 10:00/10:00 -
    2nd-Lieut G Hudson and 2nd-Lieut H N C Robinson, 46 Sqn, LVG C out of control Vaulx at 10:05/10:05 - HA crashed ?
    2nd-Lieut R A Curry & Sergt W Kelsall, 49 Sqn, Scout out of control Oisy-le-Verger at 10:10/10:10 -
    Capt C J Marchant, 46 Sqn, two-seater out of control ? north of Croisilles at 10:15/10:15 – Capt C J Marchant, No 46 Squadron, attacked an E.A. two-seater, which broke to pieces in the air; he saw this machine crash and burst into flames

    Capt J H Tudhope, 40 Sqn, DFW C crashed Chérisy at 10:25/10:25 – Capt J H Tudhope, No 40 Squadron, fired a short burst from close range into an E.A. two-seater which immediately dived steeply and crashed in the vicinity of Fontaine-les-Croisilles [1 Km south of Chérisy]

    Capt C J Marchant, 46 Sqn, two-seater Broke Up Mory at 10:30/10:30 -
    Lieut A G Vlasto, 46 Sqn, LVG C out of control south of Vaulx at 10:30/10:30 -
    Capt J A Slater, 64 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed Pronville at 10:40/10:40 -
    Capt R H Rusby, 29 Sqn, two-seater in flames east of Passchendaele at 10:50/10:50 - Capt R H Rusby, No 29 Squadron, fired drum at about 50 yards range at an E.A. two-seater, which went down in flames

    2nd-Lieut C Marsden, 46 Sqn, Albatros C crashed Vaulx at 11:00/11:00 – 2nd-Lieut C Marsden, No 46 Squadron, attacked an E.A. two-seater, which he shot down out of control; he followed it down to 500 feet, and observed it crash amidst a large cloud of smoke

    2nd-Lieut G W Bulmer & 2nd-Lieut P S Williams, 22 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Bussy at 11:00/11:00 - 2nd-Lieuts G W Bulmer and P S Williams, No. 22 Squadron, whilst on offensive patrol, fired about eighty rounds into one of several E.A. scouts; the E.A. went down in a spin and crashed

    Capt D M McGoun & 2nd-Lieut F N Harrison, 22 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Auchy en Artois at 11:00/11:00 -

    Lieut C A Bissonette, 64 Sqn, two-seater in flames Havrincourt Wood at 11:10/11:10 – Lieut C A Bisonette, No 64 Squadron, attacked an E.A. two-seater, which he shot down in flames, the E.A. crashing into Havrincourt Wood

    Lieut A K Cowper, 24 Sqn and Capt W L Wells & Corpl W Beales, 48 Sqn, LVG C crashed north-east of Hem [?] at 11:24/11:24 – Capt W L Wells and Corpl W Beales, No 48 Squadron, in conjunction with 2nd-Lieut A K Cowper, No 24 Squadron, attacked an E.A. two-seater, which crashed north of Dury.

    The following claims were registered:

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    The German Ace Hans Gottfried von Habler of Jasta 36 was killed on this day

    Enlisting in 1913, Häbler served in the infantry before transferring to the German Air Force in 1916. Assigned to Jasta 36 in September 1917, he was shot down by anti-aircraft fire 22 March 1918. Landing his Fokker DR.I (509/17) within the British lines, Häbler was captured and died from his wounds the following day.

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    Unfortunately I wasn't able to access the fallen airmen list in time.

    Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Ponsonby Sneyd Hunt CMG DSO (Royal Berkshire Regiment) is killed at age 40 near Manancourt, while leading his men with great gallantry, and for his courage and work on the two days prior to his death he will be recommended for the Victoria Cross. Lieutenant Colonel Hunt joined the Royal Berkshire Regiment in 1897 and saw service in the South African War, during which time he was Commandant at Wildfontein he received the Queen’s Medal with three clasps, and the King’s Medal with two clasps. He was promoted to the rank of Captain while in Egypt and was then posted to the Depot at Reading. He afterwards returned to his battalion in India and was at Jhansi when mobilization was ordered. He went to France with his battalion in 1914 and was wounded early in 1915. When Colonel Finch was killed at the Battle of Fromelles, he took command of his old battalion and was promoted temporary Major in June 1915. He was with his Battalion in the severe fighting at Bois Grenier, in the Battle of Loos. In December 1915 he was appointed to command a Territorial Infantry Brigade, with the temporary rank of Brigadier General, and was shortly afterwards made a CMG. In 1917 he again took over the command of a Battalion of the Royal Berkshire Regiment, which distinguished itself in the severe fighting towards the end of the year. He was awarded the DSO and was mentioned in Despatches.

    Captain Theodore Percival Cameron Wilson (General List and Sherwood Foresters) is killed in action at age 29. He is almost an unknown Great War Poet – ‘His Magpies in Picardy’ and other war verse are published but attracted little or no attention until his work is rescued from the oblivion of many years when Field Marshall Lord Wavell included some of the poet’s verse in his own wartime anthology. He is the son of the Reverend Theodore Cameron Wilson Vicar of Little Eaton. His grandfather is the novelist Thomas Percival Wilson. He once wrote in a letter to his mother “War is indescribably disgusting.” His poetry includes, Song of Amiens, A Soldier, during the Bombardment and Heaven.

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    MAGPIES IN PICARDY

    The magpies in Picardy
    Are more than I can tell.
    They flicker down the dusty roads
    And cast a magic spell
    On the men who march through Picardy,
    Through Picardy to hell.

    (The blackbird flies with panic,
    The swallow goes with light,
    the finches move like ladies,
    the owl floats by at night;
    But the great and flashing magpie
    He flies as artists might.)

    A magpie in Picardy
    Told me secret things–
    Of the music in white feathers,
    And the sunlight that sings
    And dances in deep shadows–
    He told me with his wings.

    (The hawk is cruel and rigid,
    He watches from a height;
    The rook is slow and sombre,
    The robin loves to fight;
    But the great and flashing magpie
    He flies as lovers might.)

    He told me that in Picardy,
    An age ago or more,
    While all his feathers still were eggs,
    These dusty highways bore
    Brown, singing soldiers marching out
    Through Picardy to war.

    He said that still through chaos
    Works on the ancient plan,
    And two things have altered not
    Since first the world began–
    The beauty of the wild green earth
    And the bravery of man.

    (For the sparrow flies unthinking
    And quarrels in his flight;
    The heron trails his legs behind,
    The lark goes out of sight;
    But the great and flashing magpie
    He flies as poets might.)

    Captain Tunstill's Men: Ten days after orders had been received at Divisional level, it was said that “Rumours began to circulate among the men of a possible move to the mountains”.

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    Last edited by Hedeby; 04-09-2018 at 07:55.

    Never Knowingly Undergunned !!

  35. #3135

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    24th March 1918

    Finally found time to go back and drop these last few dates in...

    General Headquarters, March 24th.


    “On the 24th inst. our machines carried out another most successful raid on the factories at Mannheim. Nearly 1˝ tons of bombs were dropped, and bursts were seen on the soda factory and railway, and on the dock. Several fires were started, one of which was of great size, with flames reaching to a height of 200 ft. and smoke to 5,000 ft. The conflagration was visible from a distance of 35 miles. Our bombing aeroplanes were attacked by 32 hostile machines, and a fierce fight ensued. One of the enemy's aeroplanes was brought down in flames, and another was brought down and fell in the centre of Mannheim. Five others were driven down out of control. In spite of this severe combat and the enemy's heavy anti-aircraft gunfire, all our machines have returned except two."

    General Headquarters, March 25th.

    “On the 24th inst. activity in the air was very great. The day was remarkable for the weight of bombs dropped by our aeroplanes, the number of flights that took place, and the many thousands of rounds fired by our pilots from low altitudes upon the enemy troops. The progress of the battle was reported by our aeroplanes, and our artillery were informed of suitable targets. Masses of hostile troops concentrated in the battle area were caught by our low flying machines both with bombs and machine-gun fire. Over 1,700 bombs were dropped during the day on different targets, which included Bruges docks, Aulnoye railway station, a large camp south-east of Cambrai, high-velocity guns, and hostile reinforcements. The fighting was the most severe so far experienced. Our aeroplanes brought down 45 of the enemy machines and drove 22 down out of control. Two other hostile machines were shot down by our anti-aircraft guns. Ten of our machines are missing.

    “After dark our bombing aeroplanes again concentrated their efforts upon bombing and attacking with machine-gun fire the enemy's troops opposite the battle-front. Bruges docks and an aerodrome midway between Tournai and Mons used by hostile night-flying machines were also bombed. Over 14 tons of bombs were dropped. All our machines returned.

    “During the night one of the enemy's large bombing machines landed behind our lines.

    “Following on the successful daylight raid on Mannheim other objectives in Germany were attacked. During the night half a ton of bombs were dropped by us on the railway stations at Cologne, where a fire was started. Over a ton was distributed between Luxemburg railway station, where a fire was started, and Courcelles railway station (east of Metz). Two tons of bombs were dropped on Metz railway station. Direct hits were obtained on a bridge south-east of the town and on a stationary train, which was set on fire. A large fire was started on this occasion also. Other machines dropped a ton of bombs on Thionville railway station, where a moving train was derailed and a fire caused. All our machines returned."

    Admiralty, March 25th.

    “During offensive patrols carried out by Royal Naval Air Service machines from Dunkirk, from March 21st to 24th, 10 enemy machines were destroyed and seven shot down out of control. A hostile balloon was also brought down in flames. Three bombing raids were carried out on Bruges Dock, and many direct hits were obtained on sheds on the quays. Bombs were also seen to burst close to enemy destroyers. Several hostile torpedo-boats and a destroyer and an armed trawler were attacked. One of our aeroplanes was forced to land in the sea, the pilot being picked up by a French destroyer. With this exception all our machines returned safely from these operations."

    RFC Communiqué number 132:

    The weather was again fine, and a great deal of work was carried out, especially on the battle front, where our machines harassed the enemy's troops with bombs and machine gun fire from a low altitude.

    Seventeen reconnaissances were carried out by Brigades and five long distance photographic flights by the 9th Wing. Machines of the 3rd and 5th Brigades carried out many contact patrols.

    Twenty hostile batteries were engaged for destruction with aeroplane observation and 18 neutralized; seven gun-pits were destroyed, five damaged, 18 explosions and nine fires caused. Eighty-two zoe calls were sent down.

    A total of 1,197 photographs were taken and 36ž tons of bombs dropped as follows:-

    Night 23rd/24th - 9th Brigade: No 58 Squadron dropped 11 112-lb and 84 25-lb bombs on Iseghem and Bisseghem Dumps.

    No 83 Squadron dropped dropped two 230-lb and 196 25-lb bombs on a high velocity gun and ammunition dump, and No 102 Squadron dropped 663 25-lb bombs on hostile troops in the battle area.

    2nd Brigade: No 21 Squadron dropped 17 25-lb bombs on an ammunition dump, and No 10 Squadron dropped 10 25-lb bombs on Bousebecque.

    1st Brigade: Forty-nine 25-lb bombs were dropped on various targets.

    Day, 24th -
    1st Brigade: 424 photographs. 12 112-lb, 14 40-lb phosphorous, and four 25-lb bombs were dropped on Douai and various billets. 1st Wing dropped 32 25-lb bombs, and 4th Squadron A.F.C. dropped two 25-lb bombs on Vaulx.
    2nd Brigade: 338 photographs. No 57 Squadron dropped six 230-lb bombs on a big gun at Maugre; No 20 Squadron dropped 10 112-lb bombs on Wervicq; 2nd Wing dropped 22 112-lb and 33 25-lb bombs on a big gun near Staden, and 64 25-lb bombs on various targets.
    3rd Brigade: 199 photographs. Eight 112-lb and 1,022 25-lb bombs on miscellaneous targets.
    5th Brigade: Four 112-lb and 528 25-lb bombs were dropped on miscellaneous targets.

    9th Wing: 230 photographs. Eight 112-lb and 14 25-lb bombs on a camp south-east of Cambrai, 12 112-lb and 32 25-lb bombs on Landrecies were dropped by No 27 Squadron, and four 112-lb and 40 25-lb bombs on Aulnoye by No 25 Squadron.

    8th Brigade: During the night of the 23rd/24th, one Handley-Page of Naval Squadron No 16 dropped 10 112-lb bombs on the railway station, works and the bridge over the river at Konz (just south of Treves). Eight bursts were observed on the works.

    Eleven machines of No 100 Squadron attacked Frescaty (just south of Metz), and dropped six 230-lb, nine 112-lb, 11 40-lb phosphorous and 42 25-lb bombs from 1,000 feet. The bombs fell around the hangars and started a fire amongst the huts of the aerodrome.

    During the day of the 24th, 12 machines of No 55 Squadron attacked military objectives at Mannheim, and dropped 24 25-lb, three 40-lb phosphorous and 11 25-lb bombs from 13,000 feet, bursts being observed south, on the factory and on the railway. One enormous fire was started, flames reaching to at least 200 feet, and smoke to 5,000 feet. On the return journey this fire could be seen from Pirmasens, a distance of over 45 miles. 32 E.A. attacked the formation of D.H.4s and a fierce fight ensued. One E.A. was brought down in flames and two others brought down, one of which crashed in the centre of Mannheim. In addition to this, five E.A. were driven down out of control. 36 photographs were taken. All our machines returned except two, one of which is believed to have gone down under control.

    Enemy Aircraft:

    Enemy aircraft activity was very great especially on the battle front. In addition to machines from the 3rd and 5th Brigades, machines from the 1st Brigade and 9th Wing did a great deal of low flying, attacking enemy troops on the ground all along the battle front. In addition to the E.A. brought down in aerial combat, two hostile machines were brought down by anti-aircraft fire, one of which fell in our lines.

    The following are the reports of combats by Capt J L Trollope, 43 Squadron, who accounted for six E.A. in one day, thus creating a record:

    "Whilst leading my patrol east of Mercatel, I saw three DFWs some way away trying to cross the line. I worked round east and attacked one but was forced by gun jams to break off. I corrected my guns and then attacked another DFW. I fired about 100 rounds at point-blank range. E.A. went down in a spin and broke up about 1000 feet below me. This was seen by Lieut Owen.

    “I then attacked another DFW with Lieut R J Owen and after firing 75 rounds the machine burst into flames and fluttered down on fire. This was confirmed by Lieut Owen who also engaged it.

    “I then saw an Albatros scout coming down onto one of our formation. I dived on him and fired about 100 rounds. E.A. fell completely out of control. This was seen to crash by Capt H W Woollett.

    “When I was leading my patrol over Sailly Saillisel at about feet, I saw four E.A. two-seaters trying to interfere with RE8s. I dived down with my formation and attacked one E.A. I fired a short burst at close range and the E.A. fell to bits in the air. I saw two of my patrol engaging the other three two-seaters at close range and I saw two E.A. go down completely out of control and crash. I gathered all my patrol and flew about looking for the other E.A.

    “I saw two pink two-seaters below me, very close to the ground. I attacked each in turn from about 20 feet and they nose-dived into the ground, and I saw both crash. I climbed up and saw the rest of my patrol engaged by a large formation of E.A. scouts. I got into the scrap and was forced to return through lack of ammunition." (Must be the biggles girls - editor)

    The following claims were made on this very busy day:

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    What a day it was for Captain John Lightfoot Trollope 43 Squadron RFC - with an astonishing SIX enemy aircraft shot down on the same day.

    Captain John L Trollope (Royal Flying Corps) becomes the first man to shoot down six enemy aircraft in two engagements in the same day. The total air fighting claims by the Royal Flying Corps are twenty-four shot down on the Third Army front and seventeen on the Fifth Army front.

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    Corporal John Lightfoot Trollope transferred from the Royal Engineers to the Royal Flying Corps as a temporary Second Lieutenant on 17 June 1916. Lieutenant Trollope received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 3772 on a Maurice Farman biplane at Shoreham on 1 August 1916. Posted to 70 Squadron as a reconnaissance pilot, he flew the Sopwith 1˝ Strutter until 1917, when he was promoted to Captain and re-assigned to 43 Squadron. Flying the Sopwith Camel, Trollope scored 18 victories during the first three months of 1918. Incredibly, he shot down seven enemy aircraft during the morning and afternoon of 24 March. Four days later, on the morning of 28 March 1918, he led a nine man patrol across the German lines. Only four of them returned. Trollope, Robert Owen and three other pilots were shot down when the patrol was attacked by a flight of Albatros D.Vs. Trollope was credited with one balloon and two of his opponents before his Camel was shot down by Paul Billik of Jasta 52. Captured by the Germans, Trollope's left arm was badly wounded, requiring the amputation of his hand. Repatriated in June 1918, Trollope's left arm was eventually amputated at the shoulder. He was recommended for the Distinguished Service Order but did not receive it. (absolute travesty when you see what some medals were awarded for - talk about hard done by - editor) he did however receive the MC and Bar

    T./Capt. John Lightfoot Trollope, Gen. List and R.F.C.
    For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During a period of three months he has engaged and brought down completely out of control four hostile machines, and has sent down crashing to earth, three others. On all occasions he has displayed the greatest courage, determination and skill, and it is largely due to his fine leadership that the flight under his command has contributed so much to the marked success of the squadron.

    T./Capt. John Lightfoot Trollope, M.C., Gen. List and R.F.C.
    For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On one occasion during the recent operations, while on offensive patrol, he encountered three enemy machines, two of which he completely destroyed. He then attacked a scout, and after firing 100 rounds into it, the enemy machine went down completely out of control, eventually crashing. Later in the same day, on his flight encountering four enemy two-seater planes, he sent three of them down crashing to earth. Within a month previous to this he fought two hostile formations, numbering 12 machines in all, single-handed, and did not break off the engagement until he had driven off all of them towards the East. He has accounted for 14 enemy machines, and has rendered exceptionally brilliant service by his gallantry and determination.
    (M.C. gazetted 13th May, 1918.

    The following article was taken from the News of the World on 7th April 1918 (obtained obviously from hacking the RFC phonelines - editor)

    How a British boy-airman brought down six Hun aeroplanes in one day during two flights behind the enemy lines has just been revealed. Unfortunately, the 20-year-old hero of the adventure, Capt. John L. Trollope, R.F.C., is now officially reported missing, exactly a week after his day of victories. He was last seen by his squadron commander "fighting hard over the enemy lines." The record feat of destroying the six Hun aeroplanes was accomplished on March 21, the day that the Germans launched their hate bolt against the British lines. Capt. Trollope's modest account of the day's work hardly gives a just impression of the hazards and odds which he overcame in order to surpass the previous record bag of five Hun machines in one day. In a letter to his mother, Mrs. Howard W. Trollope, of Green Hayes, Banstead, Surrey, written on the evening of his triumphs, he wrote simply:

    "This has been the most wonderful day of my life. I myself have destroyed six Hun machines—three this morning and three this afternoon. The first this morning I shot to pieces, and it broke up in mid-air; the second went down in flames—both of them two-seaters. The third, a single-seater, which literally exploded in mid-air and fell in pieces. Then I saw two two-seaters quite low down, which I crashed. After this I saw on of our fellows attacked by 12 Huns. I went up to him and let him get away, but ran out of ammunition, so returned to the squadron."
    This is all Capt. Trollope made of the episode. Other accounts, however, show that the airman was at times engaged with several hostile machines at the same time. On one occasion he met a party of three of the enemy trying to cross the battle-line. In the middle of the engagement his machine-gun jammed, and he had to draw off. The moment his gun was going again he closed once more with his opponents, the nearest of whom was attacked at point-blank range. This was one of the machines which "fell in pieces." Since returning to the front last January the gallant airman had brought down 18 enemy machines. Six machines down in a day is believed to be a record, the best achievement hitherto standing to the credit of the late Capt. Albert Ball, V.C., who once brought down five Huns in one day. Capt. Trollope, who is the younger son of the late Howard Trollope, of Westminster, was a despatch-rider in France during 1915, and only took up flying during the autumn of 1916. Within a few weeks of qualifying he was out in France. Only recently he became a champion air fighter. He was educated at Banstead Hall, and left Malvern College to join the Army. His elder brother is abroad with the Queen's Westminsters. Mrs. Trollope said that there is hope that her son is alive, as a strong west wind was blowing on the day that he failed to return, and it is thought that he may have landed safely behind the enemy lines owing to engine trouble.

    At the other end of the good news bad news see-saw we have 2nd Lieutenant Maurice Edmund Mealing MC 56 Squadron RFC, who was killed on this day

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    After serving with the King's Shropshire Light Infantry, Maurice Edmund Mealing transferred to the Royal Flying Corps on 16 May 1916. He joined 15 Squadron as an observer on 7 August 1916. In May 1917, he was sent to pilot training and joined 56 Squadron on 18 October 1917. Before he was killed in action, Mealing scored 14 victories as an S.E.5a pilot.

    The following British pilots were lost on this day:

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    Western Front

    The enemy advance continues. They overcome the defences of Monchy and converge on the old Somme battlefields from Bapaume to Peronne. Peronne is lost while Ham and Chauny are evacuated. South of Peronne the Germans cross the River Somme while north of the city attack along the River Tortille.

    Somme: First Battle of Bapaume (until March 25). Separation of BEF and French Armies threatened. Germans destroy 500-strong South African Brigade, cross Somme between Ham and Peronne; farther south they push back Allies and capture Chauny rail junction. At Villeselve 150 British cavalry (73 casualties) charge and inflict 195 casualties, take 3 MGs.
    A shaken Petain orders Fayolle above all to keep ‘the solid connection of the French armies and then, if possible, to preserve contact with the British Forces’. At 2300 hours Petain visits Haig and refuses further reserves as he expects main German blow in Champagne at any moment. Haig enquires if he means to abandon BEF right flank and allow Germans to penetrate; Petain nods assent! Haig cables War Office for Wilson and War Minister Milner to come to France at once, emphasizing ‘unless General Foch or some other determined general is given supreme command of the operations … there will be a disaster’.

    Brigadier General Randle Barnett Barker General Officer Commanding 99th Brigade 2nd Division is killed in action at age 47 along with his Staff Captain Edward Inkerman Jordan Bell MC (Middlesex Regiment) grandson of a Victoria Cross winner in the Crimea War who is a professional football player for Crystal Palace, Southampton and Portsmouth and who dies at age 32. .

    In the late evening of 24 March, after enduring unceasing shelling, Bapaume was evacuated and then occupied by German forces on the following day. The British official historian, Brigadier-General Sir James E. Edmonds wrote,

    The whole of the Third Army had swung back, pivoting on its left, so that, although the VI and XVII Corps were little behind their positions of the 21st March, the right of V Corps had retired seventeen miles [27 km]. The new line, consisting partly of old trenches and partly shallow ones dug by the men themselves, started at Curlu on the Somme and ran past places well known in the battle of the Somme, the Bazentins and High Wood, and then extended due north to Arras. It was, for the most part, continuous, but broken and irregular in the centre where some parts were in advance of others; and there were actually many gaps...Further, the men of the right and centre corps..were almost exhausted owing to hunger and prolonged lack of sleep."

    After three days the infantry was exhausted and the advance bogged down, as it became increasingly difficult to move artillery and supplies over the Somme battlefield of 1916 and the wasteland of the 1917 German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. German troops had also examined abandoned British supply dumps which caused some despondency, when German troops found out that the Allies had plenty of food despite the U-boat campaign, with luxuries such as chocolate and even Champagne falling into their hands. Fresh British troops had been hurried into the region and were moved towards the vital rail centre of Amiens.

    The German breakthrough had occurred just to the north of the boundary between the French and British armies. The new focus of the German attack came close to splitting the British and French armies. As the British were forced further west, the need for French reinforcements became increasingly urgent. In his diary entry for 24 March, Haig acknowledged important losses but derived comfort from the resilience of British rearguard actions,

    By night the Enemy had reached Le Transloy and Combles. North of Le Transloy our troops had hard fighting; the 31st, Guards, 3rd, 40th and 17th Divisions have all repulsed heavy attacks and held their ground."

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    Late that night Haig (after first dining with General Byng when he urged Third Army to "hold on ... at all costs") travelled to Dury to meet the French commander-in-chief, General Pétain, at 23:00. Pétain was concerned that the British Fifth Army was beaten and that the "main" German offensive was about to be launched against French forces in Champagne. Pétain was under enormous pressure from his government to safeguard Paris, which was under long-range German artillery bombardment. On 24 March, he informed Haig that the French army was preparing to fall back towards Beauvais to protect Paris if the German advance continued.[68] This would create a gap between the British and French armies and force the British to retreat towards the Channel Ports; Haig sent a telegram to the War Office to request an Allied conference

    Air War
    Western Front: Waves of 20-80 French bombers intervene in BEF’s Somme battle, Group Fequant from Soissons and Fare*en-Tardenois, with Group Manard from Chalons (March 25), effort especially against German convoys continues (March 26-29). Captain J L Trollope in Sopwith Camel of No 43 Squadron Royal Fling Corps scores 6 victories. Royal Flying Corps lose 65 aircraft to claim of 42 German (17 in Flanders). German claim is 35 Allied for 14 lost. Germans night bomb Albert and Amiens (10 hours interruption to rail traffic).
    Germany: Handley Page bomber makes first raid on Cologne since 1914 (night March 24-25).
    India – Northwest Frontier: 3 bombs kill 14 armed tribesmen at Marri district capital (submits April 19).
    Palestine: 8 RFC aircraft bomb Amman.

    Southern Fronts
    Italian Front: 3 French divisions recalled to Western Front (until March 26); Corsican Graziani replaces Maistre as C-in-C.

    Middle East
    Palestine: Anzac Mounted Division and Camel Brigade across Jordan, ride 9 miles on Amman in rain and mud; British 60th Division captures El Haud Hill with 3 guns. Now 9,600 British soldiers with 82 guns vs 5,500 (maximum) Turks and Germans with c.26 guns.

    Captain Tunstill's Men: The Brigade assembled at Gaianigo for a church service at the end of which Brig. Genl. Lambert (see 19th March) presented medals to a number of officers and men, including the Military Cross to 2Lt. Albert Joseph Acarnley (see 28th February) and the Military Medal to Sgt. Christopher Clapham (see 28th February), awarded for their conduct during the patrol action across the Piave on 28th February. Silver and bronze medals were also presented to the winners of events in the Brigade sports and transport competitions. A commemorative medal was also presented to Signor Forasaco Paolo, who had made the land available for the events to be held. In the afternoon “an Officer’s mounted paperchase took place; 35 officers of the Brigade starting”.

    As fierce fighting continued in France during the German Spring Offensive, 2Lt. Norman Roberts MM (see 1st November 1917), serving with the Machine Gun Corps, was among those taken prisoner. According to his later recollection, “he was first taken by his captors to a lonely little village and afterwards behind the lines at Cambrai. He did not complain of ill-treatment here, but it will be readily understood that the position of prisoners near the fighting line is anything but pleasant. After four or five days he, along with others, was removed to a camp at Rastatt in Baden, where the treatment was systematically cruel. Seventy English officers were placed in a hut about the size of those at Raikes Camp (the prison camp for German prisoners established in Skipton), and the sleeping and sanitary arrangements were, to say the least of them, crude and insufficient for civilised human beings. The food was only fit for pigs and there was very little of it. For breakfast there was usually a slice of black bread with some substitute or acorn coffee; dinner consisted of boiled rice and vegetable leaves chopped up; and tea was similar to breakfast”.

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    Last edited by Hedeby; 04-23-2018 at 06:35.

    Never Knowingly Undergunned !!

  36. #3136

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    Monday 25th March 1918
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    Armistice Countdown 231 days


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    Lieutenant Colonel William Herbert Anderson VC (29 December 1881 – 25 March 1918) was born on 29 December 1881 to W. J. Anderson CBE, who resided at Strathairly, Largo, Fife.

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    Anderson was 36 years old and an acting lieutenant colonel in the British Army, in the 12th (S) Battalion, The Highland Light Infantry and was awarded the VC for his actions on 25 March 1918 at Bois Favieres, near Maricourt, France. He died as a result of the act for which he was commended.

    For most conspicuous bravery, determination, and gallant leading of his command. The enemy attacked on the right of the battalion frontage and succeeded in penetrating the wood held by our men. Owing to successive lines of the enemy following on closely there was the greatest danger that the flank of the whole position would be turned. Grasping the seriousness of the situation, Colonel Anderson made his way across the open in full view of the enemy now holding the wood on the right, and after much effort succeeded in gathering the remainder of the two right companies. He personally led the counter-attack and drove the enemy from the wood, capturing twelve machine guns and seventy prisoners, and restoring the original line. His conduct in leading the charge was quite fearless and his most splendid example was the means of rallying and inspiring the men during the most critical hour. Later on the same day, in another position, the enemy had penetrated to within three hundred yards of the village and were holding a timber yard in force. Colonel Anderson reorganised his men after they had been driven in and brought them forward to a position of readiness for a counterattack. He led the attack in person and throughout showed the utmost disregard for his own safety. The counter-attack drove the enemy from his position, but resulted in this very gallant officer losing his life. He died fighting within the enemy's lines, setting a magnificent example to all who were privileged to serve under him.

    A novel, The Way Home, was published in 2007 about Bertie Anderson and his three brothers who were also killed in the First World War. It was written by Robin Scott-Elliot, Bertie's great-grandson.

    His VC is on display at the Lord Ashcroft Gallery in the Imperial War Museum.

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    Arthur Henry Cross VC, MM (13 December 1884 – 23 November 1965) was born in Shipdam, Norfolk, one of five children. He moved to London when aged 15. He was married at 17 and a father by 19.

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    Cross enlisted in the 21st Battalion First Surrey Rifles, The London Regiment on 30 May 1916. In 1917, he transferred to the Machine Gun Corps. He was 33 years old, and a lance corporal in the 40th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

    On 25 March 1918 at Ervillers, France, Lance-Corporal Cross volunteered to make a reconnaissance of the position of two machine-guns which had been captured by the enemy. With the agreement of his sergeant he crept back alone with only a service revolver to what had been his section's trench and was now the enemy's. He surprised seven soldiers who responded by throwing down their rifles. He then marched them carrying the machine guns complete with the tripods and ammunition to the British lines. He then handed over the prisoners and collected teams for his guns which he brought into action immediately, annihilating a very heavy attack by the enemy.

    The Victoria Cross was given for "extreme gallantry, initiative and dash". In June he was awarded the Military Medal for another act of bravery.

    Cross received an engraved gold watch upon visiting his old village, and in later times a road there was named after him.

    His medal was used as a prop in the film Carrington VC starring David Niven.

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    Brigadier Alfred Maurice Toye VC, MC (15 April 1897 – 6 September 1955) was born in Aldershot in 1897, the son of James Robert Toye (1854–1943), an Army Pensioner and Clerk, and Elizabeth Charlotte (née Dodds, 1862-1947). He enlisted into the Royal Engineers as a bugler in 1912 before being commissioned into the Middlesex Regiment during World War I. Before joining the Army, Toye was an active Boy Scout, attaining the rank of patrol leader at the 2nd Aldershot Scout Troop.

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    He was 20 years old, and an acting captain in the 2nd Battalion, The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge’s Own), when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

    On 25 March 1918 at Eterpigny Ridge, France, Captain Toye displayed conspicuous bravery and fine leadership. He three times re-established a post which had been captured by the enemy and, when his three other posts were cut off, he fought his way through the enemy with one officer and six men. He counter-attacked with 70 men and took up a line which he maintained until reinforcements arrived. In two subsequent operations he covered the retirement of his battalion and later re-established a line that had been abandoned before his arrival. He was twice wounded but remained on duty.
    His Victoria Cross is displayed at the National Army Museum, Chelsea, England.

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    Thomas Young (born as Thomas Morrell) VC (28 January 1895 – 15 October 1966) was
    was from High Spen in what is now the Metroplitan Borough of Gateshead. He was 23 years old, and a private in the 9th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry, when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

    During the period 25/31 March 1918 at Bucquoy, France, Private Young, a stretcher-bearer, worked unceasingly evacuating the wounded from seemingly impossible places. On nine different occasions he went out in front of British lines in broad daylight, under heavy rifle, machine-gun and shell fire and brought back wounded to safety. Those too badly wounded to be moved before dressing, he dressed under fire and then carried them back unaided. He saved nine lives in this manner.

    A memorial to Thomas Young and William Dobson another VC recipient from High Spen was unveiled in July 2007 and can be seen in the grounds of High Spen primary school.
    His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Durham Light Infantry Museum & Durham Art Gallery in Durham City.

    Today we lost: 2,367

    Air Operations:


    German airship raid on Naples from the Dalmatian coast.

    General Headquarters.


    “On the 25th inst. our aeroplanes were employed almost entirely in bombing the enemy's troops and transport massed in the areas behind the battle front and in attacking them with machine-gun fire from a low height. A total of 22 tons of bombs were dropped by us in this work, and over 100,000 rounds were fired from machine-guns. All our pilots reported that the ground targets offered by the enemy surpassed description, and that they were able to drop their bombs with accuracy and to fire with effect right into the centre of infantry battalions in close formation and into columns of cavalry and transport. A certain amount of fighting in the air took place, but it was less intense than on the previous day. Thirteen hostile machines were brought down by our aeroplane and 10 were driven down out of control. Eight of our machines are missing. The majority of our casualties were caused to low-flying machines by fire from the ground. During the night our night-flying aeroplanes continued to bomb and to attack with machine-gun fire the enemy's troops in his forward areas and his transport on the roads leading to the front."

    RFC Communiqué number 132:

    The weather was fine early, but became cloudy and windy later.

    Ninety-seven reconnaissances were carried out, 75 of which were by machines of the 5th Brigade, and five photographic flights by the 9th Wing.

    Several contact patrols were carried out by the 3rd and 5th Brigades.

    Twenty-two hostile batteries were successfully engaged with aeroplane observation and nine neutralized; four gun-pits were destroyed, 16 damaged, 11 explosions and eight fires caused. Eight active hostile batteries were located.

    On the 25th, balloons of the 1st and 2nd Brigades registered 12 targets, of which three were hostile batteries.

    A total of 483 photographs taken, and 33 tons of bombs dropped as follows:-

    Night 24th/25th - 9th Brigade: No 58 Squadron dropped 12 112-lb and 88 25-lb bombs on Grandglise Aerodrome, and obtained hits on hangars; No 83 Squadron dropped two 230-lb and 77 25-lb bombs on Roulers and Weilbecke Ammunition Dumps and Comines. One shed on a railway siding was blown up; observation was difficult owing to fog. No 101 Squadron dropped 288 25-lb bombs on bridges and road east of the Somme. Four direct hits were obtained on the bridge at Bethencourt, and two direct hits on the bridge at St. Christ. No 102 Squadron dropped 24 112-lb and 388 25-lb bombs on billets and other targets on the Bapaume – Cambrai Road, and obtained a direct hit on a level crossing.

    1st Brigade: No 16 Squadron dropped 10 112-lb, 88 25-lb and 12 40-lb bombs on Annoeullin; No 5 Squadron dropped eight 25-lb bombs on Brebiéres.

    2nd Brigade: No 21 Squadron dropped 17 25-lb bombs on Menin and No 10 Squadron dropped 20 25-lb bombs on Menin and Bousbecque.

    Day 25th - 1st Brigade: 200 Photographs. No 18 Squadron dropped 27 112-lb, 88 25-lb and 12 40-lb phosphorous bombs; No 5 Squadron dropped 32 25-lb bombs on Croisilles; 4th Squadron A.F.C. dropped 32 25-lb bombs, and 1st Wing dropped four 25-lb bombs on miscellaneous targets.

    2nd Brigade: Twenty-three photographs. No 57 Squadron dropped 12 112-lb bombs on Bisseghem Dump; 2nd Wing dropped 69 25-lb bombs, and 48 25-lb bombs were dropped by patrols.

    3rd Brigade: 125 photographs were taken, and 24 112-lb and 717 25-lb bombs dropped. No 49 Squadron dropped 24 112-lb and 36 25-lb bombs on Quéant and Cambrai.

    5th Brigade: 780 25-lb bombs.

    9th Brigade: 135 photographs. No 25 Squadron dropped 10 112-lb and 20 25-lb bombs on troops in the area between Laon and Cambrai; No 27 Squadron dropped 79 25-lb bombs on troops and transport in the Bapaume – Cambrai area.

    8th Brigade: During the night of the 24th/25th, one Handley Page of Naval Squadron No 16 carried out the first raid on Cologne, the railway station being the objeetrive. Ten 112-lb bombs were dropped, causing a fire near the station. The machine was in the air 8 hours 35 minutes. Another machine of this squadron dropped 10 112-lb bombs on Courcelles Station and started a fire, and another Handley Page dropped 12 112-lb bombs on Luxembourg Station.

    During the same night, machines of No 100 Squadron dropped almost three tons of bombs as follows: seven 230-lb, 10 112-lb and 69 25-lb bombs on Metz Railway Station. A direct hit was obtained on a bridge south-east of Metz, and a large fire started near the station. A direct hit was also obtained on the station, and on a train, which was set on fire. Machines of this Squadron also dropped bombs on Thionville Railway Station as follows: three 230-lb, four 112-lb and 20 25-lb bombs. A fire was started in the station, and a train derailed. All our machines returned safely.

    Enemy Aircraft:

    Enemy aircraft were not as active as they had been on the previous days. Machines of the 1st, 3rd and 5th Brigades flew at a low altitude and attacked the enemy’s troops, concentrating in the neighbourhood of Vaulx and Ervillers, and fired over 90,000 rounds at massed troops of the enemy, convoys and other favourable targets.

    E.A. were driven down out of control by: Lieut S A Puffer, No 41 Squadron; Lieut W J Gillespie, No 41 Squadron; 2nd-Lieuts H F Davison & J L Morgan, No 22 Squadron.

    2nd-Lieut G L Hobbs & Lieut H A Chippindale, 15 Sqn, Scout in flames - 2nd-Lieut G L Hobbs & Lieut H E A Chippendale, No 15 Squadron, were attacked by seven E.A. scouts, one of which they shot down in flames

    2nd-Lieut H C Adams & 2nd-Lieut F Catterall, 18 Sqn, Scout in flames [by Catterall] - 2nd-Lieuts H C Adams & F Catterall, No 18 Squadron, were attacked by two formations of E.A. scouts, who followed them down from 10,500 feet to 1,500 feet, then broke off the combat. In the meantime one E.A. was seen to burst into flames and break in half

    Lieut H F Davison & 2nd-Lieut J L Morgan, 22 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control north of Havrincourt Wood at 08:00/08:00 -

    2nd-Lieut W F J Harvey & 2nd-Lieut H F Moore, 22 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed St Leger at 08:25/08:25 - 2nd-Lieut W F J Harvey & Lieut H F Moore, No 22 Squadron, fired a long burst into an E.A. scout, the left wing of which folded back and was seen to crash

    Capt D M McGoun & 2nd-Lieut F N Harrison, 22 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed St Leger at 08:25/08:25 - Capt D M McGoun & 2nd-Lieut F N Harrison, No 22 Squadron, shot down an E.A. seen to crash on the east side of St Leger

    Capt D M McGoun & 2nd-Lieut F N Harrison, 22 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control St Leger at 08:25/08:25 -

    2nd-Lieut W H Brown, 84 Sqn, two-seater in flames Flers at 09:20/09:20 -

    Capt R A Grosvenor and 2nd-Lieut W H Brown, 84 Sqn, LVG C in flames Flers at 09:30/09:30 - Capt R A Grosvenor, No 84 Squadron, and 2nd-Lieut W H Brown, also 84 Squadron, both dived at an E.A. two-seater which crashed into Flers where it burst into flames

    Lieut H C Adams & Lieut F Catterall, 12 Sqn, EA broke up St Leger - Ervillers at 10:05/10:05 -

    Capt R W Chappell, 41 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Sailly at 10:40/10:40 - Capt R W Chappell, No 41 Squadron, whilst leading a patrol over Sailly, saw 20 E.A. (Albatros scouts and Fokker Triplanes). He dived on one Albatros which was seen to crash

    Lieut S A Puffer, 41 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Sailly at 10:40/10:40 -

    Lieut W J Gillespie, 41 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Sailly at 10:50/10:50 -

    2nd-Lieut A E Robertson, 4 AFC, Fokker DrI crashed south of Brebičres at 12:35/12:35 - 2nd-Lieut A E Robertson, 4th Squadron A.F.C., fired 30 rounds at 50 yards range at a Fokker Triplane which went down in an almost vertical side-slip which turned into a nosedive, then was seen to crash

    2nd-Lieut A E Robertson, 4 AFC, Fokker DrI out of control south of Bapaume at 12:35/12:35 -

    Capt H W Woollett, 43 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed south of Arras at 12:50/12:50 - Capt H W Woollett, 43 Squadron, attacked one of two E.A. scouts and it was seen to crash

    Lieut F J Scott, 4 AFC, two-seater crashed east of Maurepas at 13:10/13:10 - Lieut F J Scott, No 4th Squadron AFC, whilst attacking ground objects, saw an E.A. two-seater below him. He attacked, firing 150 rounds into the cockpit. The E.A. turned over on its back and nose-dived into the ground with the engine full on and crashed

    2nd-Lieut A E Robertson, 4 AFC, Albatros out of control east of Maurepas at 13:10/13:10 -

    2nd-Lieut A C Atkey & Lieut J M Brisbane, 18 Sqn, Pfalz Scout in flames Bapaume - Flers at 16:10/16:10 - 2nd-Lieut A C Atkey & Lieut J Brisbane, No 18 Squadron, were attacked by four E.A. scouts. They engaged the leader which they shot down, and it was seen to crash in flames

    2nd-Lieut A C Atkey & Lieut J M Brisbane, 18 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Bapaume at 16:15/16:15 -

    Capt F H Hobson, 70 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed north of Bapaume - Cambrai road at 16:45/16:45 - Capt F E Hobson, No 70 Squadron, saw several E.A. scouts attacking some of our RE8s and low-flying scouts. He engaged one of these E.A. and it spun into the ground north of the Bapaume - Cambrai road

    2nd-Lieut D A Stewart & Capt L I Collins, 18 Sqn, Aviatik C crashed Loupart Wood at 17:15/17:15 - 2nd-Lieut D A Stewart & Capt L Y Collins, No 18 Squadron, shot down an E.A. two-seater which was seen to crash into a wood south of Bapaume

    2nd-Lieut D R MacLaren, 46 Sqn, LVG C crashed at 17:15/17:15 - 2nd-Lieut D R MacLaren 46 Squadron, attacked an E.A. two-seater which was working at about 2,000 feet. After a burst of 75 rounds had been fired into it the E.A. went down in a spin and was seen to crash

    Royal Flying Corps casualties today:

    Lieut C A Chisnall (Wia) & ? (Ok), 2 Sqn, AW FK8 – combat?

