100 Years Ago Today [Archive] - Page 9 - SUBSIM Radio Room Forums

Sailor Steve

12-26-16, 05:43 PM

December 26, 1916

Air War:
0945 French ace Georges Guynemer, flying a SPAD VII, shoots down a Halberstadt two-seater for victory number 24

0945 French ace Alfred Heurtaux, in a SPAD VII, shoots down an Aviatik two-seater for victory number 15.

0950 Canadian RFC observer James Robert Smith, riding as observer in FE.2b A5458 with pilot 2nd Lt W.F. MacDonald, shoots down an Albatros D.II for victory number 1.

0950 English RFC pilot Edmund Leonard Zink, flying an FE.2b with a Lt Mahew as observer, shoots down an Albatros D.II for victory number 1.

1000 English RNAS pilot Robert John Orton Compston, in Nieuport Scout 8750 (sources are unclear on the model), shoots down an Albatros two-seater for victory number 1.

1055 German ace Renatus Theiller, flying an Albatros D.II, downs an FE.2b for victory number 7.

1115 German pilot Erich König, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down a BE.2c for victory number 3.

1120 German pilot Dieter Collin, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down a BE.12 for victory number 2.

1210 German pilot Hans Bethge, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down a BE.2d for victory number 3.

1210 German pilot Paul Bona, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down a BE.12 for victory number 1.

1230 English pilot Selden Long, flying DH.2 A305, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 5. Aiding him is 2nd Lt F.B. Sedgewick.

1355 German ace Hans Karl Müller, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down a BE.2c for victory number 9. During this fight Müller recieves a severe stomach wound, ending his combat flying career. After the war he will immigrate to Mexico and run a flying school there until 1931. He will then move to San Antonio, Texas where he will die in 1977.

1515 German ace Erwin Böhme, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down a BE.2c for victory number 8. On a bombing mission with no observer, William Henry Hubbard manages to land on his own side of the lines.

German pilot Alfred Ulmer, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down Nieuport 12 A3924 for vicrtory number 3.

Bristol Channel:
Friedrich Moecke, commanding UC-46, scuttles Belgian naval trawler Neptune, 199 tons.
Brtitish schooner Agnes, 99 tons, carrying a load of oats from Waterford to Gloucester, hits a mine laid by Moecke off Ann's head.
French schooner Saint Louis, 184 tons, bound from Swansea for Bordeaux with a load of coal, hits a mine laid off Mumbles Head by Moecke.
His score is now 7 ships and 9,369 tons.

English Channel:
Heinrich Jeß, in U-79, scuttles Danish barque Johan, 828 tons, en route from Montego Bay, Jamaaica to Le Havre with a load of logwood, near the western end of the Channel. His score is now 2 ships and 5,786 tons.

Spain:
Otto Wünsche, in U-70, scuttles British schooner Spin-Away, 95 tons, travelling from Burgeo, Newfoundland to Figueira, Portugal with a load of codfish. His score is now 34 ships and 42,452 tons.

Jimbuna

12-27-16, 03:46 PM

27th December 1916

Western Front

Big French air-raids on German industrial works (Rhineland, etc.).

Eastern Front

Falkenhayn takes Ramnicu Sarat.

In the Dobruja, the Bulgars seize position east of Macin.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Naval seaplanes destroy Chikaldir Bridge (Baghdad Railway), Gulf of Alexandretta.

French battleship "Gaulois" torpedoed in Mediterranean.
http://i.imgur.com/ZHJiVkL.jpg

Political, etc.

Britain contracts to buy all the exportable supply of New Zealand meat until three months until the end of the war.

Germany reassures Switzerland that it will continue to respect Swiss neutrality.

King Alfonso of Spain persuades Germany to send home some Belgian civilians who were deported as forced labour.

Germany limits the sale of "deluxe" shoes to two pairs per person per year, and only if old pairs are turned in.

Three Scandinavian Governments agree to present Note to Belligerents in support of peace efforts.

Franco-British Agreement re: temporary administration of Togoland.

Ship Losses:

Aislaby (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Bay of Biscay 10 nautical miles (19 km) off Estaca Point, Galicia, Spain by SM U-46 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but her captain was taken as a prisoner of war.
Copsewood (United Kingdom) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 34 nautical miles (63 km) south south west of The Lizard, Cornwall (49°19′N 5°49′W) by SM U-79 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Gaulois (French Navy) The Charlemagne-class battleship was torpedoed and sunk in the Aegean Sea off Cape Maleas, Greece (36°15′N 23°42′E) by SM UB-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four of her 668 crew.
Goulfar (Germany) The depôt ship was scuttled on this day. Formerly a French trawler, she was captured on 24 December in the Bay of Biscay north of Spain (43°54′N 7°34′W) by SM U-46 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Ida (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 50 nautical miles (93 km) south of the Wolf Rock, Cornwall (48°56′N 5°50′W) by SM U-79 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Maud (France) The schooner was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Portugal (42°07′N 10°32′W) by SM UC-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Editorial Cartoon: The 'Peace on Earth' spirit ─ Chicago Tribune
http://i.imgur.com/g2Am9Nu.png

Sailor Steve

12-27-16, 07:02 PM

December 27, 1916

Air War:
1115 English ace John Quested, flying FE.2b 7666 with Lt H.J. Dicksee as observer, shoots down an Albatros D.I for victory number 7. German 9-kill ace Gustav Leffers is killed.

1120 Austrian pilot Augustin Novak, flying Hansa-Brandenburg C.I 27.01 with Alexander Souhrada as observer, shoots down a Farman two-seater for victory number 1.

1145 French ace Georges Guynemer, in a SPAD VII, shoots down an Albatros (single or two-seat unknown) for victory number 25.

1220 German pilot Wilhelm Cymera, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down FE.2b 7666 for victory number 1. English ace John Quested manages to land his plane safely behind his own lines. Due to the time difference in the logs, this is actually 1120 British time, or five minutes after Quested and Dicksee shot down Gustav Leffers.

1225 English Ace Selden Long, in DH.2 7930, shoots down an Albatros D.II for victory number 6.

1355 French ace Alfred Heurtaux, in a SPAD VII, shoots down a Rumpler two-seater for victory number 16.

1515 Augustin Novak flies a second mission with August Kosutic as bomber. They are attacked by two Farmans and shoot them both down. Novak now has 3 victories and Kosutic 2.

1625 German ace Manfred von Richthofen, flying Albatros D.II 491/16, claims a plane shot down for victory number 15, but there is some confusion over this claim. According to Richthofen: At 1615, five planes of our staffel attacked enemy squadron south of Arras. The enemy approached our lines, but was thrown back. After some fighting I managed to attack a very courageously flown Vickers two-seater. After 300 shots, enemy plane began dropping, uncontrolled. I pursued the plane up to 1,000 metres above the ground. Enemy plane crashed to ground on enemy side, one kilometre behind trenches near Ficheaux.The problem is that the only FE.2 confirmed to have been downed was that of Quested and Dicksee, and they were definitely brought down by Cymera. An interesting connection is the log of James McCudden, flying a DH.2: Going east of Arras I saw five HA (Hostile Aircraft). Lt Jennings attacked an HA and another HA was approaching from behind. I fired about 15 shots and drove him off. He turned and came towards me firing. I opened fire at 100 yards and after about eight shots my gun stopped, due to cross feed. As the hostile machine was engaging me at close range, I turned on my back and dived vertically, in a slow spin and in this way regained our lines. At 800 feet over Basseaux the HA left me. I quickly rectified the stoppage and followed the HA across the trenches at 2,000 feet. Owing to his superior speed and climb he out distanced me and rejoined his patrol at about 5,000 feet. The hostile patrol then withdrew.Captain Harold James Payn was part of the British patrol and reported having seen McCudden going down, apparently out of control. Payn thought McCudden was dead, and was surprised when he returned unharmed. Richthofen's "kill" was confirmed by some German AA gunners who may have mistaken another fight involving some BE.2s with Richthofen's fight with the DH.2s, both of which are pushers. Richthofen had also suffered a disappointment when he reached the magic number '8' for the Pour le Merite right after the Powers That Be had raised the requirement to 16 victories. Whatever the reason, it seems that his number 15 was not actually a "kill" at all.
Under the Guns of the Red Baron, Norman Franks, Hal Giblin and Nigel McCrery

1810 French aircrew Jean Loste, Lt P. Barbeau and Louis Martin, in a three-seat Caudron, shoot down an "Enemy Aircraft". Victory number 6 for Loste, 3 for Barbeau and 5 for Martin.

French pilot Jan Derode, in a Nieuport, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 2.

German pilot Rudolf von Eschwege, in a Fokker E.III, shoots down Farman F31131 for victory number 2. Von Eschwege is the only German pilot flying on the Macedonian (Greek) front, and will become known as "The Eagle of the Aegean".

French pilots Marcel Hauss and Adj Balin, in Nieuports, team up to brong down an inidentified fighter. Victory number 1 for both.

Russian pilot Ivan Loiko, in a Nieuport 11, shoots down a Hansa-Brandenburg C.I for victory number 2.

English Channel:
Heinrich Jeß, commanding U-79, sinks two ships at the west end of the Channel:
British freighter SS Copsewood, 599 tons, bound from Bordeaux for Middlesbrough with a load of pit props.
Norwegian freighter SS Ida, 1,300 tons, carrying a load of fruit from Valencia to Liverpool.
Jeß's score is now 4 ships and 7,785 tons.

Bay of Biscay:
Alfred Saalwächter, in U-46, sinks two Allied ships off El Ferrol, Spain:
British freighter SS Aislaby, 2,692 tons, travelling in ballast from Lisbon to Bilbao.
French trawler Goulfar, 259 tons. Goulfar had been captured on the 24th and used as a prison boat.
Saalwächter ends his first patrol with 9 ships and 15,502 tons.

Portugal:
Robert Springer begins his career in UC-34 with the sinking of French schooner Maud, 176 tons, bound from La Pallice for Lisbon.

Mediterranean Sea:
Wolfgang Steinbauer, in UB-47, torpedoes French battleship Gaulois, 11,100 tons, bringing his score to 13 ships and 54,410 tons.

Jimbuna

12-28-16, 10:22 AM

28th December 1916

Western Front

Heavy enemy attack on Mort Homme front (Verdun).

Eastern Front

Enemy pursues northwards from Ramnicu Sarat and advances to south-east.

British armoured cars engaged.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Armenia: Turks driven south of Van.

Political, etc.

President Wilson celebrates his 60th birthday today.

Ship Losses:

Oronsay (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 48 nautical miles (89 km) south east of Malta by SM UC-22 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but her captain was taken as a prisoner of war.
Pitho (United Kingdom) The brigantine was scuttled in the English Channel 30 nautical miles (56 km) south east of Start Point, Devon by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Seedonis (Russia) The three-masted schooner was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Lisbon, Portugal (38°02′N 10°26′W) by SM UC-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Union (Norway) The sailing vessel was sunk in the English Channel by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
317 (French Navy) The torpedo boat struck a mine and sank in the English Channel off Calais with the loss of nine of her crew.

Sailor Steve

12-28-16, 01:25 PM

December 28, 1916

In Tondem, Germany, two Zeppelins are destroyed by nature. L-24 is being walked into the shed when a gust of wind pushes the airship into the side of the shed and catches fire. The other Zeppelin in the shed, L-17, is also destroyed.

Air War:
Austrian aircrew of Adolf Heyrowski and Josef Pürer, in Hansa-Brandenburg C.I 29.63, shoot down a Voisin pusher. Victory number 7 for Heyrouski, number 2 for Pürer.

English Channel:
Heinrich Küstner, commanding UB-39, torpedoes French passenger ship SS Rouen, off the Casquets. The damaged ship is towed into Dieppe with 5 casualties.

British freighter SS Suffolk, 7,573 tons, carrying a load of government stores from London to Devonport, hits a mine laid by Egon von Werner in UC-16 off the Oeers lightship. The damaged ship makes it safely to port.

Ralph Wenninger, in UC-17, stops and scuttles two ships off Start Point:
British schooner Pitho, 150 tons, travelling from Cardiff to Cherbourg with a load of coal.
Norwegian sailing vessel Union, 563 tons, carrying a load of logwood from Aquin, Haiti to Le Havre.
Wenninger's score is now 36 ships and 15,132 tons.

Strait of Dover:
French torpedo boat Torpilleur 317 hits a mine laid off Calais by Oskar Steckelberg in UC-1. This is his first sinking.

North Sea:
Hans Howaldt, in UB-40, takes Dutch coaster SS Oldambt, 470 tons, bound from Rotterdam for London, as a prize off Hoofden. His score is now 7 ships and 4,444 tons.

British freighter SS Blonde, 613 tons, en route from North Shields to London with a load of coal, runs aground at Flamborough Head. All 17 crew are rescued.

British freighter SS Laxton, 1,017 tons, sinks following a collision off Spurn Point.

Greenland Sea:
Norwegian trawler Isrypen, 75 tons, runs aground off Svalbard.

Norwegian Sea:
Norwegian trawler Gerd, 73 tons, springs a leak and sinks off Titran, Norway.

Portugal:
Robert Sprenger, in UC-34, sinks Russian schooner Seedonis, 284 tons, en route from Garston to Seville. His score is now 2 ships and 460 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Heino von Heimburg, in UC-22, sinks British freighter SS Oronsay, 3,761 tons, bound from Calcutta for Dundee with a load of jute and manganese ore. His score is now 12 ships and 29,082 tons.

South Africa:
British freighter SS Obell, 1,797 tons, carrying a load of graphite, beans, and raffa from Madagascar to London, is wrecked off the mouth of the Banshee River.

Jimbuna

12-29-16, 09:53 AM

29th December 1916

Western Front

At Verdun, Germany troops attack French positions on a two-mile front at Le’Homme Morte and gain some ground.

Eastern Front

Heavy fighting continues on Moldavian frontier; some enemy progress in the Oitoz valley.

Enemy advance north and east from Ramnicu Sarat continued.

Political, etc.

General Haig declares that the “great victory” at the Somme proves the Allies will be able to defeat the Germans in the war.

Some members of the British Labour Party urge a 25% levy on capital and to break up large estates to raise money for the war.

French and British ministers, in Conference for last three days, arrive at complete agreement.

Germany warns its citizens that food shortages will continue next year even if the war ends.

Norway, Sweden, and Denmark express support for the U.S. proposal to mediate a peace in Europe.

Ship Losses:

Alondra (United Kingdom) The passenger-cargo ship was wrecked on Kedge Rock off Baltimore, County Cork, Ireland, with the loss of 16 crew members. Twenty-three survivors were saved by a Royal National Lifeboat Institution lifeboat and the crews of Royal Navy trawlers lifting men up cliffs from the wreck.
Lonada (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 6 (Werner von Zerboni di Sposetti) and sank in the North Sea 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) north by east of the Shipwash Lightship ( United Kingdom) with the loss of six of her crew.
Tuskar (Russia) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 60 nautical miles (110 km) east of Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, United Kingdom by SM U-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMS Ludlow (Royal Navy) The Racecourse-class minesweeper struck a mine laid by UC 6 (Werner von Zerboni di Sposetti) and sank in the North Sea off the Shipwash Lightship ( United Kingdom) (51°51′N 1°20′E) with the loss of six of her crew.

Sailor Steve

12-29-16, 12:11 PM

December 29, 1916

Ireland:
British freighter SS Alondra,2,244 tons, en route from Las Palmas to Liverpool with a general cargo, runs aground outside Baltimre Harbour, Cork, in a thick fog.

British freighter SS Lennox, 3,667 tons, carrying a load of coal from Barry to Port Said, is wrecked at South Saltee Island. All 45 crew are saved by the Kilmore lifeboat.

North Sea:
Berndt Buß, commanding U-48, sinks Russian freighter SS Tuskar, 3,042 tons, bound from Achangelsk for London with a load of hides and skins. His score is now 6 ships and 16,518 tons.

British freighter SS Zoroaster, 3,803 tons, carrying a load of coal from Tyne to an unnamed destination, hits a mine laid by Benno von Ditfurth in UC-11 near the Sunk lightship. His score is now 5 ships and 9,963 tons.

Thee British ships run afoul of a minefield laid near the Shipwash lightship by Werner von Zerboni di Sposetti, beginning his career in UC-6:
Freighter SS Lonada, 1,286 tons, travelling from Tyne to London with a load of coal.
Minesweeper HMS Ludlow, 810 tons.
Minesweeper HMS Totnes, 810 tons.
Totnes is only damaged, and von Zerboni's opening score is 2 ships and 2,096 tons.

Norwegian fishing vessel Fram, 54 tons, is sunk in a collision with freighter SS Osnes off the Tyrhaug lighthouse.

Bay of Biscay:
Heinrich Jeß, in U-79, captures Danish freighter SS Danmark and keeps her for supply purposes.

Canada:
Canadian schooner Lena F. Oxner, 99 tons, founders off Liverpool, Nova Scotia.

United States:
American schooner Yemassee, 1,257 tons, carrying a load of coal from Philadelphia to Boston, founders in Massachusetts Bay.

Jimbuna

12-30-16, 08:10 AM

30th December 1916

Eastern Front

Very heavy fighting on whole Romanian front.

Enemy progress at various points in mountains and south-east of Ramnicu Sarat, but checked between here and Focsani.

Bulgars and Turks advance slowly towards Macin.

Political, etc.

Allied nations issue a joint statement rejecting Germany’s “empty and insincere” peace offer.

Charles I of Austria-Hungary: “Our enemies are finally commencing to understand that they cannot conquer us.”

Ship Losses:

Apsleyhall (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 28 nautical miles (52 km) west by north of Gozo, Malta by SM UC-22 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but her captain was taken as a prisoner of war.
Borre (Norway) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 16 nautical miles (30 km) north east of Cape Finisterre, Spain (43°12′N 9°23′W) by SM U-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Danmark (Denmark) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Bay of Biscay off Vivero, Galicia, Spain (45°55′N 8°00′W) by SM U-79 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Edda (Norway) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 3.5 nautical miles (6.5 km) north west of Cape Finisterre (43°11′N 9°19′W) by SM U-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Jean (United Kingdom) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 60 nautical miles (110 km) east of the St Paul Rocks, Brazil by SMS Geier ( Kaiserliche Marine).
HMT Relevo (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was wrecked in the Mediterranean Sea off El Arish, Egypt.
Sappho (Greece) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel 25 nautical miles (46 km) north of the Île Vierge, Finistère, France (48°45′N 4°40′W) by SM UC-46 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Sailor Steve

12-30-16, 09:26 AM

December 30, 1916

Air War:
German pilot Friedrich Mallinckrodt, flying an Albatros D.I, claims a Caudron, but it is unconfirmed.

English Channel:
British tanker SS Aspenleaf, 7,535 tons, bound from Port Arthur for Portsmouth with a load of oil fuel, hits a mine laid off the Owers lightship by Egon von Werner in UC-16. The damaged ship makes it safely to port.

Friedrich Moecke, in UC-46, sinks Greek freighter SS Sappho, 2,087 tons, travelling from Alexandria to Hull with a load of cottonseed. His score is now 8 ships and 11,456 tons.

Spain:
Otto Wünsche, in U-70, stops and scuttles two Norwegian freighters off Cape Finisterre:
SS Borre, 741 tons carrying a load of fruit from Valencia to Hull.
SS Edda, 1,138 tons, en route from Seville to Preston with a load of pyrites.
Wünsche's score is now 36 ships and 44,331 tons.

Heinrich Jeß, in U-79, scuttles Danish freighter SS Danmark, 1,875 tons, captured the previous day, off Viveiro. His score is now 5 ships and 9,660 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Heino von Heimburg, in UC-22, torpedoes British freighter SS Apsleyhall, 3,882 tons, travelling from Karachi to Cardiff with a load of wheat, off Gozo Island (Għawdex in Maltese), just north of Malta. His score is now 13 ships and 42,964 tons.

His Majesty's Trawler Revelo, 176 tons, is wrecked at El Arish, Egypt.

Jimbuna

12-31-16, 11:38 AM

31st December 1916

Eastern Front

Further enemy progress in Moldavian mountains and west and south of Focsani.

Bulgars fail in attack on Braila bridgehead, but carry positions east of Macin.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Magharah Wells, Hassana and Nakhl (Sinai) cleared of enemy.

Political, etc.

Paris Municipal Council adopts “decisive victory” as the New Year’s resolution for France.

French military announces it took 78,500 German prisoners during the Battle of Verdun.

Kaiser Wilhelm to troops: “All their [Allied] assaults, East and West, have collapsed owing to your bravery and devotion.”

Russian Duma adopts a resolution stating “dark forces” inside the nation are hampering its war efforts.

A group of Russian monarchists assassinate Grigori Rasputin in the belief it would save the Tsar.

Ship Losses:

Eva (Norway) The cargo ship was scuttled in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) south of The Lizard, Cornwall, United Kingdom (49°47′N 5°10′W) by SM UB-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Flora (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 25 nautical miles (46 km) south west of the Wolf Rock, Cornwall by SM UB-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Protector (United Kingdom) The pilot boat struck a mine laid by UC 31 (Otto von Schrader) and sank in the River Tyne with the loss of nineteen lives.
Venus (French Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 23 (Johannes Kirchner) and sank in the Aegean Sea off Milos, Greece with the loss of nine of her crew.

Editorial Cartoon: The Worst Year Ever ─ Chicago Tribune
http://i.imgur.com/AbW322H.jpg

Sailor Steve

12-31-16, 02:35 PM

December 31, 1916

Air War:
At this time home air defence in Britain involve 12,000 officers and men manning anti-aircraft guns and 2,200 officers and men operating 110 aircraft in 12 RFC squadrons.

According to Idflieg's bi-monthly report the German Air Service has the following fighters operating at the front:

Albatros:
D.I----39
D.II--214
D.III--13

Fokker:
D.I-----4
D.II---68
D.III--34
D.IV----2
E-II-----1
E.III---11
E.IV-----2

Halberstadt:
D.II----55
D.III---17
D.V----32

LFG Roland:
D.I------7

Pfalz:
E.I-------1

SSW:
E.I-------2

Supposedly all Fokker aircraft were grounded at the beginning of December, but those numbers are still reported as front-line aircraft, and one or two pilots are still claiming kills in them.

The precise date is unknown, but sometime in December French ace Marcel Viallet scored his 9th and last victory. He will survive the war and continue to serve in the military. While on service in Morocco Viallet contracted a disease and died on September 21, 1925, one month after his 38th birthday.

English Channel:
Claus Lafrenz, commanding UB-18, stops and scuttles 2 Norwegian freighters south of the Lizard:
SS Eva, 1,081 tons, bound from Swansea for Rouen with a load of coal.
SS Flora, 1,033 tons, carrying a load of coal from Swansea to Cantenay.
Lafrenz's score is now 24 ships and 22,384 tons.

British schooner Bayawanna, 1,121 tons, en route from Dartmouth to Plymouth, founders off Stoke Point.

North Sea:
British pilot boat Protector, 200 tons, hits a mine laid in the River Tyne by Otto von Schrader in UC-31. Von Scrader's score is now 9 ships and 6,026 tons.

Erwin Sebelin, in UC-43, captures Norwegian freighter SS Lupus, 539 tons, traveling from Øierhavn to Amsterdam with a load of pyrites. This is Sebelin's first attack.

Aegean Sea:
French naval trawler Venus, 281 tons, hits a mine laid of Milos by Johannes Kirchner in UC-23. His score is now 5 ships and 14,985 tons.

Jimbuna

01-01-17, 05:34 PM

1st January 1917

Western Front

Normal activity proceeding.

Sir Douglas Haig promoted to Field Marshal.

Eastern Front

Stubborn fighting in Carpathians on Moldavian frontier; slight enemy progress at various points. Enemy in touch with Sereth lines at Focsani and Fundeni.

Further enemy progress at the Macin bridgehead (Dobruja).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

General Sir R. Wingate becomes High Commissioner of Egypt.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Transport "Ivernia" sunk by submarine in Mediterranean; over 100 missing.
http://i.imgur.com/OMQ5GQD.jpg

British carry German lines near Lissaki in the Mgeta valley (German East Africa), and pursue enemy towards the Rufiji valley at Kibambawe.

Political, etc.

Britain raises train fares, except those for commuters, by 50% and limits luggage to 100 pounds.

Bankruptcies in Germany fell this year with 2,277 cases, compared to 4,580 in 1915 and 7,738 in 1914.

Publication of denunciation by Turkey of Treaty of Paris (1856) and Treaty of Berlin (1878).

Ship Losses:

Baycraig (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 84 nautical miles (156 km) east south east of Malta (35°32′N 16°10′E) by SM UC-22 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but her captain was taken as a prisoner of war.
Britannic (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 44 nautical miles (81 km) west of Leixões, Portugal (40°58′N 9°30′W) by SM UC-37 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Goosebridge (Sweden) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 10 nautical miles (19 km) west north west of Ouessant, Finistère, France[5] (48°39′N 5°13′W) by SM UC-46 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Holly Branch (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 14 nautical miles (26 km) north east by north of the Île de Batz, Finistère, France (48°59′N 3°56′W) by SM UB-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Ivernia (United Kingdom) The troopship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 58 nautical miles (107 km) south east of Cape Matapan, Greece (35°30′N 22°53′E) by SM UB-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 125 lives. Survivors were rescued by HMS Rifleman and a number of naval trawlers (all Royal Navy).
Laupar (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 40 nautical miles (74 km) west north west of Oporto, Portugal by SM U-79 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Leon (France) The coaster was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 13 nautical miles (24 km) north north east of the Triagoz Lighthouse, Finistère by SM UB-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Sussex (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 1 (Oskar Steckelberg) and was damaged in the North Sea 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) off Gravelines, Pas-de-Calais, France. She was beached without loss of life. Later refloated, repaired and returned to service.
Tsiropinas (Greece) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Ferrol, Galicia, Spain (45°35′N 8°19′W) by SM U-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

Sailor Steve

01-01-17, 09:35 PM

January 1, 1917

Air War:
1515 Italian pilot Fulco di Clabria, flying a Nieuport 17, claims an Albatros two-seater, but it is unconfirmed.

1600 Italian ace Francesco Baracca, in a Nieuport 17, shoots down a Hansa-Brandenburg C.I for victory number 6.

English Channel:
Heinrich Küstner, commanding UB-39, sinks two ships north of Ile de Batz:
British freighter SS Holly Branch, 3,568 tons, bound from La Plata for Le Havre with a load of oats in bags.
French freighter SS Leon, 652 tons, travelling in ballast from Tréport to Brest.
Küstner's score is now 20 ships and 33,048 tons.

Friedrich Moecke, in UC-46, sinks Swedish freighter SS Goosebridge, 1,886 tons, carrying a load of coal from Port Talbot to Saint Nazaire. His score is now 9 ships and 13,342 tons.

North Sea:
British freighter SS Sussex, 5,686 tons, en route from Sydney to Dunkirk with a load of meat, hits a mine laid by Oskar Steckelberg in UC-1 north of Gravelines, just east of the Strait of Dover. The damaged ship is beached, then refloated and repaired.

Norwegian freighter SS Avis, 1,074 tons, carrying a load of coal from Methil to Svendborg, is wrecked off Østhassel, Norway.

Bay of Biscay:
Otto Wünsche, in U-70, sinks Greek freighter SS Tsirophinas, 3,015 tons, carrying a load of maize from Buenos Ayres to Belfast. His score is now 37 ships and 47,346 tons.

Portugal:
Heinrich Jeß, in U-79, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Laupar, 1,407 tons, en route from Malaga to Glasgow with a load of fish. His score is now 6 ships and 11,067 tons.

Otto Launberg, in UC-37, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Britannic, 2,289 tons, travelling from Almeria to Barrow with a load of irone ore, off Leixoes. This is his first sinking.

Mediterranean Sea:
Wolfgang Steinbauer, in UB-47, sinks British passenger liner SS Ivernia, 14,278 tons, south of Cape Matapan, the southernost point of Greece. Ivernia is acting as a troopship and suffers 125 casualties. Steinbauer's score is now 14 ships and 68,688 tons.

Heino von Heimburg, n UC-22, sinks British freighter SS Baycraig, 3,761 tons, carrying a load of sugar from Port Loouis, Maritius to Marseeille. His score is now 14 ships and 46,635 tons.

Zanzibar:
In anticipation of a long-overdue refit, the crew of monitor HMS Severn are transferred to HM Fleet Messenger Trent.

A note on sources: I don't post every source every day for the simple reason that there are so many.
Aviation sources consist of The Aerodrome website, Wikipedia's 1917 in Aviation page, Ciel de Gloire.com (Piotes As Francais), Albindenis.free.fr (Escadrilles Francaises), UKSerials.com, Specific Wiki pages on different pilots, and a variety of books I've purchased:
Under the Guns of the Red Baron, by Norman Franks, Hal Giblin and Nigel McCreery
Under the Guns of the German Aces, by Norman Franks and Hal Giblin
Under the Guns of the Kaiser's Aces, by Norman Franks and Hal Giblin
Sharks Among Minnows, by Norman Franks
KeKs and Fokkerstaffels, by Johan Ryheul
Albatros Aces of World War 1, by Norman Franks
Albatros Aces of World War 1, Part 2, by Greg Vanwyngarden
Albatros D.I-D.II, by James F. Miller
Austro-Hungarian Aces of World War 1, by Christopher Chant
DH.2 vs Albatros D.I/D.II, by James F. Miller
Early German Aces of World War 1, by Greg VanWyngarden
FE.2b/d vs Albatros Scouts: Western Front 1916-17, by James F. Miller
Nieuport 11 Bebe vs Fokker Eindecker, Western Front 1916, by Jon Guttman
Nieuport Aces of World War 1, by Norman Franks
Pusher Aces of World War 1, by Jon Guttman
Reconnaissance and Bomber Aces of World War 1, by Jon Guttman
Russian Aces of World War 1, by Victor Kulikov
SPAD VII Aces of World War 1, by Jon Guttman

Naval sources include U-boat.net, Wrecksite.eu, Naval History.net (British warships' logs), and a couple of books:
The Great War at Sea, by Richard Hough
Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships, 1906-1921

Jimbuna

01-02-17, 02:26 PM

2nd January 1917

Eastern Front

Enemy attack repulsed near Zloczow (north-eastern Galicia).

Continued heavy fighting in Moldavian mountains.

Enemy advance between frontier and Focsani; Russian successful counter-attacks south-east of that town.

Enemy advance near Macin continues.

Political, etc.

Reports show Allied nations captured a combined total of at least 582,723 prisoners on all fronts last year.

Japan notifies the U.S. that its merchant ships passing through the Panama Canal will be armed to protect against German U-boats.

Italian government orders its cities to increase food production by cultivating available public land, including city parks.

M. Bratianu, Premier of Romania, reconstitutes Cabinet.

Ship Losses:

Aconcagua (France) The full-rigged ship was shelled and sunk in the Bay of Biscay (46°11′N 7°26′W) by SM U-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Aristotelis C. Ioannou (Greece) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 30 nautical miles (56 km) west of Cape Roca, Portugal (38°55′N 9°48′W) by SM UC-37 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Asnières (France) The crew were captured by the merchant raider Moewe ( Kaiserliche Marine) which then sank the four-masted barque close to the St Peter and St Paul rocks in the Atlantic Ocean.
Bestik (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 30 nautical miles (56 km) south west of the Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom[17] by SM UB-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Carlyle (United Kingdom) The coaster was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) west south west of the Île de Sein Lighthouse, Finistère, France by SM UB-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Dimitrios Goulandris (Greece) The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 30 nautical miles (56 km) west of Cape Roca (39°10′N 9°50′W) by SM UC-37 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Edward Arthur (United Kingdom) The schooner was wrecked on Lundy Island, Devon.
Ellik ( Norway The coaster was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 40 nautical miles (74 km) south west of the Bishop Rock by SM UB-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her fourteen crew were rescued, eight of them by Elisabeth van België ( Belgium). The second lifeboat with the rest of the crew landed on the Isles of Scilly.
El Toro (United Kingdom) The tanker foundered in the Atlantic Ocean 300 nautical miles (560 km) north west of Clogherhead, County Louth.
Gallier (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean by U-95 ( Kaiserliche Marine) 7 nautical miles (13 km) east north east of the Wolf Rock, Cornwall.
Johannes (Russia) The schooner was wrecked at Cadiz, Spain.
Notre Dame du Verger (France) The three-masted schooner was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 12 nautical miles (22 km) off Cape Roca by SM UC-37 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Odda (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 70 nautical miles (130 km) south west of Ouessant, Finistère[30] (47°30′N 6°20′W) by SM U-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Older (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 25 nautical miles (46 km) west of Oporto, Portugal[32] (41°07′N 9°42′W) by SM U-79 ( Kaiserliche Marine).[33] Her crew were rescued by Charkow ( Denmark).
Omnium (France) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 120 nautical miles (220 km) west south west of Penmarc'h, Finistère (47°26′N 7°10′W) by SM U-82 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
San Leandro (Spain) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (approximately 46°40′N 7°00′W) by SM U-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
HMT Teal (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was lost on this date.

Sailor Steve

01-02-17, 02:44 PM

January 2, 1917

Air War:
1130 Russian pilot Ivan Vasilievich Smirnov, in Nieuport 10 N722 with a Captain Pentko as observer, shoots down Aviatik C.I 2775/16 for victory number 1. The crew are both killed.

Galicia-born Austro-Hungarian pilot Godwin Brumowski, flying Hansa-Brandenburg C.I 68.24 with Julius Györffy as observer, shoots down a Farman two-seater for victory number 5.

Ireland:
British tanker SS El Toro, 5,958 tons, bound from Sabine, Texas for an unnamed destination, is wriecked near Clogher Head.

British freighter SS Nestorian, 6,395 tons, carrying a load of cotton and steel ingots from Galveston, Texas to Liverpool, is wrecked off Cape Clear, County Cork.

Irish Sea:
British schooner Duke of York, 50 tons, sinks following a collision with freighter SS Dublin.

Bristol Channel:
British schooner Edward Arthur, 130 tons, travelling from Waterford to Cardiff with a load of oats, is wrecked at Lundy Island.

Celtic Sea:
Claus Lafrenz, commanding UB-18, sinks two Norwegian freighters off Bishop Rock:
SS Bestik, 2,185 tons, bound from Cardiff for Philippeville with a load of coal.
SS Ellik, 603 tons, carrying a load of pit props from Villagarcia to Swansea.
Lafrenz's score is now 26 ships and 25,172 tons.

English Channel:
Heinrich Küstner, in UB-39, sinks British coaster SS Carlyle, 466 tons, carrying a general cargo from Manchester to La Pallice. His score is now 21 ships and 33,514 tons.

Bay of Biscay:
Otto Wünsche, in U-70, sinks three Allied ships:
French freighter SS Aconcagua, 1,313 tons, en route from Antofagasta, Chile to La Pallice with a load of nitrate; sunk with the deck gun.
Norwegian freighter SS Odda, 1,101 tons, carrying a load of pyrites from Huelva to Rouen.
Spanish freighter SS San Leandro, 1,616 tons, travelling from Malaga to London with a load of fruit.
Wünsche's score is now 40 ships and 51,376 tons.

Hans Adam, in U-82, sinks French freighter SS Omnium, 8,719 tons, en route from New Orleans to Saint Nazaire with an unspecified cargo. His score is now 6 ships and 10,681 tons.

Portugal:
Heinrich Jeß, in U-79, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Older, 2,256 tons, Bound from Newport for Gibraltar with a load of coal, just west of Oporto. His score is now 7 ships and 13.323 tons.

Otto Launburg, in UC-32, sinks three ships off Cape Roca:
Greek freighter SS Aristotelis C. Ioannou, 2,868 tons, cravelling from Bouenos Aires to Belfast with a load of maize.
Greek freighter SS Dimitrios Goulandris, 3,744 tons, carrying a load of wheat from Buenos Aires to Avonmouth; sunk by deck gun.
French schooner Notre Dame du Verger, 227 tons, en route from Swansea to Lisbon; scuttled.
Launburg's score is now 4 ships and 9,128 tons.

Egypt:
Russian battleship Peresvyet, 13,500 tons, is sunk by a mine laid by Gustav Seiß in U-73 off Port Said. His score is now 14 ships and 108,041 tons.

Chile:
Chilean troop transport Casma, 2,627 tons, hits a rock off Navarion Island.

Atlantic Ocean:
German surface raider SMS Möwe stops and scuttles French barque Asnières, 3,103 tons, carrying 3,000 tons of wheat from Bahia Blanca, Argentina to Pauillac, France.

Jimbuna

01-03-17, 05:23 PM

3rd January 1917

Eastern Front

Germans take island in Dvina near Glandau, north-west of Dvinsk.

Successful Russian attack near Mt. Botosul (Bukovina).

Enemy advance in region of Milcovu, north-west of Focsani.

Germans and Bulgarians take Macin and Jijila (Dobruja).

Political, etc.

Admiralty reasserts "immemorial" right of merchant-ships to defend themselves against attack or search by an enemy.

Former President Theodore Roosevelt says Wilson’s attempts to mediate a peace is “immoral,” as it helps Germany.

Ship Losses:

Angela (Italy The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 35 nautical miles (65 km) west of Cape St. Vincent, Portugal by SM U-79 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Capricieuse (France) The schooner was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 12 nautical miles (22 km) west south west of Cape St. Vincent by SM UC-37 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Columbia (France) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the Bay of Biscay off La Rochelle, Charente-Maritime (46°27′N 2°28′W) by SM UB-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Diamant de la Couronne I (France) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the Bay of Biscay off La Rochelle (46°27′N 2°28′W) by SM UB-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Diamant de la Couronne II (France) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the Bay of Biscay off La Rochelle (46°27′N 2°28′W) by SM UB-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Fama (Norway) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean south west of Spain (36°47′N 8°43′W) by SM UC-37 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Formidable (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off La Rochelle by SM UB-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Helgøy (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay 10 nautical miles (19 km) south of the Chassiron Lighthouse, Charente-Maritime (45°55′N 1°35′W) by SM UB-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Honneur et Devouement (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off La Rochelle by SM UB-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Jeanne Mathilde (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off La Rochelle by SM UB-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
La Pensee (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off La Rochelle by SM UB-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Marie Henriette (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off La Rochelle by SM UB-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Moderne (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off La Rochelle by SM UB-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Petite Emile (France) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the Bay of Biscay 40 nautical miles (74 km) west of the Baleines Lighthouse, Seine-Maritime by SM UB-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Père Montfort (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off La Rochelle by SM UB-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Pierre le Grand (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off La Rochelle by SM UB-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Richelieu (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off La Rochelle by SM UB-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Saint Jacques (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off La Rochelle (46°27′N 2°28′W) by SM UB-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Saint Paul II (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off La Rochelle by SM UB-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Valladares (Portugal) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (43°30′N 9°48′W) by SM U-79 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Viking (Denmark) The coaster was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean by SM U-82 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Sailor Steve

01-03-17, 05:35 PM

January 3, 1917

Bay of Biscay:
Hans Adam, commanding U-82, sinks Danish freighter SS Viking, 761 tons, bound from Sunderland for Setubal with a load of coal. His score is now 7 ships and 11,442 tons.

Heinrich Küstner, in UB-39, attacks a French fishing fleet, scuttling 15 small fishing craft:
Columbia, 34 tons.
Diamant de la Couronne I, 36 tons.
Diamant de la Couronne II, 34 tons.
Formidable, 26 tons.
Honneur et Devouement, 26 tons.
Jeanne Mathilde, 60 tons.
La Pensée, 30 tons.
Marie Henriette, 25 tons.
Moderne, 38 tons.
Pére Montfort, 13 tons.
Pierre le Grand, 42 tons.
Richelieu, 25 tons.
Saint Jacques, 34 tons.
Saint Paul II, 30 tons.
Petit Emile, 60 tons.
Also sunk is Norwegian freighter SS Helgøy, 1,806 tons, travelling in ballast from Blaye to Barry.
Küstner's score is now 37 vessels and 35,833 tons.

Portugal:
Heinrich Jeß, in U-79, sinks two ships off the Portuguese coast:
Italian freighter SS Angela, 2,422 tons, en route from Genoa to Barry with an unnamed cargo.
Portuguese sailing vessel Valladares, 124 tons; scuttled.
Jeß's score is now 9 ships and 15,870 tons.

Otto Launburg, in UC-37, scuttles two ships off Cape St. Vincent:
French schooner Capricieuse, 156 tons, carrying a load of wine from Algiers to Vannes.
Norwegian freighter SS Fama, 2,417 tons, travelling from Portland, Maine to Marseille with a load of wheat; captured and scuttled.

Mediterranean Sea:
Wolfgang Steinbauer, in UB-47, torpedoes British freighter SS Huntsend, 8,826 tons, route and cargo unknown, off Crete. The damaged ship makes it safely to port.

Zanzibar:
Work begins transferring HMS Severn's stores to HMFM Trent.

Jimbuna

01-04-17, 09:28 AM

4th January 1917

Eastern Front

Germans fail to cross to right bank of Dvina near Glandau.

Enemy advance in Focsani sector, and also take Gurgueti and Romanul, thus piercing the Braila bridgehead; Russians evacuate Braila.

Russians defeated at Vacareni (Dobruja).

Southern Front

British airmen bomb Maritza bridge at Kuleli Burgas (south of Adrianople).

Political, etc.

Kaiser Wilhelm visits Vienna to meet with Austro-Hungarian officials to discuss the war.

New French tax on tobacco causes the closure of more than half of the retail shops, leading to shortages.

Emperor and Empress of Austria-Hungary sends an envoy to the Vatican to urge the Pope to intervene for peace.

German Governor General of Belgium issues decree ordering the collection of household goods made of brass, copper, tin, nickel, or bronze.

Ship Losses:

Calabro (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of Ouessant, Finistère, France (48°30′N 7°02′W) by SM U-82 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Chinto Maru (Japan) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of Spain (36°29′N 9°36′W) by SM U-79 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Gabrielle François (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Gironde Estuary by SM UB-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Liberté (France) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Cape St. Vincent, Portugal (35°49′N 6°10′W) by SM UC-37 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Lonclara (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 31 (Otto von Schrader) and sank in the River Tyne at Sunderland, County Durham with the loss of four of her crew.
Luigi Ciampa (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 15 nautical miles (28 km) off Sagres Point, Portugal by SM UC-37 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Næsborg (Denmark) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel west of Guernsey, Channel Islands (49°26′N 3°40′W) by SM UB-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Ruby (Russia) The barque was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean off the Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom (49°53′N 8°24′W) by SM U-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Seemel (Russia) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (36°32′N 8°09′W) by SM UC-37 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Wragby (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 45 nautical miles (83 km) west by north of Cape Spartel, Morocco (35°57′N 6°49′W) by SM UC-37 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Sailor Steve

01-04-17, 10:08 AM

January 4, 1917

Air War:
1515 German pilot Friedrich Mallinckrodt, flying an Albatros D.I or D.II, shoots down a Sopwith 1½ Strutter for victory number 2.

1615 German ace Manfred von Richthofen, in Albatros D.II 491/16, wins a fight with Sopwith Pup N5193 for victory number 16. Canadian Flt Lt Allan Switzer Todd, RNAS, is killed.

Canadian RNAS pilot Edward Grange, in Sopwith Pup N5194, shoots down three Albatros D.IIs for victories 2, 3 and 4.

Celtic Sea:
Otto Wünsche, commanding U-70, stops Russian barque Ruby, 949 tons, bound from Darien for Fleetwood, and sinks her with his deck gun. His score is now 41 ships and 52,325 tons.

Hans Adam, in U-82, sinks Italian freighter SS Calabro, 1,925 tons, en route from Cartagena to Middlesbrough. His score is now 8 ships and 13,367 tons.

English Channel:
Claus Lafrenz, in UB-18, sinks Danish freighter SS Næsborg, 1,547 tons, carrying a load of coal from Sunderland to Bayonne. His score is now 27 ships and 26,719 tons.

North Sea:
British freighter SS Lonclara, 1,294 tons, hits a mine laid at the mouth of the River Wear by Otto von Schrader in UC-31. His score is now 10 ships and 7,320 tons.

Moray Firth:
His Majesty's Trawler Teal, 165 tons, is wrecked at the East Mucks, Buckie, Scotland.

Bay of Biscay:
Heinrich Küstner, in UB-39, sinks French fishing bessel Gabrielle Francois, 37 tons, at the mouth of the Gironde River, raising his score to 38 ships and 35,870 tons.

Portugal:
Heinrich Jeß, in U-79, sinks Japanese freighter Chinto Maru, 2,592 tons, off the Gulf of Cadiz. His score is now 10 ships and 18,462 tons.

Gulf of Cadiz:
Otto Launburg, in UC-37, sinks 4 Allied ships:
French schooner Liberté, 166 tons, bound from Cardiff for Marseilles with a load of coal; sunk with deck gun.
Italian freighter SS Luigi Campa, 3,988 tons, travelling from Philadelphia to Gibraltar with a load of wheat.
Russian sailing vessel Seemel, 209 tons, en route from Seville to Faro.
British freighter SS Wragby, 3,641 tons, carrying a load of coal from Barry to Gibraltar; scuttled.
Launburg's score is now 10 ships and 19,705 tons.

Jimbuna

01-05-17, 09:29 AM

5th January 1917

Western Front

British capture two enemy posts near Beaumont Hamel.

Eastern Front

Ground gained in Russian offensive between Lake Babit and the Tirul marsh (west of Riga).

Enemy advance at various points on Romanian front, especially between the rivers Rimnic and Buzeu.

The Dobruja entirely cleared of Russians and Romanians.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Battle of Kut-el-Amara begins.

Naval and Overseas Operations

British occupy Kibambawe in Rufiji valley (German East Africa).

Political, etc.

French, British, Italian, and Russian government and military officials meet in Rome to discuss the war situation.

German male citizens age 16 and over living in Spain are ordered to register at the consulate for conscription purposes.

After negotiations, the Netherlands agrees to export 220 pounds of fresh pork to Germany for 176 pounds sent to England.

U.S. Federal Reserve Board estimates the belligerent nations have accrued $49.455 billion in new debt since the start of the war.

Ship Losses:

Allie (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Bay of Biscay off the Île de Ré, Charente-Maritime (46°15′N 1°48′W) by SM UB-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Asta (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the English Channel 25 nautical miles (46 km) north of the Casquets, Channel Islands (50°09′N 2°34′W) by SM UB-37 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Combermere (Italy) The full-rigged ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Cabo de Gata, Almería, Spain by SM UC-37 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Danevirke (Denmark) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 10 nautical miles (19 km) off Ouessant, Finistère, France (49°14′N 4°17′W) by SM UB-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Ebro (Denmark) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 75 nautical miles (139 km) west south west o the Créac'h Lighthouse, Finistère by SM U-82 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Lesbian (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 125 nautical miles (232 km) east by south of Malta (35°48′N 17°06′E) by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but her captain was taken as a prisoner of war.
Markland (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay 10 nautical miles (19 km) west of the Île de Ré by SM UB-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Salvatore Padre (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

Sailor Steve

01-05-17, 07:15 PM

January 5, 1917

Air War:
1100 German pilot Walter Göttsch, flying an Albatros D.II, shoots down BE.2e 7190 for victory number 3.

1440 German pilot Alfred Mohr, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down a Caudron two-seater for victory number 4.

1620 German pilot Friedrich Manschott, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down a Voisin two-seater for victory number 2.

German pilot Otto Brauneck, in an Albatros C.III with an Oblt Geissler as observer, shoots down two observation balloons for victories number 3 and 4.

Polish-born German pilot Hans-Georg von der Marwitz, flying for Schusta 10 in an unidentified two-seater with an nunnamed observer, shoots down a Farman two-seater for victory number 1.

Celtic Sea:
Hans Adam, commanding U-82, sinks Danish freighter SS Ebro, 1,028 tons, bound from Tyne for Livorno with a load of coal and coke, southwest of Ushant. His score is now 9 ships and 14,395 tons.

English Channel:
Claus Lafrenz, in UB-18, sinks Danish freighter SS Danevirke, 1,433 tons, carrying a load of coal from Newcastle to Gibraltar. His score is now 28 ships and 28,152 tons.

Paul Günther, in UB-37, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Asta, 573 tons, travelling in ballast from Rouen to Barry. His score is now 14 ships and 7,980 tons.

Denmark:
Swedish barquentine Gunilla, 233 tons, carrying a load of coal from Tyne to Christiania, runs aground near Klitmøller.

Bay of Biscay:
Heinrich Küstner, in UB-39, sinks two Allied ships:
British freighter SS Allie, 1,127 tons, en route from Swansea to Bordeaux with a load of copper sulphate.
Norwegian freighter SS Markland, 1,627 tons, carrying a load of pit props from Bayonne to Barry.
Küstner's score is now 40 ships and 38,624 tons.

Alboran Sea:
Otto Launsburg, in UC-37, has moved from the Gulf of Cadiz through the Strait of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean. Off the Cabo de Gata he stops and scuttles Italian freighter SS Combermere, 1,718 tons, travelling from Genoa to Pensacola. His score is now 11 ships and 21,423 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière, in U-35, is back in operation again, sinking two Allied ships southeast of Malta:
1615 British freighter SS Lesbian, 2,555 tons, carrying a general cargo from Calicut to London and Tees.
1915 Italian sailing vessel Salvatore Padre, 200 tons.
Von Arnauld's score is now 135 ships and 266,618 tons.

Zanzibar:
Fleet Messenger Trent reports offloading of equipment from HMS Severn is made difficult by swells entering the bay, causing the two ships to bump together. The wooden fenders protecting them are broken loose and swept away.

United States:
Canadian great lakes ship SS Case, 2,278 tons, is making the passage from Lake Huron to Lake Erie when she springs a leak in a storm. The ship is beached at Grosse Ile and abandoned. The ship burns, but the cargo is salvaged.

Atlantic Ocean:
Norwegian barque Fredriksten,1,293 tons, departs Savannah, Georgia, USA with 2,000 tons of oilcakes for Svendbord, Norway, and is not heard from again.

British freighter SS Martazan, 3,477 tons, en route from Sierra Leone for Liverpool, is sunk in a collision with Italian freighter SS Monte Bianco, off the Cape Verde Islands.

Jimbuna

01-06-17, 11:08 AM

6th January 1917

Western Front

Big daylight raid by British south-east of Arras.

Eastern Front

Stubborn fighting between the Carpathians and Focsani; some enemy progress, especially in the Susitsa valley and near Odobesti.

Russian counter-offensive between Focsani and Fundeni; ground recovered near Obilesti.

Political, etc.

Japan starts arming its merchant ships with 10-inch guns in order to protect them against German submarines.

Deans of 95 medical schools in the U.S. endorse universal military training for young men.

There will be no fetes or banquets during the Allied war conference in Rome, and all meals will conform to ration requirements.

The Dutch government states it has taken no steps to promote peace in Europe, believing it would be worthless in the present circumstances.

Ship Losses:

Alphonse Conseil (France) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 180 nautical miles (330 km) west north west of LA Coruña, Spain by SM U-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Beaufront (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 76 nautical miles (141 km) north west of Ouessant, Finistère by SM U-82 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew were rescued by Aldebaran ( Sweden).
Hudworth (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 94 nautical miles (174 km) east south east of Malta (35°31′N 16°24′E) by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Ville du Havre (France) The cargo liner was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 145 nautical miles (269 km) north west of Cape Villano, Spain (44°00′N 10°00′W) by SM U-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

Sailor Steve

01-06-17, 12:27 PM

January 6, 1917

Celtic Sea:
Hans Adam, commanding U-82, stops British freighter SS Beaufront, 1,720 tons, bound from Bilbao for Tees with a load of iron ore. After the crew abandons ship, Adam sinks her with a torpedo. The crew are rescued by Swedish freighter SS Aldebaran, and Aldebaran's master, Harald Holmgren, is given a British silver cup. Adam's score is now 10 ships and 16,115 tons.

Bay of Biscay:
Berndt Buß, in U-48, sinks two French freighters northwest of Coruna, Spain:
SS Alphonse Conseil, 1,591 tons, travelling from Nantes to Oran with a general cargo.
SS Ville du Havre, 5,026 tons, en route from Saigon to Dunkerque with an unspecified cargo.
Buß's score is now 8 ships and 23,135 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
1430 Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière, in U-35, sinks British freighter SS Hudworth, 3,966 tons, carrying a load of barley and seed from Karachi to Hull east of Malta. His score is now 136 ships and 270,584 tons.

Zanzibar:
HMS Severn is still offloading stores to HMFM Trent. At the same time the other monitor, HMS Mersey, ties up on the other side of Trent and is using her power supply to run their lights. The problem of swells and ships bumping continues.

Australia:
Australian schooner Nugarea, 143 tons, is wrecked at Roebuck Bay, Western Australia.

Jimbuna

01-07-17, 10:33 AM

7th January 1917

Eastern Front

Russians gain more ground south of Lake Babit.

In the snow, Russian troops, using white clothing to cover their uniforms, surprise German troops near Riga & capture 1000 yards of trenches.

Russo-Romanian front broken north-west of Focsani.

Political, etc.

Former Greek Minister of Finance M. Diomede claims that Germany is controlling the Greek army.

French and Belgian officials meet in Paris to protest the forced deportations of French and Belgian civilians in German-occupied territory.

Allied conference in Rome ends today, with a declaration that the Allied nations are united in their war aims.

Ship Losses:

Borgholm (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 75 nautical miles (139 km) off Cape Finisterre, Spain (43°19′N 11°07′W) by SM U-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Brenda (United Kingdom) The brigantine was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) south south west of Beachy Head, East Sussex by SM UB-23 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMT Donside (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 4 (Georg Reimarus) and sank in the North Sea off Lowestoft, Suffolk (52°17′N 1°44′E) with the loss of four of her crew.
Evangelos (Greece) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 90 nautical miles (170 km) west of Cape Finisterre by SM U-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Hansi (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel 15 nautical miles (28 km) north north west of Île Vierge, Finistère, France (48°56′N 4°55′W) by SM UB-37 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Mohacsfield (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 40 nautical miles (74 km) south east by east of Malta by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three crew. Her captain was taken as a prisoner of war.
Radnorshire (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 110 nautical miles (200 km) east of Pernambuco, Brazil by SMS Möwe ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Rosalia L. (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Malta (35°07′N 16°53′E) by SM U-32 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

Sailor Steve

01-07-17, 05:25 PM

January 7, 1917

Air War:
1100 Australian RNAS pilot Bob Little, flying a Sopwith Pup, shoots down an Albatros D.II for victory number 4.

1230 German ace Erwin Böhme, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down DH.2 7851 for victory number 9. Ethelbert Godwin Stockwell Wagner is killed.
The Albatros D.III is just being introduced to service at this time, and Jasta 2 (Boelcke) recieved some of the first, so it is possible that Böhme is flying one of the new aircraft.

1300 German pilot Walter Göttsch, in an Albatros D.I or D.II, shoots down FE.2d A39 for victory number 4. Thomas Mottershead is badly burned and dies five days later. lt W.E. Gower survives.

Canadian RNAS pilot Edward Grange, in Sopwith Pup N5194, shoots down an Albatros D.II for victory number 5. Grange is wounded in this fight and returns to England, where he spends the rest of the war as a flight instructor. After the war he returns home to Canada and a career as an engineer and businessman, dying in 1988.

English Channel:
Heinz Ziemer, commanding UB-23, stops and scuttles British brigantine Brenda, 249 tons, bound from London for Fowey with a load of manure. His score is now 6 ships and 9,530 tons.

Paul Günther, in UB-37, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Hansi, 1,142 tons, travelling from Newport, Wales to Gibraltar with a load of coal. His score is now 15 ships and 9,122 tons.

North Sea:
His Majesty's Trawler Donside, 182 tons, hits a mine laid by Georg Reimarus in UC-4. this is Reimarus' first sinking.

Spain:
Berndt Buß, in U-48, sinks two ships off Cape Finisterre:
Norwegian freighter SS Borgholm, 1,719 tons, carrying a load of coal from Newport, Wales to Gibraltar.
Greek freighter SS Evangelos, 3,773 tons, en route from Algiers to Dunkerque with a load of wine and esparto.
Buß's score is now 10 ships and 28,627 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Kurt Hartwig, in U-32, sinks Itlalian freighter SS Rosalia L., 7,186 tons, bringing his score to 35 ships and 31,768 tons.

1700 Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière, in U-35, sinks British freighter SS Mohacsfield, 3,678 tons. His score is now 137 ships and 277,940 tons.

Zanzibar:
The crew of Monitor HMS Severn are busy preparing their ship for being towed. The swells in the bay continue, and Severn and HMFM Trent are still bumping, destroying several more wooden fenders between the ships.

Caribbean Sea:
American schooner Frances V. Sawyer, 324 tons, en route from Puerto Cabello to Cuba, is wrecked on the coast of Haiti.

Brazil:
German raider SMS Möwe stops and scuttles British freighter SS Radnorshire, 4,302 tons, east of Pernambuco.

Jimbuna

01-08-17, 08:53 AM

8th January 1917

Eastern Front

Heavy fighting south of Lake Babit; no material change of positions.

Russians recover island in Dvina near Glandau.

Enemy advance in Casin and Susitsa valleys (Moldavia), capture Focsani, with 5,500 prisoners, and make progress near Fundeni.

Political, etc.

President Wilson criticizes newspapers for speculating on U.S. diplomatic moves, as it could lead to war.

Canadian official casualties now number 68,290 men killed, wounded, and missing.

Italy arrests more than 40 people as saboteurs for sinking the battleships Benedetto Brin and Leonardo da Vinci.

Ship Losses:

Andoni (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 46 nautical miles (85 km) south east of Malta (35°19′N 15°07′E) by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three crew.
HMT Cape Colony (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 11 (Benno von Ditfurth) and sank in the North Sea off Harwich, Essex (52°02′N 1°46′E). Her crew survived.
Lynfield (United Kingdom) The collier was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 32 nautical miles (59 km) south east by south of Malta by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member. Her captain was taken as a prisoner of war. Survivors were rescued by Chili ( France).

From yesterday.
http://i.imgur.com/tRLn2ur.jpg

Sailor Steve

01-08-17, 09:13 AM

January 8, 1917

English Channel:
British lighter SS Giant, 273 tons, departs Le Hourdel for Dartmouth and is not heard from again.

North Sea:
His Majesty's Drifter Cape Colony, 82 tons, hits a mine laid by Benno von Ditfurth in UC-11. Ditfurth's score is now 6 ships and 10,045 tons.

Norwegian schooner Kitty, 214 tons, carrying a load of pit props from Fredrikshald to Tyne, is wrecked off Marstens Rock, Norway.

Spain:
Berndt Buß, in U-48, captures Norwegian freighter SS Tholma, en route from Cardiff to Genoa with a load of coal. Buß keeps the ship while they use its stores.

Mediterranean Sea:
Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière, in U-35, sinks two British freighters south-east of Malta:
SS Andoni, 3,188 tons, travelling from Karachi to London with a load of grain.
SS Lynfield, 3,023 tons, carrying rail cars, coal and coke from Cardiff to Saloniki and Alexandria.
Von Arnauld is once again the leading U-boat ace with 139 ships and 280,473 tons.

Zanzibar:
HMS Severn is still offloading stores to HMFM Trent. The swells continue, and the bumping becomes so bad that some of Severn's rivets come loose, and she starts leaking.

Jimbuna

01-09-17, 05:23 PM

9th January 1917

Western Front

British take trenches east of Beaumont Hamel (Ancre).

Eastern Front

Russian advance between Tirul marsh and River Aa.

Enemy cross River Putna north and south-east of Focsani.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British carry Turkish positions at Rafa'a (frontier of Egypt and Syria) and defeat relief force; 1,600 prisoners taken.

British take 1,000 yards of trenches on right bank of Tigris north-east of Kut.

Naval and Overseas Operations

H.M.S. "Cornwallis" sunk by submarine in Mediterranean, 15 lost.
http://i.imgur.com/WIDGQyO.jpg

Political, etc.

Resignation of M. Trepov, Russian Prime Minister; Prince Golitzin succeeds.

Allies present ultimatum to Greece demanding immediate acceptance of their demands of 31 December.

Switzerland announces it will be cutting rail services across the country due to shortage of coal.

Sick Benefit Association of Berlin concludes that large number of prevailing illnesses are due to inadequate nourishment.

Ship Losses:

Alexandria (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was damaged in the Atlantic Ocean south west of the Fastnet Rock by SM U-84 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was beached but was later refloated.
Baynesk (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 130 nautical miles (240 km) north by west of Alexandria, Egypt 33°45′N 29°24′E by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of seven crew.
HMS Cornwallis (Royal Navy) The Duncan-class pre-dreadnought battleship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Malta by SM U-32 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of fifteen of her 720 crew.
Excellent (United Kingdom) The collier was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 40 nautical miles (74 km) north east of Noup Head, Orkney Islands (59°37′N 4°19′W) by SM U-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived but her captain was taken as a prisoner of war.
Fernebo (Sweden) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by SM UC-19 ( Kaiserliche Marine) and broke in two in the North Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) north east of Cromer, Norfolk, United Kingdom. Both parts came ashore. Her crew were rescued by the Cromer Lifeboat. Fernebo was declared a total loss. One casualty.
Gladys Royle (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 120 nautical miles (220 km) south of Santa Maria, Azores, Portugal by SMS Seeadler ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Minieh (United Kingdom) The collier was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 170 nautical miles (310 km) east northeast of Pernamboco, Brazil by SMS Möwe ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Pyrin (Greece) The cargo ship was abandoned in the North Sea off the coast of Norfolk. Her crew were rescued by the Cromer Lifeboat.

http://i.imgur.com/5SZsgss.jpg

Sailor Steve

01-09-17, 05:50 PM

January 9, 1917

Air War:
German pilot Rudolf von Eschwege, flying a Fokker E.III for Bulgaria on the Greek front, shoots down a Farman two-seater for victory number 3.

Hungarian pilot Karl Kaszala, flying Hansa-Brandenberg C.I 63.23 with Lt W. Varju as observer, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 2.

Celtic Sea:
Walter Roehr, commanding U-84, attacks British freighter SS Alexandrian, 4,467 tons, bound from New Orleans for Liverpool with a general cargo. The damaged ship is beached, refloated and beached a second time, then refloated again and towed to safe harbor.

Norwegian Sea:
Otto Wünsche, in U-70, sinks British freighter SS Excellent, 1,994 tons, travelling from Penarth to Lerwick with a load of coal, north of Scotland. His score is now 42 ships and 54,269 tons.

Thames Estuary:
Norwegian freighter SS Rinda, 5,509 tons, travelling from Newcastle to Naples with a load of coal, is wrecked off Shingle Patch in the Edinbrugh Channel. Wrecksite.eu notes the irregularity of a ship this size leaving no wreck behind, so she may have been refloated, but no one seems to know for sure.

North Sea:
Swedish freighter SS Fernebo, 1,440 tons, en route from Gävle to London with a load of timber, hits a mine laid by Alfred Nitzsche in UC-19 off the Foulner Bouy, and is near Cromer. Six of the crew make it ashore and are rescued by the Cromer Lifeboat crew. A further 11 are rescued by lifeboat Louise Heartwell. One crew member was lost. Nitzsche's score is now 18 ships and 30,989 tons.

Kattegat:
German coaster SS Proteus, 163 tons, sinks following a collision.

Mediterranean Sea:
Kurt Hartwig, in U-32, torpedoes old British battleship HMS Cornwallis, 14,000 tons, raising his score to 36 ships and 45,765 tons.

Walter Forstmann, in U-39, makes his first attack of the year, sinking British freighter SS Baynesk, 3,286 tons, carrying a load of sugar fro Port Louis, Mauritius to Marseille. His score is now 139 ships and 279,879 tons.

Brazil:
German raider SMS Möwe captures and scuttles British freighter SS Minieh, 3,805 tons, off Pernambuco. Möwe's score is now 32 ships and 129,783 tons.

Atlantic Ocean:
German raider SMS Seeadler captures and scuttles British freighter SS Gladys Royle, 3,268 tons, west of Santa Maria, Azores.

August

01-09-17, 06:20 PM

100 years ago tonight finds my Great Grandfather August and the rest of the 8th Bavarian Infantry Regiment manning the trenches on a sector of the Somme front north of Ancre.

Jimbuna

01-10-17, 02:46 PM

10th January 1917

Eastern Front

Russian progress south of Lake Babit.

Enemy carry two heights in Oitoz valley (Moldavia), but are thrown back across the Putna north of Focsani.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British progress continued north-east of Kut.

Political, etc.

Supreme Court Justice Wesley Howard states the U.S. could blockade all belligerent nations to force a peace in Europe.

German under-secretary of the Interior warns that German food shortages will continue after the war.

The new Premier of Russia Golitsyn declares there will be no internal reforms during the war.

Allies' reply to President Wilson's "Peace Note", accompanied by special Note from Belgium.

Evasive reply by Greek Government to Allies' ultimatum.

Ship Losses:

Bergenhus (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Irish Sea south east of Ireland (48°55′N 10°05′W) by SM U-84 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew were rescued by Borinquem ( United States).
Brookwood (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 210 nautical miles (390 km) north by west of Cape Finisterre, Spain (45°50′N 11°50′W) by SM U-79 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
Lundy Island (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 190 nautical miles (350 km) south east of Santa Maria, Azores, Portugal by SMS Seeadler ( Kaiserliche Marine). One of her crew was taken as a prisoner of war.
Netherby Hall (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 300 nautical miles (560 km) east by north of Pernambuco, Brazil by SMS Möwe ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Tholma (Germany) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean (43°23′N 11°01′W). Formerly a Norwegian cargo ship, she had been captured on 8 January by SM U-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Tuborg (Denmark )The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel (49°38′N 4°45′W) by SM UB-37 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Sailor Steve

01-10-17, 02:54 PM

January 10, 1917

Air War:
1540 German pilot Hans Körner, flying for Jasta 8, shoots down an observation balloon for victory number 1. Körner is probably in an Albatros D.II, but details are lacking.

Yalta-born Russian pilot Pavel Vladimirovich Argeyev, in a Nieuport, shoots down an Albatros C.V for victory number 1.

German 6-kill ace Otto Höhne is severly wounded, but manages to get his crippled Albatros home safely. He will spend most of 1917 recovering. In early 1918 he will take command of Jasta 2, but step down after one month. Höhne will miss the rest of the war, but serve as a senior officer in World War Two, flying bombers. Following a crash that again put him in the hospital, he would finally become head of a flight combat school. Otto Höhne lived util 1969, dying at age 74.

Celtic Sea:
Walter Roehr, commanding U-84, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Bergenhus, 3,606 tons, bound from Newport, Wales for Portovecchio with a load of coal. His score is now 3 ships and 7,168 tons.

English Channel:
Paul Günther, in UB-37, sinks Danish freighter SS Tuborg, 2,056 tons, carrying a load of coal from Sunderland to Lisbon, south of Cornwall. His score is now 19 ships and 32,829 tons.

French fishing schooner Notre Dame des Victoires, 125 tons, sinks following a collision off Fécamp, France.

England:
British trawler Majestic, 159 tons, runs aground at Robin Hood's Bay, near Whitby.

Spain:
Two days earlier, on January 8th, Berndt Buß, in U-48, captured Norwegian freighter SS Tholma, 1,896 tons, en route from Cardiff to Genoa with a load of coal. After using it for a stores ship Buß scuttles Tholma west of Cape Finisterre, bringing his score to 11 ships and 30,523 tons.

Heinrich Jeß, in U-79, sinks British freighter SS Brookwood, 3,093 tons, carrying a load of coal from Penarth to Port Said, northwest of Cape Finisterre. His score is now 11 ships and 21,555 tons.

Zanzibar:
British monitor HMS Severn is ready for towing. Final preparations are made and the ship battened down. The crew are all aboard HMFM Trent, along with all ship's stores.

Brazil:
German raider SMS Möwe captures and scuttles British freighter SS Netherby Hall, 4,461 tons, off Pernambuco. Möwe's score is now 33 ships and 134,244 tons.

Atlantic Ocean:
German raider SMS Seeadler captures and scuttles British freighter SS Lundy Island, 3,095 tons, off Santa Maria Island, in the Azores. Her score is now 2 ships and 6,363 tons.

Jimbuna

01-11-17, 10:20 AM

11th January 1917

Western Front

British carry German trench on front of 0.75 mile, north-east of Beaumont Hamel.

Eastern Front

German counter-attack near Kalutsem, south of Lake Babit, repulsed.

Successful Romanian attack in Casin valley.

Enemy progress in Susitsa valley and between Braila and Galatz.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British occupy Hai (Mesopotamia).

Naval and Overseas Operations

The seaplane carrier HMS Ben-my-Chree is sunk in the harbor of Kastellorizo, Greece by Turkish artillery.
http://i.imgur.com/JqXrepX.jpg

Political, etc.

Terms of new British War Loan announced by Mr. Lloyd George and Mr. Bonar Law at Guildhall.

British Central Liquor Control Board reports that its operations have reduced reports of drunkenness in cities by half.

PM Lloyd George: “The Allies are still convinced that even war is better than peace at the price of Prussian domination over Europe.”

German official casualties now number 4,010,160 men killed, wounded, and missing, not including naval and colonial casualties.

Ship Losses:

HMS Ben-my-Chree (Royal Navy) The aircraft carrying cruiser was shelled and sunk off Kastelorizo, Greece by Ottoman shore based artillery. All 250 crew were rescued. Ben-my-Chree was refloated in 1920 but found to be a total loss and was scrapped in 1923.
Ole Bull (Norway) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 19 (Alfred Nitzsche) and sank in the North Sea off Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, United Kingdom. Her crew survived.

Sailor Steve

01-11-17, 10:41 AM

January 11, 1917

Irish Sea:
British freighter SS Kelvindale, 3,230 tons, bound from Liverpool for Buenos Aires with a general cargo, sinks following a collision in the Crosby Channel, just off Liverpool.

North Sea:
Norwegian freighter SS Ole Bull, 1,835 tons, travelling from Hartlepool to Rouen with a load of coal, hits a mine laid off Yarmouth by Alfred Nitzsche in UC-19. UC-19 herself was sunk back on December 6, 1916. Nitzsche's final score is 19 ships and 32,829 tons.

Norwegian freighter SS Garsoy, 642 tons, departs Tyne with a load of coal for Nyborg, and is not heard from again. All 14 crew are lost.

Aegean Sea:
British seaplane carrier HMS Ben-my-Chree (Manx for "Girl of my Heart"), is sunk by Turkish artillery fire while anchored at Castellorizo, in the Dodecanese Islands.

Zanzibar:
0510 Monitor HMS Mersey casts off from HMFM Trent and moves to a dock.
0630 Tow ropes between Trent and HMS Severn are in place, and the ships weigh anchor and proceed for Durban.

Jimbuna

01-12-17, 10:26 AM

12th January 1917

Eastern Front

German attack near Kalutsem again repulsed.

Enemy capture Mihalea, on Sereth (north-west of Braila).

Aviation

Manfred von Richthofen receives the Pour le Mérite (the "Blue Max") for having shot down 16 Allied aircraft since September 1916.
http://i.imgur.com/Gfl6Nc8.jpg

Political, etc.

Large number of Romanian prisoners are sent to occupied France by the Germans to work as agricultural laborers.

Kaiser Wilhelm: “Our enemies have dropped the mask, admitted their lust of conquest and their aim to crush Germany and enslave Europe…”

A fire breaks out at a Canadian Foundry Co. Plant in Kingsland, New Jersey, causing 500,000 artillery shells to explode. No one is killed.

British Central Liquor Control Board reports that its operations have reduced reports of drunkenness in cities by half.

Almost immediately after it is sent, the Zimmerman Telegram is deciphered by British intelligence officers. Its contents are not immediately shared with the American government.

Ship Losses:

Auchencrag (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 20 nautical miles (37 km) west of Ouessant, Finistère, France (48°28′N 5°35′W) by SM U-84 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four of her crew.
Brentwood (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 43 (Erwin Sebelin) and sank in the North Sea 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) east north east of Whitby, Yorkshire with the loss of two of her crew.
Emeraude (France) The schooner was sunk off the coast of Spain by SM U-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Saint Michel (France) The schooner was scuttled in the English Channel off the Owers Lightship ( United Kingdom) (50°31′N 0°25′W) by SM UC-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew were rescued by a Royal Navy destroyer.
Vestfold (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 70 nautical miles (130 km) west north west of Cape Finisterre, Spain (43°46′N 11°49′W) by SM U-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

German steamer Gneisenau, which had been sunk by British in 1914, being refloated.
http://i.imgur.com/sPMHYU6.jpg

Sailor Steve

01-12-17, 11:02 AM

January 12, 1917

Air War:
German ace Manfred von Richthofen finally recieves his Pour le Merite ("Blue Max"). He had seven kills when they changed the requirement for the medal from eight victories to sixteen. He got number sixteen on the 4th.

Celtic Sea:
Walter Roehr, commanding U-84, sinks British freighter SS Auchencrag, 3,916 tons, bound from La Plata for Cherbourg with a load of wheat, off Ushant. His score is now 4 ships and 11,084 tons.

English Channel:
Wilhelm Kiel, in UC-18, stops and scuttles French schooner Saint Michel, 419 tons, en route from Le Havre to Britton Ferry with 200 tons of steel shavings. His score is now 27 ships and 23,837 tons.

North Sea:
British freighter SS Brentwood, 1,192 tons, travelling in ballast from London to Tyne, hits a mine laid off Whitby by Erwin Sebelin in UC-43. His score is now 2 ships and 1,731 tons.

France:
American trawler USS Phillip K. Bauman, 304 tons, hits a submerged rock near Trévignon, Brittany. Sinks while under tow to Lorient.

Spain:
Berndt Buß, in U-48, sinks two allied ships off Cape Finisterre:
French schooner Emeraude, 183 tons, en route from Lisbon to Palmpol; scuttled.
Norwegian freighter SS Vestfold, 1,883 tons, carrying a load of coal from Hull to Cette.
Buß's score is now 12 ships and 32,589 tons.

Japan:
Japanese freighter Suruga Maru, 740 tons, runs aground at Shirahama Awa, Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo Bay.

Jimbuna

01-13-17, 10:34 AM

13th January 1917

Eastern Front

Germans again repulsed near Kalutsem.

Enemy repulsed east of Focsani.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Italians severely defeat rebels near Zuara (Tripoli).

Political, etc.

The British government today raised £100 million from the public for its new war loan.

Responding to German criticism of the Allied blockade as inhumane, Britain states Germany starved Paris during the Franco-Prussian War.

A petition from Massachusetts, carrying 15,281 names, urges the U.S. government to break ties with Germany over the treatment of Belgians.

Russia claims that its naval raid on the Anatolian coast sunk 40 Ottoman ships that were carrying food to Constantinople.

Vatican confirms that Pope Benedict will not participate in any action towards peace that might appear to favor one power over the other.

Ship Losses:

USS Milwaukee (United States Navy) The St. Louis-class armored cruiser ran aground at Eureka, California. All 438 crew were rescued. Milwaukee broke in two in November 1918 and was a total loss. Her remains were scrapped in situ.
http://i.imgur.com/KrFzA1j.jpg
Solvang (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 30 nautical miles (56 km) north of Cape Finisterre, Spain (43°17′N 9°25′W) by SM U-59 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Toftwood (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 24 nautical miles (44 km) north of Sept Îles, Côtes-du-Nord, France (49°15′N 3°43′W) by SM UC-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Sailor Steve

01-13-17, 01:21 PM

January 13, 1917

English Channel:
Wilhelm Kiel, commanding UC-18, captures British freighter SS Toftwood, 3,082 tons, bound from New York for Le Havre with a general cargo. After the crew have abandoned ship, Kiel sinks her with a torpedo. His score is now 28 ships and 26,919 tons.

Spain:
Wilhelm von Fircks, in U-59, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Solvang, 2,970 tons, carrying a load of iron ore from Almeria to Barrow. His score is now 3 ships and 3,392 tons.

United States:
American cruiser USS Milwaukee (C-21), 9,700 tons, is sent to Eureka, California, to assist in the re-floating of submarine USS H-3, which had run aground at Humboldt Bay the previous December 14th. The cruiser runs aground at Samoa Beach, off Eureka, and is stranded. The crew are all safe, but the ship proves unsalvageable.

Jimbuna

01-14-17, 09:18 AM

14th January 1917

Eastern Front

Enemy thrown back in Casin valley and repulsed north-east of Focsani, but capture Vadeni (between Braila and Galatz).

In Romania, German-led forces advance on a 10-mile front towards the Siret River against Romanian and Russian forces, capturing 2 villages.

Naval

German submarine SM UB-37, which had sunk 31 ships, is sunk by British Q ship HMS Penshurst in the English Channel.

Japanese armoured cruiser Tsukuba suffers an accidental explosion in Yokosuka, resulting in 305 deaths.
http://i.imgur.com/J5nhHvJ.jpg

Political, etc.

At Ciurea station, Romania, a train crash causes 800-1000 deaths. Due to war, no formal investigation takes place.

Ship Losses:

Martin (United Kingdom) The cargo ship shelled and was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 8 nautical miles (15 km) north by west of Ouessant, Finistère, France (48°36′N 5°08′W) by SM UC-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Norma (Denmark) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel (50°13′N 2°00′W) by SM UB-37 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Sydney (France) The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 90 nautical miles (170 km) north west of Cape Villano, Spain (44°13′N 10°41′W) by SM U-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Tsukuba (Imperial Japanese Navy) The Tsukuba-class cruiser exploded and sank at Yokosuka, Kanagawa with the loss of 305 of her 879 crew.
SM UB-37 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UB II submarine was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 50°07′N 1°47′W by HMS Penshurst ( Royal Navy) with the loss of all 21 crew.

Sailor Steve

01-14-17, 09:23 AM

January 14, 1917

Air War:
1115 English pilot Gilbert Green, flying BE.12 6601, and Welsh pilot Franklin Geoffrey Saunders, in 6603, team up to shoot down an Albatros two seater. The German crew are not named but were reported as captured. Victory number 4 for Green, number 1 for Saunders.

English Channel:
Paul Günther, commanding UB-37, sinks Danish freighter SS Norma, 1,997 tons, bound from Valencia for Falmouth and then London with a load of oranges plus general cargo. Later Günther comes across another small freighter and opens fire at 3,000 yards. The freighter stops and the crew abandon ship. UB-37 continues to fire, and then the ship starts to return fire. The "freighter" is actually the Q-Ship HMS Penshurst, and the "crew" were a "panic party", acting as a decoy by manning the lifeboats and leaving. Penshurst scores several hits, and UB-37 sinks. The Q-Ship finishes the job, dropping depth charges. UB-37 is lost, Paul Günther and his 20 crew all going down with their ship. HMS Penshurst had previoiusly sunk UB-19 on the previous November 30th. Günther's final score is 20 ships and 13,175 tons.

Wilhelm Kiel, in UC-18, sinks British freighter SS Martin, 1,904 tons, travelling from Bayonne to Barry with a load of pit props, northwest of Ushant. His score is now 29 ships and 28,813 tons.

Spain:
Berndt Buß, in U-48, stops French freighter SS Sydney, 2,695 tons, carrying a load of coal from Cardiff to Bône (modern Annaba), and sinks her with his deck gun off Cape Villano.. His score is now 13 ships and 35,284 tons.

Japan:
Japanese armored cruiser IJN Tsukuba, 13,750 tons, suffers a magazine explosion while anchored at Yokosuka, with the loss of 305 of her crew.

Caribbean Sea:
American schooner Evie B. Hall, 361 tons, travelling from Las Palmas, Canary Islands for Guadeloupe Island, is wrecked at Le Moule Bay, Guadeloupe.

Jimbuna

01-15-17, 11:14 AM

15th January 1917

Eastern Front

Indecisive fighting in Casin valley sector.

Unsuccessful Russian attack in neighbourhood of Fundeni.

Political, etc.

British Cabinet members meet with commanders of the British and French armies to coordinate war plans.

German Foreign Secretary Zimmermann blames the Allies for preventing German efforts at seeking a peace deal.

Kings of Bavaria & Saxony declare their support of the Kaiser and that they will fight “until the enemy’s disgraceful plans are shattered.”

Persia (Iran) asks the U.S. State Department to help defend its rights, as its territories have been invaded by both Russians & Ottomans.

Ship Losses:

Bernadette (France) The brig was scuttled in the Bay of Biscay 8 nautical miles (15 km) south south east of the Glénan Islands, Finistère (47°27′N 3°50′W) by SM UC-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Brabant (Norway) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 43 (Erwin Sebelin) and sank in the North Sea 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) off Flamborough Head, Yorkshire, United Kingdom with the loss of three of her crew.
Esperanca (Norway) The cargo ship was captured in the Atlantic Ocean by SM U-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was scuttled the next day 165 nautical miles (306 km) north of Cape Finisterre, Spain.
Garfield (United Kingdom) The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 60 nautical miles (110 km) north east by north of Alexandria, Egypt (36°05′N 19°57′E) by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but her captain was taken as a prisoner of war.
Graafjeld (Norway) The coaster struck a mine laid by UC 43 (Erwin Sebelin) and sank in the North Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) east of Flamborough Head. Her crew survived.
Independant (France) The sailing vessel was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 20 nautical miles (37 km) north west of Ouessant, Finistère by SM UB-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived; they were rescued by a Royal Navy destroyer.
Kinpurney (United Kingdom) The full-rigged ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 110 nautical miles (200 km) west of the Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly (49°20′N 9°10′W) by SM U-84 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Omsk (Denmark) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 90 nautical miles (170 km) west of the Bishop's Rock (49°12′N 8°39′W) by SM U-84 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Otto (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay 10 nautical miles (19 km) north west of Belle Île, Morbihan, France (47°32′N 3°41′W) by SM UC-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Port Nicholson (United Kingdom) The cargo liner struck a mine laid by UC 1 (Hugo Thielmann) and sank in the North Sea 15 nautical miles (28 km) west of Dunquerque, Pas-de-Calais, France (51°01′45″N 1°58′15″E) with the loss of two of her crew.

"The Straight Game" (Western Mail cartoon)
http://i.imgur.com/5bynJQa.jpg

Sailor Steve

01-15-17, 11:51 AM

January 15, 1917

Air War:
German pilot Friedrich-Karl Burckhardt, flying a Halberstadt D.II, shoots down a BE.2c for victory number 1.

Celtic Sea:
Walter Roehr, commanding U-84, sinks two Allied ships near Bishop Rock:
British sailing ship Kinpurney, 1,944 tons, bound from Cardiff for Port Nolloth, South Africa with a load of coal, coke and limestone.
Danish freighter SS Omsk, 1,574 tons, travelling from Leith to Genoa with a load of coal and fish.
Roehr's score is now 6 ships and 14,602 tons.

English Channel:
Wilhelm Amberger, in UB-38, stops and scuttles French dandy Independant, 153 tons, carrying 120 tons of pit props from La Rochelle to Swansea; northwest of Ushant. The crew are rescued by a British destroyer. Amberger's score is now 6 ships and 5,576 tons.

Strait of Dover:
British freighter SS Port Nicholson, 8,418 tons, en route from Sydney to Dunkerque with a load of meat and general cargo, hits a mine laid by Hugo Thielmann, new commander of UC-1. This is Thielmann's first sinking.

North Sea:
Two Norwegian freighters hit mines laid off Flamborough Head by Erwin Sebelin in UC-43:
SS Brabant, 1,492 tons, bound from Christiania for London with a load of wood pulp plus general cargo.
SS Graafjeld, 728 tons, travelling from Aalesund to Hull with a load of salt herring.
Sebelin's score is now 4 ships and 3,951 tons.

Bay of Biscay:
Wilhelm Kiel, in UC-18, stops and scuttles two Allied vessels near the Glénan Islands:
French brigantine Bernadette, 128 tons, carrying a load of pit props from La Roche Bernard to Cardiff.
Norwegian coaster SS Otto, 401 tons, travelling from Middlesbrough to Saint Nazaire with a load of pitch.
Kiel's score is now 31 ships and 29,342 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Leading u-boat ace Walter Forstmann, in U-39, sinks British freighter SS Garfield, 3,838 tons, carrying a load of coal from Barry to Port Said. His score is now 140 ships and 283,717 tons.

Jimbuna

01-16-17, 10:17 AM

16th January 1917

Western Front

Another big British daylight raid west of Lens.

Capture of enemy posts on front of 600 yards north of Beaucourt-sur-Ancre.

Eastern Front

Mackensen's advance in Romania checked.

Naval and Overseas Operations

British Admiralty announces that German raider in the Atlantic has sunk 10 British and 2 French ships, and captured 2 British ships.

Political, etc.

Germany claims that Allied shelling and air raids have killed 2,557 French and Belgian civilians in occupied areas.

Greece government asks the U.S. for help, stating Allied meddling in the country is causing starvation among its people.

At the Pope’s request, Kaiser Wilhelm agrees that he will cooperate in the restoration of the damaged Rheims cathedral.

General Bieliaev appointed Russian Minister of War in place of General Shuvaiev.

George Dewey, U.S. Admiral of the Navy (only person to hold the rank), has passed away.
http://i.imgur.com/9S2rQL0.png

Ship Losses:

HMT Amplify (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was lost on this date.
Jeune France (France) The ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 25 nautical miles (46 km) west north west of Ouessant, Finistère by SM UC-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Valle (Spain) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 10 nautical miles (19 km) south west of Ouessant by SM UC-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine).[128] Her crew were rescued by Kurt ( Sweden).

Editorial Cartoon: 'When attrition meets attrition' ─ Chicago Tribune
http://i.imgur.com/EwpJZso.png

Sailor Steve

01-16-17, 01:36 PM

January 16, 1917

Celtic Sea:
Paul Wagenfür, commanding U-44, sinks British freighter SS Baron Sempill, 1,607 tons, bound from Glasgow for Huelva with a general cargo. His score is now 9 ships and 31,289 tons.

Wilhelm Amberger, in UB-38, sinks Spanish freighter SS Manuel, 2,419 tons, carrying a load of copper ore from Bilbao to Glasgow. His score is now 4 ships and 7,995 tons.

Bay of Biscay:
Wilhelm von Fircks, in U-59, stops and scuttles French barque Brenn, 2,189 tons, travelling in ballast from La Pallice to Taltal. His score is now 4 ships and 5,581 tons.

Wilhelm Kiel, in UC-18, sinks Norwegian freighter SS City of Tampico, 1,513 tons, carrying a load of coal from Manchester to Nantes. His score is now 32 ships and 30,855 tons.

Spain:
Berndt Buß, in U-48, scuttles Norwegian freighter SS Esperanca, 4,428 tons, travelling in ballast from La Spezia to Cardiff. The ship was captured the previous day off Cape Finisterre. Buß's score is now 14 ships and 38,712 tons.

South Africa:
HMFM Trent comes to rest and a damage crew visits HMS Severn to inspect for leaks. Finding everything shipshape the tow to Durban is resumed.

Jimbuna

01-17-17, 10:10 AM

17th January 1917

The Central Powers accuse Russia of deporting Austrian men of military age in occupied areas of Austro-Hungary.

Ships sunk by the German raiding ship SMS Möwe cost U.S. insurance companies more than $10 million.

Germany demands that France move its prisoner of war camps beyond the range of German artillery to prevent accidental hits.

At the Ancre front, British troops capture 600 yards of trenches north of Beaucourt, France.

British “Room 40” codebreakers intercept a coded telegram penned by German foreign secretary Arthur Zimmermann. The Zimmermann telegram proposes an alliance between Germany and Mexico if the U.S. enters the war.

Ship Losses and a couple of other entries in my previous post were in fact for todays date oops! :oops:

Sailor Steve

01-17-17, 01:52 PM

January 17, 1917

Air War:
1340 German pilot Georg Schlenker, flying a Halberstadt D.III, shots down RE.8 A74 for victory number 1. Details on the British pilot are unavailable at this time.

Celtic Sea:
Wilhelm Kiel, commanding UC-18, stops and scuttles two Allied ships west of Ushant:
French schooner Jeune France, 126 tons, bound from La Rochelle for Cardiff with a load of pit props.
Spanish freighter Valle, 2,365 tons, carrying a load of iron ore from Bilbao to Middlesbrough.
Kiel's score is now 34 ships and 33,346 tons.

British schooner M. Lloyd Morris, 144 tons, en route from Cadiz to Halway with a load of salt, sinks following a collision off the Lizard (the outermost point of Cornwall).

Scotland:
His Majesty's Trawler Amplify, 342 tons, runs aground near Mingulay, at the south end of the Isles of Lewis.

Liberia:
British freighter SS Gando, 2,895 tons, travelling from New York to Liberia, is wrecked at Bruni Rock, just south of the Sanquin River.

Canada:
Canadian service vessel No. 6 Dredge, 370 tons, travelling from Isaac's Harbour, Nova Scotia to Sydney, NS, founders off Shag Rock, with the loss of 9 lives.

Jimbuna

01-18-17, 09:39 AM

18th January 1917

Eastern Front

Unsuccessful attacks on enemy positions between Casin and Susitsa valleys.

Political, etc.

Lighthouses in Jamaica and other British possessions in the Caribbean are darkened due to fear of German raiders and submarines.

Re-opening of Duma and of Council of the Empire postponed by Russian Government from 25 January to 27 February.

Members of the Prussian Diet urge the vigorous prosecution of the war with the increased use of submarines.

Ship Losses:

Asp (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 45 nautical miles (83 km) north west of the Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom (50°37′N 6°43′W) by SM UB-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Dagmar (Denmark) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 4 (Georg Reimarus) and sank in the North Sea off Orfordness, Suffolk, United Kingdom (52°07′30″N 1°45′30″E). Her crew survived.
HMS Ferret (Royal Navy) The Acheron-class destroyer was torpedoed and damaged in the English Channel south east of St. Catherine's Point, Isle of Wight by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member. She was repaired and returned to service.
Louise (France) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Bay of Biscay 14 nautical miles (26 km) south south west of the Glénan Islands, Finistère by SM UC-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Louis Joseph (France) The auxiliary schooner was sunk in the Bay of Biscay 6 nautical miles (11 km) east south east of Guilvinec, Finistère by SM UC-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Manchester Inventor (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 50 nautical miles (93 km) north west by west of the Fastnet Rock by SM U-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Taormina (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel 60 nautical miles (110 km) off Jersey, Channel Islands by SM UC-16 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Sailor Steve

01-18-17, 03:49 PM

January 18, 1917

Ireland:
Carl-Siegfried von Georg, commanding U-57, sinks British freighter SS Manchester Inventor, 4,247 tons, bound from St. John, New Brunswick, Canada for Manchester with a general cargo. His score is now 25 ships and 20,686 tons.

