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Post by lordroel on Dec 31, 2022 10:15:28 GMT
Day 1241 of the Great War, December 31st 1917Western Front: Fighting Continues Near CambraiAlthough fighting around Cambrai had died down in early December after the large German counter-attack, the front line was still in a rather precarious state that both sides hoped they could resolve in their favor with local attacks. The initial British attack and the German counter-attack had resulted in two salients, one British and one German, both highly vulnerable to enemy attack. On December 30, the Germans attacked in the south, on Welsh Ridge, and fighting there continued through December 31. Winter had by now well set in across the Western Front, and the lead elements of the attacking German infantry had camouflaged themselves in white to blend in. After two days of intense fighting, neither side had made appreciable gains. Italian FrontAustrians forced to abandon bridgehead in Zenson bend. Austrians bomb Treviso, Vicenza, Castelfranco and Bassano. East Africa campaign: The horrors of war in German East Africa The outcome of this war will no doubt be decided in Europe, but the conflict nevertheless stretches its tentacles further afield. By now Germany’s overseas colonies have mostly been overrun, but in German East Africa Lettow-Vorbeck still flies the flag for the Kaiser, despite his isolation from the Fatherland and the much larger forces the British Empire is deploying against him. Lettow-Vorbeck’s army is mostly composed of locally recruited African troops, with a small number of white German officers in command. At this stage his main goal is not to defeat his enemies but to keep his army in the field, thereby preventing the Allies from transferring the troops he is fighting to the Western Front. The armies deployed in East Africa are tiny compared to those seen in Europe. The casualties they suffer in combat are insignificant in comparison to those seen at Verdun or Passchendaele. But this is not some kind of clean war devoid of human suffering. For the native population of German East Africa, this war has been an utter disaster. Lettow-Vorbeck is keeping his army in the field by confiscating the food supplies of the local civilian population. As a result, famine and pestilence stalk the land. Some 300,000 people have died from the famine since the war’s start, roughly 5% of the colony’s pre-war population. Lettow-Vorbeck is not just taking the people’s food: he is also taking their men. Some of these are press-ganged into his army to make up the numbers lost in the fighting, but more are seized as labourers. The poor roads and the vulnerability of horses to the Tsetse fly mean that men make the best carriers of an army’s essentials. The British too are press-ganging a vast number of labourers from their colonies to serve in East Africa. Like the Germans, the British are treating these labourers effectively as slaves. They are also underfeeding them relative to their African soldiers, with the result that the labourers are severely malnourished and thereby vulnerable to disease. The African labourers pressed into service by the British have a higher mortality rate than infantrymen serving on the Western Front. Russian Civil War Civil war raging in Russia; large numbers of officers have joined General Kaledin. Russian Civil War: Chaos in Trebizond as the Russian army disintegrates The war against Turkey had gone well for Russia, but now the Bolsheviks have signed an armistice with the Turks, agreeing to return their gains since the war’s start. Russian forces are now withdrawing from the former frontline. The situation is becoming chaotic as the Russian army disintegrates, leaving a power vacuum in the countryside. In the Black Sea port of Trebizond (also known as Trabzon), Russian troops are out of control, defying their officers to either commandeer ships to bring themselves home or engaging in riotous bacchanalia. The Russian army commanders in Trebizond declare martial law in an attempt to bring the disorders to an end, but the effort is futile; they no longer have any means with which to enforce their authority. United Kingdom/Ottoman Empire relationsAnglo-Turkish agreement for exchange of prisoners signed at Berne. United KingdomLord Rhondda issues model rationing scheme. British government announces a provisional rationing scheme to control all essential food supplies. Sugar is also restricted to half a pound a week. United States U.S. Justice Department sets February 4 as the date when all German men of fighting age without US citizenship must register with the government and carry a special identification card. FinlandSoviet Government issues a decree recognizing the independence of Finland. Finland declared independence from Russia on December 6th. Document: The Bolsheviks' recognition of Finnish independence Aerial operations: Happy new year?Throughout December aircraft from 30 and 63 Squadrons RFC have been attempting to harass the German pilots in the area by bombing their aerodrome at Humr on the 17th, 27th, and 28th of December. Damage to aeroplanes and hangars was reported but there was no way to determine how much real damage was done. There was no doubt that the German’s were a bit put out by this and plotted their revenge. Today it came. At midnight tonight, when 63 Squadron at Samarra were celebrating the New Year, two German aeroplanes from Humr bombed the squadron camp. They destroyed the contents of the cookhouse, but otherwise did no damage. No-one was injured. Aerial operations: Idflieg bi-monthly report on German fighters operating at the front at the end of December 1917Albatros: D.II----6 D.III-423 D.V---513 D.Va--186 Fokker: Dr.I----35 Halberstadt: CL.II-120 D.II-----2 D.III----5 D.V-----3 Hannover: CL.II-162 LFG Roland: D.II----2 D.IIa---6 Pfalz: D.III--276 D.IIIa-114 Naval operations: ship lossesLILY (Greece) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 50 nautical miles (93 km) west of Port Said, Egypt (32°12′N 32°08′E) by SM UB-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine). HMS OSMANIEH (Royal Navy) The fleet messenger struck a mine from SM UC-34 and sank at Alexandria, Egypt with the loss of 198 lives. VIGRID (Norway) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) north west of The Lizard, Cornwall, United Kingdom (50°03′N 5°55′W) by SM U-95 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of five of her crew. WESTVILLE (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) west south west of St. Catherine's Point, Isle of Wight (50°32′N 1°25′W) by SM UB-35 (Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
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Post by lordroel on Jan 1, 2023 9:15:48 GMT
Day 1242 of the Great War, January 1st 1918
Western Front
German raids near Loos, Mericourt, and on other portions of front fail.
French repulse raid at Beaumont (Verdun).
Italian Front
Austrians bomb Bassano, Treviso and Mestre (Venice).
Successful British raid across Piave river.
Austrians driven from Zenson.
Sinai and Palestine campaign
British advance continues north of Jerusalem.
Russian Civil War
Reported German peace term cause consternation in Russia and denounced as annexationist.
M. Litvinov appointed Bolshevik Plenipotentiary in London.
Bolsheviks denounce the peace terms of the Central Powers due to demands that the Soviets cede former Russian territory.
Germany
Kaiser Wilhelm in his New Year’s address: “Trusting in our righteous cause and in our strength, we face the year 1918 with firm confidence and iron will. Therefore, forward with God to fresh deeds and fresh victories!”
United Kingdom
British government announces it will house the Air Board offices at the British Museum. This results in controversy and protests, as it would make the museum a military target.
France
Inter-allied War Purchases Committee meets in Paris.
Calcutta: All-India Moslem Association formed.
Aerial operations: Vittorio
Today, the RFC bombed the German 14th Army Headquarters at Vittorio in Italy.
Ten RE8s from 42 Squadron escorted by Sopwith Camels from 28 and 66 Squadron made the raid at around 1000 this morning. They were met by enemy fighters from Jasta 1, and in the ensuing combat 3 enemy planes were claimed. Also in the fighting, Captain Ralph Erskine from 66 Squadron was shot down in his Camel (B6414). He crash landed in the front line trenches and was taken prisoner with a leg wound. He died of his wounds shortly afterwards. He was the first British airman killed in Italy.
