Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Local German attacks in La Clytte-Voormezeele sector repulsed; French and British positions re-established.
Germans gain small success at Albert.
Minor French success at Grivesnes, north-west of Montdidier.
French troops by a destroyed German A7V tank at the Villers-Bretonneux battlefield: © IWM (Q 55073): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...801450944856065
France: French ace Fonck in 5min 50sec (in Spad) destroys 6 German aircraft (again on September 26) over the Somme firing only 52 rounds.
Capitaine Rene Fonck was a master of deflection shooting and his sparing of ammunition bordering on the uncanny. His official victory score as a thoughtful and analytical fighter pilot was 75 at the end of the war, but he claimed 127 kills: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...Fonck.jpg?ssl=1
Allied Supreme War Council first discusses air policy. 3 of 4 ‘Giant’ bombers flying raids on coastal targets destroyed in crash-landings (fog).
British First Aid Nursing Yeomanry ambulance drivers attached to the Belgian Army at Calais: © IWM (Q 3257): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...893310862274561
British soldier talking with a French farmgirl at Rollencourt: © IWM (Q 3259): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...195310611189760
British 7th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers returning from the frontlines at Ancre: © IWM (Q 10952): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...225510954754050

Southern Front
Italians storm Monte Corno, in the Vallarsa (Upper Piave) during night; take 100 prisoners.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Belgium: Second blocking attack on Ostend fails. H.M.S. Vindictive sunk to block the harbor (see April 23rd).
There are several sources which claim: The attempt is partially successful, but smaller German ships continue to use the port: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...134896854609920
Since the port was only used by small ships (minesweepers, torpedo boats and coastal submarines) in the first place, the effect on German usage was nil. Thus, the claims of “partial success” must be discarded.
Channel: Troop transport Queen Alexandra rams and sinks coastal submarine UB-78 north of Cherbourg.

Political, etc
Ukraine: M. Ustemovich proclaimed President of The Ukraine; General Pavlo Skoropadski remains Hetman (see April 29th).
United Kingdom: Debate in House of Commons on General Maurice's letter; motion by Mr. Asquith defeated by large Government majority.
Portugal: Dr. da Silva Paes, elected Portuguese President (see December 28th, 1917 and December 14th, 1918).
Netherlands: Joint Trade Committee of Entente Powers formed in Holland.

__________________
On the kinkometer, my kink measures as a sine wave.

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: British eject Germans from front trench north-west of Albert.
Great activity of British bombing-machines on whole front.
French improve positions north of Kemmel village.
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders defending a position at the Lys Canal near Saint-Floris: © IWM (Q 6613): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...255705808031744
Occupied Belgium: 7 Handley Page bombers (1 lost) bomb Ostend in support of Royal Navy raid.
North Sea: Zeppelin L-62 blows up after attack by British flying boat.
Argonne: 1,000 German projectors fire 8t phosgene on French positions; 187 gassed (20 deaths).
Meuse: German gas attack (500 projectors) on US 26th Division in St Mihiel-Toul sector.
Lorraine: German gas attack (1,000 projectors) on French north of Parroy.

Naval and Overseas Operations
A German 17 cm Schnell-Ladekanone (fast loading gun) L/40, as it was used to defend Ostend: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...e-l40.jpg?ssl=1
Eastern Atlantic: 6 U-boats attempt to attack convoys (until May 25), only 2 succeed, 30 convoys pass through group’s area.
Britain: Eric Geddes proposes to Italian Ambassador Imperial an Allied Mediterranean ‘admiralissimo’, eg John Jellicoe, to settle command differences as on land, Lloyd George cables Clemenceau (May 13), Anglo-French agreement (May 17) but scheme founders at Supreme War Council (June 2) due to prolonged Italian objections.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: 6th Indian Cavalry Brigade, armored cars and 24 Ford vans drive Turkish 2nd Division north of river Little Zab 70 miles from Mosul.

