100 Years Ago

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2017-06-23/register/light-and-shade-in-russia-jg3cm98gl

june 23, 2017

Light and shade in Russia

At the “All Russia” Congress of the Workmen’s and Soldiers’ Delegates in Petrograd the “Minimalist Socialists” have approved the formation of a coalition government and even the general policy of that body as described by the Socialist ministers. But they charge the Duma with becoming “a centre of tumult under the cover of Imperialist watchwords”, and resolve that, as the Revolution “has abolished all the institutions of the old regime”, it should be dissolved.
The General Congress of the Cossacks takes a very different view. Many members of the legislative assemblies which the “Minimalists” want to abolish were also members of the Cossack gathering. The delegates of one regiment demanded energetic measures against M Lenin and the Anarchists, whom they branded as traitors to the country and assassins of her liberty. The President ended a stirring address with an appeal to the Cossacks “to fight the enemy without and the enemy within”. The meeting was full of zeal for the prosecution of the war in union with the Allies. It protested against the notion of a separate peace, and it declared an offensive to be necessary.
Our recent message from Odessa tells us of serious economic, fiscal, and social effects in the absence of regular rule. There has been disorder in many places, although “plunder is by no means universal”. Coupled, however, with three months of “much talking and comparatively little work”, it has led to a dearth of sugar and to the certainty of a serious decrease in all agricultural produce. Taxes are unpaid, robber bands, partly composed of deserters, are at large, and several cases of lynching have occurred. Disorganization of this kind very soon palls upon the orderly and quiet members of society, whatever their rank. Anarchy may have its charms for men like those who have fortified themselves in a house in the suburbs of the capital, and of the delegates from Kronstadt who threaten to bring up mutinous sailors to defend them against the Provisional Government. But even in revolutions the masses of the people soon discover that law and order are their best friends. They love liberty, but they speedily learn that liberty without order is the worst of tyrannies.

Extract from The Times History of the War

CHAPTER GCVIII.

THE RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE AND

RETREAT, JULY, 1917.
VoL XIV.-Part 170

 

100 Years Ago - Russia, Ukraine

THE RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE OF JULY, 1917: SIBERIAN TROOPS ADVANCING, AND TAKING COVER IN SHELL HOLES

A LOYAL RUSSIAN SOLDlER STOPPING DESERTERS

THE RUSSIAN ·OFFENSIVE OF JULY, 1917. The second wave of the attack awaiting the order to advance. This Siberian force captured Dzike Lany, a fortified summit south-west of Brzezany

MEN OF THE POLISH LEGION IN THE RUSSIAN ARMY


https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-russian-attack-in-galicia-cmp3dfw5s?CMP=TNLEmail_118918_1980118

The Russian attack in Galicia

The Germans make the usual claim to have inflicted heavy casualties on the Russian forces, and it is significant that the Russians themselves admit that some of their detachments “sustained severe losses, especially in officers”

July 3, 1917

The fierce battle in Galicia on Sunday has ended the stagnation on the Russian front, and confounded the prophets of evil who thought quite sincerely that Russia was “out of the war”. We can only hope that the fine example of the Russian South-Western Army will prove infectious, and that north of the Pripet marshes the inactive troops will once more take up their arms.
In Galicia, at any rate, the Russian soldiers have plunged into the conflict with an ardour which seems to have already produced remarkable results. It is stated that in one day’s fighting on Sunday they took prisoners 173 officers and more than 10,000 men, which is more than the entire British captures on the Western front during June. The attack was delivered north and south of Brzezany on a front of many miles. Brzezany is the stronghold on the Zlota Lipa, south-east of Lemberg, which helped to check the Russian advance last summer and autumn.
The whole countryside in this part of Galicia is hilly and difficult, and rapid movements are impossible. Reports from both sides testify that the struggle on Sunday was fierce and bitter. The capture by the Russians of the well-fortified position at the village of Koniuchy, north of Besezany, is admitted. The Germans make the usual claim to have inflicted heavy casualties on the Russian forces, and it is significant that the Russians themselves admit that some of their detachments “sustained severe losses, especially in officers”. The line attacked was held by mixed German and Austrian troops, together with some Turks, these last probably amounting to a couple of depleted divisions.
We must wait a few days before assessing the precise magnitude of the new Russian offensive, but meanwhile we may rejoice that the Provisional Government and General Brusiloff have succeeded in renewing military operations The Germans were talking of Russian activity all last week, and their apprehensions were marked by a change of tone in the German Press, which suddenly began to taunt the Russian forces with incompetence.
We shall not indulge in premature congratulations, but our Russian Allies may be assured that their comrades in the West are greatly cheered by the news from Galicia. Sunday’s battle should mark the revival of the conviction that Russian liberties can only be assured, and that a lasting peace can only be won, by the definite overthrow of the German and Austrian armies in the field.