    Lieut G A Barry (Ok) & Lieut RL Rice (Ok), 2 Sqn, AW FK8 C3518 - force landed Mailley Mallet after engine damaged by hostile A.A. fire during low bombing

    Flt Cdr F C Armstrong DSC (Kia), 3N Sqn, Camel B7218 - went down in flames south of Ervillers while attacking enemy trenches; Offz Stv Wilhelm Kühne, Js18, 1st victory [south of Bapaume no time] ?

    2nd-Lieut N R Smuts (Ok), 3 Sqn, Camel C1579 - damaged by machine-gun fire during low bombing

    2nd-Lieut HG Watson (Ok), 4 Sqn AFC, Camel B7303 - force landed just behind lines at Basseux and was shelled by enemy but salved by 11 Sqn during low flying and bomb dropping

    2nd-Lieut F T Jackson (Wia) & ? (Ok), 4 Sqn, RE8 – combat?
    2nd-Lieut N Bury (Wia) & ? (Ok), 5 Sqn, RE8 – combat?

    2nd-Lieut H C Cooke (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut R Key (Ok), 5 Sqn, RE8 B6572 - force landed in front lines Gommecourt after engine hit by machine-gun fire during day bombing, abandoned and set on fire

    2nd-Lieut E S Clark (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut C C R Millington (Ok), 12 Sqn, RE8 B6578 - engine hit by 18pdr shell over Ervillers on contact patrol and destroyed by pilot as near enemy lines

    ? (Ok) & Capt M M Pakenham (Wia), 16 Sqn, RE8 – combat?

    ? (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut C C F Ekins (Wia), 16 Sqn, RE8 – combat?

    2nd-Lieut R J Smith (Wia), 23 Sqn, Spad 13 B6861 - wounded in combat and glided into tree at Sept Fours on offensive patrol

    2nd-Lieut J Edelsen (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut G J Mortimer (Wia), 35 Sqn, AW FK8 – combat?

    ? (Ok) & Lieut D W Orr (Wia), 48 Sqn, Bristol F.2B – combat?

    2nd-Lieut A E I Clifford (Wia), 54 Sqn, Camel – combat?

    2nd-Lieut H J Richardson (Wia), 54 Sqn, Camel – combat?

    2nd-Lieut J G W Marsh (Wia) & ? (Ok), 82 Sqn, AW FK8 – combat?

    2nd-Lieut L de S Duke (Ok), 84 Sqn, SE5a C5400 - shot through by machine-gun fire from ground on offensive patrol Péronne

    2nd-Lieut M G W Stewart (Ok) & Lieut L C Keen (Ok), 35 Sqn, AW FK8 C8440 – took off 06:30/06:30 then force landed near Albert after engine shot through carburettor causing fire on patrol

    2nd-Lieut R S F D Radcliff (Kia), 80 Sqn, Camel B9223 – took off 07:20/07:20 then missing on patrol south of Bapaume

    2nd-Lieut G Miller (Pow; dow 31-Mar-18), 80 Sqn, Camel C6724 – took off 07:20/07:20 then missing on special patrol south of Bapaume; OffStllv Wilhelm Kuhne, Js18, 1st victory

    2nd-Lieut C Bowman (Ok) & Sergt Kelsall (Ok), 49 Sqn, DH4 C4520 - force landed Villers Bretonneaux at 10:00/10:00 after petrol tanks shot through by E.A. during bombing

    2nd-Lieut H C Deeks (Ok), 54 Sqn, Camel B9265 – took off 10:00/10:00 and last seen east of Benthoncourt under control on offensive patrol, presumed okay

    Lieut E G Leake (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut T H Upfill (Ok), 59 Sqn, RE8 B6656 – took off 11:00/11:00 then shot through on patrol Loupart Wood

    2nd-Lieut A D Pope (Ok) & Lieut H S Redpath (Ok), 52 Sqn, RE8 C4573 – took off 11:20/11:20 then force landed in front line trenches after engine damaged by machine-gun fire during bombing and destroyed to prevent falling into enemy hands

    2nd-Lieut R H Kirkaldy (Pow), 24 Sqn, SE5a B171 – took off 12:30/12:30 then missing during bombing

    Capt R P Fenn (Kia) & Capt H W E Barwell MC (Kia), 18 Sqn, DH4 B9434 – took off 12:25/12:25 then collided with Camel C8216 at 12:50/12:50

    2nd-Lieut H V Highton (Kia), 43 Sqn, Camel C8216 - collided with DH4 B9434 at 12:50/12:50; Ltn d R Hermann Becker, Js12, 7th victory [St Christ, no time] ?

    2nd-Lieut V M Yeates (Ok), 46 Sqn, Camel C1572 – took off 13:55/13:55 then shot down and abandoned south of Bapaume during low work

    Lieut J T Quick (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut W J T Shirlaw (Ok), 8 Sqn, AW FK8 B3378 – took off 13:00/13:00 then shot through by fire from ground on artillery patrol and returned 14:25/14:25

    2nd-Lieut D Cameron (Kia), 3 Sqn, Camel C1562 – took off 15:30/15:30 and last seen over Beaulencourt during low bombing; Ritt Manfred von Richthofen, JGI, 68th victory [Bapaume - Albert road at 15:55/15:55]

    2nd-Lieut G G Newbury (Pow) & Lieut E M Chant (Pow), 16 Sqn, RE8 B5860 – took off 17:00/17:00 then missing on special mission Bapaume; OffzStv Münnichow, Js59, 3rd victory [Bapaume, no time] ?

    2nd-Lieut R S Durno (Ok) & Lieut R D Stewart (Ok), 5 Sqn, RE8 C4552 - force landed just within our lines 19:15/19:15 at Ayette after inlet manifold shot by machine-gun fire during bombing, abandoned and set on fire

    Royal Flying Corps Losses today:

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    Claims: 29 confirmed (Entente 24: Central Powers 5)


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    Western Front:


    German Spring Offensive Continues: Day 5, 25 March


    Amiens–The situation of the British Fifth Army was growing increasingly desperate. On March 25, they were thrown back another four miles across a twenty-three mile front, and the Germans entered Bapaume and Noyon. Despite the symbolic value of the latter to French PM Clemenceau (whose paper continually reminded its readers that “les allemands sont toujours ŕ Noyon“ until Operation Alberich), the French had provided only eight divisions to check the southern flank of the German advance and did not want to provide more; the first gap opened between the Fifth Army and Fayolle’s French forces on the same day.

    Desperate for any troops he could find, General Gough ordered his chief engineer, Major General Grant, to form a force from whatever engineers or other typically non-combat he had available. Soon, Grant had assembled a force of around 3000 men from a variety of sources–British tunnelers, Canadian engineers, American bridge-builders, and other soldiers who had returned from leave during the battle and could not easily get to their own units. In the coming two weeks, the force would help defend the approaches to Amiens from the Germans.

    The around 500 Americans in Grant’s force would be the only notable American contribution to the battle, despite desperate appeals for aid. Pershing and Pétain met late that night, asking for American troops to be used to help plug gaps where needed. Pershing refused, even in this moment of crisis, to break up his unified American force; he was willing to put all four divisions he had available into the battle, but doing so would have been logistically infeasible. Ultimately, the Americans just relieved French divisions who were then diverted elsewhere.

    Germans carry Bapaume in night attack; subsequently their advance, though less rapid than on previous two days, continues on whole front from Ervillers (north of Bapaume) to the Oise. Germans claim 45,000 prisoners since beginning of attack.

    Germans reach near Maricourt while Bapaume and Nesle are lost and after a sturdy defense by the Manchester Regiment German troops occupy the village of Achiet Le Grand. Battle of Noyon (Somme). Noyon taken by German forces (see March 18th, 1917 and August 29th, 1918). A German supply column advances near Ham. Supply became more difficult as the Germans advanced, but was alleviated somewhat by the capture of British supply depots.

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    British 60 pounder gun firing near La Boiselle on 25 March

    The movements of 25 March were extremely confused and reports from different battalions and divisions are often contradictory. An unidentified officer's account of his demoralising experiences that day is quoted in the British Official History,

    What remains in my memory of this day is the constant taking up of new positions, followed by constant orders to retire, terrible blocks on the roads, inability to find anyone anywhere; by exceeding good luck almost complete freedom from shelling, a complete absence of food of any kind except what could be picked up from abandoned dumps.

    The focus of fighting developed to the north of the 54th Brigade, who were now joined with the French and the survivors of the 18th Division, who could scarcely raise enough men to form a small Brigade. By 10:00 on the 25th, the left flank of 7th Bedfordshires was again exposed as the French around them retreated, so another retirement was ordered. They withdrew back to Mont Du Grandu further south and away from the British Fifth Army. Midday saw them in a stronger position until French artillery and machine guns opened fire on them, mistaking them for Germans, forcing them to retire to high ground west of Grandu.

    The remaining troops of the 36th Division were ordered to withdraw and reorganise. To give support to French troops now holding the front, they set off on a 24-kilometre (15 mi) march west. Around midday, they halted for a few hours rest near Avricourt. While there they received orders to head for a new line which would be formed between Bouchoir and Guerbigny. During the day, the Germans made a rapid advance and Allied troops and civilians with laden carts and wagons filled the roads south and west. The Germans passed through Libermont and over the Canal du Nord. Further north, the town of Nesle was captured, while south-west of Libermont German troops faced the French along the Noyon-Roye road. The 1/1st Herts having spent the night in Maricourt, "marched from MARICOURT to INSAUNE. The march was continued after breakfast across the River SOMME at CAPPY to CHUIGNOLLES, where the Bn reorganised and spent the night.”(25 March 1918)

    More orders were received at 3pm to move to Varesnes on the south bank of the River Oise but whilst en-route they were countermanded with surprise orders to counter attack and retake a village called Babouef. Therefore, the war worn Brigade who had been fighting and marching for four punishing days solid were about faced and moved off to the attack with an enthusiasm that is nothing short of incredible. By rights, the Brigade should have been incapable of the action yet those quoted as being there remark that it was the most memorable event of the entire rearguard action. At 5pm, with the Fusiliers on the right, the Bedfords on the left and the Northamptons in reserve, the Brigade formed up with the Babouef to Compeigne road on their right and the southern edge of the woods above Babouef to their left. The Germans had not expected a British counter attack, thinking there was nothing but ragged French units in their area, so were surprised at the arrival of three small but determined British battalions. They put little fight up and many Germans fell in the hand to hand fighting that lasted for around 20 minutes before the village was secured and the remaining enemy – that could get away – fled. Ten machine guns and 230 German prisoners were taken with very light casualties recorded by the Brigade; an incredible feat whatever way you view it. They dug in on the German side of the village amongst the cornfields and settled in for the night. Cooking limbers were even brought up and the idea of a quiet night gave the exhausted men a welcomed break from the extreme stress they had all been through in the past five days. Unfortunately, their rest did not last long.

    The RFC flew sorties at low altitude in order to machine-gun and bomb ground targets and impede the German advance. On 25 March, they were particularly active west of Bapaume. Rearguard actions by the cavalry in the Third Army slowed the German advance but by 18:00 Byng had ordered a further retirement beyond the Ancre. Through the night of 25 March, the men of the Third Army attained their positions but in the process gaps appeared, the largest of over 6 km (4 mi) between V and VI Corps. Sir Henry Wilson, the Chief of the Imperial General Staff, arrived at General Headquarters at 11:00 on 25 March, where they discussed the position of the British Armies astride the river Somme. Haig wanted at least twenty French divisions to help defend Amiens and delivered a message for the French Premier Clemenceau.

    The Doullens Conference took place the next day.

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    Bapaume–The southern end of the German offensive continued its smashing successes, crossing the Somme and forcing the British out of Bapaume. Though their pace began to slow somewhat, as it became more difficult to move over ground they had done their best to destroy the previous year, the situation was still desperate for the British Fifth Army. The French had provided some aid to cover the rapidly expanding southern flank of the German advance, but Pétain was reluctant to provide more; he expected an imminent attack in Champagne or around Verdun. He told General Fayolle, in command in the area, to maintain “the solid connection of the French armies and then, if possible, to preserve contact with the British Forces.” At 11, Pétain informed Haig in a face-to-face meeting that he would be providing no more French reinforcements to the battle. Haig asked him if he understood that this meant that the Germans would likely break through a gap between their two armies; Pétain simply nodded in response.

    Ludendorff, meanwhile, had embraced this prospect; the previous day he told a group of staff officers that
    The object is now to separate the French and British by a rapid advance on both sides of the Somme. The Seventeenth and Sixth armies and later the Fourth Army will conduct the attack against the British north of the Somme, in order to drive them into the sea. They will keep on attacking at new places in order to bring the whole British front to ruin.

    However, even the content of this message has some apparent contradictions with its stated aim. The armies listed were the ones at the far north of the German offensive, which had had the least success so far against Byng’s Third Army. He was ordering additional attacks neither where the breakthrough was almost at hand, nor to tie up the French. Perhaps he thought the British were at the end of their rope and one final broad push would indeed “drive them into the sea,” but the result would be a dilution of the German offensive at the critical juncture.
    This was of little comfort to the British in the short term, however; that night Haig sent a telegram to the War Office warning that “unless General Foch or some other determined general is given supreme command of the operations…there will be a disaster.”

    At Bois Favieres near Maricourt, France when the enemy has penetrated a wood on the right of his line and there is a grave danger that the flank of the entire position will be turned Acting Lieutenant Colonel William Herbert Anderson (commanding 12th Highland Light Infantry) gathers the remainder of his two companies, counter-attacks and drives the Germans from the wood capturing 12 machine-guns and 70 prisoners. Later he will lead another counter-attack which results in the enemy being driven from his position but he is killed at age 36 fighting within the enemy’s lines. He will be awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for these actions. He has three brothers who have already died in the Great War and was the President of the Junior Imperial Unionist prior to the War. Captain Nigel Duncan Ratcliffe Hunter MC (Royal Engineers) is killed at age 23 near Biefvillers near Bapaume. He is a Great War Poet.

    What is a trench?

    A place of stench
    Swarming with flies,
    Crawling with lice,
    Half full of mud,
    Mingled with blood,
    Pounded with shell,
    Hotter than hell.


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    Second Lieutenant Walter Daniel John Tull (Middlesex Regiment) is killed while leading an attack on a German trench at age 29. He is the second black professional football player in history when he joins Tottenham Hotspur. He moves to Northampton Town in 1911 and plays over one hundred games for the two teams scoring nine goals from midfield. He is also the first black officer to be commissioned in the British Army and the grandson of a slave.

    Southern Front:

    Tunstills Men Monday 25th March 1918:

    Billets at Marola

    The final reflections on the stay of the Brigade in the area were that, “During the whole of this period the weather was fine and sunny. The Italian inhabitants were most kind and pleasant”.

    Starting out at 10am on another hot day the Battalion marched nine miles north, via Quinto Vicentino to Dueville; the journey on dusty roads meant that, “we came to look like a band of millers”. This was described as “A long hot march. The column halted for 1˝ hours about midday. The troops marched well and in spite of the great heat few fell out. Full kit and one blanket carried”.

    Pte. John Edward Scott (see 22nd December 1917) was killed in action while serving with 2nd/7th DWR; he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.

    L.Cpl. Arthur Lund (see 28th February), who had been wounded a month previously while serving in France with 1st/4th DWR, was evacuated to England.

    A payment of Ł2 7s. 1d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Edwin Charles Church (see 28th December 1917), who had been killed in action on 20th September 1917; the payment would go to his widow, Florence. She would also receive a parcel of her late husband’s personal effects, comprising of, “disc, wallet, photos, cards”.

    A second payment, of Ł1, was authorised on the account of the late Pte. John Driver (see 28th January), who had been killed in action on 18th October 1917; the payment, like the first one, would go to his

    Asiatic, African, Egyptian Front:


    British take Es Salt.

    Naval Operations:


    Ensign John McNamara makes the first United States Navy attack on a submarine.

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    Anniversary Events:

    708 Constantine begins his reign as Catholic Pope.
    1634 Lord Baltimore founds the Catholic colony of Maryland.
    1655 Puritans jail Governor Stone after a military victory over Catholic forces in the colony of Maryland.
    1668 The first horse race in America takes place.
    1776 The Continental Congress authorizes a medal for General George Washington.
    1807 British Parliament abolishes the slave trade.
    1813 The frigate USS Essex flies the first U.S. flag in battle in the Pacific.
    1865 Confederate forces capture Fort Stedman, during the siege of Petersburg, VA.
    1879 Japan invades the kingdom of Liuqiu (Ryukyu) Islands, formerly a vassal of China.
    1905 Rebel battle flags that were captured during the American Civil War are returned to the South.
    1911 A fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Company, a sweatshop in New York City, claims the lives of 146 workers.
    1915 The first submarine disaster occurs when a U.S. F-4 sinks off the Hawaiian coast.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 04-06-2018 at 10:31.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  37. #3137

    Default

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    Tuesday 26th March 1918
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    Armistice Countdown 230 days
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    Albert Mountain VC (19 April 1897 – 7 January 1967) won his VC while serving as a sergeant in the 15/17th Battalion, The Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment).

    The citation for his VC reads:
    On 26 March 1918 at Hamelincourt, France, when the situation was critical, Sergeant Mountain with a party of 10 men attacked an advance enemy patrol of about 200 strong with a Lewis gun, killing half of them. The sergeant then rallied his men in the face of overwhelming numbers of the main body of the enemy, to cover the retirement of the rest of the company – this party of one NCO and four men held at bay 600 of the enemy for half an hour. Sergeant Mountain later took command of the flank post of the battalion, holding on for 27 hours until finally surrounded.

    He was also awarded the Croix de Guerre and Medaille Militaire (France).

    His Victoria Cross is displayed at The Prince of Wales’s Own Regiment of Yorkshire Museum, York, England.

    Today we lost: 2,062


    Air Operations:


    General Headquarters.


    "Great concentrations of our aeroplanes were carried out to-day over points threatened by the enemy, and mases of our machines attacked with machine-gun fire and bombs the enemy's infantry and cavalry. Thirty tons of bombs were dropped by us, and hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition were fired into the enemy. While this fighting was maintained throughout the day, our infantry aeroplanes kept watch along the front and reported the changes in the situation as they occurred. Twenty hostile machines were brought down in air fighting, and two other German aeroplanes were shot down by our anti-aircraft guns. Twelve of our aeroplanes are missing.

    “During the night our night-flying squadrons kept up a continuous attack upon the enemy's troops in Bapaume, Cambrai, and Péronne. Twenty-five thousand rounds were fired by them, and 24 tons of bombs were dropped on important centres of the battle front. In addition, four tons of bombs were dropped on Valenciennes railway station, through which the enemy's troop trains were passing on their way to the front."

    RFC Communiqué number 133:

    The weather was fine with a strong wind; overcast at times.

    One hundred and sixteen reconnaissances were carried out, 98 of which were by machines of the 1st Brigade, and one photograsphic flight by machines of the 9th Wing.

    Seven hosdtile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction with aeroplane observation and seven neutralized; one gun-pit was damaged, nine explosions and one fire caused. 47 zone calls were sent down.

    Two hundred and thirty-eight photographs were taken and 29 tons of bombs dropped as follows:-

    Night 25th/26th - 9th Brigade: No 58 Squadron dropped three 112-lb and 22 25-lb bombs on Avelin Aerodrome where two hangars were hit; No 83 Squadron dropped three 230-lb and 27 25-lb bombs on Marquion Dump; No 102 Squadron dropped four 112-lb and 215 25-lb bombs on Bapaume, and No 101 Squadron dropped 168 25-lb bombs on Peronne.

    Day 26th – 1st Brigade: 106 photographs. No 18 Squadron dropped eight 112-lb and 106 25-lb bombs; 1st Wing dropped 157 25-lb bombs, and 4th Squadron A.F.C. dropped 65 25-lb bombs.

    2nd Brigade: 38 photographs. No 57 Squadron dropped 28 112-lb bombs on Bapaume; 2nd Wing dropped 44 25-lb bombs and Nos 1, 19 and 20 Squadrons dropped 194 25-lb bombs on targets on the Third Army front.

    3rd Brigade: 94 photographs. No 49 Squadron dropped 144 112-lb and 15 25-lb bombs on Bapaume, and 12th and 13th Wings dropped 404 25-lb bombs.

    5th Brigade: 22ns Wing dropped 245 25-lb bombs; 15th Wing dropped 142 25-lb bombs, and Naval Squadron No 5 dropped six 112-lb and 340 25-lb bombs on villages, bridges, roads, etc.

    9th Brigade: No 25 Squadron dropped 90 25-lb and 25 112-lb bombs, and No 27 Squadron 123 25-lb and 21 112-lb bombs on Peronne, Bapaume and Bulvillers.

    Enemy Aircraft:

    During the day nearly all our aeroplanes were employed dropping bombs and firing from a low altitude on enemy troops in the neghbourhood of Peronne and Bapaume. Enemy aircraft were also active and a certain amount of fighting took place.

    E.A. were driven down out of control by the following: Lieut L Benjamin, 2nd Squadron A.F.C.; 2nd-Lieut A C Atkey & Lieut J Brisbane, No 18 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut A E Robertson, 4th Squadron A.F.C. (two); Capt F G C Weare & 2nd-Lieut G S L Hayward, No 22 Squadron; Capt J Gilmour, No 65 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut W L Harrison, No 40 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut P D Learoyd, No 40 Squadron.

    Capt N Deakin & Lieut C T Anderson, 2 Sqn, Scout in flames - Capt N Deakin & Lieut C T Anderson, No 2 Squadron, were attacked by five E.A. scouts, one of which they shot down in flames and saw crash

    Capt T L Purdom & 2nd-Lieut P V G Chambers, 62 Sqn, E.A. destroyed -

    Lieut W E Staton & Lieut J R Gordon, 62 Sqn, E.A. destroyed -

    Lieut W E Staton & Lieut J R Gordon, 62 Sqn, E.A. destroyed -

    Lieut E T Morrow & Lieut H E Merritt, 62 Sqn, E.A. destroyed -

    Capt T L Purdom & 2nd-Lieut P V G Chambers, 62 Sqn, E.A. out of control -

    Lieut W E Staton & Lieut J R Gordon, 62 Sqn, E.A. out of control -

    Lieut D A Savage & 2nd-Lieut L M Thompson, 62 Sqn, E.A. out of control east of Nurlu -

    Lieut W E Warden, 40 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Grévillers - 2nd-Lieut W E Warden, No 40 Squadron, fired 200 rounds from both guns into one E.A. scout and it fell out of control and crashed near Grévillers

    Flt Cdr F E Banbury, 9N Sqn, Flt Sub-Lieut M S Taylor, 9N Sqn, Camel B7200, Aviatik C south of Becelaere at 07:25/07:25

    Flt Sub-Lieut A P Squire and Flt Sub-Lieut O W Redgate, 9N Sqn, two-seater out of control south of Becelaere at 07:25/07:25 -

    2nd-Lieut R V Irwin & Sergt C Beardmore, 18 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed by Irwin south-east of Bapaume at 09:00/09:00 -

    2nd-Lieut R B Smith & Sergt A O A Pollard, 18 Sqn, Fokker DrI crashed Vaux at 09:20/09:20 - 2nd-Lieut R B Smith & Sgt A Pollard, No 18 Squadron, were chased by eleven E.A. scouts and a Fokker Triplane; the latter dived at them and they shot it down in a spin and watched it crash

    2nd-Lieut H B Redler, 24 Sqn, Rumpler C crashed Estrées - Barleux at 09:30/09:30 - 2nd-Lieut H B Redler, No 24 Squadron, attacked a two-seater E.A., firing 100 rounds from underneath. The E.A. dived east emitting masses of smoke and crashed into Barleux

    Lieut L Benjamin, 2 AFC, Albatros Scout out of control Pozičres at 10:55/10:55 -

    Capt J Gilmour, 65 Sqn, two-seater out of control north-west of Lille at 11:25/11:25 -

    Lieut H F Davison & 2nd-Lieut J L Morgan, 22 Sqn, Pfalz Scout in flames east of Albert at 12:45/12:45 - 2nd-Lieuts H F Davison & J L Morgan, No 22 Squadron, in the same engagement, shot down one E.A. scout and followed it down to 4,000 feet, observed it to be on fire, then saw it hit the ground still burning

    Sergt E J Elton & Lieut R Critchley, 22 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed east of Albert at 12:45/12:45 - Sergt E J Elton & 2nd-Lieut R Critchley, No 22 Squadron, in the same fight, also shot down an E.A. scout which was seen to crash east of Albert

    Capt F G C Weare & Lieut G S L Hayward, 22 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed east of Albert at 12:45/12:45 - Capt F G C Weare & 2nd-Lieut G S L Hayward, No 22 Squadron, dived on a formation of five Pfalz scouts, one of which they shot down completely out of control, and it was seen to crash

    Capt F G C Weare & Lieut G S L Hayward, 22 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control east of Albert at 12:45/12:45 -

    2nd-Lieut J A E R Daley, 24 Sqn, Scout in flames Croix at 14:15/14:15 - 2nd-Lieut J E A R Daley, No 24 Squadron, shot one E.A. scout down in a spin which crashed in flames

    2nd-Lieut H B Richardson, 24 Sqn, two-seater crashed Dreslincourt at 14:30/14:30 - 2nd-Lieut H B Richardson, No 24 Squadron, attacked one of two E.A. two-seaters and both dived east, but the one attacked by 2nd-Lieut Richardson crashed in a field at Dreslincourt

    Flt Sub-Lieut J E L Hunter, 4N Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed north-east of Dixmude at 17:00/17:00 -

    Flt Sub-Lieut C R R Hickey, 4N Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed north-east of Dixmude at 17:00/17:00 -

    Flt Cdr R McN Keirstead, 4N Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed west of Dixmude at 17:00/17:00 -

    Flt Sub-Lieut C R R Hickey, 4N Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control north-east of Dixmude at 17:00/17:00 -

    Flt Cdr R McN Keirstead, 4N Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control Pervyse - Dixmude at 17:00/17:00 -

    Flt Cdr R McN Keirstead, 4N Sqn and Belgian Spad, Pfalz Scout out of control Pervyse - Dixmude at 17:00/17:00 -

    2nd-Lieut R T Mark, 24 Sqn, two-seater crashed Guyencourt at 17:00/17:00 - 2nd-Lieut R T Mark, No 24 Squadron, fired 50 rounds at close range into an E.A. two-seater over Goyencourt. The E.A. did a slow spiral and crashed near Fresnoy-les-Roye

    Lieut H A Rigby, 1 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames Bapaume at 17:10/17:10 - Lieut A H Rigby, No 1 Squadron, fired about a drum of Lewis and about 50 rounds from his Vickers into one of nine E.A. scouts which dived on him. The E.A. immediately went down and burst into flames

    Lieut P D Learoyd, 40 Sqn, two-seater out of control at 17:20/17:20 -

    Capt M R N Jennings, 19 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Grévillers at 17:25/17:25 - Capt M R N Jennings, No 19 Squadron, saw seven E.A. scouts and a Fokker Triplane about 1,000 feet below him. He fired at one Albatros scout at close range and it fell out of control and crashed

    2nd-Lieut H R Gould & Lieut J M Brisbane, 18 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Bihucourt at 17:30/17:30 - 2nd-Lieut H R Gould & Lieut J M Brisbane, No 18 Squadron, were followed by ten E.A. scouts on which they turned and engaged, shooting one down which was seen to crash

    2nd-Lieut W L Harrison, 40 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Authuille at 17:40/17:40 -

    Royal Flying Corps casualties today:

    2nd-Lieut A McN Denovan (Kia), 1 Sqn, SE5a B511 - missing on special duty with 10 Wing

    2nd-Lieut W M R Gray (Pow), 1 Sqn, SE5a B641 - seen to force land and overturned in enemy lines near Bapaume on special duty with 10 Wing

    Lieut A Hollis (Pow), 1 Sqn, SE5a B643 - last seen engaged by E.A. near Bapaume on special duty with 10 Wing

    2nd-Lieut W H Boyd (Ok), 3 Sqn, Camel B5414 - damaged by machine-gun fire from E.A. during low bombing

    Flt Lieut W H Chisam (Wia), 3N Sqn, Camel B7223 - shot up in combat, wounded in hand

    Lieut J W Wright (Wia), 4 AFC, Camel B2478? - combat or ground fire?

    2nd-Lieut F W Hainsby (Kia), 19 Sqn, Dolphin C3790 - missing on low flying patrol; OffStllv Otto Esswein, Js26, 10th victory [Mortefontaine at 17:45/17:45] ?

    2nd-Lieut E J Blyth (Kia), 19 Sqn, Dolphin C3793 - last seen going down in flames on low flying patrol; Ltn Richard Plange, Js2, 4th victory [Gréviller Wood at 17:15/17:15] ?

    ? (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut J Mitchell (Wia), 27 Sqn, DH4 – combat?

    2nd-Lieut J B Coward (Kia) & 2nd-Lieut C G Pugsley (Wia; dow), 35 Sqn, AW FK8 - shot up bombing Amiens

    Capt I P R Napier (Ok), 40 Sqn, SE5a C9579 - crashed in forced landing 3N Sqn after badly shot about on OP to Mont-Saint-Éloi

    ? (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut R S Herring (Wia), 48 Sqn, Bristol F.2B – combat?

    2nd-Lieut H C E Daggett (Wia) & Lieut W A B Savile (Wia), 52 Sqn, RE8 – combat?

    2nd-Lieut M S Pettitt (Ok), 54 Sqn, Camel C1667 - shot by enemy machine-gun fire on offensive patrol

    2nd-Lieut R C Richards (Wia) & 2nd-Lieut T W Barlow (Wia), 59 Sqn, RE8 B7689 - force landed as shot through and burnt as unable to salve during bombing Lealvillers

    2nd-Lieut D V Gillespie (Ok), 70 Sqn, Camel C8223 - shot through on low flying patrol

    Capt D D G Hall (Wia; Dow 31-Mar-18), 80 Sqn, Camel B9179 - force landed near Albert on patrol

    2nd-Lieut G R Atkins (Kia) & Lieut W T Sadler (Kia), 59 Sqn, RE8 B6533 – took off 06:30/06:30 then missing from bombing

    2nd-Lieut C J Fitzgibbon (Wia) & 2nd-Lieut R W Hobbs MC (Ok), 25 Sqn, DH4 A7526 – took off 06:40/06:40 then force landed and burnt Warfusee - Abancourt after engine and radiator shot through on bomb raid

    2nd-Lieut G R Norman (Pow) & 2nd-Lieut R C D Oliver (Pow), 27 Sqn, DH4 B2111 – took off 07:45/07:45 then missing from bombing Bapaume

    2nd-Lieut A T W Lindsay (Pow), 54 Sqn, Camel B9135 – took off 07:50/07:50 then shot by enemy machine-gun fire on offensive patrol

    2nd-Lieut R G Mitchell (Wia), 70 Sqn, Camel C8255 - force landed Sh57d.D.29.b [south-east of Souastre] 08:15/08:15 after shot through and wounded on low flying patrol

    Lieut D M Bisset (Ok), 1 Sqn, SE5a B8265 - force landed Lealvillers aerodrome 08:30/08:30 and abandoned on bombing patrol

    2nd-Lieut G Pilditch (Ok) left 09:45), 73 Sqn, Camel C1619 - force landed and abandoned near Albert 09:45/09:45 on ground strafe

    Lieut G E Wait (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut W G Hurrell (Ok), 27 Sqn, DH4 B2101 – took off 10:20/10:230 then attacked by 3 E.A. and force landed Frévent after bomb raid to Cambrai

    Capt M H Turner (Wia) & Lieut P S Driver (Kia), 27 Sqn, DH4 B2076 – took off 10:30/10:30 attacked by 5 E.A. and crashed on landing Albert and burnt after bomb raid to Cambrai area

    Lieut R C St J Dix (Ok) & Lieut R M Montgomery (Wia), 82 Sqn, AW FK8 C8448 - force landed 11:15/11:15 as observer wounded during line patrol and destroyed as near enemy lines

    Capt J G J Kilkelly (Kia), 79 Sqn, Dolphin C3859 – took off 11:45/11:45 and last seen flying west along Péronne - Amiens road on offensive patrol

    2nd-Lieut G D Robin (Wia), 41 Sqn, SE5a C9561- took off 12:10/12:10 then missing on OP Bapaume

    2nd-Lieut A T W Lindsay (Pow), 54 Sqn, Camel C1568 – took off 12:45/12:45 then last seen near Roye under control on offensive patrol

    Capt H J Hamilton (Ok), 1 Sqn, SE5a B32 – took off 12:55/12:55 and force landed Amiens road 13:30/13:30 after being shot about on bombing patrol Bapaume from 40 Sqn

    2nd-Lieut T H Buswell (Kia) & Lieut C E Wharram (Kia), 52 Sqn, RE8 C5052 – took off 13:50/13:50 then missing from bombing; Uffz Erich Buder, Js26, 1st victory [Bapaume - Le Sars, no time] ?

    Lieut G M Carter (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut L M Fenelon (Ok), 52 Sqn, RE8 B6464 – took off 14:40/14:30 then force landed in front line trenches and destroyed to prevent falling into hands of enemy due petrol tank shot during bombing

    Lieut C O Rusden (Ok), 40 Sqn, SE5a C9540 – took off 14:50/14:50 then force landed Soncamps after badly shot about on OP

    Lieut R D Leigh-Pemberton (Wia) & Capt N W Taylor (Ok), 20 Sqn, Bristol F.2B B1196 - crashed 15:15/15:15 near Albert and abandoned during offensive patrol

    2nd-Lieut V J Reading (Kia) & 2nd-Lieut M Leggatt (Kia), 15 Sqn, RE8 B742 – took off 16:10/16:10 missing on patrol and bombing; Ritt Manfred von Richthofen, JGI, 70th victory [north-east of Albert at 17:00/17:00]

    Royal Flying Corps Losses today: 33 (24 recorded)


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    Claims: 48 confirmed (Entente 37: Central Powers 11)

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    Western Front:

    British make stand north of Somme on line Roeux-Ayette-Beaumont Hamel-Albert-Bray, but lose Albert and Bray.
    Germans forces heavily attack south of the Somme and take Lihons, Noyon, Roye and Chaulnes. New attacks are also launched in the neighborhood of Chaulnes.

    Momentous Franco-British Conference at Doullens on unity of command.

    The Doullens Agreement gives General Foch “coordinating authority” over the Western Front. Doullens–With a gap now opening between the British Fifth Army and French forces to the south, Haig was growing desperate, and had called for CIGS Wilson and War Minister Milner to come to France immediately to help arrange for “General Foch or some other determined general [to be] given supreme command of the operations.” Haig, Clemenceau, Wilson, Milner, Pétain, and Foch met at Doullens near Amiens two days later, on March 26. Haig outlined the situation, saying that he was unable to do much more with what was left of the Fifth Army. Pétain, who was already on the verge of abandoning the British to their own devices, made matters worse by comparing the British to the Italian Second Army at Caporetto. He reiterated that he could provide no more aid and that the British aim should now be to defend the key rail junction of Amiens, twenty miles beyond the current front line.

    Foch, presumably having some inkling that this was his moment, protested: “We must fight in front of Amiens. We must fight were we are now…we must not retire a single centimeter!” The British soon agreed that Haig would serve under Foch’s command, who would be in charge of “the coordination of the action of the British and French armies.” This was a major concession for Haig, who had long resisted attempts to place him under French command; the fact that he was essentially the one to suggest it shows how desperate he believed the situation was.

    Almost immediately, Foch ordered the diversion of the French First Army from around St Mihiel to Amiens and effectively ordered Pétain to make sure the gap between him and Haig was closed. Around a week later, after receiving American approval, Foch was given power over “the direction of strategic operations,” effectively making him the overall Allied commander-in-chief on the Western Front.

    Southern Front:


    Tunstills Men Tuesday 26th March 1918:


    Billets at Dueville

    Pte. Reginald Dayson (see 21st March), who had been reported as having been drunk five days previously, was again reported for the same offence. On this occasion the report was made by CQMS Hubert Charles Hoyle (see 21st January), Sgt. Middleton Busfield (see 30th November 1917) and Cpl. Percival John Munn (see 29th October 1917) and, on the orders of Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge DSO (see 23rd March), Dayson would be sentenced to a further 28 days’ Field Punishment no.1, to run concurrently with the sentence he was already under as a result of the earlier offence.

    Pte. Leonard Briggs (see 13th March) was posted back to Italy from ‘B’ Infantry Base Depot at Arques; he would join XIV Corps Reinforcement Camp at Arquata Scrivia.

    Pte. William Henry Gray (see 28th January) was initially reported missing but later confirmed as having been killed in action while serving in France with 2nd/7th DWR. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.

    2Lt. John Robert ****inson (see 15th February), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, following a period of hospital treatment as a result of gas poisoning, was promoted Lieutenant.

    Cpl. George Wallace Fricker (see 5th October 1917) having completed a course of officer training, was discharged to a commission as Temporary Second Lieutenant and would be posted to 3DWR at North Shields, reporting for duty on 5th April.

    Sgt. Arthur Kilburn Robinson (see 15th August 1917), having completed a course of officer training, was discharged to a commission as Temporary Second Lieutenant with the York and Lancaster Regiment. When he had left 10DWR and returned to England has not been established.

    The Army Chaplains Department wrote to the former Battalion Chaplain, Rev. Wilfred Leveson Henderson MC (see 14th February), who had been severely wounded in the attack on the Messines Ridge on 7th June, to inform him that he had been selected for duty at Boyton Camp, Codford, Wiltshire, and was to report for duty on 28th March.

    A payment of Ł6 18s. 4d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late A/Sgt. James Collings (see 20th September 1917), who had been killed in action on 20th September 1917; the payment would go to his widow, Mary Ann.

    Asiatic, African, Egyptian Front:


    British cavalry advancing towards Amman (east of Jordan).

    British carry Turkish positions at Khan Baghdadiya (on Euphrates) and take 3,000 prisoners.

