3 February 1918
 

Western Front
About 185 German divisions on Western Front.
Allied propaganda poster celebrates politicians and generals as ‘giants of democracy’. Britain’s Lloyd George, Haig, US President Wilson and General Pershing and France’s Foch: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...cracy.jpg?ssl=1

Eastern Front
Finish Civil War: (until May 15): 1,600 White Guards capture Oulu in north and clear up to Swedish border until February 6. In center, Reds vainly assault White line from February 2 to 12.
An Austro-Hungarian prisoner of war with a violin returning from captivity in Russia: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...474048458739712

Southern Front
Austro-Hungarians bomb Venice, Padua, and other towns in Venetian plain.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: The mutiny of Austro-Hungarian sailors at Cattaro (Kotor) is crushed by loyalist forces, and around 800 mutineers are imprisoned. They had been demanding better treatment and the end to war.
Germany: Berlin garrison commander tells strikers return to work or be shot. Across Germany, 150 people are imprisoned, and 50,000 people are slated to be drafted into the army and sent to the front.
France: Following the German air raid on Paris last week, measures have been taken to protect artworks such as by placing sandbags around statues and taking down paintings and stained-glass windows to be stored safely.
United Kingdom: British Government announce enlargement of powers of Supreme War Council at Versailles (see November 7th, 1917, and December 1st, 1917).
Belgium: A pro-Flemish independence march in Antwerp in German-occupied Belgium. German authorities are alleged to have purposefully heightened divisions in the country: © IWM (Q 79588): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...792387374673920
Switzerland: American George D Herron meets Austrian Imperial adviser Heinrich Lammasch in low-level abortive peace feelers.
Sweden: Finnish Stockholm Minister on own initiative requests Swedish intervention, Prime Minister refuses, suggests mediation on February 4. The Finns cable Berlin.

4 February 1918
 

Western Front
Considerable aerial activity; more American troops occupy portions of western battle front.
Lorraine: Count Felix Bothmer (ex-Eastern Front Suedarmee) in command of new German Nineteenth Army for duration of war.
A British observation balloon falling down in flames after being shot by German aircraft over Boyelles: © IWM (Q 11972): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...838933474521089
A British 12-inch howitzer mountain on a railway carriage near Arras: © IWM (Q 8466): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...110701422563330

Eastern Front
Ukraine: The Bolshevik uprising in Kiev is put down, but Soviet Russian forces are approaching the Ukrainian capital.
General Alexei Kaledin reported to have relinquished leadership of Cossacks to General Mikhail Alexeiev. General Alexeiev with Don Cossacks moves towards Moscow against the Bolshevik forces (see 13th), the ‘Ice March’.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Mozambique: Mtarika occupied by British troops.

Political, etc
France: Bolo Pasha trial commences; death sentence (February 14, executed at Vincennes April 17), had received German funds to corrupt press.
The poster calls on French civilians and soldiers to pay attention to enemy agents and spies: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...lence.jpg?ssl=1
United Kingdom: British Government make declaration to King of the Hejaz reaffirming their pledges as to freeing the Arab peoples (see October 24th, 1915, December 15th, 1916, December 17th, 1917, and January 4th, 1918).
Canada: Canadian government orders the suspension of factories in eastern Canada on February 9, 10, and 11 to conserve fuel.
United States: German Aliens registration week.

5 February 1918
 

Western Front
French airmen bomb Saarbrucken junction.
Western Front: Lieutenant Thompson of 103rd Aero Squadron (mainly Lafayette Escadrille veterans) first American fighter pilot serving in US forces to score in air combat. AEF has 225 aircraft (9 squadrons) on February 1.
An American fighter squadron, equipped with British S.E.5a.: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...-SE5a.jpg?ssl=1

Southern Front
Venice Mestre, and Treviso are bombed by Austro-Hungarian and German bombers for a second day in a row.

Naval and Overseas Operations
British S.S. Tuscania carrying United States troops, sunk by submarine off Irish coast, 166 US soldiers, 44 crew lost. (The only loss sustained by U.S. transports when under British naval escort).
SS Tuscania, sunk by the German submarine UB-77: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...473106950352897

Political, etc
Germany: Representatives from the Central Powers governments meet in Berlin to discuss food shortages and the ongoing peace negotiations with Russia and Ukraine.
Russia: First Duma of Independent Siberian Republic opens.
France: 3,000 people in Roanne (Loire Department) protest against bread shortage, burn cotton magnate’s house, looting (until February 6) but riots ends by February 26.
United Kingdom: Food Ministry offers amnesty to food hoarders.
Andrew Bonar Law says that German U-Boats have killed 14,120 British civilians over the course of the war.
United States: Captain Franz Rintelen and 10 other Germans fined and imprisoned for trying to sink British SS Kirk Oswald. Committee on Public Information appeals to public not to shoot US Signal Corps carrier pigeons.
American soldiers parading down 5th Avenue in New York before sailing to Europe: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...231510031859712

More good, good stuff! Thanks.

6 February 1918
 

Western Front
First US Royal Flying Corps squadron (No 17) arrives (left Texas December 19, 1917), 9 more follow until March.
Reprisals threatened if British leaflet-scattering airmen improperly treated.
Bulgarian soldiers on the Western Front after being transferred from the East: © IWM (Q 87426): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...580056698548227

Eastern Front
Brest-Litovsk: Peace negotiations between Soviet Russia and the Central Powers at Brest-Litovsk is in a deadlock over the status of Ukraine. Ukraine is also negotiating separately with the Central Powers.

Political, etc
Russia: German language Red broadcast from Tsarkoe Selo calls for military revolt and Kaiser’s murder.
Bolshevist campaign against Orthodox Church rousing opposition.
France: This French poster calls for women’s suffrage. Through the increased involvement of women in the world of work during the war, they gained the right to vote in Britain in 1918, while in France they had to wait until 1945: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...recht.jpg?ssl=1
United Kingdom: Electoral Reform Act passed, 6 million WOMEN OVER 30 RECEIVE VOTE, Commons enlarged by 37 members to 707
Romania: German Government send ultimatum to Romania demanding peace negotiations within four days (see 25th).
M. Ion Bratianu, Romanian Premier, resigns (appointed January 14th, 1914) (see 9th). General Alexandru Averescu forms new Cabinet on February 9.
United States: President Wilson asks for new powers to reorganize the Government and war machine.

7 February 1918
 

Western Front
British soldiers smoking and sharing jokes in the trenches at Cambrin: © IWM (Q 8458): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...957551226642433
British troops carry out successful raids against German lines east of Armentieres and at Queant, France, taking several German prisoners.
British officers wading through a communication trench that has been muddied by thawing snow at Essigny, France: © IWM (Q 10681): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...223127656271872

Eastern Front
Brest-Litovsk: Kaiser orders Richard von Kühlmann to end talks and demand Baltic States.
Finish Civil War: (until May 15): Civil war in Finland still raging.

