Diary October 4, 1917

10-1917, Diary WWI, War Diary, Year 1917 / 1 minute of reading

World War One Diary for Thursday, October 4, 1917:

Western Front

Ypres – Battle of Broodseinde: British preemptive (without prelim bombardment) attack (including 12 tanks which help capture Poelcapelle) ridge on 8-mile front in drizzle, but gain on average only 700 yards. Heavy German losses compel Ludendorff to modify his latest tactic of packing more infantry into front line. He recommends Fourth Army form a ‘advanced zone’ of mobile troops in ‘No Man’s Land’ to slow down advancing Allied infantry so as to provide easier targets for artillery. British Second Army reaches crest of Ypres Ridge. Intermittent rain until October 7.

Eastern Front

Baltic Provinces: Germans withdraw 5 divisions from Riga sector to Western Front (until October 18). German attack 28 miles east-northeast of Riga repulsed on October 7.

Air War

Ypres: Despite rain, low clouds and high winds Royal Flying Corps manages 17 sorties and 49 with fire calls (similar on October 9).
Adriatic: 12 Caproni bombers (moved from Milan to heel of Italy on September 25) cross Adriatic, bomb Cattaro U-boat base, torpedo store and seaplane hangars (night October 4-5) in 280-mile round trip.

About The Author

Kretaner

My name is Norman 'Kretaner' and since my childhood I am interested in history and strategy games. Later, I have learned programming and the development of computer games, and finally with the Internet, also web design. I'm in the fortunate position to combine all my interests with my work and to live on a place of my choice, on Crete. All information, figures, specifications and statistics used here had been compiled from a variety of sources and the large, over decades collected, library of the author about military history, WW2 and weapons.

1 thought on “Diary October 4, 1917”

Kathy Johnston
October 4, 2017 at 12:55 pm

Thanks for these diaries. Following every day exactly 100 years later is fascinating.

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