__________________
On the kinkometer, my kink measures as a sine wave.

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Minor local actions on front; hostile artillery active in Ancre sector.
First ‘Liberty Plane’ (US-built DH4) reaches AEF.
A crashed French Spad biplane which was brought down by British friendly fire at Hazebrouck: © IWM (Q 10312): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...589148123140101
Ruined buildings in Amiens, France: © IWM (Q 3298): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...891142662631425

Eastern Front
Fighting between Bolsheviks and Anarchists in Moscow.
Conflicts at Kiev between German troops and supporters of Rada.

Southern Front
Italians retain Monte Corno against Austrian counter-attacks.
First of 12 RAF raids on Cattaro (only 4 Austrian Phoenix fighters, Italians bomb on May 12) and 7 on Durrazo (until August 31). U-boat Commander at former requests 2 squadrons of German fighters.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: (Listed for yesterday): German officers onboard the wreck of the HMS Vindictive, which was sunk in Ostend by the British in an attempt to block the harbor: © IWM (Q 58102): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...574050193264640
Atlantic: British submarine E.35 torpedoes and sinks U-154, a large cruiser U-boat in Atlantic in lat. of C. St. Vincent; the first submarine of this type to be destroyed.
The submarine cruiser U-154 was originally designed as a transport submarine and received later torpedo tubes and two 15-cm and two 8.8-cm guns: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...U-154.jpg?ssl=1
Mediterranean: German submarine SM UC-54 sinks the French troopship SS Sant Anna, causing more than 600 deaths. Another submarine, UC-52 sinks the Italian troopship SS Verona, causing 880 deaths.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arabia: Hejaz Railway: Arab regulars (+ 3 RAF planes) capture Jerdun Station with 140 PoWs, but another attack cut short by Turkish train arriving on May 17. Nasir destroys 2 stations to north (May 23-24) without loss. Partial Arab success against bridges 80 miles northwest of Medina on May 23.
Persia: Turks advance, occupy Uskner and Suj Bulak:- Enzeli on Caspian Sea being their objective.
Dunsterville cables Baghdad that Baku’s seizure possible, leaves Hamadan for Kazvin and Tehran visits (May 12-18).
Mesopotamia: General Marshall drives Turks over Lesser Zab river at Alton Keupri, 70 miles from Mosul.
Soldiers of the Australian 1st Cavalry Divisional Signal Squadron fording a river with their motorbikes near Kirkuk (Iraq) as they advance towards Mosul: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...619356888911872
Armenia: Peace Conference resumes at Batumi, Turkish delegates arrive (May 6) and demand Aleksandropol’s evacuation within 24 hours (May 14). Ludendorff gets Chancellor’s agreement to sending a few battalions from Crimea to Caucasus.

Political, etc
Germany: Peace signed in Berlin between Finland and Turkey.
Ukraine: Congress of Ukraine peasants demand land, etc.
United Kingdom: Sir Richard Keyes thanked by War Cabinet.
The King reviews American troops in London.
United States: (Listed for yesterday): US Post Office accidentally issues the “Inverted Jenny” stamp, which features an upside-down image of the Curtiss JN-4 airplane (the stamps go on auction for around $1 million today): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...558946974339073

__________________
On the kinkometer, my kink measures as a sine wave.

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Quiet on all sectors; artillery duel on right bank of Meuse.
Between 6-12 May R.A.F. contingents from Dunkirk attack Zeebrugge and Ostend continuously.
Mannock’s SE5a flight of No 74 Squadron claim 6 of 8 German fighters encountered, Mannock is credited with over 20 victories during May including 3 Pfalz fighters and a Hannover two-seater (May 21).
The top ace of the British fighter pilots ‘Mick’ Mannock is credited with 73 kills until the armistice, although he has lost one of his eyes: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...nnock.jpg?ssl=1
American soldiers returning from the trenches in Sommedieue, France. The large banners are meant to camouflage the street from aerial surveillance: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...951546608680962
South African Scottish Regiment soldiers cheering in Rouen, France: © IWM (Q 3274): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...315178504949761

Eastern Front
In eastern Siberia, Colonel Grigory Semenov's (also spelled Semyonov) forces, acting against Bolsheviks, move west from Manchurian border towards Lake Baikal.

