140
9
1
1
1915
War
A NEW YEAR DAWNS
The year 1915 dawns, with the powers of Europe still locked in a gigantic armed struggle. The war that was predicted by so many to end before the turning of the years looks to go on for some time, now that the combatants along the Western front have become firmly entrenched along static defenses. The French and German armies continue to battle in the Champagne area, attacking and counterattacking now for a week without gain on either side.
War Declared.jpg
spare
EOR
14
1
1915
War
CHAMPAGNE OFFENSIVE HALTED
After several weeks of attacks that have gained only small amounts of ground, the French Fourth Army yesterday halted further attacks. This concludes the first major offensive attempted since the mobile war ended and both sides entrenched. It seems apparent now that creating a breakthrough against a determined defender behind barbed-wire and in the face of numerous machineguns is a daunting prospect for either side. 
french1.jpg
spare
EOR
18
1
1915
War
JAPAN PRESENTS ULTIMATUM
Seizing the opportunity effected by the onset of war 6 months ago and by its status as an Allied power, Japan has presented China with an ultimatum designed to give Japan regional ascendancy. The ultimatum is backed up by the threat of war. The 'Twenty-One Demands' - comprising five groupings - require that China immediately cease its leasing of territory to foreign powers and to assent to Japanese control over Manchuria and Shandong (Shantung), along with other demands. The Chinese government, aware of its inability to wage war against Japan, has reluctantly agreed to Japan's demands.
japan_china.jpg
Spare
EOR
20
1
1915
War
ZEPPELINS CROSS THE CHANNEL
Last night England was attacked from the sky for the first time. Imperial German Navy dirigibles L3 and L4 crossed the English Channel, each with a load of bombs. L3 dropped six 50-kg (110-lb) high-explosive and seven incendiary bombs on Great Yarmouth. L4 bombed Sheringham, Snettisham, and King's Lynn. The raid killed four people and injured 16. The realization that the protection of the English Channel is useless against aerial attack is a sobering realization for the British people.
zep2.jpg
spare
EOR
24
1
1915
War
NAVAL BATTLE OFF DOGGER BANK
German Admiral Hipper's fleet was intercepted in the North Sea yesterday while on its way to bombard English coastal towns. Admiral David Beatty engaged with six British battlecruisers and a flotilla of destroyers. British shells damaged the ships Sydlitz and Blucher but the German's also damaged Beatty's flagship, Lion. Both sides are loudly claiming victory. An airship played a role in this naval battle - a first for naval combat. German Navy Zeppelin L5 was flying a routine patrol when it arrived over the ongoing battle. Kept at a distance by fire from the British ships and hampered by cloud, the airship was able to provide some information on British dispositions to the commanding German admiral in the late stages of the battle.
grandfleet.jpg
spare
EOR
25
1
1915
War
AIRSHIP DESTROYED
The Imperial German Navy has suffered its first wartime loss of an airship. PL 19 has been forced down on the Baltic Sea by icing and engine failure while attempting to return to base after bombing Libau, Russia. Two Imperial Russian Navy minesweepers captured her seven-man crew and set her ablaze.
L-15 31.3.16.jpg
spare
EOR
30
1
1915
War
AMERICA TO MEDIATE
Colonel Edward M. House, President Wilson's good friend and advisor, has set sail to Europe on the Lusitania in an attempt to mediate a peace settlement. However, six months into the war both sides still feel they can get what they want by force of arms and appear unwilling to settle the conflict.
lust1915.jpg
Spare
EOR
1
2
1915
War
GERMANS USE POISON GAS!!
The Central Powers, reinforcing their armies in the east, have launched a great offensive under Hindenburg in the Battle of Bolimov, a feint aimed at Warsaw to distract Russian attention. Poison gas shells used for the first time have been reported, but they are not apparently highly effective in the currently freezing temperatures, and the bulk of the Russian troops have not reported any gas attacks. 
15gallip.jpg
Spare
EOR
2
2
1915
War
TURKS THREATEN SUEZ CANAL!
Advance elements of Djemal Pasha's Turkish army have struck across the Suez canal in pontoon boats, but have been repelled. To date, no further Turkish assaults have been made against the canal, but this threat has held back reinforcements from Gallipoli.
suezguards.jpg
Spare
EOR
4
2
1915
War
UNRESTRICTED SUBMARINE WAR!
Germany has proclaimed a war zone around the British Isles in retaliation for the blockade of its ports. Germany is intensifying its submarine campaign against Allied merchant ships and has attacked neutral ships as well.
subwar_u53.jpg
Spare
EOR
5
2
1915
War
VICKERS F.B.5 GUN BUS ARRIVES
The first aircraft purpose-built for air-to-air combat is about to see action on the Western Front. The Vickers Gun Bus is a British two-seat pusher biplane armed with a single drum-fed .303 in (7.7 mm) Lewis Gun operated by the observer in the front of the nacelle. This aircraft uses the "Farman" pusher layout. It is powered by a single 100 hp (75 kW) Gnome Monosoupape nine-cylinder rotary engine driving a two-bladed propeller. Although its forward-firing machine gun appears to make it a dangerous hunter, rumour has it that the machine does not have the speed or rate of climb to enable it to catch most German aircraft. 
Gunbus.jpg
spare
EOR
6
2
1915
War
PEGOUD DOWNS TWO
Yesterday saw an amazing feat - the downing of two enemy aircraft by France's Adolphe Pegoud and his observer. Pegoud maneuvered his two-seat Morane Parasol with dazzling skill, flying close beside the unsuspecting German aircraft while his observer dispatched the two planes with only six shots from a rifle.
Pegoud.jpg
spare
EOR
7
2
1915
War
BATTLE FOR MASURIAN LAKES
The Second Battle of the Masurian Lakes forms part of a two-pronged decisive push against Russia by the Austro-Germans, the aim being to force Russia's defeat and so bring about an early end to the war on the Eastern Front.
cossacks.jpg
Spare
EOR
8
2
1915
War
RUSSIANS FORCED BACK
The new German Tenth Army has hit the Russian right flank, with apparently devastating results. The Russians have been driven back into the Augustow Forest, barely escaping encirclement. Over 90,000 Russian prisoners have reportedly been taken.
german inf1915.jpg
Spare
EOR
15
2
1915
War
USA: GERMANY CALLED TO ACCOUNT 
President Wilson of the USA warns Germany that the U.S. will hold it "to a strict accountability" for "property damaged or lives lost." German submarine warfare is taking a heavy toll on neutral shipping, including American. (Note: U-boat captains are in a difficult position because they cannot safely surface to allow enemy crews to board life rafts before being sunk.  The fragile U-boats themselves are easily sunk by small-caliber deck guns.)
transport_torpedo.jpg
Spare
EOR
17
2
1915
War
ZEPPELINS L3 AND L4 DESTROYED
Only four weeks after they became the first two airships to bomb the United Kingdom, the Imperial German Navy Zeppelins L3 and L4 have been wrecked in Denmark while attempting to search for British ships off the Norway coast. L3 had engine problems and had to land in Denmark were the crew burned the airship before being interned by Danish authorities. L44 faced strong headwinds and a severe snowstorm, and a shortage of fuel finally forced an emergency landing near Blaavands Huk in Denmark. Eleven of the crew got to ground and were interned but four others were lost when the airship was blown out over the North Sea, disappearing with the four men still on board.
zepwreck.jpg
spare
EOR
18
2
1915
War
ADOLPHE PEGOUD DOWNS THREE
Famous French acrobatic pilot Adolphe Pegoud and his observer-gunner have reportedly downed three German aircraft in a single day. Flying a two-seat Morane Saulnier L, they attacked a Taube scout from a short distance causing it to fall. Immediately afterwards, they attacked two Aviatik two-seaters causing the first to fall and forcing the second to land. Although the rest of his squadron, MF25, flies slower Maurice Farman 7 or 11 machines, Pégoud enjoys the use of the fast Morane-Saulnier due to his pre-war fame as a pilot. He is putting this machine to good use, as the downing of even one enemy craft is considered a great feat, let alone downing three.
Pegoud.jpg
spare
EOR
19
2
1915
War
UNRESTRICTED U-BOAT WARFARE 
The German navy has begun a campaign of unrestricted submarine attacks of all shipping around the British Isles. Ships will no longer be stopped and searched, but will be sunk without warning by torpedoes. This blockade of Britain appears designed to starve the British of supplies.