Celtic Sea:
Wilhelm Amberger, in UB-38, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Asp, 1,759 tons, travelling from Barry to Fayal, in the Azores, with a load if coal. His score is now 5 ships and 9,754 tons.

English Channel:
Egon von Werner, in UC-16, sinks Italian freighter SS Taormina, 2,457 tons, en route from Huelva to Newport, Wales with a load of Iron Ore, off the Isle of Jersey. His score is now 40 ships and 45,575 tons.

Reinhold Saltzwedel, in UC-21, torpedoes British destroyer HMS Ferret, 778 tons, off St. Catherine's Point, Isle of Wight. The damaged ship makes port safely and is repaired and converted to a fast minelayer.

North Sea:
Friedrich Karl Sichart von Sichartshofen, in UB-41, attacks British trawler Cetus, 139 tons, with his deck gun. The damaged trawler manages to make safe port.
This is Sichart von Sichartshofen's last attack. He will leave UB-41 on March 20, 1917 and leave the naval service on November 10, 1919. Other than that nothing seems to be known of his later life except for a note in Timothy Mulligan's book Neither Sharks Nor Wolves stating that he served in the U-bootsabnahmakommando (U-boat Acceptance Command) in World War Two.

Danish freighter SS Dagmar, 758 tons, travelling in ballast from Trouville to Methil, hits a mine laid by Georg Reimarus in UC-4 near Orfordness. Reimarus' score is now 2 ships and 940 tons.

Bay of Biscay:
Wilhelm Kiel, in UC-18, sinks two French vessels off Brittany:
Auxiliary motor schooner Louis Joseph, 197 tons, bound from La Rochelle for Port Talbot with 230 tons of pit props, scuttled off Guilvinec.
Ketch Louise, 101 tons, carrying 65 tons of pit props from Le Verdon to Swansea; scuttled off Penfret.
Kiel's score is now 36 ships and 33,644 tons.

Durban, South Africa:
0810 HMFM Trent stops outside Durban Harbour and a work crew goes aboard HMS Severn.
0940 HMS Severn's tow ropes are slipped and the minitor proceeds into the harbour under her own power.
1120 HMFM Trent anchors and waits for tug boats.
1250 Trent is moored alongside HM Trawler Huntsgreen.

Canada:
Canadian coaster SS Pilot, 427 tons, carrying a general cargo from Rivière Du Loup to Quebec, is wrecked at Red Island, in the Saint Lawrence River.

Jimbuna

01-19-17, 11:03 AM

19th January 1917

Eastern Front

Further unsuccessful Romanian attacks between Casin and Susitsa valleys.

Town of Nanesti and bridgehead of Fundeni carried by enemy.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Right bank of Tigris below Kut cleared of enemy after 10 days' continuous fighting.

Naval

British submarine E36 collides with another submarine E43 in the North Sea, resulting in E36’s sinking with loss of all hands.

Political, etc.

Great explosion at Silvertown, east London; 69 killed, 400 injured.

Germany initiates negotiations with Mexico, Japan and U.S.A.

More than 1000 Americans in Ottoman Syria and Palestine apply for evacuation out of the region.

German occupation in Belgium sentences 30 Belgians to death for attempting to escape through the Netherlands and join the Belgian Army.

Coffee rations in Budapest are cut to 125 grams per person for each month.

Russia announces that in 1916, it captured 428,000 soldiers, 325 artillery guns, 1,661 machine guns, and 421 mortars and mine throwers.

Ship Losses:

Anna (Norway) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 80 nautical miles (150 km) west of Ouessant, Finistère, France (48°29′N 7°12′W) by SM UC-16 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMS E36 (Royal Navy) The E-class submarine collided with HMS E43 ( Royal Navy) in the North Sea off Harwich, Essex and sank with the loss of all 30 crew.
Gaea (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay 21 nautical miles (39 km) north by east of Bilbao, Biscay, Spain by SM U-59 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Joseph Rosalie (France) The sailing vessel was sunk in the English Channel 40 nautical miles (74 km) north west of the Roches-Douvres Lighthouse, Côtes-du-Nord by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Klampenborg (Denmark) The cargo ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off Audierne, Finistère, France (47°56′N 4°42′W) by SM UC-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Lilian H. (United Kingdom) The schooner was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 15 nautical miles (28 km) south by east of the Old Head of Kinsale, County Cork by SM UB-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Marietta di Giorgio (Norway) The coaster was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 70 nautical miles (130 km) south west of Ouessant (47°38′N 6°23′W) by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Nailsea Court (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 32 nautical miles (59 km) west of the Skelligs by SM U-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Parahyba (Uruguay) The cargo ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) south of the La Vieille Lighthouse, Finistère (47°57′N 4°45′W) by SM UC-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Reinunga (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 70 nautical miles (130 km) south west of the Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom by SM UC-16 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Theresdal (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Ouessant by SM UC-16 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Tremeadow (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 35 nautical miles (65 km) north east by north of Ouessant (49°03′N 4°50′W) by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Sailor Steve

01-19-17, 03:09 PM

January 19, 1917

Air War:
German pilot Otto Brauneck, now flying a Halberstadt D.II with Jasta 25, shoots down a Caudron G.IV for victory number 5.

Ireland:
Berndt Buß. cp,,amdomg U-48, sinks British freighter SS Nailsea Court, 3,295 tons, bound from Bougie for Barrow with a load of iron ore. His score is now 15 ships and 41,407 tons.

Wilhelm Amberger, in UB-38, stops and scuttles British schooner Lillian H., 467 tons, carrying a load of slate from Whitehaven to Barbados. His score is now 6 vessels and 10,221 tons.

Celtic Sea:
Egon von Werner, in UC-16, stops and scuttles three Norwegian freighters west of Ushant:
SS Anna, 1,237 tons, travelling from Almeria to Glasgow with a load of esparto grass.
SS Reinunga, 1,147 tons, carrying a load of esparto from Arzew to Glasgow.
SS Theresdal, 1,762 tons, en route from Bathurst to Liverpool with a load of ground nuts.
Von Werner's score is now 43 ships and 49,721 tons.

Reinhold Saltzwedel, in UC-21, sinks three Allied ships around Ushant:
French schooner Joseph Rosalie, 138 tons, travelling from Palmpoi to Swansea with a load of ore; scuttled.
Norwegian freighter SS Marietta di Giorgio, 988 tons, en route from Cadiz to Moldøen. Norway with a load of salt; scuttled.
British freighter SS Tremeadow, 3,653 tons, carring a load of maize from Buenos Aires to Hull.
Saltzwedel's score is now 27 ships and 31,660 tons.

Brittany:
French sailing vessel Parfaite claimed to have been sunk by a German U-boat. There is no German record claiming this sinking, and no details on the size, route or cargo of the French vessel.

Wilhelm Kiel, in UC-18, sinks two ships in the Bay of Audierne:
Danish freighter SS Klampenborg, 1,785 tons, bound from Tyne for Bordeaux with a load of coal.
Uruguayan freighter SS Parahyba, 2,606 tons, carrying a load of coal from Clyde to Saint Nazaire.
Kiel's score is now 38 ships and 38,035 tons.

Bay of Biscay:
Wilhelm von Fircks, in U-59, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Gaea, 1,002 tons, travelling from Bilbao, Spain to Newport, Wales with a load of iron ore, northeast of Bilbao. His score is now 5 ships and 6,583 tons.

Simonstown, South Africa:
Drydock is filled, HMS Hyacinth moves out into harbour.

Durban, South Africa:
HMFM Trent is moved to dock by tugs. In a log entry Trent reports seven men absent without leave all day, three men refusing to go on duty and two men not showing up for watch duty.

Jimbuna

01-20-17, 10:09 AM

20th January 1917

Eastern Front

Germans take Fundeni (on the Sereth).

Naval and Overseas Operations

Official despatch from German East Africa reports progress in Rufiji valley region and west of Mahenge.

General A.R. Hoskins succeeds General Smuts.

Political, etc.

An explosion at a munitions laboratory in Spandau, Germany results in 10 deaths and 20 injuries.

The Tsar addresses a rescript to Prince Golitzin laying down the main lines of his policy.

Ship Losses:

Bulgarian (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 50 nautical miles (93 km) west of the Fastnet Rock by SM U-84 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of fourteen of her crew. Nine survivors were taken as prisoners of war.
Kisagata Maru No.3 (Japan) The cargo ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Neuquen (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 20 nautical miles (37 km) north west by west of the Skellig Islands (51°50′N 10°52′W) by SM U-84 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eighteen crew.
HMT New Comet (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 4 (Georg Reimarus) and sank in the North Sea off Orfordness, Suffolk (52°07′30″N 1°43′40″E) with the loss of eight of her crew.
HMT Pansy Royal Navy The naval trawler was lost on this date.[37]
laid by UC 43 (Erwin Sebelin) (United Kingdom) The coaster struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Whitby, Yorkshire with the loss of all eleven crew.
Standard (Denmark) The brigantine was sunk in the English Channel 13 nautical miles (24 km) off Portland Bill, Dorset, United Kingdom by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Sailor Steve

01-20-17, 12:24 PM

January 20, 1917

Ireland:
Walter Roehr, commanding U-84, sinks two British freighters:
SS Bulgarian, 2,515 tons, bound from Cartagena for Garston with a load of iron ore; 50 miles west of Fastnet.
SS Neuquen, 3,583 tons, carrying a load of maize from Rosario to Belfast; 20 miles northwest of the Skelligs.
Roehr's score is now 8 ships and 20,700 tons.

Irish Sea:
British side-wheel paddle passenger steamer PSS Pansy, 333 tons, en route from Liverpool to London, is wrecked off Bull Bay.

English Channel:
Ralph Wenninger, in UC-17, stops and scuttles Danish three-masted schooner Standard, 217 tons, travelling from Fowey to Leith with a load of china clay. His score is now 37 ships and 15,349 tons.

North Sea:
His Majesty's Trawler New Comet, 177 tons, hits a mine laid by Georg Reimarus in UC-4, off Orfordness. His score is now 3 ships and 1,117 tons.

British coaster SS Planudes, 542 tons, travelling from Tyne to Trouville with a load of coal, is reported as missing with all hands. Credit is given to a mine laid by Erwin Sebelin in UC-43, bringing his score to 5 ships and 4,493 tons.

British trawler Lord Strathmore, 172 tons, is wrecked off Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland.

Bay of Biscay:
French freighter SS Phoebe, 3,956 tons, travelling in ballast from Saint Nazaire to Cardiff, hits a mine laid off Brest by Wilhelm Kiel in UC-18. the damaged ship makes safe port.

Reinhold Saltzwedel, in UC-21, sinks Japanese freighter Kisagata Maru No. 3, 2,588 tons, en route from Bordeaux to a nunnamed port in the U.K. with a load of pit props.
Later Saltzwedel torpedoes Norwegian freighter SS Jotunfjell, 2,492 tons, bound from Cardiff for Saint Nazaire with a load of coal, but the damaged ship makes it to port safely.
Saltzwedel's score is now 28 ships and 34,248 tons.

Simonstown, South Africa:
Light cruiser HMS Hyacinth carries out harbour trials.

Durban, South Africa:
HFMF Trent reports ten men Absent Without Leave and four men Off Watch Without Leave.
1700 Trent reports two men returned to the ship by police.

Jimbuna

01-21-17, 10:40 AM

21st January 1917

Western Front

Repulse of German attacks north of the Bois des Caurieres (Verdun).

Political, etc.

Herbert Hoover, head of the Belgian Relief Commission (and future US President), asks $200 million to aid civilians in occupied Belgium.

Russian General Brusilov predicts that “during the coming year the enemy will be completely routed.”

Ottoman Empire accuses France of coveting Syria and Britain of wanting to take over Mesopotamia (Iraq).

Tsar Nicholas II issues an imperial rescript calling on all Russians to back the army to the fullest extent.

Some Swiss citizens living overseas are ordered to return home to serve in the Swiss Army, due to fears of a German invasion.

Ship Losses:

Couronne (France) The schooner was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean off the Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom by SM UC-16 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew took to the lifeboats but did not survive.
Ellen Roberts (United Kingdom) The schooner sprang a leak and foundered in the Irish Sea 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) south of Baltimore, County Cork.
Gladys (United Kingdom) The trawler was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 40 nautical miles (74 km) north west by west of Inishtrahull Island, County Donegal (55°46′N 8°20′W) by SM U-45 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Leontine (France) The schooner was sunk in the Bay of Biscay by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Lucy (United Kingdom) The trawler was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 40 nautical miles (74 km) north west by west of Inistrahull Island by SM U-45 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Saint Pierre (France) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Bay of Biscay 14 nautical miles (26 km) west of the La Coubre Lighthouse, Charente-Maritime by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Star of the Sea (United Kingdom) The trawler was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 43 nautical miles (80 km) north west by west of Inishtrahull Island by SM U-45 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Sailor Steve

01-21-17, 05:37 PM

January 21, 1917

Ireland:
Erich Sittenfeld, commanding U-45, stops and sinks three British trawlers northwest of Irishtrahull, the northernmost Irish island.
Gladys, 275 tons; sunk with deck gun.
Lucy, 280 tons.
Star of the Sea, 197 tons.
Sittenfeld's score is now 9 ships and 9,069 tons.

Egon von Werner, in UC-16, scuttles French schooner Couronne, 169 tons, off the Scilly Isles. The crew are not rescued, and the vessel is posted as missing until records are compared after the war. His score is now 44 ships and 49,890 tons.

North Sea:
British trawler Deeside, 197 tons, runs aground near Peterhead.

Bay of Biscay:
Reinhold Saltzwedel, in UC-21, attacks a trio of French sailing vessels:
Schooner Leontine, 124 tons, scuttled.
Schooner Saint Pierre, 127 tons, carrying a load of pit props from Verdon to Port Talbot.
Schooner Victoire, 290 tons, damaged and towed to port.
Saltzwedel's score is now 30 ships and 34,449 tons.

Durban, South Africa:
The crew of HMS Severn are housed ashore in preparation for moving the moniter into drydock.

HMFM Trent reports ten men Absent With Out Leave and four men not showing up for watch duty.
At 1615 eight men are returned to the ship by the police.

South Africa:
Italian freighter SS Clio, 2,801 tons, travelling from Norfolk, Virginia to Piombino with a load of coal, is wrecked near Cape Agulhas, on the west coast of South Africa.

Japan:
Japanese freighter Matsu Maru, 2,103 tons, carrying a load of timber from Otaru to Kobe, is wrecked at Fukuyama, Oshima.

Atlantic Ocean:
German Raider SMS Seeadler captures and sinks French barque Charles Gounod, 2,199 tons, north of the Arquipélago de São Pedro e São Paulo, almost exactly halfway between Brazil and Sierra Leone. Seeadler has now sunk 3 ships for 8,562 tons.

Jimbuna

01-22-17, 10:01 AM

22nd January 1917

Eastern Front

Bulgarians cross southern arm of Danube near Tulcea (Dobruja).

Naval and Overseas Operations

Two destroyer actions by night in North Sea. One German destroyer sunk and one (V69) towed damaged into Ymuiden. One British destroyer lost.

German submarine SM U-76 founders in bad weather and then collides with a Russian trawler, resulting in the submarine sinking.

Political, etc.

Britain announces that all men aged 18 years will be called up for home defense, lowering the age from the former 18 years & 7 months.

President Wilson addresses U.S. Senate on America's attitude towards peace.

Ammunition exports from the U.S. to Europe has passed more than $1 billion in value since the start of the war.

The Bank of Italy and other Italian banks lend Russia $50 million, which will be used to purchase Italian war supplies.

Ship Losses:

Anna (France) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the English Channel off the coast of Finistère 49°12′N 4°26′W( by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Aurelie (France) The sailing vessel was sunk in the English Channel (49°31′N 3°28′W) by SM UC-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Bearnais (France) The schooner was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off the La Coubre Lighthouse, Charente-Maritime (45°31′N 1°36′W) by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Duc d'Aumale (France) The barque was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean (45°21′N 8°50′W) by SM U-43 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived; they were taken on board U-43 and transferred to Storli ( Norway) the next day.
Ethel (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 30 nautical miles (56 km) south south east of Start Point, Devon (49°50′N 3°54′W) by SM U-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Euphrates (Belgium) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 200 nautical miles (370 km) south west of the Fastnet Rock by SM U-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Gaulois (France) The sailing vessel was sunk in the English Channel (49°05′N 5°14′W) by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Kamma (Sweden) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 40 (Gustav Deuerlich) and sank in the North Sea 1.5 nautical miles (2.8 km) east of Blyth, Northumberland, United Kingdom. [167] Four of the crew was killed.
Minho (Portugal) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of the Fastnet Rock by SM U-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
O. A. Brodin (Sweden) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel 16 nautical miles (30 km) north of Ouessant, Finistère by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine).[170] Her crew survived.
Precurseur (France) The schooner was sunk in the Bay of Biscay south west of the La Coubre Lighthouse by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Steinmachos (Greece) The cargo ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off the La Coubre Lighthouse (45°40′N 1°30′W) by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Trevean (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 240 nautical miles (440 km) south west by west of the Fastnet Rock (approximately 48°N 13°W) by SM U-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but three of them were taken as prisoners of war.
SM U-76 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UE I submarine collided with a Russian trawler and sank in the Arctic Ocean (approximately 71°N 23°E) with the loss of a crew member.
Zeta (Netherlands) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 18 nautical miles (33 km) south south west of The Lizard, Cornwall, United Kingdom(49°43′N 5°37′W) by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

Sailor Steve

01-22-17, 10:25 PM

January 22, 1917

Air War:
German pilot Eduard von Dostler, Flying an Albatros D.II, shoots down a Caudron two-seater for victory number 2.

French pilot Gustave Douchy, in a Nieuport, shoots down an Albatros two-seater for victory number 3.

German pilot Karl Emil Schäfer, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down a Caudron two-seater for victory number 1.

Celtic Sea:
Carl-Siefried von Georg, commanding U-57, sinks three Allied ships southwest of Fastnet:
Belgian freighter SS Euphrates, 2,809 tons, travelling in ballast from Barry to New York.
Portuguese schooner Minho, 179 tons, bound from Oporto for Cardiff with a load of pit props; burned.
British freighter SS Trevean, 3,081 tons, carrying a load of iron ore from Benisaf to Tyne. Master and two crew taken prisoner.
Von Georg's score is now 28 ships and 26,755 tons.

English Channel:
Hans Rose, in U-53, sinks two Allied vessles near the west end of the Channel:
French schooner Anna, 154 tons, carrying 204 tons of macadam for Sables d'Olonne to Le Treport; sunk with deck gun. The owner/master and crew are recovered by patrol boat HMS Myna and landed at Guernsey.
Dutch freighter SS Zeta, 3.053 tons, travelling from New York to Amsterdam with a load of wheat; torpedoed.
Rose's score is now 8 ships and 26,774 tons.

Wilhelm Werneer, in U-55, stops and sinks British fishing smack Ethel, 23 tons, with his deck gun. His score is now 8 vessels and 17,558 tons.

Dutch Tanker SS Juno, 2,345 tons, route and cargo unlisted, hits a mine laid by Egon von Werner in UC-16 off Hastings. The damaged ship makes port safely.

Ralph Wenninger, in UC-17, sinks two Allied ships norht of Ushant:
French dandy Gaulois, 76 tons, carrying a load of pit props; stopped and sunk with the deck gun.
Swedish freighter SS O.A. Brodin, 1,798 tons, carrying a load of coal from South Shields to St. Vincent.
Wenninger's score is now 39 ships and 17,223 tons.

Wilhelm Kiel, in UC-18, stops and scuttles French sailing vessel Aurelie, 89 tons, bound from Palmpol for Cardiff with a load of pit props. His score is now 39 ships and 38,124 tons.

North Sea:
Swedish freighter SS Kamma, 1,516 tons, en route from Gävle to Rouen with a load of timber, hits a mine laid by Gustav Deuerlich in UC-40 off Blyth, Northumberland. This is Deuerlich's first sinking.

Barents Sea:
U-76, commanded by Waldemar Bender, collides with a Russian trawler off Akkarfjord, Norway. The damaged u-boat sinks with the loss of one crew member. The rest of the crew, along with her captain, are rescued. Bender will return to service in U-43 in May.

Bay of Biscay:
Hellmuth Jürst, in U-43, stops and scuttles French barque Duc D'Aumale, 2,189 tons, carrying a load of corn from Bahia Blanca to Pauillac. The entire crew are taken aboard U-43 for a day, then transferred to Norwegian freighter SS Storli.

Reinhold Saltzwedel, in UC-21, sinks three Allied ships:
French schooner Bearnais, 301 tons, travelling from Bordeaux to Barry with a load of pit props; scuttled.
French schooner Precurseur, 364 tons, en route from Bordeaux to Martinique with a general cargo.
Greek freighter SS Stenimachos, 1,175 tons, Algiers to Bordeaux with an unlisted cargo.
Saltzwedel's score is now 22 ships and 36,389 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Italian freighter SS Alba M., 1,399 tons, travelling from Augusta to Tripoli with a load of coal, is wrecked off Juliana Point, Tripoli.

British freighter SS Linwood, 1,670 tons, departs Gibraltar with a load of iron ore for Maryport, on the west coast of England, and is not heard from again. The crew off 22 are all lost.

Durban, South Africa:
HMFM Trent reports five men still absent without leave. In the afternoon one man returns to the ship "drunk and knsolent".
1630 Two more men "broke out of the ship".
23:00 Two of the AWOL men retturn to the ship.

Jimbuna

01-23-17, 02:23 PM

23rd January 1917

Eastern Front

German counter-offensive between Lake Babit and Tirul Marsh; Russians lose much of recently captured ground.

Bulgarians driven back across Danube near Tulcea.

Naval

English Channel: Learning that a flotilla of German destroyers is en route to Zeebrugge, Vice Adm. Sir Reginald Bacon, commander of the Dover Patrol, sends a fleet of two dozen destroyers and cruisers commanded by Rear Adm. Sir Reginald Tyrwhitt out of Harwich to intercept the Germans. Harwich Force (3 cruisers and 14 destroyers) engages German 6th Torpedo Boat Flotilla (8 ships) and damages destroyers SMS G41 and SMS S50 in icy small hours bound for Zeebrugge. British destroyer Simoom sunk by SMS S50 torpedo. German flotilla leader SMS V69 driven damaged into Ymuiden (Holland) but not interned.

Political, etc.

Britain rejects President Wilson’s attempts at mediating peace, stating there will be no “peace without victory.”

Labour Party approves acceptance of office by Labour Members in Ministry.

U.S. government states it will allow armed merchantmen to cross the Panama Canal, as long as the weapons are only for defence.

Japanese Foreign Minister promises that Japan will stop meddling in the affairs of China.

Ship Losses:

Clan Shaw (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 29 (Ernst Rosenow) and sank in the North Sea off St Andrews, Fife (56°27′N 2°38′W) with the loss of two of her crew.
Donstad (Norway) The coaster was captured in the Atlantic Ocean 60 nautical miles (110 km) north north east of Cape Villiano, Spain by SM U-43 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was scuttled on 27 January 12 nautical miles (22 km) north by west of Cape Villiano. Her crew survived.
Eden (Russia) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off the Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom by SM U-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of all hands.
Egypte (Belgium) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel (48°18′N 6°10′W) by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Jevington (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 52 nautical miles (96 km) north west of Cape Ortegal, Spain (44°08′N 9°00′W) by SM U-43 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Ophelia (France) The schooner was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 80 nautical miles (150 km) west of Ouessant, Finistère by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Salland (Netherlands) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south of the Wolf Rock, Cornwall, United Kingdom (48°50′N 6°40′W) by SM U-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Sardinia (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 100 nautical miles (190 km) off Ouessant (46°56′N 6°42′W) by SM U-59 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMS Simoom (Royal Navy) The R-class destroyer was torpedoed and damaged in the North Sea by SMS S50 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her 81 crew were rescued by HMS Morris and she was scuttled by HMS Nimrod (both Royal Navy).
Ymer (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off the Île d'Yeu, Vendée, France by SM UC-16 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eighteen of her crew.

Sailor Steve

01-23-17, 06:26 PM

January 23, 1917

Air War:
1045 French ace Georges Guynemer, flying a SPAD VII, shoots down an Albatros two-seater for victory number 26.

1130 English observer Alfred Victor Blenkiron, in FE.2b 4925 with pilot Lt. L.B. Mews, shoots down a Halberstadt D.II for victory number 1.

1134 Georges Guynemer shoots down a Rumpler two-seater for number 27.

1330 English ace Eric Pashley, in DH.2 7930, shoots down an Albatros D.II for victory number 6.

1515 Six DH.2s share a victory over a German two-seater. Leslie Aizlewood, number 4; Frank Billinge, number 2; Arthur Conningham, number 1; Arthur Clunie Randall, number 1; T.A. Gooch and G.J. King, unknown.

1600 French pilot Paul Gastin, flying a Nieuport, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 4.

1610 German ace Manfred von Richthofen, now in Albatros D.III 789/17, shoots down FE.8 6388 for victory number 17. 2nd Lt John Hay is killed. According to Under the Guns of the Red Baron (Franks, Giblin, McCrery), this is von Richthofen's first kill in the D.III.
About 1610 I attacked, together with seven of my planes, enemy squadron, west of Lens. The plane I had singled out caught fire after 150 shots, fired from a distance of 50 metres. The plane fell, burning. Occupant fell out of plane at 500 metres height.
-Manfred von Richthofen, combat report1635 German ace Hartmuth Baldamus shoots down a Caudron two-seater for victory number 10. Jasta 9 had been flying Fokker E.IVs, but started transitioning to Albatros D.IIs in "Early 1917", so it is unclear which plane Baldamus was flying at this time.

English RNAS pilot Charles Dawson Booker, in Sopwith Pup N5197, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 1.

German pilot Walter von Bülow-Bothkamp, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down two British aircraft for victories 5 and 6: Sopwith 1½ Strutter A1078, 2nd Lt J.V. Lyle and Brigadier A Harrison both killed; FE.8 7613, 2nd Lt S.F. Cody killed.

French pilots René Bazinet and René Doumer, both in Nieuports, share a victory over an "Enemy Aircraft". Number 5 for Doumer, number 1 for Bazinet.

French pilot Marcel Hauss, flying a Nieuport, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 2.

German ace Hans Imelmann is attacking a BE.2c when a burst from the two-seater's observer hits Imelmann's fuel tank sends the 6-kill ace down in flames.

Hungarian pilot Karl Kaszala, flying Hansa-Brandenburg C.I 63.23 with Oblt J. Baumgartner as observer, shoots down an "Enemuy Aircaft" for victory number 3.

French pilot Henri Languedoc, in a Nieuport, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 2.

German pilot Friedrich Mannschott, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down a Farman for victory number 3.

French pilot Armand Pinsard shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 2. Though flying with N78, a Nieuport Squadron, Pinsard was the first pilot to fly a SPAD VII in combat, and his first kill, with N26, was in the SPAD it is not unreasonable to assume he was probably still flying that aircraft.

Celtic Sea:
Welhelm Werner, commanding U-55, sinks two ships off the west end of the English Channel:
Russian sailing vessel Eden, 142 tons bound from Gijon for Briton Ferry. Posted as missing with all hands, fate not know until post-war.
Dutch freighter SS Salland, 3,657 tons, en route from Amsterdam via Cardiff for Daka and Buenos Aires.
Werner's score is now 10 ships and 21,357 tons.

Ralph Wenninger, in UC-17, sinks two Allied ships west of Ushant:
Belgian freighter SS Egypte, 2,416 tons, en route from Bordeaux to Barry.
French schooner Ophelia, 159 tons, carrying a load of salt from Lisbon to Sain Malo.
Wenninger's score is now 41 ships and 19,798 tons.

Bristol Channel:
French schooner Alice, 240 tons, traveling from Granville to Swansea, sinks following a collision off Lundy Island.

North Sea:
Paul Wagenfür, in U-44, captures three British trawlers and sends them home as prizes:
Agnes, 125 tons.
George E. Benson, 155 tons.
Vera, 150 tons.
Wagenfür's score is now 12 vessels and 31,719 tons.

British freighter SS Clan Shaw, 3,943 tons, carrying a load of jute from Calcutta to Dundee, hits a mine laid off St. Andrews by Ernst Rosenow in UC-29. Rosenow's score is now 2 ships and 5,086 tons.

Bau of Biscay:
Hellmuth Jürst, in U-43, sinks British freighter SS Jevington, 2,747 tons, carrying a load of wheat from Rosario to Rochefort. His score is now 15 ships and 33,469 tons.
Jürst also captures Norwegian freighter SS Donstad, 699 tons, travelling from Viana do Castello to Caën with a load of copper pyrites, and keeps the ship to hold the crews of both ships.

Wilhelm von Fircks, in U-59, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Sardinia, 1,500 tons, travelling from Teneriffe to London with a load of frueit. 100 miles off Ushant. His score is now 6 ships and 8,083 tons.

Egon von Werner, in UC-16, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Ymer, 1,123 tons, Bound from Santander for Middlesbrough with a load of iron ore. His score is now 45 ships and 51,013 tons.

Durban, South Africa:
HMFM Trent reports continuing troubles. Four men still listed as AWOL. One man leaves the ship without permission, and returns later "drunk and insolent". At 1730 two men break out of ship. That night two of the missing men return on board.

Atlantic Ocean:
Norwegian sailing ship Hero, 1,709 tons, travelling in ballast from Rotterdam to New York, is abandoned mid-Atlantic.

Jimbuna

01-24-17, 10:38 AM

24th January 1917

Eastern Front

Further German advance in hard fighting near Lake Babit. Russians fall back.

Near Riga, German forces counterattack Russian lines, forcing them to retreat 1.5 miles. 1500 Russians are captured.

In Romania, Russian troops counterattack and destroy the Bulgarian beachhead established across the Danube. 337 Bulgarians are captured.

Naval and Overseas Operations

German force of 289 officers and men surrenders at Likuju (German East Africa).

Political, etc.

Due to coal shortages, Swiss government orders a census of all stocks of fuel, & concealment of fuel will be punished by prison & $4000 fine.

Greek Government formally apologises to Allies for events of 1 December 1916.

Ernest Borgnine (the future actor) is born in Hamden, Connecticut to two Italian immigrants.

Ship Losses:

Dan (Denmark) The cargo ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay 17 nautical miles (31 km) south of Belle Île, Morbihan, France (47°08′N 2°57′W) by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Gladiateur (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Bay of Biscay by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Loire III (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Bay of Biscay by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Marie 3 (France) The pilot boat was sunk in the Bay of Biscay by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Quebec (France) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 21 (Reinhold Saltzwedel) and sank in the Gironde Estuary. Her crew survived.
Vega (Denmark) The brig was scuttled in the Bay of Biscay off Belle Île (46°40′N 2°38′W) by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Aktungbby

01-24-17, 01:28 PM

Ernest Borgnine (the future actor) is born in Hamden, Connecticut to two Italian immigrants.
One of the formative experiences of my life!:shucks: TV's McHALES NAVY :up: His rôle as LT CMDR McHale came honestly aboard USS LAMBERTON DD 119 & converted yacht USS Sylph PY-12https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/76/USS_Sylph_%28PY-12%29_steaming_down_the_Patomac_River.jpg/300px-USS_Sylph_%28PY-12%29_steaming_down_the_Patomac_River.jpg (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:USS_Sylph_(PY-12)_steaming_down_the_Patomac_River.jpg) anti submarine warfare. Possibly the only Oscar winner ever to fire a Y gun depth-charge in anger at a U boat.https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/de/USSLambertonDD119.jpg:Kaleun_Salute:https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/07/e8/bd/07e8bd24cbeb2508362663a7881ab805.jpgDid you ever encounter any U-boats? Borgnine: Yes, we did. We met up with one, and according to the skipper, we had him dead to rights. We were guarding an oiler, and he was going like crazy. We just couldn’t keep up. Our propulsion was sufficient just for going in and out of harbors slowly. But there we were, out to sea, trying to keep up; but we just couldn’t. That day, we did manage to snag onto a German submarine; there were a lot of them out there. We were like sitting ducks, though. Only three ships were guarding the entire Atlantic coastline when the war started. The others were the Zircon (PY-16) and the Sapphire (PYC-2).
When we made contact with the U-boat, the old man said, “Gunner, when I blow the whistle, you let that Y-gun go.” I said, “Yes, sir!” So we got all set, and he blew the whistle. I pulled the lanyard, and boom! Off she went. Everybody said, “ooh and ahh” as they watched the things go. It was the first time they had ever heard an explosion. I started kicking them in the behind, saying, “Come on, come on! Get it reloaded!” And we’d load it up again, pull the lanyard, and off she’d go. The whole time, I was listening for detonations—there were no detonations. We shot off 20 depth charges—no detonations. Finally one did go off.
I was standing there with the lanyards in my hand and said to myself, “I know I set them right—75 feet, just what the skipper ordered.” Because they didn’t go off, I could envision my carcass hanging from the yardarm. Believe me, I was scared stiff. Well, we came back into port, and sailors came aboard and started taking off the depth charges, when one fellow said, “You got a chippin’ hammer, gunner?” I said, “Yeah, I got a chippin’ hammer.” We took off about 147 coats of paint from one of the depth charges, and it said, right there on a nice little brass plaque: “Manufactured in 1917.” That’s how we went to war.
https://blog.usni.org/2012/07/09/archive-ernest-borgnine-interview (https://blog.usni.org/2012/07/09/archive-ernest-borgnine-interview)

Sailor Steve

01-24-17, 06:53 PM

January 24, 1917

Air War:
1130 French ace Alfred Heurtaux, flying a SPAD VII, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 17.

1140 French ace Georges Guynemer, in a SPAD VII, shoots down a Rumpler C.I for victory number 28.

1150 Georges Guynemer shoots down a second Rumpler for victory number 29.

1215 Canadian RFC pilot Alfred McKay, in DH.2 7884, and ace Harry Wood, in DH.2 7918, share in the downing of an Albatros two-seater. Vicrtory number 3 for McKay, number 6 for Wood. This is Wood's last victory. He will return to England and serve the rest of the war as a flying instructor. After the war Wood will never fly again. He will spend the rest of his life working for the Canadian National Railway, ending up as Chief of Development until March 1959. Wood died on August of that same year.

1215 German ace Manfred von Richthofen, in Albatros D.III 789/17, shoots down FE.2b 6997 for victory number 18. Lt John Eric McLennan and Capt Oscar Greig are both wounded and captured. Vov Richthofen suffered a lower wing spar failure during the fight, one of the first showing the new V-strut Albatros to have the same deficiencies as the Nieuports they were based on.
Accompanied by Feldwebel Howe, I attacked, at about 1215, the commanding plane of an enemy formation. After a long fight I forced my adversary to land near Vimy.The occupants burnt their plane after landing. I myself had to land, as one wing had cracked at 300 metres. I was flying an Albatros D.III.
According to the English crew, my red painted plane is not unknown to them, as when being asked who had brought them down, they answered: "Le petit rouge".
-Manfred von Richthofen, combat report
After this all Albatros D.IIIs will be withdrawn from service and von Richthofen will fly a Halberstadt D.II for several weeks.

1310 German ace Hans von Keudell, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down Sopwith Pup N5198 for victory number 11. Flight Commander Colin Roy MacKenzie is killed in action.

1425 Alfred Heurtaux brings down a second "Ememy Aircraft" for victory number 18.

1650 German pilot Alfred Ulmer, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down BE.2e 6308 for victory number 4 and FE.8 6417 for number 5. BE.2 crew Lt Thomas F. Preston and Lt C.M. Buck and FE.8 pilot Cecil Tooms are all killed.

French pilot Marcel Hauss and an MdL Bertrand, in Nieuports, share the downing of a "Scout". victory number 3 for Hauss.

Canadian RFC pilot William Matheson, in an FE.2b with an unnamed observer, shoots down a German "Scout" for victory number 4.

Russian pilot Ivan Orlov, briefly flying a SPAD VII for the French Air Service, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 4.

North Sea:
Heinrich Jeß, commanding U-79, takes Norwegian freighter SS Nanna, 1,125 tons, as a prize. It is later released by the Prize Court.

Ernst Rosenow, in UC-29, stops and scuttles Norwegian coaster SS Sunniva, 589 tons, bound from Göteborg for Hull with a load of wood pulp and iron. Rosenow's score is now 3 ships and 5,675 tons.

Bay of Biscay:
Reinhold Saltzwedel, in UC-21, sinks 6 Allied vessels of varying size:
Danish freighter SS Dan, 1,869 tons, carrying a load of phosphates from Sfax to Nantes.
French fishing vessels Gladiateur, 23 tons.
French pilot cutter Loire III, 27 tons.
French pilot boat Marie 3, 25 tons.
French freighter SS Quebec, 3,346 tons; hit a mine laid by UC-21.
Danish brig Vega, 195 tons, en route from Liverpool to Saint Nazaire with a load of pitch; scuttled.
Saltzwedel's score is now 28 ships and 41,874 tons.

Chilean freighter SS Chile, 600 tons runs aground at Belle-Ilejen Mer.

Durban, South Africa:
Aboard HMFM Trent the engine room hands refuse as a group to go on duty. When the captain musters the crew the deck hands also refuse duty until crew vacancies are filled. the engine room crew refuse to go back on duty until three more firemen can be signed on and the two imprisoned crew mambers are released.
That afternoon the prisoners are all released.

Atlantic Ocean:
German raider SMS Seeadler captures and scuttles French schooner Perce, 364 tons. Seeadler's score is now 4 ships and 8,926 tons.

Sailor Steve

01-25-17, 10:59 PM

January 25, 1917

Western Front:
Southwold and Wangford, on the Suffolk coast, are shelled this night by German destroyers; no casualties.

Germans attack at four points northwest of Verdun, and carry a mile of French trenches at Hill 304.

Eastern Front:
Fierce fighting near Lake Babki; Russian counter-attacks fail.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres:
Enemy trenches captured on Hai salient southwest of Kut; Turkish counter-attacks recover a little ground.

Air War:
1005 English ace Selden Long, flying DH.2 A305, shoots down an LVG two-seater for victory number 7. His victims are likely Lt E. Erdmann and Lt G. Kallenbach, reported killed this day.

1030 French ace Alfred Heurtaux, in a SPAD VII, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 19.

1035 Canadian RFC pilot Alfred McKay, in DH.2 7884, shoots down an Albatros D.II for victory number 4. Flgr Gustav Kinkel of Jasta Boelcke is captured.

1230 English pilot Douglas Hugh Moffatt Carbery, in RE.8 A81 with 2nd Lt H.A.D. MacKay as gunner, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 1.

1425 English ace John Quested, in FE.2b A5442 with 2nd Lt H.J. Dicksee as gunner, shoots down a German fighter for victory number 8. This is Quested's last victory. He will be wounded twice, but serve through the war in various capacities. After the war he will continue in the RAF for a year, then retire to a life as a farmer, and die in 1948.

1510 English observer William Gilson, riding in FE.2d A32 with Lt T.C. Lucas as pilot, shoots down a Halberstadt D.II for victory number 3.

French pilot Andre René Celestin Herbelin, flying a Nieuport 17, shoots down an Aviatik two-seater for victory number 1.

German pilot Wilhelm Seitz, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down a BE.2d for victory number 2.

Northern Ireland:
British armed merchant cruiser HMS Laurentic, 14,892 tons, bound from Liverpool for Halifax, Nova Scotia with a load of gold bullion, hits a mine laid off Malin Head by Alfred von Glasenapp in U-80. There are 345 casualties, with 121 passengers and crew surviving. All of those aboard got into the lifeboats safely. The ones who were lost all froze to death in the boats, the low temperature being about -13° C (9° F).

The gold was to pay for war supplies, and consisted of 3,211 ingots weighing 43 tons, amounting to £5 million (£390 million today). Efforts to recover the gold ran from 1917 to 1924, with an additional search in 1934, recovered 3,189 of the gold ingots, with only 22 still missing today.

Glasenapp's score is now 4 ships and 20,455 tons.

North Sea:
Otto von Schrader, in UC-31, stops and scuttles Danish freighter SS O.B. Suhr, 1,482 tons, travelling from Shields to Copenhagen with a general cargo. His score is now 11 ships and 8,802 tons.

Bay of Biscay:
Reinhold Saltzwedel, in UC-21, stops and scuttles Norwegian freighter SS Myrdal, 2,631 tons, en route from Cardiff to Genoa with a load of coal. His score is now 29 ships and 44,505 tons.

French freighter SS Vidar, 1,543 tons, carrying a load of coal from Cardiff to Chantenay, is wrecked off Île de Croix.

Mediterranean Sea:
Max Valentiner, in U-38, torpedoes French freighter SS Sylvie, 2,591 tons, carrying 3,800 tons of coal from Bizerte to Salamis. His score is now 124 ships and 175,139 tons.

Simonstown, South Africa:
Light cruiser HMS Hyacinth conducts engine trials.

Durban, South Africa:
0800 Aboard HMFM Trent the firemen are mustered and ordered to go on duty. All of them refuse, giving personel shortage as the reason.
0900 Able and ordinary seamen are mustered, also refuse to go on duty.
1230 Four men are arrested and taken to shore prison. Entire crew is mustered and six ringleaders of the mutiny are also arrested and taken ashore. The rest of the crew agree to return to duty, but then try to rush the gangway. They are stopped by an armed naval guard.
1430 Two more men are arrested.
1500 An army guard join the navy guard on the dock.
1530 Five more men are arrested. Later in the day two new firemen are signed on.

Aktungbby

01-26-17, 01:34 AM

Northern Ireland:
British armed merchant cruiser HMS Laurentic, 14,892 tons, bound from Liverpool for Halifax, Nova Scotia with a load of gold bullion, hits a mine laid off Malin Head by Alfred von Glasenapp in U-80. There are 345 casualties, with 121 passengers and crew surviving. All of those aboard got into the lifeboats safely. The ones who were lost all froze to death in the boats, the low temperature being about -13° C (9° F).

The gold was to pay for war supplies, and consisted of 3,211 ingots weighing 43 tons, amounting to £5 million (£390 million today). Efforts to recover the gold ran from 1917 to 1924, with an additional search in 1934, recovered 3,189 of the gold ingots, with only 22 still missing today.

Glasenapp's score is now 4 ships and 20,455 tons. Less than an hour after leaving Buncrana, the ship struck two mines (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_mine) laid by the German mine-laying submarine U-80 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SM_U-80) off Lough Swilly (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lough_Swilly). One of the mines exploded near the engine-room, which left the ship without power and caused it to list 20 degrees; the combination of the darkness and list made it difficult to lower the lifeboats, and made it impossible for the ship to issue a distress call
As the Laurentic passed Fanad Head, approximately two miles off-shore, she struck her first mine, one of six, laid in a mine field earlier in the month by U-Boat U80, which had already returned to Germany. Then the Laurentic struck a second mine and began to settle quite quickly.

http://www.irishfreemasonry.com/web_images/map.jpg

As the ship began to sink Captain Norton R.N. got the life boats out and got as many of the survivors into these as possible. However the second mine destroyed the engine-room and generators, killing most of the Engineering Officers and Engine Room Ratings. Because of this the ships pumps could not be deployed, and the crew had no power to get any radio warnings off. The current (in 1917) news accounts differed as to casualties 'going down with the ship' and said 'one mine'; however the test of time and other later sources are definitive: two mines: the second of which destroyed the power preventing a distress signal in a 'half gale'/blizzard. Those missing gold bars from the original 3211 (43 tons) are under an additional 38.8 feet of seabed in 131 feet of water...At £121,457 per bar or as of WED 2017's exchange rate: $151,821 x 22 (bars)=$3,349,067.50 DAMN! :k_confused:Considering "money is the sinews of war'' a a big hit for U-80!

Sailor Steve

01-26-17, 04:01 AM

Yes, I read all of that and thought long and hard about what I would put in. I didn't mention the second mine because my original source, U-Boat.net didn't mention it. I spend a minimum of ten minutes on each entry, and sometimes twice that looking at the books I have as well as the web sites. Today's list took almost four hours, and even with that I don't always get everything I'd like.

As to how the passengers died, I used Captain Norton's own words: "To the best of my knowledge, all the men got safely into the boats. The best of order prevailed after the explosion. The officers and men lived up to the best traditions of the navy...The deaths were all due to exposure, owing to the coldness of the night. My own boat was almost full of water when we were picked up by a trawler the next morning, but all the men in the boat survived. Another boat, picked up at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, contained five survivors and fifteen frozen bodies. They had been exposed to the bitter cold for over twenty hours."[ (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Laurentic_(1908)#cite_note-9)

Jimbuna

01-26-17, 11:10 AM

26th January 1917

Western Front

German troops attack several miles of trenches near Verdun, but most gains, except at Hill 304, are reversed by a French counterattack.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British recapture lost trenches near Kut.

Political, etc.

French government restricts the number of courses restaurants can serve to 4 (hors d’oeuvres or soup, 2 mains, and cheese or dessert).

Dutch government bans armed merchantmen in the Dutch colonies, unless they are carrying food.

British labour unions unanimously adopt a resolution urging a creation of an “international league” to maintain peace after the war.

Compulsory loan or sale to Treasury of certain foreign securities.

Ship Losses:

Bisagno (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south of Ireland (48°42′N 11°26′W) by SM U-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Dicax (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the North Sea 60 nautical miles (110 km) west of the Ryvingen Lighthouse, Vest-Agder by SM U-85 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Matheran (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the Atlantic Ocean 9 nautical miles (17 km) west of Dassen Island, South Africa with the loss of a crew member.
Tabasco (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 55 nautical miles (102 km) west north west of the Skelligs (51°50′N 12°00′W) by SM U-45 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Sailor Steve

01-26-17, 02:57 PM

January 26, 1917

Air War:
1005 English pilot James McCudden, flying DH.2 7858, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 2.

1215 French ace Georges Guynemer, in a SPAD VII, shoots down an Albatros two-seater for victory number 30.

1520 French air crew of Jules Covin, Adj Gimmmig and Sldt Massier, in a Caudron three-seater, shoot down an "Enemy Aircraft". Victory number 2 for Covin, number 1 for Gimmig and Massier.

1550 English observer William Gilson, riding in FE.2d A32 with Lt J.K. Stead as pilot, shoots down a Halberstadt D.II for victory number 4.

German ace Walter von Bülow, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down Sopwith 1½ Strutter A1074 for victory number 7. Flt Sgt W.G. Webb and Cpl R.D. Fleming are both killed.

French pilot Marcel Hauss, in a Nieuport, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 4.

French air crew of Jean Loste, Lt. P. Barbou and Louis Martin, in a Caudron R.4, shood down an Aviatik two-seater. Victory number 7 for Loste, 4 for Barbeau and 6 for Martin. This is the last victory for all three of these men. Records are unclear, but it is confirmed that Loste lived until 1960, Martin until 1920. No infromation on Barbou.

Ireland:
British freighter SS Ava, 5,076 tons, departs Liverpool for Dakar with a load of coal and general cargo, and is not heard from again. Presumed torpedoed but there are no matching German claims. 92 crew lost.

Erich Sittenfeld, commanding U-45, captures British freighter SS Tabasco, 2,987 tons, bound from Halifax for Liverpool with a general cargo. After the crew abandon ship Tabasco is sunk with a torpedo. Sittenfeld's score is now 10 ships and 12,056 tons.

Celtic Sea:
Carl-Siegried von Georg, in U-57, sinks Italian freighter SS Bisagno, 2,252 tons, travelling from Garrucha to Barrow with a load of iron ore. His score is now 29 ships and 29,027 tons.

North Sea:
German freighter SS Westfalia, en route from Rotterdam to Copenhagen with a load of coal, sinks following an explosion off Terschelling. Cause unknown. The only life lost is the Dutch pilot.

Skagerrak:
Willy Petz, in U-85, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Dicax, 923 tons. carrying a load of milled boards from Fredrikstad to Garston; west of Ryvingen. This is Petz's first sinking.

Russia:
British freighter SS Bayropea, 4,671 tons, travelling from Cardiff to Arkhangelsk with a load of munitions, catches fire and explodes at Arkhangelsk.

South Africa:
British freighter SS Matheran, 7,654 tons, hits a mine laid by German raider SMS Wolf off Dassen Island.

Simonstown, South Africa:
HMS Hyacinth conducts gunnery practice with a target towed by tug Scotsman.

Durban, South Africa:
Aboard HMFM Trent the naval guard is releaved by the ship's guard force. Ten men are released from prison and returned to the ship. On his return one man starts a quarrel with two men who did not refuse duty.
At 1620 Trent leaves the quay and moves to a mooring buoy in the bay.

Atlantic Ocean:
Canadian Schooner Bessie A. Crooks departs Pernambuco, Brazil for Barbados and is not heard from again. Captain F.L. Wally and six men are lost.

Jimbuna

01-27-17, 09:18 AM

27th January 1917

Western Front

British take German position and 350 prisoners near Le Transloy.

Eastern Front

Russians carry enemy positions between Kimpolung and Jacobeny (Bukovina), and take 1,218 prisoners.

Naval and Overseas Operations

S.S. "Artist" torpedoed in a gale by German submarine; crew left to perish.

Political, etc.

Kaiser Wilhelm celebrates his 58th birthday. In the birthday message, he states the German people will obtain peace by the sword.

Ship Losses:

Artist (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 58 nautical miles (107 km) west of the Smalls Lighthouse (51°20′N 7°00′W) by SM U-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 35 crew.
http://i.imgur.com/Dn8J88k.jpg

Sailor Steve

01-27-17, 01:23 PM

January 27, 1917

Air War:
0945 Six DH.2s contribute to the downing of a German 2-seater:
Frank Billinge, aircraft number unknown, victory number 3.
Charles Edward Murray Pickthorne, A1545, victory number 1.
James Milne Robb, 7937, victory number 1.
Lt G.C. Eccles, A2535, victory number unknown.
Lt T.A. Gooch, 7941, victory number undnown.
Lt L.M. Taylor, 7938, victory number unknown.

1005 English ace Selden Long, in DH.2 A305, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 8. Records are uncertain, but Vzfw K. Lang and Lt M. Brandt were reported killed this day.

1220 German pilot Wilhelm Cymera, in an unknown aircraft, shoots down FE.2b 7666 for victory number 1.

1410 English pilot Frank Neville Hudson, in Sopwith Pup A652, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 1.

German pilot Emil Meinecke, in a Fokker E.III, shoots down a BE.2c for victory number 1.

Celtic Sea:
Wilhelm Werner, commanding U-55, sinks British freighter SS Artist, 3,570 tons, bound from Newport for Alexandria with a load of coal.

British brigantine Waterwitch, 170 tons, travelling from Garston to Fowey, is wrecked at the entrance to Newlyn Harbour, at the tip of Cornwall.

North Sea:
Norwegian freighter SS Skovdal, 607 tons, carrying a load of salt from Middlesbrough to Skien, is wrecked off Farne Island.

Baltic Sea:
German freighter SS Annemaria, 1,708 tons, runs aground off Västervik, Sweden, and breaks in two.

Spain:
Hellmuth Jürst, in U-43, scuttles Norwegian freighter SS Donstad, 699 tons, captured on the 23rd. His score is now 16 ships and 34,168 tons.

Simonstown, South Africa:
Cruiser HMS Hyacinth makes her first post-refit voyage, a short hop from Simonstown to Cape Town.

Durban, South Africa:
Aboard HMFM Trent an inquiry is begun into the grievances of the crew.

Jimbuna

01-28-17, 07:52 AM

28th January 1917

Eastern Front

Taking advantage of the cold weather, Russian troops manage to advance 2 miles against the Germans in Bukovina.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Considerable progress by British on right bank of Tigris south-west of Kut.

Naval

French troopship SS Amiral Magon is torpedoed by German submarine U-39, resulting in 203 deaths.

British government announces it has completed mining operations in a 100-mile zone along the entire German North Sea coast.

Ship Losses:

Alexandra (United Kingdom) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the North Sea 60 nautical miles (110 km) east of the Longstone Lighthouse, Northumberland by SM UC-31 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but her skipper was taken as a prisoner of war.
Amiral Magon (France) The troopship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Ocean 160 nautical miles (300 km) west of Antikythera, Greece (35°49′N 20°02′E) by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 203 lives.
Argo (Norway) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 26 (Matthias Graf von Schmettow) and sank in the North Sea 1.5 nautical miles (2.8 km) south east of the Inner Dowsing Lightship ( United Kingdom) (53°19′N 0°37′E) with the loss of nine of her crew.
Daisy (Denmark) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 60 nautical miles (110 km) north north west of Cape Ortegal, Spain by SM U-67 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Egret (Russia) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 26 (Matthias Graf von Schmettow) and sank in the North Sea 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) south west of the Inner Dowsing Lightship ( United Kingdom) (53°16′N 0°35′E).
Foz do Douro (Portugal) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 55 nautical miles (102 km) west of A Coruña, Spain by SM U-43 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Fulton (Norway) The cargo ship was captured in the Atlantic Ocean 40 nautical miles (74 km) north west of Cape Finisterre, Spain by SM U-43 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was scuttled the next day in Corcubion Bay. Her crew survived.
Heimland I (Norway) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 26 (Matthias Graf von Schmettow) and sank in the North sea 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) off the Inner Dowsing Lightship ( United Kingdom) (53°17′40″N 0°36′03″E). Her crew survived.
HMT Jacamar (Royal Navy) The naval trawler collided with another vessel and sank in the English Channel off the Folkestone Lightship ( United Kingdom).
Nueva Montana (Spain) The cargo ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off Point Penmarc'h, Finistère, France (47°38′N 5°15′W) by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Perce (United Kingdom) The sailing vessel was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 150 nautical miles (280 km) north east by east of the St Paul Rocks, Brazil by SMS Seeadler ( Kaiserliche Marine).
HM Torpedo Boat 24 (Royal Navy) The torpedo boat collided with a breakwater and sank at Dover, Kent.

Sailor Steve

01-28-17, 12:53 PM

January 28, 1917

Air War:
The Junkers J.I ground attack aircraft makes its first flight. This is an armored all-metal aircraft, with the flying controls activated by push-rods rather than the usual cables. J.I is the military designation for the plane. The Junkers in-house model number is J.4, and it should not be confused with the model J.I monoplane that made its first flight in December 1915.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/J-1_zpsx8i3owyl.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/J-1_zpsx8i3owyl.jpg.html)

1045 English pilot John Aspinall, flying FE.2b 7681 with 2nd Lt J.R.M. Miller as gunner, shoots down an Albatros D.I for victory number 2.

North Sea:
Three ships hit mines laid by Matthias von Schmettow in UC-26:
Norwegian freighter SS Argo, 1,261 tons, bound from Hull for Rouen with a load of coal.
Russian freighter SS Egret, 4,055 tons, travelling from Achangelsk for London with a load of timeber.
Norwegian coaster SS Heimland I, 505 tons, carrying a load of coal from Newcastle to Saint Nazaire.
Von Schmettow's score is now 65 ships and 98,182 tons.
Bay of Biscay:
Hans Rose, in U-53, sinks Spanish freighter SS Nueva Montana, 2,039 tons, carrying a load of iron ore from Santander to Tyne Dock. His score is now 9 ships and 28,813 tons.

Hans Nieland, in U-67, sinks Danish freighter SS Daisy, 1,227 tons, travelling from Arzew to Preston with a load of esparto grass. His score is now 13 ships and 10,653 tons.

Spain:
Hellmuth Jürst, in U-43, sinks Portuguese freighter SS Foz Do Douro, 1,677 tons, en route from Lisbon to the UK with a load of pit props. His score is now 16 ships and 35,845 tons.
Jürst also captures Norwegian freighter SS Fulton, 1,034 tons, travelling from Huelva to Nantes with a load of ore, and puts a prize crew on board.

Ionian Sea:
Leading U-boat ace Walter Forstmann, in U-39, topedoes French passenger/cargo ship SS Amiral Magon, 5,566 tons, carrying troops and supplies from Marseilles to Salonica, causing the laus of 203 lives. Forstmann's score is now 141 ships and 289,283 tons.

Bulgaria:
Russian river steamer SS Izmail, 393 tons, travelling the Danube River, is wrecked at Tshoroh Su during a storm.

Cape Town, South Africa:
Old cruiser HMS Hyacinth returns to Simonstown, to take up patrol duties there.

Indian Ocean:
Barque Umvoti (nationality not named), 442 tons, travelling from Port Louis, Mauritius to St. Luce, Madagascar, is wrecked at St. Luce.

Atlantic Ocean:
British schooner Meyric, 198 tons, carrying a load of salt from Cadiz to Pelotas, Brazil, is abandoned at sea.

Jimbuna

01-29-17, 09:19 AM

29th January 1917

Western Front

At Verdun, German forces continue to hold gains on Hill 304, repulsing four French counterattacks.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Progress continued near Kut.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Announcement of laying of New British minefield from Yorkshire to Jutland.

Political, etc.

President Wilson vetoes an immigration bill that would have required a literacy test for arriving immigrants.

Naval radio station at Chollas Heights achieves wireless communication 6000 miles away with Australia.

Allies' flags formally saluted at Athens.

Ship Losses:

Algorta (Spain) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 30 nautical miles (56 km) north west of Ouessant, Finistère, France by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Edda (Sweden) The coaster was sunk in the North Sea (56°00′N 3°40′E) by SM UC-32 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew were rescued by Hird ( Norway).
HMS K13 (Royal Navy) The K-class submarine sank in Gareloch with the loss of 32 of the 80 people on board. She was subsequently salvaged, repaired and returned to service as HMS K22.
Punta Teno (Spain) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean north west of Spain (44°00′N 7°25′W) by SM U-67 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Shamrock (United Kingdom) The trawler was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 115 nautical miles (213 km) north north east of the Longstone Lighthouse, Northumberland by SM UC-31 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Thistle (United Kingdom) The trawler was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 140 nautical miles (260 km) north east by north of the mouth of the River Tyne by SM UC-31 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Sailor Steve

01-29-17, 11:10 AM

January 29, 1917

Air War:
1030 South African RFC pilot Henry Meintjes, flying Nieuport 17 A311, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 3.

1045 Henry Meintjes wins a fight with an Albatros D.III for number 4.

1050 English observer Alfred Blenkiron, riding in FE.2b A784 with pilot 2nd Lt W. Shirtcliffe, shoots down an Albatros D.II for victory number 2.

French pilots Marcel Hauss and Adj Belin, both in Nieuports, share a victory over a DFW two-seater. Number 5 for Hauss, unknown for Belin.

French pilot Henri Languedoc, in a Nieuport, shoots down an Aviatik two-seater for victory number 3.

German pilot Günther Schuster, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down a Caudron G.4 for victory number 1.

Irish Sea:
British coaster SS Bessie, 180 tons, bound from Preston, England for Castletown, Isle of Man with a load of coal, is wrecked off Douglas Head.

North Sea:
Otto von Schrader, commanding UC-31, stops and scuttles two British trawlers near the mouth of the Tyne River:
Shamrock, 173 tons.
Thistle, 167 tons.
Von Schrader's score is now 14 ships and 9,263 tons.

Herbert Breyer, in UC-32, sinks Swedish coaster SS Edda, 536 tons, bound from Seaham for Halmstad with a load of coal. The crew are rescued by Norwegian freighter SS Hird and taken to Kristiansand. Breyer's score is now 3 ships and 4,435 tons.

Bay of Biscay:
Hans Rose, in U-53, captures and sinks Spanish freighter SS Algorta, 2,117 tons, carrying a load of iron ore and oranges from Sagunto to Tees; southwest of Ushant. His score is now 10 ships and 30,930 tons.

Hans Nieland, in U-67, sinks Spanish freighter SS Punta Teno, 1,042 tons, en route from Santa Cruz de Tenerife to Bordeaux with a load of banabas and onions. His score is now 14 and 11,695 tons.

Spain:
Hellmuth Jürst, in U-43, scuttles British freighter SS Fulton, captured the previous day. His score is now 17 ships and 36,879 tons.

Jimbuna

01-30-17, 12:50 PM

30th January 1917

Western Front

South of Leintrey (Lorraine) French soldiers penetrate to German second line, destroying the garrison and taking prisoners. Further small success south-west of Leintrey.

Eastern Front

Between Tirul swamp and River Aa (Riga) strong German attack succeeds in one sector, 900 Russians taken prisoner.

East of Jakobeny (southern Bukovina) Russians assault and capture important hill fortifications taking over 1,000 prisoners.

Naval

Norway forbids submarines in territorial waters.

Political, etc.

Count Kuno von Westarp, Conservative leader in the Reichstag, states Germany will seek territories and reparations after winning the war.

British Committee on Electoral Reform suggests that women 30 years and up should be given the right to vote.

Germany estimates that due to the blockade and war, food supplies have decreased by 2 million tons of grain compared to last year.

Allied conference is ongoing in Petrograd (St. Petersburg) to help reorganize the Russian military and financial situations.

U.S. Secretary of State Lansing announces normal diplomatic relations with U.S. and Mexico will be resumed immediately.

Ship Losses:

Euonymus (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 34 nautical miles (63 km) off Trevose Head, Cornwall (50°30′N 5°31′W) by SM U-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Helena and Samuel (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 30 nautical miles (56 km) north north west of Trevose Head (51°00′N 5°34′W) by SM U-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Marcelle (Belgium) The trawler was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off north west by west of Trevose Head (50°45′N 5°30′W) by SM U-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Merit (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 20 nautical miles (37 km) north by east of Trevose Head (50°50′N 4°46′W) by SM U-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Trevone (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 30 nautical miles (56 km) north west of Trevose Head (50°50′N 5°30′W) by SM U-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
W.A.H. (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 32 nautical miles (59 km) north west of Trevose Head (50°46′N 5°38′W) by SM U-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Wetherill (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 25 nautical miles (46 km) north north west of Trevose Head (50°50′N 5°30′W) by SM U-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Sailor Steve

01-30-17, 12:53 PM

January 30, 1917

Celtic Sea:
Wilhelm Werner, commanding U-55, sinks a British fishing fleet with his deck gun, just north of Cornwall:
Smack Euonymus, 60 tons.
Smack Helena And Samuel, 59 tons.
Smack Merit, 39 tons.
Smack Trevone, 46 tons.
Smack W.A.H., 47 tons.
Smack Wetherill, 46 tons.
Also sunk is Belgian trawler Marcelle, 219 tons.
Werner's score is now 17 vessels and 25,433 tons.

Norway:
Norwegian schooner Nora, 65 tons, carrying a load of salt and empty barrels from Kristiansund to Lofoten, is wrecked near Bjugnskjær.

Pacific Ocean:
Japanese freighter Gishun Maru, 3,860 tons, departs Seattle for Yokohama with a load of steel plates plus general cargo, and is not heard from again.

Jimbuna

01-31-17, 03:53 PM

31st January 1917

Western Front

the Ancre near Beaucourt and west of Serre German attacks fail.

Total of German prisoners taken by British in France during January is 1,228, including 27 officers.

Eastern Front

East of Jakobeny Germans attack three times by night against previous lost positions, but are repulsed with heavy loss.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Germany declares to all neutrals "Unrestricted naval warfare", i.e. within the war zone, German submarines will sink both combatant and neutral shipping at sight from 1 February.
http://i.imgur.com/qzYs00p.jpg

Political, etc.

Kaiser Wilhelm orders the resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare on February 1st.

Germany announces that the traffic of British hospital ships between Great Britain, France and Belgium will no longer be tolerated. The false reason assigned is misuse of the Red Cross.

U.S. closes New York City harbor to all shipping upon receiving news of the German note. Other neutral nations’ ports do the same.

Former President Roosevelt states the German declaration makes “murder on the high seas” a German national policy and urges U.S. action.

Report shows that in France, women cannot fill labor shortages caused by the war, and so factories will need to adopt labor-saving devices.

Ship Losses:

Dundee (Canada) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 10 nautical miles (19 km) west of St Ives, Cornwall (50°22′N 5°36′W) by SM U-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Epsilon (Netherlands) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel 0.75 nautical miles (1.39 km) south of St Anthony's Lighthouse, Cornwall, United Kingdom (50°08′N 5°01′W) by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Famiglia (Italy) The cargo ship was captured in the Atlantic Ocean west of the Hebrides, United Kingdom by SM U-43 ( Kaiserliche Marine). A prize crew was placed aboard. They scuttled the ship on 9 February when intercepted by HMS Moldavia ( Royal Navy).
Hekla (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of the Wolf Rock, Cornwall, United Kingdom by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Ida Duncan (United Kingdom) The tug struck a mine laid by UC 32 (Herbert Breyer) and sank in the North Sea off Middlesbrough, Yorkshire (53°39′00″N 1°07′15″W) with the loss of six of her crew.
HMML 197 (Royal Navy) The motor launch was lost on this date.
Modiva (Norway) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 47 (Paul Hundius) and sank in the North Sea 14 nautical miles (26 km) south east of Flamborough Head, Yorkshire (53°46′N 0°17′E) with the loss of three of her crew.
Ravensbourne (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine, set by SM UC-31, and sank in the North Sea 8 nautical miles (15 km) south east of the mouth of the River Tyne (54°56′N 1°14′W) ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three of her crew.
Rigel (Norway) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 60 nautical miles (110 km) north west of Cape Villano, Spain by SM U-43 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Saint Léon (France) The schooner was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 12 nautical miles (22 km) north north west of the Pendeen Lighthouse, Cornwall (50°21′N 5°48′W) by SM U-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Yvonne (France) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off the Pendeen Lighthouse by SM U-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

MERCHANT SHIPPING
British, Allied and Neutral ships lost to enemy submarines, mines and cruisers etc in the month - 211 ships of 380,000 tons gross. (Lloyd's War Losses).

Sailor Steve

01-31-17, 04:00 PM

January 31, 1917

Air War:
French pilot Georges Madon, flying a Nieuport, shoots down an Albatros two-seater for victory number 5. German crew are unknown, but Ltn Walter Stephan and Wilhelm are reported killed this day.

Ireland:
His Majesty's Motor Launch ML-197, 37 tons, runs aground near Balynacourty Lighthous, near Waterford.

Irish Sea - Bay of Biscay:
Norwegian freighter SS Norheim, 1,403 tons, departs Glasgow for Bayonne, France, with a load of coal and is not heard from again. Ten lives lost.

Celtic Sea:
Hans Rose, commanding U-53, sinks Norwegian coaster SS Hekla, 524 tons, bound from Oporto for Cardiff with a load of pit props, near Wolf Rock off the west end of the English Channel. His score is now 11 ships and 31,464 tons.

Wilhelm Werner, in U-55, sinks three Allied ships:
Canadian freighter SS Dundee, 2,290 tons, travelling in ballast from London to Swansea.
French schooner Saint Leon, 230 tons, route and cargo unlisted.
French dandy Yvonne, 87 tons, en route from Lannion to Cardiff. Werner uses his deck gun, but doesn't identify the vessel. Yvonne is listed as missing until records are compared after the war.
Werner's score is now 20 vessels and 28,040 tons.

English Channel:
Dutch freighter SS Epsilon, 3,211 tons, carrying a load of maize from Buenos Aires to Amsterdam, hits a mine laid just off Falcouth Bay, Cornwall, by Ralph Wenninger in UC-17. His score is now 40 ships and 23,009 tons.

North Sea:
British freighter SS Ravensbourne, 1,226 tons, bound from Tyne for London with a load of coal, hits a mine laid off the River Tyne by Otto von Schrader in UC-31. His score is now 15 ships and 10,490 tons.

British tug Ida Duncan, 139 tons, travelling in ballast from Middlesborough to Tees Bay, hits a mine laid off Middlesborough by Herbert Breyer in UC-37. His score is now 4 vessels and 4,574 tons.

Norwegian freighter SS Modiva, 1,276 tons, en route from West Hartlepool to Rouen with a load of coal, hits a mine laid off Flamborough Head by Paul Hundius in UC-47. His score is now 6 ships and 8,455 tons.

Spain:
Hellmuth Jürst, in U-43, stops and scuttles Norwegian freighter SS Rigel, 2,671 tons, carrying a load of coal from Newport, Wales to Lisbon. His score is now 18 ships and 39,550 tons.

Catfish

01-31-17, 04:43 PM

31st January 1917
[...]
Germany declares to all neutrals "Unrestricted naval warfare", i.e. within the war zone, German submarines will sink both combatant and neutral shipping at sight from 1 February.
http://i.imgur.com/qzYs00p.jpg
Political, etc.
Kaiser Wilhelm orders the resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare on February 1st. [...]

This is a bit more difficult.

1. The "unrestricted naval warfare" from the german side was declared for two times, to be abandoned again sooner or later.

2. "Unrestricted naval warfare" was exercised by british warships and their submarines from day one, whithout "declaring" it, throughout the war.

3. German "unrestricted naval warfare" was limited to certain declared zones around the british isles, not everywhere. So a neutral ship carrying contraband with course set on e.g. Liverpool within english territorial waters could only now be attacked without warning. During the other time neutral ships were stopped, hailed, and searched. Only if carrying contraband, would it be seized, or sunk. Usually letting the crew leave the ship beforehand, and in numerous cases towing the lifeboats to near coasts.

The german idea of an "unrestricted naval war" was born under the impression of the british blockade and the resulting famine, but also caused by incidents like with the british Q-ships or U-boat traps (e.g. the Baralong incident but there were others), military ships camouflaged as neutrals flying false flags, abusing passenger ships as troop ships and arms transports, and the alleged misuse of red cross ships for military purposes.

Apart from trying to keep the US out of the war, the german "unrestricted naval warfare" in WW1 was 'undermined' by most german U-boat commanders, who just did not follow orders, and kept hailing and stopping ships even during those times.
Interesting enough, the tonnage sinking during the "restricted" warfare "yielded" more results, than within the unrestricted intervals.
You realyl have to cut them some slack, they did a relatively good job. While the arming of merchant ships and the use of Q-ships rendered the internationally-signed prize regulation useless, the U-boat commanders stubbornly clung to it, even during the time of the "unrestricted intervals". For all exceptions, fails and propaganda, the german U-boats were much more "humane" than their reputation in the Entente papers wanted their people to believe.
Again, while the english Navy lead an unrestricted naval war right from the beginning, without declaring it, and without trying to justify or limit it. War, is war.

Not so Germany though. But the german high command, politics and Kaiser were simply unable to communicate the german conduct of warfare, to the US.
No doubt Entente propaganda played a big role here, but also german diplomats were reluctant to explain that publicly, because the german people were angry about war and famine, and demanded a harsh response. For them England had declared the war, and they did not understand any reluctance in retaliation.

Very well explained in the book "Die U-Boote des Kaisers" from 2001, with lots of paperwork and evidence in the attachments.

Jimbuna

02-01-17, 09:55 AM

1st February 1917

Western Front

Near Wytschaete Germans in white overalls attack British positions, but are beaten off with heavy casualties.

Near Grandcourt (Somme) strong enemy attempt to rush British trenches driven off.

North-east of Gueudecourt (Somme) British raid enemy trenches, taking 56 prisoners.

Eastern Front

15 miles south of Halicz (Galicia) Germans in white overalls break through Russian lines but are ejected by counter-attack.

Russian forces west of Riga are able to check German advances through the use of armored cars.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Near Kut, east of the Tigris-Hai junction, British capture all but last line of Turkish trenches, taking 166 prisoners, and repulsing a strong counter-attack.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Dutch S.S. "Gamma" attacked and sunk by German submarine. Dutch Government request an explanation.

Political, etc.

German Chancellor von Bethmann-Hollweg: “We stake everything and we shall be victorious.”

Germany resumes unrestricted submarine warfare. 105 U-boats are ready for action.

Germany's manifesto to sink all ships in the War Zones, taking effect today, causes temporary suspension of neutral sailings. The press of U.S.A. takes bellicose view.

Norway forbids foreign submarines to use her waters.

Austria-Hungary also announces it will also intensify its naval actions in the Mediterranean.

Ship Losses:

Ada (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 40 nautical miles (74 km) north north west of Trevose Head, Cornwall by SM U-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Butron (Spain) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Bay of Biscay 90 nautical miles (170 km) off Punta Galea, Biscay (44°53′N 3°52′W) by SM U-67 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Essonite (United Kingdom) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) north north west of Trevose Head (50°35′N 5°04′W) by SM U-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of ten crew.
Gamma (Netherlands) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Land's End, Cornwall (51°08′N 6°56′W) by SM UC-46 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew were rescued by Vondel ( Netherlands).
Ida Duncan (United Kingdom) The tug foundered in Tees Bay with the loss of six of her crew.
Inverlyon (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 15 nautical miles (28 km) north by west of Trevose Head (50°47′N 5°05′W) by SM U-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Jerv (Norway) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 10 nautical miles (19 km) north of Flamborough Head, Yorkshire, United Kingdom (54°16′N 0°09′E) by SM UC-32 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Portia (Norway) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 47 (Paul Hundius) and sank in the North Sea off Flamborough Head (53°45′N 0°19′E). Her crew survived.
Sainte Hélène (France)The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 21 (Reinhold Saltzwedel) and sank in the Bay of Biscay 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) off the La Coubre Lighthouse, Charente-Maritime. Her crew survived.

Sailor Steve

02-01-17, 02:47 PM

February 1, 1917

Air War:
1420 Irish RNAS observer Eric Bourne Coulter Betts, riding in Sopwith 1½ Strutter 9417 with pilot Flt Lt Holden, shoots down an Albatros D.II for victory number 1.

1600 German ace Manfred von Richthofen, in a Halberstadt D.II, shoots down BE.2d 6742 for victory number 19. Lts William Murray and Duncan John McRae are both mortally wounded, and die the next day.
About 1600 I spottted, flying with Leutnant Allmenröder, at 1,800 metres altiturde, an artillery flyer. I managed to approach him within 50 yards apparently unnoticed in my Halberstadt machine. From this distance, up to only the length of a plane, I fired 150 shots.
The enemy plane then went down in large, uncontrolled right-hand curves, pursued by Allmendöder and myself. The plane crashed into the barbed wire of our front lines. The occupants were both wounded and were made prisoners by the infantry. It is impossible to remove the plane.
-Manfred von Richthofen, combat report1600 German pilot Werner Voss, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down DH.2 A2614 for victory number 4. Cpt Albert Peter Vincent Daly is wounded and taken prisoner.

Australian RNAS pilot Roderic Dallas, in Sopwith Triplane N5436, shoots down an LVG two-seater for victory number 7.

German pilot Walter Göttsch, flying an Albatros D.II, shoots down FE.2d A1951 for victory number 5. 2nd Lts W.A. Reeves and F.H. Bronskill are both taken prisoner.
Walter Göttsch then shoots down FE.2d A28 for number 6. 2nd Lt E.D. Spicer and Cpt C.M. Carbert are both killed.

German pilot Friedrich Mannschott, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down a Voisin pusher for victory number 4.

Irish Sea:
British trawler Fanny, 235 tons, departs Fleetwood, England for Scottish fishing grounds, and is not heard from again. Believed sunk by U-boat, but no German claims match the vessel. Lost with all ten crew.

Celtic Sea:
Wilhelm Werner, commanding U-55, sinks three British vessels just north of Cornwall:
Fishing smack Ada, 24 tons; scuttled.
Smack Inverlyon, 59 tons; deck gun.
Coaster SS Essonite, 589 tons, bound from Carnarvon for Rochester with a load of stone.
Werner's score is now 23 vessels and 28,712 tons.

Friedrich Moecke, in UC-46, torpedoes Dutch freighter SS Gamma, 2,115 tons, en route from New York to Amsterdam with a load of linseed cake. His score is now 10 ships and 16,457 tons.

English Channel:
Claus Lafrenz, in UB-18, attacks British sailing vessel Wellhome, 113 tons, north of Ouistreham, France. According to Der Handelskrieg mit U-Booten, by Arno Spendler, Wellhome was sunk, but according to Lloyd's only damaged.

North Sea:
Herbert Breyer, in UC-32, torpedoes Norwegian freighter SS Jerv, 1,112 tons, travelling in ballast from Rouen to Tees, north of Flamborough Head. His score is now 5 ships and 5,686 tons.

Norwegian freighter SS Portia, 1,127 tons, carrying a load of coal from Sunderland to Bilbao, hits a mine laid off Flamborough Head by Paul Hundius in UC-47. His score is now 7 ahips and 9,582 tons.

Norwegian freighter SS Knongshavn, 1,254 tons, en route from Newcastle to Rouen with a load of coal, is lost following a collision with SS Jane near the Downs.

Swedish freighter SS Scandinavic, 3,072 tons, travelling from Galveston to Christiania with a load of cotton and seed cakes, is wrecked off Westray, the Skerries.

Bay of Biscay:
Hans Nieland, in U-67, stops and scuttles Spanish freighter SS Butron, 2,434 tons, carrying a load of Iron from Bilbao to Cardiff. His score is now 15 ships and 14,129 tons.

French freighter SS Sainte Helene, 2,128 tons, en route from Port Talbot to Bordeaux with a load of coal, hits a mine laid off the Gironde Estuary near La Coubre by Reinhold Saltzwedel in UC-21. His score is now 30 ships and 46,633 tons.

New Guinea:
Wooden coaster SS Misima, 302 tons, travelling from Northeast Papua to Samarai with a load of island produce, is wrecked off East Cape, Papua.

Guatemala:
Wooden coaster Pilot, 279 tons, departs Salina Cruz for Ocus and is not heard from again.

Jimbuna

02-02-17, 11:17 AM

2nd February 1917

Western Front

Fighting on the Western Front is limited to small engagements as intense cold weather hampers troop movements.

Eastern Front

East of Kalutsem high road, (west of Riga) Germans launch several attacks, repulsed.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Off Anatolian coast Russian warships sink 18 small Turkish vessels.

Bruges harbour bombed by British naval airmen.

Political, etc.

Bill is introduced in the U.S. Senate for the construction of 100 new submarines.

Norway institutes coal rations in order to combat shortages caused by the war.

Around 50,000 American volunteers are fighting for the Allies, with around 40,000 in the British Army.

Stambul University proposes German Emperor as recipient of Nobel Peace Prize.

Appeal to nation for food economy by Lord Davenport.

Ship Losses:

HMT Cotsmuir (Royal Navy) The naval trawler foundered in the North Sea with the loss of all thirteen crew.
Elikon (Greece) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Cape Penas, Spain (43°44′N 6°16′W) by SM U-67 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Gabrielle (France) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel 25 nautical miles (46 km) west north west of Cap d'Antifer, Seine-Maritime by SM UB-23 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Garnet Hill (Russia) The four-masted barque was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Ireland (51°10′N 11°40′W) by SM U-45 ( Kaiserliche Marine). A German crew member was taken on board U-45.
HMT G.S.P. (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was lost on this date.
HMT Holdene (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 11 (Benno von Ditfurth) and sank in the North Sea east of the Shipwash Lightship ( United Kingdom) (52°01′N 1°54′E) with the loss of seven of her crew.
Isle of Arran (United Kingdom) The full-rigged ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 100 nautical miles (190 km) south of the Old Head of Kinsale, County Cork (50°15′N 7°05′W) by SM UC-45 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Loch Broom (United Kingdom) The four-masted barque was sunk by German submarine SM U-81 ( Kaiserliche Marine) at 50°10′N 10°10′W
Odin (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 20 nautical miles (37 km) north of the Créac'h Lighthouse, Ouessant, Finistère, France by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two crew.
Pomoschnick (Russia) The brigantine was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 50 nautical miles (93 km) south west of the Fastnet Rock by SM U-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Songdal (Norway) The four-masted barque was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean south west of Ireland (50°10′N 10°15′W) by SM U-81 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Sailor Steve

02-02-17, 06:10 PM

February 2, 1917

Air War:
1415 Canadian RFC pilot Harold Hartney, flying FE.2d A1960 with Lt H.R. Wilkinson as obserber, shoots down a Halberstadt D.II for victory mumber 4.

1425 German pilot Paul Bona, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down FE.2b 7705 "Montreal No 4" for victory number 2. Lts R.T. Whitney and T.G. Holley are both taken prisoner.

1425 German pilot Friedrich Mannschott, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down a Voisin pusher for victory number 5.

1450 English pilot James McCudden, in DH.2 7858 and Major A.W. Gratten-Bellew, also in a DH.2, share the downing of a German two-seater. Victory number 3 for McCudden.

1530 German pilot Hans Gutermuth, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down DH.2 A2750 for victory number 1. Lt H. Blythe is mortally wounded.

German ace Hartmuth Baldamus, flying an Albatros D.II, shoots down a Farman two-seater for victory number 11. Lt de Landrain and S/Lt Berger are listed as Missing In Action.

German pilot Fritz Kosmahl, flying an unidentified aircraft with FA-261, shoots down Sopwith Pup N5191 for victory number 4. 2nd Lt W.E. Traynor is killed.

Celtic Sea:
Erich Sittenfeld, commanding U-45, stops and scuttles Russian barque Garnet Hill, 2,272 tons, bound from Tocopilla, Chile for Liverpool with a load of nitrate. One German citizen is taken aboard U-45 from a lifeboat. Sittenfeld's score is now 11 ships and 14,328 tons.

Wilhelm Werner, in U-55, stops and scuttles Russian brigantine Pomoschnick, 167 tons, en route from Portimas to Liverpool, southwest of Fastnet. His score is now 24 ships and 38,879 tons.

Raimund Weisbach, in U-81, stops and scuttles Norwegian barque Songdal, 2,090 tons, bound from Buenos Aires for London with a load of maize. His score is now 9 ships and 23,944 tons.

Friedrich Moecke, in UC-46, stops and scuttles British sailing ship Isle of Arran, 1,918 tons, carrying a load of maize from Buenos Aires to Le Havre, south of Ireland. His score is now 11 ships and 18,375 tons.

English Channel:
Hans Rose, in U-53, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Odin, 1,045 tons, travelling from Barry to Lisbon with a load of coal, northwest of Creach Lighthous, Ushant. His score is now 12 ships and 32,499 tons.

Heinz Ziemer, in UB-23, torpedoes French freighter SS Gabrielle, 1,410 tons, en route from Swansea to Caen. His score is now 7 ships and 10,940 tons.
This is Ziemer's last sinking. He survives the war and leaves the service on November 6, 1919, but nothing else seems to be known of him.

British drifter GSP, 100 tons, is lost following a collision southwest of Plymouth.

North Sea:
His Majesty's Trawler Holdene, 274 tons, hits a mine laid off the Shipwash Lightvessel by Benno von Ditfurth in UC-11. His score is now 6 ships and 10,319 tons.

British trawler/minesweeper HMT Cotsmuir, 243 tons, departs River Tyne for River Humber and is not heard from again.

Bay of Biscay:
Hans Nieland, in U-67, sinks Greek freighter SS Elikon, 1,166 tons, west of Cape Penas, Spain. His score is now 16 ships and 15,295 tons.

Alboran Sea:
Italian passenger liner SS Luisiana, 4,983 tons, runs aground near Almeria, Spain.

Durban, South Africa:
While HMFM Trent was briefly at sea things had calmed down, but now back in port there are four men listed as absent.

Jimbuna

02-03-17, 08:47 AM

3rd February 1917

Western Front

East of Beaucourt (north of the Ancre) British line advanced 500 yards on a front of 1,200 yards; over 100 prisoners taken, and counter-attacks repulsed.

First Portuguese contingent arrives in France.

Naval and Overseas Operations

S.S. "Heusatonic", American grain ship, torpedoed off Scilly Isles by SM U-53 . Crew rescued by British ship.

Political, etc.

President Wilson severs diplomatic relations between U.S.A. and Germany.

Count Bernstorff receives his passports and Mr. Gerard is recalled from Berlin.

U.S.A. demands immediate release of over 60 Americans taken prisoner by German Atlantic raider.

Germany protests Norway and Sweden’s decisions to ban German submarines, unless damaged, to enter their territorial waters.

Ship Losses:

Belford (United Kingdom) The full-rigged ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 110 nautical miles (200 km) west of the Fastnet Rock (50°34′N 12°16′W) by SM U-45 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Confiante (France) The sailing vessel was sunk in the English Channel 16 nautical miles (30 km) north of the Île de Batz, Finistère (49°04′N 4°10′W) by SM UB-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Eavestone (United Kingdom) The collier was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 95 nautical miles (176 km) west of the Fastnet Rock (approximately 51°N 12°W) by SM U-45 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of five crew.
Goeland (France) The schooner was sunk in the English Channel 6 nautical miles (11 km) off Triagoz, Côtes-du-Nord (49°04′N 4°10′W) by SM UB-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Hollinside (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic OCean 115 nautical miles (213 km) west south west of the Fastnet Rock by SM U-43 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Housantonic (United States) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 20 nautical miles (37 km) south of the Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom (49°35′N 6°08′W) by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Lars Kruse (Denmark) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 16 nautical miles (30 km) north of Ouessant by SM UB-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of seventeen crew.
Port Adelaide (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 180 nautical miles (330 km) south west of the Fastnet Rock (48°49′N 11°40′W) by SM U-81 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but her captain was taken as a prisoner of war.
Sainte Marie (France) The sailing vessel was sunk in the English Channel 12 nautical miles (22 km) north of the Île de Batz by SM UB-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Songelv (Norway) The full-rigged ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west south west of the Fastnet Rock (50°20′N 11°10′W) by SM U-43 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Tamara (Norway) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 100 nautical miles (190 km) west south west of the Fastnet Rock (50°26′N 12°15′W) by SM U-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Wasdale (Norway) The full-rigged ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west south west of the Fastnet Rock (50°22′N 11°53′W) by SM U-43 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Sailor Steve

02-03-17, 01:41 PM

February 3, 1917

Air War:
French pilot Henri Languedoc, flying a Nieuport, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 4.

German ace Walter Göttsch is wounded, putting him out of the war for the next two months.

Celtic Sea:
Hellmuth Jürst, commanding U-43, sinks three Allied ships southwest of Fastnet:
British freighter SS Hollinside, 2,862 tons, bound from Sunderland for Marseille with a load of coal.
Norwegian barque Songelv, 2,064 tons, inbound from Buenos Aires to Falmouth with a load of maize.
Norwegian sailing ship Wasdale, 1,856 tons, travelling from Buenos Aires to Dublin with a load of maize.
Jürst's score is now 21 ships and 46,332 tons.

Erich Sittenfeld, in U-45, sinks two British ships in the same area:
Sailing ship Belford, 1,905 tons, carrying a load of barley from San Francisco to Queenstown.
Freighter SS Eavestone, 1,858 tons, en route from Barry to Gibraltar with a load of coal.
Sittenfeld's score is now 13 ships and 18,091 tons.

Hans Rose, in U-53, sinks American freighter SS Housatonic, 3,143 tons, bound from Galveston for London with a load of wheat. His score is now 13 ships and 35,642 tons.
USS Housatonic was also the name of the very first ship ever sunk by a submarine, CSS H.L. Hunley, back on February 17, 1864.

Vokhard von Bothmer, in U-54, sinks Norwegian sailing ship Tamara, 453 tons, travelling from Black River, Jamaica to Fleetwood with a load of logwood. This is his first sinking.

Raimund Weisbach, in U-81, sinks British freighter SS Port Adelaide, 8,181 tons, en route from London to Sydney with an unnamed cargo. His score is now 10 ships and 32,125 tons.

English Channel:
Claus Lafrenz, in UB-18, sinks four Allied vessels north of Brittany:
French dandy Confiante, 85 tons, carrying coal from Cardiff to Saint Brieuc.
French schooner Goeland, 305 tons.
Danish freighter SS Lars Kruse, 1,460 tons, en route from Buenos Aires to Rotterdam.
French sailboat Sainte Marie, 60 tons.
Lafrenz's score is now 32 vessels and 30,062 tons.

Durban, South Africa:
HMFM Trent's troubles continue. While docked for coaling five men desert the ship. In the afternoon seven men and one boy are returned to the ship by the police, and thirteen new crewmembers join the ship.

Australia:
American schooner Kona, 670 tons carrying a load of lumber from San Francisco to Port Adelaide, is wrecked on Scraper Shoal, near Cape St. Albans on Kangaroo Island.

Atlantic Ocean:
German raider SMS Seeadler captures and sinks French barque Antonin, 3,071 tons, bringing her score to 5 ships and 11,997 tons.

German Raider SMS Geier captures and sinks Norwegian barque Staut, 1,227 tons, bound from South Georgia Island for Queenstown, Ireland with a load of 7,172 barrels of whale oil and 1,570 bags of guano totalling 1,600 tons. Geier now has 2 ships and 1,442 tons. This is her last sinking.
Note: There were two SMS Geiers in the First World War. The first was a Bussard-class unprotected cruiser commissioned in October 1895. She served until captured by the U.S. Navy on April 6, 1917. This second was originally the British freighter SS Saint Theodore, captured by SMS Möwe on December 24, 1916 and converted to a raider. After sinking two ships Geier was considered to be of no more use and scuttled on February 14, 1917.

Jimbuna

02-04-17, 10:51 AM

4th February 1917

Western Front

Near Beaucourt four severe counter-attacks against new British positions defeated.

North-east of Gueudecourt both sides make raids: British take 500 yards of hostile trenches and over 100 prisoners.

Eastern Front

Between Tirul Swamp and River Aa (Riga), Germans make several abortive attacks.

East of Kalutsem road, Germans again attack and take positions, but are ejected.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

At Siwa (Western Egypt) British expedition locates and defeats the forces of the Senussi leader, Said Ahmed.

Naval and Overseas Operations

In Manila Bay German crews wreck the engine-rooms of nine German steamers.

Political, etc.

The U.S.A. demand for release of imprisoned Americans acceded to. Germany agrees to release 72 Americans whose ship was sunk in the Atlantic by a German raider.

Sultan of Turkey accepts resignation of the Grand Vizier, Said Halim; Talaat Pasha forms new Cabinet.

U.S. government appeals for other neutral nations to also break off diplomatic ties with Germany for resuming unrestricted submarine warfare.

Brazil, responding to Germany’s unrestricted submarine warfare, proposes a defensive union for all American nations.