Southern Front
British airmen make raids in Balkans and bomb aerodrome at Drama.
Naval base of Cattaro successfully bombed by Italians.

Naval and Overseas Operations
St George’s Channel: White Star liner and troopship Olympic (46,359t) rams and sinks U-103 after she summons 4 others to intercept convoys (coastal submarine UB-72 sunk by Royal Navy submarine D.4). Olympic in dazzle camouflage: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...283731807162368
Eastern Atlantic: ‘Invasion of St Kilda’: U-19 (Johann Spiess) shells remote Scottish Western Island’s only settlement; then lands armed party to shoot sheep.
Adriatic: Italian destroyers sink transport from Austrian convoy off Durazzo.
Mediterranean: British transport Omrah sunk by U-boat off Cape Spartivento (Sardinia); transports Leasowe Castle (99 lives lost; May 26) and Missir (44 lives lost; May 29) similarly sunk off Alexandria.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arabia: Successful Arab raids on Hejaz railway line and the Turkish defences round Maan.

Political, etc
Germany: The Kaiser and Emperor Charles confer at German headquarters. Military Treaty ("Waffenbund") signed between Germany and Austria-Hungary, includes economic cooperation especially in Ukraine; Charles agrees to major offensive in Italy; one draft of ‘Charles’ journey to Canossa’ extends political treaty to January 1, 1940.
United Kingdom: Return of Mr. Montagu from India.

__________________
On the kinkometer, my kink measures as a sine wave.

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: German artillery active on Lys and Somme battlefields; heavy rain throughout day.
Local fighting north of Kemmel.
It is announced that an Independent Air Force (IAF), under the command of Major General Sir Hugh Trenchard, will be formed from 6 Jun 1918. This is the first time that an Air Force had been formed for the express purpose of conducting a war, without reference or subordination to Army or Navy Commands.
The IAF is to operate by day and night against industrial targets in Germany and enemy aerodromes. In five months, the nine squadrons of the IAF, equipped with de Havilland DH4, DH9, and DH9A, Handley Page 0/400 and Royal Aircraft Factory FE2b bombers, with one squadron of Sopwith Camels for escort work, drop a total of 550 tons of bombs, 390 tons by night.
British soldier talking to French children in a ruined shop in Abbeville, France: © IWM (Q 3265):
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...330283384852480
British Machine Gun Corps practicing shooting at aeroplanes: © IWM (Q 3284): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...604607920459778
British, French, and American military policemen in front of a wrecked shop at Amiens: © IWM (Q 11142): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...634841247940608

Southern Front
Increased raids and bombing activity on Balkan front.
11 Austro-Hungarian planes claimed destroyed on Italian front.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Adriatic: Italian tracked naval torpedo motorboat (like a ‘tank’) Grillo (foiled May 6-7) crawls into Pola harbor, is discovered and scuttled to avoid capture, but Austrians raise her and build 2 similar craft (unfinished at Armistice). Early pair of Italian naval ‘tanks’ scuttled similarly (April 13).
Italian Grillo tracked torpedo motorboat: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...oboot.jpg?ssl=1
MAS raid on Trieste also fails (night May 14-15). British destroyer Phoenix sunk by Austrian U-27 in Otranto Straits.
Black Sea: On Moscow’s orders 14 Soviet destroyers sail from Sevastopol for Novorossisk, escaping Germans as do 4 more and 2 dreadnoughts (night May 14) under fire but Germans seize predreadnoughts and smaller vessels including ex-Turkish cruiser Medjidieh.