Southern Front
Salonika: King Alexander visits British including Struma front on February 9.
Italian Front: King Albert of the Belgians visits until February 9, ‘I thought that the Italian Army was more disciplined than ours’.
(Listed for yesterday): American Red Cross distributing gifts to Italian soldiers in the trenches along the Piave River: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...836739609874432

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: (Listed for yesterday): Gustav Klimt, Austrian symbolist painter https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...927350669172737 known for works such as the “Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I” https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...927350669172737 , passed away.
France: Decree creates Czech Army. A group of Czechoslovak soldiers in French uniforms on the Western Front. They were recruited from captured or deserted Austro-Hungarian soldiers: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...front.jpg?ssl=1
United Kingdom: Britain makes a call for Jews holding British or other Allied citizenship to serve in the British Army to fight against the Ottomans in Palestine.
Romania: British Foreign Office cables to Jassy urging no separate Romanian peace.
C-in-C Alexandru Averescu promises Col Colin Ballard to try and stop munitions going to Central Powers.
United States: Former President Roosevelt undergoes surgery for fistula and abscesses in his ears, but contracts an infection during the process.

8 February 1918
 

Western Front
General Luigi Cadorna succeeded by General Gaetano Giardino on Versailles Committee.
Repulse of Germans on Chemin des Dames.
Britain: London Air Defence Area has 200 aircraft, 323 searchlights, 249 anti-aircraft guns.
Germany: French bombers attack Saarbrücken.
A British officer and a kitten at his dug-out at Essigny, France: © IWM (Q 10679): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...298699237421056

Eastern Front
Finish Civil War: (until May 15): Mannerheim moves Headquarter inland to Seinajoki rail junction, first 5 Swedish officers join him on February 10.
The Czech Legion in Russia: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...egion.jpg?ssl=1

Naval and Overseas Operations
Channel: British destroyer Boxer sunk by collision in English Channel with SS St Patrick. 1 crewman is killed.
Irish Sea: Only 3 Q-ships now based at Queenstown.
Mediterranean: Revel memo detailing Italy’s weak maritime situation shocks Allies in Rome conference (until February 9) which concentrates on Otranto Barrage. British mobile concept approved. US Admiral Sims presents plan for Adriatic offensive involving 30,000 troops, 25,000 mines and 5 US battleships to seize Curzola Island and attack Cattaro. First Sea Lord Geddes goes on to tour Mediterranean bases, urging end to shipping delays (until February 17).

Political, etc
Russia: Vladimir Lenin and Leon Trotsky slandered by Paris press to be receiving pay from German agents.
United States: R. M. McElroy, a history professor at Princeton, calls for the Frederick the Great statue in Washington DC to be melted down and made into bullets.

9 February 1918
 

Western Front
Somme: GHQ allows Gough (Fifth Army) to conduct fighting withdrawal before expected spring offensive.
French troops with a bomb thrower in a trench at La Ville-aux-Bois: © IWM (Q 70053): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...615890402996224

Eastern Front
Brest-Litovsk: Peace signed at Brest-Litovsk between Bulgaria, Central Powers and Turkey and the Ukraine Rada; also supplementary Treaty between Central Powers and The Ukraine; borders of new Ukrainian State defined (see 1st and January 3rd). Treaty includes a provision of 1 million t food for Polish Kholm land.
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...918883794956290
Pavlo Skoropadsky, Hetman of the Ukraine, talks to the Kaiser: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...aiser.jpg?ssl=1
Ukraine: (Listed for yesterday): City of Kiev falls to the advancing Soviet Russian forces as the Ukrainian government retreats to Zhytomyr.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Embargo on Dutch commercial cables provisionally raised.
Economic Council sits in London.
Bertrand Russell is sentenced by a British court to 6 months in prison for opposing the U.S. entering the war on the Allied side.
Canada: Canada observes “heatless” days, where factories not deemed essential will be shut down for three days starting today.
Turkey: First Women’s Labour battalion (male officers initially) attached to First Army.
Romania: New Romanian Cabinet formed, with General Alexandru Averescu as Premier and Foreign Minister (see 6th, and March 12th).
United States: Disease spreads across U.S. Army and National Guard camps, with 117 soldiers dying of “pneumonia” in just one week.
American Museum of Natural History hosts a “Whale Steak Luncheon” to promote alternative food sources to combat food shortages and rises in price caused by the war: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...677290412363777

10 February 1918
 

Some significant political developments today:
Western Front
Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps members tending to the graves of fallen British soldiers: © IWM (Q 8468): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...039694031601665

Eastern Front
Brest-Litovsk: Order given for demobilisation of Russian forces.

Southern Front
Renewed Austro-Hungarian activity on Asiago front driven away by heavy Italian artillery fire.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Adriatic: Poet Gabriele D’Annunzio goes on failed raid by 3 MAS boats to attack 4 steamers near Fiume (night February 10-11).

Political, etc
Germany: Kaiser addresses Homburgers ‘War is a disciplinary action by God to educate mankind … Our Lord God means us to have peace’.
Russia: M. Leon Trotski announces that state of war between Russia and Central Powers, Bulgaria and Turkey is ended, but that Russia will not sign formal peace treaty (see 18th and January 30th). Russia out of the War.
Ukraine: Publication of peace treaty between Central Powers and Ukraine.
United Kingdom: “Information“ Ministry founded, Beaverbrook Minister in charge of Propaganda.(Ministry formally established March 4 ‘To direct the thought of most of the world’).
c.4,500 motor vehicles using coal gas.
Turkey: Death of Abdul Hamid II, ex-Sultan of Turkey. Abdul Hamid II: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...351731635089409
United States: US Navy recruiting poster: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...-navy.jpg?ssl=1
Finland: Unarmed Finnish Civil Guards land in Aland Islands but forced out by Sweden.

11 February 1918
 

Western Front
Metz raided by French airmen.
Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps members at Dieppe, France baking bread for the British Army: © IWM (Q 8476): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...412133697847297
U.S. soldiers waiting to get hot drinks on a cold day at a canteen in a base in France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...714122788929538
Men of the Chinese Labour Corps in France celebrating Chinese New Year: © IWM (Q 8484): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...774520288260096

Southern Front
Fighting in Asiago region to advantage of Italians.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Adriatic: British Adriatic Force reorganized. Franco-Italian net barraged completed between Fano Island and Corfu.
Atlantic: French submarine Diane suffers an internal explosion in the Bay of Biscay and sinks with all 43 of its crew.
Mozambique: (11-18 February): Main German force dislodged from Lujenda Valley, moves southwards from Mtarika area towards Upper Rio (frontier of Mozambique).

Political, etc
Germany: Berlin papers prematurely hail peace with Russia.
Skeptical German view of Wilson as ‘peace maker’: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...maker.jpg?ssl=1
Russia: Soviet Red Fleet founded on volunteer basis, 5 commissars (SOVNARKOM) to run Baltic Fleet on February 12.
General Alexey Kaledin, an early leader of the anti-Bolshevik forces in Russia, commits suicide after losing hope that the Bolsheviks could be defeated: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...683914321047552
Belgium: Great Brussels demo against separate Flanders.
United States: President Wilson delivers Message to Congress restating War Aims and laying down four additional Points.
Lord Reading arrives in U.S. as Ambassador.
Poland: Polish Cabinet resigns as protest against Ukraine treaty.

