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A NEW YEAR AND NO END IN SIGHT
New Years day in this second winter of war brings little hope of change. The Allies and Central Powers remained deadlocked in the grip of trench warfare, with both sides building their forces for the inevitable battles of 1916. IN THE AIR: The German Eindeckers continue to roam the sky with impunity, decimating the hapless BE2c's, Caudrons, Bruguets, Farmans, and Voisins of the Allies. This so called 'Fokker Scourge' has resulted in a low state of morale for the poor Allied fliers, who deem themselves to be no more than 'Fokker Fodder'. And yet the important work of observation and bombing goes on in spite of the ever present likelihood of death at the hands of the likes of Immelmann and Boelcke, the newest heroes of the German nation. The only real counter to the Fokkers and their deadly interrupter-gear forward-firing machine guns are the FE2b pushers, but these are in short supply and out-numbered by the German fliers.
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CARNAGE IN THE SKIES
Casualty reports indicate that almost fifty British aircrew have been killed or wounded in combat during the last six weeks. This unprecedented loss rate makes November and December the worst months yet for British fliers in the ongoing 'Fokker Scourge', as they refer to it.
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NIEUPORT 11 TO ENTER SERVICE
A new Nieuport fighting-scout is reported to be arriving at the front. Retaining the pedigree to pre-war Nieuport racers, the machine is said to be fast and maneuverable, with a front-mounted 80 horsepower Le Rhone 9C, 9-cylinder rotary engine powering a two-blade propeller. Primary armament is a single Lewis-type machine gun fitted in the center of the upper wing, as the Allies still lack a viable synchronized machine gun solution. This machine is expected to allow the hard pressed French air service to now meet the Fokker monoplane on better than equal terms. Pilots are cautioned that the lower wing is not strong and can twist at high speed.
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1916
War
GALLIPOLI EVACUATION COMPLETE
The evacuation of the Gallipoli Peninsula has been completed, with the final removal of 35,000 men from Helles in the last month. The evacuation operation has easily been the most successful element of the entire campaign. Painstaking efforts were been made to deceive the 100,000 watching Turkish troops into believing that this movement of Allied forces did not constitute a withdrawal. The overall cost of the campaign, however, has been high. Australia lost 8700 men at Gallipoli, with New Zealand losing 2700. 21,000 British soldiers were killed. The French lost 10,000, the Indians 1300 and Newfoundland 50. Some 85,000 of the defending Turkish troops were killed, with many more wounded.
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POUR LE MERITE AWARDED
Today, Oswald Boelcke and Max Immelmann were the first German pilots to receive the Pour le Mérite. Pilots to receive the award must attain eight aerial victories. 
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RFC ADOPTS NEW TACTICS
In response to the continuing threat posed by the Fokker Eindecker monoplane fighter, the Royal Flying Corps has adopted a formal policy of formation flying. Although aircraft have hitherto operated as singles or pairs, tactical flexibility is now judged to be a necessity. All Royal Flying Corps reconnaissance aircraft will now be escorted by multiple fighters in an attempt to counter the German threat.
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AIRWAR UPDATE
Entente airmen continue to suffer at the hands of the German Eindeckers. The British have few aircraft that can match the German fighter. The French have only a small number of single seat fighters to counter with, such as the Nieuport 10 and 11. Armed Caudron two-seaters are available to the French in the hundreds now, but are proving vulnerable to attack from the rear due to its clumsy rear gun. The Entente, particularly the British, seem in desperate need of newer and better fighting machines. 
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BRITS - NEW MACHINES INTO FIGHT
Number 20 Squadron, RFC, has reportedly been rushed to France, the first squadron to be fully equipped with the Royal Aircraft Factory Fighter called the Experimental 2b, a two-seat pusher biplane. More squadrons are expected to arrive in the coming months. The Fighter Experimental is in practice identified by its initials as the FE2b following typical British practice, although we have it on good authority that aircrews are simply calling this new craft the “Fee” for short. This machine is hoped by the British to be able to engage the deadly Fokker Eindeckers on at least equal terms; it is reported to be a strong machine with good flight characteristics.
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ZEPPELINS ATTACK PARIS
Zeppelins attacked Paris causing 54 casualties. Although Zeppelin raids on Paris have had some morale and propaganda effect, London is now becoming a preferred and easier target.  The nearest Zeppelin base to Paris is Metz, which means flying close to 320 km (200 miles) over French territory each way to Paris, giving the defending airforce and anti-aircraft guns too much to organize. Rumours of a switch in concentration of the Zeppelin program to attacks solely on London are circulating.
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ROYAL FLYING CORPS REORGANIZES
Brigade formations have come into effect, further decentralizing the Royal Flying Corps. Each Army will be allotted two Wings grouped as a Brigade; one squadron for routine Army corps work and the other for fighting, bombing and distant reconnaissance.
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GERMAN AIRSHIPS OVER ENGLAND
Last night saw the resumption of German bombing raids. Nine Imperial German Navy Zeppelins attempted to attack Liverpool but reports indicate that bombs were scattered around the English Midlands. Zeppelin L.19 was lost, crashing into the North Sea will all crew perished. In related news, Britain has consolidated command of all pilots, airplanes, and searchlights devoted to the defense of London under a single commander, Major T. C. Higgins, of the RFC's No. 19 Reserve Squadron at Hounslow.
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BRITAIN INTRODUCES CONSCRIPTION
Although over 3,000,000 men have volunteered to serve in the British Armed Forces during the first two years of the war, due to heavy losses at the Western Front the British government has decided to introduce conscription (compulsory enrollment) by passing the Military Service Act. At this time, only single men will be called up. 
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NEW SCOUT TO JOIN THE FRAY
The Fokker Eindeckers continue to rule the sky and take a terrible toll on Allied aircraft, but new de Havilland DH2 single-seat pusher scouts are now on their way to France to bolster the Royal Flying Corps in combating the Fokker menace, which has now run unchecked since last summer. The new machine is reported to be quite maneuverable with a good rate of climb. How quickly the new machines can be put into action is unknown, as their location and status remains a closely guarded secret for now.
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BRITISH TO BOOST AIRCRAFT SUPPLY
A new Joint War Air Committee has been established under Chairmanship of Lord Derby to co-ordinate the question of supplies and design of aircraft for both the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service.
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1916
War
AIR ATTACK SINKS SHIP
Aircraft from the Imperial Russian Navy Black Sea Fleet's seaplane carriers Imperator Nikolai I and Imperator Aleksandr I have sunk the Ottoman bulk coal carrier Irmingard (4,211 grt). The destruction of a large ship by aircraft alone is remarkable, and seems to be a harbinger of things to come in naval warfare.
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1916
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RFC SINGLE-SEAT FIGHTERS DEPLOY
Major Lanoe Hawker’s 24 Squadron arrived yesterday in France along with their new DH-2 pushers. This is the RFC’s first single-seat fighter squadron. British airmen are desperate for any measures to combat the German Eindeckers that are downing so many of their reconnaissance aircraft and, once active, Major Hawker's new unit will provide at least a small measure of much needed defence over the frontlines.
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1916
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NIEUPORT 16 TO BE DEPLOYED
An improved version of the Bebe is reported to be ready for deployment. The Nieuport 16 uses a strengthened Nieuport 11 airframe and is powered by a 110 hp (92 kW) Le Rhône 9J rotary engine. This gives a significant power boost over the Bebe's 80 hp engine, but the larger engine adds weight in the nose. Visible differences included a larger aperture in front of the "horse shoe" cowling and a headrest for the pilot.
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1916
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AIR-TO-GROUND COMMUNICATION
A new first: a recorded air-to-ground telephone communication was achieved by Major C.E. Prince 'somewhere in France' using a Wireless Telephone Mk1 during a demonstration put on for Lord Kitchener
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1916
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ACTION AT YPRES
The Ypres front, stagnant since the Second Battle of Ypres last spring, was the scene of a German assault today. The target of the attack was a strategic mound of soil known as 'The Bluff', piled up from the past excavations of the adjacent Ypres-Comines canal, which has given the British an unusual observation advantage over the enemy. In attacking today, German tunnellers blew three small mines, burying a platoon of Fusiliers sheltering in an old tunnel, and shortly afterwards German infantry attacked and captured the front line trenches. The all-important Bluff position has been lost by the British, and the Ypres Salient will now be very difficult for the British to hold.
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FRENCH EXPAND BOMBING ACTION
With large numbers of Caudron G4 aircraft now in the hands of bomber squadrons, the French are carrying out ambitious bombing attacks deep behind German lines. Rumours of bombing raids as far east as the German Rhineland have been circulating. The French appear to have enough aircraft to carry out this work, as well as maintain observation flights, in the face of the ongoing Fokker menace. There is a cost, as French losses are steady and rising, as German pilots increasingly exploit the poor rear-ward defenses of the Caudron workhorse. 
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1916
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GERMAN KEK FORMATIONS
The German military is organizing specialist aviation units called Kampfeinsitzer Kommando (single-seat battle unit, abbreviated as KEK). These will be based around Eindeckers and Pfalz E-series monoplanes detached from their former FFA units and brought together in pairs and quartets at particularly strategic locations. KEK units are being formed at Vaux, Avillers, Jametz, Cunel and other strategic locations along the Western Front to act as Luftwachtdienst (aerial guard force) units consisting only of fighters.
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1916
War
MASSIVE GERMAN ATTACK AT VERDUN
A million German troops, led by Crown Prince Wilhelm, began a massive assault today against the 200,000 French defenders of the fortified French garrison town of Verdun on the River Meuse 200km east of Paris. General Erich von Falkenhayn, Chief of Staff of the German Army, admits he may be unable to break through at this point on the Western Front, but has confidently predicted that the Germans will "bleed the French army white" in what is expected to be a grinding battle of attrition. The fact that Verdun forms a French salient into German lines only serves to help the Germans, since the ancient fortress town is open to attack from three sides at once.
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1916
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VERDUN -  2ND DAY OF FIGHTING 
French troops are retreating to their second line of trenches as the German advance continues. Artillery observation has now finally been recognized by Generals on both sides as critical, and part of Falkenhayn's stated strategy at Verdun is to blind the French artillery by knocking out their observation planes and balloons.
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FRENCH FLIER BOOSTS MORALE
French pilot Jean Navarre has been making daily aerobatic flying displays above the lines in his brightly painted red, white, and blue fuselaged Nieuport Bebe.
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1916
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VERDUN 4TH DAY OF GERMAN ADVANCE
French troops are moving back to their third line and are only 8km from Verdun. General Henri-Philippe Petain was today appointed commander of the Verdun sector. He has given orders that no more withdrawals will take place. He has arranged for every spare French soldier to be deployed to this part of the Western Front to halt the German gains. Two outer forts, Vaux and Douaumont, continue to hold out
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1916
War
FRENCH LOSE FORT DOUAUMONT
The Germans continue to advance at Verdun and yesterday took Fort Douaumont. The French are horrified, as Douaumont was considered impregnable. The huge fort was protected by two layers of concrete 1.2 metres thick with 5.4 metres of earth on top. The fort was also defended by a seven-metre deep moat and 30 metres of barbed-wire. The effect on French morale of the loss of Douaumont appears marked; both upon the remaining defenders and the reinforcements freshly arrived. Popular French sentiment within the country demands its recapture and withdrawal from Verdun seems politically impossible.