Political, etc
France: To unions’ surprise 40,301 Paris munition workers strike against war, 105,131 in 53 factories by May 14. Government impose news blackout, back to normal on May 21.
United Kingdom: Government announce policy denouncing all commercial treaties which contain "most favoured nation" clauses.
United States: War labor Policies Board appointed.
The Faith, the largest US ship made out of concrete, undergoes trials in San Francisco Bay. It is made of concrete to preserve steel: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...574425587154944
French “Blue Devils” (Chasseurs Alpin) visiting the White House and meeting President Wilson: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...665088823603200
L. Frank Baum releases “The Tin Woodman of Oz,” the 12th book in the Land of Oz series: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...695239758319618

__________________
On the kinkometer, my kink measures as a sine wave.

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Germans attack on a mile front south-west of Morlancourt; German troops take a hill from the French near Mount Kemmel but fail to advance against a British and (especially) Australian counter-attack near Morlancourt.
A British soldier helping another get out of a dugout at Lievin, France: © IWM (Q 6625): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...967081077182465

Eastern Front
Siberia: Czech 1st Division first clashes with Bolsheviks at Chelyabinsk (east of Urals) and seizes town.
The Czech Legion itook over the control of the Trans-Siberian Railway: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...egion.jpg?ssl=1

Southern Front
Great massing of Austro-German troops and artillery along Alpine lines and Friuli Plains for new offensive.

Naval and Overseas Operations
First million tons of ships ordered by U.S.A. on the seas.
Britain: Compulsory anti-submarine warfare training for Merchant Navy officers.
The Royal Navy destroyer HMS Phoenix, sunk yesterday by Austro-Hungarian submarine SM U-27. It is the only British warship sunk by the Austro-Hungarian Navy: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...998438243303424

Political, etc
Russia: Lenin’s Report on Foreign Policy to Central Executive Committee of Bolshevik Party and Moscow Soviet.
Lithuania: Kaiser proclamation declares Lithuania free and allied to Germany.
Canada: Prime Minister refuses farmers’ sons conscription exemption plea (10,226 drafted until November 22).

__________________
On the kinkometer, my kink measures as a sine wave.

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Heavy artillery fire on whole front; infantry actions locally.
North of Kemmel, French advance their line; capture a wood south of Hailles in Avre Valley.
Somme: US 1st Division ordered to capture Cantigny.
Aisne: 28 German assault divisors begin concentrating opposite Chemin des Dames (1,800 trains used).
British 8-inch BL howitzer in action at Wagonlieu in May 1918: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...-1918.jpg?ssl=1
Ruined belfry in Bethune, France destroyed by shelling: © IWM (Q 3293): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...058857800650752

Eastern Front
Finnish Civil War ends with Whites entering demolished and evacuated Russian Fort Ino.
Volga: Anarchists and Socialist Revolutionary (Russian peasant party) demonstrate in Tsaritsyn.

Southern Front
Reconnoitring raids on both sides along Italian front.
In Balkans ‘lively’ artillery actions near Lake Doiran; British airmen bomb depots near Seres.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: British cease reconnaissance of Fat-ha, 45 miles north of Tikrit.
Armenia: Vehip Pasha resumes Turkish offensive and occupies Aleksandropol.

Political, etc
France: "Bonnet Rouge" trial ends in Paris; Duval sentenced to death (executed July 17) for receiving c.£40,000 from Germans, other accused men imprisoned.
United Kingdom: Official account of Ostend raid issued.
Exports to US need British War Mission’s approval.
Italy: G Villa replaces General Dallolio (resigned) as Munitions Minister.
Portugal: Dr. S.B.C. da Paes, Portuguese Premier, resigns (see 16th, and December 10th, 1917).
China: Agreement between Entente Powers, Japan, and China against German penetration in Far East announced.

__________________
On the kinkometer, my kink measures as a sine wave.

In the "Western Front" section ... is the entry "Ruined belfry in Bethune, France ..."
kind of like "Blast in the belfry" instead of bats? Just askin'.