Intense cold wave continues in Germany, with some areas seeing record lows. Suffering is exacerbated by the coal shortage.

Ship Losses:

Aimée Maria (France) The barque was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off the Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom (49°27′N 6°40′W) by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Anna Maria (France) The barquentine was sunk in the English Channel (49°37′N 5°10′W) by SM U-83 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Bangphutis (Russia) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of the Isles of Scilly (49°35′N 6°25′W) by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Cerera (Russia) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 30 nautical miles (56 km) north of the Stiff Lighthouse, Ouessant, Finistère, France by SM UB-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Coquette (France) The topsail schooner was sunk in the English Channel 28 nautical miles (52 km) south of The Lizard, Cornwall, United Kingdom by SM U-83 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Dauntless (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Bay of Biscay 10 nautical miles (19 km) off Pointe de la Coubre, Gironde, France (45°36′N 1°10′W) by SM UB-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of fifteen crew. Four survivors were rescued by the fishing vessel Mamelena ( Spain).
Eridania (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 96 nautical miles (178 km) south west of the Fastnet Rock by SM U-45 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Floridian (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 200 nautical miles (370 km) west by north of the Fastnet Rock (50°42′N 14°39′W) by SM U-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of five crew. Three survivors were taken as prisoners of war.
Ghazee (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) south south west of Galley Head, County Cork by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was beached but was declared a total loss. Her crew survived.
Maria (Italy) The barque was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 150 nautical miles (280 km) south west of the Fastnet Rock (49°40′N 11°50′W) by SM U-81 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Marthe (France) The schooner was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 18 nautical miles (33 km) south south east of the Isles of Scilly (49°42′N 6°00′W) by SM UC-45 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Palm Leaf (United Kingdom) The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 230 nautical miles (430 km) west of the Fastnet Rock (approximately 51°N 15°W) by SM U-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but two of them were taken as prisoners of war.
Solbakken (Norway) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 60 nautical miles (110 km) south west of Ouessant by SM UC-24 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of fifteen of her crew.
Thor II (Norway) The barque was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 80 nautical miles (150 km) west of Ireland (50°18′N 11°48′W) by SM U-45 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, three people were rescued by U-45.
Turino (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 174 nautical miles (322 km) west of the Fastnet Rock (50°25′N 13°50′W) by SM U-43 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four crew.

Sailor Steve

02-04-17, 10:18 PM

February 4, 1917

Air War:
1255 German pilot Paul Bona, flying an Albatros D.II, shoots down FE.2b 7023 for victory number 3. 2nd Lt A.B. Coupal wounded, lands in No-Man's Land, 2nd Lt H.L. Villiers killed.

1315 English pilot Stanley Cockerell, in DH.2 A2541, shares the downing of a German two-seater with Lt Begbie (A2544) and Lt Evans (A2563). Victory number 3 for Cockerell.

1345 English observer Frank Johnson, riding in FE.2b 7697 with pilot Cpt H.R. Hawkins, shoots down an Albatros D.II for victory number 4.

1400 Canadian RFC aircrew of Carleton Clement and Medley Kingdom Parlee, in FE.2b A5461, shoot down an Albatros D.II. Victory number 2 for Clement, number 1 for Parlee.

1400 English ace Eric Pashley, in DH.2 7930, shoots down an Albatros D.II for victory number 7.

1440 German pilot Werner Voss, flying an Albatros D.II, shoots down BE.2d 5927 for victory number 5. 2nd Lt Herbert Martin-Massey is wonded but manages to land behind his own lines. 2nd Lt Noel Mark Hodson Vernon is killed.

1530 German pilot Erich König, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down BE.2c 2768 for victory number 4. Lt J.W. Boyd and A.H. Steele are both wounded and taken prisoner.

1535 English pilot William Curphey, in DH.2 A2536, shoots down an Albaros D.II for victory number 4.

1600 William Curphey shares a second Albatros D.II with Lt H.D. Davis, number 5 for Curphey. Above The Trenches and The Aerodrome both show this kill also being shared with James Robb, but neither source has Robb's listing showing a kill on this date.

1600 English pilot Robert Wallace Farquhar and Irish observer Giles Noble Biennerhasset, in FE.2b A5460, shoot down an Albatros D.II. victory number 1 for both.

1605 (1505 German time) German ace Erwin Böhme, flying an Albatros D.III, whoots down DH.2 A2536 for victory number 10. English 5-kill ace William Curphey is wounded, crashes on his own side of the lines.

1630 (1530) Erwin Böhme shoots down BE.2e 7105 for victory number 11. Sgt Federick James Shaw and 2nd Lt George William Bathurst Bradford are both missing and presumed dead.

Celtic Sea:
Hellmuth Jürst, commanding U-43, sinks British freighter SS Turino, 4,241 tons, bound from Norfolk for Liverpool with a general cargo. His score is now 22 ships and 50,573 tons.

Erich Sittenfeld, in U-45, sinks two ships west of Fastnet:
Italian freighter SS Eridania, 3,171 tons, travelling from Cardiff to Genoa with a load of coal.
Norwegian barque Thor II, 2,144 tons, en route from South Georgia to Queenstown with a load of whale oil, is stopped and torpedoed after the crew are allowed to take to the lifeboats. The ship's master, Captain Jacobsen and his wife and three-year-old daughter are taken aboard the u-boat and dropped of at Helgoland, from whence they sere returned to Norway.
Sittenfeld's score is now 15 ships and 23,406 tons.

Hans Rose, in U-53, stops and scuttles two Allied ships off the Scilly Isles:
French barque Aimee Maria, 327 tons, bound from Lisbon for Saint Servan.
russian sailing vessel Bangpuhtis, 259 tons, travelling from Saint Nazaire to an unnamed destinaion.
Rose's score is now 15 ships and 36,228 tons.

Volkhard von Bothmer, in U-54, sinks two ships northwest of Fastnet:
British freighter SS Floridian, 4,777 tons, carrying a general cargo from Halifax to Cherbourg.
British tanker SS Palmleaf, 5,489 tons, travelling in ballast from Devonport to Port Arthur.
Von Bothmer's score is now 3 ships and 10,719 tons.

Raimund Weisbach, in U-81, stops and scuttles Italian barque Maria, 992 tons, en route from Santos, Brazil to Bristol with a load of coffee. His score is now 11 ships and 33,117 tons.

Friedrich Moecke, in UC-46, sinks French schooner Marthe, 154 tons, en route from Lisbon to Dunkirk with a load of salt, with his deck gun. His score is now 12 ships and 18,529 tons.

Ireland:
Karlgeorg Schuster, in U-60, sinks British freighter SS Ghazee, 5,084 tons, carrying a load of coal from Cardif to Port Sudan. The ship is beached but ends up being a total loss. This is Schuster's first sinking.

English Channel:
Bruno Hoppe, in U-83, sinks two French sailing vessels at the west end of the Channel:
Brigantine Anna Maria, 141 tons, en route from Bonanza, Spain to Saint Malo with a load of salt and wine.
Schooner Coquette, 167 tons, travelling from Swansea to Bordeaux with a load of coal.
Hoppe's score is now 13 vessels and 24,223 tons.

Claus Lafrenz, in UB-18, sinks Russian freighter SS Cerera, 3,512 tons, bound from Cardiff for Brest with a load of coal. His score is now 33 ships and 33,574 tons.

Bay of Biscay:
Heinrich Küstner, in UB-39, stops British freighter SS Dauntless, 2,157 tons, carrying a load of coal from Newcastle to Bayonne, and sinks her with his deck gun. His score is now 41 ships and 40,781 tons.

Kurt Willich, in UC-24, stops and scuttles Norwegian Freighter SS Solbakken, 2,616 tons, travelling from Buenos Aires to Cherbourg with a load of wheat. this is Willich's first sinking.

Caribbean Sea:
American schooner Charles K. Schull, 884 tons, travelling from Gulfport to Rotterdam with a load of acid phosphate, founders off Tortugas.

Jimbuna

02-05-17, 11:11 AM

5th February 1917

Eastern Front

Ten miles south of Kieselin (Volhynia) enemy attacks Russian positions, but is repulsed.

Southern Front

Italian line heavily attacked by the Austrians in various sectors. All attacks beaten off.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Siwa evacuated by the Senussi and entered by British, who capture Munasib Pass, cutting off enemy retreat.

Political, etc.

The decoded Zimmermann Telegram is passed on to the British Foreign Office. Discussion begins on how to tell the U.S.

William J. Bryan, former US Secretary of State, likens Germany to a “drunken chauffeur,” but urges the U.S. to avoid war.

Referring to the break with U.S.A., Germany says: "The struggle is for our existence. For us there can be no retreat."

Switzerland in a message to U.S.A. decides not to break off diplomatic relations with Germany.

Russian Conference on future of Poland announced.

Ship Losses:

Anna Prosper (Belgium) The fishing vessel was sunk in the North Sea off the coast of Norfolk, United Kingdom by SM UB-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Azul (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 180 nautical miles (330 km) west of the Fastnet Rock by SM U-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eleven crew.
Bråvalla (Sweden) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off the Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom[52] (49°40′N 6°45′W) by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Emerald (United Kingdom) The fishing vessel was shelled and sunk in the North Sea off Norfolk by SM UB-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Hurstwood (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 6 nautical miles (11 km) north east of Whitby, Yorkshire (54°35′N 0°35′W) by SM UB-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four of her crew.
Lorton (Peru) The barque was scuttled in the Bay of Biscay 11 nautical miles (20 km) east of Santander, Cantabria, Spain by SM U-67 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Lux (United Kingdom) The tanker was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 50 nautical miles (93 km) west of Mizen Head, County Cork by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of all 29 crew.
Primrose (United Kingdom) The trawler struck a mine laid by UC 29 (Ernst Rosenow) and sank in the North Sea 17 nautical miles (31 km) south south west of Tod Head, Aberdeenshire with the loss of nine of her crew.
Resolute (United Kingdom) The fishing vessel was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 64 nautical miles (119 km) east by south of St Abb's Head, Berwickshire (55°56′N 0°15′W) by SM UB-22 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Vestra (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea (54°46′N 1°07′W) by SM UB-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
Warley Pickering (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 46 nautical miles (85 km) west by north of the Fastnet Rock by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Wartenfels (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 120 nautical miles (220 km) south west of the Fastnet Rock (50°10′N 11°59′W) by SM U-81 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew. Her captain was taken as a prisoner of war.
Yvonne (France) The trawler was shelled and sunk in the Bay of Biscay 20 nautical miles (37 km) west of Arcachon, Gironde by SM UB-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three of her crew.

Sailor Steve

02-05-17, 01:44 PM

February 5, 1917

Air War:
1700 German pilot Sebastian Festner, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down a BE.2c for victory number 1. Details unknown.

German pilot Otto Könnecke, flying one of the first LFG Roland D.IIs, shoots down a Farman two-seat pusher for victory number 1.

Celtic Sea:
Hans Rose, commanding U-53, sinks Swedish freighter SS Bravalla, 1,519 tons, bound from Rufisque for Liverpool with a load of ground nuts. His score is now 16 ships and 37,747 tons.

Volkhard von Bothmer, in U-54, sinks British freighter SS Azul, travelling from Buenos Aires to Cherbourg with a load of wheat. His score is now 4 ships and 13,793 tons.
Von Bothemer also attacks British freighter SS Ainsdale, 1,825 tons, en route from Buenos Aires to Queenstown with a load of maize, but the ship is only damaged, and reaches port safely.

Karlgeorg Schuster, in U-60, torpedoes two British ships south of Ireland:
Tanker SS Lux, 2,621 tons, carrying a load of refined petroleum from New York to Calais.
Freighter SS Warley Pickering, 4,196 tons, bound from Sagunto, on the Balearic coast of Spain for Tees with a load of Iron ore.
Schuster's score is now 3 ships and 11,900 tons.

Raimund Weisbach, in U-81, sinks British freighter SS Watenfels, 4,511 tons, carrying a general cargo from Barry to Alexandria. His score is now 12 ships and 37,628 tons.

English Channel:
Friedrich Moecke, in UC-46, torpedoes British passenger liner SS Argyllshire, 12,097 tons, en route from London to Barry. The damaged ship makes port safely.

North Sea:
Bernhard Putzier, in UB-22, sinks British fishing vessel Resolute, 125 tons, with his deck gun. His score is now 4 ships and 4,875 tons.

Theodor Schultz, in UB-34, torpedoes British freighter SS Hurstwood, 1,229 tons, travelling in ballast from London to Newcastle. His score is now 10 ships and 6,695 tons.

Rudolf Gebeschus, in UB-35, sinks British freighter SS Vestra, 1,021 tons, carrying a load of coal from Tyne to Rouen. This is his ferst sinking.

Hans Howaldt, In UB-40, sinks two vessels off Great Yarmouth:
Belgian fishing boat Anna Prosper, 70 rons.
British fishing smack Emerald, 57 tons. Erich Haecker had damaged but failed to sink Emerald back on July 12, 1915.
Howaldt's score is now 9 vessels and 4,571 tons.

British trawler Primrose, 136 tons, hits a mine laid by Ernst Rosenow in UC-29, bringing his score to 4 vessels and 5,811 tons.

Bay of Biscay:
Hans Nieland, in U-69, stops and scuttles Peruvian barque Lorton, 1,419 tons, travelling from Caleta Buena, Chile to Pasajes, Spain with a load of nitrate; off Santander, Spain. His score is now 16 ships and 16,714 tons.

Heinrich Küstner, in UB-39, sinks French trawler Yvonne, 123 tons, with his deck gun, off Arcachon, France. His score is now 42 ships and 40,904 tons.

Malta:
French freighter SS Saint Laurent, 5,607 tons, catches fire while anchored in Malta Harbour with a load of explosives. After two small explosions the ship is torpedoed to prevent a catastrophe.

Canada:
Canadian freighter SS Retlaw, 4,062 tons, carrying barrels of oil from New York to Le Havre, is wrecked off Jeddore Head, Nova Scotia.

United States:
American tug Covington is towing schooner-barges Iowa, 1,473 tons, from Norfold, VA to Fall River, MA, and Kennebec, 1,850 tons, from Norfolk to Providence, RI, carrying loads of coal, when both barges founder in a snowstorm. The tug manages to rescue two of the five men aboard the barges.

Jimbuna

02-06-17, 03:30 PM

6th February 1917

Western Front

Near Grandcourt (south of the Ancre) the British advance and occupy 1,000 yards of enemy trench without opposition.

Eastern Front

The Sereth river (south-east of Focsani) being frozen, enemy attacks lightly, but is driven back.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Near Kut, the Turks evacuate the south bank of the Tigris east of the Hai-Tigris junction; also forward positions west of the Hai.

Second phase of the Battle of Kut begins.

Political, etc.

New Air Board formed with Lord Cowdray as chairman.

Mr. N. Chamberlain announces his scheme for National Service.

Germany will not allow James W. Gerard, U.S. Ambassador to Germany, to leave until they are satisfied with the German ambassador’s treatment.

German Foreign Secretary Zimmermann states Germany “regrets” the U.S. decision to cut off diplomatic ties.

Nearly 1000 Germans, Austro-Hungarians, Bulgarians, and Ottoman citizens living in New York City apply for naturalization.

Report presented to the French Senate charges that munition manufacturers have made millions in excess profits on government contracts.

Ship Losses:

Adelaide (United Kingdom) The trawler was sunk in the North Sea 30 nautical miles (56 km) east north east of the mouth of the River Tyne by SM UB-22 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Balgownie (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the Thames Estuary (51°46′N 1°32′E) with the loss of a crew member.
Cliftonian (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 4.5 nautical miles (8.3 km) south by east of Galley Head, County Cork (51°28′N 8°55′W) by SM U-85 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Crown Point (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 55 nautical miles (102 km) west of the Isles of Scilly (50°06′N 7°46′W) by SM U-83 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of seven of her crew.
Ellavore (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 35 nautical miles (65 km) north of Cap Villano, Spain by SM UC-24 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Ferruccio (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea off Whitby, Yorkshire, United Kingdom by SM UB-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Havgard (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 70 nautical miles (130 km) north east of Cape Villano by SM UC-24 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMT Longset (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 46 (Friedrich Moecke) and sank in the Bristol Channel off Barry Island, Glamorgan with the loss of eight of her crew.
Perseo (Regia Marina) The Pegaso-class torpedo boat collided with Astore ( Regia Marina) and sank in the Mediterranean Sea off Stromboli.
Romeo (United Kingdom) The trawler was scuttled in the North Sea 70 nautical miles (130 km) east of Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland (56°50′N 0°00′E) by SM UB-22 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Rupert (United Kingdom) The trawler was scuttled in the North Sea 42 nautical miles (78 km) east nort east of the mouth of the River Tyne by SM UB-22 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Saxon Briton (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) north north east of Gurnard's Head, Cornwall (50°13′N 5°35′W) by SM U-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.

"Within The Dread Coils" (Western Mail cartoon).
http://i.imgur.com/2woc9vl.jpg

Sailor Steve

02-06-17, 05:54 PM

February 6, 1917

Air War:
1310 German pilot Paul Bona, flying an Albatros D.II, shoots down FE.2b 4971 for victory number 4. Lt W.N. McDonald is wounded, 2nd Lt Galley uninjured.

1325 French ace Alfred Heurtaux, in a SPAD VII, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 20.

1415 English pilot Stanley Cockerell, in DH.2 A2581, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 4.

1630 German pilot Rudolf Freiherr von Esebeck, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down FE.2d A38. 2nd Lt M.E. Woods is taken prisoner. Lt E.B. Maule is killed. As far as is known this is von Esebeck's only aerial victory.

1630 German pilot Alfred Träger, in an Albatros D.II, shoods down FE.2d for victory number 1. Lt T.C. Lucas and 2nd Lt J.T. Gibbon are both killed.
(Per The Jasta War Chronology, by Franks, Bailey and Duiven. According to Aces of Jagdstaffel 17 by Greg VanWygarden, Träger had no confirmed victories.)

French ace Jean Casale, flying a Nieuport, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 6.

German pilot Otto Könnecke, in a Roland D.II, shoots down a Farman pusher for victory number 2.

French ace Georges Madon, in a Nieuport, shoots down a Rumpler two-seater for victory number 6.

German pilot Adolf Schulte, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Nieuport for victory number 2.

Celtic Sea:
Wilhelm Werner, commanding U-55, sinks British freighter SS Saxon Briton, 1,337 tons, bound from Portishead for Calais with a load of petrol. His score is now 25 ships and 30,216 tons.

Bruno Hoppe, in U-83, sinks British freighter SS Crown Point, 5,218 tons, travelling from London to Philadelphia with a load of chalk plus general cargo. his score is now 14 ships and 29,441 tons.

Ireland:
Willy Petz, in U-85, sinks British freighter SS Cliftonia, 4,303 tons, carrying a load of coal from Cardiff to an unnamed destination. His score is now 2 ships and 5,226 tons.
Petz also torpedoes British freighter SS Explorer, 7,608 tons, but the damaged ship manages to make safe port.
Petz's score is now 2 ships and 5,226 tons.

Bristol Channel:
His Majesty's Trawler Longset, 275 tons, hits a mine laid off the Breaksea Lightship by Friedrich Moecke in UC-46. Moecke's score is now 13 vessels and 17,804 tons.

English Channel:
UC-26, commanded by Matthias von Schmettow surfaces at night directly in front of British paddle passenger ship SS Mona's Queen. The ship rams the u-boat, causing damage to the steel paddle on the port side. Mona's Queen limps to Le Havre. UC-26, her outer bow skin ripped open, makes it back to base for repairs.

North Sea:
Bernhard Putzier, in UB-22, stops and scuttles three British fishing trawlers off the mouth of the Tyne:
Adelaide, 133 tons.
Romeo, 114 tons.
Rupert. 114 tons.
Putzier's score is now 7 vessels and 5,236 tons.

Theodor Schultz, in UB-34, sinks Italian freighter SS Ferruccio, 2,192 tons, en route from Sunderland to Savona with a load of coal. His score is now 11 ships and 8,887 tons.

Spain:
Kurt Willich, in UC-24, sinks two Norwegian freighters off Cape Vilan:
SS Ellavore, 2,733 tons, bound from Valencia for London with a load of fruit and wine.
SS Havgard, 1,279 tons, carrying a load of ground nuts from Rufisque to Dunkerque.
Willich's score is now 3 ships and 6,628 tons.

Tyrrhenian Sea:
Italian torpedo boat Perseo, 210 tons, is lost following a collision with her sister-ship Astore, off the Island of Stromboli.

United States:
American schooner Edward F. Clark, 549 tons, carrying a load of coal from Sewall's Point, Virginia to new London, Connecticut, founders off Norfolk, VA.

Aktungbby

02-06-17, 06:04 PM

6th February 1917

Germany will not allow James W. Gerard, U.S. Ambassador to Germany, to leave until they are satisfied with the German ambassador’s treatment.

German Foreign Secretary Zimmermann states Germany “regrets” the U.S. decision to cut off diplomatic ties.

Nearly 1000 Germans, Austro-Hungarians, Bulgarians, and Ottoman citizens living in New York City apply for naturalization.

James W Gerard, an able attorney after his diplomatic career, had some serious fiber And knew how to deal with Krauts (no offence I'm one too:Kaleun_Thumbs_Up:) Gerard once said in a speech: "The Foreign Minister of Germany once said to me 'your country does not dare do anything against Germany, because we have in your country five hundred thousand Germans[emigrants] who will rise in arms against your government if you dare to make a move against Germany.' Well, I told him that that might be so, but that we had five hundred thousand – and one – lamp posts in this country, and that that was where the reservists would be hanging the day after they tried to rise." :Kaleun_Salute:

Jimbuna

02-07-17, 02:11 PM

7th February 1917

Western Front

At the Somme, British forces make further advances by capturing Grandcourt, aided by the frozen marshy ground around the Ancre River.

Naval and Overseas Operations

S.S. "California", Anchor Line, sunk by submarine SM U-85without warning. 43 killed and missing.
http://i.imgur.com/1sOThZ5.jpg

Since the resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare last week, Germany has sunk at least 59 ships, with 22 belonging to neutral nations.

Political, etc.

Several neutral States refuse Mr. Wilson's invitation to act in conjunction with the U.S.

U.S. Senate votes 78 to 5 endorsing President Wilson’s decision to breakoff ties with Germany.

U.S. coast guard and lighthouse services dismiss unnaturalized German citizens from their jobs.

Parliament opened by the King.

Romanian government accuses Germany of deporting Romanian males of military age in occupied areas.

Ship Losses:

Aphrodite (France) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea north west of Alexandria, Egypt by SM U-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Boyne Castle (United Kingdom) The coaster was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 12 nautical miles (22 km) north east of St Abb's Head, Berwickshire by SM UB-22 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
California (United Kingdom) The ocean liner was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 38 nautical miles (70 km) west of The Fastnet Rock (51°10′N 9°24′W) by SM U-85 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 43 lives.
Corsican Prince (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) east of Whitby, Yorkshire (54°30′N 0°31′W) by SM UB-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Diaz (Russia) The barque was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south of Ireland(50°05′N 8°43′W) by SM U-83 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Gravina (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 85 nautical miles (157 km) west of the Fastnet Rock (51°03′N 11°30′W) by SM U-81 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of seven of her crew. Five survivors were taken as prisoners of war.
Hans Kinck (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea off the Noordhinder Lightship ( Netherlands) by SM UC-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Noella (French Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 26 (Matthias Graf von Schmettow) and sank in the English Channel 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) off Le Havre, Seine-Maritime.
Saint Ninian (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off Whitby (54°30′N 0°32′W) by SM UB-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of fifteen crew.
Saxonian (United Kingdom) The tanker was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 270 nautical miles (500 km) west by north of the Fastnet Rock (50°26′N 16°26′W) by SM U-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Shakespeare (United Kingdom) The trawler was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea off the Firth of Forth by SM UB-22 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of nine crew.
Storskog (Norway) The full-rigged ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 70 nautical miles (130 km) south west of the Fastnet Rock by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Väring (Sweden) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 10 nautical miles (19 km) east north east of Noup Head, Orkney Islands, United Kingdom[88] by SM U-78 ( Kaiserliche Marine).[89] Her crew survived.
Vedamore (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 20 nautical miles (37 km) west of the Fastnet Rock (51°17′N 10°03′W) by SM U-85 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 23 of her crew.
Wallace (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was shelled and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean (50°30′N 15°05′W by SM U-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member and another taken as a prisoner of war Survivors abandoned ship and were rescued by a Royal Navy warship.
Yola (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Ouessant, Finistère, France by SM U-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of all 33 crew.

Sailor Steve

02-07-17, 09:27 PM

February 7, 1917

Air War:
1200 English pilot James Dacres Belgrave, flying Sopwith 1½ Strutter 7775 with 2nd Lt Thompson as observer, shoots down an Albatros fighter for victory number 1.

1325 German ace Walter von Bülow, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down Sopwith 1½ Strutter 7789 for victory number 8. 2nd Lt E.E. Erlebach and AM2 F.J. Ridgway are both killed.

1430 English ace William Curphey and pilot 2nd Lt Thompson, both in DH.2s. share in the downing of an Albatros D.II. Victory number 6 for Curphey.

German pilot Georg Meyer, flying a two-seater with an unnamed observer, shoots down a Nieuport for victory number 1.

French ace Pierre Dufaur de Gavardie wounded, retires from combat flying. He will live until 1966.

Celtic Sea:
Vokhard von Bothmer, commanding U-54, sinks British tanker SS Saxonian, 4,855 tons, bound fro Port Arthur for Dartmouth sith a load of parafin oil. His score is now 5 ships and 18,648 tons. Von bothemer also attacks British freighter SS Wallace, 3,930 tons, carrying a general cargo from New York to Le Havre, with his deck gun, but a British warship comes into sight and he is forced to break of the attack.

Wilhelm Werner, in U-55, sinks British freighter SS Yola, 3,504 tons, travelling from New York to London with a load of wheat. The ship goes down with all hands, and is listed as Missing until after the war. Werner's score is now 26 ships and 33,720 tons.

Karlgeorg Schuster, in U-60, stops and scuttles Norwegian sailing ship Storskog, 2,191 tons, carrying a load of maize from Buenos Aires to Queenstown. His score is now 4 ships and 14,091 tons.

Raimund Weisbach, in U-81, sinks British freighter SS Gravina, 1,242 tons, bound from Seville for London with a load of fruit. His score is now 13 ships and 38,870 tons.

Bruno Hoppe, in U-83, sinks Russian barque Diaz, 637 tons, en route from Savanna-la-Mar, Jamaica to Fleetwood with a load of logwood. His score is now 15 ships and 30,078 tons.

Willy Petz, in U-85, sinks two British ships southwes of Fastnet:
Passenger liner SS California, 8,668 tons, carrying passengers and a general cargo from New York to Glasgow.
Freighter SS Vedamore, 6,330 tons, travelling from Baltimore to Liverpool with a general cargo.
Petz's score is now 4 ships and 20,225 tons.
After this U-85 was not heard from again. Originally thought sunk by Q-ship HMS Privet, it was later determined that the U-boat in that attack was U-68, which survived. U-85's fate remains undetermined - presumed foundered. All 38 crew lost.

English Channel:
French naval trawler Noella, 277 tons, hits a mine laid by Matthias von Schmettow in UC-26 off Le Havre, raising his score to 66 ships and 98,459 tons.

North Sea:
Otto Dröscher, in U-78, scuttles Swedish freighter SS Väring, 2,107 tons, en route from Savannah to Helsingborg with a load of oil cake. His score is now 6 ships and 11.653 tons.

Bernhard Putzier, in UB-22, sinks two British ships off the Firth of Forth, Scotland:
Coaster SS Boyne Castle, 245 tons, travelling in ballast from MacDuff to Sunderland; sunk with deck gun.
Trawler Shakespeare; torpedoed.
Putzier's score is now 9 ships and 5,691 tons.

Theodor Schultz, in UB-34, sinks two British freighters off Whitby:
SS Corsican Prince, 2,776 tons, en route from dundee to Dunkerque with a load of timber.
SS Saint Ninian, 3.026 tons, carrying a load of iron pyrites from Pot Kelah to Tees.
Schultz's score is now 13 ships and 14,689 tons.

Otto Ehrentraut, in UC-39, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Hans Kinck, 2,667 tons, travelling in ballast from Rotterdam to Tyne. His score is now 12 ships and 12,301 tons.

South Africa:
Sometime the previous day, British troopship SS Tyndareus, 11,000 tons, strikes a mine laid by the German raider Wolf off Cape Agulhas. With the ship down by the bow the men of the 25th Battalion Middlesex Regiment form up on parade. Boats are lowered safely and the entire ship's complement are all taken safely on board SS Eumaeus and hospital ship SS Oxfordshire.
0115 At Simonstown, HMFM Trent recieves orders to assist Tyndareus. SS Eumaeus and HMS Hyacinth are already there giving assistance, but Trent's crew have the most experience with towing other ships.
0135 Trent is underway.
0745 Fighting a moderate gale, HMFM Trent sights the other ships.
0820 Trent joins up with Tyndareus, Eumaeus and Hyacinth. Three attempts are made to pass towing hawsers on a raft, all unsuccessful.
1130 Trent passes 14" towing hawser to Tyndareus via a rocket line.
1215 Towing hawser comes apart. HMS Hyacinth sends party to Tyndareus.
1315 Trent passes a steel cable to Tyndareus.
1515 Second towing attempt fails, with both ships being pushed about by heavy sea.
1655 Trent's after bitts, through which the hawser runs, are ripped loose and carried overboard.
2345 Tug Ludwig Wiener arrives from Cape Town. Towing attempts continue into next day.

Mediterranean Sea:
Max Valentiner, in U-38, sinks French sailing vessel Aphrodite, 130 tons, near Alexandria. His score is now 125 ships and 175,269 tons.

Atlantic Ocean:
Spanish barque Bilmenalde, 360 tons, en route from Gulfport to Bilbao with a load of timber, founders mid-ocean. The crew are rescued by British tanker SS Bulisses and taken to Leith.

Jimbuna

02-08-17, 10:25 AM

8th February 1917

Western Front

Sailly-Saillisel ridge (Hill 153, Somme) taken by the British with 78 prisoners.

From Grandcourt British advance on both banks of the Ancre.

Aviation

Flying a SPAD VII, the French ace Georges Guynemer becomes the first Allied pilot to shoot down a German heavy bomber when he downs a Gotha G.III.
http://i.imgur.com/WSpnXvc.jpg

Naval and Overseas Operations

A British destroyer HMS Gurkha sunk by a mine in the Channel; five survivors.

Political, etc.

Neutral sources report that Mr. Gerard is being held hostage in Berlin and not allowed to communicate with U.S.A.

Ship Losses:

HMT Aivern (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was sunk in the Western Approaches.
Derika (Netherlands) The trawler was scuttled in the North Sea (52°53′N 3°20′E) by SM UC-33 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Elswick Manor (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine and was damaged in the North Sea 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) off Southwold, Suffolk. She was beached at Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. Subsequently refloated, repaired and returned to service.
Guillame Tell (France) The brigantine was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 10 nautical miles (19 km) west of Trevose Head, Cornwall, United Kingdom by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
HMS Gurkha (Royal Navy) The Tribal-class destroyer struck a mine set by SM UC-47 and sank in the English Channel off Dungeness, Kent (50°51′20″N 0°53′17″E). There were five survivors out of her 79 crew.
Hanna Larsen (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was scuttled in the North Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km) east by north of Spurn Point, Yorkshire (53°42′N 0°39′E) by SM UC-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Ida (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 15 nautical miles (28 km) south east of Flamborough Head, Yorkshire by SM UC-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
Lullington (United Kingdom) The collier struck a mine laid by UC 47 (Paul Hundius) and sank in the English Channel 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) east of the Royal Sovereign Lightship ( United Kingdom) (50°43′N 0°32′E). Her crew survived.
Mary Ann (United Kingdom) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 18 nautical miles (33 km) north north east of St. Ives Head, Cornwall by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
SM UC-39 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UC II submarine was depth charged, shelled and sunk in the North Sea off Flamborough Head (53°56′N 0°05′E) by HMS Thrasher ( Royal Navy) with the loss of seven of her crew.
SM UC-46 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UC II submarine was rammed and sunk in the English Channel off the Goodwin Sands, Kent, United Kingdom (51°07′N 1°39′E) by HMS Liberty ( Royal Navy) with the loss of all 26 crew.

Sailor Steve

02-08-17, 01:31 PM

February 8, 1917

Air War:
1115 French aces Georges Guynemer, Flying a SPAD 7, and André Chainat, in a Nieuport 17, share the downing of a Gotha G.III, the first German heavy bomber brought down by Allied aircraft. All three German airmen are taken prisoner. Victory number 31 for Guynemer, number 11 for Chainat. It is also Chainat's last kill. He will be severely wounded in September, and removed from combat flying. André Chainat will live until 1961.

Welsh RNAS pilot Ernest Norton, flying Nieuport 17 N3184, shoots down an Aviatik two-seater for victory number 2.

Celtic Sea:
Raimund Weisbach, commanding U-81, torpedoes British passenger liner SS Mantola, 8,253 tons, carrying passengers and a general cargo from London to Calcutta, west of Fastnet. His score is now 14 ships and 11,653 tons. On the previous October 16th Mantola had been damaged by a mine, but made safe port and was repaired.

English Channel:
British destroyer HMS Ghurka, 880 tons, hits a mine laid off Dungeness by Paul Hundius in UC-47.
British freighter SS Lullington, 2,816 tons, en rout from Blyth to Rouen with a load of coal, hits a mine laid by UC-47 off the Royal Sovereign Lightship.
Hundius' score is now 10 ships and 13,278 tons.

Otto Steinbrinck, in UC-65, stops and scuttles two small vessels near Trevose Head:
French brigantine Guillaume Tell, 148 tons.
British fishing boat Mary Ann, 17 tons.
Steinbrinck's score is now 94 ships and 88,247 tons.

British destroyer HMS Liberty rams and sinks SMS UC-46 (Friedrich Moecke). All 23 lost, no survivors.

His Majesty's Drifter Aivern, 72 tons, working a net boat, founders and is lost.

North Sea:
Martin Schelle, in UC-33, begins his career with the scuttling of Dutch trawler Derika, 153 tons.

Otto Ehrentraut, in UC-39, sinks two Allied ships off Spurn Point:
British freighter SS Hanna Larsen, 1,311 tons, travelling in ballast from London to Tyne.
Norwegian freighter SS Ida, 1,172 tons, also in ballast from Leith to London.
While attacking Ida, UC-39 is spotted by old Brtish 'B'-class torpedo-boat destroyer HMS Thrasher. UC-39 dives but is forced to the surface again by depth-charges from the destroyer. Thrasher then opens fire, killing seven German sailors before realizing they are attempting to surrender. Kptlt Eherentraut is not among the seventeen survivors.
Ehrentraut's final score is now 14 ships and 14,784 tons.

Balearic Sea:
Italian barque Luigina G., en route from Marseille to Havana with a load of bricks, is driven by a storm to run aground at Mallorca. Ten crew lost trying to swim ashore. All five who stayed aboard survived. Several days later the ship is destroyed by another storm.

Simonstown, South Africa:
The attempt to tow SS Tyndareus into Simonstown continues.
0130 Tug Ludwig Weiner joins HMFM Trent in the tow effort. SS Oxfordshire SS Emmaeus and HMS Hyacinth in company.
0540 HMFM Trent loses another set of bollards.
0740 Trent loses steel cable. Ludwig Weiner tows Tyndareus alone.
0800 Ludwig Weiner is making good time with Tyndareus in tow.
0900 Ludwig Weiner loses towing hawser.
1010 Ludwig Weiner resumes tow.
1106 Ludwig Weiner tows Tyndareus stern-first into False Bay.
1530 Tug and stricken ship recieve orders to proceed into harbour.
1530 Hyacinth signals Trent to enter harbour. "Will you allow me to say how much myself and all onboard admire the handling of the Trent and the manner in which the work was done yesterday." Trent's response: "Thand you for your kind appreciation."
1740 Tyndareus safely anchored at Simonstown.
1748 HMS Hyacinth anchored.
1803 HMFM Trent anchored.
SS Tyndareus will be repaired and serve through the rest of the war, as well as again being a troopship in World War 2. She will continue as a cargo ship until being sold for breakup in 1960.

Durban, South Africa:
After three weeks of dockside work, British monitor HMS Severn enters a floating drydock.

Pacific Ocean:
American schooner E.B. Jackson, travelling in ballast from Melbourne to Apia, Samoa, is wrecked while approaching Apia.

Jimbuna

02-09-17, 07:05 AM

9th February 1917

Western Front

East of the Meuse an enemy attack fails under the French fire.

East of Sailly-Saillisel Germans counter-attack new British positions, but are repulsed.

German troops begin carrying out Operation Alberich, which is a planned withdrawal to the shorter, more easily defended Hindenburg Line.

Southern Front

East of Gorizia, Austrian attack enters certain Italian positions. Austrians claim 1,000 prisoners.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Report on Senussi operations issued.

Political, etc.

President Wilson makes assurances that foreign property and other assets will not be taken even if the U.S. goes to war.

To save fuel, Paris theaters will be closed four days a week and streetcars and subways will cease operations by 10 pm.

German Government admit having prevented Mr. Gerard communicating with U.S.A., stating falsely that Count Bernstorff has not been allowed communication with Germany. Mr. Gerard receives his passports.

Ship Losses:

Benbow (United Kingdom) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the North Sea 15 nautical miles (28 km) off Inchcape, Forfarshire by SM UB-22 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Duke of York (United Kingdom) The trawler was scuttled in the North Sea 34 nautical miles (63 km) east by south of Girdle Ness, Aberdeenshire by SM UB-22 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Mantola (United Kingdom) The cargo liner sank after being torpedoed the previous day in the Atlantic Ocean southwest of Ireland 143 nautical miles (265 km) off Fastnet Rock (49°55′N 12°25′W) by U-81 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Seven crew were killed while abandoning ship. Survivors were rescued by HMS Laburnum ( Royal Navy).
Marianne (Netherlands) The fishing lugger was sunk in the North Sea off the Terschelling Bank Lightship ( Netherlands) (52°30′N 3°10′E) by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her eight crew survived.
HMT Yesso (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine and sank at Aberdeen (57°09′N 2°03′W) with the loss of seven of her crew.

Sailor Steve

02-09-17, 12:26 PM

February 9, 1917

Air War:
German ace Albert Dossenbach, with 9 victories flying two-seaters, joins Jasta 2 for single-seat fighter training.

1530 French pilot Alfred Auger, flying a Nieuport 17, shoots down an Albatros fighter for victory number 3.

Scotland:
On January 1 Hellmuth Jürst, commanding U-43, captured Italian freighter SS Famiglia, 2,942 tons, bound from Tyne for Civitavecchia, southwest of Ireland. He put a prize crew aboard her and sent her northward around Britain toward the North Sea and Germany. On February 9th the ship is rounding the Hebrides on the west coast of Scotland when approached by British armed merchant cruiser HMS Moldavia. Rather than let the ship be recaptured the prize crew scuttles her. Jürst's score is now 23 ships and 53,515 tons.

North Sea:
Hans Rose, in U-53, stops and scuttles Dutch fishing boat Marian, 71 tons, raising his score to 17 vessels and 37,818 tons.

Bernhard Putzier, in UB-22, stops and scuttles two British fishing trawlers off Aberdeen:
Benbow, 172 tons.
Duke of York, 150 tons.
Putzier's score is now 11 vessels and 5,013 tons.

His Majesty's Trawler Yesso, 229 tons, hits a mine laid by Ernst Rosenow in UC-29 right at the entrance to Aberdeen Harbour. His score is now 5 vessels and 6,040 tons.

Helgoländer Bucht:
German minesweeper SMS M-56, 480 tons, hits a mine laid by an unknown ship south of Helgoland.

Jimbuna

02-10-17, 08:06 AM

10th February 1917

Western Front

South of Serre Hill (north of Ancre) British capture strong system of hostile trenches on front of 1,250 yards, 215 prisoners taken.

Successful Allied raids at Givenchy, Neuville, Grandcourt, La Bassee, Neuve Chappelle, Auberive (Champagne), and Luneville.

German airmen bomb Dunkirk, Amiens and Nancy.

Eastern Front

More than 400 steamships and 2,700 tugs are employed by Germany to haul captured Romanian equipment and stores up the Danube.

Southern Front

At Valona two out of three Austrian hydroplanes captured by Italian airmen.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Near Kut Turks deliver four unsuccessful attacks on British right flank during the night.

At Kut British carry the liquorice factory, and establish a new line on a 6,000 yard front, pressing back the Turks from 800-1,200 yards.

Political, etc.

Peru cables protest to Berlin.

China sends energetic protest to Germany, and threatens to break off diplomatic relations.

Chile sends a reply to Germany refusing to recognise the blockade, and retaining a free hand in case of damage to Chilean ships.

Germany declares "period of grace" for neutral shipping expires.

Dutch government officially protests German resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare and will consider all sinkings to be illegal.

Mr. Gerard leaves Berlin.

With the breakoff of diplomatic relations between Germany and U.S., Spain will represent U.S. interests in Berlin.

Ship Losses:

Athenian (United Kingdom) The trawler was scuttled in the North Sea 105 nautical miles (194 km) east by south of Aberdeen (57°20′N 1°30′E) by SM UB-22 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Beechtree (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 11 nautical miles (20 km) south east of Start Point, Devon (50°08′N 3°23′W) by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her fifteen crew survived.
Bellax (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 10 nautical miles (19 km) south east of the Isle of May, Fife, United Kingdom by SM UB-22 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMT Gracie (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was lost on this date.
Ireland (United Kingdom) The trawler was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 105 nautical miles (194 km) off Girdle Ness, Aberdeenshire (57°10′N 1°10′E) by SM UB-22 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Japanese Prince (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 24 nautical miles (44 km) south west of Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly (49°36′N 6°46′W) by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Netherlee (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 92 nautical miles (170 km) west of the Fastnet Rock (50°44′N 11°45′W) by SM U-81 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
Ostrich (United Kingdom) The trawler was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 135 nautical miles (250 km) off the Longstone Lighthouse, Farne Islands by SM U-45 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Paquerette (France) The schooner was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 35 nautical miles (65 km) off Ouessant, Finistère by SM U-83 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Rancagua (France) The full-rigged ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay (46°20′N 5°30′W) by SM UB-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew took to the lifeboats but were not recovered.
Sallagh (United Kingdom) The coaster was scuttled in the Irish Sea off Bardsey Island, Pembrokeshire by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.

Sailor Steve

02-10-17, 10:29 PM

February 10, 1917

Air War:
1115 German ace Werner Voss, flying an Albatros D.II, shoots down DH.2 A2548 for victory number 6. English 4-kill pilot Leslie Aizlewood is wounded, but lands safely inside his own lines.

1220 German ace Erwin Böhme, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down a DH.2 for victory number 12. Arthur Vincent Howard Gompertz makes a safe landing with his engine shot through.

French observer Chaerles Borzecki, riding in a Nieuport 12 with a Sgt Hebert as pilot, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 4.

Hungarian observer Franz Gräser, riding in Hansa-Brandenburg C.I 29.58 with an unnamed pilot, shoots down a Farman pusher for victory number 1.

Celtic Sea:
Raimund Weisbach, commanding U-81, sinks British freighter SS Netherlee, 4,227 tons, bound from Philadelphia for Dunkerque with a general cargo. His score is now 15 ships and 15,880 tons.

Bruno Hoppe, in U-83, is credited with sinking French schooner Paquerette, 164 tons, en route from Verdon to Swansea with a load of pit props. No claime was filed, but U-84 was the closest u-boat at the time. Hoppe's score is now 16 ships and 30,242 tons.

Paul Hundius, in UC-47, torpedoes Britsih freighter SS Japanese Prince, 4,876 tons, travelling from Newport News to Southampton with a general cargo southwest of Bishop Rock. His score is now 11 ships and 18,154 tons.

Irish Sea:
Otto Steinbrinck in UC-65, sinks British coaster SS Sallagh, 325 tons, en route from Lydney to Larne with a load of coal. His score is now 95 vessels and 88,572 tons.

English Channel:
Reinhold Saltzwedel, in UC-21, torpeoes British frieghter SS Beechtree, 1,277 tons, carrying aload of coal from Swansea to Rouen, His score is now 32 ships and 48.910 tons.

Firth of Forth:
British tanker SS San Fraterno, travelling from Port Arthur to the Firth of Forth, hits a mine laid by Ernst Rosenow in UC-29 off the Isle of Inchkeith. The damaged ship makes port safely.

North Sea:
Erich Sittenfeld, in U-45, stops British trawler Ostrich, 148 tons, and sinks her with his deck gun, off the Farne Islands. His score is now 16 ships and 23,524 tons.

Bernhard Putzier, in UB-22, sinks three Allied vessles southeast of Aberdeen:
British trawler Athenian, 171 tons; scuttled.
British Trawler Ireland, 152 tons; scuttled.
Norwegian freighter SS Bellax, 1,107 tons, carrying a load of timeber from Fredrikstad to Le Havre.
Putzier's score is now 14 ships and 6,443 tons.

Bay of Biscay:
Heinrich Küstner, in UB-39, sinks French sailing ship Rancagua, 2,729 tons, travelling from Mejillones to Bordeaux with a load of nitrate. His score is now 43 ships and 43,633 tons.

Jimbuna

02-11-17, 11:18 AM

11th February 1917

Western Front

North of the Ancre British take about 600 yards of enemy trenches near the Beaucourt-Puisieux road.

South of Serre Hill enemy attack British new positions, but are decimated.

Eastern Front

South of Halicz small hostile forces force the Dniester on the ice, but is driven back by a counter-attack.

Southern Front

East of Gorizia the Italian recover the trenches taken by the Austrians, and make 100 prisoners.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

At Kut, British resume attack on river bank of Tigris, hemming the Turks in on the Dahra bend, taking all but the last line of trenches.

Political, etc.

German Government state that the restraint placed on Mr. Gerard was an error of minor officials.

James W. Gerard, U.S. ambassador to Germany, safely crosses the German border into neutral Switzerland.

Swiss Minister sends a message from Germany to U.S.A. suggesting a discussion on ways and means of preventing war.

Ship Losses:

Ada (United Kingdom) The brigantine was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 8 nautical miles (15 km) south of Anvil Point, Dorset by SM UC-66 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Ashwold (United Kingdom) The fishing vessel was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 130 nautical miles (240 km) north east by north of North Shields, Northumberland by SM UC-44 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but her captain was taken as a prisoner of war.
Assunta (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 40 nautical miles (74 km) south of Cape Carbonara, Sardinia (38°30′N 9°30′E) by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Dalmata (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 25 nautical miles (46 km) north west of the Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom (49°56′N 5°32′W) by SM UB-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Dernes (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 18 nautical miles (33 km) north west of Ouessant, Finistère, France (48°40′N 5°25′W) by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Lycia (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Irish Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km) east by north of the South Bishop Lighthouse, Pembrokeshire (52°12′N 5°27′W) by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Norwood (United Kingdom) The coaster was sunk in the North Sea off Aberdeen by SM UC-29 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eighteen of her crew.
Olivia (United Kingdom) The coaster was scuttled in the Irish Sea 21 nautical miles (39 km) south west of Bardsey Island, Pembrokeshire by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Vasilissa Olga (Greece) The cargo ship was scuttled in the English Channel 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) south of the Owers Lightship ( United Kingdom) (50°38′N 0°27′E) by SM UC-66 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her twenty crew survived.
Voltaire (United Kingdom) The coaster was scuttled in the Irish Sea 25 nautical miles (46 km) north north east of the Bishops and Clerks Rocks by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Woodfield (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the English Channel 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) off the Royal Sovereign Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM UC-66 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was beached but was later refloated, repaired and returned to service.

Sailor Steve

02-11-17, 04:58 PM

February 11, 1917

Air War:
German ace Erwin Böhme is badly wounded in the left arm in a fight with Sopwith 1½ Strutters. He will be out of service until July.

1200 Italian ace Francesco Baracca and pilot Fulco di Clabria, both in Nieuport 17s, share a victory over a Hansa-Brandenburg C.I. Number 7 for Baracca, number 3 for di Clabria.

1520 German pilot Erich König, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down BE.2c 2498 for victory number 5. Cpt J. Thorburn and 2nd Lt J.K. Howard are both killed.

Celtic Sea:
Wilhelm Amberger, commanding UB-38, sinks two ships right at the west end of the Channel.
Norwegian freighter SS Dalmata, 1,773 tons, bound from New York for Le Havre with a general cargo.
British fishing smack Precedent, 36 tons.
Amberger's score is now 8 ships and 12,030 tons.

Reinhold Saltzwedel, in UC-21, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Dernes, 738 tons, travelling from Bilbao to Newport, Wales with a load of iron ore, northwest of Ushant. His score is now 33 ships and 48,648 tons.

Irish Sea:
Otto Steinbrinck, in UC-65, stops and scuttles three British ships just north of St. George's Channel:
Freighter SS Lycia, 2,715 tons, en route from Genoa and Bougie to Swanseal and Liverpool with a general cargo.
Coaster SS Olivia, 242 tons, carrying a load of coal from Garston to Portreath.
Coaster SS Voltaire, 409 tons, travelling from Llanelly to Liverpool with a general cargo.
Steinbrinck's score is now 98 ships and 91,938 tons.

English Channel:
Herbert Pustkuchen, in UC-66, stops and sinks two ships:
British brigantine Ada, 187 tons, bound from Londo for Landerneau with a load of manure; deck gun.
Greek freighter SS Vasilissa Olga, 1,400 tons, en route from Port Talbot to Dunkirk with a load of coal; scuttled.
Pustkuchen also torpedoes British freighter SS Woodfield, 4,300 tons, travelling in ballast from North Shields to Newport, but the damages ship is beached and later returned to service.
Pustkuchen's score is now 53 ships and 65,603 tons.

North Sea:
Ernst Rosenow, in UC-29, sinks British freighter SS Norwood, 798 tons, carrying a general cargo from Middlesbrough to Aberdeen. His score is now 6 ships and 6,838 tons.
Rosenow also attacks British freighter SS Roanoke, 3,466 tons, but the damaged ship makes it safely to Aberdeen.

Kurt Tebbenjohanns, in UC-44, begins his career with the scuttling of British trawler Ashwold, 129 tons, off South Shields.

Mediterranean Sea:
1100 Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière, in U-35, sinks Italian sailing vessel Assunta, 132 tons, south of Sardinia. His score is now 140 ships and 280,605 tons.

South Africa:
British sailing ship Emu, 182 tons, en route from Simonstown to Knysna, hits a rock in Knysna Lagoon. This will later be named Emu Rock.

Jimbuna

02-12-17, 10:34 AM

12th February 1917

Western Front

South of Serre several more unsuccessful German attacks.

East of Souchez British raid takes 48 prisoners.

Other successful raids at Neuville, Loos and Ypres.

Eastern Front

Near Jakobeny (southern Bukovina) the Germans attack and take the new Russian positions and over 1,200 prisoners.

Southern Front

East of Monastir, Hill 1050 attacked by the Germans, who gain a footing at several points in the Italian front lines.

Naval

More neutral ships are sunk by German submarines, with at least 2 Swedish, 2 Norwegian, 1 Greek, and 1 U.S. ships being sunk today.

Political, etc.

Mr. Gerard and staff arrive in Switzerland.

The Netherlands Government representative assumes charge of British interests in Germany.

The American Commission for Relief in Belgium notifies the German occupation that they will cease relief work due to the diplomatic break.

Bonar Law states that Britain is spending £5,790,000 every day and warns of a difficult road ahead due to the country’s finances.

Kaiser Wilhelm travels to Vienna to meet with Austro-Hungarian Emperor Charles.

Ship Losses:

Adolf (Sweden) The coaster was sunk in the North Sea off Dennis Head Old Beacon, North Ronaldsay, Orkney Islands, United Kingdom (58°53′N 1°32′W) by SM UC-44 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Afric (United Kingdom) The ocean liner was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 12 nautical miles (22 km) south south west of the Eddystone Lighthouse (49°59′N 4°18′W) by SM UC-66 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of five lives.
Aghios Spyridon (Greece) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Bristol Channel 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) off the Pendeen Lighthouse, Cornwall (50°10′N 5°48′W) by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Brissons (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 9 nautical miles (17 km) west of Trevose Head, Cornwall (50°31′N 5°15′W) by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Cilicia (United Kingdom) The collier struck a mine and sank in the Atlantic Ocean 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) south of Dassen Island, South Africa.
Dale (United Kingdom) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the North Sea 42 nautical miles (78 km) south by east of North Ronaldsay by SM UC-44 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but her captain was taken as a prisoner of war.
HMT Euston (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 30 (Heinrich Stenzler) and sank in Tees Bay (54°40′N 1°19′W) with the loss of ten of her crew.
Foreland (United Kingdom) The collier struck a mine laid by UC 11 (Benno von Ditfurth) and sank in the North Sea 6 nautical miles (11 km) south by west of the Shipwash Lightship ( United Kingdom) (51°56′N 1°40′E). Her crew survived.
Hugo Hamilton (Sweden) The auxiliary sailing vessel was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean north west of Ireland[137] (55°39′N 12°13′W) by SM U-81 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew were rescued by Rio de la Plata ( Norway).
Lucent (United Kingdom) The collier was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 20 nautical miles (37 km) east of the Lizard, Cornwall (50°20′N 4°43′W) by SM UC-66 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Lyman M. Law (United States) The four-masted schooner was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 25 nautical miles (46 km) off Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Nordcap (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the Bay of Biscay 10 nautical miles (19 km) west of La Rochelle, Charente-Maritime, France (46°18′N 1°52′W) by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Pinna (United Kingdom) The tanker was torpedoed and damaged in the Irish Sea 7.5 nautical miles (13.9 km) south south east of the South Bishop Lighthouse, Pembrokeshire by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was beached at Milford Haven and was later refloated.
West (Norway) The auxiliary schooner was sunk in the North Sea by SM UC-36 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Sailor Steve

02-12-17, 10:39 PM

February 12, 1917

Air War:
German pilot Emil Meinecke, still flying a Fokker Eindecker for Flieger-Abteilung 6 on the Turkish front, shoots down Farman F.27 N3021 for victory number 2.

Ireland:
Raimund Weisbach, commanding U-81, sinks Swedish auxilary motor schooner Hugo Hamilton, 2,577 tons, bound from Caleta Buena for Göteborg with a load of saltpetre. His score is now 16 ships and 48,457 tons.

Wales:
Otto Steinbrinck, in UC-65, torpedoes British tanker SS Pinna off South Bishops. The crippled ship is beached at Milford Haven, later repaired and returned to service.

Cornwall:
Paul Hundius, in UC-47, sinks two ships off the Pendeen Lighthouse:
Greek freighter SS Aghios Spyridon, 1,618 tons, travelling from Swansea to Naples with a load of coal.
British fishing smack Brissons, 60 tons.
Hundius' score is now 13 ships and 19,832 tons.

English Channel:
Herbert Pustkuchen, in UC-66, sinks two British ships near the Eddystone Lighthouse:
Passenger liner SS Afric, 11,999 tons, carrying a general cargo from Liverpool to Sydney.
Freighter SS Lucent, 1,409 tons, en route from Cardiff to an unnamed destination with a load of government supplies.
Pustkuchen's score is now 55 ships and 79,077 tons.

North Sea:
British freighter SS Foreland, 1,960 tons, travelling from Blyth to Devonport with a load of coal, hits a mine laid of the Shipwash Lightship by Benno von Ditfurth in UC-11. His score is now 8 ships and 12,279 tons.

His Majesty's Trawler Euston, 209 tons, hits a mine laid of Tees Bay by Heinrich Stenzler in UC-30. His score is now 2 ships and 837 tons.

Gustav Buch, in UC-36, sinks Norwegian motor schooner West, 378 tons, en route from Hull to Tréport with a load of coal. His score is now 2 ships and 1,388 tons.

Kurt Tebbenjohanns, in UC-44, stops and scuttles two ships off Dennis Head:
Swedish freighter SS Adolf, 835 tons, travelling from Swansea to Warkworth and Gothenburg with a general cargo.
British trawler Dale, 198 tons.
Tebbenjohanns' score is now 3 ships and 1,162 tons.

Bay of Biscay:
Reinhold Saltzwedel, in UC-21, sinks Norwegian coaster SS Nordcap, 332 tons, carrying a load of horseshoes from Bilbao to Nantes. His score is now 34 ships and 48,980 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière, In U-35, stops and scuttles American schooner Lyman M. Law, 1,300 tons, south of Sardinia. His score is now 141 ships and 281,905 tons.

Jimbuna

02-13-17, 04:18 PM

13th February 1917

Western Front

South-east of Grandcourt British capture a strong point.

North-east of Arras British raid takes 40 prisoners.

Eastern Front

Near Jakobeny Russian counter-attacks repulsed.

Aviation

Frances T. Evans, Sr., one of the first U.S. Marine Corps aviators, becomes the first person to loop a seaplane.
http://i.imgur.com/ZvzOJXK.jpg

Naval and Overseas Operations

The White Star liner "Afric", of 12,000 tons, reported sunk.
http://i.imgur.com/aVhceKL.jpg

Lord Lytton, for the Admiralty, says counter measures against submarine menace have already achieved considerable success.

Political, etc.

President Wilson declines to entertain negotiations with Germany unless the Proclamation of ruthless submarine warfare is withdrawn.

At Petrograd, Lord Milner, at close of Allied Conference, says much good done in bringing about closer co-operation between Entente countries.

Lord Curzon, member of the British War Council, states he is “not dissatisfied” at the progress in limiting losses incurred by U-boats.

Emperor Charles of Austria-Hungary hosts a dinner for Kaiser Wilhelm: “I drink to the health of your majesty, my true friend and ally.”

U.S. Cabinet becomes divided on the issue of whether or not to arm American merchant ships, as it could lead to armed conflict with Germany.

Mata Hari is arrested in Paris for spying. (Mata Hari on the day of her arrest).
http://i.imgur.com/rz45ciK.jpg

Ship Losses:

Afric (United Kingdom) The passenger steamer was sunk 12 miles SSW of the Eddystone LH by UC 66 (Herbert Pustkuchen) with the loss of five lives.
Barnsley (United Kingdom) The trawler was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 13 nautical miles (24 km) north of Inishtrahull Island, County Donegal by SM U-78 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but two of them were taken as prisoners of war.
F. D. Lambert (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 47 (Paul Hundius) and sank in the English Channel 1 nautical mile (1.9 km) east of the Royal Sovereign Lightship ( United Kingdom). Her crew survived.
Friendship (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was sunk in the Irish Sea off the Smalls Lighthouse by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four of her crew.
King Alfred (United Kingdom) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the North Sea 75 nautical miles (139 km) south of Fair Isle by SM UC-44 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her captain was taken as a prisoner of war.
Percy Roy (United Kingdom) The schooner was scuttled in the Mediterranean Sea 32 nautical miles (59 km) off Mallorca, Spain by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine).[148] Her six crew were rescued by Ciudad ( Spain).
Progreso (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay 11 nautical miles (20 km) off Lacanau, Gironde, France by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMT Sisters Melville (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine and sank in the North Sea 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) north east of Aldeburgh, Suffolk (52°07′N 1°44′E) with the loss of seven of her crew.
Zircon (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the Irish Sea 26 nautical miles (48 km) south west of the Smalls Lighthouse by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Sailor Steve

02-13-17, 07:26 PM

February 13, 1917

Air War:
1045 English pilot Frank Hudson, flying a Sopwith Pup, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 2.

1700 Austrian pilot Raoul Stojsavljevic, in Hansa-Brandenburg D.I 65.68, shoots down a Farman two-seater for victory number 5.

Ireland:
Otto Dröscher, commanding U-78, stops and scuttles British trawler Barnsley just north of the Isle of Inishtrahull. His score is now 7 ships and 11,797 tons.

St. George's Channel:
Otto Steinbrinck, in UC-65, stops and scuttles two British fishing smacks near The Smalls Lighthouse, west of Pembrokeshire, Wales:
Friendship, 37 tons. The crew of four are lost.
Zircon, 48 tons. The crew are rescued.
Steinbrinck's score is now 100 vessels and 92,023 tons.

English Channel:
Paul Hundius, in UC-47, attacks British tanker SS Sequoya, 5,263 tons, with his deck gun, but is unable to sink her due to heavy seas. The damaged ship manages to make port safely.
Hundius then attacks British fishing smack Fleurette, 60 tons. When the deck gun again fails to sink the small vessel with the gun, so scuttling charges are laid. These also fail to do the job, Hundius departs the area, and the unmanned vessel washes ashore near the Godlevy Lighthouse and is wrecked. The crew are not seen again, and the sinking is credited to UC-47.
Meanwhile British freighter F.D. Lambert, 2,196 tons, carrying a load of coal from Newcastle to Savona, hits a mine laid by Hundius near the Royal Sovereign Lighthouse and is sunk without loss of life.
Hundius' score is now 15 ships and 22,087 tons.

North Sea:
His Majesty's Trawler Sisters Melville, 260 tons, hits a mine laid by Georg Reimarus in UC-4 off Aldeburgh. His score is now 4 ships and 1,377 tons.

Kurt Tebbenjohanns, in UC-44, stops and scuttles British trawler King Alfred, 159 tons, off Fair Isle, between the Shetland and Orkney Islands. His score is now 4 ships and 1,321 tons.

Bay of Biscay:
Reinhold Saltzwedel, in UC-21, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Progreso, 1,620 tons, carrying a load of coal from Barry to Boucau; off Lacanau, France. His score is now 35 ships and 50,600 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
1630 Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière, in U-35, stops and scuttles British schooner Percy Roy, 110 tons, travelling in ballast from Naples to Santa Poloa. His score is now 142 ships and 282,015 tons.

Simonstown, South Africa:
Captain Sykes of HMS Challenger opens a board of inquiry aboard HMFM Trent, examining fifteen officers and men about the earlier troubles aboard that ship.

Jimbuna

02-14-17, 02:17 PM

14th February 1917

Western Front

12 miles north-west of Compiegne the French carry out successful large-scale raid.

Eastern Front

Between Zloczow and Tarnopol (northern Galicia), Germans report successful great raid, taking six Russian officers and 275 men prisoners.

Southern Front

East of Monastir, Italians counter-attack and re-establish their line.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Bruges harbour again bombed by British naval airmen.

Political, etc.

The German Ambassador to the U.S.A., with staff, sails from Hoboken in the S.S. "Frederik VIII".

Germany remains defiant towards the U.S., stating its submarine warfare “will under no circumstance be restricted.”

Due to heavy snows and coal shortages, Vienna’s theaters, restaurants, and streetcars are ordered to close earlier in the day.

Cargoes of captured Romanian grain arrive in Austria-Hungary, but will not go to civilians; instead, they will go to its army & Germany.

Switzerland institutes meatless days and rations rice and sugar, as food supplies become more restricted due to the war.

Ship Losses:

Belvoir Castle (United Kingdom) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the North Sea south east of Buchan Ness, Aberdeenshire (57°17′N 1°30′W) by SM UC-44 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but her captain was taken as a prisoner of war.
Eudora (United Kingdom) The four-masted barque was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 30 nautical miles (56 km) south south west of the Fastnet Rock by SM UC-33 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
F-4 (Italian Royal Navy) The F-class submarine sank in the Ligurian Sea off La Spezia, Italy, during trials. She was refloated and repaired and she returned to service in September 1917.
Ferga (United Kingdom) The coaster was shelled and sunk in the Irish Sea 15 nautical miles (28 km) south of Bardsey Island, Pembrokeshire (50°02′N 5°04′W) by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
SMS Geier (Kaiserliche Marine) The auxiliary cruiser was scuttled in the South Atlantic Ocean near Ilha da Trindade.
Greenland (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Irish Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km) south west of Bardsey Island (52°30′N 5°05′W) by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Hopemoor (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 20 nautical miles (37 km) north west of the Skellig Islands (51°53′N 11°00′W) by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Inishowen Head (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 65 (Otto Steinbrinck) and sank in the Irish Sea 1.25 nautical miles (2.32 km) south of Skokholm, Pembrokeshire (51°40′N 5°15′W) with the loss of a crew member.
Longscar (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Bay of Biscay (45°25′N 1°55′W) by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but two of them were taken as prisoners of war.
Mar Adriatico (Spain) The cargo ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay (45°43′N 1°24′W) by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Margarita (United Kingdom) The coaster was scuttled in the Irish Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km) south west by west of Bardsey Island by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Marie Leonhardt (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 11 (Benno von Ditfurth) and sank in the North Sea 2.5 nautical miles (4.6 km) east of the Sunk Lightship ( United Kingdom) (51°53′N 1°40′E) with the loss of five of her crew.
Marthe Yvonne (France) The pilot boat was sunk in the Bay of Biscay 15 nautical miles (28 km) west south west of La Coubre Point, Charente-Maritime by SM UC-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Mary Bell (United Kingdom) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the North Sea 50 nautical miles (93 km) east by north of Aberdeen by SM UC-44 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but her captain was taken as a prisoner of war.
Mery (Russia) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 35 nautical miles (65 km) south east of Alicante, Spain by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Michele (France) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Sicily, Italy by SM U-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Oceania (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 28 nautical miles (52 km) south of Alicante by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Torino (Italy) The passenger ship was sunk in the Ionian Sea (36°23′N 19°10′E) by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

Sailor Steve

02-14-17, 08:04 PM

February 14, 1917

Air War:
1100 German pilot Hans Gutermuth, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down Morane-Saulier 'P' for victory number 2. 2nd Lts F.C. Young and A.G.S. de Ross are both killed.

1200 German ace Manfred von Richthofen, in a Halberstadt D.II, shoots down BE.2d 6231 fo victory number 20. Lt Cyril Douglas Bennet is taken prisoner; 2nd Lt Herbert Arthur Croft is killed.

1245 German pilot Georg Schlenker, in a Halberstadt D.III, shoots down Sopwith Pup A642. 2nd Lt J. Fairbairn is wounded and taken prisoner.

1350 English pilot Douglas Carbery, in BE.2e 6755 with 2nd Lt M.A.S. Vaile as observer, shoots down an attacking Albatros D.III for victory number 2.

1645 Manfred von Richthofen shoots down BE.2c 2543 for victory number 21. Cpt George Cyril Bailey is wounded, 2nd Lt George William Betts Hampton unharmed. As they land on their own side of the lines the "kill" status is questionable.

1700 Canadian RFC pilot Harold Hartney, flying FE.2d A1960 with Lt W.T. Jourdan as gunner, shoots down a pair of Albatros D.IIs for victories number 5 and 6.

1700 German pilot Paul Strähle, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down FE.2d A1960 for victory number 1. Harold Hartney and his observer are both wounded. Hartney manages to land his plane on his own side of the lines.

1710 German ace Friedrich Mannschott, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down a Farman two-seater for victory number 6. Adj Prisset is killed and Adj Damien wounded.

German pilot Julius Buckler, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down a Caudron two-seater for victory number 2.

French pilot Marcel Anatole Hugues, in a Nieuport 17, shoots down a German 2-seater for victory number 1. Lt. Max Rolshoven and Lt. Wilhelm Sievert are both killed.

Ireland:
Karlgeorg Schuster, commanding U-60, torpedoes British freighter SS Hopemoor, 3,740 tons, bound from Baltimore for Hull with a load of wheat; northwest of the Skelligs. His score is now 5 ships and 17.831 tons.

Celtic Sea:
Martin Schelle, in UC-33, stops and scuttles British barque Eudora, 1,991 tons, en route from Buenos Aires to Queenstown with a load of maize. His score is now 2 ships and 2,144 tons.

Otto Steinbrinck, in UC-65, sinks four British ships:
Freighter SS Ferga, 791 tons, hauling a general cargo from Swansea to Livrerpool.
Freighter SS Greenland, 1,753 tons, en route from Fleetwood to Cherbourg; torpedoed.
Freighter SS Inishowen Head, 3,050 tons, travelling in ballast from Dublin to St Johns, hit a mine north of Cornwall.
Coaster SS Margarita, 375 tons, bound from Liverpool for Swansea with a load of wheat.
Steinbrinck's score is now 104 ships and 97,992 tons.

North Sea:
British freighter SS Marie Leonhardt, 1,466 tons, travelling from Hartlepool to London with a load of coal, hits a mine laid by Benno von Ditfurth in UC-11. His score is now 9 ships and 13,745 tons.

Kurt Tebbenjohanns, in UC-44, sinks two British trawlers off Buchanness:
Belvoir Castle, 221 tons.
Mary Bell, 144 tons.
Tebbenjohanns' score is now 6 ships and 1,686 tons.

Bay of Biscay:
Reinhold Saltzwedel, in UC-21, sinks two Allied ships near the mouth of the Gironde River:
British freighter SS Longscar, 2,777 tons, travelling in ballast from Nantes to Bilbao.
Spanish freighter SS Mar Adriatico, 2,410 tons, carrying a general cargo from Lisbon to Bordeaux.
Saltzwedel's score is now 37 ships and 55,787 tons.

Werner Fürbringer, in UC-70, sinks French pilot boat Marthe Yvonne, 30 tons, off Pointe de la Boubre. His score is now 56 ships and 51,997 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière, in U-35, sinks two ships near Alicante, Spain:
1200 Italian freighter SS Oceania, 4,217 tons, travelling from New York to Oneglia with a load of wheat.
1600 Russian schooner Mery, 178 tons, en route from Livrpool to Cette with a load of pitch; sunk with deck gun.
Von Arnauld's score is now 144 ships and 286,410 tons.

Max Valentiner, in U-38, stops and scuttles Italian sailing vessel Michele, 41 tons, off Sicily. His score is now 126 ships and 175,310 tons.
Valentiner also attacks British freighter SS Trowbridge, 3,712 tons, carrying a load of coal from Barry to Alexandria, but the damaged ship manages to make safe port.

Ionian Sea:
Leading U-boat ace Walter Forstmann, in U-39, sinks Italian freighter SS Torino, 4,159 tons, bound from Alexandria for Genoa with a load of cotton and maize. His score is now 142 ships and 293,442 tons.

Simonstown, South Africa:
Old British cruiser HMS Challenger begins preparing for refit, with gunners removing the shells to shore and bosun's mates preparing to take down the topmast.
At 1330 the work of repainting the ship's bottom is begun.
At 22:20 a shore party returns with a prisoner from HMFM Trent.

Other ships' logs don't mention it, but HFMF Trent reports strong winds and rough seas, growing to gale strength in the afternoon.

Durban, South Africa:
British monitor HMS Severn, in drydock, reports 70 convicts brought onboard to aid in the work.

Jimbuna

02-15-17, 10:17 AM

15th February 1917

Western Front

Attempted German raids near Loos, west of Messines, and north-east of Ypres, break down under our fire.

West of Maisons de Champagne, German attack penetrates French salient, gaining several lines of trenches and taking prisoner 21 officers and 837 men.

Interview with Sir Douglas Haig published.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Decisive day of Battle of Kut.

Turks driven from right bank of Tigris.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Italian transport bound for Salonika, sunk by submarine west of Matapan.

Political, etc.

British Government take over all coal mines in the U.K. for the period of the war.

In Brussels, the U.S. Minister is ordered by the Germans to lower the U.S. flag over the Legation.

Germany reverses its order, allowing U.S. relief corps to continue operating in occupied Belgian areas.

French government institutes maximum prices for milk, butter, and cheese to control rising food costs.

The Netherlands accepts 250 refugee children from occupied France. Several hundred more are expected to arrive soon.

Scandinavian Government's protest v. German submarine warfare.

Ship Losses:

Afton (United Kingdom) The passenger ship was scuttled in the Irish Sea 23 nautical miles (43 km) north by east of Strumble Head, Pembrokeshire (52°24′N 5°09′W) by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Aline (France) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Bay of Biscay 25 nautical miles (46 km) west south west of the La Coubre Lighthouse, Charente-Maritime by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Alma Jeanne (France) The lugger was scuttled in the Bay of Biscay off Les Sables-d'Olonne, Vendée (46°09′N 1°53′W) by SM UC-66 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Argos (France) The fishing vessel was shelled and sunk in the Bay of Biscay off Les Sables-d'Olonne (46°19′N 1°59′W) by SM UC-66 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her five crew survived.
Brecknockshire (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 490 nautical miles (910 km) east by north of Cape Frio, Brazil by SMS Möwe( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew were taken as prisoners of war.
Desire Louise (France) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Bay of Biscay (46°09′N 1°43′W) by SM UC-66 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
French Prince (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 490 nautical miles (910 km) east north east of Cape Frio by SMS Möwe ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew were taken as prisoners of war.
Kyanite (United Kingdom) The coaster was scuttled in the Irish Sea 27 nautical miles (50 km) south south west of Bardsey Island, Pembrokeshire (52°18′N 4°55′W) by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Leven (United Kingdom) The dredger struck a mine laid by UC 16 (Egon von Werner) and sank in the English Channel 0.75 nautical miles (1,390 m) off Newhaven, East Sussex. Her crew survived.
Marion Dawson (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Bay of Biscay 8 nautical miles (15 km) south south west of the Île d'Oléron, Charente-Maritime (46°03′N 1°33′W) by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Minas (Italy) The troopship was sunk in the Ionian Sea off Cape Matapan, Greece (36°25′N 18°24′E) by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 870 lives.
Stralsund (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of St. Kilda, Inverness-shire, United Kingdom by SM U-78 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Aktungbby

02-15-17, 03:09 PM

February 14, 1917 1200 German ace Manfred von Richthofen, in a Halberstadt D.II, shoots down BE.2d 6231 fo victory number 20. Lt Cyril Douglas Bennet is taken prisoner; 2nd Lt Herbert Arthur Croft is killed.

1645 Manfred von Richthofen shoots down BE.2c 2543 for victory number 21. Cpt George Cyril Bailey is wounded, 2nd Lt George William Betts Hampton unharmed. As they land on their own side of the lines the "kill" status is questionable. IN his Halberstadt Scout no less! Russian speaking POW LT Douglas will survive to fight Bolsheviks in Russia 1918; be a Rolex Watch representative:yeah: and hold several civil posts in Africa and the middle east in WWII. Poor Manfred really should not have gotten credit for the second attack-even by the primitive tally methods of WWI: He clearly attacked a BE two-seater. His own report: " I attacked one flying nearest to me. After the first 100 shots the observer stopped shooting the plane began to smoke and twisted in uncontrolled curves to the right. As this result was not satisfactory to me I shot at the falling plane till part of the wings came off..... As it was foggy already rather dark, I have no witnesses either from the air or the ground."
Von R. as with the day of his death, had an rare easterly wind against him and was 'far over to the enemy's side' and understandably anxious to get back. Bailey had turned west initially when attacked by the first Halberstadt, his gun jamming after 32 rounds, and hit in the knee. He put the BE into a spiral descent still under fire and the rear gun was hit and fell overboard, striking Bailey in the rear cockpit-possibly looking like 'part of a wing coming off'. In pain and spiraling, the 3 Halberstadts having broken off and headed back east, Bailey 'succeeded in righting the machine; got his bearings; and headed for home where he landed 'badly shot about' at his own airdrôme! NOT a KILL! Promoted Squadron Commander after his recovery from wounds, WWII Air Commodore Bailey: Companion/Most Honorable Order of the Bath; DSO will die in 1972. Poor LT Hampton will die a month later 3/11/17; shot down in flames by Karl Schafer of Jasta 11. Under the Guns of the Red Baron

Sailor Steve

02-16-17, 12:18 AM

Not an unusual occurrence. See claim number 15 on December 27th:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2454569&postcount=2012

Sailor Steve

02-16-17, 12:25 AM

February 15, 1917

Air War:
1015 Irish RFC pilot Victor Henry Huston, flying FE.2b A5445 with 2nd Lt P.S. Taylor as gunner, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 1.

1045 ViceFeldwebel H. Bussing is credited with shooting down DH.2 2932 for victory number 1 (and possibly his only kill). Lt C.H. March is wounded and taken prisoner.

1045 German ace Renatus Theiller, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down DH.2 A2535 for victory number 8. Cpt H.W.G. Jones is wounded but manages to land on his own side of the lines.

1200 Canadian RNAS pilot Raymond Collishaw, in Sopwith Pup N6160, shoots down a Halberstadt D.II for victory number 3.

1230 (1330 German time) German pilot Peter Glasmacher, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down Nieuport 17 A6622 for victory number 2. Cpt J.M.E. Shepherd is killed.

1230 English RFC pilot James Anderson Slater, flying Nieuport 17 A6613, shoots down an Albatros D.II for victory number 1.

1530 French pilot Brigadier Laraud, in a Nieuport, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 2.

1630 English ace Lancelot Richardson, in FE.2b 7686 with William Maggit as gunner, shoots down a German two-seater. Victory number 6 for Richardson, number 4 for Meggit.

1640 German ace Hans von Keudell, in Albatros D.III 2017/16, attacks Nieuport 20 A229. English pilot Stuart Harvey Pratt and observer Geoffrey Byers are shot down, but manage to crash on their own side of the lines unharmed. Due to Byers' return fire Keudell is killed.
Keudell victory number 12.
Pratt and Byers victory number 1.
Note: Keudell's Albatros is listed in most sources as 2017/17. Only The Jasta War Chronology has it as 2017/16, but I followed their lead as it seems unlikely that the Germans had built more than 2,000 aircraft in less than two months.

1645 German ace Hartmuth Baldamus, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Nieuport 17 for victory number 12. Sgt J. Raty is killed.

German pilot Julius Buckler, flying an Albatros D.II, shoots down a Caudron two-seater for victory number 3.

French pilot Gustave Douchy, in a Nieuport, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 4.

French ace Georges Madon, in a Nieuport, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 7. His likely victims are Uffz Hans Gross and Vfw Emil Stiller, both killed.

French pilot Armand Pinsard, in a SPAD VII, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 3.

German pilot Georg Schlenker, in a Halberstadt D.III, shoots down RE.8 A87 for victory number 3. Lt H.C. Mulock and Pvt T. Booth are both killed.

French ace Marcel Hauss (5 victories) is killed in action while attacking a German two-seater. Ltn Filbig and Uffz Müller of FA46 are given the credit.

West of Scotland:
Otto Dröscher, commanding U-78, stops and scuttles Norwegian freighter SS Stralsund, 510 tons, bound from Iceland for Genoa with a load of fish, off St. Kilda Island. His score is now 8 ships and 12,307 tons.

Irish Sea:
British passenger liner SS Celtic, 20,904 tons, en route from Liverpool to New York, hits a mine laid off the Isle of Man by Alfred von Glasenapp in U-80. The ships is damaged but makes safe port.

Otto Steinbrinck, in UC-65, sinks two British ships off Strumble Head:
Passenger ship SS Afton, 1,156 tons. en route from Bristol to Belfast with a general cargo.
Freighter SS Kyanite, 564 tons, carrying a load of alkali from Fleetwood to Bristol.
Steinbrinck's score is now 106 ships and 99,712 tons.

English Channel:
British dredger Leven, 775 tons, hits a mine laid by Egon von Werner in UC-16 the previous October near the Newhaven pier.His score is now 46 ships and 51,788 tons.

Bay of Biscay:
Reinhold Saltzwedel, in UC-21, sinks two vessels near La Rochelle:
French sailing boat Aline, 30 tons, on a fishing trip.
British freighter SS Marion Dawson, 2,300 tons, carrying a load of pyrites from Huelva to La Pallice.
Saltzwedel's score is now 39 ships and 58,117 tons.

Herbert Pustkuchen, in UC-66, sinks three French fishing boats with his deck gun near Sables d’Olonne:
Alma Jeanne, 33 tons.
Argos, 26 tons.
Desire Louise, 31 tons.
Pustkuchen's score is now 58 vessels and 79,167 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière, in U-35, attacks British freighter SS Buranda, 3,651 tons, travelling in ballast from Marseilles to Cuba, with his deck gun. The damaged ship manages to put into Alicante.

Leading U-Boat ace Walter Forstmann, in U-39, sinks Italian troop ship SS Minas, 2,854 tons, carrying troops from Naples to Salonika.870 casualties. Forstmann's score is now 143 ships and 296,296 tons.

Jimbuna

02-16-17, 09:43 AM

16th February 1917

Western Front

At Boulogne German airship drops bombs on town and harbour, doing only slight damage.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

West of Kut, British capture remaining Turkish positions in the Dahra bend, and take nearly 2,000 prisoners.

Naval and Overseas Operations

U.S. Navy begins installing undersea steel nets around Hampton Roads in order to defend against German submarines.

Bruges and Ghistelles bombed by British naval airmen.

Political, etc.

U.S. government provides $10 million more to help insure ships to cover the increased risk caused by German submarines.

Due to cold and lack of coal in Hamburg, Germany, all schools, theaters, and concert halls are closed.

The new Ottoman Grand Vizier Talaat Pasha declares they will fight to the last man and will retain Constantinople.

Ship Losses:

Breim (Norway) The cargo ship collided with a Greek merchant vessel in the Bay of Biscay off Biarritz, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France and sank. Her crew were rescued.
Eddie (United Kingdom) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 550 nautical miles (1,020 km) east north east of Cape Frio, Brazil by SMS Möwe ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew were taken as prisoners of war.
Hermine (France) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel 15 nautical miles (28 km) off Barfleur, Manche (48°50′N 2°58′W) by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Inver (United Kingdom) The cargo ship collided with another vessel and sank in the Irish Sea. Her crew survived.
Lady Ann (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) east of Scarborough, Yorkshire by SM UB-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eleven of her crew.
Laertis (Greece) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Marettimo, Italy by SM UC-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Mayola (United Kingdom) The schooner was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 50 nautical miles (93 km) south east by east of Cape St. Vincent, Portugal (36°53′N 8°26′W) by SM U-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Niobe (France) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay 8 nautical miles (15 km) off the Île de Ré, Charente-Maritime (46°14′N 1°49′W) by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of ten of her crew.
Oriana (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 15 nautical miles (28 km) off Alicante, Spain by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Pollcrea (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was shelled and damaged in the Bay of Biscay 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) south of the Île d'Yeu, Vendée, France by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was beached at Saint-Gilles-sur-Vie. Later refloated and returned to service.
Prudenza (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Alicante by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Queenswood (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 6 nautical miles (11 km) south west of Hartland Point, Devon (50°56′N 4°38′W) by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three of her crew.
HMT Recepto (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 30 (Heinrich Stenzler) and sank in Tees Bay (54°40′N 1°08′W) with the loss of eight of her crew.
Rose Dorothea (United Kingdom) The fishing schooner was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 15 nautical miles (28 km) off Cabo de Santa María, Portugal (36°50′N 8°25′W) by SM U-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Ville de Bayonne (France) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 6 nautical miles (11 km) west of Hartland Point (51°03′N 4°37′W) by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

Sailor Steve

02-16-17, 06:05 PM

February 16, 1917

Air War:
0930 English observer John William Aldred, riding in BE.2c 2533 with Sgt H.G. Smith as pilot, is credited with two Albatros D.IIs. One of them is German 2-kill pilot Hans Gutermuth, who is killed.

1300 German pilot Karl Almenröder, In an Albatros D.III, shoots down BE.2c 4179 for victory number 1. 2nd Lts E.W. Lindley and L.V. Munn are listed as Missing.

1500 German ace Hartmuth Baldamus, in an Albatros D.III, claims a Nieuport, but it is unconfirmed.
(The Aerodrome.com says it was N.17 2183, pilot not listed. The Jasta War Chronology has it as N.17 2409, Brig Gerared missing in action.)

1555 German pilot Sebastian Festner, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down FE.8 7635 for victory number 2. Pilot name and fate unknown.
(per The Aerodrome.com. The Jasta War Chronology has 7635 as an FE.2b and the time as 1210. UK Serials website says FE.8, so that is more likely.)

Italian pilot Fulco di Calabria, in a Nieuport 17, shoots down an Albatros two-seater for victory number 4.

French pilot Jean Matton, in a Nieuport, shoots down an observation balloon for victory number 3.

Cornwall:
Otto Steinbrinck, commanding UC-65, sinks two ships just south of the Bristol Channel:
British freighter SS Queenswood, 2,710 tons, travelling in ballast from Rouen to Port Talbot.
French freighter SS Ville de Bayonne, 1,301 tons, bound from Barry for France with a load of coal.
Steinbrinck's score is now 108 ships and 103,723 tons.

English Channel:
Ralph Wenninger, in UC-17, sinks French freighter SS Hermine, 3,940 tons, en route from the West Indies to Le Havre with an unnamed cargo. His score is now 41 ships and 26,949 tons.

North Sea:
Franz Walther, in UB-21, begins his U-Boat career with the sinking of British freighter SS Lady Ann, 1,016 tons, travelling from Sunderland to Rochester with a load of coal, southeast of Scarborough.

His Majesty's Trawler Recepto, 245 tons, hits a mine laid off Tees Bay by Heinrich Stenzler in UC-30. His score is now 3 ships and 1,082 tons.

Bay of Biscay:
Reinhold Saltzwedel, in UC-21, torpedoes French freighter SS Niobe, 1,319 tons, bringing his score to 40 ships and 59,436 tons.
Saltswedel also attacks British freighter SS Pollcrea, 1,209 tons, carrying a load of coal frm Cardiff to Bayonne, with his deck gun. the damaged ship is beached and repaired.

Golfo de Cádiz:
Otto Hersing, in U-21, stops and scuttles two British schooners sailing together from St. John's, Newfoundland to Oporto, Portugal with loads of codfish:
Mayola, 146 tons.
Rose Dorothea, 147 tons.
Hersing's score is now 23 vessels and 66,762 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière, in U-35, sinks two Italian freighters off Alicante, Spain:
1450 SS Oriana, 3,132 tons, carrying a general cargo from Genoa to Montevideo.
1600 SS Prudenza, 3,307 tons, en route from Buenos Aires to Livorno with a load of maize.
Von Arnauld's score is now 146 ships and 292,849 tons.

Alfred Klatt, in UC-38, sinks Greek freighter SS Laertis, 3,914 tons, en route from Genoa to La Goulette, off Marittimo Island, west of Sicily. His score is now 3 ships and 4,091 tons.

Jimbuna

02-17-17, 08:57 AM

17th February 1917

Western Front

South of the Ancre British penetrate 1,000 yards into enemy positions on a front of 1.5 miles. North of the Ancre British take hostile trenches on a 1,000 yard front. In these two operations 773 prisoners taken.

North-west of Altkirch (Alsace) French raid enemy salient, inflicting heavy loss.

Eastern Front

Lavkassa river (south-west of Dvinsk) Germans clad in white raid Russian lines, taking about 50 prisoners.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Near Kut, British progress on south bank of Tigris.

north bank an attack on the Sanna-i-Yat positions fails.

French ship SS Athos, carrying Senegalese soldiers, Chinese labourers, and civilian passengers, is sunk by SM U-65, resulting in 754 deaths.

Britain closes the harbour of Plymouth, England to all ships not belonging to Britain and the Entente.

Political, etc.

British war loan raises a record of £2 billion, financed largely by small, private investors (the loans are redeemed in 2015).

Entente Powers call the Government's attention to hostile attitude of Greek press.

Greek Government search private dwellings for hidden arms.

New Australian Government.

Ship Losses:

Ala (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Strait of Sicily by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Athos (France) The troopship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 200 nautical miles (370 km) south east of Malta by SM U-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 754 lives.
Bayonne (France) The full-rigged ship was scuttled in the English Channel 25 nautical miles (46 km) off Start Point, Devon, United Kingdom by SM U-84 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Cabo (Norway) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 20 nautical miles (37 km) south west of Ar Men, Finistère, France (45°00′N 5°09′W) by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Dalbeattie (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 40 nautical miles (74 km) south south west of the Fastnet Rock by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Driebergen (Netherlands) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 90 nautical miles (170 km) west of Ouessant, Finistère (48°19′N 7°01′W) by SM UC-66 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Emilia I (Portugal) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Portugal by SM U-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Excel (United Kingdom) The trawler was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 53 nautical miles (98 km) north east of the mouth of the River Tyne by SM UB-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMS Farnborough (Royal Navy) The Q-ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean south of Ireland (51°34′N 11°23′W) by SM U-83 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was subsequently taken in tow and beached at Berehaven, County Cork. Later repaired and returned to service.
HMT Hawk (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 140 nautical miles (260 km) east by south of Malta (34°05′N 16°18′E) by SM U-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of seven crew.
Iolo (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 40 nautical miles (74 km) south by west of the Fastnet Rock (50°43′N 9°30′W) by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two crew. Four survivors were taken as prisoners of war.
Lima (Portugal) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Portugal by SM U-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Okement (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 140 nautical miles (260 km) south east by south of Malta (34°05′N 16°18′E) by SM U-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eleven crew.
Ootmarsum (Netherlands) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 65 nautical miles (120 km) west of Ouessant (48°40′N 6°45′W) by SM UC-66 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Pier Accavan Ubert (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 15 nautical miles (28 km) north of Ibiza, Spain by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Romsdalen (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) south west of Portland Bill, Dorset (50°22′N 2°35′W) by SM U-84 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Silene (France) The schooner was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 50 nautical miles (93 km) nortu of Ouessant by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Trompenburg (Netherlands) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 65 nautical miles (120 km) west of Ouessant (48°40′N 6°45′W) by SM UC-66 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
U-83 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type U 81 submarine was attacked and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of Ireland by the Q-ship HMS Farnborough ( Royal Navy). Thirty-five of her 37 crew were killed.
Worcestershire (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the Indian Ocean 10 nautical miles (19 km) south west of Colombo, Ceylon with the loss of two of her crew.

Sailor Steve

02-17-17, 09:33 PM

February 17, 1917

Air War:
1715 German ace Friedrich Mannschott, flying an Albatros D.II, shoots down a Caudron two-seater for victory number 7.

German pilot Emil Meinecke, flying a Fokker E.III on the Turkish Front, shoots down Bristol Scout D 8996 for victory number 3. Lt Gordon T. Bysshe is captured.

Celtic Sea:
Karlgeorg Schuster, commanding U-60, sinks two freighters near Fastnet:
Norwegian SS Dalbeattie, 1,327 tons, bound from Glasgow for Gibraltar with a load of coal.
British SS Iolo, 3,840 tons, en route from Cardiff to La Spezia with a load of coal.
Schuster's score is now 7 ships and 22,998 tons.

