The Great War (1914-1918) in real time

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The Great War (1914-1918) in real time Jul 19, 2022 2:53:53 GMT stevep likes this

Post by lordroel on Jul 19, 2022 2:53:53 GMT

Day 1080 of the Great War, July 19th 1917

Western Front

Heavy German attacks south of Lombartzyde (Nieuport sector), south of St. Quentin, and north of the Aisne repulsed.

Eastern Front: The Breaking of the Russian Army

Within two weeks, the Kerensky Offensive had run out of steam. Kornilov’s Eighth Army had made an impressive advance of more than fifteen miles, but the Eleventh and Seventh Armies to the north refused to follow up on their flank; they considered their task complete after the first two days of attacks. This left the Eighth Army increasingly exposed, as the Germans began to move reserves from the Western Front to shore up the area and prepare for a counterattack.

On July 19, after a brief bombardment, six German and Austrian divisions under Max Hoffmann attacked the northern portion of the Eleventh Army on a twelve-mile front, hoping to break through and leave the Eighth Army in a completely untenable position. The Russians collapsed, and the Germans advanced over nine miles on the first day. The next day, with the Russian forces ahead of them having effectively evaporated, the leading units advanced an additional eighteen miles. The Germans captured over 6000 PoWs; most of the Russian troops simply retreated east as fast as they could, despite ever-more-desperate exhortations from Brusilov to stand fast.

Further to the south, the Austrians attacked the Eighth Army’s salient head-on, retaking Kalusz and forcing them back to the Limnycja River. This was a solid defensive line for the Russians, but with the Germans now nearly fifty miles in their rear, the position was ultimately untenable. Most Russian troops began to fall back instantly once attacked; those few who held out were quickly outflanked and forced to retreat or surrender. Within two weeks, the Russians had lost most of their gains of the last two years, thousands of PoWs, and tens of thousands of deserters.

Sinai and Palestine campaign

Turkish cavalry force encountered west of Beersheba (Palestine) and driven back.

East Africa campaign

Main German positions in the region of Narongombe (East Africa) attacked; heavy casualties on both sides.

Germany: The Reichstag passes its Peace Resolution

German parliamentarians are restless. The failure of the U-boat war to bring Britain to its knees has made them unruly. Bethmann Hollweg has been sacked as Chancellor because of his failure to keep the Reichstag in line. Now the politicians take a bold step as Germany’s parliament passes a Peace Resolution supported by the Socialists, Progressives and the Catholic Centre Party. The resolution calls for a “a peace of understanding, for durable reconciliation among the peoples of the world” and rejects “territorial acquisitions achieved by force and violations of political, economic, or financial integrity”. It also calls for the establishment of new international organisations after the war’s end.

The Peace Resolution is no pacifist charter. The politicians support the war’s continuation so long as Germany’s enemies continue to threaten the Fatherland. Nevertheless, the resolution is something of an embarrassment for Hindenburg and Ludendorff (Germany’s effective rulers), as they are very much wedded to a post-war reconstruction of Europe to Germany’s advantage.

Sweden

Statement issued on Russian and German Socialists meeting at Stockholm.

Russia: Black Sea Fleet Commander Admiral Kolchak Resigns after Sailor Mutiny

At forty-three years old, Alexander Kolchak was a young man to be the commander of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. An experienced polar explorer before the war, Kolchak distinguished himself fighting in the Baltic against the German navy after hostilities began. By 1917, Kolchak had been promoted to vice admiral and given command of the ships in the Black Sea, a prime naval command. Unfortunately for the admiral, the Russian Revolution interrupted his meteoric rise.

Kolchak was known as a chivalrous military man, with the military man’s dislike of politics. The abdication of the Tsar, however, brought him into the light when he was one of the few highly-ranked officers to argue against abdication (or moreover, as @today-in-wwi notes, one of the few who argued this to survive). Kolchak’s support for the monarchy made him central to growing network of conservative officers who opposed the democratization of the army and peace with Germany.

Yet again events forced Kolchak’s hand. The Black Sea Fleet, like a growing number of Russian cities, provinces, and military units, had a soviet, a revolutionary political body. In June, the soviet of the Black Sea Fleet mutinied and called for the dismantlement of officers. Kolchak was disgusted and threw his sword into the sea rather than hand it over, effectively ending his military career.

The Kerensky government recalled the admiral to Petrograd, before de-facto sending him into exile, making him head of a military mission to the United States to teach about naval mines. Kolchak left in August.

Aerial operations: Smuts Committee initial report

“The War Cabinet at their last meeting held on the 11th July 1917, decided (Minute 3) ‘That the Prime Minister and General Smuts in consultation with representatives of the Admiralty, General Staff and Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief Home Forces, with other such experts as they ‘may desire should examine i. The defence arrangements for Home Defence against air raids. ii. The air organization generally and the direction of aerial operations.’

2. We regard the first subject for our examination as the more pressing and we deal with it accordingly in this first report, so far as the defence of the metropolitan area is concerned.

The second subject of our inquiry is the more important and will consequently require more extensive and deliberate examination. We propose to deal with it in a subsequent report.

3. London occupies a peculiar position in the Empire of which it is the nerve centre, and we consider, in the circumstances, that its defence demands exceptional measures. It is probable that the air raids on London will increase to such an extent in the next twelve months that London might through aerial warfare become part of the battle front. We think, therefore, that it is necessary to take special precautions, so far as the defence of London is concerned, and so far as this may be done without undue prejudice to operations in the Field and on the High Seas, as the fighting forces must, as a matter of general principle have the first call upon our output of aircraft and anti-aircraft guns.

4. The arrangements for Home Defence, including that of the London area, against hostile air raids, have been undergoing a continual and rapid transformation, which, together with other causes, has militated against efficiency. In the first instance, attacks were made by Zeppelins at night and our defences were so organized as to deal with this form of attack. Anti-aircraft guns, singly or in pairs, or in large numbers, were placed at convenient points, and aeroplanes of no great power or speed were disposed at suitable centres.

After some modification, the original dispositions were found to be adequate to meet night attacks by Zeppelins. We have, however, now to meet attacks of an entirely different character, which take the form of invasions by squadrons of aeroplanes in formation and our arrangements for defence are accordingly being adapted to meet this development.

One cannot, however, entirely preclude the possibility of a repetition of Zeppelin attacks, and it would consequently be unwise to abandon the earlier defence arrangements. Additions to these arrangements are, however, necessitated by the new ‘formation attack’ by day. The defence against Zeppelins was effectually carried out, not only by individual anti-aircraft guns, but also by single aeroplanes fitted with special armament.

As operations were conducted by night, there was no question of formation either for attack or defence. Now, however, that the attack is made by day by large enemy units in formation, one or two anti-aircraft guns firing from any particular point cannot hope to cause serious damage, and generally have no other effect than that of frightening the enemy pilots, while the defending aircraft, unless they can also operate in formation, are liable to very serious risk and cannot do much more than hover round the outskirts of the enemy formation. An attack in formation could, we think, only be properly met by a barrage fire from guns concentrated in batteries at suitable points in front of the area to be defended, or by flights or squadrons whose object is, by concentrated attack, to break up the hostile formation and destroy individual machines after they have been scattered out of their formation.

5. The relevance of these remarks is well illustrated by what happened in the air raid over London on Saturday, 7th July. The enemy machines attacked in definite formation which they maintained throughout the raid. In our view they should have been met and repelled by a heavy barrage of gun-fire before they reached London. Instead of this they were only subjected to a sporadic gun-fire in the London area which did them no observable damage. As regards aeroplanes on that occasion, we actually disposed of a larger number of first-class machines than the enemy, but our machines were distributed among a number of stations and some of them came in in driblets from various training centres.

Our machines were not in formation when in the air, and even when they attempted to concentrate they did not come under a unified command in the air, nor have they been trained so to fight. The result was that their very spasmodic or guerrilla attacks failed to make an impression on the solid formation of the enemy, and the damage that was done by our superior numbers of first-class R.F.C. machines was comparatively negligible.

We have investigated the circumstances in some detail and are informed that the reasons why greater results were not achieved were that some of our pilots were not accustomed to the new machines they were flying, that certain machines were not used because of missing spare parts, and a certain amount of shells that were fired were useless on account of defective fuses. These defects should, and can be remedied with all possible speed, but it is to the general arrangements and organization that we wish to refer more fully.

6. Four separate agencies contribute to the defence of the London area against air raid: (a) Royal Naval Air Service, which is not under the Home Command, but works under the direction of the senior naval officers in the naval districts, but in co-operation as far as possible, with the Home Defences.

There seems to be a general agreement among those whom we have consulted that for the limited purpose of the defence of London, the present division of command in this respect should not be disturbed.

The principal function of the Royal Naval Air Service Squadrons is to deal with enemy raiders on their return journey, as they recross the Channel. They did so very effectively on the occasion of the last raid, and after consideration of all the circumstances, we are disposed to think that the above squadrons should continue to operate under separate Naval Commands, but in close co-operation with the Home Defence.

(b) The Observation Corps (distinct from the Royal Flying Corps or Royal Naval Air Service), which consists of a number of observers round London, mostly infantry soldiers, often elderly and not specially qualified for the duties they have to perform. This Corps is directly under orders of the Field-Marshal Commanding Home Defences.

(c) Various incomplete units or single machines of the Royal Flying Corps allocated to Home Defence, under the Command of Colonel Higgins.

(d) The anti-aircraft guns of the London area under the command of Colonel Simon.

7. The last three agencies operate separately under orders of the Home Defence head-quarters which is the only connecting link between them. This system appears to us to involve too great a dispersal of Command when dealing with a problem like the air defence of the London area, which is not only of very far-reaching military and political importance, but also constitutes a well marked, distinct task, separable from other problems of Home Defence, which accordingly calls for a corresponding concentration of executive command.

Our first recommendation therefore is that:

Subject to the control of the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief of the Home Forces a senior officer of first-rate ability and practical air experience should be placed in executive Command of the air defence of the London area including the above services (b) (c) (d) of paragraph 6 above, and that this officer should be assisted by a small but competent staff, who should be specially charged with the duty of working out all plans for London Air Defences.

This officer would take his instructions from the Field-Marshal and would in turn issue his orders to the Observation Corps, the Officer Commanding the anti-aircraft guns, and the various Air Units. The unity of command which is essential to any warlike operation, whether of an offensive or defensive character, would be thus achieved. We think that this officer should be appointed without delay so that he may at once set to work to deal with the various pressing problems connected with London air defence, some of which are referred to below.

In view of the possibility of the recurrence of Zeppelin attack, as well as for other reasons, we think it would be inadvisable to remove the anti- aircraft guns from their present stations in the London area. In our view, the best defensive use of anti-aircraft guns against hostile aeroplanes attacking by day, would be for them to put up a barrage in front of and covering London, and our second recommendation accordingly is that:

Immediate attention should be given to the question of the numbers and disposition of anti-aircraft guns to put up such a defensive barrage.

It is true that there is at present said to be an insufficiency of guns for this purpose but, as stated in paragraph 3 above, we regard the defence of London as so important as to call for exceptional measures, and special endeavours should therefore be made to provide an adequate number of guns for this purpose. 8. A more pressing problem, in our opinion, is the provision and organization of a sufficient number of air units, trained to fight in formation, and their proper disposition to dispel any air attack on London. At present the only reliable unit formed for this purpose is the squadron specially detailed a week ago from the Western front. Three other units are in process of formation, but they neither have the necessary number of machines nor have the pilots the required training for fighting in forma- tion. We understand that an additional squadron, complete in point of numbers, will be furnished almost immediately and posted to the North- East of London. Another squadron to be disposed to the South-East should be complete in numbers in three or four weeks. Both of these will, however, require to be properly trained to manoeuvre in formation in suitable units. Our third recommendation therefore is that:

The completion and training of these three additional squadrons, successively, be pushed on as rapidly as possible and that, in the meantime, the return of the first unit to France should not be sanctioned until the air defence of London is reasonably secure.