Sub2.jpg
spare
EOR
20
2
1915
War
ALLIED FLEET IN DARDANELLES
A predominately British fleet yesterday opened fire on the Ottoman forts guarding the entrance to the Dardanelles straight. This naval push is rumoured to be an attempt to open a supply line to Russia and encourage Bulgaria and Romania to join the allied side. The British are known to perceive the Ottoman Empire as a weak enemy. British battleships are reportedly intent on working their way up the Strait to the Black Sea, blasting the numerous Turkish fortresses as they go. The presence of numerous Turkish minefields however, could prove problematic.
grandfleet.jpg
spare
EOR
23
2
1915
War
MACHINE GUNS ON FRENCH PLANES
The French Air Service currently has about 390 aircraft in service on the Western Front, most of which are unarmed. Major Edouard Bares, commander of the FAS, has ordered a large supply of Hotchkiss machine guns with the intent of adding a lethal sting to any aircraft capable of carrying such a weapon. About 50 machine guns have arrived and it remains to be seen how effective this project will prove to be. The Germans already have a few machine-gun equipped machines in the air over the frontlines and concern is spreading rapidly. 
Garros.jpg
spare
EOR
26
2
1915
War
ZEPPELIN THWARTED BY WIND
Yesterday, a German attempt to bomb the United Kingdom for a second time failed when strong headwinds forced the German Navy Zeppelin L8, which had sent out to attack alone, to give up her attempt and land at an Imperial German Army camp in German-occupied Belgium.
BlythGermanZeppelinRaid.jpg
spare
EOR
5
3
1915
War
ZEPPELIN DOWNED BY BELGIAN GUNS
Yesterday, the third German attempt to bomb the United Kingdom failed when the naval Zeppelin L8, again attacking alone, encountered a gale over the North Sea and was blown out of control over Nieuport where Belgian antiaircraft gunners shot her down.
zepwreck.jpg
spare
EOR
10
3
1915
War
TACTICAL BOMBING RAIDS TRIED
Forward thinkers in the RAF are convinced that tactical bombing has a real potential to sway the outcome of battles. Captain Louis Strange of No 6 Squadron has modified a BE2c to carry four 20 lb bombs on wing racks released by pulling a cable fitted in the cockpit. He recently attacked Courtrai railway station, approaching from low-level and hitting a troop train causing 75 casualties. The same day Captain Carmichael of No 5 Squadron dropped a 100 lb bomb from a Martinsyde S1 on the railway junction at Menin. This ability to disrupt the enemies supply lines and reinforcements far behind the lines appears to be promising, and such actions seems likely to increase in the future. 
BE2c.jpg
spare
EOR
11
3
1915
War
BATTLE FOR NEUVE CHAPELLE
Yesterday saw an attack by General Haig's First Army towards the French town of Neuve Chapelle. A short but intense artillery barrage was carried out with the aid of numerous RAF reconnaissance aircraft. The infantry charged and made an almost immediate breakthrough of the German lines, which were held by only a single division of Crown Prince Rupprecht's Sixth Army. The village was captured within four hours. 
477_overthetop_2020.jpg
spare
EOR
14
3
1915
War
NEUVE CHAPELLE BATTLE ENDED
The front around Neuve Chapelle has stabilized after a German counterattack. Although Haig was able to retain Neuve Chapelle, he had to abandon plans to advance towards Aubers Ridge. At the end of the offensive, the British Expeditionary Force gained 2 square kilometres of land at a cost of 13,000 casualties.
british trench2.jpg
spare
EOR
16
3
1915
War
BRITS FIT FIRST MACHINE GUNS
It is rumoured that the British have begun to attach machine guns at the rear of some of their two-seater aircraft. Both the British and German forces have been slow to equip aircraft with machine guns, in contrast to the French who have been actively engaged in this activity for a few months now. No doubt, all sides will be working hard to leap ahead in the field of aerial attack and defense now that the value of the airborne machine gun is recognized. 
F2Bpalistien.jpg
spare
EOR
17
3
1915
War
ZEPPELIN LOWERS OBSERVATION CAR
Yesterday, the Imperial German Army attempted an airship raid against the United Kingdom with the Zeppelin Z XII. Unable to find targets through cloud cover, Z XII dropped no bombs. On the way home over Calais, France, the crew made first use of a manned observation car lowered below the Zeppelin by winch to allow observation below the clouds while the airship remains safely above.
zep2.jpg
spare
EOR
18
3
1915
War
PEGOUD AWARDED MEDAILLE MILITAIRE
French pilot Adolphe Pegoud has been awarded the Medaille Militaire for his actions on Feb 5, when he downed three German aircraft in a single day.
Pegoud.jpg
spare
EOR
19
3
1915
War
PILOT'S UNORTHODOX ATTACK
Yesterday, Imperial Russian Air Service Stabskapitän Alexander Kazakov used a grapnel to hook his aircraft to a German Albatros two-seater aircraft in mid-air, hoping to destroy the Albatros by detonating a small bomb fixed to the grapnel. When his grapnel mechanism jammed, he instead downed the Albatros by ramming it with his undercarriage.
crashsite.jpg
spare
EOR
20
3
1915
War
SEA BATTLE FOR TURKISH STRAITS
A force of eighteen battleships entered the Dardanelles a few days ago, in an effort to silence the Turkish forts still guarding the straits after last month's naval bombardment. At first, the force of dreadnoughts seemed to make good progress. Suddenly, the Bouvet struck a mine, keeled over, capsized, and disappeared, leaving nothing behind but a cloud of smoke. Soon afterwards, two more ships, Irresistible and Ocean, also hit mines. Most of the men in these two ships have been rescued, but by the time the Allied fleet retreated, over 700 men had been killed. Overall, three ships are sunk and three more are severely damaged. Although more than 2,000 shells were fired by the fleet, not one Turkish shore battery appears to have been silenced.
Brit fleet_dard_1915.jpg
Spare
EOR
23
3
1915
War
BRISTOL SCOUTS BEING ARMED
Unarmed Bristol Scouts have been used by the RAF and RNAS as fast reconnaissance machines. These machines are powered by an 80-hp Le Rhône rotary engine. Now, some of these light and fast biplanes are being armed for use as fighting scouts. Due to the tractor arrangement of the aircraft, various mounting positions are being tried to fire a Lewis gun past the arc of the propeller. The inventive Captain Lanoe Hawker has reportedly designed a mount that places a single obliquely aimed Lewis machine gun on the left side of the fuselage. These field modifications are rather experimental, and the number of armed Bristol's in service is expected to remain rather small.
bristol scout.jpg
spare
EOR
24
3
1915
War
AIRCRAFT BOMB SUB DEPOT
Yesterday, five Royal Naval Air Service Avro 504s of No. 1 Squadron bombed the German submarine depot at Hoboken in Antwerp, Belgium. The bombing started a fire in the shipyard that destroyed two German submarines. This represents an impressive demonstration of the airplanes ability to attack enemy assets well behind the lines.
bombdrop.jpg
spare
EOR
30
3
1915
War
US UPSET AT DISRUPTION OF TRADE
President Wilson has protested the British blockade of German ports and has asked the British to allow neutral countries - including the US - to be able to continue their trade as usual. Britain has refused, as allowing this would greatly increase the enemy's ability to wage modern mechanized warfare. Sentiment in the United States among the general public also strongly supports leaving the US out of any "European War."
Pres_wilson.jpg
Spare
EOR
2
4
1915
War
AERIAL MACHINEGUN IS DEADLY
Yesterday, French pilot Lieutenant Roland Garros demonstrated the deadly effectiveness of mounting a fixed forward-firing machinegun to an aeroplane. He is reported to have easily shot down a German Albatros observation plane, a feat that has previously been nearly impossible. No information is available at this time on how Garros is able to fire through the propeller of his Morane Saulnier L single-seater scout, as this is a highly guarded secret. 
Garros.jpg
spare
EOR
4
4
1915
War
PEGOUD DECLARED ACE
Yesterday, the French pilot Adolphe Pégoud scored his fifth aerial victory, and France has given him the designation of 'ace'. The new title appears to be a propaganda mechanism, designed to create heroes and keep up the morale of the people. At the start of World War I, Pégoud volunteered for flying duty and was immediately accepted as an observation pilot. Last February he and his gunner were credited with shooting down two German aircraft and forcing another to land. Lately he has been flying a single-seat aircraft, rumoured to be a Moraine Saulnier-L.