100 Years Ago - Russia, Greece, titles

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/register/english-titles-for-englishmen-wkcghlmnk

june 20, 1917

English titles for Englishmen

When the war broke out people were quick to see that some awkwardness might arise from the possession of English titles by foreign persons and of foreign titles by British subjects. The King’s request this morning is made to those Princes and Princesses of his family who bear German names and titles. First of all, he asks them to relinquish those titles and to adopt other names. The titles were conferred by ruling Sovereigns and are the birthright of those who bear them; but in Great Britain they are merely courtesy titles, used at the King’s pleasure. In asking for their relinquishment the King confers membership of the British peerage. The Duke of Teck (the Queen’s brother, son of the English Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge, who married a German duke) ceases to bear the title of a German duke and will take that of an English marquess. His brother, Prince Alexander of Teck, becomes an English earl. Prince Alexander of Battenberg (the son of Queen Victoria’s daughter, Princess Beatrice, and of the German Prince Henry of Battenberg) gives up his German name and takes an English marquisate; his surviving brother, Prince Leopold, will be called “of Battenberg” no longer; his father’s brother, Prince Louis of Battenberg, becomes an English marquess, and Prince Louis’s two sons, Prince George of Battenberg and Prince Louis Francis of Battenberg, will also relinquish their German names.
All these were Englishmen before they became English in name. Prince Louis of Battenberg, naturalized 50 years ago, was till lately First Sea Lord of the Admiralty; his sons are both in the British Navy. Prince Alexander of Battenberg (whose father died on active service with our Army in Ashanti in 1896) is serving in the British Army. The Duke of Teck (who married the late Duke of Westminster’s daughter, Lady Margaret Grosvenor) and his brother are both in the British Army.
These Englishmen will now bear English names and titles. The name of Battenberg will give place to that of Mountbatten. That is simply the English translation of the German name, but it is not perhaps wholly accidental that the new name of a First Sea Lord’s family should also be that of the little headland that overlooks the old eastern harbour of Plymouth, whence Drake sailed.

100 Years Ago

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/register/unequal-distribution-of-honours-nm2tbjx0x

june 15, 1917

Unequal distribution of honours

To the Editor of The Times
Sir, A great deal has been written and said in connexion with civil honours bestowed on the occasion of his Majesty’s birthday, but if civil honours are open to criticism so also are military honours in a far greater degree. If civil honours may be said to represent the “mote”, then military honours surely take the place of the “beam”.
Whereas decorations are sparingly granted to officers, NCOs, and men who have risked their lives, the same awards are given as a matter of course to nearly every officer on the staffs; the more exalted the staffs the greater the number of decorations.
“Decorations” and “mentions” in dispatches are granted to Staff officers in a proportion to their whole number, as compared with the remainder of the Army, which would create astonishment were the actual figures given. The general officer naturally desires to show consideration and appreciation of the services of those with whom he is personally acquainted and with whom he comes daily in contact, and in his feelings of gratitude and generosity is apt to forget the fighting troops he does not see.
Whether this is the reason or not, the fact remains that Staff officers receive two and three decorations, whereas those who risk their lives are extremely fortunate if they receive one. The DSO is awarded to the flying officer who destroys a Zeppelin, to a camp commandant, or to an Assistant Provost-Marshal. The Military Cross decorates the jacket of a junior officer when a more generous view of his action might have resulted in the award of a VC; and the same Military Cross appears on the jacket of the warrant officer who is a clerk at General Headquarters.

The argument about decorations and their values can be continued ad infinitum, but the fact remains that decorations which have been looked upon as rewards for fighting services are granted in an infinitely greater proportion nowadays to officers who run no risks whatsoever. There is no uniformity of distribution, and whereas one general may make a minimum of recommendations, another will recommend a multitude. While I offer no suggestion for a remedy, it is well that the facts should be made public. Yours &c, x.