Naval operations: British Intercept German Tungsten Cargo Off Spanish Coast
The blockade of Germany meant that certain raw materials were increasingly hard to come by. Copper was increasingly a rarity, and drives were held to contribute copper pots and pans to the war effort. In even shorter supply was tungsten, and the Germans went to increasing lengths to acquire it. In late 1917, the German Navy and its agents in Spain came up with a plan to move 80 tons of wolframite from mines in Bilbao to Germany. A sailing vessel, the ERRI BERRO, would be hired to ship the cargo, disguised as cement, to the Canaries, where it would be transferred to two submarines that would carry it back to Germany.
The British, however, soon became aware of these plans; they had their own agents watching the wolframite mines, and Room 40 intercepted numerous German naval communiques about the details of the plan, including the rendezvous site. The Erri Berro left Bilbao on December 31, and just after midnight on January 1 she was intercepted by the armed steamer DUKE OF CLARENCE. Her crew was brought aboard and a prize crew dispatched, but the two ships at some point collided and the sailing vessel sprang a leak that could not be easily repaired. Later that day, the ERRI BERRO was scuttled; the British were highly disappointed that the valuable cargo was lost as well.
Room 40′s real hope was that the submarines sent to pick up the wolframite could be caught, as well; losses of submarines were still rare enough that any victory would have been well worth the effort. The crew of the ERRI BERRO was held to ensure secrecy (the ship had no wireless so no one would have become suspicious when they failed to communicate). The ERRI BERRO had left later than expected and the submarines spent their time cruising the Mid-Atlantic and bombarding the Portuguese island of Madeira, but they reached the rendezvous off the Canaries as scheduled on January 17. British submarines were waiting for them, but their torpedoes all either missed or failed to explode, and the Germans got away. A few sailors were left on deck after a crash dive, but at least some of them made it to shore safely. Room 40 was disappointed, but now the crew of the ERRI BERRO could be released; they were well-compensated, and reported favorably on their treatment to the Spanish press. The British intelligence success was publicly attributed to the French mistress of the local German agent, who was sent home in disgrace.
Naval operations: ship losses
EGYPTIAN TRANSPORT (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was damaged in the Mediterranean by SM UB-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of five of her crew. She was beached near Bône, Algeria. Later refloated, repaired and returned to service.
ERIIKSHOLM (Sweden) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea[2] south of Aberdeen, United Kingdom (57°10′N 1°51′W) by SM UC-58 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
E. S. HOCKEN (United Kingdom) The schooner was set afire and abandoned in the Atlantic Ocean. Her crew were rescued.
SANDON HALL (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 22 nautical miles (41 km) north north east of Linosa, Italy (36°15′N 13°00′E) by SM U-40 ( Austro-Hungarian Navy). Her crew survived.
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Post by lordroel on Jan 2, 2023 8:01:33 GMT
Day 1243 of the Great War, January 2nd 1918
Western Front
British repulse raid near La Bassee.
Italian Front
Austrians bomb Castelfranco, Veneto (west of Treviso) and hit hospitals.
Russian Civil War
Central Committee of Soviets meets to receive reports of Peace pourparlers. German conditions denounced.
United States
Statement showing result of American War Mission in Europe issued.
Dominion of Newfoundland
Sir E. Morris, Prime Minister, resigns.
Aerial operations: Reflection
1917 saw a massive expansion of the RFC,
Unsurprisingly, with Trenchard’s policy of continuous offensive action, casualties also rose dramatically.
During 1917 there were 1195 crew killed in action compared to 293 in 1916. 582 were taken prisoner compared to 191. 768 were wounded compared to 219.
Aircraft losses were also high with 4,290 written off during 1917, with just 1,462 for 1916.
Despite all this the RFC had grown to 115 Squadrons, admittedly 5 only formed yesterday, and of course many of these are in training rather than at the front.
Aerial operations: UK Establishes Air Ministry
The loss of life caused by repeated night Gotha raids on London led to repeated calls for more vigorous action to be taken to defend Britain from the air. Based on a recommendation by Jan Smuts, the British government formed the Air Ministry on January 2, creating a new department on the same level as the War Office and the Admiralty for handling the nation’s air forces. It was tasked with improving British air defenses, better coordinating the Army and Navy air services (with the goal of eventually merging them into an independent force), and increasing the scope of strategic bombing operations against Germany. The first Air Minister was Lord Rothermere (co-founder of the Daily Mail and the Daily Mirror with his brother, Lord Northcliffe), and the first Chief of Staff was Major General Hugh Trenchard, later termed the Father of the RAF.
The other members of the Air Council, appointed at the same time, were:
Lieutenant-General Sir David Henderson, K.C.B. (Additional Member and Vice-President)
Rear-Admiral Mark Kerr, C.B. (Deputy Chief of the Air Staff)
Commodore Godfrey M. Paine, C.B. (Master-General of Personnel)
Major-General W. S. Brancker (Controller-General of Equipment)
Sir William Weir (Director-General of Aircraft Production in the Ministry of Munitions).
Sir John Hunter, K.B.E. (Administrator of Works and Buildings)
Major J. L. Baird, C.M.G., D.S.O., M.P. (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State)
Naval operations: ship losses
BOSTON CITY (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 11 nautical miles (20 km) west of St. Ann's Head, Pembrokeshire (51°40′N 5°26′W) by SM U-91 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
CHRISTOS MARKETTOS (Italy) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) north west of Gurnard's Head, Cornwall, United Kingdom (50°13′N 5°42′W) by SM U-95 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
GALLIER (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 7 nautical miles (13 km) east north east of the Wolf Rock, Cornwall (50°00′N 5°39′W) by SM U-95 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
NADEJDA (Russia) The cargo ship was sunk in the Irish Sea 25 nautical miles (46 km) south west of the Chicken Rock, Isle of Man by SM U-19 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
VEDA (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 30 nautical miles (56 km) south south west of the Eddystone Lighthouse by SM U-93 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
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Post by lordroel on Jan 3, 2023 3:50:38 GMT
Day 1244 of the Great War, January 3rd 1918
Western Front
Allied air raids on Metz district.
South of Lens British line is advanced slightly.
French repulse attack near Anspach (Alsace) with heavy loss.
Italian Front
Austrians bomb Treviso and Padua.
Arab Revolt: Arabs Ask Britain to Explain Balfour Declaration
The most sensational, if not the most important, front of the Allied war was the Arab revolt against the Ottoman Empire. With material support from British officers like T.E. Lawrence, Arabic nationalists led by Prince Faisal of the Hejaz blew up Turkish railroads, ambushed troop columns, and even took on the Ottoman Army in the open, capturing cities in Arabia and the Levant. The Arabs operated under the knowledge that Britain and France promised them their political independence after the war, in an independent Kingdom of the Hejaz.