Pegoud.jpg
spare
EOR
7
4
1915
War
AVIATIK C.I DELIVERIES BEGIN
New armed German C-class two-seaters should be arriving at the front soon. The successor to the Aviatik B.I and B.II models, the Aviatik C provides the observer, located in front of the pilot, with defensive machine guns. The field of fire is somewhat restricted by the wings and rigging, however, the opportunity appears to be present for more aggressive aircrews to take an offensive approach in engaging enemy aircraft, if desired.
AviatikC.jpg
spare
EOR
15
4
1915
War
GARROS GETS ANOTHER KILL
Roland Garros has claimed a second kill with his machinegun equipped Morane Saulnier L. His German opponents seem to be caught quite surprised by the unexpected machinegun fire coming from the nose of the plane. 
crashsite.jpg
spare
EOR
18
4
1915
War
ROLAND GARROS CAPTURED
It has been reported that Roland Garros has force-landed behind German lines, along with his secret machinegun-equipped Type L aircraft. Both he and the aircraft have been captured. The Germans have thus discovered the secret to his ability to fire through the propeller, rumoured to be nothing more than some steel deflector wedges mounted to the rear of the prop. Just before being forced down, Garros had shot down yet another German aircraft. Given Garros' deadly use of the forward firing machine gun, it can be assumed that the Germans will be very quick to examine his plane and field a similar system of their own.
Garros.jpg
spare
EOR
19
4
1915
War
HAWKER BOMBS ZEPPELIN SHEDS
Yesterday, flying a BE.2c, Royal Flying Corps pilot Lanoe Hawker attacked the German Zeppelin sheds at Gontrode, Belgium, destroying a shed and shooting down a nearby Drachen observation balloon. He is expected to be awarded the Distinguished Service Order for the action.
BE2c.jpg
spare
EOR
23
4
1915
War
SECOND BATTLE OF YPRES BEGINS
Yesterday, the German Fourth Army attacked the Ypres salient, releasing 168 tons of chlorine gas at sunrise against French Algerian and territorial division troops. The effectiveness of the gas attack was complete, and stunned Allied troops fled in panic towards Ypres. The gas affected some 10,000 troops, half of whom died of asphyxiation within ten minutes. Two Germans corps wearing respirators advanced warily into a four mile (7km) wide gap in the Allied lines. The breakthrough was not well exploited because there were no reserves; the German command had not expected the attack to achieve much. After advancing three kilometres into the breach, the Germans were halted by a scrambled Second Army counter-offensive. Canadian troops were able to hold by urinating into cloths and putting them to their faces to counter the gas. At Kitchener's' Wood, the 10th Battalion of the 2nd Canadian Brigade counter-attacked into the gap and cleared the former oak plantation of Germans with a desperate nighttime bayonet charge at the cost of 75% casualties. The use of gas by the Germans has been strongly condemned by the Allies as barbaric and reprehensible.
german attack2.jpg
spare
EOR
25
4
1915
War
ANOTHER GAS ATTACK AT YPRES
Yesterday, the Germans released a second batch of chlorine gas at Ypres, this time directed against Canadian troops situated north-east of Ypres. The German forces gained ground against the unprotected Canadian troops, although fighting was fierce, spreading far south to Hill 60. The novelty and fear of gas warfare appears to be wearing off, and the advancing German infantry have sustained heavy losses from the defending Canadians.
Somme.jpg
spare
EOR
26
4
1915
War
ALLIED LANDING IN GALLIPOLI
Yesterday, Allied landings took place at two locations on the Gallipoli peninsula: Cape Helles and Ari Burnu. The capture of Turkish forts is expected to assist the progress of the Allied battle fleet along the Straits. A landing at Cape Helles on the peninsula's southern tip consisted of 35,000 men. Fifteen kilometres further along the Aegean coast, Australian and New Zealand Corps comprising 17,000 largely untried men were landed at Ari Burnu (now nicknamed Anzac Cove). Although the first wave of troops has taken the beach, so far they have failed to secure the higher ridges overlooking the area. The area where the troops landed is very rugged, consisting of steep cliffs and crisscrossing gullies, providing excellent cover for Turkish snipers.
chunik bair.jpg
spare
EOR
27
4
1915
War
V.C AWARDED TO BRAVE FLIER
Yesterday, Second Lieutenant William Rhodes-Moorhouse of the Royal Flying Corps' No. 2 Squadron was mortally wounded while carrying out a bombing attack on a railway junction at Kortrijk, Belgium. For the action, he is expected to be posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, becoming the first airman to receive Britain's highest award for bravery.
victoria cross.jpg
spare
EOR
1
5
1915
War
AMERICAN TANKER SUNK BY U-BOAT
A German U-boat has torpedoed the American tanker Gulflight, causing three deaths. Germany has offered to make reparations and promises not to attack again without warning, unless the ship tries to escape. Germany has refused to abandon submarine warfare, the only maritime warfare it can successfully carry out at this point in time.
subwar_u53.jpg
Spare
EOR
4
5
1915
War
FRENCH BOMBARD VIMY RIDGE
Reports from the Arras area indicate that a new French offensive may be imminent. An artillery bombardment of the German lines in front of Vimy Ridge began yesterday, a likely prelude to an attack by the French Tenth Army. The British First Army to the north is shelling Aubers Ridge, indicating that the British are probably going to assist and attack on the left wing of the French.
heavy guns.jpg
spare
EOR
5
5
1915
War
WITHDRAWAL AT YPRES 
The loss of high-ground northeast of Ypres as a result of the recent gas attacks has put the British salient in a precarious position. A failed Allied counter-attack by two divisions directed by French General Ferdinand Foch last week did nothing to alleviate the problem. General Herbert Plumer has recommended a general Allied withdrawal to safer positions and this has now taken place during recent days.
YpresMap.jpg
spare
EOR
6
5
1915
War
BATTLE OF KRITHIA, GALLIPOLI
The Allied armies in Gallipoli have again attempted to capture the Achi Baba heights that dominate the peninsula. This is the third in a series of Allied attacks against the Ottoman defences aimed at finally capturing the original objectives of the April landings. Unfortunately for the attacking troops, the outcome has been another costly failure for the Allies. The centre of the attack pushed through the Turkish lines, but attacks on either side were halted with heavy casualties. Surrounded on three sides, the troops in the centre salient were pushed back by a Turkish counterattack. 
the_Nek_915.jpg
spare
EOR
8
5
1915
War
LUSITANIA TORPEDOED
The British ocean liner RMS Lusitania was torpedoed yesterday by a German U-boat and sunk. Of the 1,959 people on board, 1,198 have died, including 128 Americans. According to the Germans, the ship was carrying munitions, although the British deny this. The sinking of the Lusitania has enraged many Americans, including former President Theodore Roosevelt, who called it, "Murder on the high seas." Calls for America to join the war against Germany are on the rise. 
lust1915.jpg
spare
EOR
9
5
1915
War
BOMBARDMENT CONTINUES NEAR VIMY
The French and British continue to pound the German lines along Aubers Ridge and Vimy Ridge. Yesterday was the sixth day of the bombardment, and such an expenditure of shells is seen by all as a sure sign of a major Allied offensive any day now.
somme bombardment.jpg
spare
EOR
10
5
1915
War
SECOND BATTLE OF ARTOIS BEGINS
Yesterday saw the launching of the expected Allied assault northeast of Arras. The French attack towards Vimy broke through in the centre of the German lines and at great cost reached the heights of Vimy Ridge. French reserves were assembled out of range of German artillery and were too far back to reinforce the troops on the ridge. German counter-attacks later in the day forced the French back off the crest of the ridge and about half-way back to their jumping off points. The supporting British attack on Aubers Ridge is proving to be a costly failure. The German wire was not broken by the bombardment, nor were the German machineguns knocked out. Little ground has been gained yet casualties are high. Further attacks on the part of the British have been postponed.
french attack.jpg
spare
EOR
12
5
1915
War
ATTEMPTED SEA LAUNCH
Yesterday saw an attempt to intercept an airship using shipborne aircraft in the North Sea. The Royal Navy seaplane tender HMS Ben-my-Chree tried to launch a Sopwith seaplane to attack a German Zeppelin sighted low on the horizon at a range of 70 nautical miles (130 km). The attempt failed when the launching platform collapsed. The unmolested Zeppelin went on to bomb four surfaced British submarines without damaging them.
zepp007.jpg
spare
EOR
13
5
1915
War
ARTOIS - SLOW FRENCH HEADWAY
The Second Battle of Artois entered its fourth day yesterday. After capturing and then losing the crest of Vimy Ridge in the initial attack, the French have attempted numerous attacks at different points (Souchez, Lorient Spur) to try to regain momentum. Loses continue to mount on both sides as each French attack is met by artillery and machinegun fire, then pushed back by desperate German counterattacks. 