9. In the course of our investigation, we considered the point whether our present type of fighting machine is the best to cope with the slower but more powerful Gotha raiders. In regard to this we make no recommendations and leave the problem for the further consideration and study of the experts of the Air Board, the Admiralty, the War Office, and the Ministry of Munitions.

10. The question of the provision of sufficient aircraft for defence purposes and for the formation of a reserve is one which, in our view, requires careful and immediate consideration. The enemy may possibly adopt the ruse of sending a small number of machines well in advance of his main attack in order to lure our squadrons into the air; the main enemy force may then appear on the scene and find himself unchecked, owing to the fact that our machines in coping with the advanced patrols had exhausted their petrol, and our pilots, their energy. We are advised that, theoretically, for our machines in the air to descend, refill with petrol, and reascend to the proper height, would take some 45 minutes, but in practice other factors would supervene and the actual time taken would be considerably longer. The result might well be that the main enemy force would meet with practically no opposition, and after doing the maximum amount of damage, might return to its base with immunity and intact. In view of such a situation, which might well arise at any time, we submit that it might be advisable to avoid sending up more units than are necessary onthefirstwarningofacomingraid. Suchacontingencywethinkmust be contemplated and to meet it reserves should be kept in hand. We accordingly recommend that:

The air defence units for the London area should he sufficient not only to cope with feints, but to meet the real attack or a possible second attack follow- ing close on a first attack.

The formation and retention of such a reserve is only in accordance with the general and elementary principles of warfare.

II. We believe that if prompt effect is given to the above recommendations, subject always to the adequate and reasonable provision of aircraft for naval and military operations by land and sea, a fair measure of security for the London area from hostile raids may be obtained until, at any rate, some unforeseen development takes place.”

Naval operations: ship losses

ARTENSIS (Norway) The full-rigged ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland 54°32′N 11°07′W) by SM U-87 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

CLAN MCLACHLAN (United Kingdom) The collier collided with Europa ( Italy) and sank in the Atlantic Ocean 60 nautical miles (110 km) south west of Cape Spartel, Morocco with the loss of six of her crew.

ELOBY(United Kingdom) The troopship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 75 nautical miles (139 km) south east by east of Malta (35°11′N 15°38′E) by SM U-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of over 156 lives.

HARRILDSBORG (Denmark) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 24 nautical miles (44 km) west of Holmengrå, Hordaland, Norway (60°47′N 4°09′E) by SM U-67 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived and were rescued by HMS Arab ( Royal Navy).

VARVARA (Greece) The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Cape Spartivento, Calabria by SM U-32 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

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The Great War (1914-1918) in real time Jul 20, 2022 2:48:53 GMT stevep likes this

Post by lordroel on Jul 20, 2022 2:48:53 GMT

Day 1081 of the Great War, July 20th 1917

YouTube (July Days In Petrograd - Blood On The Nevsky Prospect)

Eastern Front

German breach of Russian front in Galicia growing; retreat stayed in Brzezany and Halicz regions.

Germany

German official casualties now number 1,032,800 men killed and 2,325,581 wounded, not including naval and colonial forces.

The Russian Provisional Government orders the arrest of Vladimir Lenin, who goes into hiding.

United States

President Wilson pardons 16 women suffragists arrested outside of the White House. The women refuse the pardon, but are forced out of jail.

In Washington D.C., drawings begin for the draft lottery to provide 687,000 men for the U.S. military. The first number was 258.

Greece: South Slavic Exiles Agree to Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes

The war was sparked by a Bosnian Serb nationalist’s assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, hoping to weaken Austria’s control over Bosnia. Once the war began, Serbian PM Pašić hoped that any peace treaty would see considerable Serbian territorial gains at Austria-Hungary’s expense. Even after the conquest of Serbia, he remained hopeful that, with Russian backing, the result of a peace after an Allied victory would be in Serbia’s favor. The revolution in Russia, however, and the Provisional Government’s insistence on a peace without annexation, dampened these hopes.

The Serbians were now forced to work with Slavic nationalist politicians exiled from Austria-Hungary, chief among them the Croatian Ante Trumbić. On July 20, Pašić, Trumbić, and Slovenian and Montenegrin representatives signed the Corfu Declaration, agreeing to the creation of a Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes after the war, under the leadership of the Serbian royal family. For the exiles from Austria-Hungary, this guaranteed a role for Croats and Slovenes in Yugoslavia; for the Serbians, this allowed them to preserve their territorial ambitions under the guise of Wilsonian self-determination.

Aerial operations: Navy

The contributions of the RNAS Squadrons in France were highlighted today as a variety of missions were flown in support of British forces.

2 Naval Squadron flew a successful photographic reconnaissance mission over Zeebrugge without loss.

5 Naval Squadron carried out a bombing raid on Aertrycke aerodrome, dropping six 65lb and 59 16lb bombs. On their return journey they were attacked by enemy scouts. Flight Commander Irwin Napier Colin Clarke and Sub-Lieutenant Ronald George St John claimed to have shot down an enemy aircraft. Flight Sub-Lieutenant Lacey Norman Glaisby and 2nd Class Air Mechanic Saw were attacked by an enemy aircraft. Glaisby was wounded slightly in the head and Saw in the body, but Saw still managed to get off some shots and drive down the attacker. In the end though all the aircraft returned safely.

Sopwith Camels on patrol from 4 Naval Squadron were attacked near Westende. Flight Sub-Lieutenant Frederick William Akers in B3806 was shot down and killed. Leutnant Hugo Jöns from Jasta 20 claimed the victory.

Also killed was Flight Commander George Gordon MacLennan from 6 Naval Squadron who was shot down in Sopwith Camel N6360 after himself shooting down an Aviatik C near Wilskerke.

Flight Commander Charles Dawson Booker from 8 Naval Squadron also claimed to have seen off an enemy Rumpler C in his Sopwith Triplane. It fell completely out of control and was last seen at about 300 feet falling into the mist.

A patrol from 10 Naval Squadron, led by Flight Commander Raymond Collishaw in Sopwith Triplane N5492 was over Menin-Messines when they attacked a group of 20 enemy aircraft. Flight Lieutenant William Melville Alexander (in N5487) shot one down in flames, and Flight Sub-Lieutenant Ellis Vair Reid (in N5483) and Collishaw each shot down an Albatross out of control. Flight Commander John Sharman in N6307 was the unlucky one with no claim. Flight Sub-Lieutenant Howard William Taylor (in N5429) was shot up and wounded in the arm during the combat but got back safely.

Naval operations: ship losses

BEATRICE (United Kingdom) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) east by south of The Lizard, Cornwall (49°57′N 4°57′W) by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eleven of her crew.

BRAMHAM (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 47 (Paul Hundius) and sank in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) east by south of The Lizard (50°01′N 4°56′W) with the loss of a crew member.

CITY OF FLORENCE (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 188 nautical miles (348 km) west by north of Ouessant, Finistère, France (47°45′N 9°45′W) by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

FLUENT (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 15 nautical miles (28 km) south west of Portland Bill, Dorset (50°26′N 1°52′W) by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

HANSEAT (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 105 nautical miles (194 km) south east by south of Santa Maria Island, Azores, Portugal (36°00′N 23°12′W) by SM U-155 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

KAGESHIMA MARU (Japan) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 90 nautical miles (170 km) west of Ouessant (47°29′N 6°20′W) by SM UC-69 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

L. H. CARL (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 14 nautical miles (26 km) west of Portland Bill (50°26′N 2°48′W) by SM UB-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.

Nevisbrook (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 90 nautical miles (170 km) west of the Fastnet Rock by SM U-45 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

HMS QUEEN OF THE NORTH (Royal Navy) World War I: The auxiliary minesweeper struck a mine laid by UC 4 (Erich Hecht) and sank in the North Sea north east of the Shipwash Lightship ( United Kingdom) (52°03′15″N 1°49′39″E) with the loss of 29 of her crew.

SALSETTE (United Kingdom) The passenger ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 15 nautical miles (28 km) south west of Portland Bill by SM UB-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of fifteen lives.

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The Great War (1914-1918) in real time Jul 21, 2022 2:59:57 GMT stevep likes this

Post by lordroel on Jul 21, 2022 2:59:57 GMT

Day 1082 of the Great War, July 21st 1917

Western Front

Heavy artillery battle in Flanders.

Eastern Front: Women in Vanguard of Abortive Russian Offensive on Vilnius

Despite the now-spectacular failure of the Kerensky Offensive to the south, Kerensky and Brusilov still pressed forward with a planned offensive towards Vilnius in the north. Closer to the revolutionary hub in Petrograd, the troops here were even less reliable. Of the six divisions slated to participate on July 21, only two actually left their own trench lines, and one of these at gunpoint. Some of the attackers did reach and occupy the first German trench lines, but refused to go any further; by nightfall they were back in their own trenches.

One of the few units to distinguish itself was Bochkareva’s Women’s Battalion of Death. As hoped, their participation (eventually) shamed the units of men on either side to participate in the offensive, if only desultorily. By late on July 22, the men had gone back to their own trenches, leaving the women exposed when the German counterattacks came. Despite their best efforts, they were quickly overwhelmed and forced back themselves.

The novelty of an all-women’s unit also quickly brought its own particular problems. During the offensive, Bochkareva apparently encountered one of her soldiers having sex with one of the men from a neighboring unit in a shell-hole. Bochkareva had no patience for this, and responded by bayoneting her own soldier; the man escaped.

United Kingdom

British government announces that it will retaliate against German cities in response to German air raids.

Arrest and deportation to Germany of General Pilsudski (Polish patriot).

United States

After more than 16 hours, the U.S. draft lottery picks 10,500 numbers, representing 1.374 million men, of whom half will be drafted.

Russia

In Petrograd, around 160 people were killed and 700 wounded in the past few days due to government clamp down on the Bolsheviks.

Germany: Kaiser Wilhelm Rejects Reichstag Peace Resolution, Promises “Second Punic War” Against England

Peacemaking efforts took some degree of precedence in the summer of 1917 as all sides began to fret that more harm was staring to come of this war than good. While the British tried to bribe Enver Pasha, the socialist-dominated German Reichstag finally abandoned its truce with the Kaiser and passed a resolution calling for peace. The motion passed by 212 votes to 126. It asked for a “peace by agreement and a permanent reconciliation.”

Germany’s new chancellor, Dr. Michaelis, who had succeeded Bethmann-Hollweg a week before, vowed that he would never seek peace. “I do not consider that a body like the German Reichstag is a fit one to decide about peace and war on its own initiative during the war.” The Kaiser agreed, and remarkably visited Reichstag representatives to tell them in person. It was the first time the monarch had deigned to meet his representative government in two decades.

The Kaiser made a relentless speech calling for a “Second Punic War.” Once England, that modern Carthage, had been defeated, Germany would rise to its place in the sun. Wilhelm called attention to German’s recent great victory on the Eastern Front, but he made his biggest impact when he commented that “When my guards appear, there is no room for democracy.”

Aerial operations: RNAS Cherbourg

The anti—submarine patrols in the English Channel remain an essential tool in combatting the submarine attacks. Today the RNAS opened a new base in France at Cherbourg as a substation of the base at RNAS Calshot.

The new base is equipped with three Wight ‘Converted’ seaplanes. These aircraft were originally designed as a bomber (prototype N501) but when it proved unsatisfactory it was converted into a seaplane with the addition of floats and ailerons on both wings. The aircraft was initially powered by the 275hp Rolls-Royce Eagle engine but later examples used the Sunbeam Maori as the Rolls Royce engines were in short supply.

The aircraft was able to carry four 100lb bombs but had a fairly mediocre endurance for a bomber of only 3 ½ hours. In the end only 37 were built, likely out of necessity. By the end of the war only three were still in service, having been replaced by Short 184s.

