Western Front
French Army Mutinies: Because of the mutinies, the French high command became reluctant to initiate another major offensive. General Petain's strategy in late 1917 was to wait for the deployment of the American Expeditionary Forces and the introduction in battle of the new and highly effective Renault FT tanks. Hence his statement at the time: "J'attends les chars et les américains" (I am waiting for the tanks and the Americans). He had the support of Prime Minister Clemenceau, who told President Woodrow Wilson in June 1917 that France planned, "to wait for the Americans & meanwhile not lose more... I like Pétain... just because he won't attack."
Battle of Messines Ridge: Britain claims 7,432 German prisoners and 47 artillery guns were captured in the past 6 days in Flanders.
The first heavy daylight raid on London takes place when eighteen Gotha bombers of the German Army Air Corps attack the capital, causing 588 casualties, including 162 deaths (other sources vary these numbers slightly). Although a number of interceptions were made, no German aircraft were shot down by defending fighters. Gothas on return repel Bristol Fighter (observer mortally wounded), one of 94 defence sorties. Brandenburg awarded Pour le Merite but injured in crash (June 19) returning from Kreuznach. No 56 Fighter (SE5) Squadron temporarily withdrawn from France as a result (June 21 – July 5).
British soldiers on leave embarking for England at Boulogne-sur-Mer, France: © IWM (Q 80068):
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Southern Front
Trentino: Italian Offensive north of Asiago: Austro-Hungarian attack on Mt. Ortigara repulsed.
Thessaly: Trikala and Volo (Thessaly) occupied by Allies.
Naval and Overseas Operations
H.M.S.
Avenger, merchant cruiser, sunk by submarine.
Political, etc
France: Major-General Pershing arrives in France (see 8th and May 10th):
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A crowd gathers to greet the arrival of Lieutenant General Pershing: © IWM (Q 5508):
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5,000 women workers strike with red flags in Toulouse ammunition factory (until June 18), win 30-50% pay rise. 32 die in Renault Paris factory collapse.
United Kingdom: Serious explosion in munitions factory at Ashton-under-Lyne, resulting in 43 deaths and hundreds of injuries.
United States: Waldemar von Nostiz, writer for a German newspaper in Cleveland, Ohio, is arrested by federal agents for writing pro-German editorials.