12 February 1918
 

Western Front
The Air Council approves the introduction of the terms 'areas' and 'groups' for the Royal Flying Corps’ higher formations.
Germany: 2 DH4s of No 55 Squadron bomb railways and barracks at Offenburg (Baden).
Allied planes also bomb Metz, etc.
Fighting in Passchendaele region.
French troops launch a raid against German trenches in Woëvre, taking 250 German prisoners.
A German prisoner being interrogated by a Canadian Intelligence Officer: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...046326048043008

Eastern Front
Southern Russia: Reds capture two points on Novorossiisk-Tsaritsyn railway and defeat Polish Corps at Rogachev.

Southern Front
Salonika: 20 Royal Flying Corps bombers burn out Cestovo ammo dump.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Eastern Atlantic: U-89 rammed and sunk off Malin Head (North Ireland) with all hands by British cruiser Roxburgh (night February 12-13)

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Armenia: Turkish Offensive (45,000-50,000 in 8 divisions with 160 guns) begins with taking Cardakli on Zara-Sivas road and advance to Erzincan (February 14). Colonel Morel’s 2,000 Armenians with 6 guns make epic retreat to Erzerum (February 14-25).
Turkish Mountain Ski Troops in the Caucasus: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...kasus.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Parliament meets. Mr. Herbert Asquith asks for explanation of extension of powers of Versailles Council; answer refused.

14 February 1918
 

Western Front
Champagne: French win salient between Tahure and Butte de Mesnil, US guns give fire support, 177 PoWs. German counter-attack on February 18.
Men of the Black Watch Regiment receiving mail outside of their dugout at Morchies, France: © IWM (Q 8508): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...076526211305472
In response to French air raids against Saarbrucken, German aeroplanes bomb Nancy, France.

Eastern Front
General Mikhail Alexeiev defeated by the Bolsheviki (see 4th).
Anatoly Nazarov elected Ataman (until February 25).

Southern Front
British line in Italy extended.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Adriatic: Around this day the French submarine Bemouilli probably lost to mines.

Political, etc
Germany: Erich Ludendorff promises Kaiser victory in proposed spring offensive.
Bad Homburg Crown Council decides on further advance into Russia, Kaiser demands Bolsheviks be ‘beaten to death’.
Poster glibly assuring Germany that their army would win the freedom of the seas: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...-meer.jpg?ssl=1
United Kingdom: Pacifist group in House of Commons defeated.
United States: U.S. diplomats and naval officers in London celebrating the anniversary of Lincoln’s birthday: © IWM (Q 54173): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...106726059937793

14 February 1918
 

Western Front
(Listed for yesterday): French forces carry out a large raid in Champagne along a 1200 yards front, destroying German defenses and taking 100 prisoners.
New Zealand troops in France at Requiem Mass to honour their fallen comrades: © IWM (Q 69156): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...475393578663936
Wounded British soldiers on a hospital barge on the Lys River near Aire-sur-la-Lys, France: © IWM (Q 10664): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...671668324556801

Naval and Overseas Operations
Western Mediterranean: U-35 lands 2 agents and it is also claimed 12 cases of anthrax germs hidden in sugar cubes (immediately seized) off Cartagena, Spain. The anthrax shipment, if it existed, was destined for Argentina as part of an alleged plot to destroy livestock in neutral countries that was being supplied to the Allies.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
British troops advance at Mukhmas, north-east of Jerusalem; line advanced two miles on six mile front.

Political, etc
Russia: Red Army declared a Volunteer force, commanders to get 4 months basic training at four cities.
Soldiers of the new Red Army: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...armee.jpg?ssl=1
On 24 January 1918 (old style) the Council of People's Commissars issued a decree that Wednesday, 31 January 1918, was to be followed by Thursday, 14 February 1918, thus dropping 13 days from the calendar.
France: Bolo Pasha and Filippo Cavallini condemned to death.
Canada: Death of Sir Cecil Sping Rice, British Ambassador, U.S., at Ottawa. Sir Cecil Spring Rice, also author of the poem “I Vow to Thee, My Country,”: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...762288019886080
Poland: Resignation of M. Jan Kucharzewski, Prime Minister, and Cabinet, Warsaw.
China: (Listed for yesterday): A magnitude 7.2 earthquake hits Shantou, China, resulting in over 1000 casualties: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...368429611900929
Switzerland: Exchange of prisoners between Austria-Hungary and the Allies take place, with several hundred POWs exchanged at Buchs, Switzerland.

15 February 1918
 

Eastern Front
Poland: General Stanislaw Haller and 5,000 men escape to Russia.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Third German destroyer raid by 11 German destroyers (2nd Flotilla) in Straits of Dover (night 15th/16th) (see April 20th, 1917) British trawler and seven drifters sunk in Straits of Dover; 4 more vessels damaged. No retaliation due to Royal Navy misreading of Dover Patrol signals.
Submarine shells Dover, one killed, seven injured.
U-55 last High Seas Fleet U-boat to use Dover Straits on February 18.
Representatives of Allied Governments arrange establishment of the "Allied Maritime Transport Council" (see December 3rd, 1917 and March 11th, 1918).
German destroyers at sea: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...oerer.jpg?ssl=1
Mozambique: In Coastal area British column from Port Amelia approaching Meza.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Jan Smuts cables that Edmund Allenby should have 2 divisions from Mesopotamia for 1918 offensive.
Persia: Lionel Dunsterville and armored car leave Hamadan for Enzeli on Caspian Sea (arrives February 17). Last Russians evacuate Meshed in east, 176 British soldiers replace them on March 14.

Political, etc
United States: U.S. Government takes over complete control of foreign trade.
U.S. government threatens striking shipbuilders that their draft exemptions will be revoked if they do not go back to work.

16 February 1918
 

Western Front
England: Moonlight raid on London. Giant R12 (Seydlitz-Gerstenburg) rams balloon aprox. 10,000ft over Woolwich and plunges 1,000ft, inadvertently dropping two 660lb bombs and injuring air mechanic; remaining bombs jettisoned at Beckenham, and before return to Belgian base. R39 drops first 2,204lb bomb (largest of war) delivered to England, destroys Northern Pavilion of Chelsea Hospital. 1 (or 2) Giants ineffectually raid Dover (night February 16-17); 60 defence sorties (3 brief attacks)
An unsubstantiated claim that one German machine goes down (This might refer to the aircraft that collided with the barrage balloon). Twelve killed, 6 injured.
Sighting of damage after a German air raid on England: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...griff.jpg?ssl=1
British Intelligence issue appreciation on imminence of German offensive.
France: Royal Flying Corps No 101 Squadron (FE2bs) begin night bombing of German airfields and rest billets (February 19, 21, 24 and 25). McCudden is again credited with 4 victories.
Ferdinand Foch aiming at Philippe Petain’s removal (Fayolle diary and on February 26). US Army Supply Services open at Tours.
Fighting in Cambrai section.
Women of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry attending to their ambulances at St. Omer, France: © IWM (Q 10700): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...187586838368256
A British soldier looks across the devastated landscape of Ypres, with a destroyed Mark IV Tank in the background. © IWM (Q 10709): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...202692968173568
Australian troops setting up camouflage screen over their trenches at Messines: © IWM (E (AUS) 4543): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...461897440464898

Eastern Front
Brest-Litovsk: Germans declare Armistice with Russia will end noon February 18.