Naval operations: ship losses

AFRICAN PRINCE (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 60 nautical miles (110 km) north north west of Tory Island, County Donegal (56°00′N 9°30′W) by SM U-66 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

AUGUSTUS WELT (United States) The four-masted schooner was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 130 nautical miles (240 km) south west of Ouessant, Finistère, France by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

CONISTON WATER (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 70 nautical miles (130 km) north by west of the Butt of Lewis (59°29′N 7°36′W) by SM U-87 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but one of them was taken as a prisoner of war.

DAFILA (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 85 nautical miles (157 km) west by south of the Fastnet Rock by SM U-45 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two crew.

DORIS (Italy) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 90 nautical miles (170 km) south west of Santa Maria Island, Azores, Portugal by SM U-155 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

HAROLD (United Kingdom) The barque was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 65 nautical miles (120 km) north north west of Tory Island by SM U-66 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of thirteen crew.
John Twohy (United States) The four-masted schooner was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 120 nautical miles (220 km) south of the Azores by SM U-155 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

PADDINGTON (United Kingdom) The cargo liner was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 250 nautical miles (460 km) west of the Fastnet Rock (49°47′N 15°40′W) by SM U-96 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 29 lives.

RAMILLES (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 120 nautical miles (220 km) west north west of Tory Island (55°24′N 11°08′W) by SM U-58 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but her captain was taken as a prisoner of war.

HMT ROBERT SMITH (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean by SM U-44 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of all 25 crew. Her last known position was 59°14′N 9°40′W.

TREYLON (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine in the North Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) north of Scarborough, Yorkshire (54°18′N 0°20′W). She was beached but was a total loss.

WILLENA GERTUDE (United Kingdom) The schooner was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 120 nautical miles (220 km) south by east of Santa Maria Island, Azores (35°25′N 23°26′W) by SM U-155 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

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The Great War (1914-1918) in real time Jul 22, 2022 7:17:59 GMT stevep likes this

Post by lordroel on Jul 22, 2022 7:17:59 GMT

Day 1083 of the Great War, July 22nd 1917

Western Front

Intense artillery activity in Flanders.

Heavy enemy attacks launched on French on the Aisne front. Stubborn resistance.

Germans active on Verdun front.

Photo: An aerial reconnaissance photograph of the opposing trenches and no-man's land between Loos-en-Gohelle and Hulluch in Artois, France, taken at 7.15 pm, 22 July 1917. German trenches are at the right and bottom, British trenches are at the top left. The vertical line to the left of centre indicates the course of a pre-war road or track

Eastern Front

Russian retreat in Galicia extending.

Russians penetrate German defences east of Vilna to a depth of two miles, taking 1,000 prisoners; further success jeopardised by indiscipline.

Macedonian front

British raid Bulgar trenches on Struma front.

France

French government decides to allow game hunting for the first time since 1913, as wildlife overpopulation threatens crops.

China

Chinese Naval Minister Cheng Biguang, along with 9 warships, defects from Peking to the revolutionary leader Sun Yat-sen.

Russia: Alexander Kerensky, Russia’s new Prime Minister

The crackdown following the recent unrest in Petrograd sees the Bolsheviks in some disarray. They have been blamed for all the trouble, their leader Lenin denounced as a German spy. Senior Bolsheviks now languish in jail or lead a precarious existence on the run. Lenin himself and Zinoviev have fled to Finland, still part of the Russian Empire but a place in which it is easier for them to lie low.

Meanwhile the rise of Kerensky continues. The recent political turmoil has all been too much for Prince Lvov, who now resigns as head of the Provisional Government, naming Kerensky as his successor. This young man of destiny now sets about forming his new cabinet.

Pressing matters however must be dealt with immediately. The scale of the disaster following the recent failed offensive against the Germans and Austro-Hungarians is now increasingly apparent, with enemy advances continuing and the Russian army gripped be desertion and indiscipline. Kerensky acts in an effort to stem the flood. General Kornilov is appointed commander of the South Western Front, where the army’s disintegration is most pronounced. Kornilov is known to be a tough general of the old school; if anyone can restore order, it is him. Starting as he means to go on, Kornilov demands the reintroduction of the death penalty for deserters.

Siam: Siam Declares War on Germany

Unlike Japan, which had ambitions in China and the Pacific, and still-neutral China, which wanted the return of Tsingtao, Siam [now Thailand] had little directly to gain from joining the war against Germany. However, pro-Allied elements in the country believed there would be some more indirect benefits. It would please Britain and France, whose colonies encroached on Siam’s borders from all sides, and it would increase Siam’s stature and reputation in the world.

Allied pressure on Siam had increased since America cut ties with Germany, and ultimately King Vajiravudh decided to declare war. On July 22, the Siamese government arrested the few hundred German and Austrian nationals in the country (the Germans soon responded by arresting the nine Siamese nationals they could find in Germany), seized German assets, and took control of the nine ships interned in Bangkok.

Naval operations: ship losses

BREDA (Netherlands) The coaster was torpedoed and damaged in the North Sea 7 nautical miles (13 km) west of the Noord Hinder Lightship ( Netherlands) by SM UB-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was then shelled and sunk 8 nautical miles (15 km) south west of the Noord Hinder Lightship by SM UB-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

COTOVIA (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 49 (Karl Petri) and sank in the North Sea 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) south east by east of Auskerry, Orkney Islands (59°01′N 2°37′W). Her crew survived.

DAFILA (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was sunk by a U-boat. Twenty six survivors rescued by USS Jacob Jones ( United States Navy).

GLOW (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off Robin Hood's Bay, Yorkshire (54°23′N 0°23′W) by SM UB-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.

NEREUS (Netherlands) The sailing vessel was scuttled in the North Sea 10 nautical miles (19 km) south by east of the Noord Hinder Lightship ( Netherlands) by SM UB-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

HMT ORPHESIA Orphesia (Navy) The naval trawler struck a submerged wreck and sank in the Mediterranean Sea off Alexandria, Egypt.

ROTA (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 7 nautical miles (13 km) east by south of Berry Head, Devon by SM UB-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of five of her crew.

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The Great War (1914-1918) in real time Jul 23, 2022 7:14:58 GMT stevep likes this

Post by lordroel on Jul 23, 2022 7:14:58 GMT

Day 1084 of the Great War, July 23rd 1917

Western Front

Numerous raids by British and Canadians.

Eastern Front

Russian undisciplined retreat in Galicia continues on a front of 150 miles; fall of Halicz. Stanislau evacuated.

Russian diversion at Dvinsk and Smorgon followed by voluntary withdrawal of troops.

Romanian front: Russo-Romanian success, 2,000 prisoners, 57 guns taken.

Macedonian front: Keeping Morale Up in Salonika

The Allied troops around Salonika, far from home, suffering from malaria, and with little action on the front since May, faced a growing morale problem. This was especially true for the French. Strict censorship had prevented news of the mutinies from reaching Greece (beyond possible word of mouth), the soldiers did learn of their effects–most notably, a new, more generous leave policy. This was obviously difficult to extend to the Army of the Orient, which caused discontent and even a brief mutiny on July 16. Although it was soon broken up and around ninety mutineers arrested, Sarrail recognized that morale was a growing problem.

Leave was difficult to grant because it took so long to get back to France by sea, and doing so meant traveling through U-boat hunting grounds in the Aegean. However, with King Constantine’s abdication and Greece’s subsequent entry into the war, her railroads and ports were now fully available. On July 23, Allied transports began using the port of Itea, in the Gulf of Corinth. A much shorter sea voyage, to Taranto and the Italian railroad network, was now available, making the granting of leave (and the movement of troops in general) much more feasible.

The British attempted to keep their morale up in the meantime through a variety of diversions. The 28th Division kept a pack of beagles, which had the run of the front, often crossing over into the Bulgarian lines. The Bulgarians always graciously returned the beagles to the British without incident. The 27th Division held an impressive horse show lasting from July 23rd to the 25th, under the protection of Allied air cover. Sarrail himself even attended the final day of the festivities.

United States

President Wilson bans “disorderly” saloons and resorts within a 5-mile radius of any military camp.

U.S. provides Russia with a new $75 million loan, signaling faith in the Russian Government despite recent defeats & instability.

United Kingdom: Prime Minister David Lloyd George: We Will Make Peace Only “With a Free Germany”

Days after the Kaiser made a rare public appearance promising a “Second Punic War against England,” British Prime Minister David Lloyd George spoke about his own resolve to win the war. A radical Liberal, Lloyd George had framed the war since the fall of the Tsar as a struggle between democracy and the autocracies of the Central Powers. “We can make a peace with a free Germany,” he spoke, “It is with a Germany dominated by autocracy that we cannot make any terms of peace.”

In the United States this rhetoric also dominated. Most Americans celebrated the fall of the Romanov standbys and hoped that their entry into the war would make Europe a continent of democracies. Talk about democracy also helped sway the nation’s large German and Irish-American populations to support the war. For German-Americans, the war became one against Prussianism which would see the rest of Germany be able to break free of aristocratic bonds and become democratic like their immigrant relatives.

Naval operations: ship losses

ASHLEIGH (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 290 nautical miles (540 km) south west of the Fastnet Rock by SM U-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

FRITHJOF (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Prior, Spain (43°39′N 2°10′W) by SM UC-69 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

HUELVA (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 270 nautical miles (500 km) south west of the Fastnet Rock by SM U-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

HMS OTWAY (Royal Navy) The armed merchant cruiser was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean north of the Butt of Lewis, Outer Hebrides (58°54′N 6°28′W), by the submarine SM UC-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of ten of her crew.

VANLAND (Sweden) The cargo ship was damaged by shelling in the North Sea off Whitby, Yorkshire, United Kingdom by SM UB-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was beached, but attacked again from the u-boat, this time with a torpedo. Broke in half and was a total loss.

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The Great War (1914-1918) in real time Jul 24, 2022 6:36:46 GMT stevep likes this

Post by lordroel on Jul 24, 2022 6:36:46 GMT

Day 1085 of the Great War, July 24th 1917

Western Front

French counter-attack and regain ground lost north of the Aisne.

Eastern Front: Central Powers Reconquer Territory Lost in Kerensky Offensive

The Austro-German army on the Eastern Front retook most of the territory they had lost in the Kerensky Offensive by late July. On the 24th, Central Powers troops recaptured the towns of Halich and Stanislau in Russian Poland (today the cities of Halicz and Stanislawow in Ukraine.) The Kaiser visited the Eastern Front to congratulate his generals, while reminding his Austrian allies who they depended on. Meanwhile, Allied leaders gathered for an emergency conference in Paris to discuss the growing possibility that Russia would be knocked out of the war.

Romanian Campaign: Romanians Launch Major Offensive

The Romanian front had been relatively quiet since January, since the Germans had called off their offensive in late January. Romania had lost two-thirds of their country and needed time to rebuild their army; their Russian allies were quickly preoccupied with their own internal troubles. But by the summer, the Romanians were determined to go back on the offensive. They wanted to retake their country and prove that they were a valuable part of the Allied war effort, even after their disastrous debut. Plans were made for an offensive in late July, at which point the Central Powers would hopefully be distracted by the Kerensky Offensive to the north.

Of course, by late July, the Kerensky Offensive had petered out and then suffered significant reverses, and cold feet began to abound. The Romanian PM attempted to call off the offensive only hours after it had started, but was overruled by the King, the Chief of the General Staff, and the ranking Russian general in the area.

At 4 AM on July 24, the Romanian Second Army under Averescu attacked around Mărăști, to the west of the Siret. The First Army was due to attack across the Siret further east the next day. Although there had been substantial warning of Romanian preparations, the Austrian and German defenders were confident in their positions and had not sent any reinforcements to the area, which had been steadily stripped of soldiers bound for Italy and Galicia over the course of the year. This gave the Second Army at least a three-to-one advantage in infantry in many places.