Bruno Hoppe, in U-83, torpedoes a British freighter and surfaces to finish it off with his deck gun. This turns out to be Q-Ship HMS Farnborough, 3,207 tons. Farnborough's first shot kills Hoppe and the U-Boat is quickly sunk. Eight crew members escape, but only two are rescued from the water, one of whom later dies from wounds.
The badly damaged Farnborough is beached at Berehaven, Ireland. Once repaired she becomes a merchant again. Captain Gordon Campbell is awarded the Victoria Cross for his efforts in saving his ship.

Herbert Pustkuchen, in UC-66, sinks three Dutch ships west of Ushant:
SS Driebergen, 1,884 tons, en route from Port Talbot to Huelva with a load of coal.
SS Ootmarsum, 2,313 tons, travelling from Penarth to Las Palmas with an unspecified cargo.
SS Trompenberg, 1,608 tons, also from Penarth to Las Palmas with an unnamed cargo.
Pustkuchen's score is now 61 ships and 84,972 tons.

English Channel:
Walter Roehr, in U-84, stops and scuttles two ships near Start Point:
French sailing ship Bayonne, 2,589 tons, en route from New York to Ipswich with 3,300 tons of maize and barley.
British freighter SS Romsdalen, 2,548 tons, carrying a load of patent fuel from Swanswa to Calais.
Roehr's score is now 10 ships and 25,837 tons.

North Sea:
Franz Walther, in UB-21, stops and sinks British trawler Excel, 157 tons, off the mouth of the Tyne River with his deck gun. His score is now 2 ships and 1,173 tons.

Bay of Biscay:
Reinhold Saltzwedel, in UC-21, sinks two Allied ships:
Norwegian freighter SS Cabo, 1,254 tons, carrying a load of coal from Newport, Wales to Seville, Spain; captured and scuttled.
French schooner Silene, 171 tons.
Saltzwedel's score is now 42 ships and 60,681 tons.

Portugal:
Otto Hersing, in U-21, scuttles two Portuguese vessels just off Lisboa:
Fishing boat Emilia I, 25 tons.
Schooner Lima, 108 tons, travelling in ballast from Lisboa to Setubal.

Balearic Sea:
1000 Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière, in U-35, sinks Italian sailing vessel Pier Accavan Ubert, 112 tons, north of Ibiza Island. His score is now 147 vessels and 292,961 tons.

Straigt of Sicily:
Leading U-Boat ace Walter Forstmann, in U-39, sinks Italian sailing vessel Ala, 359 tons, raising his score to 144 ships and 296,655 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Robert Moraht, in U-64, sinks two British vessels:
HMT Hawk, 243 tons, torpedoed escorting a convoy.
SS Okement, 4,349 tons, carrying coal and a general cargo from Malta to an unlisted destination.
Moraht's score is now 7 ships and 14,413 tons.

Hermann von Fischel, in U-65, sinks French passenger liner SS Athos, 12,644 tons, carrying passengers, troops, mail and general cargo from Yokohama to Marseille. 754 lives are lost. von Fischel's score is now 2 ships and 21,867 tons.

Simonstown, South Africa:
Aboard HMFM Trent the Court Martial is concluded and four mutineers sentenced to ninety days imprisonment ashore with hard labour.

Jimbuna

02-18-17, 09:26 AM

18th February 1917

Western Front

North of the Ancre strong enemy attack on new British positions above Baillescourt Farm caught by concentrated fire and smashed.

Eastern Front

In the Trotus valley (Moldavia), Russian surprise attack captures strong position on high ground.

Southern Front

Junction of French and Italian troops in southern Albania, isolating Greece from Central Powers.

Political, etc.

Germany announces new war taxes to cover deficits that equals $312.5 million. Taxes will be applied to coal and transportation.

Former President Theodore Roosevelt expresses shock after seeing U.S. Army recruits practicing drills with broomsticks.

U.S. Treasury Department will no longer publicly disclose destinations &manifests of ships leaving the U.S. to protect them from submarines.

Swiss Federal Council proposes that it increase aid to people living in German-occupied areas of France and Belgium.

Report shows that the Empire of Japan in 1916 increased its shipbuilding output of merchant ships by more than 150% compared to 1915.

Ship Losses:

Berrima (United Kingdom) The passenger ship either struck a mine or was torpedoed and damaged in the English Channel 50 nautical miles (93 km) west of Portland Bill, Dorset with the loss of four lives. Her crew were rescued by the destroyer HMS Forester ( Royal Navy). Berrima was towed to Portland where she was repaired and returned to service.
HMT Clifton (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine and sank in the Irish Sea off the Daunts Rock Lightship ( United Kingdom) with the loss of thirteen of her crew.
Giuseppe (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) south of Tarragona, Spain by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Guido T (Italy) The sailing vessel was scuttled in the Mediterranean Sea 15 nautical miles (28 km) south south east of Tarragona by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Jean Pierre (France) The three-masted schooner was scuttled in the Bay of Biscay 95 nautical miles (176 km) west of Pointe de la Coubre, Charente-Maritime (45°48′N 3°05′W) by SM U-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Juno (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel 15 nautical miles (28 km) south south west of Start Point, Devon, United Kingdom (49°59′N 3°41′W) by SM U-84 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Netherton (United Kingdom) The barquentine was scuttled in the English Channel 16 nautical miles (30 km) south of Anvil Point, Dorset by SM UC-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Skogland (Sweden) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea[220] 6 nautical miles (11 km) south of Tarragona by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Thorgny (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel 15 nautical miles (28 km) south west of Start Point, Devon (49°57′N 3°53′W) by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Triumph (United Kingdom) The ketch 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 UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Valdes (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 7 nautical miles (13 km) south of Portland Bill by SM U-84 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eleven of her crew.

Sailor Steve

02-18-17, 06:47 PM

February 18, 1917

Air War:
German pilot Rudolf von Eschwege, flying a Fokker E.III for Bulgaria on the Greek front, shoots down a BE.12 for victory number 4. British Lt J.C.F. Owen is captured. also facing von Eschwege is British ace Cpt Gilbert Green, whose gun jams, allowing von Eschwege to escapt.

German pilot Bodo von Lyncker is credited with his second and last victory, an unidentified Nieuport. While attacking the enemy the planes collide, killing all involved.

Ireland:
His Majesty's Trawler Clifton, 242 tons, hits a mine laid off Daunt Rock by Martin Schelle in UC-33. Thirteen lives are lost, including Master Edward Garrod. Schelle's score is now 3 ships and 2,386 tons.

English Channel:
Walter Roehr, in U-84, attacks four ships, sinking two of them:
British passenger ship SS Berrima, travelling from Fremantle to London with a load of produce is torpedoed but towed to safety.
British freighter SS Hunsworth, 2,991 tons, en route from Clyde to Karachi with an unspecified cargo is torpedoed off Portland Bill but makes safe port.
Norwegian freighter SS Juno, 2,416 tons, carrying automobiles, machinery, copper and provisions from New York to Le Havre is sunk off Start Point.
British freighter SS Valdes, 2,233 tons, bound from Manchester for Cherbourg with a load of flour and hay is torpedoed and sunk off Portland Bill.
Roehr's score is now 12 ships and 30,486 tons.

Ralph Wenninger, in UC-17, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Thorgny, 734 tons, travelling from Grimssby to Hennebont with a load of pig iron. His score is now 42 ships and 27,683 tons.

Wilhelm Kiel, in UC-18, stops and scuttles British brigantine Netherton, 199 tons, en route from Le Havre to Briton Ferry with a load of steel turnings. His score is now 37 ships and 38,603 tons.

Reinhold Saltzwedel, in UC-21, sinks British ketch Triumph, travelling in ballast from Saint Brieuc to Plymouth, with his deck gun. His score is now 43 ships and 60,733 tons.

Bay of Biscay:
Gerhard Berger, in U-50, stops and scuttles French schooner Jean Pierre, 449 tons, carrying a load of wood from Saint Lucie to Bordeaux. His score is now 10 ships and 25,814 tons.

Balearic Sea:
Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière, in U-35, sinks three Allied ships off Tarragona, Spain:
0830 Italian freighter SS Giuseppe, 1,865 tons, en route from West Hartlepool to Genoa with a load of coal.
1500 Italian sailing vessel Guido T, travelling from Oran to Genoa with a load of grass.
1600 Swedish freighter SS Skogland, carrying a load of coal from Norfolk, Virginia to Bagnoli.
Von Arnauld's score is now 150 ships and 298,406 tons, placing him back in the lead for tonnage sunk.

Robert Moraht, in U-64, attacks British freighter SS Asturian, travelling from Liverpool to Alexandria with a general cargo, using his deck gun. The ship is only damaged and makes port safely.

Jimbuna

02-19-17, 09:47 AM

19th February 1917

Western Front

South of Le Transloy (Somme) Germans using flammenwerfer capture a British advanced post and 30 prisoners.

East of Ypres British do great damage to enemy positions, and take 114 prisoners in a big raid.

Naval

German submarine SM UC-18, which had sunk 35 ships during its career, is sunk by the British Q-Ship Lady Olive.

Political, etc.

Government decide to revise exemption certificates for men under 31.

Britain resumes regular coal shipments to Norway after Norway agreed to stop exports of pyrites to Germany.

German Imperial Bank urges German men and women to sell their gold and jewels to the bank for the war effort.

Official German Army deaths, excluding colonial troops, now numbers 988,329 men since the war’s start. Total casualties pass 4 million.

Ship Losses:

Alice (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the English Channel north west of Fécamp, Seine-Maritime (49°49′N 0°18′E) by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Brigade (United Kingdom) The coaster was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 12 nautical miles (22 km) north west of Cayeux-sur-Mer, Somme, France (50°17′N 1°10′E) by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Centurion (United Kingdom) The full-rigged ship was scuttled in the English Channel 15 nautical miles (28 km) south east of The Lizard, Cornwall by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Corso (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 110 nautical miles (200 km) south by west of Malta (35°09′N 14°28′E) by SM U-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but four survivors were taken as prisoners of war.
Halcyon (United Kingdom) The trawler struck a mine laid by U 71 (Hugo Schmidt) and sank in the Atlantic Ocean off the Butt of Lewis, Outer Hebrides with the loss of ten crew.
Headley (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 35 nautical miles (65 km) south south west of the Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly by SM U-67 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Justine Marie (Belgium) The fishing vessel was sunk in the English Channel off Dieppe, Seine-Maritime by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMS Lady Olive (Royal Navy) The Q-ship was sunk in the English Channel west of Jersey Channel islands by SM UC-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew were rescued by Dunois ( French Navy).
HMT Picton Castle (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 17 (Ralph Wenninger) and sank in the English Channel 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) south of Dartmouth, Devon with the loss of twelve of her crew.
Pinmore (United Kingdom) The sailing vessel was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 540 nautical miles (1,000 km) north west of the St Paul Rocks, Brazil by SMS Seeadler ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Quinto (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea south of Rome by SM UC-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Rutenfjell (Norway) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 21 (Reinhold Saltzwedel) and sank in the Bay of Biscay 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) north east of Kerdonis, Belle Île, Morbihan, France (47°20′N 3°01′W) with the loss of a crew member.
Saint Louis de Gonzague (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) west of Étaples, Pas-de-Calais by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Sigrid (Russia) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 30 nautical miles (56 km) north east of Unst, Shetland Islands, United Kingdom (60°50′N 0°10′E) by SM U-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Skrim (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the English Channel 20 nautical miles (37 km) north north west of Le Tréport, Seine-Maritime by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
SM UC-18 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UC II submarine was sunk in the English Channel west of Jersey (49°15′N 2°34′W) by the Q ship HMS Lady Olive ( Royal Navy) with the loss of all 28 crew.
Violette (France) The boat was sunk in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) west of Étaples by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

Sailor Steve

02-19-17, 02:06 PM

February 19, 1917

Air War:
German pilot Rudolf von Eschwege, flying a Fokker E.III on the Macedonian Front, claims a Nieuport 12 two-seater, but it goes unconfirmed.

Celtic Sea:
Hans Nieland, commanding U-67, torpedoes British freighter SS Headley, 4,953 tons, bound from Portland, Maine for London with a general cargo, just off the west end of the English Channel. His score is now 17 ships and 21,667 tons.

Scotland:
British trawler Halcyon, 190 tons, hits a mine laid by Hugo Schmidt in U-71 off the Butt of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides. His score is now 9 ships and 6,834 tons.
This is Schmidt's last sinking. He will briefly command U-97, but sink no more ships. He will serve oout the war in higher positions and live until April 1964.

English Channel:
His Majesty's Trawler Picton Castle hits a mine laid by Ralph wenninger in UC-17 just off Dartmouth Harbour.
The same day Wenninger himself stops and scuttles British sailing ship Centurion, 1,828 tons, carrying a load of timber from Pensacola to London, southeast of The Lizard.
Wenninger's score is now 44 ships and 29,756 tons.

Wilhelm Kiel, in UC-18, attacks a British freighter with his deck gun. This turns out to be Q-Ship HMS lady Olive, which first puts out a "Panic Party", pretending to abandon ship. Lady Olive then opens fire on UC-18 at a range of 100 yards. Two shots hit the conning tower and the third destroys the submarine's deck gun. UC-18 goes down by the bow. Lady Olive has also taken hits in the engine room and begins to sink. The crew abandon ship for real, and are rescued by the French destroyer Dunois thirty-two hours later. It seems likely that UC-18 was sunk by the gunfire of Lady Olive, but with no survivors to tell her tale this is not certain. She may have been sunk by some other cause. All that is know for sure is that UC-18 was never heard from again.
Kiel's final score is 38 ships and 39,304 tons.

Otto Steinbrinck, in UC-65, sinks six vessels near the Straigt of Dover:
French fishing vessel Alice, 18 tons.
British coaster SS Brigade, 425 tons, carrying a load of flints from Saint Valery to Weston Point.
Belgian fishing vessel Justine Marie, 16 tons.
French fishing vessel Saint Louis de Gonzague, 53 tons.
Norwegian freighter SS Skrim, 727 tons, travelling in ballast from Tréport to Bordeaux.
French fishing vessel Violette, 36 tons.
Steinbrinck's score is now 113 vessels and 104,998 tons.

North Sea:
Richard Hartmann, in U-49, sinks Russian freighter SS Sigrid, 2,194 tons, east of Unst Island, in the Shetlands. His score is now 19 ships and 37,957 tons.

Bay of Biscay:
Norwegian freighter SS Rutenfjell, 1,844 tons, travelling from Newcastle to Chantenay with a load of coal, hits a mine laid by Reinhold Saltzwedel in UC-21. His score is now 44 ships and 62,577 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Robert Moraht, in U-64, sinks British freighter SS Corso, 3,242 tons, en route from Bombay to Hull with a general cargo. His score is now 8 ships and 17,655 tons.

Tyrhennian Sea:
Alfred Klatt, in UC-38, sinks Italian freighter SS Quinto, 1,796 tons, south of Rome. His score is now 4 ships and 5,887 tons.

Simonstown, South Africa:
Aboard HMFM Trent, the crew are asked to sight T124Z, a form placing them under the Naval Discipline Act. This is normal for civilian ships operating under Naval control, but apparently Trent's crew were still operating under the civilian Board of Trade agreement. No record of how many signed.

Jimbuna

02-20-17, 10:59 AM

20th February 1917

Western Front

At the Somme, German troops capture a British strongpoint south of Transloy, taking 30 prisoners.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

At Nakhl and Bir el Hassana (between Suez and Akaba) two small Turkish posts surprised and scattered by British.

Political, etc.

Report shows that out of 9,291 ships that arrived and left Britain in the first half of February, 101 ships were sunk by the Germans.

Arthur Ponsonby, Charles P. Trevelyan, Philip Snowden & other MPs in the House of Commons declare the Allies are pursuing war of conquest.

President Wilson asks for powers from Congress "to enforce the obligations imposed by the laws of nations and by American statutes".

Ship Losses:

Cacique (France) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 250 nautical miles (460 km) west of the Île d'Yeu, Vendée (46°41′N 8°21′W) by SM U-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 21 crew.
Doravore (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea south of Elba, Italy (42°11′N 11°22′E) by SM UC-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Falls of Afton (Norway) The barque was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 8 nautical miles (15 km) south west of the Wolf Rock, Cornwall, United Kingdom (49°50′N 5°55′W) by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, one of them was taken aboard SM UC-17 at his request.
Rosalie (United Kingdom )The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 8 nautical miles (15 km) east of Djidjelli, Algeria (37°01′N 5°54′E) by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 21 crew.

Sailor Steve

02-20-17, 04:51 PM

February 20, 1917

Air War:
1200 German pilot Ernst Udet, flying an unknown aircraft (one source seems to show him flying a Fokker D.III, but another has them all being grounded in December), shoots down a Nieuport for victory number 4. German records don't mention the pilot, but French records show a MdL Pierre de Cazenove de Pradines forced to crash-land following a fight. As this was the only French loss this day, de Pradines was Udet's likely victim.

Celtic Sea:
Ralph Wenninger, commmanding UC-17, stops and scuttles Norwegian barque Falls of Afton, 1,965 tons, bound from Buenos Aires for Rotterdam with a load of linseed, southwest of Wolf Rock, right at the western entrance to the Channel. A German national is taken on board UC-17 at his own request. Wenninger's score is now 45 ships and 31,721 tons.

Bay of Biscay:
Otto Hersing, in U-21, sinks French freighter SS Cacique, 2,917 tons, en route from bordeaux to New York with an unspecified cargo. His score is now 26 ships and 69,812 tons.

Tyrhennian Sea:
Alfred Klatt, in UC-38, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Doravore, 2,760 tons, travelling from Genoa to Naples with a load of zinc ore and a general cargo. His score is now 5 ships and 8,647 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Walter Forstmann, in U-39, sinks British freighter SS Rosalie, 4,237 tons, carrying munitions and oats from New York to Salonika, off Djidjelli, Algeria. His score is now 145 ships and 300,892 tons, making him the first U-Boat captain to reach the 300,000-ton mark as well as putting him back in the scoring lead.

Simonstown, South Africa:
Cruiser HMS Challenger entered drydock yesterday, apparently for a bottom scraping, because just one day later she leaves the drydock and moors by a pier.

Jimbuna

02-21-17, 12:03 PM

21st February 1917

Western Front

Germans begin to withdraw in front of Serre.

Eastern Front

Near Jakobeny the Russians repulse a strong German attack.

Southern Front

At Tarvis (Trentino) Italian artillery destroy Austrian railhead.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Off Cartagena (south-east Spain) spare parts for submarines are discovered in a buoy.

Transport "Mendi", South African labour contingent, sunk in collision.
http://i.imgur.com/lRHt3Kg.jpg

Political, etc.

New British Blockade orders issued. Vessels sailing to and from neutral countries, which have access to the enemy, must put into a British port for examination, or be liable to capture.

German Foreign Affairs Secretary Zimmermann expresses confidence that Germany will achieve its aims with submarine warfare.

Strike at the Krupp works in Essen, Germany continues, with several thousand workers demanding higher wages and increased food rations.

$600 million of gold will be sent from Europe to the U.S. this February.

U.S. House of Representatives vote 321 to 72 approving total prohibition of alcohol in 19 states.

Nationwide protests against high food prices continue in the U.S. One protestor is killed in Philadelphia.

Ship Losses:

Alice (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the English Channel 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) north of Cap d'Antifer, Seine-Maritime, France (49°49′N 0°18′E) by SM UB-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Dukat (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 7 nautical miles (13 km) south south east of Ballycotton, County Cork, United Kingdom by SM U-84 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Energy (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 11 nautical miles (20 km) south south east of the Eddystone Lighthouse (49°57′N 4°40′W) by SM UC-66 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
K.L.M. (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 8 nautical miles (15 km) north west by west of the Eddystone Lighthouse by SM UC-66 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Manningham (Sweden) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel[249] 25 nautical miles (46 km) north of Ouessant, Finistère, France by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMS Mendi (Royal Navy) The troopship was rammed and sunk in the English Channel off St Catherine's Point, Isle of Wight by Darro ( United Kingdom). A total of 646 passengers and crew were killed. Survivors were rescued by HMS Brisk ( Royal Navy).
Monarch (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 14 nautical miles (26 km) south east by south of the Eddystone Lighthouse by SM UC-66 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Perseus (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the Indian Ocean 11 nautical miles (20 km) west of Colombo, Ceylon with the loss of three of her crew.
HMS Princess Alberta (Royal Navy) The fleet messenger struck a mine laid by UC 23 (Johannes Kirchner) and sank in Mudros Bay (39°47′N 25°06′E) with the loss of 33 lives.
Tecwyn (United Kingdom) The auxiliary schooner was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 20 nautical miles (37 km) south of Portland Bill, Dorset by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Wathfield (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 15 nautical miles (28 km) north of Cape Carbon, Algeria (37°00′N 4°56′E) by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eighteen crew.

Sailor Steve

02-21-17, 04:53 PM

February 21, 1917

Ireland:
Walter Roehr, commanding U-84, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Dukat, 1,408 tons, bound from Barry for Fayal with a load of coal. His score is now 13 ships and 31,894 tons.

English Channel:
Karlgeorg Schuster, in U-60, stops and scuttles British auxiliary motor schooner Tecwyn, 132 tons, en route from Saint Valery to Runcorn with a load of flints and boulders, off Portland Bill. His score is now 8 ships and 23,120 tons.

Hans Howaldt, in UB-40, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Alice, 709 tons, travenlling from Port Talbot to Tréport with a load of coal. His score is now 10 ships and 5,280 tons.

Ralph Wenninger, in UC-17, sinks Swedish freighter SS Manningham, 1,988 tons, en route from Penarth Dock to Saint Vincent, Cape Verde Islands with a load of coal, north of Ushant at the west end of the Channel. His score is now 46 ships and 33,709 tons.

Herbert Pustkuchen, in UC-66, sinks three British fishing smacks near Eddystone:
Energy, 25 tons.
K.L.M., 28 tons.
Monarch, 35 tons.
Pustkuchen's score is now 64 vessels and 85,060 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Leading U-Boat ace Walter Forstmann, in U-39, sinks British freighter SS Wathfield, 3,012 tons, carrying a load of magnesite from Limni to Malta, north of Béjaïa, Algeria. His score is now 146 ships and 303,904 tons.

Aegean Sea:
British freighter SS Princess Alberta, 1,586 tons, en route from Stavros to Mudros with an unspecified cargo, hits a mine laid in Mudros Bay by Johannes Kirchner in UC-23. His score is now 6 ships and 16,517 tons.

Simonstown, South Africa:
Seven crewmen from HMFM Trent are sent ashore for a medical examination. While they are returning one of them deserts.

Indian Ocean
British freighter SS Perseus, 6,728 tons, carrying a general cargo from the Clyde River to Yokohama, hits a mine laid by SMS Wolf off Colombo, Ceylon (Sri Lanka).

Jimbuna

02-22-17, 11:25 AM

22nd February 1917

Western Front

East of Vermelles and south of Neuve Chapelle hostile raids repulsed with heavy loss.

North of Gueudecourt British take enemy trench and 30 prisoners. British push forward cautiously.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

At Sanna-i-Yat, General Maude launches fresh attack, capturing two lines of enemy trenches.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Seven Dutch ships sailing from Falmouth are attacked by submarine, in spite of German guarantee of security; four are sunk.

British merchant ships are now carrying phosphorus “smoke screens” to hide them from German U-Boats.

Political, etc.

British War Office declares that military operations against the Ottomans have successfully prevented them from reinforcing Germany.

In U.S.A., war tension appears critical. German agents instigating many disturbances.

Allied government ministers declare that captured German colonies in Africa and Asia will not be returned after the war.

Turkey declares her agreement with Germany on policy of unrestricted submarine warfare.

Swiss government seeks to use Genoa, Italy for exports & imports, as German ports are blockaded & French ports are threatened by U-boats.

Japanese businesses consider suspending shipping to Europe due to the U-boat threat, which has caused shipping costs to jump by 30%.

Ship Losses:

Adelina (Italy) The barque was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea east of Solenzara, Corsica, France (41°46′N 9°37′E) by SM UC-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Ajax (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel 30 nautical miles (56 km) north of Ouessant, Finistère, France by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Ape (Italy) The sailing vessel was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea east of Solenzara (41°50′N 9°37′E) by SM UC-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Bandoeng (Netherlands) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 30 nautical miles (56 km) north west of the Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom by SM U-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Blenheim (Norway) The barque was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 30 nautical miles (56 km) south south west of the Fastnet Rock by SM U-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Eemland (Netherlands) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 30 nautical miles (56 km) north west of the Bishop's Rock (49°41′N 7°35′W) by SM U-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Frolic (United Kingdom) The trawler was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 90 nautical miles (170 km) east by south of Aberdeen by SM UC-42 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Gaasterland (Netherlands) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 30 nautical miles (56 km) north west of the Bishop's Rock (50°10′N 7°05′W) by SM U-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Giovanni P. (Italy) The sailing vessel was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea east of Solenzara by SM UC-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Invercauld (United Kingdom) The barque was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 22 nautical miles (41 km) south east of Mine Head, County Cork by SM U-84 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Jacatra (Netherlands) The cargo ship was captured, torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 30 nautical miles (56 km) west of the Bishop's Rock (49°52′N 7°00′W) by SM U-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
John Miles (United Kingdom) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 11 nautical miles (20 km) south east of Hartlepool, County Durham (54°38′10″N 0°54′00″W) by SM UB-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of ten crew.
Lord Collingwood (United Kingdom) The trawler was sunk in the North Sea 85 nautical miles (157 km) east by south of Aberdeen by SM UC-42 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Michielino (Italy) The sailing vessel struck a mine laid by UC 38 (Alfred Klatt) and sank in the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Noorderdijk (Netherlands) The cargo ship was captured, torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 30 nautical miles (56 km) north west of the Bishop's Rock by SM U-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Normanna (Norway) The cargo ship was scuttled in the English Channel by SM U-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Nostra Signora del Porto Salvo (United Kingdom) The brigantine was scuttled in the Mediterranean Sea 35 nautical miles (65 km) west of Marettimo, Italy by SM UC-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Saint Sauveur (France) The schooner was sunk in the English Channel 30 nautical miles (56 km) north of Ouessant by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
San Michele (Italy) The barque was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea east of Solenzara (41°40′N 9°40′E) by SM UC-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Ville de Bougie (France) The coaster was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Algeria (36°55′N 4°40′E) by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Vincenzino (Italy) The sailing vessel struck a mine laid by UC 38 (Alfred Klatt) and sank in the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Zaandijk (Netherlands) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 30 nautical miles (56 km) north west of the Bishop's Rock (49°52′N 7°00′W) by SM U-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

Sailor Steve

02-22-17, 05:09 PM

February 22, 1917

Air War:
German 9-kill ace Albert Dossenbach takes command of Jasta 36.

Celtic Sea:
Otto Hersing, commanding U-21, sinks seven Allied ships near Bishop Rock:
Dutch freighter SS Bandoeng, 5,851 tons, bound from Batavia for Rotterdam with a load of produce from Java. One year earlier, on February 15th, 1916, Bandoeng had survived hitting a mine laid by Ulrich Mohrbutter in UC-5.
Dutch freighter SS Eemland, 3,770 tons, travelling in ballast from Amsterdam and Falmouth to New York; scuttled.
Dutch freighter SS Gaasterland, 3,917 tons, en route from Rotterdam to Sandy Hook, New Jersey with an unspecified cargo; scuttled.
Dutch freighter SS Jacatra, 5,373 tons, Batavia to Rotterdam with an unspecified cargo; captured and torpedoed.
Dutch freighter SS Noorderdijk, 7,166 tons, carrying a load of corn meal and wheat from New York to Rotterdam; captured and torpedoed.
Dutch freighter SS Zaandijk, 4,189 tons, travelling in ballast from Rotterdam and Falmouth to Philadelphia, scuttled. Zaandijk had previously survived hitting a mine laid by Alfred Nitzsche in UC-10.
Norwegian freighter SS Normanna, 2,900 tons, travelling from Savannah to Stavanger with a load of phosphates; scuttled.
Hersing also attacks Dutch freighter SS Menado, 5,874 tons, carrying produce from Batavia to Rotterdam, but the scuttling charges fail to sink the ship and it makes port safely.
Hersing's score is now 33 ships and 102,978 tons, sinking more than 33,000 tons in one day.

Walter Roehr, in U-84, stops and scuttles British barque Invercauld, 1,416 tons, en route from Gulfport to Fleetwood with a load of timeber. His score is now 14 ships and 33,310 tons.

West of Ireland:
Gerhard Berger, in U-50, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Blenheim, 1,144 tons, carrying a load of pitch pine from Pensacola to Greenock, bringing his score to 11 ships and 26,958 tons.

English Channel:
Ralph Wenninger, in UC-17, sinks two vessels north of Ushant:
Norwegian freighter SS Ajax, 1,468 tons, en route from Rufisque to Liverpool with a load of ground nuts.
French schooner Saint Sauveur, 158 tons, sailing from Swansea to Bordeaux.
Wenninger's score is now 48 ships and 35,336 tons.

Herbert Pustkuchen, in UC-66, torpedoes Dutch freighter SS Ambon, 3,598 tons, travelling from Amsterdam to Java with an unnamed cargo. between Start Point and Plymouth. The damaged ship manages to make safe port.

North Sea:
Franz Walther, in UB-21, torpedoes British freighter SS John Miles, 687 tons, en route from Newcastle to Shoreham with a load of coal. His score is now 3 ships and 1,860 tons.

British tanker SS Ashtabula, 7,025 tons, bound from Port Arthur for London, hits a mine laid near the Elbow Buoy (North Foreland) by Werner von Zerboni di Sposetti in UC-6. The damaged ship makes port safely.

Otto Heinrich begins his career in UC-42 with the sinking of two British trawlers off Aberdeen, Scotland:
Frolic, 183 tons.
Lord Collingwood, 148 tons.
Heinrich's opening score is two vessels and 331 tons.

Tyrhennian Sea:
Alfred Klatt, in UC-38, sinks six Italian vessels east of Corsica:
Barque Adelina, 528 tons; deck gun.
Barquentine Ape, 301 tons; deck gun.
Sailing vessel Giovanni P, 105 tons.
Sailboat Michielino, 20 tons; mine.
Barque San Michele, 583 tons; deck gun.
Sailing vessel Vincenzino, 20 tons; mine.
Klatt's score is now 11 vessels and 10,204 tons.

Ernst von Voight, in UC-35, stops and scuttles British brigantine Nostra Signora del Porto Salvo, 136 tons, carrying a load of wine from Alicante to Malta; off Isola di Marettimo, just west of Sicily. This is his first sinking since he torpedoed 19,380-ton passenger liner SS Merion on May 30, 1915. His score is now 2 ships and 19,516 tons.

Mediterranian Sea:
Leading U-Boat ace Walter Forstmann, in U-39, uses his deck gun to sink French freighter SS Ville de Bougie, 508 tons, travelling from Algiers to Bône with 10 tons of calcium carbure. His score is now 147 ships and 304,412 tons.

Simonstown, South Africa:
British troopship SS Tyndareus, which hit a mine on February 6th leading to rescue operations by HMFM Trent and tug Ludwig Wiener on the 7th and 8th, begins repairs.

Jimbuna

02-23-17, 09:02 AM

23rd February 1917

Western Front

British follow-up retreating Germans.

Eastern Front

North-west of Ocna (Moldavia) the Russians lose the heights of Magyaros, and 1,000 prisoners.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Above Kut British cross the Tigris at the Shumran bend, taking 544 prisoners. Simultaneously at Sanna-i-Yat British troops storm and take the third and fourth line of Turkish trenches.

Naval

German submarine SM UC-32, credited with sinking 6 ships, is accidentally sunk by its own mine.

Political, etc.

French Chamber of Deputies approves a resolution to recall some farmers serving at the front in order to boost food production.

Ship Losses:

Belgier (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Bay of Biscay 30 nautical miles (56 km) west of Belle Île, Morbihan, France (47°32′N 3°58′W) by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Grenadier (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 4 (Georg Reimarus) and sank in the North Sea 6 nautical miles (11 km) east north east of the Shipwash Lightship ( United Kingdom) (52°06′N 1°42′E) with the loss of eight of her crew.
Iser (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay 14 nautical miles (26 km) north west of Belle Île (47°28′N 3°35′W) by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Katherine (United Kingdom) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 200 nautical miles (370 km) north east of the St Paul Rocks, Brazil by SMS Möwe ( Kaiserliche Marine); Her crew were taken as prisoners of war.
Longhirst (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km) east of Cape Bon, Tunisia (37°08′N 11°25′E) by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two crew.
Nyland (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay 12 to 13 nautical miles (22 to 24 km) off Groix, Morbihan (47°31′N 3°42′W) by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Trojan Prince (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) north of Cape Churchell, Algeria by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two crew.
SM UC-32 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UC II submarine was sunk by a mine she was laying off the Roker Pier Lighthouse, County Durham, United Kingdom (54°54′31″N 1°19′19″W) with the loss of all nineteen of her 22 crew.

Sailor Steve

02-23-17, 04:40 PM

February 23, 1917

Air War:
The first British night bombing unit, No. 100 Squardron RFC is established.

North Sea:
British freighter SS Grenadier, 1,004 tons, bound from Rotterdam to Newcastle with a general cargo, hits a mine laid by Georg Reimarus in UC-4 off the Shipwash Lightship. Reimarus' score is now 5 ships and 2,381 tons.

UC-32 hits one of her own mines and is destroyed. 22 crewmembers are lost, 3 survivors, including her captain, Herbert Breyer.

Bay of Biscay:
Ralph Wenninger, in UC-17, sinks three Allied ships near Belle Ile:
British frieghter SS Belgier, 4,588 tons, travelling from New York to Norfold and Le Havre with a general cargo.
British freighter SS Iser, 2,160 tons, en route from Newport, Wales to Rochefort with a load of coal.
Norwegian freighter SS Nyland, 1,824 tons, carrying a load of coal from Cardiff to Gibraltar.
Wenninger's score is now 51 ships and 43,908 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
0715 Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière, in U-35, sinks British freighter SS Longhirst, 3,053 tons, carrying a load of barley and hay from Philippeville to Salonika, off Cape Bon. His score is now 151 ships and 301,459 tons.
at 1815 Von Arnauld attacks French troopship SS Mont Viso, 4,820 tons, but the damaged ship manages to make safe port.

Leading U-Boat ace Walter Forstmann, in U-39, sinks British freighter SS Trojan Prince, 3,196 tons, en route from London and Plymouth to Alexandria with a general cargo, off Cape Cherchell, Algeria. His score is now 148 shipls and 307,608 tons.

Jimbuna

02-24-17, 08:42 AM

24th February 1917

Western Front

Great German withdrawal in full swing. The villages of Serre, Miraumont, Petit Miraumont, Pys and Warlencourt evacuated.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Kut evacuated by the Turks, and whole of enemy positions from Kut to Sanna-i-Yat taken with 1,730 prisoners. Turks retreat towards Baghdad.

Political, etc.

Lloyd George states restrictive measures are needed to ration food in Britain, such as cutting beer & liquor production by two-thirds.

Russian government opens a special committee to discuss the future status of Poland.

U.S. War Department proposes a bill that would increase the Army size to 3,296,023 men, which will cost $472,258,746.

Ship Losses:

Albina (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea east of Siniscola, Sardinia (40°39′N 9°58′E) by SM UC-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Beneficent (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) east north east of Hartlepool, County Durham (54°44′N 1°04′W) by SM UC-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three of her crew.
Dorothy (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 25 nautical miles (46 km) south east by south of Pantelleria, Italy (42°39′N 4°08′E) by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of six crew.
Falcon United Kingdom) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 150 nautical miles (280 km) west north west of the Fastnet Rock (52°40′N 14°45′W) by SM U-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Miaoulis (Greece) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 130 nautical miles (240 km) off Benghazi, Libya by SM UB-43 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Prikonisos (Greece) The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 30 nautical miles (56 km) south east of Pantelleria (36°30′N 12°50′E) by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four crew.
Salamis (Greece) The coaster was scuttled in the Bay of Biscay 10 nautical miles (19 km) south west of the Glénan Islands, Finistère, France (47°33′N 3°54′W) by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Venere (Italy) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) south of San Pietro Island by SM U-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
HMY Verona (Royal Navy) The naval yacht struck a mine laid by UC 33 (Martin Schelle) and sank in the North Sea off Portmahomack, Ross-shire (57°52′N 3°39′W) with the loss of 23 of her crew.

Should have been posted yesterday.
http://i.imgur.com/tIy8Dty.jpg

Sailor Steve

02-24-17, 03:04 PM

February 24, 1917

North Atlantic, west of Ireland:
Gerhard Berger, commanding U-50, sinks British freighter SS Falcon, 2,244 tons, bound from Newport for Marseille with a load of coal. His score is now 12 ships and 29,202 tons.

North Sea:
Otto von Schrader, in UC-31, sinks British freighter SS Beneficent, 1,963 tons, en route from Tyne to Le Havre with a load of coal, just off Hartlepool. His score is now 16 ships and 12,453 tons.

His Majesty's Yacht Verona, 437 tons, hits a mine laid off Portimahomack, Scotland, by Martin Schelle in UC-33. His score is now 4 ships and 2,823 tons.

Bay of Biscay:
Ralph Wenninger, in UC-17, stops and scuttles Greek freighter SS Salamis, 995 tons, carrying a load of coal from Barry to Bordeaux; off Ile de Glenans. His score is now 52 ships and 44,903 tons.

Tyrhennian Sea:
Alfred Klatt, in UC-38, sinks Italian brigantine Albina, 187 tons, east of Siniscola, Sardinia. His score is now 12 ships and 10,391 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière, in U-35, sinkks two ships northwest of Malta:
British freighter SS Dorothy, 3,806 tons, carrying 270 French troops from Tunis to Salonika; torpedoed. All but sixteen are rescued.
Greek freighter SS Prikonisos, 3,537 tons, travelling in ballast from Salonika to Algiers, sunt with deck gun.
Von Arnauld takes the lead again as highest scorer with 153 ships and 308,802 tons.

Hermann von Fischel, in U-65, uses his deck gun to sink Italian schooner Venere, 290 tons, just off San Pietro Island, on the west side of Sardinia. His score is now 3 vessels abd 22,157 tons.

Hans von Mellenthin, in UB-43, sinks Greek freighter SS Miaoulis, 2,918 tons, en route from Alexandria to Hull; north of Benghazi. His score is now 14 ships and 66,131 tons.

Jimbuna

02-25-17, 09:34 AM

25th February 1917

Western Front

German organized retreat at the Ancre to the Hindenburg Line continues. British troops advance on a 11-mile front, to a depth of 3 miles.

British advance extends over a front of 11 miles from south of Gomemcourt to east of Gueudecourt, and reaches an extreme depth of three miles.

Successful raids at Monchy-au-Bois, Lens and in Champagne.

Naval air-raid on Brebach (near Metz).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Turkish retreat continues, closely pursued by British cavalry.

Turks destroy much war material.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Margate and Broadstairs bombarded for ten minutes by German destroyers. Slight damage. Three killed, one wounded.

"Laconia", S.S. (Cunarder) sunk by SM-U50. Four Americans drowned. The "overt act" for which President Wilson was waiting.
http://i.imgur.com/PFrrhb4.jpg

Political, etc.

U.S. Senators express anger at President Wilson, who remains silent on the issue of German submarine warfare.

Due to rationing, only stale whole meal bread can be sold in Parisian restaurants and night work in bakeries are banned.

Ship Losses:

Aries (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 190 nautical miles (350 km) north west by west of the Fastnet Rock by SM U-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but her captain was taken as a prisoner of war.
Huntsman (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 180 nautical miles (330 km) north west by west of the Fastnet Rock (52°04′N 12°02′W) by SM U-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two crew.
Kleber (France) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Ouessant, Finistère by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Laconia (United Kingdom) The troopship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 160 nautical miles (300 km) north west by west of the Fastnet Rock (52°00′N 13°40′W) by SM U-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of twelve lives.
Maria Adriana (Netherlands) The sailing vessel was scuttled in the English Channel off Cap Barfleur, Seine-Maritime, France by SM UB-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Saint Joseph (France) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the English Channel 6 nautical miles (11 km) west of Berck, Pas-de-Calais by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Vigda (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) south of the Owers Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Sailor Steve

02-25-17, 06:51 PM

February 25, 1917

Air War:
1045 French observer Charles Borzecki, riding in a Nieuport 12 with Brigadier Fournier as pilot, shoots down an "Enemby Aircraft" for victory number 5. This is Borzecki's last victory. He will serve out the war as an observer, be commended for his photographs, and live until 1959.

1135 Prussian-born German pilot Johannes Janzen, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down a Farman two-seater for victory number 1. Likely victims are Adj Jean Peuch S/Lt Saintot who landed their F.40 safely.

1445 German ace Erich König, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down a DH.2 for victory number 6. Details unknown.

1455 French pilot Armand Pinsard, in a SPAD VII, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 4.

1455 German ace Werner Voss, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down DH.2 A2557 for victory number 7. Reginald James Spencer Lund is severely wounded, but crashes on his own side of the lines.

1500 Werner Voss shoots down DH.2 7849 for victory number 8. Harold James Payne lands on his own side of the lines with a badly damaged engine.

Canadian RNAS pilot John Edward Sharman, flying Sopwith 1½ Strutter N5088, shoots down a Fokker Eindecker for victory number 1. Sharman's observer is unknown, and he may have been flying solo on a bombing raid.

North Atlantic Ocean, west of Ireland:
Gerhard Berger, commanding U-50, sinks three British ships roughly 200 miles west of Fastnet:
Freighter SS Aries, 3,071 tons, bound from Melilla for Glasgow with a load of iron ore.
Freighter SS Huntsman, 7,460 tons, carrying a general cargo from Liverpool to Calcutta.
Passenger liner SS Laconia, 18,099 tons, travelling from New York to Liverpool with passengers and a general cargo.
Berger's score is now 15 ships and 58,012 tons.

Celtic Sea:
Ralph Wenninger, in UC-17, stops and scuttles French schooner Kleber, 95 tons, carrying a load of coal from Swansea to Saint Martin de Ré, off Ushant. His score is now 53 ships and 44,998 tons.

English Channel:
Hans Howaldt, in UB-40, scuttles Dutch sailboat Maria Adriana, 88 tons, travelling in ballast from Le Havre to Teignmouth, off Cape Barfleur. His score is now 11 ships and 5,368 tons.

Otto Steinbrinck, in UC-65, sinks two vessels west of Berck, France:
French fishing boat Saint Joseph, 42 tons.
Norwegian freighter SS Vigda, 1,851 tons, travelling from Hull to Chantenay with a load of coal.
Steinbrinck's score is now 115 ships and 106,891 tons.

Simonstown, South Africa:
Aboard HMFM Trent, new bollards are being fitted to replace the ones torn off when attempting to tow SS Tyndareus more that two weeks earlier.

Jimbuna

02-26-17, 09:21 AM

26th February 1917

Western Front

North and south of the Ancre British make further progress, capturing the village of Le Barque (south-west of Bapaume).

Due to the German withdrawal towards the Hindenburg line, British forces have gained 22 square miles of territory in France.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Turkish rearguard covers the retreat 15 miles from Kut.

H.M.S. "Firefly" recaptured on the Tigris.

Political, etc.

British government announces that it raised £1 billion in new war loans, raised by the contribution of 5 million subscribers.

War Conference at Calais.

Wilson asks Congress to establish armed neutrality and arm merchant vessels.

British Government requisitions Dutch ships in British ports.

Ship Losses:

Afreida Woermann (Germany) The cargo ship foundered in the Kattegat north of Höganäs, Skåne County, Sweden.
Alberdina (Netherlands) The sailing vessel was scuttled in the English Channel 35 nautical miles (65 km) north east of Alderney, Channel Islands by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Algiers (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the English Channel 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) south of the Owers Lightship (50°35′N 0°40′W) by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eight of her crew.
British Yeoman (United Kingdom) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 230 nautical miles (430 km) north north west of the St Paul Rocks, Brazil by SMS Seeadler ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Burnby (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km) north of Cape Falcon, Algeria (36°00′N 0°42′W) by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but her captain was taken as a prisoner of war.
Clan Farquhar (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 80 nautical miles (150 km) east of Benghazi, Libya (33°30′N 20°05′E) by SM UB-43 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 49 of her crew. One survivor was taken as a prisoner of war.
Dido (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) north north east of the Spurn Lightship ( United Kingdom) (53°07′N 0°15′E) with the loss of 28 of her crew.
Hannah Crossdell (United Kingdom) The schooner struck a mine laid by UC 65 (Otto Steinbrinck) and sank in the Irish Sea 1 nautical mile (1.9 km) south of Skokholm, Pembrokeshire with the loss of four of her crew.
Lamentin (France) The barque was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 30 nautical miles (56 km) west south west of Guernsey, Channel Islands (49°40′N 3°25′W) by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Sea Gull (United Kingdom) The coaster struck a mine laid by UC 16 (Egon von Werner) and sank in the English Channel 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) off Folkestone, Kent with the loss of two of her crew.
HMT St. Germain (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 16 (Egon von Werner) and was damaged in the English Channel off Folkestone (51°01′40″N 1°14′40″E). She was beached by was later refloated, repaired and returned to service.
Tammerfos (Russia) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel off Barfleur, Seine-Maritime, France by SM UB-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Victoria (Greece) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Algiers, Algeria by SM UC-37 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Sailor Steve

02-26-17, 06:01 PM

February 26, 1917

Air War:
German ace Werner Voss shoots down BE.2c 2535 for victory number 9. Lt Harry Eric Bagot is wounded but manages to crash just behind his own trenches. 2nd Lt Robert Lawrence Munro Jack is wounded and dies the next day. Ground observers say the BE.2 was attacked by a Halberstadt, but the previous day's attacks were said to have been made by an Albatros, so Voss may have been flying either plane.

St. George's Channel:
British schooner Hanna Croasdell, 151 tons, hits a mine laid off Skokholm Island by Otto Steinbrinck in UC-65.

English Channel:
British freighter SS Algiers, 2,361 tons, travelling in ballast from Calais to Barry Roads, hits a mine laid by Steinbrinck and UC-65 off the Owers Lightvessel.
Meanwhile Steinbrinck himself stops and scuttles Dutch sailing vessel Alberdina, 134 tons, travelling in ballast from Le Havre to Teignouth.
Steinbrinck's score is now 118 ships and 109,537 tons.

Hans Howaldt, in UB-40, topedoes Russian freighter SS Tammerfors, 994 tons, raising his score to 12 ships and 6,362 tons.

British coaster SS Sea Gull, 144 tons, en route from London to Boulogne with a general cargo, hits a mine laid off Folkstone by Egon von Werner in UC-16. His score is now 47 ships and 51,932 tons.
His Majesty's Trawler St. Germain, 307 tons, also hits a mine laid by UC-16, but is beached and later repaired.

Ralph Wenninger, in UC-17, captures French barque Le Lamentin, 716 tons, sailing from Saint Marc, Haiti to Le Havre, and sinks her with his deck gun. His score is now 54 ships and 45,713 tons.

Dutch freighter SS Algiers, 2,361 tons, travelling in ballast from Calais to Barry roads, hits a mine laid by Otto Stienbrinck in UC-65 off the Owers Lightship.

Mediterranean Sea:
Walter Forstmann, in U-39, sinks British freighter SS Burnby, 3,665 tons, carrying a load of coal from Barry to Algiers, off Cap Falcon, Algeria. He retakes the lead in tonnage sunk with 149 ships and 311,273 tons.

Hans von Mellenthin, in UB-43, sinks British freighter SS Clan Farquhar, 5,858 tons, travelling from Calcutta to London with a general cargo east of Benghazi, with 49 casualties. The second engineer is taken prisoner. His score is now 15 ships and 71,989 tons.

Otto Launburg, in UC-37, sinks Greek freighter SS Victoria, 1,388 tons, en route from Bône to Almeria with an unspecified cargo. His score is now 12 ships and 22,811 tons.
Launburg also torpedoes Italian freighter SS Gerolamo Ulloa, 4,283 tons, but the crippled ship makes port safely.

Atlantic Ocean:
German raider SMS Seeadler captures and sinks Canadian barque British Yeoman, 1,953 tons.

Jimbuna

02-27-17, 11:14 AM

27th February 1917

Western Front

Ligny (east of Le Barque) and Gommecourt occupied by the British. Also the western and southern defences of Puisieux.

East of Armentieres British raiders seriously damage three lines of enemy trenches and take 17 prisoners.

Eastern Front

Near Jakobeny the Germans take several Russian positions on high ground and 1,300 prisoners.

Southern Front

At Salonika German airmen bombard Allied camps. One enemy machine shot down.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Pursuit of Turks continued. 7,000 prisoners taken.

Naval

Royal Navy purchases the HMS Nairana from Australia to be converted into a seaplane carrier.
http://i.imgur.com/wI5m8ys.jpg

US Cruiser USS Des Moines is sent to the Ottoman Empire to carry supplies & rescue American refugees. Germany refuses to give safe conduct.

Political, etc.

The German Chancellor proclaims great success of submarine campaign, and justifies breaking of Germany's agreement with U.S.A., saying it was conditional on America insisting on Great Britain respecting international law concerning "Freedom of the Seas".

German Chancellor von Bethmann-Hollwegg declares the U.S. must suffer on the seas for arming the Allies.

Canadian government states it seeks a $150 million loan in order to fund the war effort.

Standard Oil Company seeks $150 million from the Allies for destroying Romanian oil fields during their retreat from the Central Powers.

British government seeks 2000 U.S.-made tractors to help support food production in Britain.

Train carrying invalided captured Russian soldiers, sent home by Germany through Sweden, suffers a crash, resulting in 50+ deaths.

Ship Losses:

Brodmore (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea (33°50′N 21°02′E) by SM UB-43 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but one of them was taken as a prisoner of war.
Brunette (France) The sailing vessel was sunk in the English Channel off The Needles, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Elena M. (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea north west of Palermo, Sicily by SM UC-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
HMT Evadne (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 65 (Otto Steinbrinck) and sank in the English Channel 8 nautical miles (15 km) south of the Owers Lightship ( United Kingdom) (50°33′N 0°39′W) with the loss of twelve of her crew.
Galgorm Castle (United Kingdom) The barque was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 90 nautical miles (170 km) west of the Fastnet Rock by SM U-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eleven crew.
Luigino B. (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean north west of Tearaght Island, County Kerry, United Kingdom by SM U-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Marie Madeleine (France) The sailing vessel was shelled by UC 43 (Erwin Sebelin) and sunk in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) north of Ver-sur-Mer, Calvados (49°30′N 0°40′W).
Mecklenburg (Netherlands) The passenger ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off the Galloper Lightship ( United Kingdom).
S. Ciro Palmerino (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea north west of Palermo by SM UC-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Tritonia (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean north west of Tearaght Island (52°13′N 11°26′W) by SM U-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two crew.

Sailor Steve

02-27-17, 07:46 PM

February 27, 1917

Air War:
1045 German ace Werner Voss, flying an Albatros D.II, shoots down BE.2e 2530 for victory number 10. Edwin Albert Pope and Hubert Alfred Johnson are both killed.

1648 Werner Voss claims his second victory of the day, shooting down BE.2c 7197 for number 11. John McArthur and James Whiteford are both killed.

North Atlantic Ocean, west of Ireland:
Richard Hartmann, commanding U-49, sinks three Allied ships:
British barque Galgorm Castle, 1,596 tons, bound from Buenos Aires for Queenstown with an unspecified cargo; stopped and scuttled 90 miles west of Fastnet.
Italian freighter SS Luigino B., en route from Almeria to Tyne with an unnamed cargo, sunk northwest of Tearaght Island.
British freighter SS Tritonia, 4,445 tons, carrying horses and a general cargo from Halifax to Glasgow, sunk off Tearaght Island.
Hartmann's score is now 22 ships and 45,969 tons.

English Channel:
Erwin Sebelin, in UC-43, sinks French sailing vessel Marie Madeleine, 45 tons, off Ver Lighthouse with his deck gun. He now has 6 vessels and 4,538 tons.

Otto Steinbrinck, in UC-65, is responsible for the loss of two Allied ships:
French sailing vessel Brunette, 104 tons, stopped and scuttled off The Needles, Isle of Wight.
His Majesty's Trawler Evadne, 189 tons, hits a mine laid by UC-65 south of the Owers Lightship.
Steinbrinck's score is now 120 vessels and 109,830 tons.

North Sea:
Otto Wünsche, in U-70, attacks British tanker SS San Patricio, 9,712 tons, with his deck gun, off the Orkney Islands. The tanker manages to outrun the submarine and escapes.

Mediterranean Sea:
Hans von Mellenthin, in UB-43, sinks British freighter SS Brodmore, 4,071 tons, carrying a load of frozen meat from Majunga to the United Kingdom. The ship's master is taken prisoner. Von Mellenthin's score is now 16 ships and 76,060 tons.

Heino von Heimburg, in UC-22, attacks British freighter SS Bellorado, 4,649 tons, en route from Barry to Alexandria, with his deck gun. The damaged ship manages to escape.

Alfred Klatt, in UC-38, sinks two Italian sailing vessels northwest of Palermo, Sicily:
Elena M., 125 tons.
S. Ciro Palmerino, 113 tons.
Klatt's score is now 14 vessels and 10,629 tons.

Jimbuna

02-28-17, 10:14 AM

28th February 1917

Western Front

Thilloy, Gommecourt, Puisieux and Sailly-Saillisel taken by British.

Eastern Front

Romanian counter-attacks in Bukovina partially successful.

Southern Front

Austrian attacks on Asiago Plateau and north of Gorizia repulsed.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Turkish losses in Mesopotamia in last three months estimated at over 20,000.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Germany offers to lend 7 merchant ships for the duration of the war to replace Dutch ships recently sunk by U-Boats.

French destroyer "Cassini" torpedoed in Mediterranean.
http://i.imgur.com/fYfMG4L.jpg

Political, etc.

Allied Minister present Memorandum to Chinese Government.

Particulars of German plot re: Mexico and Japan published in U.S.A. (v. 19.1).

Serbian government-in-exile claims Austria-Hungary has taken 60,000 Serbians as forced labourers to dig trenches and other tasks.

Ship Losses:

Cassini (French Navy) The converted minelayer struck a mine laid by UC 35 (Ernst von Voigt) and sank in the Strait of Bonifacio with the loss of 88 of her crew.
Elisabetta Concettina (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 35 nautical miles (65 km) north of Linosa by SM UC-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Emancipato (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea east of Corsica, France by SM U-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Giustina Madre (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 35 nautical miles (65 km) north of Linosa by SM UC-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Harriet Williams (United Kingdom) The schooner was scuttled in the English Channel 15 nautical miles (28 km) north north east of Cap d'Antifer, Manche, France by SM UB-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Immaculée Conception (France) The sailing vessel was sunk in the English Channel 15 nautical miles (28 km) south south west of Dungeness, Kent, United Kingdom by SM UB-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Marie Joseph (France) The schooner was scuttled in the English Channel 1 nautical mile (1.9 km) off Étretat, Seine-Maritime (49°44′N 0°11′E) by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Shinsei Maru (Japan) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 80 nautical miles (150 km) north of Benghazi, Libya by SM UB-43 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Sjøstad (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) north west of Cap la Heve, Seine-Maritime by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of nine of her crew.

Editorial Cartoon: 'Wonder if it ain't purty near time to begin to load her up?' ─ Chicago Tribune
http://i.imgur.com/KbgtzX8.png

Sailor Steve

02-28-17, 04:17 PM

February 28, 1917

Air War:
1015 Italian Pilot Fulco di Calabria, flying a Nieuport 17, claims an "Enemy Aircraft", but it is unconfirmed.

Italian pilot Cosimo Rizzotto, probably also in a Nieuport 17, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 1.

French pilot S/Lt Vernin and observer Cpl Charpentier, in a Nieuport 12, shoot down an "Enemy Aircraft". Victory number 1 for both.

Bristol Channel:
British tug J.W. Thompson, 226 tons, departs Cardiff for Kola Bay, Murmansk, and is not heard from again. All 14 crew lost.

English Channel:
Claus Lafrenz, commanding UB-18, stops and scuttles British schooner Harriet Williams, bound from London for Le Havre with a load of bulk pitch; off Cap d'Antifer. His score is now 34 ships and 33,731 tons.

Hans Howaldt, in UB-40, sinks French sailing vessel Immaculée Conception, 36 tons, on a fishing trip off Dungeness. The crew row their single lifeboat to the Colbart Lighthouse. Later picked up there by Torpilleur 323 and taken to Boulogne. Howaldt's score is now 13 vessels and 6,398 tons.

Otto Steinbrinck, in UC-65, stops and scuttles two ships:
French schooner Marie Joseph, 192 tons, travelling in ballast from Fécamp to Cardiff; off Etretat.
Norwegian freighter SS Sjøstad, 1,155 tons, carrying a load of coal from Newport, Wales to Fécamp; off Cap Le Heve.
Steinbrinck's score is now 122 ships and 111,177 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Hans von Mellenthin, in UB-43, torpedoes Japanese freighter Shinsei Maru, 3,060 tons, travelling from Cardiff to Port Said with an unspecified cargo. His score is now 17 ships and 79,120 tons.

Tyrhennian Sea:
Hermann von Fischel, in U-65, sinks Italian sailing vessel Emancipato, 30 tons, east of Corsica, bringing his score to 4 vessels and 22,187 tons.

French minelayer Cassini, 970 tons, hits a mine laid by Ernst von Voigt in UC-35 in the Strait of Bonifacio, between Corsica and Sardinia.
Meanwhile, von Voigt himself is in the Mediterranean, sinking two Italian sailing vessels off the island of Linosa, east of Malta:
Elisabetta Concettina, 45 tons.
Giustina Madre, 35 tons.
Von Voigt's score is now 5 vessels and 20,566 tons.

Australia:
Australian coaster SS Cooloon, 239 tons, travelling from Sydney to the Manning river with a general cargo, is wrecked near the Richmond River, at Coopernook.

Canada:
Schooner Lillian O. is driven ashore and crushed by ice at Harbour Le Cou, Newfoundland.

Jimbuna

03-01-17, 09:17 AM

1st March 1917

Western Front

G.H.Q. reports capture of 2,133 German prisoners and 11 villages during past month.

German air losses during February twice those of Allies.

Aeroplane raid on Broadstairs: six injured.

Naval and Overseas Operations

First weekly statement of shipping sailings, arrivals and losses issued.

Germany announces end of safe period for sailing vessels in Atlantic.

Political, etc.

Speech by Herr Zimmermannn on torpedoing of neutrals.

President Wilson makes public the contents of the Zimmermann telegram, which proposes a German-Mexico alliance against the U.S.

The Zimmermann telegram produces widespread condemnations of Germany among U.S. politicians, press, and the public.

MERCHANT SHIPPING LOSSES for month of February 1917 (Should have been posted yesterday).
British, Allied and Neutral ships lost to enemy submarines, mines and cruisers etc. in the month - 366 ships of 596,000 tons gross. (Lloyd's War Losses).

Ship Losses:

Apollonia (Italy) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 32 (Herbert Breyer) and sank in the North Sea 1 nautical mile (1.9 km) east of Flamborough Head, Yorkshire, United Kingdom (54°10′N 0°04′W). Her crew survived.
Bout de Zan (France) The fishing vessel was shelled and damaged in the English Channel 6 nautical miles (11 km) west of Berck, Pas-de-Calais by UC 65 (Otto Steinbrinck) . She was abandoned by her crew and came ashore at Dungeness, Kent, United Kingdom where she was declared a total loss.
Chatburn (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 22 nautical miles (41 km) north east of Cape Barfleur, Manche, France (50°00′N 0°55′W) by SM UB-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Diamond Cross (Belgium) The fishing vessel was shelled and sunk in the English Channel west of Berck by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Drina (United Kingdom) The passenger ship struck a mine laid by UC 65 (Otto Steinbrinck) and sank in the Irish Sea 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) west of Skokholm, Pembrokeshire (51°41′N 5°20′W) with the loss of fifteen lives.
Elise II (France) The fishing vessel was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 8 nautical miles (15 km) off Cayeux-sur-Mer, Somme by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Elorn (France) The coaster was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 6 nautical miles (11 km) north north east of Le Tréport, Seine-Maritime (50°11′N 1°24′E) by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
General Radiguet (France) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the English Channel 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) north north west of Cayeux-sur-Mer by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Germaine (France) The trawler was scuttled in the English Channel 6 nautical miles (11 km) west of Berck by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
HMHS Glenart Castle (Royal Navy) The hospital ship struck a mine laid by UC 65 (Otto Steinbrinck) and was damaged in the English Channel 8 nautical miles (15 km) north west of the Owers Lightship ( United Kingdom). She was repaired and returned to service.
http://i.imgur.com/6PlNrx1.jpg
Gurre (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea (59°30′N 2°00′E) by SM U-66 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of twenty crew.
Herbert Ingram (United Kingdom) The trawler was scuttled in the North Sea 70 nautical miles (130 km) east of the Longstone Lighthouse, Northumberland (55°59′N 0°25′E) by SM UC-29 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Homocea (France) The trawler was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 7 nautical miles (13 km) north north west of Cayeux-sur-Mer by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Josephine Adolphine (France) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the English Channel 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) north west of Cayeux-sur-Mer by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Jumna (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Indian Ocean 650 nautical miles (1,200 km) west of Minicoy, India by SMS Wolf ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Mabella (Norway) The full-rigged ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 24 nautical miles (44 km) south south west of Old Head of Kinsale, County Cork, United Kingdom (51°13′N 9°04′W) by SM UC-43 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Munificent (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 3.5 nautical miles (6.5 km) off Cap Gris Nez, Pas-de-Calais, France by a Kaiserliche Marine submarine.
N.D. de Lourdes (France) The fishing vessel was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 6 nautical miles (11 km) west of Berck by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Nicolaos (Greece) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea south of Sardinia, Italy by SM U-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Norma (Norway) The barque was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) east by north of the Shetland Islands by SM U-58 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Orion (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea (55°58′N 0°51′E) by SM UC-41 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of nineteen of her crew.
HMS Pheasant (Royal Navy) The Admiralty M-class destroyer struck a mine laid by U 80 (Alfred von Glasenapp) and sank in the Atlantic Ocean west of the Orkney Islands with the loss of 88 crew.
Redcap (United Kingdom) The trawler was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 97 nautical miles (180 km) east of the Longstone Lighthouse (56°10′N 1°10′E) by SM UC-29 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Reine des Anges (France) The trawler was sunk in the English Channel 6 nautical miles (11 km) west of Berck by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Sainte Famille (France) The fishing vessel was shelled and sunk in the English Channe off Boulogne, Pas-de-Calais by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Saint Joseph (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the English Channel south of Boulogne by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Seigneur (France) The fishing vessel was shelled and sunk in the English Channel west of Berck by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Storenes (Norway) The barque was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean south west of the Old Head of Kinsale by SM UC-43 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Teresina (Italy) The brigantine was scuttled in the Mediterranean Sea south of Sardinia by SM U-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Tillycorthie (United Kingdom) The coaster was shelled and sunk in the North Sea off the Longstone Lighthouse, Northumberland by SM UC-41 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Sailor Steve

03-01-17, 06:36 PM

March 1, 1917

Air War:
Idflieg's bi-monthly report on German fighters operating at the front at the end of February 1917:

Albatros:
D.I----28
D.II--150
D.III-137

Fokker:
D.I-----5
D.II---49
D.III---7
E.III---2

Halberstadt:
D.I----12
D.II----5
D.III--12
D.V----39

LFG Roland:
D.I----12
D.II---22

LVG:
D.I----61 (License-built Albatros D.II)

German ace Renatus Theiller, flying an Albatros D.II, destroys an observation balloon for victory number 9. British observer Lt G.K. Simpson suffers severe burns and dies six days later.

Canadian RNAS pilot Stearne Tighe Edwards, in Sopwith 1½ Strutter 9422, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 1. Whether he had an observer or was flying the two-seater solo is unknown.
(Per The Aerodrome and other websites. Above The Trenches, by Shores, Franks & Guest does not have this claim listed)

Ireland:
Erwin Sebelin, commanding UC-43, sinks two Norwegian sailing ships off Old Head of Kinsale:
Full-rigged ship Mabella, 1,637 tons, bound from Galveston for Kolding with a load of oilcake.
Barque Storenes, 1,870 tons, carrying a load of maize from Buenos Aires to Queenstown.
Sebelin's score is now 8 ships and 8,045 tons.

English Channel:
British freighter SS Munificent, 3,270, en route from Tyne to Dunkerque with a load of coal, suffers and explosion and sinks with three casualties. No U-Boat claimed this ship and there is no record of a minefield in the specific location, so the cause in listed as "unknown".

Claus Lafrenz, in UB-18, sinks British freighter SS Chatburn, 1,942 tons, travelling from Sunderland to Rouen with a load of coal. His score is now 35 ships and 35,673 tons.

Otto Steinbrinck, in UC-65, has a field day. First he attacks a French fishing fleet off the coast of Berck:
Germaine, 24 tons, scuttled.
Bout de Zan, 13 tons, shelled. Did not sink, but drifted to Dungerness, where she was wrecked.
Elise, 50 tons, shelled.
General Radiguet, 24 tons, scuttled.
Homocea, 58 tons, shelled. British, on loan to France with French crew and French flag.
Joseph Adolphine, 21 tons, scuttled.
Notre Dame de Lourdes, 47 tons, shelled.
Reine des Anges, 47 tons, shelled.
Saint Joseph, 20 tons, scuttled.
Sainte Famille, 25 tons, shelled.
Seigneur, 53 tons, shelled.
With them is Belgian fishing vessel Diamond Cross, 29 tons, sunk.

Steinbrinck also shells and sinks French freighter SS Elorn, 603 tons, travelling from Saint Malo to Dunkerque with an unspecified cargo.

Meanwhile British passenger liner SS Drina, 11,483 tons, carrying passengers and a general cargo from Buenos Aires to Liverpool, hits a mine laid by UC-65 off Skokham Island, Wales.

British hospital ship Glenart Castle hits a mine laid by UC-65, and Stienbrinck attacks floating crane Sarus, but both ships survive the attacks.

Steinbrinck's score is now 136 ships and 123,674 tons.

North Sea:
Kurt Wippern, in U-58, sinks Norwegian barque Norma, 850 tons, carrying a load of oilcake from Savannah to Aarhus, Denmark, with his deck gun off Shetland Island. His score is now 4 ships and 2,426 tons.

Thorwald von Bothmer, in U-66, takes two Norwegian freighters:
SS Gurre, 1,733 tons, travelling from Narvik and Fredrikshald to hull with a load of Iron ore; sunk.
SS Livingstone, carrying a load of ammonium nitrate from Skien to Charente; taken as a prize.
Von Bothmer's score is now 21 ships and 53,268 tons.

British destroyer HMS Pheasant, 1,025 tons, hits a mine laid west of the Orkney Islands by Alfred von Glasenapp in U-80. His score is now 5 ships and 21,480 tons.

Ernst von Rosenow, in UC-29, stops and scuttles two British trawlers off Longstone:
Herbert Ingram, 142 tons.
Redcap, 199 tons.
Rosenow's score is now 8 vessels and 7,179 tons.

Italian freighter SS Apollonia, 2,861 tons, hits a mine laid off Flamborough Head by Herbert Breyer in UC-32. His score is now 6 ships and 8,547 tons. This is Breyer's last sinking as UC-32 was sunk on February 23 by one of her own mines.

Kurt Bernis, in UC-41, begins his U-Boat career with the sinking of two Allied ships off Longstone:
British coaster SS Tillycorthie, 382 tons, bound from Seaham for Peterhead with a load of coal.
Norwegian freighter SS Orion, 1,354 tons, carrying a load of iron ore from Narvik to Middlesbrough.
Bernis's opening score is 2 ships and 1,736 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Hermann von Fischel, in U-65, sinks two ships south of Sardinia:
Greek freighter SS Nicolaos, 1,215 tons.
Italian brigantine Teresina, 212 tons; scuttled.
Von Fischel's score is now 6 ships and 23,614 tons.

Wolfgang Steinbauer, in UB-47, torpedoes British freighter SS Euterpe, 3,540 tons, off Suda Bay, Crete. The damaged ship manages to make safe port.

Algoa Bay, South Africa:
HMFM Trent is employed towing two lighters from Algoa Bay to Durban. The tow starts off easily, but rain and rising seas toward evening make the going tougher.

Jimbuna

03-02-17, 10:03 AM

2nd March 1917

Western Front

British lines advanced north-west of Puisieux and north of Warlencourt (Ancre).

Unsuccessful enemy counter-attacks from near Bapaume.

German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line slows, as they launch limited counterattacks against the British advance.

A large trench raid at Vimy, led by the 4th Canadian Division, fail, resulting in 637 Canadian casualties.

Eastern Front

Fighting continues in southern Bukovina.

Activity round Riga and on Narajowka river (Galicia), where Germans claim success.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Turks fall back towards Baghdad, one column from Hamadan and one to Dauletabad.

Russians occupy Hamadan.

Political, etc.

British Major-General Frederick B. Maurice predicts that there will be another winter of war, as the German Army is still capable.

U.S. Congress passes resolution for arming merchant ships.

State Council, Warsaw, reported organising national army against Russia, using Polish legions as cadres.

French recruits of 1918 called up.

Ottoman Empire borrows $48 million from Austria-Hungary, on condition that it be used to buy Austro-Hungarian goods.

Ship Losses:

Edvard Greig (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the North Sea (57°10′N 4°05′E) by SM U-61 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of fifteen crew.
Gazelle (United Kingdom) The ketch was scuttled in the English Channel 20 nautical miles (37 km) south south west of Dungeness, Kent by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
San Vincenza F. (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Strait of Sicily by SM U-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Utopia (United Kingdom) The sailing vessel was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 20 nautical miles (37 km) south south west of Dungeness (50°31′N 0°39′E) by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Sailor Steve

03-02-17, 05:09 PM

March 2, 1917

Air War:
1525 German ace Friedrich Mannschott, flying an Albatros D.II, shoots down a Farman two-seater for victory number 8. Nothing specific is known, but French Escadrille F25 lost a plane this day, with pilot Adj Caulier wounded and dying later, and observer Adj Planche killed. At the time they are listed as "Missing".

English Channel:
Hans Rose, commanding U-53, stops and scuttles two British sailing vessels off Dungeness:
Ketch-barge Gazelle, 119 tons, bound from London for Le Havre with a load of pitch.
Brig Utopia, 184 tons, carrying a load of pitch from London to Rouen.
Rose's score is now 19 ships and 38,121 tons.

North Sea:
Victor Dieckmann, in U-61, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Edvard Grieg, 989 tons, en route from Newcastle to Skien with a load of soda. His score is now 10 ships and 9,421 tons.

German freighter SS Erlangen I, 5,285 tons, is sunk by a mine south of Helgoland, with the loss of 19 lives. Also known as Sperrbrecher-VI.

Mediterranean Sea:
Hermann von Fischel, in U-65, sinks Italian sailing vessel San Vincenza F., 52 tons, bringing his score to 7 ships and 23,666 tons.

South Africa:
HMFM Trent is still towing the two lighters from Algoa Bay to Durban. The seas are growing heavier and at 0340 one of the tow ropes breaks. Trent heaves to and waits for the sun to come up. At 0730 a work party goes aboard the lighter and re-ssecures the ropes. By 1000 weather is mild and the towing easy. After dark the weather begins to pick up again and the lighters begin to pull at the tow ropes again.

Jimbuna

03-03-17, 06:52 AM

3rd March 1917

Western Front

British progress north of Puisieux and east of Gommecourt.

German War Minister's announcement re: prisoners under fire.

Eastern Front

Russian gas attack north of Lake Naroch.

German attack south-west of Brzezany (Galicia) and near Voruchin (west of Lutsk).

Southern Front

Fierce fighting near Monastir; Italian troops in action.

Political, etc.

U.S. Ambassador Page and Premier Lloyd George confer to discuss the possible entrance of the U.S. into the war.

Zimmermann on submarine warfare: “We regret that neutrals [nations] have to suffer by it, but we cannot help it.”

British government reports 933,000 women are now occupying jobs once held by men called to the front or other war-related services.

Governments of Japan and Mexico deny having received proposals from Germany.

In U.S. Senate obstructionist minority prevents Vote on President's armed neutrality policy.

15,000 British women volunteer for National Service in three days.

Mr. Wilson takes the oath as President of the United States.

Scandinavian liners resume service to the United States, but will not carry passengers due to the threat of U-boats.

Ship Losses:

Anna E (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Strait of Sicily by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Connaught (United Kingdom) The troopship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 29 nautical miles (54 km) south of the Owers Lightship ( United Kingdom) (50°08′N 0°45′W) by SM U-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three crew.
Craigendoran (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 6 nautical miles (11 km) east of Cape Sigli, Algeria by SM UC-37 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three of her crew. Two of the survivors were taken as prisoners of war.
Hermes (Norway) The sailing vessel was sunk in the North Sea 10 nautical miles (19 km) off of Utsira, Rogaland by SM U-80 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of twelve crew.
Kincardine (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 20 nautical miles (37 km) north east of Tearaght Island, County Donegal (52°22′N 10°26′W) by SM U-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Meldon (United Kingdom) The collier struck a mine laid by U 78 (Otto Dröscher) and was damaged in the Firth of Lorn (56°20′N 5°56′W). She was taken in tow but sank at the mouth of Loch Buie. Her crew survived.
Newstead (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 150 nautical miles (280 km) west north west of the Fastnet Rock (52°02′N 13°24′W) by SM U-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of fifteen crew.
HMT Northumbria (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 29 (Ernst Rosenow) and sank in the Firth of Forth 1 nautical mile (1.9 km) north of the Isle of May, Fife (56°12′25″N 2°34′00″W) with the loss of five of her crew.
Ring (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the North Sea 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) east by south of Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, United Kingdom (59°49′42″N 1°54′50″W) by SM UC-41 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
River Forth (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 60 nautical miles (110 km) south by east of Malta (34°54′N 15°00′E) by SM UC-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
Rosborg (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea (58°40′N 0°15′W) by SM U-61 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of six crew.
Sagamore (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 150 nautical miles (280 km) west of the Fastnet Rock (51°50′N 14°00′W) by SM U-49 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 52 crew.
Setubal Portugal The cargo ship was wrecked. Her crew survived.[48]
Theodoros Panaglos (Greece) The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 30 nautical miles (56 km) south south west of The Lizard, Cornwall, United Kingdom (49°40′N 5°30′W) by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Sailor Steve

03-03-17, 02:40 PM

March 3, 1917

Air War:
German pilot Friedrich Altemeier, flying an Albatros D.III with Jasta 24, shoots down a SPAD VII for victory number 1. Jasta War Chronology lists the victim as a Nieuport, and The Aerodrome website specifies a Nieuport 17, but the French Air Service War Chronology says the only French fighter lost this day was that of S/Lt Auguste Leduil, listed as missing, so his SPAD was Altemeier's likely opponent.

Back on February 2nd, 1916 British trawler King Stephen came upon the wrecked Zeppelin L-19 (LZ-54). Deciding that the 16 armed Germans hoping for rescue could easily overwhelm his own crew, captain William Martin set out to find a patrol boat that could handle the situation. Finding no warships in the area, Martin returned to shore. It turned out later that Martin was fishing in a restricted zone and gave a false location to the Royal Navy. The German airmen all drowned in the stormy sea and Martin came under fire from the German press. The trawler was put on a wanted list by the German Naval High Command. Martin even received hate mail from British citizens. Obsessed with the idea that the Germans were hunting him and with his health failing, William Martin died on March 3rd, 1917, age 45. King Stephen was later captured by the Germans and scuttled, and her crew taken prisoner, but treated well after it was discovered that her current skipper was not Martin.
Per Wrecksite.eu. Wiki gives the date of Martin's death as February 24th.

North Atlantic Ocean, west of Ireland:
Richard Hartmann, commanding U-49, sinks two British freighters 150 miles west of Fastnet:
SS Newstead, 2,836 tons, bound from Barry for Naples with a load of coal. Fifteen crew members are lost.
SS Sagamore, 5,197 tons, carrying a general cargo from Boston to Liverpool. Fifty-two casualties.
Hartmann's score is now 24 ships and 54,002 tons.

Ireland:
Otto Wünsche, in U-70, torpedoes British freighter SS Kincardine, 4,108 tons, travelling from Cardiff to Genoa with a load of coal; off Tearaght Island. His score is now 43 ships and 59,377 tons.

Scotland:
British freighter SS Meldon, 2,514 tons, out of Penarth with a load of coal, hits a mine laid off Gavellock, in the Firth of Lorne, by Otto Dröscher in U-78. His score is now 9 ships and 14,821 tons.

British freighter SS Lord Antrim, 2,773 tons, travelling from Dublin to Glasgow, runs aground. Location given is Fourchu, but the only port by that name is in Nova Scotia. Other details unavailable.

English Channel:
Berndt Buß, in U-48, sinks British passenger ship SS Connaught, 2,646 tons, en route from Le Havre to Southampton carrying only passengers. His score is now 16 ships and 44,053 tons.

Hans Rose, in U-53, uses his deck gun to sink Greek freighter SS Theodoros Pangalos, 2,838 tons, at the western end of the Channel. His score is now 20 ships and 40,959 tons.

North Sea:
Victor Dieckmann, in U-61, sinks Danish freighter SS Rosborg, 1,877 tons, travelling from Baltimore to Kirkwall and Aarhus with a load of maize. His score is now 11 ships and 11,298 tons.

His Majesty's Trawler Northumbria, 211 tons, hits a mine laid off May Island by Ernst Rosenow and UC-29. His score is now 9 ships and 7,390 tons.

Portuguese freighter SS Setubal, 1,312 tons, is wrecked at Tol Pedn, Penwith, Cornwal.

Kurt Bernis, in UC-41, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Ring, 998 tons, en route from Skien to Charente with a load of ammonium nitrate, off Berwick, Scotland. His score is now 3 ships and 2,734 tons.
Norwegian freighter SS Elfi, 1,120 tons, carrying a load of timber from Bergen to London, hits a mine laid by Bernis off Abbs Head. The damaged ship makes safe port.

Norway:
Alfred von Glasenapp, in U-80, stops and scuttles Norwegian sailing vessel Hermes, 785 tons, carrying a load of oilcake from Savannah to Randers; off Udsire (modern Utsira). His score is now 6 ships and 22,265 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Leading U-Boat ace Walter Forstmann, in U-39, sinks Italian sailing vessel Anna E., 41 tons, in the Straight of Sicily. His score is now 150 ships and 311,314 tons.

Ernst von Voigt, in UC-35, torpedoes British freighter SS River Forth, 4,421 tons, en route from Barry to Alexandria with a load of coal plus general cargo. His score is now 6 ships and 24,987 tons.

Otto Launburg, in UC-37, sinks British freighter SS Craigendoran, 2,789 tons, carrying a load of coal from Barry to Malta, off Cap Sigli, Algeria. His score is now 13 ships and 25,600 tons.

South Africa:
HMFM Trent is still attempting to tow the two lighters from Algoa Bay to Durban. At 0105 hours, in heavy winds and high seas, the tow rope breaks again. The crew of Trent can only watch as the two lighters drift away in the dark. At 0530 the drifting lighters are spotted. A working party is sent over to re-attach the tow ropes. By 1000 the wind and sea have calmed and the tow is going well. At nightfall there is only a slight swell and occassional rain shower.

Jimbuna

03-04-17, 08:29 AM

4th March 1917

Western Front

French coup-de-main between Oise and Aisne, south of Mouvron.

Germans gain footing in Caurieres Wood (Verdun).

At Verdun, German troops attack on a 2-mile line and manage to capture 572 French prisoners. French artillery checks further advances.

Enemy front and support lines captured east of Bouchvesnes (north of Somme).

German withdrawal on the Ancre and Somme front still continues. British troops advance two-thirds of a mile on a two-mile front.

Eastern Front

Russian gas attack near Krevo (south-east of Vilna).

the Sereth Romanians bombard region of Calieni.

Southern Front

Enemy attack in force east of Gorizia driven back with heavy loss.

Austrians massing in Trentino.

Italians occupy heights in Costabella group (Avisio).

Naval and Overseas Operations

Naval aeroplanes bomb Brebach (Saarbrucken).

Political, etc.

German Foreign Secretary Zimmermann admits that his telegram is authentic: “I cannot deny it. It is true.”

Chinese cabinet crisis due to disagreement as to policy with regard to Germany.

"Flemish" deputation received by German Chancellor.

Ship Losses:

Narcis (Belgium) The cargo ship sprang a leak in the Atlantic Ocean. She developed a 32° list on 5 March, and was abandoned on 6 March at 49°30′N 22°17′W. Narcis was later sunk by gunfire from Taramac ( United Kingdom) as she was a danger to navigation.
The Macbain (United Kingdom) The barquentine was scuttled in the English Channel 20 nautical miles (37 km) south of Portland Bill, Dorset by SM U-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Rhodanthe (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 330 nautical miles (610 km) north north west of the Cape Verde Islands, Portugal by SMS Möwe ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew were taken as prisoners of war.
Turritella (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Indian Ocean by SMS Wolf ( Kaiserliche Marine).

Sailor Steve

03-04-17, 06:43 PM

March 4, 1917

Air War:
1105 Canadian RNAS pilot Raymond Collishaw, flying Sopwith Pup N6160, shoots down a Halberstadt D.II for victory number 4.

1115 A group of four FE.2ds share the downing of an LVG two-seater.
A5439 Lt A.E. Boultbee, ?; Sgt J. Brown, ?
7693 Reginald George Malcolm, 1; Leonard Herbert Emsden, 1.
7025 William Matheson, 4; Lt W.A. Barnes, ?
A780 Lt R.N.L. Munro, ?; Lt G. Goodburn, ?

1115 English RNAS pilot Leonard Henry Rochford, in Sopwith Pup N5199, shoots down an Albatros D.I for victory number 1.

1130 German ace Werner Voss, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down BE.2d 6252 for victory number 12. Reginald James Moody and Edmund Eric Horn are both killed.

1135 South African RFC pilot Christopher Joseph Quintin Brand, in Nieuport 17 A6668, shoots down a Roland C.II for victory number 1.

1145 Canadian RNAS pilot John Joseph Malone, flying Sopwith Pup 9898, shoots down a Halberstadt D.II for victory number 1.

1150 German pilot Karl Emil Schäfer, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Sopwith 1½ Strutter A1109 for victory number 2. 2nd Lts P.L. Wood and A.H. Fenton, last seen over Lens, are listed as Missing In Action.

1218 English pilot Robert Saundby, in FE. 8 6431, and Lt A. Fraser, in FE.8 7622, team up to shoot down a rare Siemens-Schuckert D.I. Victory number 4 for Saundby, unknown for Fraser. The SSW D.1 was a copy of a captured Nieuport 17, built by Siemens-Schuckert Werke with the unusual Siemens-Halske engine, which attempted to counter the extreme torque of the rotary by having the engine and propeller rotate in the opposite direction from each other. Only two are listed as being at the front at the end of April, but at least 100 were built, so whether the claim is accurate is unknown.

1245 German ace Manfred von Richthofen, in a Halberstadt D.II, BE.2d 5785 for victory number 22.
According to von Richthofen I had started all by myself and was just looking for my Staffel when I spotted a single BE. My first attack was apparently a failure as my adversary tried to escape by curves and dives. After having forced my adversary downwards from 2,800 to 1,200 metres, he imagined himself safe and flew straight on once more. I took advantage of this, put myself behind him and fired some 500 shots at him. My adversary dived, but in such a steep way that I could not follow. According to our infantry observations, the plane crashed to the ground in front of our trenches.This BE.2 was originally thought to be 6252, but it crashed around 1130 and was later confirmed to have been Voss's kill. The only BE.2 reporting action at this time was 5785, flown by James Benjamin Evelyn Crosbee, with observer John Edward Prance. Prance was wounded but not badly, and Crosbee got their plane home safely.

1350 German pilot Herbert Schröder, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Sopwith Pup N6170 for victory number 1. Lt H.R. Wambolt is listed as Missing.

1405 German pilot Hans Kummetz, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down Sopwith Pup N6165 for victory number 1. Lt J.P. White is listed as Missing.

1610 Irish RFC pilot Thomas Falcon Hazell, in Nieuport 17 A6604, shoots down a "Hostile Aircraft" for victory number 1.

1620 Manfred von Richthofen shoots down Sopwith 1½ Strutter A1108 for victory 23. 2nd Lts Herbert John Green and Alexander William Reid are both killed.
Accompanied by five of my planes, I attacked an enemy squadron above Acheville. The Sopwith I had singled out flew for quite a while in my fire. After the 400th shot, plane lost a wing while making a curve. Machine hurtled downward. It is not worth while to have plane taken back, as parts are all over Acheville and surroundings. Two machine guns were seized by my Staffel. (One Lewis gun No. 20024 and one Maxim gun L.7500).1630 German ace Renatus Theiller, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down aircraft number A4163 for victory number 10. 2nd Lts B.W. Hill and W. Harms are both killed. There is a problem with this listing, which is that every source lists the plane as an RE.8, which is backed up by UK Serials website. The problem is that the RE.8 was a single-seat fighter.

(unknown time) German ace Friedrich Mannschott, flying an Albatros D.II, shoots down a Caudron two-seater for victory number 9. Possibly Sous-Lieutenants Royer (wounded) and Bonet, who landed their Caudron G.4 safely.

1645 Mannschott destroys an observation balloon over South Belleville for victory number 10.

1715 Renatus Theiller shoots down FE.2b A5441 for victory number 11. 2nd Lt L.W. Beale and AM2 A. Davin manage to land on their own side of the lines.

1720 German pilot Josef Flink, in Albatros D.III 1942/16, shoots down a Nieuport 17 for victory number 1.

French pilots Marcel Joseph Maurice Nogues and Joseph de Sevin, both in Nieuports, share an "Enemy Aircraft". Victory number 1 for Nogues, number 2 for de Sevin.

Swiss volunteer in French service Martin Trepp, in a Nieuport, shares an "Enemy Aircraft" with adj Lebeau. Number 2 for Trepp, number 3 for Lebeau.

English Channel:
Berndt Buß, commanding U-48, stops and scuttles British barquentine The Macbain, 291 tons, travelling in ballast from Cherbourg to Fowey. His score is now 17 vessels and 44,344 tons. Buß also attacks British schooner Adelaide, 180 tons, with his deck gun, but the crippled ship is towed into Brixham.

South Africa:
HMFM Trent notes moderate winds and seas, with an occassional rain squall, and towing going well. She is joined by light cruiser HMS Hyacinth.

United States:
American schooner Harold Blekum, 192 tons, bound from Kodiak, Alaska for Seattle, Washington with a load of empty gasoline barrels, is stranded in Ugak Bay, Alaska.

Mid-Atlantic:
On March 1 the German raider SMS Wolf sighted a ship and launched her seaplane Wolfchen to investigate. This turned out to be British freighter SS Jumna, 4,152 tons. Wolf attempts to fire a warning shot, but the gun is fired before being trained and five German sailors on deck are killed. Jumna stops and Wolf forces her to act as supply ship. Three days later, on March 4th, Jumna is sunk.

German raider SMS Möwe captures and scuttles British freighter SS Rhodanthe, 3,060 tons, en route to Cuba to pick up a load of sugar; 300 miles north-northwest of São Vicente, Cape Verde Islands.

Jimbuna

03-05-17, 07:46 AM

5th March 1917

Western Front

German attack west of Pont-a-Mousson fails; attempts to recapture Bouchvesnes repulsed.

British progress on Ancre front towards Bapaume Ridge.

Southern Front

Sharp fighting in the Dolomites.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Engagement with Turkish rearguard at Laj (nine miles south-east of Ctesiphon).

Russians occupy Kangavar, south of Hamadan.

Turks abandon strong position west of Shalal (Sinai Peninsula).

Political, etc.

Austrian reply to U.S. memorandum re: new submarine warfare.

President Wilson's inaugural address at opening of his second term.

Lord Milner returns from Allied Conference at Petrograd.

Marshal Arz von Straussenburg is appointed the new Chief of the General Staff of the Austro-Hungarian Army.
http://i.imgur.com/xeQGK40.png

According to a British report, 123 British vessels were sunk by the Germans in February, while 9,463 ships were able to safely enter port.

12 pacifist US Senators successfully filibuster a bill that would have armed merchant ships to protect them from German submarines.

US Secretary of the Navy Daniels announces he will immediately exercise emergency powers to commandeer private shipyards to produce warships.

Ship Losses:

HMT Campania II (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was lost on this date with the loss of all hands.
Copenhagen (United Kingdom) The passenger ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 8 nautical miles (15 km) east of the Noord Hinder Lightship ( Netherlands) by SM UC-61 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of six lives.
Federico Confalonieri (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of Ireland (51°50′N 13°32′W) by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Guadiana (Portugal) The sailing vessel was set afire and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south of Ireland by SM UC-44 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Salvatore (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Malta Channel by SM UC-37 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

Sailor Steve

03-05-17, 03:53 PM

March 5, 1917

Ireland:
Hans Rose, commanding U-53, sinks Italian freighter SS Federico Confalonieri, 4,434 tons, bound from Sgunto for the Clyde River with an unspecified cargo. His score is now 21 ships and 45,393 tons.

Kurt Tebbenjohanns, in UC-44, sets fire to Portuguese sailing vessel Gaudiana, 326 tons, heading for England with a load of wood. His score is now 7 ships and 2,012 tons.

Norwegian sailing ship Ilala, 1,375 tons, carrying a load of maize from Buenos Aires to Vaksdal, is dismasted in a storm and is abandoned. The crew are rescued by British freighter SS Albanian. Albanian is armed, and sinks Ilala with her guns to prevent any other ships hitting the wreck.

North Sea:
Georg Gerth, in UC-61, sinks British passenger ship SS Copenhagen, 2,570 tons, travelling from Harwich to Hoek van Holland. His score is now 4 ships and 3,592 tons.

Malta Channel:
Otto Launburg, in UC-37, sinks Italian sailing vessel Salvatore, bringing his score to 14 ships and 25,719 tons.

