https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/register/the-jews-and-palestine-z67ntq93m
october 26, 1917
The Jews and Palestine
The direct appeal recently made by more than 250 Jewish institutions, communities, and organizations throughout the country to His Majesty’s Government “in favour of the reconstitution of Palestine as the National Home of the Jewish people” is too significant not to merit earnest attention. It would scarcely have been made had there not been reason to believe the Government disposed to respond to it. It is, indeed, no secret that the question of re-establishing the Jews in Palestine has for months been under consideration by the British and Allied Governments, and not by them alone. But with a British Army actually in Palestine, it is naturally to Great Britain that the Jews look for a directly helping hand in the achievement of their age-long aspiration.
Yet a public announcement of our policy in this matter has been unaccountably delayed. Do our statesmen fail to see how valuable to the Allied cause would be the hearty sympathy of the Jews throughout the world which an unequivocal declaration of British policy might win? Germany has been quick to perceive the danger to her schemes and to her propaganda that would be involved in the association of the Allies with Jewish national hopes, and she has not been idle in attempting to forestall us. Have our Government, for instance, considered the value of Jewish influence in counteracting the insidious German propaganda in Russia, to which Lord Robert Cecil yesterday alluded?
On two grounds alone — were they valid — could there be any serious objection to the course which the overwhelming majority of British Jews urge the Government to take: if the colonization and development of Palestine by the Jews were impracticable, or if the Jewish people themselves were averse from the reconstitution of their national home. But neither of these objections stands the test of fact. In recent years Jewish colonies have achieved remarkable results in Palestine; and the present attitude of British Jewry may be taken as indicating that of the Jewish masses.
Further delay on the part of our Government to deal frankly with this important matter would therefore be as inexplicable as its consequences might be dangerous.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2017-10-25/register/the-french-victory-on-the-aisne-5tl89xh9b
No operation conducted by the French Army in this war excels in swiftness and completeness the attack on Tuesday. It is an achievement of which our Allies may well be proud, and on which we heartily congratulate them. It will surely form a classic example of General Petain’s theory of the limited offensive, delivered at the right moment with apparently absolute certainty, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy, and resulting in the acquisition of new positions of the highest value. It shows that after more than three years of war the indomitable French troops are full of fight, and that they move forward with a heightened consciousness of the coming final victory.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2017-10-24/register/government-and-the-air-raids-jgzgs07zw
On two grounds alone — were they valid — could there be any serious objection to the course which the overwhelming majority of British Jews urge the Government to take: if the colonization and development of Palestine by the Jews were impracticable, or if the Jewish people themselves were averse from the reconstitution of their national home. But neither of these objections stands the test of fact. In recent years Jewish colonies have achieved remarkable results in Palestine; and the present attitude of British Jewry may be taken as indicating that of the Jewish masses.
Further delay on the part of our Government to deal frankly with this important matter would therefore be as inexplicable as its consequences might be dangerous.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2017-10-25/register/the-french-victory-on-the-aisne-5tl89xh9b
october 25, 1917
The French victory on the Aisne
In a single day, though after long and careful preparation, France has won a splendid victory on the heights north of the River Aisne. The gallant French Army attacked at dawn on Tuesday on a front of four miles, and the centre of the attacking forces reached Chavignon, on the northern side of the ridge. From Chavignon they can look down the valley of the little stream called the Ardan at the hill-fortress of Laon, only seven miles away. Our Allies may now be said to be in full possession of the Aisne heights.No operation conducted by the French Army in this war excels in swiftness and completeness the attack on Tuesday. It is an achievement of which our Allies may well be proud, and on which we heartily congratulate them. It will surely form a classic example of General Petain’s theory of the limited offensive, delivered at the right moment with apparently absolute certainty, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy, and resulting in the acquisition of new positions of the highest value. It shows that after more than three years of war the indomitable French troops are full of fight, and that they move forward with a heightened consciousness of the coming final victory.
Meanwhile on Monday the British forces north east of Ypres conducted some “highly successful minor operations” on the lower western spurs of the Passchendaele ridge. A good deal of useful ground appears to have been gained, and if only the weather proves favourable the successes of the past few weeks will unquestionably be developed. The enemy are, however, numerically still very strong in this corner of Flanders, and their machine-guns are uncountable.
The issue slowly being decided on these low ridges and liquid swamps will have a vital effect on the future course of the war, and it is not surprising that the Germans are still offering a desperate resistance. Our troops will rejoice at the brilliant victory of our Allies on the Aisne, but both the British and French who are floundering in the sea of mud beyond Ypres will hear with envy of a battle fought at a well-drained altitude of nearly six hundred feet. The armies in Flanders have had to fight more than the enemy, for they have been fighting the equinoctial gales and their consequences.