    Naval Operations:


    The armed merchant ship Lady Cory Wright is torpedoed and sunk fourteen miles south southwest from Lizard. Thirty-nine including her master are killed. HMS P-51 depth charges and sinks the German submarine U-61 in the St George’s Channel.

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    Political:


    Prime Minister of Japan says gravity of situation in Siberia may shortly compel action.

    Anniversary Events:

    1517 The famous Flemish composer Heinrich Isaac dies.
    1799 Napoleon Bonaparte captures Jaffa, Palestine.
    1804 Congress orders the removal of Indians east of the Mississippi River to Louisiana.
    1804 The territory of New Orleans is organized in the Louisiana Purchase.
    1827 German composer Ludwig Van Beethoven dies in Vienna. He had been deaf for the later part of his life, but said on his death bed, “I shall hear in heaven.”
    1832 Famed western artist George Catlin begins his voyage up the Missouri River aboard the American Fur Company steamship Yellowstone.
    1885 The Eastman Film Co. manufactures the first commercial motion picture film.
    1913 The Balkan allies take Adrianople.
    1918 On the Western Front, the Germans take the French towns Noyon, Roye and Lihons.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 04-06-2018 at 10:39.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  38. #3138

    Default

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    Wednesday 27th March 1918
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    Armistice Countdown 229 days
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    Alan Arnett McLeod, VC (20 April 1899 – 6 November 1918) was the son of a doctor. He enrolled in The 34th Fort Garry Horse in 1913 at age 14. WW1 broke out in 1914, McLeod was sent home as under age. He then tried several times to enlist in the army in Winnipeg, and in the cadet wing of the RFC in Toronto. As he turned 18 he successfully enrolled in the RFC. He trained as a pilot at Long Branch near Toronto, and soloed after only 3 hours flight time. He graduated with 50 hours of flying experience. On 20 August 1917 he was shipped overseas to France.

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    McLeod was originally posted to No. 82 Sqn RFC flying scouts, but when his commanding officer found he was 18 he had McLeod posted to No. 51 Sqn RFC on Home Defence duties flying at night. McLeod was then posted to No.2 Sqn RFC, a Corps Squadron working near Hesdigneul in northern France, flying his first operation in December 1917. With Lieutenant Comber as his gunner, he claimed a Fokker Dr.I destroyed in January and on 14 January flamed an observation balloon near Beauvin. He was mentioned in dispatches for this exploit.

    McLeod was an 18-year-old second lieutenant in No. 2 Squadron when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

    On 27 March 1918 over Albert, France, McLeod, with his observer Lieutenant Arthur Hammond, in an Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8 destroyed an enemy triplane and were immediately attacked by eight more, three of which they brought down, but the petrol tank of the bomber was hit. He was assailed at a height of 5,000 feet by enemy triplanes which dived at him from all directions, firing from their front guns. By skilful maneuvering he enabled his observer to fire bursts at each machine in turn, shooting three of them down out of control. By this time Second Lieutenant McLeod has received five wounds, and while continuing the engagement a bullet penetrated his petrol tank and set the machine afire. He then climbed out on to the left bottom plane, controlling his machine from the side of the fuselage, and by side slipping steeply kept the flames to one side, thus enabling the observer to continue firing until the ground was reached. The observer was wounded six times when the machine crashed in “No Man’s Land” and Second Lieutenant McLeod, notwithstanding his own wounds, dragged him away from the burning wreckage at great personal risk from heavy machine gun fire from the enemy’s lines. This very gallant pilot was again wounded by a bomb while engaged in the act of rescue, but he persevered until he has placed Lieutenant Hammond in comparative safety, before collapsing from exhaustion.

    Leutnant Hans Kirschstein of Jasta 6, an experienced ace was credited with the victory. McLeod was wounded three times in the side and Hammond was wounded six times. Hammond lost a leg but was awarded a Bar to his Military Cross.

    McLeod was recommended for a DSO but received the Victoria Cross. He returned to Canada (Stonewall, Manitoba) to recuperate but died from the Spanish Influenza epidemic shortly thereafter. He was only 5 months away from celebrating his 20th birthday.

    There is a street in Stonewall, Manitoba named after McLeod. His former family home is the McLeod Tea House and Stonewall Collegiate has his likeness as a bust displayed in the high school library.

    Dr. David Christie, of Westminster Church, Winnipeg, wrote a moving tribute which appeared in the Manitoba Free Press on the evening of 7 November, the day after McLeod's death.

    ‘Alan McLeod was the finest flower of chivalry. The old days of knighthood are over, but for the very fairest blossoms of the spirit of knighthood the world has had to wait till the 20th Century. It was these dauntless boys who have saved civilization. The heroism of the Crusades pales before the incredible and quiet courage of such boys who gave us a new interpretation of Calvary. I saw Alan within a few hours of his death. He faced the last enemy with the same joyous confidence with which he started on what he called the very happiest part of his life. For our children's children names like Alan McLeod's will be written in letters of splendour in the annals of Canada.’

    Lieutenant Colonel John Stanhope Collings-Wells (Bedfordshire Regiment) VC DSO is killed in action at age 37 performing the acts that will win him the Victoria Cross. Beginning on 22nd March during the fighting from Marcoing to Albert when the rearguard was in great danger of being captured, Lieutenant Colonel Collings-Wells calls for volunteers to remain behind and hold up the enemy for 1˝ hours while the remainder of the rearguard withdraws. During the time the colonel moved amongst his men guiding and encouraging them and even when twice wounded continues to encourage them until he is killed.

    Second Lieutenant Basil Arthur Horsfall (East Lancashire Regiment) dies of wounds at Ayette at age 30 received 21st March between Moyenneville and Ablainzeville, France performing acts for which he will be awarded the Victoria Cross. When the enemy attacked Second Lieutenant Horsfall’s center platoon, his three forward sections are driven back and he is wounded in the head by enemy fire. Ignoring the wound, he immediately reorganizes what remains of his troops and counter-attacks to regain his original position. Despite the severity of his head wound, he refuses to go to the dressing station, as the three other officers in his company have been killed. Later, he makes another counterattack, but is ordered to withdraw. The last to leave his position, he was shot soon afterwards.

    Today we lost: 2526

    Air Operations:

    The Germans redesignate their Shutzstafffeln (escort squadrons) as Schlachtstaffeln (attack squadrons) in recognition of their close air support achievements during Operation Michael.

    General Headquarters.


    “On the 27th inst. low-flying was again carried out by large bodies of our aeroplanes, while our infantry machines continued the work of reporting the position of our battle line. Over 30 tons of bombs were dropped by us, and a quarter of a million rounds of ammunition were fired from a height that ensured accuracy on different targets. Severe casualties are known to have been inflicted on the enemy, and the bringing up of his troops and ammunition was delayed. Twenty-four German machines were brought down in air fighting, and seven others were driven down out of control. Two hostile observation balloons- were also destroyed. Nineteen of our machines are at present missing, but a portion of these are believed to have landed on our side of the line. Very heavy fire directed against our machines from the ground accounted for the greater portion of our casualties.

    “During the night the bombing of Bapaume, Bray and Péronne was continued with the utmost vigour. Over a thousand bombs were dropped, and thousands of rounds of ammunition were fired at good targets, which were plentiful and easy to see in the moonlight. Our pilots saw their bombs bursting in the middle of columns of troops and transport and on encampments. Four of the aeroplanes employed are missing.

    “On the 27th inst. the Sablon station at Metz was bombed. Well over a ton of bombs were dropped; good bursts were seen on the sidings and alongside the railway.”

    RFC Communiqué number 133:

    The weather was fine all day; but there were low clouds on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Brigade fronts, and a certain amount of misdt and haze on the 5th Brigade front.

    Thirty-two reconnaissances were carried out by Brigades.

    Thirty hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction with aeroplane observation and three neutralized; four gun-pits were destroyed, 34 explosions and 20 fires caused. 51 zone calls were sent down.

    One hundred and seventy-seven photographs were taken and over 50 tons of bombs dropped as follows:-

    Night 26th/27th – 1st Brigade: 9 230-lb, 12 112-lb and 145 25-lb bombs were dropped on billets and railheads. No 10 Squadron dropped 76 25-lb bombs; No 21 Squadron dropped 4 112-lb and 57 25-lb bombs on the Roulers – Menin Railway and on Beythem Dump; No 58 Squadron dropped 32 112-lb and 275 25-lb bombs on Peronne, Albert and Bapaume; No 83 Squadron dropped 6 230-lb and 224 25-lb bombs on Bapaume; No 101 Squadron dropped 502 25-lb bombs on Ham and Cambrai, and No 102 Squadron dropped 39 112-lb and 246 25-lb bombs on Bapaume, Mametz, the Bapaume – Albert road, etc.

    Day 27th – 1st Brigade: No 18 Squadron dropped 11 112-lb and 106 25-lb bombs on; 4th Squadron A.F.C. dropped 75 25-lb bombs; No 40 Squadron dropped 16 25-lb bombs, and 1st Wing dropped 45 25-lb bombs.

    2nd Brigade: Nos 1, 19 and 20 Squadrons dropped 111 25-lb bombs on the Third Army front; No 57 Squadron dropped 46 112-lb bombs on Bapaume, and 74 25-lb bombs were dropped.

    3rd Brigade: 2 112-lb and 251 25-lb bombs were dropped.

    5th Brigade: Naval Squadron No 5 dropped 444 25-lb bombs on villages, troops, etc.; 15th and 22nd Wings dropped 658 25-lb bombs.

    9th Brigade: No 25 Squadron dropped 47 112-lb and 88 25-lb bombs on Cambrai; No 27 Squadron dropped 26 112-lb and 48 25-lb bombs on troops and transport in the Albert – Bray area.

    8th Brigade: Machines of No 55 Squadron dropped 3 230-lb and 16 112-lb bombs on the railway sidings at Metz; five bursts were seen in the station, eight in the sidings and three alongside the railway. Twenty-eight plates were exposed. All machines returned.

    Enemy Aircraft:

    Our machines were again concentrated on low bombing and machine-gunning enemy infantry in the neighbourhood of Cambrai, Bapaume, Peronne and Chaulnes. In spite of this, an appreciable amount of fighting in the air took place.

    E.A. were driven down out of control by the following: 2nd-Lieuts H F Davison & J L Morgan, No 22 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut D R MacLaren, No 46 Squadron; 2nd-Lieuts C G D Napier & J M J Moore, No 48 Squadron; Capt G E H McElroy, No 24 Squadron.

    2nd-Lieut T A Lidstone, 79 Sqn, E.A. out of control ? -

    Lieut E G Leake & 2nd-Lieut T H Upfill, 59 Sqn, Scout crashed south of Serre - Lieut E G Leake & 2nd-Lieut T H Upfill, No 59 Squadron, were attacked by an E.A. scout which dived out of the clouds onto their tail, firing all the time. About 100 rounds were fired into the E.A., apparently putting its engine out of action. The E.A. failed to cross the crater zone and crashed just south of Serre

    Sergt F Johnson & Sergt C Brammer, 62 Sqn, E.A. out of control -

    Lieut H C M Nangle & Lieut S Parry, 62 Sqn, E.A. out of control -

    Lieut H C M Nangle & Lieut S Parry, 62 Sqn, E.A. out of control -

    Lieut H C M Nangle & Lieut S Parry, 62 Sqn, E.A. destroyed -

    Flt Sub-Lieut K D Macleod, 3N Sqn, RE8 (?) crashed ? -

    Capt D J Bell, 3 Sqn, LVG C destroyed at 07:00/07:00 -

    2nd-Lieut G R Riley, 3 Sqn, LVG C destroyed at 07:00/07:00 -

    2nd-Lieut P J Clayson, 1 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Achiet-le-Grand at 09:35/09:35 - 2nd-Lieut P J Clayson, No 1 Squadron, while flying over Achiet-le-Grand, engaged the rear machine of five E.A. scouts. The E.A. immediately fell over on its right wing, went down vertically with engine full on, then crashed near Ablainzeville

    Flt Cdr C P O Bartlett & AGL W Naylor, 5N Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed [by Naylor] Fontaine at 10:45/10:45 - Flight Cdr C P O Bartlett & Aerial Gunlayer Naylor, No 5 Squadron RNAS, fired a long burst with rear guns into an E.A. scout which was seen to crash

    Capt N V Harrison & 2nd-Lieut T C Noel, 20 Sqn, Albatros Scout destroyed west of Cappy at 11:00/11:00 -

    2nd-Lieut C G D Napier & 2nd-Lieut J M J Moore, 48 Sqn, two-seater crashed [by Moore] south-west of Roye at 11:20/11:20 - 2nd-Lieut C G D Napier & J M J Moore, No 48 Squadron, shot down an E.A. two-seater which crashed near the River Avre, south-west of Roye

    2nd-Lieut C G D Napier & 2nd-Lieut J M J Moore, 48 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control by Moore south-west of Roye at 11:20/11:20 -

    2nd-Lieut D A Stewart & Capt L I Collins, 18 Sqn, Fokker DrI crashed south-west of Albert at 11:30/11:30 - 2nd-Lieut D A Stewart & Capt L I Collins, No 18 Squadron, were engaged by three E.A. south-west of Albert, one of which they shot down and it was seen to crash

    Lieut H F Davison & 2nd-Lieut J L Morgan, 22 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control Montauban at 11:30/11:30 -

    Lieut H F Davison & 2nd-Lieut J L Morgan, 22 Sqn, Fokker DrI crashed south-east of Albert at 11:35/11:35 - 2nd-Lieut H F Davison & 2nd-Lieut J L Morgan, No 22 Squadron, shot down one of four Fokker Triplanes, which was seen to crash on the railway siding south-east of Albert

    2nd-Lieut T Hosking, 2 AFC, Fokker DrI in flames Fricourt at 11:45/11:45 - 2nd-Lieut T Hoskins, 2nd Squadron A.F.C., fired about 200 rounds at a Fokker Triplane which he met near Albert. The E.A. rolled over and burst into a cloud of smoke and flames and fell completely out of control, then crashed in flames

    Capt R C Phillipps, 2 AFC, Fokker DrI in flames Suzanne at 12:00/12:00 and new type scout captured Meaulte at 12:25/12:25 - Capt R C Phillips, 2nd Squadron A.F.C., engaged an E.A. which was firing at our troops. He dived on it, firing about 100 rounds, and it crashed on our side of the lines near Meaulte. Capt Phillips also engaged one of several Triplanes which attacked his formation, fired 50 rounds, and the E.A. burst into flames and fell slowly to earth; Gefr Sielemann, Js57, Pow (?)

    Capt L W Jarvis and 2nd-Lieut H J Walkerdine, 56 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south-east of Bray at 13:15/13:15 - Capt L W Jarvis, No 56 Squadron, engaged one of several E.A. scouts in conjunction with 2nd-Lieut Walkerdine. The E.A. stalled, turned over, then crashed in a ploughed field

    2nd-Lieut F R McCall & Lieut B S B Andrews, 13 Sqn, Rumpler C crashed south of Tilloy at 13:30/13:30 - Lieut F R McCall & Lieut B S Andrew, No 13 Squadron, attacked two E.A. two-seaters which were trying to cross our lines. 200 rounds were fired into one which crashed in its own lines; confirmed by "K" Battery, A.A.

    2nd-Lieut A R Knowles & Lieut E A Matthews, 11 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed [by Matthews] Meaulte at 13:50/13:50 and Albatros Scout in flames [by Knowles] Morlancourt at 14:00/14:00 - 2nd-Lieut A R Knowles & Lieut E A Matthews, No 11 Squadron, were attacked by six E.A. scouts. They engaged the leader which went down out of control and crashed on the outskirts of Meaulte. Shortly after they met two E.A. scouts and shot one down in flames which was seen burning on the ground in the vicinity of Morlancourt; Gefr Sielemann, Js57, Pow (?)

    2nd-Lieut H R Gould & Sergt W McCleery, 18 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames Plouvain at 14:40/14:40 -

    Lieut E R Jeffree, 4 AFC, Fokker DrI crashed Albert at 15:10/15:10 -

    Lieut J E Pugh & Sergt A H Muff, 25 Sqn, Schuckert D out of control Foucaucourt at 15:10/15:10 –
    Lieut E R Jeffree, 4 AFC, Fokker DrI crashed Albert at 15:10/15:10 - Whilst firing on enemy troops in the vicinity of Albert, saw four Fokker Triplanes below him, so dived on one, firing about 20 rounds. The E.A. rolled over on its back, then spun into the ground. He then attacked another Triplane which also spun down and,

    2nd-Lieut A A McLeod & Lieut A W Hammond, 2 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control Albert at 15:20/15:20, Fokker DrI in flames Albert at 15:20/15:20 and Fokker DrI in flames Albert at 15:20/15:20 - were attacked by eight E.A. triplanes, three of which they drove down out of control.

    Capt G E H McElroy, 24 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames Chipilly at 15:20/15:20 -

    2nd-Lieut F C Ransley & 2nd-Lieut J M J Moore, 48 Sqn, LVG C crashed Morlancourt at 15:20/15:20 - 2nd-Lieuts F C Ransley & J M J Moore, No 48 Squadron, attacked an E.A. two-seater which crashed in the Bois de Tailles

    Lieut F J Scott, 4 AFC, two-seater crashed north-east of Bray at 15:30/15:30 –

    Flt Lieut E ****son & Obs Sub-Lieut W Stewart, 5N Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed Rainecourt at 15:30/15:30 - Flight Lieut E ****son & Flight Sub-Lieut Stewart, No 5 Squadron RNAS, shot down an E.A. scout. Its left wing folded back and it was seen to crash

    2nd-Lieut D R MacLaren, 46 Sqn, Junkers JI (?) out of control 57d.Q.12 [south-east of Beaumont-Hamel] at 15:30/15:30 -

    Royal Flying Corps casualties today:

    ? (Ok) & Lieut W H M Wardrope (Wia), 2 Sqn, AW FK8 – combat?

    Lieut J S Dunkerley (Wia) & ? (OK), 2 Sqn, AW FK8 – combat?

    2nd-Lieut A W Adams (Wia), 4 AFC, Camel B7347 - hit edge of shell hole and overturned in forced landing La Motte on low flying and bomb dropping; ground fire

    ? (Ok) & Capt M F Bridge (Wia), 42 Sqn, RE8 – combat?

    2nd-Lieut R E Lindsay (Wia), 46 Sqn, Camel – combat?

    Capt S P Smith (Ok), 46 Sqn, Camel D6407 - shot through during low work 3rd Army front

    ? (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut H J Finnemore (Wia; Dow), 48 Sqn, Bristol F.2B – combat?

    2nd-Lieut M S Pettitt (Wia), 54 Sqn, Camel – combat?

    Lieut Powell (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut A Leach (Ok), 57 Sqn, DH4 A2155 - hit by AA fire during bombing and photography

    2nd-Lieut V K Hilton (Wia) & ? (Ok), 62 Sqn, Bristol F.2B – combat?

    Capt F G Quigley (Wia), 70 Sqn, Camel – combat?

    Lieut B S Cole (Wia), 79 Sqn, Dolphin – combat?

    2nd-Lieut W L Christian (Ok) & Lieut J E Hanning (Ok), 59 Sqn, RE8 B7722 – took off 06:15/06:15 thern wrecked on landing after aileron control shot on patrol

    2nd-Lieut W C Dennett (Kia), 3 Sqn, Camel B9167 – took off 06:40/06:40 and last seen near Fricourt during low bombing; Uffz Karl Pech, Js29, 2nd victory [Albert at 07:07/07:05] ?

    2nd-Lieut C G Pentecost (Kia) & Lieut A Rentoul (Kia), 25 Sqn, DH4 A7664 – took off 07:00/07:00 then missing from bomb raid east of Albert; Ltn Erich Lowenhardt, Js10, 15th victory ?

    Capt T S Sharpe (Pow), 73 Sqn, Camel C6733 – took off 07:00/07:00 and last seen in combat with E.A. east of Albert on ground strafe; Ritt Manfred von Richthofen, JGI, 71st victory [north-east of Aveleux at 09:00/09:00]

    Capt E B Cahusac (Pow), 79 Sqn, Dolphin C3967 – took off 07:00/07:00 then missing on patrol

    Capt P V Tanner (Kia), 79 Sqn, Dolphin C4050 – took off 07:00/07:00 then missing on patrol

    2nd-Lieut D W Lees (Ok), 79 Sqn, Dolphin C3798 – took off 07:00/07:00 then hit from ground and by E.A. and force landed between Laviéville and Albert 07:45/07:45 and burnt machine while machine-gun trenches

    2nd-Lieut F F Keen (Ok) & 19345 Corpl T Ramsden (Ok), 25 Sqn, DH4 D8372 - overturned in forced landing south-east of of Acq 07:50/07:50 after controls shot away by AA and E.A. during bomb raid

    2nd-Lieut A C R Hawley (Ok), 54 Sqn, Camel C1633 - engine hit by enemy machine-gun fire and crashed on landing Morcourt 08:30/08:30 on offensive patrol

    2nd-Lieut C J Wilson (Wia), 70 Sqn, Camel C8219 – took off 08:55/08:55 then force landed and abandoned Albert area on low flying patrol

    2nd-Lieut H W Ransom (Kia), 70 Sqn, Camel C8234 – took off 09:00/09:00 then missing from low flying patrol Albert area

    2nd-Lieut F C B Wedgwood (Pow), 40 Sqn, SE5a D3507 – took off 09:05/09:05 then missing from OP and bombing escort

    2nd-Lieut R B Smith (Pow) & 13809 1/AM H Sinclair (Pow), 18 Sqn, DH4 A7767 – took off 09:25/09:25 then missing from bombing 3rd Army area; Ltn d R Hermann Habich, Js49, 1st victory [Bapaume at 11:00/11:00] ?

    Lieut G Brettingham Moore (Ok), 2 Sqn AFC, SE5a D3502 - brought down Bouzincourt 09:30/09:30 by enemy gunfire and unsalvable during patrol

    2nd-Lieut A Koch (Wia), 70 Sqn, Camel C8297 - shot on low flying patrol Pozieres 09:45/09:45

    2nd-Lieut H E Stewart (Wia), 3 Sqn, Camel B9319 – took off 09:05/09:05 then damaged by machine-gun fire from ground on low bombing and returned 10:00/10:00

    Capt W R Fish (Kia), 54 Sqn, Camel C1574 – took off 10;00/10:00 then shot down by enemy machine-gun fire near Albert and set on fire on special reconnaissance

    Capt R K Kirkman MC (Pow) & Capt J H Hedley (Pow), 20 Sqn, Bristol F.2B B1156 – took off 10:05/10:05 then missing during low flying and bombing; Ltn d R Karl Gallwitz, Js2, 9th victory [south of Albert at 11:00/11:00] ?

    2nd-Lieut A E Burton (Ok) & Lieut WA Milton (Inj), 5 Sqn, RE8 B2272 – took off 10:15/10:15 then force landed near Albert after controls shot away during bombing Pronville

    2nd-Lieut R D Kennedy (Kia), 23 Sqn, Spad 13 B6848 – took off 10:38/10:38 then seen on nose south-east of Arvillers [Ervillers, north of Bapaume?] on reconnaissance and bombing

    Lieut J V R Brown (Wia) & 2nd-Lieut C F Warren (Wia), 42 Sqn, RE8 B6528 – took off 10:50/10:50 then wounded in combat on reconnaissance and bombing; Hpt Wilhelm Reihard, Js6, 10th victory ?

    Capt H R Child (Kia) & Lieut A Reeve (Kia), 11 Sqn, Bristol F.2B B1332 – took off 11:15/11:15 then missing on reconnaissance Albert – Somme; Ltn Edgar Scholtz, Js11, 5th victory [south of Albert at 12:05/12:05] ?

    2nd-Lieut J L S Fry (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut G Hall (Ok), 35 Sqn, AW FK8 B5828 – took off 11:15/11:15 then shot through during bombing Villers Bretonneaux

    2nd-Lieut A D Pope (Ok) & Lieut H S Redpath (Ok), 52 Sqn, RE8 B3409 – took off 11:40/11:40 then force landed La Houssoye after badly shot and engine seized during bombing

    2nd-Lieut H N Arthur (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut J Bruce-Norton (Ok), 62 Sqn, Bristol F.2B B1305 – took off 12:00/12:00 then force landed Mailly Mallet after engine damaged by AA and abandoned on low flying patrol

    2nd-Lieut A G Hanna (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut R A Burnard (Ok), 35 Sqn, AW FK8 C8490 – took off 12:25/12:25 then force landed and burnt after engine shot through on fighting patrol Villers Bretonneaux

    2nd-Lieut B L Lindley (Ok) & 58887 Sergt A Remington (Ok), 25 Sqn, DH4 A7535 – took off 11:25/11:25 then crashed landing 13:15/13:15 after undercarriage hit by shell on bomb raid

    Capt A V Milton (Ok) & Lieut J W Campbell-**** (Ok), 8 Sqn, AW FK8 C3662 – took off 12:05/12:05 then badly shot about by machine-gun and rifle fire on artillery patrol, returned 14:05/14:05

    2nd-Lieut C L Hilborn (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut W L Kingwill (Ok), 59 Sqn, RE8 C5094 – took off 14:30/14:30 then shot down by enemy fire on contact patrol Gommecourt

    2nd-Lieut T F Rigby (Kia), 3 Sqn, Camel C1570 – took off 14:50/14:50 and last seen over Fricourt on low flying 3rd Army front; Ltn d R Hans Kirschstein, Js6, 3rd victory

    2nd-Lieut L Playnes (Kia) & 2nd-Lieut H Carbynes (Kia), 16 Sqn, RE8 B5028 – force landed 84 Sqn and left 15:00/15:00 to fly back to 16 Sqn but not seen since

    2nd-Lieut G Gornall (Kia) & 2nd-Lieut R A Steele (Kia), 16 Sqn, RE8 B3418 – took off 15:05/15:05 then missing on special mission Albert; Ltn Richard Plange, Js2, 5th victory ?

    2nd-Lieut L Hooton (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut H Wisnekowitz (Ok), 8 Sqn, AW FK8 C3611 – took off 13:15/13:15 then badly shot about by machine-gun fire on contact patrol Morlancourt and returned 15:15/15:15

    2nd-Lieut E T Smart (Kia) & 2nd-Lieut K P Barford (Kia), 2 Sqn, AW FK8 B288 – took off 15:20/15:20 then missing on low bombing special mission Albert

    2nd-Lieut A A McLeod (Wia; dow 06-Nov-18) & Lieut A W Hammond MC (Wia), 2 Sqn, AW FK8 B5773 – took off 14:50/14:50 then missing after take-off from forced landing Avesnes-le-Comte 15:20/15:20 on low bombing special mission to Albert; Ltn d R Hans Kirschstein, Js6, 2nd victory [south-west of Albert at 15:20/15:20]

    Flt Sub-Lieut E C Stocker (Kia) & F713 AAM1 C M Rendle (Kia), 5N Sqn, DH4 D8379 – took off 15:29/15:29 then missing from bombing raid Foucoucourt; Ritt Manfred von Richthofen, JGI, 72nd victory ?

    2nd-Lieut G H Harding (Kia), 79 Sqn, Dolphin C4016 – took off 15:30/15:30 then missing on patrol; Ritt Manfred von Richthofen, JGI, 73rd victory [north-east of Guignolles at 16:35/16:35] ?

    2nd-Lieut A M Kinnear (Ok) & Lieut H Fenton (Ok), 8 Sqn, AW FK8 C8435 – took off 11:30/11:30 then force landed after radiator shot through and undercarriage collapsed on return to aerodrome 16:45/16:45 after contact patrol

    2nd-Lieut W S Maxwell (Kia), 56 Sqn, SE5a B119 – took off 17:40/17:40 and last seen during engagement with enemy Scouts over Bernancourt on OP

    Lieut G D Jenkins (Wia), 46 Sqn, Camel B7311 - wounded in combat Albert on low work 3rd Army front 18:15/18:15

    2nd-Lieut J D Vaughan (Pow) & Lieut J C Thompson (Pow), 58 Sqn, FE2b A5762 – took off 20:30/20:30 then missing from bombing Bray

    Lieut F J Westfield (Pow), 10 Sqn, AW FK8 B5840 – took off 22:20/22:20 then missing from night bombing

    Royal Flying Corps Losses today: 30 (21 records for)

    Flight Lieutenant Lea Ewart Barnes Wimbush (Royal Naval Air Service) is performing aerobatics over the assembled crowd at Berkhampstead Grammar School’s speech day when the wings of his Sopwith Triplane tear off while attempting three consecutive loops. He will die of his injuries tomorrow at age 19. His cousin will be killed in the Royal Air Force next May and due to their parents both being John and Maud Wimbush they are sometimes believed to be brothers.

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    Claims: 82 confirmed (Entente 57: Central Powers 25)

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    Western Front:


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    Germans advance on both side of Somme in night attack, reaching Sailly le Sec (12 miles from Amiens), but lose ground in British counter-attacks. Germans afterwards fail in attacks from Bucquoy to Rosieres and are checked near Lassigny and Noyon, but take Montdidier after rapid advance.

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    Montdidier–After six days of the offensive, the Germans had advanced over thirty miles against the British Fifth Army. On March 27, they pushed the French out of Montdidier, cutting off a key rail connection to Amiens. To the north, they were only twelve miles from the city. The gap between the French and the remnants of the British Fifth Army had still not been plugged. But the German advance showed signs of slowing. Fayolle’s French forces checked the Germans just past Noyon, and the British slowed the Germans near Rosičres. Looting also became a widespread problem–when the Germans entered Albert on the morning of March 27, they spent a considerable portion of the day feasting and drinking on the captured stores there. What they found was quite a bounty for soldiers who had been chafing under the British blockade for years, but the looting caused further delays. The abundance also disheartened the soldiers; the U-boat campaign had clearly not hurt the English as much as the blockade had hurt them. Finally, the further the Germans advanced, the longer their supply lines became–not everything could be replenished by looting. Reinforcements and ammunition had to come over longer and longer roads increasingly torn up by German trucks with metal wheels (rubber being in short supply). Many of the supply lines now traced through the destroyed ground of the Somme battlefield of 1916, as well. And, with Foch now in charge, the French were bringing in more reinforcements daily.

    Battle of Rosičres (Somme) (26th/27th).

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    Whippet tank was used for the first time at the Battle of Rosičres, which took place from March 26 to March 27, 1918, during World War I.

    The Battle of Rosičres was part of Operation Michael, a German campaign to break through Allied lines, destroy French forces and drive British forces on the continent back into the sea. Operation Michael was the first phase of Germany's 1918 Spring Offensive along the Western Front, a last-ditch attempt for Germany to win the war before American forces entered Europe in large numbers.

    On March 26, the Germans tried to capture the village of Colincamps in France, which was on their way to Amiens. At the time, Colincamps was held by New Zealand forces, who were filling a gap in the British line.

    Twelve British Whippet tanks showed up in Colincamps to assist the New Zealanders.

    The Whippets, which were much lighter and quicker than Mark IVs, were able to drive away two German battalions that were about to enter Colincamps.

    Nevertheless, the Germans were able to take the towns of Roye and Albert and Montdidier. The British were able to hold onto the town of Rosičres.

    Southern Front:

    Tunstills Men Wednesday 27th March 1918:


    Billets at Dueville

    Starting out at 9.55am the Battalion marched eight miles north-west, via Villaverla to Thiene, which was described as, “a very decent town with a fair amount of good shops … its shops had little for sale … but its surroundings were magnificent”.

    From Dueville the Division would move on to the Asiago Plateau itself, which was situated north of the River Astico where the ground rises sharply to c.4,000 feet above the river bed onto the Asiago Plateau. It was considered “a very daunting prospect to locate and supply troops in such a position. However, in the centre and right it was possible to take wheeled transport up steep roads, with the ascent spread over around four miles due to the skill of Italian engineers”. To the left there were steeper slopes still near Monte Brusabo and Monte Pau. The plateau was described as being “like a vast step before the heights of the southern Alps”. From the southern edge of the plateau it was around 5,000 yards to the allied front line. There was then a No Man’s Land, mostly extending over around 800 yards to the town of Asiago itself, which was in Austrian hands. There was then a further 2,000 yards to the general slope of the Alps.

    In the allied sector the plateau was composed of hills up to c.600 feet, which allowed for both lateral and forward routes. Further north, in No Man’s Land and in the area under Austrian control, it was an open, undulating plain. Between the allied and Austrian lines ran the dry bed of the River Ghelpac, which did get deeper further west, culminating in a steep ravine at Val d’Assa just west of the left boundary of the British front.

    The Italians had constructed miles of trenches, often blasted out of solid rock. There was road transport, but also funicular railways and aerial trolley routes (known as teleferica). The allied forward defences were on the northern, descending slopes of the hills going down into the Ghelpac valley and would have been fully exposed to Austrian view, but for being concealed in the dense pine woods. There were, however, considerable problems in defending such steep, tree-clad slopes. The Austrian defences across the plain were easily visible, “like a trench map” from the British positions.

    The front was considered ‘stagnant’, with very little activity, no trench raiding and with the trench lines widely separated. The intense cold and deep snow in winter and early spring also made action virtually impossible. However, with the southern edge of plateau only 5,000 yards from the front line, the Division would effectively be “fighting with its back to a chasm. If the front line was to be lost, then artillery support would become very difficult”. This meant that, unlike practice in France, it would not be possible to create an outpost zone and a battle zone for the organization of defence.

    Cpl. Ernest Reeve (25923) (see 29th October 1917), A/Cpls. Alfred Bradbury (see 29th October 1917), John Thomas Damant (see 29th October 1917), Bertie Gooch (see 15th February) and Albert Reynolds (see 11th January) and L.Cpls. Percy Harry Bentley (see 29th October 1917), Stanley Arthur Bones (see 29th October 1917), Roderick Harmer (see 27th November 1917), Jesse Merritt (see 22nd February) and Reginald James Nosworthy (see 12th March) who had held their appointments as NCO’s with the Army Veterinary Corps, prior to being transferred to 10DWR in October 1917, now relinquished their appointments at the expiry of six months with their new unit and reverted to the rank of Private.

    Pte. Herbert Ridley (see 24th February) was killed in action while serving in France with 5DWR. His body, along with those of a number of other members of the Battalion, was buried but the site of the grave would be lost in subsequent fighting.

    Pte. Ellis Sutcliffe (see 14th December 1917), serving with 2nd/5th DWR, was reported missing in action near Acihet-le-Petit; he would later be confirmed as having been taken prisoner. He would be held at prison camps at Limburg, between Cologne and Frankfurt and at Gustrow, east of Hamburg.

    A second payment, of Ł1, was authorised, on the account of the late Pte. Joseph William Henley (see 19th February) who had been killed in action on 18th October 1917; the payment would go to his widow, Lilian.

    A second payment, of 7s., was authorised on the account of the late Pte. Tom Horsfall (see 5th February), who had died of wounds on 5th October 1917; the payment would go to his mother, Mary.

    A payment of Ł10 7s. 11d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Stanley Peace (see 20th September 1917), who had died of wounds on 20th September 1917; the payment would go to his mother, Mary Ann.

    A second payment, of 2s. 9d., was authorised, on the account of the late Pte. William John Williamson (see 19th February) who had been killed in action on 1st October 1917; the payment would go to his mother, Mary.

    Naval Operations:

    Two old destroyers are mined in company off the east coast of England in the North Sea. HMS Kale (Commander Harold E Dennison) sinks while the Exe is damage losing five of her crew.
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    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 04-06-2018 at 10:49.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  39. #3139

    Default

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    28th March 1918

    The focus of the German attack changed again on 28 March. The Third Army, around Arras, that would be the target of Operation Mars. Twenty-nine divisions attacked the Third Army and were repulsed. German troops advancing against the Fifth Army, from the original front at St. Quentin, had penetrated some 60 km (40 mi) by this time, reaching Montdidier. Rawlinson replaced Gough, who was "Stellenbosched" (sacked) despite having organised a long and reasonably successful retreat given the conditions.

    The offensive saw a great wrong perpetrated on a distinguished British commander that was not righted for many years. Gough's Fifth Army had been spread thin on a 42-mile [68 km] front lately taken over from the exhausted and demoralized French. The reason why the Germans did not break through to Paris, as by all the laws of strategy they ought to have done, was the heroism of the Fifth Army and its utter refusal to break. They fought a 38-mile [61 km] rearguard action, contesting every village, field and, on occasion, yard ... With no reserves and no strongly defended line to its rear, and with eighty German divisions against fifteen British, the Fifth Army fought the Somme offensive to a standstill on the Ancre, not retreating beyond Villers-Bretonneux.

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    The German attack against the Third Army was less successful than that against the Fifth Army. The German 17th Army east of Arras advanced only 3 km (2 mi) during the offensive, largely due to the British bastion of Vimy Ridge, the northern anchor of the British defenses. Although Below made more progress south of Arras, his troops posed less of a threat to the stronger Third Army than the Fifth Army, because the British defences to the north were superior and because of the obstacle of the old Somme battlefield. Ludendorff expected that his troops would advance 8 km (5 mi) on the first day and capture the Allied field artillery, "We chop a hole. The rest follows." Ludendorff's dilemma was that the parts of the Allied line that he needed to break most, were also the best defended. Much of the German advance was achieved quickly but in the wrong direction, on the southern flank where the Fifth Army defences were weakest. Operation Mars was hastily prepared, to try to widen the breach in the Third Army lines but was repulsed, achieving little but German casualties.[

    The Herts war diary reads,

    The position gained was held stubbornly against all enemy attempts to retake it. On the morning of the 28th orders were received for a speedy evacuation of this line. The enemy at this point was well in our rear in possession of LAMOTTE so that the withdrawal had to be done quickly. The Bn showed the utmost resource during this dangerous manoeuvre, loosing [sic] very few men. The retirement took place in daylight through HARBONNIERS & CAIX. At the latter place the Bn attacked the enemy successfully but thereafter had orders to retire on COYEUX where it again assembled in a counter attack in which the acting Commanding Officer was wounded. During the day rearguard actions took place along the river bed to IGNAUCOURT. In the evening the Bn went into trenches in front of AUBERCOURT.(28 March 1918)

    Three Victoria Crosses were earned on this day

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    Major (Acting Lieutenant Colonel) Oliver Cyril Spencer Watson VC DSO (Middlesex Hussars commanding 2nd/5th King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry) is killed at age 41 at Rossignol Wood, north of Hebuterne, France. A counter-attack has been made against the enemy position which at first achieves its objective, but as they were holding out in two improvised strong-points, Lieutenant Colonel Watson sees that immediate action is necessary and he lead his remaining small reserve to the attack, organizing bombing parties and leading attacks under intense fire. Outnumbered, he finally orders his men to retire, remaining himself in a communication trench to cover the retirement. The assault he leads is at a critical moment and without doubt saves the line, but he is killed covering the withdrawal. For his actions he will be awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross. He previously served in Tirah and during the Boxer Rebellion.

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    At Arras at a time the flank of his division is in danger, Second Lieutenant Bernard Matthew Cassidy (Lancashire Fusiliers) is in command of the left company of his battalion. He is ordered to hold on to the position at all costs and he carries out his instructions to the letter. Although the enemy attacks in overwhelming numbers he continues to rally and encourage his men under a terrible bombardment until the company is eventually surrounded and he is killed at age 25. For his actions Second Lieutenant Cassidy will be awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.

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    Stanley Robert McDougall VC MM (23 July 1889 – 7 July 1968) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross. McDougall was born on 23 July 1889 at Recherche Bay, Tasmania, where he was raised and educated. He was the son of John Henry McDougall, a sawmiller, and Susannah (née Cate). In civilian life, he was an amateur boxer, and a blacksmith by trade, and was considered an excellent horseman, an expert marksman, and a competent bushman. Illness prevented him from enlisting in the Australian Imperial Force to fight in the First World War until 31 August 1915. He was 27 years old and a sergeant in the 47th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force during the First World War when he performed the actions for which he was awarded the VC.

    On 28 March 1918 at Dernancourt, France, when an enemy attack succeeded in securing a foothold in the Allied line, McDougall charged the second wave single-handedly, killing seven men and capturing a machine-gun, which he turned on the attackers, routing them and causing many casualties. He continued his attack until his ammunition ran out, when he seized a bayonet and charged again, killing three men and an officer. Then, using a Lewis gun, he killed many more of the enemy and made it possible for 33 prisoners to be taken. His prompt action saved the line and halted the enemy's advance. Eight days later he repelled another enemy attack at the same spot, for which action he was awarded the Military Medal.