THE EX·TSAR IN THE GARDEN OF HIS VILLA AT TSARSKOE SELO. (Under guard by revolutionary soldiers during his walks).

MR. WILL T HORNE, M.P., AND MR. O'GRADY, M. P. , CONVEYING BRITISH LABOUR'S GREETINGS TO THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT

STREET SCENE IN PETROGRAD DURING THE REVOLUTION: LENINISTS FIRE ON THE CROWD

A TTEMPTS TO REVIVE PATRiOTISM IN THE RUSSIAN ARMY. Officers addressing the troops


https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-allies-and-russia-nv7gkqfgb?CMP=TNLEmail_118918_1957007

The Allies and Russia

The new regime has also its traitors who desire to “stop the war” at any price and to prepare, through anarchy, the revival of reaction

May 12, 1917

At no time since the Russian Revolution has it been more necessary than it now is for the friends and Allies of the Russian people to face the situation calmly. Whether the reports that reach us from day to day seem favourable or unsatisfactory, the thing chiefly needful is to remember that the work of consolidating government authority in a vast country which the late regime had in many respects wilfully disorganized is bound to take time and to be attended by many fluctuations.
While welcoming assurances like those of the President of the Duma, M Rodziano, and of Prince Lvoff, the Prime Minister of the Provisional Government, we should not be overcome by alarm at the earnest warnings ufttered by M Gutchkoff, the Minister of War, or draw forthwith dark conclusions from the decision of the Workmen’s and Soldiers’ Delegates to convene an International Socialist Conference in a neutral country. It has been clear from the beginning that, sooner or later, the multiplicity of authorities set up in thc first days of the Revolution would have to give place to some unitary executive organ.
Otherwise the danger that what M Gutchkoff calls “polyarchy” might degenerate into anarchy could scarcely be avoided. The only questions were how the process of unification could be carried through, and how long it would take. Of these two questions, that of time was the more important. Time is the essence of the military problem which confronts Russia and the Allies, a problem that anarchy in Russia would sorely aggravate.
“It is not too late to cure the disease”, M Gutchkoff declares, “but not a moment must be lost.” From the standpoint of the Allies - among whom the United States of America must be assigned a foremost place - it is comparatively unimportant whether the unification of authority be effected by the approximation of the views of the Provisional Government to those of the more responsible leaders of the Council of Workmen’s and Soldiers’ Delegates, or vice versa. But however the indispensable unification be accomplished, it. is necessary that the Government should enjoy the support of the great majority of honest and sober-minded citizens.
M. Gutchkoff tasks the pacifist elements with having raised the subversive cry of “Peace at the front and war in the country” - a cry which, he declared, must be smothered by another, “War at the front and peace within the country”. We do not doubt that the great bulk of Russian civilians and soldiers will rally to the latter cry - though before its ascendancy is clearly demonstrated there may be much confusion of counsels, and some oscillation in action.


The old regime had its traitors who brought the country to the verge of an artificial famine, and were engaged in dishonourable negotiation with the enemy.
The new regime has also its traitors who desire to “stop the war” at any price and to prepare, through anarchy, the revival of reaction. With these traitors there will undoubtedly be a reckoning. Those who believe in the future of Russia as a free and efficient democracy, will watch the vindication of the new regime with patient confidence and earnest sympathy.

100 Years Ago - Kronstadt

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/register/us-officers-at-the-palace-khsbrgf87