Thus the Balfour Declaration of November 1917 was very troubling. British Foreign Minister Arthur Balfour had written to Zionist leaders, promising support for an “independent Jewish homeland in Palestine” after the war. This directly conflicted with promises to the Arabs. Moreover, knowledge of the Sykes-Picot agreement, by which Britain and France agreed to carve up the region into a number of client states, obviously diluted the hope of true independence.
In January, David Hogarth, the commander of the Arab Bureau in Cairo, traveled to Jeddah to explain the mess to Sharif Hussein, the leader of Hejaz. Unfortunately, what he made of the message is not known. Some sources say he agreed to the Balfour Declaration and the status of the Jews in Palestine after the war, others claim he refused to accept it. Many different groups, including the British, the Jews, and the Arabs, have used their own interpretations to justify claims to the Holy Land.
Ukraine: Ukrainians Arrive At Brest-Litovsk
So far, the negotiations at Brest-Litovsk had just included Russia and the four Central Powers; although Russia’s ethnic minorities were the subject of much discussion, their representatives were not present. This changed on January 3, when a delegation from the Ukrainian Rada arrived and was invited to separate talks with the Central Powers. Both sides hoped to use these negotiations to gain leverage over the Bolsheviks–the Ukrainians hoped that international recognition and German aid would secure their independence, while the Central Powers hoped that the threat of a peace deal with Ukraine might force the increasingly-stubborn Bolsheviks to accept a peace quickly. The including of the Ukrainians, however, raised problems for the Austrians, who had a substantial Ukrainian minority of their own in Galicia, and wanted to ensure that the pre-war borders would be fully respected.
The Bolsheviks, having realized that whatever peace emerged was likely to be highly unfavorable to them, had been trying to delay the process as much as possible, asking for a recess to replace negotiators (Trotsky would arrive in person in early January), and asking that the conference as a whole be moved to Stockholm, in an attempt to incorporate the western Allies. Mainly, the Bolsheviks hoped that increasing discontent in Germany would lead to a revolution there before a punitive peace could be enforced. A few days later, German Chancellor Kühlmann would note: “Ils nónt que le choix à quelle sauce ils se feront manger”–Their only choice is which sauce with which they will be eaten.
In the meantime, the Central Powers had their own internal fallings out. Hindenburg & Ludendorff wanted the treaty to include large annexations of Poland, while Hoffmann (actually present at the conference), not wanting to incorporate a large Polish minority in Germany proper, only wanted slight border adjustments. Hindenburg & Ludendorff, as usual, threatened to resign if they did not get their way, and demanded that Hoffmann be sacked; the Kaiser protected Hoffmann and refused (for now) to make a decision on Poland. Ludendorff himself refused to join the negotiations personally, saying that his presence might just spoil them instead; Austrian Foreign Minister Czernin, growing increasingly frustrated with Ludendorff’s hard-line positions preventing an immediate peace, hoped that “heaven grant the man such gleams of insight again and often!”
Russian Civil War
Sir J. Buchanan, British Ambassador in Petrograd, granted leave of absence.
Austria-Hungary occupied Italy: Hard times for Italian civilians and prisoners of war under Austria
Last year’s Battle of Caporetto saw the Austro-Hungarians conquer a large swathe of territory in northern Italy. Many of the civilians who lived here fled before the Austro-Hungarian advance, but many others stayed in place. This region was only incorporated into Italy after 1866 and folk memories of Habsburg rule were often positive. The local Catholic clergy was particularly keen to see the replacement of Italy’s anti-clerical regime with the more church-friendly Austro-Hungarians.
However, the actual experience of occupation has been less positive. The initial advance of the Austro-Hungarians saw a wave of pillage and abuse by the Habsburg soldiers. Thereafter the Austro-Hungarians established an extractive regime, seeking to take as much food and other resources from the territory as possible. The Austro-Hungarians have seized all of the area’s livestock and are now eyeing up other foodstuffs as well as fodder, manure and general household goods.
Caporetto also saw large numbers of Italian soldiers surrendering to the Austro-Hungarians. The sufferings of these unfortunates is now considerable. Austria-Hungary is beset by food shortages, to the extent that it has recently had to cut the rations of its own frontline troops. Enemy prisoners come last in food queue, so the rations Italian PoWs are receiving are completely inadequate. No no help comes to the captured Italians from their homeland: the Italian government, viewing soldiers who surrender as traitors, has blocked the despatch of food parcels.
The result for the Italian prisoners is starvation. In their camps in Austria-Hungary they are now suffering a higher mortality rate than that of frontline soldiers. So desperate is their situation that when a man dies of starvation, his comrades hide the corpse so that they can continue drawing his meagre ration.
Naval operations: ship losses
ALLANTON (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean 20 nautical miles (37 km) north of Cape Bon, Algeria (37°26′N 11°00′E) by SM UB-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
ASBORG (Norway) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) south east by east of St. Catherine's Point, Isle of Wight (50°31′N 1°16′W) by SM UC-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
BIRCHWOOD(United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 25 nautical miles (46 km) east of the Blackwater Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM U-61 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMS BLACKWALE (Royal Navy) The patrol vessel struck a mine laid by UC 49 (Hans Kükenthal) and sank in the North Sea off Fife Ness (56°19′N 0°45′W) with the loss of twelve of her crew.
GARTHLAND (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) east south east of the Owers Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM UB-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
STEELVILLE (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km) north of Cape Bon (37°25′N 11°06′E) by SM UB-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
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Post by lordroel on Jan 4, 2023 3:50:10 GMT
Day 1245 of the Great War, January 4th 1918
YouTube (Machinations In The British High Command)
Western Front
Further British air raid on Metz district.
Italian Front
Austrians bomb Mestre, Bassano and Castelfranco.
Sinai and Palestine campaign
British again advance for a mile north of Jerusalem.
Russian Civil War: Finnish Independence Recognized
In the aftermath of the revolutions in Russia, many of Russia’s ethnic minorities began to agitate for self-determination, with many of them declaring independence from Petrograd. As early as July, Finland had tried to declare its autonomy unilaterally, though this was swiftly suppressed by Kerensky. After the Bolshevik takeover, they declared their full independence in early December. Unlike other states within Russia that had done so, this proved to be a relatively uncontroversial move, despite Finland’s proximity to Petrograd. The Finnish people did not have exceptionally close ties to Russia, and Germany neither occupied the country nor had territorial ambitions on it. On December 31, the Bolsheviks recognized Finland’s independence. As news of this move spread overseas, other countries followed suit; on January 4, Germany, France, and Sweden all recognized Finnish independence as well.
Both the Germans and the Bolsheviks were hopeful that an independent Finland could be an important ally. The Germans hoped trade with Finland would help alleviate the Allied blockade of Germany, and that a German presence in Finland might deter any possible Allied intervention in northern Russia. As for the Bolsheviks, socialist parties were strong in Finland (although they had been narrowly defeated in October elections called by Kerensky), and Lenin hoped the revolution in Russia would soon spread (or be spread) there, and worked actively to support his allies there.
Aerial operations: Belgium
British naval aircraft bomb Ghistelles aerodrome.
Political, etc.
Lloyd George warns of food shortages, stating Britain must feed itself. Lord Rhondda, British Food Controller, says that compulsory rationing is necessary: “You have only to tighten your belt.”