The issue slowly being decided on these low ridges and liquid swamps will have a vital effect on the future course of the war, and it is not surprising that the Germans are still offering a desperate resistance. Our troops will rejoice at the brilliant victory of our Allies on the Aisne, but both the British and French who are floundering in the sea of mud beyond Ypres will hear with envy of a battle fought at a well-drained altitude of nearly six hundred feet. The armies in Flanders have had to fight more than the enemy, for they have been fighting the equinoctial gales and their consequences.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2017-10-24/register/government-and-the-air-raids-jgzgs07zw
october 24, 1917
Government and the air raids
To the Editor of The Times Sir, The recent Zeppelin raid reveals once more the inability of the official mind to learn from experience. The course of the war has shown that the public is willing to believe, unless it has good reason to the contrary, that the men responsible for “running the show” are doing their best. The Press has no desire to harass officials struggling to do their duty to the country. It is reported that “a high official” of the Home Defence Force, asked whether he did not think the public were entitled to know why no aeroplanes, no searchlights, and no anti-aircraft guns were in readiness to meet the raiders, replied: “It has nothing at all to do with the public. Our plans for dealing with Zeppelins are not for public information.”
Now the official was probably busy and obviously cross. But he, like very many others, appears to regard the Press as an enemy and the public as beneath consideration. The House of Commons might have escaped making a deplorable exhibition of itself if only the information given on Tuesday had been published on Saturday instead. I have seen the correspondence from the public after every air raid. Putting aside the letters from obviously frightened people, from people who write from health resorts in the West of England, from people who make silly suggestions, who do not know one end of a gun, an airship or an aeroplane from another, and people to whom the idea of a “barrage” has become an obsession — to be employed simply for the sake of a cheerful noise — there are many which confirm the belief that the warnings at present fail to reach a considerable portion of the public. A friend of mine of normal intelligence succeeded in attending two places of public resort on Friday evening, with quite a walk in between, and knew nothing of the raid. One man, himself an official, slept blissfully until the bugles sounded “All Clear”, and then repaired with his wife to the basement until 4am. The most practical suggestion seems to be that the bugle shall be employed, with an easily recognizable difference of call, for the “Take Cover” warning also. But I am well aware that, even on Judgment Day, there will be some who complain that they had no warning because they did not hear the Last Trump.
Your obedient servant, publicist.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2017-10-23/register/the-capture-of-the-l49-kz6h30df0
The L49 was unable to shake off the air mosquitoes attacking her, and over the small town of Bourbonne-les-Bains the last stages of the battle were fought. The airship was then about 1,000ft above the ground, and seemed on the point of collapse. Turning about, she made another effort to get away, but at last came down, with her stern halfway up a hill, and her bow resting in a stream.
Aeroplanes swooped down and prepared to land. The Zeppelin commander and his crew leapt out, and he endeavoured to destroy the airship. The commander had fired one shot from a special pistol at it, and was about to fire another when M Boiteux stepped out of a wood. M Boiteux, who had left home with his gun in the early morning in the hope of getting a pheasant or two, acted with admirable courage on seeing the nature of the game he had to deal with. His own story is as follows: “I was shooting when I saw a Zeppelin surrounded by five aeroplanes, whose machine-guns were blazing away splendidly. The airship was out of control, and came down gently. I ran up just as the commander was firing an incendiary cartridge into the balloon. The animal was going to destroy it. Ah no, said I to myself, and, having a few pellets in my gun, I stepped out and covered him, shouting: ‘Stop, or I’ll kill you.’ The officer threw away his pistol, raised his arms, and said: ‘Don’t harm me. I surrender.’ I had mastered them. Meanwhile airmen had landed and firemen arrived, and the Germans were made prisoners.”
The silence in London led some to believe that the warning was a false alarm, and there were a good many people about the streets when the Zeppelin actually arrived. Further information is required about the absence of gunfire. The new anti-aircraft artillery is primarily designed to repel aeroplane attack, and we rely on our aeroplanes to overcome raiding Zeppelins; but the two methods are interchangeable, and both are used as required. It is fairly obvious that a continuous barrage cannot be kept up all round London for hours on the chance of frustrating the attack of a single stray Zeppelin. On the other hand, we have the undoubted fact that one Zeppelin was brought down in France by gunfire, and possibly two.
Your obedient servant, publicist.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2017-10-23/register/the-capture-of-the-l49-kz6h30df0
october 23, 1917
The capture of the L49
Everywhere in the eastern and southern regions of France people caught glimpses of scudding airships trying to reach the eastern frontier, or speeding helpless and pursued down the deep corridor of the Rhone towards the Mediterranean.The L49 was unable to shake off the air mosquitoes attacking her, and over the small town of Bourbonne-les-Bains the last stages of the battle were fought. The airship was then about 1,000ft above the ground, and seemed on the point of collapse. Turning about, she made another effort to get away, but at last came down, with her stern halfway up a hill, and her bow resting in a stream.