Political, etc
Lithuania: Lithuania declares independence.
United Kingdom: Sir William Robertson, the British Chief of the Imperial General Staff, announces his resignation due to conflicts with Premier Lloyd George on how to conduct the war: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...492114120802305
Sir Henry Wilson succeeds Sir William Robertson as Chief of Imperial Staff.
Canada: Canadian children playing tug-of-war in the snow in Toronto: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...523537393508352

17 February 1918
 

Western Front
Britain: Air raid on London: 21 killed, 32 injured. Giant R25 bombs St Pancras Station and hotel (42 casualties of the total 53) in solo London raid (night February 17-18), engaged by only 3 of 69 defence sorties (1 fatal crash).
Zeppelin Staaken R25 Giant bomber in flight: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...168-1.jpg?ssl=1
Germany: Solid cloud cover with rain forces 12 DH4s of No 55 squadron to end mission against Mannheim chemical works. One ton of bombs dropped in and near Metz.
French troops training to fire a Chauchat light machine gun while advancing: © IWM (Q 57005): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...855724760281089
British Bristol fighters in formation after taking off from Serny aerodrome, France: © IWM (Q 12055): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...885922637598720

Eastern Front
Finish Civil War: (until May 15): 80 Finn Jägers land from Germany with 44,000 rifles, 65 MGs and some guns; 1,130 more Jägers land on February 25.
Ukraine: Rada appeals for German help against Red invasion.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Persia: General Lionel Dunsterville's Mission reaches Enzeli (see May 21st, 1915, January 27th and April 1st, 1918).

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Count Károly Khuen-Héderváry, the former Prime Minister of Hungary, passed away: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...825523489771520
Germany: Carl Hoffmann diary ‘The whole of Russia is … a vast heap of maggots’.
Hindenburg memo to Chancellor; no more strikes, SDP and unions must condemn or be judged traitors.
Russia: Central Executive Committee of Bolshevik Party rejects Lenin’s proposal to accept German peace terms.

18 February 1918
 

Western Front
Germany: 8 FE2s (1 lost) of No 100 Squadron bomb Trier, start fire at central station; town receives 3 British raids (February 18-19, 2 day and 1 at night). Damaging FE2 raid on Thionville blast furnaces and gasworks.
France: Germans bomb Calais causing false alert in southeast England, 55 sorties (night February 18-19) and 2,599 anti-aircraft shells.
Western Front, General: 95th Aero (Pursuit) Squadron arrives in France; first ‘homegrown’ US fighter unit, begins patrols on March 14.
A South African soldier with “Nancy,” a Springbok mascot of the 4th South African Regiment, at a memorial service at Delville Wood: © IWM (Q 10675): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...165255767875585
Champagne: German troops raid French lines, but are thrown back and 30 prisoners are captured by the French.

Eastern Front
Brest-Litovsk: Armistice terminates on Russian front. Hostilities resumed by German armies (see 10th and 19th).
Dvinsk taken by German forces; they continue march on Lutsk, advancing down railways 30 miles per day.
Ukraine: A second German army advances into Ukraine against Bolsheviks.
German soldiers pursue Red troops: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...-rote.jpg?ssl=1
Soviet lines, plagued by desertions and low morale, collapse under the Central Powers offensive.
Finish Civil War: Southern Finland now in hands of Bolsheviks.
General Mannerheim (commanding Constitutional forces, "White Guards") gathers an army together in the north.
German officers captured in the first American trench raid on the Western Front: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...916119445344256

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Russians evacuate Armenia.
Turks within eight miles of Trebizond.
Mesopotamia, Euphrates: British advance 14 miles from Ramadi to occupy Khan Abu Rayan and position 10 miles south of Hit.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Labour Ministry announces demobilization arrangements. Churchill attributes munitions increase to 12% bonus. Road Transport Control Board founded.
Finland: For Mannerheim Senate makes military training compulsory for men of age 21 to 40 (effective February 28).

19 February 1918
 

Western Front
British soldiers constructing an “elephant iron” shelter for a reserve line at Wieltje. Belgium: © IWM (Q 10267): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...279776641609729

Eastern Front
Germans advancing on whole line from Riga to Volhynia, enter Estonia and press towards Reval and Petrograd.
Seven German soldiers ‘capture’ 600 Cossacks. Carl Hoffmann radios leon Trotsky that acceptance of peace conditions must be in writing.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
British troops attack on 15-mile front east of Jerusalem; all objectives secured.
British now within eight miles of Jericho.
Turkish field guns in action with British troops in Palestine. On the left, a wounded gunner is taken away on a stretcher: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...fecht.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Austria-Hungary and Ukraine sign agreement by which Kholm district of Poland will not necessarily be included in Ukraine Republic.
Emperor Charles sends peace message for President Wilson to King of Spain via Madrid Ambassador (Royal Navy Room 40 intercept it on February 20 and King Alfonso receives on February 21, handed to President Wilson on February 25).
Russia: Russian Bolshevik Government notify willingness to sign Peace Treaty with Germany.
Land Nationalization decree published.
United Kingdom: General Sir Henry Rawlinson appointed British Army representative at Versailles. Premier defends arrangements re: latter.
Prince of Wales takes his seat in the Lords.

20 February 1918
 

Western Front
A horse-drawn artillery limber stuck in the mud near Ytres: © IWM (Q 8509): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...659776213508096
A German Friedrichshafen G-III bomber after it crashed behind British lines near Ytres: © IWM (Q 12155): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...674890350288898

Eastern Front
German armies still advancing towards Reval, Petrograd, Moscow and Kiev, meeting with little resistance, and occupy Hapsal and Minsk; have now taken over 1,500 guns and 9,000 PoWs.
Finish Civil War: German troops reach Finland to reinforce White Guard.
German troops enter a Russian city: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...uppen.jpg?ssl=1

Southern Front
Great bombing raids from both sides; Venice, Padua, etc., again bombed.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Baltic: Germans form task force at Kiel of 3 battleships, 3 cruisers and 4 torpedo boats (Rear-Admiral Hugo Meurer) to support Finland intervention.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: British troops north of Jerusalem advance on four-mile front on Shechem road; within four miles of Jericho.
Mesopotamia: Khan Abu Rayan occupied by British patrols within ten miles of Hit.
Persia: Lionel Dunsterville leaves Enzeli for Hamadan just before 3,000 Reds land from Baku to arrest him. He cables CIGS on February 26, that a brigade will secure British interests.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: British Foreign Minister (Mr. Arthur Balfour) informs Polish National Committee that Great Britain does not accept the treaty between The Ukraine and Central Powers (see 9th, January 10th and June 3rd).
Inter-Allied Labour and Socialist Conference meets at Westminster.