The first group of Canadian men chosen by the draft report for military service.
French novelist Georges Lecomte proposes that the French families should adopt American soldiers for the duration of the war to forge closer ties between the two nations.
Naval operations: ship losses
DAY SPRING (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the English Channel 8 nautical miles (15 km) south east of Berry Head, Devon by SM UC-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
GOELAND I (French Navy) The naval trawler was shelled and sunk in the Bay of Biscay off Penmarc'h, Finistère, France by SM U-93 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of seven of her crew.
HMT GOLDEN SUNSET (Royal Navy) The naval trawler collided with another vessel and sank in the English Channel off the Shambles Lightship ( United Kingdom).
GRATITUDE (United Kingdom) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the English Channel 8 nautical miles (15 km) south east of Berry Head by SM UC-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
OTTO (United Kingdom) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the Irish Sea 10 nautical miles (19 km) south south west of St. John's Point, County Down (54°11′N 5°32′W) by SM U-91 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
REGINA ELANA (Italy) The passenger ship was sunk in the Mediterranean off Tripoli, Libya by SM UC-20 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
HMHS REWA (United Kingdom) The hospital ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Bristol Channel 19 nautical miles (35 km) west of Hartland Point, Devon (50°55′N 4°49′W) by SM U-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four of the 566 people on board.
VARUNA (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the English Channel 15 nautical miles (28 km) east south east of Berry Head by SM UC-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
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Post by lordroel on Jan 5, 2023 3:46:34 GMT
Day 1246 of the Great War, January 5th 1918
Western Front
Strong German attacks on British positions east of Bullecourt (Cambrai) repulsed; also two raids near Hollebeke.
British bomb Conflans station.
Italian Front
Artillery activity from Asiago to Adriatic and aerial activity on whole front.
Sinai and Palestine campaign
Aden: British make string reconnaissance towards Hatum and Jabir and destroy the former.
Lt.-Col. R. Storrs made Governor of Jerusalem.
Ottoman Empire/Russian relations
Turkey communicates peace terms to Russia.
United Kingdom: Lloyd George Meets with Trade Unions
British Prime Minister David Lloyd George met with representatives of British trade unions at Caxton Hall. Britain faced a manpower crisis - volunteerism had long since dried up, and conscription was provided diminishing returns - and the almost certain threat of a strong German offensive when enough troops went west from Russia. By meeting with labor leaders, Lloyd George hoped to shore up support for the war for the coming months.
The meeting went well. The Prime Minister stressed the democratic nature of Entente war aims: to remove autocratic monarchies in Germany and Austria and put Europe into the hands of its citizens. In fact, the speech largely foreshadowed American President Woodrow Wilson’s far better-known Fourteen Points. The unions received the speech enthusiastically, which was good for Lloyd George, who worried that soon he would have to start stripping factories of their workers to be sent to the trenches, in breach of a promise made to trade union leaders in 1916.
Sweden
Independence of Finland recognised by Sweden.
Dominion of Newfoundland
Mr. Lloyd forms new Cabinet.
Spain
Spain announces it has dismissed 1500 soldiers and officers from its Army for planning a coup.
Aerial operations: Zeppelin Disaster
German Zeppelins have not visited Britain since October 1917, when heavy losses put a hold on the programme. Today, atny attempts to resume the bombing suffered a serious setback when 5 Zeppelins were destroyed.
This afternoon 5 airships were in the sheds at Ahlhorn – Zeppelins L46, L47, L51, and L58, and the Schütte-Lanz SL20. Two cleaners were at work in the after car in the L51 and six civilian employees were making repairs to the Schütte -Lanz, Other than this, the sheds were empty. Most of the 1000 airship and ground personnel were in the adjacent barracks.
Suddenly a series of explosions were heard and the sheds burst into flames, The flames spread rapidly, and within a minute the five airships and three of the four sheds which contained them had been destroyed. Fifteen men were killed, thirty seriously injured, and 104 slightly injured.
The initial reaction was that the disaster had been caused by a British air attack. Once that was ruled out, rumours of sabotage and traitors spread. An official investigation found that the fire had started in the double shed housing the L47 and L51. The two cleaners in the latter ship, who escaped with burns, testified that a fire followed a dull report in front of the car in which they were working.
The official report was that the disaster had been due to an accident, and the suggestion was put forward that a piece of roofing, made loose by the winter storms, had fallen and damaged a fuel tank, and that the fire was possibly started by sparks thrown off from bracing wires as they were struck by the falling piece of roof.
The exact cause of the explosion remains a mystery. At the time many never accepted the official explanation and believed that the destruction resulted from an act of sabotage.
Naval operations: ship losses
BIRTLEY (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 8 nautical miles (15 km) north of Flamborough Head, Yorkshire by SM UB-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eighteen of her crew.
GLENARM HEAD (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) west by south of the Brighton Lightship (50°34′N 0°12′W) by SM UB-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
IOLANTHE (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) south east by east of Portland Bill, Dorset (50°28′N 2°12′W) by SM UC-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
KNIGHTSGARTH (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Bristol Channel 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) west north west of the Bull Point Lighthouse, Devon by SM U-91 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
RIO CLARO (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Gulf of Genoa 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) of Riva Trigoso, Liguria, Italy (44°13′N 9°29′E) by SM U-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived. The stern section of the ship was refloated in March 1919 and subsequently returned to service with a new bow.
ROSE MARIE (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 13 nautical miles (24 km) south east of the North Arklow Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM U-61 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
WAR BARON (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 8 nautical miles (15 km) north east of the Godrevy Lighthouse, Cornwall (50°18′N 5°35′W) by SM U-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two lives.
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Post by lordroel on Jan 6, 2023 9:33:13 GMT
Day 1247 of the Great War, January 6th 1918
Italian Front
Patrol actions between Brenta and Piave rivers.
Austrian patrols active north of Costalunga.
Macedonian Front
Albania: Italians repulse large enemy detachments on Osum river.
Arab Revolt
Arabia: Arabs raid Hejaz railway south of Maan.
Finland
Independence of Finland recognised by France and Germany.
Germany
German socialists denounce German government demands of territory from Soviet Russia. They instead urge no annexations and to uphold the principle of self-determination.
Austria-Hungary: Czech Epiphany Declaration
Prague–As the war progressed, Czech politicians in the Austrian half of the Dual Monarchy grew more strident in their demands for sovereignty. In May 1917, at the first meeting of the Austrian parliament during the war, the Czech Union of parties had demanded the creation of a Czechoslovak state as part of a federal union. Since then, they had pulled out of talks to discuss possible constitutional reform within Austria. On January 6, at a meeting in Prague, the Czech Union went even further, demanding the Czechs’ “right of a free national life and of the self-determination of nations,” principles that “must be the basis of future international law.” The Czechs must have their “own state, sovereign, with complete rights, democratic, socially just, and built on the equality of all its citizens within the frontiers of its historic lands and seat and that of its Slovak branch.” While it stopped just short of explicitly calling for independence, the declaration made a point of not mentioning the Habsburg monarchy at all, implying that their “own state” would be built outside of it; the Czech Union was essentially making its appeal directly to the Allies, hoping their voice would be heard at whatever peace conference ended the war. The Austrian PM, on the other hand, dismissed the declaration as simply “war psychosis.”
