Western Front
German artillery activity near Vimy and east of Ypres.
Verdun: Germans “repulsed” in Caurieres Wood
Outskirts of Lens, France on Christmas Day:
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...382412103639040
Eastern Front
Bolsheviks break off Brest-Litovsk talks when Germans say Poland and Baltic States will become independent.
Prince Leopold (on the right), Commander-in-Chief of the German Army on the Eastern Front, at a Christmas celebration: © IWM (Q 52229):
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...335854112833536
Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave: A report that this battle ends, in the form of:
Twelfth Battle of the Isonzo, aka the
Battle of Caporetto ends.
Big aerial fight 18 miles north of Venice; an English pilot, William Barker and two others made an unauthorized flight, raided a German airfield at Motta on the 25th, ignoring an unspoken truce. They also dropped a sign reading: “To the Austrian Flying Corps from the English RFC – wishing you a merry Xmas.” This provoked a retaliatory raid by Austro-German bombers and fighters on Istrana airfield, as recorded in the diary of the Italian ace, Silvio Scaroni. Also a brief mention here:
https://books.google.com/books?id=T...Istrana&f=false
Raids repeated nights December 29-30 and 30-31.
An Austro-Hungarian Brandenburg D-I before take-off, built by the Phoenix Works in Vienna:
https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...rg-DI.jpg?ssl=1
Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: During a revolt against the British-established “protectorate”, 502 King’s African Rifles and levies disperse Aulyehan at Hagagabli, capture 1,233 camels. By February 20, 1918 fines, 402 rifles and chiefs collected excluding the leader.
Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
British defense of Jerusalem begins. Sharp fighting during night; British picketts attacked.
Political, etc
Russia: Ukraine tells Berlin she wants separate status at Brest-Litovsk peace talks.
United Kingdom: Admiral Sir John Jellicoe’s resignation as First Sea Lord is announced.
Mr. McAdoo appointed Director of Railways.
United States: U.S. Shipping Board promises five million tons in 1918.
Mexican raiders cross the U.S. border and attack a ranch in Presidio County, Texas, killing three people. They are pursued by U.S. Army cavalry back across the border. It is uncertain if the raiders were the Constitutionalist Venustiano Carranza's, or if they belonged under Pancho Villa’s command.
Guatemala: A 5.6 magnitude earthquake hits Guatemala, killing hundreds. Damage done to Guatemala City Cathedral:
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...524596048097280