The Russians and the Romanians on the left flank of the attack hit and quickly overwhelmed the German 218th Division. General Seeckt despaired: “strong is my fear that nothing can be done with this division….It is no longer capable of resistance.” The division lost 1500 prisoners that day, with the remainder precipitately retreating back. The Romanian left flank advanced two miles on the first day, exceeding even their initial expectations. The right flank, without adequate artillery support and attacking into more difficult terrain, had failed to make any progress. Nevertheless, the day was seen as a great success for Romanian arms, and Averescu was eager to continue the attack the next day.

The Germans, meanwhile, quickly realizing the threat the Romanians posed, had Mackensen hastily draw up plans for a general counteroffensive–but it would be some time before they would be ready.

Mesopotamian campaign: Lightning Force: Enver’s plan to recapture Baghdad

In Aleppo today Enver Pasha, Turkey’s paramount leader, meets with senior military figures including Djemal Pasha, the Proconsul of Syria, and Kemal Pasha, whose star has been on the rise since the Turkish victory at Gallipoli. Enver has a big plan to reveal. He is forming a new army group to be called Yildirim (Lightning Force), combining formations commanded by Kemal and Halil Pasha with German units. The overall commander will be none other than Germany’s Falkenhayn, the former German commander in chief who recently presided over the conquest of Romania.

Yildirim’s mission is a simple one: the recapture of Baghdad. Enver hopes that by doing so Turkey’s prestige in the Middle East will be restored. His audience are more sceptical, fearing that it would be foolhardy for Turkey to launch an offensive in Mesopotamia when the British are threatening to advance into Palestine. And the Turkish officers do not relish the prospect of being commanded by Falkenhayn. The Turks are increasingly resentful of the perceived arrogance of their German allies and suspect that Falkenhayn will be cut from the same cloth as the various German officers they have had to deal with. But Enver is insistent and with Germany providing considerable financial and military resources to Yildirim they are able to call the tune.

United Kingdom

Chancellor Bonar Law reveals Britain spends £6.795 million a day on the war and requires additional credit of £650 million.

Announcement of transfer of Recruiting system from the control of the War Office to the Local Government Board.

Canada

Canadian Military Service Bill passed.

Aerial operations: $640 million!

Today, President Woodrow Wilson signed legislation earmarking $640 million for expenditure on US military aviation. This is largest appropriation ever for a single purpose by Congress at this point. It is an acknowledgment by the American authorities of the size and scale of the task faced it getting this part of the armed forces up to speed.

The force behind this had actually come from the French. Back in May 1917, shortly after the USA’s entry into the War, the French Prime Minister Alexandre Ribot had sent a telegram to the White House. It took the form of a shopping list. Ribot requested a greatly increased aviation effort from France’s new ally, and was quite specific as to what he wanted them to put into the field and when: 4,500 planes, 5,000 pilots and 50,000 mechanics along with the necessary equipment; all to be ready by the following spring.

The cable had the desired effect. Wilson forwarded the message to the Joint Army and Navy Technical Board which quickly approved its content, pushing it through its various departmental hierarchies and signing it off with Secretary of War Newton Baker. It’s passage through Congress was similarly swift.

A commission of investigation, the Bolling Commission, was then set up to examine how to actually achieve this. It travelled to Europe to study Allied plane design and production methods and was tasked with obtaining the rights to manufacture any aircraft it decided to put into production in the US, as well as purchasing planes in Europe; and to prepare for the training of American pilots.

Naval operations: ship losses

BLAKE (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 30 nautical miles (56 km) north west of Cape Wrath, Sutherland by SM UC-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of five of her crew.

BRUMAIRE (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 265 nautical miles (491 km) west by north of Ouessant, Finistère, France (48°20′N 11°41′W) by SM U-46 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two crew.

MONTEVIDEO 488 (Uruguay) The floating crane was sunk in the North Sea 30 nautical miles (56 km) off the Nieuwe Waterweg, Netherlands (51°50′N 3°03′E) by SM UB-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

OOSTZEE (Netherlands) The tug was sunk in the North Sea 30 nautical miles (56 km) off the Nieuwe Waterweg (51°50′N 3°03′E) by SM UB-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

SIR WALTER (United Kingdom) The coaster was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean (43°46′N 7°50′W) by SM UC-69 ( Kaiserliche Marine). All on board survived.

THORSDAL (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Scotland (55°35′N 13°38′W) by SM U-44 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

vIKING (Sweden) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk with the loss of one life in the North Sea[223] 15 nautical miles (28 km) off Sognefjord, Norway by SM U-67 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

ZATEJA (Russia) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of the Hebrides, Scotland by SM U-45 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

ZERMATT (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 355 nautical miles (657 km) west by north of Ouessant (47°40′N 13°38′W) by SM U-46 ( Kaiserliche Marine with the loss of three crew.

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The Great War (1914-1918) in real time Jul 25, 2022 2:48:07 GMT stevep likes this

Post by lordroel on Jul 25, 2022 2:48:07 GMT

Day 1086 of the Great War, July 25th 1917

Western Front

Intense artillery battle in progress in Flanders.

French repel German counter-attack north of the Aisne front.

Eastern Front: Kerensky Halts Offensives, Reinstates Death Penalty at Front

At least nominally, Kerensky had more power than ever, with the collapse of the uprising in Petrograd and his elevation to Prime Minister. But the ultimate, spectacular failure of the Kerensky Offensive put him in a difficult position, as he had staked so much of his reputation on it. He was already maneuvering Brusilov to take the blame for it, and in the meantime was trying to make sure the army did not collapse further.

On July 25, he announced that the death penalty would be restored within the Russian Army along the front, along with a more general system of courts martial. This greatly pleased the generals, especially Kornilov, who felt that a stern hand was needed to restore order. Within days, Kornilov began shooting deserters en masse.

There was a worry, of course, that such harsh measures would turn the Army against the Provisional Government. As an ameliorating measure, Kerensky called a complete end to all offensive action. In most areas, this did not matter; the armies that conducted the Kerensky Offensive were now falling back precipitately along a 150-mile front. The brief attack near Vilnius had petered out nearly two days prior.

Where this latter order did matter, however, was in Romania, where Russian troops were participating in a offensive alongside their Romanian allies. On July 25, the Romanians and Russians had continued and expanded their successful advance, pursuing the retreating Germans with cavalry and armored cars. However, with Kerensky’s order, the Russians had to stop. The head of the French mission told the Russian commander that if he had received such an order, “I would have simply put it in my pocket.” But the message had been sent by unencrypted wireless precisely for this reason; in fact, his soldiers knew of it before he did. The Russians ceased their attacks that evening, and the planned attack by the Romanian First Army along the Siret was called off at the last moment.

Averescu, commanding the Second Army, with little but fleeing Germans ahead of him, was determined to continue the advance, and did so despite orders to the contrary, though even he was forced to stop most of his advance within two days. A final push by the Romanian 8th Division failed, while nearby Russian units (including some of their elite shock troops) stood by and watched–or even in some cases fell back.

France

Allied Balkan Conference in Paris opens. Representatives from the Allied governments meet in Paris to discuss the military situation. The status of the Balkans is also a focus.

Exotic dancer and courtesan Mata Hari is condemned to death by a French military court on charges of spying for the Germans.

Canada

Canada receives a $100 million loan from the U.S. in order to offset the heavy trade imbalance between the two countries.

Japan

The Nippon Kōgaku Kōgyō Corporation (now known as Nikon) is established in Tokyo, Japan.

Switzerland

Due to Swiss neutrality, Berne has become a city of diplomats, with over 5000 embassy & legation staff of various countries operating there.

Naval operations: ship losses

BALDWIN (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Cabo Toriñana, Spain (43°05′N 9°19′W) by SM UC-69 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

DEA (Norway) The barque was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean (60°20′N 4°01′W) by SM UC-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

JANNA (Netherlands) The sailing vessel was scuttled in the North Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km) off the Nieuwe Waterweg by SM UB-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was later salvaged, repaired and returned to service.

MONKSTONE (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 240 nautical miles (440 km) west of the Isles of Scilly by SM U-82 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.

RFA OAKLEAF (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 64 nautical miles (119 km) off the Butt of Lewis (59°01′N 7°26′W) by SM UC-41 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

PENINSULA (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 235 nautical miles (435 km) south west of the Fastnet Rock (48°00′N 11°10′W) by SM U-46 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.

PURLEY (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 210 nautical miles (390 km) south west of the Fastnet Rock (48°08′N 11°35′W) by SM U-46 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

RUSTINGTON (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 235 nautical miles (435 km) west by south of Ouessant, Finistère, France by SM U-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

SPES MEA (Netherlands) The sailing vessel was sunk in the North Sea off the Noord Hinder Lightship ( Netherlands) by SM UB-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

VAARBUD(Norway) The barque was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 40 nautical miles (74 km) west north west of Ouessant by SM UC-62 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

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The Great War (1914-1918) in real time Jul 26, 2022 2:48:06 GMT stevep likes this

Post by lordroel on Jul 26, 2022 2:48:06 GMT

Day 1087 of the Great War, July 26th 1917

Western Front

Repeated German attacks north of the Aisne and at Mont Haut (Champagne) repulsed.

Eastern Front

Austro-Germans cross the Sereth and take Kolomea.

France/German relations

Announcement by French and German Governments of agreement as to treatment of prisoners.

France

Balkan Conference in Paris closes.

Spain

Spain lifts martial law in Valencia as calm returns following several days of demonstrations. Striking workers will return to work tomorrow.

United Kingdom: British War Cabinet Discusses Strategy, American and French Allies

Some American troops had arrived in France by the summer of 1917, but hardly enough to make an impact. Untrained and unequipped for modern war, the small contingents on the Western Front would not see combat for some months. But that did not stop Allied planners from discussing strategy with their co-belligerent ally (President Wilson and the American Congress insisted they were an “associated power,” not a member of the Entente.)

Haig met Pershing that month, but they differed in opinion. Haig believed the British summer offensive could break German lines before the Americans had even arrived in numbers. Pershing, his American opposite number, said that his own plan was to sit tight until he had one million troops, which would take at least until 1918 (in fact, it was twice as many men as the War Department in D.C. even thought they could provide.) Nevertheless, Haig began to convince Pershing that “the French are a broken reed.” But Pershing was an technically an independent commander, so the Americans could do whatever they liked.

Back in London, factions formed about war strategy. Jan Smuts, the former Boer guerilla turned British imperialist, argued that it was Britain’s moral duty to break the stalemate that year. On the other side, Lloyd George and the new Minister of Munitions, Churchill (back again after a brief stint in the trenches), wanted to “limit the consequences” of any attack. Churchill leaned towards Pershing’s opinion and wanted to wait for more Americans:

“The armies are equal - if anything, the Germans are stronger. They have larger reserves, and ample munitions. An endless series of fortified lines, with all kinds of flooding possibilities, and great natural difficulties of ground, constitute insuperable obstacles.” Lloyd George tended to agree. Let Britain churn out the tanks, plans, and rifles, and wait for the Americans to come use them.

Aerial operations: Massed dogfights

The poor weather continued for much of the day on the Western Front, but started to clear by the evening. As is becoming common these days due to the presence of almost half of the German air strength in the area, a mass dogfight ensued over the Ypres Salient around 1915 and carried on for some two hours.

The fight developed when two flights from 56 Squadron RFC attacked a group of German scouts, and were joined by flights from 19, 66 and 70 Squadrons RFC, and 10 Naval Squadron. Other German scouts from Jastas 11 and 27 then joined in. The Official History suggests there were more than 90 aircraft involved! Despite the size, or perhaps because of it, much of the fighting was indecisive with only one pilot on each side killed.

Early in the combat Captain Noel William Ward Webb in Camel B3756 from 70 Squadron shot down an Albatross with Jasta 11’s Leutnant Otto Brauneck on board. Brauneck crashed near Zonnebeck and was killed. Webb reported:

“There were about 6 EA below me and on the way back to lines I dived on the leading machine, letting off a burst of about 50 rounds. I saw the EA wobble and then fall plane over plane and finally spin. Later, I thought I saw this EA crashed on the ground”

Around the same time, 2nd Lieutenant Joseph Cecil Smith in Camel B3814 from the same squadron also claimed an Albatros out of control, though this could not be confirmed. Smith’s aircraft was also badly shot up but he was uninjured.