french troops2.jpg
spare
EOR
15
5
1915
War
BATTLE FOR FESTUBERT
The British have renewed their attack on Festubert as part of the second Battle of Artois, in order to draw German reinforcements away from the French sector at Vimy Ridge. Preceded by a four day artillery bombardment by over 400 guns firing 100,000 shells, the attack around the village was launched at night by two divisions of mostly Indian infantry. Under attack, the Germans have retreated to a line directly in front of the village. A further assault upon these lines by Canadian troops has begun, but is proving unsuccessful in the face of German artillery fire.
aussies.jpg
spare
EOR
16
5
1915
War
FRENCH HALT ATTACKS
Yesterday saw French commanders temporarily halt the attack on Vimy Ridge. The assault has lost all momentum, and heavy rain is setting in. 
artois_beforeattack.jpg
spare
EOR
17
5
1915
War
ZEPPELINS INTERCEPTED
Last night two Royal Naval Air Service Avro 504's intercepted the Imperial German Navy Zeppelins LZ 38 and LZ 39, badly damaging the LZ 39 with four 20-lb (9-kg) bombs dropped from above onto its envelope.
zep2.jpg
spare
EOR
19
5
1915
War
TURKISH COUNTER-ATTACK FAILS
A major Turkish counter-attack yesterday has failed to drive the Australians and New Zealanders from ANZAC Cove. Over 10,000 Turks have been killed or wounded in the greatest disaster to date for either side of the entire Gallipoli campaign.
turk art 1915.jpg
Spare
EOR
22
5
1915
War
FRENCH MAKE ADVANCE TOWARD VIMY
The French Tenth Army, after a week's rest and resupply, renewed attacks towards Vimy, Souchez, and Neuville yesterday. These attacks are reported to have limited objectives, and the aim appears to be the capture of strategic points in preparation for another all-out offensive on Vimy Ridge itself. 
french troops.jpg
spare
EOR
23
5
1915
War
ITALY DECLARES WAR ON AUSTRIA
Italy has joined the war, coming in on the side of the Entente. Italian armies are reported to be preparing to invade Austria along a 60-mile front. Although the Italian army is about 875,000 strong, approximately twice the size of Austria-Hungary's, the Italians are poorly equipped in artillery and ammunition, and have only 600 transport vehicles. 
War Declared.jpg
spare
EOR
25
5
1915
War
GERMAN ATTACK AGAIN AT YPRES
Yesterday, a heavy German assault forced a further Allied withdrawal around Ypres, although only a small amount of ground was ceded. A lack of supplies and manpower now obliges the Germans to call off the offensive. At this conclusion of the Second Battle of Ypres, the German attacks have considerably reduced the size of the Allied salient. The highest ground has been lost by the British and the salient in now no more than three miles across and five miles deep. Losses during the battle are estimated at 69,000 Allied troops (59,000 British, 10,000 French) against 35,000 German, with the difference in numbers explained by the use of chlorine gas.
german attack2.jpg
spare
EOR
26
5
1915
War
GERMAN FLIERS DOWN FRENCH PLANE
Oberleutnant Kästner and Lt Georg Langhoff have scored the first German air-to-air victory of World War I, shooting down a French Voisin in their Halberstadt C-type, near Dournai in France
crashsite.jpg
spare
EOR
27
5
1915
War
BRITISH CAPTURE FESTUBERT
After a week of slow advances, British troops have finally captured the village of Festubert. A total advance of 3 km (2 miles) has been achieved at a cost of over 16,000 casualties. Given that the French have halted on their right, it seems likely that the British will now end their attacks and attempt to consolidate the newly won ground.
flers.jpg
spare
EOR
28
5
1915
War
FRENCH BOMB GAS FACTORY
French airmen have carried out a long-range bombing attack on the poison-gas works at Ludwigshafen. A total of 18 Voisin III airplanes from the French bomber group GB1 (the world's first dedicated bomber group, comprising three Escadrilles of Voisin III airplanes) made the daring dawn raid two days ago and returned home with the loss of only one machine. A total of 87 bombs were dropped and the factory was damaged, but poison-gas production is not expected to be interrupted for long.
bombdrop.jpg
spare
EOR
1
6
1915
War
FOKKER E.I ENTERS SERVICE
Fokker’s unarmed 80hp reconnaissance A type Eindeckers (inspired by a pre-war wing-warping Morane-Saulnier design, but built with a welded steel tube frame fuselage) have provided the airframe for the development of a new single-seat fighting scout called the Fokker EI. The aircraft's design is not particularly innovative, but its armament is. Rumour has it that these craft will be armed with a forward firing machinegun, somewhat patterned after the captured Garros machine but with a new and better method of preventing damage to the propeller. How this is achieved is a closely guarded German secret. These aircraft will be delivered about two to a reconnaissance squadron to provide escort protection for the standard six reconnaissance biplanes. There are only a handful of these machines ready for combat trials, and it will probably take a few months before these are seen in any quantity at the front.
eindecker.jpg
spare
EOR
2
6
1915
War
NEW CAUDRON AIRCRAFT ARRIVING
Caudron G4 aircraft have begun to arrive at the front in small numbers and will slowly begin to equip French reconnaissance and bombing units. The need for a machine that can be armed with a machine gun has been growing as the air war becomes increasingly hostile with each passing week. This new twin-engine aircraft allows the observer to wield a machinegun in the nose of the nacelle, although rumour has it the gun is hemmed in badly by the swinging propellers to either side. A rear-firing gun is also being fitted to some machines, requiring a brave and coordinated observer to stand fully upright and backward in the nacelle to fire it. 
caudron.jpg
spare
EOR
8
6
1915
War
AIRSHIP DESTROYED BY AIRCRAFT
Yesterday, the German Army Zeppelin LZ 37 became the first airship destroyed in air-to-air combat. Flight Sub-Lieutenant Reginald Warneford of the Royal Naval Air Service's No. 1 Squadron, flying a Morane-Saulnier L, destroyed her with air-to-air bombing over Ghent, Belgium. LZ 37 crashed in Sint-Amandsberg, Belgium, killing one person on the ground and all but one of the crew. Warneford is expected to receive the Victoria Cross for his actions.
zepwreck.jpg
spare
EOR
14
6
1915
War
NIEUPORT 10 FIGHTER CONVERSION
Although rather underpowered for a two-seater reconnaissance aircraft, the Nieuport 10 has recently been found to perform well when converted to carry only a single pilot. Reports indicate that some Nieuport 10's are now being converted or built as single seat fighters by covering the front cockpit, and adding a Lewis machine gun to the center section of the top wing. In this form, the type can be used as a fighting-scout. The aircraft features a distinctive "V" strut layout with the lower wing much smaller in area than the upper wing, a concept intended to retain the good visibility of a parasol monoplane but with the increased lift and strength of a braced biplane.
nieuport10.jpg
spare
EOR
16
6
1915
War
FRENCH BOMB GERMAN CITIES
Yesterday, French aircraft attacked Karlsruhe and Baden in Germany, killing 29 civilians and wounding 58 in what appears to be a purely civilian attack. This is rumoured to be in reprisal for the recent German bombing of Nancy and shelling of the town of Verdun, which the French considered to be attacks on civilians. This appears to be a nasty turn of events, with non-combatants now becoming targets. Rumour has it that the Kaiser is now considering rescinding his prohibition against the bombing of British civilians in the Zeppelin campaign.
bombdrop.jpg
spare
EOR
17
6
1915
War
FRENCH PUSH TO CAPTURE VIMY
After several weeks filled with small attacks to capture strategic locations, the French Tenth Army initiated a major renewed offensive yesterday. About half a million shells were poured onto German lines and rear positions in the morning, and around noon, the French infantry attacked. An advance of 400 metres was made on a one kilometre wide front, but German defences lost in the original May attack have been replaced and strengthened by nine new infantry divisions and much more heavy artillery. The German guns dominated the French artillery, and the attack has lost headway with heavy losses. 
french attack.jpg
spare
EOR
18
6
1915
War
NEW HERO DIES IN ACCIDENT
Shortly after a ceremony in Paris yesterday, in which he received the French Légion d'Honneur for shooting down Zeppelin LZ 37 ten days ago, RNAS Flight Sub-Lieutenant Reginald Warneford died in the crash of a new Farman biplane during takeoff from Buc, France. His passenger, American journalist Henry Beach Newman, was also killed.
crashsite.jpg
spare
EOR
19
6
1915
War
FRENCH END 2nd BATTLE OF ARTOIS
After more failed attacks towards Vimy Ridge over the last few days, and with little to show for the effort except a mounting tally of casualties, Generals Foch and Joffre have concluded that there is no use in continuing the battle. French casualties number in excess of 100,000. 
