100 years ago today

[Wilhelm]

The great offensive was surging ahead on the ground and in the air. 100 years ago today Captain Richthofen shot a triple.

Victory # 71 Mar. 27, 1918, Ancre, N. E. of Aveleux; Sopwith 1; H. W. Ransom (officer), killed.

Victory # 72 Mar. 27, 1918, near Foucaucourt; Bristol Fighter 2; Captain K. R. Kirkham, pilot, and Captain J. H. Hedley, observer, both made prisoner.

Victory # 73 Mar. 27, 1918, N. of Chuignolles; Bristol Fighter 2; Captain H. R. Child, pilot, alone, killed.

What a pilot!

[soldon]

Grosse Schlacht 28/3/18 - Martin Oswald oberschützer with 1st Bavarian Füssartillery Regiment after three days of fighting at the village of Bucquay (Bucquoy) finally captured the village.

[Wilhelm]

I would think after the capture there was not much left of the village. Any photos?

Manfred was flying today 100 years ago.

Victory # 74 Mar. 28, 1918, near Mericourt; Armstrong2; Second Lieutenant J. B. Taylor and Second Lieutenant E. Betley, both killed.

[Erickn]

Hi Wilhelm,

Here are a couple courtesy of Google Images. Good stuff Soldon. It is not over yet at Bucquoy. More fighting will take place over the next week.

[Erickn]

.

[soldon]

You surprise me Erickn - great to see pictures of Bucquay fighting, never expected anyone to have anything pictorial, you must have a good archive !
Today hundred years ago 29/3/1918 the Germans Long-Range artillery piece "Wilhelm's Gun" fired its most destructive shell on Paris, killing 88 worshippers and injuring at further 68, hitting the Church of St. Gervais, near the Louvre. Below is a illustration of where shells fell on Paris during its time within Wilhelm's Gun range 23 March - 9 August 1918.
The town of Albert had been evacuated a day before. German Foot Artillery (Württemberg Artillery ) take up positions before the town.

[Wilhelm]

Great stuff men. Keep it coming.

[Erickn]

Hi Soldon,

There were three of these huge railway mounted guns in the forest; the breech blew off when the second gun was fired. The third gun began firing towards Paris on 29 March.
The Morning Bulletin 100 years ago today, "Enemy Also Beaten by Franco-British Armies North-West from Noyon"

The Great War 1914-1918, Imperial War Museum, Google Images

[soldon]

I think the news story was premature or perhaps the journalist had taken a upbeat statement from Haig at face value, without checking. General Haig was well known for exaggerating victories and playing down defeats. My understanding is the British army was in head-long retreat, until they managed to re-establish the line 4/5th April. The report maybe referring to many successive positions temporarily taken up. Here's a battle calendar from a militärpaß belonging to a soldier Eduard Husser from 71 Armierungs Battaillon, it shows him from 25 - 31 March in pursuit fighting.

[soldon]

Hundred years ago - Young soldier Georg Müller 20 artillery man with Bayern Foot-artillery Regiment 3 - 2. Battery died 31 March 1918 in Bray near Albert. Killed as a result of wounds inflicted by shell splitters.

[Wilhelm]

Manfred brought down another English machine 100 years ago today.


Victory # 75 April 2, 1918, N. E. of Moreiul; R. E. 2; Second Lieutenant E. D. Jones, pilot, and Second Lieutenant R. F. Newton, observer, both killed.

[soldon]

Yesterday - Monday 2/4/18 - BBC Radio4 broadcast at 13.45pm a 15 minute programme "Voices of the First World War" "Operation Michael". From the BBC sound archives, British Army veterans of the battle gave their reminisces of the fighting. Is available on the internet for the next 28 days. The Germans were still advancing, taking prisoners. A press photo of English soldiers coming in, to captivity.

[soldon]

Hundred years ago - 4th & 5th April 1918 British Forces managed to re-establish the line. The German Advance had managed to create a salient 40 miles deep at its furthest, a tactical success, they were not able to hold on too. A musketeer Wilhelm Mösle with Infantry Regiment 127 lost his life in the Montdidier - Noyon line - 4th April 1918.

[Erickn]

Image of Bucquay crossroads 100 years ago today. 5 April 1918 marks another phase of the Western Offensive, the Battle of the Ancre. After the German Army advanced within the reach of vital railway junctions at Amiens some 40 miles, it demonstrated the Gentleman’s agreement between British and French commanders-in-chief Haig and Pe’tain would not work regarding each force to provide reserves and assistance if the other was attacked. On the 3rd of April, Allied Supreme War Council formally conferred the post of commander-in-chief on the Western Front to General Ferdinand Foch, responsible for controlling the strategic direction of all Allied armies, including the U.S.

“The Long, Long trail of the British Army in the Great War 1914-1918”, google image, Underwood and Underwood<O</O

[Erickn]

Here you go Wilhelm, Fokker DR.1. 477/17 MvR scored victories 67, 69-75, 77 & 78 according to this clip.