Western Front
Fighting near the Ypres-Comines Canal.
A British soldier with Christmas pudding in the trenches near Saint-Pol: © IWM (Q 8337):
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...362509700403207
Two Canadian polling officers at the Western Front inspecting a German gas shell. Canada is holding its federal election today:
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...422913554186240
Canadian cavalrymen getting ready to vote for the federal election:
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...424349340037122
Eastern Front
Armistice between Russia and Central Powers begins.
Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): Austro-Hungarians repulsed on Upper Brenta.
Naval and Overseas Operations
Mediterranean: Italian Navy ordered to economize stringently on coal and oil fuel (c.50,000t used per month and national stocks only c.360,000t).
Pacific: 2 US submarines collide in fog; USS
F-1 sinks with 19 crew members.
Mozambique: Paul von Lettow with headquarters arrive at Chirumba (Mtarika), Portuguese Nyasa Business Company’s station.
Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
British Government give the King of the Hejaz (see December 15th, 1916, and February 4th, 1918) written assurance of the future independence of the Arab people.
Yosf Lishansky, Jewish spy working for the British in Ottoman Palestine, is executed by the Ottomans in Damascus:
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...030329157734400
Political, etc
Germany: Count Georg Hertling replies to Mr. Lloyd George's speech of 14 December.
Russia: All Church property to be confiscated, religious teaching abolished.
United Kingdom: (Listed for yesterday): Arthur C. Clarke (future British science fiction writer known for works such as 2001: A Space Odyssey) is born in Minehead, England.
(Listed for yesterday): Former British Prime Minister Asquith states a partnership of nations “with equal rights and reciprocal duties” is necessary to maintain peace after the war.
Lord Rhondda says ‘Food queues must be stopped’, rationing probably inevitable.
No post to neutrals, except to PoWs or under permit.
Don’t waste bread: British appeal for economy in face of the U-boat menace:
https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...bread.jpg?ssl=1
Canada: Unionist Government wins General Election.
Italy: 35,000 people march in Rome to celebrate the British capture of Jerusalem. The Pope says any Christian nation that would aid the Ottomans in retaking the city will be condemned.