South Africa:
Early in the morning HMFM Trent records a strong headwind and rough sea. At 1100 hours it is noted that the towed lighters are shipping water. at 2145 Trent's engines are stopped when the lighters star pulling heavily to starboard. At 2320 the forward lighter sinks and the towrope parts.

Gulf of Aden:
German auxiliary minelayer SMS Iltis is laying a minefield when spotted by British sloop HMS Odin and cruiser HMS Fox. To prevent capture Iltis is scuttled by her own crew. Iltis was originally the German freighter SS Gutenfels. Captured by the British at the beginning of the war and renamed SS Polavon. In 1915 she was sold to Anglo-Saxon Petroleum and renamed SS Turritella. Recaptured by SMS Wolf on February 27, 1917 off Columbo, Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and converted to an auxiliary minelayer.

United States:
American schooner Henry Withington, 483 tons, travelling in ballast from Stockton, Maine to New York City, runs aground off Boston Harbor.

South Atlantic Ocean:
German raider SMS Seeadler captures and sinks French barque Dupleix, 2,206 tons.

Jimbuna

03-06-17, 02:01 PM

6th March 1917

Western Front

British line extends south of Somme to neighbourhood of Reims, twice the length of a year before.

Despite a blizzard, fighting continues in Verdun, with French forces successfully defending their trenches from German attacks.

Eastern Front

Night attack on German positions south of Brzezany fails.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British cavalry 14 miles from Baghdad.

Political, etc.

U.S. Supreme Court decides "Appam" case in favour of British owners.

Paris is suffering from a potato shortage, and French women are urged to grow potatoes and other foodstuffs instead of flowers.

German Reichstag budget committee unanimously approves Zimmermann’s attempts to secure an alliance with Mexico against the U.S.

Ship Losses:

Caldergrove (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 200 nautical miles (370 km) west north west of the Fastnet Rock (51°30′N 14°51′W) by SM U-44 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of nineteen crew.
Cornelia (United Kingdom) The coaster was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 9 nautical miles (17 km) of the Skellig Islands, County Kerry (51°47′N 10°43′W) by SM UC-43 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Fenay Lodge (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 250 nautical miles (460 km) north west of the Fastnet Rock (51°24′N 16°11′W) by SM U-44 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four crew.
Porto di Smirne (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 150 nautical miles (280 km) south west of Cape Matapan, Greece by SM U-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Sawa Maru (Japan) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 30 nautical miles (56 km) west of Bull Rock, County Cork, United Kingdom by SM UC-43 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

http://i.imgur.com/TQ63iUo.jpg

Sailor Steve

03-06-17, 07:25 PM

March 6, 1917

Air War:
1040 Irish RNAS pilot Francis Dominic Casey, flying Sopwith Pup N5163, shoots down a Halberstadt D.II for victory number 1.

1050 English RFC pilot Edwin Benbow, in FE.8 A4871, claims an Albatros D.II shot down for victory number 8.

1050 Irish RFC pilot Robert Gregory, in FE.8 6384, claims a Halberstadt D.II for victory number 3.

Both these claims are made in the middle of a raging dogfight broght on when Jasta 11 attacks Sopwith 1½ Strutters of 43 Squadron, which in turn are supported by FE.8s of 40 Squadron. At 1200 German time (1100 British time) Hans-Georg Eduard Lübbert is wounded and forced from the fight in his Albatros D.II. Manfred von Richtofen wrote his mother later that he had also been shot down on this day. While attacking a Sopwith he heard a loud bang, and felt some liquid swirling around his cockpit. Realizing that his fuel tank had been hit he dove vertically out of the fight. Benbow said that the Albatros he attacked had gone down in flames, while Gregory said "his" Halberstadt had gone down out of control. There has been much discussion as to who shot down whom, and it will likely never be resolved. What is known is that after he landed von Richthofen had a nap, ate lunch with the front-line troops and was back in the air in the late afternoon.

1100 English RFC pilot Harold Harrington Balfour, in Sopwith 1½ Strutter A1097 with 2nd Lt A. Roberts as observer, shoots down a Halberstadt fighter for victory number 1.

1130 German pilot Hans Kummetz, probably in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Nieuport 16 A208 for victory number 2. 2nd Lt P.S. Joyce is listed as Missing.

1145 German pilot Karl Schäfer, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down Sopwith 1½ Strutter A978 for victory number 3. Lt S.J. Pepper and Cpt T.D. Stuart are both killed.

1155 Karl Schäfer shoots down a second 1½ Strutter for victory number 4. Details unknown.

1230 German pilot Kurt Robert Wilhelm Wolff, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down BE.2d 5856 for victory number 1. 2nd Lts G.M. Underwood and A.E. Watts are both killed.

1315 German pilot Heinrich Gontermann, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down BE.2d A1948 for victory number 2. 2nd Lts F.E. Hills and A.G. Ryall are both taken prisoner.

1320 German pilot Adolf Schulte, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down FE.2d 1953 for victory number 3. Cpt W.S.R. Bloomfield and 2nd Lt V.O. Lonsdale are both killed.

1335 Hans Kummetz scores his second kill of the day - Morane 'P' A268. Lts C.W. Short and S.M. Fraser are both wounded, Short dying later. There is some discrepancy in this record, as The Aerodrome website and Jasta War Chronology both list the aircraft as a D.H.2, which is a single-seater. UK Serials website and The Aerodrome's serial number section both show it as a Morane 'P', which seems the more likely candidate.

1345 German pilot Edmund Nathanael, in an Albatros, shoots down a Morane for victory number 1. No details.

1350 German pilot Wilhelm Cymera, flying an Albatros D.II, shoots down a Nieuport for victory number 2. No details.

1635 German ace Werner Voss, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down DH.2 7491 for victory number 13. Cpt Herbert Gordon Southon is wounded and taken prisoner.

1645 Prussia-born German pilot Wladek Kralewski, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down an FE.2b for victory number 1. No details.

1700 German ace Manfren von Richthofen, in a Halberstadt D.II, shoots down BE.2e A2785 for victory number 24. Gerald Maurice Gosset-Bibby and Geoffrey Joseph Ogilvie Brichta are both killed.
Together with Leutnant Allmenröder, I attacked two enemy artillery flyers at a low altitude over the other side. The wings of the plane I attacked came off; it dashed down and smashed on the ground.German pilot Bruno Loerzer, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Nieuport for victory number 3.

English aces Selden Long and Eric Pashley, in DH.2s share the downing of a German two-seater. Number 9 for Long, number 8 for Pashley. This would be the last aerial victory for both. Selden Long will serve again in World War 2 and live until 1952. Eric Pashley will be killed in action on March 17th.

French pilot Jacques Ortoli, in a Nieuport, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 4.

French pilot Edmond Pillon, in a Nieuport, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 2.

Fench pilot Armand Pinsard, in a SPAD VII, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 5.

North Atlantic, west of Ireland:
Paul Wagenfür, commanding U-44, sinks two British freighters 200 miles west of Fastnet:
SS Caldergrove, 4,327 tons, bound from Havana for Queenstown with a load of sugar.
SS Fenay Lodge, 3,223 tons, en route froo Mobile to Cherbourg with a load of pit props.
Wagenfür's score is now 14 ships and 39,269 tons.

Ireland:
Erwin Sebelin, in UC-43, sinks two ships off the Skeligs:
British freighter SS Cornelia, 903 tons, carryig a load of pitwood from Oporto to Cardiff; scuttled.
Japanese freighter Sawa Maru, 2,578 tons, en route from Huelva to Newport; torpedo.
Sebelin's score is now 10 ships and 11,526 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Hermann von Fischel, in U-65, sinks Italian freighter SS Porto de Smirne, 2,576 tons, carrying a load of flour from Genoa to Alexandria. His score is now 8 ships and 26,242 tons.

South Africa:
Cruiser HMS Hyacinth locates the surviving lighter and sends a cutter to HMFM Trent to assist rigging a new tow-rope. Unsure of the fate of the first lighter, Hyacinth stays in the area looking for it while Trent gets underway. Yet again the wind is behind them as is a heavy following sea, and the towing is rough.

Jimbuna

03-07-17, 11:23 AM

7th March 1917

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Three Turkish columns in western Persia continue retreat, converging on Baghdad road at Kangavar; main column thrown from Assadabad Pass by pursuing Russians.

Proclamation by Ulema of Mecca to the Faithful published.

Political, etc.

Italy will begin arming merchant ships and give award money prizes to those who sink or disable submarines.

Recruiting for W.A.A.C. temporarily completed. 114,803 enrolled for National Service to date.

National manifestation at Sorbonne, Paris, for triumph of right.

Austrian Minister of War orders 17 and 18 year-old males to report immediately for military service.

Ship Losses:

Adalands (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 8 nautical miles (15 km) south west of the Fastnet Rock by SM UC-44 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Antonio (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 17 (Ralph Wenninger) and sank in the English Channel 7 nautical miles (13 km) off Dartmouth, Devon with the loss of eleven of her crew.
Baron Wemyss (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 73 nautical miles (135 km) north west by west of the Fastnet Rock (51°40′N 11°30′W) by SM UC-43 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
Naamah (United Kingdom) The trawler was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 35 nautical miles (65 km) south by east of North Ronaldsay, Orkney Islands by SM UC-76 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Navarra (Norway) The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south of the Eddystone Lighthouse, Cornwall, United Kingdom (49°36′N 4°12′W) by SM U-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of nineteen crew.
Ohio (France) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 152 nautical miles (282 km) north west of the Skellig Islands, County Kerry, United Kingdom (51°45′N 14°30′W) by SM U-44 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
HMT Vivanti (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was lost on this date.
Vulcana (United Kingdom) The trawler was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 40 nautical miles (74 km) east south east of the Auskerry Lighthouse, Orkney Islands by SM UC-76 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
Westwick (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 44 (Kurt Tebbenjohanns) and sank in the Irish Sea 1 nautical mile (1.9 km) south of Roche Point, Queenstown, County Cork. Her crew survived.

Sailor Steve

03-07-17, 03:14 PM

March 7, 1917

Air War:
Russian pilots Donat Aduiovich Makeenok, flying a Nieuport 21, and Vasili Yanchenkoin a Nieuport 11, share the downing of an "Enemy Aircraft". Victory number 1 for Makeenok, number 4 for Yanchenko.

German pilot Arthur Schorisch, flying for Jasta 12 and probably in an Albatros D.III, claims an FE.2 for victory number 1.

Russian pilot Vladimir Ivanovich Strizhevsky, in a Nieuport 21, brings down an unidentified aircraft for victory number 1.

North Atlantic Ocean, west of Ireland:
Paul Wagenfür, commanding U-44, torpedoes French freighter SS Ohio, 8,719 tons, bound from New York for Le Havre with a general cargo, inluding copper, cotton, meat and vehicles. His score is now 15 ships and 47,988 tons.

Erwin Sebelin, in UC-43, sinks British freighter SS Baron Wemyss, 1,605 tons, carrying a general cargo from Huelva to Clyde. His score is now 11 ships and 13,131 tons.

Ireland:
Kurt Tebbenjohanns, in UC-44. sinks Norwegian freighter SS Adalands, 1,577 tons, en route from Rufisque to Hull with a load of ground nuts; off Fastnet.
Meanwhile British freighter SS Westwick, 5,694 tons, hits a mine laid by UC-44 off the Roche's Point Lighthouse.
Tebbenjohanns' score is now 9 ships and 9,283 tons.

English Channel:
Berndt Buß, in U-48, attacks Norwegian freighter SS Navarra, 1,261 tons, en route from Goteborg to Nantes with aload of paper and wood pulp. First he fires a torpedo, which misses, then he sinks her with his deck gun. The ship is listed as Missing until March 13, when a lifeboat washes up on the Scilly Islands. All 19 crew lost. His score is now 21 ships and 52,613 tons.

British freighter SS Antonio, 2,652 tons, carrying a load of hay from Barry to Cherbourg, hits a mine laid off Dartmouth by Ralph Wenninger in UC-17. His score is now 55 ships and 47,560 tons.

North Sea:
Wilhelm Barten, in UC-76, opens his U-Boat career with the sinking of two British trawlers off the Orkney Islands:
Naamah, 269 tons.
Vulcana, 219 tons.
Barten's opening score is 2 vessels and 488 tons.

Durban, South Africa:
After six days at sea HMFM Trent arrives at Durban with the one surviving lighter in tow. At 1108 a harbour pilot boards the liner and tugboat Escombe takes over the task of towing the lighter into the harbour. At 1240 Trent ties up at 'A' Shed for coaling.

Jimbuna

03-08-17, 10:31 AM

8th March 1917

Western Front

In Champagne, French regain most of salient lost on 15 February between Butte de Mesnil and Maisons de Champagne.

Slight British advance in Ancre valley.

Five enemy raids against British positions north of Wulverghem (Messines).

Eastern Front

Romanians lose three heights (late Russian positions) north-west of Ocna (Moldavia).

Enemy repulsed near Mitau (Riga).

Southern Front

Several days' shelling of Monastir reported.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Tigris bridged and Turks driven from position six miles from Baghdad.

British effect surprise crossing of Diala river (Mesopotamia).

Russians on road from Hamadan rout Turks, who withdraw to Hajiabad.

Naval and Overseas Operations

SS Storstad, a Norwegian ship known for accidentally hitting the Empress of Ireland and causing 1000+ deaths, is sunk by a German U-boat SM U-62.

Political, etc.

Civil mobilisation report tabled in French Senate: civilians of both sexes, 17 to 60, included.

Interim report of Dardanelles Commission issued.

Wireless communication between U.S.A. and Germany suspended.

President Wilson decides to arm American ships against submarines.

Prussian government blames the illegal use of ration cards for contributing to the lack of potatoes and bread in Germany.

The February Revolution begins in Petrograd (St. Petersburg). Riots break out across the city due to food shortages.

Ferdinand von Zeppelin, German general known for his namesake airships, has passed away.
http://i.imgur.com/ugSDpmw.png

Ship Losses:

Ares (Netherlands) The tanker was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 40 nautical miles (74 km) west of Cascais, Portugal (38°12′N 10°19′W) by SM UC-74 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Dunbarmoor (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 180 nautical miles (330 km) west north west of the Fastnet Rock (51°22′N 14°31′W) by SM U-44 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of twelve crew.
Georgian United Kingdom The cargo ship was torpeded and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 52 nautical miles (96 km) north of Cape Sidero, Crete, Greece (36°13′N 26°05′W) by SM UB-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of five of her crew.
Silas (Norway) The barque was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of Ireland (52°10′N 16°00′W) by SM U-44 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Storstad (United Kingdom) The collier was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 45 nautical miles (83 km) west south west of the Fastnet Rock (51°20′N 11°50′W) by SM U-62 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three crew.
Vega (Russia) The barque was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of the Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly (51°00′N 12°00′W) by SM U-62 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

Sailor Steve

03-08-17, 11:53 AM

March 8, 1917

German Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin, inventor of the first practical dirigible airship, dies at age 78. Zeppelin had a long and varied career, travelling to the United States in 1863 (age 25) to serve as an observer with the Union Army. After a few months Zeppelin left to explore the rest of America. In St. Paul, Minnesota, he took a ride with German-born balloonist John Steiner. In 1874 Zeppelin began to make notes for the design of a steerable airship. In 1890 Zeppelin left the army and began working full-time, building Luftschiff Zeppelin 1 in 1900.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdinand_von_Zeppelin
http://www.airships.net/airship-people/count-ferdinand-von-zeppelin/

Zeppelin, second from right, with the Union Army in 1863.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Zeppelin%201_zpsmmx5aftr.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Zeppelin%201_zpsmmx5aftr.jpg.html)

First flight of LZ-1, July 2, 1900.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Zeppelin%202_zpsmznlneq1.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Zeppelin%202_zpsmznlneq1.jpg.html)

Air War:
Bulgarian-born German pilot Rudof von Eschwege, still flyin a Fokker E.III over Greece, claims a Nieuport 12 shot down, but it is unconfirmed.

Atlantic Ocean, west of Ireland:
Paul Wagenfür, commanding U-44, sinks two ships roughly 200 miles west of FAstnet:
British freighter SS Dunbarmoor, 3,651 tons, bound from Rosario for Manchester with a load of wheat.
Norwegian sailing ship Silas, travelling in ballast from Bordeaux to Grimstad.
Wagenfür's score is now 17 ships and 52,389 tons.

Ernst Hashagen, in U-62, sinks two ships near the Scilly Isles:
Norwegian freighter SS Storstad, 6,028 tons, carrying a load of maize from Buenos Aires to Rotterdam.
Russian barque Vega, 452 tons, en route from Montego Bay, Jamaica to Fleetwood with a load of logwood.
Hashagen's score is now 11 ships and 10,751 tons.

Portugal:
Wilhelm Marschall, in UC-74, captures Dutch tanker MV Ares, 3,783 tons, carrying a load of benzine from Port Said to Rouen, and sinks her with a torpedo; 40 miles off Cascais. This is his first sinking.

Mediterranean Sea:
Wolfgang Steinbauer, in UB-47, sinks British freighter SS Georgian, 5,088 tons, bringing his score to 16 ships and 77,316 tons.

Durban, South Africa:
HMFM Trent is still coaling, meanwhile stores for HMS Severn are moved ashore. Coaling is finished at 1630, Trent having taken on 964 tons.

United States:
American schooner Frank Pendleton, 1,343 tons, en route from Hampton Roads to New York with a load of coal, is wrecked.

Atlantic Ocean:
Norwegian barque Blanca, 1,581 tons, carrying a load of maize from Buenos Aires to Århus, goes missing and is not heard from again.

Jimbuna

03-09-17, 07:37 AM

9th March 1917

Western Front

French repulse attacks in Champagne and north of Bois des Caurieres.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Passage of Diala forced: British advance on Baghdad.

Russians attack retreating Turks near Sivas (Asia Minor).

Russian scouts advance south-west from Sakis; Sinnah (Persian Kurdistan) captured.

General retreat of Turks in Persia.

Russian troops invite Persian Government to resume possession of towns occupied by Russians in Persia.

Political, etc.

World shortage of wheat foreshadowed by French Chamber.

Lord Devenport sanctions maximum food prices.

Food problem at Petrograd becomes urgent.

Around 200,000 protestors flood the streets of St. Petersburg, demanding the end to the war and overthrow of the Tsar.

Dutch authorities officially notified by Germany that safety is guaranteed for shipping along a strip of North Sea from Holland to Norway.

Ship Losses:

Abeja (United Kingdom) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 20 nautical miles (37 km) south west by south of Start Point (49°53′N 3°42′W) by SM U-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Cavour (Italy) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Ireland (51°15′N 6°55′W) by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Dana (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the North Sea 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) south of Sumburgh Head, Shetland Islands, United Kingdom by SM UC-76 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
East Point (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 9 nautical miles (17 km) east by south of the Eddystone Lighthouse by SM U-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMS Fauvette (Royal Navy) The armed boarding steamer struck a mine and sank in The Downs (51°24′N 1°29′E with the loss of fourteen of her crew.
Inverlogie (United Kingdom) The barque was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 15 nautical miles (28 km) south west of the Smalls Lighthouse by SM U-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Lars Fostenes (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Cork, United Kingdom by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Laurits (Denmark) The schooner was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, United Kingdom by SM UC-43 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Spartan (Norway) The barque was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 75 nautical miles (139 km) south west of the Fastnet Rock (50°26′N 10°45′W) by SM U-61 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Editorial Cartoon: 'We may have to inoculate him' ─ Chicago Tribune.
http://i.imgur.com/lwd30RS.png

Sailor Steve

03-09-17, 03:08 PM

March 9, 1917

Air War:
1030 German pilot Karl Almenröder, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down FE.8 6399 for victory number 2. 2nd Lt R.E. Nave is severely wounded.

1120 German pilot Karl Schäfer, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down FE.8 6379 for victory number 5. 2nd Lt W.B. Hills is taken prisoner.

1120 German pilot Kurt Wolff, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down FE.8 6456 for victory number 2. 2nd Lt Thomas Aloyims Shepard has his controls shot out but manages to land on the German side and is taken prisoner.

1122 Karl Schäfer scores his second victory of the day, shooting down FE.8 4874 for number 6.

1155 German ace Manfred von Richthofen, flying the wounded Hans-Georg Lübbert's Albatros D.II, shoots down DH.2 A2571 for victory number 25. Lt Arthur John Pearson is killed.

1515 German ace Friedrich Mannschott, in an Albatros D.III, destroys a French observation balloon for victory number 11. Observer Maurice Guillotin bails out safely.

Scotland:
Erwin Sebelin, in UC-43, sinks Danish schooner Laurits, 183 tons, bound from Valencia for Copenhagen with a load of oilcake. His score is now 12 ships and 13,314 tons.

Ireland:
British coaster Conisbro' Castle, 192 tons, is wrecked at Medalland Bay, Ireland.

Celtic Deep:
Otto Wünsche, in U-70, captures British barque Inverlogie, 2,347 tons, en route from Barry to Archangelsk with a load of coal, and sinks her with a torpedo; off the Smalls Lighthouse. His score is now 44 ships and 61,724 tons.

Celtic Sea:
Victor Dieckmann, in U-63, stops Norwegian barque Spartan, 2,287 tons, heading from New York tp Liverpool with a load of petroleum, and sinks her with a torpedo. His score is now 12 ships and 13,585 tons.

Hans Rose, in U-53, sinks two Allied ships:
Italian freighter SS Cavour, 1,929 tons, steaming from Clyde to Genoa with a load of coal.
Norwegian freighter SS Lars Fostenes, 2,118 tons, carrying a general cargo from New York to Rotterdam.
His score is now 23 ships and 49,440 tons.

English Channel:
Berndt Buß, in U-48, sinks two ships:
British schooner Abeja, 174 tons, travelling in ballast from Granville to Fowey, is sunk with the deck gun 20 miles southwest of Start Point.
British freighter SS East Point, 5,234 tons, en route from London to Philadelphia with a general cargo. U-48 torpedoes East Point off the Eddystone Lighthouse. The ship will later sink, with no casualties, but for now continues on her way. Buß returns to periscope depth and U-48 is rammed in the conning tower by East Point, apparently accidentally. The conning tower hatch is forced open and the torpedo officer and one sailor drop into the control room. Buß and Steuermann Adolf Bergmann are both rendered unconscious and nothing can be done as the sea is pouring into the control room. The lower hatch is sealed and the two offiers ane drowned when the boat sinks and the conning tower floods. U-48 sinks out of control and hits bottom at 70 metres. After some repairs the crew, now led by Oberleutnant zur See der Reserve Hinrich Hermann Hashagen, manage to get her to 50 metres. In the evening they surface and make repairs as best they can. Berndt Buß and Adolf Bergmann are buried at sea. On a test dive it is discovered that the conning tower is still flooding, but at a slow enough rate that the boat is controllable under water. The voyage home is begun.
Buß' final score is 21 ships and 52,613 tons.

North Sea:
British destroyer HMS Albacore, 440 tons, hits a mine laid by Kurt Tebbenjohanns in UC-44. The damaged ship makes port and is repaired.

Wilhelm Barten, in UC-76, sinks British freighter SS Dana, 753 tons, carrying a load of condensed milk from Christiania to Hull, off Sumbrough Head in the Shetland Islands. His score is now 3 ships and 1,241 tons.

Durban, South Africa:
No sooner is HFMF Trent back in harbour than one of her crew deserts. Meanwhile the local police return two other deserters and arrest two more men. At 1047 Trent is dispatched to aid SS Baron Minto, which has run afoul of the lighter which was lost and believed sunk four days earlier.

Australia:
Australian trawler Dunskey, 34 tons, en route from Albany to Nornalup with a load of supplies, is lot off Wilson's Inlet. All 7 crew are rescued.

Atlantic Ocean:
British brig Maggie Belle, 134 tons, is lost to a fire in Lombo Gordo, in the Azores.

Jimbuna

03-10-17, 08:02 AM

10th March 1917

Western Front

British capture Irles (Ancre); 292 prisoners.

Eastern Front

Romanians and Russians counter-attack to regain Magyaros Ridge (Moldavia) lost on 8 March.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Turks forced back to within three miles of Baghdad.

Naval

German submarine SM UC-43, which is credited with sinking 13 ships during her career, is sunk by the HMS G13 with loss of all hands.

Political, etc.

Tsar Nicholas II orders the Petrograd garrison to disperse the “impermissible” riots and crowds with rifle fire.

Due to strikes and demonstrations, most of the industries in Petrograd (St. Petersburg) come to a halt.

President Wilson orders the U.S. Navy Department to begin arming merchant ships to protect them from submarines.

Canada bans women and children from traveling on ships that would pass through areas where submarines are active.

Ship Losses:

Algol (Norway) The coaster was shelled and sunk in the North Sea east of the Shetland Islands, United Kingdom (60°20′N 0°50′E) by SM U-81 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her eighteen crew took to the lifeboats but were not rescued.
Asbjørn (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 13 nautical miles (24 km) north north west of Ouessant, Finistère, France by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Angola (Portugal) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 112 nautical miles (207 km) south west of the Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom by SM U-61 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Esmereldas (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 420 nautical miles (780 km) west of Lisbon, Portugal by SMS Möwe ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew were taken as prisoners of war.
Guglielmotti (Italian Royal Navy) On her maiden voyage, the Pacinotti'-class submarine was sunk in the Ligurian Sea northwest of Capraia by gunfire and ramming by the sloop HMS Cyclamen ( Royal Navy) after Cyclamen mistook her for a German submarine.
James Burton Cook (United Kingdom) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 25 nautical miles (46 km) south south east of Málaga, Spain by SM UC-74 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Marie (France) The schooner was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 15 nautical miles (28 km) north of the Seven Stones reef by SM U-62 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Mediterranean (United Kingdom) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 13 nautical miles (24 km) south of Hook Point, County Waterford by SM U-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Otaki (United Kingdom) The refrigerated cargo liner was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 420 nautical miles (780 km) west of Lisbon by SMS Möwe ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of six of her crew. Survivors were taken as prisoners of war. Her captain was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for his action in attacking Möwe.
Skreien (Norway) The coaster was scuttled in the North Sea 60 nautical miles (110 km) east of Lerwick, Shetland Islands by SM U-81 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of five of her crew.
T. Crowley (United Kingdom) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 12 nautical miles (22 km) south of Hook Point by SM U-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
SM UC-43 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UC II submarine was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea north of Muckle Flugga, Shetland Islands, United Kingdom (60°57′N 1°11′W) by HMS G13 ( Royal Navy) with the loss of all 26 crew.

August

03-10-17, 10:39 AM

100 years ago today my great grandfathers unit, the 8th Bavarian Infantry Regiment was pulled off the Somme front and sent to a rest camp behind the lines. They will stay there until the beginning of April where they will take positions on the line at the northern end of Vimy Ridge.

Sailor Steve

03-10-17, 03:30 PM

March 10, 1917

Air War:
British 5-kill ace Ernest Foot takes command of No. 56 Squadron, but never gets to excersize that command. On that very night he is injured in car crash, ending his combat career. Foot will serve out the war as a flying instructer. After the war he will become a commercial pilot for Handley Page Transport, the become a test pilot for Bristol. Foot will die in an air race on June 23, 1923.

1630 German pilot Bruno Loerzer, flying an Albatros D.II, shoots down a SPAD VII for victory number 4. French Captain Maurice Mandinaud is killed.

German pilot Robert Dycke, possibly in an Albatros D.II, shoots down a French balloon for victory number 1.

North Atlantic Ocean, west of Ireland:
Paul Wagenfür, commanding U-44, attacks British freighter SS Aracataca, 4,154 tons, bound from Port Limon for Garston with a general cargo, with his deck gun. The damaged ship makes port safely.

Ireland:
Hans Rose, in U-53, attacks Russian schooner Sviatoi Theodor, 126 tons, with his deck gun. The damaged ship makes port safely.

Otto Wünsche, in U-70, sinks two British schooners with his deck gun near Hook Head, Wexford.
Mediterranean, 105 tons travelling from Newport to Schull with a load of coal.
T. Crowley, 97 tons, en route from Cardiff to Kinsale with a load of coal.
Wünsche's score is now 46 vessels and 61,926 tons.

Scotland:
Alfred von Glasenapp, in U-80, torpedoes British tanker SS San Eduardo, carrying a load of oil from Port Arthur to Liverpool, off Stornoway. The damaged ship makes port safely.

Celtic Sea:
Victor Dieckmann, in U-61, sinks Portuguese freighter SS Angola, 4,297 tons, carrying a load of coal from Cardiff to Lisbon, just off the west end of the Channel. His score is now 13 ships and 17,882 tons.

Ernst Hashagen, in U-62, sinks French sailing ship Marie, 127 tons, near Seven Stones reef in the Scilly Isles. The vessel is listed as missing, and none of the crew are ever found. His score is now 12 ships and 10,878 tons.

Reinhold Saltzwedel, in UC-21, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Asbjørn, 3,459 tons, north of Ushant. His score is now 45 ships and 66,036 tons.

Irish Sea:
British freighter SS Polandia, 2,238 tons, sets out from Birkenhead with a load of government supplies for Cherbourg, and is not heard from again. Twenty-five lives lost.

North Sea:
Raimund Weisbach, in U-81, sinks two Norwegian freighters east of the Shetland Islands:
SS Algol, 988 tons, bound from Newcastle for Bergen with a load of coal; deck gun.
SS Skreien, 415 tons, carrying a general cargo from Bergen to Rouen; scuttled.
Weisbach's score is now 18 ships and 49,860 tons.

British submarine G-13 torpedoes German U-boat UC-43 off Muckle Flugga Lighthouse, Shetland Islands. 25 lost, including her captain Erwin Sebelin, no survivors.

Alboran Sea:
Wilhelm Marschall, in UC-74, stops British schooner James Burton Cook, 133 tons, travelling in ballast from Malaga to Cadiz, and sinks her with his deck gun; off Malaga. his score is now 2 ships and 3,916 tons.

Tyrhennian Sea:
Italian submarine Guglielmotti, 710 tons, on her maiden voyage, encounters a British convoy east of Corsica. The submarine is mistaken for a German U-Boat, and is rammed and sunk by sloop Cyclamen.

South Africa:
In the dark, after several hours of radio communications, HMFM Trent finds SS Baron Minto at 0400 hours.Baron Minto reports that everything is alright, and the freighter heads toward Durban while Trent heads northward toward German East Africa.

United States:
Americna wooden Great Lakes freighter SS Pere Marquette no.5, 1,722 tons, en route from St. John's, Newfoundland to New York with a load of pulp and herring, founters off Nauset Beach, Massachusetts.

Atlantic Ocean:
German raider SMS Möwe sinks two British freighters west of the Azores:
SS Esmereldas, 4,491 tons, travelling to Baltimore to pick up horses for the British aremy.
SS Otaki, 7,420 tons, which tries to defend herself with her on 4.7" gun.

Jimbuna

03-11-17, 08:47 AM

11th March 1917

Western Front

Continuous air fighting; loss of 26 Allied and enemy machines reported.

Eastern Front

Russian gas attack east of Mitau.

Southern Front

Spring campaign in Mesopotamia begins: Allies attack north and north-west of Monastir.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British forces successfully capture the city of Baghdad. More than 9000 Ottoman soldiers are captured during the battle.

Cavalry occupy Kazimain, four miles north.

Political, etc.

Strikers' food demonstrations and rioting increase in Petrograd; Government agrees to hand over good question to local bodies.

Fourth Company of the Pavlovski Replacement Regiment becomes the first military unit to mutiny in Petrograd, but are quickly disarmed.

Chinese Congress votes overwhelmingly to cut off diplomatic ties with Germany due to its unrestricted submarine warfare.

Sugar-cards in Paris.

Ship Losses:

Charles Le Cour (France) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 7 nautical miles (13 km) north north east of the Pendeen Lighthouse, Cornwall, United Kingdom (50°16′N 5°36′W) by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Folia (United Kingdom) The cargo liner was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) east south east of Ram Head by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of seven crew.
G. A. Savage (United Kingdom) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Pendeen Point, Cornwall by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of all nine crew.
Gracia (Spain) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) south of Ballycotton, County Cork, United Kingdom by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Horngarth (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 220 nautical miles (410 km) east north east of the St Paul Rocks, Brazil by SMS Seeadler ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Kwasind (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 4 (Georg Reimarus) and sank in the North Sea off Southwold, Suffolk (52°08′N 1°45′E) with the loss of twelve of her crew.
Thrift (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 15 nautical miles (28 km) west of Trevose Head, Cornwall (50°30′N 5°24′W) by SM U-62 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Wordsworth (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Indian Ocean 680 nautical miles (1,260 km) west of Mahé, Seychelles by SMS Wolf ( Kaiserliche Marine).

Sailor Steve

03-11-17, 11:11 PM

March 11, 1917

Air War:
1000 German ace Werner Voss, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down FE.2b 7685 for victory number 14. With controls shot away and engine out Lt Leslie Beal crashes unharmed on his own side of the lines. AM2 F.G. Davin is wounded in the thigh. Beal and Davin were shot down by Renatus Theiller one week earlier, on March 4, but also landed in safe territory.

1005 Scottish RFC pilot Arthur Randall, in DH.2 A2548, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 2. No details.

1020 German pilot Friederich Weitz shoots down Nieuport 17 2341 for victory number 3. Lt Maus of Esc. N49 is killed. Weitz lands to examine his kill. When German troops turn the plane over, the gun goes off, wounding Weitz. He dies the next day.

1105 German pilot Adolf Schulte, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down an FE.2d for victory number 4. Details unknown.

1120 German pilot Constantin Krefft, probably in an Albatros D.III, shoots down an FE.8 for victory number 1. Details unknown.

1120 German ace Karl Schäfer, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down a BE.2c for victory number 7. Details unknown.

1140 German pilot Friedrich Hengst, in a two-seater with a Ltn Criege as observer, shoots down FE.2b A5443 for victory number 1. 2nd Lt C.A. Holden and AM2 A.G. Walker are taken prisoner.

1145 Canadian observer James Smith, riding in FE.2b 4984 with a Lt H.A.R. Bousted ast pilot, shoots down an Albatros D.II for victory number 2.

1150 German ace Manfred von Richthofen, in a Halberstadt D.II, shoots down BE.2d 6232 for victory number 26. 2nd Lts James Smyth and Edward Byrne are both killed.

1200 German ace Hartmuth Baldamus, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a "Voisin" for victory number 13. His likely victim is actually a Farman F.40, Cpt Paul Rochard and SLt Henri Litaud both missing.

1200 Lt Bousted and James Smith score a second victory for the day, another Albatros D.II. This is Smith's 3rd.

1215 German pilot Paul Strähle, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down Sopwith 1½ Strutter A1082 for victory number 2. Cpt E.F.P. Lubbock and J. Thompson are both killed.

1217 German pilot Josef Flink, in Albatros D.III 1942/16, shoots down a Sopwith 1½ Strutter for victory number 2.

1240 German ace Hermann Pfeiffer, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down a Caudron for victory number 9.

1245 German pilot Heinrich Gontermann, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down FE.2b A5475 for victory number 3. 2nd Lt H.M. Headley and Sgt H.S. Burgess are both killed.

1245 German pilot Edmund Nathanael, flying an Albatros, shoots down FE.2b 7713 for victory number 2. Cpt C.A.R. Shum and 2nd Lt F.C. Coops both taken prisoner.

1250 German pilot Wilhelm Cymera, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down an FE.2b for victory number 3.

1430 German ace Walter von Bülow-Bothkamp, in an Albatros D.III, destroys a British observation balloon. Lts T.G. Bolitho and R.P. Sewell are unharmed.

1430 Werner Voss scores his second kill of the day, shooting down Nieuport 17 A279 for victory number 15. Arthur Darley Whitehead is severely wounded and taken prisoner.

1435 German pilot Heinz Kammandel, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a BE.2d for victory number 1.

German pilot Fritz Kosmahl, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down an FE.2b for victory number 5.

German pilot Alfred Niederhoff shoots down Sopwith 1½ Strutter for victory number 1. Details are unknown, but a French Strutter from Escadrille F.54 went missing this day, with Adj Auguste Robin and Lt Marie Barbot. Also unknown is what type of aircraft Jasta 20 was flying at this time.

Ireland:
Hans Rose, in U-53, sinks two ships off the south coast:
British freighter SS Folia, 6,705 tons, bound from New York for Avonmouth with a general cargo.
Spanish freighter SS Gracia, 3,129 tons, travelling from Liverpool to Havana with a general cargo.
Rose's score is now 26 ships and 61,400 tons.

Cornwall:
Ernst Hashagen, in U-62, uses his deck gun to sink British fishing smack Thrift, 40 tons, off Trevose Head. His score is now 13 vessels and 10,918 tons.

Paul Hundius, in UC-47, sinks two ships off Pendeen Lighthouse:
French freighter SS Charles Le Cour, 2,352 tons, en route from Cardiff to Nantes with a load of coal.
British coaster SS G.A. Savage, 357 tons, carrying a load of pitch from Workington to Swansea.
Hundius' score is now 17 ships and 24,796 tons.

English Channel:
Herbert Pustkuchen, in UC-66, attacks Q-Ship HMS Bayard, 220 tons, with his deck gun. Bayard suffers two men wounded, and does not have enough firepower to endanger UC-66. U-Boat and Q-Ship both escape.

North Sea:
British freighter SS Kwasind, 2,211 tons, carrying a load of iron ore from Bilbao to Hartlepool, hits a mine laid by Georg Reimarus in UC-4 off Southwold. His score is now 6 ships and 4,592 tons.

Jimbuna

03-12-17, 10:07 AM

12th March 1917

Western Front

French gain ground in eastern Champagne.

British raid near Arras.

Soissons bombarded with incendiary shells.

Eastern Front

Successful German raids near Zloczow-Tarnopol railway, near Brzezany and on Narakowka (Galicia).

Southern Front

British advance on Doiran front.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Italians occupy Bukamez (west of Tripoli).

Naval and Overseas Operations

American steamer "Algonquin" torpedoed without warning.

Political, etc.

Tsar orders suspension of Duma and Council of the Empire. Three Guard and several line regiments join Parliamentary party.

Russian Revolution begins: Provisional Government formed.

Canada's third War Loan launched.

U.S. State Department rules that merchant vessels armed fore and aft may clear from U.S. ports.

Ship Losses:

Algonquin (United States) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 65 nautical miles (120 km) west of the Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom (49°39′N 7°51′W) by SM U-62 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Alice Charles (France) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the Bay of Biscay off the Gironde Estuary by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
HMS Ambient (Royal Navy) The collier struck a mine laid by UC 4 (Georg Reimarus) and sank in the North Sea 7 nautical miles (13 km) north west of the Shipwash Lightship ( United Kingdom) (52°08′N 1°46′E). Her crew survived.
Aréthuse (France) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the Bay of Biscay off the Gironde Estuary by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Bilswood (United Kingdom) The collier struck a mine laid by U 73 (Gustav Sieß) and sank in the Mediterranean Sea 8 nautical miles (15 km) off Alexandria, Egypt. Her crew survived.
Collingwood (Norway) The barque was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of the Isles of Scilly (49°13′N 9°39′W) by SM U-62 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
C.A.S. (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 12 nautical miles (22 km) north north west of Trevose Head, Cornwall (50°46′N 5°10′W) by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMS E49 (Royal Navy) The E-class submarine struck a mine and sank off the Shetland Islands with the loss of all 30 crew.
Einar Jarl (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) east south east of Start Point, Devon, United Kingdom by SM UC-66 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Ena (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 10 nautical miles (19 km) north by west of Trevose Head (50°42′N 5°05′W) by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Forget-Me-Not (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was sunk in the English Channel 12 nautical miles (22 km) south west of Portland Bill, Dorset by SM UC-66 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Glynymel (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was shelled and scuttled in the English Channel 23 nautical miles (43 km) south by west of St. Catherine's Point, Isle of Wight (50°12′N 1°11′W) by SM UC-66 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Gracia (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 12 nautical miles (22 km) north north west of Trevose Head (50°44′N 5°07′W) by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Guerveur (France) The barque was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 84 nautical miles (156 km) of Tory Island, County Donegal, United Kingdom (55°42′N 10°52′W) by SM U-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Hainaut (Italy) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of Ireland (52°05′N 11°30′W) by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Hyacinth (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 15 nautical miles (28 km) north by west of Trevose Head (50°47′N 5°10′W) by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Inter-nos (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 12 nautical miles (22 km) north north west of Trevose Head (50°44′N 5°07′W)) by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Jessamine (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 14 nautical miles (26 km) north north west of Trevose Head (50°46′N 5°08′W) by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Jules Gommes (France) The schooner was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 60 nautical miles (110 km) west of the Isles of Scilly (49°10′N 8°50′W) by SM U-62 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Lent Lily (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 13 nautical miles (24 km) north north west of Trevose Head (50°45′N 5°09′W) by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Lucy Anderson (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 55 nautical miles (102 km) east south east of Noss, Shetland Islands (58°27′N 1°18′W) by SM UC-44 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Marna (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the North Sea 60 nautical miles (110 km) north east of Kinnaird Head, Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom by SM UC-44 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Memnon (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 20 nautical miles (37 km) south west of Portland Bill (50°15′N 2°48′W) by SM UC-66 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of six of her crew.
Nellie (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 13 nautical miles (24 km) north by west of Trevose Head (50°45′N 5°09′W) by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Nina M. (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Malta (36°27′N 14°33′E) by SM U-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Pontypridd (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 4 (Georg Reimarus) and sank in the North Sea off Aldeburgh, Suffolk (52°08′N 1°46′E) with the loss of three of her crew.
Proverb (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 25 nautical miles (46 km) north west of Trevose Head (50°47′N 5°35′W) by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Reindeer (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the English Channel 15 nautical miles (28 km) south east of Berry Head, Devon by SM UC-66 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Rivina (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 15 nautical miles (28 km) north north west of Trevose Head (50°47′N 5°10′W) by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMS Skate (Royal Navy) The Admiralty R-class destroyer was torpedoed and damaged in the North Sea off the Maas Lightship ( Netherlands) by SM UC-69 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member. She was repaired and returned to service.
Tandil (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 20 nautical miles (37 km) west by north of Portland Bill (49°36′N 2°57′W) by SM UC-68 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four of her crew.
Thode Fagelund (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea off the Noord Hinder Lightship ( Netherlands) (51°40′N 2°58′E) by SM UB-27 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Topaz (United Kingdom) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 27 nautical miles (50 km) east by north of Cape Barfleur, Manche, France (49°50′N 0°40′W) by SM UB-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three of her crew.

Sailor Steve

03-12-17, 10:28 PM

March 12, 1917

North of Ireland:
After losing her captain and navigator three days earlier, the damaged U-48 is on her way home under the command of her First Officer, Hinrich Hermann Hashagen, when they come across French barque Guerveur, 2,596 tons, bound from Clyde to New Caledonia with a load of coal, west of Tory Island. After allowing the crew to abandon ship, Hashagen sinks her with his deck gun. This is his first sinking as a captain.

West of Ireland:
Hans Rose, commanding U-53, sinks Belgian freighter SS Hainut, 4,113 tons, en route from New York to Calais with an unspecified cargo. His score is now 27 ships and 65,513 tons.

Cornwall:
Paul Hundius, in UC-47, attacks and scuttles a British fishing fleet off Trevose Head:
C.A.S., 60 tons.
Ena, 56 tons.
Gratia, 37 tons.
Hyacinth, 56 tons.
Inter-nos, 59 tons.
Jessamine, 56 tons.
Lent Lilly, 23 tons.
Nellie, 61 tons.
Proverb, 37 tons.
Rivina, 22 tons.
Hundius' score is now 27 vessels and 25,243 tons.

Celtic Sea:
Ernst Hashagen, in U-62, sinks three ships west of Bishop Rock:
American freighter SS Algonquin, 1,806 tons, carrying a general cargo from New York to London.
Norwegian freighter SS Collingwood, 1,042 tons, en route from Rosario to Kristiania with a load of maize.
French sailing ship Jules Gommes, 2,595 tons, travelling in ballast from Ipswich to Bahia Blanca.
Hashagen's score is now 16 ships and 16,361 tons.

Otto Wünsche, in U-70, torpedoes British tanker SS Winnebago, 4,666 tons, travelling from Bato Rouge to Brest with a load of fuel oil, north of Bishop Rock. The damaged ship manages to make safe port.

English Channel:
Claus Lafrenz, in UB-18, sinks British freighter SS Topaz, 696 tons, travelling in ballast from Honfleur to Port Talbot. His score is now 36 ships and 36,369 tons.

Herbert Pustkuchen, in UC-66, sinks five vessels:
Norwegian freighter SS Einar Jarl, 1,849 tons, travelling in ballast from London to Fowey; sunk off Start Point.
British fishing smack Forget-Me-Not, 40 tons, scuttled off Portland Bill.
British freighter SS Glynymel, 1,394 tons, travelling in ballast from Le Havre to Swansea; attacked with the gun, abandoned and then scuttled off St. Catherine's Point.
British freighter SS Memnon, 3,203 tons, out of Western Africa for Hull with a general cargo; sunk off Portland Bill.
British fishing smack Reindeer, 52 tons, scuttled off Berry Head.
Pustkuchen's score is now 70 vessels and 91,598 tons.

Hans Degetau, in UC-68, torpedoes British freighter SS Tandil, 2,897 tons, travelling from Barry to Porland with a load of coal. His score is now 2 ships and 3,359 tons.
Degetau also attacks Q-Ship HMS Privet with his deck gun. Privet reports sinking the U-Boat, but UC-68 escapes unharmed. Originally this was reported to be U-85, which disappeared after March 7th.

North Sea:
British freighter SS Ambient, 1,517 tons, en route from Sunderland to Dunkerque with a load of coal, hits a mine laid by Georg Reimarus in UC-4 off the Shipwash Lightship.
British freighter SS Pontypridd, 1,556 tons, carrying a load of coal from Tyne to London, hits a mine laid by Reimarus off Aldeburgh Napes.
Reimarus' score is now 8 ships and 7,665 tons.

Hans Georg Lübbe, in UB-27, stops and scuttles Norwegian freighter SS Thode Fagelund, 4,352 tons, heading from Shanghai to Rotterdam with a load of Sesame Seed. This is Lübbe's first sinking.

Kurt Tebbenjohanns, in UC-44, sinks two ships southeast of the Orkney Islands:
Britiah freighter SS Lucy Anderson, 1,073 tons, carrying a load of coal from Hartlepool to Göteborg.
Norwegian freighter SS Marna, 914 tons, en route from Leith to West Norway with a general carto.
Tebbenjohanns' score is now 11 ships and 11,270 tons.

Erwin Waßner, in UC-69, torpedoes British destroyer HMS Skate, 975 tons. The crippled ship makes it safely to port.

British submarine E-49 hits a mine laid by Wilhelm Barten in UC-76 off Huney Island, in the Shetlands. Barten's score is now 4 ships and 1,966 tons.

UB-6 (Oskar Steckelberg) runs aground near the Maas River. The boat is interned at Hellevoetsluis.

Bay of Biscay:
Reinhold Saltzwedel, in UC-21, sinks two French fishing boats off the entrance to the Gironde River:
Alice Charles, 41 tons.
Arthuse, 40 tons.
Saltzwedel's score is now 47 vessels and 66,117 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Robert Moraht, in U-64, sinks Italian sailing vessel Nina M., 117 tons, off Malta, bringing his score to 9 ships and 17,772 tons.

British freighter SS Bilswood, 3,097 tons, carrying a load of coal from Hull to Alexandria, hits a mine laid off Alexandria by Gustav Seiß in U-73. His score is now 16 ships and 111.138 tons.

Jimbuna

03-13-17, 04:23 PM

13th March 1917

Western Front

British occupy Loupart Wood and Grevillers, 1.5 miles from Bapaume.

Enemy abandons ground east and north-east of Gommecourt.

Lively fighting north-east of Soissons.

Germans fail to retake Hill 185.

Fighting in St. Mihiel region (south-east of Verdun).

Eastern Front

Bulgarians bombard Galatz from the Danube.

Southern Front

Field hospitals at Vertekop (Serbia) bombed: two British nurses and others killed.

British line south-west of Doiran advanced 1,000 yards.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Russians take Kermanshah (Persia) after two days' fighting.

Another column approaches Bana (140 miles north-west of Kermanshah).

British 30 miles north of Baghdad.

Aviation

Despite losing more airplanes than the Germans, British government declares it is confident it can win air supremacy.

Naval

German submarine SM UC-68, credited with sinking two ships, is sunk by its own mine, resulting in loss of all hands.

Political, etc.

The explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, while speaking in Sydney, states he seeks war service, as all able-bodied Britons should fight.

Political crisis in France grows serious, as the Opposition Party refuses to vote due to disagreements with PM Briand on military decisions.

General Smuts sworn of the Privy Council.

Statement on mastery of air in House of Commons.

Government intends to stand by new Indian cotton duties.

New York City mayor urges its citizens to sign a declaration of “unconditional loyalty” to the United States.

Impending cabinet crisis in Austria.

Revolutionary movement at Petrograd continues. Tsar Nicholas II leaves the front and attempts to enter Petrograd, but is unable to enter the city due to revolutionaries controlling the city.

China breaks off relations with Germany.

Ship Losses:

Alma (Russia) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Wexford, United Kingdom (approximately 51°35′N 7°35′W) by SM U-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Comrades (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was shelled and sunk in the North Sea off the coast of Norfolk by SM UB-32 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Coronda (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 180 nautical miles (330 km) west of Tory Island, County Donegal (56°11′N 13°40′W) by SM U-81 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of nine crew.
Dag (Sweden) The schooner was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean south of the Fastnet Rock[137] (49°18′N 9°28′W) by SM U-62 ( Kaiserliche Marine). All ten people on board survived.
Demeterton (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 730 nautical miles (1,350 km) east by north of Cape Race, Newfoundland by SMS Möwe ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew were taken as prisoners of war.
De Tien Kinders (Belgium) The fishing vessel was sunk in the North Sea off the coast of Norfolk by SM UB-32 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Elisabeth (French Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UB 12 (Ernst Steindorff) and sank in the English Channel off Calais, Pas-de-Calais (51°01′N 1°52′E).
Elizabeth Eleanor (United Kingdom) The three-masted schooner was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 77 nautical miles (143 km) north west of Trevose Head, Cornwall (50°47′N 6°58′W) by SM U-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Girda (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off the Île d'Oléron, Charente-Maritime, France by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Gold Seeker (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was shelled and sunk in the North Sea off the coast of Norfolk by SM UB-32 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
La Campine (Netherlands) The tanker was captured and sunk in the North Sea (56°00′N 4°57′E) by SM UC-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Luciline (United Kingdom) The tanker was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean off Tearaght Island, County Kerry by SM U-61 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was beached but was later refloated.
Navenby (United Kingdom) The trawler was scuttled in the North Sea 85 nautical miles (157 km) east of Rattray Head, Aberdeenshire by SM UC-44 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Northwaite (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off the Blasket Islands, County Kerry (52°11′N 11°07′W) by SM U-61 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Norwegian (Norway) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 43 (Erwin Sebelin) and sank in the Atlantic Ocean 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) south west of Seven Heads, Clonakilty, County Cork, United Kingdom with the loss of five of her crew.
Pera (Russia) The full-rigged ship was scuttled in St. George's Channel (50°50′N 7°00′W) by SM U-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Reward (United Kingdom) The three-masted schooner was shelled and sunk in the English Channel south of Start Point, Cornwall (49°55′N 3°15′W) by SM UC-72 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of all hands.
Try (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 10 nautical miles (19 km) south of the Wolf Rock, Cornwall (49°52′N 5°46′W) by SM UC-66 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
SM UC-68 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UC II submarine was sunk by the detonation of one of her own mines off Start Point, Cornwall, United Kingdom with the loss of all 26 crew.
Vivina (Spain) The cargo ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay 12 nautical miles (22 km) off the Île d'Oléron by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMS Warner (Royal Navy) The Q-ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of Ireland (52°20′N 11°00′W) by SM U-61 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eleven crew.

Sailor Steve

03-13-17, 07:54 PM

March 13, 1917

Ireland:
Victor Dieckmann, commanding U-61, sinks two ship just off the west coast:
British freighter SS Northwaite, 3,626 tons, bound from Sfax for Dublin with a load of phosphate.
British Q-Ship HMS Warner, 1,273 tons, torpedoed at 0845. The ship sinks in just a few minutes. One lifeboat drifts away, and the other is sucked down with the ship. The captain, navigator and three sailors are taken aboard U-61 as prisoners. At 1300 British submarine D-3 rescues several of the crew, but 11 were lost.
Later in the day U-61 torpedoes British tanker SS Luciline, 3,765 tons, en route from New York to Le Havre with a load of naphtha, but the damaged ship is beached and later refloated.
Dieckmann's score is now 15 ships and 22,781 tons.

Otto Wünsche, in U-70, sinks three ships off the south coast:
Russian schooner Alma, 335 tons, en route from Faro to Liverpool with a load of locust beans; sunk by deck gun off Wexford.
British schooner Elizabeth Eleanor, 169 tons, carrying a load of iron ore from Malaga to Bristol; sunk by deck gun off Trevose Head.
Russian sailing ship Pera, 1,737 tons, travelling from Rosario to Swansea with a load of Maize. Pera was stopped on the 12th, and the crew abandoned ship. U-70 then spotted British freighter Winnebago, chased her down and torpedoed her. Winnebago survived, and on the 13th U-70 comes across Pera again, now drifting unmanned, and scuttles the empty ship.
Wünsche's score is now 49 ships and 64,167 tons.

British freighter SS Norwegian, 6,237 tons, carrying a general cargo from New York to Liverpool, hits a mine laid by Erwin Sebelin in UC-43 off Clonalkitty Bay, on the coast of County Cork. His score is now 13 ships and 19,551 tons.

North of Ireland:
Raimund Weisbach, in U-81, sinks Britssh freighter SS Coronda, 2,733 tons, en route from Clyde to South Georgia with a general cargo. His score is now 19 ships and 52,593 tons.

Celtic Sea:
Ernst Hashagen, in U-62, stops and scuttles Swedish sailing ship Dag, 250 tons, carrying a load of logwood from Laguna to Queenstown; off Fastnet. His score is now 17 ships and 16,611 tons.

English Channel:
French Naval Trawler Elisabeth, 302 tons, hits a mine laid by Ernst Steindorff in UB-12 off Calais. This is Steindorff's first sinking.

Herbert Pustkuchen, in UC-66, sinks British fishing smack Try, 34 tons, with his deck gun. His core is now 71 vessels and 91,632 tons.

Ernst Voigt, now commanding UC-72, uses his deck gun to sink British schooner Reward, 172 tons, en route from Falmouth to Guernsey with a load of coal. Hia score is now 40 ships and 13,071 tons.

UC-68, commanded by Hans Degetau, goes missing. Previously recorded as having been blown up by one of her own mines, her fate is now listed as "unknown".

North Sea:
Max Viebeg, in UB-32, sinks three fishing vessels off Smith's Knoll, Norfolk:
Comrades, British, 58 tons, deck gun.
De Tien Kinders, Dutch, 44 tons, deck gun.
Gold Seeker, British, 62 tons, deck gun.
Vieberg's score is now 7 vessels and 1,695 tons.

Reinhold Saltzwedel, in UC-21, sinks two ships off the Ile d’Oleron, near La Rochelle:
Norwegian freighter SS Girda, 1,824 tons, carrying a load of coal from Glasgow to La Pallice.
Spanish freighter SS Vivina, 3,034 tons, en route from Newport, Wales to Horta with a load of coal.
Saltzwedel's score is now 49 ships and 70,975 tons.

Kurt Tebbenjohanns, in UC-44, captures two British trawlers near Rattray Head, in the north of Scotland:
Navenby, 167 tons; scuttled.
Nuttallia, 229 tons, taken as a prize.
Tebbenjohanns' score is now 13 vessels and 11,666 tons.

Rudolf Seuffer, in UC-50, begins his career with the sinking of Dutch tanker SS La Campine, 2,557 tons, travelling in ballast from Rotterdam to New York.

Jimbuna

03-14-17, 02:41 PM

14th March 1917

Western Front

British advance west and south-west of Bapaume and south of Achiet-le-Petit (Ancre).

Progress towards Les Essarts on extreme left.

Southern Front

Monastir front lively: Austrians attack west and Italians advance east of town.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British 35 miles north-east of Baghdad.

Fighting on west bank of Tigris.

Turks hurrying north to position at Mushaidiya (20 miles north of Baghdad).

Naval

Crew of the German merchant raider SMS Möwe returns from their 2nd raiding voyage, having sunk or captured 25 ships.
http://i.imgur.com/WPgO2hs.jpg

Political, etc.

The U.S. considers quickly building 1000 small wooden ships for transatlantic trade to defeat the German submarine threat.

“The Mail” reports that British beer restrictions will mean 30,000 pubs may be forced to close.

Chinese government severs diplomatic relations with Germany. German merchant ships in Shanghai are seized by China.

Soldiers guarding the Alexander Palace in Tsarskoe Selo abandon their posts and leave the Russian royal family.

Petrograd Soviet Order No. 1 is issued, ordering soldiers to obey their officers as long as it did not contradict the Petrograd Soviet.

Moscow, Kharkov and Odessa declare for Provisional Government; Grand Duke Cyril with his sailors place them under M. Rozianko's orders.

German minister at Pekin handed his passports.

General Lyautey, French Minister of War, resigns.

India restricts the emigration of labor except to Ceylon and Malay State in order to conserve its workforce for the war effort.

Ship Losses:

Aquila (Norway) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of the Orkney Islands, United Kingdom by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Blåmanden (Norway) The coaster was shelled and sunk in the Bay of Biscay 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) east of the Île du Pilier, Vendée (47°01′N 2°27′W) by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Bray Head (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 375 nautical miles (694 km) north west by west of the Fastnet Rock (52°04′N 18°50′W) by SM U-44 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 21 crew.
Brika (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in St. George's Channel 13 nautical miles (24 km) south east by south of the Coningbeg Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
Davanger (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 40 nautical miles (74 km) west north west of Hoek van Holland, South Holland, Netherlands by SM UB-27 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Governor (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 930 nautical miles (1,720 km) west of the Fastnet Rock by SMS Möwe ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four of her crew. The survivors were taken as prisoners of war.
La Marne (France) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Bay of Biscay by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Orsova (United Kingdom) The ocean liner struck a mine laid by UC 68 (Hans Degetau) and was damaged in the Atlantic Ocean off the Eddystone Lighthouse with the loss of eight lives. She was beached but was later refloated.
Paignton (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 40 nautical miles (74 km) north west of the Skellig Islands, County Kerry (52°01′N 11°29′W) by SM U-81 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Rose Lea (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 230 nautical miles (430 km) west of the Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly (48°45′N 12°08′W) by SM U-62 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Storaas (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 160 nautical miles (300 km) south west of Lista, Vest-Agder (55°30′N 2°55′E) by SM UC-29 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Sailor Steve

03-14-17, 02:57 PM

March 14, 1917

Atlantic Ocean, far west of Ireland:
Paul Wagenfür, commanding U-44, sinks British freighter SS Bray Head, 3,077 tons, bound from St. John, New Brunswick for Belfast with a general cargo. His score is now 18 ships and 55,466 tons.

Ireland:
Raimund Weisbach, in U-81, sinks British freighter SS Paignton, 2,017 tons, heading from Greece to Glasgow with a load of magnesite. His score is now 20 ships and 54,610 tons.

Paul Hundius, in UC-47, sinks British freighter SS Brika, 3,549 tons, travelling from Santiago de Cuba to London with a load of sugar; off Coningbeg Rock.

Atlantic Ocean, west of the Celtic Sea:
Ernst Hashagen, in U-62, sinks British freighter SS Rose Lea, 2,830 tons, en route from Cardiff to Malta with a load of coal. his score is now 18 ships and 19,441 tons.

English Channel:
British passenger liner SS Orsova, 12,036 tons, headed from London for Devenport with a load of government supplies, hits a mine laid off Eddystone by Hans Degetau in UC-68. The damaged ship is beached and later refloated.

Orkney Islands:
Hans Rose, in U-53, sinks Norwegian sailing ship Aquila, 1,093 tons, travelling in ballast from Aberdeen to Savannah. His score is now 28 ships and 66,606 tons.

North Sea:
Hans Georg Lübbe, in UB-27, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Davanger, 5,876 tons, carrying a load of barley from New York to Rotterdam, off the Hoek van Holland. His score is now 2 ships and 10,228 tons.

Ernst Rosenow, in UC-29, sinks Norwegian freighte SS Storaas, 3,041 tons, travelling in ballast from Moss to Tyne. His score is now 10 ships and 10,431 tons.

Bay of Biscay:
Reinhold Saltzwedel, in UC-21, sinks two ships:
Norwegian freighter SS Blaamanden, 954 tons, bound from Huelva for Nantes with a load pyrites.
French sailing vessel La Marne, 133 tons.
Saltzwedel's score is now 51 ships and 72,062 tons.

Durban, South Africa:
After six weeks in drydock, HMS Severn moves out and ties up at a jetty.

Atlantic Ocean:
German raider SMS Möwe sinks British freighter SS Governor, 5,524 tons. This is Möwe's last sinking. Considered too valuable to risk again, She will serve in the Baltic Sea as a submarine tender, then be renamed Ostsee in 1918 and finish the war as an auxiliary minelayer. In 1919 she will go to Britain as the freighter Greenbrier. In 1933 she will be purchased again by a German firm and renamed Oldenburg. She will run supplies from Germany and Norway in World War 2, and survive almost to the end of that war. On April 7, 1945 she will be attacked by Bristol Beaufighters using cannon and rockes to sink her (According to Wiki. Conway's has her being torpedoed by a British submarine).

Jimbuna

03-15-17, 10:52 AM

15th March 1917

Western Front

British progress on 2.5 mile front between St. Pierre Vaast Wood and Saillisel (north of Somme).

German attack east of Achiet-le-Petit.

French progress between Avre and Oise.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Turkish concentration in Asia Minor contemplated.

British take Mushaidiya; Turks in full flight towards Samarra (Tigris).

Naval and Overseas Operations

British T.B. mined in Channel.

Political, etc.

Despite German submarine warfare, British Board of Trade announces overseas trade in February increased by £4.5 million.

Tsar Nicholas abdicates and resigns rights of his son; preparations for calling a Constituent Assembly based on universal suffrage.

Sixth German War Loan floated.

French Army agrees to send 5 of its officers to the U.S. to help train American soldiers.

German Chancellor von Bethmann-Hollweg states Germany will give more power to the people after the war.

U.S. railway men threaten strike.

Vote of Credit in Commons.

French Chamber pass summertime bill.

Ship Losses:

Adieu Va (France) The sailing vessel was sunk in the English Channel off Cape Barfleur, Manche by SM UB-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Balaguier (France) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 150 nautical miles (280 km) south west of the Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom (48°40′N 9°30′W) by SM U-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Circe (France) The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean 96 nautical miles (178 km) south west of the Bishop Rock (49°10′N 8°50′W) by SM U-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine with the loss of four crew. She was discovered derelict the next day by Gordonia ( United Kingdom), which rescued a survivor. Circe subsequently sank.
Coonagh (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel off Saint-Valery-en-Caux, Seine-Maritime, France (49°55′N 0°42′E) by SM UC-16 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of all ten crew.
Eugene Pergeline (France) The barque was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off the Fastnet Rock (51°05′N 9°35′W) by SM U-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Eugene Robert (France) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the Bay of Biscay 22 nautical miles (41 km) north west of the Île d'Yeu, Vendée (47°00′N 2°50′W) by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Fleur d'Esperance (France) The fishing vessel was shelled and sunk in the Bay of Biscay 8 nautical miles (15 km) south of Kerdonis Point, Belle Île, Morbihan by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMS Foyle (Royal Navy) The River-class destroyer struck a mine laid by UC 68 (Hans Degetau) in the Strait of Dover, the force of which blew off her bows. Twenty eight of her crew were killed. The stern was towed towards Plymouth but sank off the Mewstone (50°16.70′N 04°10.80′W).
Frimaire (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay 21 nautical miles (39 km) south south east of Belle Île (47°03′N 2°26′W) by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of twelve of her crew.
Petit Jean (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Bay of Biscay 15 nautical miles (28 km) south of Pointe d'Arzie by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Solferino (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 7 nautical miles (13 km) north of Ouessant, Finistère, France by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Wilfred (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 18 nautical miles (33 km) north of Ouessant (48°42′N 5°06′W) by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Sailor Steve

03-15-17, 08:53 PM

March 15, 1917

Air War:
1545 South African RFC pilot Quintin Brand, flying Nieuport 17 6668, shoots down an LVG two-seater for victory number 2.

1545 English RFC pilot Cecil William Clark, in a Nieuport 17, shoots down an Albatros D.II for victory number 1.

1635 Quintin Brand scores his second kill of the day, shooting down an Albatros for number 3.
(The Aerodrome website says this is a D.V, but that plane was not in service yet. What is more interesting is that the Jastas report no losses on this day. It could be that the pilots all survived uninjured, so were not considered casualties.)

1730 German pilot Kurt Küppers, in an Albatros D.I or D.II, shoots down FE.2b A780 for victory number 1. 2nd Lt W.D. Matheson and Sgt G. Goodburn are both wounded but land on their own side of the lines.

Belgian pilot Edmond Theiffry, in a Nieuport, shoots down a two-seater for victory number 1.

English pilot Cyril Nelson Lowe, flying an FE.2b with 2nd Lt G. Masters as observer, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 1.

Ireland:
Volkhard von Bother, commanding U-54, stops French barque Eugene Pergeline, 2,203 tons, bound from Tchio to Clyde with a load of nickel ore, off Fastnet Rock and sinks her with a torpedo. His score is now 6 ships and 20,851 tons.

Celtic Sea:
Otto Wünsche, in U-70, torpedoes two French freighters travelling together, far southwest of Bishop's Rock:
SS Balaguier, 2,293 tons, route and cargo unknown.

SS Circe, 4,133 tons, carrying 5,700 tons of coal from Barry to Bizerte. The crew abandons ship but the chief engineer is left behind. The ship doesn't sink right away and at 1100 hours the next day is sighted by British freighter SS Gordania. The chief engineer is rescued at this time.
Wünsche's score is now 51 ships and 70,593 tons.

English Channel:
Claus Lafrenz, in UB-18, sinks French sailing vessel Adieu Va, 64 tons, off Start Point. His score is now 37 vessels and 36,433 tons.

Egon von Werner, in UC-16, sinks British freighter SS Coonagh, 1,412 tons, carrying a load of steel billets and iron ore from Middlesbrough to Rouen, off Saint Valery en Caux. All 10 crew are lost and the ship is listed as missing until after the war. His score is now 48 ships and 53,344 tons.

Paul Hundius, in UC-47, sinks two Norwegian freighters northwest of Ushant:
SS Solferino, 1,155 tons, en route form Oporto to Stavanger with passengers and general cargo.
SS Wilfred, 1,121 tons, carrying a load of coal from Newport, Wales to Gibraltar.
Hundius' score is now 30 ships and 31,067 tons.

British destroyer HMS Foyle, 550 tons, hits a mine laid off Plymouth by Hans Degetau in UC-68. Her bow blown off, the ship is taken under tow, but founders on the way. This is Degetau's last sinking, UC-68 being missing after March 13. His final score is 3 ships and 3,909 tons.

Bay of Biscay:
Reinhold Saltzwedel, in UC-21, sinks four ships in the Saint Nazaire area:
French schooner Eugene Robert, 98 tons, carrying coal from Swansea to Bordeaux; deck gun.
French fishing vessel Fleur d'Esperance, 24 tons; deck gun.
French fishing vessel Petit Jean, 21 tons; scuttled.
British freighter SS Frimaire, 1,778 tons, travelling in ballast from Saint Nazaire to Bayonne.
Saltzwedel's score is now 55 ships and 73,983 tons.

Jimbuna

03-16-17, 08:20 AM

16th March 1917

Western Front

Big advance on Somme: British occupy St. Pierre Vaast Wood, dominating Peronne.

Zeppelin raid on Kent and Sussex: no casualties.

Aeroplanes over Westgate.

Southern Front

Austrians destroy Italian defences in San Pellegrino valley (Dolomites) and occupy positions there.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Russians dislodge Turks from summit of Naleshkian (Persia) and occupy Alliabad, engaging enemy neat Kerind.

Political, etc.

British labour leaders send telegram of sympathy to Russian labour party.

Winter Palace declared State property.

Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich declines the Russian throne, realizing that he has little support as ruler.
http://i.imgur.com/fFsPsna.jpg

Speech by M. Kerenski in Duma.

Turkish Senate approves agreement with Baghdad Railway Co.

Acute potato famine in England.

Sheikh-ul-Islam again proclaims Holy War; general mobilisation of Turks ordered.

Ship Losses:

Anaïs (France) The schooner was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 14 nautical miles (26 km) south east of the Glénan Islands, Finistère by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Catania (Italy) The passenger ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 15 nautical miles (28 km) off Belvedere Calabro (39°32′N 15°42′E) by SM U-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Cordouan (France) The pilot boat was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off the coast of Gironde by SM UC-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Gudbrand (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 7 nautical miles (13 km) north east of Blyth, Northumberland, United Kingdom by SM UC-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Kingswood (United Kingdom) The cargo ship collided with another vessel and sank. Her crew were rescued.
Madeleine Davoust (France) The schooner was shelled and damaged in the Bay of Biscay 6 nautical miles (11 km) north west of Penmarc'h, Finistère by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine). The attack was broken off due to the arrival of a torpedo boat. Madeleine Davoust was taken in tow but sank at Audierne.
Maggie Belle (United Kingdom) The schooner caught fire and sank in the Atlantic Ocean east of the Azores, Portugal. Her crew were rescued.
Medusa (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Ouessant, Finistère by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Narragansett (United Kingdom) The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of Ireland (50°12′N 17°34′W) by SM U-44 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 46 crew.
Norma Pratt (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 150 nautical miles (280 km) west of the Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly (48°53′N 9°53′W) by SM U-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but two of them were taken as prisoners of war.
Pandion (United Kingdom) The cargo ship collided with another vessel and sank. Her crew were rescued.
Pencaer (United Kingdom) The fishing ketch was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 9 nautical miles (17 km) south by west of Ram Head, County Cork by SM UC-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMT Protect (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was lost on this date.
Ronald (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay 7.5 nautical miles (13.9 km) south south east of the Penfret Lighthouse, Glénan Islands, Finistère (47°42′N 3°52′W) by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Sir Joseph (United Kingdom) The ketch was scuttled in the English Channel 30 nautical miles (56 km) south south east of Start Point, Devon by SM UB-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Sully (France) The barque was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 15 nautical miles (28 km) west of Ouessant by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Vigilancia (United States) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 145 nautical miles (269 km) west of the Bishop Rock (48°57′N 9°34′W) by SM U-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of fifteen of her crew.
William Martin (United Kingdom) The schooner was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 9 nautical miles (17 km) south by west of Ram Head by SM UC-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Sailor Steve

03-16-17, 10:59 PM

March 16, 1917

Air War:
0908 French ace Georges Guynemer, flying SPAD VII 254, shoots down an Albatros two-seater for victory number 32. Uffz August Reichenbach and Obltn Wilfried Buchdrucker are both killed.

0926 Georges Guynemr scores his second kill of the day, shooting down the Roland D.II of Ltn Lothar von Hausen, who is wounded and captured. He will die of his wounds on July 15.

0928 French pilot "Lt Raymond", in a Nieport 17, is credited with an "Enemy Aircraft", for victory number 2. This may be future ace Georges Raymond, but The Aerodrome listing for him shows no kills this day. If it was him, this would be victory number 3. The Aerodrome also shows it as a shared kill, with Guynemer at 0908.

0930 German pilot Wilhelm Allmenröder, in an Albatros D.III, destroys a French observation balloon for victory number 2. Adj A. Bry descends safely.

0931 French ace Albert Deullin, in a SPAD VII, shoots down an Albatros two-seater for victory number 12. His likely victims are Flg Josef Freundorfer and Flg Franz May, both killed.

1045 French pilot Gilbert Triboulet, flying a Nieuport, shoots down a "Scout" for victory number 4. This is probablyObltn Heinrich Schwander, Commander of Jasta 32, killed while flying Albatros D.III 2111/16.

1115 German ace Friedrich Mannschott, in an Albatros D.III, destroys a French observation balloon for victory number 12. Shortly after this Mannschott is killed in a fight against four Caudrons. There is no information available on who they were or who was credited with downing him, if anybody.
(The French lose two balloons in this sector this day. Mdl Berger makes a safe descent. Mdl Bes is killed.)

1255 German pilot Hugo Kämmel, probably in an Albatros D.II shoots down Sopwith Salmson-Moineau N5134 for victory number 1. Sgt Louis Pivette of Escadrille Sop 29 is taken prisoner.

1430 Georges Guynemer gets victory number 3 for the day when he shoots down and Albatros two-seater, number 34 overall.

1430 French pilot, Jean Matton, in a Nieuport, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 4.

1455 French pilots Adrien Louis Jacues Leps and Sgt Maillan share the downing of an Albatros two-seater. Victory number 1 for both.

1500 Adrien Leps downs another two-seater for victory number 2.

French pilot maurice Jean Paul Boyau, in a Nieuport, shoots down an Aviatik two-seater for victory number 1. Uffz Karl Kolrop and Ltn Feodor Kellner are both killed.

German pilot Albert Dossenbach, in an Albatros D.III, claims a Caudron, but it is Unconfirmed.

French pilot Gustave Douchy, flying a Nieuport, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 5.

French pilot Andre herbelin, flying a Nieuport 17, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 2.

German pilot Kurt Student, probably in an Albatros D.II, shoots down a Nieuport for victory number 4. According to the Jasta War Chronology his victim may be SLt Raymond Havet of N77, flying a Nieuport 17, but the French Air Service Chronology says he was more likely brought down by Vzfw Schlegel and Ltn Metzger in a two-seater from FlAbt 39.

Atlantic Ocean, far southwest of Ireland:
Paul Wagenfür, commanding U-44, sinks British tanker SS Narragansett, 9,196 tons, bound from New York for London with a load of lubricating oil. His score is now 19 ships and 64,662 tons.

Ireland:
Kurt Ramien, in UC-48, sinks two vessels off Ram Head, southern Ireland:
British smack Pencaer, 59 tons; scuttled.
British schooner William Martyn, 104 tons.
Ramien's score is now 18 vessels and 22,868 tons.

Celtic Sea:
Otto Wünsche, in U-70, sinks two ships west of Bishop Rock:
British freighter SS Norma Pratt, 4,416 tons, en route from Le Havre to New York with a load of hides and wine.
American freighter SS Vigilancia, 4,115 tons, carrying a load of sugar and foodstuffs from New York to Le Havre.
Wünsche's score is now 53 ships and 79,124 tons.

Paul Hundius, in UC-47, sinks two ships west of Ushant:
Italian freighter SS Medusa, 1,274 tons, en route from Huelva to the UK with a load of iron ore.
French barque Sully, 2,649 tons, carrying a load of wheat from Bahia Blanca to Brest; scuttled.
Hundius' score is now 32 ships and 34,990 tons.

English Channel:
Claus Lafrenz, in UB-18, stops and scuttles British ketch Sir Joseph, 84 tons, travelling in ballast from Granville to Plymouth. His score is now 38 vessels and 36,517 tons.

North Sea:
British armed merchant cruiser HMS Motagua, 5,977 tons, hits a mine laid by Alfred von Glasenapp in U-80; northwest of the Orkney Islands. The damaged ship manages to make port safely.

Rudolf Seuffer, in UC-50, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Gudbrand, 1,860 tons, bound from Tyne for Christiania with a load of coal; off Blyth. His score is now 2 ships and 4,417 tons.

Bay of Biscay:
Reinhold Saltzwedel, in UC-21, sinks three vessels near the Ile des Glenans:
French schooner Anais, 130 tons, en route from Cardiff to Saint Pierre de Quiberon with a load of coal; scuttled.
French schooner Madeleine Davoust, 148 tons, carrying a load of coal from Falmouth to Sables d'Olonne; gun. The attack was foiled when a torpedo boat showed up, but the schooner sank anyway while being towed to port.
Norwegian freighter SS Ronald, 3,021 tons, travelling from Cardiff to Civitavecchia with a load of coal.
Saltzwedel's score is now 58 ships and 77,282 tons.

Werner Fürbringer, in UC-70, sinks French pilot boat Cordouan, 28 tons, off the mouth of the Gironde River. His score is now 57 vessels and 52,025 tons.
Fürbringer also attacks French Q-Ship Mararet VI, 852 tons, with his deck gun, but the damaged ship escapes.

Italy:
Robert Moraht, in U-64, sinks Italian passenger liner SS Catania, 3,188 tons, en route from Bombay to Naples; off Belvedere Calabro on the southern west coast. His score is now 10 ships and 20,960 tons.

Beira, South Africa:
HMFM Trent has moved from Durban to Biera to pick up a contingient of troops for Dar-Es-Salaam. Yesterday she took aboard 2 officers and 450 men, plus several motor cars. As she prepared to raise anchor it was found that when she swung with the tide the chains fouled each other. A tug attempted to cant the ship so the chains could be cleared, but it proved unable to do so.

At 0130 today the tug again attempts to tilt the ship, and at 0400 finally succeeds in swinging her around so the chains are separated. At 0530 the crew begin the job of clearing the chains by hand. The chains are cleared and the anchors raised at 0745. At 0827 Trent proceeds out of the harbor.

Jimbuna

03-17-17, 11:24 AM

17th March 1917

Western Front

British take Bapaume and seven other villages after hard fighting; advance south of Somme and occupy Fresnes and six other villages.

Germans abandon line between Andechy and Oise held by them for two years.

French enter Roye and Lassigny.

Frankfurt bombed in reprisal for destruction of Bapaume.

Aeroplane raid on Kent: no casualties.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British stated to be 35 miles north of Baghdad.

Russians occupy Kerind on Tehran road after heavy fighting and continue to pursue Turks.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Enemy destroyers shell Ramsgate and sink a destroyer (HMS Paragon).

Political, etc.

Germans send many prisoners into war zone as "reprisal".

M. Briand and cabinet resign owing to Lyautey crisis.

Albert Hall meeting in favour of national service for women.

Loretta Perfectus Walsh becomes the 1st woman to enlist in the U.S. Navy and also the 1st woman to join the US military in a non-nurse role.

Franz Brentano, influential German philosopher, psychologist, and priest who taught Sigmund Freud and many others, has passed away.

Ship Losses:

Alcide Marie (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off the coast of Gironde by SM UC-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Antony (United Kingdom) The passenger ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 19 nautical miles (35 km) west by north of the Coningbeg Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM UC-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 55 lives.
HMT Caledonia (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was sunk in the North Sea off Newton-by-the-Sea, Northumberland by SM UC-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Camille Emile (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off the coast of Gironde by SM UC-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
City of Memphis (United States) The passenger ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 33 nautical miles (61 km) south of the Fastnet Rock by SM UC-66 ( Kaiserliche Marine). All 57 people on board survived.
Dieu te Garde (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off the coast of Gironde by SM UC-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Expedit (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the North Sea 15 nautical miles (28 km) east of the Farne Islands, Northumberland (56°04′N 0°04′W) by SM UC-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMT Gowan (Royal Navy) The naval trawler was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 15 nautical miles (28 km) east by south of the Longstone Lighthouse by SM UC-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Guard (United Kingdom) The fishing vessel was shelled and sunk in the Irish Sea 8 nautical miles (15 km) south west by west of the Coningbeg Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM UC-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Juliette (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off the coast of Gironde by SM UC-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Kestrel (United Kingdom) The trawler was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km) east by south of the Longstone Lighthouse by SM UC-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Louis XIV (France) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the Bay of Biscay 35 nautical miles (65 km) west of the Île de Ré, Charente-Maritime by SM UC-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Marie Louise (France) The 291-gross register ton schooner was scuttled in the English Channel 35 nautical miles (65 km) east by south of Start Point, Devon, United Kingdom (50°07′N 2°45′W) by SM UB-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, they were rescued by Basse Indre ( France).
Marie Louise (France) The 426-gross register ton sailing vessel was scuttled in the English Channel 32 nautical miles (59 km) east south east of Portland Bill, Dorset, United Kingdom (50°14′N 1°44′W) by SM UB-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMS Mignonette (Royal Navy) The Arabis-class sloop struck a mine laid by UC 66 (Herbert Pustkuchen) and sank in the Atlantic Ocean south west of Ireland with the loss of fourteen of her 79 crew.
Notre Dame du Perpetuel Secours (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off the coast of Gironde by SM UC-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Nozal (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off the coast of Gironde by SM UC-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
HMS Paragon (Royal Navy) Action of 17 March 1917: The Acasta-class destroyer was torpedoed and sunk in the Strait of Dover while in action with eight torpedo boats (all Kaiserliche Marine).
Primeira Flor d'Abril (Portugal) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 15 nautical miles (28 km) west of Cabo da Roca by SM UC-67 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Renée Islander (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off the coast of Gironde by SM UC-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Restaurador (Portugal) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 15 nautical miles (28 km) west of Cabo da Roca by SM UC-67 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Rupella (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off the coast of Gironde by SM UC-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Russia (Denmark) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel 24 nautical miles (44 km) north by east of Oeussant, Finistère, France (48°50′N 5°08′W) by SM UC-36 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four of her crew.
Santa Rita Segunda (Portugal) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 15 nautical miles (28 km) west of Cabo da Roca by SM UC-67 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Senhora do Rosario (United Kingdom) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 15 nautical miles (28 km) west of Cabo da Roca by SM UC-67 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Tasso (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 70 (Werner Fürbringer) and sank in the Bay of Biscay 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) south of Groix, Morbihan, France with the loss of nineteen of her crew.
Tripoli (Italy) The coaster was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 40 nautical miles (74 km) north of Stromboli (39°22′N 15°17′E) by SM U-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

Sailor Steve

03-18-17, 02:40 AM

March 17, 1917

Air War:
The first Zeppelin raid of the year is carried out, using new airships designed to fly higher than British aircraft can reach. Five Zeppelins exceeding 5,000 metres (17,000 feet) altitude bomb the English countryside, causing £79 damage and no fatalities. L-39 suffers engine failures and drifts over Compiègne, France, where it is shot down by anti-aircraft guns, crashing with the loss of all her crew. L-35 crash-lands in Germany and is severely damaged. Despite the failure of the raid German naval Airship Service Commander, Peter Strasser, plans more such raids.

1025 Canadian RNAS pilot John Malone, flying Sopwith Pup 9898, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 2.

1030 Welsh pilot Francis Mansel Kitto, in Sopwith 1½ Strutter A967 with 2nd Lt H.E. Ward as observer, shoots down an Albatros D.II for victory number 1.

1045 English RFC pilots James Slater, in Nieuport 17 A6624, and Cecil Clark, in A6672, share a victory over an Albatros D.III. Number 2 for both.

1100 German pilot Wilhelm Hippert, in a two-seater with an unnamed observer, shoots down an FE.2d for victory number 1.

1100 John Malone shoots down an Albatros D.II for victory number 3.

1115 English observer Leonard Emsden, riding in FE.2b 6940 with pilot Lt H.E. Davis, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 2.

1120 German pilot Paul Strähle, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Nieuport 17 A6617 for victory number 3. Lt A.J. Gilson is killed.

1130 Camadoam RFC pilot Reginald Malcolm, in FE.2d A782 with Lt. C.W. Wilson as observer, shoots down an Albatros D.II for victory number 2.

1130 English RFC ace Lancelot Richardson, in FE.2b 4839 with 2nd Lt D.C. Wollen as observer, shoots down an Albatros D.II for victory number 7.

1130 German ace Manfred von Richthofen, in a Halberstadt D.II, shoots down FE.2b A5439 for victory number 27. Lt Arthur Elsdale Boultbee and AM2 Frederick King are both killed.
About 1130 I attacked, with nine of my machines, an enemy squadron of 15 aircraft. During the fight I managed to force a Vickers two-seater aside, which I then, after 800 shots, brought down. In my machine-gun fire the plane lost its open-work fuselage. The occupants were killed and were taken for burial at Oppy.
Manfred von Richthofen

1145 German pilot Karl Allmenröder, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down Sopwith 1½ Strutter A1111 for victory number 3. 2nd Lts J.C. Rimer and R.H. Lownds are both killed.

1145 German pilot Kurt Wolff, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Sopwith 1½ Strutter A1097 for victory number 3. 2nd Lts Arthur Leslie Constable and Charles Duncan Knox are both killed.

1145 German ace Hartmuth Baldamus, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down two Nieuport 17s for victories number 14 and 15. One of them is flown by Brig Pierre Lautier, who is killed.

1215 German ace Werner Voss, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down FE.2b 7695 for victory number 16. 2nd Lt Russell Wokfred Cross and Lt Christopher Fyers Lodge are taken prisoner.

1225 Werner Voss scores his second kill in ten minutes, shooting down DH.2 A2583 for victory number 17. Lt Theodore Algernon Cooch is killed.

1320 English pilot Roy Chappell, flying Martinsyde G.100 A1573, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 2.

1330 French ace Georges Guynemer, in SPAD VII 254 and Japanese pilot Kiyotake Shigeno, in SPAD VII 173 team up to shoot down a German two-seater. Uffz Karl Maurer and Ltn Eduard Marcard of FFA-12 are the likely victims, with both being killed about this time. Victory number 35 for Guynemer, number 2 for Shigeno.
Kiyotake Shigeno is one of those interesting histrical figures who make history fun. From the French Foreign Legion to the Air Service, his is a fascinating story.
https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=it&u=https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiyotake_Shigeno&prev=search

1430 German pilot Heinrich Gontermann, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down FE.2b 4900 for victory number 4. 2nd Lt F.R. Hudson and AM2 W. Richman are both wounded and forced to land.

1430 John Malone scores his third kill of the day, bringing down another Albatros D.II and his total to 4.

1430 German pilot Kurt Schneider, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down an FE.2b for victory number 1. No details.

1510 French pilot René Fonck, flying a Caudron G.4 with Paul Marcaggi as observer, and Slt Huffer escorting in a Nieuport, shoot down an Albatros fighter. Victory number 2 for Fonck, number 1 for Marcaggi and number 3 for Huffer.

1700 Manfred von Richthofen scores his second kill of the day, shooting down BE.2g 2814 for number 28. 2nd Lt George MacDonald Watt and Sgt Ernest Adam Howlett are both killed.
I had spotted an enemy infantry flyer. Several attacks directed from above produced no results, especially as my adversary did not accept a fight and was protected from above by other machines. Therefore I went down to 700 metres and attacked my adversary, who was flying at 900 metres, from below. After a short fight my opponent's plane lost both wings and fell. The machine crashed into no-man's land and was fired at by our infantry.
-Manfred von Richthofen

1725 English ace James Leith is teamed with Leonard Emsden in FE.2b 7693 to shoot down an Albatros D.II. Victory number 6 for Leith, number 3 for Emsden.

French pilot Alexandre Albert Roger Bretillon, in a Nieuport, shoots down an Albatros for victory number 1.

Prussia-born German pilot Ludwig Hanstein, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Nieuport 17 for victory number 2.

German pilot Friedrich Mallinckrodt, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Voisin for victory number 3.

Ireland:
Kurt Ramien, commanding UC-48, sinks two ships off the Coningsbeg lightship, near St. George's Channel:
British passenger/freighter SS Antony, 6,466 tons bound from Para for Liverpool with a general cargo. Fifty-five lives are lost.
British fishing vessel Guard, 38 tons.
Ramien's score is now 20 ships and 29,372 tons.

Celtic Sea:
Herbert Pustkuchen, in UC-66, sinks two ships south of Fastnet:
American passenger liner SS City of Memphis, 5,252 tons, travelling in ballast from Cardiff to New York.
Nritish freighter SS Magnonette, 1,250 tons, hits a mine laid by UC-66 off the southwest coast of Ireland.
Pustkuchen's score is now 73 ships and 98,134 tons.

English Channel:
Claus Lafrenz, in UB-18, sinks two French sailing vessels with the same name:
Schooner Marie Louise, 291 tons, en route from Le Havre to Briton Ferry with a load of old iron.
Schooner Marie Louise, 426 tons, carrying a load of coal frm Swansea to Fécamp.
Lafrenz's score is now 40 ships and 37,235 tons.

Gustav Buch, in UC-36, sinks Danish freighter SS Russia, 1,617 tons, travelling from Tyne to Montevideo with a load of coal; northeast of Ushant. His score is now 3 ships and 3,005 tons.

North Sea:
Rudolf Seuffer, in UC-50, stops and scuttles four ships in the Longstone area:
British trawler Caledonia, 161 tons.
British motor fishing vessel Gowan, 25 tons, being towed by Caledonia.
Norwegian freighter SS Expedit, 680 tons, travelling in ballast from Fraserburgh to Hull.
British trawler Kestrel, 181 tons.
Seuffer's score is now 6 ships and 5,464 tons.

Bay of Biscay:
Werner Fürbringer, in UC-70, scuttles a fishing fleet off the Girond River:
Alcide Marie, 26 tons.
Camille Emile, 20 tons.
Dieu te Garde, 30 tons.
Juliette, 29 tons.
Louis XIV, 44 tons.
Notre Dame du Perpetuel Secours, 29 tons.
Nozal, 34 tons.
Renee Islander, 25 tons.
Rupella, 38 tons.
British freighter SS Tasso, 1,859 tons, carrying war material from Manchester to La Pallice, hits a mine laid by UC-70 off Ile de Groix.
Fürbringer's score is now 67 ships and 54,205 tons.

Portugal:
Karl Neumann, in UC-67, scuttles four Portuguese fishing vessels off Cape Roca:
Primeira Flor d'Abril, 20 tons.
Restaurador, 25 tons.
Rita Segunda, 27 tons.
Senhora do Rosario, 22 tons.
Neumann's score is now 21 vessels and 15,491 tons.

Tyrrhenian Sea:
Robert Moraht, in U-64, uses his deck gun to sink Italian freighter SS Tripoli, 658 tons. His score is now 11 ships and 21,618 tons.

South Africa:
While at sea between Beira and Dar-Es-Salaam, one of the native troops aboard HMFM Trent comees down with smallpox. He is isolated in a cabin and the process of disinfecting the ship is begun.