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    The Air War

    A nine plane offensive patrol from 43rd Squadron Royal Flying Corps under the command of Captain John L Trollope is attacked at 09:30 by a flight of Albatros D.V’s in the Albert area. Five of the Sopwith Camels of 43rd Squadron are shot down. Captain Trollope, Lieutenant Robert J Owen and Second Lieutenant W J Prier are captured, while Second Lieutenant C R Maasdorp and Second Lieutenant H T Adams are killed. Prior to their being shot down Capt Trollope destroys a kite balloon and two enemy aircraft while Lieutenant Owen also shoots down one enemy airplane. Captain Trollope’s wounded arm is so badly damaged that his hand will be amputated and he will be repatriated in June. Eventually his left arm will be amputated at the shoulder.

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    SE5a pilots of 40th squadron depart at 13:30 to patrol an area around Arras. They find the main Arras-Cambrai road and most of the side roads full of troops and transport, with the Douai main roads similarly congested. These targets are attacked from heights down to three hundred feet and panic and stampedes are reported.

    General Headquarters, March 28th.

    “On the 28th inst. our machines carried out a successful raid on the station at Luxemburg. Twenty-one heavy bombs were dropped, and several were seen to burst on the objectives. All our machines returned from both raids."

    General Headquarters, March 29th.

    "On the 28th inst. our aeroplanes carried on their attacks with bombs and machine-gun fire on hostile troops on the battle front. The majority of these attacks took place south of the Somme, in which area large concentrations of the enemy's troops were constantly reported. The work was continued till dark in spite of rain storms and low clouds, a total of 26 tons of bombs being dropped, and nearly a quarter of a million rounds of ammunition fired by our pilots upon different targets. Artillery work and photography were also carried out as usual on the quieter parts of the front. There was not much fighting, considering the number of British machines in the air, but on the battle-front fire from the ground was again very heavy. Nine German machines were brought down and five others driven down out of control. In addition, two hostile machines were shot down by fire from the ground. Twelve of our machines are missing."

    RFC Communiqué number 133:

    The weather was not so fine as on previous days; a high wind prevailed all day and a there was a certain amount of rain in the afternoon. In spite of this, a great deal of work was done, mostly consisting of bombing and machine-gunning the enemy’s troops from a low altitude.

    Fifty-eight reconnaissances were carried out, 33 of which were by machines of the 5th Brigade. Many contact patrols were also carried out by machines of the 3rd and 5th Brigades. Four hostile batteries were neutralized with aeroplane observation and two fires caused. 139 zone calls were sent down.

    Forty tons of bombs were dropped as follows:-

    Night 27th/28th – 1st Brigade: No 7 Squadron dropped two 112-lb and 10 25-lb bombs on Hooglede; No 21 Squadron dropped 44 25-lb bombs on billets, and No 10 Squadron dropped 24 25-lb bombs on Halluin and Menin.

    9th Brigade: One flight of No 58 Squadron attached to No 83 Squadron dropped 13 112-lb, and 105 25-lb bombs on Bapaume and Bray; No 83 Squadron dropped three 230-lb and 341 25-lb bombs on Bapaume; No 101 Squadron dropped 290 25-lb bombs on Péronne and No 102 Squadron and two flights of No 58 Squadron dropped 28 112-lb bombs 186 25-lb bombs on Bray.

    Day 28th –
    1st Brigade: 1st Wing dropped 85 25-lb bombs; No 18 Squadron dropped six 112-lb and 38 25-lb bombs; No 40 Squadron dropped 63 25-lb bombs and 4th Squadron A.F.C. dropped 73 25-lb bombs.
    2nd Brigade: No 19 Squadron dropped 38 25-lb bombs; No 20 Squadron dropped 32 25-lb bombs; No 1 Squadron dropped 46 25-lb bombs, No 67 Squadron dropped 30 112-lb bombs on Bapaume, and 2nd Wing dropped 34 25-lb bombs.
    3rd Brigade: Eight, 112-lb and 454 25-lb bombs were dropped.
    5th Brigade: Naval Squadron No 5 dropped 192 25-lb bombs on villages, troops, transport etc,; 15th and 22nd Wings dropped 626 25-lb bombs.
    9th Brigade: No 25 Squadron dropped 28 112-lb and 118 25-lb bombs on troops and transport in the neighbourhood of Albert and Chuignolles; No 27 Squadron dropped 40 112-lb and 56 25-lb bombs on troops and transport in the neighbourhood of Péronne.

    8th Brigade: During the day, machines of No 55 Squadron left to bomb the railway station at Liege, but could not reach the objective owing to strong wind and clouds. Two 230-lb and 18 112-lb bombs were dropped from a height of 18,500 feet on the railway station at Luxembourg and several bursts were observed on the railway. Twenty-five photographs were taken. All machines returned.

    Enemy Aircraft:

    ln addition to the E.A. brought down in aerial combat during the day, two hostile machines were brought down by anti-aircraft fire, one of which fell in our lines.

    E.A. were driven down out of control by the following: 2nd-Lieuts E Lindup & H G Crowe, No 20 Squadron; Lieuts R G Bennett & J D Boyd, No 20 Squadron; Flight Lieut E ****son & Sub-Lieut Stewart, Naval Squadron No 5; Flight Cdr C P O Bartlett & Aerial Gunlayer Naylor, Naval Squadron No 5; 2nd-Lieut H H Browning, 4th Squadron A.F.C..

    2nd-Lieut H I Pole & Lieut L C Spence, 2 Sqn, Fokker DrI in flames west of Estrées - 2nd-Lieut H I Pole & Lieut L C Spence, No 2 Squadron, were attacked by six Fokker Triplanes and an E.A. scout, and they shot down one Triplane out of control which burst into flames before reaching the ground and was seen burning on the ground west of Estrées

    2nd-Lieut R S Durno & 2nd-Lieut R H Boyd, 5 Sqn, E.A. crashed - 2nd-Lieuts R S Durno & R H Boyd, No 5 Squadron, attacked an E.A. which was apparently doing contact patrol work. The E.A. turned east, nose-dived, and crashed
    2nd-Lieut Adams, 43 Sqn, E.A. destroyed -
    2nd-Lieut W J Prier, 43 Sqn, E.A. destroyed - Prier shot down and taken prisoner
    2nd-Lieut T Colvill-Jones & Lieut H G Crowe, 20 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control Albert at 08:30/08:30 – [was the pilot Lindup?]
    Capt G B Moore and Lieut F P Magoun, 1 Sqn, LVG C crashed Gavrelle (north of Oppy) at 08:40/08:40 -
    Lieut F P Magoun, 1 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Quiery at 08:55/08:55 -
    Lieut R G Bennett & Lieut J D Boyd, 20 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control La Boiselle at 09:00/09:00 -
    Capt J L Trollope, 43 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed east of Albert at 09:30/09:30 -
    2nd-Lieut R J Owen, 43 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed east of Albert at 09:30/09:30 -
    Capt J L Trollope, 43 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames east of Albert at 09:30/09:30 -
    Capt J L Trollope, 43 Sqn, Balloon in flames east of Albert at 09:30/09:30 -
    2nd-Lieut R J Owen, 43 Sqn, Balloon in flames ? east of Albert at 09:30/09:30 -

    2nd-Lieut C F King, 43 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed east of Albert - Bray road at 09:35/09:35 - 2nd-Lieut C F King, No 43 Squadron, in a general engagement between eight E.A. scouts and a patrol of his squadron, shot down one E.A. scout which was seen crashed

    Flt Lieut E ****son & Obs Sub-Lieut W Stewart, 5N Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control Proyart - Foucaucourt at 09:50/09:50 -

    Flt Cdr C P O Bartlett & AGL W Naylor, 5N Sqn, Fokker DrI crashed Rainecourt at 10:00/10:00 and Fokker DrI crashed Rainecourt at 10:00/10:00 - Flight Cdr C P O Bartlett & Aerial Gunlayer Naylor, Naval Squadron No 5, whilst on a bomb raid, were attacked by five E.A. scouts and three Fokker Triplanes. Two of these E.A. manoeuvring to get on the tail of Flight Cdr Bartlett's machine collided and went down locked together and caught fire on reaching the ground

    Flt Cdr C P O Bartlett & AGL W Naylor, 5N Sqn, DH4 N6001, Pfalz Scout out of control [by Naylor] Rainecourt at 10:00/10:00 -

    2nd-Lieut C Marsden, 46 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Boiry-Notre-Dame at 10:00/10:00 - 2nd-Lieut C Marsden, No 48 Squadron, was attacked by seven E.A. scouts when flying at 1500 feet. He fired 50 rounds into the E.A. leader which fell vertically and crashed. The remaining E.A. forced 2nd-Lieut Marsden down to 30 feet, his elevator controls being shot away, and he crashed within a few yards of our front line. His machine was completely wrecked and, as it was so near the front line, he burst the petrol tank with his revolver and burned the machine

    2nd-Lieut H H Browning, 4 AFC, Albatros Scout out of control Neuvireuil - Fresnoy at 10:05/10:05 -
    Capt T L Purdom & 2nd-Lieut P V G Chambers, 62 Sqn, E.A. out of control Sailly at 10:05/10:05 -
    Capt G B Moore and Lieut F P Magoun, 1 Sqn, DFW C crashed Bazentin at 14:05/14:05 - Capt G B Moore, No 1 Squadron, attacked an E.A. two-seater from 70 yards range and it glided down and crashed near Bazentin, north-east of Albert
    Capt H W Woollett, 43 Sqn, Balloon in flames south of Arras at 16:25/16:25 -
    Capt H W Woollett, 43 Sqn, Balloon in flames south of Arras at 16:25/16:25 -

    Casualties:

    ? (Ok) & Lieut J Wedgwood (Wia), 9 Sqn, RE8 – combat?
    ? (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut H Pickles (Wia), 13 Sqn, RE8 – combat?
    2nd-Lieut C V Frith (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut F H Thorp (Ok), 13 Sqn, RE8 C5089 - shot through on contact patrol
    2nd-Lieut D O Robinson (Wia) & ? (Ok), 18 Sqn, DH4 – combat?
    2nd-Lieut E W Pickford (Pow), 21 Sqn, RE8 B8884 - missing from bombing Menin
    Lieut F V Heakes (Wia), 24 Sqn, SE5a – combat?
    Capt A K Cowper (Ok), 24 Sqn, SE5a B8407 - badly shot during bombing
    ? (Ok) & Sergt A M Muff (Wia), 25 Sqn, DH4 – combat?

    The following claims were made on this day including 2 hat tricks and number 74 for The Red Baron

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    World War One Diary for Thursday, March 28, 1918:

    Western Front
    USA: Pershing places AEF units at Foch’s disposal.
    Artois – FOURTH BATTLE OF ARRAS: Ludendorffs Operation Mars fails bloodily with 9 divisions against 4 to clear northern flank of his ‘bulge’ against British Third Army and Arras itself. Local German attacks towards Amiens gain 3 miles; Germans take Hamel, Mezieres and Demuin, but fail to cut off XIX Corps’ retreat from Rosieres. At 1630 hours Rawlinson replaces Gough (recalled). French counter-attacks recapture 3 villages. Ludendorff orders completion of prepara*tions for reduced Flanders Operation Georgette. In the estimated 8-10 days before (actually 12 days) he orders all efforts be made to secure Amiens. King visits BEF until March 30.

    Air War
    Western Front: Royal Flying Corps lose 58 planes in low-level operations (7 German planes shot down) dropping 40t bombs and firing 242,000 rounds.

    Middle East
    Mesopotamia: British armoured cars capture Ana, its radio station and drive 73 miles beyond until March 29.

    Sea War
    Atlantic: Submarine-cruiser U-157 investigates Spanish liner Infanta Isabel de Bourbon.

    The USS Robinson was one of three Wickes Class Destroyers launched by the US Navy on this day (along with USS Schley and USS Lamberton)

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    Robinson cleared San Francisco Bay 24 October 1918 for the east coast of the United States. Transiting the Panama Canal 3 November 1918, she set course by way of Guantanamo Bay for Norfolk, Virginia where she arrived on 8 November.

    On 10 January 1919, Robinson put to sea from Norfolk to conduct winter training out of Guantanamo Bay, which ended at New York Harbor 14 April 1919. She then prepared for lifeguard duty supporting the first transatlantic flight from America to Europe to be attempted by Navy Seaplane Division Number 1.

    Robinson got underway from Norfolk on 30 April, arrived at Halifax, Nova Scotia, 4 May 1919, and stood out toward the entrance of the harbor on the afternoon of 8 May. At 1944, she sighted the first of the Navy seaplanes, the NC-3, approach the harbor on the first leg of the transatlantic flight. Two days later, Robinson took station at sea to assist in guarding the flight of the two seaplanes to Trepassey Bay, Newfoundland, then returned to Halifax 11 May and got underway on 14 May to act as plane guard for seaplane NC-4 which had been delayed by repairs at Chatham Naval Air Station, and passed overhead at 1645, on 15 May, to join the other two seaplanes at Trepassey Bay. After NC-4 faded from view, Robinson set course for station on the Azores route to be followed by the seaplanes from Trepassey Bay, 16 May 1919. These seaplanes would be guided on their 1,380-mile flight to the Azores, by Robinson and other destroyers who poured smoke from their funnels in daylight and fired starshells or turned on searchlights during the night. The first seaplane passed Robinson abeam an hour before midnight of 16 May 1919, and the two others also passed within the next 20 minutes. The NC-4 covered the flight in 15 hours and 13 minutes setting down at Horta, the emergency stop in the Azores Islands. This seaplane had found its way above the dense fog which completely blinded the pilots of the others. An hour before the NC-4 landed, the NC-1 was forced to the water about 45 miles (72 km) off Flores Island and the NC-3 had also descended about 35 miles (56 km) from Fayal. The NC-1 sank in the heavy seas and Robinson joined in the search for the NC-3 which refused all assistance and finally taxied to Ponta Delgada under its own power.

    Robinson anchored at Horta, Fayal Island, the afternoon of 19 May and stood out of the harbor the next morning to transport newspaper reports to Ponta Delgada where she arrived that afternoon. On 25 May 1919, she was en route to Station Number Seven (38°10′N 17°40′E) to cover the fourth leg of the transoceanic flight of the lone NC-4. She sighted the seaplane at 1330 on the afternoon of 26 May and the NC-4 faded from view on its way to a royal welcome by the Portuguese at Lisbon on 25 May and at Plymouth, England, on 31 May, terminating the historic 4,500-mile flight.

    Robinson returned to Ponta Delgada on 28 May 1919 and put to sea on 2 June to arrive at Newport on 8 June. She underwent overhaul in the Norfolk Navy Yard and conducted operations in local areas of Newport until her arrival at New York on 30 September 1919. She joined five other destroyers off Sandy Hook on the afternoon of 1 October, then made rendezvous off Fire Island with George Washington to act as honor escort for the King of Belgium. She cleared port on 6 October for operations off Key West and Pensacola, Florida, visiting Beaufort, South Carolina, on her return voyage to New York where she arrived 5 November 1919.

    On 22 November 1919, Robinson stood out of New York Harbor, leading the second section of the honor detachment on the port quarter of HMS Renown, flying the standard of the Prince of Wales, in company with HMS Constance. She was relieved of her royal escort duty off Nantucket Shoals and returned to New York on 25 November. After a visit to Savannah, and voyage repairs in the Portsmouth Navy Yard, she cleared Boston Harbor on 14 January 1920 for fleet maneuvers off Guantanamo Bay and near the Panama Canal. She returned to New York on 1 May 1920 and entered the Portsmouth Navy Yard on 25 May 1920 for a year of inactivity. She shifted from the yard to Newport on 25 May 1921 for local operations until 10 October, and then visited New York before her arrival at Charleston, South Carolina, on 19 November 1921. After several months in local waters off Charleston, she entered the Philadelphia Navy Yard where she decommissioned 3 August 1922.

    Robinson remained inactive until 23 August 1940 when she recommissioned for transfer to the British Government under terms of the destroyers-in-exchange-for-bases agreement. The transfer was effected at Halifax, Nova Scotia, on 26 November 1940 when Robinson was renamed HMS Newmarket (G47) and taken over by a care and maintenance party of the Royal Canadian Navy. She was commissioned in the Royal Navy on 5 December 1940, and struck from the U.S. Navy list 8 January 1941.

    Royal Navy

    Newmarket departed Halifax on 15 January for the United Kingdom, calling at St. John's and arriving at Belfast on 26 January and at Plymouth, England, on 30 January.

    After a short refit in the Humber, she began convoy escort work in the Western Approaches Command and on 2 June 1941, was unsuccessfully attacked by an aircraft in the northwestern approaches. Later that month she proceeded to Sheerness, and was in dockyard hands until November when she joined the 8th Escort Group, at Derry. Newmarket was modified for trade convoy escort service by removal of three of the original 4-inch (102 mm)/50 and one of the triple torpedo tube mounts to reduce topside weight for additional depth charge stowage and installation of hedgehog.[1]

    On 3 January 1942, Newmarket had to leave Convoy HX-166 because of boiler trouble, and proceeded to Lough Foyle. On the 30th she arrived at Liverpool, and was under refit until the end of March.

    In April 1942, she escorted the Russian convoy PQ-14, but a month later, she was allocated for duty as an aircraft target ship in the Firth of Forth. She refitted at Leith between December 1942 and February 1943, and later in the year, refitted again at Rosyth, Scotland. In September 1943, Newmarket was reduced to care and maintenance status at Rosyth but resumed duty as an aircraft target ship from the spring of 1944, until after the end of the war in Europe. She was scrapped at Llanelli in September 1945.

    Captain Tunstill's Men: At 7.30am the Battalion marched out along the Thiene-Sarcedo road to a point 1,000 yards west of Sarcedo where they were then loaded on to Fiat motor lorries. The Battalion was divided into parties of 150 officers and men, each of which was then loaded in turn onto ten lorries, 15 men to each lorry, to be taken ten miles up the steep and winding roads on to the Asiago plateau to Granezza. Each man had been allocated an extra two blankets and a jerkin in addition to their normal load.

    Many years later 2Lt. Bernard Garside (see 28th February) recalled the dramatic journey and the change in the weather as the lorries ascended the plateau: “Well I told you we got to Thiene. This was at the foot of the hills which mount up into the great mountains of the Austrian and Italian Tyrol. After a day or two there, we were told we were going up the hills towards the front in lorries and were to live in some huts up there for a few days. I rode on the front of a lorry and it was warm sunshine. I had thin shorts on and a thin shirt. But oh dear! We rode up over 4,000 feet, into snow, and I was nearly stiff with cold. But what a ride! We got up the hills by winding all round the edges of great ravines down which we could see for hundreds of feet. The roads twisted and turned and often we went round three or four hair-pin bends one after another. But we arrived at our tents at last”.

    Pte. Harold Charnock (see 19th March) remembered that, “we left in motor lorries for Granezza … Here we were billeted in Italian huts. The ground was deep in snow and the cold was intense. The relief of the Italian troops was eventually concluded but there was some difficulty over the ownership of the huts”. The difficulties over the accommodation were also referred to in the Brigade War Diary, “Great difficulty with regard to accommodation due to the difference between Italian and British organization”.

    Gnr. Herbert Airey, brother of 2Lt. Stephen Brown Airey (see 12th February), serving with the Royal Field Artillery died of wounds and would be buried close to the village of Gentelles, south-west of Villers-Bretonneux; after the war his remains would be exhumed from his marked grave and re-interred at Moreuil Communal Cemetery Allied Extension. In a letter to Herbert Airey’s mother his Commanding Officer told her, “Your son was one of my best signalmen, and I feel his loss very keenly. The battery was heavily pressed, and he had been doing splendid work when a shell landed close to him, inflicting a wound, from which he died in the course of an hour. I feel wonderfully proud of his splendid courage.

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    Never Knowingly Undergunned !!

  40. #3140

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    29th March 1918

    Major General Edward Feetham CB CMG General Officer Commanding 39th Division dies of wounds at age 52. At about 12 noon, the enemy commences a bombardment of Demuin while the General and his General Staff Officer are walking up the main street. One shell bursts on the houses they are passing and a fragment strikes Major General Feetham in the neck. The son of the Reverend William Feetham Vicar of Penrhos dies of wounds shortly thereafter. He is a veteran of the South African War. For the second time in eleven days the 39th Division has lost a commanding officer.

    Brigadier General Harry Townsend Fulton CMG DSO General Officer Commanding 3rd New Zealand Brigade New Zealand Division dies of a concussion received the previous day at age 48. During the previous day there has been a marked increase in the enemy’s artillery as well as machine-gun fire. In the evening an unlucky 5.9-inch shell scores a direct hit on the cellar that is the New Zealand Rifle Brigade’s headquarters at Collincamps. The entire place is wrecked and its occupants completely buried. General Fulton, who has arrived back the previous day, succumbs to the effects of the concussion today. He is the son of Lieutenant General John Fulton, RA and served on the India Frontier in 1897, South Africa War in 1900 Samoa in 1914 and Egypt in 1915.

    Home Fronts
    France: Paris Gun causes 165 civilian casualties in Church of St Gervais. Senate votes 1919 class call up.
    Britain: First Good Friday newspapers due to grave war news.

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    Western Front
    Somme: German offensive slackens, along Ancre north of Somme, quiet phase begins until April 3. Kaiser briefed at Mons. Luettwitz’s III Corps drives Anglo-French back up to 2 miles on 7-mile front between the Avre and Luce.

    Eastern Front
    Ukraine: German 2nd Cavalry Division occupies Poltava.

    Politics
    USA: Lloyd George cables Wilson for immediate commitment of US troops plus 120,000 per month to Europe (Clemenceau also on March 31).
    Austria: Czernin urges Emperor Charles to launch Italian Front attack to support Hindenburg

    The Air War

    General Headquarters, March 30th.


    “During the morning of the 29th inst. low clouds and rain greatly interfered with flying, but, in spite of the weather, valuable work was again accomplished by our aeroplanes. Our machines were concentrated upon the battle front south of the Somme, where observers had previously reported large columns of the enemy advancing from the east. Many bombs were dropped and thousands of rounds of ammunition were fired upon these columns. A good deal of fighting took place, the enemy's low-flying machines being particularly active in this area. Nine hostile aeroplanes were brought down and two others were driven down out of control. Two of our machines are missing.

    “During the night over 12 tons of bombs were dropped on Bapaume and on roads in the vicinity, and also on roads and villages east of Arras. Direct hits were obtained on dumps and transport and on the railway line. One of our machines has not yet been located.

    RFC Communiqué number 133:

    Little flying was possible in the morning owing to bad weather, which improved in the afternoon.

    Thirteen reconnaissances were carried out, nine of which were by machines of the 3rd Brigade.

    Several contact patrols were carried out by machines of the 1st, 3rd and 5th Brigades.

    Two hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction with aeroplane observation and four neutralized. 46 zone calls were sent down.

    Eighteen photographs were taken and 5˝ tons of bombs dropped as follows:-

    1st Brigade: Two 25-lb bombs by No 4 Squadron; two 112-lb and 48 25-lb bombs by No 18 Squadron, and 26 25-lb bombs by No 4 Squadron A.F.C.
    2nd Brigade: No 20 Squadron dropped 36 25-lb. bombs; 16 25-lb bombs were also dropped.
    3rd Brigade: 87 25-lb bombs.
    5th Brigade: 15th Wing dropped 93 25-lb bombs; 22nd Wing dropped 96 25-lb bombs, and Naval Squadron No 5 dropped four 112-lb and 68 25-lb bombs.
    9th Brigade: No 25 Squadron dropped six 112-lb and 26 25-lb bombs on troops and transport in Warfusée; No 27 Squadron dropped 14 112-lb and 24 25-lb bombs on troops and transport in Fresnoy, Mezieres and neighbourhood.

    Enemy Aircraft:

    Machines were again engaged in bombing from a low altitude and firing at the enemy’s troops, and were chiefly employed between the Somme and Hangest. Enemy aircraft were very active just south of the Somme.

    E.A. were driven down out of control by the following; 2nd-Lieut J G Kennedy, No 65 Squadron; Capt H G Forrest, 2nd Squadron A.F.C.; Lieut R St J Dix, and 2nd-Lieut F G Dyson, No 82 Squadron; Capt F G C Weare & 2nd-Lieut G S L Hayward, No 22 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut H F Davison & Lieut J L Morgan, No 22 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut J N Bartlett, No 60 Squadron; Capt J A Slater and 2nd-Lieut P S Burge, No 64 Squadron (one).

    Lieut J K Watson & Lieut J W Benton, 52 Sqn, Scout crashed Caix - Rosičres - Lieuts J K Watson & Benton, No 52 Squadron, were attacked by five E.A. scouts, one of which they shot down to crash in a field between Caix and Rosieres

    2nd-Lieut C E H Allen & Sergt J B Wright, 25 Sqn, Scout in flames - 2nd-Lieut C H E Allen & Sgt J B Wright, No 25 Squadron, were attacked by one E.A. scout which they shot down in flames

    2nd-Lieut A E Hulme & Sergt A Remington, 25 Sqn, Scout crashed Raincourt - Herleville - 2nd-Lieut A E Hulme & Sgt A Remington, No 25 Squadron, shot down one of ten E.A. scouts which attacked their formation; it went down in a spin and crashed between Raincourt and Herleville

    2nd-Lieut S Jones & 2nd-Lieut H Pullen, 25 Sqn, two-seater crashed Foucaucourt at 10:45/10:45 - 2nd-Lieuts S Jones & H Pullan, No 25 Squadron, shot down an E.A. scout seen to crash near Proyart

    2nd-Lieut E J Smetham-Jones & 2nd-Lieut J C Fitton, 48 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Villers Brettoneux at 13:55/13:55 - 2nd-Lieuts E J Smetham-Jones and J C Fitton, No 48 Squadron, when flying at a height of 900 feet, shot down an E.A. scout just east of Bayonvillers

    Capt A K Cowper, 24 Sqn, Albatros C crashed Warfusée at 15:00/15:00 - Capt A K Cowper, No 24 Squadron, attacked an E.A. two-seater, firing both guns, and the E.A. dived east very steeply and crashed

    29-Mar-18, 5573, Lieut H F Davison & 2nd-Lieut J L Morgan, 22 Sqn, two-seater out of control south-east of Hangard at 15:30/15:30 -
    29-Mar-18, 5574, Sergt E J Elton & Lieut R Critchley, 22 Sqn, two-seater crashed Rosičres at 15:30/15:30 -

    Capt G E H McElroy, 24 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Foucaucourt at 15:30/15:30 - Capt G E H McElroy, No 24 Squadron, saw five E.A. scouts behind their lines west of Foucaucourt. He climbed above the clouds and approached the E.A. through a gap, apparently unobserved, then dived on one Albatros scout, firing 100 rounds into it at a range of from 100 to 20 yards. Pieces were seen to fall off the E.A.’s fuselage and it went down completely out of control, crashing between Foucaucourt and the River Somme. Capt McElroy also shot down one E.A. out of control [see below]

    Sergt E J Elton & Lieut R Critchley, 22 Sqn, two-seater crashed Lihons at 15:35/15:35 -
    Sergt E J Elton & Lieut R Critchley, 22 Sqn, two-seater crashed Vauvillers - Soyecourt at 15:40/15:40 -
    Capt F G C Weare & Lieut G S L Hayward, 22 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Guillancourt at 15:45/15:45 -
    Capt G E H McElroy, 24 Sqn, DFW C out of control east of Warfusée at 15:45/15:45 -
    Lieut H F Davison & 2nd-Lieut J L Morgan, 22 Sqn, Rumpler C crashed east of Bervillers at 16:10/16:10 -

    2nd-Lieut H F Proctor, 32 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed south of Proyart at 16:15/16:15 - 2nd-Lieut H F Proctor, No 32 Squadron, dived on an E.A. scout which was flying east at about 1,000 feet. He followed it down to 500 feet, firing 200 rounds at point- blank range, and the E.A. crashed just south of Proyart

    Casualties:

    2nd-Lieut H V Lewis (Wia), 23 Sqn, Spad 13 – combat?
    Lieut M S Maclean (Wia), 23 Sqn, Spad 13 – combat?
    2nd-Lieut CF Palmer (Wia), 32 Sqn, SE5a B175 - brought down by AA on patrol
    2nd-Lieut KGP Hendrie (Ok), 32 Sqn, SE5a D282 - shot through by A.A. fire and landed Vert Galand on offensive patrol
    Lieut F A W Nunn (Killed), 65 Sqn, Camel D1780 - seen by patrol between Villers-Bretonneux and Lamotte landing on aerodrome but overturned and pilot seen to walk away [died of wounds 2 April 1918?]
    ? (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut P Hardy (Wia), 82 Sqn, AW FK8 – combat?
    2nd-Lieut W G MacKenzie (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut E H S Morris (Ok), 82 Sqn, AW FK8 C8460 - hit by machine-gun fire from ground during contact patrol with French troops
    2nd-Lieut A C R Hawley (Wia), 54 Sqn, Camel B9267 – took off 08:00/08:00 then force landed near Warfusée and impossible to salve on offensive patrol; Vzfw Fritz Schattauer, Js16, 3rd victory [north-west of Abancourt, no time] ?
    2nd-Lieut W A Tyrrell (Ok), 32 Sqn, SE5a C9625 – took off 13:50/13:50 then force landed north of Amiens after main petrol tank shot through by E.A. on offensive patrol
    Capt E W Monk (Kia) & Lieut C B Wilkinson (Kia), 8 Sqn, AW FK8 C3661 - attacked by E.A. and brought down Sh62c.J.21.d [south of Driencourt] 14:00/14:00 on artillery patrol
    2nd-Lieut E R Varley (Ok), 23 Sqn, Spad 13 B6731 - force landed Warfusée - Abancourt 15:00/15:00 and burnt after engine shot through on reconnaissance and bombing
    2nd-Lieut J K Watson (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut J W Benton (Ok), 52 Sqn, RE8 B5015 – took off 14:00/14:00 then longeron shot during bombing and returned aerodrome 16:05/16:05

    The following aces claimed victories on this day

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    There were two hat tricks on this day

    Flight Sergeant Ernext John Elton - a Bristol Fighter pilot from 22 Squadron RFC

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    As an Air Mechanic with 6 Squadron, Ernest John Elton assisted Lanoe Hawker in developing a mount for attaching a Lewis gun to the Bristol Scout in June 1915. The highest scoring non-commissioned officer in the Royal Flying Corps, Elton scored 16 victories as a Bristol Fighter pilot with 22 Squadron in February and March of 1918.

    2nd Lieutenant Roland Critchley 22 Squadron RFC

    The son of Charles and Mary Ann Critchley, Roland Critchley was a Brisfit observer with 22 Squadron in 1918. He scored seven victories in March flying with his pilot, Ernest John Elton.

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    OOh look an upgunned Bristol - now there's a novel idea - I must see what I can do about that

    Captain Tunstill's Men: Billetted in huts at Granezza

    Conditions at Granezza were miserable, with the snow knee-deep. Granezza was described as, “a large clearing, where the hills parted to create a miniature plain, on which a camp of crude hutments, now somewhat dilapidated in appearance, had been established. This was Granezza, our new temporary home, looking dreary enough on our arrival, amidst an expanse of snow. We were welcomed by a bread ration, our first for some days, but otherwise there was little to enthuse over. Our mountain billets were huts buried deeply in snow. The rocky sides of the mountain showed indistinctly through the mists … A more desolate spot would have been difficult to imagine … Our hut, divided horiziontally to double the sleeping accommodation, was far from weatherproof, but we were packed sufficiently close to provide one another with sufficient warmth”. It was extremely cold, with hard frosts at night, though there was plenty of wood available for the fires. It was also very hazardous marching on the icy, twisting mountain paths. Rations were transported by track mules.

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    Morale among the troops at Granezza was not good “Depressing news (from France) about the war, temperatures much lower than we had been used to, the infernal desolation of the black pine forests; we had at that time little cause to be cheerful”. There were clearly some attempts to lighten the mood, as recalled many years later 2Lt. Bernard Garside (see 28th March); “But I’ll go back to where we were in the huts in the snow. We were not really there very long and I’m afraid the officers in our Company nearly got into trouble. We stole out and climbed very gently on to the roof of one of the other huts where the officers of another company were and put a flat stone on the chimney of their stove. At first they thought the fire was smoking and by the time they came out to see what the matter was we weren’t there. They didn’t find out or I guess they’d have played a trick back”.

    EARBY WIDOW'S SACRIFICE - Three Sons in 12 Months

    The sad news came to hand last weekend in a letter from an Army Chaplain in France, of the death from wounds of Private James Stanley Williamson, Duke of Wellington's Regiment, which look place in the 3rd Canadian Hospital on March 17th. He was 23 years of age, and the second son of Mrs. Williamson, 42 Skipton Road, Earby, who has had two other sons killed within twelve months. These were: Private Sydney George Williamson, K.O.Y.L.I. (20), killed April 9th 1917, and Private William James Williamson (29), Duke of Wellington's Regiment, killed October 1st 1917. They were all unmarried.

    Private James S. Williamson enlisted in the early days of the war and had spent nearly three years in France. The family received a letter from him dated only two days prior to his death, which was due to gunshot wounds in the back, right leg and a fractured arm. He was formerly employed by Messrs. B. W. Hartley, Brook Shed, and was connected with All Saints' Church, where the Rector (Rev. J. F. Tanfield) made sympathetic reference to the family's sad loss on Sunday evening.

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    Never Knowingly Undergunned !!

  41. #3141

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    Saturday 30th March 1918
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    Armistice Countdown 226 days
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    Alan Jerrard, VC (3 December 1897 – 14 May 1968) was 20 years old, and a lieutenant in No. 66 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War when he performed an act of bravery for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

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    Jerrard volunteered and served with the 5th South Staffordshire Regiment before transferring to the RFC in 1916, where he trained as a fighter pilot.

    From mid-1917, he served in No. 19 Squadron RFC in France, but he was injured in an air crash on 5 August 1917, flying a Spad VII. From 22 February 1918, he served in No. 66 Squadron RFC in Italy, as a lieutenant, flying Sopwith Camels. Between 27 February and 21 March he scored four aerial victories, including one balloon.
    Jerrard was awarded the VC for the following deed:

    On 30 March 1918 near Mansue, Italy, Lieutenant Jerrard, with two other officers, Peter Carpenter and Harold Ross Eycott-Martin, on offensive patrol, shot down one of five enemy aircraft. Then flying at 50 ft. he attacked an aerodrome with some 19 machines either landing or attempting to take off. After destroying one of these he was attacked by more enemy aircraft but, seeing a brother-officer in difficulties, went to assist him, destroying a third enemy machine, then continued his attacks, only retreating, with five machines in pursuit, on the orders of the patrol leader. Even then, he repeatedly turned to beat off the enemy until finally forced down.

    After the war records revealed that the Camel's opponents were four Austrian Albatros DIII (Oef) fighters, one of which was damaged and had to land, while another pilot was injured by a bullet. Jerrard was shot down by the ace Benno Fiala von Fernbrugg from Flik 51/J, and became a prisoner of war. Although the RFC credited Jerrard with 3 claims on this date, Jerrard himself did not claim to destroy any planes in that skirmish, only that he claimed to shoot one up. He was the only Camel pilot to be awarded a VC.

    Jerrard remained a prisoner until the end of 1918, when he managed to escape and reach Allied lines. He later served in Russia in 1919 and achieved the rank of flight lieutenant.

    Jerrard's VC and other medals are displayed on rotation in the Imperial War Museum

    Today we lost: 1,535

    Air Operations:

    It has been noted that German aircraft are now using the the Balkenkreuz (beam or bar cross) which replaces the Cross Pattée (Iron Cross) as the national marking on German military aircraft, making the legs of the cross straight and of equal width instead of curved.

    Lieutenant Alan Jerrard (Royal Flying Corps) flies an offensive patrol with Lieutenant Peter Carpenter and Lieutenant Harold Eycott-Martin patrol over the Austro-Hungarian Mansue aerodrome. Lieutenant Jerrard attacks five enemy airplanes and shoots one down in flames, following it down to within one hundred feet of the ground. He then attacks the enemy aerodrome from a height of fifty feet from the ground, and, engages single handed some nineteen machines, which are either landing or attempting to take off, succeeding in destroying one of these, which crashes on the aerodrome. A large number of machines then attack him, and while occupied he observes that one of the pilots of his patrol is in difficulties. He immediately goes to this pilot’s assistance, regardless of his own personal safety and destroys a third enemy machine. Fresh enemy airplanes continue to rise from the aerodrome, which he attacks one after another, and only retreats, still engaging five enemy machines, when ordered to do so by his patrol leader. Although wounded, this very gallant officer turns repeatedly, and attacks single-handed the pursuing machines, until he is eventually overwhelmed by numbers and driven to the ground and made a prisoner. For his actions Lieutenant Jerrard will be awarded the Victoria Cross.

    General Headquarters.

    “After midday on the 30th inst. the weather completely broke, but, in spite of driving rain, our pilots continued to take part in the battle south of the Somme, and dropped bombs and used their machine guns until a late hour on the targets offered by the enemy. Useful reports as to the location of hostile troops were brought in, and in the northern area of the battle a certain amount of work in conjunction with our artillery was carried out. There was heavy fighting in the air between our low-flying machines and those of the enemy. Twelve hostile aeroplanes were brought down and three others driven down out of control. One hostile balloon was destroyed by our machines, and another two German aeroplanes were shot down by our anti-aircraft guns. Five of our machines are missing."

    RFC Communiqué number 133:

    The weather was fine in the morning, but turned to rain in the afternoon; however, in spite of this, machines of of the 3rd and 5th Brigades continued their attacks with bombs and machine-guns on the enemy’s infantry.

    Forty reconnaissance sorties were carried out by Brigades.

    Ten hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction with aeroplane observation (all by 1st Brigade), and 12 neutralized; 14 gun-pits were destroyed, 11 explosions and one fire caused. Eighty zone calls were sent down.

    A total of 179 photographs were taken and 21˝ tons of bombs dropped follows:—

    Night 29th/30th - 1st Brigade: No 2 Squadron dropped 47 25-lb and eight eight 40-lb phosphorous bombs on Quiéry-la-Motte, and No 5 Squadron dropped 40 25-lb bombs on Quiéry-la-Motte and lzel.

    9th Brigade: No 58 Squadron dropped 17 112-lb and 242 25-lb bombs on Bapaume, Remy, Cherisy and Lecluse; No 83 Squadron dropped 15 112-lb and 127 25-lb bombs on Bapaume; No 101 Squadron dropped three 112-lb bombs on the Roye – Quesnel road; No 102 Squadron dropped two 230-lb and 381 25-lb bombs Remy, Cherisy and the Arras – Cambrai road.

    Day 30th - 1st Brigade: No 18 Squadron dropped 13 112-lb and 87 25-lb bombs. 42 25-lb bombs were dropped.

    2nd Brigade: 48 25-lb bombs were dropped.

    3rd Brigade: 168 25-lb bombs were dropped.

    5th Brigade: 15th Wing dropped 109 25-lb bombs; 22nd Wing dropped 184 25-lb bombs, and Naval Squadron No 5 dropped two 112-lb, and 72 25-lb bombs.

    9th Brigade: No 25 Squadron dropped 32 112-lb and 128 25-lb bombs on Fresnoy, Bayonviilers and Chuignolles; No 27 Squadron dropped 34 112-lb and 32 25-lb bombs on Caix.

    Enemy Aircraft:

    South of the Somme enemy aircraft were very active during the morning, being chiefly employed in firing from a low altitude at our infantry. Anti-aircraft guns of the First and Second Armies both brought down a hostile machine in our lines.

    Enemy were driven down out of control by the following: 2nd-Lieut J G Kennedy, No 65 Squadron; Capt H G Forrest, 2nd Squadron A.F.C.; Lieut R St J Dix and 2nd-Lieut F G Dyson, No 82 Squadron; Capt F G C Weare and 2nd-Lieut G S L Hayward, No 22 Squadron; 2nd-Lieuts H F Davison and J L Morgan, No 22 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut J N Bartlett, No 60 Squadron; Capt J A Slater, 2nd-Lieut P S Burge, No 64 Squadron (one).

