Western Front
Battle of Arleux phase of the
Battle of Arras begins. Canadian 1st Division (c.1,000 casualties) capture village and 450 PoWs from German 111th Division in 2-hour, 1,000-yard advance despite numerous MG nests in three sunken roads, but, to south, 3 British divisions fail with heavy losses including 475 PoWs.
French advance towards Suippe valley (Champagne).
Royal Flying Corps loses 12 aircraft including 10 on contact patrols.
British troops on busses after capturing Monchy-le-Preux from the Germans. © IWM (Q 6235):
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...7765888/photo/1
Southern Front
Italian aviators drop thousands of translated copies of President Wilson’s war speech over Austro-Hungarian territory.
Naval and Overseas Operations
British imports in March decreased by £5.1 million, in part due to the German submarine warfare.
The tanker
S.S. Vacuum is torpedoed; one officer and nine men of U.S. Navy lost, 44 crew overall.
Political, etc
Germany: Interior Minister Reichstag speech claims over 1.6 million tons Allied shipping sunk in first 2 months, urges Germans to hold out.
Russia: Russian workers who were sent to the front as punishment for participating in the revolution are recalled by the Provisional Government.
France: PETAIN APPOINTED CHIEF OF FRENCH GENERAL STAFF; Paris anxious to restore confidence and apply a break to Aisne offensive without sacking Nivelle (Haig still supports); Fayolle to command Centre Army Group.
Henri Philippe Petain (1856-1951):
https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...etain.jpg?ssl=1
Soldier of the British Army Service Corps helping French women with farming. © IWM (Q 3947):
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...3401473/photo/1
United Kingdom: In a speech, Premier Lloyd George states victory is in sight and declares Ireland must be won over.
Turkey: (Listed for yesterday): Talaat Pasha, the Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire, states they will not seek territorial annexations after the war.
United States: Conscription decided: United States Congress pass Bill for drafting 500,000 men (see 6th and May 18th).
A mine explosion in Hastings, Colorado results in the deaths of 122 miners.
Children at the City Hall of New York City for an “Americanization rally”:
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...7985025/photo/1