The entire continent of Europe probably had bats in the belfry to start the war in the first place. Unfortunately, as has been shown, most of the rest of the world soon demonstrated that their bats were just as good as Europe's.

__________________
On the kinkometer, my kink measures as a sine wave.

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Big-gun duel still in progress; few infantry actions; successful British raid near Beaumont Hamel (Ancre River).
Sharp air fights.
Saarbrucken raided by 12 DH4s (1 shot down, crew killed), shoot down 3 defending fighters. Direct hits on rail targets (61 casualties).
Germans mistakenly bomb hospitals at Hoogsbade and Calais.
French Aviation Res designated 1 st Air Division under General Duval reporting to Petain.
A fox mascot of the British No. 32 Squadron near St. Pol, France: © IWM (Q 12039): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...330627833253889
American 320 mm railway gun at Mailly, France firing against German positions: © IWM (Q 58198): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...360832710774784
A British soldier next to horses with gas masks during a drill at Mont St. Eloi: © IWM (Q 8795): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...665326870892544
A Scottish soldier posing next to a sign warning soldiers not to go beyond due to enemy fire: © IWM (Q 6621): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...726985694023680
French, American, and British troops with French civilians and children at Boulogne beach: © IWM (Q 10968): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...757185198788609


Eastern Front
Central Russia: Red Army revolt at Saratov on Volga.
German troops in Ukraine: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...raine.jpg?ssl=1
Southern Russia: General Pyotr Krasnov elected Ataman of Don Cossacks (replaces Popov) seeks arms and recognition from Germans in Ukraine (15 million roubles; 12,000 rifles; 46 guns and 89 MGs by July).

Naval and Overseas Operations
The torpedo boat destroyer USS Ward is launched 17 days after its keel was laid: © IWM (Q 110341): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...391042579615745

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Emperor Charles sacks Filed Marshal Eduard von Böhm-Ermolli for rowing with Germans, General Alfred Krauss from Italy takes over Ostarmee.
Subject Nationalities Congress in Prague: right-wing Czech Christian Democrats demand independence under federal monarchy (May 22).
United Kingdom: U.S. delegates received by King and Queen.
Penalties on excess food profits.
United States: The Sedition Act was passed in the United States, forbidding Americans from using "disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive language" about the United States government, flag, or armed forces during the ongoing World War I. Overman Act expands Presidents’ war powers on May 20.
US Postal Service starts its first airmail service between Washington DC-Philadelphia-New York. The first mail sent through the service: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...421251668369408
Finland: Carl Mannerheim leads 16,000 White Army victory parade through Helsinki (Germans only foreign observers): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...696782624215040
Portugal: Senhor J.T. de Souza Barboza, appointed Portuguese Secretary of the lnterior [The appointment of Premier lapsed between May 15th and December 23rd. During this period the functions of the office were performed by the Secretary of the Interior.] (see 15th and December 22nd).

__________________
On the kinkometer, my kink measures as a sine wave.

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Much artillery and aerial activity along front.
Metz station bombed by British airmen: Metz-Sablon main station, goods sheds and train hit by 12 DH4s of 55 Squadron (c.90 casualties). Later, 1 Handley Page and 10 F.E.2s (2 lost) attack Thionville (much damage, 35 killed) and Metz-Sablon (night May 17-18).
An F.E.2b prepares for a night mission: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...ssion.jpg?ssl=1