    Lieut R St J Dix & 2nd-Lieut S G Dyson, 82 Sqn, EA out of control -

    2nd-Lieut W F J Harvey & 2nd-Lieut H F Moore, 22 Sqn, Balloon in flames north-east of Albert - 2nd-Lieut W F J Harvey & Lieut H F Moore, No 22 Squadron, fired 150 rounds into an enemy balloon. Almost immediately a cloud of smoke obscured the balloon from view, and when this cleared away nothing was seen of the balloon

    2nd-Lieut J G Kennedy, 65 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Lamotte at 07:30/07:30 -

    Capt H G Forrest, 2 AFC, two-seater out of control Quesnel at 08:00/08:00 -

    Flt Lieut J Gamon & Observer Sub-Lieut F H Stringer, 5N Sqn, Fokker DrI in flames Villers-Bretonneux at 09:12/09:12 - Flt Lieut J Gamon & Observer Sub-Lieut F H Stringer, Naval Squadron No 5, when returning from a bomb raid were attacked by three Fokker Triplanes, one of which they shot down to crash.

    2nd-Lieut L J Balderson & Capt F T R Kempster, 18 Sqn, Scout in flames Fresnes at 09:15/09:15 - 2nd-Lieut L Balderson & Capt F Kempster, No 18 Squadron, shot an E.A. scout down in flames

    2nd-Lieut E A Clear, 84 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Cerisy (south of Somme) at 09:30/09:30 - 2nd-Lieut E A Clear, No 84 Squadron, dived on one of four E.A. two-seaters firing both guns, and the E.A. crashed near Cerisy

    Capt H A Hamersley, 60 Sqn, LVG C crashed Mametz Wood at 10:35/10:35 –

    2nd-Lieut H N J Proctor, 60 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Albert at 11:00/11:00 -

    Capt W H K Copeland, 60 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Boire at 11:10/11:10 - Capt W H Copeland, No 60 Squadron, shot down an E.A. scout which crashed in the centre of the village of Boire

    2nd-Lieut J N Bartlett, 60 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Hem at 11:10/11:10 -

    2nd-Lieut H G Hegarty, 60 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Treux at 11:10/11:10 - 2nd-Lieut H G Hegarty, No 60 Squadron, dived on one E.A. scout flying at 1,200 feet and drove it down to 500 feet. The E.A. went over in a vertical bank, then crashed in the village of Theux

    Capt H A Hamersley, 60 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Hem at 11:15/11:15 and Albatros Scout out of control Fricourt at 11:15/11:15 - Capt H A Hamersley, No 60 Squadron, attacked one of several E.A. scouts which crashed on the roof of a house in Hem and burst into flames. He also shot down one E.A. completely out of control which was confirmed as having crashed

    Capt J A Slater and Lieut P S Burge, 64 Sqn, two-seater out of control Croiselles at 11:50/11:50 -

    Lieut W J A Duncan and 2nd-Lieut J S Griffith, 60 Sqn, LVG C crashed Bécourt at 11:50/11:50 - Lieut W J A Duncan, No 60 Squadron, fired 150 rounds into an E.A. two-seater, which was also attacked by 2nd-Lieut J S Griffith of the same squadron, and the E.A. crashed in the village of Becourt

    Lieut A H Cobby, 4 AFC, Pfalz Scout broke up south-east of Arras at 12:15/12:15 - Lieut A H Cobby, No 4th Squadron A.F.C., attacked an E.A. scout which was sitting on the tail of a Camel. The E.A. started to spin and one wing broke off, and it was seen to crash

    Royal Flying Corps casualties today:

    2nd-Lieut A E Sweeting (Wia), 1 Sqn, SE5a B72 - shot through by heavy gunfire on bombing patrol north-east of Monchy; Ltn d R Fritz Paul Riemer, Js26, 2nd victory [Zillebeker See – Arras at 07:20/07:20] ?

    Flt Sub-Lieut C J Heyward (Ok) & AGL T W Jones (Wia), 5N Sqn, DH4 N5992 - shot up bombing troops and transport east of Villers-Bretonneux; Offz Stv Behncke, Js54, 1st victory [Villers Bretonneux at 09:45/09:45] or Ltn d R Heinrich Georg Geigl, Js16, 8th victory [Villers-Bretonneux, no time] ?

    2nd-Lieut F H Sharp (Wia) & 2nd-Lieut F H Thorp (Wia; dow), 13 Sqn, RE8 – combat?

    Capt G H B Streatfield (Wia) & Lieut B W Sims (Wia), 16 Sqn, RE8 - shot up on photography

    Capt S P Smith (Ok), 46 Sqn, Camel D6489 - shot through during low work 3rd Army front

    ? (OK) & 2nd-Lieut A R Harrison (Wia), 59 Sqn, RE8 – combat?

    2nd-Lieut D G Brown (Wia; Dow), 65 Sqn, Camel D6454 - ran into ditch and overturned between Essertaux and Oresmaux [south of Amiens] after pilot wounded on offensive patrol

    2nd-Lieut A H F Goodison (Ok), 23 Sqn, Spad 13 B6385 – took off 06:28/06:28 then shot up by A.A. on bombing and forced to return

    2nd-Lieut A M McTavish (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut H A Somerville MC (Kia), 82 Sqn, AW FK8 C3647 – took off 07:15/07:15 then force landed Assainvillers near lines after radiator shot through by machine-gun fire from ground south of Montdidier and destroyed on contact patrol; also a claim by Offz St Johannes Klein, Js15, 5th victory [Montdidier at 08:50/08:50] ?

    2nd-Lieut C T Travers (Inj), 84 Sqn, SE5a C6382 – took off 08:55/08:55 then hit telegraph wires near Villers Bretonneux while contour chasing away from 5 EA on offensive patrol

    2nd-Lieut W H Browne (Pow), 79 Sqn, Dolphin C3791 - took off 09:15/09:15 then missing on patrol; has been suggested as Ltn d R Rudolf Stark, Js34, 3rd victory [Hamelet - east of Vaire at 12:30/12:30] but the time of the claim would mean the Dolphin had been aloft for 3ź hours – most sources agree on a 2-hour endurance

    2nd-Lieut D W Lees (Wia), 79 Sqn, Dolphin C3893 – took off 09:15/09:15 then wounded in combat

    Capt J F Morris (Ok), 23 Sqn, Spad 13 B6879 – took off 13:13/13:13 then shot up by A.A. on reconnaissance Villers-Bretonneux and forced to land

    2nd-Lieut W G MacKenzie (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut E H S Morris (Ok), 82 Sqn, AW FK8 C8460 – took off 17:25/17:25 then hit by machine-gun fire from ground during contact patrol with French troops

    Lieut J T Quick (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut A J Ord (Ok), 8 Sqn, AW FK8 C3650 – took off 18:30/18:30 then badly shot about by rifle and machine-gun fire on artillery patrol and returned 21:50/21:50

    Royal Flying Corps Losses today:


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    Claims: 31 confirmed (Entente 24: Central Powers 7)


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    Home Fronts:


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    The aftermath in St-Gervais-et-St-Protais.

    France, March 29 1918, Paris–The Germans’ “Paris Gun” continued its random shelling of Paris while the German armies attacked the British to the north. Its deadliest day came on March 29, when a shell hit the roof of the St-Gervais-et-St-Protais Church during one of its Good Friday services. The whole roof collapsed, killing 91 and injuring 68. More than a third of the total deaths caused by the Paris Gun came from that single shell. While it did frighten the Parisian population, the Good Friday attack on Paris mainly served to increase hatred of the Germans. The French Socialist leader said in Parliament: “At the moment when women, children and he aged were imploring Heaven to end this horrible butchery, the roof of the church, shattered by steel, responded with blood to their prayers.”

    Canada, March 30, Quebec:

    Quebec City–Canadian PM Borden had won a massive mandate for conscription with a landslide victory in Anglophone Canada in the fall of 1917. Quebec remained as opposed as ever, giving all but a handful of seats to Laurier’s opposition Liberals. Conscription had gone into force at the start of 1918, though generous exemptions allowed most men to avoid being called up. Nevertheless, it remained as unpopular as ever in Quebec. On March 28, a man was arrested in Quebec City by federal police for not presenting his draft exemption papers upon request. He was released later that day, but crowds had already gathered outside the police station. That evening, the police station was ransacked; the next day, the local conscription office and two pro-conscription newspapers were as well.
    Unable to maintain order, the mayor appealed for aid from the federal government. Borden used his war powers to send troops to the city to disperse the riots, and the first 700 had arrived by the morning of March 30. Nevertheless, the riots continued unabated. The situation calmed considerably on the 31st, at it was Easter, but erupted again on Monday, when crowds confronted the 1200 troops shipped in from Ontario. Claiming to have been fired upon from surrounding buildings, the troops opened fire on the crowd, killing at least five. This ended the riots, but a significant military presence would remain in Quebec for the remainder of the war to prevent a repeat–further increasing Quebecois resentment of Borden’s government. Exemptions for the draft were drastically reduced, but no more than 125,000 additional men were drafted, most of whom never made it to the front before the end of the war.

    Western Front:

    A 37.5 mile front, between Moreuil and Lassigny, French offensive continued; desperate resistance to enemy attacks.

    North of Somme in Boivy and Boyelles region (Cojeul river) heavy German attacks break down.

    South of Somme in Luce valley, Demuin is lost and retaken by British.

    Attack on Belgian trenches east of Nieuport repulsed.

    The Battle of Moreuil Wood is an engagement that takes place on the banks of the Arve River, when the Canadian Cavalry Brigade attacks and forces the German 23rd Saxon Division to withdraw from Moreuil Wood, a commanding position on the river bank. This defeat contributes to the halt of the German Spring Offensive. At 08:30 General John Edward Bernard Seely and his aides travel towards the Moreuil woods from where his forces are stationed on the other side of the River Avre, with orders to cross the river and delay the enemy advance as much as possible. At 09:30, upon reaching the wood, having received fire from German forces that are occupying it, Seely orders the Royal Canadian Dragoons to send sections to protect the village of Moreuil, while other sections are to seize the northeast corner of the wood itself. While this was being undertaken, Lord Strathcona’s Horse is ordered to occupy the southeast face of the wood and disperse any German units found there. The remaining squadrons of the Canadian Cavalry Brigade are ordered to enter the wood from the northwest, and sweep through it towards the eastern face where Lord Strathcona’s Horse is awaiting them. After being driven back from their first assault by machine gun fire, the cavalry units dismount and proceed to attack a second time with fixed bayonets, driving German forces from the edge of the wood and into the center. Hand to hand fighting breaks out in several locations with swords and pistols as Canadian forces fight through the German 101st Grenadiers, who became disorganized and demoralized. As Canadian cavalry fight through the wood, they are driven eastwards by German machine gun fire while units of the Canadian Dragoons are forced to wheel into the woods at the north due to German attack. This quickly became a series of separate engagements due to the nature of the battlefield, with units separated and dispersed inside the German formations, and the fact that horses are ineffective in the woodland leads to the pace of the battle slowing down considerably. By now the remainder of the 3rd Cavalry has crossed the river and is distributed around the wood to support various Canadian forces currently engaged with German forces, many of these reinforcements are instructed to dismount before entering the battle. At this time, units from Lord Strathcona’s Horse are formed into scouting teams of about ten men each and sent to discover details about the enemy forces and positions. The commander of ‘C’ company Lord Strathcona’s Horse, Lieutenant Gordon Muriel Flowerdew, orders his forces to secure the northeast corner then report back to him. Flowerdew is then ordered to cut off the German forces retreating to the east in the face of the Allied forces advancing through the wood. During this time, the forces dispatched by Flowerdew to the northeast corner ambush and killed German forces looting a French wagon, then proceeding to dismount and entered the wood under fire. Flowerdew arrives, assesses the situation, and decides that his unit should move to cut off the German retreat while the other section will help to drive the Germans from the wood. By now there are six squadrons of cavalry in the wood, planes from the RFC are also attacking German forces from overhead, dropping 109 bombs and firing 17,000 bullets. Cavalry forces approach the southwest corner of the woods, coming under heavy fire and suffering heavy casualties, they are forced to temporarily halt. Flowerdew reaches high ground at the northeast corner of the wood just in time to encounter a 300 strong German force from the 101st Grenadier’s who are withdrawing. Flowerdew orders “It’s a charge boys, it’s a charge!” however the bugler Trooper Reginald George Longley is killed at age 22 after raising his trumpet to blow the call silenced by German fire before it is sounded.

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    Painting of the Last Great Cavalry Charge

    During the charge nicknamed “The Last Great Cavalry Charge”, both sides are decimated, and Flowerdew is dangerously wounded through both thighs, with only 51 of his unit still alive. Tomorrow Lieutenant Flowerdew will die of wounds and he will be posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his efforts on this day. Pic charge By 11:00 only the southern point of the wood is still occupied by German forces. With reinforcements arriving for the British, Seely orders the remaining Germans to be driven away. Seely orders British artillery fire into the wood to cease so he can operate without fear of friendly fire. The Germans are routed from the wood, and the day ends with 305 Allied casualties but the wood was in Allied hands. This battle causes the destruction of the Moreuil Castle, an estate of the family of Rougé, inherited from the Lords of Créquy, Princes of Poix and dukes of Lesdiguičres.

    Southern Front:

    Albania: Enemy attempt against bridgehead in Avlona sector fails.

    Tunstills Men Saturday 30th March 1918:


    Billetted in huts at Granezza

    It was around this time that news was received that a sum of 300 Francs had been presented by Madame Coquet in commemoration of the retaking by the Battalion of the village of Veldhoek in September 1917; the amount was to be expended in the purchase of a Silver Bugle.

    Maj. Edward Borrow DSO (see 15th February) left the Battalion to undertake a senior officer’s training course.

    Pte. John William Mallinson (see 2nd March) was reported on a charge (details unknown) and would be ordered by Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge DSO (see 26th March) to be confined to barracks for seven days.

    Pte. Sidney John Rainbow (see 22nd March) was reported by Cpl. Arthur Lee MM (see 21st March) for “slackness on guard mounting”; on the orders of Lt. Thomas Beattie (see 3rd March) he was to be confined to barracks for five days.

    Pte. George Green (22749) (see 3rd March) was discharged from 29th Stationary Hospital at Cremona and transferred to the Convalescent Depot at Lido d’Albano.

    Lt. George Stuart Hulburd (see 1st February) was posted for duty in the orderly room at the Officers Command Depot, Eastbourne.

    Asiatic, African, Egyptian Front:


    British raid Hejaz railway near Amman (east of Jordan).

    Naval Operations:


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    Political:

    H.M. the King returns from a visit to the front.

    Mr. Lloyd George issues statement on course of present battle and announces appointment of General Foch.

    Anniversary Events:
    1492 King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella sign a decree expelling all Jews from Spain.
    1840 "Beau" Brummell, the English dandy and former favorite of the prince regent, dies in a French lunatic asylum for paupers.
    1858 Hyman L. Lipman of Philadelphia patents the pencil with an eraser attached on one end.
    1867 Russian Baron Stoeckl and U.S. Secretary of State Seward complete the draft of a treaty ceding Alaska to the United States. The treaty is signed the following day.
    1870 The 15th amendment, guaranteeing the right to vote regardless of race, passes.
    1870 President U.S. Grant signs bill readmitting Texas to the Union, the last Confederate state readmitted.
    1885 In Afghanistan, Russian troops inflict a crushing defeat on Afghan forces, despite orders not to fight.
    1909 The Queensboro Bridge in New York opens. It is the first double decker bridge and links Manhattan and Queens.
    1916 Mexican bandit Pancho Villa kills 172 at the Guerrero garrison in Mexico.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 04-07-2018 at 14:50.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  42. #3142

    Default

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    Sunday 31st March 1918
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    Armistice Countdown 225 days
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    Gordon Muriel Flowerdew VC (2 January 1885 – 31 March 1918) was born in Billingford, Norfolk and educated at Framlington College, in Suffolk. He emigrated to British Columbia, where he took up ranching.

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    When the war broke out in September 1914, he enlisted as a private in Lord Strathcona’s Horse. He rose quickly through the ranks and was commissioned as an officer in 1916. In January 1918 Flowerdew was given command of C Squadron of Lord Strathcona's Horse.

    For most of the war, the Canadian cavalry Brigade was not involved in much direct fighting, because of the static nature of the warfare. However, when the Germans launched Operation Michael and began a rapid advance in the spring of 1918, cavalry again became an important factor. In late March, as the Germans approached Moreuil and threatened to cross the L’Avre River, the last natural barrier before Amiens, the Canadian Cavalry Corps was assigned the task of stopping them. As the Germans began to enter Moreuil Wood from the east, Lieutenant Flowerdew's squadron rode around the wood and approached the Germans' flank from the north. Flowerdew ordered a cavalry charge.

    Riding into the fire of five infantry companies and an artillery battery, the squadron suffered atrocious casualties (more than half of the men in C Squadron were killed), and Flowerdew himself was fatally wounded. However, the cavalry charge so unnerved the Germans that they were never able to capture Moreuil Wood, and their advance turned into a retreat in early April. His actions in "The Last Great Cavalry Charge" led to the award of the Victoria Cross.
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    Charge of Flowerdew's Squadron, 1918 by Alfred Munnings, Canadian War Museum

    For most conspicuous bravery and dash when in command of a squadron detailed for special services of a very important nature. On reaching his first objective, Lieutenant Flowerdew saw two lines of enemy, each about sixty strong, with machine guns in the centre and flanks; one line being about two hundred yards behind the other. Realizing the critical nature of the operation and how much depended on it, Lieut. Flowerdew ordered a troop under Lieut. Harvey, VC, to dismount and carry out a special movement, while he led the remaining three troops to the charge. The squadron (less one troop) passed over both lines, killing many of the enemy with the sword; and wheeling about galloping on them again. Although the squadron had then lost about 70 per cent of its members, killed and wounded from rifle and machine gun fire directed on it from the front and both flanks, the enemy broke and retired. The survivors of the squadron then established themselves in a position where they were joined, after much hand-to-hand fighting, by Lieut. Harvey's part. Lieut. Flowerdew was dangerously wounded through both thighs during the operation, but continued to cheer his men. There can be no doubt that this officer's great valour was the prime factor in the capture of the position.

    Flowerdew's Victoria Cross was one of twenty awarded during the battles of the German and Allied offensives in the Amiens area in 1918.

    His posthumously awarded Victoria Cross was donated by his mother to Framlingham College in England. It had been on loan to, and displayed by, the Strathcona Museum in Calgary from 1990 to 2002. The medal was returned to the college in 2002.

    Lt. Flowerdew is a character in the award-winning and internationally produced play, Mary's Wedding, by Canadian playwright Stephen Massicotte. The climax of the play takes place during the charge at Moreuil Wood.

    Today we lost: 1,265


    Air Operations:


    1,059 aeroplanes reported brought down on all fronts in March, of which Allies claim 838, and Germans 221.
    Comparative statement of bombing activity by British and German aircraft issued.

    General Headquarters.


    “On March 31st our observation balloons and aeroplanes were active, the good visibility enabling the former to carry out useful work in conjunction with the artillery. The activity of our aeroplanes was chiefly centred south of the Somme. A close watch was kept on the enemy's movements in this area, and a large column of hostile troops or transport seen was bombed and engaged with machine gun fire. Very little fighting took place in the air. Two hostile machines were brought down and one other was driven down out of control. Four of our machines are missing. Four of our machines previously reported missing have since returned to their units.

    "Night flying was not possible till after mid-night owing to low clouds. From midnight until dawn our bombing machines were constantly at work. Twenty-four tons of bombs were dropped on the railway stations at Douai, Cambrai, Bapaiime, Rosieres, and Thourout, and on the docks at Bruges. Troops and transport in the neighbourhood of Bapaume and Chaulnes were also attacked with bombs and machine gun fire. All our machines returned."

    RFC Communiqué number 133:

    The weather was very overcast, with occasional rain showers.

    Eleven hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction with aeroplane observation and three neutralized; one gun-pit was destroyed, six damaged, ten explosions and one fire caused. Twenty-seven zone calls were sent down.

    Forty-two reconnaissances were carried out, of which three were long distance photographic flights by the 9th Brigade.

    Machines of the 3rd and 5th Brigades carried out several contact patrols.

    From RAF Communiqué number 1: On the 31st ultimo, balloons of the 1st and 2nd Brigades registered five targets.

    A total of 10˝ tons of bombs were dropped as follows:—

    1st Brigade: 1st Wing dropped 27 25-lb bombs, and No 18 Squadron dropped six 25-lb bombs on La Bassée.

    2nd Brigade: 15 25-lb bombs. No 1 Squadron dropped 14 25-lb bombs.

    3rd Brigade: 20 112-lb and 91 25-lb bombs.

    5th Brigade: Naval Squadron No 5 dropped 4 112-lb and 120 25-lb bombs, and 15th and 22nd Wings dropped 277 25-lb bombs.

    9th Brigade: No 25 Squadron dropped 7 112-lb and 24 25-lb bombs on Bapaume; No 27 Squadron dropped 14 112-lb and 16 25-lb bombs on Villers-Carbonnel, and No 82 dropped 211 25-lb bombs on troops and transport.

    Enemy Aircraft:

    Very few enemy machines were encountered, with the exception of south of the Somme, but a good many two-seaters appeared to be doing contact patrol work.

    2nd-Lieut G S Hodson, 73 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames Abancourt - Warfusée at 10:00/10:00 – 2nd-Lieut G S Hodson, No 73 Squadron, was attacked by two E.A. scouts, one of which he shot down out of control

    2nd-Lieut A H Santa Maria, 54 Sqn, two-seater forced to land south-east of Proyart at 10:15/10:15 -

    2nd-Lieut R C Crowden, 54 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed Warfusée at 10:30/10:30 – 2nd-Lieut R C Crowden, No 54 Squadron, was attacked by E.A. scouts; he fired a burst of 100 rounds into one, which went down completely out of control and crashed near Warfusée

    2nd-Lieut W E Green & 2nd-Lieut H S Gros, 57 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control Bapaume at 11:15/11:15 – 2nd-Lieuts W E Green & H S Gros, No 57 Squadron, shot down one enemy scout out of control

    Royal Flying Corps casualties today:

    2nd-Lieut B G A Bell (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut W F Hanna (Ok), 48 Sqn, Bristol F.2B A7167 - shot by machine-gun fire from ground on OP Moreuil

    2nd-Lieut W Dancy (Wia) & Capt J E Greenall (Kia), 52 Sqn, RE8 – combat?

    Capt P D Robinson MC (Kia) & 2nd-Lieut J Q F Walker (Kia), 57 Sqn, DH4 A7674 – took off 12:50/12:50 then missing from photography

    Lieut D Maclean (Ok) & Lieut E J Brabrook (Ok), 8 Sqn, AW FK8 C8451 – took off 14:00/14:00 then force landed off Amiens - Albert road after radiator shot through on artillery patrol

    2nd-Lieut E S C Pearce (Kia) & 2nd-Lieut C B Coleman (Pow), 57 Sqn, DH4 A2161 – took off 14:20/14:20 then missing from bombing Bapaume; Ltn d R Heinrich Georg Geigl, Js16, 9th victory [Beugnâtre, no time] ? Beugnâtre is just north-east of Bapaume

    2nd-Lieut A S Hanna (Pow) & 2nd-Lieut R A Burnard (Pow), 35 Sqn, AW FK8 C8482 – took off 16:40/16:40 then missing from fighting patrol

    Royal Flying Corps Losses today:


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    Claims: 20 confirmed (Entente 8: Central Powers 12)


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    Home Fronts:

    Russia:
    On the morning of 31 March, Azerbaijanis opposed to the Bolshevik disarming of the Savage Division held protests in Baku, demanding to arm the Muslims. The Azerbaijani Bolshevik organization Hümmet attempted to mediate the dispute, proposing that the arms taken from the Savage Division be transferred to the custody of the Hümmet. Shahumyan agreed to this proposal, but on the afternoon of 31 March, when Muslim representatives appeared before the Baku Soviet leadership to take the arms, shots were already being heard in the city and the Soviet commissar Prokofy Dzhaparidze refused to provide the arms. He informed the Hümmet leadership that "Musavat had launched a political war". The talks broke off abruptly when the Soviet's soldiers were fired upon. The Bolsheviks accused the Muslims of responsibility for the incident, stopped negotiations, and opened hostilities. Later Shahumyan admitted that the Bolsheviks deliberately used a pretext to attack their political opponents:

    We needed to give a rebuff, and we exploited the opportunity of the first attempt at an armed assault on our cavalry unit and began an attack on the whole front. Due to the efforts of both the local Soviet and the Military-revolutionary committee of the Caucasus Army, which moved here (from Tiflis and Sarikamish) we already had armed forces – about 6,000 strong. Dashnaktsutiun also had 3,000 – 4,000 strong national forces, which were at our disposal. The participation of the latter lent the civil war, to some extent, the character of an ethnic massacre, however, it was impossible to avoid it. We were going for it deliberately. The Muslim poor suffered severely, however they are now rallying around the Bolsheviks and the Soviet.

    Armenians initially remained neutral as the Muslim rebellion against the Soviet began. The Musavat Party proposed an alliance with the Dashnaks, but was given a rebuff. The Armenian leadership withdrew its forces to the Armenian areas of Baku and limited its action to self-defense. On the evening of 31 March, machine-gun and rifle fire in Baku intensified into a full-fledged battle. On the morning of 1 April 1918, the Committee of Revolutionary Defense of Baku's Soviet issued a leaflet which said:

    In view of the fact that the counterrevolutionary Musavat party declared war on the Soviet of Workers', Soldiers', and Sailors' Deputies in the city of Baku and thus threatened the existence of the government of the revolutionary democracy, Baku is declared to be in a state of siege.

    Forced to seek support from either Muslim Musavat or Armenian Dashnaktsutyun, Shahumyan, himself an Armenian, chose the latter. Following initial skirmishes in the streets, the Dashnaks proceeded to initiate a massacre, wildly killing Musavat military elements and Muslim civilians alike without mercy or discrimination in both Baku and the surrounding countryside.

    There were descriptions of Dashnak forces taking to looting, burning and killing in the Muslim sections of the city. According to Peter Hopkirk, "Armenians, seeing that at last they had their ancient foes on the run, were now out for vengeance". In Balakhany and Ramany districts of Baku, the majority of Muslim workers stayed at their places and avoided the battles, while the peasants were not moved to join the anti-Soviet rebels. The Persian workers remained passive during all of the fighting, refusing to take sides. Left-wing Muslim leaders, including those of SRs and Hümmet Party, such as Narimanov, Azizbekov, Bunyat Sardarov and Kazi-Magomed Aghasiyev, supported the Soviet forces During the battles, Bolsheviks decided to use artillery against the Azerbaijani residential quarters in the city.

    Western Front:

    Indecisive fighting in Luce and Avre valleys. Hangard taken and retaken. French make some progress between Montdidier and Lassigny.

    West of Albert German attack is stopped.

    A German attack recaptures most of Moreuil Wood, and the nearby Rifle Wood one mile to the northeast. General Seely is given command of the Allied counterattack. The Canadian Brigade attacks in three waves, securing their flanks while moving through the wood and engaging the enemy in hand to hand combat. Once the German forces are again driven out, they commence heavy artillery bombardment and several counterattacks, however control of the wood remains with the Allies at the end of the day. To the northeast, Rifle Wood is attacked at 09:00 and by 11:00 is also in Allied hands. By 15:00 the Allied forces are relieved by fresh divisions.

    Eastern Front:


    Russo-Romanian agreement on subject of Bessarabia completed.

    Southern Front:


    Announced that British troops in Italy are now holding sector on Asiago Plateau instead of Montello.

    Tunstills Men Sunday 31st March 1918:

    Billetted in huts at Granezza

    Easter Sunday, “We formed up in the snow for a church parade and gradually froze. I’m afraid there was as much cursing as praying, but the Padre did his best”. Some consolation was a concert held at the military theatre, a neat all-wood building constructed by the Italian army, where the band of the West Yorkshire Regiment provided a concert of popular music, “which was well appreciated by an audience of all ranks”. The Divisional Concert Party (The Dumps) would later perform a review entitled, Niente (Italian for nothing), which was said to have provided “excellent entertainment”.

    Ptes. Maurice Paignton (see 4th March) and Frederick Sharp (see 25th February) re-joined from two weeks’ leave to England; the reason for their delayed return is unclear.

    Pte. Ernest Franklin (25969) (see 8th March) was transferred from 11th General Hospital at Genoa to 57th General Hospital at Marseilles; he was diagnosed as suffering from ‘trench fever’.

    The Battalion War Diary recorded no casualties for the month; the official cumulative casualty figures since arriving in France in August 1915 remained as:

    Killed 275

    Accidentally killed 5

    Died of wounds 21

    Wounded 1,280

    Accidentally wounded 53

    Missing 178

    Asiatic, African, Egyptian Front:

    War Office reports progress in Mesopotamia, Palestine, and the Hejaz.

    At 02:40 the 2nd/21st London First Surrey Rifles Regiment begins an assault on the Turkish positions at Wadi Amman, Syria. They capture 2 machine guns and 80 prisoners.

    Naval Operations:


    The troopship Celtic is torpedoed by UB-77 in the Irish Sea with the loss of six lives.

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    Political:


    Mr. Lloyd George in message to Dominions says "the last man may count".

    U.S.A.: Agreement between Capital and Labour to refer all questions to arbitration announced.

    Austria: "Arbeiter-Zeitung" on Sea-power.

    Anniversary Events:

    1282 The great massacre of the French in Sicily The Sicilian Vespers comes to an end.
    1547 In France, Francis--king since 1515--dies and is succeeded by his son Henry II.
    1776 Abigail Adams writes to husband John that women are "determined to foment a rebellion" if the new Declaration of Independence fails to guarantee their rights.
    1779 Russia and Turkey sign a treaty by which they promise to take no military action in the Crimea.
    1790 In Paris, France, Maximilien Robespierre is elected president of the Jacobin Club.
    1836 The first monthly installment of The Pickwick Papers by Charles ****ens is published in London.
    1862 Skirmishing between Rebels and Union Forces takes place at Island 10 on the Mississippi River.
    1880 The first electric street lights ever installed by a municipality are turned on in Wabash, Indiana.
    1889 The Eiffel Tower in Paris officially opens on the Left Bank as part of the Exhibition of 1889.
    1916 General John Pershing and his army rout Pancho Villa's army in Mexico.
    1917 The United States purchases the Virgin Islands from Denmark for $25 million.
    1918 Daylight Savings Time goes into effect throughout the United States for the first time.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 04-07-2018 at 14:59.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  43. #3143

    Default

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    Monday 1st April1918
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    Armistice Countdown 224 days
    Today we lost: 888

    Today’s losses include:

    Private Isaac Rosenberg (Royal Lancaster Regiment) is killed in action somewhere close to the French village of Fampoux in close combat at age 27. Some critics of the time consider him the best of the Great War poets after Wilfred Owen. He wrote his first poem at age 12 and was exhibited at the Whitechapel Gallery. He enlisted in 1915 hoping that his mother would benefit from the separation allowance. He was the least privileged of the of the British war poets being born into a working class Jewish family that had emigrated from Russia. He moved to South Africa to pursue his career as an artist when the war broke out. He returned to England in 1915 and enlisted. Before going to the front he published a small volume of poems, Youth.

    Air Operations:

    Vizefeldwebel (Sergeant) Weimar becomes the first person to use a parachute in combat, when he successfully bails
    out of a German Albatros D. Va fighter.

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    The Royal Air Force (RAF) is formed by the amalgamation of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS),

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    the world '​s first independent air organization. As an indication of their amalgamation, all former Royal Navy squadrons have a “2” added to their designation, so that 1 Sq becomes 201 Sq. The Women's Royal Air Force (WRAF) is also formed from those serving in air units of Women's Royal Naval Service, Women's Auxiliary Army Corps, the Voluntary Aid Detachment and the Women's Legion.

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    The Royal Aircraft Establishment is formed from the Royal Aircraft Factory at Farnborough.
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    Lt-Gen Sir David Henderson had a distinguished career in the Army, fighting with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in the Zulu and Boer Wars and the Sudan.

    But his pivotal role in establishing the RAF in the final year of World War One has largely been forgotten.

    It was his proposal, in a seven-page memorandum, which persuaded Prime Minister David Lloyd George to combine the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) - a branch of the Army - and the Royal Naval Air Service into a separate air force.
    Sir David wrote in July 1917: "It is difficult to indicate any method of overcoming the present illogical situation of divided responsibility in aeronautics, except by the formation of a complete department and a complete united service dealing with all operations in the air, and with all the accessory services which that expression implies."
    Within four months Parliament passed legislation to establish the world's first independent air force, the RAF.
    But many histories ignore Sir David's role and credit the first head of the RAF, Viscount Trenchard, as its father.
    The officer now carrying out that role, Air Chief Marshall Sir Stephen Hillier, Chief of the Air Staff, disagrees.
    A former Kilmarnock Academy pupil who has now swapped fighter jets for a Whitehall desk, he said the work done by his fellow Scot, Sir David, is still to be seen in today's RAF.

    Sir Stephen said: "He was here in Whitehall in 1917 and 1918, at those critical stages of the formation of the Royal Air Force, if you like, navigating his way through the bureaucracy.
    "And his principles are very much at the core of the Royal Air Force.
    "Having been born and brought up in Scotland myself, I'm keen to ensure David Henderson is not forgotten in our 100th anniversary year."
    Sir David wrote that if the war continued beyond 1917, a united independent air service was a necessity.
    And it was Sir David's vision which made that happen, according to Professor Tony Pollard of Glasgow University.
    Prof Pollard said: "The resources were being over-stretched; aerial combat was becoming an accepted form of warfare.
    "Prior to that, they had simply been taking planes up with cameras to photograph the enemy.
    "And then they start to have to shoot one another down, because you don't want photographs taken of your positions.
    "So we get aerial combat, we get aerial bombing, and it becomes so advanced so quickly that it's quite clear we had to have another service."

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    In 1911, aged 49, Sir David learned to fly in a Bristol Boxkite aircraft

    Sir David was born in 1862 into a fairly affluent Glasgow family. His father was a joint owner of a Clydeside shipbuilding business.He entered Glasgow University at the age of 15 to read engineering but left without graduating and went to the Royal Military College Sandhurst.

    Over the next 30 years he would serve in most of Britain's foreign campaigns. Sir David first recognised the potential of aircraft when he saw balloons being used for reconnaissance at the siege of Ladysmith during the Boer Wars at the turn of the 20th Century.

    He learned to fly in 1911, aged 49, under the pseudonym Henry Davidson and became the first head of the Royal Flying Corps when it was formed as a branch of the Army a year later.

    Prof Dugald Cameron, of Glasgow School of Art, an expert in Scottish aviation, said it was the fact that Sir David could fly which was vital when he challenged the War Office to establish an independent air service.

    Zeppelin raid was Scotland's first air blitz.

    Senior military figures had initially resisted the idea, but the way the Germans took the war to the air changed their view.

    Prof Cameron said: "From 1915 the Imperial German Air Service were bombing Britain.
    "First of all with the Zeppelins and then in 1917 with the Gotha bombers and other bombers on the east coast towns and then London.

    "And when London was getting attacked from the air - the first time our shores had been breached - the Navy, the traditional defenders of our coast couldn't do it," he said.

    Prof Cameron has painted many of the exhibits on show at Glasgow University in a display marking the RAF's centenary - what he called "the photographs which were never taken".

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    He said the exhibition, in the chapel dedicated to the memory of students and alumni who died in combat, was a fitting way to highlight Sir David's place in aviation history.

    Prof Cameron said: "He was a very great man indeed, and Glasgow should be really proud of him.
    "I have tried over the years to get the city to take more interest and recognise and honour General Sir David Henderson."

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    Also founded concurrently was the Women’s Royal Air Force (WRAF), originally intended to provide female mechanics; volunteer rates for the WRAF were so high it soon expanded to fill other roles, as noted in the poster.

    London–Britain’s airplanes had proven to be an increasingly important part of their war effort, from artillery spotting to air superiority to the defense of Britain against German bombers and Zeppelins. Since the beginning of Operation Michael, airplanes saw an increasing role as ground attack craft, as they were able to harass advancing German soldiers (now that they were out of the concrete defenses of Hindenburg line) as well as their supply line. Reflecting this increasing role, Britain established the Royal Air Force on April 1, combining all its military aircraft into a new branch of its armed forces, independent from the Army and Navy–it was the first country in the world to do so. It was hoped that this would lead to a better defense of Great Britain, as well as better coordination and use of resources in the air.

    The RAF was overseen by the Air Ministry (founded in January), but it already had severe internal strife. The Chief of the Air Staff, Hugh Trenchard, did not get along with the Air Minister, Lord Rothermere, and had in fact submitted his resignation in mid-March–he had only been persuaded to put it off until April so that he would be present at the RAF’s foundation. Rothermere had wanted to divert most of what would become the RAF to assist the Navy in anti-submarine operations; Trenchard wanted the focus to be on the Western Front. The beginning of operation Michael proved Trenchard right; Rothermere would follow Trenchard out within the first month of the RAF’s existence

    General Headquarters.


    “On the 1st instant several long-distance reconnaissances and photographic flights were carried out by our aeroplanes. Good visibility enabled much work to be done in conjunction with the artillery, and many hostile batteries were engaged by our guns with observation from the air. Our low-flying aeroplanes were again active. Over 17 tons of bombs were dropped, and thousands of rounds of ammunition were fired from the air at the enemy's infantry and other targets on the ground. Hostile aircraft were also active on the southern portion of our front, some of their two-seater machines firing at our troops with machine-guns from a low height. Ten hostile aeroplanes were brought down and six others were driven down out of control. Another German machine was brought down in our lines by our infantry, and two hostile balloons were destroyed by our aeroplanes. Eleven of our machines are missing.

    “After dark, our night-flying machines bombed the enemy's railway stations, billets, troops, and transport, dropping many tons of bombs on Cambrai railway station, on a station south-east of Douai, and on the railway line south of that town, as well as on other targets. All our machines returned."

    RAF Communiqué number 1:

    The weather was fine and the visibility good.

    Forty-nine reconnaissances were carried out, three of which were long-distance photographic flights by machines of the 9th Brigade.

    Machines of the 1st, 3rd and 5th Brigades carried out several contact patrols.

    Fifty-two hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction with aeroplane observation, and 15 neutralized; six gun-pits were destroyed, 23 damaged, 33 explosions and 16 fires caused. 120 zone calIs were sent down.

    A total of 23 tons of bombs were dropped by night and 17 tons by day as follows:-

    Night 31st March/1st April - 1st Brigade: No 2 Squadron, 12 112-lb and 16 40-lb phosphorous bombs on Douai Station. No 4 Squadron, 32 25-lb bombs on Douai Station. No 5 Squadron, 90 25-lb bombs on Douai Station. No 16 Squadron, 8 112-lb bombs on Douai Station and barracks.

    3rd Brigade: No 102 Squadron, 1 230-lb and 396 25-lb bombs on Bapaume, Le Transloy and Achiet-le-Grand.

    5th Brigade: No 101 Squadron, 78 112-lb and 150 25-lb bombs on villages and stations south of the Somme.

    7th Brigade: No 207 Squadron, 4 250-lb and 62 112-lb bombs on Bruges Docks and Thourout Railway Station. No 214 Squadron, 4 250-lb and 62 112-lb bombs on Bruges Docks and Thourout Railway Station.

    9th Brigade: No 58 Squadron, 19 112-lb and 173 25-lb bombs on Dechy and Douai Stations. No 83 Squadron, 14 112-lb and 109 25-lb bombs on Cambrai.

    Day 1st April - 1st Brigade: 1st Wing, 51 25-lb bombs. No 18 Squadron, 10 112-lb, 68 25-lb and 4 40-lb phosphorous bombs on Douai and Cambrai. No 40 Squadron, 28 25-lb bombs. 5th Squadron A.F.C., 22 25-lb bombs.

    2nd Brigade: No 20 Squadron, 16 25-lb bombs. No 1 Squadron, 13 25-lb bombs. No 206 Squadron, 74 25-lb bombs. 2nd Wing, 92 25-lb bombs.

    3rd Brigade: 26 112-lb and 119 25-lb bombs.