Captain Gerald Joseph Constable Maxwell and 2nd Lieutenant Leonard Monteagle Barlow from 56 Squadron both claimed enemy aircraft forced down. Shortly after this their Flight Commander Captain Phillip Bernard Prothero was killed when the wing of his SE5’s (A8925) wing collapsed. Vitfeldwebel Alfred Muth from Jasta 27 claimed this but Barlow and Webb reported the aircraft breaking up in a dive. Webb stated:

‘Early in the operation I saw a red nosed SE5 diving on an EA. The pilot seemed to me to dive his machine over the vertical and then both planes on one side folded back and the machine descended in a spinning nose dive.’

2nd Lieutenant A Wearne from 19 Squadron was taken prisoner when his rudder cable was shot through and unable to steer he landed at Faumont aerodrome escorted in by 3 Albatrosses.

As the combat came to a close, Lieutenant James Thomas Byford McCudden flying Sopwith Pup B1756 from 66 Squadron also claimed an Albatross Scout out of control. It was his second and last victory in the Pup before switching to the SE5a.

Naval operations: Cavalry Surrounds Submarine

German submarines had, since the start of the year, once again been running the Dover Barrage, letting them attack Allied shipping in the English Channel without going all the way around Great Britain. Submarines doing so faced large risks, and on July 26, the minelaying submarine UC61 found that, for them, the risks were not worth it. In what may have been an attempt to skirt the barrage by sticking close to the French coast, the submarine ran aground on a sandbar. Attempts to refloat the submarine failed, and the crew set about destroying whatever they could.

These efforts were interrupted (and any thoughts of escape precluded) when the submarine was surrounded by a squadron of Belgian cavalry. The crew was captured, and Royal Navy personnel searched the ship. They found documents indicating that the Germans had cracked the code that the British used to report their minesweeping operations. Room 40 decided to use this to their advantage, broadcasting fake minesweeping information in that same code. This quickly paid off; on August 4, UC44 was sunk off of Ireland by mines laid by a different German submarine, which German naval intelligence falsely believed had already been swept by the British.

Photo: The wreck of the UC-61, a German mine-laying submarine

Naval operations: ship losses

HMS ARIADNE (Royal Navy) The Diadem-class cruiser was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel off Beachy Head, East Sussex by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 38 of her crew.

BERTHA (Portugal) The schooner was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Villa do Conde, Norte (41°20′N 8°58′W) by SM UC-69 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

BLANCHETTE (Italy) The schooner was captured and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Cape Corse, Corsica, France (42°57′N 9°43′E by SM U-33 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

CARMARTHEN (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the English Channel 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) south east of The Lizard, Cornwall (49°57′N 5°08′W) by SM UC-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was taken under tow but sank at 50°00′N 5°07′W). Her crew survived.

GESU E MARIA (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean sea north of Cape Corse by SM U-33 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

LOCKSLEY (Norway) The cargos ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Villa do Conde (41°23′N 8°51′W by SM UC-69 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

LUDGATE (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 51 (Hans Galster) and sank in the Atlantic Ocean 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) south of Galley Head, County Cork with the loss of 24 of her crew.

MOOLTAN (United Kingdom) The passenger ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 53 nautical miles (98 km) north north west of Cape Serrat, Tunisia by SM UC-27 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two lives.

ROBERTO IVENS (Portuguese Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 54 (Heinrich XXXVII Prinz Reuß zu Köstritz) and sank in the Atlantic Ocean north of Cape Espichel with the loss of fourteen of her crew.

SOMERSET (United Kingdom) The refrigerated cargo liner was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 230 nautical miles (430 km) west by south of Ouessant, Finistère, France by SM U-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

SM UB-23 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UB II submarine was depth charged and severely damaged in the English Channel off The Lizard by HMS PC-60 ( Royal Navy). She put into A Coruña, Spain where she was interned.

VENTUROSO (Portugal) The barquentine was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Villa do Conde (41°21′N 8°58′W) by SM UC-69 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

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The Great War (1914-1918) in real time Jul 27, 2022 2:49:31 GMT stevep likes this

Post by lordroel on Jul 27, 2022 2:49:31 GMT

Day 1088 of the Great War, July 27th 1917

YouTube (Three Years of World War 1)

Western Front

Further fighting north of the Aisne.

Germans attacks on Champagne front repulsed.

United Kingdom/German relations

British & German governments ratify an agreement to regulate the treatment of prisoners. Repatriation of wounded prisoners will resume.

Greece

Allied governments agree to end most of their occupation of Greece. An army and naval base will be maintained on Corfu.

United Kingdom: Parliamentary Peace Motion Defeated 148 to Nineteen, “London Soviet” Broken Up

In an echo of the German Reichstag’s attempt to push for a peace “without annexations” that month, Britain’s House of Commons was called to a similar vote for a truce. Pushed by Ramsay MacDonald, the former leader of the Labour Party, the motion failed, voted down by 148 to nineteen. MacDonald wrote to American President Wilson, telling him that America should have remained neutral if it wanted peace.

Meanwhile, a number of Londoners took to the streets, calling not only for peace but for social change. They were Bolshevik sympathizers and called themselves the London soviet in imitation of the hardcore Russian revolutionaries. The British government had the Daily Express reveal the location of the soviet in that morning’s paper, and distrubuted leaflets saying that a pro-German group was rallying in the East End. A mob of eight thousand, including many uniformed soldiers, stormed the platform and broke it up.

France/Italy relation: France and Italy Lay Claim to Anatolian Coast

The partitioning of the Ottoman Empire after the war had been considered since the Dardanelles campaign. Large regions in Mesopotamia and the Levant had been divided between Britain and France in the Sykes-Picot agreement in 1916. Further planning was difficult due to Russia’s territorial ambitions, but the revolution there changed that quite quickly; the Provisional Government disavowed the aim of territorial conquest, or control of the Straits, especially after Miliukov resigned as Foreign Minister in May.

This meant the Western Allies could make agreements solely among themselves. On July 27, France and Italy came to an agreement over Asia Minor, with Italy being assigned most of southern Anatolia; this would greatly extend their influence in the region, which at the moment only consisted of their five-year-long occupation of the Dodecanese islands off the coast. Britain agreed to this disposition the next month. Thorny issues remained, however, especially regarding the Straits, Palestine, and Armenia–not to mention the fact that they would have to defeat the Ottomans and win the war first.

Aerial operations: Belgian coast barrage

Following the attack on 4 June 1917 on Ostend the weather conditions provided no suitable opportunity for a renewal of the bombardments. Instead, Vice-Admiral Bacon decided to reinstitute the Belgian coast barrage consisting of a twenty-three mile line of net mines, supplemented by deep minefields, parallel with the Belgian coast between Zeebrugge and Ostend.

Three days ago on 24 July, the ships began to assemble, and air patrols were maintained, from 1700 until dark, over the Dunkirk Roads, but no German aircraft appeared.

The work to put the barrage in place began on 25 July and lasted until its completion today. During this time there were patrols by formations of five to seven Sopwith Pups or Camels to protect the ships against attack from the air.

On the evening of the 25 July a German seaplane, which appeared over the Fleet, was driven off and eventually shot down on the sea by Sopwiths of No. 4 Squadron.

On the evening of 26 July, there was a clash between a patrol of Camels from 3 Naval Squadron and a formation of Albatros fighters, with the loss of one aeroplane to each side. Flt Sub-Lieutenant William Hargrove Chisam, had the engine of his Camel (B3805) disabled and landed on beach east of Coxyde Bains.

On 27 July the enemy attempted an attack on the ships with four torpedo-carrying seaplanes, and one fighting seaplane as escort, Five Sopwith Camels from 3 Naval Squadron were on patrol – Flight Lieutenant Joseph Stewart Temple Fall, Flight Sub-Lieutenant Harold Francis Beamish, Flight Sub-Lieutenant Aubery Beauclerk Ellwood, Flight Sub-Lieutenant Louis Drummond Bawlf and Flight Sub-Lieutenant James Alpheus Glen. They attacked the formation and scattered it forcing the German pilots to turn back to their base. One of the enemy seaplanes crashed in the sea off Ostend.

Around the same time, a Gotha on its way to bomb the Fleet was attacked by a patrol from 4 Naval Squadron including Flight Commander Alexander MacDonald Shook with Flight Sub-Lieutenant John Ellis Langford Hunter and Flight Sub-Lieutenant Bailey. They attacked at long range drove off the Gotha.

Aerial operations: Lure

Another large clash took place this evening over Polygon Wood on the Western Front. This time, however, it was at the instigation of the British who laid a trap to entice enemy fighters. A formation of eight FE2d’s from 20 Squadron RFC set out to patrol over Menin, with orders to attract and decoy enemy fighters towards Polygon Wood, where layered formations of single-seaters, 59 aircraft in total, chiefly from the Ninth Wing, were patrolling in readiness.

The FE2d’s crossed the lines at 1915and proceeded without incident to Menin, where shortly afterwards some twenty Albatros Scouts gathered. The FE pilots were soon involved in a fight, but skilfully lured the enemy north-west towards Polygon Wood. Within a short time a general fight was in progress, in which all the British formations in the area, some French fighters, and additional enemy single-seaters, took part.

The fighting went on for an hour and at the end it the German aircraft had been completely cleared from the sky over a wide area. The 20 Squadron FE2d pilots claimed six enemy aeroplanes destroyed. Lieutenant Harold Waddell Joslyn and Sergeant Frank Potter were wounded when their FE2d (A6415) was hit by anti aircraft fire. They escaped back to their aerodrome but crashed when their undercarriage collapsed on landing.

Triplanes from 10 Naval Squadron claimed two enemy aircraft, and SE5’s from 56 Squadron destroyed one. 2nd Lieutenant Trevor Watts White from 56 Squadron RFC was shot down and taken prisoner in his SE5 (A8911) north-east of Roulers. He later commented:

“…being intent on getting a ‘Gerry’ , and staying with him far too long, I was jumped. I was dead lucky, with only a scalp wound, but my engine caught it, with the result that I had to land in a field near Iseghem. One of Richtofen’s pilots landed in the same field, apparently the one who had shot me down. I was taken away to Richtofen’s squadron for a meal….My treatment, by the pilot who claimed me, at the squadron, and at Ingelmunster, was most chivalrous…Like a lot of pilots, I was too raw in experience to have survived longer on operations.”

Leutnant Günther Ziegler from Jasta 26 claimed victory. Flight Sub-Lieutenant Gerald Roach from 10 Naval Squadron was shot down and killed in his Triplane N5492. Aircraft crashed near Moorslede and his body could not be recovered. Leutnant Karl von Schonebeck from Jasta 11 claimed his first victory.

Naval operations: ship losses

BATAVIER II (Netherlands) The passenger ship was shelled and sunk in the North Sea off Texel, North Holland by HMS E55 ( Royal Navy).

BEGONA NO.4 (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 70 nautical miles (130 km) west by north of the Fastnet Rock (51°15′N 11°45′W) by SM U-46 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two crew.

BELLAGIO (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the English Channel 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) south of the Owers Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was beached but was later refloated.

BELLE OF ENGLAND (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 155 nautical miles (287 km) west north west of the Fastnet Rock (53°54′N 15°15′W) by SM U-95 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

CANDIA (United Kingdom) The passenger ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 8 nautical miles (15 km; 9.2 mi) south of the Owers Lighthship ( United Kingdom) (50°32′N 0°26′W) by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.

CARMELA (United States) The auxiliary schooner was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 25 nautical miles (46 km) south west of The Lizard, Cornwall, United Kingdom (49°38′N 5°37′W) by SM UC-62 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew of 20 survived and were picked up by HMS ATTACK on the same day.