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1916
War
JOFFRE SAYS NO RETREAT AT VERDUN
The French Commander-in-Chief remains unflappable and has issued a statement that any commander who gives ground to the advancing Germans will be court-martialed. He has dismissed General Langle de Cary, who was responsible for the defence of Verdun, because he deciding to evacuate Woevre plain and the east bank of the Meuse River.
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1916
War
PETAIN TO COMMAND AT VERDUN
In General Langle de Cary’s place Joffre has now promoted Henri-Philippe Petain, a reportedly talented officer whose progress through the French army had been slow due to his defensive attitudes and his defiance of the prevailing motto of ‘attack at all costs’. Petain has pledged to Joffre “Ils ne passeront pas!” – “They shall not pass!” 
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1916
War
NAVARRE DOWNS TWO
French pilot Jean Navarre, flying in his new Nieuport 11 Bebe fighter has achieved two aerial victories in one day, a feat never before achieved in combat. In the early morning, he threatened a German two-seater and it landed in French-held territory without firing a shot. Later in the morning, he fired on a German bomber and sent it crashing to the ground. These are his fourth and fifth victories.
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War
GERMAN ADVANCE SLOWS AT VERDUN
After nine days, the German advance on Verdun has been brought almost to a halt. By advancing, the German troops had lost effective artillery cover. With the battlefield turned into a sea of mud through continual shelling it has been very hard to move guns forward. The advance has also brought the Germans into range of French artillery on the west bank of the Meuse. IN THE AIR: The numerous and well armed German Eindeckers continue to decimate the hapless Entente airforces, as the Fokker Scourge shows no signs of ending. British and French pilots continue to fly out to their doom, bravely continuing to carry out the reconnaissance missions so vital to victory on the ground.
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ROAD KEY TO FRENCH SUPPLY
General Petain is taking action to ensure that an effective supply route to Verdun is maintained via the single artery road leading to supply depots 50 miles to the west at Bar-le-Duc. Assigned columns of troops have the sole duty to maintain clearance of the road and perform repairs as necessary. The road has been christened ‘Voie Sacree’ – the ‘Sacred Road’.
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YPRES - 'THE BLUFF' RECAPTURED
A British attack to recapture the critical high point known as 'The Bluff' achieved complete surprise yesterday. The Bluff was captured as well as new territory beyond. An interesting tactic was tried by the British artillery, which fired a 60-pounder battery salvo on the Bluff, with a second salvo after two minutes. They continued to fire this exact two round pattern at random intervals all throughout the day before the attack. When the same battery fired a salvo at the commencement of the attack, the British infantry advanced and found the enemy garrison sheltering in dugouts waiting for the second salvo.
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GERMAN AIR DOMINANCE SLIPPING
The French introduction of the Nieuport 11 "Bebe" with its forward-firing machine gun and nimble handling, and the British deployment of the FE2b and de Havilland DH-2 machines are beginning to affect the air battle. These new aircraft are equal to or better than the Fokker Eindecker, and the balance of air superiority appears to be tipping in favour of the Entente. The German's have shown no signs of deploying a replacement for the Eindecker, a worrying state of affairs for German pilots who must take to the air in the same aircraft design they were flying last summer. 
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FOKKER EIV TO DEBUT - TWIN GUN RIG
As the Entente moves to counter the 'Fokker Scourge' with improved aircraft, the Germans are themselves introducing a new machine that is intended to keep them a step ahead in the air battle. It is rumoured that the new Fokker EIV, mounting the destructive power of two Spandau machine guns, is being delivered to the front and will be in the hands of some select German fliers within a week or two, with more on the way. The machine is reported to be very fast, powered by a 119 kW (160 hp) Oberursel U.III two-row 14-cylinder rotary engine. Unfortunately the old EIII airframe remains, albeit lengthened, and is rumoured to be overtaxed by the large engine. As such, the aircraft is apparently a slow turner. 
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GERMAN VERDUN ASSAULT RENEWED
Today the German Fifth Army launched a new attack at Verdun after receiving fresh artillery supplies. The Germans advanced 3km before being stopped in front of the area around Mort Homme Hill.
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1916
War
GERMANY AT WAR WITH PORTUGAL
Germany has responded to the recent seizure of German ships in Portuguese harbours by declaring war on Portugal. It is expected that up to 100,000 Portuguese troops may eventually fight with the Allies on the Western Front and in Mozambique.
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1916
War
BRITISH TAKE OVER VIMY SECTOR
The British front has been extended south by 20 miles to relieve the French Tenth Army for operations at Verdun. The taken over line runs from Loos down to Ransart, and includes the Vimy Ridge area. This sector, near Douai, has been quiet since October of last year, with the French and Germans having a 'live, and let live' attitude. The arrival of the British is expected to change that. The incoming British units claim the French trenches are poorly dug, with few strongpoints or dugouts, and containing many unburied bodies. British observers are unable to see the enemy artillery and supply routes on the far side of the Vimy summit, yet the Germans have a commanding view of all the British activities far behind the lines.
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1916
War
ADMIRAL VON TIRPITZ RESIGNS
Tirpitz's promotion of unrestricted submarine warfare has proved highly controversial, most notably with the neutral U.S.A. Finding his policy constrained therefore, Tirpitz has tendered his resignation, which somewhat to his surprise was accepted today by Wilhelm II.
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1916
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BRITISH DANGERS AT VIMY RIDGE
Since taking over the French lines opposite Vimy Ridge, the British have began the job of clearing away the immense amount of debris and rubbish left behind, and removing bodies where they can. They have also quickly ended the 'live, and let live' era, commencing a policy of disruptive artillery fire and trench raiding. It has been discovered that the Germans had been taking advantage of the French lack of hostility to push on with deep mining of the area. From a military viewpoint, it makes sense to withdraw to a stronger defensive line, but to do so is politically impossible as the French lost many thousands of men capturing this area in 1915.
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MORE FOKKER EIV's ARRIVING
A few more German Jastas have received some of the new Fokker twin-gunned EIV's, and are being dolled out to the better pilots as they slowly arrive at the front. The complex twin-row rotary engine is reportedly giving some grief, as it is complicated and prone to failure. Despite having far greater firepower than anything the French or British fly, the Fokker hasn't made much of an impact to date. The machine is rumoured to be a handful for even the best German pilots, with the outdated wing-warping Eindecker airframe unable properly to handle the size and power of the engine.
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1916
War
BRITISH FUROR OVER BE2c LOSSES
There is great controversy in England over the poor performance of Britain's aerial workhorse, the BE2c. The failure to improve or replace the aircraft in the face of ongoing losses at the hands of the German Fokkers has British politicians and bureaucrat in an uproar and pointing fingers.  Noel Pemberton Billing rose in the House of Commons yesterday, attacking the War Department and the Royal Aircraft Factory and saying that RFC pilots in France were being "rather murdered than killed". Enquiries into the management of the Royal Aircraft Factory and into the high command of the Royal Flying Corps are expected to be initiated soon. Sources with the RFC have countered that BE2c losses are actually greatly reduced in recent weeks due to the new policy of providing escorts to most reconnaissance flights.
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1916
War
UNDERGROUND BATTLES - VIMY RIDGE
To combat the German tunneling advances, the British Third Army has deployed a number of Royal Engineers Tunneling Companies to counter-tunnel. This underground clash is developing into a desperate struggle, with both sides blowing mines to destroy enemy tunnels and infantry positions. There has been much above-ground fighting as a result, as each side tries to gain control of the resultant craters.
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1916
War
STEAMSHIP SUSSEX TORPEDOED
The Sussex passenger steamship, carrying 380 persons, was struck by a German torpedo yesterday at 2:50 pm while on its Channel route from England to France. The torpedo blew off the bow and killing everyone there. Panicked passengers jumped into the water and many drowned. . The watertight stern of the ship remained afloat and passengers climbed back on, drifting for nine hours until a French trawler finally came to the rescue. About fifty persons are dead or missing. An international controversy appears to be erupting and the German government has denied responsibility.
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1916
War
NEW GERMAN AIRCRAFT
A new German reconnaissance and bombing aircraft has reportedly begun to arrive at the front. The LFG Roland C.II is a unique looking craft with a deep monocoque fuselage that completely fills the gap between upper and lower wings. This sleek machine is rumoured to be fast, perhaps fast enough to outrun most fighters. Upward visibility is obviously excellent, but pilots' downward visibility appears challenging. Some personnel have commented off the record that the machine is bit unstable in the hands of less experienced pilots, and frightening to land for even experienced pilots. 
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1916
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BRITISH INTERUPTER GEAR DEBUT 
The British and French have worked all winter to develop an interrupter gear to fire machine guns through the propeller of tractor-aircraft and several designs have been produced. The very first of these systems has just arrived at the front, fitted to a Bristol Scout. The Entente fir forces hope to have a majority of machines fitted with the new technology within a few months. The presence of decent pusher aircraft like the DH2 and FE2b have already begun to counter the Fokker's dominance, and if the new interrupter gear can be fitted to faster and nimbler tractor-aircraft that are in development then this trend should accelerate. 
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FRENCH PRESS BOMBING CAMPAIGN
With large numbers of Caudron G4 aircraft equipping their bomber squadrons, the French continue to carry out ambitious bombing attacks deep behind German lines. Rumours of bombing raids as far east as the German Rhineland have been circulating. The French have enough aircraft to carry out this work, as well as maintain observation flights, in the face of the ongoing Fokker menace. French losses are becoming more serious with each passing week, however, as German pilots increasingly exploit the poor rear-ward defenses of the "Gitterumpf", or "Lattice-Tail" as they call it. 
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BRISTOL SCOUT TO ENTER FRAY
British aircraft engineers continue to try and develop a tractor-biplane capable of firing a forward pointing gun. The new Bristol Scout is one such attempt and will be tested in service, starting with a few models delivered now 24 Squadron and more likely to be scattered amongst other British units in the coming months. The current model utilizes a machine gun firing at an angle to miss the propeller, so requires an extra degree of aiming skill on the part of the pilot. The Bristol is not expected to replace the other British single-seater, the DH2, at least for the time being as it seems somewhat of an experimental model. New British practice for single seat fighting machines is to label them as "scouts" and we expect to hear this terminology applied to all such machines in the future.
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VERDUN BATTLE RAGES ON
German and French troops continue to be thrown into the slaughter at the Verdun battlefield. IN THE AIR: The numerous and well armed German Eindeckers continue rule the sky, but are being met by increasing numbers of better flying Entente fighters. British and French pilots continue to do their duty in the face of long but improving odds. Some increased relief may be forthcoming with the arrival of more Nieuport 11 fighters, which are much superior to the Eindeckers in most aspects of flight, but are comparatively poorly armed.
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NEW RNAS TRAINING FACILITY OPENS
The new Royal Naval Air Service Central Training Establishment at Cranwell was officially opened yesterday. Cranwell's primary role will be to act as a surrogate central flying school of the Royal Naval Air Service, under Admiralty control, thereby removing the need to draw upon the resources of the existing Central Flying School
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VIMY RIDGE HEATS UP
Gradually, the British miners have gained the upper hand in the underground battles on the Vimy slope. The Germans may be considering a large scale attack to capture the mine shafts. German artillery and trench mortar fire has begun to intensify. British front line trenches are very badly damaged, and communication trenches have also become targets. All the signs are that an infantry attack should be expected, but British aerial observation reveals nothing of significance.