june 12, 1917

US officers at the Palace

Lieut-General Pershing, Chief of the American Forces, who arrived in London on Friday, visited Buckingham Palace on Saturday, accompanied by the members of his Staff, and was received by the King. His Majesty shook hands with him very cordially, and remained for some time in conversation with him. General Pershing presented the members of his Staff in turn, and they too were heartily greeted by the King, who conversed with each of them. The American officers afterwards expressed keen appreciation of the cordiality of their reception. During the day General Pershing called at the Prime Minister’s residence in Downing Street, and at the Foreign Office and other Government Departments.
In the evening 50 members of General Pershing’s staff were entertained at the Alhambra, where they had an enthusiastic reception. Several of the guests occupied a box decorated with the Union Jack and the Stars and Stripes. After a speech of welcome by the manager (Mr E Foster), a verse of the “Star Spangled Banner” was played by the orchestra and the audience rose and cheered with great heartiness.
A detachment of the American soldiers who accompanied General Pershing on his voyage visited Windsor on Saturday, and were shown over several of the historic buildings at the Castle. The men were much impressed by the beauty of St George’s Chapel, and the Albert Memorial Chapel, and the lovely views across the Thames valley. They also visited the Round Tower and the Royal Mews. The Mayor of Windsor (Counsellor W Carter) welcomed the visitors at a luncheon at the White Hart Hotel. He said they were particularly proud and pleased to receive the vanguard of that great army of Americans who were going to fight for liberty and justice side by side with the British troops (Cheers).
Mr Rodney L Prizer, of the American Reception Committee, thanked the Mayor for his kindness, and the toast, “The Star Spangled Banner and the Union Jack — long may they be united”, was drunk with great enthusiasm. The American soldiers afterwards visited Windsor’s ancient Town Hall and Eton College They were greatly interested in the College Chapel, with its many war memorials, and the old College Hall.

100 Years Ago - Russia, Western Front

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/register/huge-mine-explosions-ldsl0fgd6

june 8, 1917

Huge mine explosions





Today we have dealt the Germans as hard a blow as we have ever struck them. On a front of 17,000 or 18,000 yards we have shattered all his long prepared defences, and the famous Messines Ridge is in our hands. One may regard this as a separate battle, to be called, perhaps, the Battle of Messines. Another one may regard it only as a legitimate development of and step in the Battle of Arras. In any case, it is a great victory.
It would have been difficult to believe that any bombardment could surpass in power and effect that which ushered in the Battle of the Somme a year ago or the Battle of Arras last April, but this morning’s did so. It was terrific beyond words. As we ceased, an almost perfect hush descended, in which one heard the fleeting notes of a distant nightingale. Then to our right the enemy began throwing large-calibre high explosives. Only the first two had passed shrieking overhead, however, when that began which blotted out sound and knowledge of everything else. How many mines went up at once I do not exactly know, but it was nearly a score. Many were made over a year ago, and since then had lain under German feet undiscovered. In all, I believe, over 600 tons of high explosives were fired simultaneously.
It was terrifying as a spectacle, and the earth shook like a house of cards. An officer of our party, worn out, had fallen asleep on the ground in spite of all the noise. He leaped to his feet muttering: “Earthquake, of course; earthquake!” Then, even before the echoes of the awful explosions died, and while the pillars of smoke still towered and grew, all our batteries awoke at once. It was all blinding shimmer and noise and stupefying splendour. Even while the riot and clamour was at its height, the first flush of dawn crept, rosy-red up the sky above Ypres. If ever dawn did indeed come up like thunder, it was this. Then came the greatest miracle of all, for with the rose flush in the sky the whole bird chorus of morning came to life. Never, surely, did birds sing so — blackbird and thrush, lark and black-cap, and willow warbler. Most of the time their voices, of course, were inaudible, but now and again, in the intervals of the shattering noise, their notes pealed up as if each were struck with frenzy and all together strove to shout down the guns.

100 Years Ago - East Africa

THE MARCH OF THE RELEASED PRISONERS FROM TABORA

BRITISH PRISONERS IN THE HANDS OF THE GERMANS AT TABORA

CAPT. F. C. SELOUS, D.S.O., African Big Game Hunter, Commanded a Company of the 25th Royal Fusiliers in German East Africa.

BELGIAN PONTOON BRIDGE: -NATIVE CARRIERS CROSSING A RIVER


https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/german-infamies-in-east-africa-2q69mtqmv?CMP=TNLEmail_118918_1934449

German Infamies in East Africa

They made both civilian and military prisoners do the lowest kind of work in order that they might lose caste before the Africans

