Western Front
The General Officer Commanding of the Royal Flying Corps in France is informed that enemy raids on England are interrupting munitions production and is tasked to undertake immediate action against German objectives that could be reached from Nancy. In response, the 41st Wing is formed to undertake independent bombing operations against targets inside Germany.
A row of tethered balloons holding a wire barrage in front of London, designed to slice through the wings of any aircraft whose crew failed to spot the wires in time:
https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...ondon.jpg?ssl=1
Third Battle of Ypres: Five powerful German attacks repulsed between Ypres-Menin road and Polygon Wood and at Zonnebeke. British take 4,446 PoWs from October 1-5 (King George cables congratulations on October 5).
Verdun: Between Chaume Wood and Bezonvaux German success. German advance between Chaume Wood and Bezonvaux. French launch repeated counter-attacks on October 2 between Samogneux and Hill 344 (repulse small attack on October 4), but fail to dislodge attackers. Artillery duels on October 3.
French and British airmen bomb Rhine towns and Roulers; Dunkirk bombed by Germans, serious material damage.
Six of 18 Gothas sent bomb London; 6 others bomb Kent, Essex and Suffolk (11 killed, 41 injured). British first use 15ft spherical sound locator near Dover to detect German aircraft 12-15 miles out in Channel. During October First London balloon barrage operational, 10 by June 1918 despite first trial in Richmond Park (September 21) killing 2 air mechanics.
Germany: In October German Army reaches 238 divisions (147 in the West) with 18,416 guns, maximum till May 1918. It has 12,432 guns in the West against 6,000 BEF and 10,000 French.
France: French Army combatant strength 1,142,000 infantry; 71,000 cavalry; 522,000 gunners; 121,000 engineers; 35,000 airmen.
British troops getting ready for leave, waving their leave papers, at Poperinge, Belgium: © IWM (Q 3095):
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...152879002460160
Eastern Front
Riga: German airmen bomb Oesel Island.
Southern Front
Austro-Hungarian attack on Bainsizza Plateau repulsed. Others on Mt San Gabriele fail from October 2-3. Artillery active on October 7 and 13.
Macedonia: Peak Italian strength with 57,874 soldiers.
Naval and Overseas Operations
Britain: Admiralty staff now has Director of Minesweeping under ACNS. More efficient British ‘Nash Fish’ hydrophone comes into service (effective towed slowly, giving limited directionals); 54.2% U-boat attacks on British home waters shipping at night (until December 31) now moving inshore to areas before convoys assemble or after they disperse eg Northern Channel, St Catherine’s Point and the Smalls (Bristol Channel), 82% sinkings (August to December) under 50 miles from land (58% under 10 miles).
Germany: During October peak of 140 U-boats operational but German deadline for U-boat victory over Britain passes.
Mediterranean: During October record 52,500t Italian steamers (ie 16) sunk by Austro-German action. Royal Navy has 18 destroyers, 33 sloops, 69 armed trawlers, 5 yachts and 1 gunboat but not all free for convoy escort.
Flanders: U-boat Flotilla divided into two with 43 boats.
North Sea: Battlecruiser
Repulse first capital ship to receive turret flying-off plattform, Squadron-Leader Rutland flies off with Sopwith Pup.
East Africa: Fighting proceeding in Mbemkuru Valley; 75 miles south of Kondoa Irangi (north of Cent. Rly.) a German guerilla detachment surrenders.
British troops meet strong resistance 30 miles south-west of Lindi.
Political, etc
Germany: The Max Planck Institute for Physics is founded in Berlin with Albert Einstein as its first director.
France: French cafes and restaurants cannot serve milk or cream after 9 in the morning in an effort to conserve supplies.
Japan: Great typhoon in Japan does vast damage.
United States: U.S. opens its 2nd Liberty Loan to raise $5 billion in bonds for the war effort.