DIRK (Netherlands) The fishing vessel was sunk in the North Sea 19 nautical miles (35 km) off Zandvoort, North Holland by SM UC-16 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

DIRK VAN DUYNE (Netherlands) The fishing vessel was sunk in the north sea 19 nautical miles (35 km) west north west of IJmuiden, North Holland by SM UC-16 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

FRIGIDO (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Gulf of Genoa by SM U-33 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

GENOVA (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Gulf of Genoa 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) off Portofino, Genoa (44°18′N 9°15′E) by SM U-33 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

JAN (Netherlands) The fishing vessel was sunk in the North Sea 19 nautical miles (35 km) west north west of IJmuiden by SM UC-16 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

JOHN HAYS HAMMOND (United States) The schooner was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 350 nautical miles (650 km) north west of Ireland (56°54′N 14°18′W) by SM U-44 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

MAJOOR THOMPSON (Netherlands) The fishing vessel was sunk in the North Sea 19 nautical miles (35 km) off Zandvoort by SM UC-16 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

PRESIDENT COMMISARIS VAN DE BURGH(Netherlands) The fishing vessel was sunk in the North Sea off the Dutch coast by SM UC-16 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

SERNA III (Netherlands) The fishing vessel was sunk in the North Sea 19 nautical miles (35 km) west north west of IJmuiden by SM UC-16 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

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The Great War (1914-1918) in real time Jul 28, 2022 2:56:00 GMT stevep likes this

Post by lordroel on Jul 28, 2022 2:56:00 GMT

Day 1089 of the Great War, July 28th 1917

Western Front

Successful British raids.

Eastern Front: Austrian Forces Reach the Russian Border, Brusilov Sacked as Russian C-in-C, Replaced by Lavr Kornilov

During Napoleon’s invasion, and again during World War II, the Russian army gave ground to the enemy while it retreated and prepared safe in their nation’s massive interior. Perhaps that would have been the wise thing to do in World War I as well, but Russia had fought it out on the borders with Germany and Austria-Hungary, and it had lost. Most of Russian Poland had been conquered by 1915.

When the Kerensky Offensive failed in July 1917, the Russian army again reeled back. The Kaiser personally came to watch the Austrians advance towards the border. Tarnopol fell on July 25. Three days later the Austrian reached the border of Russia at Husiatyn, opposed less by any defenders than by 4″0,000 Russian deserters fleeing eastward.” General Brusilov was sacked as Commander-in-Chief of the Russian armies and replaced by the strict, reactionary General Lavr Kornilov, whose first Order of the Day was to condemn the treachery of deserters.

United Kingdom: British Tank Corps Established

Tanks never became a war-winning weapon in World War One, but they did become a staple of Allied offensives in mid-1917 and 1918. After their first use at the Battle of the Somme tanks were attached to the Machine Gun Corps as the Heavy Branch. But as more were pumped out of British factories, it was clear that armor should be consolidated into its own set of battalions. The BEF did that by creating the Tank Corps on July 28, 1917.

Germany

Imperial and Prussian Cabinets reconstructed.

United States

War Industries Board is established by the U.S. government to facilitate the purchase of war-related goods.

Naval operations: ship losses

ATLAS (France) The barque was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 200 nautical miles (370 km) west of the Fastnet Rock (51°35′N 15°31′W) by SM U-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of all hands.

GLENSTRAE (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 66 nautical miles (122 km) south west by south of the Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly (48°40′N 6°55′W) by SM UC-62 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.

HILDUR (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 2.5 nautical miles (4.6 km) off Cape Sisargos, Spain by SM UC-69 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

NEPTUNUS I (Netherlands) The trawler was shelled and sunk in the North Sea off IJmuiden, North Holland by SM UC-16 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

RIGMOR(Denmark) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 16 nautical miles (30 km) off Holmengrå, Hordaland, Norway (60°49′N 4°05′E) by SM U-67 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

SAINT EMILION (France) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel 12 nautical miles (22 km) west by south of Dungeness, Kent, United Kingdom by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

SM UB-20 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UB II submarine struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Zeebrugge, West Flanders, Belgium (51°21′N 2°38′E) with the loss of all 13 crew.

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The Great War (1914-1918) in real time Jul 29, 2022 6:13:48 GMT stevep likes this

Post by lordroel on Jul 29, 2022 6:13:48 GMT

Day 1090 of the Great War, July 29th 1917

Western Front

Furious artillery battle in progress in Flanders and in region of Lens.

Eastern Front

Russians offer resistance in the region south of the Dniester, but retirement in Bukovina continues.

Romanian advance continues in Moldavia; all objectives and many prisoners taken.

Photo: Austria-Hungarian emperor Karl I when visiting Stanislau immediately after the successful counter-offensive in Galicia

Photo: Austria-Hungarian emperor Karl I in the Sniatyn area on July 29, 1917 immediately after the successful counter-offensive in Galicia

United Kingdom: Churchill Wins Re-Election

Churchill, once viewed as permanently tarnished by the Dardanelles disaster and the animosity of the Conservatives in the coalition government, was mounting a political comeback. The final report of the Dardanelles Commission had been released earlier in the year, and, though it did not absolve Churchill, did not lay blame solely at his feet. Earlier in July, Lloyd George appointed Churchill as Minister of Munitions. Per convention at the time, backbenchers appointed as ministers were obliged to resign their seat and contest it in a by-election.

During the war, the major parties did not contest each others’ seats in by-elections, as a show of national unity. This did not apply to minor parties, however, and Churchill was challenged by Edwin Scrymgeour. Backed by the Scottish Prohibition Party, Scrymgeour stood for an odd mix of pacifism, prohibition, socialism, and Protestant fundamentalism. Although Scrymgeour, unlike Churchill, actually had local ties in Dundee, Churchill won handily with 78% of the vote. With Lloyd George’s backing, he then immediately set about on his program to reform the bloated Ministry of Munitions.

This was not the last Churchill would see of Scrymgeour. Scrymgeour and a Labour candidate would both place ahead of Churchill in the 1922 election (Dundee was a constituency with two seats in Parliament); Scrymgeour would be the only member of a prohibitionist party ever elected to Parliament.

Naval operations: ship losses

ADALIA (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 85 nautical miles (157 km) north east of Muckle Flugga, Shetland Islands by SM U-94 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.

ANITRA (Norway) The barque was sunk in the North Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km) off Hvidingsö by SM U-96 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

CESAREVITCH ALEXEI (Russia) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 8 to 10 nautical miles (15 to 19 km) east of Lerwick, Shetland Islands by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

GYLDENPRIS (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off A Coruña, Spain by SM UC-69 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

INGEBORG (Denmark) The cargo ship was torpeoeded and sunk in the North Sea 85 nautical miles (157 km) off Lerwick (60°16′N 1°25′E) by SM U-94 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

MANCHESTER COMMERCE (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed, shelled and sunk in the Strait of Gibraltar (35°52′N 6°16′W) by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.

OKHLA (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the Indian Ocean 30 nautical miles (56 km) west of Bombay, India with the loss of nine of her crew.

Saint Marcouf (France) The cargo ship was sunk in the Irish Sea 6 nautical miles (11 km) south east of the Arklow Lightship ( United Kingdom) (52°53′N 5°50′W) by SM UC-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

SM UB-27 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UB II submarine was probably rammed and sunk on this date by HMS HALCYON( Royal Navy) with the loss of all 22 crew.

WHITEHALL (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 270 nautical miles (500 km) west by north of the Fastnet Rock (50°05′N 16°28′W) by SM U-95 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.

Last Edit: Jul 29, 2022 6:14:18 GMT by lordroel

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The Great War (1914-1918) in real time Jul 30, 2022 6:10:37 GMT stevep likes this

Post by lordroel on Jul 30, 2022 6:10:37 GMT

Day 1091 of the Great War, July 30th 1917

Western Front

Heavy artillery fire on the Aisne front.

Eastern Front

Fall of Zaleszczycki and Sniatyn.

East Africa Campaign

Sharp fighting reported in East Africa; enemy driven from River Lugungu (half-way between Lake Nyassa and sea).

Germany

Stores, hotels, restaurants, and cafes in Berlin are ordered to cut down lights by four-fifths due to coal shortages.

United States: Herbert Hoover to Head US Food Administration

The United States’ entry into the war on the side of the Allies brought along with it their substantial food production, sorely needed in a Europe ravaged by war and beset by German U-boats. Of course, the United States also needed to manage its supplies for domestic use, as well. Wilson wanted a centralized body to manage the food supply, under the direction of one man–Herbert Hoover, who had already achieved fame organizing American food relief efforts in Belgium. Congress was at first reluctant giving so much power to one man, but on July 30 acquiesced. The President would sign the act creating the U.S. Food Administration under Hoover on August 10.

The Food Administration was responsible for the purchase and sale of large quantities of food, to be used for the provision of the US Army in Europe, relief for American allies, and to provide a stable price for American wheat. This last provision eventually became extremely contentious, with many farmers arguing that the price (initially aimed for $2/bushel) was too low. Hoover also had authority to go after hoarding and profiteering, including cracking down on the distillation of spirits from grain. He also now headed up a large propaganda arm with the aim of convincing Americans to conserve food. A similar Fuel Administration was set up later in August, under Harry Garfield, president of Williams College and son of the late President.

Aerial operations: New carriers and HMS HERMES

Back in January 1917, the British Government had decided to examine the whole national ship-building programme on the assumption that the war would last through to 1918.

At that time, Commodore Godfrey Paine, the Fifth Sea Lord, had submitted a proposal for the acquisition of five small aircraft carriers and one ocean-going aircraft carrier. By February 1917, the Board of Admiralty instead requested four carriers for the replacement of possible losses, two which were to be ocean-going, and the other two of the North Sea type.

The last two were needed immediately and so two merchant vessels, then under construction, the STOCKHOLM and NAIRANA , were taken over. The STOCKHOLM, renamed the PEGASUS was launched in June 1917 and was completed before the end of August with a speed of 22 knots and a capacity of nine aircraft (five single-seater aeroplanes forward and four two-seater seaplanes aft), with a flying-off deck forward, and had two cranes aft for the handling of the seaplanes.

The NAIRANA was similar but could only reach a speed of 19 knots and only held eight aircraft.

The design was such that it was not necessary for the carriers to stop to hoist out the seaplanes. The aircraft could be slipped from the cranes on a quick release hook while the ship was steaming at nineteen knots, and they could be hooked on again when the speed was six knots.

Both ended up based at Rosyth where were chiefly used for training pilots in deck flying and spotting practice. They also went out with the Battle Cruiser Force on sweeps into the North Sea.

Designs for the two ocean-going carriers were prepared in April 191 7, and orders for the ships were placed. The orders were, however, cancelled almost at once, but, in July, it was decided to proceed with one of the ships, and a contract for a vessel to be called the HERMES was placed with Messrs. Armstrong. This ship was the first to be designed specifically from scratch as an aircraft carrier,

The ship’s design was derived from a 1916 seaplane carrier design by Gerard Holmes and Sir John Biles, but was considerably enlarged by Sir Eustace d’Eyncourt, the Director of Naval Construction in his April 1917 sketch design. The most notable feature was the seaplane slipway that comprised three sections. The seaplanes would taxi onto the rigid submerged portion aft and dock with a trolley that would carry the aircraft into the hangar. A flexible submerged portion separated the rear section from the rigid forward portion of the slipway to prevent the submerged part from rolling with the ship’s motion. The entire slipway could be retracted into the ship, and a gantry crane ran the length of the slipway to help recover the seaplanes. The design showed two islands with the full-length flight deck running between them. Each island contained one funnel; a large net could be strung between them to stop out-of-control aircraft. Aircraft were transported between the hangar and the flight deck by two aircraft lifts (elevators); the forward lift measured 30 by 30 feet (9.1 by 9.1 m) and the rear 60 by 18 feet (18.3 by 5.5 m). This design displaced 9,000 long tons (9,100 t) and accommodated six large Short Type 184 seaplanes and six smaller Sopwith Baby seaplanes. The ship’s armament consisted of six 4-inch (102 mm) guns.