Jimbuna

03-18-17, 08:47 AM

18th March 1917

Western Front

British occupy Chaulnes and Peronne and advance on 45-mile front from Chaulnes to Arras.

Great air activity.

French occupy Noyon, Nesle, Guiscard, etc., and advance on 40-mile front.

Zeppelin brought down at Compiegne.

Germans launch heavy attack against Avocourt-Mort Homme sector (Verdun).

Ramsgate, etc., shelled: no casualties.

Southern Front

After five days' fighting French capture 1,200 Bulgarians, a mile of trenches north-east, and village of Svegovo, north of Monastir.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Russians enter Van (Armenia).

Naval and Overseas Operations

German destroyers fire on Kent coast towns (Ramsgate, etc.): no casualties.

Sinking of three U.S. steamers, 14,600 tons gross shipping, reported.

German crew of the SM UB-6 scuttle their own submarine, after it had run aground in Dutch territory and interned by the Dutch government.

Political, etc.

Russian Press urges loyalty to Allied cause; commission inquires into delinquencies of former ministers; food question, in hands of Zemstva, etc., becomes less acute.

Ship Losses:

HMS Alyssum (Royal Navy) The Arabis-class sloop struck a mine laid by UC 66 (Herbert Pustkuchen) and sank in the Atlantic Ocean south west of Galley Head, County Cork (51°31′N 8°57′W). Her crew survived.
HMT Ameer (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Felixstowe, Suffolk (51°58′45″N 1°28′00″E) with the loss of eight of her crew.
HMS Duchess of Montrose (Royal Navy) The auxiliary minesweeper struck a mine laid by UB 12 (Ernst Steindorff) and sank in the North Sea off Gravelines, Pas-de-Calais, France (51°03′N 2°07′E) with the loss of twelve of her crew.
Entente Cordiale (France) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the Bay of Biscay 18 nautical miles (33 km) south of Les Barges, Vendée by SM UC-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Félicité Albert (France) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the Bay of Biscay 10 nautical miles (19 km) south south east of the Île d'Yeu, Vendée (46°30′N 2°14′W) by SM UC-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Greypoint (United Kingdom) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) south east by south of Broadstairs, Kent by a Kaiserliche Marine torpedo boat.
Hyacinthe Yvonne (French Navy) The Q-ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off La Pallice, Charente-Maritime by SM UC-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Illinois (United States) The tanker was scuttled in the English Channel 20 nautical miles (37 km) north of Alderney, Channel Islands by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
http://i.imgur.com/BW1ZNDg.jpg
Joshua Nicholson (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Wolf Rock, Cornwall (49°37′N 6°37′W) by SM U-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 26 crew.
Lowlands (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off North Foreland, Kent. Her crew survived.
Madone (France) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the Bay of Biscay west by south of Les Barges by SM UC-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Marie Louise (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the English Channel 15 nautical miles (28 km) north north west of Cap de la Hève, Manche (49°45′N 0°05′W) by SM UB-18 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Pola (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 280 nautical miles (520 km) west north west of Ouessant, Finistère, France (48°30′N 12°00′W) by SM U-81 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of fiver of her crew.
Trevose (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 230 nautical miles (430 km) west by north of Ouessant (48°40′N 11°29′W) by SM U-81 ( Kaiserliche Marine). with the loss of two of her crew. Survivors were rescued by Alnwick Castle ( United Kingdom).
SM UB-6 (Kaiserliche Marine) The Type UB I submarine was scuttled at Hellevoetsluis, Zeeland, Netherlands.
Victoria (Sweden) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of Spain[232] (36°51′N 8°18′W) by SM UC-67 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

Sailor Steve

03-18-17, 10:11 PM

March 18, 1917

Air War:
0935 Italian pilot Luigi Olivari, flying SPAD VII 4688, shoots down a Hansa-Brandenburg C.I for victory number 4. 70a Squadriglia had just recieved two brand-new SPADs three days earlier, and Olivari was assigned to fly one of them.

1000 French pilot Raoul Cesar Robert Pierre Echard, in a Nieuport, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 1. Likely victims are Gefr Otto Lorenz and Lt Johann Mohr of Schlasta 23b, who are killed about this time.

1630 English RFC pilot James Belgrave, in Sopwith 1½ Strutter A2384 with Lt E.G. Truscott as observer, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 2.

1715 English RFC pilot Gilbert Green, in BE.12 A4007, shoots down a Friedrichshaven G.II for victory number 5.

1745 Gilbert Green shoots down a second Friedrichshaven bomber for victory number 6

1750 Welsh RFC pilot Franklin Saunders, flying BE.12 6675, shoots down a Friedrichshaven G.II for victory number 2.

1840 German ace Werner Voss, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down BE.2e 5784 for victory number 18. Lt Charles Robert Dougall is wounded in both legs but manages to land safely and is taken prisoner. Observer 2nd Lt Sydney Harryman is also wounded, and dies in a hospital five days later.

1850 Werner Voss scores his second kill of the day, shooting down BE.2d 5770 for number 19. Cpt Guy Stafford Thorne is mortally wounded but manages to land the plane before dying. Observer 2nd Lt Philip Edward Hislop van Baerle is unharmed and taken prisoner.

French pilot Georges Madon, in a Nieuport, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 8. Possibly Ltn Johannes Ohlrau and Obltn Alfred Weser of FFA 252w, both wounded on this day.

German pilot Friedrich Mallinckrodt, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Caudron for victory number 4.

German pilot Ernst Alexander Baron de Payrebrune, seemingly flying a Fokker E.IV, shoots down a Caudron for victory number 1.

Ireland:
British sloop HMS Alyssum, 1,250 tons, hits a mine laid off Galley Head by Herbert Pustkuchen in UC-66. His score is now 74 ships and 99,384 tons.

Celtic Sea:
Otto Wünsche, commanding U-70, sinks British freighter SS Joshua Nicholson, 1,853 tons, bound from London for Alexandria with a general cargo; just off the west end of the Channel. His score is now 54 ships and 80,977 tons.

Raimund Weisbach, in U-81, sinks two British freighters roughtly 250 miles west of Ushant:
SS Pola, 3,061 tons, carrying a load of coal frem Cardiff to an unspecified destination.
SS Trevose, 3,112 tons, en route from Tyne for an unnamed destination with a load of coal.
Weisbach's score is now 22 ships and 60,783 tons.

English Channel:
Claus Lafrenz, in UB-18, sinks French fishing dundee Marie Louise off Cap de la Hève. This is the third vessel with the same name Lafrenz has sunk in two days. His score is now 41 vessels and 37,268 tons.

Reinhold Saltzwedel, in UC-21, captures and scuttles American tanker SS Illinois, 5,225 tons, travelling in ballast from London to Port Arthur. His score is now 59 ships and 82,507 tons.

North Sea:
British auxiliary minesweeper HMAMS Duchess of Montrose, 322 tons, hits a mine laid by Ernst Steindorf in UB-12 off Gravelines, just off the eastern entrance to the Channel. His score is now 2 ships and 624 tons.

Harald von Keyserlingk, in UB-36, takes Norwegian coaster SS Avance, 273 tons, en route from Holland to London, off the Maas Lightship, as a prize. This is his first attack.

UB-6, interned at Hellevoetsluis, the Netherlands, sinks from damage taken running aground on the 12th.

Bay of Biscay:
Werner Fürbringer, in UC-70, stops and scuttles four French fishing craft:
Madone, 31 tons.
Entente Cordiale, 22 tons.
Felicite Albert, 32 tons.
Hyacinthe Yvonne, 43 tons.
Fürbringer's score is now 71 vessels and 54,333 tons.

Portugal:
Karl Neumann, in UC-67, stops Swedish freighter SS Victoria, 1,226 tons, carrying a general cargo plus fruit from Cadiz to Lisbon. His score is now 22 ships and 16,757 tons.

Jimbuna

03-19-17, 12:40 PM

19th March 1917

Western Front

40 more villages in British hands; over 170 taken by Allies in three days.

French advance beyond Ham (Somme) and take Chauny (Oise).

Heavy German attacks between Avocourt Wood and Hill 304 (Verdun) repulsed.

Southern Front

Continued fighting near Monastir.

Germans re-occupy railway station at Poroj, previously entered by British.

Renewed activity in Pass of Tonale, in areas of Pasubio, Asiago, Tolmino, east of Gorizia and on Carso.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Proclamation by Sir Stanley Maude to people of Baghdad, promising freedom for Arabs.

Capture of Feluja (Euphrates), Deltawa and Sindia.

Naval and Overseas Operations

French battleship "Danton" torpedoed in Mediterranean: 296 lost.

Political, etc.

British Government opens relations with M. Miliukov, but Government not officially recognised.

Committee of Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegates orders resumption of work in Petrograd.

Attempted murder of M. Kerenski.

President Wilson settles U.S. railway strike; eight hours day legalised.

Ship Losses:

Alnwick Castle (United Kingdom) The Union-Castle passenger ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 310 nautical miles (570 km) west of the Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly (47°38′N 13°24′W) by SM U-81 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 40 lives.
Angiolina (Italy) The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Mediterranean Sea off Elba (42°41′N 10°36′E) by SM U-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was beached but was later refloated.
Armoricain (France) The three-masted schooner was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 20 nautical miles (37 km) south west of Dodman Point, Cornwall, United Kingdom(49°53′N 4°43′W) by SM UC-66 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Bergsli (Norway) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 70 (Werner Fürbringer) and sank in the Bay of Biscay off the Chassiron Lighthouse, Charente-Maritime, France with the loss of four of her crew.
Brode (Norway The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 28 nautical miles (52 km) south south east of Ar Men, Finistère by SM UC-36 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Charlois (Netherlands) The tanker was sunk in the North Sea (57°21′N 4°33′E) by SM U-59 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of all hands.
Danton (French Navy) The Danton-class battleship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 30 nautical miles (56 km) off San Pietro Island (38°45′35″N 8°03′30″E) by SM U-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 296 of her 1,102 crew. Survivors were rescued by Massue and various patrol vessels (all French Navy).
Frinton (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 320 nautical miles (590 km) north west of Ouessant, Finistère, France (approximately 48°N 13°W) by SM U-81 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four of her crew.
Kong Inge (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the Bay of Biscay 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) south west by west of Brest, Finistère, France (47°58′N 4°36′W) by SM UC-36 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Michel (France) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 70 (Werner Fürbringer) and sank in the Bay of Biscay off the Chassiron Lighthouse.
Pollux (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 60 nautical miles (110 km) north north east of Girdleness, Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom (57°55′N 1°10′W) by SM UC-45 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of sixteen lives.
Rhodora (France) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the English Channel off Boulogne, Pas-de-Calais (50°24′N 1°19′E) by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMT Valpa (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Spurn Head, Yorkshire (53°33′30″N 0°10′00″E) with the loss of three of her crew.

Sailor Steve

03-19-17, 10:12 PM

March 19, 1917

Air War:
0830 English RFC pilot Gilbert Green, flying BE.12 A4007, shoots down an Albatros two-seater for victory number 7.

0910 German pilot Alfred Mohr, in Albatros D.III 2012/16, shoots down a Martinsyde G.100 for victory number 5. This could be Lt J.G. Fair (7503), KIA, or Lt T.W. Jay (7508), POW, both of whom were shot down this day.

0925 German ace Otto Bernert, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down RE.8 A4165 for victory number 8. Capt C.P. Bertie is killed; Lt F.H. Wilson taken prisoner.

0930 German ace Werner Voss, in a Albatros D.III, shoots down RE.8 A4165 for victory number 20. Cpt Elred Wolferstan Bowyer-Bower and 2nd Lt Eric Elgrey are both killed.

0940 German pilot Paul Henning Adalbert Theodor von Osterroht, in Albatros D.III 1958/16, shoots down a Martinsyde G.100 for victory number 1. This coincides with Alfred Mohr above, and it is unsure who shot down whom. Von Osterroht was the pilot for von Richthofen in 1915 when they claimed an uncofirmed kill in a two-seater.

0945 German pilot Georg Schlenker, flying an Albatros D.III, claims a Martinsyde for victory number 5. Since only two Martinsydes were shot down this day, one of the three claims is in error.

1010 German pilot Kurt Schneider, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down SPAD VII A6633 for victory number 2. 2nd Lt S.S.B. Purves is taken prisoner.

1210 Alfred Mohr scores his second kill of the day, shooting down a BE.2c for number 6.

Italian pilot Antonio Chiri, in a Nieuport 11m shoots down a Hansa-Brandenburg C.I for victory number 1.

North Atlantic Ocean:
Raimund Weisbach, commanding U-81, sinks two British freighters 300 miles west of Bishop Rock:
SS Alnwick Castle, 5,900 tons, bound from London for Table Bay, South Africa with passengers and a general cargo. Forty lives lost.
SS Frinton, 4,194 tons, carrying government stores from Cartagena to Tees.
Weisbach's score is now 25 ships and 70,877 tons.

English Channel
Ralph Wenninger, in UC-17, stops French fishing dundee Rhodora, 38 tons, with his deck gun, allows the crew to abandon ship and the scuttles her. His score is now 56 vessels and 47,598 tons.

Herbert Pustkuchen, in UC-66, uses his deck gun to sink French schooner Armoricain, 261 tons, travelling in ballast from Treport to Cardiff. His score is now 75 ships and 99,645 tons.

North Sea:
Wilhelm von Fircks, in U-59, sinks Dutch tanker SS Charlois, 2,786 tons, carrying a load of petroleum from New York to Rotterdam. His score is now 7 ships and 10,869 tons. Lost with all hands, listed as Missing.

Hubert Aust, in UC-45, torpedoes Norwegian freighter SS Pollux, en route from Tyne to Bergen with a load of sulphate, general cargo and passengers. This is his first sinking.

France:
Gustav Buch, in UC-36, sinks two Norwegian freighters off Brest:
SS Kong Inge, 867 tons, en route from Glasgow to Marseille with a general cargo.
SS Brode, 2,363 tons, carrying a load of coal from Cardiff to Gibraltar.
Buch's score is now 5 ships and 6,244 tons.

Bay of Biscay:
Two ships hit mines laid by Werner Fürbringer in UC-70 near Chassiron (southwest of La Rochelle):
Norwegian freighter SS Bergsli, 2,133 tons, carrying a load of coal from Penarth to Blaye.
French freighter SS Michel, 1,773 tons, en route from Newport to Bordeaux.
Fürbringer's score is now 73 ships and 58,238 tons.

Tyrhennian Sea:
Johannes Klasing, in U-34, starts his career by torpedoing Italian freighter SS Angiolina, 3,541 tons, between Elba sn the Italian mainland. The ship is damaged but beacched ad repaired later.

Mediterranean Sea:
Robert Moraht, in U-64, torpedoes French Battleship Danton, 18,300 tons, south of San Pietro Island (southwest of Sardinia), with the loss of 296 lives. His score is now 12 ships and 39,918 tons.

South Africa:
HMFM Trent, carrying troops for Dar-Es-Salaam, is forced to stop when a steering-gear motor fails. Three hours later the motor is repaired and the ship is again underway.

Jimbuna

03-20-17, 09:10 AM

20th March 1917

Western Front

Despite bad weather, British advance towards Cambrai and St. Quentin; 14 villages occupied.

Department of Oise entirely liberated.

French take Tergnier and cross St. Quentin Canal.

Historic ruins of Chateau de Coucy blown up by Germans.

French carry railway junction of Jussy (east of Ham).

German casualties reported at 4,148,163 (to end of February).

Naval and Overseas Operations

British hospital ship "Asturias" torpedoed without warning during night of 20-21 March.

Political, etc.

Ex-Tsar reviews troops, urging loyalty to Government and prosecution of war.

Appointment of Grand Duke Nicholas to supreme command of army annulled.

Casualties at Petrograd 2,500.

Proclamation by Provisional Government.

American Note to General Carranza (Mexico) published.

New French Ministry under M. Ribot.

First meeting of Imperial War Cabinet; Ministry of National Service formed.

Important developments in Board of Trade.

At the House of Commons, former Premier Asquith defends the late Lord Kitchener’s part in the Battle of Gallipoli.

Philipp Scheidemann, leader of the Socialists in the German Reichstag, warns that Prussia must learn from the Tsar’s fate in Russia.

British Imperial Conference, attended by dominion and colonial officials, is inaugurated to discuss the war and the empire’s future.

Ship Losses:

HMHS Asturias (United Kingdom) The hospital ship was damaged in the English Channel 6 nautical miles (11 km) off Start Point, Devon by SM UC-66 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 35 lives. She was beached and was later salvaged.
Frisk (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 85 nautical miles (157 km) north east of Coquet Island, Northumberland, United Kingdom by SM UC-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of seven of her crew.
Gurre (Denmark) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea (58°26′N 1°12′E) by SM U-59 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 21 crew.
Hazelpark (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) south by east of Start Point, Devon by SM UC-66 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Paul et Marie (France) The three-masted schooner was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea north east of Cape Corse, Corsica (43°28′N 9°35′E) by SM U-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of six crew.

Sailor Steve

03-20-17, 03:55 PM

March 20, 1917

Air War:
1230 Welsh RFC pilot Franklin Saunders, flying BE.12 6675, shoots down an Albatros two-seater for victory number 3.

Emglish Channel:
Herbert Pustkuchen, commanding UC-66, sinks British freighter SS Hazelpark, 1,964 tons. bound from Tyne for La Rochelle with a load of coal; off Start Point. His score is now 76 ships and 101,609 tons.
Pustkuchen also torpedoes British hospital ship SS Asturias, but the ship is beached and salvaged.

North Sea:
Wilhelm von Fircks, in U-59, sinks Danish freighter SS Gurre, 2,866 tons, carrying a load of oilcake from Galveston via Kirkwall to Aalborg. His score is now 8 ships and 13,735 tons.

Rudolf Seuffer, in UC-50, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Frisk, 1,038 tons, en route from Warkworth to Fredrikstad with a load of coal, northeast of Coquest Island (north of Newcastle). His score is now 7 ships and 6,502 tons.

Ligurian Sea:
Johannes Klasing, in U-34, uses his deck gun to sink French schooner Paul et Marie, 321 tons, en route from Fowey to Livorno with a load of kaolin (china clay); north of Corsica. One of the two lifeboats makes shore safely. The other, with 6 crew members, is not seen again. This is Klasing's first sinking.

Hawaii:
American freighter SS Maui, 631 tons, carrying a load of sugar from Mahukona to Kailua, is wrecked off Kahola.

Jimbuna

03-21-17, 05:21 PM

21st March 1917

Western Front

British advance south-east and east of Peronne; occupy 40 more villages, approaching St. Quentin.

Progress towards Cambrai continues.

French force passage of Somme Canal and progress north of Soissons.

Eastern Front

Germans active near Lida (Beresina), in Galicia and on Romanian front.

Southern Front

Fighting by French, lasting for over a week, frees Monastir from daily bombardment. Enemy makes serious counter-attack but is repulsed.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Russians continue to pursue Turks from Sakiz (Persia) towards Kermanshah.

Aviation

Prince Friedrich Karl of Prussia’s plane is brought down over France. He is injured & captured by Australian troops.
http://i.imgur.com/yBeOUFv.png

Political, etc.

President Wilson calls for a special session of Congress on April the 2nd to discuss “grave questions” on Germany and the war.

The Arion Society, a German-American music society, condemns the mayor of New York for urging people to sign a “loyalty” pledge to the U.S.

Ex-Tsar and Tsaritsa deprived of liberty; general political amnesty. Munitions and food problem in Petrograd being satisfactorily dealt with. Proposed eight hours day.

Vote of confidence in French Chamber.

French Military Mission leaves for New York.

Ship Losses:

Avance (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 25 nautical miles (46 km) west south west of Portland Bill, Dorset by SM UC-66 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Healdton (United States) The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea with the loss of at least seven of her crew.
Hindustan (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 150 nautical miles (280 km) north west of the Fastnet Rock (51°25′N 13°30′W) by SM U-46 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two crew.
Najade (Norway) The full-rigged ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Fair Isle, United Kingdom (59°35′N 2°17′W) by SM U-59 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of all 21 crew.
Rio Sorocaba (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 10 nautical miles (19 km) south east of the Eddystone Lighthouse (50°04′N 4°13′W) by SM UC-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Stanley (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 230 nautical miles (430 km) west by north of the Fastnet Rock (50°50′N 16°00′W) by SM U-24 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three crew.

http://i.imgur.com/qYaLBq8.jpg

Sailor Steve

03-21-17, 06:27 PM

March 21, 1917

Air War:
No. 56 Squadron RFC recieves the first SE.5 in service.

No. 100 Squadron RFC, the first dedicated night-bombing squadron, moves to France, based at Saint Andre-aux-Bois with twelve FE.2bs.

1540 German pilot Karl Allmenröder, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down BE.2d A2390 for victory number 4. Lt H.W.L. Poole is wounded. AM2 A.J. Ball is also wounded, and later dies.

1730 German ace Manfred von Richthofen, in a Halberstadt D.II, shoots down BE.2e A3154 for victory number 29. The plane crashes on its own side of the lines with pilot F/Sgt Sidney Herbert Quicke dead and 2nd Lt William John Lindsey mortally wounded.

North Atlantic Ocean, far west of Ireland:
Walter Remy, commanding U-24, torpedoes British freighter SS Stanley, 3,987 tons, bound from Newport News for Cherbourg with a load of oats and iron; 230 miles west of Fastnet. His score is now 4 ships and 4,658 tons.

Leo Hillebrand, in U-46, torpedoes British freighter SS Hindustan, 3,692 tons, en route from Beaumont to Queenstown with a load of timber, 150 miles west-northwest of Fastnet. His score is now 18 ships and 29,445 tons.

English Channel:
British freighter SS Huntscape, 2,933 tons, hits a mine laid off Beachy Head by Ralph Wenninger in UC-17. The damaged ship makes port safely.

Kurt Ramien, in UC-48, sinks British freighter SS Rio Sorocaba, 4,307 tons, en route from Port Louis, Mauritius to Le Havre with a load of sugar; off Eddystone. His score is now 21 ships and 33,670 tons.

Herbert Pustkuchen, in UC-66, uses his deck gun to sink British fishing smack Avance, 57 tons, off Portland Bill. His score is now 77 vessels and 101,666 tons.

North Sea:
Wilhelm von Fircks, in U-59, torpedoes Norwegian sailing ship Najade, 1,752 tons, carrying a load of oilcake from Galveston to Denmark; off Fair Isle, between the Orkney and Shetland Islands. His score is now 9 ships and 15,487 tons.

American tanker SS Healdton, 4,489 tons, travelling from Philadelphia to Rotterdam with 2,137,711 gallons of oil, is torpedoed, or possibly mined. Of her crew of 41, 21 survived. They reported that the attacking ship was "undoubtedly" a German submarine, but Uboat.net has no records of any U-boat sinking a ship by that name or in that location. Surviving crew rescued by Dutch trawler Java.
http://www.aukevisser.nl/inter/id753.htm

Denmark:
German minesweepers SMS M-16 and M-26 are both sunk by mines while on sweeping duty off the west coast of Denmark.

German East Africa:
HMFM Trent arrives off Dar-Es-Salaam. At 0832 the ship anchors outside the bay and waits for the shoreside medical officer, who arrives at 1015. The senior medical officer inspects the troops, especially the suspected smallpox case. He grants the ship "pratique", which is permission for a ship to enter a port after certification from a port doctor that said ship has complied with health and quarantine regulations. At 1432 Trent enters the harbor and drops anchor at 1530.

China:
Russian freighter SS Poltava, 3,476 tons, is wrecked off North Saddle Island, near Shanghai.

Jimbuna

03-22-17, 10:59 AM

22nd March 1917

Western Front

Increased enemy resistance on British front from west of St. Quentin to south of Arras.

Heavy snow storms.

French progress north of Tergnier (Oise) and north of Soissons, despite stiffening defence.

Eastern Front

Russians retake lost trenches near Lida (Vilna).

Naval and Overseas Operations

"Moewe" German raider, reported returned to a home port after second cruise in Atlantic, having sunk 111,000 tons of British shipping.

Political, etc.

Ex-Tsar reaches Tsarskoye-Selo.

The United States becomes the first nation to recognize the Provisional Government of Russia.

Great Britain, France and Italy recognise Provisional Government in Russia. Death penalty in latter abolished.

Archangel route in danger zone.

British danger zone in North Sea extended towards Holland and Jutland from 2 April.

13,000 people rally in Madison Square Garden in New York City to demand war against Germany.

Ship Losses:

Attika (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean north west of Ireland (54°50′N 12°50′W) by SM U-81 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Efeu (Norway) The sailing vessel was sunk in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) west south west of Dungeness, Kent, United Kingdom by SM UC-66 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Chorley (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 25 nautical miles (46 km) east by south of Start Point, Devon (50°14′N 3°02′W) by SM UC-48 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Curlew (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the English Channel 14 nautical miles (26 km) south of Berry Head, Devon by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Egenaes (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the North Sea 10 nautical miles (19 km) east of Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom by SM UC-45 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of five of her crew.
Hugin N(orway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 10 nautical miles (19 km) south of Ar Men, Finistère, France by SM UC-36 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Malmanger (Norway) The tanker struck a mine laid by UC 43 (Erwin Sebelin) and sank in the Atlantic Ocean 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) south of Baltimore, County Cork, United Kingdom (51°23′N 9°30′W). Her crew survived.
Providence (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 48 (Kurt Ramien) and sank in St. George's Channel 1.25 nautical miles (2.32 km) south by west of the Barrels Lightship ( United Kingdom). Her crew survived.
Rio Colorado (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 50 (Rudolf Seuffer) and sank in the North Sea off the mouth of the River Tyne with the loss of ten of her crew.
Rotorua (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 24 nautical miles (44 km) east of Start Point, Devon (50°17′N 3°07′W) by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Sirius (Norway) The barque was scuttled in the North Sea (58°40′N 1°50′E) by SM U-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Stuart Prince (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 85 nautical miles (157 km) west by north of Broadhaven, County Cork (55°28′N 11°20′W) by SM U-66 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of twenty crew.
Susanna (Norway) The coaster was scuttled in the North Sea 6 nautical miles (11 km) south east by south of Aberdeen (57°04′N 1°54′W) by SM UC-45 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Svendsholm (Norway) The full-rigged ship was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of the Fastnet Rock (50°34′N 15°45′W) by SM U-24 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

http://i.imgur.com/fCHh61r.jpg

Sailor Steve

03-22-17, 06:55 PM

March 22, 1917

Air War:
0940 German Ace Renatus Theiller, Flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down a BE.2c for victory number 12.

1745 German pilot Friedrich Mallinckrodt, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Caudron for victory number 5.

German pilot Rudolf von Eschwege, flying for Bulgaria on the Macedonian Front, shoots down two-seat Nieuport 12 N3182 for victory number 5. It is somewhere in this time frame that von Eschwege is finally given an Albatros D.III to replace his eindecker, but the exact date seems to be unknown.

North Atlantic Ocean, far west of Ireland:
Walter Remy, commanding U-24, uses his deck gun to sink Norwegian freighter SS Svendsholm, 1,998 tons, travelling in ballast from Londonderry to St. Thomas. His score is now 5 ships and 6,656 tons.

Northwest of Ireland:
Thorwald von Bothmer, in U-66, torpedoes British freighter SS Stuart Prince, 3,597 tons, carrying a general cargo from Manchester to Alexandria; 85 miles northwest of Broad Haven, County Mayo. His score is now 22 ships and 56,865 tons.

West of Northern Ireland:
Raimund Weisbach, in U-81, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Attika, 2,306 tons, travelling in ballast from Barry to Sand Key, Florida. His score is now 26 ships and 73,183 tons.

Ireland:
Norwegian tanker SS Malmanger, 5,672 tons, carrying a load of refined products from New York to Avonmouth, hits a mine laid 2 miles south of Baltimore, Ireland by Erwin Sebelin in UC-43. His score is now 14 ships and 25,223 tons. This is Sebelin's last sinking, as UC-43 herself had been sunk with all hands on March 10.

English Channel:
Ralph Wenninger, in UC-17, sinks two ships:
British fishing vessel Curlew, 51 tons, scuttled 14 miles south of Berry Head.
British freighter SS Rotorua, 11,140 tons, en route from Wellington to London with a general cargo, 24 miles west of Start Point.
Wenninger's score is now 58 ships and 82,078 tons.

Kurt Ramien, in UC-48, sinks British freighter SS Chorley, 3,828 tons, carrying munitions from Norfolk to Le Havre; 25 miles southeast of Start Point.
Meanwhile, British freighter SS Providence, 2,970 tons, en route from Cork to France with a load of hay, hits a mine laid by UC-48 near the Barrels Lightship, in St. George's Channel.
Ramien's score is now 23 ships and 40,468 tons.

Herbert Pustkuchen, in UC-66, sinks Norwegian sailing vessel Efeu, 569 tons, travelling in ballast from Falmouth to Porsgrund; off Dungeness. His score is now 78 ships and 102,235 tons.

North Sea:
Carl-Siegfried von Georg, in U-57, scuttles Norwegian barque Sirius, 1,053 tons, bound from Buenos Aires for Odense with a load of wheat. His score is now 30 ships and 30,080 tons.

Hubert Aust, in UC-45, sinks two Norwegian coasters off the Scottish coast:
SS Eganaes, 399 tons. en route from Haugesund to Hull with a load of herring; 10 miles east of Peterhead.
SS Susanna, 442 tons, also fro Haugesen to Hull with herring.
Aust's score is now 3 ships and 2,037 tons.

British freighter SS Rio Colorado, 3,565 tons, carrying a load of wheat from La Plata to Tyne, hits a mine laid just off the entrance to the River Tyne by Rudolf Seuffer in UC-50. His score is now 8 ships and 10,067 tons.

France:
Gustav Buch, in UC-36, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Hugin, 1,395 tons, carrying a load of coal from Sunderland to Santander; 10 mules south of the Armen Lighthouse, off the Chaussée de l'Île de Sein. His score is now 6 ships and 7,639 tons.

Jimbuna

03-23-17, 11:35 AM

23rd March 1917

Western Front

French success at Artemps (south of St. Quentin).

Oise valley and La Fere flooded by enemy.

New detachments cross Ailette; progress north of Soissons.

Enemy thrown back to Grand Seraucourt.

Some fighting on British front between Arras and Bapume-Cambrai road.

Eastern Front

Russians lose trenches west of Moinesci, near River Trotus (Romanian front).

Germans massing troops on Riga-Dvinsk front seriously menacing Petrograd.

Southern Front

Bombs on Mudros from German airship.

Naval

Britain announces that it will expand its mine zones to cover the mouths of the Weser and Elbe rivers of Germany.

British destroyer HMS Laforey strikes a mine and sinks off Boulogne, France, resulting in the deaths of 59 of her 77 crew.

Political, etc.

Telegram from Mr. Lloyd George to Russian Prime Minister.

President Wilson and the Cabinet meets to discuss preparations for war.

Germany announces that bread rations will be cut by one-fourth starting on April 1st. Meat rations will be increased by 250 grams per week.

Ship Losses:

Achille Adam (United Kingdom) The coaster was scuttled in the English Channel 31 nautical miles (57 km) south east by east of Beachy Head, East Sussex by SM UB-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of six of her crew.
Amstelstroom (Netherlands) The cargo ship was shelled and damaged in the North Sea by SMS G86, SMS G87 and SMS V44 (all Kaiserliche Marine). The derelict vessel was sunk on 27 March 20 nautical miles (37 km) east north east of the Noord Hinder Lightship ( Netherlands) by SM UB-10 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Argo (Portugal) The full-rigged ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean (47°46′N 10°45′W) by SM U-46 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Artemis (Greece) The coaster was sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea off Porto Ercole, Tuscany, Italy (42°22′N 11°22′E) by SM U-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Bellatrix (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea 6 nautical miles (11 km) off Civitavecchia, Lazio, Italy by SM U-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Blomwaag (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the North Sea (51°40′N 1°20′E by SM UC-45 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Clan Macmillan (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) west of Beachy Head (50°41′N 0°01′W) by SM UB-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Eptalofos (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 47 nautical miles (87 km) north west of Malta (36°40′N 13°08′E) by SM U-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but eight survivors were taken as prisoners of war.
Exchange (United Kingdom) The coaster was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 30 nautical miles (56 km) north west of Cayeux-sur-Mer, Somme, France by SM UB-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eight crew.
HMS Laforey (Royal Navy) The Laforey-class destroyer struck a mine laid by UB 12 (Ernst Steindorff) and sank in the English Channel off Boulogne, Pas de Calais, France (50°55′N 0°27′E) with the loss of 59 of her 77 crew.
Maine (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 9.5 nautical miles (17.6 km) south south west of Dartmouth, Devon (50°12′N 3°53′W) by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Noli (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea off Civitavecchia (42°11′N 11°37′E) by SM U-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Queenborough (United Kingdom) The trawler was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 106 nautical miles (196 km) east of Peterhead, Aberdeenshire (57°28′N 1°32′E) by SM U-86 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her nine crew took to the lifeboats but were not rescued.
Tres Fratres (Netherlands) The trawler was scuttled in the North Sea (57°30′N 6°10′E) by SM U-62 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Sailor Steve

03-23-17, 03:34 PM

March 23, 1917

Air War:
Belgian pilot Edmond Thieffry, flying a Nieuport 11, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 2.

French pilot Jacques Ortoli, in a Nieuport, shoots down an Albatros two-seater for victory number 5.

German pilot Georg Weiner, probably in an Albatros, shoots down a Nieuport for victory number 1.

English Channel:
British destroyer HMS Laforey, 995 tons, hits a mine laid by Ernst Steindorff in UB-12 off Shorham. His score is now 3 ships and 1,619 tons.

Heinrich Küstner, in UB-39, sinks three ships near Beachy Head:
British coaster SS Achille Adam, 460 tons. travelling from Saint Valery to Newhaven.
British freighter SS Clan Macmillan, 4,525 tons, carrying a load of coir matting from Chittagong to Clyde.
British coaster SS Exchange, 279 tons.
Norwegian freighter SS O.A. Knudsen, 3,532 tons, travelling in ballast from London to Port Talbot, is also torpedoed, but makes port safely.
Küstner's score is now 46 ships and 48,897 tons.

Ralph Wenninger, in UC-17, sinks British freighter SS Maine, 3,616 tons, carrying a load of chalk plus general cargo from London to Philadelphia. His score is now 59 ships and 85,694 tons.
British freighter SS Mexico, 5,549 tons, bound from Liverpool for Valparaiso with a general cargo, hits a mine laid by UC-17 off Beachy Head, but the damaged ship makes port safely.

Kurt Ramien, in UC-48, torpedoes British tanker SS J.B. August Kessler, 5,104 tons, travelling in ballast from Rouen to Cardiff. The damaged ship reaches port safely.

North Sea:
Ernst Hashagen, in U-62, scuttles Dutch trawler Tres Fratres, 297 tons, raising his total to 19 ships and 19,738 tons.

Friedrich Crüsemann, in U-86, uses his deck gun to sink British trawler Queensorough, 165 tons. Crew abandons vessel , but lifeboat not recovered. Listed as Missing. This is Crüsemann's first sinking.

Hubert Aust, in UC-45, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Blomwaag, 695 tons, en route from Leith to Flæsland with a load of coal. His score is now 4 ships and 2,733 tons.

Bay of Biscay:
Leo Hillebrand, in U-46, scuttles Portuguese sailing ship Argo, 1,563 tons, travelling from New Orleans to London with an unspecified cargo. His score is now 19 ships and 31,008 tons.

Italy:
Johannes Klasing, in U-34, sinks three Allied ships off Civitavecchia:
Greek freighter SS Artemis, 528 tons, en route from Catania to Saint Louis du Rhône with a load of sulphur.
Norwegian freighter SS Bellatrix, 2,568 tons, carrying a load of coke from Cardiff to Naples.
Italian freighter SS Noli, 1,569 tons, travelling in ballast from Civitavecchia to Genoa.
Klasing's score is now 4 ships and 4,986 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Robert Moraht, in U-64, sinks British freighter SS Eptalofos, 4,413 tons, bound from Malta for Jamaica with an unspecified cargo. His score is now 13 ships and 44,331 tons.

Jimbuna

03-24-17, 09:48 AM

24th March 1917

Western Front

British take Roisel east of Peronne.

French occupy right bank of Oise from north of Vaudreuil to suburbs of La Fere and progress on east bank of Ailette Canal.

Eastern Front

Russians armies declare their loyalty to the Provisional Government.

Political, etc.

France protests to neutrals against barbarity and devastation by Germans in evacuated French territory.

Allied ministers return to Athens.

Greek Government demands withdrawal of Italian troops from Epirus.

10,000 people rally at Madison Square Garden in New York City to keep the U.S. out of the war.

Ship Losses:

Alice (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 12 nautical miles (22 km) south south west of the Eddystone Lighthouse (49°59′N 4°17′W) by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Boy Walter (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 15 nautical miles (28 km) south east of the Eddystone Lighthouse by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Bruyère (France) The schooner was scuttled in the Irish Sea off South Stack, Anglesey, United Kingdom (53°20′N 5°10′W) by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Emanuela (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Malta Channel by SM UC-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Endeavour (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 15 nautical miles (28 km) south east of the Eddystone Lighthouse by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Enigma (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 15 nautical miles (28 km) south east of the Eddystone Lighthouse by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Ennistown (United Kingdom) The coaster was scuttled in St. George's Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) south east of the South Arklow Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Fairearn (United Kingdom) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 16 nautical miles (30 km) west north west of South Stack by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Fulmar (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the Thames Estuary 8 nautical miles (15 km) south west of the Kentish Knock Lightship ( United Kingdom) with the loss of a crew member.
Grenmar (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 34 nautical miles (63 km) north by east of St Abb's Head, Berwickshire, United Kingdom by SM UC-77 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
H.C.G. (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 15 nautical miles (28 km) south east of the Eddystone Lighthouse by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Howe (United Kingdom) The schooner was scuttled in St. George's Channel 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) north east by east of the South Arklow Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Korsnaes (Norway) The coaster was scuttled in the Irish Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) west south west of Bardsey Island, Pembrokeshire, United Kingdom by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
L'Amerique (French Navy) The naval trawler was torpedoed and sunk in the Ras de Sein by SM UC-36 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of all 26 hands.
May Flower (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 15 nautical miles (28 km) south east of the Eddystone Lighthouse by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Montreal (France) The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean 77 nautical miles (143 km) off Cape Ortegal, Spain (45°40′N 7°40′W) by SM U-46 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 22 crew. She sank on 26 March, One survivor was rescued by a Royal Navy patrol boat.
Qui Vive (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 15 nautical miles (28 km) south east of the Eddystone Lighthouse by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Reindeer (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 15 nautical miles (28 km) south east of the Eddystone Lighthouse by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Satanita (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 12 nautical miles (22 km) south south west of the Eddystone Lighthouse by SM UC-17 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Tapir (France) The tug struck a mine laid by UC 70 (Werner Fürbringer) and sank in the Bay of Biscay off Groix, Morbihan (47°40′N 3°34′W) with the loss of fifteen of her crew.

Sailor Steve

03-24-17, 02:04 PM

March 24, 1917

Air War:
0855 German pilot Heinrich Gontermann, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Sopwith 1½ Strutter for victory number 5.

0900 German pilot Edmund Nathanael, Gontermann's wingmann, shoots down a 1½ Strutter for victory number 3. 70 Squadron loses two Strutters this day: A957, in which Cpt A.M. Lowrey and Lt G.W.W. Swann are both killed, and A1907, Cpt W.H. Costello and Lt H.F. Whiteside are both taken prisoner.

0900 German 12-victory ace Renatus Theiller is killed while attacking an FE.2b from 70 Squadron. Details unknown.

0945 English pilot Cyril Lowe, in FE.2b with 2nd Lt G. Masters as observer, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 2.

1030 German pilot Reinhold Jörke, in an Albatros, shoots down FE.2b A5472 for victory number 1. Cyril Lowe and G. Masters crash unharmed. There is a discrepancy concerning the serial number of Lowe's plane, with English sources citing A5442 and German sources saying A5472 or A5471.

1030 German pilot Adolf Schulte, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down an FE.2d for victory number 5. Details unknown.

1100 Canadian RNAS pilot Harold Spencer Kerby, flying Sopwith Pup N6177, and 2nd Lt Bromford, in N6164, share a victory over a German seaplane. Number 1 for both.

1100 German ace Karl Schäfer, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Sopwith 1½ Strutter for victory number 8. Details unknown.

1145 English RFC pilot Howard Redmayne Harker, flying FE.2d A1954 with 2nd Lt V.D. Fernauld as observer, shoots down an Albatros D.II for victory number 1.

1155 German ace Manfred von Richthofen, in a Halberstadt D.II, shoots down SPAD VII 6706 for victory number 30. Lt Richard Plunkett Baker is wounded and taken prisoner.
I was flying with several of my gentlemen when I observed an enemy squadron passing our Front. Aside from this squadron, two new one-seaters which I did not know were flying nearby. They were extremely fast and handy.

I attacked them and ascertained that my machine was the better one. After a long fight I managed to hit the adversary's tank. The propeller stopped running. The plane had to go down.

As the fight had taken place above the trenches, my adversary tried to escape, but I managed to force him to land behind our lines near Givenchy. The plane turned over in a shell hole, upside down, and was taken by our troops.
- Manfred von Richthofen1230 German pilot Eduard von Dostler, flying an Albatros D.III with Jasta 34, claims a Caudron G.IV for victory number 3.

1235 German pilot Hans Ritter von Adam, also with Jasta 34, claims a Caudron G.IV for victory number 1.

1240 Eduard von Dostler claims a second Caudron for number 4. The problem with these claims is that the only Caudron squadron operatin in that area, C18, only lost one plane that day. Brig Jean Marquisan and Sgt Jacques Delacharte both killed. The French Air War Chronology says it was probably von Adam.

1500 English pilot Edmund Zink, flying FE.2b 4898 with AM2 J. Walker as observer, shoods down an Albatros D.II for victory number 2.

1610 German ace Werner Voss, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down FE.2b A5485 for victory number 21. Sgt Edward Preston Critchley is wounded but makes it home, AM1 Frank Russel is killed.

1630 German ace Otto Bernert, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down BE.2d 6254 for victory number 9. Lt E.J. Hars is wounded but crashes on his own side of the lines, Sgt J.F. Ridgeway is killed.

1645 Werner Voss scores his second kill of the day, shooting down BE.2d 5679 for number 22. Lt Hugh Norton and 2nd Lt Reginald Alfred William Tillet are both killed.

German ace Rudolf Berthold, flying an Albatross D.III, shoots down a Farman for victory number 9. Cpl Peinaud and Lt Vernes are both killed.

German pilot Erich Löwenhardt, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down f French observation balloon for victory number 1.

German pilot Rudolf Matthaei, in an Albatros D.III, destroys an observation balloon for victory number 1.

French pilot Jacques Ortoli, flying a Nieuport, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 6.

German pilot Gustav Stenzel commanding Jasta 8 in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Nieuport for victory number 3.

Irish Sea:
Otto Steinbrinck, commanding UC-65, sinks five small ships near St George's Channel:
French schooner Bruyere, 100 tons, travelling in ballast from Mayport to Blaye.
British freighter SS Ennistown, 689 tons, travelling in ballast from Dublin to Cardiff.
British freighter SS Fairearn, 592 tons, bound from Garston for Cork with a load of coal.
British schooner Howe, 175 tons, carrying a load of coal from Garston to Cork.
Norweagian freighter SS Korsnaes, 732 tons, travelling in ballast from Saint Malo to Liverpool.
Steinbrinck's score is now 141 ships and 125,962 tons.

English Channel:
Ralph Wenninger, in UC-17, stops a British fishing fleet and sinks nine smacks:
Alice, 61 tons.
Boy Walter, 43 tons.
Endeavour, 25 tons.
Enigma, 24 tons.
H.C.G. 24 tons.
May Flower, 38 tons.
Qui Vive, 22 tons.
Reindeer, 28 tons.
Satanita, 30 tons.
Wenninger's score is now 68 vessels and 85,979 tons.

His Majesty's Trawler King's Grey, 338 tons, hits a mine laid by Ernst Voigt in UC-72. The damaged vessel makes port safely.

North Sea:
Reinhard von Rabenau, in UC-77, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Grenmar, 1,438 tons, en route from Blyth to Christiania with a load of coal. This is his first sinking.

France:
Gustav Buch, in U-36, torpedoes French Navy trawler L'Amerique, 489 tons. The small ship breaks apart and sinks in ten seconds, with the loss of all her crew. Listed as Missing. Buch's score is now 7 vessels and 8,128 tons.

Bay of Biscay:
Leo Hillebrand, in U-46, torpedoes French freighter SS Montreal, 3,342 tons, carrying a general cargo from Le Havre to Bordeaux and then the West Indies. Sources vary about casualties, with Wrecksite.eu saying there were none. A note on that site does tell of one French soldier going home on leave to Haiti to visit his parents. Other sources say there were 22 lives lost. One interesting note is that the ship didn't sink immediately, but drifted derelict for two days. On the 26th she was found by a British patrol boat, which discovered one of the ship's boys had been left behind when the rest of the crew abandoned ship. He was taken off by the PB, none the worse for wear. Hillebrand's score is now 20 ships and 34,350 tons.

French tug Tapir, 200 tons, hits a mine laid of Ile de Groix by Werner Fürbringer in UC-70, raising his score to 74 ships and 58,439 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Alfred Klatt, in UC-38, sinks Italian sailboat Emanuela, 16 tons, in the Malta Channel. His score is now 15 vessels and 10,645 tons.

Jimbuna

03-25-17, 09:49 AM

25th March 1917

Western Front

Hard fighting south of St. Quentin.

French reach neighbourhood of Coucy-le-Chateau.

395 shells on Reims.

Eastern Front

General Alexeiev, Commander-in-Chief Russian army.

German attack with gas in Dvinsk region repulsed.

Naval and Overseas Operations

French take Ouijan (Morocco).

Dunkirk bombarded from sea.

Aviation

Canadian ace Billy Bishop claims his first victory, shooting down and mortally wounding German Leutnant Theiller.

Political, etc.

French government protests German “acts of barbarism and devastation” in occupied-French territory.

Russian Provisional Government accepts responsibilities of former regime; all decorations (except St. George) abolished.

U.S. Legation at Brussels removed to Havre; Belgian relief work to be undertaken by other neutrals.

U.S. Navy Secretary Daniels announces censorship rules that would prevent the press from criticizing the administration’s policies.

Ship Losses:

Adenwen (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 6 nautical miles (11 km) south east by east of the North Arklow Lightship ( United Kingdom) by UC 65 (Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of ten of her crew.
Baynaen (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay 20 nautical miles (37 km) north west by west of Belle Île, Morbihan, France (47°34′N 3°40′W) by SM UC-36 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of five of her crew.
Berbera (United Kingdom) The cagro ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 60 nautical miles (110 km) east of Catania, Sicily, Italy (37°32′N 15°08′E) by SM U-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member. Three survivors were taken as prisoners of war.
Brandon (United Kingdom) The barque was scuttled in the Irish Sea by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her four crew took to the lifeboats but were not rescued.
C. Sundt (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea east of the Shetland Islands, United Kingdom by SM U-81 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her fifteen crew took to the lifeboats but were not rescued.
Etoile de la Mer (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Seine Estuary by SM UB-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Etoile Polaire (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Bay of Biscay 15 nautical miles (28 km) south west of Groix, Morbihan by SM UC-36 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
HMT Evangel (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 48 (Kurt Ramien) and sank in the Irish Sea off Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire with the loss of fifteen of her crew.
Felix Faure (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Seine Estuary by SM UB-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Fringante (France) The schooner was scuttled in the Irish Sea by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Garant (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the North Sea east of the Shetland Islands by SM U-81 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her fourteen crew took to the lifeboats bu were not rescued.
HMT Hilary II (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine and sank in the North Sea (51°28′30″N 1°24′00″E) with the loss of eight of her crew.
Huntleys (United Kingdom) The sailing vessel was scuttled in the English Channel 28 nautical miles (52 km) south south west of Beachy Head, East Sussex by SM UC-69 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Immacolata (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Strait of Messina by SM U-64 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Industria (United Kingdom) The trawler was sunk off the coast of Scotland by SM UC-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of all nine crew.
Laly (Norway) The cargo ship was scuttled in the North Sea east of the Shetland Islands by SM U-81 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her nineteen crew took to the lifeboats but were not rescued.
Leontine (France) The brigantine was shelled and sunk in the Bay of Biscay 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) south of Groix by SM UC-36 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of six of her crew.
Louise (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Seine Estuary by SM UB-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Marie Louise (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the English Channel 9 nautical miles (17 km) north north west of Port-en-Bessin, Calvados by SM UB-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Marshall (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 17 nautical miles (31 km) east of Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom by SM UC-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Mary Annie (United Kingdom) The three-masted schooner was scuttled in the English Channel 28 nautical miles (52 km) south south west of Beachy Head by SM UC-69 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Median (United Kingdom) The trawler was scuttled in the North Sea 30 nautical miles (56 km) east by south of Aberdeen by SM UC-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Poseidon (Greece) The cargo ship was sunk in the Irish Sea (52°27′N 5°12′W) by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Prince of Wales (United Kingdom) The trawler was scuttled in the North Sea 17 nautical miles (31 km) east by south of Girdle Ness, Aberdeenshire (57°10′N 1°32′W) by SM UC-77 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Queen Eugenie (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 23 nautical miles (43 km) north north east of the Cani Rocks, Tunisia (37°57′N 9°47′E) by SM UC-67 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 35 of her crew. Two survivors were taken as prisoners of war.
Roslyn (United Kingdom) The trawler was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 54 nautical miles (100 km) east of Girdle Ness, Aberdeenshire by SM UC-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Saint Joseph (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Seine Estuary by SM UB-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Vellore (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 21 nautical miles (39 km) north west by north of Alexandria, Egypt by SM U-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but two were taken as prisoners of war.

"Heartfelt Congratulations" (Western Mail cartoon)
http://i.imgur.com/j75d4B3.jpg

Sailor Steve

03-25-17, 08:58 PM

March 25, 1917

Air War:
0820 German ace Manfred von Richthofen, flying a Halberstadt D.II, shoots down Nieuport 17 A6689 for victory number 31. Lt Christopher Guy Gilbert is taken prisoner.
"An enemy squadron had passed over our lines. I went up, overtaking their last machine. After only a very few shots, the enemy's propeller stopped turning. The adversary landed near Tilloy, upsetting his plane. I observed after some moments the plane began to burn."
-Manfred von Richthofen"Escort to 11 Squadron FEs on photo op. I was surrounded and cut off by Richthofen's squadron over Douai and shot down; petrol tank hit, controls shot away. Nieuport 15A crashed and burnt, totally destroyed."
-Christophr Gilbert, upon repatriation in 1918 Gilbert also reported that there should have been five Nieuports escorting the FE.2s, but that the other four had all turned back or never taken off due to engine problems.

0920 German pilot Paul Hoppe, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Sopwith 1½ Strutter for victory number 2.

0920 German pilot Edmund Nathanael, in an Albatrtos D.III, shoots down 1½ Strutter for victory number 4.

0925 German pilot Heinrich Gontermann, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a 1½ Strutter for victory number 6.

0925 Edmund Nathanial shoots down a second 1½ Strutter for victory number 5.

Note: 70 squadron RFC lost 5 1½ Strutters this day. Impossible to determine who shot down which plane.

1700 Indian RFC pilot Edward Dawson Atkinson, flying a Nieuport 17, destroys an observation balloon for victory number 1.

1700 Canadian RFC pilot William Avery Bishop, in Nieuport 17 A306, shoots down an Albatros D.II for victory number 1. No details available.

German pilot Paul Aue, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down Nieuport 23 3418 for victory number 4. Caporal Joseph Trincot of Escadrille N.57 is listed as Missing.

German pilot Karl Deilmann, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down a Sopwith Strutter Strutter for victory number 1. This is the fifth Strutter mentioned above.

German ace Friedrich Mallinckrodt, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Sopwith Pup A630 for victory number 6. 2nd Lt N.A. Phillips is killed.

French ace Jacques Ortoli, in a Nieuport, or possibly a SPAD VII, shoots down a German two-seater and an "Enemy Aircraft" for victories 7 and 8.

Irish Sea:
Otto Steinbrinck, in UC-65, sinks four vessels north of St George's Channel:
British freighter SS Adenwen, 3,798 tons, en route from Cienfuegos via Queenstown to Liverpool with a load of sugar; torpedoed, 10 casualties. Two years earlier Adenwen survived an unsuccessful scuttling attempt by Otto Weddigen in U-29.
British barque Brandon, 130 tons, carrying a load of slate from Portmadoc to Waterford; scuttled. All four crew lost.
French schooner Fringante, 124 tons, en route from Troon to Treguier with a load of coal; scuttled.
Greek freighter SS Poseidon, 2,589 tons, travelling with a load of iron ore from Les Falaises to Barrow.
Steinbrinck's score is now 145 ships and 132,603 tons.

Wales:
His Majesty's Trawler Evangel, 197 tons, hits a mine laid off Milford Haven by Kurt Ramien in UC-48, bringing his score to 24 vessels and 40,665 tons.

English Channel:
Hans Howaldt, in UB-40, sinks a small French fishing fleet in the Seine Estuary.
Etoile de la Mer, 43 tons.
Felix Faure, 37 tons.
Louise, 45 tons.
Marie Louise, 34 tons.
Saint Joseph, 35 tons.
Howaldt's score is now 18 vessels and 6,592 tons.

Erwin Waßner, in UC-69, scuttles two vessels off Beachy Head:
British sailing vessel Huntleys, 186 tons, travelling from Bristol to Dieppe with a load of pitch.
British Schooner Mary Annie, 154 tons, en route from Glasgow to Tréport with a load of coal.
Waßner's score is now 35 ships and 31,272 tons.

North Sea:
Raimund Weisbach, in U-81, scuttles three Norwegian freighters east of the Shetland Islands:
SS C. Sundt, 1,105 tons, carrying a general cargo from Göteborg to Hull.
SS Garant, 735 tons, travelling from Christiania to Aberdeen with a load of wood pulp.
SS Laly, 1,880 tons, en route from Fredrikstad to London with a load of timber.
In all three cases none of the lifeboats are recovered, and all three crews perish.
Weisbach's score is now 29 ships and 76,903 tons.

Johannes Lohs starts his career in U-75 with the sinking of four ships off northern Scotland:
British trawler Industria, 133 tons; scuttled.
British trawler Median, 214 tons; scuttled.
British trawler Rosslyn, 113 tons, deck gun.
Norwegian freighter SS Marshall, 1,123 tons, bound from Tyne for Tromsø with coal and passengers.

Reinhard von Rabenau, in UC-77, scuttles British trawler Prince of Wales, 158 tons, off Girdleness, Scotland. His score is now 2 vessels and 1,596 tons.

Bay of Biscay:
Gustav Buch, in UC-36, scuttles three vessels near Groix Island, near Lorient:
British freighter SS Baynaen, 3,227 tons, travelling from Tegal to Nantes with a load of sugar.
French fishing vessel Etoile Polaire, 33 tons.
French brigantine Leontine, 201 tons.
Buch's score is now 10 vessels and 11,589 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Otto Schultze, in U-63, sinks British freighter SS Vellore, 4,926 tons, en route from Tyne and Malta to Alexandria with a load of coal. His score is now 20 ships and 55,456 tons.

Robert Moraht, in U-64, sinks two ships just off Catania, Sicily:
British freighter SS Berbera, 4,352 tons, heading from Bombay to Marseille with a mixed cargo of grain, cotton and manganese ore.
Italian sailing vessel Immacolata, 137 tons.
Moraht's score is now 15 ships and 48,820 tons.

Karl Neumann, in UC-67, torpedoes British freighter SS Queen Eugenie, 4,359 tons, carrying a general cargo from New York to Calcutta. His score is now 23 ships and 21,116 tons.

Jimbuna

03-26-17, 06:54 AM

26th March 1917

Western Front

British take Lagnicourt (six miles north-east of Bapaume); French repulse several attacks south of St. Quentin, throw back enemy beyond Barisis-Sevais line, and take village of Coucy-le-Chateau.

Eastern Front

Russians attacked south-west of Baranovichi (centre), retire on east bank of Shchara, losing 300 prisoners.

Southern Front

French take trenches west of Monastir and 2,000 prisoners.

Austrians occupy Italian advanced trenches south of the Vipacco (Carso).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

First Battle of Gaza. General Murray attacks; thick fog; Gaza surrounded, but not penetrated.

Political, etc.

Enlistment for U.S. Navy to be increased to maximum of 87,000.

Mr. Bonar Law appeals to engineers on strike at Barrow to resume work.

Bread rises to 1s. per 4-lb. loaf, and new standard of flour applied to bakers.

Russian War Minister warns that the “foe is at the gate,” pointing to the buildup of German troops threatening Petrograd (St. Petersburg).

Ship Losses:

Ceres (Germany) The cargo ship ran aground off Terschelling, Friesland, Netherlands. She was declared a total loss on 4 April.
Cerne (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the Thames Estuary. Her crew survived.
Ledbury (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 90 nautical miles (170 km) north by east of Benghazi, Libya by SM UB-43 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three of her crew.
L. Rahmanich (Egypt) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea between Alexandria and Port Said by SM U-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
HMS Myrmidon (Royal Navy) The Myrmidon-class destroyer collided with Hamborn ( United Kingdom and sank in the English Channel off Dungeness, Kent with the loss of a crew member. Survivors were rescued by HMS Mermaid ( Royal Navy) and Tambour ( United Kingdom).
Norma (Sweden) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel[335] 9 nautical miles (17 km) north of Île Vierge by SM UC-69 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Sailor Steve

03-26-17, 12:56 PM

March 26, 1917

Air War:
Lithuania-born Russian pilot Grigory Eduardovich Suk, flying Nieuport 11 1127, shoots down Hansa-Brandenburg C.I 67.24 for victory number 3. Sources disagree on this number, with The Aeordrome calling it number 1 and Wiki number 2. The '3' number comes from Russian Aces of World War 1, by Victor Kulikov.

North Atlantic Ocean:
Russian schooner Ernest Sophia, 179 tons, departs Bristol for Iceland with a load of salt and is not heard from again.

English Channel:
Erwin Waßner, commanding UC-69, sinks Swedish freighter SS Norma, 1,443 tons, bound from Dakar for Dunkerque with a load of ground nuts. His score is now 36 ships and 32,715 tons.

British destroyer HMS Myrmidon, 360 tons, is lost in a collision with British freighter SS Hamborn.

North Sea:
Norweagian fishing vessel SS Admiralen, 79 tons, departs Alesund to hunt seals in the Arctic and is not heard from again. 12 lives lost.

Wadden Sea:
German freighter SS Ceres, 2,009 tons en route from Rotterdam to Stockholm with a load of coal, is wrecked at Ameland, off the Dutch coast.

Mediterranean Sea:
Otto Schultze, in U-63, sinks Egyptian sailing vessel L. Rahmanich, 79 tons, between Alexandria and Port Said, raising his score to 21 ships and 55,535 tonss.

Hans von Mellenthin, in UB-43, sinks British freighter SS Ledbury, 2,046 tons, carrying a load of wheat from Karachi to Britain; northeast of Benghazi. His score is now 18 ships and 36,777 tons.

Durban, South Africa:
The crew of monitor HMS Severn are moved from the camp where they have been living to their ship. While the dockyard workers are still refitting the ship the crew are employed preparing the mess decks and quarters for use.

Jimbuna

03-27-17, 04:12 PM

27th March 1917

Western Front

British attack north-east of Bapaume and occupy villages north-east of Peronne.

French reach Forest of St. Gobain and, north of Soissons, the Aisne-Oise Canal.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

After two days' fighting, British take 950 Turkish prisoners near Gaza, including several Generals and whole 53rd Divisional Staff. Obliged to fall back, mainly through water difficulties.

Political, etc.

French Chamber votes for calling up of 1918 class in April.

Blockade debate in House of Commons.

The Cabinet offers President Wilson a plan of action for war, which will have 10,000 regular troops as the first U.S. units to go to France.

France prohibits all foreign imports unless a special permit is received from the Minister of Finance.

Russian proclamation in favour of self-determination and peace.

Grand dukes and royal princes of Russia formally pledge their support to the new government and turn over crown lands to the state.

Ship Losses:

Aasta (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) south west of Ar Men, Finistère, France by SM UC-69 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Don Benito (United Kingdom) The collier collided with Ultonia ( United Kingdom) and sank in the Atlantic Ocean (49°35′N 6°44′W).
Galatia (United Kingdom) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the North Sea 30 nautical miles (56 km) south south west of Buchan Ness, Aberdeenshire by SM UC-77 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Glenogle (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 207 nautical miles (383 km) south west of the Fastnet Rock (48°20′N 12°00′W) by SM U-24 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Grib (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 7 nautical miles (13 km) west of Ar Men by SM UC-69 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Holgate (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 10 nautical miles (19 km) north west of the Skellig Islands, County Kerry by SM U-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Kelvinhead (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 65 (Otto Steinbrinck) and sank in Liverpool Bay 0.75 nautical miles (1.39 km) west south west of the Liverpool Bar Lightship. Her crew survived.
Neath (United Kingdom) The auxiliary barque was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 28 nautical miles (52 km) south by east of the Fastnet Rock by SM U-66 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but her captain was taken as a prisoner of war.
Nova (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 18 nautical miles (33 km) off Girdle Ness by SM UC-77 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Sandvik (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the North Sea 7 nautical miles (13 km) off Tod Head, Aberdeenshire by SM UC-77 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Thracia (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay 12 nautical miles (22 km) north of Belle Île, Morbihan, France (47°31′N 3°17′W) by SM UC-69 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 36 of her crew.
62 (French Navy) The gunboat was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea west of Bizerte, Algeria by SM UC-37 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

Sailor Steve

03-27-17, 05:29 PM

March 27, 1917

Ireland:
Carl-Siegfried von Georg, commanding U-57, sinks British freighter SS Holgate, 2,604 tons, bound from Almeria for Barrow with a load of iron ore; northwest of the Skelligs. His score is now 31 ships and 32,684 tons.

Irish Sea:
British freighter SS Kelvinhead, 3.063 tons, hits a mine laid by Otto Steinbrinck in UC-65 near the Mersey Bar Lightship off Liverpool. His score is now 146 ships and 135,666 tons.

Celtic Sea:
Walter Remy, in U-24, sinks British freighter SS Glenogle, 7,682 tons, en route from London to Yokohama with a general cargo. His score is now 6 ships and 14,338 tons.

Thorwald von Bothmer, in U-66, sinks British auxiliary motor barque Neath, 5,548 tons, carrying a load of sugar from Mauritius to Le Havre. His score is now 23 ships and 62,413 tons.

North Sea:
On March 23rd German destroyers V44, G86 and G87 shelled Dutch freighter SS Amstelstromm, 1,413 tons, travelling from Amsterdam to London with a load of margarine. The crew abandoned ship. Four days later, on the 27th, Erich von Rohrscheidt, in UB-10, finds Amstelstromm drifting "derelict and badly damaged" near the Noord Hinder Lightship. He sinks the wreck with a torpedo. This is his first sinking.

Reinhard von Rabenau, in UC-77, sinks three vessels off northeast Scotland:
British fishing vessel Galatia, 150 tons.
Norwegian freighter SS Nova, 1,034 tons, carrying a load of coal from Blyth to Sarpsborg.
Norwegian freighter SS Sandvik, 591 tons, travelling from Goole to Göteborg with a general cargo.
Von Rabenau's score is now 5 ships and 3,371 tons.

Bay of Biscay:
Erwin Waßner, in UC-69, sinks three ships near Armen Rock:
Norwegian freighter SS Aasta, 1,146 tons, en route from Pomaron to Swansea with a load of copper pyrite.
Norwegian freighter SS Grib, 1,474 tons, carrying a load of cork from Lisbon to Hull.
British freighter SS Thracia, 2,891 tons, travelling from Bilbao to Ardrossan with a load of iron ore.
Waßner's score is now 39 ships and 38,226 tons.

Tunisia:
Otto Launberg, in UC-37, sinks French gunboat Nr. 62, off Bizerta. His score is now 14 vessels and 25,919 tons.

Jimbuna

03-28-17, 08:56 AM

28th March 1917

Western Front

French repulse enemy in Maisons de Champagne, but lose a few trenches. They recapture Hill 304 (Verdun).

British established along Bapume-Cambrai road beyond Beaumetz.

Ground gained round Croiselles-Arras.

German long-range gun shells Soissons.

Eastern Front

Germans report that spring thaw prevents fighting on large scale.

Russian attacks on Magyaros Ridge (Moldavia) fail.

Southern Front

Unsuccessful Austrian attacks in the Carso.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Turks claim battle at Gaza as a victory.

Political, etc.

All members of Romanov family have taken oath of fidelity to Provisional Government.

Export of wheat from Argentina prohibited.

Electoral reform debate in House of Commons; Mr. Asquith announces his conversion to women's suffrage.

Ship Losses:

Antonietta R. (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea off Capo Palinuro, Calabria by SM U-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Ardglass (United Kingdom) The coaster was scuttled in the Irish Sea 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) east of the South Arklow Lightship ( United Kingdom) (52°14′N 5°51′W) by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Cannizaro (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 145 nautical miles (269 km) south west of the Fastnet Rock (49°00′N 10°00′W) by SM U-24 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Carlo T (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea off Capo Palinuro by SM U-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Dagali (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the Irish Sea 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) north east of the South Arklow Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Expedient (United Kingdom) The trawler was scuttled in the North Sea by SM UC-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of all nine crew.
Gafsa (United Kingdom) The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 10 nautical miles (19 km) south east of the Old Head of Kinsale, County Cork by SM U-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of seven crew.
Giuseppina (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea off Capo Palinuro by SM U-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Giuseppina Rosa (Italy) The brigantine was scuttled in the Tyrrhenian Sea by SM U-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Harvest Home (Isle of Man) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the Irish Sea 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) north east of the South Arklow Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Hero (United Kingdom) The tug struck a mine laid by UC 40 (Gustav Deuerlich) and sank in the North Sea off the mouth of the River Wear with the loss of a crew member.
Katina (Greece) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay 10 nautical miles (19 km) north west of the Île d'Yeu, Vendée, France (46°47′N 2°28′W) by SM UC-69 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Laima (Russia) The schooner was sunk in the Irish Sea 10 nautical miles (19 km) south east of the Codling Lightship by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
La Maria (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea by SM U-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Moulmein (United Kingdom) The trawler was scuttled in the North Sea 25 nautical miles (46 km) north east of the Longstone Lighthouse, Northumberland by SM UC-77 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Oakwell (United Kingdom) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) north east of Robin Hood's Bay, Yorkshire by SM UB-22 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four crew.
Pietro Lofaro (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea off Capo Palinuro by SM U-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Raffaele (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea off Capo Palinuro by SM U-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Ruby (United Kingdom) The coaster struck a mine laid by UC 44 (Kurt Tebbenjohanns) and sank in the North Sea 2.5 nautical miles (4.6 km) off Auskerry Orkney Islands with the loss of six of her crew.
South Arklow Lightship (United Kingdom) The lightship was scuttled in the Irish Sea 1.5 nautical miles (2.8 km) west of Hook Point, County Waterford by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Snowdon Ranger (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in St. George's Channel 25 nautical miles (46 km) west of Bardsey Island, Pembrokeshire (52°36′N 5°34′W) by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four of her crew.
Tizona (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the North sea 34 nautical miles (63 km) north by east of the Longstone Lighthouse by SM UC-77 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Urania (Norway) The barque was sunk in the North Sea 12 nautical miles (22 km) east of Copinsay, Orkney Islands by SM UC-42 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of seven of her crew.
Wychwood (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) south south west of the South Arklow Lightship ( United Kingdom) (52°40′N 5°55′W) by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three of her crew.

Sailor Steve

03-28-17, 03:44 PM

March 28, 1917

Air War:
1024 German pilot Hans Bethge, flying an Albatros D.III shoots down Nieuport 17 6615 for victory number 4. 2nd Lt H. Welch is killed.

1030 French ace Jean Casale shares a kill with an Adj Bertel, bringing down an "Enemy Aircraft". Victory number 7 for Casale, number 1 for Bertel.

1040 French ace René Doumer, in a Nieuport, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 7.

1115 French pilot Jean Matton, in a Nieuport, shoot down a German two-seater for victory number 5. Identity of the victims are not confirmed, but Gfr Bernhard Palm and Ltn Walter Schmidt of FAA 203 are killed at about this time.

1715 German pilot Lothar Siegfried von Richthofen, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down FE.2b 7715 for victory number 1. 2nd lt Norman Leslie Knight is wounded and taken prisoner, 2nd Lt Alred George Severs is killed.

French pilot Honoré de Bonald, flying a Nieuport, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 2.

Ireland:
Carl-Siegfried von Georg, commanding U-57, sinks British freighter SS Gafsa, 3,974 tons, bound from Port Arthur to Britain with a load of fuel oil. His score is now 32 ships and 36,658 tons.

Irish Sea:
Otto Steinbrink, in UC-65, sinks seven ships in the vicinity of the South Arklow Bank:
British freighter SS Ardglass, bound from Port Talbot for Belfast with a load of steel.
Norwegian freighter SS Dagali, 742 tons, travelling in ballast from Hennebont to Glasgow.
British schooner Harvest Home, 103 tons, en route from Wexford to Gariston with a load of timeber; sunk with deck gun.
Russian schooner Laima, 148 tons, sailing in ballast from Galway to Glasson Dock.
British freighter SS Snowdon Range, 4,662 tons, carrying a load of explosives from Philadelphia to Liverpool; torpedoed.
British freighter SS Wychwood, 1,985 tons, en route from Barry to Scapa Flow with a load of coal.
British lightship Guillemot, no tonnage listed, scuttled and sunk with the deck gun. Reason given for sinking a lightship is that it was warning vessels of the U-boat's presence.
Steinbrinck's score is now 153 ships and 144,084 tons.

Celtic Sea:
Walter Remy, in U-24, torpedoes British freighter SS Cannizaro, 6,133 tons, en route from New York to Hull with a government cargo. His score is now 9 ships and 20,471 tons.

North Sea:
Bernhard Putzier, in UB-22, torpedoes British coaster SS Oakwell, 248 tons, carrying a load of glass bottles from Seaham to London, off Robin Hood's Bay. His score is now 15 ships and 6,691 tons.

British tugboat Hero, 66 tons, hits a mine laid off the mouth of the River Wear in Sunderland by Gustav Deuerlich in UC-40. Deuerlich's score is now 2 vesseks abd 1,572 tons.

Otto Tornow, in UC-42, torpedoes Norwegian barque Urania, 1,688 tons, en route from New York to Nyborg with a load of phosphate; 12 miles east of Cpinsay, in the Orkney Islands. His score is now 3 ships and 2,019 tons.

British coaster SS Ruby, 234 tons, carrying a general cargo from Leith to Kirkwall, hits a mine laid off the Orkney Islands by Kurt Tebbenjohanns in UC-44, bringing his score to 14 ships and 11,900 tons.

Johannes Lohs, in UC-75, scuttles British trawler Expedient, 145 tons, raising his score to 5 ships and 1,728 tons. The crew of 9 did not survive the stormy seas.

Reinhard von Rabenau, in UC-77, sinks two ships northeast of the Longstone Lighthouse, Farne islands:
British trawler Moulmein, 151 tons; scuttled.
Norwegian freighter SS Tizona, 1,021 tons, headed from London to Christiania with a load of coke.
Von Rabenau's score is now 7 ships and 4,543 tons.

Bay of Biscay:
Erwin Waßner, in UC-69, torpedoes Greek freighter SS Katina, 2,464 tons, en route from Sfax to Nantes with a load of phosphates, off the Ile d'Yeu. His score is now 40 ships and 40,690 tons.

Norwegian freighter SS Peter Jebsen, 3,525 tons, carrying 4,000 tons of flour from New York to Bordeaux, runs aground off La Palmyre.

Thrhennian Sea:
Johannes Klasing, in U-34, stops and scuttles seven Italian sailing vessels (possibly a fishing fleet) off Cape Palinuro, Italy:
Antoniatta R, 84 tons.
Carlo T, 134 tons.
Giuseppinga, 223 tons.
Giuseppina Rosa, 132 tons.
La Maria, 43 tons.
Pietro Lofaro, 291 tons.
Raffaele, 53 tons.
Klasing's score is now 11 vessels and 5,936 tons.

Canada:
Canadian trawler Triumph, 124 tons, on a fishing trip out of Halifax, Nova Scotia, runs aground off Lawrencetown Head.

Australia:
Australian schooner Endeavour, 12 tons, founders off Barrangarra Creek, losing 6 of her 8 crew.

Jimbuna

03-29-17, 09:22 AM

29th March 1917

Western Front

British take Neuville-Bourjonval (seven miles east of Bapaume) after sharp fighting.

German retreat slackens.

Southern Front

Heavy Austrian attacks in the Carso repulsed.

Political, etc.

Speech by Mr. Bonar Law; 100,000 men needed.

Hamarskjold (Conservative) Ministry in Sweden resigns.

Spanish government suspends all constitutional guarantees in its provinces due to a threat of popular unrest and revolt.

In the Russian Duma, workers, soldiers, and politicians urge Germans and Austro-Hungarians to overthrow their monarchies.

Ship Losses:

Bywell (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) east of Scarborough, Yorkshire (54°17′N 0°18′W) by SM UB-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Conoid (United Kingdom) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 3.5 nautical miles (6.5 km) north of the Barfleur Lighthouse, Manche, France by SM UB-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Crispin (United Kingdom) The cargo liner was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 14 nautical miles (26 km) south of Hook Point, Waterford by SM U-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eight crew.
Irma (France) The sailing vessel was sunk in the English Channel off Cap Barfleur, Manche by SM UB-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Kathleen Lily (United Kingdom) The coaster was sunk in the North Sea 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) east of Robin Hood's Bay, Yorkshire (54°27′N 0°28′W) by SM UC-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four of her crew.
Lincolnshire (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 8 nautical miles (15 km) south west by south of Hook Point (52°00′N 7°00′W) by SM U-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Mascota (United Kingdom) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 8 nautical miles (15 km) east of Lowestoft, Suffolk by a Kaiserliche Marine torpedo boat with the loss of seven of her fourteen crew. Survivors were taken as prisoners of war.
Morild I (Norway) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Bay of Biscay 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) off Hourtin, Gironde, France by SM UC-69 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Os (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) north west by north of Noup Head, Orkney Islands, United Kingdom by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Schaldis (Belgium) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 6 nautical miles (11 km) north north east of Whitby, Yorkshire, United Kingdom by SM UC-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

Editorial Cartoon: The U.S. comes out to play ─ Chicago Tribune
https://s8.postimg.org/pegiaa3x1/a2aa.png (https://postimg.org/image/yz04x5t8x/)image hosting site over 5mb (https://postimage.org/)

Sailor Steve

03-29-17, 12:33 PM

March 29, 1917

U.S. 7th Aero Squadron formed at Ancón, Panama, to guard the Canal. They will not receive their first aircraft until December.

Ireland:
Carl-Siegfried von Gerog, commanding U-57, sinks two British freighters off Hook Point, near Waterford, on the south coast:
SS Crispin, 3,965 tons, bound from Norfolk and Newport News for Avonmouth with a cargo of horses.
SS Lincolnshire, 3,965 tons, carrying a general cargo from New York to Le Havre.
Von Georg's score is now 34 ships and 44,588 tons.

Irish Sea:
Swedish freighter SS Hermes, 3,325 tons, departs Newport, Wales for Archangelsk and is not heard from again.

English Channel:
Hans Howaldt, in UB-40, sinks two ships just off Cap Barfleur, Normandy:
British schooner Conoid, 165 tons, travelling from Fowey to Rouen with a load of china clay.
French sailboat Irma, 32 tons.
Howaldt's score is now 20 vessels and 6,789 tons.

British freighter SS Zurbaran, 3,044 tons, bound from Bilbao for Cherbourg, is in a collision with French freighter SS Mentor. Zurbaran is grounded, but ends up being written off as a total loss.

North Sea:
Karlgeorg Schuster, in U-60, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Os, 637 tons, en route from Llanelly to Kristiansand with a load of coal and aluminum oxides; off Noup Head, Orkney Islands. His score is now 9 ships and 23,757 tons.

Franz Walther, in UB-21, torpedoes British freighter SS Bywell, 1,522 tons, carrying a load of coal from Shields to Rouen; off Scarborough. His score is now 4 ships and 3,382 tons.

British coaster SS Kathleen Lily, 521 tons, en route from Shields to Rouen with a load of coke, hits a mine laid off Robin Hood's Bay by Otto von Schrader in UC-31. His score is now 17 ships and 12,974 tons.

Johannes Lohs, in UC-75, sinks Belgian freighter SS Schaldis, 1,241 tons, travelling from Dunston to Calais with a load of coal. His score is now 6 ships and 2,969 tons.

German destroyers V67 and G95 sink British freighter SS Mascota, 674 tons, en route from Treport to Newcastle. Seven crewmen are taken prisoner, the other seven lost.

Norway:
Swedish coaster SS Olof, 442 tons, bound from Trondhie for Halmstad with a load of pyrites, sinks following a collision off Kopervik.

Bay of Biscay:
Erwin Waßner, in UC-69, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Morild I, 1,354 tons, carrying a load of pit props from Oporto to Cardiff; off the mouth of the Gironde River. His score is now 41 ships and 42,044 tons.

Norwegian freighter SS Oria, 1,845 tons, carrying a load of coal from Newport, Montreal, Canada to Marseille, hits a mine laid by an unknown ship off Peñas, Spain.

Jimbuna

03-30-17, 09:13 AM

30th March 1917

Western Front

British progressing towards Cambrai, take eight villages.

Infantry in touch with whole German front from Arras to six miles south-west of St. Quentin.

French recapture lost trenches in eastern Champagne.

French infantry and cavalry push German troops out of Château de Coucy and find the medieval castle demolished by German forces.

Political, etc.

French politician Denys Cochin declares France will “war to the bitter end” due to Germany’s destruction of occupied French areas.

French government introduces a bill to provide 300 million francs for agricultural aid, especially in areas affected by the fighting.

German Chancellor von Bethmann-Hollweg declares, “Germany never desired war against the USA and does not desire it today.”

At the German Reichstag, Arthur Zimmermann again admits that his telegram offering alliance with Mexico against the U.S. is genuine.

Russian Provisional Government acknowledges independence of Poland.

Electoral Reform debate in Prussian Parliament.

Ship Losses:

Avanguardia (Italy) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Bay of Biscay 15 nautical miles (28 km) off the Contis les Bains Lighthouse, Pyrenées-Atlantiques by SM UC-69 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Britta (Norway) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Bay of Biscay 14 nautical miles (26 km) north of the Contis les Bains Lighthouse by SM UC-69 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMT Christopher (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 14 (Ulrich Pilzecker) and sank in the North Sea off Southwold, Suffolk (52°26′N 1°48′E) with the loss of five of her crew.
Dee (United Kingdom) The sailing vessel was scuttled in the Pacific Ocean 410 nautical miles (760 km) west by south of Cape Leeuwin, Western Australia by SMS Möwe ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Endymion (United Kingdom) The sailing vessel was sunk in the English Channel by a Kaiserliche Marine submarine with the loss of four of her crew.
Harberton (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 31 (Otto von Schrader) and sank in the North Sea with the loss of fifteen of her crew.
Michelina Catalano (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea north of Sicily by SM U-52 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Petrel (United Kingdom) The trawler was scuttled in the North Sea 120 nautical miles (220 km) east of Aberdeen (57°00′N 1°30′E) by SM UC-77 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Saint Louis III (French Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 71 (Hans Valentiner) and sank off Saint Valery with the loss of sixteen of her crew.
Sarcelle (France) The sailing vessel struck a mine laid by UC 71 (Hans Valentiner) and sank in the English Channel off Dieppe, Seine-Maritime.
Somme (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 20 nautical miles (37 km) east by north of Cap Barfleur, Manche, France (49°48′N 0°41′W) by SM UB-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of five of her crew.

Sailor Steve

03-30-17, 05:02 PM

March 30, 1917

Air War:
1145 German pilot Kurt Wolff, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down Nieuport 17 A273 for victory number 4. Lt William Patrick Garnett is wounded, and dies later.

1415 German pilot Karl Allmenröder, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Nieuport 17 6780 for victory number 5. Lt D.M.F. Sinclair is taken prisoner. There seems to be some discrepancy concerning the downed aircraft. The Aerodrom sebsite says "Nieuport 17 5680". The Jasta War Chronology also gives the number, but the UK Serials website says '6780' was a BE.2! UK Serials does have 'A6780' as a Nieuport 23.

German ace Hans-Joachim Buddecke, flying a Halberstadt D.II out of Smyrna with FA-6, shoots down Farman F.27 N3024 and Nieuport 12 9203 for victories 11 and 12.

German ace Rudolf von Eschwge, flying an Albatros D.III for Bulgaria on the Macedonian front, shoots down Sopwith 1½ Strutter N5223 for victory number 6.

Irish RFC pilot Robert Gregory, in Neiuport 17 A6680, shoots down a Halberstadt for victory number 4.

St. George's Channel:
Carl-Siegfried von Georg, in U-57, attacks British Q-ship HMS Lady Patricia, 1,372 tons, with his deck gun. The damaged ship makes port safely.

English Channel:
Max Viebeg, in UB-32, attacks British Q-ship HMS Penshurst, 1,191 tons, with his deck gun. The damaged ship makes port safely. This is the second failed attack on Penshurst.

Hans Howaldt, in UB-40, sinks British freighter SS Somme, 1,828 tons, en route from Newport, Wales to Rouen with a load of coal. His score is now 21 ships and 8,617 tons.

Otto Steinbrinck, in UC-65, shells British Q-ship HMS Peveril. The damaged ship makes port safely, but 9 crew are lost, some of them while acting as a "panic party", pretending to abandon ship.

Three vessels hit mines laid by Hans Valentiner in UC-71 off Saint-Valery-en-Caux, near Dieppe:
British freighter SS Edernian, 3,588 tons, travelling in ballast from Le Havre to Cardiff. The damaged ship makes port safely.
French Navy drifter Saint Louis III, 97 tons; sunk.
French sailing vessel Sarcelle, 49 tons; sunk.
Valentiner's score is now 33 vessels and 18,135 tons.

On March 29th French freighter SS Mentor, 1,565 tons, carrying a load of wine from Algiers to Rouen was invonlved in a collision with British freighter SS Zurbaran. Zurbaran was beached but written off. Mentor was damaged, but sinks on the 30th while trying to reach a safe port.

North Sea:
His Majesty's Trawler Christopher, 316 tons, hits a mine laid by Ulrich Pilzecker and UC-14 off Southwold. this is Pilzecker's first sinking.

British freighter SS Harberton.1,443 tons, carrying a load of coal from Blyth to London, its a mine laid by Otto von Schrader in UC-31. His score is now 18 ships and 14,407 tons.

Otto von Schrader, in UC-31, scuttles Danish freigher SS Helga, 839 tons, en route from Hull to Copenhagen with a load of coal. His score is now 18 ships and 14,407 tons.

Reinhard von Rabenau, in UC-77, scuttles British trawler Petrel, 151 tons, bringing his total to 8 vessels and 4,694 tons.

German minesweeper M-15 is sunk by a mine off the west coast of Denmark.

Bay of Biscay:
Erwin Waßner, in UC-69, sinks two ships off Bayonne, France, just north of the Spanish border:
Italian freighter SS Avanguardia, 2,703 tons, bound from Bougie for Cardiff with a load of ore; scuttled.
Norwegian freighter SS Britta, 2,061 tons, carrying a load of coal from Bilbao to Middlesbrough.
Waßner's score is now 43 ships and 46,808 tons.

Tyrhennian Sea:
Hans Walther, in U-52, sinks Italian sailing vessel Michelina Catalano, bringing his total to 19 ships and 39,935 tons.

German East Africa:
HMFM Trent cruises from Zanzibar to Dar-es-Salaam, but finds the tide running so strong that she has to anchor outside. She remains there all day.

Durban, South Africa:
1000 Sixteen days after leaving the floating drydock, British monitor HMS Severn steams out of Durban harbour for steam trials and testing the two 6" guns.

Argentina:
American schooner Lucinda Sutton, 1,331 tons, travelling from Paranaguá, Brazil to Bahia Blanca, Argentina, is wrecked near the Bahia Blanca lightship.

Jimbuna

03-31-17, 07:22 AM

31st March 1917

Western Front

British advance north-east of St. Quentin.

Eight villages along the Hindenburg Line fall to British troops. French forces also gain north of Soissons.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British occupy Deli Abbas (River Diala).

Naval

HMHS Gloucester Castle sinking after it was torpedoed by German U-boat UB-32. 3 crew are killed.
http://i.imgur.com/Zi3BEkZ.jpg

Political, etc.

Order limiting output of beer in United Kingdom issued.

Social Democrats in the German Reichstag declare that a republic is inevitable, causing cries of “treason” in the chamber.

Ship Losses:

Boaz (United Kingdom) The ketch was scuttled in the English Channel 15 nautical miles (28 km) north of Cap Barfleur, Manche, France by SM UB-32 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Braefield (United Kingdom) The coaster was sunk in St. George's Channel off Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire by SM U-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of all ten crew.
Brodness (United Kingdom) The Blue Star Line refrigerated cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) west north west of Anzio, Lazio, Italy (41°28′N 12°26′E) by SM UC-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Farmand (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay 6 nautical miles (11 km) north of Punta Galea, Biscay, Spain by SM UC-69 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMT Forward III (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 6 (Werner von Zerboni di Sposetti) and sank in the North Sea south of the Shipwash Lightship ( United Kingdom) (51°57′30″N 1°48′30″E) with the loss of ten of her crew.
Galatee (France) The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Mediterranean Sea east of Cape Corbelin, Algeria (36°53′N 5°01′E) by SM UC-37 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was beached at Sidi Kralem but was later refloated.
Gippeswic (United Kingdom) The ketch was scuttled in the English Channel 15 nautical miles (28 km) north of Barfleur, Manche by SM UB-32 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMHS Gloucester Castle (Royal Navy) The hospital ship was torpedoed and damaged in the English Channel off the Isle of Wight by SM UB-32 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three crew. She was subsequently repaired and returned to service.
Hestia (Netherlands) The tanker was sunk in the North Sea 31 nautical miles (57 km) west of the Maas Lightship ( Netherlands) by SM UB-23 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Lisbeth (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea north east of the Noord Hinder Lightship ( Netherlands) by SM UB-23 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Primrose (United Kingdom) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 35 nautical miles (65 km) south west of Start Point, Devon by SM UC-71 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.

MERCHANT SHIPPING
British, Allied and Neutral ships lost to enemy submarines, mines and cruisers etc in the month - 366 ships of 596,000 tons gross. (Lloyd's War Losses).

Sailor Steve

03-31-17, 09:23 PM

March 31, 1917

Air War:
0730 Canadian RFC pilot William Bishop, flying Nieuport 23 A6769, shoots down an Albatros D.II for victory number 2.

0750 German pilot Kurt Wolff, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down FE.2b 7691 for victory number 5. Lt Leslie Arthur Trew Strange is take prisoner and 2nd Lt William Gerard Talbot Clifton is wounded, dying later in a German field hospital.

0900 German pilot Adolf von Tutschek, in Albatros D.II 2004/16, shoots down an unidentified Nieuport for victory number 2.

1100 French ace René Dorme, in a Nieuport, shoots down an AEG two-seater for victory number 18.

German ace Otto Brauneck, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down an observation balloon for victory number 7.

St. George's Channel:
Carl-siegfried von Georg, in U-57, sinks British coaster SS Braefield, 427 tons, travelling in ballast from Cork to Cardiff. All 10 crew lost, ship posted as Missing. His score is now 35 ships and 45,015 tons.

Cornwall:
British coaster SS Glenno, 187 tons, carrying a load of flour from Barry to Falmouth, springs a leak and sinks. No casualties.

English Channel:
Wilhelm von Fircks, in U-59, torpedoes British freighter SS Valacia, 6,526 tons, en route from London to Portland, Maine with a general cargo. The damaged ship is towed into port.

Max Viebeg, in UB-32, sinks two British ships and damages two more in the area between the Isle of Wight and Cap Barfleur:
Ketch Boaz, 111 tons, travelling in ballast from Quistreham to Poole; scuttled.
Ketch Gippeswic, 116 tons, travelling in ballast from Caen to Poole; scuttled.
Hospital ship Gloucester Castle, 7,999 tons, torpedoed but grounded and later repaired.
Freighter SS Queen Louise, 4,879 tons, carrying steel billets and locomotives from Philadelphia to Dunkerque; torpedoed but survived.
Viebeg's score is now 9 ships and 1,922 tons.

Hans Valentiner, in UC-71, uses his deck gun to sink British schooner Primrose, 113 tons, travelling in Ballast from Granville to Fowey. His score is now 34 ships and 18,248 tons.

North Sea:
Franz Walther, in UB-21, takes Norwegian frieghter SS Norden, 776 tons, carrying a general cargo from Rotterdam to Christiania, as a prize; off the Dutch island of Terschelling. His score is now 5 ships and 4,158 tons.

Hans Ewald Niemer, in UB-23, starts his career with the sinking of two ships off the Dutch coast:
Dutch motor tanker MV Hestia, 989 tons, travelling in ballast from Rotterdam to London; sunk with deck gun.
Norwegian freighter SS Lisbeth, 1,621 tons, travelling in ballast from Rotterdam to Swansea.
Niemer's opening score is 2 ships and 2,580 tons.

His Majesty's Drifter Forward III, 89 tons, hits a mine laid off the Shipwash lightship by Werner von Zerboni di Sposetti in UC-6, bringing his score to 3 ships and 2,185 tons.

British sloop HMS Carnation, 1,210 tons, hits a mine laid at Strosay Forth by Otto Tornow in UC-42. The damaged ship is later repaired.

British schooner Enterprise, 168 tons, carrying a load of coal from Boston, Lincolnshire to Valéry Sur Somme, is wrecked at Haisbrorough Sands, off Norfolk.