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BRITISH TAKE CONTROL OF THE AIR
The British are wresting control of the air from the Germans over the Flanders portion of the Western Front. German resources have been diverted south to the Verdun battle, leaving only weakened forces opposite the Brits. The new and better British aircraft can now easily outclass and outnumber the German Aviatiks and Eindeckers. The Fokker Scourge appears to be ending and British aircrews now feel a renewed sense of confidence.
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GERMAN INTERUPTER CAPTURED
It is rumoured that Entente forces have captured an intact German aircraft, including German's closely guarded synchronizing mechanism for firing machine guns through the propeller, when a lost and inexperienced German pilot landing at a British airfield. Although it is likely that British and French engineers already have their own mechanisms under development, this could provide a useful impetus to the Entente's efforts to field aircraft with more effective guns.
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FOKKER AURA DISPELLED
The British have tested the Fokker Eindecker that was captured recently. In a head-to-head mock combat against a Morane-Saunier Bullet monoplane, the Fokker was found to be slower to climb, slower in level flight, and unable to outmaneuver the British plane. The aura of the Fokker as a dangerous and deadly adversary is fading fast and Entente aircrews are finally feeling that they can meet the German's on equal, if not better, terms. 
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THIRD ASSAULT ON VERDUN BEGINS
Yesterday saw the start of a third major German offensive launched against Verdun, this time on both sides of the salient. The German general offensive began on thirteen-mile front, from Hill 304 to Fort Douaumont, Verdun. French troops have evacuated the Bethincourt salient.
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ROCKETS TO BE USED BY AIRCRAFT
French pilots now have a new weapon at their disposal: an incendiary air-to-air rocket for attacking observation balloons and airships. The Le Prieur rocket consists of a cardboard tube filled with 200 grams of black powder, a wooden conical head with a knife-blade spear-point, all on a long pine stick extending back from the base of the rocket. The stick fits snugly into a launch tube attached to an aircraft's inter-plane struts. The rockets are fired electrically via a cockpit switch and pilots are reportedly being instructed to fire at a range of 100–150 metres with the aircraft at an inclined dive angle of 45 degrees, while using their gunsight for aiming. Apparently, the steeper the dive, the straighter the trajectory of the rocket, and the more accurate the attack.
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FIRST EVER MILITARY AIRLIFT
As the supply situation of the British garrison at Kut el Amara grows desperate, Royal Aircraft Factory BE2cs and Maurice Farman Shorthorns of the Royal Flying Corps, together with Royal Naval Air Service aircraft have begun a full-scale airlift of food and medical supplies, to allow the defenders to continue their defense against Turkish forces. 
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GERMAN AIR SERVICE GROWTH
The German Air Service has reportedly set an ambitious goal of having 37 new Jagdstaffeln (fighter squadrons) in service a year from now. The value of air superiority has been well established in past battles and German planners hope to reverse the recent change of fortune in the air. No information regarding any new aircraft types has come to light, so it is unknown at this time if a replacement of the out-classed Eindecker machines is part of this plan.
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ROLANDS PRODUCTION SLOW
The German's new Roland C.II two-seater has proven to be a fast machine, and aircrews that are flying the lumbering Aviatik are keen to be resupplied with the new machine. Unfortunately, the streamlined plywood-skinned Roland takes much more time to build than most other aircraft and production is slow. A month after the first example arrived at the front, there are still less than twenty of these aircraft active at the front. 
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FRENCH PUSH BACK AT VERDUN
The recent German assaults have run out of momentum, and the French are making counterattacks to try and regain lost ground. French troops are making slight advances on both sides of the River Meuse. 
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ESCADRILLE AMERICAINE IN FRANCE
A new American volunteer unit, equipped with Nieuport 11's and under French command is now active on the Western Front. Known as the Escadrille Americaine, the pilots employ French aircraft, mechanics, and uniforms. A few French pilots are also serving in their ranks.
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GERMAN FLIERS LESS AGGRESSIVE
With the ongoing swing in air dominance towards the Entente, the confidence of German pilots is flagging badly. With more and better machines arrayed against them, German scouts are increasingly hesitant to engage. Well known British flier Lanoe Hawker has reported that "when our British planes cross the frontlines, a few Fokkers will come up and hang like minnows in a stream, but they will not fight". 
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REBELLION IN IRELAND
Irish revolters in Dublin today set fire to larges part of the city. This 'Easter Rising' appears to be an attempt by Irish republicans to end British rule in the country while Great Britain is otherwise engaged in the fight in Europe. Large numbers of British troops and artillery are being dispatch to the area to quell the uprising.
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1916
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FALL OF KUT-ET-AMARA. 
Despite the airlift by the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service (a total of 19,000 pounds of supplies dropped in 140 flights), the garrison at Kut was forced to surrender today. 12,000 men were taken prisoner by the Turkish forces.
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AIR WAR BALANCE CHANGING
The Battle of Verdun grinds on, with the German attackers making slow gains at a continuing terrible cost in both French and German lives. IN THE AIR: The DH2, supplemented by the Royal Aircraft Factory FE2b and the Nieuport Bebe, is re-establishing Allied air superiority and it appears that the Fokker Scourge is near an end.
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ZEPPELIN RAID
Eight German Zeppelins raided the east coast of England this morning, inflicting 39 casualties. The raid did not come without cost to the attackers, as L.20 was wrecked in stormy weather off the coast of Norway.
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NIEUPORT 17 - FIRST DELIVERIES 
Nieuport 17 scouts are reported to have begun arriving with select French squadrons. This slightly larger development of the Nieuport 11 has a more powerful engine, larger wings, and a more refined structure. It is equipped with a 110 hp (82 kW) Le Rhone 9J engine. It is said to have outstanding maneuverability, and an excellent rate of climb. Unfortunately, the weak sesquiplane wing design remains, and with it the disconcerting tendency to disintegrate in sustained dives at high speed. 
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NEW AIRCRAFT TO BE DEPLOYED
The first Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter 2-seat aircraft are expected to arrive in France soon, initially equipping some of the RNAS units. The 1 1/2 Strutter will be the first British aeroplane to enter front-line service equipped with the new 'interrupter gear', allowing a machine gun to fire through the propeller arc. The machine also has a Lewis gun mounted in the rear cockpit. In addition to being well armed, the machine is reported to have a long range and good stability. The type has been ordered for the RFC as well, but production is reportedly slow.
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GERMANY PLEDGES SUB RESTRAINT
The German government has signed the so-called Sussex Pledge (a reference to the torpedoing of the Sussex Ferry in March), promising to stop the indiscriminate sinking of non-military ships. According to the pledge, merchant ships will be searched, then sunk only if they were found to be carrying contraband materials. Furthermore, no ship will be sunk before safe passage has been provided for the ship’s crew and its passengers.
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NEW STATISTICS ON AIRCRAFT LOSSES
Statistics now out for the months of February and April indicate that the RFC shot down or destroyed forty-two German aircraft for the loss of thirty-two. This is considered a good ratio by the British commanders, representing a marked improvement from the terrible loss ratio occurring half a year ago. The Fokker Scourge appears truly over, but losses remain high on both sides.
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1916
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FORT DOUAUMONT BLAST
Inside captured Fort Douaumont near Verdun, a careless German cooking fire has detonated grenades and flamethrower fuel, which then detonated an ammunition cache. German soldiers were trying to heat coffee using some fuel from flamethrowers but it proved to be too flammable and spread to shells, which were without caution nearby. A firestorm ripped through the fort, killing hundreds of soldiers instantly, including the entire 12th Grenadiers regimental staff. Worse, some of the 1,800 wounded and soot-blackened survivors attempting to escape the inferno were mistaken for attacking French colonial African infantry and were fired upon by their comrades. Six hundred and seventy nine (679) German soldiers have perished.
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1916
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BOMBSIGHT IMPROVES ACCURACY
Using a bombsight developed by Bourdillon and Tizard, a British Short 184 seaplane has hit a target with a 500 pound bomb from the unheard of height of 4,000 feet.
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1916
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BRITISH AIR BOARD CREATED
The Air Board came into being yesterday under the presidency of Lord Curzon. The Board will discuss of matters of general policy in relation to the air, and in particular combined operations of the Naval and Military Air Services. They will make recommendations on the types of machines required, organize and co-ordinate the supply of material (preventing competition between the two departments), and promote the interchange of ideas between the two Services, and such related bodies as the Naval Board of Invention and Research, the Advisory Committee for Aeronautics and the National Physical Laboratory.
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AIRBORNE LAUNCH FROM FLYING BOAT
An experiment has been conducted at Harwich, in which a Porte Baby flying boat, piloted by John Cyril Porte, took off with a Bristol Scout attached as a 'parasite' to its wing. The Scout, with Flight Sub- Lieutenant Day at the controls, detached successfully at a height of 300 metres (1,000 feet).
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1916
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NAVARRE - TEN AERIAL VICTORIES!
Yesterday, French ace Jean Navarre shot down a German Aviatik C aircraft over Chattancourt, France. This is his tenth aerial victory and a remarkable feat that has not been achieved by any other Entente flier to date. It should be noted that German aces such as Boelke have well surpassed this mark some time ago. With the airwar now swinging in the Entente's favour, perhaps French and British aces are now beginning to close this gap. 
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1916
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SUCCESSFUL GERMAN ATTACK AT VIMY
A very heavy German shell and mortar bombardment today hit Berthonval front, including Vimy Ridge, an area already heavily cratered by the recent mining battle. The German bombardment was deep, hitting positions as far as some 8 miles from the trenches. It was without doubt the heaviest concentrated shelling of the war so far. The Germans arrayed 80 artillery batteries on an 1800 yard front, all out of sight of the British on the reverse slope of Vimy Ridge. Seventy thousand shells fell in 4 hours, flattening trenches and cutting all communications. In the dry conditions, dust obscured all vision. British artillery replied but it had little effect. The blowing of a German mine signaled an infantry attack, which crossed the smashed front line almost unhindered. Many British were captured, still in their dugouts. The Germans, having captured their objectives (the British mine craters), have halted and dug in.
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BOELKE PROMOTED
Oswald Boelcke has been promoted by the Emperor to Hauptmann (Captain) in recognition of his great skill and the achievement of 17 confirmed aerial victories. At 24 years of age, he is the youngest Hauptmann in the Prussian army and an inspiration to German airman and a hero to the German people at home.
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VERDUN - TIDE SWINGS TO FRENCH
French troops, by sudden coup, today recaptured part of Fort Douaumont and made large gains east and west of the Meuse. Infantry from the French Second Army have penetrated and occupied the western end of the fort against stubborn German resistance. 
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ROCKETS PROVE EFFECTIVE
In an impressive demonstration, it is reported that French pilots shoot down five German observation balloons in one day earlier this week, using the new La Prieur rockets. This strange new weapon appears to be effective and must be a concern to German forces. The location of the balloon attacks was not reported, but it can safely be assumed to be in the Verdun area as part of the big French attack currently underway.