    5th Brigade: No 205 Squadron, 4 112-lb and 192 25-lb bombs on Rosieres Village and Aerodrome, troops, etc. 15th Wing, 97 25-lb bombs. 22nd Wing, 309 25-lb bombs.

    9th Brigade: No 25 Squadron, 6 112-lb and 12 25-lb bombs on Fricourt and Warfusee. No 27 Squadron, 32 112-lb and 40 25-lb bombs on Buire, Peronne and Roye. No 32 Squadron, 14 25-lb bombs.

    Enemy Aircraft:

    Enemy aircraft were active south of the Somme, and enemy two-seaters were employed in low flying and firing at our troops. Several large formations of E.A. scouts were also encountered at a height. Two hostile balloons were shot down, and one hostile machine was brought down in our lines, by infantry, in addition to those accounted for in aerial combat.

    Enemy machines were driven down out of control by the following: 2nd-Lieut W E Lunnon, No 84 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut C L Glover and Corpl W Beales, No 48 Squadron; 2nd-~Lieuts H C M Nangle and T C Cooper, No 62 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut W E Staton and Lieut J R Gordon, No 62 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut H F Proctor, No 84 Squadron; Lieut V W Thompson, No 64 Squadron; Lieut P S Burge, No 64 Squadron; Lieut K W Junor, No 56 Squadron; Capt F McD C Turner and 2nd-Lieut A Leach, No 57 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut T Williams, No 65 Squadron

    Capt G A H Pidcock, 73 Sqn, Balloon in flames south-east of Beaucourt -

    Lieut L H Rochford, 203 Sqn, Albatros C crashed [with Flight] Vaulx -

    Lieut P S Burge, 64 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Mametz Wood at 07:15/07:15 -

    Capt J A Slater, 64 Sqn, Pfalz Scout in flames Maricourt at 07:15/07:15 - Capt J A Slater, No 64 Squadron while leading his patrol, observed a formation of eight E.A. scouts; he manoeuvred into a favourable position behind and then selected one E.A. scout upon which he dived, firing at about 200 feet range. After about 40 rounds the E.A. turned over on its back, emitting flames and smoke and fell vertically in this condition

    Lieut V W Thompson, 64 Sqn, LVG C out of control Graincourt at 07:55/07:55 -

    Lieut Viscount E W C G de V P Glentworth, 32 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed north of Beaucourt at 09:10/09:10 - Lieut Viscount Glentworth, No 32 Squadron, observed four E.A. scouts attacking two S.E.5's. He immediately dived on one which went down to within 50 feet of the ground and flattened out. Lieut Viscount Glentworth kept on the E.A.’s tail and fired 50 rounds at very close range into it: the E.A. crashed into the wood north of Beaucourt

    Lieut W J A Duncan, 60 Sqn, Albatros Scout captured Gentelles at 10:00/10:00 - Lieut W J A Duncan, No 60 Squadron, dived on an E.A. which was apparently firing at our troops; he followed the E.A., keeping on its tail, and it then landed in our lines in the vicinity of Gentelles. Lieut Duncan also landed and found the German pilot wounded in the back; Vfw Weimar, Jasta 56, Kia,

    Capt C P O Bartlett & AGL W Naylor, 205 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control at 10:15/10:15 -

    2nd-Lieut H F Proctor, 32 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Mezieres at 10:30/10:30 -

    Capt F McD C Turner & 2nd-Lieut A Leach, 57 Sqn, Fokker DrI in flames Irles at 11:45/11:45, Fokker DrI broke up Irles at 11:45/11:45 and Fokker DrI out of control Irles at 11:45/11:45 - Capt F McD C Turner and 2nd-Lieut A Leach, No 57 Squadron, whilst on photography, were attacked by five E.A. triplanes; they fired a burst of 30 rounds into one at 100 yards' range and the E.A. went down in flames. Ten other E.A, triplanes and scouts then joined the remaining four E.A. A drum was fired into one of these at range of 150 yards and it was seen to turn over on its side and fall to pieces

    Lieut R D G Francis & Lieut R Hainsworth, 3 AFC, DFW C captured Poperinghe - Vlamertinghe at 12:00/12:00 - Lieut R D G Francis & Lieut R Hainsworth, 3rd Squadron AFC, were engaged on a destructive shoot with 263 Seige Battery when they were attacked by a D.F.W. Lieut Francis outmanoeuvred the E.A. which tried to escape over its own lines but was brought down at 28a.30.d.2.2. [just north-east of Poperinghe]; Ltn Friedrich Petz (Dow) & Ltn Franz Mossmer (Pow), FA[?] 291

    Lieut M A Harker, 209 Sqn, DFW C captured Armentičres - Poperinghe at 12:00/12:00 -

    Capt G E H McElroy, 24 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed north of Ignaucourt at 12:15/12:15 - Capt G E H McElroy, No 24 Squadron, dived on three E.A. scouts; he reserved fire until within 100 yards' range and then fired a burst of 100 rounds from both guns into one E.A. which immediately went down in a slow spin and crashed north of Ignaucourt

    2nd-Lieut W L Harrison, 40 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed west of Izel-lčs-Equerchin at 12:20/12:20 – 2nd-Lieut W L Harrison, No 40 Squadron, dived on the tail of an E.A. two-seater and fired 250 rounds into it. The E.A. stalled and went down in a slow spin, finally crashing just west of Izel

    Lieut K W Junor, 56 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control Guillemont at 12:55/12:55 -

    Capt H V Rowley, 201 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Arras - Albert at 13:00/13:00 -

    2nd-Lieut W E Lunnon, 84 Sqn, two-seater out of control south of Denuin at 13:50/13:50 -

    Capt R A Little, 203 Sqn, Fokker DrI broke up east of Oppy at 14:00/14:00 – Capt R A Little, No 203 Squadron, engaged the rear machine of a formation of E.A. triplanes, firing about 200 rounds into it at close range. The enemy machine did a steep dive and the lower left-hand plane came off, the E.A. being seen to crash about three miles east of Oppy.

    Lieut M L Cooper, 213 Sqn, Seaplane in flames Zeebrugge at 14:30/14:30 -

    2nd-Lieut J E Greene, 213 Sqn, Seaplane destroyed Zeebrugge at 14:30/14:30 -

    Lieut G C Mackay, 213 Sqn, Seaplane destroyed Zeebrugge at 14:30/14:30 -

    2nd-Lieut J L Jewkes, 65 Sqn, Balloon in flames Froissy at 16:25/16:25 - attacked a hostile balloon which he shot down in flames.

    2nd-Lieut W A Pell, 80 Sqn, Albatros C out of control Braches at 16:40/16:40 - 2nd- Lieut W Pell, No 80 Squadron, fired about 200 rounds from close range into an E.A. two-seater which was seen to crash by other pilots of patrol

    Lieut H C M Nangle & 2nd-Lieut T C Cooper, 62 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Bouchoir at 17:00/17:00 -

    2nd-Lieut W E Staton & Lieut J R Gordon, 62 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Bouchoir at 17:00/17:00 -

    2nd-Lieut T M Williams, 65 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Froissy (south of Bray) at 17:00/17:00 -

    2nd-Lieut G L Glover & Corpl W Beales, 48 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control [by Beales] Quesnil at 17:45/17:45 -

    2nd-Lieut D R MacLaren, 46 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Caix at 17:50/17:50 -

    Capt D J Bell, 3 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control Combles at 18:40/18:40 – Capt D J Bell, No 3 Squadron, fired a burst of about 80 rounds at close range into an E.A. triplane; the E.A. went down completely out of control and crashed

    Royal Flying Corps casualties today:

    Lieut D M Bisset (Ok), 1 Sqn, SE5a B4881 - shot through and Lewis gun drum jambed rudder bar and crashed on landing from bombing patrol

    ? (Ok) & Lieut C H Brown (Wia), 5 Sqn RAF, RE8 – combat?

    2nd-Lieut W E Josephs (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut G W Owen (Ok), 35 Sqn, AW FK8 B5834 - shot through on patrol Villers Bretonneux; Vzfw Andreas Triebswetter, Js16, 3rd victory [south of Villers-Bretonneux, no time] ?

    2nd-Lieut A McGregor (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut M Balston (Ok), 35 Sqn, AW FK8 C3642 - longeron shot through on fighting patrol near Villers Bretonneux; Vzfw Andreas Triebswetter, Js16, 3rd victory [south of Villers-Bretonneux, no time] ?

    2nd-Lieut C B Stiles (Wia) & ? (Ok), 48 Sqn RAF, Bristol F.2B – combat?

    2nd-Lieut E E Stock (Wia), 54 Sqn RAF, Camel – combat?

    ? (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut R T Langdon (Wia), 82 Sqn RAF, AW FK8 - combat

    Lieut O P Adam (Kia), 203 Sqn RAF, Camel B3798 - crashed north end of Loos then shelled

    Lieut D Maclean (Wia) & Lieut E J Braebrook (Wia), 8 Sqn, AW FK8 C3684 – took off 06:20/06:20 then force landed at V.25.b west of Hernicourt on artillery patrol

    2nd-Lieut P R Cann (Wia; Dow), 65 Sqn RAF, Camel D1811 – took off 06:30/06:30 then missing on offensive patrol, last seen over Moreuil; Ltn d R Eugen Siemelkamp, Js4, 1st victory [south-east of Fouilly at 08:00/08:00] ?

    2nd-Lieut B L Norton (Ok) & Lieut R W Briggs (Ok), 35 Sqn, AW FK8 B3380 – took off 07:30/07:30 then force landed after engine and radiator hit by rifle fire on patrol Villers Bretonneux and burnt

    2nd-Lieut E Whitfield (Kia) & Lieut W C F Nicol-Hart (Kia), 57 Sqn RAF, DH4 A7401 – took off 07:30/07:30 then last seen near Bapaume during bombing Bapaume; Vzfw Franz Hemer, Js6, 6th victory [Achiet-le-Petit at 08:00/08:00] ?

    2nd-Lieut D P Trollip (Kia) & Lieut J D Moses (Kia), 57 Sqn RAF, DH4 A7872 – took off 08:20/08:20 then last seen near Bapaume during bombing Bapaume; Ltn Hans Wolff, Js11, 2nd victory [Grévillers at 09:00/09:00] ? Grévillers is just west of Bapaume

    Capt D M Faure (Ok), 32 Sqn, SE5a C6413 – took off 09:00/09:00 then force landed near Esclainville after oil tank shot through on escort duty - to be burnt if enemy advanced

    2nd-Lieut R B T Hedges (Wia) & Lieut A G Horlock (Wia), 20 Sqn RAF, Bristol F.2B C4615 - force landed Pypegale 09:58/09:58 and caught fire after damaged by AA fire on RP

    2nd-Lieut H F Proctor (Wia), 32 Sqn RAF, SE5a D265 – took off 09:10/09:10 then wounded in combat Mézičres at 10:30/10:30; Ltn d R Hugo Schafer, Js15, 3rd victory [Moreuil – Ailly at 10:45/10:45] Moreuil is just south-east of Mézičres

    2nd-Lieut J R Greasley (Kia), 65 Sqn RAF, Camel D6474 – took off 10:50/10:50 then last seen over Démuin on patrol

    2nd-Lieut F Carr (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut J H Holland (Ok), 27 Sqn, DH4 B2102 – took off 08:50/08:50 then longeron broken by AA fire 11:10/11:10 during bombing Péronne

    Capt F McD C Turner (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut A Leach (Wia), 57 Sqn RAF, DH4 A7901 - combat with E.A. triplanes over Irles at 11:45/11:45

    Lieut F Beaumont (Pow), 56 Sqn RAF, SE5a C5433 - last seen over Fricourt at 12:45/12:45 on patrol; Vzfw Otto Konnecke, Js5, 16th victory [Albert at 12:45/12:45] - Fricourt is east of Albert

    2nd-Lieut N R Joyce (Kia), 23 Sqn RAF, Spad 13 B6858 – took off 12:50/12:50 and last seen to fall out of control and crash about 66e.C.9.c [south-west of Démuin] during reconnaissance

    2nd-Lieut B McPherson (Pow), 56 Sqn RAF, SE5a C6351 – took off 11:25/11:25 and last seen in fight with enemy Triplanes over Guillemont at 12:55/12:55 on OP; Hpt Wilhelm Reinhard, Js6, 11th victory [Martinpuich at 13:05/13:05] - Martinpuich is north-west of Guillemont

    2nd-Lieut N F Spurr (Ok), 54 Sqn, Camel B9281 – took off 15:00/15:00 then shot by EAA fire on offensive patrol

    Capt G C Cuthbertson MC (Wia; Dow), 54 Sqn, Camel D6529 – took off 15:00/15:00 then wounded in combat on patrol overturned in forced landing Sh66e.C.8.d.12 [south-east of Thennes] on offensive patrol

    2nd-Lieut J J Meredith (Kia), 80 Sqn RAF, Camel C1681 – took off 15:15/15:15 then last seen over Moreuil on patrol

    Lieut S H Winkley (Pow), 84 Sqn RAF, SE5a B174 – took off 16:30/16:30 then believed crashed in wood near Mézičres on patrol Amiens - St Quentin; Ltn Hans Wolff, Js11, 3rd victory [Moreuil Wood at 17:00/17:00]

    Maj J A Dennistoun (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut H G Crowe (Ok), 20 Sqn, Bristol F.2B A7240 – took off 17:25/17:25 then crashed Wulverghem after damaged by AA fire on reserve patrol

    Lieut G L Castle (Ok) & Lieut F C Dixon (Inj), 58 Sqn, FE2b A6398 – took off 20:05/20:05 then engine hit east of lines but crashed west of lines on night bombing Douai, shelled but salvable.

    Royal Flying Corps Losses today: 21 (20 recorded)


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    Claims: 20 confirmed (Entente 8 : Central Powers 12)


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    Home Fronts:

    Russia:
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    Azerbaijani victims of the violence in Baku.

    Baku–A major oil boomtown, much of the world had their eyes on Baku in 1918. The Turks had ambitions in the Caucasus, but were still busy retaking their own territory; the British Dunsterforce aimed to prevent this, but was still in Persia. The Bolsheviks wanted to maintain Russian control over the area, but faced opposition from the local Azerbaijani population. The existence of a large Armenian minority, suspicious of the general pro-Turkish Azerbaijanis, also added to tensions. The return of Azerbaijani soldiers from Russian army units after its demobilization concerned the Bolsheviks, and they tried to disarm as many of them as they could.

    While it is still unclear exactly how violence started, it had something to do with the visit of Azerbaijani soldiers by boat, who the Bolsheviks attempted to disarm. By late on March 31, after shots had already been exchanged, the Bolsheviks broke off any attempts at talks and were prepared to take this opportunity to crush Azerbaijani political opposition entirely. A makeshift alliance of Bolsheviks, Mensheviks and other socialist parties, and Armenians attacked Azerbaijani soldiers, militia, and civilians over the next few days, killing at least 10,000 and causing many times that number to flee the city.

    Western Front:

    Local attacks near Albert repulsed.

    Grivesnes (southern Moreuil) heavily attacked but remains in French hands.

    At Hebuterne (Bucquoy) local fighting in favour of British.

    Eastern Front:


    Berlin reports the despatch of ultimatum to Russia on subject of Finland.

    German Expeditionary Force for Finland leaves Danzig (see 3rd).

    Southern Front:

    Tunstills Men Monday 1st April 1918:

    Billetted in huts at Granezza.

    The recent snow turned to rain, making conditions at Granezza even more unpleasant.

    Pte. Joseph Barber Taylor (see 15th September 1917) was admitted via 71st Field Ambulance to 23rd Division Rest Station, suffering from scabies; he would be discharged to duty a week later.

    A/Sgt. George William Keeling MM (see 17th December) relinquished his appointment as Acting Sergeant and reverted to Corporal.

    Pte. James Austin (see 25th January), serving at the Signal School at GHQ, Italy, was transferred to 273rd Employment Company.

    Cpl. Horace Dewis MM (see 22nd January) was transferred to the RAF.

    2Lt. Eric Dixon (see 21st March), serving with the Royal Flying Corps, was promoted Lieutenant (Observer).

    A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Arthur Hird (see 28th January), who had died of wounds on 22nd September 1917; his widow, Margaret, was awarded 13s. 9d. per week.

    Asiatic, African, Egyptian Front:


    Enzeli (Persia): Evacuated by the Russian regular forces (see February 17th).

    Mesopotamia: British troops 73 miles beyond Ana (Middle Euphrates).

    Palestine: Strong Turkish resistance near Amman; British retire to Es Salt.

    Naval Operations:


    In the early morning darkness the destroyer HMS Falcon is struck amidships by the trawler/minesweeper John Fitzgerald while acting as a convoy escort. The Falcon’s Captain, Lieutenant Charles Herbert Lightoller has the boiler fires of his ship extinguished and steam blown off. He then transfers all thirty-one engineers and stokers to the John Fitzgerald. But the Falcon’s stern is slowly sinking and it will not be long before it separates from the bow. The rest of the crew are ordered to abandon ship in the Falcon’s only two lifeboats and are picked up by another escort-destroyer HMS Peterel. Moments later the bow breaks away with a huge cracking noise and within second sink. Lieutenant Commander Lightoller survives his fourth shipwreck, having been on Holt Hill in 1889, Titanic in 1912, Oceanic in 1914 and now HMS Falcon.

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    Political:

    Royal Air Force (under Air Ministry) formed from R.N.A.S. and R.F.C.

    Canada: Anti-conscription riots in Quebec. Troops fire on rioters.

    Anniversary Events:

    1572 The Sea Beggars under Guillaume de la Marck land in Holland and capture the small town of Briel.
    1778 Oliver Pollock, creates the dollar sign.
    1863 The first wartime conscription law goes into effect in the United States.
    1865 At the Battle of Five Forks, Gen. Robert E. Lee begins his final offensive.
    1868 The Hampton Institute is founded in Hampton, Va.
    1905 Berlin and Paris are linked by telephone.
    1918 England's Royal Air Force is formed.

    R.I.P. Royal Flying Corps............"The King is dead, long live the King"!

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    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 04-07-2018 at 15:11.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  44. #3144

    Default

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    Tuesday 2nd April 1918
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    Armistice Countdown 223 days
    Today we lost: 999
    Today’s losses include:
    ˇ Multiple sons of members of the clergy
    ˇ Multiple families that will lose two sons in the Great War
    ˇ Brothers killed together
    ˇ The son of a Baronet
    ˇ A Military Chaplain
    ˇ The Head Master of Benfieldside Boys School
    ˇ A Guinness Brewery employee
    Today’s highlighted casualties include:
    ˇ Major Charles Leslie Sommerville (Wellington Mounted Rifles) dies of wounds at Jerico received the previous day at at age 44. His brother was killed in August 1915 on Gallipoli.
    ˇ Captain Charles Augustus Fry (Essex Regiment attached Suffolk Regiment) is killed at age 58. He is the son of Canon Charles Fry.
    ˇ Lieutenant Leslie McKenzie (Black Watch) dies of wounds at age 24. He is the son of the Reverend Alexander McKenzie.
    ˇ Lieutenant Evan Davies Jones (Royal Air Force) is killed in action at age 25. He is the son of ‘Sir’ Evan Davies Jones the Baronet.
    ˇ Chaplain the Reverend Georges Crochetiere (attached Quebec Regiment) is killed at age 39.
    ˇ Lieutenant Alfred Lewis Noon (Devonshire Regiment) dies of wounds at age 20. He is the son of the Reverend Alfred Knight Noon Vicar of West Hanney.
    ˇ Private Haworth Gregory MM (East Lancashire Regiment) is killed in action. His brother died of wounds received in Mesopotamia in December 1916.
    ˇ Private Francis Allen (Royal Fusiliers) is killed in action at age 39. He is the Head Master at Benfieldside Senior Boys’ School.
    ˇ Brothers serving in the King’s Royal Rifle Corps as riflemen are killed together on this day. Frederick Edward Bay and William Bay have consecutive enlistment numbers.
    ˇ Private Robert Gibson Latta (Australian Infantry) dies of wounds. His brother died of wounds in September 1915.
    ˇ Sapper William Halkerston (Royal Engineers) dies of wounds at age 24. His brother was killed in April 1917.
    ˇ Private Arthur Eldridge (Coldstream Guards) is killed at age 19. His brother will be killed in September 1918 at age 22. Both were previously emloyeed by Guinness Brewery.
    ˇ Private Herbert Benjamin White (Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry) dies of wounds at age 26. His brother was killed last September.

    Air Operations:

    Miss Sylvia Hodkinson becomes the first Women's Royal Air Force (WRAF) recruit.

    General Headquarters.


    “On the 2nd inst., although the weather was fine in the areas behind the front, a heavy bank of low clouds hung over the lines and made reconnaissance work difficult. The enemy's movements on the battle front were watched, however, by low-flying machines, and observation was carried out for the artillery. Hostile troops and transport on the roads were again harassed with bombs and machine-gun fire, over 1,000 bombs being dropped during the day. The enemy's aeroplanes were fairly active between Albert and Moreuil. Thirteen German machines were brought down and eight driven down out of control. Three hostile balloons were also destroyed. Seven of our machines are missing.

    "At night rain fell continuously until 3 a.m., after which over 4˝ tons of bombs were dropped on hostile billets and troops, our aeroplanes returning to their aerodromes just as dawn was breaking. During the last fortnight of intense fighting in the air, the assistance rendered by the personnel of the American Air Service attached to the Royal Air Force has been invaluable.

    RAF Communiqué number 1:

    The weather was fine and the visibility good, but there were considerable banks of clouds over the lines at about 2,000 feet.

    Nineteen reconnaissance were carried out by Brigades, including one photographic flight by the 9th Brigade.

    Machines of the 3rd and 5th Brigades carried out contact patrols.

    Twenty-nine hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction with aeroplane observation and 12 neutralized; two gun-pits were destroyed, five damaged, 28 explosions and 13 fires caused. Seventy-three zone calls were sent down.

    A total of over 17 tons of bombs were dropped as follows:-

    Night, 1st/2nd – 3rd Brigade: No 102 Squadron, 28 25-lb bombs on the areas Peronne, Arras and Cambrai.

    5th Brigade: No 101 Squadron, 8 112-lb and 104 25-lb bombs on villages, roads and dump.

    7th Brigade: 14 112-lb bombs on Valenciennes.

    9th Brigade: No 83 Squadron, 11 112-lb and 88 25-lb bombs on Cambrai Station. No 58 Squadron, 7 112-lb and 62 25-lb bombs on Dechy Railway Station, and 8 112-lb and 60 25-lb bombs on the railway triangle south of Douai.

    Day 2nd - 1st Brigade: 1st Wing, 43 25-lb bombs. No 18 Squadron, 16 25-lb bombs on billets. No 2 Squadron, 6 112-lb, 1 230-lb, 32 25-lb and 8 40-lb phosphorous bombs on battalion H.Q. and enemy troops in conjunction with a raid by our infantry. No 203 Squadron, 4 25-lb bombs. No 40 Squadron, 37 25-lb. bombs. 4th Squadron A.F.C., 54 25-lb bombs.

    2nd Brigade: No 1 Squadron, 53 25-lb bombs. No 206 Squadron, 82 25-lb bombs on Douai Railway Station. 2nd Wing, 73 25-lb bombs.

    3rd Brigade: 34 25-lb bombs.

    5th Brigade: No 205 Squadron, 4 112-lb and 96 25-lb bombs on aerodromes and villages. 15th Wing, 3 112-lb and 137 25-lb bombs. 22nd Wing, 232 25-lb bombs.

    9th Brigade: No 27 Squadron, 9 112-lb and 8 25-lb bombs on Cerisy Aerodrome. No 32 Squadron, 20 25-lb bombs on troops etc.

    Enemy Aircraft:

    Enemy aircraft were fairly active during the day between Lens and the River Scarpe, Albert and the Somme and south of the Somme.

    Enemy machines were driven out of control by the following: Lieut O D Redgate, No 209 Squadron; Capt S P Smith, Lieut A G Vlasto, Lieut H G W Debenham, 2nd-Lieut D R MacLaren, 2nd-Lieut R K McConnell, all of No 46 Squadron, (one); Capt G E H McElroy, No 24 Squadron; Lieut W Sellars and Lieut C C Robson, No 11 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut J E Gurdon and 2nd-Lieut A J Thornton, No 22 Squadron (two); 2nd-Lieut J E Phillips and 2nd-Lieut M Balston, No 35 Squadron

    Capt E ****son & 2nd-Lieut W H Scott, 205 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control near Villers-Bretonneux -

    Lieut L H Rochford, 203 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Boursies -

    Capt C R Vaughan & Lieut I H McClure, 202 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control west-north-west of Ostende at 06:55/06:55 -

    Capt H G Forrest and Lieut R L Manuel, 2 AFC, DFW C crashed south-east of Demuin at 07:00/07:00 – Capt H G Forrest, 2nd Squadron A.F.C., dived on an E.A. two-seater and fired about 100 rounds into it at moderate range. The observer in the E.A. was seen to collapse in his seat. The E.A. then dived and Lieut R L Manuel, 2nd Squadron A.F.C., continued to attack, firing about 200 rounds into it, the E.A. eventually crashing south-east of Demuin

    2nd-Lieut H V C Luyt, 65 Sqn, two-seater crashed north-east of Fresnoy at 10:20/10:20 - 2nd-Lieut H Luyt, No 65 Squadron, flying at height of 1,000 feet through the clouds, came on top of three E.A. two-seaters escorted by one Albatros scout; he fired 200 rounds at point blank range at the nearest two-seater and the observer was seen to collapse into the cockpit. The E. A. pilot then put his machine into a steep glide and crashed into the ground about 1,000 yards north-west of Fresnoy

    Capt S T Edwards, 209 Sqn, Albatros Scout broke up south of Halluin at 11:15/11:15 – Capt S T Edward, No 209 Squadron, when leading a formation observed six E.A. immediately below him; he attacked and opened fire on the rear E.A. at 30 yards’ range. The E.A. stalled dived vertically followed by Capt Edwards, who opened fire again at very close range. The E.A. then broke to pieces in the air; Uffz Wenn, Js57, Kia

    Capt S T Edwards and Lieut J H Siddall, 209 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south of Halluin at 11:15/11:15 - OP attacked six Albatros scouts. This one was attacking a Camel; driven down out of control

    Lieut O W Redgate, 209 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control south of Halluin at 11:15/11:15 - OP attacked six Albatros scouts. This one fell onto its back and was last seen at 1,000 feet still on its back.

    Capt H W Woollett, 43 Sqn, Balloon in flames Thiepval at 12:40/12:40 - Capt H W Woollett, No 43 Squiadron, attacked a hostile balloon and fired about 60 rounds into it; the two observers jumped out and the balloon fell in flames. He then attacked another hostile balloon which went down in flames; no one was seen to jump out of this balloon. A few minutes later Capt Woollett attacked a third balloon which was being pulled down, but after he had fired about 50 rounds into it the hostile balloon fell in flames

    Capt S P Smith, Lieut A G Vlasto, Lieut H G W Debenham, 2nd-Lieut D R MacLaren and Lieut R K McConnell, 46 Sqn, two-seater crashed Courcelles at 12:45/12:45 -

    Capt H W Woollett, 43 Sqn, Balloon in flames north of Bray sur Somme at 12:55/12:55
    Capt H W Woollett, 43 Sqn, Balloon in flames Méricourt sur Somme at 13:05/13:05

    Capt G E H McElroy, 24 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control east of Moreuil at 14:30/14:30 -

    Lieut W B Green, 32 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control north-eaat of Moreuil at 15:00/15:00 -

    Capt F G C Weare & Lieut G S L Hayward, 22 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Vauvillers at 16:45/16:45 and Albatros Scout in flames [by Hayward] Vauvillers at 16:45/16:45 - Capt F G C Weare and Lieut G S L Hayward, No 22 Squadron, observed 10 scouts and led their formation round a cloud and then dived on one E.A. Fire was opened on an Albatros Scout which went down out of control and was seen to crash. Two E.A. triplanes then got on the tail of Capt Weare's machine; 30 or 40 rounds were fired at the nearest triplane which glided down with smoke coming from it and when at a height of about 3,000 feet burst into flames

    2nd-Lieut G N Traunweiser & Sergt S Belding, 22 Sqn, Fokker DrI crashed [by Belding] west of Vauvillers at 16:45/16:45 - 2nd-Lieut G N Traunweiser & Sergt S Belding, No 22 Squadron, fired a drum into an E.A. triplane, which crashed west of Vauvillers

    2nd-Lieut J E Gurdon & 2nd-Lieut A J H Thornton, 22 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control west of Vauvillers at 16:45/16:45 -

    2nd-Lieut J E Gurdon & 2nd-Lieut A J H Thornton, 22 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control west of Vauvillers at 16:45/16:45 -

    2nd-Lieut J E Phillips & 2nd-Lieut M Balston, 35 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control at 17:20/17:20 -

    2nd-Lieut G H Blaxland and 2nd-Lieut A G Clark, 2 AFC, two-seater crashed Corbie at 17:30/17:30 - 2nd-Lieut G H Blaxland, 2nd Squadron A.F.C., attacked the rear machine of E.A. scouts; the same E.A. was also engaged by 2nd-Lieut A G Clarke, 2nd Squadron A.F.C. Several bursts were fired into the E.A. by both pilots, who saw it crash near Corbie, apparently in flames

    Capt R S C McClintock, 64 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Fricourt at 18:10/18:10 - Capt R S C McClintock, while leading a patrol of No 64 Squadron, observed seven E.A. scouts against which he led his patrol; he engaged one E.A., diving at it and firing about 100 rounds at 40 yards’ range. The E.A. went into a flat spin and fell completely out of control and was observed to crash

    Capt W H K Copeland, 60 Sqn, Albatros C crashed south of Guillaucourt at 18:15/18:15 - Capt W H K Copeland, No 60 Squadron, engaged the leader of five E.A. scouts and one two-seater with indecisive result. Capt Copeland then attacked the rear machine, which he chased down to within 2,000 feet, firing 200 rounds at 80 yards' range. The E.A. turned east, glided down and crashed south of Guillaucourt

    2nd-Lieut E W Christie, 60 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames Rosičres at 18:15/18:15 - 2nd-Lieut E W Christie, No 60 Squadron, brought down one E.A. scout which was seen burning on the ground.

    Lieut H W Sellars & Lieut C C Robson, 11 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control SE Albert at 18:20/18:20 –
    Capt E R Tempest, 64 Sqn, Albatros Scout in flames Ervillers at 18:35/18:35 - Capt E R Tempest, while leading a patrol of No 64 Squadron, observed 11 E.A. scouts below him; he dived into the rear of the enemy formation and fired about 90 rounds into one E.A. from 250 to 70 yards’ range. The E.A. dived underneath its own formation and Capt Tempest was then engaged by an E.A. two-seater. He did a climbing turn to the right and saw the first E.A. at which he had fired nose-diving to earth in flames and crash, still burning

    Royal Flying Corps casualties today:

    Lieut H R Uttley (Wia), 29 Sqn RAF, SE5a – combat?

    2nd-Lieut C E Glover (Ok) & 2565 Cpl W Beales (Ok), 48 Sqn, Bristol F.2B C4701 - shot about in aerial combat on LOP Villers Bretonneux

    2nd-Lieut RK Whitney (Ok), 60 Sqn, SE5a C1069 - damaged in combat on offensive patrol

    Capt G I Paterson (Kia) & Lieut T I Findley (Wia), 82 Sqn RAF, AW FK8 C8524 - missing from reconnaissance; Vzfw Franz Piechulek, Js56, 6th victory [Vaure Wood at 09:40/09:40] ?

    2nd-Lieut J C Burnay-Cumming (Wia), 65 Sqn RAF, Camel C8227 – took off 08:40/08:40 then force landed Sh62d.C.8.c.0.4 [east of Bavelincourt] after pilot wounded on offensive patrol; anti-aircraft fire

    2nd-Lieut E D Jones (Kia) & 2nd-Lieut R F Newton (Kia), 52 Sqn RAF, RE8 A3868 – took off 12:00/12:00 then missing from bombing and patrol; Ritt Manfred von Richthofen, JGI, 75th victory [north-east of Moreuil at 12:35/12:35]

    2nd-Lieut A K Lomax (Pow), 43 Sqn RAF, Camel C8293 – took off 12:00/12:00 then missing on special mission

    Lieut E D Jones (Kia) & 2nd-Lieut W Smith (Kia), 10 Sqn RAF, AW FK8 C3522 - shot down by machine-gun fire from ground at D27d7090 [?] at 13:20/13:20 on counter attack patrol

    2nd-Lieut F Williams (Kia) & 2nd-Lieut R Critchley (Kia), 22 Sqn RAF, Bristol F.2B A7286 – took off 15:15/15:15 and last seen going down in flames after fight with EA Triplane on patrol Vauvillers; Ltns Hans Wolff, Js11, 4th victory ?

    2nd-Lieut A R Knowles (Kia) & Lieut E A Matthews (Kia), 11 Sqn RAF, Bristol F.2B C4862 – took off 17:00/17:00 and last seen diving on EA on patrol; Ltn d R Paul Wenzel, Js6, 1st victory [north-east of Bray at 18:05/18:05] ?

    2nd-Lieut K W D Pope (Wia) & 2nd-Lieut W J Buttle (Wia), 48 Sqn RAF, Bristol F.2B B1269 – took off 17:05/17:05 then shot about in aerial combat and force landed Sh62d.O.25.a.1.9 [west of Villers-Bretonneux] on OP Villers Bretonneux

    2nd-Lieut G B B Stiles (Wia) & 2nd-Lieut F F Walker (Wia), 48 Sqn RAF, Bristol F.2B C4707 – took off 17:05/17:05 then shot down Villers Bretonneux in aerial combat on OP

    2nd-Lieut R N MacLean (Wia), 54 Sqn, Camel D6505 – took off 18:05/18:05 then wounded in combat, last seen just south of of Moreuil on ofensive patrol, reported missing but okay

    2nd-Lieut E W Christie (Kia), 60 Sqn RAF, SE5a B8236 – took off 17:30/17:30 then believed to have fallen in flames at 18:15/18:15 on patrol; Vzfw Johann Putz, Js34, 4th victory [Villers Bretonneux at 18:15/18:15] or Ltn d R Hans Kirschstein, Js6, 4th victory [west of Harbonničres at 18:20/18:20] ?

    Lieut K P Campbell (Ok), 60 Sqn, SE5a C5388 - landed Bertangles at 18:45/18:45 after being shot through in aerial combat on offensive patrol

    Royal Flying Corps Losses today: 13


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    Claims: 39 confirmed (Entente 31 : Central Powers 8)


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    Western Front:


    General Ferdinand Foch, one day in advance of his being named Supreme Allied Commander-in-Chief, instructs the RAF and French Air Force to focus on ground and interdiction attack and to only engage in air-to-air combat sufficiently to conduct these missions. Unfortunately, even his joint dictum failed to address the central issue with these two air forces – their failure to coordinate their operations. This resulted in the continuation of the inability to concentrate bombing on a small set of critical targets and to create a strategic reserve air force that could be rapidly moved to critical places on the combined front.

    Scarpe river British repulse attack near Fampoux and further south capture Ayette.

    Local fighting between Moreuil and Lassigny.

    Generally fighting has died down.

    U.S.A. agrees to brigade troops with British and French.

    Eastern Front:


    New Polish Cabinet formed by M. Steczkowski.

    Siberia reported dominated by Bolsheviks, German and Austrian prisoners being armed

    Southern Front:


    Tunstills Men Saturday 30th March 1918:


    Billetted in huts at Granezza.

    Pte. Smith Hesselden (see 24th July 1917) was promoted (unpaid) Lance Corporal.

    Pte. James Kilburn (see 17th March) was taken ill, suffering from influenza, while home on leave to the UK and was admitted to 1st Northern General Hospital in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

    Pte. George Edward Chapman (see 13th February), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, was admitted to hospital, suffering a recurrence of the symptoms of ‘shellshock’ which had seen him evacuated to England in June 1916.

    Pte. Harry Crawshaw (see 8th December 1917) was discharged from the Military Hospital in Exeter following treatment for nephritis. He would have a period of leave before reporting to Northern Command Depot at Ripon.

    A payment of Ł3 12s. 1d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Walter Pedley (see 28th November 1917), who had been killed in action on 28th November 1917 while serving with 2/7th DWR; the payment would go to his widow, Edith. She would also receive a package of his personal effects, comprising of, “wallet, photos”.

    A second payment, of 3s. 3d., was authorised, on the account of the late Pte. Willie Dracup (see 4th February), who had been killed in action on 1st October 1917; the payment would go to his father, Harry.

    A second payment, of Ł1 3d., was authorised, on the account of the late Pte. Norman Holmes (see 4th February), who had been killed in action on 18th October 1917; the payment would go to his widow, Hannah.

    Asiatic, African, Egyptian Front:


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    A failed bridge constructed over the Jordan at Ghoraniye, likely undermined by the flooding waters of the river.

    Ghoraniye
    –Allenby had turned his attention east in early 1918, hoping to cut the Hejaz Railway at Amman. Even if the Turks were not permanently ejected from the city, the destruction of a rail bridge and tunnel in the area would disrupt rail traffic for months, and hopefully force the Turks to abandon all positions to the south. In late March, he intended to cross the Jericho and attack Amman, while his Hashemite allies attacked Ma’an to the south. However, heavy rains interfered with this plan; the Arabs postponed their attack on Ma’an as “camels and pack animals were floundering in mud,” and flooding of the Jordan meant that the British could not cross until March 23, and had severe supply difficulties thereafter. Critically, the wet and muddy conditions meant that all but the lightest British artillery could not reach Amman. Attacks on Amman from March 27 to 30 were all repulsed by machine-guns in positions that could not be taken out without artillery support. The British lost a third of their force wounded in attacks that were destined to fail before withdrawing back to the west, followed by refugees who were afraid of Ottoman retribution. By April 2, the British had withdrawn all but a small detachment back across the Jordan.

    The German offensive in France meant that the time for offensive operations in Palestine and Jordan was quickly running out. The War Office had already ordered one of his divisions away to bolster the Western Front, and two more would leave before the end of April. Allenby hoped to try one more attack before the summer heat set in, but it would be with a quickly-diminishing force.

    Naval Operations:

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    Political:

    "Curfew" order comes into force.

    Canada: Prime Minister intends to enforce Military Act on Quebec rioters.

    Anniversary Events:

    1792 The United States authorizes the minting of the $10 Eagle, $5 half-Eagle & 2.50 quarter-Eagle gold coins as well as the silver dollar, dollar, quarter, dime & half-dime.
    1796 Haitian revolt leader Toussaint L'Ouverture takes command of French forces at Santo Domingo.
    1801 The British navy defeats the Danish at the Battle of Copenhagen.
    1865 Confederate President Jefferson Davies flees Richmond, Virginia as Grant breaks Le’s line at Petersburg.
    1910 Karl Harris perfects the process for the artificial synthesis of rubber.
    1914 The U.S. Federal Reserve Board announces plans to divide the country into 12 districts.
    1917 President Woodrow Wilson presents a declaration of war against Germany to Congress.
    1917 Jeannette Pickering Rankin is sworn in as the first woman to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 04-08-2018 at 12:42.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  45. #3145

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    Wednesday 3rd April 1918
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    Armistice Countdown 222 days
    Today we lost: 704
    Today’s losses include:
    ˇ Multiple sons of members of the clergy
    ˇ The brother of an England International Rugby footballer
    ˇ Multiple families that will lose two sons in the Great War
    ˇ A man whose son will be killed at El Alamein

    Today’s highlighted casualties include:

    ˇ Captain Cyprian Henry Benson Slocock (Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry) dies of wounds received in action on 25th March at age 21. He is the son of the late Reverend F H Slocock, Rector of Mottisfont and his brother, an English International Rugby football player was killed in August 1916.
    ˇ Private William Biggart (Royal Irish Fusiliers) is killed in action at age 23. His brother was killed in August 1917.
    ˇ Private Arthur Richard Coppard (Sussex Regiment) dies of wounds as a prisoner of war at age 21. His brother died on a hospital ship off Gallipoli in October 1915.
    ˇ Private Fred Davis (Lancers) dies of wounds at age 23. His brother was killed last October.
    ˇ Private Charles Broderick Hugh Vivian (Lord Strathcona’s Horse) is killed. He is the son of the Reverend Charles Henry Gerald Vivian Rector of Grade.
    ˇ Private J E Azevedo (Middlesex Regiment) is killed at age 33. His son will be killed at El Alamein in August 1942.