Norwegian freighter SS Feistein, 2,991 tons, en route from Philadelphia to Rotterdam with a load of wheat, hits a mine laid by an unknown ship near the Terschelling lightship.

Bay of Biscay:
Erwin Waßner, in UC-69, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Farmand, 1,387 tons, hauling a load of coal from Cardiff to Lisbon. His score is now 44 ships and 48,195 tons.

Tyrhennian Sea:
Alfred Klatt, in UC-38, sinks British freighter SS Brodness, 5,736 tons, travelling in ballast from Genoa to Port Said. near Anzio, Italy. His score is now 16 ships and 16,381 tons.

Adriatic Sea:
Friedrich Fähndrich, in Austro-Hungarian submarine U-30, sets out from Cattaro, Montenegro (modern Kotor) and is not heard from again.

Mediterranean Sea:
Otto Launburg, in UC-37, torpedoes French freighter SS Galatee, 3,062 tons, carrying a load of phosphate from Susa to Oran, off Cape Corbelin, near Algiers. The sinking ship is grounded at Sidi Kralem, then refloated and towed to Algiers.

German East Africa:
HMFM Trent, after spending the night anchored off Dar-es-Salaam, if finally able to proceed into the harbor.

Indian Ocean:
German raider SMS Wolf stops and scuttles British barque Dee, 1,169 tons, 400 miles southwest of Cape Leeuwin, Australia.

United States:
American schooner Allentown, 744 tons, travelling from New York to San Juan, Puerto Rico, sinks following a collision off New York Harbor.

Jimbuna

04-01-17, 09:09 AM

1st April 1917

Western Front

British capture Savy (four miles west of St. Quentin) and Savy Wood.

French drive back Germans to Vauxaillon (north-east of Soissons).

A German bombardment of Reims begins.

Southern Front

Bulgar-Germans bombard Monastir (asphyxiating shells).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Russians progress towards Khanikan (85 miles north-east of Baghdad).

Turks retreat towards Kasr-i-Shirin (Persia).

British occupy Kizil-Robat (26 miles south-west of Khanikan) on Diala river.

Naval

U.S. armed cargo ship Aztec is torpedoed by the German submarine SM U-46, resulting in 28 crew deaths.

Political, etc.

British Government decide to interfere in Barrow strike. They adhere to principle of an independent Poland.

Thousands of pacifists, carrying tulips, march to Washington D.C. to protest against the U.S. entering the war.

Russian government announces it will abolish the death penalty and will replace it with penal servitude.

Ship Losses:

Aztec (United States) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Ouessant, Finistère, France (48°20′N 6°00′W) by SM U-46 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 28 crew.
Bergenhus (Denmark) The passenger ship was sunk in the North Sea 130 nautical miles (240 km) east of the Farne Islands, Northumberland, United Kingdom by SM UC-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine).There were no casualties.
Camilla (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 150 nautical miles (280 km) west of Skudesnes, Rogaland (56°32′N 3°59′E) by SM UB-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eight of her crew.
Consul Persson (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea (58°21′N 2°55′E) by SM U-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Eastern Belle (United Kingdom) The ketch was scuttled in the English Channel 30 nautical miles (56 km) south west of St. Catherine's Point, Isle of Wight by SM UC-72 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Endymion (United Kingdom) The ketch was shelled and sunk in the English Channel off Start Point, Devon by SM UB-32 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four crew.
Ester (Denmark) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea (56°32′N 4°18′E) by SM UB-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Fjelland (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the North Sea 50 nautical miles (93 km) south west by west of Utsire, Rogaland (58°20′N 5°50′E) by SM U-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Jolie Brise (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 20 nautical miles (37 km) off Audierne, Finistère by SM UB-36 ( Kaiserliche Marine)
Kasenga (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) off Cape Palos, Spain by an enemy submarine.
Maria Santissima D. Grazie (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Sicily by SM U-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Maria T. (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Sicily by SM U-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Providence de Dieu (France) The fishing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 20 nautical miles (37 km) off Audierne by SM UB-36 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Silvia (United Kingdom) The schooner was scuttled in the English Channel 15 nautical miles (28 km) south south east of the Owers Lightship ( United Kingdom) (50°19′N 0°28′W) by SM UB-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Warren (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km) south west of Civitavecchia, Lazio, Italy (41°51′N 11°22′E) by SM UC-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three of her crew. Her captain was taken as a prisoner of war.
Zambesi (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 15 nautical miles (28 km) north by west of Alexandria, Egypt (31°26′N 29°49′E) by SM U-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three crew.

Sailor Steve

04-01-17, 09:29 AM

April 1, 1917

Air War:
No. 100 Squadron RFC moves to Izel-le-Hameau and adds four BE.2es to their Roster.

1050 German ace Otto Bernert, flying an Albatros D.III, destroys a British observation balloon for victory number 10.

1145 German ace Werner Voss, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down BE.2e 2561 for victory number 23. Cpt Arthur Meredith Wynne is wounded, but crashes on his own side of the lines. Lt Adrian Somerset Mackenzie is killed.

German 6-victory ace Alfred Mohr in Albatros D.III2012/16, is shot down and killed By Lts H.D..Baker and D. Gordon of No. 12 Squadron.

Celtic Sea:
Leo Hillebrand, commanding U-46, sinks American freighter SS Aztec, 3,727 tons, bound from New York for Le Havre with a mixed cargo of copper, steel, lumber, machinery and chemicals; west of Ushant. There are 28 casualties. Hillebrand's score is now 21 ships and 38,077 tons.

English Channel:
Max Viebeg, in UB-32, sinks British ketch Endymion, 73 tons, with his deck gun, bringing his score to 10 vessels and 1,995 tons.

Heinrich Küstner, in UB-39, scuttles British schooner Silvia, 164 tons, carrying a load of china clay from Par to Rouen; near the Owers lightship. His score is now 47 vessels and 49,061 tons.

Ernst Voigt, in UC-72, stops and scuttles British ketch Eastern Belle, 97 tons, travelling from Portsmouth to Cherbourg with a load of pitch, off St. Catherine's Point. His score is now 41 vessels and 13,168 tons.

North Sea:
Volkhard von Bothmer, in U-54, sinks two ships:
Norwegian freighter SS Consul Persson, 1,835 tons, en route from Kirkenes to Middlesbrough with a load of ore.
Norwegian coaster SS Fjelland, 387 tons, carrying a load of iced herring from Hisken to Hull.
Von Bothmer's score is now 8 ships and 23,073 tons.

Rudolf Gebeschus, in UB-35, sinks two ships:
Norwegian freighter SS Camilla, 2,273 tons, travelling from Baltimore to Rotterdam with a load of wheat.
Danish freighter SS Ester, 1,210 tons, en route from Methil to Aarhus with a load of coal.
Gebeschus' score is now 3 ships and 4,504 tons.

Gustav Deuerlich, in UC-40, stops and scuttles Danish passenger/cargo ship SS Bergenhus, 1,017 tons, carrying passengers and a general cargo from London and Shields to Copenhagen. His score is now 3 ships and 2,586 tons.

France:
Harald von Keyserlingk, in UB-36, sinks two French fishing boats off Audierne:
Joie Brise, 18 tons.
Providence de Dieu, 15 tons.
Von Keyserlingk's score is now 3 vessels and 276 tons.

Tyrhennian Sea:
Alfred Klatt, in UC-38, sinks British freighter SS Warren, 3,709 tons, en route from Karachi to La Spezia with a load of grain plus general cargo. His score is now 17 ships and 20.090 tons.

Aegean Sea:
Fritz Wernicke, in UB-42, scuttles Italian sailing vessel Flora, 122 tons, travelling in ballast from Symi to Mytilene; north of the island of Thilos. His score is now 4 vessels and 3,894 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Otto Schultze, in U-63, sinks British freighter SS Zambesi, 3,759 tons, carrying a load of coal from Tyne to Port Said. His score is now 22 ships and 59,294 tons.

Hermann von Fischel, in U-65, sinks two Italian sailing vessels off Sicily:
Maria T, 45 tons.
Maria Santissima D. Grazie, 35 tons.
Von Fischel's score is now 10 ships and 26,322 tons.

August

04-01-17, 04:17 PM

April 1st 1917.

Replacing the Saxon 24th Reserve Division, my great grandfather Augusts unit, the 14th Bavarian Infantry Division begins occupying a sector of the front opposite Roclincourt south to the River Scarpe on the southern flank of Vimy Ridge. His regiment (8th Bav. Inf Reg. 8th Bav. Inf Bde) is assigned to the Hapsburg sector of the divisions area of responsibility.

Although officially returning from a rest the regiment had actually spent the last month in backbreaking labor making essential improvements to the Sigfried-Stellung (Hindenburg Line). As they move into position they find that little or no preparations had been made for the coming British offensive. Neither maps, nor defensive fire plans were available, not even sketch maps of battery positions.

http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq193/rdsterling/Army%20Stuff/August%20Karl%20Smaller_zpsrkogdh3h.jpg

Jimbuna

04-02-17, 05:41 AM

2nd April 1917

Western Front

British advance west and north of St. Quentin; to west, capturing three villages; to north between Arras and Bapaume-Cambrai road, taking Croisselles and five other villages; and to north-west, at Templeux.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British and Russians in touch at Kizil-Robat.

Aviation

Bloody April refers to April 1917, and is the name given to the (largely successful) British air support operations during the Battle of Arras, during which particularly heavy casualties were suffered by the Royal Flying Corps at the hands of the German Luftstreitkräfte.

The tactical, technological and training differences between the two sides ensured the British suffered a casualty rate nearly four times as great as their opponents. The losses were so disastrous that it threatened to undermine the morale of entire squadrons. Nevertheless, the RFC contributed to the success, limited as it finally proved, of the British Army during the five-week campaign.

Political, etc.

President Wilson asks Congress to declare "a state of war" with Germany.

British Government give Barrow strikers 24 hours to resume work.

Ship Losses:

Britannia (United Kingdom) The cargo ship torpedoed and was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 22 nautical miles (41 km) west north west of Pantelleria, Italy (36°35′N 11°28′E) by SM U-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but two of them were taken as prisoners of war.
HMT Commandant (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off the Sunk Lightship ( United Kingdom) (51°33′N 1°36′E) with the loss of five of her crew.
Filicudi (Regia Marina) The naval tug struck a mine laid by UC 38 (Alfred Klatt) and sank in the Mediterranean Sea off Trapani, Sicily.
Havlyst (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the North Sea off Lindesnes, Vest-Agder (57°30′N 6°50′E) by SM U-54 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Lord Scarborough (United Kingdom) The trawler was sunk in the North Sea 100 nautical miles (190 km) east of the Isle of May, Fife by SM UB-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Saggita (Norway) The barque was sunk in the North Sea (60°00′N 2°00′W) by SM U-78 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Snespurven (Norway) The barque was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 25 nautical miles (46 km) south south west of the Tuskar Rock, Ireland (50°55′N 7°03′W) by SM U-59 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Zealandia (United States) The ship ran aground off Southport, Lancashire, United Kingdom.

Sailor Steve

04-02-17, 11:17 PM

April 2, 1917

President Woodrow Wilson makes a speech before Congress stating that Germany has been waging war against the United States in everything but name, and asks Congress for a formal Declaration of War against the German Government, firmly stating that the quarrel is not with the German people, but the Government only.
https://wwi.lib.byu.edu/index.php/Wilson%27s_War_Message_to_Congress

Air War:
0800 English RFC pilot Oliver Manners Sutton, flying Sopwith Pup A637, shoots down a two-seater for victory number 1.

0830 German ace Otto Bernert, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Nieuport 23 A6763 for victory number 11. 2nd Lt F. Williams is killed.

0830 German ace Edmund Nathanael, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down FE.2b 6953 for victory number 6. 2nd Lt P.A. Russell and Lt H. Loveland are both killed.

0835 German ace Manfred von Richthofen, in Albatros D.III 2253/17, shoots down BE.2d 5841 for victory number 32. Lt Patrick John Gordon Powell and AM1 Percy Bonner are both killed.
"I attacked an enemy artillery flyer. After a long figt I managed to force adversary nearly to the ground, but without putting him ut of action. The strong and gusy wind had driven the enemy plane over our lines. My adversary tried to escape by jumping over trees and other objects. Then I forced him to land in the village of arbus where the machine was smashed against a house. the observer kept shooting until the machine hit the ground."
-Manfred von Richthofen0850 English pilot Stanley Cockerell, in DH.2 A2581, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 5. This may be Ltn Hans Wortmann, who was killed at this time, but the locations don't match.

0850 English pilot Kelvin Crawford, flying DH.2 5925, shares a kill with Cpt C.R. Cox and L.C. Wellford (4855), shooting down an Albatros D.II for victory number 4.

0950 German pilot Konstantin Krefft, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down FE.2d A5151 for victory number 2. Cpt H. Tomlinson is killed; Lt N.C. Denison is wounded and captured. This is Krefft's last victory. His main service was as a technical officer. He survived the war and died sometime in the 1920s. Nothing else seems to be known about him.

1000 German pilot Sebastian Festner, in and Albatros D.III, shoots down FE.2d A1944 for victory number 3. Lt H.P. Sworder and 2nd Lt A.H. Margoliouth are both killed.

1035 German ace Karl Allmenröder, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down BE.2c 2510 for victory number 6. 2nd Lt C.F. Fox and AM2 J.H. Bolton land safely.

1120 Manfred von Richthofen scores his second victory of the day, shooting down Sopqith 1½ Strutter A2401 for number 34. 2nd Lt Algernon Peter Warren is captured; Sgt Reuel Dunn is killed.
Together with Leutnants Voss and Lothar von Richthofen, I attacked an enemy squadron of eight Sopwiths above the closed cloud cover on the enemy's side. The plane I had singled out was driven away from its squad and gradually came over to our side. The enemy plane tried to escape and hide in the clouds after I had holed its benzene tank. Below the clouds I immediately attacked him again, thereby forcing him to land 300 metres east of Givenchy.

But as yet my adversary would not surrender and even as his machine was on the ground, he kept shooting at me, thereby hitting my machine very severely at an altitude of five metres. I once more attacked him, while on the ground, and killed one of the Occupants.
-Manfred von Richthofen

1435 English pilot Harold Balfour, flying Sopwith 1½ Strutter A970 with 2nd Lt A. Roberts as observer, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 2.

Celtic Sea:
Wilhelm von Fircks, commanding U-59, uses his deck gun to sink Norwegian freighter SS Snespurven, 1,409 tons, bound from New York to Dublin with a load of refined oil off southern Ireland. His score is now 10 ships and 15,869 tons.

North Sea:
Volkhard von Bothmer, in U-54, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Havlyst, 532 tons, travelling in ballast from Sandefjord to Hull; south of Lindesnes. His score is now 9 ships and 23,605 tons.

Otto Dröscher, in U-78, scuttles British barque Sagitta, 1,981 tons, carrying a load of Cotton and oilcake from Savannah, Georgia, USA to Kalundborg. His score is now 10 ships and 16,802 tons.
His Majesty's Armed Boarding Steamer Tithonus, 3,463 tons, hits a mine laid by U-78 on the west side of Scotland, between Mull and Coll Island, on February 12. The ship is only damaged, and is later prepared.

Rudolf Gebeschus, in UB-35, stops and scuttles British trawler Lord Scarborough, 158 tons, off the Firth of Forth. His score is now 4 ships and 4,662 tons.

Tyrhennian Sea:
Italian navy tug Filicudi, 257 tons, hits a mine laid off Trapani, Sicily, by Alfred Klatt in UC-39. His score is now 18 vessels and 20,347 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Hermann von Fischel, in U-65, sinks British freighter SS Britannia, 3,129 tons, carrying a general cargo from Alexandria to Liverpool; off Patelleria Island in the Straight of Sicily. His score is now 11 ships and 29,451 tons.

Jimbuna

04-03-17, 05:21 PM

3rd April 1917

Western Front

British capture Henin-sur-Cojeul (south-east of Arras), and Maissemy (St. Quentin), and occupy Ronssoy Wood (north of Templeux).

German night attack west of St. Quentin fails.

South-west and south of St. Quentin French take four villages.

Eastern Front

German success on the Stokhod (Volhynia).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Russian cavalry occupy Kasr-i-Shirin and Khanikin.

Political, etc.

Barrow strike over.

Former President Theodore Roosevelt praises President Wilson’s war message and states he hopes to lead troops again.

Russian Provisional Government forms War Committee, and repeals anti-Jewish legislation.

Kaiser and Emperor Charles meet at Homburg.

Leon Trotsky is detained by Canadian authorities at the Amherst Internment Camp, as he was deemed dangerous to the Allies.

Ship Losses:

Annunziata A. (Italy) The brigantine was scuttled in the Mediterranean Sea east of Sardinia (39°52′N 10°04′E) by SM UC-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Ardgask (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 15 nautical miles (28 km) south west of Cape Rosello, Sicily by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Caterina R. (Italy) The barquentine was scuttled in the Mediterranean Sea east of Sicily (39°27′N 9°46′E) by SM UC-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Domenico (Italy) The sailing vessel was scuttled in the Mediterranean Sea east of Sardinia (39°24′N 9°55′E) by SM UC-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Ellen James (United Kingdom) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean west of Ouessant, Finistère, France by SM UC-71 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of five of her crew.
Ernest Simons (France) The passenger ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea north east of Cap Sera, Algeria (37°08′N 8°28′E) by SM UC-37 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Hesperus (Russia) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 72 nautical miles (133 km) off the Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom (48°50′N 7°20′W) by SM U-46 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Maria Ferrara (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea west of Sicily by SM U-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Nuova Maria di Porto Salvo (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea east of Sicily by SM UC-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Saint Simon (France) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km) north west of La Galite, Tunisia (37°36′N 8°38′E) by SM UC-37 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Vasilefs Constantinos (Greece) The cargo ship was sunk in the Aegean Sea 45 nautical miles (83 km) south west of Akra Akritas by SM UB-43 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

Sailor Steve

04-03-17, 07:29 PM

April 3, 1917

Air War:
1450 German pilot Gustav Nernst, flying Albatros D.III 2147/16, shoots down Nieuport 17 A6674 for victory number 3. Lt S.A. Sharpe is taken prisoner.

1615 German ace Manfred von Richthofen, in Albatros D.III 2253/17, shoots down FE.2d A6382 for victory number 34. 2nd Lt Donald Peter McDonald is taken prisoner, 2nd Lt John Ingram Mullaniffe O'Beirne is killed.
Together with Leutnant Schäfer and Leutnant Lothar von Richthofen, I attacked three enemy planes. The plane I myself attalcked was forced to land near Lieven. After a short fight the motor began to smoke and the observr ceased shooting. I followed adversary to the ground."
-Manfred von Richthofen1620 German ace Karl Schäfer, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down FE.2d 6371 for victory number 9. Lt L. Dodson and 2nd Lt H.S. Richards are both taken prisoner.

1635 German ace Edmund Nathanael, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down DH.2 A2536 for victory number 7. Lt E.L. Hayworth is wounded and taken prisoner.

1710 German pilot Adolf Schulte, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down FE.2b 4897 for victory number 5. Sgt J.A. Cunniffe crashes unharmed on his own side of the lines. AM2 M.J. Mackie is killed.

1910 German ace Otto Bernert, in an albatros D.III, shoots down a British observation balloon for victory number 12. Maj Geddes and Lt F. Mears parachute safely.

1912 Otto Bernert shoots down a second balloon for victory number 13. Lts D. Kershaw and J. Morgan parachute safely.

Celtic Sea:
Leo Hillebrand, commanding U-46, sinks Russian freighter SS Hesperus 2,231 tons, bound from Barry for Marseille with a load of coal. His score is now 22 ships and 40,308 tons.

Hans Valentiner, in UC-71, uses his deck gun to sink British schooner Ellen James, 165 tons, en route from Huelva to Pewnyn with a load of pyrites. His score is now 35 ships and 18,413 tons.

Tyrhennian Sea:
Alfred Klatt, in UC-38, stops and scuttles four Italian sailing vessels off the east coast of Sardinia:
Brigantine Annunziata A, 206 tons, carrying a load of phosphate from Tunis to Livorno.
Barkentine Caterina R, 214 tons, also carrying phosphate from Tunis to Livorno.
Domenico, 260 tons, also from Tunis to Livorno with a load of phosphate.
Nuova Maria di Porto Salvo, 48 tons, laden with roofing tiles.
Klatt's score is now 22 vessels and 21,075 tons.

Ionian Sea:
Hans von Mellenthin, in UB-43, sinks Greek freighter SS Vasilefs Constatinos, 4,070 tons, bringing his score to 19 ships and 40,847 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Otto Launburg, in UC-37, sinks two French ships off Cap Sera, Algeria:
Passenger liner SS Ernest Simons, 5,555 tons, travelling from Marseille to Madagascar.
Freighter SS Saint Simon, 3,419 tons, bound from Bizerta for Huelva.
Launburg's score is now 16 ships and 34,893 tons.

Strait of Sicily:
Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière, in U-35, sinks British freighter SS Ardgask, 4,542 tons, en route from Bombay to Hull. His score is now 154 ships and 313,344 tons, putting him back at the lead of the U-boat aces again.

Hermann von Fischel, in U-65, sinks Italian sailing vessel Maria Ferrara, 106 tons, raising his score to 12 vessels and 29,557 tons.

British freighters SS Cloughton, 4,221 tons, and SS Oberon, 5,142 tons, travelling in ballast from Toulon to Port Said, both hit mines laid by Heino von Heimburg near Cape Bon, Tunisia. Both ships are damaged, and both make port safely.

Jimbuna

04-04-17, 11:59 AM

4th April 1917

Western Front

British capture Metz-en-Couture (towards Cambrai).

French (south of St. Quentin) capture three villages and advance to south-west suburb of St. Quentin.

Eastern Front

German troops use 13 waves of chlorine gas against Russian troops and force them to retreat across the Stokhid River.

Aviation

First flight of the SPAD S.XIII.

Naval and Overseas Operations

British liner "City of Paris" is sunk by German submarine UC-35, resulting in the deaths of 122 people.

Belgian relief ship, "Trevier", torpedoed off Scheveningen.

Brazilian steamer, "Parana", torpedoed by German submarine in Channel.

Political, etc.

Speeches of General Robertson and Admiral Jellicoe to Trade Unions re: sacrifice required from nation.

British government announces that starting on April 15, hotels, restaurants, boarding houses, & clubs must have one meatless day per week.

Ship Losses:

City of Paris (United Kingdom) The passenger ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 46 nautical miles (85 km) south by east of Cap d'Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes, France (42°54′N 7°38′E) by SM UC-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 122 lives.
Domingo (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Queenstown, County Cork, United Kingdom by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Gibraltar (United Kingdom) The trawler was scuttled in the North Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km) east north east of Rattray Head, Aberdeenshire by SM UB-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Hundvaagø (Norway) The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean south west of Ireland. She was beached at Castletownbere, County Cork. Subsequently repaired and returned to service.
Hunstanton (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 36 nautical miles (67 km) west of the Isles of Scilly (49°50′N 7°40′W) by SM UC-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Maggie Ross (United Kingdom) The trawler was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 60 nautical miles (110 km) north east of Girdle Ness, Aberdeenshire by SM UB-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Margit (United Kingdom) The collier was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 80 nautical miles (150 km) south west of Cape Matapan, Greece (35°28′N 21°24′E) by SM U-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Marguerite (United States) The four-masted schooner was damaged in the Mediterranean Sea 35 nautical miles (65 km) south west of Sardinia by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She sank the next day; her crew survived.
Missourian (United States) The cargo ship was sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea off Porto Maurizio, Liguria, Italy by SM U-52 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Monte Protedigo (Argentina) The barquentine was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off the Isles of Scilly (49°27′N 6°44′W) by SM UC-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Parana (Brazil) The cargo ship was sunk in the English Channel off Barfleur, Manche, France by SM UB-32 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Parkgate (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Mediterranean Sea 80 nautical miles (150 km) north east of the Cap de Fer, Algeria (38°12′N 8°10′E) by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of sixteen crew. Her captain was taken as a prisoner of war.
Penseiro (Italy) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 40 nautical miles (74 km) west of the Isles of Scilly by SM UC-71 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Ravenna (Italy) The passenger ship was sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) off Cape Mele, Liguria (44°00′N 8°28′E) by SM U-52 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
San Giovanni Battiste (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea by SM UC-37 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Trevier (Belgium) The cargo ship was torpedoed, shelled and sunk in the North Sea off Scheveningen, South Holland, Netherlands (52°15′N 3°49′E) by SM UB-23 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Vladimir Reitz (Denmark) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 40 nautical miles (74 km) north west by north of Foula, Shetland Islands, United Kingdom by SM U-78 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two crew.

August

04-04-17, 03:39 PM

On the southern shoulder of Vimy Ridge April 3rd 1917

British artillery fire which had been gaining momentum for days increased yet again in intensity. Heavy bombardment from guns of all calibers was brought against German trenches and rear areas concentrating on built up areas including, batteries, observation posts and the railway depression which housed the Hapsburg artillery command post.

All my Great Grandfather and his comrades could do in Oberleutnant Bickel's 6th Company (8th BID) could do is to keep their heads down and attempt to keep a grip on their sanity while the world exploded around them.

Sailor Steve

04-04-17, 05:23 PM

April 4, 1917

Air War:
The first SPAD XIII takes to the air, flown by French ace René Dorme. The plane, S.392, is one of an initial batch of 20, there being no prototype as such.

0810 German pilot Hans Klein, flying an Albatros, shoots down BE.2c 2563 for victory number 1. 2nd Lts K.C. Horner and A.E. Emmerson are both wounded, and both die later.

1415 English RFC pilot Edwin Cole, in Nieuport 17 A6619, shoots down an LVG two-seater for victory number 2.

Ireland:
Norwegian freighter SS Hundvaagø, 1,901 tons, is torpedoed off southwest Irland. The damaged ship is towed to Castletownbere and beached. There is no corresponding German record indicating which U-boat made the attack.

Wilhelm Werner, commanding U-55, uses his deck gun to attack Danish schooner H.B. Linnemann, 444 tons, bound from Gothenburg for Casablanca with a load of timber; off Achill Island. The damaged ships is towed into Galway for repairs.

Karlgeorg Schuster, in U-60, sinks Italian freighter SS Domingo, 2,131 tons, carrying an unspecified cargo from Naples to Partington; off Queenstown. His score is now 10 ships and 25,888 tons.

Celtic Sea:
Heinrich Stenzler, in UC-30, sinks two ships west of the Scilly Isles:
British freighter SS Hunstanton, 4,504 tons, travelling from Geelong to London with a load of wheat; torpedoed.
Argentinian barquentine Monte Protegido, 281 tons, carrying a load of linseed from Pernambuco to Rotterdam.
Stenzler's score is now 5 ships and 5,867 tons.

Hans Valentiner, in UC-71, scuttles Italian freighter SS Pensiero, 2,632 tons, bound from Genoa to Barry with an unspecified cargo. His score is now 36 ships and 21,045 tons.

English Channel:
Max Viebeg, in UB-32, sinks Brazilian freighter SS Paraná, 4,461 tons. en route from Rio de Janeiro to Le Havre with an unlisted cargo. His score is now 11 ships and 6,456 tons.

Norwegian freighter SS Spero, 711 tons, is wrecked off Fécamp.

British coaster SS Express, 217 tons, travelling in ballast from France to Southampton, sinks following a collision.

North Sea:
Otto Dröscher, in U-78, sinks Danish freighter SS Vladimir Reitz, 2,128 tons, travelling from Galveston to Aarhus with a load of oilcake. His score is now 11 ships and 18,930 tons.

Hans Niemer, in UB-23, sinks Belgian freighter SS Trevier, 3,006 tons, travelling from New York to Rotterdam with a load of grain; off The Hague. His score is now 3 ships and 5,586 tons.

Rudolf Gebeschus, in UB-35, scuttles two British trawlers off Rattray Head:
Gibraltar, 188 tons.
Maggie Ross, 183 tons.
Gebeshus' score is now 6 vessels and 5,033 tons.

Otto von Schrader, in UC-31, stops and scuttles Danish freighter SS Helga, 839 tons, carrying a load of coal from Hull to Copenhagen; off Coquet Island, Northumberland. His score is now 19 ships and 15,246 tons.

Ligurian Sea:
Hans Walther, in U-52, sinks two ships off Porto Maurizio, Italy:
American freighter SS Missourian, 7,924 tons, en route from Genoa to Boston with an unspecified cargo.
Italian passenger liner SS Ravenna, 4,101 tons, heading from Buenos Aires to Genoa.
Walther's score is now 21 ships and 51,960 tons.

Ernst von Voigt, in UC-35, sinks British passenger liner SS City of Paris, 9,191 tons, travelling from Karach to Marseille and Liverpool with passevgers and a general cargo; south of Monaco. 122 lives lost. Von Voigt now has sunk 7 ships for 34,178 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière, in U-35, sinks two ships southwest of Sardinia:
American schooner Marguerite, 1,553 tons, en route from Cagliari to Mobile with an unspecified cargo. The crippled ship sinks the following morning.
British freighter SS Parkgate, 3,232 tons, travelling in ballast from Alexandria to Hull. U-boat.net speaks of an "hour and 15 minute exchange", while Wrecksite.eu mentions a "running battle lasting six hours". Parkgate was finally sunk by gunfire and demolition charges. Von Arnauld's score is now 156 ships and 318,129 tons.

Pictures of Parkgate taken from U-35.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/nara165_gb3607_parkgate_zpsjwxwknfb.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/nara165_gb3607_parkgate_zpsjwxwknfb.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/nara165_gb3606_parkgate_zpsv76knpvw.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/nara165_gb3606_parkgate_zpsv76knpvw.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/nara165_gb3608_parkgate_zpsjy2u1pjf.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/nara165_gb3608_parkgate_zpsjy2u1pjf.jpg.html)

[edit] Just found out U-35 had a film crew on board for this patrol.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QnVKK5Y_Js

Otto Schultze, in U-63, sinks British freighter SS Margit, 2,490 tons, carrying a general cargo from Malta to an unlisted destination; off Cape Matalpan. His score is now 23 ships and 61,784 tons.

Otto Launburg, in UC-37, sinks Italian sailing vessel San Giovanni Battiste, 46 tons, raising his score to 17 vessels and 34,939 tons.

Jimbuna

04-05-17, 10:24 AM

5th April 1917

Western Front

British capture three villages between Cambrai and St. Quentin.

Germans bombard French north of Urvillers.

Great air battle begins, lasting two days.

Aeroplane raid on Kent and Ramsgate, no casualties.

Eastern Front

Manifesto of M. Guchkov (Russian War Minister) to soldiers to do their duty.

Political, etc.

Britain issues the “food hoarding order,” which prohibits anyone form hoarding food beyond what is needed for individual consumption.

The United States Senate votes 82 to 6 to declare war on the Imperial German Government.

U.S. government states it will not sever relations or declare war on Germany’s allies for the time being unless they act first.

A military budget of $3.5 billion (about $66 billion today) is introduced in Congress as the U.S. prepares for war.

In Petrograd (St. Petersburg), the victims of the February Revolution are buried in the Field of Mars.

Ship Losses:

Amiral L'Hermite (France) The schooner was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 60 nautical miles (110 km) west north west of the Blasket Islands, County Kerry, United Kingdom by SM U-59 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Angel Marina (Italy) The sailing vessel was scuttled in the Ligurian Sea (43°16′N 7°10′E) by SM U-52 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Benheather (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 110 nautical miles (200 km) west north west of the Fastnet Rock (51°20′N 12°30′W) by SM U-46 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Bris (Denmark) The schooner was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 20 nautical miles (37 km) north of the Butt of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, United Kingdom by SM U-78 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
Calliope (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Tyrrhenian Sea 35 nautical miles (65 km) south west of Ustica, Italy (38°22′N 11°25′E) by SM U-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of six lives. Three survivors were taken as prisoners of war.
Canadian (United Kingdom) The passenger ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 47 nautical miles (87 km) north west of the Fastnet Rock (51°36′N 10°48′W) by SM U-59 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Dicto (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south east of the Armen Rock by SM UB-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Dunkerquois (France) The schooner was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 45 nautical miles (83 km) off the Blasket Islands by SM U-86 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Ebenezer (Denmark) The three-masted schooner was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 10 nautical miles (19 km) south west of St. Kilda, United Kingdom (57°58′N 8°20′W) by SM U-57 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Ernest Legouve (France) The barque was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) west by south of St. Catherine's Point, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom (50°30′N 1°26′W) by SM UB-32 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of twenty of her 24 crew.
Gower Coast (United Kingdom) The coaster struck a mine laid by UC 71 (Hans Valentiner) and sank in the English Channel off Le Tréport, Seine-Maritime, France with the loss of all fifteen crew.
Marie Celine (France) The schooner was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of Ireland by SM U-86 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
N. J. Fjord (Denmark) The cargo ship was stopped and scuttled by UC 31 (Otto von Schrader) in the North Sea 40 nautical miles (74 km) east north east of Coquet Island, Northumberland, United Kingdom. Her crew survived.
Roland (France) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 80 nautical miles (150 km) west north west of the Blasket Islands by SM U-59 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
San Fulgencio (Spain) The cargo ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off Sables d'Olonne, Vendée, France by SM UC-71 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Siberier (Belgium) The cargo ship was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean 40 nautical miles (74 km) west of the Fastnet Rock (52°18′N 11°40′W) by SM U-86 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was taken in tow but sank the next day.
Solstad (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Ionian Sea north west of Cythera, Greece (36°02′N 20°50′E) by SM U-63 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Vilja (Norway) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic OCean 135 nautical miles (250 km) west of the Fastnet Rock (52°12′N 13°07′W) by SM U-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.

Rhodes

04-05-17, 05:10 PM

5th April 1917

Western Front:

Soldado (private) Curado dies in battle, the first portuguese casualty of war, in Flandres. Private in the 28th Infantry ofFigueira da Foz Regiment, of what is called CEP, the Expeditionary Portuguese Corp.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-otk9eEjU6Z8/UuLoEA9lQXI/AAAAAAAAKOQ/64ILouXLrnU/s1600/SoldadoCurado7.JPG

Sailor Steve

04-05-17, 10:00 PM

Good info. Thanks!:yeah:

Sailor Steve

04-05-17, 10:10 PM

April 5, 1917

Air War:
No. 56 Squadron RFC recieves its 12th SE.5 and prepares for combat.

No. 100 Squadron RFC performs their first mission, bombing Douai airfield and von Richthofen's squadron, dropping 128 20-lb and four 40-lb bombs.

1000 Canadian RFC Observer Hugh Bradford Griffith, riding in Bristol F.2a A3325 with pilot Lt P. Pike, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 1.

1100 German pilot Sebastian Festner, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Nieuport 17 A6693 for victory number 4. Lt E.J.D. Townsend is killed.

1100 English RFC pilot Henry Winslow Woollett, in DH.2 6008, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 1.

1110 German pilot Otto Slitgerber, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down an FE.2b for victory number 2.

1115 German ace Manfred von Richthofen, in Albatros D.III 2253/17, shoots down Bristol F.2a A3340 for victory number 35. 2nd Lt Arthur Norman Lechler is wounded and taken prisoner. Despite his wounds Lechler pulls his observer, 2nd Lt Herbert Duncan King George from the wreck and sets it on fire. George will die six days later in a German hospital.
It was foggy and altogether very bad weather when I attacked an enemy squad flying between Douai and Valenciennes. Up to this point it had managed to advance without being fired upon.

I attacked with four planes of my Staffel. I personally singled out the last machine which I forced to land after a short fight near Lewarde. The occupants burnt their machine.

It was a new type of plane which we had not seen as yet; it apears to be quick and rather handy. A powerful motor, V-shaped, 12-cylinder; its name could not be recognised.

The D.III, both in speed and in ability to climb, is undoubtedly superior. Of the enemy squad which consisted of six planes, four were forced to land on our side by my Staffel.
-Manfred von Richthofen1130 Manfred von Richthofen scores his second victory of the day, bringing down Bristol F.2a A3343 for number 36. Lts Alfred Terence Adams and Donald James Stewart land on the German side and are taken prisoner.
After having put the first adversary near Lewarde out of action, I pursued the remaining part of the enemy squadron and overtook the last plane above Douai. I forced him to land near Cuincy. The occupants burned their machine to ashes."
-Manfred von Richthofen1145 English RFC pilot Hugh Granville White, flying FE.2d A6385 with Pvt T. Allum as observer, shoots down Albatros D.III 1942/16 for victory number 1. Ltn Josef Flink is wounded in the hand, forced to land and taken prisoner.

1200 Australian RNAS ace Roderic Dallas, in Sopwith Triplane N5436, shoots down an Albatros D.II for victory number 8.

1200 Canadian RFC observer James Smith, riding in FE.2b A5464 with Cpt R.H. Hood as pilot, shoots down an Albatros D.II for victory number 4.

1200 Irish RFC crew of Victor Huston and Giles Blennerhasset, in FE.2b 4969, bring down two Albatros D.IIs. Victory numbers 2 and 3 for both.

1200 German ace Georg Schlenker, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down FE.2b A805. Lt L. Elsley is killed, Lt F. Higginbottom is wounded, and dies later.

1200 English RFC ace Alan Wilkinson and observer Lawrence Wilfred Allen, in a Bristol F.2a, shoot down an Albatros D.III. Number 11 for Wilkinson, number 1 for Allen.

1205 German pilot Gustav Nernst, in Albatros D.III 2147/16, shoots down Sopwith 1½ Strutter A1073. 2nd Lt C.P. Norton is taken prisoner. 2nd Lt H.D. Blackburn is killed. Jasta War Chronology lists this as victory number 2 for Nernst, but has his previous kill on April 3 as number 3. I can find no other sources on this pilot at all.

1245 English RNAS pilot Robert Compston, in Sopwith Triplane N5471, shoots down a Halberstadt D.II for victory number 2.

1700 Welsh RNAS pilot Ernest Norton, flying Nieuport 17 N3187, is credited with shooting down two Albatros D.IIs for victoris number 3 and 4.

1806 German pilot Hans Auer, in an Albatros D.III, claims a Nieuport for victory number 1. Two SPAD VIIs were downed in the right area. Cpl Jacques Herubel died of his wounds, and Cpl Alfred Guyot was wounded, apparently by an Albatros. Different sources speculate on which was the likely victim, but no one knows for sure.

1830 Sebastian Festner scores his second victory of the day, shooting down Bristol F.2a A3337 for number 5. Cpt W.L. Robinson and 2nd Lt E.D. Warburton are both taken prisoner.

1845 English RFC pilot Geoffrey Arthur Henzell Pidcock, in Nieuport 23 A6770, shares a victory over an Albatros D.III with five other pilots. Pidcock is the only one of the group who will go on to any distinction in the air.

1950 German pilot Karl Menckhoff, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Nieuport 23 A6791 for victory number 1. Lt Norman A. Birks is wounded and taken prisoner.

French ace Jean Chaput, flying a SPAD VII, shoots down two "Enemy Aircraft" for victories 9 and 10.

German ace Albert Dossenbach, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Caudron G.IV for victory number 10. Lt d'Hericourt and Sgt Mathieu are both killed.

German pilot Ernst Voss (no direct relation to Werner), in an unknown fighter, shoots down a Nieuport for victory number 1 (possibly his only win). He apparently survived the war, moved to the United States and ran an air taxi service until he died in an accident in 1930.
http://dmairfield.com/people/voss_er/index.html

North Atlantic Ocean, far west of Ireland:
Leo Hillebrand, commanding U-46, torpedoes British freighter SS Benheather, 4,701 tons, bound from Halifax to Cherbourg with a load of timber. His score is now 23 ships and 45,009 tons.

Wilhelm Werner, in U-55, torpedoes Norwegian freighter SS Vilja, 1,049 tons, carrying a load of groundnuts from Bathurst, Gambia to Liverpool. His score is now 27 ships and 34,760 tons.

Ireland:
Wilhelm von Fircks, in U-59, torpedoes British passenger liner SS Canadian, 9,309 tons, travelling from Boston to Liverpool with a load of horses, grain, and general cargo. It takes four torpedoes to sink the ship. Her captain, William Henry Bullock, stays aboard to make sure everyone else is off safely, and goes down with his ship. Von Fircks now has 11 ships and 25,205 tons to his credit.

Friedrich Crüsemann, in U-86, sinks three vessels off the west coast of Ireland:
Belgian freighter SS Siberier, 2,968 tons, en route from Gulfport to Calais with a load of timeber; torpedoed.
French schooner Dunkerquois, 127 tons, travelling in balles from Dunkerque to Iceland; scuttled.
French schooner Marie Celine, 142 tons; scuttled.
Crüsemann's score is now 4 vessels and 19,031 tons.

Hebrides:
Carl-Siegfried von Georg, in U-57, uses his deck gun to sink Danish sailing vessel Ebenezer, 181 tons, en route from Savannah to Nørresundby with a load of seed cake. His score is now 36 ships and 34,196 tons.

Otto Dröscher, in U-78, sinks Danish sailing vessel Bris, 101 tons, carrying rice husk meal from Livorno to Vejle. His score is now 12 ships and 19,031 tons.

English Channel:
Max Viebeg, in UB-32, torpedoes French barque Ernest Legouve, 2,246 tons, carrying 3,000 tons of cement from London to Buenos Aires. The ship is under tow out of the Channel when the attack comes. The cement cargo drags the ship under in just two minutes, taking the captain and 9 crewmen with her. Only 4 are rescued. His score is now 12 ships and 8,702 tons.

British freighter SS Gower Coast departs Boulogne with a load of coal for Tréport on April 4th, but was not seen again. Believed to have hit a mine laid by Hans Valentiner in UC-71.
Meanwhile Valentiner sinks Spanish freighter SS San Fulgencio, 1,558 tons, travelling from Newastle to Barcelona, off Sables d'Olonne.
His score is now 38 ships and 23,407 tons.

Celtic Sea:
Heinrich Küstner, in UB-39, sinks Norwgeian freighter SS Dicto, 2,363 tons, en route from Aguilas to Maryport with a load of iron ore; off Ar Men, near the coast of Brittany. His score is now 48 ships and 51,424 tons.

North Sea:
Otto von Schrader, in UC-31, scuttles Danish freighter SS N.J. Ford, 1,425 tons carrying a load of coal plus general cargo from Blyth to Odense, east of Coquet Island. His score is now 20 ships and 16,671 tons.

Max Schmitz, in UC-62, attacks British Q-Ship MMS Result with his deck gun, off the Noord Hinder lightship. The ship is only damaged.

Ligurian Sea:
Hans Walther, in U-52, stops and scuttles Italian sailing vessel Angel Marina, 275 tons, south of Cannes. His score is now 22 ships and 52,217 tons.

Tyrhennian Sea:
Hermann von Fischel, in U-65, torpedoes British freighter SS Calliope, 3,829 tons bound from Cardiff for Malta with a load of coal. His score is now 13 ships and 33,386 tons.

Ionian Sea:
Otto Schultze, in U-63, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Solstad, 4,147 tons, en route from Melbourne to Livorno with a load of wheat; off Cerigo Island. His score is now 24 ships and 65,931 tons.
Schultze also shells British freighter MV Kangaroo, 4,348 tons, but the diesel-powered ship is only hit once and manages to run away.

North Africa:
Heino von Heimburg, in UC-22, sinks three small Greek sailboats off the North African coast:
Agia, 20 tons.
Evangelistria, 29 tons.
Kyriotis, 19 tons.
Von Heimburg's score is now 17 vessels and 46,703 tons.

German East Africa:
HMFM Trent departs Dar-Es-Salaam for Durban.

Onkel Neal

04-06-17, 06:03 AM

http://s3.amazonaws.com/bncore/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/04061917-v2-crop-1100x733.jpg

Jimbuna

04-06-17, 06:25 AM

6th April 1917

Western Front

Beginning of French bombardment of German positions east of Vauxaillon (north-east of Soissons) to north of Reims.

Heavy German artillery hit British and French troops as they continue their slow advance around St. Quentin, France.

Naval and Overseas Operations

U.S.A. seize German ships in U.S.A. ports.

Political, etc.

Simon N. Patten, economics professor at the University of Pennsylvania, is dismissed by the university due to his pacifist activism.

Decree of Russian Provisional Government abolishing legal, religious, etc., restrictions.

Ship Losses:

Cybele (France) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea of Cabo de Gata, Almeria, Spain by SM UC-25 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Kongshaug (Norway) The coaster was captured and scuttled in the North Sea 45 nautical miles (83 km) north of Kinnaird Head, Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom by SM UB-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew were rescued by a Scottish fishing vessel.
La Tour d'Auvergne (France) The brig was shelled and set on fire in the Atlantic Ocean 15 nautical miles (28 km) south south east of the Longships Lighthouse by SM UB-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine). She was towed to Mullion, Cornwall, United Kingdom but was declared a constructive total loss. Her crew survived.
Lord Kitchener (United Kingdom) The trawler was scuttled in the North Sea 45 nautical miles (83 km) north by east of Kinnaird Head by SM UB-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Marion (Norway) The barque was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (52°10′N 13°46′W) by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Narberth Castle (United Kingdom) The trawler was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 30 nautical miles (56 km) north north west of Dennis Head Old Beacon, North Ronaldsay, Orkney Islands by SM UC-27 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Nestor (United Kingdom) The trawler was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km) north west by north of North Ronaldsay by SM UC-27 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Perce Neige (France) The schooner was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean off Lands End, Cornwall, United Kingdom by SM UB-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Powhatan (United Kingdom) The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 25 nautical miles (46 km) north by west of North Rona (59°32′N 6°30′W) by SM U-66 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 36 crew. Her captain was taken as a prisoner of war.
Presto (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 40 (Gustav Deuerlich) and sank in the North Sea 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) east of Roker Point, Sunderland, County Durham (54°57′N 1°16′W) with the loss of six of her crew.
Rahmanich (Egypt) The ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Egypt by SM UC-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Recto (United Kingdom) The trawler was scuttled in the North Sea 45 nautical miles (83 km) north by east of Kinnaird Head by SM UB-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Rosalind (United Kingdom) The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 180 nautical miles (330 km) west north west of the Fastnet Rock (51°39′N 14°20′W) by SM U-86 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two of her crew.
Spithead (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 12 nautical miles (22 km) north by west of the Damietta Lighthouse, Egypt (31°44′N 31°46′E) by SM UC-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
HMT Strathrannoch (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 31 (Otto von Schrader) and sank in the North Sea off St. Abb's Head, Berwickshire (55°55′N 2°07′W) with the loss of all thirteen crew.
Thelma (Norway) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 65 (Otto Steinbrinck) and sank in the English Channel 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) south by west of the Owers Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM UC-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Vine Branch (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of Ireland (49°45′N 14°08′W) by SM U-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of all 44 crew.

August

04-06-17, 02:48 PM

April 6th 1917

6th Company, 8th Bavarian Infantry Regiment on the German Front lines north of the Scarpe River.

It has become impossible to maintain telephone contact with Regimental headquarters due to the weight of the continuing British artillery barrage. Even runners rarely make it through the maelstrom and when they did only after several hours.

The following excerpts are from the book "The German Army in the Spring Offensives 1917: Arras, Aisne, & Champagne" – by Jack Sheldon

Some of the practical difficulties caused by the combination of high explosive and gas were described later by an officer of the divisional mortal company.

Leutnant F Henigst Bavarian Mortar Company 14
"There was no longer any doubt; we were facing a serious situation. During the night of 5/6 April the unpleasant harassing fire was suddenly accompanied by heavy enemy gas shoots, the effects of which were enhanced by an almost complete absence of wind. Very soon the entire area reaching back well beyond the gun lines was cloaked in a thick fog. Both men and animals could only move masked up, which made the supply of rations and other stores extremely difficult. In some parts of the position it was necessary to make use of the iron rations, because nothing could be got forward. In the front line there was an increased number of direct hits on trenches and dugouts and we were shocked to discover how well the enemy had unobtrusively ranged in. Our mortars fired as best they could during these days, receiving the "thanks" of the enemy in return. In consequence, as was frequently the case elsewhere, the neighboring infantry asked us to cease fire"

Manning the remnants of the wrecked front line and support trenches in the critical Habsburg sector from north to south were Oberleutnant Brickel's 6th Company as well as 8th, 7th and 5th Companies commanded by Leutnants Telhorster, Brockner and Heikaus respectively. Back in the third line were elements of the 12th company under Reserve Leutnant Behn (north) and 11th Company, commanded by Oberleutnant Schwemmer (south). The KTK was Hauptmann Schmidt, commanding officer 2nd Battalion, whose command post was located immediately north of St. Laurent Blangy. During the bombardment the regimental commander, Oberst von Rucker had had to be medially evacuated so command on that fateful day of 9 April devolved to Major Felser, commanding officer of 3rd Battalion. The importance of resisting strongly just north of the Scare was fully appreciated so the defensive plane envisaged holding firm, exploiting to the full the potential of the available strong points, bunkers and pill boxes. Order were issued directing the troops to resist at all cost and ignoring potential enemy thrusts on their flanks to hold on until relieved by immediate counter-stroke action.

Sailor Steve

04-07-17, 01:18 AM

April 6, 1917

Air War:
As the United States enters the war, the U.S. Marine Corps aviation branch has a total of 7 officers and 43 enlisted men.

While in combat with 57 Squadron RFC, Jasta 5 leader Hans Berr, in Albatros D.III 2256/17 and Paul Hoppe, in Albatros D.III 2241/16, collide, killing them both.

0730 German ace Wilhelm Frankl, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down an FE.2b for victory number 16.

0800 Four FE.2bs share a victory over an Albatros D.III.
John Aspinall (England - number 3) and Medley Parlee (Canada - 2)
Carleton Clement (Canada - 3) and Llewelyn Chrichton Davies (Wales - 1)
Lt J.F. Day and Lt J.K. Campbell (?)
Cpt Gladstone and AM2 H. Friend (?)

0815 German pilot Joachim von Bertrab, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Martinsyde G.100 7465 for victory number 1. 2nd Lt J.S. Proud is killed.

0815 German ace Heinrich Gontermann, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down FE.2d A21 for victory number 7. 2nd Lt D.C. Birch and Lt J.K. Bousfield are taken prisoner.

0820 German ace Edmund Nathanael, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down FE.2d A6388 for victory number 8. 2nd Lt H.D. Hamilton and Pve E. Snelling are both wounded and captured.

0825 German pilot Otto Splitgerber, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down FE.2d 7714 for victory number 3. Lt A.R.M. Tickards and AM2 E.W. Barns are both taken prisoner.

0830 Joachim von Bertrab scores his second kill of the day, shooting down Martinsyde G.100 7478 for victory number 2. Lt J.H.B. Wedderspoon is killed.

0830 German pilot Paul von Osterroht, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down FE.2d 1959 for victory number 3. Lt T.F. Burrill and AM2 F. Smith are both taken prisoner.

0830 German pilot Adolf von Tutschek, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down FE.2b A22 for victory number 3. Lt Raymond Terrance Brymer Schreiber and 2nd Lt Martin Lewis are both taken prisoner.

0850 Wilhelm Frankl gains his second victory of the day, shooting down another FE.2b for number 17.

0855 Wilhelm Frankl scores his third victory of the day, shooting down FE.2b 3819 for number 18 overall.

0930 German ace Werner Voss, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down BE.2c A3157 for victory number 23. 2nd Lts Albert Higgs Vinson and Everard Leslie Champion Gwilt land safely.

0955 Wilhelm Frankl scores his fourth victory of the day, shooting down a BE.2e for munber 19.

1000 Irish observer Giles Blennerhasset, riding in FE.2b with a 2nd Lt Reid as pilot, shoots down an Albatros D.II for victory number 4. A second FE.2b, 4896, crewed by 2nd Lt C. Parkinson and 2nd Lt Power is also in on the kill.

1015 German ace Otto Bernert, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down RE.8 A3206 for victory number 14. Lt C.F. Bailey is killed; AM1 V.M. Barrie is listed as Missing.

1015 German ace Kurt Wolff, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down RE.8 A3421 for victory number 6. Lt Arthur Clayton Pepper is Wounded; Lt Willaim Leonard Day is killed.

1020 Four Canadian RNAS pilots score their first victories:
Frederick Carr Armstrong, in Sopwith Pup N6178, shoots down a Halberstadt D.II.
Lloyd Saamuel Breadner, in Pup N5199, Halberstadt D.II.
Alfred Williams Carter, Pup N6160, Halberstadt D.II.
Joseph Stewart Temple Fail, Pup N6158, Albatros D.II.

1020 German ace Karl Schäfer, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a BE.2d for victory number 10.

1030 English pilot Geoffrey Hornblower Cock and observer John Thompson Guy Murison, in Sopwith 1½ Strutter A1075, shoot down an Albatros D.III. Victory number 1 for both. Cock and Murison are credited with a second Albatros at the same time, so they each have 2 kills. Interestingly, The Aerodrome website lists Murison as Cock's observer for number 2, but their list for Murison himself doesn't show it.

1030 English pilot Alexander Roulstone, in FE.2b 7686 with 2nd Lt E.G. Green as observer, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 1.

1030 German ace Walter Göttsch, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down FE.2d A6358 for victory number 7. 2nd Lt R. Smith and Lt R. Hume are both killed.

1037 Karl Schäfer shoots down a second BE.2c, number 6923, for victory 11. Lt O.R. Knight and 2nd Lt U.H. Seguin are both killed.

1045 English RFC observer Leonard Emsden, riding in FE.2b 4847 with 2nd Lt B. King as pilot, shootds down a Halberstadt fighter for victory number 4.

1048 Joachim von Bertrab scores his third victory of the day, shooting down Sopwith 1½ Strutter A2381. 2nd Lt C. St George Campbell and Cpt D.W. Edwards are both killed.

1048 German pilot Hans Bethge,Flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down Sopwith 1½ Strutter 7806 for victory number 5. 2nd Lt J.E. blake and Cpt W.S. Brayshay are both killed.

1050 Joachim von Bertrab gains victory number 4 with the downing of Sopwith 1½ Strutter A1093. 2nd Lt J.A. Marshall is killed; 2nd Lt F.G. Truscott is wounded and dies later.

1150 New Zealand RNAS pilot Thomas Grey Culling, in Sopwith Triplane N5444, shoots down a two-seater for victory number 1.

1215 Paul von Osterroht scores his second kill of the day, shoots down Sopwith Triplane N5447 for victory number 4. 2nd Lt N.D.M. Hewitt is taken prisoner.

1315 German ace Rudolf Berthold, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Caudron R.4 1559 for victory number 10. SLt Pierre Desbordes, Lt Jacques Borgoltz and Sldt Alexandre Lebleu are all listed as Missing.

German ace Hartmuth Baldamus, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down a SPAD VII for victory number 16.

French pilot Pierre Leroy de Boiseaumarie, in a Nieuport, shoots down a German observation balloon for victory number 1.

French ace Gustave Douchy, in a Nieuport, destroys a German observation balloon for victory number 6.

Australian RFC pilot Frederick Parkinson Holliday and English observer Anthony Herbert William Wall, in a Bristol F.2a, shoot down an Albatros D.III for their first victory.

English RFC pilot William Thomas Price and South African observer Maurice Arthur Benjamin, also score their first victory in an F2.a, shooting down an Albatros D.III.

Werner Vos claims a Sopwith Pup. 2nd Lt R. M. Foster lands on his own side of the lines and Voss's claim is listed as 'Unconfirmed'.

North Atlantic Ocean, far west of Ireland:
Wilhelm Werner, commanding U-55, torpedoes British freighter SS Vine Branch, 3,442 tons, bound from Dakar to Liverpool with a load of nitrate and frozen meat. His score is now 28 ships and 38,211 tons.

Friedrich Crüsemann, in U-86, torpedoes British tanker SS Rosalind, 6,535 tons, en route from Port Arthur and Norfolk to Queenstown with a load of oil. His score is now 5 ships and 25,566 tons.

West of Ireland:
Karlgeorg Schuster, in U-60, sinks Norwegian barque Marion, 1,587 tons, travelling in ballast from Limerick to Pensacola. His score is now 11 ships and 27,475 tons.

Ireland:
Wilhelm von Fircks, in U-59, scuttles two French schooners heading from Dunkerque to Icland:
Amiral l'Hermite, 156 tons.
Roland, 135 tons.
Von Fircks' score is now 13 vessels and 25,496.

North Atlantic, between Scotland and the Faroe Islands:
Thorwald von Bothmer, in U-66, sinks British tanker SS Powhatan, 6,117 tons, en route from Sabine to Kirkwall with a load of fuel oil. 36 lives are lost. Von Bothmer's score is now 24 ships and 68,530 tons.

Cornwall:
Heinrich Küstner, in UB-39, sinks two vessels off Land's End:
French brig La Tour dAuvergne, 188 tons, travelling from La Rochelle to Cardiff with a load of pit props. The brig is stopped and the crew allowed to abandon ship. UB-39 then sets her on fire with his deck gun and departs the area. Still on fire, the vessel is towed to Mullion where it is written off as a total loss.
French schooner Perce Neige, 141 tons, taking a load of coal to Brest. Stopped and scuttled.
Küstner's score is now 50 vessels and 51,753 tons.

English Channel:
Norwegian freighter SS Thelma, 1,350 tons, en route from Tyne to Rouen with a load of coal, hits a mine laid by Otto Steinbrinck in UC-65 off the Owers lightship. His score is now 154 ships and 145,434 tons.

North Sea:
Rudolf Gebeschus, in UB-35, sinks three small vessels off Kinnaird Head, Scotland:
Norwegian coaster SS Kongshaug, 380 tons. carrying a load of coal from Blyth to Sandnaes.
British trawler Lord Kitchener, 158 tons.
British fishing vessel Recto, 177 tons.
Gebeschus' score is now 9 vessels and 5,748 tons.

Gerhard Schulz, in UC-27, begins his U-boat career with the sinking of two British trawlers between the Orkney and Shetland Islands:
Narberth Castle, 168 tons; deck gun.
Nestor, 176 tons; deck gun.
Schulz's opening score is 2 vessels and 344 tons.

His Majesty's Trawler Strathrannoch, 215 tons, hits a mine laid by Otto von Schrader in UC-31 off St Abb's Head, Scotland.There are no survivors. Vom Scjrader's score is now 21 ships and 16,886 tons.

British freighter SS Presto, 1,143 tons, travelling in ballast from London to Newcastle, hits a mine laid by Gustave Deuerlich in UC-40 off Roker Point, Sutherland. His score is now 4 ships and 3,729 tons.

Alboran Sea:
Johannes Feldkirchner, in UC-25, uses his deck gun to sink French schooner Cybele, 148 tons, bound from Malaga to Lisbon; off Cap de Gata, Spain. His score is now 4 ships and 1,337 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Robert Sprenger, in UC-34, sinks two vessels off the Egyptian coast.
Egyptian vessel Rahmanich, 100 tons, details unknown.
British freighter SS Spithead, 4,697 tons, travelling in ballast from Alexandria to Rangoon, off Port Said.
Sprenger's score is now 4 ships and 5,257 tons.

German East Africa:
HMFM Trent arrives at Kilwa Kiwiwani, where she drops of meat and supplies for the ships operating there.

Jimbuna

04-07-17, 10:27 AM

7th April 1017

Western Front

British advance north-west of St. Quentin to Fresny-le-Petit.

Severe fighting round Berry-au-Bac (north-west of Reims).

Naval and Overseas Operations

British night raid (7-8 April) on Zeebrugge.

Nine Germans are killed when they scuttle their ship SMS Cormoran in Guam. This is the only clash between Americans and Germans in the Pacific.

Political, etc.

Cuba declares war on Germany.

Police of Cleveland, Ohio raid the homes of naturalized Germans-Americans and confiscate their rifles and other weapons.

The Austro-Hungarian Empire breaks off diplomatic relations with the United States of America.

Austro-Hungary announces it has raised 6.23 billion kronen (about $1.246 billion) for its fifth war loan.

Ship Losses:

Caminha (Portugal) The cargo ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay 30 nautical miles (56 km) south south west of Cape Ferrat (45°22′N 2°48′W) by gunfire from UC-71 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
SMS Cormoran (Kaiserliche Marine) The merchant raider was scuttled at Guam with the loss of nine crew.
Edwin R. Hunt (United States) The schooner was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 40 nautical miles (74 km) off Cabo de Gata, Almeria, Spain by SM UC-25 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Fiskaa (Norway) The barque was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 10 nautical miles (19 km) off St. Kilda, United Kingdom by SM U-46 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMS Jason (Royal Navy) The minesweeper struck a mine laid by U 78 (Otto Dröscher) and sank off Coll, Inner Hebrides (56°35′45″N 6°28′15″W) with the loss of 25 crew.
Lapland (United Kingdom) The passenger ship struck a mine laid by UC 65 (Otto Steinbrinck) off the Liverpool Bar Lightship ( United Kingdom) and was damaged. She was later repaired and returned to service.
Maplewood (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 47 nautical miles (87 km) south west of Cape Sperone, Sardinia, Italy by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Salmo (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 210 nautical miles (390 km) north west of the Fastnet Rock (52°30′N 14°40′W) by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two crew.
Seward (United States) The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 22 nautical miles (41 km) north east of Begur, Spain (42°42′N 3°41′E) by SM U-52 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Trefusis (United Kingdom) The collier was scuttled in the Mediterranean Sea 30 nautical miles (56 km) south east of Cape Pula, Sardinia (38°38′N 9°25′E) by SM U-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but three survivors were taken as prisoners of war.

Sailor Steve

04-07-17, 09:05 PM

April 7, 1917

Air War:
No. 56 Squadron RFC, the first fully equipped with 12 SE.5s, moves to France.

1645 German pilot Hans Klein, flying an Albatros D.II, shoots down a British balloon for victory number2. Cpt G. Sansom and Lt W. Dreshfield parachute safely.

1700 Canadian RFC pilot William Bishop, in Nieuprot 23 A6769, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 3.

1701 Billy Bishop shoots down a German balloon for number 4.

1710 German ace Otto Bernert, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Nieuport 23 A6775 for victory number 15. 2nd Lt J.H. Muir is killed.

1710 German pilot Linus Patrmann, in an Albatros, shoots down Nieuport 17 A6692 for victory number 1. Cpt A.J. Jennings is killed.

1745 German ace Manfred von Richthofen, flying Albatros D.III 2253/17, shoots down Nieuport 17 A6645 for victory number 37. 2nd Lt George Orme Smart is killed.
I attacked, together with four of my gentlemen, an enemy squadron of six Nieuport machines, south of Arras and behind the enemy lines. The plane I had singled out tried to escape six times by various manoeuvres. When he was doing this for the seventh time, I managed to hit him, whereupon the engine began to smoke and the plane itself went down head first, twisting and twisting. At first I thought it was another manoeuvre, but then I saw that the plane dashed, without catching itself, to the ground near Mercatel.
-Manfred von Richthofen

1745 German ace Kurt Wolff, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Nieuport 17 A6766 for victory number 7. 2nd Lt Charles Sidney Hall, on a special mission photographing an important section of the trenches, is killed.

1745 German ace Karl Schäfer, in an Albatros D.III, is also credited with a Nieuport for victory number 12. 60 squadron did lose a third aircraft this day, but later in the evening. Still the claim is awarded.

1815 German ace Walter von Bülow-Bothkamp, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down FE.2d A1961 for victory number 10. Cpt G.J. Mahoney-Jones and 2nd Lt W.B. Moyes are both killed.

1820 German ace Max von Müller, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down FE.2d A6400 for victory number 6. 2nd Lt James Lawson is wounded but makes it safely to his own side, 2nd Lt Harold Norman Hampson is killed.

1910 German ace Sebastian Festner, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Sopwith 1½ Strutter for victory number 6.

1925 German ace Wilhelm Frankl, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down Nieuport 17 A6773 for victory number 20. Cpt M.B. Knowles is taken prisoner.

1930 English RNAS pilot Charles Booker, in Sopwith Triplane N5455, shoots down an Albatros D.II for victory number 2.

1930 English RNAS pilot Bob Little, in Sopwith Triplane N5469, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 5.

North Atlantic Ocean, far west of Ireland:
Karlgeorg Schuster, commanding U-60, torpedoes British freighter SS Salmo, 1,721 tons, bound from Oporto for Liverpool with a general cargo, 210 miles west of Fastnet. His score is now 12 ships and 29,196 tons.

Western Scotland:
Leo Hillebrand, in U-46, sinks Norwegian barque Fiskaa, 1,700 tons, en route from Galveston to Copenhagen with a load of oilcake; off St Kilda Island. His score is now 24 ships and 46,709 tons.

British minesweepr HMS Jason, 810 tons, hits a mine laid off Coll Island by Otto Dröscher in U-78, bringing his score to 14 ships and 19,841 tons.

Irish Sea:
British passenger liner SS Lapland, 18,565 tons, travelling from New York to Liverpool with a general cargo, hits a mine laid off the Liverpool lighthouse by Otto Steinbrinck in UC-65. The damaged ship makes it safely into Liverpool.

Bay of Biscay:
Hans Valentiner, in U-71, sinks Portuguese freighter SS Caminha, 2,763 tons. en route from Lisbon to Rochefort. His score is now 39 ships and 26,170 tons.

Golfe du Lion:
Hans Walther, in U-52, uses his deck gun to sink American freighter SS Seward, 3,390 tons, carrying war material from New York to Genoa. His score is now 23 ships and 55,607 tons.

Alboran Sea:
Johannes Feldkirchner, n UC-25, scuttles American schooner Edwin R. Hume, 1,132 tons, bound from Cette to New York with an unspecified cargo, off Cap de Gata, Spain. His score is now 5 vessels and 2,469 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Leading U-boat ace Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière, in U-35, sinks British freighter SS Maplewood, 3,239 tons, en route from La Goulette to West Hartlepool with a load of iron ore; off Capo Sperone, Sardinia. His score is now 157 ships and 321,368 tons.

Hermann von Fischel, in U-65, scuttles British freighter SS Trefusis, 2,642 tons, carrying a load of coal from Cardiff to Alexandria. His score is now 14 ships and 36,028 tons.

Jimbuna

04-08-17, 10:14 AM

8th April 1917

Western Front

British progress north of Louveral (half-way between Bapaume and Cambrai).

Evacuation of Reims by civil population.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British capture Belad station on Baghdad-Samarra railway.

Aviation

Wilhelm Frankl, German fighter ace with 20 aerial victories, is killed in action over France.
http://i.imgur.com/835WXYi.jpg

Political, etc.

Kaiser promises Prussia electoral reform.

Panama joins U.S.A. to defend Panama Canal.

Ship Losses:

Alba (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) off Garraf, Catalonia, Spain (41°05′N 1°53′E) by SM U-52 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
SMS G88 (Kaiserliche Marine) The V25-class destroyer was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea by a Royal Navy Coastal Motor Boat.
Geilan Bahri (United Kingdom) The sailing vessel was scuttled in the Mediterranean Sea 54 nautical miles (100 km) off Alexandria, Egypt by SM UC-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Livatho (Greece) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea north west of Crete (36°24′N 20°56′E) by SM UB-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Lucia (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Cape Pula, Sardinia by SM U-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Nestos (Greece) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 50 nautical miles (93 km) west south west of Sapientza (36°27′N 20°59′E) by SM UB-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Papa Gian Battista (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Cape Pula, Sardinia by SM U-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Petridge (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 200 nautical miles (370 km) west north west of Ouessant, Finistère, France (48°14′N 10°10′W) by SM U-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but two of them were taken as prisoners of war.
Torrington (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic OCean 150 nautical miles (280 km) south west of the Isles of Scilly by SM U-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 34 crew. Her captain was taken as a prisoner of war.
Umvoti (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic OCean 200 nautical miles (370 km) west north west of Ouessant (48°48′N 10°15′W) by SM U-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four crew. Two survivors were taken as prisoners of war.

Sailor Steve

04-09-17, 01:45 AM

April 8, 1917

Air War:
German ace Werner Voss is awarded the Pour le Merite, the "Blue Max". The mandatory one month leave that comes with the medal means that he will miss the rest of "Bloody April".

German ace Wilhelm Frankl, flying Albatros D.III 2158/16, is killed in a fight with Bristols from 48 Squadron RFC when his plane lost a lower wing under the stress of hard manouvering. This was the bane of Nieuport sesquiplanes and the Albatroses that copied their single-spar V-strut wings, and the reason that von Richthofen refused to fly them for several weeks. In 1938 Frankl's name was removed from the roll of Pour le Merite winners due to his Jewish ancestors, and was not restored to that list until 1973.

0420 German pilot Hans Klein, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down FE.2b 7669 for victory number 3. Lt L. Butler and AM2 R. Robb are both taken prisoner.

0820 English RFC pilot Edwin Cole, in Nieuport 17 A6603, destroys a German observation balloon for victory number 4.

0930 Canadian pilot William Bishop, in Nieuport 23 A6760, shares a kill with Major A.J.L. Scott in N.17 A6647, bringing down a Albatros two-seater. Number 5 for Bishop, unknown for Scott.

Directly following this, William Bishop scores his second kill of the day, downing an Albatros D.III for number 6.

0930 German ace Sebastian Festner, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Nieuport 23 A6764 for victory number 7. Major J.A.A. Millot is killed.

1010 Billy Bishop gains his third kill of the day, shooting down another Albatros D.III for number 7 overall.

1130 South African RFC pilot Quintin Brand, flying Nieuport 17 6668, destroys a balloon for victory number 4.

1130 Welsh RFC pilot Francis Kitto, in Sopwith 1½ Strutter A7804 with AM1 A.W. Cant as observer, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 2.

1140 German ace Manfred von Richthofen, in Albatros D.III 2253/17, shoots down Sopwith 1½ Strutter A2406 for victory number 38. 2nd Lt John Seymour Heagerty is not wounded but is injured in the crash and taken prisoner. Lt Leonard Heath Cantle is killed.)
With three of my planes I attacked three Sopwiths above Farbus. The plane I singled out soon made a right-hand curve downwards. The observer ceased shooting. I followed the adversary to the ground where he dashed to pieces.

1430 German ace Kurt Wolff, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down DH.4 A2141 for victory number 8. Lt Bernard Evans and 2nd Lt Basil Walwyn White are both killed.

1440 German ace Karl Schäfer, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down DH.4 A2140 for victory number 13. Lts R.A. Logan and F.R. Henry are both killed.

1445 Australian RNAS ace Roderic Dallas, flying Sopwith Triplane N5436, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 9.

1500 Irish RNAS pilot Francis Casey, in Sopwith Pup N6182, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 2.

1510 German ace Otto Bernert, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Bristol F.2a A3330 for victory number 16. 2nd Lts O.W. Berry and F.B. Goodison are both killed.

1515 Otto Bernert scores his second kill of the day, shooting down RE.8 A4178 for number 17. 2nd Lt K.B. Cooksey and AM2 R.H. Jones are both killed.

1530 Englsh RNAS pilot Anthony Rex Arnold, in Sopwith Triplane N5477, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 1

1640 Manfred von Richthofen gains his second victory of the day, shooting down BE.2g A2815 for number 39. 2nd Lts Keith Ingleby MacKenzie and Guy Evringham are both killed.
I was flying and surprised an English artillery flyer. After a very few shots the plane broke to pieces and fell near Vimy, on this side of the lines.
-Manfred von Richthofen

1700 Five FE.2bs share the downing of an Albatros D.III:
A796 John Aspinall (England - number 4) and Medley Parlee (Canada - 3)
A5454 Cpt G.W. Beale (unknown) and Gerald Bell (Candada - 1)
A4561 Carleton Clement (Candada - 4) and Llewelyn Davies (Wales - 2)
???? Lt C.F.M. Furlonger and Lt C.W. Land (both unknown)
???? Lt H.G. Spearpoint and and 2nd Lt J.K. Campbell (both unknown)

1910 German ace Georg Schlenker, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Nieuport 23 A6765 for victory number 7. Lt T.J. Owen is killed.

Russian pilot Pavel Argyev, in a Nieuport, claims a Fokker, but it is Unconfirmed.

German ace Walter von Bülow-Bothkamp, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down Nieuport 12 A156 for victory number 11. 2nd Lt J.E. de Watteville and Lt R.A. Manby are both wounded but crash on their own side of the lines.

German ace Heinrich Gontermann, in an Albatros D.III, destroys a French balloon for victory number 8. Adj André Duramel is injured but survives.

German pilot Erich Hahn, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Caudron R.4 for victory number 2. The likely victims are MdL Célestin Théron killed, Sgt Marcel Gendronneau okay, and S/Lt René Wilmes killed.

Irish RFC pilot David Tidmarsh and English observer 2nd Lt C.B. Holland, in a Bristol F.2a, shoot down an Albatros D.III. Number 4 for Tidmarsh, number 1 for Holland.

Celtic Sea:
Wilhelm Werner, commanding U-55, sinks three British freighters 200 miles west of Brittany:
SS Petridge, 1,712 tons, bound from Mogador for London with a general cargo; torpedoed.
SS Torrington, 5,597 tons, travelling in ballast from Savona to Barry.
SS Umvoti, 2,616 tons, carrying a general cargo from Table Bay to London
Werner's score is now 30 ships and 48,136 tons.

Balearic Sea:
Hans Walther, in U-52, sinks Italian freighter SS Alba, 1,639 tons, carrying a load of coal from Swansea to Italy; off Garraf, near Barcelona. His score is now 24 ships and 57,246 tons.

Ionian Sea:
Hans Hermann Wendlandt, in UB-47, starts his U-boat career with the sinking of two Greek freighters northwest of Crete:
SS Livatho, 2,922 tons, travelling in ballast from Salonica to the United States.
SS Nestos, 4,060 tons, carrying a load of wheat from New York to Piraeus.
Wendlandt's opening score is 2 ships and 4,982 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Hermann von Fischel, in U-65, sinks two Italian sailing vessels off Cape Pula, Sardinia:
Lucia, 138 tons.
Papa Gian Battista, 138 tons.
Von Fischel's score is now 16 vessels and 36,304 tons.

Robert Sprenger, in UC-34, sinks Britis sailing vessel Geilan Bahri, 19 tons, raising his score to 5 vessels and 5,276 tons.

Highbury

04-09-17, 02:48 AM

April 9, 1917. The battle of Vimy Ridge began.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Vimy_Ridge

August

04-09-17, 03:15 AM

This is an account of my Great Grandfathers unit during the Battle of Arras, April 9th 1917

For reference his unit Chain of Command at the time was the:
6th Company of the
2nd Battalion of the
8th Bavarian Infantry Regiment of the
8th Bavarian Infantry Brigade of the
14th Bavarian Infantry Division of the
German Sixth Army (Falkenhausen)

A map of the battlefield. My Great Grandfathers unit is southern most next to St. Laurent.

http://www.canadiansoldiers.com/history/battlehonours/westernfront/vimymap1.jpg

The following excerpts are from the book "The German Army in the Spring Offensives 1917: Arras, Aisne, & Champagne" – by Jack Sheldon

-----------------------------------------------------------
During the night of 8/9 April the positions were shelled and gassed for five hours continuously, forcing the garrison to mask up and exhausting the protective potential of their gas masks. From about 3am the shelling reduced in intensity then between 3:15 and 5am ceased altogether. The reasoning was unclear because fire came down with undiminished intensity on the neighboring divisions but the pause was extremely welcome. It enabled the large number of wounded and gas poisoning cases to be evacuated, food, drink and ammunition to be brought up and collapsed dugout entrances to be cleared out. However at 5:30am a massive infantry attack, supported by tanks and flamethrowers, was launched. In the half light with visibility reduced to almost nil by smoke shells and clouds of dust and preceded by a creeping barrage, an attack of extreme violence hit the center of the 8th Bavarian Infantry Regiment before the defenders had time to get organized or even begin to react.

7th and 8th companies were simply overwhelmed, the desperate efforts of the survivors notwithstanding, so a gap 400 meters wide opened up. Initially 6th Company was able to offer reasonably effective resistance, but a thrust through the the 25th BIR in Sector Schwaben was followed by a great build up in pressure against it's right flank and rear. 5th Company, benefiting from swampy going in the strip of ground by the Scarpe, was able to bring down intense small arms fire and temporarily hold up the advance. This meant that St. Laurent Blangy was still being held as a firm shoulder of the forward defense but just to the north British flamethrower crews were able to expand the break in, the piercing screams of men hit by great jets of burning oil clearly audible above the racked of explosions and firing. Even in the built up area resistance was short lived. Wave after wave of attackers pressed on into it, not only from the west but also from the southern edge of the village where the attackers clashed violently with an 11th Company platoon which had been moved forward simultaneously with the start of the offensive at 5:30 am. Within an hour despite the best efforts of the courageous Leutnant Heikanus the fighting was over here and the 5th Company had suffered a considerable number of all ranks killed showing just how bitter the struggle against the odds had been.

The elements of Bavarian 14th Mortar Company that had been deployed forward were also destroyed or captured with almost all the other front line infantrymen. Its acting commander, who had been attempting to arrange for the relief of the forward crews after the hammering they had received during the past few days, had also to make a swift decision if any of his men were to be able to contribute to the defense.

Leutnant F Henigst Bavarian Mortar Company 14
"In this situation those elements of the company that were located in the rear and which were to have conducted the relief had no realistic option but to make themselves available to the division as a reserve. Led by me (Oberleutnant Barth, the company commander, had been set away on sick leave a week earlier) and strengthened with a few infantry orderlies, altogether about sixty men were dispatched to Gavrelle where 8th Bavarian Infantry Brigades (Generalmajor Karl von Reck) Headquarters was supposed to be located. The march was fraught with difficulty. Some of those who set off with us that morning must have felt that they were unlikely to live until evening. Men caught in the hell of the forward positions have no time for introspection but, when you are without notice moved out of a safe, secure place and are suddenly faced with the near certainty of death, it becomes a severe test of nerve. The further forward our little band came the heavier the fire, which was coming down along the Cambrai – Arras road. By chance we discovered that the brigade staff was there. Taking advantage of a pause in the fire we marched up to the house by the exit to the village where the staff was located. To my amazement i came across the brigade commander on the ground floor room despite the fact that heavy shells kept detonating nearby. Virtually alone in front of his maps, i shall never forget the calming sight of the general standing in front of his desk, just as though he was was on exercise and giving me my briefing.
The impression of an exercise was further intensified when i rushed across the road to get my hands on belts of ammunition. A field gun ammunition column raced through the village, one wagon after the other, the poor horses frightened to death, but thundering on in a mad scramble along the beautiful avenue toward Gavrelle. I though to myself that if ammunition could be brought that far forward, things could not be too bad. I soon realized however that he actual situation was quite different when I having collected ammunition, left the village by the same road. The column which had driven forward so boldly had run into heavy shrapnel and shell fire and had become an appalling tangled mess, which could neither move forward nor back. Meanwhile enemy artillery fire continued to crash down madly in it's midst. I later discovered that the ammunition was very unlikely to have found a user."

On the left flank of the division, down near St. Laurent Blangy, events took a slightly different course. Major Felser, normally commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion 8th Bavarian Infantry Regiment had taken over command of the entire regiment on April 1st when Oberst von Rucker was medically evacuated. On the morning of 9 April he was located well forward in his command post, dug into the railway embankment about one thousand meters north of the Railway Triangle. From there he tried desperately to maintain contact with his battalion commanders and to build up a picture of what was happening out to the front. Unfortunately for him, such was the concentration of gas, smoke and high explosive on his forward positions when the attack opened that it was impossible to move or pass messages in the area. Finally the fire began to slacken and lifted to the east somewhat towards 7am. It was then possible to gain an impression of the desperate fighting in the forward positions. Red flares fired by the infantry and guiding the British artillery were going up all along the front so as to indicate progress; whilst the defenders, those who had survived the bombardment, brought their remaining machine guns to bear and managed briefly to hold the advance up and cause the British to fire yet another preparatory bombardment.
As shells landed all around the railway Major Felser attempted to summon assistance from the German guns but the artillery group commanders nearby command post had already been smashed and abandoned. The British were expected to close right up to this area at any moment but Felser, weighing up his options, decided to stay where he was and fight it out, setting a good example to his men and counteracting a growing tendency to drift to the rear.

Major Felser, Commander of the 8th Bavarian Infantry Regiment:

"What purpose would it have served to redeploy the regimental command post to the rear where there were no reinforcements – especially because the tactical situation would have ruled out the withdrawal of the troops to the rear. There could be no thought of yielding the position. Instead it had to be fought for. The enemy strength could not be determined; only that they were deploying beyond the trenches of the forward position. I was also unaware of the situation in the neighboring sectors. The amount of enemy gun fire indicated that it was an offensive on a grand scale; nevertheless it was possible that the attack on our neighbors would enjoy less success. That said, even unfavorable news from that source would not have budged me from my determination not to give up the Intermediate position as a battle in a lost cause. It was much more a matter of gaining time wile those elements of the division which were located in the rear could be got forward to intervene. Thus far I hoped that I should be able to hold the line of the railway with artillery support; I felt that it was out of the question that the artillery would be quite unable to provide necessary support. However only about four or five shells came down."

About 7:30am Major Felser was appraised of the situation forward when an unteroffizier, accompanied by a small group of men, succeeded in making his way to the command post. His was the one and only report to get though and it told a sorry story of the total destruction of the 2nd Battalion. There was still no news from the flanks or rear although Leutnant Zimmerman who was holding the second position with the 10th company did set off with two of his platoons to reinforce. On the way heavy fire caused numerous casualties and the group to splinter so that when he arrived, bleeding from a neck wound, he had only twenty five men with him. He himself was killed less than an hour later but, in the meantime, he placed his men in position along the railway adding their fire to what was left of the 9th and 12th companies. Their concentrated small arms fire succeeded in causing a great many casualties and holding the attack on this front 300 meters short of the railway line – but only briefly. In a repetition of a situation played out repeatedly that day, a thrust into the German positions to the north mean that they were outflanked and subject to an attack designed to roll up their positions.

The fighting degenerated into a wild hand to hand struggle, but once again numbers told and the situation north of the St Laurent – Athies road soon deteriorated. In places some of the attackers had been forced into cover. Elsewhere, supported by fresh artillery concentration and the direct intervention of a tank, the defence began to crumble. Around Felsner's command post resistance was still reasonably effective but, suddenly, the attackers were through just where the St. Laurent – Athies road crossed the railway line. Fired at from three sides, ammunition running out, the defenders were in serious trouble. Leutnant Zimmerman, still encouraging his men, was mortally wounded, shot twice through the chest and collapsed, still clinging on to his rifle. Casualties went on mounting until a 350 meter front was being held only by the survivors of the regimental staff and the remnants of 10th company – four officers, fifty men and one machine gun, which was soon put out of action by a grenade.

Amazing to relate, this battle with the 8th Battalion of the Black Watch went on for another hour. There was no sign of reinforcement or relief, no information from the flanks and the German artillery was completely silent. Nevertheless buoyed up by Major Felsers decision to stand and fight, everything possible was done to hold on. The regimental orderly officer, Leutnant Krembs, rushed around carrying orders and redistributing the small amount of ammunition still available, but he too fell victim to a shot through the head, dying instantly. It was by now almost 9am and obvious to all concerned that the few remaining riflemen could not contend with pressure from three sides. Finally grenades were thrown into the dugouts. More or less simultaneously the last of the ammunition was fired. Major Felser decided that it was pointless to order a final bayonet charge and at approximately 9:15am he ordered the few survivors to surrender. By then the defenders were reduced to Felser himself, his adjutant, Oberleutnant Mayer and his signals officer together with a handful of unwounded men. The regimental historian later summed up this heroic but brief and ultimately hopeless stand in this way:

"The enemy pushed tanks through St. Laurent and along the road to Athies in the direction of the railway bridge and supported by heavy artillery fire set foot in overwhelming force in the intermediate position on our right flank. Repeatedly our fire held them back until exploiting a gap in the neighboring sector to our right a surprise enemy attack from our right flank and rear was launched forcing a way into our position along the railway despite an obstinate defense, especially around the road bridge over the railway on the Gavrelle-St. Laurent road. The longingly awaited divisional reserve – three battalions – did not arrive on time. Our artillery itself severely pressed and suffering from lack of ammunition could not support the infantry. Only when, bit by bit, close quarter fighting died away in various places was the defense including that to the south of the road bridge exhausted and the intermediate position was lost about 9:15am. Only a very few men of the 2nd and 3rd Battalions were able to escape and battle their way back towards Athies and the Second position where they consolidated under artillery fire."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next day, April 10th the shattered remnants of my great grandfathers division would receive orders to withdraw. They would be sent for several days to the Ghent area of Belgium then would load trains bound for the eastern front.

Jimbuna

04-09-17, 11:28 AM

9th April 1917

Western Front

Battle of Arras (on 12-mile front from Henin-sur-Cojeul, south-east of Arras, to Givenchy-en-Gohelle, north of Arras). British forces deploy 365 aircraft to support the battle, but face tough German resistance. “Bloody April” for the Royal Flying Corps begins.

British (Canadians) take Vimy Ridge (northern end excepted), five villages and 6,000 prisoners.

North of St. Quentin and towards Cambrai British take six villages and enter Havrincourt Wood.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Russians occupy Kizil Robat. British occupy Harbe (four miles north of Belad).

Political, etc.

Due to lack of supply, British beer prices have risen, causing disaffection among factory workers.

Total Canadian oversea enlistments to date:- 407,302 of which Ontario 170,205, Montreal 36,282, Quebec 8,145.

Brazil severs diplomatic relations with Germany.

Ship Losses:

Avon (United Kingdom) The passenger ship struck a mine and sank in the Thames Estuary 2.5 nautical miles (4.6 km) south east by south of the Tongue Lightship ( United Kingdom) (51°29′00″N 1°26′30″E) with the loss of two lives.
Cairnie (United Kingdom) The coaster dragged her anchors, collided with another vessel and sank. Her crew were rescued.
Esterel (France) The cargo shipb was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Port-Vendres, Pyrénées-Orientales (42°39′N 3°30′E) by SM U-52 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Fremad I (Norway) The barque was sunk in the North Sea 200 nautical miles (370 km) off Lindesnes, Vest-Agder (58°47′N 0°52′E) by SM U-59 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Ganslei (Russia) The cargo ship was sunk in Kola Bay (69°19′N 33°31′E) by SM U-75 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Kittiwake (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 25 nautical miles (46 km) north west of the Maas Lightship ( Netherlands) (52°15′N 3°18′E) by SM UB-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of seven crew.
HMT Orthos (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 14 (Ulrich Pilzecker) and sank in the North Sea off Lowestoft, Suffolk (52°23′00″N 1°52′30″E) with the loss of a crew member.
Saint Maudez (France) The sailing vessel was sunk in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) north north west of Fécamp, Seine-Maritime by SM UB-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Themistoclis (Greece) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 100 nautical miles (190 km) off Pointe Saint-Mathieu, Finistère, France by SM UC-71 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Valhall (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 30 nautical miles (56 km) north of the Pierres Noires, Finistère by SM UC-71 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

http://i.imgur.com/QgdDPDT.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/adaxOXX.jpg

Sailor Steve

04-09-17, 07:52 PM

April 9, 1917

Air War:
Mick Mannock's Nieuport 17 B1540 suffers a wing failure. He manages to land safely.

1145 Welsh RNAS pilot Ernest Norton, flying Nieuport 17 N3187, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 5.

1200 Ernest Norton scores his second kill of the day, downing another Albatros for number 6.

1900 German ace Karl Schäfer, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down BE.2d 5742 for victory number 14. Lts J.H.E. Brink and R.C. Heath are both wounded. Brink later dies of his wounds.

English pilot Alan Wilkinson and Canadian observer Hugh Griffith, in a Bristol F.2a, shoot down a German two seater and then an Albatros D.III. Victories 12 and 13 for Wilkinson, 2 and 3 for Griffith.

Later in the day Wilkinson makes a second patrol, this time with English observer Lawrence Allen and accompanied by another F.2a, piloted by John Herbert Towne Letts with Lt H.G. Collins as observer. Together they shoot down two more D.IIIs. Victories number 14 and 15 for Wilkinson, 2 and 3 for Allen, 1 and 2 for Letts, unknown for Collins.

English pilot William Price and South African observer Maurice Benjamin, in a Bristol F.2a, shood down an Albatros D.III. Victory number 2 for both.

Irish Sea:
American passenger liner SS New York, 10,798 tons, carrying a general cargo from New York to Liverpool, hits a mine laid off the Mersey Bar by Otto Steinbrinck in UC-65. The damaged ship makes it safely into port.

Celtic Sea:
Hans Valentiner, commanding UC-71, sinks two ships west of Brittany:
Greek freighter SS Themistoclis, 1895 tons, bound from Cardiff for Algiers with a load of coal.
Norwegian freighter SS Valhall, 750 tons, en route from Manchester to Cadiz with a load of pitch.
Valentiner's score is now 41 ships and 28,815 tons.

English Channel:
Heinrich Küstner, in UB-39, sinks French sailing vessel Saint Maudez, 282 tons, off Fécamp. His score is now 51 vessels and 51,045 tons.

North Sea:
Wilhelm von Fircks, in U-59, sinks Norwegian Barque Fremad I, 1,554 tons, carrying a load of oilcake from Savannah to Korsør. His score is now 14 ships and 27,050 tons.

Thomas Bieber, in UB-31, torpedoes British freighter SS Kittiwake, 1,866 tons, en route from Liverpool to Rotterdam with a general cargo. This is his first sinking.

HMT Orthos, 218 tons, hits a mine laid by Ulrich Pilzecker in UC-14, rasing his score to 2 vessels and 534 tons.

Russia:
Curt Beitzen, in U-75, sinks Russian freighter SS Ganslei, 11,273 tons, travelling from Tyne to North Russia; in Kola Bay, near Murmansk. His score is now 8 ships and 18,157 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Hans Walther, in U-52, sinks French freighter SS Esterel, 2,574 tons, en route from West Africa to Marseille, of Port Vendres, France. His score is now 25 ships and 59,820 tons.

Indian Ocean:
Troubles begin again for HMFM Trent while en route from Daf-es-Salaam to Durban when a man refuses to go on duty.

Jimbuna

04-10-17, 02:06 PM

10th April 1917

Western Front

British complete capture of Vimy Ridge, occupy Farbus (north-east of Arras) and Fampaux (four miles east of Arras).

