Western Front
Unternehmen Mars: Battle of the Ancre 1918 brings to an end the
First Battles of the Somme 1918 or the German
Kaiserschlacht: both
Operation Michael, and the follow-on
Operation Mars (see March 21st). Germans again attack from Somme to beyond Bucquoy. Ancre front stabilized by 4th Australian Division (1,233 casualties) after 50th Prussian Reserve Division (c.1,600 casualties) gains 1,500 yards; British take 200 prisoners in counter-attack near Hebuterne.
German troops fail to capture the commune of Villers-Bretonneux, France from Allied troops. German forces resting in the Somme battlefields:
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...592410504482816
French attack north of Montdidier and near Noyon.
LUDENDORFF DECIDES ‘
TO ABANDON THE ATTACK ON AMIENS FOR GOOD … The enemy resistance was beyond our powers’ (War Memoirs). 13 German division are left in awkward Avre salient and Western Front 26 miles longer.
German troops cross the Maas-Aisne Canal over a bridge destroyed by the Allies:
https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...kanal.jpg?ssl=1
German flamethrowers in action on the Western Front:
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...562343854362624
Eastern Front
Finish Civil War: Battle of Rautu ends with Whites sealing Karelian frontier.
Ukraine: Germans occupy Kharkov.
Siberia: Japanese marines land at Vladivostok, followed by a British detachment “to protect foreign nationals“ (until April 25),
Naval and Overseas Operations
Mozambique: Sir J. Van Deventer's despatch on East Africa published.
Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Armenia: Armenians leave Sarikamish night April 5-6 after Turks take a village to north; Van retaken by the Turks.
Political, etc
Russia: Lenin threatens Japan with war on April 8.
Ireland: 51st Meeting of Irish Convention adopts draft report. Convention adjourns sine die.
United States: German immigrant Robert Prager lynched as suspected ‘spy’ (Collinsville, Illinois), countless other non-lethal incidents. Wilson discusses with cabinet on April 6 but does not publicly deplore mob spirit till July 26. Prager buried on April 10, Germany tries to pay funeral expenses, 12 tried for crime from May 13 but acquitted. War Finance Corp created with $500 billions.