In the end though the ship was beset with many design changes and was not commissioned until 1924. In the meantime the Japanese Navy commissioned the HOSHO in 1922 as the world’s first operational aircraft carrier designed from scratch.

Naval operations: ship losses

AMOR (Denmark) The three-masted barque was shelled and sunk in the North Sea (56°55′N 3°36′E) by SM UC-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

CANIS (Norway) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the Barents Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km) west of Holmengrå, Finnmark by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two crew.

CARLO (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Strait of Gibraltar off Tangier, Morocco (35°24′N 6°25′W) by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

FOLO(Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (53°54′N 15°15′W) by SM U-95 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

GANGES
(Italy) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 8 nautical miles (15 km) off Cape Spartel, Morocco (35°43′N 6°00′W) by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.

HANSA (Germany) The cargo ship collided with a trawler and sank in the Baltic Sea off Landsort, Sweden.

KILDIN (Russia) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea off Lerwick, Shetland Islands, United Kingdom (61°47′N 0°35′W) by SM U-94 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

MANCHESTER INVENTOR (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 80 nautical miles (150 km) north north east of Muckle Flugga, Shetland Islands (61°27′N 0°38′W) by SM U-94 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

SOUMA (Russia) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea north north east of Muckle Flugga (61°34′N 0°55′W) by SM U-94 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

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The Great War (1914-1918) in real time Jul 31, 2022 4:04:47 GMT stevep likes this

Post by lordroel on Jul 31, 2022 4:04:47 GMT

Day 1092 of the Great War, July 31st 1917

Western Front: Third Battle of Ypres/Battle of Passchendaele Begins

At 3:50 AM on July 31, 1917, Allied troops at Ypres went over the top, beginning the Passchendaele offensive. Their objectives were set 6,000 yards from the start line. From there their commander, Sir Douglas Haig, planned to slowly force back the Germans and clear the North Sea coast all the way to Zeebruge. Haig was confident he could win, Prime Minister David Lloyd George was not. But with the Russians in turmoil and France on the backfoot, Britain had to fight.

Photo: British 18-pounder battery taking up new positions near Boesinghe, 31 July 1917

A final 3,000 gun barrage pounded the German front line, then lifted and moved off to rearward targets. Fifteen Allied divisions, nine British and six French, crept out of their trenches and attacked along a fifteen-mile front from the town of Bixchoote in the north to Messines ridge in the south.

The attackers had mixed success. They advanced further that day than any previous single one in the Ypres salient. Yet the Germans’ thick defensive lines stemmed the assault. The terrain was also difficult. Flanders has a high water table, and three years of artillery fire had made No-Man’s Land a churned up patch of mud. The Allies 136 tanks did well on July 31: only two bogged down. But over the next month constant rain would force many of them to be ditched.

Map: Diagram of the Guards Division advance towards Wijdendreft on 31 July 1917

Yet on July 31 the Allies made decent progress, especially on the left, where the veteran French First army showed great skill at offensive tactics. The first-day objectives of Pilckem, Bixschoote, and St Julien ridge were all reached. Yet on the right flank of the battle things bogged down, and by mid-morning the usual problems of communication were starting to show. Telephone cables laid across No Man’s Land were cut, the infantry could not coordinate with the artillery or the tanks, and at two the Germans counter-attacked. A massive artillery bombardment fell on the British XVIII and XIX Corps at Gheluvelt that caused many to break and run.

Map: Map of 8th Division attack at Ypres on the Menin road ridge on 31 July 1917. 3 phase lines and battalion advances shown

Both Haig and his German opponent, Crown Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria, reported success on July 31. At the Somme a year earlier 20,000 men had died on the first day; today Allied casualties, both British and French, numbered 35,000 killed, wounded, or missing. The Germans had lost the same. But Rupprecht had not committed any of his reserves, and most of his deep defenses had not yet come into play, so he had the better claim when he recorded in his diary that night that he was “very satisfied with the results.”

Eastern Front

Enemy extends his hold on Galician front and stands on west bank of Zbrucz on front of over 30 miles.

Russians retiring in Czernovitz region.

United Kingdom

In the Dundee by-election, Minister of Munitions Winston Churchill defeats Edwin Scrymgeour 78.2% to 21.8%.

Russia

Russian Provisional Government again states it has no aims of annexation and conquest.

China

Chinese Cabinet considers entering the war on the side of the Allies after Siam (Thailand) declared war on Germany.

Aerial operations: 9 Wing at Ypres

Today, a fresh British offensive in the Ypres area opened. The RFC and RNAS have been provided with extensive and detailed orders on their role in the plan. For example, here are those issued to the Ninth Wing:

9TH WING, R.F.C. ORDER NO. 284
(Reference Maps Sheets of Belgium and France 1/250,000)
In the Field.
Tuesday, 31st July 1917.

The following Operations will be carried out to-day.
1. Attack on Hostile Aerodromes.
As detailed in 9th Wing letter G. 371 dated 25th July 1917. 1

2. Attack of Troops, etc, on the Ground.
East of the line Staden-Dadizeele.
Nos. 56 and yo Squadrons.
One machine to stand by ready to leave the ground at short notice
from 4 a.m.
Further machines will be detailed during the day from all Squadrons
for this duty.

3. Reconnaissance.
No. 55 Squadron. One De Havilland 4, carrying a wide angle camera, to
stand by ready to leave the ground from 3 p.m. and reconnoitre from a
height the line Roulers-Thourout-Bruges-Ghent-Deynze-Courtrai.
Information required:
Reports on all train and road movements observed.
Photographs of principal railway sidings, and also of any abnormal road movement. A photograph is also to be taken of 1 /40,000 Sheet 13.G.25 and 26.

4. Bombing.
No. 27 Squadron. (A) 6 Martinsydes, carrying 20-lb. bombs, to leave the ground at 4.30 a.m. and bomb from a height Marcke aerodrome.
(B) 6 Martinsydes, carrying 20-lb. bombs, to leave the ground at 4.30 a.m. and bomb from a height Heule aerodrome.
(C) 6 Martinsydes, carrying 20-lb. bombs, to leave the ground at 10 a.m. and bomb from a height Heule aerodrome.
(D) 6 Martinsydes, carrying 20-lb. bombs, to leave the ground at 10 a.m. and bomb from a height Marcke aerodrome.
(E) 6 Martinsydes, carrying 20-lb. bombs, to leave the ground at 2 p.m. and bomb from a height Heule aerodrome.
(F) 6 Martinsydes, carrying 20-lb. bombs, to leave the ground at 2 p.m. and bomb from a height Marcke aerodrome.
No. 55 Squadron. (A) Two raids of 6 De Havilland 4’s, each carrying 20-lb. bombs, to leave the ground at 4.30 a.m. and bomb from a height Ingelmunster aerodrome.
(B) 6 De Havilland 4’s, carrying 20-lb. bombs, to leave the ground at 4 p.m. and bomb from a height Ingelmunster aerodrome.

5. Offensive Patrols. On the line Comines-Harlebeke.
No. 19 Squadron. (A)6 S.P.A.D.’s.—4.30 a.m. (In connexion with Martinsyde raids on Marcke and Heule.)
(B) 6 S.P.A.D.’s—8.30 a.m.
(C) 6 S.P.A.D.’s—12.30 p.m.
(D) 6 S.P.A.D.’s—4.30 p.m.
No. 56 Squadron. (A) 6 S.E.5’s—6.30 a.m.
(B) 6 S.E.5’s—10.30 a.m. (In connexion with Martinsyde raid on Heule.)
(C) 6 S.E.5’s—2.30 p.m. (In connexion with Martinsyde raid on Heule.)
(D) 6 S.E.5V-6.30 p.m.
On the line Staden-Ingelmunster.
No. 66 Squadron. (A) 6 Sopwith Scouts—4.30 a.m. (In connexion with two De Havilland raids on Ingelmunster.)
(B) 6 Sopwith Scouts—8.30 a.m.
(C) 6 Sopwith Scouts—12.30 p.m.
(D) 6 Sopwith Scouts—4.30 p.m. (In connexion with De Havilland Raid on Ingelmunster.)
No. 70 Squadron. (A) 6 Sopwith ‘Camels’—6.30 a.m.
(B) 6 Sopwith ‘Camels’—10.30 a.m. (In connexion with Martinsyde raid on Marcke.)
(C) 6 Sopwith ‘Camels’—2.30 p.m. (In connexion with Martinsyde raid on Marcke.)
(D) 6 Sopwith ‘Camels’—6.30 p.m.

(Sgd.) R. A. Prout,
Captain,
Staff Officer,
9th Wing, R.F.C.
Time issued—1.15 a.m.

In the end though, the weather prevented much of planned attacks happening as the battlefield was covered with low lying Corps Squadrons carried out contact patrol where possible and carried out ground attacks on any targets they came accross. The Army Squadron were unable to carry out their normal patrols and spent the time roaming behind the German lines attacking what’re targets they could find. Only 27 Squadron were able to complete their assigned missions.

Naval operations: ship losses

ALCIDES (Norway) The barque was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean north west of Ireland (55°05′N 17°05′W) by SM U-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of all 23 crew.

BELGIAN PRINCE (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean 175 nautical miles (324 km) north west of Tory Island, County Donegal by SM U-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was scuttled the next day with the loss of 40 crew.

CAROLVORE (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Strait of Gibraltar 6 nautical miles (11 km) off Cape Roche, Spain (36°13′N 6°16′W) by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

USS CHINAGACHGOOK (United States Navy) The patrol vessel was damaged beyond repair by the explosion of her gasoline tank at New York.

Photo: CHINAGACHGOOK (American Motor Boat, 1916), Underway at high speed, October 1916. Photographed by Edwin Levick, of New York City. Though flying yachting flags, she is armed with a Colt machine gun forward and a small cannon aft, probably for service with the pre-World War I Coast Defense Reserve. This civilian craft was acquired by the Navy on 25 May 1917 and placed in commission on 6 June 1917 as USS Chingachgook (SP-35). Essentially destroyed by a gasoline explosion on 31 July 1917, she was decommissioned on 10 January 1918 and disposed of by burning on 19 February 1918

EMPRESS (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 63 (Karsten von Heydebreck) and sank in the North Sea 4.5 nautical miles (8.3 km) east by south of the Withernsea Lighthouse, Yorkshire (53°45′N 0°08′E) by SM UC-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of five of her crew.

FREMONA (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) north by west of the Île de Batz, Finistère, France (48°55′N 4°11′W) by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eleven of her crew.

MEDELEINE (France) The full-rigged ship was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 190 nautical miles (350 km) west of Madeira, Portugal (33°45′N 22°50′W) by SM U-155 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eleven of her crew. Survivors were rescued by Santa Cecilia ( United States).

MOTANO (United States) The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 20 nautical miles (37 km) south east of Start Point, Devon, United Kingdom by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 24 of her crew.

ORUBIAN (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 160 nautical miles (300 km) north west of Eagle Island, County Mayo (54°47′N 14°05′W) by SM U-82 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.

HMS QUERNMORE (Royal Navy) The escort vessel was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 160 nautical miles (300 km) west north west of Tory Island (54°50′N 13°11′W) by SM U-82 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.

REGINA (Greece )The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea by SM UC-22 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

SHIMOSA (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 220 nautical miles (410 km) north west of Eagle Island (55°14′N 15°05′W) by SM U-46 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of seventeen crew.