    Air Operations:

    Captain Harold Harrison Gonyon and Lieutenant Brown on an anti-submarine patrol of D.H.4s, observe at 16:10 an enemy submarine with conning tower awash at a position ten miles north of Dunkirk. Captain Gonyon releases one 230-pound bomb from seven hundred feet that hits just ahead of the conning tower. The submarine disappears and quantities of bubbles and oil are observed. He then drops another 230-pound bomb and Lieutenant Brown his 230-pound bombs on the same position. Having re-supplied their machines with more bombs, they return; where they had bombed and observe two large patches of oil and floating spar. Four 230-pound bombs are dropped on the position by other machines.

    General Headquarters.


    “The weather on the 3rd inst. was again unfavourable for flying, but this did not prevent our aeroplanes from making several flights to reconnoitre the battle front and to attack ground targets with bombs and machine gun fire. One fight took place during a clear interval between two very large formations of our own and the enemy's machines. Otherwise hostile aircraft were not very active. Nine German machines were brought down and three others driven down out of control. One hostile balloon was also destroyed. Five of our aeroplanes are missing."

    RAF Communiqué number 1:

    Low clouds and rain interfered with flying.

    Twenty-four reconnaissances were carried out by Brigades, including six photographic flights by the 9th Wing.

    Thirteen contact patrols were carried out by the 3rd and 5th Brigades.

    Sixty-one hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction with aeroplane observation and 14 neutralized; seven gun-pits were destroyed, 25 damaged, 30 explosions and 29 fires caused. Eighty-one zone calls were sent down.

    A total of 16 tons of bombs were dropped as follows:_

    Night 2nd/3rd – 1st Brigade: No 2 Squadron, 8 40-lb phosphorous bombs on Don Railway Station. No 4 Squadron, 6 112-lb bombs on Douai and La Bassée.

    3rd Brigade: No 102 Squadron, 7 230-lb and 108 25-lb bombs on St Leger, Ervillers and Croisilles.

    5th Brigade: No 101 Squadron, 8 112-lb and 110 25-lb bombs on Quesnel, Brie, Bouchoir and targets on the Amiens - Roye road.

    9th Brigade: No 58 Squadron, 7 112-lb and 50 25-lb bombs on Dechy Railway Station and the railway triangle south of Douai.

    Day 3rd - 1st Brigade: No 18 Squadron, 2 112-lb, 60 25-lb and 2 40-lb phosphorous bombs on Cambrai, Annay and Douvrin. 1st Wing, 62 25-lb bombs. No 40 Squadron, 16 25-lb bombs. 4th Squadron A.F.C., 37 25-lb bombs.

    2nd Brigade: No 20 Squadron, 16 25-lb bombs. No 1 Squadron, 26 25-lb bombs. No 206 Squadron, 62 25-lb bombs on Don Railway Station. 2nd Wing, 82 25-lb bombs.

    3rd Brigade: No 57 Squadron, 5 230-lb bombs on Bapaume Station; 135 '25-lb bombs.

    5th Brigade: 15th Wing, 191 25-lb bombs. 22nd Wing, 1 112-lb and 72 25-lb bombs. No 205 Squadron, 4 112-lb and 88 25-lb bombs on villages, bridges, rods, etc.

    9th Brigade: No 25 Squadron, 2 112-lb and 34 25-lb bombs on Cambrai Station. No 27 Squadron, 7 112-lb and 8 20-lb bombs on Douai and Dechy. No 32 Squadron, 19 25-lb bombs on troops.

    Enemy Aircraft:

    Enemy aircraft activity was slight, with the exception of one large formation of E.A. scouts which were encountered by 27 machines of the 5th Brigade (Nos 65 and 84 Squadrons), and successfully engaged.

    Enemy machines were driven down control by the following; 2nd-Lieut W H Brown, No 84 Squadron; Capt C J Marchant, 2nd-Lieut M M Freehill, No 46 Squadron (one); Lieut J F Larson, No 84 Squadron. During a fight between a large number of E.A. scouts, No 54 Squadron confirm two E.A. scouts having been crashed by Camels of No 65 Squadron. As there were 28 indecisive combats reported during this fight, it is impossible to credit these machines to any particular pilots.

    Capt D G Loudon and 2nd-Lieut T M O'Neill, 43 Sqn, Fokker DrI crashed Morlancourt at 09:20/09:20 -

    Capt C F King, 43 Sqn, Fokker DrI crashed Morlancourt at 09:20/09:20 -

    Capt W G R Hinchliffe, 210 Sqn, two-seater in flames Roulers at 11:30/11:30 -

    Capt W M Alexander, 210 Sqn, two-seater destroyed Roulers at 11:30/11:30 -

    Capt R A Grosvenor, 84 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed Rosičres aerodrome at 11:50/11:50 and Pfalz Scout crashed east of Villers-Bretonneux at 11:51/11:51 – Capt R A Grosveuor, No 84 Squadron, dived on an E.A. scout which went down and turned over in a field, crashing badly. Capt Grosvenor shortly afterwards attacked another E.A. scout, into which he fired a short burst, and the E.A. almost at once burst into flames

    Lieut J F Larson, 84 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control E Rosičres at 11:55/11:55 -

    Lieut J F Larson, 84 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed east of Rosičres at 11:55/11:55 - Lieut J F Larson, No 84 Squadron, fired long bursts from guns into an E.A. scout which turned over its back and was seen to crash into the ground a mile east of Rosičres.

    Maj J A Cunningham, 65 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed east of Demuin at 12:00/12:00 - Major J A Cunningham, No 65 Squadron, attacked an E.A. scout which went down in a spin, but Maj Cunningham lost sight of it; but Capt Grosvenor, 84 Sqn, confirms having seen the E.A. coming out of the spin and nose-dive vertically into the ground.

    2nd-Lieut W H Brown, 84 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Villers-Bretonneux at 12:00/12:00 -

    2nd-Lieut H W L Saunders, 84 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed Rosičres at 12:30/12:30 - 2nd-Lieut H W L Saunders, No 84 Squadron, fired a good burst at point blank range into an E.A. scout, which immediately went down, followed by 2nd-Lieut Saunders, who fired another burst into it. He broke off the combat at 3,000 feet and saw the E.A. crash into some trees south of Rosičres

    Capt C J Marchant and 2nd-Lieut M M Freehill, 46 Sqn, Albatros C crashed (?) 57d.L.32 [west of Miraumont] at 12:45/12:45 – whilst on patrol, Capt Marchant observed a yellow Albatros two-seater coming from the west over the lines. He fired a short burst at 80 yards’ range and the E.A. immediately dived steeply; Capt Marchant could not follow due to coming under fire from the ground. Lieut Freehill continued diving and fired 80 rounds before breaking off the combat due to ground fire. The E.A. was last seen diving very steeply into the ground behind some trees at about 100 feet and although not actually seen to crash must have done so as it was still diving too steeply to be able to pull out. Claimed as ‘Destroyed (supposed)’, the combat report is annotated ‘1 out of control’

    2nd-Lieut D R MacLaren and 2nd-Lieut J H Smith, 46 Sqn, Balloon deflated 57c.X.23.a [north-west of Vendhuile] at 13:15/13:15 - 2nd-Lieut D R MacLaren, No 46 Squadron, fired about 100 rounds at 200 yards’ range into a hostile balloon. 2nd-Lieut J H Smith, of the same Squadron, also fired 100 rounds into this balloon. The observer jumped out and the balloon sagged badly, then crumpled up and fell

    2nd-Lieut R T Cuffe, 54 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Rosičres at 17:10/17:10 – 2nd-Leut R T Cuffe, No 54 Squadron, was attacked by an E.A. scout; he turned and it, and the E.A. was observed to crash near Rosičres. Six E.A. were still above 2nd-Lieut Cuffe, but did not come down to attack him

    Royal Flying Corps casualties today:

    Capt E D Hall (Ok) & Lieut W S Aulton (Ok), 101 Sqn, FE2b A5559 - force landed near Bertangles after petrol tank shot through by machine-gun fire during night bombing

    Lieut R M C MacFarlane (Wia) & 2nd-Lieut A E Lancashire (Wia), 35 Sqn RAF, AW FK8 C3682 – took off 09:00/09:00 then forced to land by EA near Villers Bretonneux and burnt during patrol; Ltn Victor von Pressentin, Js4, 2nd victory [Blangy-Tronville at 10:05/10:05]

    2nd-Lieut J E Dean (Pow), 65 Sqn RAF, Camel C8230 – took off 10:55/10:55 and last seen east of line Démuin - Moreuil on patrol

    2nd-Lieut L N F Towne (Pow), 65 Sqn RAF, Camel C8294 – took off 11:00/11:00 and last seen east of line Démuin - Moreuil on patrol

    Victories were awarded to:

    Ltn Konrad Schwartz, Js22, 2nd victory [Mézičres at 12:18/12:18] - Mézičres is 5 Km south-east of Démuin
    Ltn Konrad Schwartz, Js22, 3rd victory [La Neuville – Bernard at 12:30/12:30] - La Neuville is a suburb of Amiens, 17 Km north-west of Démuin
    Ltn d R Alfred Lenz, Js22, 2nd victory [Cachy at 12:36/12:36] - Cachy is 5 Km north-west of Démuin

    2nd-Lieut R T Cuffe (Ok), 54 Sqn, Camel D1797 – took off 15:45/15:45 and force landed St Pol 17:10/17:10 after shot during engagement with EA on offensive patrol

    2nd-Lieut Phillips (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut M Balston (Ok), 35 Sqn, AW FK8 C8457 – took off 14:00/14:00 and shot through by EA on contact patrol 17:20/17:20 Amiens district

    Royal Flying Corps Losses today:

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    Claims: 27 confirmed (Entente 15 : Central Powers 12)

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    Western Front:

    French, British and American political leaders officially make General Foch the Supreme Allied Commander-in-Chief.

    Local fighting in Scarpe river region and at Hebuterne.

    Heavy air fighting and bombing.

    One long-range gun reported blown up.

    Eastern Front:


    Ekaterinoslav (South Russia) taken by German forces.

    Indications of coalition between local authorities and Entente to safeguard Murman railway.

    German Expeditionary Force lands in South Finland at Hangö (see 1st, 13th and December 16th).

    White Guards capture Tammefors with 1,000 prisoners.

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    A German film crew filming the landing of German troops at Hanko.

    Hanko
    –The Germans wanted a friendly government in Finland, to help supply them during the war, to increase Germany’s influence after the war, and to see off any Allied threat from Murmansk (where Allied forces had already landed). The Whites in Finland also needed Germany’s help; although they had successfully surrounded Tampere, pushing further south would be difficult. Baltic ice made early intervention difficult, but by April 3 it had cleared enough to let the Germans land a division at the port of Hanko, on a peninsula at the entrance to the Gulf of Finland. Red forces had already abandoned the port, but, to the Germans’ chagrin, had taken with them all the trains in the city; the Germans would not, as they had when they invaded Russia in February, be able to simply advance along the rail lines. The still-snowy conditions also meant the bicycles the Germans had hoped to use, as on Osel last October, were rendered useless; the advance on Helsinki would have to be by foot. Nevertheless, the Germans still took the vital bridge at Ekenäs, 20 miles from Hanko, on the first day.

    The sudden threat to Helsinki panicked Russian and Allied naval forces in Helsinki. The Russian forces were supposed to have left for Kronstadt by the terms of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, but not all had yet done so due to the icy conditions; much of the fleet had barely survived an ice cruise from Talinn in February. The Russian commander notified the Germans that their sailors would be adhering to the terms of the treaty and would not be aiding the Finnish Reds in the defense of Helsinki; their ships began leaving in earnest the next day. Also in Helsinki was the British submarine fleet, which was now truly stranded. With escape infeasible, the British scuttled their remaining seven submarines there (along with several Russian ones) once they heard the news of the German landings. The crews would later return to Britain via Murmansk.

    Southern Front:


    Tunstills Men Wednesday 3rd April 1918:


    Billetted in huts at Granezza.

    The Battalion moved into support positions to the right Brigade of the Division near Malga Fassa on the forward slopes of Mount Kaberlaba. Pte. Harold Charnock (see 28th March) recalled that, “accommodation consisted of dug-outs, trenches and a few huts. The thaw had now come and the weather was very wet”. This first tour, however, would be relatively quiet; according to the Divisional History, “the cold was severe and clear, bright days alternated with heavy snowstorms. Wood, however, was plentiful and when it had been dried there was no lack of fuel. The health of the troops was excellent, and they very soon cultivated the wind and muscles of the mountaineer”.

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    The 23rd Division sector was 3,600 yards wide; divided into two sections, each held by an infantry brigade, supported by machine guns and artillery. The two sections were very different; On the right, the eastern part, the line ran through dense woods and observation was also restricted by a low ridge from Villa del Brun-Guardinalti-Poslen around 200-400 yards ahead of the front line. Immediately in rear of this section was the steep San Sisto ridge. HQ of the right brigade was at Pria del Aqua (a junction on the Granezza-Asiago road). The left (western) section lay mainly in the open, except for 50 yards on the extreme right, and had open view across the whole front. The far left of the Division was anchored on Mt. Lemerle, the slopes of which were heavily wooded and thus concealed any advance further west. HQ of the left brigade was at Mt.Torle. It was thus much easier to move unobserved in the right section, but here there were restricted views; while the left section was very exposed but afforded excellent views of the enemy.

    Defences had been laid out by the Italians, with two trench lines running parallel and heavily wired. The first line was part earth-dug and part blasted from rock; the second line was 800 yards back and 400-500 feet higher and was blasted from rock. There were no communication trenches, partly because of the difficulty of constructing them in the rocky terrain and partly because the heavy tree cover made them largely unnecessary. There was a belt of wire between the two lines but no real defence system between them which meant that front line had to be strongly held.

    Lord Cavan had been planning for an assault in this area, partly to ‘occupy’ the Austrians as allied fortunes on the Western Front were in decline due to the German Spring Offensive. The precursor to this would be to ensure allied supremacy over the wide area of no mans land. The Division immediately moved away from the Itlaian policy of purely passive defence. Several small ruined buildings in niman’s land were occupied at night by Austrians and raids were quickly undertaken against these, securing prisoners and killing the enemy. Otherwise time would be spent in reorganizing and strengthening defences.

    Pte. Henry Grimshaw (see 13th March) was admitted to 71st Field Ambulance, suffering from inflammation to his left foot; he would be discharged to duty four days later.

    Cpl. Joseph Haywood (see 21st March) was admitted to 71st Field Ambulance, suffering from bronchitis.

    Pte. Alfred Shaw (see 16th January 1917) was admitted via 71st Field Ambulance and 24th Casualty Clearing Station to 29th Stationary Hospital at Cremona, suffering from scabies.

    Pte. Thomas Henry Fearn (see 24th March) was discharged from the Convalescent Depot at Lido d’Albano and posted to XIV Corps Reinforcement Camp at Arquata Scrivia.

    Pte. Frederick McKell (see 28th March), would had been wounded while serving with 5DWR, was evacuated to England from 22nd General Hospital at Camiers, travelling onboard the hospital ship Ville de Liege.

    Three weeks after leaving England, 2Lt. William Edmondson Gaunt (see 13th March) arrived at Alexandria, where he was to join 2nd/4th Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment.

    L.Cpl. Ernest Gee (see 12th February), serving with 3DWR at North Shields, was reported absent without leave.

    A payment of Ł2 8s. 11d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Henry Percival Widdop (see 18th October 1917), who had been killed in action on 18th October 1917; the payment would go to his father, Edwin

    A second payment, of 2s., was authorised, on the account of the late Pte. Joseph Henry Woodcock (see 21st January), who had died of wounds on 30th September 1917; the payment would go to his widow, Ethel.

    Asiatic, African, Egyptian Front:


    Baluchistan: Successful progress of operations against the Marris.

    Naval Operations:


    Seven British submarines blown up in Baltic (between 3rd and 8th April) to save them from German hands.
    Captain Francis Newton Allan Cromie (Royal Navy) senior naval officer in the Baltic orders all remaining British Baltic submarines, (E1, E8, E9, E19, C26, C27 and C35) to be towed out of Helsingfors (modern Helsinki) to sea. Explosives are placed against their pressure hulls and they are scuttled. All the crews return home to England, while Cromie proceeds to Petrograd where he will become the Naval Attaché. He will be murdered by Bolsheviks as he stands on the embassy steps denying entry to a mob intent on storming the embassy in August.

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    Political:


    British Shipping output for first quarter 320,280 tons.

    Austria: Count Czernin speaks on international situation and declares he has received peace offer from France (M. Clemenceau denies this).

    Cape Town: General Botha appeals to "Fellow South Africans" for recruits.

    Allied Blockade Committee meets.

    Anniversary Events:

    628 In Persia, Kavadh sues for peace with the Byzantines.
    1367 John of Gaunt and Edward the Black Prince win the Battle of Najera, in Spain.
    1559 Phillip II of Spain and Henry II of France sign the peace of Cateau-Cambresis, ending a long series of wars between the Hapsburg and Valois dynasties.
    1860 The Pony Express connects St. Joseph, Missouri and Sacramento, California.
    1862 Slavery is abolished in Washington, D.C.
    1865 Union forces occupy the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia.
    1882 The American outlaw Jesse James is shot in the back and killed by his cousin, Bob Ford.
    1910 Alaska's Mount McKinley, the highest mountain in North America is climbed.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 04-08-2018 at 12:48.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  46. #3146

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    Thursday 4th April 1918
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    Armistice Countdown 221 days
    Today we lost:1,098
    Today’s losses include:

    ˇ A Member or Parliament who will have one son killed in the Second World War and another who will win an Olympic Gold Medal in 1932 be killed as a member of the International Brigade during the Spanish Civil War
    ˇ A General
    ˇ The son of a General
    ˇ Multiple battalion commanders
    ˇ Multiple sons of members of the clergy
    ˇ The son-in-law of a member of the clergy
    ˇ The grandson of a member of the clergy
    ˇ Multiple families that will lose two, three and four sons in the Great War
    ˇ The winner of the 1913 Public Schools Middleweight Boxing Competition
    ˇ The son of the 1st Baron Avebury and the father of the 3rd

    Today’s highlighted casualties include:

    ˇ Lieutenant Colonel Robert Edward Dewing DSO (Royal Engineers commanding 8th Berkshire Regiment) is killed in action at age 27. He is the son of the Reverend Richard Stanley Dewing Vicar of Badwell Ash.
    ˇ Captain Ivan Clarkson MacLean DSO MC (Royal Army Medical Corps attached Rifle Brigade) dies of wounds as a prisoner of war at age 36. He is the son of Major General H I MacLean and has a brother who will be killed in action in five days with the Royal Engineers.
    ˇ Captain William Arthur Crebbin (Rifle Brigade) is killed in action at age 23. He was the winner of the Public Schools Middleweight Boxing Competition in 1913.
    ˇ Lieutenant James Mudie Couper (Royal Field Artillery) is killed at age 21. His brother was killed in September 1915.
    ˇ Lieutenant ‘the Honorable’ Harold Fox Pitt Lubbock (Grenadier Guards) is killed in action at age 29. He is the son of the 1st Baron and father of the 3rd Baron Avebury. His younger brother was killed in action in March 1917.
    ˇ Second Lieutenant Cecil Harold Sowerby Ruston (East Kent Regiment) is killed in action at age 31. He is the son-in-law of the late Reverend Frederick Charles Marshall, the former rector of Doddington and grandson of the Reverend Michael Augustus Gathercole vicar of Chatteris.
    ˇ Second Lieutenant Victor Walker (Gloucestershire Regiment attached Royal West Kent Regiment) is killed in action at age 24. He is one of six brothers who served, three of which fell.
    Second Lieutenant Frederick George Norris (Cheshire Regiment) is killed in action at age 20. He was an exhibitioner Elect of Jesus College, Oxford.
    Second Lieutenant Lewis Charles Bagot Chester (Lancashire Fusiliers) is killed at age 20. He is the son of the Reverend John Greville Chester Vicar of Gilling who lost another son in October 1914.
    ˇ Lance Corporal Sidney George Crane (Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry) is killed. He is the last of three brothers who are killed in the war.
    ˇ Lance Corporal Bert Miller (Essex Regiment) is killed in action one day before his brother meets the same fate.
    ˇ Private John Wightman (Machine Gun Corps) is killed in action at age 23. His brother Major James Wightman (East Surrey Regiment) is mortally wounded the same day and will die in five days.
    ˇ Private Shepley Vickers Smith (King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry attached the Rifle Brigade) is killed in action at age 20. His brother also fell.
    ˇ Private Fred Joseph Budgett MM (Gloucestershire Regiment) is killed at age 26. His brother will die on service in May 1919.
    ˇ Private Thomas Barlow (Suffolk Regiment) is killed. He has two brothers who will also be killed in the Great War and another brother who will die as a result of his service in 1919.
    ˇ Private Hugh Grahame Henderson (Australian Infantry) dies of wounds at age 18. His brother will be killed in five days.
    ˇ Private Edward Alton Buckley (Australian Infantry) is killed at age 20. His brother will be killed in twelve days.
    ˇ Driver Sidney John Hill (Royal Horse Artillery) is killed at age 24. His brother was killed last December.
    ˇ Private Ernest Stanley Lewis Eddy (Welsh Fusiliers) is killed at age 25. His brother will be killed in the sinking of RMS Leinster in October of this year.

    Air Operations:

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    A two-seater aircraft takes off from a platform on a ship for the first time, when a Royal Air Force Sopwith 1˝ Strutter launches from a gun turret of the Australian battlecruiser HMAS Australia. By November 1918, ships of the British Grand Fleet will carry over 100 aircraft on flying-off platforms, by which time 22 light cruisers will have one, and every battleship and battlecruiser will carry a two-seat aircraft on a platform mounted on a forward turret and a single-seat fighter on a platform mounted on an after turret.

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    (HMAS Sydney)

    Royal Air Force Lieutenant C. H. Noble-Campbell of No. 38 Squadron attacks the German Navy Zeppelin L 62 while piloting an F.E.2b over England. He is wounded in the head by machine-gun fire from L 62, but returns safely to base. It is the only occasion on which an attacking airman is wounded in combat with an airship.

    General Headquarters.

    “On the 4th inst. rain and mist greatly interfered with operations in the air. Our aeroplanes, none the less, reported the progress of the battle south of the Somme and fired into the enemy's troops. Of the German machines which appeared on this part of the battle front six were brought down by our aeroplanes and one was shot down by our anti-aircraft gunfire. One of our machines is missing. Two of our aeroplanes which were reported missing in the communiques of the last two days have since returned to their squadrons.”

    RAF Communiqué number 1:

    In spite of low clouds and rain, machines of the 5th Brigade carried out 10 contact patrols, and a considerable amount of low-flying was done by our aeroplanes on the battlefront.

    Five batteries were successfully engaged for destruction with aeroplane observation; two gun-pits were destroyed, six explosions and one fire caused. Eleven zone calls were sent down.

    A total of 1ž tons of bombs were dropped as follows:-

    1st Brigade: 1st Wing, 8 25-lb bombs. No 40 Squadron, 4 25-lb bombs.

    2nd Brigade: No 20 Squadron, 19 25-lb bombs. 2nd Wing, 8 25-lb bombs.

    3rd Brigade: 15 25-lb bombs.

    5th Brigade: 15th Wing, 37 25-lb bombs. 22nd Wing, 72 25-lb bombs..

    Enemy Aircraft:

    There was no E.A. activity, except on the front of the 5th Brigade.

    Lieut L H Rochford, 203 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Beau – [probably a duplicate of the claim made on 24 March; I have nothing that suggests Rochford claimed on this date]

    Capt T Colvill-Jones & 2nd-Lieut W Hart, 48 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed south-east of Villers-Bretonneux at 13:30/13:30 – Capt T Colvill-Jones and 2nd-Lieut W Hart, No 48 Squadron, whilst on offensive patrol, engaged one E.A. scout and fired two long bursts into it. The E.A. went down in a steep dive with smoke coming from it and was seen to crash by another pilot

    Lieut L J Primrose, 2 AFC, Albatros Scout in flames east of Villers-Bretonneux at 14:45/14:45 - Lieut L J Primrose, 2nd Squadron A.F.C., fired 200 rounds at close range into an E.A. scout which immediately burst into flames and was seen to crash just east of Villers Bretonneux

    Capt G E H McElroy, 24 Sqn, Pfalz Scout crashed north of Warfusée at 15:05/15:05 - Capt G E H McElroy, No 24 Squadron, observed seven E.A. scouts flying east over the lines; he attacked one of the E.A., firing a burst into it from 50 yards’ range. The E.A. went down in a spin and crashed north of Warfusée

    2nd-Lieut H B Richardson, 24 Sqn and 2nd-Lieut J G Kennedy, 65 Sqn, two-seater in flames Bois de Vaire at 15:30/15:30 - 2nd-Lieut H B Richardson, No 24 Squadron, fired 30 rounds at close range into an E.A. two-seater. A Camel also engaged the E.A. which went down in flames, followed by the Camel, which also crashed in flames

    Capt F M Kitto, 54 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed south-east of Hamel at 15:30/15:30 - Capt F M Kitto, No 54 Squadron, engaged one of a formation of about eight E.A. scouts; after a short engagement the E.A. dived away east and was followed by Capt Kitto, firing the whole time. The E.A. kept on in a fairly steep dive and flew into the ground, crashing badly, the wreckage being seen later in flames on the ground

    2nd-Lieut R T Mark and 2nd-Lieut C M G Farrell, 24 Sqn, Rumpler C captured St Nicholas at 17:30/17:30 - 2nd-Lieut R T Mark, No 24 Squadron, dived on an E.A. scout which immediately turned east and was then engaged by 2nd-Lieut Farrell, of the same Squadron. 2nd-Lieut Mark dived on it again and fired 150 rounds and 2nd-Lieut Farrell 40 rounds, whereupon the E.A. crashed into a wood on our side of the lines and caught fire. Uffz Brocklebank & Ltn Behnecke, FA33, Pow

    Royal Flying Corps casualties today:

    ? (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut E D Stevens (Wia), 35 Sqn RAF, AW FK8 – combat?; Ltn d R Georg Kröhl, Js34, 2nd victory [Bois de Hamel – Brie, no time] ?

    2nd-Lieut W N Plenderleith (Wia), 54 Sqn RAF, Camel – combat?

    Lieut L J Primrose (Ok), 2 Sqn AFC, SE5a D214 - force landed near Amiens after oil tank shot through 14:45/14:45 on patrol

    Capt C M Leman (Ok), 3 Sqn, Camel C1653 – took off 14:05/14:05 then shot through by machine-gun fire during low bombing and returned damaged at 15:15/15:15

    Lieut J G Kennedy (Kia), 65 Sqn RAF, Camel D6552 – took off 15:00/15:00 and believed to have crashed after destroying EA at Sh62d.P.16.d [south-east of Le Hamel] 15:30/15:30 on patrol; Ltn d R Heinrich Georg Geigl, Js16, 13th victory [Warfusée, no time] – presumed location for this claim is Lamotte-Warfusée, 2 Km south-east of Le Hamel

    Royal Flying Corps Losses today:


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    Claims: 14 confirmed (Entente 9 : Central Powers 5)


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    Western Front:


    North of Somme, attack near Albert is repulsed.

    French counter-attack between Grivesnes and Noyon.

    Germans claim 90,000 prisoners since 21 March

    Germans again attack in force between Somme and Avre rivers.

    British pressed back near Hamel and Villers-Bretonneux, and French between Avre and Luce rivers.

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    The Battle of the Avre (4–5 April 1918), part of the First Battle of Villers-Bretonneux, constituted the final German attack towards Amiens. It was the point at which the Germans got the closest to Amiens. It was fought between attacking German troops and defending Australian and British troops. The attack was an attempt to take Amiens, where other aspects of Operation Michael had failed. The Avre marked the beginning of the end for Ludendorf's March Offensive.

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    Preliminary moves (29–30 March) across the southern battlefields by German 2nd Army proved so slow and difficult that offensive operations were suspended between 1–3 April to allow German forces to recover.

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    The final German attack was eventually launched towards Amiens. It came on 4 April, when fifteen divisions attacked seven Allied divisions on a line east of Amiens and north of Albert (towards the Avre River). Ludendorff decided to attack the outermost eastern defenses of Amiens centred on the town of Villers-Bretonneux. His aim was to secure that town and the surrounding high ground from which artillery bombardments could systematically destroy Amiens and render it useless to the Allies. The subsequent fighting was remarkable on two counts: the first use of tanks simultaneously by both sides in the war; and the night-time counterattack hastily organized by the Australian and British units (including the exhausted 54th Brigade) which dramatically re-captured Villers -Bretonneux and halted the German onslaught.

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    From north to south, the line was held by British and Australian troops, specifically the British 14th and 18th Divisions, and the 35th Australian Battalion. However, by 4 April the 14th Division fell back under attack from the German 228th Division. The Australians held off the 9th Bavarian Reserve Division and the British 18th Division held off the German Guards Ersatz Division and 19th Divisions.

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    Major General John Monash, commander of the 3rd Australian Division which helped repulse the German attack at Villers-Bretonneux. He would later command all Australian forces on the Western Front and become the namesake for Monash University in Melbourne.

    Villers-Bretonneux–The German offensive had made it to within ten miles of the key rail junction of Amiens in late March, but Allied reinforcements and German supply difficulties had dramatically slowed German progress since then. The Germans were quickly diverting forces north towards Flanders for the next part of their plan, Operation Georgette. However, Ludendorff attempted one final push toward Amiens on April 4, around the town of Villers-Bretonneux. Even if Amiens could not be taken, the town was well-situated on heights within seven miles of the city, and German artillery could wreak havoc on Allied rail operations if it were taken.

    The German attack, starting with a more than two-to-one numerical superiority, initially went quite well, taking much of the town. However, later that day, a surprise counterattack by the Australian Corps reversed all of the German gains. To the south, the French also gained back some ground near Cantigny. After some limited fighting the next morning, Ludendorff decided “to abandon the attack on Amiens for good….The enemy resistance was beyond our powers.”

    The Germans had made huge gains over the previous two weeks, advancing over 40 miles in places. But sheer territorial gain for its own sake, however dramatic it looked on the map, was useless. Much of the ground taken was what had been deliberately abandoned in 1917 to shorten the line. Amiens was still in Allied hands, the British Army had neither collapsed nor been separated from the French, and inter-Allied cooperation had in fact increased with Foch’s appointment as generalissimo. The Allies had taken heavy casualties and lost over 90,000 PoWs, but the Germans had suffered almost as much. Although many of the German casualties were wounded who would recover and return to the war, the German losses were disproportionately among their elite front-line units; the German army would be permanently weakened by the offensive.

    Eastern Front:

    See Naval Operations.

    Southern Front:


    Tunstills Men Thursday 4th April 1918:


    Support trenches to the right Brigade near Malga Fassa on the forward slopes of Mount Kaberlaba.

    The weather remained cold and wet, with showers of rain, sleet and snow.

    Ptes. James Frederick Coldwell (see 17th March), Richard Henry Haresnape (see 16th January 1917), John Edward Varley (see 16th January 1917) and John Walton (see 30th October 1917) were all appointed ‘Drummer’.

    L.Cpl. Thomas Lloyd (see 28th January), on attachment from 2nd/6th DWR to 457th Field Company, Royal Engineers, was attached to 186th Infantry Brigade Pioneer Company.

    Trooper Claude Darwin (see 2nd February), serving in Egypt with 1st Field Squadron, Engineers, Anzac Mounted Division, was admitted to hospital suffering from malaria. He was the brother of Tunstill recruit, Pte. Tom Darwin (see 2nd February), who had recently been discharged from the army.

    Pte. William Axton (see 14th March), who had been in England since having been severely wounded on 20th September 1917, was formally discharged from the Army as being no longer physically fit for service. He was awarded a pension of 27s. 6d. per week for four weeks, reducing to 22s. per week and to be reviewed in six months’ time.

    Pte. Frederick Thomas Hollis (see 8th September 1917) was formally discharged from the Army on account of wounds suffered in action. In the absence of a surviving service record it has not been possible to establish the circumstances or date of his having been wounded.

    A pension award was made in the case of the late L.Cpl. James Lister Petty (see 27th February), who had been killed in action on 18th September 1917; his widow, Fanny, was awarded 18s. 9d. per week, for herself and her son.

    Asiatic, African, Egyptian Front:


    Sarikamish (Transcaucasia) occupied by Turks.

    Naval Operations:


    Morocco:
    Reported German intrigues in.

    Petrograd reports sinking of three Russian warships in Finnish waters and destruction of others to avoid capture.

    British destroyer sunk in collision.

    The destroyer HMS Bittern (Lieutenant Ernest K Loring RNR) is sunk after a collision in the fog off Portland Bill with the SS Kenilworth. Seventy-five members of the crew are killed.

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    Political:

    Mr. Lloyd George returns from visit to the front.

    Anniversary Events:

    527 In Constantinople, Justin, seriously ill, crowns his nephew Justinian as his co-emperor.
    1581 Francis Drake completes circumnavigation of the world.
    1812 The territory of Orleans becomes the 18th state and will become known as Louisiana.
    1818 The United States flag is declared to have 13 red and white stripes and 20 stars.
    1841 President William Henry Harrison, aged 68, becomes the first president to die in office, just a month after being sworn in.
    1862 The Battle of Yorktown begins as Union gen. George B. McClellan closes in on Richmond, Va.
    1917 The U.S. Senate votes 90-6 to enter World War I on Allied side.
    1918 The Battle of the Somme ends.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 04-08-2018 at 16:11.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  47. #3147

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    Friday 5th April 1918
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    Armistice Countdown 220 days
    Today we lost: 1,836
    Today’s losses include:

    ˇ
    The father of author Dame Roma Mitchell who will become the first Australian woman to be a judge, a Queen’s Council, the Chancellor of an Australian University and Governor of an Australian State
    ˇ Multiple sons of members of the clergy
    ˇ Multiple families that will lose to and three sons in the Great War
    ˇ A Military Chaplain
    ˇ The son of a Justice of the Peace
    ˇ A player for both the Napier FC and the Civil Service Cricket Club
    ˇ A seriously wounded may from two years previous who will commit suicide

    Today’s highlighted casualties include:

    ˇ Lieutenant John Stratford Collins (Sussex Regiment) is killed in action. He is the son of the Reverend J S Collins. ˇ Lieutenant Wade Gerard Fischer (Australian Infantry) is killed at age 23. He is the son of the Reverend Carl Hermann Fischer Vicar of Redcliffe Queensland.
    ˇ Lieutenant Ernest Penrose (Machine Gun Corps) is killed at age 23. His brother was killed in March 1917.
    ˇ Second Lieutenant Cecil Henry Leonard Askey (Lincolnshire Regiment) is killed at age 19. He is the son of the Reverend Arthur Henry Askew Rector of Swallow.
    ˇ Second Lieutenant Harold Flinders Mitchell (Australian Infantry) is killed at age 32 at Dernancourt. He is the father of the author Dame Roma Mitchell. She is the first Australian woman to be a judge, a Queen’s Counsel, a chancellor of an Australian university and the Governor of an Australian state.
    ˇ Second Lieutenant Harold Rolleston Brittan (New Zealand Rifle Brigade) is killed in action. His brothers were killed together on Gallipoli in August 1915.
    ˇ Second Lieutenant Walter Parr-Dudley (Royal Fusiliers) is killed at age 19. His brother was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.
    ˇ Chaplain William Henry Kay MC (attached Dorsetshire Regiment) is killed by a bursting shell at age 29.
    ˇ Sergeant Eric Nathaniel Davis (Otago Regiment) is killed at age 23. His brother was killed last October.
    ˇ Lance Bombardier Arthur G Munning (Royal Garrison Artillery) is killed in action. His brother died of wounds last June received as a result of the sinking of HMPMS Redcar.
    ˇ Private Harry Skinner (Suffolk Regiment) is killed in action at age 20. His older brothers were both killed within a two-month period beginning on the 1st July 1916.
    ˇ Private Bert A Hadaway (East Kent Regiment) is killed in action at age 20. He is the son of R A Hadaway JP.
    ˇ Private Frederick Charles Miller (Essex Regiment) is killed in action at age 19. His brother was killed the previous day. ˇ Private G H Chilton (Leicestershire Regiment attached Labour Corps) dies on service at home. His two brothers were killed in July 1916.
    ˇ Private Eugene Leo Courtney (Wellington Infantry) dies of wounds at age 22. He played football for the Napier Football Club and cricket for the Civil Service Club.
    ˇ Private Cecil Cobley (Northamptonshire Regiment) is killed at age 27. His brother was killed in September 1915.
    ˇ Gunner William James Gaston (Royal Garrison Artillery) is killed at age 36. His brother was killed in May 1915.
    ˇ Private George H Chilton (Leicestershire Regiment attached Labour Corps) commits suicide. His two brothers were killed in July 1916 and he was severely wounded the same day his second brother was killed.
    ˇ Private Charles Corder (Sussex Regiment) is killed at age 35. His brother was killed on HMS Hawke in October 1914.
    ˇ Private Arthur Trevor Lewis (Gloucestershire Regiment) dies wounds at home at age 27. He is the son of the late Canon J S Lewis.
    ˇ Private William Graham Fairley (Royal Scots) dies of wounds received 30th His brother will die of wounds in August.
    ˇ Stoker George Twidell (HMS Bluebell) dies of wounds at age 20. His brother was killed in April 1917.

    Air Operations:

    General Headquarters.

    “About midday on the 5th inst. our aeroplanes dropped 22 heavy bombs on the railway station at Luxemburg. Many of the bombs were seen to burst on the railway and a very large fire was caused. The anti-aircraft fire encountered was considerable, but all our machines returned."

    “On the 5th inst., with the exception of a few nights on the battle front, no flying took place owing to the weather. One hostile aeroplane was shot down by our infantry."

    RAF Communiqué number 1:

    The weather was very bad, low clouds, mist, and rain prevailing all day. In spite of this, machines of the 3rd and 5th Brigades carried out a number of offensive patrols and 14 contact patrols.

    Bombs were dropped by 5th Brigade as follows: 15th Wing, 71 25-lb bombs. 22nd Wing, 87 25-lb bombs.

    8th Brigade: Eleven machines of No 55 Squadron bombed the railway station and sidings at Luxembourg. Twenty-two 112-lb bombs were dropped from 13,000 feet and several bursts were observed on the railway, where a large fire was started. Twelve photographs were taken. One machine, which was seen on our side of the lines, is missing.

    Enemy aircraft:

    Enemy activity was very slight. One enemy machine was brought down by infantry of the Third Army.

    Royal Flying Corps casualties today:

    2nd-Lieut P O'Lieff (Pow) & 2nd-Lieut S R Wells (Pow), 55 Sqn RAF, DH4 A7553 - missing from bombing Luxembourg

    Royal Flying Corps Losses today:


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

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    Home fronts:


    USA:

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    Robert Prager (1888-1918)

    April 5 1918, Collinsville–A year into the United States’ participation into the war, anti-German sentiment was at an all-time high. At the official level, a few thousand German (and even non-German) aliens had been detained and there were extreme controls on the German-language press. In culture and the press, anything German was shunned, and those with German backgrounds attempted to present themselves as as American as possible.

    Robert Prager, a German from Dresden who had immigrated to the United States in 1905 at the age of 17, by all accounts embraced American patriotism after war was declared. He began the process of obtaining American citizenship, and even attempted to enlist in the Navy, but was rejected as he had a glass eye. Rarely able to hold down a job long due to his “stubborn, uncompromising personality,” he attempted to become a miner in Maryville, IL, but his application to become a member of the United Mine Workers was rejected. In part, this was due to his personality and health issues, but also due to his socialist politics and, more ominously, because he “looked like a spy.”

    After being warned away from Maryville, Prager wrote an angry letter to the union criticizing its president and posted it around town. A mob then dragged him out of his house, wrapped him in an American flag, and paraded him barefoot around the town. Prager was rescued by the police and placed in jail for his own protection. To try to calm spirits, the mayor decided to close the bars in the city early that night. Unfortunately, the crowds at the bars, once they heard a “German spy” was in the jail. went straight to the jail and removed him from the building while the police stood by. They marched him two miles south, forcing him to sing the national anthem, and then lynched him from a tree at 12:30 AM on April 5.