Aerial operations: Phillimore or less
Today, Rear Admiral Richard Fortescue Phillimore was appointed to the position of Admiral Commanding Aircraft for the Royal Navy. With the imminent demise of the Royal Naval Air Service, the Navy is putting in place a command structure for its aircraft.
He the first Flag Officer for Aircraft in the Navy. He is in command of Seaplane Carriers and the administrative control of all aircraft working with the Fleet.
It’s hard to call Phillimore an airman as he has no experience of flying. He does however have extensive experience as a Commander and during The was has held various positions.
However, he has as his Flagship the HMS FURIOUS which has been at the forefront of experimental flying from ships.
Naval operations: ship losses
DAGNY (Denmark) The cargo ship was toepedoed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) south south west of Penmarc'h, Finistère, France by SM U-93 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
HALBERDIER (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in St George's Channel 27 nautical miles (50 km) west by north of Bardsey Island, Pembrokeshire by SM U-61 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of five crew.
HARRY LUCKENBACH (United States) The tanker was sunk in the Bay of Biscay 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) off Penmarc'h by SM U-93 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eight of her crew.
HENRI LE COUR (France) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay 9 nautical miles (17 km) off Penmarc'h (47°45′N 4°28′W) by SM U-93 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
KANARIS (Greece) The cargo ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off Penmarc'h (47°44′N 4°13′W) by SM U-93 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
SAINT MATHIEU (French Navy) The naval trawler was shelled and sunk in the Bay of Biscay off the Île d'Yeu, Vendée by SM U-22 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eight crew.
SPENSER (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 35 nautical miles (65 km) north east of the Tuskar Rock, Ireland by SM U-61 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Jan 7, 2023 8:57:20 GMT
Day 1248 of the Great War, January 7th 1918
Western Front
Germans raid British post near Flesquieres (Cambrai). Another raid near Ypres repulsed.
French repulse enemy attempts at Bethincourt (Meuse).
East Africa campaign
British column from Fort Johnston engages enemy force and drives it northwards.
United States
Lord Reading appointed High Commissioner to U.S.A.
Portugal
Naval mutiny in Lisbon arrested.
Russia
Trotsky and Russian peace delegates return to Brest-Litovsk and negotiations continue.
Germany
King Ludwig of Bavaria at his birthday reception declares, “Not an inch of German territory will be give up.”
Italy
Italy calls on all men aged 18 to 44 previously exempted from the draft to present themselves for examination again in order to conscript more manpower.
United States: US Supreme Court Upholds Selective Service Act
The United States had only used conscription once before, during the Civil War, and its constitutionality had never been settled by a federal court during that time. Furthermore, the post-war amendments to the Constitution had possibly undermined the legal basis for a draft since that time. Several cases challenging the Selective Service Act had reached the Supreme Court by late 1917, and on January 7, the Supreme Court handed down a unanimous decision upholding the law. They held that Congress’ enumerated power to “raise and support armies” included the power to raise armies by conscription if necessary. Provisions in the law allowing for conscientious objection meant that the law did not violate the First Amendment. Finally, the most serious objection, that the law violated the Thirteenth Amendment’s prohibition of “involuntary servitude,” was completely dismissed by the Supreme Court as follows:
Finally, as we are unable to conceive upon what theory the exaction by government from the citizen of the performance of his supreme and noble duty of contributing to the defense of the rights and honor of the nation as the result of a war declared by the great representative body of the people can be said to be the imposition of involuntary servitude in violation of the prohibitions of the Thirteenth Amendment, we are constrained to the conclusion that the contention to that effect is refuted by its mere statement.
Naval operations: ship losses
ARAB (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean 18 nautical miles (33 km) north by east of Cape Serrat, Tunisia (37°28′N 9°23′E) by SM UB-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 21 of her crew.
ERGDA (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 15 nautical miles (28 km) off the Tuskar Rock, Ireland (52°14′N 5°40′W) by SM U-110 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
GASCONY (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) south south east of the Owers Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM UC-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
LEON (France) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel 13 nautical miles (24 km) north north east of the Triagoz Lighthouse, Finistère by SM UC-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
OUED SEBOU (France) The troopship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) off Cape Bojador, Río de Oro (26°30′N 14°17′W) by SM U-157 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
PREMIER (United Kingdom) The drifter was shelled and sunk 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) off Loch Eynort (57°13′N 6°28′W) by SM U-91 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
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Post by lordroel on Jan 8, 2023 7:30:48 GMT
Day 1249 of the Great War, January 8th 1918
Western Front
Strong enemy local attack near Bullecourt repulsed.
French make successful raid on large scale near Seicheprey (Woevre).
Field Marshal Douglas Haig, commander of the British Expeditionary Force, publishes his despatch, dated December 25th, detailing military actions in 1917.
United States: The Fourteen Points
The United States had entered the war to preserve the rights of neutrals on the seas. But now well over 100,000 American personnel were in France, and war had been declared on Austria-Hungary as well; America’s role in the war in Europe was expanding, without a clear set of goals in sight. The Bolsheviks’ publications of the Allies’ secret treaties made many concerned that the United States was fighting to preserve and expand European empires. The ongoing negotiations at Brest-Litovsk also raised the prospect of a permanent Russian exit from the war. Wilson wanted to issue an explicit statement on American war aims (as he had called for both sides to do in 1916) in order to try to keep the Russians in the war, boost Allied morale, and undercut support for the Central Powers’ autocratic governments that were suppressing the demands for peace in their countries.
Wilson had, early in the fall, commissioned “The Inquiry,” a group of academics chaired by Col. House, to study the issues that were likely to arise in a peace conference. Based on their report, Wilson prepared an address to Congress which strongly criticized Germany’s aggressive demands at Brest-Litovsk and outlined what would come to be known as the “Fourteen Points” for peace in Europe, outlined below:
I. Peace negotiations should be held openly, unbound by secret treaties.
II. Absolute freedom of international waters.
III. Free trade.
IV. Arms control.
V. “An absolutely impartial adjustment of colonial claims,” in which the concerns of those governed would have equal standing with the interest of the colonial governments.
VI. An evacuation of Russian territory and non-interference into her domestic political development.
VII. A complete restoration of Belgian sovereignty.
VIII. A complete restoration of all occupied French territory, including Alsace-Lorraine.
IX. An adjustment of Italian borders “along clearly recognizable lines of nationality.”
X. “Autonomous development” and a “place among the nations” for the peoples of Austria-Hungary.
XI. A complete restoration of Serbian, Montenegrin, and Romanian territory, with the former granted access to the sea; further border adjustments possible along “lines of allegiance and nationality.”
XII. “Absolutely unmolested autonomous development” for non-Turkish subjects of the Ottoman Empire, and “secure sovereignty” for the Turkish portions. Dardanelles to be made an international waterway.
XIII. Independence for Poland comprised of “territories inhabited by indisputably Polish populations,” with access to the sea.