Martinpuich.jpg
spare
EOR
24
6
1915
War
BATTLE OF THE ISONZO RIVER
Yesterday, the Italian Army, led by General Luigi Cadora, began an offensive aimed at capturing the town of Gorizia along the Isonzo river, followed by a rapid advance into the highlands and mountain passes of the surrounding Austrian Alps. 
Italian_troops.jpg
Spare
EOR
1
7
1915
War
FIRST TRUE FIGHTER VICTORY
A two-seat Morane Type L aircraft has become the first victim of a production fighter aircraft, being forced down by Leutnant Kurt Wintgens. Wintgens was flying a production prototype of the new Fokker EI equipped with a deadly weapon ... a parabellum machine gun synchronized to fire through the propeller. 
eindecker2.jpg
spare
EOR
4
7
1915
War
WINTGENS STRIKES AGAIN
German pilot Kurt Wintgens has downed another Entente aircraft, shooting down a two-seat Morane Type L (Parasol) with his Fokker EI. With two aerial victories in only four days, this demonstrates the deadly effectiveness of the new Fokker machine. Fortunately, for the British and French airmen there are still only a few of these deadly Fokkers patrolling the skies, but this is likely to change in the coming months. 
eindecker.jpg
spare
EOR
6
7
1915
War
BATTLE OF THE ISONZO ENDS
The Armies of Italy and Austria-Hungary have been clashing heavily on the Italian Front since June 23, with the Italians attempting to drive the Austrians away from their positions along the Isonzo River and in the nearby mountains. Although the Italians have a 2:1 numeric superiority, their offensive appears to have failed, with extremely heavy casualties on both sides. Italian commander Luigi Cadorna has employed frontal assaults after impressive but short artillery barrages, which the Austrians have repulsed from uphill positions behind barricades of barbed wire. The Austrians have now received two reinforcement divisions, ending any Italian hopes for breaking through the Austrian lines. Total Italian gains have been minimal.
Italian_troops.jpg
spare
EOR
11
7
1915
War
IMPROVED FOKKER GETS NEW ENGINE
An improved production version of the German Eindecker scout is rumoured to be in final development. A 100hp Oberursel U.1 rotary engine (which is essentially a license-built 100hp Gnome Monosoupape) will power the new Fokker E.II, giving it a 20hp boost over the EI. This should provide increased speed and climbing ability. 
eindecker2.jpg
spare
EOR
14
7
1915
War
RUSSIAN RETREAT ON EASTERN FRONT
The Central Powers' armies have opened a renewed offensive across the entire eastern front. Outnumbered and off-balance, the southern end of the Russian line is collapsing and troops are retreating to the Ivangorod-Lublin-Chelm line.
german attack.jpg
spare
EOR
15
7
1915
War
AIRWAR TURNS DEADLY
Yet another two-seat Morane Type L aircraft has reportedly been downed by a German Fokker EI armed-scout. The loss rate for Entente fliers appears to be accelerating rapidly as more and more of these new weapons arrive at the front.
crashsite.jpg
spare
EOR
18
7
1915
War
SPY NETWORK DISCOVERED IN US
A secret service agent has retrieved a briefcase accidentally left behind on a subway by the head of German propaganda in the United States, one Dr. Heinrich Albert. The contents of the briefcase have exposed the existence of an extensive German espionage network and subversive activities across the nation. German consuls, embassy staff, officials of the Hamburg-American Steamship Line, and many other German-Americans have been implicated. This discovery, coming barely two months after the sinking of the oceanliner Lusitania by a German U-boat, has stirred popular outrage against Germany in the United States. 
german_american_spies.bmp
Spare
EOR
25
7
1915
War
FIRST FIGHER SQUADRON FORMED
The F.B.5 Gun Bus has been used in ones and twos with several RFC units since February, but now No. 11 Squadron RFC has become the world's first fighter squadron, fully equipped with all F.B.5's
Gunbus.jpg
spare
EOR
26
7
1915
War
LANOE HAWKER IN GALLANT ACTION
Yesterday, flying a Bristol Scout C, Royal Flying Corps Captain Lanoe Hawker attacked three German aircraft while on patrol over Passchendaele, Belgium, downing two. Because of this action, and his unflagging enthusiasm, there is talk that he is will be awarded the Victoria Cross, which would be the first VC awarded for plane-to-plane combat.
bristol scout.jpg
spare
EOR
28
7
1915
War
CAUDRON PRODUCTION INCREASES
Although they have been at the front for several months, the Caudron G4 aircraft have been in limited supply due to production problems. These problems have now been mostly worked out and greater numbers of these twin-boomed twin-engine machines are expected in the coming months. 
caudron.jpg
spare
EOR
1
8
1915
War
YOUNG PILOT SHOWS HIS SKILL
Leutnant Max Immelmann of Feldfliieger Abteilung 62 has shot down his first aircraft. This up and coming young pilot has been eagerly experimenting with the new German Eindecker scout, and has now apparently mastered its lethal potential. Given recent successes, the delivery of Fokker EI machines is to be increased beyond the few currently in action. More squadrons will be receiving their allotment of Eindeckers in the coming few months, which will be only for the use of the top one or two pilots in each group. 
Immelmann.jpg
spare
EOR
2
8
1915
War
HAWKER AWARDED VICTORIA CROSS
Citation: His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to award the Victoria Cross to Captain Lanoe George Hawker, of the Royal Engineers and Royal Flying Corps for most conspicuous bravery and very great ability on 25th July, 1915. When flying alone he attacked three German aeroplanes in succession. The first managed eventually to escape, the second was driven to ground damaged, and the third, which he attacked at a height of about 10,000 feet, was driven to earth in our lines, the pilot and observer being killed. The personal bravery shown by this Officer was of the very highest order, as the enemy's aircraft were armed with machine guns, and all carried a passenger as well as the pilot.
victoria cross.jpg
spare
EOR
4
8
1915
War
RUSSIANS ABANDON WARSAW 
The Russians are reported to be pulling out of Warsaw and the approaching German armies are expected to enter the city without a fight. The Russians continue to make a huge tactical retreat all across the Eastern Front, to avoid a large encircling maneuver by German penetrations at the north and south ends of the front. Grand Duke Nicholas is retreating to preserve his armies and buy time for resupply and armaments production to ramp up. 
BtofTannenberg.jpg
spare
EOR
7
8
1915
War
NEW GALLIPOLI LANDING
Yesterday saw Sir Ian Hamilton use new reinforcements to make a fresh landing on the Gallipoli peninsula north of Anzac Cove, on the Aegean coastline at Suvla Bay. The aim appears to be to secure the Anafarta Hills and finally allow Allied troops to break out from Anzac Cove. The landing has reportedly met little opposition, but due to caution or miscommunication on the part of the landings commanders, the troops have failed to advance and capture the key Tekke Tepe ridge, still over a kilometre away. Five Turkish divisions are said to be rapidly deploying to occupy this high ground. 
chunik bair.jpg
spare
EOR
8
8
1915
War
FOKKER E.III ENTERS SERVICE
The Fokker E.III is now reported to be in production and delivery to frontline units will begin soon. Allied pilots are unlikely to be able to discern this new craft from the existing EII, as they are externally identical. The improvements to the machine are said to be a stronger internal structure and the fitting of improved equipment. 
FokkerE3.jpg
spare
EOR
10
8
1915
War
BATTLE RAGES FOR LONE PINE
Over the past three days, one of the most hard-fought actions in Australian military history has taken place at Lone Pine, Gallipoli. Australian casualties currently amount to more than 2,000 men while the Turks estimate their losses at 6,930.
lonepine.jpg
Spare
EOR
11
8
1915
War
ZEP ATTACK FAILS TO REACH LONDON
The German airship bombing campaign appears to be increasingly aggressive. Led personally by the chief of the Naval Airship Division, Peter Strasser, five German Navy Zeppelins raided England last night. L9 bombed Goole, destroying some houses and warehouses and killing 16 people. The other four Zeppelins attempted to bomb London, but failed to reach the city, and instead bombed Eastchurch Naval Air Station in Dover (where three men are injured), and parts of the Thames Estuary. Damaged by a British 3-inch (76.2-mm) antiaircraft gun, L12 came down in the North Sea on the way home and was reportedly towed into Ostend, Belgium, by a German torpedo boat.