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1916
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DUOAMONT SWAYS BACK AND FORTH
After holding the western portion of Verdun's Fort Douaumont for about 36 hours, French infantry have been pushed back out of the fort by the German defenders.  Artillery and trench mortars brought in by the Germans have inflicted heavy casualties on the French attackers and they have not been able to hold onto their gains. The Germans are very stubborn in holding the fort, as it provides shelter for troops and serves as a first aid station and logistics centre. The symbolic significance of the fort as a symbol of French pride continues to make it the focus of intense fighting on both sides.
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FORT DOUAUMONT BLASTED
Unable to retake Fort Douaumont by direct attack, the French have turned their artillery loose on the fort, and are slowly turning the entire area into an unrecognizable pockmarked and cratered moonscape.
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ENTENTE FLIERS CONTROL THE SKY
The German air forces have been effectively pushed from the skies. Still flying the outclassed Eindecker, German pilots are no match for ever increasing numbers of Entente aircraft, almost all of which can outperform the Fokker. Lieutenant-General Henry Rawlinson of the British 4th Army has flatly stated in recent days, "We have command of the air". German airmen can only hope that German aircraft designers have a replacement fighting machine in the development pipeline, and that they can stay alive long enough to receive it.
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1916
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MORE FOKKER EIV's - LAST HURRAH? 
Although the tide of the airwar has swung badly against the Germans over the course of the last months, there seems to be little sign of new and better German aircraft on the way. German pilots are rumoured to be dismayed to hear that Fokker EIV's will continue to arrive at the front over the next few months, as the main replacement for the badly outclassed EIII. Unfortunately, the EIV has not proven to be anything like a new 'wonder weapon', as the advantage of its twin machineguns is more than negated by its sluggish turning ability. 
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1916
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VERDUN - CAPTURE OF MORT HOMME
The French lost strategic Mort Homme Hill today, after many weeks of German attacks.  The Germans have made repeated attacks, pounding the French lines, rushing their positions and ejecting the French from their wrecked trenches. Each time French artillery would then pulverize the Germans and counter-attacks would drive them out again. Only shell holes exist where the trench systems used to be and fighting has been brutal.  Despite the terrible cost, the Germans were able to advance slowly over recent weeks of fighting, first capturing a neighbouring hill that was dominating the approach to Le Mort Homme, and now finally capturing the hill itself. The 'dead man' nickname of this hill becomes more fitting with each passing day.
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1916
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JUTLAND - GERMANS CLAIM VICTORY
Admiral Reinhardt von Scheer and the German Navy have claimed victory in a large naval battle today. The British Navy lost 3 battlecruisers, 3 cruisers and 8 destroyers (6,100 casualties); the German Navy lost 1 battleship, 1 battlecruiser, 4 light cruisers and 3 destroyers (2,550 casualties). Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) seaplanes assisted with tracking the German High Seas Fleet at the battle.
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CARNAGE AT VERDUN CONTINUES
French and German troops continue to be exterminated in the meat grinder of Verdun. IN THE AIR: The German Eindeckers are increasingly out classed and out numbered by the Allied fighters, and it seems only a short matter of time before they might be swept from the sky.
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BRITISH ALSO CLAIM JUTLAND VICTORY
Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, criticized for being over-cautious at the Battle of Jutland two days ago, has argued that it is vitally important to protect the size of the Grand Fleet. Furthermore, he has informed the British government on this day that the Grand Fleet is ready for further action. The German High Seas Fleet requires reconstruction and it is doubtful if it will be in the position to risk another major North Sea confrontation anytime soon.
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1916
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GERMANS ATTACK AT YPRES
The Germans yesterday attacked and held the last dominating observation positions east of Ypres: Mount Sorrel and Tor-Top, pushing back the Canadian defenders. It appears their objective is to keep as many British units as possible pinned down in the area, to avoid them assisting the obvious recent build up on the Somme.
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1916
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GENERAL BRUSILOFF'S OFFENSIVE
A new Russian Offensive in the east, overseen by the able commander Alexei Brusilov, is achieving stunning initial success. The offensive has begun in spectacular fashion, demolishing the Austrian Fourth and Seventh Armies. The Austrians have lost a staggering number of men and have ceded huge tracts of land to the Russians. Any hopes the Austrians harboured of bringing about victory in the east now seem to be extinguished.
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LORD KITCHENER LOST AT SEA
Yesterday, Lord Horatio Kitchener was drowned when the HMS Hampshire, on which he was traveling to Russia, struck a mine. The precise locality in which the disaster occurred is not yet stated. All that is known is that it was west of the Orkneys, apparently in sight of shore. The western coast of the islands presents to the Atlantic an inhospitable front of high, rugged cliffs, the haunts of millions of sea birds, backed by ridges of hills, which for the most part are desolate. No surprise is expressed in Edinburgh that the search of such a shore from the sea could be completed before the search from inland, and Jellicoe's fear that the search from land must also be hopeless is shared by all there. Kitchener was on his way to Russia in an attempt to rally the country in its fight against Germany. He is best known from a war poster that featured his picture and the words: 'Join Your Country's Army', helping recruit over 3,000,000 volunteers in the first two years of the war. 
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1916
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GERMANS CAPTURE FORT VAUX
Fort Vaux, one of the Verdun fortresses, has finally fallen after a long German siege. Five days ago, the Germans began to attack the fort directly with flamethrowers and forced French troops outside to retreat into the fort. The Germans could not be stopped as the fort had previously been stripped of artillery. French Commander Raynal resisted for three days with water supplies gone and the fighting taking place inside the galleries with grenades, guns and bayonets. Raynal has now been captured by the Germans under military honours for having fought bravely in extreme conditions.
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1916
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FRENCH PROMOTE FLYING HEROS
With the carnage of the Verdun battles weighing heavily on the morale of their population, the French have begun to single out for attention any aviators that have scored five or more aerial victories. A pilot who has met this standard is being dubbed an 'ace', and victory counts are being published in running box scores in the press. A barrage of patriotically inspired publicity is being directed to these individuals, perhaps as a diversion from the otherwise dismal news from the trenches. The Germans have already been promoting fliers like Oswald Boelcke for some time, typically calling those with 10 or more kills a 'kanone' (top gun). The British have not followed suit, out of concern that acclaiming these pilots would diminish the equally valiant service and sacrifice of two-seater pilots, gunners and observers. 
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1916
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YPRES HIGH POINTS RECAPTURED
Yesterday, Canadian infantry took the German front lines on Mount Sorrel and Tor-Top west of Ypres, reversing the German's recent conquest of these high points. This represents the first deliberately planned attack by Canadian forces on the Western Front.
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ROLANDS CONTINUE TO ARRIVE
After a very slow start, production of the Roland C.II has been slowly ramping up over the last few months. New aircraft are being built at a rate of about 35 planes per month, and replacement of the obsolete Aviatiks is proceeding, but nearly as fast as German aircrews would like. The streamlined construction of the aircraft, which gives it a desirable turn of speed, is proving to be complicated to build. 
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NAVARRE SHOT DOWN
Yesterday, leading French ace Jean Navarre teamed with Georges Pelletier d'Oisy for his twelfth kill, but in the action Navarre was also downed and sustained severe head injuries. He has been removed from active duty and sent to a sanatorium to convalesce. It appears unlikely that he will return to active service any time soon.
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DETAILS OF IMMELMANN'S DEATH
Authorities have released additional information regarding yesterday's death of air ace Oberleutnant Max Immelmann, 'The Eagle of Lille'. He was shot down and killed yesterday during an engagement with a patrol of Royal Aircraft Factory FE2bs from No.25 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. Second Lieutenant G.R. McCubbin and Corporal J.H. Waller of No.25 Squadron were credited with the destruction of Immelmann's Fokker Eindecker, although German sources claim Immelmann's craft was destroyed by vibration after his own bullets shattered his propeller.
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BOELKE KEPT SAFE - PENS DICTA
With Immelmann dead, leading German ace Oswald Boelcke has been ordered on an inspection trip to Austro-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire. This appears to be an excuse to remove him from combat and keep him safe, as the loss of Germany's top flier would be too devastating on morale at this time. Prior to his departure, we understand that he has penned a brief “Dicta” that will guide newer pilots on the art of aerial fighting. In a pre-departure flight, he scored his 19th victory.
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AIRCREW MORALE - HIGHS AND LOWS
British aircrew morale is reported to be at its highest point of the war so far. In recent months, they have been equipped with several good aircraft that are more than a match for the German Eindeckers. They have been on the offensive for three months and, by all accounts, have now seized air supremacy over the Somme region, and in concert with the French Air Service have seized it above most, if not all, of the Western Front. The German Air Service on the other hand has just lost one of its best tactical leader’s (Immelmann) and German aircrew's realize the RFC now has the initiative and better aircraft.
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1916
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MASSIVE BOMBARDMENT - SOMME
A massive allied artillery barrage is reported to be underway in the Somme region today. The bombardment appears to be designed to subdue the German defenses in front of General Sir Henry Rawlinson's British Fourth Army west of Bapaume, General Edmund Allenby's British Third Army to the north, and General Fayolle's French Sixth Army to the south. 
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NEW FIGHTER BEGINS TO ARRIVE
It is reported that some of the new Halberstadt D-type biplanes are now in action at the front. Rumours are that these planes are somewhat underpowered and slow, but strongly built and able to handle hard maneuvers and steep dives. German pilots seem happy to have any improved machines to replace their outclassed Eindeckers. Unfortunately, production of these new machines is expected to be slow, so the Eindeckers will remain the mainstay of the German fighter forces for some time yet. 
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SOMME BOMBARDMENT CONTINUES 
The massive bombardment of the German positions in the Somme region by 3,000 British and French guns continues unabated, now in its fifth day. Allied troops, no doubt, have every confidence that the German defences will be severely weakened by this unprecedented rain of shells.
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ZEPPELINS UNTOUCHABLE
So far this year, Zeppelins have made 46 airship sorties over the coast of England. Defending aircraft have managed to down only one airship.
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SOMME BOMBARDMENT CONTINUES 
Unbelievably, the massive bombardment of the German positions in the Somme region still continues unabated after eight days. The allied troops must be sure at this point that the German defences are now utterly destroyed by this deluge of high explosives.
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SOMME BATTLE BEGINS
A massive British offensive began today along the Somme River. The attack is hoped to relieve pressure on the beleaguered French troops still fighting at Verdun. The Allies have succeeded in concentrating about 400 aircraft against a German strength of only about 120 to 130 machines, and it appears likely that air superiority will be easily maintained unless the Germans can soon replace their now obsolete Eindecker fighting machines. Although the current Allied machines (the FE2b and DH2 pushers and the far more impressive Nieuport pursuit aircraft) still do not employ interrupter-gear machine-gun technology, they equal or outclass the German machines in most other aspects and are at the front in far greater numbers.
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APPALLING BRITISH CASUALTIES
Yesterday, General Haig's 27 divisions in the Somme region advanced against 16 German divisions facing them across a 30 km front-line. Despite confident assurances by Allied commanders, the eight day bombardment preceeding the advance appears to have utterly failed to destroy either the barbed-wire fences or the concrete bunkers protecting the German soldiers, who hold good defensive positions on higher ground. Most importantly, the massive artillery bombardment failed to destroy many of the dozens of German machine-gun nests, whose numerous interlocking fields of fire across the whole front of the battlefield have decimated whole regiments of advancing British troops. According to some reports, the BEF may have suffered 58,000 casualties (a third of them killed), in the first hour of the battle alone, making yesterday the worst day in the history of the British Army. Ironically, the Somme offensive was originally intended to serve merely as a large-scale British diversionary attack, designed to divert German troops from their attack on French troops at Verdun.