XIV. The formation of a “general association of nations” to guarantee the peace.
The speech was extraordinarily well-received in the United States, even among those who had opposed American entry into the war; the only real criticism was that the speech had not been given earlier. Privately, some Allied leaders were annoyed by Wilson’s fiat, with French PM Clemenceau joking “God was satisfied with Ten Commandments; Wilson gives us fourteen.” Publicly, however, they largely embraced the platform and made great use of it in their propaganda. Widely distributed across Europe, it would inspire much of the domestic opposition to the war in Germany and Austria-Hungary in 1918, though not as much as Wilson may have hoped.
Australia
Australian Prime Minister Billy Hughes resigns due to his failure to pass conscription in the country. However, he is immediately reinstated as there were no alternative candidates.
Aerial operations: All quiet…
Little of consequence occurred in the air above the Western Front today due to snow storms. Pilots from various squadrons carried out a few bombing and ground attack missions without much success, but at least without loss. No air combats were recorded as German pilots stayed mostly on the ground.
‘A’ Squadron RNAS, which has been operating from Ochey in France as a strategic night bomber squadron with four Handley Page 0/100s, has now been redesignated 16 Squadron RNAS. There has been no change in duties and the Squadron remains with 41 Wing carrying out strategic bombing raids into Germany.
Naval operations: ship losses
SAN GULIELMO (Italy) The passenger ship was sunk in the Gulf of Genoa off Loano, Liguria (44°07′N 8°18′E) by SM U-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Jan 9, 2023 3:44:39 GMT
Day 1250 of the Great War, January 9th 1918Western FrontSuccessful raid by Canadians south of Lens. Russian Civil WarBolsheviks issue appeal for volunteers to march against "Bourgeoisie of the world". Arab Revolt War Office announces further Arab activity on Hejaz railway. United KingdomThe British Air Board abandons plans to move its offices to the British Museum due to logistical difficulties and public protests that the move would make the museum a military target. Italy Italy bans the making and sale of cakes, pastry, and confectionery as a measure to conserve food supplies. Russian Civil War: The Anti-Bolshevik Volunteer Army Forms in South RussiaAs Trotsky made peace with the Germans at Brest-Litovsk, other Russians re-dedicated themselves to the war. Many Russians wanted nothing more than peace, whether that peace was a Bolshevik one or not, but for some, the socialist revolution and peace with Germany were simply too much to countenance. Throughout the Russian borders, groups of anti-Bolsheviks began coalescing, groups which would soon come to be known as the White Movement, a loose confederation of states, governments, and warlords all opposed to Lenin and his revolution. Perhaps the most important of these was the Volunteer Army, which first took form on January 9, 1918 in Don Cossack territory in southwestern Russia. A group of officers who had escaped Bolshevik captivity led the force, most notably Mikhail Alexseyev and Lavr Kornilov, who had failed the last year to overthrow Kerensky and the Provisional Government. A cadre of officers, cadets, and patriotic students formed around them, dedicated to continuing the war against Germany and the roll-back of revolution. Yet few could imagine the Volunteer Army to be a threat to Lenin. At the moment it comprised only 4,000 men, with the officers required to fight as rank-and-file troops, and they could not even draw salaries. Unsurprisingly, few men joined up. Aerial operations: BelgiumGerman ace Max Ritter von Müller, who is credited with 36 victories and is the highest scoring Bavarian pilot, is killed in action over Belgium. Aerial operations: Last HurrahDespite being completely obsolete at this point, 1 Squadron RFC is still soldiering on with its Nieuports. There were snowstorms in the afternoon on the Western Front, but there was plenty of activity in the morning. 1 Squadron was on patrol at at around 1025 when they got into a fight with a group of unknown enemy two seatersi. Captain William Donald Patrick managed to shoot one down before his gun jammed. With only an overwing Lewis gun this effectively put him out of the fight. This was the last victory claimed by 1 Squadron in a Nieuport. It came at a cost however as Lieutenant Edwin Kerr Skelton in his Nieuport 24 (B3607) and Lieutenant Ralph Clifford Southam in his Nieuport 27 (B6768) both failed to return from the patrol. Another pilot saw them collide with each other trying to chase a German two-seater. The aircraft were later seen crashed on the ground behind the German lines but no clues to the fate of the pilots was evident. It wasn’t until May 1918 that news came through from the German side that they had both been killed. Naval operations: Submarine Sunk by ParavaneFirst developed in 1916, the “paravane” was a form of underwater glider that could be towed at high speeds by minesweeping vessels. Its hydrodynamic properties meant that it would be sent out to the side of the minesweeper, allowing it to cut the cables of mines on either side of the minesweeper’s path, either detonating them underwater or making them float to the surface where they could be identified and detonated later. Explosive paravanes were also developed as an anti-submarine weapon, exploding if they came into contact with an enemy submarine. On January 9, the convoy escort HMS CYCLAMEN, towing an explosive paravane at high speed (it could be deployed at up to 24 knots) sank the German submarine UB69 off the coast of Tunisia, one of the few submarines to be sunk by this weapon during the war. Illustration: Paravane mine-sweeping Naval operations: ship lossesBAVYOE (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay 10 nautical miles (19 km) south of the Glénan Islands, Finistère, France (47°30′N 4°01′W) by SM U-84 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four of her crew. ULA (Norway) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) east south east of The Lizard, Cornwall, United Kingdom (49°55′N 5°47′W) by SM U-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
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Post by lordroel on Jan 10, 2023 3:51:54 GMT
Day 1251 of the Great War, January 10th 1918
Western Front
British raids near Ypres.
Ammunition depot near Courtrai bombed.
Central Powers/Russian relations
Central Powers and Bolsheviks recognise the Ukraine as separate state; latter to be represented at negotiations.
British Government assure Russian Government of their support in creation of an independent Poland.
United Kingdom
House of Lords adopts Women's Suffrage clause.
Australia
Conscription Referendum: majority against - 165,000.
Russia: International Support Comes for Independent Finland, Poland, and Ukraine as Russia Continues to Fall Apart
The general chaos of Russia’s First World War broke down the bureaucracy that held the empire together, and when Kerensky fell, most semblance of a Russian state east of Petrograd ceased to exist. Semi-autonomous Finland soon declared its independence in December 1917. Its neighbor Sweden gave recognition in January, and on the 10th Norway and Denmark followed.
Finland had been untouched by the war. Not so Poland and Ukraine, which had been battled over and now were held by the Central Powers. A German-supported government had been established in Poland, with view to creating an anti-Russian client state in Warsaw, much as Napoleon had done one hundred years before. Yet to many Poles a king who kowtowed to the Kaiser was no better than being part of the Russian Empire. The Polish Legions, groups of Polish soldiers who fought in the German and Austrian armies, had refused to swear an oath of loyalty to the Kaiser and been imprisoned, while an independence army gathered in France to fight on the Western Front. Polish independence was now an official Entente war aim; Britain gave its support on January 10. American President Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points offered more hope to Polish freedom fighters with their promise of a Europe bounded by ethnic self-determination.
