Western Front
Second Battle of the Marne: Severe fighting round Seringes (north-east of Fere-en-Tardenois); finally left to Americans. French now control main east rail line between Chateau-Thierry and Epernay. The 4 British divisions return to BEF zone (until August 7).
Meuse: German gas shell French Neuilly sector with 340,000 rounds (850t) mustard gas; 3,400 gassed (68 deaths).
Germany: 12 DH9s (7 lost) of No 99 Squadron (Taylor) dispatched to Mainz (alternate Saarbrücken); 5 aircraft bomb Saarbrücken, attacks by 3 fighter waves (total 40) decimate formation; 2 fighters damaged, No 99 squadron non-operational until August 20. IAF’s July losses 15 bombers.
Western Front, Air: German night bombing of Allied troops south of Aisne. Allies have lost 200 aircraft and balloons over German Seventh Army alone since July 15. French July loss of 67 aircraft worst month in 1918. During July Germans claim 505 Allied aircraft for loss of 129. Record 1,478 German aircraft delivered in July.
Air combat between British and German fighters over the Western Front:
https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...front.jpg?ssl=1
France: During July Record 313,410 US troops land in Europe including 6 divisions and 34 aircraft (total now 1,210,703 men).
American soldiers engaging with the Germans in Villers sur Fre, France:
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...956410185474048
Bhupinder Singh of Patiala visits a damaged monastery on Mont des Cats, France, accompanied by Indian, British, and French officers and soldiers: © IWM (Q 7934):
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...986603449049089
Black Canadian soldiers with ammunition on the Western Front:
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...197991341670401
Eastern Front
Northern Russia: Allies seize Archangel (until August 1) with little shooting (2 casualties) thanks to Russian Navy officers’ help. Some of the 1,500 British Elope Force also take Onega on White Sea.
Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: Flight Sub-Lieutenant Culley successfully takes off in Sopwith Camel from a lighter towed by destroyer Truculent.
Allied and neutral shipping losses July 1918: 95 ships (37 British with 202 lives) worth 259,901t (British 165,449t); U-boat figure 113 ships worth 280,820t including 39 ships of 76,864t in Mediterranean (10 ships with 235t to Austrians); 6 U-boats sunk.
Political, etc
United Kingdom: Lord R. Cecil accepts recommendations of Royal Commission on Foreign Office reforms.
Lord Lansdowne's letter re: conditions of Peace discussions.
Speech of Mr. Lloyd George to Manufacturers.
Sir Charles W. Fielding appointed Director-General of Food Production.
Month’s coal output record lowest at 15,760,000t due to flu epidemic. Sir Charles Fielding new Director-General Food Production (Lord Lee resigned July 22).