21 February 1918
 

Western Front
France: George Patton writes from Langres ‘… I get requests … to transfer into tanks nearly daily’.
A cave entrance used as a barrack for French troops near Couverelle: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...022176821346304

Eastern Front
Russia: Vladimir Lenin asks Sverdlov to form Revolutionary Defence Committee against Germans who take Rechitsa west of Gomel.
German forces capture the city of Minsk from Soviet Russia. Total number of Russians captured in the offensive reach 9000, along with 1353 artillery guns.
Don: Lavr Kornilov’s 3000-strong Volunteer Army evacuates Rostov in night February 21-22, as several Red columns converge on it.
Finish Civil War: Finnish Whites defeat the Red forces at Varkaus, thus securing northern Finland for the White forces. Around 180 captured Red forces are executed.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: King George V visits Harwich Force (new flagship cruiser Curacoa).
Adriatic: Austrian U-23 sunk by Italian torpedo boat Airone off Valona.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Jericho taken by British forces (19th/21st).
Captured Ottoman trenches, with the Dead Sea in the background: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...282647260581888
British established on line of the Jordan to east and Auja to north, threatening Hejaz railway.

Political, etc
Germany: Main Committee of German Reichstag adopts peace treaty with the Ukraine.
New peace terms for Russia formulated by Germany.
Government accepts Finn request for intervention.
United Kingdom: A view of a British Humber aeroplane factory: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...007079382155264
United States: US Tank Corps recruiting poster: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...tanks.jpg?ssl=1

22 February 1918
 

Western Front
Flanders: German trench raid on Ypres-Staden line.
A group of Stormtroop soldiers before deployment: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...uppen.jpg?ssl=1

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Retreat of Turks beyond River Jordan.
Yemen: 4 Royal Navy Air Service seaplanes from carrier City of Oxford scout, photo and bomb Turkish positions near Loheia until February 28 giving the Idris’s men footing in the hills; more air operations over Maidi (March 19-22).

Political, etc
United States: The Carolina Parakeet, a parrot native to the Midwest and Eastern U.S., goes extinct when the last specimen in captivity dies: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...343048128073728

It is a bit sad thinking of the number of species that have gone extinct like the Carolina Parakeet. Especially since so many weren't harmful to anyone. Now why couldn't it have picked the Japanese Beetle or mice or something that is not terribly beneficial to man? Oh well, I guess we play the cards we're dealt. :(

23 February 1918
 

Western Front
Aisne: Franco-American trench raid over river Ailette, capturing 22 Germans and 1 machine gun.
Men of the Royal Flying Corps making a mosaic of aerial photographs taken over German lines: © IWM (Q 8533): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...689140531187712
Black Watch soldiers held up as a German shell explodes just ahead of them near Monchy: © IWM (Q 10699): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...734450506727425

Eastern Front
German General Max Hoffmann on the speed of the Central Powers offensive against Soviet Russia: “It is the most comical war I have ever known.”
Finish Civil War: Carl Mannerheim’s ‘Karelian’ order of the day against Vladimir Lenin. Bolsheviks agree to evacuate all Russian’ forces.

Southern Front
Italian civilians viewing the wreckage of a Sopwith Camel fighter aircraft after it crash landed: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...704246115700737

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Patrol activity on wide front north of Jerusalem, east of Jericho.
Mesopotamia: 3-10 Royal Flying Corps aircraft bomb Turkish camps and airfield in Hit area (until February 27) forcing German air unit back to Haditha.
The German fighter ace Buddecke was flying for the Turks and received the Pour le Merite: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...decke.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
Germany: German peace terms with Russia become stiffer: Central Powers now demand from Russia the ceding of the Baltic Countries, Poland, and Ukraine, as well as commercial concessions.
Adolphus Frederick VI, the last reigning grand duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, commits suicide: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...052719751094272
Russia: (Listed for yesterday): Soviet Russia publishes the decree “The Socialist Fatherland is in Danger!” to urge its citizens to resist the Central Powers offensive.
United Kingdom: Inter-Allied Labour and Socialist Conference in London pass resolution as to War Aims. After endorsing and quoting in full the resolution of the first Inter-Allied Socialist conference, the memorandum planned post war from a "supernational authority" in the form of a League of Nations, which would have the power to enforce the decisions of a World Court regarding international disputes and conduct elections for the purpose of national self-determination. There would also be an International Legislature in which each "civilised state would have their alloted share" that would pass binding international law. This implied a complete democratisation of all existing states including removal of "arbitrary powers", elected parliaments, publication of all treaties, abolition of secret diplomacy and the responsibility of foreign policy to the legislature. Other elements included the abolition of compulsory military service in all countries, concerted disarmament and the nationalization of defense industries.
Airplanes nearing completion at a Wolseley factory: © IWM (Q 69711): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...067822131163137
Romania: Richard von Kühlmann and Ottokar von Czernin arrive at Bucharest to negotiate with Romania.
United States: Men of the 77th Division parading in the snow in New York City before sailing to the front in Europe: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...719377453256705

24 February 1918
 

Eastern Front
Estonia: Germans take Borisov and Dorpat with 3,000 PoWs. Estonian Provisional Government forms in Reval, proclaims independent republic.
Novocherkask, capital of Don Cossack territory, in Bolshevik hands. Ataman Nazarov shot; 1,500 Cossacks follow Whites.
German soldiers in action on the Eastern front: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...-1918.jpg?ssl=1

Naval and Overseas Operations
German raider Wolf returns to Germany after 15 months' absence, having sunk 11 vessels, 33,000 tonnage. (see December 1st, 1916): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...464171876085761
Roger Keyes submits Zeebrugge Raid plan, Admiralty approves.
SS Florizel, a Newfoundland passenger ship, strikes a reef and sinks, resulting in 94 deaths: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...339591807176704

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Armenia: Trebizond retaken by Turkish forces (see April 17th, 1916); Turkish 36th Division nearing Erzerum on February 25.

Political, etc
Germany: (Listed for yesterday): Arthur Scherbius applies for a patent in Germany for the mechanical cipher Enigma machine: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...082937475895297
Russia: Russia accepts German terms of peace after Central Executive Committee of Bolshevik Party votes 116-85 for Lenin after he threatens resignation.
Estonia: The Estonian Salvation Committee publishes the declaration of independence of Estonia from Russia: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...373570123943937
Japan: Count Ichiro Motono states if Russia concludes separate peace Japan will take decided and adequate steps to meet occasion.

Shridan, WY - Douglas Fairbanks stars in “The Modern Musketeer,” today only at the Orpheum theater. Admission is 10 and 20 cents for the matinee, 10 and 25 cents for the night shows.