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HAIG NOT DISHEARTENED BY LOSSES
General Haig is reportedly not disheartened by the heavy losses on the first day of the Somme attacks and has ordered General Sir Henry Rawlinson to continue making attacks on the German front-line.
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SOMME ADVANCE CONTINUES
Bernafay and Caterpillar Woods have been captured, and Allied troops have pushed forward to the railway north of Mametz. The reduction of La Boiselle is completed after hard fighting by 19th Division under Major-General Bridges.
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SOMME ADVANCE MOVES AHEAD
The outskirts of Contalmaison were reached today by the 23rd Division under Major-General Babington, taking part in this fighting with the 17th and 7th Divisions.
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1916
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ENTENTE HAS TOTAL AIR SUPERIORTY
As the Somme attacks continue below, the skies remain firmly in the control of British and French aircraft. The Germans continue to be greatly outnumbered and the few German fighters in the air have been easily brushed aside by Entente flyers. With Immelman dead and Boelcke grounded, the Germans have no prominent aces making an impact in the battle. The German pilots at the front struggle on with a mix of inadequate machines consisting largely of outdated EIII's, with some luckier pilots flying Fokker EIV's or Halberstadt DII's.  
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SOMME ADVANCE CONTINUES
An attack on Contalmaison and Mametz Wood was undertaken today by the 38th Division under Major-General Philips, and the 17th, 23rd and 19th Divisions.
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BALL AWARDED MILITARY CROSS
British fighter pilot, Captain Albert Ball was awarded the Military Cross yesterday. "For conspicuous skill and gallantry on many occasions, notably when, after failing to destroy an enemy kite balloon with bombs, he returned for a fresh supply, went back and brought it down in flames. He has done great execution among enemy aeroplanes. On one occasion, he attacked six in one flight, forced down two and drove the others off. This occurred several miles over the enemy's lines" (London Gazette)
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1916
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RAWLISON MAKES GAINS IN SOMME
Rawlinson’s forces yesterday secured the first line of German trenches, but German troops have been transferred from Verdun, doubling the number of men available for the defence.
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1916
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SOMME NIGHT ATTACK
A British attack last night achieved a temporary breakthrough, but German reinforcements arrived in time to close the gap. General Haig believes that the Germans are close to the point of exhaustion and has ordered further attacks, which he expects will very soon achieve the necessary breakthrough. 
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1916
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SOMME ATTACKS TAKE 2ND LINE
With Mametz Wood now entirely cleared of Germans by the 21st Division, the British undertook an assault upon the enemy's second system of defences at daybreak yesterday morning against a front extending from Longueval to Bazentin-le-Petit Wood. The attack was preceded by a short five minute artillery bombardment - just enough time to send the exposed German defenders to their dugouts. A notable success, Bazentin-le-Grand and Bazentin-le-Petit were secured within a matter of hours.
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SOMME ATTACKS CONTINUE
Yesterday the renewed battle continued on a reduced scale. Arrow Head Copse, between the southern edge of Trones Wood and Guillemont, and Waterlot Farm on the Longueval-Guillemont Road, were seized, and Delville Wood was captured and held against several German counter-attacks. In Longueval, fierce fighting continued until dusk for the possession of two strong points and the orchards to the north of the village. 
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SOMME BATTLE - OVILLERS CAPTURED
Since the 7th of July the German defenders in and about Ovillers have been pressed relentlessly, and gradually driven back by incessant bombing attacks and local assaults by 25th and 32nd Divisions. Yesterday a large body of the German garrison of Ovillers surrendered. The German's second main system of defence has been captured on a front of over three miles. British advanced troops have penetrated as far as the German third line of defence.
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SOMME COUNTER-ATTACK
Yesterday, German forces counter-attacked Delville Wood, after heavy preliminary shelling. By sheer weight of numbers and at very heavy cost, they forced their way through the northern and north-eastern portions of the wood and back into the northern half of Longueval.
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War
BATTLE OF FROMELLES
Yesterday Australian and British forces launched a combined attack on the Sugar Loaf salient, which is located in the Lille area south of Armentières. Originally planned as only an artillery "demonstration" to make the Germans think a major offensive was imminent and prevent German troops reinforcing the defenses at the Somme, this modest objective was enlarged into a broader plan to actually attack Sugar Loaf, advance to the town of Fromelles, and capture the heights of the Aubers Ridge. The 5th Division AIF was assigned the left flank of the Sugar Loaf, and the British 61st Division to the right. In bright sunshine and clear visibility, the Germans saw them advancing and began a counter barrage. Many Allied troops were killed or wounded before they even reached their own front line. Communication trenches were blown to pieces and became blocked with the dead, wounded and dying. At 6 p.m., infantry attacking the Sugar Loaf were cut down in no man's land by unsuppressed machine guns and artillery. Although a number of men from the 8th and 14th Brigades made it to the German lines, they were unsupported and throughout the night had to fight off fierce German counter attacks. Four hundred of these men were eventually captured and marched through Lille as prisoners of war. All together, the 5th Australian Division suffered the loss of about 5500 men, and the British 61st Division about 1500. There is no evidence that the attack has had the slightest effect on the enemy's ability to move reserves to the Somme.
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SOMME ATTACKS CONTINUE
In the Battle of the Somme, a footing was established in High Wood yesterday by the 33rd Division under Major-General Landon, and the British line was linked up with Longueval by the 7th and 5th Divisions. It appears that continued progress is likely, but will be slow and brought only by hard fighting.
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POUR LE MERITE FOR VON ALTHAUS
Oberleutnant Ernst Freiherr von Althaus of Jasta 10 has been awarded the Pour le Mérite for his 8th aerial victory. Oberleutnant von Althaus is an avid poker player who has been nicknamed "Hussar Altahaus", supposedly due to wearing his Hussar saber while flying a few times, This little eccentricity apparently stopped due to aircraft damage while exiting and entering his plane, but the nickname remains.
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SOMME - GERMAN RESISTANCE STIFF
An advance today by the Fourth Army on a wide front from Guillemont to near Pozieres found the German defenders in great strength all along the line, with machine guns and forward troops in shell holes and newly constructed trenches, well in front of their main defences. Although ground was won, the strength of the resistance showed that the German defenses had recovered sufficiently to necessitate long and careful preparation before further British successes on any great scale can be secured.
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SOMME OFFENSIVE - SMALL GAINS
An assault delivered simultaneously yesterday by General Gough's Army (1st Australian Division and 48th Division) against the village of Pozieres made headway, and by this morning the whole of that village has been carried, including the cemetery, and important progress has been made along the German trenches to the north-east. In response, last night the German Army launched two powerful counter-attacks, one directed against new Allied positions in and around High Wood defended by 51st Division under Major-General Harper), and the other delivered from the northwest of Delville Wood. Both attacks were reportedly turned back with heavy German losses.
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BRITISH OFFENSIVE CONTINUES
Yesterday, the remainder of Delville Wood was captured by the British Army's 2nd Division under the command of Major- General Walker. 
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SOMME OFFENSIVE - SMALL GAINS
The northern portion of Longueval and the orchards were finally cleared of German troops by 5th Division after severe fighting in which artillery on both sides were very active.
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SOMME - PUSH AT GUILLEMONT
Yesterday the village of Guillemont and Falfemont Farm to the south-east were attacked by the British Army, in conjunction with a French attack north of the Somme. One Allied battalion, the 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers, 30th Division, entered Guillemont, and some men passed through to the far side; but as the battalions on either flank did not reach their objectives, the Royal Scots were obliged to fall back after holding out for a few hours on the western edge of the village.
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SOMME AND VERDUN GRIND ON
The Somme offensive is pressing forward against stubborn resistance, and continues to draw German troops away from Verdun and take pressure off of the French. IN THE AIR: The Allies continue to enjoy near complete air superiority. To counter the technical superiority of the Allied machines, German fighting machines are being reorganized to form Jagdstaffeln, 14 plane hunting groups that the German aviators hope will begin to turn the tide in the air. The British pilots at the Somme continue to be very aggressive, attacking immediately any enemy they see, unlike the German emphasis on organized tactics using the newly formed hunting groups.
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NEW BOMBING TECHNIQUE
In Belgium aircraft of No.4 and No.5 Wings, Royal Naval Air Service, have experimented with a new bombing technique. Guided by signal flares from a Sopwith Strutter, 11 bombers flew in 'line astern' formation to make a concentrated attack on a target near Ghent.
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GERMAN AIRMEN DISADVANTAGED
In the Somme region, the Germans have only 250 operational aircraft … British and French aircraft in the area are about double that number. Neither do the Germans have any kind of technical superiority, since better Entente aircraft have arrived steadily through the summer. Although the Germans have a few new Halberstadt fighters at the front, they are still saddled with a large percentage of Eindeckers that are totally outclassed. In the air, the Entente's offensive actions hold the German Imperial Air Service in a state of "complete inferiority" (quote from a senior German commander.)
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VICTORIA CROSS FOR HEROIC PILOT
Fighter pilot Major L.W.B. Rees of the Royal Flying Corps has been awarded the Victoria Cross for actions during the initial days of the Battle of the Somme. While flying an Airco DH2 he spotted a formation of eight enemy bombers and decided to attack. Despite the odds, and injuries, Major Rees managed to force two aircraft down out of control before his ammunition ran out. 
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NEW FRENCH FIGHTER
Reports have been received of a new French fighter coming into service. Known as the SPAD S.VII, the machine is reportedly fast and a good climber but lacking maneuverability when compared to the current crop of Nieuports. It appears that new tactics might need to be employed in the use of this machine, so as to exploit its speed and power. The aircraft is not expected to arrive at the front in great numbers, until production reaches full swing this winter. 
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TURKS THWARTED AT SUEZ
The battle of Romani, fought over the last few days, may have finally put a stop to the Turkish threat to the Suez canal. British defences, sited amidst a series of towering sand dunes, 35 kilometres east of the canal, were able to hold off against the Turks, who tried to outflank them from the south early on 4 August.  Initially, only the 1st Light Horse Brigade was in position to meet the Turkish attack. Heavily outnumbered, it was forced to fall back, but as the day progressed both mounted and infantry reinforcements steadily arrived, allowing the position to be stabilized around a massive dune known as Mount Royston, named after the charismatic light horse officer, Lieutenant Colonel "Galloping Jack" Royston. The position was held throughout the night, and before dawn the next morning, the 1st and 2nd Light Horse Brigades advanced on foot with the bayonet. Turkish resistance collapsed at this point, and large numbers of prisoners have reportedly been taken.
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AT THE SOMME - ANOTHER PUSH
After failing to take and hold the village of Guillemont nine days ago, British troops again entered the town. However, they were again compelled to fall back owing to the failure of a simultaneous effort against the enemy's trenches on the flanks of the village.