BlythGermanZeppelinRaid.jpg
spare
EOR
13
8
1915
War
AIRPLANE LAUNCHES TORPEDO
Flying a Short Type 184 from HMS Ben-my-Chree, RNAS Flight Commander Charles Edmonds has become the first pilot to attack a ship with an air-launched torpedo, hitting a 5,000 ton Turkish supply ship yesterday during action in the Dardanelles Campaign.
transport_torpedo.jpg
spare
EOR
15
8
1915
War
CAUDRON NUMBERS ON THE RISE
With the increased menace from German single-seat hunters growing weekly, French aircrews are desperate to acquire faster and better-armed aircraft. Fortunately, new Caudron G4 aircraft are starting to arrive in significant numbers, although sources say machines in action at the front number in the dozens rather than the hundreds that the French would prefer to have.
caudron.jpg
spare
EOR
18
8
1915
War
ZEPPELIN ATTACK ON LONDON
Overnight, four German Navy airships attempted to bomb London. Two are reported to have turned back with engine trouble, while airship L11 bombed open fields near Ashford and Faversham to no effect. L10, however, did reach London, becoming the first German Navy airship to do so. The airship's bombs did not actually hit London, but fell on Leyton due to poor visibility. The Leyton railroad station and a number of houses were hit, killing 10 people and injuring 48.
bombcity.jpg
spare
EOR
20
8
1915
War
YOUNG FLIER SHOWS PROMISE
Yesterday, flying a Fokker E.I, Leutnant Oswald Boelcke shot down his first aircraft. Lt. Boelcke is said to be an expert pilot and tactician, and his superiors have high hopes for this young pilot.
boelcke2.jpg
spare
EOR
21
8
1915
War
AERIAL BOMBING OFFENSIVE
The Italians have initiated a sustained aerial bombing offensive against Austria-Hungary. Italian Caproni Ca.2s made the first of what is expected to be many long and dangerous flights over the Alps to attack Austrian targets. Yesterday's initial attack hit the Austrian air base at Aisovizza. These large bombers carry a crew of four (two pilots and two gunners), and are powered by three engines, including a pusher engine between the two tail booms and one tractor engine at the front of each boom.
caproni.jpg
spare
EOR
23
8
1915
War
CAUDRON WELL LIKED BY AIRCREWS
French pilots are reportedly pleased with the Caudron G4 aircraft that is equipping more and more units. It is reported to be very pleasant to fly, and has excellent reliability with few mechanical problems being reported. Although not a fast machine, it is apparently a good climber. Its ability to evade or defend against the new German hunting machines will no doubt be put to the test in the coming months.
caudron.jpg
spare
EOR
25
8
1915
War
FALL OF BREST-LITOVSK
The Russian fortress town of Brest-Litovsk, about 100 miles east of Warsaw was captured today by a combined Austro-German army. Since May, the German forces under General Mackensen have been steadily driving the Russian armies back along the entire Eastern Front, gaining large swathes of Polish land.
gerinf.jpg
spare
EOR
28
8
1915
War
CHEVALIER DE LA LÉGION D'HONNEUR
Official Citation: Sous Lieutenant Adolphe Pegoud of Escadrille MS49, with a spirit and bravery beyond words; also a modest and skilful pilot, has never ceased since the start of the war to put his marvelous aptitudes to the service of his country. Accumulating daily the traits of courage and audacity, he has attacked heavily armed planes alone countless times. On 28 August 1915, during the course of an aerial duel, his plane was riddled by bullets and he was forced to land and immediately took every means available to save his plane in spite of intense German fire. 
Pegoud.jpg
spare
EOR
1
9
1915
War
PEGOUD KILLED
Yesterday, the first ace of the war, French pilot Adolphe Pegoud, was killed in combat. He had scored six victories and recently become a French national hero. He was downed by fire from the observer of a German plane he was attacking. In a twist of fate, it is reported that the pilot of the German plane was one of Pegoud's own pupils; a young German to whom he had given flying lessons before the war.
crashsite.jpg
spare
EOR
4
9
1915
War
ZEPPELIN DOWNED BY LIGHTNING
Four Imperial German Navy airships attempted to bomb England last night. One of them (L10) was struck by lightning and crashed in flames in the North Sea near Neuwerk, Germany, with the loss of her entire 20-man crew.
zepp007.jpg
spare
EOR
5
9
1915
War
CZAR TO COMMAND RUSSIAN ARMIES
Czar Nicholas has assumed command of the Russian armies, taking command from his Uncle Nikilai as Commander-in-Chief. In a formal declaration, Nicholas stated: 'My duty to my country, which has been entrusted to me by God, impels me to-day, when the enemy has penetrated into the interior of the Empire, to take the supreme command of the active forces and to share with my army the fatigues of war, and to safeguard with it Russian soil from the attempts of the enemy.' The Russian cabinet is rumoured to be almost universally opposed to the Czar's decision, fearing that further Russian losses will be blamed directly on Nicholas, which will tarnish his image with the already unhappy Russian people.
Tanburg.jpg
spare
EOR
6
9
1915
War
GERMANY CONQUERS POLAND
On the Eastern Front, the German and Austrian "great offensive" has conquered all of Poland and Lithuania. Russia has lost as many as one million men to date. 
polandWWI.jpg
Spare
EOR
8
9
1915
War
ZEPPELIN ATTACK
Last night, two Imperial German Army airships raided England. One, the Schütte-Lanz SL-2, bombed Millwall, Deptford, Greenwich, and Woolwich docks. She crash-landed in Germany on the return flight after suffering engine failure before making it back to base. The other, the Zeppelin LZ 74, dropped most of her 2,000-kg (4,400-lb) bomb load on greenhouses in Cheshunt before dropping her lone remaining incendiary bomb onto a shop on Fenchurch Street in London.
zep2.jpg
spare
EOR
9
9
1915
War
ZEPPELINS INFLICT HEAVY DAMAGE
Overnight, four German Navy Zeppelins attempted to bomb England. Two suffered engine trouble, but L9 and L13 completed their raids. L9 attacked a benzole plant at Skinningrove, Yorkshire, but her bombs failed to penetrate the roof of the benzol house or of a neighboring TNT store, and there are no casualties. L13 bombed London, which included dropping a huge 300-kg (660-lb) bomb, the largest yet dropped on Britain. That bombing killed 22 people and inflicting heavy damage to buildings. The commander of L13, Kapitänleutnant Heinrich Mathy, is expected to receive great public adulation for his accomplishments in the coming days, as the country looks for heroes to bolster morale.
bombcity.jpg
spare
EOR
12
9
1915
War
FALKENHAYN CRITICIZES ZEP RAID
Chief of the German General Staff General Erich von Falkenhayn has issued a statement pointing out that German Army airships are restricted to bombing London's docks and harbor works and are prohibited from attacking the central City of London. This statement appears aimed at the German Naval Service, which has received much publicity over its recent bombing of London. Speculation is that Falkenhayn is worried about British retaliatory raids, although gossip has it that he is simply resentful of German Navy publicity about the achievements of naval airships versus his army airships. 
falkenhayn.jpg
spare
EOR
14
9
1915
War
ZEPPELIN RAIDS TO AVOID CIVILIANS
In response to Falkenhyn's recent statement, Admiral Henning von Holtzendorff, Chief of the German Naval Staff, has restricted German naval airships bombing London to targets along the banks of the River Thames. Crews have been directed to avoid bombing the poorer, working-class northern quarter of the city.
zep2.jpg
spare
EOR
16
9
1915
War
SKIES BECOMING MORE DANGEROUS
To date, air combat has only been a minor occupational hazard for allied aircrews. That appears likely to change, as the Germans are said to be forming three small but elite Kampfeinsitzer Kommandos (KeK) squadrons. Each KeK squadron consisted of four Fokker EIII’s each, and they will be used to protect reconnaissance aircraft, and hunt the increasing numbers of French and British aircraft flying across the front. The Eindecker has the upper hand over most RFC aircraft when flown by a good pilot.
eindecker.jpg
spare
EOR
20
9
1915
War
VILNA FALLS 
The German offensive in the East against the Russians culminated yesterday, after a rapid advance of over 300 kilometres, with the capture of Vilna. Without enough artillery or supplies, the Russians have not been able to halt the German advance, and after a long strategic retreat which pushed them out of Poland, they are now hundreds of kilometers away from the borders of the Central Powers. This has removed any threat of a Russian invasion of Germany or Austria-Hungary. As such, the German high command is rumoured no longer to consider the struggling Russian Army to be a threat. This could free German troops for the war effort on the Western Front.