Interesting tidbit jseal. Theatre prices just ain't what they used to be. :( Too bad. :)

Nice tidbit, jseal.

25 February 1918
 

Western Front
American troops in France going to the Western Front: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...796358638899200

Eastern Front
Pernau, Reval, and Pskov taken by German forces (see 18th).
Peace negotiations begun at Bukharest (see 6th, and March 5th).
German soldiers take an abandoned Russian armored car: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...wagen.jpg?ssl=1
Ukraine: Germans reach Zhitomir, temporary capital of Ukraine Republic.
Finish Civil War: Carl Mannerheim has 14,000 troops as 20,000 Reds attack towards Haapamaki and in Karelia (2000 Whites there).

Southern Front
Italy: Austro-Hungarians bomb Venice, Castelfranco and Mestre, resulting in 5 deaths and 12 injuries.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Baltic: Russians scuttle 11 submarines at Reval to avoid capture, cruiser Admiral Makarov last ship to leave after German cyclists ride in. Red evacuation (5 cruisers, 8 submarines, 12 minesweepers and 31 auxiliaries take 4,000 refugees) despite thick ice.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Persia: Kirmanshah occupied by British forces (see March 11th, 1917).
Palestine: Otto von Liman replaces Erich von Falkenhayn as Turk C-in-C.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: British Government inform M. Tonisson that they are prepared provisionally to recognise the independence of Estonia until the future status of Estonia is settled by the Peace Congress (see January 13th and November 11th).
Meat (2 oz per adult per week) bacon and ham (4 oz per head per week), butter and margarine (5 or 6 oz per head per week) rationing for London and Home Counties affects 10 million people, German PoWs including from February 26; queues vanish.
Poland: Military Convention signed at Bobruisk between Germany and Poland.

26 February 1918
 

Western Front
Germany: Royal Flying Corps night bombers destroy 100-yard-long hangar at Frescaty airfield near Metz (night February 26-27).
Western Front, General: 2nd Balloon Coy first US Air Service unit to give direct support to US front-line troops.
A French Eclaireur Zodiac Class airship near Boulogne-sur-Mer: © IWM (Q 58519): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...826555794788354

Eastern Front
Brest-Litovsk: Soviet delegates return. Arrival of the Soviet delegation at Brest-Litovsk: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...towsk.jpg?ssl=1
Finish Civil War: Major-General Count Gustav von der Goltz put in command of 12th Landwehr or Baltic Division for projected German Finland intervention.

Southern Front
Austro-Hungarian Gotha bombers fly damaging 8-hour raid over Venice (night February 26-27).

Naval and Overseas Operations
British hospital ship Glenart Castle sunk by submarine UC-56 (commander Kapitänleutnant Wilhelm Kiesewetter) in the Bristol Channel (see March 1st, 1917). Two sources claim 162 lives lost, another says “only” 95 were killed.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Patrols reach Rujm el Bahr (at northern end of Dead Sea, two miles east of mouth of Jordan).

Political, etc
Russia: Foreign ambassadors in Petrograd prepare to leave the city as the German offensive continues to advance towards the Soviet capital.
Ireland: “Lawlessness” in Ireland; additional troops sent to aid police. British government announces it has declared martial law in Country Clare.
China: Spectator stands at the Happy Valley racecourse in Hong Kong collapses, resulting in a fire that kills around 600 people. It is the worst fire accident in Hong Kong's history: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...080727127527424

27 February 1918
 

Western Front
Flanders: Big British trench raid in Houthulst Forest
British troops carrying statues and relics from the Church of Saint Vaast in Armentieres to save them from shelling: © IWM (Q 8544): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...186434787168256

Eastern Front
Ukraine: Ukraine Central Soviet accepts treaty concluded with Germany by the Rada.

Political, etc
Germany: Erich Ludendorff and Kaiser Wilhelm II first see the A7V German tank (crew on February 16) and captured British Mk IV tanks. The majority of the crew of the A7V rides on the tank during traveling without any combat conditions: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...7V-01.jpg?ssl=1
United Kingdom: War Cabinet agree aircraft priority for Western Front, but anti-aircraft guns first to home defence.
Japan: Japan proposes military action in Serbia.
Romania: German peace terms’ ultimatum sent to Romanian Govt at Jassy.

28 February 1918
 

Western Front
Aisne: “Repulse” of German “attack” near Chavigeron (north-east of Soissons).
Germany: General preparation period including training for 56 divisions over, now 180 divisions in West (6 arrive in February).
France: French order first (of 970) self-propelled guns (Renault 75mm).
British troops carry out two raids against German lines in France and Flanders, taking 24 prisoners and 3 machine guns. During February BEF take 312 German PoWs.
The damaged streets of Armentieres, France: © IWM (Q 8540): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...458225128562688
A Canadian soldier giving his dog a bath: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...548833717293056
A member of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry does maintenance on her ambulance, while members of the Chinese Labor Corps in the background at Saint-Omer, France: © IWM (Q 11557): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...805510882480130

Eastern Front
Ukraine: Continued German advance in the Ukraine, and reach river Dnieper near Mosyr: armed Pripet flotilla captured.
Austro-Hungarians invade the Ukraine north of the Pruth River. Around 10,000 Russian troops are captured.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Allied and neutral shipping losses to U-boats during February: 115 ships (68 British with 697 lives) worth 318,174t (British 226,896t). U-boat figure 138 ships worth 335,202t including 37 ships of 84,118t in Mediterranean or 574t per U-boat day on sea, highest since May 1917.
Adriatic: Admiral Maksimilijan Njegovan resigns as Austrian C-in-C to facilitate ‘rejuvenation’ of command
U-boat at sea. By 1918, the submarines had taken on a size and shape that also triggered the ‘Battle of the Atlantic’ of World War II: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...-1918.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Grant of £25,000 to Lady Maude.
Serbia: Resignation of M. Nikola Pashich and Serbian Cabinet.

1 March 1918
 

Western Front
Champagne: Germans recapture trenches south-west of Butte de Mesnil, but fail in local attacks elsewhere in Champagne and near Reims.
Verdun: Big German raids at Haucourt and Seicheprey (Lorraine), the latter against Americans.
France: In March French Army receives first Renault FT-17 light tanks. The French FT-17 was the first tank to have a revolving turret and was designed in 1917: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...647-1.jpg?ssl=1
Read more at https://ww2-weapons.com/diary-march...337GyFxbeUih.99
Britain: BEF strength 1,886,073 (including 293,264 Empire troops) plus 118,427 laborers and non-combatants.
Flanders: German trench raids, especially on Portuguese Sector near Neuve Chapelle (Portuguese counterattack succeeds on March 9).
Near Houtholst Forest, Belgium, English and Scottish troops raid and penetrate German lines to a depth of 1200 yards, taking 14 prisoners.
Artois-Somme: German final preparations (until March 14) begin with advance parties moving up until March 5.
Field Marshal Haig, the commander of the British Expeditionary Force, with General Currie, the commander of the Canadian Corps, on the Western Front: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...867188571598849
An automobile stuck under the rubble in Bethune, France: © IWM (Q 10708): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...897396985028608

Eastern Front
Germans occupy Polotsk, Bobruisk, Gomel and Mohilev (old STAVKA headquarter). During March 11 German divisions leave for Western Front.