Great French bombardment of Moronvillers massif (group of hills east of Reims) begins.

Naval and Overseas Operations

British hospital ships HMHS Salta hits a mine laid by German submarine UC-26 and sinks, causing 130 deaths.
http://i.imgur.com/xT2WT9y.jpg

Damaged German submarine U-22 in drydock after it hit a mine near Hornsriff.
http://i.imgur.com/iypePqu.jpg

Political, etc.

Severe explosion of ammunition factory at Eddystone, near Philadelphia.

U.S. Cabinet decides to prioritize sending food and money to the Allies before sending soldiers.

Note of Argentina to U.S.A. approving of U.S.A. action re: war.

Alexis Carrel, the Nobel-prize winner in Physiology or Medicine, predicts the war will last another 50 years.

Ship Losses:

Abd Razid (Tunisia) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Tripoli, Libya by SM UC-20 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Dalton (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Cape Matapan, Greece (36°00′N 22°40′E) by SM U-28 ( Austro-Hungarian Navy). Her crew survived.
HMS P26 (Royal Navy) The P-class sloop struck a mine laid by
UC 26 (Matthias Graf von Schmettow) and sank in the English Channel off Le Havre, Seine-Maritime, France with the loss of nineteen of her 59 crew. Survivors were rescued by HMS P19 ( Royal Navy.
Pluto (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 32 nautical miles (59 km) south east by east of Lowestoft, Suffolk (52°19′N 2°34′E) by SM UB-20 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Porto di Rodi (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Ionian Sea 37°53′N 18°02′E) SM U-32 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 31 crew.
Ranvik (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 45 nautical miles (83 km) west south west of Ouessant, Finistère, France by SM UC-71 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMHS Salta (Royal Navy) The hospital ship struck a mine laid by UC 26 (Matthias Graf von Schmettow) and sank at Le Havre with the loss of 130 of the 205 people on board.

Sailor Steve

04-10-17, 02:43 PM

April 10, 1917

Air War:
Irish RFC pilot David Tidmarsh, flying Bristol F.2a A3338 with Lt H.G. Collins as observer, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 5.

Celtic Sea:
Hans Valentiner, commanding UC-71, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Ranvik, 5,848 tons, bound from Buenos Aires for Cherbourg with a load of wheat. His score is now 42 ships and 34,663 tons.

English Channel:
Two British vessels hit mines laid off Le Havre by Matthias von Schmettow in UC-26:
Patrol boat P-26, 613 tons.
Hospital ship Salta, 7,284 tons, carrying medical supplies from Southampton to Le Havre.
Vo Schmettow's score is now 69 ships and 106,356 tons.

North Sea:
Hermann Glimpf, in UB-20, starts his U-boat career with the sinking of British freighter SS Pluto, 1,266 tons, carrying a general cargo from Rotterdam to Bristol; southeast of Lowestoft.

Ionian Sea:
Kurt Hartwig, in U-32, sinks Italian freighter SS Porto di Rodi, 2,480 tons, en route from Alexandria to Genoa with a general cargo. His score is now 37 ships and 48,245 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Leo Prásil, in Austrian submarine U-29, sinks British freighter SS Dalton, 3,486 tons, travelling in ballast from Saloica to Malta, off Cape Matapan. This is his first sinking.

Franz Becker, in UC-20, sinks Tunesian sailing vessel Ab Razik, 25 tons, off Tripoli, increasing his score to 5 vessels and 15,105 tons.

Robert Sprenger, in UC-34, torpedoes Greek freighter SS Fotis, 3,526 tons, en route from Marseille to Suez, off the Egyptian coast. The damaged ship manages to make safe port.

Jimbuna

04-11-17, 04:28 PM

11th April 1917

Western Front

Near Arras, British troops capture the village of Monchy-le-Preux, but are repelled east of Bellicourt due to a strong German counterattack.

British capture village of Monchy-le-Preux (5.5 miles east-south-east of Arras).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British defeat Turks near Ghaliya (north-east of Deltawa, north of Baghdad).

Political, etc.

Major General Leonard Wood declares there are too few volunteers for the U.S. army and so conscription is necessary.

Herbert Hoover officially takes job of U.S. food controller. He urges the nation to eliminate waste and promotes corn bread over flour.

Brazil breaks off relations with Germany because of its unrestricted submarine warfare.

Note of Argentina to U.S.A. deciding on benevolent neutrality to U.S.A. in war.

Ship Losses:

HMT Amy (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by
UC 26 (Matthias Graf von Schmettow) and sank in the English Channel off Le Havre, Seine Maritime, France with the loss of nine of her crew.
Ansgar (Denmark) The barquentine was set afire and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Cape San Antonio, Spain (39°06′N 0°30′E) by SM U-52 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Candia (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Zuwara, Libya by SM UC-20 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Cyfarthfa (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 32 nautical miles (59 km) west south west of Antikythera, Greece (35°29′N 22°30′E) by SM UB-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Duchess of Cornwall (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 26 (Matthias Graf von Schmettow) and sank in the English Channel 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) north of Cape Barfleur, Manche, France with the loss of 23 of her crew.
Imperial Transport (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 140 nautical miles (260 km) north west by north of Alexandria, Egypt by SM UC-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but her captain was taken as a prisoner of war.
Miss Morris (United Kingdom) The three-masted schooner was scuttled in the Mediterranean Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km) south east of Garrucha, Andalusia, Spain (36°57′N 1°50′W) by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Nancy (Denmark) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 42 nautical miles (78 km) off the Hellisøy Lighthouse, Hordaland, Norway by SM U-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three crew.
Precedent (United Kingdom) The fishing smack was scuttled in the English Channel 12 nautical miles (22 km) east south east of Berry Head, Devon by SM UB-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Quaggy (United Kingdom) The coaster struck a mine laid by
UC 31 (Otto von Schrader) and sank in the North Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) east of Robin Hood's Bay, Yorkshire with the loss of two of her crew.
Sarvsfos (Norway) The barque was sunk in the North Sea 80 nautical miles (150 km) south east of Kirkwall, Orkney Islands (58°33′N 0°00′E) by SM U-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Saxo (Denmark) The coaster was sunk in the North Sea 42 nautical miles (78 km) off the Hellisøy Lighthouse by SM U-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Star (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the North Sea 68 nautical miles (126 km) off the coast of Fife, United Kingdom by SM U-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Sylfiden (Norway) The barque was sunk in the Barents Sea 50 nautical miles (93 km) north by west of Holmengrå, Finnmark by SM U-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Tremorvah (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 70 nautical miles (130 km) north north west of Cape Bougaroni, Algeria by SM U-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but four of them were taken as prisoners of war.

http://i.imgur.com/UZmeCdo.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Ck2ZqxO.jpg

Sailor Steve

04-11-17, 09:55 PM

April 11, 1917

Air War:
0830 Four Bristol F.2as are attacked by Albatros D.IIIs and a running fight develops. First the Bristols shoot down an Albatros.
A3318 2nd Lts R.F. Adeney and L.G. Lovell, tally unknown.
A3333 2nd Lts George Norman Brockhurst and Cecil Blockley Boughton, unknown.
Unidentified Bristol Alan Riley, victory number 2, 2nd Lt L.G. Hall unknown.
A3338 Irish ace David Tidmarsh 6, 2nd Lt C.B. Holland unknown.

0845 Canadian RNAS pilot Lloyd Breadner, flying Sopwith Pup N6181, shoots down an Albatros two-seater for victory number 2.

0845 German pilot Leutnant F. Roth shoots down BE.2c 2769 for victory number 1. 2nd Lt F. Matthews is wounded and taken prisoner. I could find no details on this German pilot.

0855 Lloyd Breadner shoots down the escorting Albatros D.III for number 3.

0855 German ace Adolf Schulte, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down BE.2d 5849 for victory number 7. Lt F.L. Kitchen is killed. There is no mention of an observer.

0900 The fight between the Bristols and the Albatroses develops, and the British team shoot down a second D.III.
Victory number 3 for Adeney, number 7 for Tidmarsh. The rest are unknown, at least to me.

0900 German pilot Hermann Frommherz, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down SPAD VII A6690 for victory number 1. 2nd Lt S. Roche is taken prisoner.

0900 Alan Riley and 2nd Lt C.G. Hall shoot down a third Albatros. Hall is killed in the exchange.

0900 Adolf Schulte scores his second kill+ of the day, shooting down Sopwith Pup N5185. 2nd Lt Hayne comes down safely on his own side of the lines.

0905 German ace Sebastian Festner, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down a BE.2 for victory number 8. Details unknown.

0910 The tide turns against the Bristols when German ace Karl Schäfer shoots down A3318 for victory number 15. R.F. Adeney and L.G. Lovell are both killed.

1910 The second F.2a goes down as German ace Kurt Wolff hits A3338 for victory number 9. Irish 7-kill ace David Tidmarsh and Cator Holland are taken prisoner.

0915 The Third F.2a falls to Lothar von Richthofen; A3323 is victory number 2. George Brockhurst is wounded, and he and Cecil Boughton are both taken prisoner. Of the eight aircrew, pilot Alan Riley is the only one to make it home.

0925 German ace Manfred von Richthofen, in Albatros D.III 2253/17, shoots down BE.2c 2501 for victory number 40. Lt Edward Claude England Derwin and Gunner H. Pierson are both wounded, rescued from No-Man's Land by British troops. Richthofen notes that there was a high wind, low clouds and snow.

1020 German pilot Hans Klein, flying an Albatros D.II, shoots down a BE.2d for victory number 4.

1050 Hans Klein scores his second victory of the day, shooting down a BE.2c for number 5.

1145 German ace Rudolf Berthold, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down SPAD VII 370 for victory number 11. Adj Albert Barioz is listed as Missing.

1230 German Otto Bernert, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 18.

1235 Lothar von Richthofen gains his second victory of the day, shooting down RE.8 A4190 for number 3. Lts George Tod Morris and James Mitchell Souter are both killed.

1240 Otto Bernert gets his second of the day, shooting down Morane 'P' A6760. Victory number 19. Lts L.F. Beynon and A.C. Lutyens are wounded.

1250 Karl Schäfer scores number 2 for the day, bringing down a BE.2c for number 16.

Fench ace Armand Pinsard, in a SPAD VII, shoots down an Albatros for victory number 6. His likely victim is Vfw Karl Möwe, who was killed this day.

Russian pilot Vladimir Strizhevsky, in a SPAD VII, shoots down an LVG two-seater for victory number 2.

Cornwall:
Wilhelm Amberger, commanding UB-38, sinks British fishing smack Precedent, 36 tons. His score is now 11 ship and 12,075.

English Channel:
His Majesty's Trawler Amy, 270 tons, hits a mine laid by Matthias von Schmettow in UC-26 in Le Havre Roads.
Meanwhile, von Schmettow sinks British freighter SS Duchess of Cornwall, 1,706 tons, bound from London to Le Havre.
UC-26 also torpedoes British freighter SS Branksome Hall, 4,262 tons, en route from Cork to Strasbourg with a load of hay and oats, but the damaged ship makes safe port.
Von Schmettow's score is now 71 ships and 108,332 tons.

North Sea:
Gerhard Berger, in U-50, sinks Norwegian barque Sarvsfos, 1,462 tons, carrying a load of oilcake from Savannah to Odense; off Kirkwall. His score is now 16 ships and 59,474 tons.

British freighter SS Quaggy, 993 tons, travelling in ballast from London to Tyne, hits a mine laid by Otto von Schrader in UC-31 off Robin Hood's Bay. His score is now 22 ships and 17,879 tons.

Norway:
Franz Grünert, in U-30, sinks four ships:
Danish freighter SS Saxo, 711 tons, en route from Copenhagen to Grimsby with a load of butter and other stores; off hellisøy.
Danish freighter SS Nancy, 1,325 tons, carrying a load of agricultural products from Copenhagen to Hull, via Bergen; off hellisøy.
Norwegian freighter SS Star, 818 tons, travelling from Drammen to Bristol with a load of timber and wood pulp. Sources give the location as 68 miles northwest of Fife, Scotland, but this would mean that U-30 would have to travel more than 400 miles in one day.
Norwegian freighter SS Sylfiden, 796 tons, bound from Buenos Aires to Flekkefjord, via Sornoway with a load of quebracho (an Argentine hardwood tree); off Holmengrå.
Grünert's score is now 7 ships and 5,585 tons.

Alboran Sea:
Leading U-boat ace Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière, in U-35, scuttles British, schooner Miss Morris, 156 tons, travelling in ballast from Genoa to Malaga; of Garrucha, Spain. His score is now 158 ships and 321,524 tons.

Balearic Sea:
Hans Walther, in U-52, sinks Danish schooner Ansgar, carrying a load of pitch pine from Jacksonville to Barcelona, by setting it on fire. His score is now 26 ships and 60,121 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Hermann von Fischel, in U-65, sinks British freighter SS Tremorvah, 3,654 tons, travelling in ballast from Malta to Gibraltar. His score is now 17 ships and 39,958 tons.

Hans Wendlandt, in UB-47, sinks British freighter SS Cyfarthfa, 3,014 tons, en route from Oran to Salonika with a general cargo; off Cerigotto Island. His score is now 3 ships and 8,996 tons.

Franz Becker, in UC-20, sinks Italian freighter SS Candia, 1,045 tons, rasing his score to 6 ships and 16,150 tons.

Robert Sprenger, in UC-34, torpedoes British freighter SS Imperial Transport, 4,648 tons, travelling in ballast from Port Said to Philippeville. His score is now 6 ships and 9,915 tons.

Jimbuna

04-12-17, 09:47 AM

12th April 1917

Western Front

British advance north of Vimy Ridge, taking the "Pimple" and Bois en Hache, and south of Arras-Cambrai road take Heninel and Wancourt.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Turks retreat towards Deli Abbas (between Tigris and Diala).

Naval

Greek ship “India” being sunk by the German U-Boat U-35.
http://i.imgur.com/07T3quP.jpg

Political, etc.

London meetings celebrating entry of U.S.A. into war.

Mexico reassures it will continue the exportation of oil to Britain after diplomatic pressure from Britain and the U.S.

Costa Rica places territorial waters and ports at disposal of U.S.A.

Ship Losses:

Angela M. (Italy) The three-masted schooner was scuttled in the Mediterranean Sea north west of Cape Bougaroni, Algeria by SM U-65 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Caliban (United Kingdom) The trawler was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 45 nautical miles (83 km) north east by east of Rattray Head, Aberdeenshire by SM UC-76 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Chinkiang (United Kingdom) The trawler was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 30 nautical miles (56 km) north east by east of Buchan Ness, Aberdeenshire by SM UC-76 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Crown Prince (United Kingdom) The trawler was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 45 nautical miles (83 km) north east by east of Girdle Ness by SM UC-76 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Dina Henderika (Netherlands) The sailing vessel was scuttled in the North Sea 30 nautical miles (56 km) east north east of Hartlepool, County Durham, United Kingdom by SM UC-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Edelweiss (France) The sailing vessel was shelled and sunk in the English Channel off Cherbourg, Seine-Maritime by SM UC-71 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Equerry (United Kingdom) The trawler was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 35 nautical miles (65 km) north east of Kincaid Head by SM UC-76 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Ernst Sophie (Russia) The sailing vessel was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean south west of Ireland (51°05′N 11°58′W) by SM UC-27 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Fife Ness (United Kingdom) The fishing vessel was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 23 nautical miles (43 km) east north east of Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire by SM UC-76 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Glencliffe (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 2.5 nautical miles (4.6 km) off Tabarka Island, Alicante, Spain (38°07′N 0°22′W) by SM U-52 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member. Three survivors were taken as prisoners of war.
India (Greece) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea east of Gibraltar by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Kildale (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 40 nautical miles (74 km) east of Pantelleria, Italy (36°44′N 12°32′E) SM U-32 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Kolaastind (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea (60°14′N 2°42′E) by SM U-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of four crew.
Largo Bay (United Kingdom) The trawler was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 30 nautical miles (56 km) north east by east of Buchan Ness by SM UC-76 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Lilian (United Kingdom) The trawler was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 45 nautical miles (83 km) north east by east of Girdle Ness by SM UC-76 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Lismore (United Kingdom) The passenger ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 22 nautical miles (41 km) north west by north of Le Havre, Seine-Maritime, France (49°48′N 0°18′W) by SM UB-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of five lives.
Neptunus (Netherlands) The sailing vessel was sunk in the North Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km) east north east of Hartlepool by SM UC-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Niritos (Greece) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) off Augusta, Sicily, Italy (37°13′N 15°20′E) by SM U-27 ( Austro-Hungarian Navy).
Osprey (United Kingdom) The trawler was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 45 nautical miles (83 km) north east by east of Girdle Ness by SM UC-76 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Toro (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 200 nautical miles (370 km) west north west of Ouessant, Finistère, France (48°30′N 10°00′W) by SM U-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of fourteen crew. Two survivors were taken as prisoners of war.
Union (Denmark) The schooner was sunk in the North Sea 18 to 20 nautical miles (33 to 37 km) east of the Souter Lighthouse, County Durham by SM UC-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Voorwarts (Netherlands) The schooner was sunk in the North Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km) east north east of Hartlepool by SM UC-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

Sailor Steve

04-12-17, 11:39 PM

April 12, 1917

Air War:
1030 Two RNAS Sopwith Pups work together to brind down an Albatros D.II:
Frederick Armstrong, Canada, victory number 2.
Edmund Pierce, England, victory number 1.

1030 German pilot Paul von Osterroht, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Sopwith Pup N6172 for victory number 5. Lt R.G. Mack is wounded and taken prisoner.

1030 Canadian RNAS pilot Arthur Treloar Whealy, in Sopwith Pup N6194, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 1.

1040 German 8-kill ace Adolf Schulte, in Albatros D.III 1996/16, collides with Lt O.Y. Walton and AM2 J.C. Walker in FE.2d 4995. All three are killed.

1230 English pilot Edmund Zink, in FE.2b A823 with Pvt N.G. Jones as observer, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 3.

1900 German ace Hartmuch Baldamus, flying an Albatros D.III shoots down SPAD VII 2507 for victory number 17. Adj-Chef Georges Chemet is taken prisoder.

German two-seater pilot Leopold Anslinger and observer Wilhelm Maximilian Frickart shoot down a Voisin for victory number 5 for Anslinger and number 1 for Frickart. Wikipedia says they were teamed for six victories, but according to The Aerodrom this is the only date their lists actually match. There is no direct link between the two, so even this pairing is conjectural.

French ace Lucien Jailler, in a Nieuport, shoots down a German fighter for victory number 7.

French pilot Marcel Nogues, in a Nieuport, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 2.

French ace Armand Pinsard, in a SPAD VII, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 7.

German pilot Kurt Schneider, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down a BE.2c for victory number 3.

Two Bristol F.2as work together to shoot down an Albatros D.III:
Alan Wilkinson, victory number 16; Laurence Alan, number 4.
William Otto Brash Winkler, number 1; Ernest Stanley Moore, number 1.

North Atlantic Ocean, southwest of Ireland:
Gerhard Schulz, commanding UC-27, scuttles Russian schooner Ernst Sophie, 222 tons, bound from Bristol to Iceland with a load of salt. His score is now 3 vessels and 566 tons.

Celtic Sea:
Wilhelm Werner, in U-55, sinks British freighter SS Toro, 3,066 tons, en route from Alexandria to Hull with a general cargo; 200 miles off Ushant. His score is now 31 ships and 51,202 tons.

English Channel:
Wilhelm Amberger, in UB-38, sinks British passenger ship SS Lismore, 1,305 tons, travelling in ballast from Rouen to Portishead. His score is now 12 ships and 13,380 tons.

Hans Valentiner, in UC-71, sinks French sailing vessel Edelweiss, 192 tons, with his deck gun off Cherbourg. His score is now 43 ships and 34,885 tons.

North Sea:
Franz Grünert, in U-30, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Kolaastind, 2,368 tons, carrying oil in drums from New York to Stockholm; off Holmengrå. His score is now 8 ships and 7,053 tons.

Otto von Schrader, in UC-31, sinks four vessels off Hartlepool:
Dutch sailing vessel Dina Hinderika, 200 tons, bound from West Hartlepool for Drammen with a load of coal.
Dutch sailing vessel Neptunus, 200 tons, en route from West Hartlepool to Christiania with a load of coal.
Danish schooner Union, 152 tons, carrying a load of coal from West Hartlepool to Aarhus.
Dutch schooner Voorwaarts, 147 tons, heading from West Hartlepool to Christiania with a load of coal.
Von Schrader's score is now 27 vessels and 18,587 tons.

Wilhelm Barten, in UC-76, sinks a British fishing fleet between Rattray Head and Girdle Ness, Scotland. Using scuttling charges and deck gun, Barten sinks eight trawlers:
Caliban, 215 tons.
Chinkiang, 125 tons.
Crown Prince, 103 tons.
Equerry, 168 tons.
Fife Ness, 123 tons.
Largo Bay, 125 tons.
Lillian, 120 guns.
Osprey, 106 tons.
Bartens's score is now 12 vessels and 3,057 tons.

Alboran Sea:
Leading u-boat ace Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière, in U-35, sinks Greek freighter SS India, 2,933 tons, en route from Cardiff to Oran with a load of coal. His score is now 159 ships and 324,457 tons.

Tyrhennian Sea:
Italian freighter SS Monviso, 4,020 tons, carrying a load of grain and wheat from Palermo to Civita Vecchia, hits a mine laid by Alfred Klatt in UC-38 off Capo Zaffarano, on the north side of Sicily. The damaged ship makes port safely.

Ionian Sea:
Robert Teufl von Fernland, in Austrian submarine U-27, sinks Greek freighter SS Niritos, 3,756 tons, heading from Genoa to Port Said; of Augusta, Sicily, north of Siracusa. This is his first sinking.

Mediterranean Sea:
Kurt Hartwig, in U-32, torpedoes British freighter SS Kildale, 3,830 tons, travelling from Barry to Malta with a general cargo; southeast of Pantelleria Island. His score is now 38 ships and 52,075 tons.

Hans Walther, in U-52, sinks British freighter SS Glencliffe, 3,673 tons, en route from Clyde to Genoa with coal plus a general cargo; off Alicante, Spain. His score is now 27 ships and 63,794 tons.

Hermann von Fischel, in U-65, scuttles Italian schooner Angela M, 187 tons, off Cape Bougaroni, Algeria, raising his score to 19 vessels and 40,145 tons.

Durban, South Africa:
HMFM Trent arrives at Durban. One fireman who had deserted returns to the ship, and the man who hand refused duty during the trip is placed under guard.

Jimbuna

04-13-17, 06:15 AM

13th April 1917

Western Front

South of Bapume-Cambrai road, British capture village and wood of Gouzeaucourt.

North of Scarpe, British capture Vimy, Givenchy-en-Gohelle, Angres and two other villages.

Battle of Vimy Ridge ends, as Canadian troops capture their objectives. Allied forces suffered 3,589 dead and 7,004 wounded.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British drive Turks from Seraijik (on Deli-Abbas-Mosul road).

Political, etc.

German government announces it will not intern American citizens currently residing in Germany.

Russian Provisional Government receives representatives of British Labour and French Socialists.

All-Russian Conference of workmen and soldiers' delegates at Petrograd.

Bolivia severs diplomatic relations with Germany.

Ship Losses:

Argyll (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 110 nautical miles (200 km) west of the Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly (49°23′N 9°07′W) by SM U-84 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 22 of her crew.
Bandon (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 44 (Kurt Tebbenjohanns) and sank in the Atlantic Ocean 2.5 nautical miles (4.6 km) south west of Mine Head, Cornwall (51°57′N 7°35′W) with the loss of 28 of her crew.
Bokn (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the North Sea 95 nautical miles (176 km) off the Hellisøy Lighthouse, Hordaland (60°04′N 0°45′E) by SM U-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Frixos (Russia) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 60 nautical miles (110 km) east of the Shetland Islands, United Kingdom (60°04′N 0°45′E) by SM U-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Gama (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the North Sea (60°24′N 1°15′E) by SM U-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Gambetta (France) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Bay of Biscay off the Île d'Yeu, Finistère by SM UC-26 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Giuseppe Accame (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 40 nautical miles (74 km) west of Cape Spartel, Morocco by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Glenlora (Norway) The barque was sunk in the North Sea (60°36′N 1°53′E) by SM U-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Kariba (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 260 nautical miles (480 km) west nort west of Ouessant, Finistère, France (48°30′N 11°28′W) by SM UC-27 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of thirteen of her crew.
Maria (United Kingdom) The schooner was scuttled in the English Channel 25 nautical miles (46 km) south west of Portland Bill, Dorset by SM UB-38 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMML 534 (Royal Navy) The motor launch was lost in the Mediterranean Sea on this date.
Odysseus (Greece) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 30 nautical miles (56 km) west of Cape Spartel by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
HMT Pitstruan (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 76 (Wilhelm Barten) and sank in the North Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) south east of the Noss Head Lighthouse, Shetland Islands with the loss of eleven of her crew.
Stork (United Kingdom) The trawler was scuttled in the North Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km) east of St Abb's Head, Berwickshire by SM UC-41 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Strathcona (Canada) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 145 nautical miles (269 km) west north west of North Ronaldsay, Orkney Islands, United Kingdom (59°35′N 5°49′W) by SM U-78 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of nine crew. Three survivors were taken as prisoners of war.
Stromboli (Italy) The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 50 nautical miles (93 km) west of Cape Spartel by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Zara (United Kingdom )The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 90 nautical miles (170 km) off the Hellisøy Lighthouse (60°08′N 1°52′E) by SM U-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 27 lives.

Sailor Steve

04-13-17, 11:22 PM

April 13, 1917

Felixstowe, England:
The Royal Naval Air Service, increasing their efforts to end U-boat patrols in the Channel, begin what are called "Spider-Web Patrols". Four Curtiss "Large America" flying boats fly together to the Noord Hinder lightship, off the Dutch coast. From there they fly a pattern resembling a pie cut into eight pieces. The legs are only thirty miles long, but the group can cover 4,000 square miles in five hours' flying time. One novel idea which will carry over to the next war is the control system at Felixstowe. As sightings are reported they are noted on a chart at the home base, and a single flying boat is dispatched to that position to follow and hopefully attack the submarine. The Spider-Web system will prove responsible for one-quarter of all U-boat sightings in 1917.

Air War:
0845 Russian pilots Juri Vladimirovich Gilsher, Donat Makeenok, in Nieuport 21s, and Vasili Yanchnko in a Morane 'H', shoot down Hansa-Brandenburg C.I 67.03. Victory number 1 for Gilsher, number 2 for Makeenok and number 5 for Yanchenko.

0854 Jasta 11 attacks a formation of RE.8s. First to score is Sebastian Festner, shooting down A3199 for victory number 9. 2nd Lts A. Watson and E.R. Law are both wounded and taken prisoner.

0855 German pilot Lothar von Richthofen, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down RE.8 A3126 for victory number 4. Cpt George Bailey Hodgson and Lt Charles Herbert Morris are listed as Missing.

0856 German ace Hans Klein, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down an unidentified RE.8 for victory number 6.

0856 Lothar von Richthofen scores his second victory just one minute after the first, shooting down RE.8 A4191 for number 5. 2nd Lt Herbert George MacMillan Horne and Lt William Joseph Chalk are listed as Missing.

0856 German ace Kurt Wolff, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down RE.8 A3225 for victory number 10. Lts Arthur Horace Tanfield and Andrew Ormerod are both listed as Missing.

0858 German ace Manfred von Richthofen, in Albatros D.III 2253/17, shoots down RE.8 A3190 for victory number 41. Cpt James Maitland Stewart and Lt Maurice Herbert Wood are listed as Missing.

All six RE.8s are shot down in just four minutes. The were supposed to be escorted, but as often happened in the days before aircraft carried radios, the two flights missed each other and the Germans had no opposition.

0900 The Russian trio bring down a second Hansa C.I, 67.04. Victory number 2 for Juri Gilsher, number 3 for Donat Makeenok, number 6 for Vasili Yanchenko.

0900 Albatroses from Jasta 5 come across a flight of FE.2ds from 57 Squadron. Kurt Schneider shoots down two of them for victories number 4 and 5.

0905 German ace Heinrich Gontermann shoots down the third FE.2 for victory number 9. Cpt L.S. Platt and 2nd Lt T. Margerison are both killed.

1130 English RFC pilot Herbert Edward Oscar Ellis, in Nieuport 17 B1519, shoots down an Albatros two-seater for victory number 1.

1235 Kurt Wolff scores his second victory of the day, shooting down FE.2b A827 for victory number 11. Lt Charles Eric Robertson and 2nd Lt Horace Denoon Duncan crash unhurt on their own side of the lines, but their plane is destroyed.

1245 Manfred von Richthofen scores his second of the day, shooting down FE.2b A832 for number 42. Sgt James Allen Cunniffe and AM2 W.J. Batten are both wounded but crash on their own side of the lines.

1400 German ace Albert Dossenbach, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down SPAD VII 1057 for victory number 12. MdL Marcel Nogues is captured. He will escape within a few weeks and be back with Escadrille N.12 by July.

1630 Kurt Wolff gains his third victory of the day when he shoots down Nieuport 23 A6768 for number 12. 2nd Lt Basil Scott-Foxwell crashes unharmed on his own side of the lines.

1700 German pilot Heinrich Bongartz, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Salmson-Moineau bomber for victory number 2. SLt Paul Féquant, Lt André Locquin and Sol Maurice Hutreau are all killed.

1830 English pilot John Aspinall and Canadian observer Medley Parlee, in FE.2b 4983, shoot down an Albatros D.III. Victory number 5 for Aspinall, number 4 for Parlee.

1830 German pilot Eduard von Dostler, flying an Albatros D.III, claims a French balloon. Though it is certain he got his kill, for some reason it was listed as Unconfirmed.

1830 German ace Karl Schäfer, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down an FE.2b for victory number 17.

1852 Kurt Wolff scores his fourth victory of the day, shooting down Martinsyde G.102 A1564 for victory number 13. 2nd Lt Michael Topham is killed.

1910 Hans Klein makes his second kill of the day, shooting down an FE.2d for number 7,

1930 Sebastian Festner claims his secon victory of the day when he shoots down FE.2b A784 for victory number 10. Sgt J. Dempsey and Lt W.H. Green are both taken prisoner.

1930 English ace James Leith, in FE.2d A872 with Lt G.M.A. Hampden, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 7. Also involved is FE.2b 7003, Sgt W.J. Burkenshaw and 2nd Lt J.B. Weir, totals unknown.

1930 Canadian pilot Reginald Malcolm and English observer Leonard Emsden, in FE.2d A6385, shoot down an Albatros D.III. Victory number 3 for Malcolm, number 5 for Emsden.

1935 German ace Edmund Nathanael, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down a British observation balloon for victory number 9.

1935 Manfred von Richthofen scores his third kill of the day, shooting down FE.2b 4997 for victory number 43. 2nd Lt Allan Harold Bates and Sgt William Alfred Barnes are both killed.

1940 Heinrich Gontermann gets his second of the day when he shoots down a French observation balloon. MdL Colonna de Giovellina parachutes safely.

Austro-Hungarian pilot Paul Habitschlek and Croatian observer Roman Schmidt, in a Hansa-Brandenburg C.I, shoot down a Nieport scout. Victory number 1 for Schmidt, unknown for Habitschlek.

Frenh pilot Louis Proper Gros and observer Gaston Kissel, in an Henri Farman, shoot down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 1.

A pair of Bristol F.2as shoot down two Albatros D.IIIs.
Alam Wilkinson, numbers 17 & 18 and Lawrence Allen, numbers 5 & 6.
Lt J.W. Warren, unknown, and Hugh Griffith, numbers 4 & 5.
This is Griffith's last victory. He survives the war, becomes a banker in Quebec and lives until 1974.

North of Scotland:
Otto Dröscher, commanding U-78, sinks Canadian freighter SS Strathcona, 1,881 tons, bound from Tyne for Marseille with a load of coal. His score is now 15 ships and 21,772 tons.

Ireland:
British freighter SS Bandon, 1,456 tons, carrying a general cargo from Liverpool to Cork hits a mine laid by Kurt Tebbenjohanns in UC-44 off Mine Head. His score is now 15 ships and 13,356 tons.

Celtic Sea:
Walter Roehr, in U-84, sinks British freighter SS Argyll, 3,547 tons, en route from Port Kelah to Middlesbrough with a load of iron ore. His score is now 15 ships and 36,857 tons.
Roehr also torpedoes British freighter SS Lime Branch, 5,379 tons, carrying a load of nitrate plus general cargo from Callao to London. The damaged ship makes port safely.

Gerhard Schulz, in UC-27, sinks British freighter SS Kariba, 3,697 tons, heading from Java and Dakar to Falmouth with a load of sugar. He now has 4 ships and 4,263 tons.

English Channel:
Wilhelm Amberger, in UB-38, Scuttles British schooner Maria, 175 tons, travelling from Glasgow to Cherbourg with a load of coal. His score is now 13 vessels and 13,555 tons.

Matthias von Schmettow, in UC-26, sinks French sailboat Gambetta, 39 tons, raising his score to 72 vessels and 108,371 tons.

North Sea:
Franz Günert, in U-30, sinks 5 ships between Norway and the Shetland Islands:
Norwegian coaster SS Bokn, 336 tons, en route from Bergen to Ardrossan with a load of fish oil.
Russian freighter SS Frixos, 2,471 tons, travelling from Port Romanoff to the United Kingdom; torpedoed.
Norwegian coaster SS Gama, 107 tons, carrying mail from Bergen to Lerwick.
Norwegian barque Glenlora, 805 tons, travelling in ballast from Stubbekøbing to Savannah, Georgia, United States.
British freighter SS Zara, 1,331 tons, underway from London to Trondheim with a general cargo.
Grünert's score is now 13 ships and 12,103 tons.

Kurt Bernis, in UC-41, scuttles British trawler Stork, 152 tons east of St Abb's Head, Scotland. His score is now 4 vessels and 2,906 tons.
Bernis also shells and the scuttles Breadalbane, 112 tons, but the trawler refuses to sink and makes port safely.

His Majesty's Trawler Pitstruan, 206 tons, hits a mine laid by Wilhelm Barten in UC-76 off the Noss Head lighthouse, at the very northern tip of Scotland. His score is now 13 vessels and 3,263 tons.

Straigt of Gibraltar:
Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière, in U-35, has moved through the straigt and out of the Mediterranean. Off Cap Spartel, Morocco, near Tangier, he sinks three ships:
Italian freighter SS Giuseppe Accame, 3,224 tons, en route from Buenos Aires to Genoa with a load of maize and general cargo.
Greek freighter SS Odysseus, 3,463 tons, carrying a load of wheat from New Orleans to Marseille.
Italian freighter SS Stromboli, 5,466 tons, travelling from Norfolk to Genoa.
Von Arnauld's score is now 162 ships and 336,610 tons.

Durban, South Africa:
As HMFM Trent finishes recieving 1,067 tons of 'Natal coal'. One man is listed as Absent With Out Leave and another shows up drunk and refuses duty. Warrants are read for two men previously refusing duty to be taken ashore to await trial. It is interesting to note that the ship's log mentions the type of coal being taken aboard. Welsh coal is considered the finest in the world, so they note if they have to use "inferior" coal, which is not only not as efficient but also burns much dirtier, creating much more smoke.

Jimbuna

04-14-17, 10:47 AM

14th April 1917

Western Front

German attacks near Hurtebise Farm (between Troyon and Craonne) and at Courcy (north of Reims) repulsed.

Battle of Moronvillers (east of Reims) begins.

French capture heights of the massif and 3,500 prisoners.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British on night 17-18 April force passage of Shatt-el-Adhaim (left tributary of Tigris below Samarra).

Second advance against Gaza begins.

Political, etc.

U.S. House of Representatives approve to raise a $7 billion (about $133 billion today) war loan without a single dissenting vote.

Ship Losses:

Andromach (United Kingdom) The trawler was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean west of the Shetland Islands by SM U-78 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her captain was taken as a prisoner of war. The other eleven crew took to the lifeboat but were not found.
Cinque Ottobre (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Tunisia by SM UC-20 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Fjeldli (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the North Sea 76 nautical miles (141 km) west by north of the Marstein Lighthouse, Hordaland (60°02′N 2°10′E) by SM U-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Gange (French Navy) The troopship struck a mine laid by UC 37 (Otto Launburg) and sank in the Mediterranean Sea 33 nautical miles (61 km) north east of Cape Serrat, Algeria (37°24′N 9°50′E) by SM UC-37 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of one life.
Hermione (United Kingdom) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 33 (Martin Schelle) and was damaged in the Irish Sea off the Coningbeg Lightship ( United Kingdom). She was beached in Dunmore Bay where she was declared a constructive total loss. Subsequently scrapped in situ.
HMT Orcades (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Grimsby with the loss of six of her crew.
Patagonier (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 135 nautical miles (250 km)) west of Gibraltar (36°00′N 9°00′W) by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Progresso (Italy) The tug was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Tunisia by SM UC-20 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Spray (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 3.5 nautical miles (6.5 km) north east of the mouth of the River Tyne by SM UC-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Tom (Spain) The cargo ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay 12 nautical miles (22 km) off Hourtin, Gironde, France (45°05′N 1°30′W) by SM UC-26 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Tres Macs (Portugal) The auxiliary sailing vessel was shelled and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea (36°39′N 7°22′W) by SM U-52 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Venus (Norway) The coaster struck a mine laid by UC 50 (Rudolf Seuffer) and sank in the North Sea 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) off Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, United Kingdom with the loss of fourteen of her crew.
HMS Veronica (Royal Navy) The Acacia-class sloop was damaged in the Mediterranean Sea 45 nautical miles (83 km) north west of Alexandria, Egypt (31°43′N 29°17′E) by SM UB-42 ( Kaiserliche Marine).

Sailor Steve

04-14-17, 11:54 PM

April 14, 1917

Air War:
0600 French pilot Henri Languedoc, flying a Nieuport, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 5.

0820 Malayan RNAS pilot Thomas Gerard, in Sopwith Triplane N5440, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 2.

0905 English RNAS pilot Edward Duncan Crundall, in Sopwith Triplane N5464, shoots down two Albatros two-seaters for victories 1 and 2.

0910 English RNAS pilot Charles Booker, in Sopwith Triplane N5464, shoots down an LVG two-seater for victory number 3.

0915 Another fight for Jasta 11 begisn, this one against Nieports of 60 Squadron RFC.
First, German ace Sebastian Festner, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Nieuport 17 B1523 for victory number 11. Lt L.C. Chapman is wounded, and will die two days later. (some sources have this as 0923).

0915 German ace Manfred von Richthofen, flying Albatros D.III 2253/17, shoots down Nieuport 17 A6796 for victory number 44. Lt William Oswald Russell is taken prisoner.
Above Harlex, one of our observer planes was attacked by several Nieuports. I hurried to the place of action, attacked one of the planes and forced it to land one kilometre south of Bois Bernard.
-Manfred von Richthofen0920 German ace Lothar von Richthofen, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Nieuport 23 A6772 for victory number 6. Cpt Alan Binnie is wounded and taken prisoner.

0920 German ace Kurt Wolff, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Nieuport 17 B1511 for victory number 14. 2nd Lt John Herbert Cock is listed as Missing.

0923 German ace Sebastian Festner, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down Nieuport 17 B1523 for victory number 11. 2nd Lt L.C. Chapman is wounded and taken prisoner. He will die from his wounds two days later.

0930 German pilot Hermann Frommherz, in an Albatros D.II, shoots down BE.2c 2562 for victory number 2. Lt W. Harle is wounded and taken prisoner. 2nd Lt W.B. Cramb is killed.

0934 German pilot Kurt-Bertram von Döring, flying an Albatros D.II, shoots down an unidentified Nieuport for victory number 1. No details.

0950 Welsh RFC pilot Arthur Gordon Jones-Williams, in Nieuport 23 A6721, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 1.

1030 French ace Georges Guynemer, in a SPAD VII, shoots down an Albatros two-seater for victory number 36. Uffz Karl Abelmann and Ltn Heinrich are both killed.

1130 German pilot Joseph Veltjens, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a SPAD VII for victory number 1.

1140 German ace Hartmuth Baldamus, in an Albatros D.II, and French pilot Cpl Simon, in Nieuport 17 2539 collide, killing both of them. Both are credited with a victory, so Baldamus' final score is 18 and Simon's is 1. Simon's body is never recovered and his is listed as Missing.

1140 German pilot Fritz Pütter, probably in an Albatros D.II, though Jasta 9 was still flying some eindeckers at this time, shoots down an observation balloon for victory number 1.

1200 German ace Rudolf Berthold, flying an Albatros D.II, shoots down a SPAD VII for victory number 12.

1200 English RFC pilot William Ernest Reed, in SPAD VII A6753, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 1.

1610 Scottish RFC pilot Ian Patrick Robert Napier, in Nieuport 23 A6778, shoots down an Albatros D.III for victory number 1. Sharing this kill is a Lt de Burgh, in N.23 A6781.

1705 German ace Karl Schäfer, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down FE.2b 4877 for victory number 18. No details on crew.

1720 Karl Schäfer scores his second kill of the day, downing a BE.2.

1823 Lothar von Richthofen gains his second victory of the day, shooting down SPAD VII A6683 for number 7. Lt John Watson Baker is wounded and crash-lands at Le Hameau airfield.

1829 Kurt Wolff gets his second kill of the day, downing SPAD VII A6746 for number 14. Lt Edward Walter Capper is listed as Missing.

1930 Canadian RFC pilot Reginald Malcolm, in FE.2d 6383 with 2nd Lt J.B. Weir as observer, shares a kill with Sgt W.J. Burkenshaw and Sgt J.H. Brown in FE.3b 7003, shooting down an Albatros D.III. Victory number 4 for Malcolm.

German pilot Hans von Adam, in an Albatros D.III, destroys a French observation balloon for victory number 2. The observer, SLt M.L. Sapin, is wounded and dies later.

French pilot Gustave Victorin Daladier, flying a Nieuport, shoots down a German two-seater for victory number 1.

German pilot Eduard von Dostler, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Nieuport for victory number 5.

German ace Heinrich Gontermann, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a BE.2e for victory number 11. No details.

French Letord crew Didier Le Cour-Grandmaison, Achille Rousseaux and Marie Vitalis shoot down a Roland C.II. Victory number 5 for Grandmaison, number 7 for Rousseaux and Vitalis.

French ace Armand Pinsard, in a SPAD VII, shoots down a two-seater for victory number 8.

Ireland:
British freighter SS Hermione, 4,011 tons, bound from Buenos Aires for Liverpool with a load of horses and general cargo, hits a mine laid off the Coningbeg lightship by Martin Schelle in UC-33. The damaged ship is beached in Dunmore Bay, but written off as a total loss. Schelle's score is now 5 ships and 6,384 tons.

North Sea:
Franz Günert, in U-30, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Fjeldli, 954 tons, en route from Hernösand to London with a load of wood; between Norway and the Shetland Islands. His score is now 14 ships and 13,057 tons.

Otto Dröscher, in U-78, stops and scuttles British trawler Andromache, 313 tons, west of the Shetland Islands. His score is now 16 vessels and 22,085 tons.

Otto von Schrader, in UC-31, torpedoes British freighter SS Spray, 1,072 tons, travelling in ballast from Aberdeen to Sunderland. His score is now 28 ships and 19,659 tons.

Norwegian freighter SS Venus, 725 tons en route from Blyth to Drammen, hits a mine laid off Berwick-Upon-Tweed by Rudolf Seuffer in UC-50. His score is now 9 ships and 10,792 tons.

Bay of Biscay:
Matthias von Schmettown in UC-26, sinks Spanish freighter SS Tom, 2,413 tons, carrying a load of iron ore from Bilbao to Cardiff. His score is now 73 ships and 110,784 tons.

Golfo de Cadiz:
Hans Walther, in U-52, uses his deck gun to sink Portuguese auxiliary motor sailer Tres Macs, 163 tons, carrying gasoline on an unlisted course; between Gibraltar and Cape St Vincent. His score is now 28 ships and 63,967 tons.

Far west of Gibraltar:
Leading U-boat ace Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière, in U-35, sinks British freighter SS Patagonier, 3,832 tons, travelling in ballast from Gibraltar to Jamaica. His score is now 163 ships and 340,442 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Fritz Wernicke, in UB-42, torpedoes British sloop HMS Veronica, 1,200 tons, 45 miles northwest of Alexandria. The damaged ship makes safe port.

Franz Becker, in UC-20, sinks two Italian sailing vessels off Tunisia:
Cinque Ottobre, 39 tons.
Progresso, 31 tons.
Becker's score is now 8 vessels and 16,220 tons.

French troopships Gange, 6,886 tons, en route from Marseilles to Bizerta, then to Australia, hits a mine laid of Cape Serrat by Otto Launburg in UC-37. Launburg's score is now 18 ships and 41,825 tons.

Jimbuna

04-15-17, 09:37 AM

15th April 1917

Western Front

British repulse German attack on Bapume-Cambrai road; severe fighting at Lagnicourt.

British capture Villeret (north-west of St. Quentin).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Turks driven back to Jebel Hamrin (tableland from Tigris to Persian hills).

Naval

British troopship HMS Arcadian is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine SM UC-74, with loss of 277 lives.
http://i.imgur.com/OqxBzUy.jpg

Another British troopship SS Cameronia is sunk by the German submarine U-33, with around 200 deaths.
http://i.imgur.com/B8YljL4.jpg

Political, etc.

Appeal of President Wilson to American citizens re: war.

Austrian feelers for separate peace with Russian apparent.

German bread rations are reduced by one-fourth, but 250 grams of meat will be added per week.

Venizelist regime in Greek islands in force.

Riots occur in Buenos Aires, Argentina as a mob attack the German Legation and Consulate, as well as German newspapers.

Mexican government announces it will maintain strict neutrality in the ongoing world war.

Russian government accuses Germany of using Russian socialists and other radicals to cause disturbances inside the country.

Ship Losses:

Alert (United Kingdom) The coaster struck a mine and sank in the English Channel off Dover, Kent.
Alessio Cocco (Italy) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Tunisia by SM UC-20 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
HMS Arcadian (Royal Navy) The troopship was torpedoed and sunk in the Sea of Crete 26 nautical miles (48 km) northeast of Milos, Greece (36°50′N 24°50′E) by SM UC-74 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 277 lives.
Astræa (Denmark) The barquentine was set afire and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean south west of the Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom (49°00′N 10°30′W) by SM U-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of seven crew.
Brothertoft (United Kingdom) The trawler was sunk in the North Sea (approximately 55°50′N 1°30′E) by SM UC-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Cameronia (United Kingdom) The troopship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 150 nautical miles (280 km) east of Malta (35°50′N 17°32′E) by SM U-33 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 140-210 of the 2,650-plus people on board. Survivors were rescued by HMS Nemesis and HMS Rifleman (both Royal Navy).
Dalmatian (United Kingdom) The trawler was scuttled in the North Sea by SM UC-44 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her nine crew took to the lifeboats but did not survive.
Fram (Denmark) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the North Sea (56°35′N 2°45′W) by SM U-93 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Gretaston (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean (43°08′N 11°32′W) by SM UC-27 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of all 29 crew.
Heikina (Netherlands) The sailing vessel was sunk in the North Sea by SM UC-44 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew took to the lifeboats but did not survive.
Mashobra (United Kingdom) The passenger ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 140 nautical miles (260 km) south west of Cape Matapan, Greece (35°34′N 20°40′E) by SM U-28 ( Austro-Hungarian Navy) with the loss of eight lives. Her captain was taken as a prisoner of war.
Møhlenpris (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the English Channel 15 nautical miles (28 km) south west of Beachy Head, East Sussex, United Kingdom (50°38′N 0°15′W) by SM UB-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Panaghi Drakatos (Greece) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 26 nautical miles (48 km) off Cape Santa Maria, Portugal by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Paris (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 100 nautical miles (190 km) west of Greipengen by SM U-30 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
USS Pike (United States Navy) The Plunger-class submarine sank at Cavite Naval Base, Philippines. She was raised two days later, repaired and returned to service.
Sutterton (United Kingdom) The trawler was scuttled in the North Sea 65 nautical miles (120 km) east south east of St Abb's Head, Berwickshire (55°45′N 0°15′W) by SM UC-44 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Tusnastabb (Norway) The coaster struck a mine and sank in the English Channel off Cap Gris Nez, Pas-de-Calais, France (50°54′N 1°34′E). Her crew survived.

Sailor Steve

04-15-17, 09:11 PM

April 15, 1917

Air War:
1040 French ace Albert Duellin, flying a SPAD VII, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft: for victory number13.
Duellin files a second claim this day, but it is Unconfirmed, as are several others including two by Georges Guynemer.

German pilot Julius Buckler. in an Altbros D.III, shoots down SPAD VII 116 for victory number 4. Sgt Achille Papiel is taken prisoner.

German ace Albert Dossenbach, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Nieuport 23 for victory number 13. SLt Robert Seneschal is wounded.

Albert Dossenbach scores his second kill of the day, shooting down SPAD VII 1234 for victory 14. Adj Denis Epitalon is taken prisoner.

Italiam pilot Gastone Novelli files his first claim, but it is unconfirmed.

Celtic Sea:
Wilhelm Werner, commanding U-55, sets fire to Danish schooner Astræa, 260 tons, bound from Martinique for Le Havre with a load of rum; near the Scilly Isles. His score is now 32 ships and 51,462 tons.

English Channel:
British lighthouse tender Alert hits a mine near the Ruytingen buoy, in the Strait of Dover. No German ship is credited with laying the minefield, so the source is unknown.

Hans Howaldt, in UB-40, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Möhlenpris, 638 tons, carrying a load of coal from Llanelly to Bulogne, off Beachy Head. His score is now 22 ships and 8,617 tons.

North Sea:
Franz Grünert, in U-30, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Paris, 1,634 tons, en route from Fredrikstad to Garston with a load of lumber and wood pulp; 100 miles west of Greipengen. His score is now 15 ships and 14,691 tons.

Edgar von Spiegel von und zu Peckelsheim goes on his first patrol in more than a year, in U-93, abd sinks Danish schooner Fram, 105 tons, hauling a load of coal from Hull to Aarhus, with his deck gun. His score is now 6 vessels and 12,399 tons.

Otto von Schrader, in UC-31, sinks British trawler Brothertoft, 155 tons, bringing his total to 29 vessels and 19,814 tons.

Kurt Tebbenjohanns. in UC-44, scuttles three vessels:
British trawler Dalmatian, 186 tons; crew lost in lifeboats.
Dutch sailing vessel Heikina, 157 tons, carrying salt cake from London to Christiania; crew lost in lifeboats, vessel listed as Missing.
British trawler Sutterton, 160 tons.
Tebbenjohanns' score is now 18 vessels and 13,869 tons.

Barents Sea:
His Majesty's Trawler Arctic Prince, 194 tons, hits a mine laid off the Rybachy Peninsula, near Murmansk, by Curt Bietzen in U-75. The damages vessel manages to make port safely.

Spain:
Gerhard Schulz, in UC-27, topedoes British freighter SS Gretaston, 3,395 tons, en route from Huelva to Garston with a load of copper ore. Twenty-nine lives lost. His score is now 5 ships and 7,659 tons.

Far west of Gibraltar:
Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière, in U-35, sinks Greek freighter SS Panaghi Drakatos, 2,734 tons, underway from Huelva to New York with an unlisted cargo. Location is given as near Cape Santa Maria, Portugal, but this would mean that U-35 moved more than 100 miles to get there from the previous day's sinking, and the same back for tomorrow's. More likely this is a mistake. His score is now 164 ships and 343,176 tons.

Golfo de Cadiz:
Hans Walther, in U-52, fires a round across the bow a Spanish freighter SS Cabo Blanco, 2,163 tons, near Cabo de Santa Maria, Portugal. Shell splinters damage the ship's hull, but she runs away from the submarine.

Aegean Sea:
Wilhelm Marschall, in UC-74, sinks British troop ship HMS Arcadian, 8,939 tons, transporting troops from Salonika to Alexandria, off Milos Island, with the loss of 277 lives. His score is now 3 ships and 12,885 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Gustav Seiß has started a new patrol in a new boat, having transfered from U-73 to U-33. His first sinking is a big one - British troop ship HMS Cameronia, 10,963 tons, sunk 150 miles east of Malta. His score is now 17 ships and 122,201 tons.

Leo Prásil, in Austrian U-29, sinks British passenger ship SS Mashobra, 8,173 tons, carrying a general cargo from Calcutta to London, 140 miles off Cape Matapan. His score is now 2 ships and 11,659 tons.

Franz Becker, in UC-20, sinks Italian sailboat Alessio Cocco, 29 tons, bring his total to 9 vessels and 16,249 tons.

Durban, South Africa:
The crew of monitor HMS Severn are transferred aboard HMFM Trent in preparation for towing.

Jimbuna

04-16-17, 09:16 AM

16th April 1917

Western Front

Second Battle of the Aisne (between Soissons and Reims). French take first German positions between Soissons and Craonne, and second positions to south of Juvincourt, and advance line to Aisne Canal between Loivre and Courcy.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British advance towards Istabulat (12 miles south-east of Samarra).

Naval

French liner Sontay is sunk by the German submarine SM U-33. The crew survives after boarding lifeboats.
http://i.imgur.com/rLFR1Yj.jpg

British submarine C16 collides with the destroyer Melampus and sinks, resulting in the deaths of all crew members.
http://i.imgur.com/E2OqDlu.jpg

Political, etc.

Strike in Berlin and Leipzig due to defective food distribution.

President Wilson warns both citizens and alien residents against acts of treason and states that prosecution will be vigorous.

Ship Losses:

Amanda (Sweden) The brig was scuttled in the North Sea[210] (56°27′N 3°00′E) by SM UC-51 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Anne (Denmark) The three-masted schooner was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland (51°45′N 17°20′W) by SM U-43 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMS C16 (Royal Navy) The C-class submarine was rammed and sunk at Harwich, Essex by HMS Melampus ( Royal Navy) with the loss of all sixteen crew. She was subsequently salvaged, repaired and returned to service.
Cairndhu (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 25 nautical miles (46 km) west of Beachy Head, East Sussex by SM UB-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eleven of her crew.
Crios (Greece) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Espichel, Portugal (38°20′N 9°12′W) by SM U-52 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Eduard (United Kingdom) The three-masted schooner was scuttled in the English Channel 12 nautical miles (22 km) south west of Beachy Head (50°34′N 0°05′E) by SM UC-70 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Endymion (Russia) The sailing vessel was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 250 nautical miles (460 km) west of Galway, United Kingdom (52°30′N 16°20′W) by SM U-43 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Lord Chancellor (United Kingdom) The trawler was scuttled in the North Sea 50 nautical miles (93 km) north east of the Longstone Lighthouse, Northumberland by SM UC-41 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Marden (United Kingdom) The coaster was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 6 nautical miles (11 km) north west of Cap Gris Nez, Pas-de-Calais, France by SM UB-36 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Polycarp (Norway) The sailing vessel was sunk in the North Sea (56°23′N 2°52′E) by SM UC-51 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Queen Mary (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 180 nautical miles (330 km) north west by north of the Fastnet Rock (51°48′N 14°52′W) by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of nine crew.
Rochester Castle (United Kingdom) The ketch was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) west south west of Cap Gris Nez by SM UB-36 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Rosetta (Egypt) The sailing vessel was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off Gaza by SM UB-42 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Sagres (Portugal) The cargo shp struck a mine laid by UC 37 (Otto Launburg) and sank in the Mediterranean Sea off Cap Blanc, Tunisia.
Smeul (Romanian Naval Forces) The torpedo boat capsized and sank during a trip from Sulina to Constanța.
Sontay (France) The passenger ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 100 nautical miles (190 km) south east of Malta (35°02′N 16°28′E) by SM U-33 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Towergate (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 250 nautical miles (460 km) north west by west of the Fastnet Rock (52°10′N 16°16′W) by SM U-43 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Victoria (United Kingdom) The three-masted schooner was scuttled in the English Channel 30 nautical miles (56 km) south west of Beachy Head by SM UB-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Sailor Steve

04-17-17, 01:50 AM

April 16, 1917

Air War:
0600 French ace Henri Languedoc, flying a Nieuport, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 6.

0830 Irish RFC observer Giles Blennerhasset, riding in FE.2b A5461 flown by 2nd Lt S.J. Young, shoots down an Albatros D.II for victory number 5.

0915 Russian pilot Vladimir Strizhevsky, in a SPAD VII, claims a Hansa-Brandenburg C.I, but it is Unconfirmed.

1030 The Albatros D.IIIs of Jasta 11 are out and about again, mixing it up with 60 Squadron RFC:

Lothar von Richthofen shoots down Nieuport 17 B1501 for victory number 8. 2nd Lt David Norman Robertson is listed as Missing.

Sebastian Festner brings down Nieuport 17 B1507, killing Lt T. Lingwall. Victory 12.

Kurt Wolff downs Nieuport 17 B1509 for victory number 16. Lt John MacCreary Elliot is listed as Missing.

1430 French pilot Henri Thomassin, flying a Nieuport 24, is attacking a German two-seater when the two accidentally collide. Thomassin is slightly wounded and his plane recieves minor damage but is otherwise fine. The German plane goes down behind French lines. OfStv Kern is taken prisoner. Ltn Walter Uterman is killed. This may be Thomassin's only victory.

1430 French pilot Henri Thomassin, in a Nieuport 24, accidentally collides with a German two-seater while attacking it. Thomassin is lighly injured, but the German plane comes down. OfStv Kern is taken prisoner and Ltn Walter Uterman is killed. Victory number 1.

1640 German pilot Julius Buckler, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Nieuport for victory number 5. No details.

1650 German ace Heinrich Gontermann, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a British observation balloon for victory number 12,

1700 Heinrich Gontermann destroys a second British balloon for victory 13.

1730 German ace Manfred von Richthofen, flying Albatros D.III 2253/17, shoots down BE.2e 3156 for victory number 45. Lt Alphonso Pascoe is wounded and sent home to recover. 2nd Lt Frederick Seymour Andrews is wounded and dies on April 29.

Russian pilot Donat Makeenok, in a Nieuport 21, shoots down an "Enemy Aircraft" for victory number 4.

German pilot Enrsnt Wiehle, flying a two-seater with a Gftr May as observer, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 1.

North Atlantic Ocean, 250 miles west of Ireland:
Hellmuth Jürst, commanding U-43, sinks three ships:
Danish schooner Anne, 240 tons, bound from Savannah for Odense with a load of Oilcake.
Russian sailing ship Endymion, 1,345 tons, travelling in ballast from Birkenhead to Mobile.
British freighter SS Towergate, 3,697 tons, carrying cotton, lard and beef from Galveston to Liverpool.
Jürst's score is now 26 ships and 58,797 tons.

180 miles west of Ireland:
karlgeorg Schuster, in U-60, sinks British freighter SS Queen Mary, 5,658 tons, heading from New York to Le Havre with a general cargo. His score is now 13 ships and 34,854 tons.

English Channel:
Harald von Keyserlingk, in UB-36, uses his deck gun to sink two small ships near Cape Gris Nez:
British coaster SS Marden, 297 tons, travelling in ballast from Tréport to Newcastle; deck gun.
British ketch Rochester Castle, 102 tons, en route from Dieppe to London.
Keyserlingk's score is now 5 vessels and 705 tons.

Hans Howaldt, in UB-40, sinks two ships off Beachy Head:
British freighter SS Cairndhu, 4,109 tons, carrying a load of coal from Tyne to Gibraltar.
British schooner Victoria, 165 tons, heading from Greenwich to Cherbourg with a load of coal tar and pitch; scuttled.
Howaldt's score is now 24 ships and 12,891 tons.

Werner Fürbringer, in UC-70, scuttles British schooner Eduard, 476 tons, travelling in ballast from London to Port Talbot. His score is now 75 ships and 58,915 tons.

North Sea:
Kurt Bernis, in UC-41, scuttles British fishing vessel Lord Chancellor, 135 tons, off Longstone, bringing his score to 5 vessels and 3,041 tons.

Wilhelm Schröder, in UC-51, stops and scuttles to sailing vessels:
Swedish brig Amanda, 232 tons, carrying a load of pit props from Fredrikshald to West Hartlepool.
Norwegian vessel Polycarp, 509 tons, hauling a load of coal from West Hartlepool to Christiania.
These are Schröder's first sinkings, and his opening score is 2 vessels and 741 tons.

Portugal:
Hans Walther, in U-52, stops and scuttles Greek freighter SS Crios, 4,116 tons, en route from Savona to Cardiff with a load of iron ore. His score is now 29 ships and 68,073 tons.

Ionian Sea:
Robert von Fernland, in Austrian U-27, sinks Greek freighter SS Zinovia, 2,976 tons, heading from Barry to Taranto with a load of coal; off Cape Rizzuto. His score is now 2 ships and 6,732 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Gustav Seiß, in U-33, sinks French passenger liner SS Sontay, 7,247 tons, carrying passengers from Salonika to Marseilles; southeast of Malta. His score is now 18 ships and 129,342 tons.

Fritz Wernicke, in UB-42, sinks Egyptian sailing vessel Rosetta, 86 tons, off Gaza. His score is now 5 vessels and 3,980 tons.

Portuguese freighter SS Sagres, 2,986 tons, carrying troops and war supplies from Marseille to Salonika, hits a mine laid by Otto Launburg in UC-37 off Cap Blanc (Ras al-Abyad), Tunisia, the northernmost point of Africa. Launburg's score is now 19 ships and 44,751 tons.

Jimbuna

04-17-17, 05:51 PM

17th April 1917

Western Front

German attacks near Hurtebise Farm (between Troyon and Craonne) and at Courcy (north of Reims) repulsed.

Battle of Moronvillers (east of Reims) begins.

French capture heights of the massif and 3,500 prisoners.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British on night 17-18 April force passage of Shatt-el-Adhaim (left tributary of Tigris below Samarra).

Second advance against Gaza begins.

Naval and Overseas Operations

British hospital ships "Donegal" and "Lanfranc" torpedoed in Channel.

Political, etc.

Measures of Senate (U.S.A.) to suppress export of food-stuffs, etc., to Germany.

Lenin delivers the April Theses, calling on the soviets to take power and denounces the Provisional Government.

The Times & Daily Mail publish (false) stories that a “German Corpse Factory” processes fat from German war dead for industrial use.

New York City revokes all night licenses for hotels and restaurants for the duration of the war. Dancing and Drinking must stop at 1 AM.

Ship Losses:

Aburi (United Kingdom) The Elder Dempster 3,730 grt cargo liner was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 125 nautical miles (232 km) north west of Tory Island, County Donegal (56°15′N 11°30′W) by SM U-61 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 25 crew.
Atalanta (Sweden) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea with the loss of all but one crew – 16 dead.[230] The u-boat was SM U-86 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Bretagne (Denmark) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 8 to 9 nautical miles (15 to 17 km) off Rattray Head, Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom (57°43′N 1°42′W) by SM UC-45 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Brisbane River (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 140 nautical miles (260 km) west of Gibraltar (35°30′N 8°10′W) by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but her captain was taken as a prisoner of war.
Cairnhill (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 160 nautical miles (300 km) south west of the Fastnet Rock (52°09′N 13°16′W) by SM U-55 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived, but her captain was taken as a prisoner of war.
Charles Goodanew (United Kingdom )The coaster was sunk in the North Sea 3.5 nautical miles (6.5 km) north north east of Rattray Head (57°39′N 1°45′W) by SM UC-45 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of thirteen of her crew.
Corfu (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 160 nautical miles (300 km) west of Gibraltar (35°14′N 8°25′W) by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three crew.
Costante (Italy )The cargo ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Algeria (36°53′N 4°15′E) by SM U-32 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Dantzic (United Kingdom) The schooner was scuttled in the Irish Sea 30 nautical miles (56 km) south by west of St. Ann's Head, Pembrokeshire by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Donegal (United Kingdom) The hospital ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 19 nautical miles (35 km) south of the Dean Lightship ( United Kingdom) (50°26′N 1°00′W) by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 40 lives.
Fernmoor (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 150 nautical miles (280 km) west of Gibraltar (35°30′N 8°18′W) by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Kish (United Kingdom The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 160 nautical miles (300 km) north west by west of the Fastnet Rock by SM U-67 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of six crew.
HMHS Lanfranc (Royal Navy) The hospital ship was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel 42 nautical miles (78 km) north of Le Havre, Seine-Maritime, France (50°11′N 0°12′E) by SM UB-40 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 40 lives.
Robert (Denmark) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 14 nautical miles (26 km) east of Fair Isle, United Kingdom by SM UC-76 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of eight crew.
U.S.A. (United Kingdom) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the North Sea 16 nautical miles (30 km) east north east of the Longstone Lighthouse, Northumberland (55°54′N 1°06′W) by SM UC-41 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
William Shephard (United Kingdom) The three-masted schooner was scuttled in the Irish Sea 30 nautical miles (56 km) south by west of St. Ann's Head by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Sailor Steve

04-17-17, 09:07 PM

April 17, 1917

Air War:
Hungarian pilot Stefan Fejes, flying Hansa-Brandenburg C.I 20.09 with an unnamed observer, shoots down a Nieuport for victory number 1.

Austrian ace Adolf Heyrowski and observer Josef Pürer, in Hansa-Brandenburg C.I 29.64, shoot down an Italian Nieuport. Victory number 8 for Heyrowski, number 4 for Pürer. Wikipedia says this kill and Fejes' were a shared victory. Other sources don't say one way or the other.

Austrian ace Raoul Stojsavljevic, in Hansa-Brandenburg C.I 68.11 with an unnamed observer, shoots down a Farman for victory number 6.

Russian pilots Vladimir Strizhevsky, in a Nieuprt 17, and Grgoriy Suk, in Nieuport 11 1109, share the downing of an Austro-Hungarian two-seater. Victory number 3 for Strizhevsky, number 2 for Suk.

North Atlantic Ocean, 150 miles west of Ireland:
Wilhelm Werner, commanding U-55, sinks British freighter SS Cairnhill, 4,981 tons, bound from New York for Le Havre with a general cargo. His score is now 33 ships and 56,443 tons.

Hans Nieland, in U-67, torpedoes British freighter SS Kish, 4,928 tons, carrying a load of nitrate from Iquique to Newport, Wales. Kish is escorted by Azalea class sloop HMS Zinnia, but Zinnia has been dispatched to help SS Cairnhill, which is under attack by U-55. As soon as the escort is out of sight U-67 attacks Kish. Zinnia turns back, but too late. Both ships are sunk, and both u-boats escape.
Nieland's score is now 18 ships and 25,965 tons.

North of Ireland:
Victor Dieckmann, in U-61, torpedoes Britsh freighter SS Aburi, 3,730 tons, en route from Liverpool to West Africa with a general cargo, 125 miles northwest of Tory Island. His score is now 17 ships and 25,238 tons.

Isle Of Lewis:
British freighter SS Gisella, 2,502 tons, hits a mine laid off the east coast of Lewis by Alfred von Glasenapp in U-80. The damaged ship makes safe port.

Wales:
Paul Hundius, in UC-47, scuttles two British schooners off St. Ann's Head:
Dantzic, 108 tons, carrying coal tar and pitch from Lancaster to Saint Brieuc.
William Shepherd, 143 tons, sailing from Glasgow to Saint Valery with a load of coal.
Hundius' score is now 34 vessels and 35,241 tons.

English Channel:
Hans Howaldt, in UB-40, sinks British hospital ship HMS Lanfranc, 6,287 tons, travelling from Le Havre to Southhampton. His score is now 25 ships and 19,178 tons.

Reinhold Saltzwedel, in UC-21, sinks British passenger ship SS Donegal, 1,885 tons en route from Le Havre to Southampton; 40 lives lost. His score is now 60 ships and 84,392 tons.

Herbert Pustkuchen, in UC-66, torpedoes British freighter SS Clan Sutherland, 2,820 tons, carrying a general cargo from Cochin to London; off Start Point. The damaged ship makes safe port.

British freighter SS Nirvana, 6,021 tons, hauling government stores from Le Havre to Southampton, hits a mine laid by Werner Fürbringer in UC-70. The damaged ship makes safe port.

North Sea:
Kurt Bernis, in UC-41, scuttles British fishing vessel U.S.A., 182 tons, off Longstone, bringing his score to 6 vessels and 3,223 tons.

Hubert Aust, in UC-45, sinks two ships off Rattray Head, Scotland:
Danish freighter SS Bretagne, 1,110 tons, transporting coal from Newcastle to Copenhagen.
British freighter SS Charles Goodanew, 791 tons, en route from Aberdeen to Scapa Flow with Admiralty suppies; mine.
Aust's score is now 6 ships and 4,634 tons.

Wilhelm Schröder, in UC-51, attacks Swedish freighter SS Atalanta, 1,091 tons, carrying Iron and general cargo from Göteborg to hull, with his deck gun. The damaged ship manages to escape and proceed on her way.
This is Schröder's last attack. After a brief U-boat career involving one patrol and two vessels sunk for 741 tons, he will spend the rest of the war in other positions in the navy, mustering out on March 27, 1919. His further life seems to be a mystery.

Wilhelm Barten, in UC-76, torpedoes Danish freighter Robert, 1,445 tons, en route from Göteborg to Hull with a general cargo. His score is now 14 ships and 4,708 tons.
British passenger ship SS Winifredian, 10,422 tons, travelling in ballast from Hull to Boston, hits a mine laid by Barten off Noss Head, but the ship is only damaged and makes safe port.

Atlantic Ocean, between Portugal and Morocco:
Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière, in U-35, sinks 3 British freighter approximately 150 miles west of Gibraltar:
SS Brisbane River, 4,989 tons, travelling in ballast from Malta to Baltimore.
SS Corfu, 3,695 tons, carrying scrap iron and steel billets from Philadelphia to Genoa.
SS Fernmoor, 3,098 tons, en route from Baltimore to Genoa with a load of iron and steel.
Von Arnauld's score is now 167 ships and 354,958 tons.

Mediterranean Sea:
Kurt Hartwig, in U-32, sinks Italian freighter SS Costante, 3,479 tons, off the Algerian coast. His score is now 39 ships and 55,554 tons.

Durban, South Africa:
The crew of HMS Severn spend the day preparing hawsers for towing their ship.

Jimbuna

04-18-17, 04:12 PM

18th April 1917

Western Front

French advance continued east and north-east of Soissons. French capture five villages; on Aisne capture Conde bridgehead and Vailly, repulse enemy near Juvincourt, and consolidate positions in Moronvillers massif.

British capture Villers-Guislain (12 miles south of Cambrai).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

British defeat Turks on right bank of Tigris, taking 1,200 prisoners.

Aviation

Edmond Genet, American volunteer in the French Foreign Legion, becomes the 1st American flier to be KIA after the U.S. declaration of war.
http://i.imgur.com/MtyUgPf.jpg

Political, etc.

Sir Archibald Murray, commander of the British forces in Palestine, voices support for a Jewish state.

British Food Order restricting pastry and cake making.

US orders that all alien residents of enemy nations must move at least half a mile away from military facilities by June 1st or face arrest.

German government grants concessions to strikers.

German General Moritz von Bissing, the former Governor-General of Belgium, dies due to chronic lung ailment.
http://i.imgur.com/hJszcb0.jpg

Ship Losses:

Bergensgut (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 60 nautical miles (110 km) east of Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom by SM UC-76 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of ten of her crew.
Castilian (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 110 nautical miles (200 km) north west by north of Tory Island, County Donegal (56°20′N 10°45′W) by SM U-61 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of ten crew.
Cragoswald (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 60 nautical miles (110 km) west by south of the Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly by SM U-84 ( Kaiserliche Marine). with the loss of two of her crew.
Heim (Norway) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by UC 71 (Hans Valentiner) and sank in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) north of Pointe d'Ailly, Seine-Maritime, France with the loss of two of her crew. by SM UC-71 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
John S. Boyle (United Kingdom) The fishing vessel was scuttled in the North Sea 25 nautical miles (46 km) east by south of St Abb's Head, Berwickshire (56°16′N 1°33′W) by SM UC-41 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Louisiana (Denmark) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 20 nautical miles (37 km)) north north east of Buchan Ness, (57°47′N 1°22′W) by SM UC-45 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Marcel (Belgium) The tug was scuttled in the North Sea 8 nautical miles (15 km) north east of the Noord Hinder Lightship ( Netherlands) by SM UB-23 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Rameses (United Kingdom) The trawler was scuttled in the North Sea 45 nautical miles (83 km) east of St Abb's Head (56°14′N 1°29′W) by SM UC-41 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Rhydwen (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 170 nautical miles (310 km) north west by west of the Fastnet Rock (51°40′N 14°00′W) by SM U-67 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of six crew.
Rinaldo (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 18 nautical miles (33 km) west by north of Cape Cherchell, Algeria (36°35′N 1°48′E) by SM U-32 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Rowena (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 95 nautical miles (176 km) west by south of the Bishop Rock (49°03′N 8°25′W) by SM U-84 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Scalpa (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 150 nautical miles (280 km) north west by west of the Fastnet Rock by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Sculptor (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 120 nautical miles (220 km) north west by west of the Fastnet Rock (51°56′N 12°50′W) by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Surcouf (France) The sailing vessel was sunk in the English Channel off Île Vierge, Finistère by SM UC-26 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Thomas (United Kingdom) The schooner was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 40 nautical miles (74 km) off Cape St. Vincent, Portugal by SM UC-27 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Trekieve (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 100 nautical miles (190 km) west of Gibraltar (35°00′N 9°45′W) by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three crew.
Troldfos (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 50 nautical miles (93 km) west north west of the Shetland Islands, United Kingdom by SM U-93 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
West Lothian (Norway) The four-masted barque was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 50 nautical miles (93 km) west of the Shetland Islands (60°55′N 3°30′W) by SM U-93 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Witham (United Kingdom) The trawler was shelled and sunk in the North Sea 125 nautical miles (232 km) east by south of St Abb's Head (55°56′N 1°36′E) by SM UC-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.

Sailor Steve

04-19-17, 12:44 AM

April 18, 1917

North Atlantic Ocean, 150 miles west of Ireland:
Hans Rose, in U-53, sinks two British merchants:
SS Scalpa, 1,010 tons, bound from Marseille and Valencia for Liverpool with a load of oranges and onions.
SS Sculptor, 3,846 tons, en route from New Orleans to Liverpool with a general cargo.
Rose's score is now 30 ships and 71,462 tons.

Hans Nieland, in U-67, sinks British freighter SS Rhydwen, 4,799 tons, travelling from Glaveston to Cardiff with a load of wheat. His score is now 19 ships and 30,764.

North of Ireland:
Victor Dieckmann, in U-61, sinks British freighter SS Castilian, 1,923 tons, carrying a general cargo from Liverpool to Genoa. His score is now 18 ships and 27,161 tons.

Celtic Sea:
Walter Roehr, in U-84, sinks two British ships southwest of Bishop Rock:
SS Cragoswald, 3,235 tons, hauling a load of maize from Buenos Aires to London.
SS Rowena, 3,017 tons, heading from Alexandria to Hull with a general cargo.
Roehr's score is now 17 ships and 43,109 tons.

Matthias von Schmettow, in UC-26, sinks French sailing vessel Surcouf, 195 tons, in transit from Swansea to Lorient; off Ile Vierge, Brittany. His score is now 74 ships and 110,979 tons.

Norwegian Sea:
Edgar von Spiegel von und zu Peckelsheim, in U-93, sinks two ships between the Shetland and Faroe Islands:
Norwegian freighter SS Troldfos, 1,459 tons, taking agricultural equipment from New York to Christiania.
Norwegian barque West Lothian, 1,887 tons, bringing maize and oilcake from Buenos Aires to Christiania.
Von Spiegel's score is now 8 ships and 54,808 tons.

English Channel:
Norwegian freighter SS Heim, 1,669 tons, en route from Hull to Rouen with a load of coal, hits a mine laid off Dieppe by Hans Valentiner in UC-71. His score is now 44 vessels and 36,554 tons.

North Sea:
Friedrich Crüsemann, in U-86, sinks British freighter SS Atalanta, 1,091 tons, 200 miles off the English coast. His score is now 6 ships and 26,657 tons. Atalanta was attacked the previous day by Wilhelm Schröder in UC-51, but escaped.

Kurt Bernis, in UC-41, scuttles two British fishing vessels off St. Abb's Head:
John S. Boyle, 143 tons
Rameses, 155 tons.
Bernis' score is now 8 vessels and 3,521 tons.

Hubert Aust, in UC-45, torpedoes Danish freighter SS Louisiana, 3,015 tons, carrying wood pulp and general cargo from North Shields and Tyne to Boston. His score is now 8 ships and 7,649 tons.

Rudolf Seuffer, in UC-50, scuttles British trawler Witham, 144 tons, off St. Abb's Head, bringing his score to 10 vessels and 11,260 tons.

Wilhelm Barten, in UC-76, sinks Norwegian freighter SS Bergensgut, 2,029 tons, carrying a general cargo from Göteborg to Rouen; off Peterhead, Scotland. His score is now 15 ships and 6,737 tons.

Atlantic Ocean, 100 miles west of Gibraltar:
Leading u-boat ace Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière, in U-35, sinks British freighter SS Trekieve, 3,087 tons, en route from Cardiff to Gibraltar with a government cargo. His score is now 168 ships and 358,045 tons.

Hans Niemer, in UB-23, scuttles Belgian tug Marcel, 24 tons, off the Noord Hinter lightship, bringing his score to 4 vessels and 5,610 tons.

Portugal:
Gerhard Schulz, in UC-27, scuttles British schooner Thomas, 132 tons, carrying a load of salt from Cadiz to Rose Blanche, off Cabo de São Vicente (Cape St. Vincent). His score is now 6 vessels and 7,791 tons

Ionian Sea:
Kurt Hartwig, in U-32, sinks Italian freighter SS Porto di Rodi, 2,480 tons, carrying a general cargo from Alexandria to Genoa. His score is now 40 ships and 59,875 tons.

Durban, South Africa:
HMS Severn is moved alongside HMFM Trent. While Severn's crew prepare their ship for towing, Trent's crew receive meat for the German East Africa Stations - 29,621 pounds (14.8 tons) worth. The prisoner who had refused work earlier is handed over to HMS Himalaya.

Jimbuna

04-19-17, 09:25 AM

19th April 1917

Western Front

French capture Fort of Conde (east of Soissons, on Aisne) and three villages, and capture Le Teton (in Moronvillers massif) and village of Auberive.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Second Battle of Gaza. Heavy fighting and much ground gained, but, owing to severe losses, attack not pushed through.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Admital Kolchak (Commander of Black Sea fleet) appointed Commander in Chief of Baltic Fleet.

Political, etc.

Senor G. Prieto (Marquis of Alhucemas) succeeds Count Romanones as Spanish Premier.

U.S.A. announces food policy: provision for Allies before neutrals; and seizes German liner docks in New York.

Pastry restrictions in France.

A poster of “Wake Up America Day” to mobilize Americans for war.
http://i.imgur.com/bP2njEI.jpg

Ship Losses:

Avocet (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 100 nautical miles (190 km) west north west of the Fastnet Rock (51°19′N 12°30′W) by SM U-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Bethlehem (United Kingdom) The auxiliary sailing vessel struck a mine laid by UC 55 (Karl Neureuther) and sank in the North Sea with the loss of a crew member.
Cilurnum (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Bay of Biscay 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) south west of Penmarc'h, Finistère, France (47°45′N 4°30′W) by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Ellida (Norway) The cargo ship was sunk in the North Sea 2.5 nautical miles (4.6 km) east north east of Whitby, Yorkshire, United Kingdom by SM UB-41 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Elswick Manor (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 180 nautical miles (330 km) west of Ouessant, Finistère, France (47°36′N 9°32′W) by SM U-84 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Gold Coast (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 14 nautical miles (26 km) south of Mine Head, Cornwall (51°46′N 7°28′W) by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Howth Head (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 158 nautical miles (293 km) north west of the Fastnet Rock (52°20′N 13°38′W) by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two crew.
Jewel (United Kingdom) The brig was scuttled in St. George's Channel 20 nautical miles (37 km) south east of the Coningbeg Lightship ( United Kingdom) by SM UC-47 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMT Lobelia (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by U 78 (Otto Dröscher) and sank off Fanad Point, Lough Swilly (55°16′N 7°45′W) with the loss of eleven crew.
Poltava (United Kingdom) The coaster struck a mine laid by UC 44(Kurt Tebbenjohanns) and sank in the North Sea 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) east north east of the Souter Point Lighthouse, South Shields, County Durham (54°59′00″N 1°16′30″W). Her crew survived.
SMS Seeadler (Kaiserliche Marine) The hulk exploded and sank at Wilhelmshaven, Lower Saxony.
Senator Dantziger (United Kingdom) The schooner was shelled and sunk in the English Channel 15 nautical miles (28 km) south by east of Newhaven, East Sussex by SM UC-26 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Senhora da Conceicao (Portugal) The sailing vessel was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean north of Cape Finisterre, Spain (43°38′N 10°00′W) by SM U-52 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Sowwell (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 170 nautical miles (310 km) west of Gibraltar by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 21 crew.
HMT Star of Freedom (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 47 (Paul Hundius) and sank in the Atlantic Ocean off Trevose Head, Cornwall (50°35′N 5°25′W with the loss of ten of her crew.
Tempus (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 130 nautical miles (240 km) north west by west of the Fastnet Rock by SM U-53 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.

Sailor Steve

04-19-17, 08:37 PM

April 19, 1917

Air War:
1450 French ace René Dorme, flying SPAD VII S392, shoots down a German "Scout" for victory number 19. The only reported German loss this day is Ltn Paul Hermann of Jasta 31.

French ace Paul Tarascon, in a SPAD VII, shoots down an LVG two-seater for victory number 10.

German pilot Richard Wenzl, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a SPAD VII for victory number 1.

North Atlantic Ocean, far west of Ireland:
Gerhard Berger, commanding U-50, sinks British freighter SS Avocet, 1,219 tons, bound from Lisbon for Liverpool with a general cargo. His score is now 17 ships and 60,693 tons.

Hans Rose, in U-53, sinks British freighter SS Tempus, 2,981 tons, en route from Cahthagena to Garston with an unspecified cargo. His score is now 31 and 74,443 tons.

Karlgeorg Schuster, in U-60, sinks British freighter SS Howth Head, 4,440 tons, travelling from New Orleans and Norfolk to Dublin with an unspecified cargoo. His score is now 14 ships and 39,299 tons.

Ireland:
His Majesty's Trawler Lobelia, 184 tons, hits a mine laid off Fanad Point, at the north end of Ireland, by Otto Dröscher in U-78. His score is now 23 vessels and 22,269 tons.

Paul Hundius, in UC-47, sinks two British vessels south of Mine Head:
Freighter SS Gold Coast, 4,255 tons, en route from West Africa to Liverpool with a general cargo.
Brigantine Jewel, 195 tons, carrying a load of timber from Waterford to Cardiff; scuttled.
UC-47 also attacks schooner Old Head with the deck gun, but the damaged sailing vessel escapes.
North of Cornwall, British minesweeping trawler HMT Star of Freedom hits a mine laid by Hundius off Trevose Head.
Hundius' score is now 37 vessels and 39,960 tons.

Celtic Sea:
Walter Roehr, in U-84, sinks British freighter SS Elswich Manor, 3,943 tons, carrying a load of coal from Tyne to Naples. his score is now 18 ships and 47,052 tons. Elswick Manor had survived a previous attack on February 8, 1916, having hit a mine in the North Sea laid by Franz Wäger in UC-7.

English Channel:
Hans Howaldt, in UB-40, torpedoes British tanker RFA Limeleaf, 7,339 tons, transporting fuel oil from Port Arthur to Sheerness. The damaged ship manges to make port safely.

British tanker SS Lumina, 5,856 tons, travelling in ballast from Thames Haven to Cardiff, hits a mine laid off the Elbow Buoy by Werner von Zerboni di Sposetti in UC-6. The damaged ship makes port safely.

Matthias von Schmettow, in UC-26, uses his deck gun to sink British schooner Senator Dantzsiger, 164 tons, carrying a load of retort carbon from Dublin to Dieppe. His score is now 75 ships and 111,143 tons.

River Thames:
British auxiliary motor sailing vessel Bethlehem, 379 tons, travelling in ballast from Calais to Grimsby, hits a mine laid near the South Holm buoy by Karl Neureuther in UC-55. This is his first sinking.

North Sea:
Günther Krause, in UB-41, begins his u-boat career with the sinking of Norwegian freighter SS Ellida, 1,124 tons, travelling in ballast from Caen to Tyne; off Whitby.

British freighter SS Poltava, 945 tons, carrying a load of coal from Tyne to an unnamed destination, hits a mine laid by Kurt Tebbenjohanns in UC-44; off South Shields. His score is now 19 ships and 14,814 tons.

France:
Reinhold Saltzwedel, in UC-21, sinks British freighter SS Cilurnum, 3,126 tons, en route with a load of coal from Cardiff to La Pallice; off Pointe de Penmarch, Brittany. His score is now 61 ships and 87,518 tons.

Spain, Atlantic coast:
Hans Walther, in U-52, scuttles Portuguese schooner Senhora da Conceicao, 206 tons, en route from an unnamed port to Funchal with a load of sulphur; off Cape Finisterre. His score is now 30 ships and 68,279 tons.

Atlantic Ocean, 170 miles west of Gibraltar:
Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière, in U-35, sinks British freighter SS Sowwell, 3,781 tons, carrying a load of iron ore from Sagunto to Glasgow. His score is now 169 ships and 361,826 tons.

Durban, South Africa:
HMFM Trent takes aboard 10 officers and 77 soldiers for transfer to Zanzibar. Two more men desert. Seven of Severn's stokers are assigned work duty in Trent's boiler room.
1425 Trent casts off from the quay, assisted by a tug and a harbor pilot. HMS Severn is rigged to Trent with towing hawsers for the journey back to Zanzibar.
1513 The two ships clear the breakwater, enter seas described as "confused" and one of the towing hawsers is immediately swept away.
1520 With both ships stopped the tow lines are reconnected.
1810 Two of Trent's stokers refuse duty.
2300 Fighting a stong head wind and rough seas, towing is described as "heavy".

Jimbuna

04-20-17, 09:21 AM

20th April 1917

Western Front

French occupy Sancy (north-east of Soissons).

British capture Gonnelieu (eight miles south-west of Cambrai).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Allied troops are defeated in their attempt to take Gaza, suffering 6,444 casualties. Ottomans suffer around 2000 casualties.

Naval and Overseas Operations

Germans shell Calais and Dover, no casualties; British destroyers "Swift" and "Broke" successfully engage six German destroyers.

Political, etc.

British government states all doctors must report for military service due to the need to establish hospitals near the frontlines.

Senhor D'Almeida resigns Premiership in Portugal.

Flour Mills' Order (British) extending powers of Food Controller.

Field Marshal Hindenburg urges Germans to keep working in the munitions factories to help supply his armies despite reductions in food.

New York Yacht Club drops Kaiser Wilhelm and Prince Henry of Prussia as honorary members.

General elections are held in Japan. The Rikken Seiyūkai under Hara Takashi wins the most seats with 165 out of 381.

Ship Losses:

Annapolis (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 74 nautical miles (137 km) north west of Eagle Island, County Mayo (55°45′N 11°45′W) by SM U-61 and SM U-69 (both Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
August (Russia) The barque was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 300 nautical miles (560 km) west of Ireland (50°25′N 16°40′W) by SM U-43 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Ballochbuie (United Kingdom) The coaster was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea 7 nautical miles (13 km) east of the Isle of May, Fife by SM UC-41 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of three of her crew.
Caithness (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 130 nautical miles (240 km) north west by north of Cape Ortegal, Spain (45°48′N 11°07′W) by SM U-52 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 47 crew.
Erith (United Kingdom) The trawler was scuttled in the North Sea 40 nautical miles (74 km) south of Girdleness, Aberdeenshire by SM UC-44 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Emma (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 200 nautical miles (370 km) south west by south of the Fastnet Rock (49°55′N 14°40′W) by SM U-50 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of two crew.
Georgios (Greece) The cargo ship was sunk in the Bay of Biscay 11 nautical miles (20 km) south east of La Vieille, Finistère, France (47°56′N 4°27′W) by SM UC-21 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Grecian (United Kingdom) The trawler was scuttled in the North Sea 22 nautical miles (41 km) north east by east of the Longstone Lighthouse, Northumberland by SM UC-44 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMT Loch Eye (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 33 (Martin Schelle) and sank in the Irish Sea 1.25 nautical miles (2.32 km) south west of Hook Point, County Waterford (52°08′N 6°59′W with the loss of seven of her crew.
Lowdale (United Kingdom) The collier was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 90 nautical miles (170 km) west by north of Gibraltar by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Malakand (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 145 nautical miles (269 km) west of the Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly (49°20′N 10°00′W) by SM U-84 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Nentmoor (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 140 nautical miles (260 km) west of Gibraltar (32°25′N 8°02′W) by SM U-35 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMS Nepaulin (Royal Navy) The auxiliary minesweeper struck a mine laid by UB 12 (Ernst Steindorff) and sank in the North Sea off the Dyck Lightship ( United Kingdom) with the loss of nineteen of her crew.
HMT Othonna (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 41 (Kurt Bernis) and sank in the North Sea (56°17′N 2°27′W) with the loss of nine of her crew.
Portloe (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 160 nautical miles (300 km) west north west of the Fastnet Rock (51°13′N 14°10′W) by SM U-67 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of 24 crew.
Ringholm (Norway) The coaster was sunk in the North Sea 5 nautical miles (9.3 km) off St. Abb's Head, Berwickshire, United Kingdom by SM UC-41 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMT Ruthin Castle (Royal Navy) The naval trawler struck a mine laid by UC 50 (Rudolf Seuffer) and sank in the North Sea off Skinningrove, Yorkshire (54°37′N 0°53′W) with the loss of nine of her crew.
San Hilario (United Kingdom) The tanker was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 270 nautical miles (500 km) west by north of the Fastnet Rock (50°55′N 16°28′W) by SM U-43 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Torr Head (United Kingdom) The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 160 nautical miles (300 km) north west by north of the Fastnet Rock (52°10′N 14°00′W) by SM U-60 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.