Vilna.jpg
spare
EOR
22
9
1915
War
HEAVY BOMBARDMENTS REPORTED
Yesterday the British 1st Army began bombardment of the German lines near Loos, a French town just northwest of Lens. At the same time, the French have begun a bombardment a few miles to the south in the area around Vimy. A third heavy bombardment is underway much further south near Rheims in the Champagne area. Some of the French forts at Verdun have reportedly been stripped of their heavy guns to take part in this bombardment. These types of bombardment are typically the prelude to an attack, and it appears likely that General Joffre is about to initiate a grand offensive aimed at breaking the German lines at two or three points.
heavy guns.jpg
spare
EOR
24
9
1915
War
ENTENTE BOMBARDMENT CONTINUES
The British and French bombardments at Loos, Vimy, and Champagne continued yesterday for a third day. Rumour has it that the British bombardment is being hampered by a shortage of shells.
mort-homme.jpg
spare
EOR
25
9
1915
War
AIRCRAFT ASSIST ARTILLERY
The Royal Flying Corps (RFC), under the command of Brigadier-General Hugh Trenchard, is reportedly providing artillery spotting to aid the effectiveness of the Loos bombardment. As the British have a limited amount of artillery ammunition, the RFC has been flying target identification sorties to ensure that shells are not wasted. Target-marking squadrons with new and better wireless transmitters are helping to direct British artillery onto German targets.
BE2c.jpg
spare
EOR
26
9
1915
War
LOOS-VIMY-CHAMPAGNE OFFENSIVE
The expected three pronged British and French attacks at Loos, Vimy and Champagne materialized yesterday. At Loos, it appears that the artillery bombardment did not cut much of the barbed wire. Advancing across open fields, the British infantrymen were raked by German machinegun emplacements. Losses are reported to be devastating. By sheer weight of numbers, the British pushed their way through the German lines and into the town of Loos. Due to slow communications between the British commanders, reserve troops were not moved up in a timely manner and the chance to exploit the breakthrough, bought at such heavy cost, has been lost. The French are advancing slowly at Vimy and have captured Souchez. In the Champagne assault, where the German defenders are outnumbered about four to one, the French have made a deep penetration of the German frontline, but French casualties are reported to be high for every foot of ground gained
LoosMap.jpg
spare
EOR
27
9
1915
War
LOOS - CHAMPAGNE ATTACKS FALTER
Yesterday saw the British attempt to continue their advance through Loos and exploit the breakthrough of the previous day. German reinforcements blocked the gap overnight, however, and the British reserves were thrown against strengthened German positions. Twelve battalions attacked and out of 10,000 men, about 8,000 became casualties in a brief four-hour period. Most of the men never even reached the German defenses, and bodies literally piled up on the barbed wire as German machineguns mowed them down. The French assault at Champagne has reached the German's second line of defensive trenches across a 7 mile (12 km) wide front, but uncut wire has halted them there. The Vimy assault has ground to a halt in the face of devastating German defensive fire from Vimy Ridge.
machineguntrench.jpg
spare
EOR
28
9
1915
War
F.E.2b IN ACTION IN FRANCE
A very small number of F.E.2b (Farman Experimental 2b) aeroplanes are reported to be in action now with the RFC in France. Several contractors will soon be building these machines but it will be some time before substantial numbers become available. A 120 h.p. liquid cooled six-cylinder in-line Beardmore engine drives a two-bladed prop in a 'pusher' configuration. The observer/gunner has a good field of fire to the front, but can only fire rearward over the wing. The machine is rumoured to be equal to the German Eindeckers in maneuverability, and RFC aircrews have great hopes that this new machine will soon arrive in quantity to allow them to win back the sky over France.
100sqd.jpg
spare
EOR
29
9
1915
War
LOOS FAILURE, HOPE AT CHAMPAGNE
The British attack at Loos has been halted and the troops have retreated very near to their starting positions of a few days ago. The Loos offensive has cost over 20,000 British casualties and little ground has been gained. It is rumoured that Field Marshall Sir John French and his field commander General Sir Douglas Haig are each blaming the other for the disaster. Near Rheims, the French assault in Champagne yesterday managed to break through the 2nd line of German trenches at one location. Casualties continue to mount.
Mount Sorrel .jpg
spare
EOR
30
9
1915
War
GERMANS COUNTER IN CHAMPAGNE
A German counterattack yesterday threw the French back from their foothold beyond the second line of trenches and ended any hope of a French breakthrough. The French are running low on ammunition and General Joffre has reportedly ordered the troops to consolidate their gains and dig in until more supplies can be brought up. Cavalry units that were standing by to gallop through any break in the lines are rumoured to be withdrawing. 
mulhouse.jpg
spare
EOR
1
10
1915
War
APPALLING FRENCH LOSSES
The combatants are taking stock of losses incurred in the disappointing Loos-Vimy-Champagne offensive. It is rumoured that French casualties could number close to 200,000, with British losses close to 50,000. German casualties number about 150,000. The net effect of the recent fighting on the location of the frontline has been negligible. One can only hope that the various commanders have learned valuable lessons from this carnage, and that such disasters will not occur again in the coming battles of 1916.
Beaumont-Hamel German casualty.jpg
spare
EOR
2
10
1915
War
TACTICAL BOMBING AT LOOS
As part of the Loos battle, British pilots recently carried out a serious tactical bombing operation for the first time in history. Aircraft of the 2nd and 3rd wings dropped many 100-pound (45 kg) bombs on German troops, trains, rail lines and marshalling yards to hinder reinforcements. British pilots and observers continue to fly low over enemy positions, providing targeting information to the artillery.
bombdrop.jpg
spare
EOR
4
10
1915
War
GERMAN COUNTERATTACK AT LOOS
German troops counterattacked the British at Loos yesterday, capturing the heavily contested trench network known as the Hollenzollern Redoubt. The Germans seem intent on recapturing all ground lost in the recent battle before the badly mauled British have a chance to regain strength.
german attack2.jpg
spare
EOR
6
10
1915
War
FOKKER EII DEPLOYMENT INCREASE
The more powerful Fokker EII will soon be seen in greater numbers at the front. Like the EI, these machines will be distributed amongst various reconnaissance squadrons to be used by the top one or two pilots in each. As the numbers of Eindeckers slowly but steadily increase, the likelihood of unfortunate British and French pilots being attacked is on the rise. 
eindecker2.jpg
spare
EOR
9
10
1915
War
GERMANS AGAIN COUNTER AT LOOS
Five German regiments attacked again today, attempting to regain the final bits of ground lost to the British in the recent Loos battle. Amazingly, after witnessing the suicidal destruction of countless British troops only weeks ago, the Germans attack repeated almost all the mistakes of the British. Bombardment was inadequate and the German troops were machine gunned by British defenders that were well-entrenched behind intact masses of barbed wire. Three thousand German casualties are reported.
No Mans Land Regina Trench.jpg
spare
EOR
13
10
1915
War
LOOS ATTACK - ANOTHER FAILURE
British forces have again attempted to attack along the front at Loos. The results were much the same as the earlier debacle, with heavy casualties taken and no breakthrough achieved. A lack of hand-grenades for trench fighting is reported to have hindered the ability of the British troops to engage enemy strong points. Wet weather has arrived and no further fighting is anticipated at this time.
flers.jpg
spare
EOR
14
10
1915
War
ZEPPELINS AGAIN IN ACTION
After a five-week hiatus, German airships resumed raids against the United Kingdom overnight. Five German Navy Zeppelins attempted to bomb London. L15 bombed central London, but was intercepted by Royal Flying Corps pilot John Slessor, flying a B.E.2c. This is the first time that British planes have been able to get near a Zeppelin over the United Kingdom. Slessor was unable to fire on L15. The other four Zeppelins scattered their bombs over various towns and the countryside. The raid has killed about 70 people and injured about 130.
bombcity.jpg
spare
EOR
15
10
1915
War
HAMILTON RELIEVED OF COMMAND
Sir Ian Hamilton has been relieved of command at Gallipoli and replaced by General Sir Charles Monro. It is now thought that the forces on Gallipoli will make a fighting retreat. In further news, Admiral Henning von Holzendorff has visited economist Max Warburg at his home to ask his opinion on the economic impact of intensified U-boat warfare. Warburg tells him that unrestricted U-boat warfare will only draw America into the war. 
subwar_u53.jpg
Spare
EOR
16
10
1915
War
BULGARIA DECLARES WAR ON SERBIA
Bulgaria has declared war on Serbia, and Bulgarian troops are joined the ongoing Austro-Hungarian and German invasion of that country. Bulgaria and Serbia have fought each other twice in the previous thirty years: in the Serbo-Bulgarian War of 1885 and in the Second Balkan War of 1913. Bulgaria suffered a defeat in the most recent conflict and the Bulgarian government and people see this new war as a chance reverse the disastrous 1913 Treaty of Bucharest and regain what they consider stolen land that rightfully belongs to them.