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GORIZIA TAKEN BY ITALIANS
Chief of staff of the Italian Army, General Luigi Cadorna, after failing to break through the Austro-Hungarian lines during last years Isonzo Offensive, has tried again and has now captured Gorizia, 15km inland from the Adriatic coast. The advance of 3 miles depth over a 15-mile front with the capture of several strategic targets is the first major offensive success by the Italian Army during the Great War. The Austro-Hungarian forces have had to retreat on the line east of Gorizia (Mount Škabrijel), leaving the heavily damaged town to the Italians. This bridgehead across the Isonzo River has cost the Italians over 20,000 casualties and the Austro-Hungarians have shifted troops into the Gorizia sector to prevent a breakthrough. Further Italian advances seem unlikely at this time. This 'Sixth Battle of the Isonzo' is being hailed as a great victory by the Italians, whose morale has been battered by so many previous futile attacks in the same region. 
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FRANKL RECEIVES POUR LE MERITE
Leutnant Wilhelm Frankl of Jasta 4 has been awarded the Pour le Merite for distinguished military service, leadership, and his 8th aerial victory. The son of a Jewish business man he learned to fly at Johannisthal, the famous German pre-war aviation center, as a flight student of Germany's first female pilot, the charming Melly Beese. When the war broke out in 1914, he did not hesitate to volunteer.
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JOINT ATTACKS TOWARD GUILLEMONT
It has become evident that Guillemont cannot be captured as an isolated enterprise without very heavy loss due to strong enemy position south of the town. The British have arranged with the French Army on their immediate right for a series of combined attacks, to be delivered in progressive stages that will embrace Maurepas, Falfemont Farm, Guillemont, Leuze Wood and Ginchy.
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GERMAN'S REORGANIZE
Reports indicate that German air units are being reorganized to concentrate fighters into larger groups called Jadstaffeln (Jastas), which will focus airpower more effectively. About 20 of these new Jastas are being created, but shortages of pilots and machines are slowing the process. New Halberstadt biplanes have been arriving at the front in the last months, but in small numbers. Though these planes are underpowered and slow, they are at least giving the German pilots some hope that improved types will soon be available to replace their aging Eindeckers.
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GUILLEMONT ATTACKS KEPT UP
Yesterday, after a preliminary bombardment lasting thirty-six hours, a large combined attack was undertaken by British and French troops on the Somme battlefield. In spite of German counter-attacks leveled at the point of junction of the British with the French, the British 3rd Division established themselves in the outskirts of Guillemont Village and occupied Guillemont Station.
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ROLAND NUMBERS GROW
The number of Roland C.II's in action at the front has surpassed fifty. Production has never been able to exceed about 35 new aircraft per month, and with losses taken into account, the buildup has been slow at the front. Many German recon and bombing units are still saddled with the obsolete Aviatik C. The Roland has proven to be a fast aircraft that can defend itself in a dogfight. It has some quirks, such as a lack of downward visibility for the pilot that makes landings tricky, but German aircrews are generally happy with the type and are keen for delivery of more units. 
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SOMME - GERMAN COUNTER-ATTACKS
The Germans are violently counter-attacking at Guillemont Station held by the 35th Division. The British lines appear to be holding strong. 
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BRITISH ADVANCES RENEWED
After turning back German counter-attacks yesterday, further British progress was made on a wide front north and east of Delville Wood by 33rd and 14th Divisions.
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ROMANIA JOINS THE WAR
Romania has entered the war, joining the Entente. It is rumoured that Romania feels it can easily seize Transylvania, a region with significant Romanian population, from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Although the Romanian army is poorly equipped for modern warfare, having limited artillery and few machine guns, they have assumed that Germany will not be able to aid Austrian forces as they are tied up fighting at the Somme and resisting the Russian's Brusilov Offensive. A quick and easy land grab is anticipated. 
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FALKENHAYN SACKED
The German Chancellor is scathing at Falkenhayn’s lack of success in Verdun, which has proved as costly in terms of manpower to Germany as it was to France. Falkenhayn has been dismissed and dispatched to the Transylvanian Front to command Ninth Army.
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HINDENBURG PROMOTED
Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg, seen by many Germans as the saviour of East Prussia, today became Chief of Staff of the German Army. Born in Posen in 1847, he was educated at the cadet schools at Wahlstatt and Berlin, and then he fought at the Battle of Koniggratz (1866) and in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71). Promoted to the rank of general in 1903, Hindenburg retired from the army in 1911. On the outbreak of the current war, Hindenburg was recalled to the German Army and since being sent to the Eastern Front has won decisive victories over the Russians at Tannenberg (1914) and the Masaurian Lakes (1915).
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WAR EXPANDS
In recent days, Italy has declared war on Germany, Romania has declared war on Austria-Hungary, and both Germany and Turkey have declared war on Romania.
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SOMME AND VERDUN GRIND ON
The Somme offensive is pressing forward against stubborn resistance, but appears to be successful in drawing German troops away from Verdun, where the German attacks appear to have exhausted themselves. IN THE AIR: The Allies continue to enjoy near complete air superiority. Leading German pilot Oswald Boelcke has referred to the previous two months as "the blackest days in the history of German military aviation." Only about a quarter of German fighters consist of the new Fokker and Halberstadt D-type biplanes, with the remainder being outclassed Eindeckers. German Jagdstaffen will soon begin receiving new Albatros D.1 fighting machines, which German aviators hope will turn the tide in the air.
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VERDUN VICTORY HOPES ABANDONED
Orders to cease attacking were issued today by Field Marshal General von Hindenburg, together with instructions to convert the lines that had been reached at Verdun into a permanent defensive position.
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AIRSHIP DOWNED OVER BRITAIN
The first German airship has been destroyed over Britain. Last night, 16 airships of the German Army and Navy were dispatched to attack London. One airship was forced to return early. Of the remaining 15, German Army Schutte-Lanz SL11 was shot down by Lieutenant William Leefe Robinson in a Royal Aircraft Factory BE2c of No.39 (Home Defence Squadron). The airship fell spectacularly in flames near London. Rumours are that the German Army Airship Service is abandoning raids into England as a result of the loss, although the German naval airships may not yet be deterred. This could represent a turning point in the airship war.
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GUILLEMONT FINALLY CAPTURED
After almost a month of bloody small battles in the Somme campaign, Guillemont has been captured by Allied forces. The assault was made yesterday at noon on a front extending from the extreme right of the British lines to the right bank of the Ancre River, north of Hamel. The French attacked simultaneously on the right of the British. Guillemont was stormed and at once consolidated, and 7th Division pushed on unchecked to seize Ginchy.
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SOMME - FIERCE FIGHTING IN GINCHY
For three days now, the tide of attack and counter-attack has swayed backwards and forwards amongst the ruined houses of Ginchy. At this time, the greater part of Ginchy remains in German hands.
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SPAD VII SLOW IN ARRIVING
Despite an order for 268 of the new SPAD VII being placed months ago, only a trickle of these new machines have actually arrived at the front. Rumours of production problems at the factories building the machines are circulating, and there are apparently teething problems with the new Hispano-Suiza 8 inline engine. The few examples now in action have proven to be fast and rugged, able to simple dive out of any fight at high speed. Some French pilots, however, dislike the machine's lack of nimbleness and are returning to their old Nieuports.
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NEW ALBATROS FIGHTERS ARRIVING
It is reported that new Albatros D.I fighter aircraft are beginning to arrive at the front, a much needed technical improvement for the Germans. These machines are reportedly not particularly maneuverable, but are believed to be quite fast. They are the first aircraft to carry twin machine guns without suffering a significant decrease in flight performance, and this is expected to provide a large firepower advantage over any machine they might meet in combat. It is rumoured that several Jagdstaffeln are now training with the new machines and that they might be seen in combat soon.
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GERMAN AIR POWER DIVERTS NORTH
Now that the Verdun battle has been suspended by the Germans, they are relocating significant resources of aircraft and pilots northward to the Somme area, where heavy fighting continues. Field Marshal Hindenburg, now in charge of the Western Front for the Germans, has initiated a plan to greatly increase aircraft production. This move ties in with a planned reorganization that will unite the air service into one authority as a separate branch of the army. The goal is to have large formations of German fighters in the air and taking a much more offensive stance air within the next few months. 
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BRITISH ATTACKS AGAINST GINCHY
The British attacks for Ginchy were reopened yesterday on the whole of the Fourth Army front. At Ginchy and to the north of Leuze Wood the attacks met with almost immediate success. On the right, 56th Division seized the enemy's line over a front of more than 1,000 yards, from the south-west corner of Bouleaux Wood in a north-westerly direction to a point just south of the Guillemont-Morval tramway. British troops (49th Infantry Brigade, 16th Division) again forced their way into Ginchy, and passing beyond it, carried the line of enemy trenches to the east. Further progress was made east of Delville Wood and south and east of High Wood. 
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ROMANIA'S GAMBLE IS LOST
After declaring war on Austria-Hungary last month, Romania's gamble that they could easily capture Transylvania while the Central Powers were distracted elsewhere has not paid off. The Germans have halted all offensive actions elsewhere, to free up resources, and transferred eight divisions and an Alpine Corps under the command of Erich von Falkenhayn to deal with the Romanians. The Austro-Hungarians have also sent four divisions to reinforce their lines, and the Romanian offensive was now been halted. Promised Russian support has largely failed to arrive and it appears that the Central Powers are about attack Romania with a vengeance that the Romanians had not thought possible.
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ATTACK AT FLERS-COURCELETTE
As part of the larger offensive at the Somme, British troops today began an attack at Flers-Courcelette. This looks to be a significant operation by the British, involving over 10 Divisions and significant deployment of aircraft.
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NEW WEAPON - "TANKS"
Led by General Sir Henry Rawlinson, 12 divisions and 49 new fighting machines called 'tanks' (although due to mechanical difficulties, only 15 were able to lumber into no-man's land) attacked the German front-line in the fighting at Flers-Courcelette yesterday. Despite their slowness, the beasts initially panicked the Germans and gains of some 2 kilometres were made. No.7 and No.34 Squadrons, Royal Flying Corps, supported this first ever tank attack. The villages of Martinpuich and Courcelette were in British hands at the end of the day, taken respectively by the 15th Division, and 2nd Canadian Division under Maj. Gen. Turner.
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GERMANS STRIKE BACK IN THE AIR
After many dark months, the German army's flying forces are making a bid to turn the tide of battle. Their fighter units have been grouped and retrained to fight in hunting packs rather than as individual scouts, and they now have a deadly new weapon to take them into battle; the Albatros. Sturdy and streamlined, these new aircraft have twice the horsepower of any Entente machine, and pack far more firepower.  Oswald Boelcke has returned to the front at the helm of Jagdstaffel 2, and reportedly plans to cut a swathe through the masses of British planes currently filling the skies over the Somme. Rumour has it that two additional Jastas are similarly poised to burst upon the RFC in the next days or weeks.  
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BRITISH HAVE PENETRATED 2KM
Today's action in the battle of the Somme resulted in the capture by the 6th Division of the Quadrilateral, a German stronghold that had hitherto blocked the progress of the British right towards Morval. Further progress was also made between Flers and Martinpuich.
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SOMME ADVANCE FALTERS
Preparations for further British advances at Flers-Courcelette are being hindered by bad weather and numerous breakdowns of the new heavy armoured cars known as 'tanks'. The entire endeavor appears to be faltering.