Naval and Overseas Operations
H.M.S. Calgarian, armed merchant cruiser, torpedoed and sunk off Irish coast; 21 officers, 46 men lost.
Atlantic: In March top all-time U-boat ace Lothar von Arnauld recalled from Mediterranean to command new U-cruiser U-139 in which he sinks another 6 ships worth 7,208t.
Mediterranean: During march average of 10 U-boats at Sea.
Channel: In March 29 U-boats transit through Dover Barrage (Coastal submarine UB-54 lost on March 19).
Britain: Canadian physicist R W Boyle obtains echoes from Harwich submarine at 500 yards (inboard sets achieve up to 300 yards by Armistice).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Otto Liman orders XX Corps to recross river Jordan (March 3-4) plus 11th Div (from Armenia) down from Damascus. 38th Jewish Brigade lands in Egypt.
Mesopotamia: Ex-RNAS Armored Car Squadron lands at Basra to be Duncars (24 Austins).

Political, etc
Germany: German Army refuses to supply Bulgarian Army with munitions and clothing.
Russia: Robert Lockhart first sees Lenin, says Allied help acceptable against more German aggression. Trotsky cables Murmansk to accept ‘any and all (Allied) assistance’.
Turkey: Field Army (all fronts) only 200,000 strong. German Ambassador Count Johann von Bernstorff writes ‘Only Liman can pull off victory’.
United States: Woodrow Wilson approves Japanese action in Siberia, will send separate invitation until March 2 but rethinks on March 5.
Finland: Treaty of Peace and Amity signed between the Finnish Social Republic of Workmen and the Russian Federal Soviet Republic.
Switzerland: Fat and butter rationing cards.

2 March 1918
 

Western Front
Many German raids on British lines.
A group of wounded veterans at a Red Cross Hospital in France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...278667191930880
69th regiment New York National Guard “The Fightin Irish” marching to the trenches at St. Clement, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...595789944217602

Eastern Front
Ukraine: Kiev captured by German forces (see December 20th), and continued advance of Austrians.
Central Powers offensive against Soviet Russia reach the Dnieper river near the city of Rechytsa (Belarus).

Naval and Overseas Operations
German force landed in the Aaland islands at request of Finnish Government (see 3rd). *900 Jaegers transported from Danzig.
German troops landing on Aaland islands: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...lands.jpg?ssl=1
British submarine HMS H.5 is mistaken for a German U-boat and rammed by a British merchantman, killing all of the submarine’s crew.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: British (53rd Welsh Division) advance on 12-mile front astride Jerusalem-Nablus road.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Prince Mirko of Montenegro, the 2nd son of Kinch Nicholas I of Montenegro, passed away while in Vienna: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...535340204654592
Russia: Leon Trotsky orders old Russian Army‘s demobilization.
Romania: Romania agrees to negotiate for peace on basis of Central Powers’ demands.
United States: A U.S. Boy Scout wearing a gas mask: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...293770914254848

3 March 1918
 

Western Front
Great raiding activity by British.
Germany carries out multiple raids against Allied lines in France as it prepares for its spring offensive.
A British soldier in the ruins of the cathedral of St. Vaas at Arras. © IWM (Q 8704): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...641074842009600

Eastern Front
Brest-Litovsk: The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk is concluded between Central Powers, Bulgaria and Turkey at Brest-Litovsk and the Soviet Revolutionary Government, ending hostilities between Russia and the Central Powers. Germany becomes free to transfer forces from the Eastern to the Western Fronts and to participate in a major offensive in the West, timed to take place later in the month. Russia renounces Baltic States, Poland, Belorussia, Finland and three Armenian districts to Turkey; 630,000 Austrian PoWs to come home.
Signature of the peace treaty of Best-Litovsk: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...towsk.jpg?ssl=1
Estonia: German Eighth Army occupies Narva (c.85 miles west of Petrograd) after routing 1,600 Red Guards and sailors, have captured 17,000 Russians and 1500 guns for 109 casualties since February 18. Max Hoffmann orders advance to halt except in the Ukraine.
Ukraine: (Listed for yesterday): German troops enter the Ukrainian capital city of Kiev, one day after the Bolshevik forces were driven out by the Ukrainians: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...625991529328640
Finish Civil War: Red Guard offensive fixed for March 9.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Russia: Central Powers’ Diktat at Brest-Litovsk strips Russia of all Baltic naval bases except Kronstadt; also Odessa and Nikolayev stipulates disarmament and detention of Russian warships in these ports pending general peace.
North Sea: First mine of Northern Barrage laid in Area B up to 50 miles from Orkney.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: British advance continued, reaching maximum of 3,000 yards.
Persia: Meshed occupied by troops of British East Persia Cordon. [Approximate date.]

Political, etc
Germany: Reinhard Goering’s play Seeschlacht (Sea Battle) opens at Berlin. Kaiser orders flags in every city and day off school to celebrate peace with Russia.
A war paintings exhibition in Munich, Germany, with the portrait of Emperor Charles I of Austria-Hungary in the foreground: © IWM (Q 112585): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...927928195829760
Southern Russia: Terek Cossack Soviet Republic declared.
Turkey: Muslims of Samsun massacre all Armenians. (note: I think this is a mistake; while the persecutions of Armenians did amount to genocide, there were also programs/repressions/massacres/genocides of other ethnic groups. Notably, Samsun, prior to the First World War, had a large minority population of Greeks, and there are several references to the Greek population being massacred/deported in 1916/1917.)
Sweden: German Government notify Swedish Government of occupation of the Aaland Islands (see 2nd).

4 March 1918
 

Western Front
Continued raiding by both sides, including an important enterprise by the French at Les Eparges. French claim to advance on a 1200-metre line and take 150 German prisoners.
US 94th Aero (Pursuit) Squadron arrives (flies first US recon petrol over German lines on March 19), is joined by future top ace Rickenbacker.
US fighter ace Edward Rickenbacker, a renowned racing driver, will become with 26 victories top-scoring American pilot of the war: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...acker.jpg?ssl=1
Britain: DH10 (‘Amiens’) heavy bomber first flies. 8,403 women employed in Royal Flying Corps.
British Intelligence Staff Officers questions 2 German deserters (on right) at Ranchicourt, France: © IWM (Q 10715): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...276437256175617
A disabled Serbian veteran with a prosthetic arm working at an orthopedic center at Lyon, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...365802238103554

Eastern Front
Germans claim capture of 6,000 officers, 57,000 men, 2,600 guns, 5,000 machine-guns, and 500 planes since February 18, in recent invasion.