December 30, 1916

With the arrival in this country of the first Englishmen and Englishwomen who have been prisoners of the Germans in East Africa since the outbreak of war, and who were released when the Belgians captured Tabora, a picture in proper perspective is available of the foul treatment meted out to them by the Germans. The record of the degradation to which English civil and military prisoners were subjected, and of the terrible experiences of English ladies was as revolting as any in the history of German Kultur. The specific purpose was to discredit British prestige in Africa and to make the English appear before the natives as slaves of Germany. So strongly is this felt that a formal petition, accompanied by sworn statements, has been sent to General Smuts to hold a commission of inquiry into a course of conduct many details of which are too loathsome to be made public, but the knowledge of which will at once show the impossibility of the Germans ever being allowed to return to their colony.
Among those who returned home a few days ago is the Rev B F Spanton, Principal of St Andrew’s College, Zanzibar, who was on a tour of school inspection in the German colony. On the outbreak of war, in conversation with Reuters’ representative, Mr Spanton said: “The real point is that the Germans from the first did their best to destroy British prestige. They were brutal and cruel in the prosecution of a deliberate policy to this end. They made both civilian and military prisoners do the lowest kind of work in order that they might lose caste before the Africans. For great distances throughout Africa the news was passed that we were German slaves. This was drummed into the people on every opportunity and by all kinds of propaganda, and even the native German soldiers referred to us as slaves.
“British prisoners in the scantiest of clothing were set to pull a lorry through the streets - work usually done by oxen - in full view of the jeering natives. And one could see one English university graduate hoeing up a native gardien patch or a wealthy rubber planter clearing out native latrines. All this has had a great effect on the native mind, and the news of the degradation of British and other European men and women, flashed as it has been across Africa, is a source of wonder to tribes hundreds of miles distant.
SELECTED FOR BRUTALITY.
The commandant at Tabora was a man who had been warned by the German Government on account of his brutality, of which he had been officially convicted. He was once publicly horsewhipped by a German servant, yet he was appointed officer in charge of the prisoners’ camp at Tabora. The same plan was followed in the case of the ladies’ camp at Kisboriani. The man placed in charge here bore such a character that the local chiefs sent their wives and daughters out of the country. His own wife had committed suicide as a result of his vile conduct and he was deliberately chosen to take charge of ladies of gentle birth and education.

At Tabora 88 of us men of all nationalities and stations in life were herded in a corrugated shed which was so crowded that the beds touched one another. Sanitation there was none, and as we were locked up at 7 at night until the next morning the conditions were awful. The Germans made native soldiers with loaded rIfles march up and down inside the shed all night. lt is quite clear that from a military point of view the sentries were useless - it was only meant as another degradation for us, for one could not imagine a greater outrage than to place a native guard in a white man’s bedroom.
The ladies were required to do their own housework and also six hours’ work for the Government every day. They protested against being set to tasks whIch would assist the enemy, and were threatened with confinement with bread and water.
While being conveyed from one camp to another 30 English ladies, nine Englishmen, and about 40 native prisoners were shut up in an iron railway shed, again without the slightest pretence of sanitation, for one whole night, and most of the next day. The natives were not allowed to go out under any pretext, while for many hours the Englishmen and women were refused facilities for the ordinary decencies of life.
On another occasion a caravan of men and women were sent on a long march of 10 days under escort. It was pointed out that, in the interests of decency, tents must be provided for the ladies. Although these were obtainable, the officer applied to refused permission, and replied: “What have --- English women to do with decency?”
A CONTRAST
As soon as the Germans began to see that their colony was going grievances were redressed. When the advancing Belgians were 50 miles from Tabora the German attitude had completely changed. The Belgians behaved splendidly to the Germans on entering Tabora - a great contrast to the manner in which the latter had behaved to us.
One Belgian officer said to me: “I have seen my father, teether, and brothers massacred in Flanders, and my sister outraged.” One can imagine the difficulty in which such a man would be placed under the circumstances in repressing his natural feelings.

Zbigniew Brzezinski

National security adviser in the Carter administration who played chess with Menachem Begin, but was caught napping by Iran

May 29 2017, 12:01am, The Times

Zbigniew Brzezinski, right, with Menachim Begin during the Camp David peace talks between Israel and Egypt in 1978  ALAMY

100 Years Ago - Palestine and Italy

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/register/smashing-a-turkish-railway-s98lf6x92