SNOWDONIAN (United Kingdom) The collier was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 245 nautical miles (454 km) south by east of Santa Maria Island, Azores, Portugal (33°44′N 22°22′W) by SM U-155 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

YPRES (United Kingdom) The coaster was shelled and sunk in the Strait of Gibraltar 2.75 nautical miles (5.09 km) off Cape Roche (36°15′N 6°14′W) by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Naval operations: Merchant shipping losses

British, Allied and Neutral ships lost to enemy submarines, mines and cruisers etc in the month - 270 ships of 568,000 tons gross. (Lloyd's War Losses)

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The Great War (1914-1918) in real time Aug 1, 2022 2:50:33 GMT stevep likes this

Post by lordroel on Aug 1, 2022 2:50:33 GMT

Day 1093 of the Great War, August 1st 1917

Western Front

Germans counter-attack, retake St. Julien and regain some positions in Ypres-Roulers railway district.

Photo: Battle of Pilckem Ridge. Shell-carrying pack-horses splashing through the mud on a road north of Ypres, crossed by railway line, 1 August 1917

French gains on west bank of Yser Canal.

Eastern Front

Enemy advance on Czernowitz; occupy positions near Bessarabian frontier. Russians retiring east; south of Dniester to Romanian frontier, Russians retiring rapidly. Enemy now holds 50 miles on west bank Zbrucz.

Eastern Front: Kornilov Replaces Brusilov

The spectacular failure of the Kerensky Offensive made it inevitable that the conduct of Russia’s war could not continue unchanged in its present form. The obvious target, Kerensky himself, had more power than ever after the failure of the Bolshevik-inspired “July Days” in Petrograd and his accession as Prime Minister. Kerensky did consider what may have been (in hindsight) the only sensible option, a separate peace with Germany. Ultimately, however, he felt that starting his rule by signing a presumably-humiliating peace with Germany would have been politically disastrous, and decided against it.

Attention thus turned to Brusilov, commander-in-chief of the armies and military architect of the offensive. He had had severe doubts in the final days before the offensive, only to be overruled by Kerensky, but he was still unavoidably tied to its failure. Furthermore, he was politically unpopular among the generals and the Kadets in the Provisional Government for tolerating and even welcoming the soldiers’ committees and other democratic reforms in the Army. He also managed to (unintentionally) snub Kerensky when the latter visited Stavka on July 29. Two days later, he was sacked.

On August 1, his replacement was announced in the form of General Kornilov, whose Eighth Army had achieved the most success in the offensive; in the chaos after its collapse, he had been promoted to command of the whole Southwest Front. His higher command experience was relatively limited, having spent much of the war as an Austrian prisoner of war. Alexeyev said he had “the heart of a lion, the brains of a sheep.” He had a large following among the right wing of the government, however, for his firm stance on military discipline and for standing up to the Petrograd Soviet during his short tenure as commander of the garrison there.

Kornilov’s own ambitions, and more importantly, the ambitions of his political supporters, would soon become a source of conflict between him and Kerensky. He demanded a restoration of the death penalty nationally (not just at the front) and an assurance that he would only be responsible to his “conscience and to the nation as a whole.” While Kornilov soon backed down from his more aggressive demands, he was still clearly bringing the Army in a right-wing direction–and Kerensky would remember this implicit challenge to his authority.

Vatican: Pope Sends Peace Note to Warring Powers

Pope Benedict XV waded into the world war on August 1, 1917, by issuing a seven-point peace note to the Allies and Central Powers. He asked that the warring powers make an immediate truce and the opening of communication. This, he felt, could help settle any remaining territorial questions:

“The same spirit of equity and justice should direct the examination of other territorial and political questions, notably those relating to Armenia, the Balkan States, and the territories composing the ancient Kingdom of Poland, for which especially its noble historical traditions and the sufferings which it has undergone, particularly during the present war, ought rightly to enlist the sympathies of the nations.”

The Pope failed to understand the stakes involved for both sides. In any case, neither side cared to let him mediate. In 1914 the Pope had suggested a general Christmas truce to little avail. In the 1915 Treaty of London the Entente had agreed to ignore any further mediation by Benedict. Only Austria-Hungary seriously thought over and responded to his August 1 note.

Aerial operations: Bombing of Halka

At the end of July ‘F’ Squadron RNAS arrived at Thermi from Mudros for special bombing operations in the Smyrna areA on the Gallipoli Front. ‘F’ Squadron brought five Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter bombers, three Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter fighters, and a Sopwith Camel.

Today they made their first attack. The objective was the group of railway workshops at Halka Bounan, east of Smyrna.

They achieved a number of direct hits and the fires started by the bombs were fanned by a strong wind and many of the the buildings were still burning long after the attack had ended.

One of the Sopwith Strutters (N5108) was shot down by anti aircraft fire. The crew, Flight Lieutenant William Henry Richardson and Midshipman James R Barry were both killed when the pane crashed.

Naval operations: ship losses

ALCYON (United Kingdom) The coaster was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 45 nautical miles (83 km) north north west of the Roches-Douvres Lighthouse, Côtes-du-Nord, France by SM UB-31 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

ALEXANDRE (France) The four-masted barque was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 400 nautical miles (740 km) north of the Azores, Portugal (33°33′N 23°15′W) by SM U-155 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

GIACINTO PULLINO (Italian Royal Navy) The captured Pullino-class submarine sank in the Adriatic Sea whie under tow to Pola by Austro-Hungarian forces.

KARINA (United Kingdom) The passenger ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 17 nautical miles (31 km) south south west of Hook Point, County Waterford by SM UC-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eleven lives.

LEARTES (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 1.25 nautical miles (2.32 km) south of Prawle Point, Devon by SM UB-31 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 14 of her crew.

HMHS LETTIA(Royal Navy) The hospital ship ran aground and sank in Portuguese Cove, Nova Scotia, Dominion of Canada with the loss of one life. She was on a voyage from Liverpool, Lancashire to Halifax, Nova Scotia.

LLANDUNO (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Mediterranean Sea 110 nautical miles (200 km) west by north of Porquerolles, Var, France by SM U-33 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.

HMT NINA (Royal Navy) The naval trawlers truck a mine and sank in the English Channel off Prawle Point with some loss of life.

OTOWAY (Imperial Japanese Navy) The protected cruiser ran aground off Daiō, Mie (34°14′N 136°35′E). She sank on 10 August.

ROKEBEY (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by U 72 (Johannes Feldkirchner) and sank in the Mediterranean Sea 1.5 nautical miles (2.8 km) south west of Porquerolles. Her crew survived.

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The Great War (1914-1918) in real time Aug 2, 2022 2:46:13 GMT stevep likes this

Post by lordroel on Aug 2, 2022 2:46:13 GMT

Day 1094 of the Great War, August 2nd 1917

Western Front

Positions Ypres-Roulers retaken by British.

Germans attack Infantry Hill (east of Monchy-Arras) and carry some trenches.

Photo: Battle of Pilckem Ridge. Gunners of the Royal Field Artillery jacking and hauling a field gun out of the mud. North of Ypres, 2 August 1917

Eastern Front

Generals Brusilov and Dmitriev resign. General Kornilov appointed Commander-in-Chief.

France

Admiral Lacaze (Minister of Marine) and M. Denys Cochin (Under Secretary Foreign Affairs) resign from French Cabinet.

Germany

German war council, headed by Kaiser Wilhelm and attended by high military officials, meets in occupied Brussels.

Aerial operations: Dunning Lands

At this point of the war the practicalities of using aircraft from ships was still hampered by the process of landing. Ships either had to stop, leaving them vulnerable to U-boat attack, or the aircraft had to ditch in the sea and wait to be picked up again leaving the ship vulnerable to attack and the aircraft and pilot subject to the vagaries of the waves.

The chief difficulties in the way of deck landing were how to overcome the air disturbances set up by the super-structure of the ship when steaming at high speed into the wind, and how to bring the aircraft quickly to rest once it had landed.

Pilots from the carrier HMS FURIOUS took up the challenge. They practised, in harbour, by flying slowly beside the ship and then, after passing the mast, by drifting inwards over the centre of the flying deck. These preliminary trials seemed to show that the operation was feasible.

Today, Squadron Commander Edwin Harris Dunning, in a Sopwith Pup, made the first successful landing. As the aeroplane drifted over the centre line of the deck, rope toggles hanging from the wing tips, tail skid, and fuselage, were seized by a crew of officers who, at a signal from the pilot as he shut off his engine, hauled the aeroplane down and held it to the deck.

Photo: Squadron Commander E H Dunning climbs out of his aircraft on the flying-off deck of HMS FURIOUS after the first successful landing on an aircraft carrier underway

This first deck landing, was successfully repeated, but in a third attempt, made five days after the first, Squadron Commander Dunning fell over the bows of the ship and drowning in his cockpit after being knocked unconscious. After this tests for landing on the forward deck were abandoned.

Photo: Dunning's Sopwith Pup veering off the flight deck of HMS FURIOUS during his fatal attempt to land on the carrier while underway, August 7, 1917

Naval operations: Disaster strikes the “SEEADLER”

The SEEADLER is a German raider that has been preying on Allied shipping since it set sail in December disguised a Danish trader. Initially this three-masted sailing ship operated in the Atlantic but since April it has been prowling in the Pacific. The Allies are frustrated by the SEEADLER‘S depredations and have sent warships to hunt it down, but to no avail. The Pacific is a big ocean and Luckner, the Seeadler‘s captain is adept at hiding in it.

Map: Route of SMS SEEADLER and locations of ships engaged (1–2 North Atlantic, 3–11 Mid-Atlantic, 12–14 Pacific)

But the sea has other dangers than enemy warships. After its long time at sea, Luckner brings the SEEADLER to the lagoon of Mopelia, an isolated coral atoll, so that essential repairs can be carried out. Then unexpected disaster strikes. The ship is somehow wrecked against the island’s reef, perhaps (as Luckner will report) by a tsunami. The crew and their prisoners are able to escape to the island, carrying provisions and some equipment with them, but now Luckner and his men are marooned.

Photo: SEEADLER wrecked

Naval operations: Mutiny in the High Seas Fleet

Morale on board the ships of the German High Seas Fleet had been deteriorating rapidly over the course of the year. Sidelined in favor of the submarines, the fleet had been sitting idle at anchor since October. Discipline was unnecessarily harsh on many ships, and the quality and quantity of food continued to be lacking. This latter problem had led to hunger strikes, followed by the establishment of “food supervisory committees” to give the sailors a say in their own food supply. Despite this, the sailors felt they were suffering unnecessarily for a war they were no longer participating in. Just as in Russia, radical political philosophies began to gain increasing purchase among the sailors of the fleet.

On August 2, 600 men on board the dreadnought PRINZREGENT LUITPOLD went on strike, led by two anarchist stokers, shouting “Down with the war! We no longer want to fight this war!” The strike was quickly crushed and the ringleaders arrested, along with known malcontents on other ships. Hundreds with “bad political attitudes” were transferred to shore stations, and several were court-martialled for mutiny and shot. Scheer blamed the anti-war socialist party in the Reichstag for the mutiny, and demanded mass arrests of their leadership as well; ultimately calmer heads prevailed, however.

Naval operations: ship losses

USS ARVILLA (United States Navy) The patrol boat collided with the fishing vessel Higo ( United States) at San Diego, California and sank. She was later raised, repaired and returned to service.

HMS ERMINE (Royal Navy) The fleet messenger struck a mine laid by UC 23 (Volkhard von Bothmer) and sank in the Aegean Sea (40°39′N 23°34′E) with the loss of 24 of her crew.

LIBIA (France) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 70 nautical miles (130 km) west of Penmarc'h, Finistère (47°49′N 5°55′W) by SM U-61 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 24 crew.

MARTHE (France) The barque was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean south south east of the Azores, Portugal (33°38′N 23°30′W) by SM U-155 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.

NEWLYN (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) south of Prawle Point, Devon by SM UB-31 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four of her crew.

TEESDALE (United Kingdom) The cargo ship foundered in the North Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) north of Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Yorkshire.

YOUNG BERT (United Kingdom) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the North Sea off the mouth of the Humber by SM UC-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of all hands.

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