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GERMAN FORTUNES ON THE RISE
Flying their new Albatros biplanes, Germany Jastas are making their presence felt on the Western Front. Oswald Boelcke, leading Jasta 2, has achieved his 27th victory and is developing a strong cadre of well-trained pilots. One promising flier that Boelke personally invited to join Jasta 2, Leutnant Manfred von Richthofen, was in Boelcke’s flight and scored his first kill shooting down an FE-2B of 11 Squadron. 
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ANOTHER AIRSHIP ATTACK ON BRITAIN
Last night twelve Zeppelins of the German Navy were dispatched to attack London and the Midlands. Of these, two 'super Zeppelins', the L32 and the L33, were shot down by the defences. L32 was shot down by a Royal Aircraft Factory BE2c, flown by Second Lieutenant Frederick Sowrey of No.39 Squadron, near Billericay in Essex. L33 was seriously damaged by anti-aircraft fire over London, subsequently received further damage from a Royal Aircraft Factory BE2c of No.39 Squadron, and eventually grounded near Little Wigborough in Essex. 
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SOMME ATTACKS CAPTURE GROUND
Early yesterday morning a general attack by the Allies was launched on the front between the Somme and Martinpuich. The British have captured the villages of Morval, Les Boeufs, and Gueudecourt, plus a belt of country about 1,000 yards deep, curving round the north of Flers. Attempts to capture the village of Gueudecourt were unsuccessful due to stubborn resistance from a party of German troops holding valiantly onto a section of their fourth main system of defence. IN OTHER NEWS: Kurt Wintgens is being remembered as the pilot who scored the first truly modern fighter victory on July 1, 1915, when his newly developed Fokker E1 shot down a two-seat Morane-Saulnier Type L parasol monoplane by using the new interrupter gear to fire a machine gun through the propeller. He received the Pour le Merite about three months ago for kills made with the Eindecker fighters, which the Germans were forced to fly long after they became obsolete. He had recently upgraded to the new Halberstadt fighter and had great hopes for renewed success.
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ENTENTE FORCES CAPTURE COMBLES
Early this morning this fortified village was occupied simultaneously by the Allied forces, the British from the north and the French from the south. Gueudecourt was also captured today, carried by the 21st Division. Troops in the trench west of the town surrendered when attacked by the machine guns of an aeroplane shooting down the length of the trenches. IN OTHER NEWS: Max Ritter von Mulzer is being remembered as a skilled pilot. He scored his first confirmed victory on 30 March 1916, shooting down a Vickers F.B.5 north of Wancourt. In July, while briefly serving with KEK B, Mulzer scored his eighth victory and became the first Bavarian to receive the Blue Max. After receiving the Knight's Cross of the Military Order of Max-Joseph, he rejoined FA 32b at Douai where he scored his final victory about two months ago. Mulzer died in a crash while testing the performance of a new Albatros D.I.
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NEW SOMME ATTACK TAKES THIEPVAL
A general British attack was launched yesterday against Thiepval and the Thiepval Ridge, the Zollern Redoubt, the Stuff Redoubt, and the Schwaben Redoubt, and the connecting lines of trenches. By early this morning, the whole of the village of Thiepval was in British hands.
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BATTLE OF THE SOMME
Yesterday the south and west sides of Stuff Redoubt were captured by British troops. On the Fourth Army front, a further portion of the enemy's fourth system of defence north-west of Gueudecourt was carried on a front of a mile by the 55th and New Zealand Divisions.
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NEW BRITISH FIGHTER IN ACTION
A new single-seat fighter aircraft known as the Sopwith Pup is rumoured to be in action now in limited numbers along the British sections of the Western Front. The craft is reported to be a tractor-type, with an interrupter-gear equipped forward-firing machine gun.
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ALLIED FORCES MAKE ADVANCES
General Haig's forces continue to push forward in the Somme region, bitterly fighting the stubborn German defenders for every hill, village, and woods. The Germans have abandoned their attack on Verdun and taken up defensive positions. Now the French are advancing to retake ground lost in the previous months of fighting. IN THE AIR: New German fighters (like the now arriving Albatros machines), improved Jagdstaffeln tactics, and increased aircraft production have begun to even up the odds. The Hindenburg Program of total mobilization has increased German production of planes monthly, and will soon reach 1000 per month for all types
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WET WEATHER BOGS SOMME ACTION
Very unfavourable weather has set in and appears likely to continue for some time. Poor visibility is interfering with the work of the artillery; and constant rain is turning the mass of recent hastily dug trenches along the Somme front into channels of deep mud.
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ALBATROS PROVES DEADLY
The new Albatros fighter has proved to be a deadly machine in recent months, outgunning anything the Entente fliers have. A new DII prototype is at the front in the hands of Oswald Boelke. An Entente aircraft is falling to his guns every few days. It appears the new model will soon be seen on the Western front in great numbers, and the air superiority enjoyed by the British and French throughout the summer is quickly slipping away.
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SOMME FIGHTING STALLED - RAIN!
Country roads crossing the deep stretch of ground the Allied forces had lately won are now broken by countless shell craters and have rapidly became almost impassable, making the supply of food, stores and ammunition a serious problem. General Haig, who felt that the German defenders were about to collapse, has found it impossible to exploit the full benefits of the advantages he has recently gained.
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DEFENCES HELPED BY BAD WEATHER
The delay in the British advance caused by wet and muddy conditions appears to have given the German Army time to reorganise and rally their troops within the Somme region. General Haig reportedly believes the German forces are near the breaking point and that a breakthrough remains possible with continued effort.
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SOMME ATTACKS RENEWED
English-French attacks began again today in the Battle of the Somme, directed against the whole German front from Courcelette southeasterly to Bouchavesnes
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AIR SERVICE REORGANIZATION
The Imperial German Air Service (Fliegertruppen des Deutschen Kaiserreiches) is being reorganized and renamed the German Air Force (Luftstreitkräfte). What this reorganization might mean for operations at the front is unclear
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SOMME ATTACKS FAULTER AGAIN
The German Tenth Army today successfully repelled Allied attacks in the Battle of the Somme, in a day of heavy fighting
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ALBATROS FIGHTER IMPROVED
In response to pilot complaints about poor upward vision in the Albatros D.I, a revised model called the D.II is now being produced and rushed to the front. Improved visibility has been achieved by repositioning the upper wing lower and closer to the fuselage, while also staggering it forward slightly. Rearrangement of the cabane struts also improved forward view. The D.II otherwise retains the same fuselage, engine installation and armament as the D.I. Basic performance is reportedly unchanged.
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1916
War
SOMME ATTACKS GRIND ON
The Allies today gained a little ground near Sailly and north of Eaucourt-l'Abbaye.
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1916
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SOPWITH PUPS PROVE A NIMBLE FOE
Reports from both British and German fliers indicate that the newly arrived Sopwith Pup is proving itself to be a dangerous opponent for both the Halberstadt and the Albatros of the Germans, due to its excellent maneuverability. It seems likely that the British will soon expand production of the Pup in an effort to counter the growing number of German Albatros machines that have been winning air superiority more and more with each passing week. 
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10
1916
War
COLD WEATHER ALLOWS ATTACK 
At midday yesterday, during a short spell of cold weather, the line of Regina Trench and Stuff Trench, from the west Courcelette-Pys road westward to Schwaben Redoubt, was attacked by the 4th Canadian, 18th and 15th Divisions, and the 39th Division. All objectives were reportedly captured
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23
10
1916
War
SPAD VII's SLOWLY ARRIVING
SPAD VII production continues to disappoint for the French, and deliveries of the new machine remain slow. The French fliers are in need of many more of these machines to combat the German Albatros fighters. It seems unlikely that the SPAD will be available in suitable numbers to accomplish this for many months yet. The SPAD's now in service carry only a single Vickers gun, so the even French pilots lucky enough to fly one are outgunned in the air. Their biggest advantage is the ability to disengage at will, owing to the SPAD's ability to dive at speeds up to 250 mph without damage. 
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10
1916
War
RECAPTURE OF FORT DOUAUMONT
The new French commander of the Verdun forts, Third Army’s General Charles Mangin, with a new offensive yesterday recaptured Fort Douaumont. The French attack involving three infantry divisions. The capture of the fort was carried out by the elite Regiment of Colonial Infantry of Morocco. In the recent days leading up to the attack, Douaumont has been pounded by two super heavy 400 mm (16-inch) long-range French railway guns emplaced at Baleycourt, to the southwest of Verdun. Under their fire, the Germans found the fort untenable and had already begun to evacuate. Since its capture by the Germans in May (half a year ago), millions of lesser-caliber shells have been fired at the fort to little avail and tens of thousands of men have died in attempts to recapture it.
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10
1916
War
VERDUN - FRENCH ADVANCE STALLED
The French wish to renew their attacks with the utmost rapidity, but the artillery fire accompanying the attack of the 24th had so devastated the region that it will be necessary first to make the roads leading to the newly won positions passable. The transportation of the heavy, artillery may not be completed until mid December.
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10
1916
War
AERIAL KILLS CONTINUE TO CLIMB
The German Jastas continue to wield their Albatros fighters with deadly effect. Jasta 2 commander Oswald Boelcke scores kill number 40 yesterday, downing a BE-2D from RFC 5 Squadron. Rising start Manfred von Richthofen downed his 6th enemy machine just the day before. British and French pilots are outgunned in the sky and are increasingly flying in fear, least they encounter one of the fast and deadly German machines.
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10
1916
War
GRIM KILL RATIO IN THE AIR
The Entente has lost about 200 aircraft over the last two months, as the newly organized and equipped German Jastas have rapidly achieved superiority with their deadly Albatros single-seat aircraft. German losses for the same period are less than 40 aircraft; a grim 5:1 loss ratio. The British and French still maintain overall control of the air, but only through sheer weight of numbers. The Germans continue to ramp up production of the new Albatros and this must be very worrying to British and French airmen, as they are more and more likely to run into these dangerous hunters over the frontlines. 
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10
1916
War
BOELCKE'S DEATH
German authorities have so far provided only limited information on the death of Oswald Boelcke yesterday. The famous ace apparently died in a collision with another German machine, and we are awaiting further details. His leadership of Jasta 2 is expected to pass to his star pupil, Manfred von Richthofen.
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30
10
1916
War
GERMAN HUNTERS WREAK HAVOC
The Albatros fighter has proven to be a superior killing machine in the hands of the German Jastas. About 88 British and French aircraft were lost in October, while German losses total only 12. This is a devastating loss ratio for the Entente. The German flyers, under Boelcke's tactical leadership and personal example have an elan and effectiveness only dreamed of a few months ago. It remains to be seen if the loss of Boelke will wound this fighting spirit.  The French and British planes are now outclassed, with the Albatros able to outfight the latest Nieuport model (N17), and easily out fly the primitive DH2.  
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11
1916
War
SLOW ALLIED ADVANCES
Increasing winter weather is slowing the pace of battle on the ground in both the Somme and Verdun campaigns. IN THE AIR: German fliers are quickly reversing the Allies air superiority over the summer. The expected arrival of even larger numbers of new German fighting machines such as the Albatros DII can only accelerate this trend.
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11
1916
War
FRENCH COUNTER AT VERDUN
French troops under the command of General Charles Mangin, who is no doubt destined to become a French national hero, recaptured Fort Vaux yesterday. 