June 1, 1917

Smashing a Turkish railway

Once again the Turks have been made to feel the full force of a British cavalry stroke. The Commander-in-Chief decided upon the destruction of the greater part of the railway line south-west of Beersheba and mounted troops of a desert column under Major-General Chauvel attacked more than 20 miles of line and destroyed it absolutely beyond repair. The Turks are short of railway material and had looked to this section of the line to furnish badly-needed material, but they will not find a sound rail or sleeper there.
Two columns moved out on their destroying mission. A camel corps went off on a 32-mile march to El Audja, a police post on the Turco-Egyptian frontier. They had previously destroyed the bridge, and spent yesterday smashing the whole railway westwards to Wadi El Abiad. Being well to the west of Beersheba, they had more time than the cavalry, and the explosions of the camel men were heard like a heavy artillery battle until late in the afternoon.
The task of smashing the railway between Asluj and Hadaj was entrusted to Field Engineers and Anzac and Imperial mounted troops, who have been specially trained in rapidly destroying railway line. These splendid soldiers moved south and east from dusk on Tuesday until dawn yesterday for more than 30 miles. They were delayed by the extreme darkness, and a dust storm made it difficult to see the tracks.
Some of the country is very difficult. One column had to march in the blackness of the night over a long stretch of limestone ridges with sharp, jagged edges. One demolition party arrived at Asluj at 6 o’clock, and the other at Hadaj at 7, working towards each other. By 10 o’clock they had destroyed 10 miles of line, including three bridges of 24 arches, with substantial stone and concrete pillars. So complete was the destruction that not one length of rail remained whole. Every bolt had its head knocked off.
It was not part of the scheme that the cavalry and camelry should join hands and the short section between their spheres of operations remains untouched, but the undestroyed portion is isolated and useless. While the engineers were blowing up the railway the cavalry got within five miles of Beersheba, destroyed the railway bridge, and drove off two Turkish cavalry brigades.

100 Years Ago - VC crosses

PRIVATES ERN EST SYKES, Northumberland Fusiliers, (left), and MICHAEL HEAVISIDE Durham Light Infantry

CAPTAIN ALBERT BALL, R.F.C With the propeller and nose of his machine

V.C.'s WAITING TO BE DECORATED BY THE KING, JULY 21, 1917. Left to right: Lieut. Donald Stuart, Lance-Corporal W. Parker, Seaman Williams, Brig.-General Lumsden, Major Thain McDowell, Capt. Pollard, Capt. Newlands, Lieut. F. Harvey, Second Lieut. Haine, Sergt. Whittle, Corporal Howell, Company-Srgt.·Major Edward Brooks.

CARRYING IN WOUNDED UNDER FIRE


https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/captain-balls-fate-zwntl8tmf?CMP=TNLEmail_118918_1913566

Captain Ball’s fate

Beyond doubt his was the most wonderful series of victories yet achieved by a flying man of any nation

May 18, 1917

As already announced in The Times, Captain Albert Ball, Royal Flying Corps, has been missing since May 7, but no news of him has been received since his failure to return from his last expedition. So far as is known, the facts are as follows:
On the evening of May 7 he had gone out in company with another machine, flown by a pilot whom we will call “M”. They met an enemy machine, which they attacked and drove down, riddled with bullets. Then a party of four Germans hove in sight, with whom the British fliers promptly closed. “M” found one enemy machine in such a favourable position that he was practically at its mercy, so he put his own machine into a spin and began to go down. It must be an unpleasant experience, but it was successful in shaking off the enemy. “M” regained control of his machine, climbed up again, and re-entered the fight. He tackled one of the Germans, and, after a long fight, sent it down crashing to earth. Then he turned to engage another machine, but, on closing with it, a bullet broke his wrist and another carried away the top of his control lever. Thus crippled he could fight no more, but, though in great pain and unable to control his machine, he managed to get over the lines and land his aeroplane undamaged in our own territory. Then he fainted.
What happened after “M” was obliged to leave the field of battle is a mystery. Captain Ball was then left with three enemy machines to fight. Such odds were nothing new in Captain Ball’s experience, for only two days before, namely, on May 5, he had driven down two enemies, and, to make sure, he had gone down close to the ground and saw the two huddled wrecks lying within 400 yards of each other. One of the two had put a bullet into his engine and Captain Ball had been covered with oil. As no more enemies were in sight he came home for a wash.
The next day Captain Ball again went out and met a party of four Germans, and promptly diving into the centre of their formation, sent them scattering. He picked out one, chased it, and sent it crashing down. Then he looked for the others, but they were not fighting that day and made for home as fast as they could. The precise number of enemy machines Captain Ball brought down during his career is not known. There are records of 41 quite certain, and 10 more morally certain, with a large number of probabilities as well. Beyond doubt his was the most wonderful series of victories yet achieved by a flying man of any nation.