    The case soon gathered national attention; Wilson met with his Cabinet about it but decided not to issue an official statement. Germany attempted to pay for Prager’s funeral expenses. Later in the month, eleven men were indicted for Prager’s murder. They were all acquitted; one member of the jury reportedly said “Well, I guess nobody can say we aren’t loyal now.”

    Western Front:

    Germans again attack from Somme to beyond Bucquoy.

    British take 200 prisoners in counter-attack near Hebuterne.

    French attack north of Montdidier and near Noyon.

    End of Second Battle of the Somme.

    By the end of Operation Michael the German troops were generally dispirited and disorganized.

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    An attempt by the Germans to renew the offensive on 5 April failed and by early morning, the British had forced the enemy out of all but the south-eastern corner of the town. German progress towards Amiens had reached its furthest westward point and Ludendorff terminated the offensive.

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    Soldiers help man-handle horse-drawn German 77mm field gun forward over shell-torn ground, March 1918

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    Some German soldiers resting while others continue the advance through the Somme wasteland

    The Germans had captured 3,100 km2 (1,200 sq mi) of France and advanced up to 65 km (40 mi) but they had not achieved any of their strategic objectives. Over 75,000 British soldiers had been taken prisoner and 1,300 artillery pieces and 200 tanks were lost. It was of little military value with the casualties suffered by the German elite troops and the failure to capture Amiens and Arras. The captured ground was hard to move over and difficult to defend, as much of it was of the shell-torn wilderness left by the 1916 Battle of the Somme.

    Elsewhere the transport infrastructure had been demolished and wells poisoned during the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line in March 1917. The initial German jubilation at the successful opening of the offensive soon turned to disappointment as it became clear that the attack had not been decisive. Marix Evans wrote in 2002, that the magnitude of the Allied defeat was not decisive, because reinforcements were arriving in large numbers, that by 6 April the BEF would have received 1,915 new guns, British machine-gun production was 10,000 per month and tank output 100 per month. The appointment of Foch as Generalissimo at the Doullens Conference had created formal unity of command in the Allied forces.

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    The Allies lost c. 255,000 men of which the British suffered 177,739 killed, wounded and missing, 90,882 of them in the Fifth Army and 78,860 in the Third Army, of whom c. 15,000 died, many with no known grave.. The greatest losses were to 36th (Ulster) Division, with 7,310 casualties, the 16th (Irish) Division, with 7,149 casualties and 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division, 7,023 casualties. All three formations were destroyed and had to be taken out of the order of battle to be rebuilt. Six divisions lost more than 5,000 men. German losses were 250,000 men, many of them irreplaceable élite troops. German casualties, from 21 March – 30 April, which includes the Battle of the Lys, are given as 348,300. A comparable Allied figure over this longer period, is French: 92,004 and British: 236,300, a total of c. 328,000. In 1978 Middlebrook wrote that casualties in the 31 German divisions engaged on 21 March were c. 39,929 men and that British casualties were c. 38,512. Middlebrook also recorded c. 160,000 British casualties up to 5 April, 22,000 killed, 75,000 prisoners and 65,000 wounded; French casualties were c. 80,000 and German casualties were c. 250,000 men. In 2002, Marix Evans recorded 239,000 men, many of whom were irreplaceable Stoßtruppen; 177,739 British casualties of whom 77,000 had been taken prisoner, 77 American casualties and 77,000 French losses, 17,000 of whom were captured. The Allies also lost 1,300 guns, 2,000 machine-guns and 200 tanks In 2004, Zabecki gave 239,800 German, 177,739 British and 77,000 French casualties.

    Eastern Front:

    German landing in Finland confirmed.

    Siberia: Japanese marines land at Vladivostok, followed by a British detachment.

    Southern Front:


    60 Austrian sailors captured on land by Italians near Ancona.

    Tunstills Men Friday 5th April 1918:

    Support trenches to the right Brigade near Malga Fassa on the forward slopes of Mount Kaberlaba.

    The weather remained cold and wet, with showers of rain, sleet and snow.

    Pte. John Eastwood (see 23rd March) was injured when, in the words of his statement, “about 3.30pm I was in the reserve line when I picked up a detonator which exploded in my left hand”. He suffered what would be described as “multiple wounds, superficial, of both thighs and hands” and would be admitted via 71st Field Ambulance to 9th Casualty Clearing Station. Given the circumstances of his injury, an investigation was instigated and statements taken by 2Lt. Arthur Lilley (see 15th June 1917). L.Cpl. William Henry Bower (see below) reported that, “At about 3 o’clock on the afternoon of 5th April I was startled by a loud report near by. I saw Pte. Eastwood bleeding rather profusely from a wound in the left hand. I rushed to him and bandged him with several field dressings. On asking him how it happened he told me he had been playing with a detonator”. Pte. Herbert Archer (see 22nd February) stated that, “About 3 o’clock I was having a conversation with Pte. Stocks of my platoon. Pte. Eastwood came up to us with a small brass tube resembling a cartridge. It would be about three inches long and had a width of about half an inch. It seemed to be filled with a kind of reddish substance which I thought was explosive. He gave the tube to Pte. Stocks who asked me what I thought it was. I told him I thought it was dangerous to handle and so he handed it back to Pte. Eastwood. Eastwood went a few yards up the hill and Stocks and I continued our conversation. We were suddenly startled by a loud report. On looking round I saw Pte. Eastwood holding his hand out. The blood was running from his hand and so I immediately gave the call for the stretcher bearers”. Pte. Harold Stocks (see below) confirmed Archer’s account, “I was sitting near the dugout when Pte. Eastwood came to me. He showed me a small brass tube which he said he had taken from an Italian bomb. He went and sat down quite near. I saw him playing with it. He was trying to take out the wax from the detonator. Soon after I heard a loud report. I looked and saw that Pte. Eastwood’s hand was bleeding”. On the basis of the evidence reported Lt.Col. Francis Washington Lethbridge DSO (see 30th March) would conclude that Eastwood should be be put before a Field General Court Martial and instructions were accordingly issued that Eastwood should be held in confinement whilst being treated, pending the trial.

    L.Cpl. William Henry Bower was an original member of the Battalion but I am unable otherwise to make a positive identification of this man; I am also unable to definitely identify Pte. Harold Stocks, nor to establish when he had joined the Battalion, though it had most likely been late in 1917.

    Cpl. Joseph Dunn (see 28th January), serving with 2nd/7th DWR, was posted back to England from 4th General Hospital at Camiers, travelling onboard the Hospital Ship Stad Antwerpen. It is unclear why or for how long he had been in hospital.

    Sgt. Harry Singleton (see 29th October 1915), serving in France with 50th Field Ambulance was taken prisoner; he was the brother of Robert Singleton (see 14th December 1917), who had been one of Tunstill’s original volunteers, but had been discharged as unfit in January 1915. Harry later described his capture and subsequent events,

    “I was captured on 5th April 1918, in a trench between the villages of Bulquoy and Gommecourt. We had made an attack on the German trench system in front of us and had taken three lines of trenches and several hundred prisoners. Finding we were not strong enough to hold the position our boys had to retire, and during the retirement we were cut off in a short trench and soon found ‘Jerry’ on each side of us. We held them at bay for some hours until our stock of bombs ran out and they rushed us. We were marched to Bapaume that night, and were billeted in what used to be the Drury Lane Theatre in that place. Here we were kept three days without food and were marched off every day to unload our enemy’s ammunition at the railway station. We also worked at an engineer’s camp, carrying sleepers for a light railway. We did not stay long at Bapaume but were moved further on to Marquion and then to Demain, where we stayed another week in a camp, and were fed on mangold soup every day, and a very severe epidemic of dysentery set in, over 50 of our boys dying in a week. After a week of this I managed to get moved to a Veterinary Hospital where I had a good job looking after the sick of my company. The food here was very bad also and we lived for months on a very small quantity of black bread and imitation coffee, while our mid-day meal consisted of various soups. Sometimes it was ‘sauerkraut’ and at others, ‘sandstorm’, which was ground up mangolds and swedes, and it made a mixture something like sawdust and water in appearance. As the summer advanced we got fresh cabbage in the soup; more water than cabbage though. We used to get plenty of horse’s liver and lights whenever a horse died in hospital, but they always kept them too long and they were generally in a high state when we got them in soup”.

    Pte. John Longmire (see 15th March), who had been in England since having been wounded on 20th September 1917, was formally discharged from the army as no longer physically fit for service. He was awarded a pension of 27s. 6d. for four weeks, reducing to 5s. 6d. and to be reviewed in one year.

    Pte. Hugh Flanagan (see 5th July 1917) was formally discharged from the Army on account of wounds suffered in action. In the absence of a surviving service record it has not been possible to establish the circumstances or date of his having been wounded.

    In the Northern Hospital, Liverpool, 10 year-old Nellie Charles died as a result of “appendicitis and general peritonitis”; she was the second of the five children of Pte. Josiah Charles (see 5th October 1917).

    A payment of Ł6 6s. 7d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late L.Cpl. Willie Waggitt (see 3rd August 1917), who had been killed at Le Sars in October 1916; the payment would go to his father, John. It is unclear why there had been such a protracted delay in settling Waggit’s account.

    Asiatic, African, Egyptian Front:


    Van (Armenia) retaken by the Turks.

    Sir J. Van Deventer's despatch on East Africa published.

    Naval Operations:


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    Political:


    51st Meeting of Irish Convention adopts draft report. Convention adjourns sine die.

    Anniversary Events:

    1242 Russian troops repel an invasion by Teutonic knights.
    1614 Pocahontas marries English colonist John Rolfe.
    1792 George Washington casts the first presidential veto.
    1843 Queen Victoria proclaims Hong Kong a British crown colony.
    1861 Gideon Welles, the Secretary of the Navy issues official orders for the USS Powhatan to sail to Fort Sumter.
    1865 As the Confederate army approaches Appomattox, it skirmishes with Union forces at Amelia Springs and Paine's Cross Road.
    1908 The Japanese Army reaches Yalu River as Russians retreat.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 04-09-2018 at 02:45.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  48. #3148

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    Saturday 6th April 1918
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    Armistice Countdown 219 days
    Today we lost: 782
    Today’s losses include:

    ˇ
    A victim of the Red Baron
    ˇ A man who Victor Yeates portrayed in his novel Winged Victory
    ˇ A 5-victory ace
    ˇ Multiple sons of member of the clergy
    ˇ A man whose father was killed as a battalion commander at Gallipoli and has a brother who will be killed in Italy in December 1943
    ˇ Multiple families that will lose two and three sons in the Great War
    ˇ The son of the Mayor of Cambridge Waikato, New Zealand
    ˇ
    A man who has two cousins who will die of wounds in the Great War

    Air Operations:

    General Headquarters.


    “During the morning of the 6th inst., owing to bad weather, there was only slight aerial activity. About noon our machines, which had been watching the enemy's movements in the battle front since dawn, reported a concentration of hostile troops south of the Somme. Large formations of our aeroplanes immediately went out in the rain and dropped over 500 bombs on the enemy's assembled infantry, in addition to firing some 50,000 rounds at them with their machine guns. In air fighting 13 hostile machines were brought down and 11 others driven down out of control. Two German machines also were shot down by anti-aircraft fire. Sixteen of our machines have not yet been located. Many of these have undoubtedly made forced landings behind our lines owing to the difficulty of finding their aerodromes in the heavy rain. Throughout the present battle the Canadians in the Royal Air Force have done most valuable work."

    RAF Communiqué number 1:

    ln spite of low clouds and rain a considerable amount of flying took place, and many machines of the 3rd, 5th and 9th Brigades were out engaging with their machine guns enemy troops which were massing north-east of La Motte.

    Eight reconnaissances were carried out.

    Machines of the 3rd and 5th Brigades carried out 10 contact patrols.

    Four hostile batteries were successfully engaged for destruction with aeroplane observation and three neutralized; one gun-pit was damaged and one fire caused. Seven zone calls were sent down.

    Two tons of bombs were dropped as follows:-

    1st Brigade: 1st Wing, 29 25-lb bombs.

    2nd Brigade: No 1 Squadron, 12 23-lb bombs. 2nd Wing, 7 25-lb bombs.

    3rd Brigade: 70 25-lb bombs.

    5th Brigade: 10th Wing, 32 25-lb bombs. 22nd Wing, 99 25-lb bombs.

    Enemy Aircraft:

    Enemy aircraft were active in the afternoon on the fronts of the 1st, 3rd and 5th Brigades.

    Enemy machines were driven down out of control by the following: 2nd-Lieut H Daniel, No 43 Squadron; Capt T F N Gerrard, Lieut Cooper, Lieut Sneath, No 208 Squadron (one); Capt A ****son and 2nd-Lieut Scott, No 205 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut S J Squires, No 3 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut N R Smuts, No 3 Squadron; 2nd-Lieut R S Durno and Lieut A M Morgan, No 5 Squadron; Lieut Kinkead, No 201 Squadron; 2nd-Lieuts B C Budd and H J Weaver, No 22 Squadron; Capt H N C Robinson, 2nd-Lieut S T Liversedge, No 70 Squadron (one); 2nd-Lieut V Voss and Lieut C J R Gibson, No 48 Squadron

    2nd-Lieut E K Blenkinsop & 2nd-Lieut C F G Doran, 2 Sqn, Fokker DrI in flames - 2nd-Lieut E K Blenkinsop & 2nd-Lieut C F G Doran, No 2 Squadron, were attacked by three E.A. triplanes and one enemy scout; 60 rounds were fired at close range into one of the triplanes, which was seen to go down in flames

    2nd-Lieut R L Johns, 208 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed ? -

    2nd-Lieut E G Johnstone, 208 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed ? -

    2nd-Lieut R S Durno & Lieut A M Morgan, 5 Sqn, E.A. out of control -

    2nd-Lieut B C Budd & 2nd-Lieut H J Weaver, 22 Sqn, E.A. out of control -

    Lieut H Carnegie, 40 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed north of Pont-ŕ-Vendin at 10:35/10:35 - Lieut H Carnegie, No 40 Squadron, in a general engagement with E.A. scouts, shot down one E.A. which fell completely out of control and is confirmed by another pilot to have crashed north of Pont-ŕ-Vendin

    Capt I P R Napier, 40 Sqn, two-seater crashed Brebičres at 10:35/10:35 - Capt I P R Napier, No 40 Squadron, fired bursts at about 100 yards’ range into an E.A. two-seater; the E.A. did not return fire but turned sharply and went down in a steep dive, followed by Capt Napier who fired long bursts from both guns into it from the rear. The E.A. flew straight on, losing height, and finally crashed into some houses near Brebičres

    Lieut W L Jordan, 208 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed east of Oppy at 11:10/11:10 - Lieut W L Jordan, No 208 Squadron, attacked one of two E.A., firing a burst of about 50 rounds into it. The E.A. immediately dived vertically and Lieut Jordan attacked again, firing into it at very close range; the E.A. continued to dive, and when at 3,000 feet turned on its back, eventually crashing near Oppy

    Capt T F N Gerrard, Lieut W H Sneath and Lieut G K Cooper, 208 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control Lens at 11:15/11:15 -

    Lieut J F Larson, 2nd-Lieut H W L Saunders, Lieut C L Stubbs and Lieut H O Macdonald, 84 Sqn, LVG C captured north of Hangard at 11:20/11:20 – 2nd-Lieut J F Larson, No 84 Squadron, attacked an E.A. two-seater from very close range and shot the observer. 2nd-Lieut H W L Saunders, 2nd-Lieut C L Stubbs and 2nd-Lieut H O MacDonald, of the same squadron, then dived down on the E.A., all firing, and tracers were seen going through it. The E.A. then started to go down in a spin. Lieut Larson fired a further burst into it while it was still spinning, and the E.A. did a flat spin straight down from 11,000 feet, into the ground on our side of the lines north of Hangard

    Lieut E R Maddox, 3 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed Morlancourt at 12:00/12:00 – 2nd- Lieut E R Maddox, No 3 Squadron, attacked one E.A. at close range and fired a burst of about 50 rounds into it; the E.A. went down, crashed and burst into flames; Uffz Robert Schwartz, Jasta 77b, Kia [?]

    2nd-Lieut N R Smuts, 3 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Morlancourt at 12:00/12:00 -

    2nd-Lieut S J Squires, 3 Sqn, Albatros Scout out of control Morlancourt at 12:00/12:00 -

    Capt R A Little, 203 Sqn, DFW CV in flames north-east of Lens at 12:30/12:30 - Capt R A Little, No 203 Squadron, attacked an E.A. two-seater from 200 yards, closing to 20 yards range, firing all the way. The E.A. observer was seen lying in the cockpit and the enemy machine dived into the clouds; on it coming out, Capt Little attacked it again, firing from about 20 yards. The E.A. stalled and went down emitting smoke, and was seen by other members of the patrol to fall in flames; Flgr Karl Ankele & Ltn Hermann Born, FAA 268, Kia [?]

    Capt S M Kinkead, 201 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control Bouchoir at 13:15/13:15 -

    Capt S W Rosevear, 201 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control Bouchoir at 13:15/13:15 -

    Capt S W Rosevear, 201 Sqn, Fokker DrI crashed Méricourt at 13:15/13:15 - Capt S W Rosevear, No 201 Squadron, in a general engagement with a number of E.A. triplanes, fired a burst at point blank range into one which fell completely out of control and was seen to crash in a ploughed field.

    Lieut A G A Spence, 201 Sqn, Fokker DrI crashed Méricourt at 13:15/13:15 - Lieut A G A Spence, No 201 Squadron, in a general engagement, fired about 100 rounds at very close range into an enemy triplane which came across the nose of his machine. The E.A. went down out of control and was seen to crash in a large field

    2nd-Lieut H C Daniel, 43 Sqn, Fokker DrI in flames Abancourt at 14:30/14:30 - 2nd-Lieut H C Daniel, No 43 Squadron, while leading patrol on a special mission, was attacked by seven E.A. (triplanes and scouts). He climbed above them and dived on the nearest triplane, firing a short burst at point blank range. The E.A. burst into flames and went down in that condition

    2nd-Lieut H C Daniel, 43 Sqn, Scout out of control Abancourt at 14:35/14:35 -

    2nd-Lieut A G Clark, Lieut L J Primrose, Lieut G H Blaxland and Lieut A L Paxton, 2 AFC, two-seater crashed Lamotte at 15:00/15:00 – a patrol of 2nd Squadron A.F.C. engaged one E.A. two-seater near La Motte; all members of the patrol dived on it and fired bursts at fairly close range. The E.A. turned over on its back and remained in this position until it hit the ground, when it burst into flames near La Motte. The following pilots took part in this combat: Lieut A G Clark, Lieut L J Primrose, Lieut G H Blaxland and 2nd-Lieut A L Paxton

    Capt C R Lupton & AGL 1/AM A G Wood, 205 Sqn, Fokker DrI in flames north-east of Villers-Bretonneux at 15:40/15:40 – a formation of No 205 Squadron report that, while firing at hostile troops north-east of Villers Bretonneux, they were followed by five E.A. triplanes, one of which attacked Capt C R Lupton and A.M. Wood. Tracers were seen to enter the E.A. and an S.E.5, attacking from above, sent the enemy machine down in flames [I have no note of a claim by an S.E.5 pilot at this time and location]

    Lieut J E Drummond & 2nd-Lieut H F Lumb, 48 Sqn, Fokker DrI in flames south of Lamotte at 15:40/15:40 - Lieut J E Drummond & 2nd-Lieut H F Lumb, No 48 Squadron, whilst engaged in low flying and attacking enemy infantry, were dived upon by three E.A. triplanes. Sixty rounds were fired into the leader of the E.A. formation, which immediately went into a vertical dive, and when about 600 feet from the ground burst into flames and was seen to crash

    Capt H N C Robinson and Lieut S T Liversedge, 70 Sqn, Albatros C out of control Bray at 15:45/15:45 -

    Capt E ****son & 2nd-Lieut W H Scott, 205 Sqn, Pfalz Scout out of control Abancourt at 15:50/15:50 –

    Lieut C C Banks, 43 Sqn, Albatros Scout crashed east of Villers-Bretonneux at 17:30/17:30 - Lieut C C Banks, No 43 Squadron, attacked an E.A. scout and fired a short burst into it at 50 yards range and followed it down to 50 feet, firing several other bursts. The E.A. crashed into the ground and turned over. Lieut Banks was heavily engaged from the ground and had both petrol tanks and an elevator wire shot through, but managed to recross the line and land at Senlis, about two miles our side

    Lieut G A Lingham, 43 Sqn, Fokker DrI crashed Abancourt at 17:35/17:35 – 2nd- Lieut G A Lingham, No 43 Squadron, was attacked by seven E.A.; he fired 60 rounds at close range into one E.A. which overshot him, whereupon the E.A. went down in a spin and was seen to crash

    Capt C F King, 43 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control ? Guillancourt at 17:35/17:35 -

    2nd-Lieut V Voss & Lieut C J R Gibson, 48 Sqn, Fokker DrI out of control south of Christ at 18:45/18:45 -

    Lieut T Durrant, 56 Sqn, two-seater in flames north of Lamotte at 18:45/18:45 - Lieut T Durrant, No 56 Squadron, attacked an E.A. two-seater which he followed down until near the ground, when he was forced to leave the E.A. owing to being attacked by four enemy triplanes from long range. He evaded these and returned afterwards to find the enemy two-seater completely crashed on the ground. This machine was also seen on the ground by another pilot of No 56 Squadron

    Royal Flying Corps casualties today:


    ? (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut C F G Doran (Wia), 2 Sqn RAF, AW FK8 – combat?

    ? (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut B C M Ward (Wia), 22 Sqn RAF, Bristol F.2B – combat?

    2nd-Lieut C D G Napier (Ok) & 2nd-Lieut J M J Moore (Ok), 48 Sqn, Bristol F.2B C4753 - badly shot about in aerial combat on low reconnaissance

    2nd-Lieut G M Knocker (Wia), 65 Sqn RAF, Camel C8286 - combat

    2nd-Lieut J L Jewkes (Wia), 65 Sqn RAF, Camel D1801 - ground fire

    Capt W A Forsyth (Wia), 80 Sqn RAF, Camel – combat?

    Lieut S T Payne (Wia; dow) & 2nd-Lieut R Hilton (Wia; dow 29-Apr-18), 13 Sqn RAF, RE8 C4570 – took off 10:00/10:00 then missing from photography

    Lieut W H Sneath (Kia), 208 Sqn RAF, Camel B7187 - seen to go down in flames near Lens 11:30/11:30 during combat with EA on offensive patrol; Ltn d R Karl Hertz, Js39, 2nd victory [Lens, no time] ?

    Lieut S H Lewis (Pow; Dow 16-Apr-18), 43 Sqn RAF, Camel C8247 – took off 14:00/14:00 and last seen gliding down under control at 800 feet with white smoke issuing from engine just north of Abancourt on patrol; said to be Ltn Ernst Udet, Js11, 23rd victory [Hamel at 14:15/14:15] but Le Hamel is 13Km east of Amiens and Abancourt is 40Km south-west of Amiens

    2nd-Lieut E R Varley MC (Wia), 23 Sqn, Spad 13 B6878 - landed south of Amiens - Roye road 14:00/14:00 on offensive patrol and hit by shell while trying to fly away, wounding fitters Sgt J Meakin and 1AM G Shenton

    Lieut D G Gold (Pow), 3 Sqn RAF, Camel C1577 – took off 14:45/14:45 and last seen near La Motte during bombing

    2nd-Lieut D V Gillespie (Kia), 70 Sqn RAF, Camel C8252 – took off 15:05/15:05 then missing from escort to low flying patrol; Ltn d R Hans Kirschsein, Js6, 5th victory [north-east of Wartisse at 15:25/15:25] or Ltn Hans Wolff, Js11, 5th victory [east of Lamotte at 15:55/15:55] or Uffz K Muller & Vfw Brustel, Sch 28 ?

    Lieut F D Hudson (Pow; Dow), 43 Sqn RAF, Camel B2431 – took off 15:10/15:10 then missing on special mission; Ltn Hans Weiss, Js11, 13th victory [east of Lamotte at 16:00/16:00]

    Lieut M F Peiler (Pow), 43 Sqn RAF, Camel D6452- took off 15:10/15:10 then missing on special mission; Ltn Erich Just, Js11, 2nd victory [Mericourt at 16:10/16:10]

    Lieut G M Cartmel (Kia) & AM1 A Lane (Kia), 205 Sqn RAF, DH4 A7620 – took off 15:14/15:14 then missing from bombing La Motte aerodrome

    Lieut E Mather (Kia), 43 Sqn RAF, Camel C8281 – took off 15:15/15:15 then missing on special mission; Ltn Edgar Scholz, Js11, 6th victory [Cerisy at 16:05/16:05] ?

    Lieut T R V Hill (Pow), 43 Sqn RAF, Camel C8248 – took off 15:15/15:15 then missing on special mission; Ltn Hans Weiss, Js11, 14th victory [north-east of Sailly at 17:50/17:50] or Ltn d R August Delling, Js34, 1st victory [south of Morcourt at 18:00/18:00] ?

    Capt S P Smith DSO (Kia), 46 Sqn RAF, Camel D6491 - last seen over Lamotte 15:30/15:30 on low patrol believed shot down in flames; Ritt Manfred von Richthofen, JGI , 76th victory [Bois de Hamel at 15:45/15:45] the wooded area south-east of Le Hamel is little more than 2Km north-west of Lamotte-Warfusée

    Lieut J E Drummond (Wia) & 2nd-Lieut H F Lumb (Ok), 48 Sqn RAF, Bristol F.2B B1299 - shot about in combat with Fokker Triplane south of Lamotte 15:40/15:40 [presumed Lamotte-Warfusée intended]

    2nd-Lieut B G A Bell (Kia) & 2nd-Lieut G G Bartlett (Kia), 48 Sqn RAF, Bristol F.2B C4864 – took off 14:35/14:35 and last seen over lines at Villers Bretonneux 15:50/15:50 on patrol La Motte [presumably Lamotte-Warfusée, 5 Km east of Villers-Bretonneux]

    2nd-Lieut H G Dugan (Pow), 79 Sqn RAF, Dolphin C3939 – took off 16:10/16:10 then missing on No1 offensive patrol; Vzfw Franz Hemer, Js6, 7th victory [south of Demuin Hill at 17:15/17:15] ?

    2nd-Lieut E L Smithers (Pow), 80 Sqn RAF, Camel B2479 – took off 16:15/16:15 then missing on patrol near Lamotte

    2nd-Lieut G R Riley (Ok), 3 Sqn, Camel C1609 – took off 14:45/14:45 then shot through by machine-gun fire during low bombing and returned damaged 16:35/16:35

    Flt Sub-Lieut M H Findlay (Ok), 201 Sqn, Camel B6419 - crashed between 1st and 2nd line trenches near Mericourt 18:05/18:05 after all controls shot away in encounter with enemy Triplanes on offensive patrol; Ltn d R August Delling, Js34, 1st victory [south of Morcourt at 18:00/218:00] Morcourt is 2Km south-west of Méricourt-sur-Somme


    Royal Flying Corps Losses today:

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    Captain Sydney Philip Smith (Royal Air Force) is killed in action at age 22 near Villers Bretonneux when his Sopwith Camel is shot down by Manfred von Richthofen. He is the 76th victim of the Red Baron. In his novel, “Winged Victory” Victor Yeates will base the character of “Beal” on Sydney Smith. He is a five victory ace.

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    Claims: confirmed (Entente : Central Powers)


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    Western Front:

    Severe fighting in Aveluy Wood (Albert), near Hebuterne, in Luce Valley, north and south of Montdidier, and in Oise region.


    Strong German attacks near Beaumont (Meuse).


    Reims heavily bombarded.


    Eastern Front:


    Ukraine: Ekaterinoslav (north-east of Odessa) occupied by Germans.


    Siberia: Disorders in Vladivostok are confirmed.


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    Dead Red soldiers outside the Näsilinna Palace in Tampere.

    Tampere–Mannerheim had hoped to win a purely Finnish victory before the Germans landed. The city of Tampere had been surrounded by March 25, though several direct assaults on the city failed. Mannerheim brought up heavy artillery and threatened on April 1 sent an ultimatum threatening to shell the city itself unless the Reds surrendered. The ultimatum was rejected by the Red commanders by a margin of one vote; Red relief forces were only seven miles away, and they hoped they could hold out long enough. Another White attack on April 3 captured much of the city, including the main railway station, but was driven out of the city center. The same day, the Germans landed at Hanko; Mannerheim would not quite have his victory in time.

    On April 6, the remaining 11,000 Red defenders of Tampere, by then pushed into the western suburbs, surrendered; the commander of the Red garrison had managed to escape through the perimeter over frozen lakes with around 500 men. The captured Reds were treated harshly by the Whites, as so often happens during civil wars. Some of those captured in the days before the official surrender were summarily executed, as were around 200 Russians who were assisting the Reds. The remainder were placed in a prison camp with minimal food supplies and with harsh treatment by guards, resulting in many more deaths. Those who attempted to hide from the Whites in the ruins of the city itself were often executed as well.

    Meanwhile, the Germans had begun their advance on Helsinki from Hanko, and were now beginning to run into serious Red resistance. The Germans had still not acquired a locomotive, however, slowing progress and forcing supplies to be brought up by horses pulling train cars.

    Southern Front:

    Tunstills Men Saturday 6th April 1918:


    Support trenches to the right Brigade near Malga Fassa on the forward slopes of Mount Kaberlaba.


    The weather remained cold and wet, with showers of rain, sleet and snow.

    Sgt. William Walker Rossall MM (see 4th March) re-joined the Battalion from leave; the reason for his delayed return is unknown.

    Ptes. Harry Clay (see 2nd February) and Victor Hillam (see 28th March) were posted back to France from 3DWR at North Shields; they would join 9DWR.

    A payment of Ł3 5d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Fred Heppinstall (see 20th September 1917), who had been killed in action on 20th September 1917; the payment would go to his widow, Esther. She would also receive a parcel of her late husband’s personal effects, comprising of, “Bible, photos, letters, wallet”.

    A payment of Ł2 8s. 6d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Thomas Wilcock (see 20th September 1917), who had been killed in action on 20th September 1917; the payment would go to his widow, Esther.

    Asiatic, African, Egyptian Front:


    Turks occupy Ardahan (Transcaucasia).


    Naval Operations:


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    Political:


    The King sends greetings to U.S.A. on anniversary of entrance into the war.


    President Wilson speaks at Baltimore on war aims and resolves.


    Anniversary Events:

    1199 English King Richard I is killed by an arrow at the Siege of the Castle of Chalus in France.
    1789 The First U.S. Congress begins regular sessions at Federal Hall in New York City.
    1814 Granted sovereignty in the island of Elba and a pension from the French government, Napoleon Bonaparte abdicates at Fontainebleau. He is allowed to keep the title of emperor.
    1830 Joseph Smith and five others organize the Church of Latter-Day Saints in Seneca, New York.
    1862 Confederate forces attack General Ulysses S. Grant at Shiloh, Tennessee.
    1865 At the Battle of Sailer’s Creek, a third of Lee’s ‘s army is cut off by Union troops pursuing him to Appomattox.
    1896 The Modern Olympics begin in Athens with eight nations participating.
    1903 French Army Nationalists are revealed to have forged documents to guarantee a conviction for Alfred Dreyfus.
    1909 Americans Robert Peary and Matthew Henson become the first men to reach the North Pole.
    1917 The United States declares war on Germany and enters World War I on the Allied side.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 04-09-2018 at 02:52.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  49. #3149

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    Sunday 7th April 1918
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    Armistice Countdown 218 days
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    Percy Valentine Storkey, VC (9 September 1893 – 3 October 1969) was born in Napier, New Zealand, to an English-born printer and his wife. His father, Samuel Storkey, migrated to Napier as a young boy with his father William.

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    Storkey enlisted for service in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in May 1915. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant and embarked for England at the end of the year. He was posted to 19th Battalion. He was wounded in November 1916 while serving in the trenches on the Western Front. Promoted to lieutenant in January 1917, he was wounded again during the Battle of Passchendaele.

    In March 1918, the Germans began their Spring Offensive and the 19th Battalion, as part of the 2nd Division, helped in shoring up the front-lines as the Germans advanced. On 7 April 1918, while holding the lines near Villers-Bretonneux, his company was sent forward to clear Hangard Wood, believed to be lightly held by the enemy. After the mortal wounding of his company commander, Captain Clarrie Wallach, Storkey performed the actions that led to the award of a Victoria Cross (VC). His VC citation read as follows:

    For most conspicuous bravery, leadership and devotion to duty when in charge of a platoon in attack. On emerging from the wood the enemy trench line was encountered and Lt. Storkey found himself with six men. While continuing his move forward a large enemy party—about 80 to 100 strong—armed with several machine guns was noticed to be holding up the advance of the troops on the right. Lt. Storkey immediately decided to attack this party from the flank and rear, and while moving forward in the attack was joined by Lt. Lipscomb and four men. Under the leadership of Lt. Storkey, this small party of two officers and ten other ranks charged the enemy position with fixed bayonets, driving the enemy out, killing and wounding about thirty, and capturing three officers and fifty men, also one machine gun. The splendid courage shown by this officer in quickly deciding his course of action, and his skilful method of attacking against such great odds, removed a dangerous obstacle to the advance of the troops on the right, and inspired the remainder of our small party with the utmost confidence when advancing to the objective line.
    — The London Gazette, No. 30733, 4 June 1918.

    Later wounded for the third time, Storkey was promoted to captain the following month and given command of his own company. On 25 July 1918, King George V presented him with his VC at Buckingham Palace. He was discharged from the AIF in January 1919.

    Today we lost: 597
    Today’s losses include:
    ˇ A 10 victory ace
    ˇ A 5 victory ace
    ˇ A son of the member of the clergy
    ˇ A membe3r of the University of British Columbia rugby team and the Vancouver Rowling Club
    ˇ A pilot performing stunts

    Air Operations:

    Zeppelin Explodes En Route to Malta


    Otranto
    –The Germans had struggled to find a use for the Zeppelin L59 after she returned from what was expected to be a one-way trip to resupply Lettow-Vorbeck in German East Africa Ultimately, it was decided that she should be used for long-range bombing missions around the Mediterranean, attacking Naples in early March About a month later, she was sent on her second such mission, bound for the British naval base at Malta–the center of Allied naval operations in the Mediterranean. On the evening of April 7, the submarine UB-59 saw her pass overhead at a low altitude of around 700 feet. Only a few minutes later, there were two bursts, and “a gigantic flame enveloped the airship and it nosed down into the water.“ All 21 on board were killed. It is still unknown what caused the airship’s destruction; there were no Allied forces in the vicinity, so the Germans ruled it an accident.

    Royal Flying Corps casualties today:
    tbc


    Royal Flying Corps Losses today:

    Captain Guy Borgfeldt Moore (Royal Air Force) a 10-victory ace is killed in action when his aircraft takes a direct hit from an anti-aircraft shell and explodes at a height of 2,000 feet above Hollebeke. At the University of British Columbia he was on the school’s rugby team and a member of the Vancouver Rowing Club.

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    Lieutenant Edward Borgfeldt Booth (Royal Air Force) is killed as an instructor in a flying accident while performing stunts. He is a five-victory ace.

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    Claims: 23 confirmed (Entente 13 : Central Powers 10)


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    Western Front:


    Germans raid British post near Flesquieres (Cambrai). Another raid near Ypres repulsed.

    French repulse enemy attempts at Bethincourt (Meuse).

    Eastern Front:


    Trotsky and Russian peace delegates return to Brest-Litovsk and negotiations continue.

    Southern Front:


    Tunstills Men Sunday 7th April 1918:


    Support trenches to the right Brigade near Malga Fassa on the forward slopes of Mount Kaberlaba.

    The weather remained cold and wet, with showers of rain, sleet and snow, making conditions miserable. “All stores had to be brought up the tracks, threading under the trees, either by pack mule or by human porterage. The slushy snow, dreary dripping trees and the tiring meandering paths brought it home to us that conditions in our new battleground were not going to be exactly a picnic … shells bursting amidst the trees brought back all the old sensations of going into the trenches in France, and we felt particularly exposed on the hillsides, where there was no trench cover”. Views were often blotted out by driving rain and on occasion there would be a steady bombardment with shells passing overhead.

    Asiatic, African, Egyptian Front:


    East Africa: British column from Fort Johnston engages enemy force and drives it northwards.

    Naval Operations:


    Lord Reading appointed High Commissioner to U.S.A.

    Naval mutiny in Lisbon arrested.

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    Anniversary Events:
    1652 The Dutch establish a settlement at Cape Town, South Africa.
    1712 A slave revolt breaks out in New York City.
    1798 The territory of Mississippi is organized.
    1862 General Ulysses S. Grant defeats the Confederates at the Battle of Shiloh in TN.
    1914 The British House of Commons passes the Irish Home Rule Bill.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 04-09-2018 at 03:11.
    See you on the Dark Side......

  50. #3150

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    Monday 8th April 1918
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    Armistice Countdown 217 days
    Today we lost: 472
    Today’s losses include:

    ˇ
    Multiple battalion commanders
    ˇ The son of a Baronet and General
    ˇ A Victoria Cross winner from the first month of the Great War
    ˇ Multiple sons of members of the clergy
    ˇ The son of the proprietor of the Manchester Evening News and High Sheriff and Deputy Lieutenant for Anglesey
    ˇ Multiple families that will lose two sons in the Great War
    ˇ The Choir Master at Thornfield United Methodist Church

    Air Operations:

    A flight of Airco DH-4s makes the first independent raid of World War I by aircraft of the US Army '​s Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps, the forerunner of the United States Army Air Service.

    Royal Flying Corps casualties today:
    tbc


    Royal Flying Corps Losses today:


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


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    Western Front:


    Oise river French are forced back in Forest of Coucy, and Coucy le Chateau and Landricourt are lost.

    German attempts in districts of Reims, Verdun and Vosges.

    Heavy German bombardment on whole British front, up to Armentieres.

    Eastern Front:


    Kharkov (South Russia) captured by German forces.

    Germany answering Russian protests demands disarmament of Russian Fleet.

    Bessarabian Council of Land vote for autonomous union with Romania.

    Southern Front:


    Tunstills Men Monday 8th April 1918:

    Support trenches to the right Brigade near Malga Fassa on the forward slopes of Mount Kaberlaba.

    The weather remained cold and wet, with showers of rain, sleet and snow.

    2Lt. Fred Baume (see 16th November 1917) serving with 3DWR at North Shields, was promoted Acting Captain “whilst employed as an Area Anti-Gas Officer”.

    Pte. Robert McCall (see 9th February), who had been severely wounded six months previously, suffering major chest wounds, appeared before an Army Medical Board assembled at Springburn Hospital in Glasgow. The Board 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. Arthur Thornton (see 12th February) who had been killed in action on 20th September 1917; his widow, Edith, was awarded 13s. 9d. per week.

    A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Lewis Lunn (see 17th January), who had died of wounds on 23rd September 1917; his widow, Gertrude, was awarded 18s. 9d. per week, for herself and her son.

    A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Joseph Henry Woodcock (see 21st January), who had died of wounds on 30th September 1917; his widow, Ethel, was awarded 18s. 9d. per week, for herself and her son.

    Naval Operations:


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    Political:

    Rome: Conference of Nationalities oppressed by Austria opens.

    Paris: M. Clemenceau discloses contents of Emperor of Austria's letter.

    Canada: Sir Sam Hughes speaks on conditions in Quebec.

    Anniversary Events:
    1789 The U.S. House of Representatives holds its first meeting.
    1832 Some 300 American troops of the 6th Infantry leave Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, to confront the Sauk Indians in what would become known as the Black Hawk War.
    1864 In the Battle of Mansfield, Louisiana, Federals are routed by Confederate Gen. Richard Taylor.
    1865 General Robert E. Lee’s retreat is cut off near Appomattox Court House.
    1898 British General Horatio Kitchener defeats the Khalifa, leader of the dervishes in Sudan, at the Battle of Atbara.
    1913 The 17th Amendment is ratified, requiring direct election of senators.
    Last edited by Lt. S.Kafloc; 04-09-2018 at 03:18.
    See you on the Dark Side......

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