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11
1916
War
JOFFRE URGES HAIG TO ATTACK 
The French forces in Verdun are again on the offensive and gaining ground. Joffre is concerned that Haig should keep up the pressure on the Germans so as to prevent a diversion of German manpower back to Verdun to assist with the German defence there. British attacks continue at the Battle of Transloy Ridges and the Battle of the Ancre Heights. Similarly, French attacks are continuing in the south around Chaulnes, and in the centre east of Morval.
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11
1916
War
RNAS RECIEVES NEW BOMBER
The RNAS is taking delivery of the Handley Page O/100. This twin-engine inline tractor plane, with a range of about 965 km (600 miles) and a bomb-load of 812 kg (1,790 lb), is Britain's first multi-engine warplane. The RNAS will initially use the O/100 for reconnaissance purposes.
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11
1916
General
PRESIDENT WILSON RE-ELECTED
Woodrow Wilson has been re-elected to another term of office as President of the United States. Wilson has pledged to keep the United States out of the war in Europe.
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11
1916
War
BREAK IN WEATHER ALLOWS ATTACK
The long-continued bad weather took a turn for the better today, and it is expected to remain dry and cold, with frosty nights and misty mornings for some days. British preparations are being made for an attack on the Ancre River
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11
1916
War
SMALL BRITISH GAINS MADE
After a day of improved weather, the portion of Regina Trench lying to the east of the Courcelette-Pys road was carried by the 4th Canadian Division on a front of about 1,000 yards yesterday.
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11
1916
War
BOMBARDMENT HERALDS NEW ATTACK
Determined to renew the Somme offensive now that improved weather has arrived, a British bombardment was commenced today along the front near the Ancre River.
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11
1916
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ANCRE RIVER ASSAULT BEGINS
At 5:45 this morning, British troops advanced on the German positions through dense fog, and fought their way into the first line trenches north and south of the Ancre River. North of the river severe fighting is reported as parties of German soldiers hold out in strong points at various places along the first line and in Beaumont Hamel.
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11
1916
War
VICTORY ON THE ANCRE RIVER
Today the BEF made a final effort on the far east of the Somme salient in the Battle of the Ancre, in which they captured the field fortress of Beaumont Hamel. The British have secured the command of the Ancre River Valley on both banks of the river. 
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11
1916
War
FOUL WEATHER RETURNS
The recent break in the weather has ended, which will no doubt slow the pace of fighting in northern France once more.
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11
1916
War
FRENCH ASSAULT AT VERDUN
Four French divisions began a new attack yesterday, their goal being the line of Bezonvaux Forest from Courieres Farmhouse over Chambrettes, Louvemont, and Vacherauville.
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11
1916
War
HAIG SEES NEED FOR MORE AIRCRAFT
General Sir Douglas Haig, commander of the British Expeditionary Force, has requested that 20 additional air squadrons be deployed in France by the spring of 1917.
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11
1916
War
VERDUN BATTLE IS ENDED
After several bloody encounters, French troops have attained their goals in the recent push. With this undeniable success, the defenders of Verdun appear content for the time. As the Germans also seem to have no motive for continuing the attacks, major combat appears to have ceased for the winter.
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11
1916
War
BATTLE OF THE SOMME IS ENDED
Snow has brought a halt to the Somme offensive. During the battle, which lasted for more than four months, the British and French gained roughly 12 kilometres of ground, at the cost of an appalling number of casualties - over 420,000 for the British, and 200,000 for the French. German casualties are estimated to run even higher, at around 500,000.
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1916
War
DECORATED FLIER KILLED IN ACTION
Major Lanoe G. Hawker VC was killed in a dogfight with rising German ace Manfred von Richthofen yesterday, following a prolonged period of maneuvering during which neither pilot was able to gain the advantage. Fuel shortage eventually forced Major Hawker to attempt to break off and run for the British lines. He then lost his life when his de Havilland DH2 pusher scout was pursued and shot down from behind. Major Hawker is believed to be von Richthofen's eleventh victim.
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11
1916
War
ZEPPELIN LOSSES MOUNT
A Zeppelin raid on Britain this morning by eight airships appears to have been largely ineffectual due to bad weather and mechanical problems. Two Zeppelins were shot down by home defense aircraft. RFC Second Lieutenant Ian V. Pyott of No. 36 Squadron shoots down L 34 in flames over Castle Eden, killing her entire crew including her famed commander Max Dietrich. Later, three RNAS BE-2cs shot down L 21 off Lowestoft.
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11
1916
War
APPALLING BRITISH AIR LOSSES
During the last three months (September, October and November), Jasta 2 has shot down 76 British aircraft for the loss of only seven of their own. The Albatros equipped Jastas have completely reversed the air situation, rising from complete disarray this summer to deadly dominance this fall.
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1916
War
AIR FIGHT WINDS DOWN
Both sides are exhausted from months of constant flying and fighting, particularly over the Somme battlefield. With the ground action drawing to a close due to the arrival of cold winter weather, reconnaissance and bombing requirements are lessening daily and the skies are growing quieter. A few months of respite are expected.  The Germans plan to continue the expansion and re-equipment of their fighter arm with new Jagdstaffeln being deployed almost weekly.  The British have lost many of their best pilots in the recent fighting and many squadrons are still flying old and obsolete aircraft. They will need a long period of rebuilding before having any hope of meeting the Germans on an equal footing.   
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12
1916
War
LITTLE MAJOR ACTION EXPECTED
Winter weather has halted any thoughts of offensive actions for the time being. IN THE AIR: The continued arrivals of large numbers of Albatros DII fighters have now given the Germans air superiority. The German fighters are superior to the outdated pusher aircraft still in action, and are matched only by a very skilled Entente pilot flying a Nieuport 17, SPAD VII, or Sopwith Pup. None of these planes is available in the same quantities as the Albatros; neither can they match the two-gunned fire power of the German machine. 
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12
1916
War
PUPS ARRIVING IN STRENGTH
After proving itself to be a capable opponent for any current German machine during recent months, larger numbers of Sopwith Pups are rumoured to be on their way to the Western front. Sources say that several British squadrons will soon be entirely outfitted with the new machine.
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12
1916
War
RESIGNATION OF MR. ASQUITH
British Prime Minister Asquith, who formed a coalition government in May 1915, has been considered ill-fit for the task of wartime leader by elements within his own party as well as those within the opposition Conservative party. David Lloyd George has plotted with the Conservatives to bring about Asquith's downfall, a decision that appears likely to split the Liberal party. Asquith resigned today and Lloyd George is expected to succeed him as Prime Minister within a few days.
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12
1916
War
HOME DEFENCE RESOURCES GROW
British home air defense is eating up significant resources these days. About 17,341 officers and men are now deployed throughout the United Kingdom for this purpose. Among them are 12,000 officers and men manning antiaircraft guns and 2,200 officers and men assigned to the twelve RFC squadrons that operate about 110 aeroplanes.
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1916
War
UPGRADED ALBATROS MODEL
It is reported that an upgraded Albatros fighter known as the D.III is coming into service with frontline Jastas. At the request of the Idflieg (Inspectorate of Flying Troops), the D.III has a sesquiplane wing arrangement broadly similar to the French Nieuport 11. This may be an attempt to impart some of the Nieuports maneuverability into the Albatros. As such, the upper wing has been extended in span, while the lower wing has reduced chord and only a single main spar. Most noticeably, "V" shaped interplane struts have replaced the parallel struts of the D.II. For this reason, British aircrews are reportedly referring to this machine as the "V-strutter" based on this noticeable change.
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1916
War
GERMAN PEACE PROPOSALS
Germany and her allies of the Central Powers today made peace proposals to the Allies. German Chancellor Bethmann-Hollweg, in a speech in the Reichstag, offered to open negotiations with the Entente in a neutral country.
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RFC TO EXPAND
The Army Council yesterday approved the expansion of the Royal Flying Corps to 106 frontline squadrons.
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PEACE PROPOSALS LIKELY REJECTED
The Entente allies have demanded reparation, restitution and adequate future security from Germany and her allies, announced in the British Parliament today. The German proposals were described as sham proposals, lacking all substance and precision, less an offer of peace than a war maneuver. It appears the war will go on. 
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SURPRISE FRENCH ASSAULT - VERDUN
French troops today smashed German lines at Verdun; penetrate two miles deep over six-mile front, and taking more than eleven thousand prisoners. 
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SPAD PRODUCTION RAMPING UP
After months of painfully slow production and teething problems, SPAD VII production is reaching meaningful levels and looks to increase continuously with each coming month. The original order of 268 machines is still well short of being delivered, and in fact appears unlikely to be fulfilled for many months yet. Nevertheless, improvements at the factory are having an effect and large numbers of SPAD's are predicted to be flowing to the front within the next month or two.
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1916
War
NUNGESSER'S 'GUNLESS' VICTORY
French ace Charles Nungesser achieved his 21st aerial victory in unique fashion today. His aircraft having been completely overhauled, he took it up for a test flight. Over Chaulnes Wood, he spotted an L.V.G. and went after it. When he reached a firing position, he shockingly discovered that there was no Lewis gun on the upper wing, it having been removed during the repair. His only choice was to threaten to ram the German's tail. This worked and the L.V.G. was forced down on the French side.
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1916
War
PRESIDENT WILSON'S PEACE NOTE
President Wilsons has suggested that the belligerents state their terms for peace and for arrangements to guarantee the world against future renewal of conflicts.
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12
1916
War
JASTAS DECIMATING ENTENTE FLIERS
It has been about four months since German air power was reorganized with the grouping into Jastas to concentrate their influence. In that time the German pilots have been wreaking havoc on the Entente, largely due to their superior Albatros fighters and by focusing their numbers in select regions of the front. Jasta 2, recently renamed Jasta “Boelcke”, has achieved a record of 86 victories while losing only 10 of their own over the same period.
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1916
War
SOPWITH PUP - INCREASING NUMBERS
The Sopwith Pup has proven an effective fighter, primarily due to its excellent maneuverability compared to the opposing German Albatros. Front line pilots report that it can turn twice to an Albatros' once. Additional British squadrons are now being equipped with the type.
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1916
War
CHRISTMAS ARRIVES YET AGAIN
Despite optimistic predictions in 1914 that the war would be over by Christmas, cruel reality now brings us the third Christmas of the conflict. The fighting men of all armies will try to make what simple celebrations they can muster, but the sadness of missing families and remembering happier times back home is hard to ignore for all. And yet the business of war and killing goes on, even on such a day.
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1916
War
LT. LEFFERS DEATH
His death in aerial combat occurred near Cherisy, ending a promising career. Flying Fokker monoplanes with Jasta I, Leutnant Leffers obtained nine aerial victories. His first victory was December 5th, 1915 near Achiet-le-Grand. Aerial victories not yet being commonplace at the time he was awarded an Ehrenbecher (Honor Goblet) Number 32, presented to 'Dem Sieger in Luftkampfe' (the victor in aerial combat) for a first aerial victory. He won the coveted Pour-le-Merite on October 25, 1916 and was the 12th aviator recipient of this coveted award. 
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1916
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FRENCH COUNTER ATTACKS CONTINUE
Since capturing forts at Douaumont and Vaux six weeks ago, the French infantry have continued to advance and gained another 2km at Verdun. 
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