Southern Front
Italy: Austro-Hungarians bomb Venice for 8 hours (300 bombs) but lose 13 aircraft, also attack Padua, Mestre and Treviso; (early March). German Jastas 1, 31 and 39 return to Western Front (for “Ludendorff” Offensive).

Naval and Overseas Operations
Atlantic: Mysterious disappearance of ocean-going collier USS Cyclops en route Barbados-Baltimore with 10,800t Brazilian manganese (309 dead). It is the largest US Navy loss in history not related to combat: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...335599906447361

Political, etc
Russia: Supreme Military Soviet formed at Petrograd.
Romania: Romania also declares it is ready to negotiate a formal peace with the Central Powers.
United States: The first known case of the so-called Spanish flu was first observed at Fort Riley, Kansas.
Finland: Order of the Cross of Liberty instituted at Carl Mannerheim’s suggestion.
Sweden: Sweden protests Germany’s decision to occupy the Åland Islands and intervene in the Finnish Civil War.

5 March 1918
 

Western Front
Germany: Germans introduce new ultrasecure 5-letter field cipher for “Ludendorff” Offensive, but French (Painvin) first solve c. April 4, break it on April 26; by May 29 only two-day delay in reading it.
Flanders: Belgian counter-attack north of Pervyse.


Eastern Front
Germans land on Aaland Islands at request of Finnish Government. The islands are now occupied by Finnish, Swedish, Russian, and German troops.
Northern Russia: 130 Royal Marines land at Murmansk (French cruiser Amiral Aube arrives at Royal Navy request on March 19).
Latvia: Erich von Falkenhayn (from Palestine) takes command of German Tenth Army for duration of war.

Southern Front
American Red Cross members gives out gifts to Italian soldiers in the frontline trenches in Italy: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...638836148695041

Political, etc
Russia: The Soviet Russian government moves its capital from Petrograd to the more defensible city of Moscow.
United Kingdom: Sir Eric Geddes reviews shipping situation in House of Commons.
Romania: Preliminary treaty of peace between Romania and the Central Powers, Bulgaria and Turkey signed at Buftea (see December 9th, 1917, and February 25th and May 7th, 1918). Dobruja ceded; Hungarian frontier to be ‘rectified’; 8 divisions to demobilize at once; Rumania to help Central Powers’ march on to Odessa and grant German trade privileges.
Romanian Prime-Minister Alexandru Marghiloman signing the treaty: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...arest.jpg?ssl=1
Finland: Carl Mannerheim cables Ludendorff, thanks Kaiser for weapons and insists on Finn command of German troops and non-interference (Hindenburg agrees on March 10).

More really good stuff! Thanks, gg!

6 March 1918
 

Western Front
Failure of German night attack on Belgians near Ramscapelle and Stuyvenskerke.
Unusual aerial activity on British front.
Royal Flying Corps night bombing of railways, airfields and ammo dump on 7 nights until March 20.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Further shipping-loss figures issued. War Cabinet gives 1917 Allied and neutral shipping losses, a 2,632,297t deficit.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arabia: Turks (including 703rd German battalion) retake Tafila from Zeid and drive him on to Shobek on March 7, but Arabs re-occupy Taftla on March 20.
German troops in Arabia: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...stine.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: The Austro-Hungarian Foreign Minister and German Foreign Secretary at Buftea, pursuant to the peace treaty with Romania: © IWM (Q 52806) : https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...729439293333506
Germany: Peace Treaty signed with Finland at Berlin.
Russia: 7th Bolshevik Congress renames Party Communist, majority vote for peace on March 8.
United Kingdom: Death of Mr. John Redmond.
United States: A German woman visiting her husband who is interned at an American concentration camp for enemy aliens at Angel Island, California: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...699239973060608

7 March 1918
 

Western Front
Airplane raid on Kent, Essex, Herts, Bedforshire and London; 23 killed, 39 injured;
3 of 6 ‘Giant’ bombers sent attack London (25 houses destroyed, night March 7-8) in moonless conditions; second 2,204lb bomb employed. 42 defence sorties killed 2 pilots in collision, no sightings. A claim that one Gotha was downed, but this cannot be verified
Occupied Belgium: Scheldewindeke Giant bomber base opens south of Ghent, probably first airfield with paved runways.
Five-engined Zeppelin Staaken ‘Giant’ bomber: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...XV-04.jpg?ssl=1
American soldiers with captured German flame throwers at Menil-la-Tour, France: © IWM (Q 94318): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...971017056342016
The ruins of Cloth Hall, a commercial building dating back to the 13th century, in Ypres: © IWM (Q 9938): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...001219647983616
A submerged British tank in the destroyed landscape near Ypres: © IWM (Q 8703): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...076726271987712

Naval and Overseas Operations
The SS Faith, the first concrete ship in the U.S., being constructed in California. Concrete ships were proposed to deal with lack of steel-making plants on the West Coast: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...061628816056322

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: British advance in Palestine, pressed continuously for some days, reaches maximum of three miles on front of 18.

Political, etc
Germany: Paul von Hindenburg persuades Kaiser invading Finland ‘healthy pressure’ on Reds. Hoffman diary ‘Our Bolshevik friends are now beginning to destroy the railways’.
United Kingdom: Vote of credit for £600,000,000. Estimated daily cost per day £6.75 million.
United States: A claim that Woodrow Wilson authorizes bronze Army medal DSM; however, AFAICT, the Distinguished Service Cross & Distinguished Service Medal were actually established on 2 January 1918.
Netherlands: Entente Note to Holland demanding unconditional use of Dutch shipping in ports of Allies (see 18th, and January 4th).

8 March 1918
 

Western Front
Failure of heavy local attacks on British near Ypres.
Big airplane raid by night on Paris; 13 killed, 50 injured; one Gotha downed. A second report add some detail: 60 Gotha bombers (1 lost) drop 92 bombs on Paris (59 casualties).
Underground kitchen 60 feet below the ground for the Gordon Highlanders near Arras: © IWM (Q 10713): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...354835776954373

Eastern Front
Ukraine: At Bakhmach, Czechoslovak Legion clash with German forces who are preventing their evacuation towards Siberia.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Irish Sea: German U-boat mine found off Walney Island (Lancashire). Mersey-laid mines found on March 9 and cleared by paddle-steamers in 48 hours.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: Royal Flying Corps bombs and strafes Turks retreating from Hit (until March 10), 225 bombs dropped.

Political, etc
Baltic: Duchy of Courland’s throne offered to Kaiser; Germans declare protectorate on March 15.
Germany: Admiral Otto von Diederichs, former German commander of the East Asia fleet and Chief of the Admiralty Staff, passed away: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...702185162616832
Russia: M. Georgy Chichérin appointed Russian Foreign Minister and M. Leon Trotsky appointed Minister for War (see November 8th, 1917).
Soviet poster: ‘Comrade Lenin is cleansing the world of dirt’, by sweeping away kings, priests and capitalists: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...-welt.jpg?ssl=1
France: Patriotic speech by M. Georges Clemenceau: Vote of confidence in Government.