Western Front
Battle of Cambrai: Gonnelieu recovered, but British withdraw from Masnieres salient.
The Germans attack heavily at Bourlon Wood and claim 4,000 prisoners and 60 guns.
RFC more active than Germans, 5 air combats cost 3 German and 1 British aircraft with 2 balloons.
Verdun: Violent German attack north of Fosses Wood, others fail to reach Avocourt and Forges (December 4, artillery duels northeast of city on December 8).
Record of 4,338 Royal Flying Corps aircraft serviceable.
Wounded Canadian soldiers and captured German prisoners sitting together at a dressing station:
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...310160645152769
Eastern Front
M. Vladimir Lenin demands surrender of General Nikolai Dukhonin, former Commander-in-Chief.
Russian General Staff surrenders at Mohilev.
Partial cessation of hostilities
Southern Front
In December first all-Greek reconnaissance-bomber escadrille (French-trained) formed, 3 other units created by Armistice.
Naval and Overseas Operations
Britain: US CNO Benson promises Italian Marine Minister in London five 5,000-t merchant ships and 2 or 3 tankers, minesweepers, tugs, small escorts and 5-inch guns. US "dreadnought" division of 4 battleships (Rear-Adm Rodman in battleship New York) joins Grand Fleet.
Germany: During December all U-boats withdrawn from Baltic (last sinking was in October).
Western Mediterranean: During December 751 merchant ships arrive at Gibraltar, 252 with coal, 56 handle cargo, 107 repaired.
East Africa: German East Africa declared clear of enemy; von Lettow-Vorbeck retires across Rovuma river (Portuguese boundary).
Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Turkish 19th Division’s German-style storm battalion destroyed attack of ALH and 52nd Division at El Burj. Kress hands over Eighth Army to Djevad Pasha. 2 Australian armored cars liberate Hebron in 210-mile round trip looking for a Turkish agent until December 2.
German officer inspecting a company of Turkish storm-troopers in Palestine. The soldiers and their commander wear the special Turkish steel helmet which differed slightly from the German original:
https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...uppen.jpg?ssl=1
Record of 692 RFC aircraft serviceable.
Political, etc
Austria-Hungary:
Neue Freie Presse prints Ludendorff interview:
‘Russian Revolution … is the outcome of our victory we can conclude an armistice with Russia only when we are certain it will be observed’.
Germany: German Foreign Secretary Richard von Kühlmann declares that Germany will only ask for “mild” peace terms from the Allies.
France: Allied Supreme War Council begins work at Versailles and presents plans for 1918 on December 13. Meeting is attended by the Premiers of Britain, France, and Italy. “Colonel” E. M. House represents the U.S. Allied Prime Ministers decide no more supplies for Russia, but guarantee Rumania’s monarchy and prewar territory and defer Polish question.
United Kingdom: British official casualties in November numbered 120,089 men, with 25,444 killed in action.
Canada: Canadian Victory Loan; Over £70 million subscribed.
India: (Listed for yesterday): Indian scientist Jagadish Chandra Bose establishes the Bose Institute in Calcutta, one of the first research institutions in India.
United States: The first of the U.S.’s wooden merchant ships, with a tonnage of 4000 tons and 290 feet in length and designed to make trans-Atlantic voyages, is completed in 120 days. An example of the wooden ships:
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...279021091946496