The most chaotic new nation in Europe was Ukraine, where a People’s Republic had made its bid for independence in July 1917. On January 10, both Germany and the Bolsheviks agreed to recognize Ukraine as a free nation. Of course, what each side defined as “independent” is not what Ukrainians would have agreed to. A Bolshevik soviet had been established in Kharkov, and was already busy fighting against the Kiev-based nationalists, while the Germans planned to do as they had done in Poland and set up their own vassal fief. It was easy for the Germans to promise independence because they hoped to be the Great Power of Europe in no short time. It was easy for the Bolsheviks too to promise independence to Ukrainians when they believed a continent-wide socialist revolution would soon sweep all these nations from the earth.
Russia: White Resistance Organizes on the Don
The Cossacks were long feared as loyal soldiers of the Czar, present in the vanguard of any counterrevolutionary effort. General Kaledin, the leader of the Don Cossacks, was no friend to the Bolsheviks, but was reluctant to take direct action. In part, this was because he knew the Don Cossacks’ weaknesses. A large proportion of their region’s population was Russian peasants, who had strained relations with the Cossacks. Furthermore, many Cossacks had served at the front for the last three years and were in no mood to continue fighting. In an attempt to rectify at least the former, on January 10 Kaledin declared the Don Cossacks’ independence under a “United Host Government,” including representatives from the Russian peasants and workers.
Kaledin also had help, of a sort, from Alexeyev and Kornilov, who, the previous day, had officially formed their Volunteer Army, pledged to resist both the Bolsheviks and the Germans. However, it only numbered a few thousand at most, mainly young officers. The presence of Kornilov was possibly a disadvantage, mainly serving to attract Bolshevik attention to both the Volunteer Army and to their Cossack hosts. Although the Red Army did not truly exist yet, the Bolsheviks had begun sending what forces they could gather south to the Don to fight the Cossacks and the Volunteer Army.
The forces in the Don did receive something of a reprieve the same day as well, as the Germans and Austrians recognized the independence of Ukraine, in an attempt to put pressure on the Bolsheviks in peace negotiations. This turned the Bolsheviks’ attention to the Ukraine; they hoped to crush the government there before any formal peace deal was signed at Brest-Litovsk. This gave the White forces in the Don at least a few weeks’ worth of breathing room.
Aerial operations: Loud Warnings
Today the Commissioner for Police in London announced changes in the public warnings to be issued in the event of an air raid.
The debate has long been raging on the ways of informing the public to take shelter without at the same time causing undue panic. However, the Government’s hand has been forced by the raid on 18 December 1917, which developed too quickly for police officers with their Take Cover placards to be deployed. Instead Maroons (sound bombs) were fired to warn the public of the attack.
Of course this let the cat out of the bag, and public opinion was very clearly in favour of this type of warning that the Government had no choice but to give in.
Nevertheless, the Government has limited their use. The announcement made today stated that the maroons would be fired, when necessary, up to 2300 but they would not be used after that hour if the Commissioner of Police believed that he had sufficient time to mobilize officers to issue the warning by placard.
Unsurprisingly, this did not last long and in February the time was extended to midnight and in March the restriction was removed altogether.
Naval operations: United Kingdom
Board of Admiralty reconstituted, with Sir E. Geddes as First Lord and Sir R. Wemyss as First Sea Lord.
Naval operations: ship losses
ATLAS (Netherlands) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 25 nautical miles (46 km) off Fuertaventura, Canary Islands, Spain (28°32′N 12°52′W) by SM U-156 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
CARDIFF (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Bay of Biscay 20 nautical miles (37 km) south west of Lorient, Morbihan, France by SM U-84 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eight of her crew. She was beached but was later refloated.
HULDA MAERSK (Denmark) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 24 nautical miles (44 km) off Cape Bojador, Río de Oro (26°26′N 14°28′W) by SM U-157 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
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Post by lordroel on Jan 11, 2023 3:50:08 GMT
Day 1252 of the Great War, January 11th 1918
YouTube (Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points)
Western Front
Unsuccessful German raid south of Armentieres.
French raids in Argonne, Vosges and Champagne.
Russian Civil War
Bolshevik excesses in Sevastopol and Kilia.
East Africa campaign
Three columns of British troops pursuing Germans in Mozambique.
Denmark
Denmark recognises independence of Finland.
United States
The 19th Amendment to the US Constitution, which gives women the right to vote, passes the House of Representatives with the required two-thirds majority by a margin of 1 vote.
U.S. Labour supports War Aims declarations.
United Kingdom
British House of Lords rejects an amendment that would have denied women the right to vote by 134 to 69.
Russia: Bolsheviks Cease Foreign Debt Payments
Like all the other major belligerents, Russia had borrowed heavily to finance the war. Not wishing to continue to send money to foreign capitalists, on January 11, the Bolsheviks abruptly announced they would stop payment on all debts dating from before the October Revolution–those contracted both by the Czar and by the Provisional Government. A month later, they would repudiate the debts entirely. Perhaps more than anything else, this solidified Russia’s isolation from her former Allies over the next decade, and would be a major contributing factor to Allied intervention in Russia over the next few years.
The USSR would eventually partially honor some of these debts during the Gorbachev years, in an attempt to normalize financial relations with the West. Many of those payments were made with Russian assets abroad that were seized by the Allies in 1918.
Aerial operations: Italian job
Out in Italy, RE8s from 42 Squadron RFC were out on a reconnaissance mission photographing enemy aerodromes, accompanied by Sopwith Camels from 45 Squadron RFC, when they were attacked by enemy aircraft from Jasta 1 and Jasta 39. An extensive dogfight ensued in which the British forces claimed to have shot down four enemy fighters. None of these were confirmed however.
In return 2nd Lieutenant Douglas William Ross was shot down and killed in his Sopwith Camel (B2436) by Vitzfeldwebel W Hippert from Jasta 39. Lieutenant Henry Theodore Thompson was shot down and badly wounded in his Camel (B2494). He was invalided back to England and played no further part in the war.
Naval operations: ship losses
BARSAC(France) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel 18 nautical miles (33 km) north west of Cap de la Hève, Seine-Maritime by SM UB-80 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
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Post by lordroel on Jan 12, 2023 3:49:52 GMT
Day 1253 of the Great War, January 12th 1918
Western Front
British make successful raid at Loos and disperse four German raids south of Lens and east of Monchy.
French repel "flame" attack on Chaume Wood (Meuse).
German/Russian relations
Russo-German Peace Conference adjourns.
Russia
Romanian Minister in Petrograd arrested by Bolsheviks.
Portuguese East Africa
British column disembarks at Port Amelia, Portuguese East Africa.
France
French War Department takes over all postal and telegraph services in the country.
United States
US factories making corsets and covers for automobiles and carriages are ordered by the government to manufacture powder bags. This is the first time in the US during the war where factories are ordered to change production for war goods.
Aerial operations: The Caldwell Case
Out in Mesopotamia, 63 Squadron RFC have been carrying out a selection of bombing and reconnaissance missions of the Turkish lines in support of British Forces there.
Today Lieutenant John Hay Caldwell set off on a reconnaissance of the Humr area, where the German pilots had an aerodrome, in his SPADVII (A8811). He did not return and was posted as missing.