Southern Front
Albania: Franco-Italian troops drive back Austro-Huingarians west of Koritsa and advance 12 miles.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Western Mediterranean: French convoy escort Ailly sinks UC-35 (destroyed 42 ships worth 65,569t) with gunfire off Sardinia, Germans believe Q-ship the killer.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Arab troops raid Turkish post at Wadi Jerdun (Palestine) on Hejaz railway.
Mesopotamia: British mounted troops occupy Fatha on Tigris, 45 miles north of Tekrit; Turks retire north.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: All men born 1898 or 1899 called up.
Compulsory meatless day abolished. President of Board of Trade estimates half industry on war work, output below pre-war.
"Denaturalisation of Dangerous Aliens" Bill issued.
Ireland: Sinn Fein leaders arrested in Ireland and interned (see 25th): Sudden arrest of about 150 Sinn Fein leaders in Ireland for “plotting with Germany”. only Michael Collins and Cathal Brugha escape, but no prosecutions.
United States: New York City policemen riding a motorcycle with a machine gun: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...802490325757952

__________________
On the kinkometer, my kink measures as a sine wave.

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Successful raid by Australians west of Morlancourt; in the night they capture Ville-sur-Ancre, take 360 prisoners, 20 machine guns.
First British “retaliatory” air raid on German towns. Cologne bombed by day; 33 bombs dropped, from 6 No 55 Squadron DH4s; kill 110 people at Cologne (some panic on streets), which returning repulse 2 German formations, shoot down 2 fighters. Considerable building damage (est. RM 340,000). All British machines return safely.

Eastern Front
Alexandropol (Georgia) occupied by Turkish forces.

Southern Front
Air fights in Upper Adriatic, west of Pola, between Italian and Austrian seaplanes.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Western Mediterranean: Heavily damaged (by carrier Empress seaplane escorting convoy off Gibraltar) U-39 forced into Cartagena (Spain) where interned for duration of war (UC-56 likewise at Santander on May 24). French destroyer Catapulte sinks in collision with British SS Warrimoo off Bone, Algeria.
Seaplane carrier HMS Empress: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...press.jpg?ssl=1

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: CIGS agrees to postpone Tigris operations till mid-September, railway to be extended to Tikrit.
Armenia: Turkish 12th Division attacks south of river Aras against Gen Silikov’s 6,000-7,000 Armenians with 28 guns (until May 19), occupying Igdir while 5th Division captures two passes on Tiflis road (May 19).

Political, etc
France: Metal workers strikes ‘until peace’ (until May 28) in Loire Department; 3 infantry battalions, 9 cavalry squadrons, 560 gendarmes tied down. Mainly peaceful until police officers wounded on May 23. Clemenceau’s deputy PPS Barnier arrives on May 24; 43 union leaders arrested night May 25-26 and 73 workers drafted.
Ireland: Proclamation by Lord John French (Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland) re: pro-German conspiracy.

__________________
On the kinkometer, my kink measures as a sine wave.

Western Front
Last German night airplane raid on London in which casualties were inflicted; 49 killed and 177 wounded [There were altogether nineteen airplane raids on London during which bombs were dropped, and one air reconnaissance during which no bombs were dropped.] (see May 7th, July 7th and October 19th, 1917 and August 5th, 1918). This is the largest, last and costliest raid on London by bomber aircraft: 28 of 38 Gothas sent (6 lost, 1 crashes), 3 Giants with 600 (14.3t) bombs. British claims are anti-aircraft fire destroys 2 Gothas, and 88 defence sorties shoot down 3 Gothas in 11 interceptions.
The night of 19-20 May 1918 saw the last of the major night raids on England, when 28 G-type and 3 t-type bombers converged on London. Night-flying Sopwith Camels and S.E.5As, together with AA guns, brought down six of he intruders: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...i1918.jpg?ssl=1
Kaiserschlacht: British trench raid south-west of Meteren. French attack near Locre (Kemmel) bags 400 PoWs on May 20.
Heavy air fighting and many bombing raids behind German front.
France: Heavy German raids on railways and munition dumps (12,500t ammo destroyed until May 22) by Bogohl 6 (and on May 20-21); 935 further British soldiers wounded and nurses killed or injured in 15-plane Gotha raid (1 shot down) on Etaples military camp and hospital complex (key rail bridge, the real target was completely missed) (night May 19-20), repeated (night May 30-31, 47 casualties) when one span of bridge hit, but alternative soon in use (short breaks on June 30 and July 24).
Fayolle diary ‘… still discord between Petain and Foch. They … ought to be … one single man’.