War Declared.jpg
spare
EOR
18
10
1915
War
CAUDRON NUMBERS GROW
Increased numbers of Caudron G4 aircraft are in action with the French, who hope to have hundreds of the twin-engine machines at the front by the end of the year. They appear to be on track to do so. The machine has been shown to be capable of delivering bombs deep into enemy territory. Having two 80HP LeRhone engines allows the Caudron to carry up to 100kg of bombs while still ensuring great reliability, travelling long distances without breakdown. 
caudron.jpg
spare
EOR
22
10
1915
War
SERBIAN ARMY OVERWHELMED
Despite the extreme sacrifice of the Serbian army, the Austro-Hungarians Balkan Army has crossed the rivers Sava and Drina and the German 11th Army has crossed the Danube. The Serbian cities of Belgrade, Smederevo, Pozarevac and Golubac have all fallen. Serbian forces were observed withdrawing to southern Serbia, but a recent attack by two Bulgarian armies has now cut that retreat and the Serb army is in grave jeopardy.
15fesbert.jpg
spare
EOR
1
11
1915
War
THE WAR IN THE AIR
The air war continues to swing in favour of the Germans. Most Entente aircraft are clearly outclassed by the Eindecker EI's and EII's, and now the EIII's are arriving in some numbers. The only fighting scout that can counter the menacing Fokkers appears to be the Nieuport 10s and FE2b, neither of which are present in anything close to adequate numbers. For the time being, the German scouts have virtual control of the skies over the western front. 
eindecker.jpg
spare
EOR
4
11
1915
War
TAKEOFF AT SEA
Yesterday, Royal Naval Air Service Flight Sub-Lieutenant Fowler made history with the first British take-off of a conventional wheeled aircraft from a ship. He flew a Bristol Scout from HMS Vindex, a new Royal Navy seaplane carrier. The ship is fitted with a 64-foot (19.5 m) long flying-off deck forward and a prominent hangar aft. The ship is designed to carry two dismantled single-seat aircraft in her small forward hangar and five floatplanes in the hangar aft. Both aircraft in the forward hangar can reportedly be assembled and flown off in about ten minutes
Vindex.jpg
spare
EOR
7
11
1915
War
SHIP CATAPAULT LAUNCHES PLANE
The United States Navy armored cruiser USS North Carolina has become the first warship to launch an aircraft by catapult, launching a Curtiss AB-2 flying boat piloted by Lieutenant Commander Henry Mustin off her stern yesterday.
ship1.jpg
spare
EOR
14
11
1915
War
NIGHT BOMBING OF RAIL BRIDGE
Last night saw a demonstration of the potential of aircraft to cut enemy supply lines far in the rear of the frontlines. Flying a BE.2c, Royal Naval Air Service Flight Commander J. R. W. Smyth-Pigott made a daring night bombing attack on a rail bridge along the Berlin-to-Constantinople railway at the Maritsa River in the Ottoman Empire. He dropped bombs from an altitude of 300 feet (91 meters) but the bridge was not destroyed. Nevertheless, his attempt has shown the potential of such attacks and there is talk that he may be recommended for the Distinguished Service Order for gallantry.
BE2c.jpg
spare
EOR
19
11
1915
War
GROWING MENACE TO ENTENTE FLIERS
German squadrons continue to receive Fokker EII scouts, and the EII will soon be overtaken by even larger numbers of EIII machines that are now being produced. More and more of these deadly hunting machines are in the air along the front every week, making life increasingly dangerous for the Entente aircrews who must continue to carry out daily reconnaissance patrols despite the risk.
eindecker2.jpg
spare
EOR
24
11
1915
War
BATTLE OF CTESIPHON
In the Iraqi desert, General Townsend's advance along the Tigris River toward Bagdad has been halted. An Ottoman army that was dug-in across the river valley could not be dislodged and Townsend's British-Indian forces have taken heavy casualties in the three-day battle. Townsend is retreating now with the Ottoman army in close pursuit. 
War Declared.jpg
spare
EOR
28
11
1915
War
LOSSES OF ENTENTE AIRCRAFT RISE
As the numbers of German Eindeckers operating along the Western Front grows, so do aircraft losses of the Entente. It seems hardly a day goes by now without a report of a downed British or French aircraft somewhere along the line. The Allies seem to have few answers to this growing crisis, and appear prepared to simply absorb the losses for now. 
crashsite.jpg
spare
EOR
3
12
1915
War
GENERAL TOWNSHEND DIGS IN AT KUT
The 6th (Poona) Division of the Indian Army, under Major-General Charles Townshend, has fallen back to the town of Kut (about 100 miles south of Baghdad) after retreating from Ctesiphon. The British Empire forces have reportedly suffered significant losses and are down to around 11,000 soldiers, plus cavalry. British-Indian troops are said to be digging in and preparing to fortify the town of 6,500. The Ottoman army is close behind and is expected to lay siege to the town, while British forces in Ali Gharbi are being prepared to mount a relief effort to save the garrison. 
chunik bair.jpg
spare
EOR
8
12
1915
War
GROUND WAR QUIET, AIR WAR GOES ON 
The ground war remains quiet, as cold and snow blanket the front. Ever wary of attack, each side continues to send daily air patrols to observe and photograph the enemy. The Entente fliers have much the worse of this duty, as the German Eindeckers are an ever present danger. The British and French have few aircraft capable of engaging the Eindecker on equal terms. As loses mount, the Entente command must surely be aware that new and better fighting aircraft are be needed, and in large numbers, to reverse the tide of the air war. 
FokkerE3.jpg
spare
EOR
12
12
1915
War
ALL-METAL PLANE TAKES TO THE AIR
German Leutnant Theodor Mallinckrodt today made the first flight of an all-metal aircraft, the Junkers J 1. Today's flight was really no more than a short hop, but testing will continue.
JunkerJ1.jpg
spare
EOR
13
12
1915
War
CENTRAL POWERS SERBIAN VICTORY
The Central Powers have achieved a clear-cut victory in Serbia. Over the last few months, combined German, Austro-Hungarian, and Bulgarian armies have smashed their way into Serbia. Despite fierce resistance, the Serb army has been routed and made a long and difficult retreat into Albania where about 125,000 troop's boarded ships to escape to Italy. A landing in Greece by British and French divisions did little to stem the tide, and after a brief northward advance, these forces have been pushed back to their starting point. With this victory, the Germans are now reported to be opening up a Berlin to Constantinople railway that will allow them to supply their ally Turkey with war materials. 
1st_div_broodseinde.jpg
spare
EOR
15
12
1915
War
HAIG IS BRITISH COMMANDER IN CHIEF
General Sir Douglas Haig was today officially appointed as Commander-in-Chief of the BEF. General Haig replaces Sir John French who has been criticized for poor handling of his reserves in the failed Battle of Loos in September.
Haig2.jpg
spare
EOR
20
12
1915
War
WITHDRAWAL FROM GALLIPOLI
After months of futile fighting and no prospect of reinforcement or victory, over the last ten days, 105,000 Anzac troops and 300 guns have been evacuated from Anzac Cove and Suvla Bay. About 35,000 troops still hold Helles, but it seems inevitable that these troops will be pulled out as well in the coming weeks.
15gallip.jpg
spare
EOR
22
12
1915
War
DELIVERY OF F.E.2B MACHINES SLOW
Only about 30 of the new FE.2b machines have been delivered to British squadrons to date, but production is on the rise. One fully equipped new squadron is expected to be heading to France each month from now on. The machines have proven to be a match for the German Eindeckers, so increased numbers should give British airmen renewed hope of countering the Fokker's domination of the sky.
100sqd.jpg
spare
EOR
25
12
1915
War
CHRISTMAS ARRIVES - NO PEACE SEEN
Despite optimistic predictions in 1914 that the war would be over by Christmas, the second Christmas of the conflict is now upon us. The fighting continues with no end in sight. Glad tidings are but a faint memory for a world caught up in this bitter war.
xmaspilots.jpg
spare
EOR
EOF