What happened to him is sketchy. It’s likely he was forced to land in the desert with engine trouble. It appears he avoided capture for some time, but on 25 January his naked and mutilated body was found in the desert.
Reports at the time assumed that this had been carried out by local tribesmen, but it is unclear whether he had already died of exposure at this point.
Naval operations: Japanese Battleship Arrives off Vladivostok
With the Russians in the process of leaving the war, the remaining Allies had to decide how to handle their former ally. The Bolsheviks had made no friends among the Allies by publishing secret treaties and ceasing debt payments, but a full-scale intervention against the Bolsheviks was completely out of the question given the continuing war against Germany. However, the Allies could take some limited actions around the periphery. In late December, the British ordered a cruiser from Hong Kong to Vladivostok to safeguard their interests there–mainly, the 600,000 tons of Allied supplies, meant for the Russian war effort, that were stored there for shipment on the Trans-Siberian Railway.
The Japanese, considerably closer and with more at stake in the Russian Far East, sent their own battleship, the IWAMI, arriving on January 12, two days before the British. The IWAMI, a pre-dreadnought, had been captured from the Russians at Tsushima in 1904, and now returned to menace the Russians again. The Bolsheviks had taken over Vladivostok in late November; if the sudden Allied naval presence in the harbor was intended to scare them out, it failed to do so. The IWAMI, soon joined by the ASAHI and other Allied vessels, would remain off Vladivostok for several months, while the Japanese (who had little involvement in the war in Europe apart from a minor naval commitment in the Mediterranean) considered further intervention in Siberia.
Naval operations: ship losses
ADOLPH MEYER (Sweden) The coaster struck a mine laid by UC 58 (Karl Vesper) and sank in the North Sea south east of Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom with the loss of all seventeen crew. ADOLPH MEYER was part of a convoy, but struggled to keep her position and disappeared from view.
BOSFORO (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean off Cape Spartivento, Sardinia (37°54′N 16°06′E) by SM U-28 ( Austro-Hungarian Navy). Her crew survived.
CHATEAU LAFFITE (France) The cargo ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay 1.5 nautical miles (2.8 km) off Penmarc'h, Finistère (47°35′N 4°40′W) by SM U-84 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
MICA (France) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Aegean Sea 7 nautical miles (13 km) west of Milos, Greece (37°09′N 23°45′E) by SM U-47 ( Austro-Hungarian Navy) with the loss of six of her crew.
WHORLTON (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel off the Owers Lightship ( United Kingdom) (50°34′N 0°45′W) by SM UB-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of all thirteen crew.
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Post by lordroel on Jan 13, 2023 7:15:55 GMT
Day 1254 of the Great War, January 13th 1918
Western Front
Raid by Canadians north of Lens.
Estonia
Estonian Government issue declaration of independence.
Naval operations: ship losses
RAPALLO (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean 1.5 nautical miles (2.8 km) south of Cape Peloro, Sicily, Italy (38°05′N 15°34′E) by SM U-28 ( Austro-Hungarian Navy) with the loss of a crew member.
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Post by lordroel on Jan 14, 2023 7:05:42 GMT
Day 1255 of the Great War, January 14th 1918
Western Front
British bomb successfully, by day, Karlsruhe, Thionville and Metz area.
French repulse attacks on Chaume Wood and make successful raid in Lorraine.
British raid north of Lens.
Italian Front
Italians advance east of Brenta Valley in Asolone District and to lesser extent in Piave Delta.
German/Russian relations
Von Kuhlmann warns Russians that German terms have now reached extreme limit.
Russia
Attempted assassination of Lenin at Petrograd.
United Kingdom
House of Commons reassembles. Sir A. Geddes introduces Man-power Bill.
Argentina
Allies sign wheat convention with Argentine.
France: French Ex-PM Caillaux Arrested on Treason Charges
Joseph Caillaux, French PM for a few months in 1911 and 1912, had been one of the most outspoken advocates for peace with Germany. The rise to power of Georges Clemenceau, committed to the war and a long-time political rival of Caillaux, effectively spelled an end to his political hopes. In December, timed to overshadow news of Sarrail’s dismissal, Clemenceau publicly accused Caillaux of treason and had his parliamentary immunity revoked. For the next month, however, it was uncertain if any criminal case would actually emerge from these accusations.
On January 14, this uncertainty came to a close as Caillaux was arrested in his home on treason charges. He was still clad in his dressing gown when the police arrived, though it seems likely he had some advance warning of the arrest warrant. Despite the certainly political nature of the charges, there was a large amount of evidence against Caillaux. He had a longtime association with Bolo Pasha, a French spy for the Germans, who had been convicted of treason in the fall. Evidence from that case implicated Caillaux as well, and led Italian investigators to a trove of documents that laid out far-fetched plans for a severe crackdown in France should he gain power. More concrete, and the more immediate reason for his arrest, was evidence from the American embassy in Buenos Aires that documented a 1915 meeting of Caillaux with the German ambassador there aimed at securing peace, and of active German efforts to deflect suspicion from Caillaux in the press because they valued him too much as an ally.
Caillaux would ultimately not be tried during the war, likely because a sensational trial would have been too distracting to the war effort. His trial would not come until 1920, by which time the political situation had drastically changed. He was convicted of a lesser charge and sentenced to time served.
Aerial operations: Karlsruhe Bombed
The weather, with snow in parts, curtailed many combat operations, and their were few encounters with enemy aircraft. Plenty of reconnaissance and photo work was also carried out. 41 Wing continued to attempt strategic bombing.
In their first big daylight raid on Germany for a while, 12 DH4s from 55 Squadron set off around 1015 to raid the munition factories and railway centre at Karlsruhe in Germany. During a round trip of four hours, 2752 pounds of bombs were dropped, four bursts being observed on the buildings and sidings of the main railway junction in the centre of the town, two on the railway workshops and two on the smaller junction in the town.
Fifty-two photographs were taken, which confirmed the bursts and also showed a very large fire in one of the workshops by the railway.
Pilots reported that anti-aircraft was very heavy and accurate over the objective. The formation was attacked by seven enemy scouts, but only three were able to attain the height of our machines and these were kept at a distance by the observers. All machines returned safely.
Naval operations: United Kingdom
Yarmouth bombarded by enemy destroyers; six killed, six injured.
Naval operations: ship losses
ALSTER (United Kingdom) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) east south east of Noss Head, Shetland Islands by SM UB-62 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
ARHUR CAPEL (France) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 14 nautical miles (26 km) north west of Barfleur, Manche (49°52′N 0°47′W) by SM UB-80 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
BABIN CHEVAYE (France) The barque was sunk in the Bay of Biscay 30 nautical miles (56 km) west south west of Penmarc'h, Finistère (47°36′N 5°07′W) by SM U-93 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
CENTAURO (Greece) The cargo ship ran aground at Estepona, Andalusia, Spain and was wrecked.
HMS G8 (Royal Navy) The G-class submarine was lost in the North Sea on this date.
MIRANDA (United Kingdom) The trawler was wrecked in Pelwick Bay.
SM UB-63 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UB III submarine departed for a patrol in the North Sea and Irish Sea. No further trace, lost with all 33 crew.
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