Southern Front
At Capo Sile (north-east corner of Venetian Lagoons) Italian storming party captures and holds Austrian advanced positions.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Irish Sea: US destroyers Patterson and Allen depth charge and sink new coastal submarine UB-119 west of Cardigan Bay.
Mozambique: In East Africa General Edwards occupies Nanungu without opposition; Germans retire south-west towards Mahua.

Political, etc
China: Agreement signed between China and Japan for naval co-operation (see 16th).

__________________
On the kinkometer, my kink measures as a sine wave.

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: French carry out successful operation east and north-east of Locre, 400 prisoners; also big raid near Bermericourt, penetrating the German third line.
Local fighting north of Albert; successful operations north-west of Merville by a Surrey battalion.
Koblenz bombed.
French and British troops wearing gas masks patrolling the damaged streets of Bethune: © IWM (Q 11173): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...145071387201536
Streets in Bethune destroyed by German shelling: © IWM (Q 11163): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...176532525912066
British soldiers bathing in the river near Arras, France: © IWM (Q 8805): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...206728582856704

Eastern Front
Trotsky orders Czechs’ disarming by arrest or shooting.

Southern Front
British airmen bomb Cattaro, return undamaged.
Italian seaplanes bomb Durazzo and Lagosta (off Dalmatia).
An Italian seaplane is returning to its base: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...rueck.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: 2,000 troops of 6th Infantry Regiment at Pees mutiny against being sent to Front (especially returned Serb PoWs from Russia), seize arsenal and aided by armed miners but suppressed by 3 Honved regiments.
Russia: Central Executive Committee of Bolshevik Party “declares war” on Kulaks (rich peasants).
United Kingdom: Appeal to shipowners to provide extra emergency rafts. First minimum agricultural wage in force.
Finland: Pehr Svinhufvud and General Gustav von der Goltz agree on German-modelled 30,000-strong peacetime army with German troops remaining.

__________________
On the kinkometer, my kink measures as a sine wave.

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Hostile “counter-attack” (once again, probably just a raid, not a full counter-attack) north-west of Merville fails.
Successful British raids on Lys front and Arras district.
Mannheim, etc., heavily bombed by British airmen: 7 Handley Page bombers (1 lost) of No 216 Squadron RAF cause two-day plant closure at Oppau chemical works, Mannheim (direct hit on gas main). Rail workshops and locomotives hit at Karthaus. 13 F.E.2s of No 100 Squadron dislocate rail traffic at Saarbrücken (night May 21-22).
A Handley Page O/400 bomber: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...e-400.jpg?ssl=1
Raid on Paris by two Gothas, one downed.
Rumpler C-VII (Drechsel and Foell) flies daring 375-mile high-altitude undetected photo-reconnaissance sortie over London, returns safely to Tournai base.
Ernst Udet appointed Commander Jasta 4.

Eastern Front
Increasing unrest at Kiev; acts of terrorism ineffectually repressed by Germans.

Southern Front
2 SVA-5s of Italian 87th Squadriglia photograph Zeppelin works at Friedrichshafen (440-mile round trip).

Naval and Overseas Operations
French sailors manning a gun on a French Navy ship: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...236928708358144
Mozambique: General Edwards' troops come up with German-aligned forces’ rearguard nine miles south-west of Nanungu.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Armenia: Turkish 36th and 9th Divisions throw back Nazarbekov’s c.9,000 Armenians from Amamll Station until May 22; Antranik’s 2,000 Armenians make rearguard stand near Jelal-oglu from May 22-23.

Political, etc
Russia: SOVNARKOM starts peace talks with Hetman Skoropadski (of the Ukraine) on May 23.

__________________
On the kinkometer, my kink measures as a sine wave.