Aeroplanes swooped down and prepared to land. The Zeppelin commander and his crew leapt out, and he endeavoured to destroy the airship. The commander had fired one shot from a special pistol at it, and was about to fire another when M Boiteux stepped out of a wood. M Boiteux, who had left home with his gun in the early morning in the hope of getting a pheasant or two, acted with admirable courage on seeing the nature of the game he had to deal with. His own story is as follows: “I was shooting when I saw a Zeppelin surrounded by five aeroplanes, whose machine-guns were blazing away splendidly. The airship was out of control, and came down gently. I ran up just as the commander was firing an incendiary cartridge into the balloon. The animal was going to destroy it. Ah no, said I to myself, and, having a few pellets in my gun, I stepped out and covered him, shouting: ‘Stop, or I’ll kill you.’ The officer threw away his pistol, raised his arms, and said: ‘Don’t harm me. I surrender.’ I had mastered them. Meanwhile airmen had landed and firemen arrived, and the Germans were made prisoners.”
Experts were summoned to examine the fallen airship, including the Under-Secretary for Aviation, M Dumesnil, and an officer who has made a speciality of reconstituting from the wreckage of stricken Zeppelins the general plan of enemy airships. The joy of this officer in having a practically unharmed Zeppelin placed at his disposal may be imagined. The L49 has, indeed, suffered but slight damage. The incendiary cartridge which was fired before M Boiteux was able to prevent it has only made a slight hole in the tissue.
october 21, 1917
The rout of the zeppelins
Zeppelins have once more bombed England, but France has routed them. The airship raid of Friday night began comparatively early in the evening, and appears to have lasted until after midnight. Twenty-seven were killed and fifty-three injured. The airships attacked the eastern and north-eastern counties, and only one crossed London, where very few bombs were dropped.The silence in London led some to believe that the warning was a false alarm, and there were a good many people about the streets when the Zeppelin actually arrived. Further information is required about the absence of gunfire. The new anti-aircraft artillery is primarily designed to repel aeroplane attack, and we rely on our aeroplanes to overcome raiding Zeppelins; but the two methods are interchangeable, and both are used as required. It is fairly obvious that a continuous barrage cannot be kept up all round London for hours on the chance of frustrating the attack of a single stray Zeppelin. On the other hand, we have the undoubted fact that one Zeppelin was brought down in France by gunfire, and possibly two.
Although there was no firing in London, there was a considerable bombardment elsewhere, and we believe that at least one of the Zeppelins was hit in this country, and left under imperfect control. It is also known that our aeroplanes went up in considerable numbers. Public opinion shows considerable dissatisfaction about the raid, and this is not surprising. A number of Zeppelins raided England for a long time, and got away without loss, except that a single airship may have been partially disabled. Some of the Zeppelins crossed French territory on their way back, and four were brought down by French gunfire and aeroplanes. Several others are reported to be wandering about in a disabled condition, and one, which was pursued over the Mediterranean, is believed to have fallen into the sea.
The public therefore ask why Zeppelins can be destroyed in France and not in England. Quite possibly the best of explanations exists, but it ought to be made known, and preferably in Parliament. Friday night’s experience did not come up to expectations, and the authorities would do well to give further details in order to allay public feeling.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2017-10-20/register/flying-mens-adventures-in-east-africa-l8nqqcwk6
It appears from the story of a captured German merchant captain and from native sources that a seaplane carrying the two officers was forced to land on the delta of the Rufigi River owing to engine trouble. As they could not repair the damage the officers burnt their machine. Flight-Commander Moon swam across a stream which swarmed with crocodiles with a view to finding a boat or canoe, but failed in his quest. The next day he again crossed the river, but was carried downstream by the tide before he could land, and had to force his way back through the mangroves. Apart from coconuts the officers had had nothing to eat or drink since leaving their station. At nightfall, after much weary marching, they discovered an empty house, and were able to make a raft on which they set off. Their only relief from the mosquitos was to dip their heads under the water. The coconut milk which they carried in bottles had turned sour by this time, and by the evening of the third day both were completely exhausted. Commander Bridgeman, indeed, was almost insensible. The tide carried the raft out to sea and the raft became waterlogged, so that Flight-Commander Moon had to support his comrade in his arms in order to keep the almost unconscious man’s head out of water. The two spent 13 hours on the raft on the fourth day, and for at least nine hours were on the open sea. Again and again Commander Bridgeman was washed off the raft and rescued again by his brother-officer, until at last he died of exhaustion and exposure. During the afternoon of the fourth day the tide carried the raft back to within a short distance of the shore, and the survivor managed to regain the land. In his final struggle to shore his face, hands, and feet were severely cut by the rocks. A native conducted him to two Germans who were living near, and there he collapsed. He soon recovered, however, and is now quite well. Commander Bridgeman’s body was washed ashore a few days later and was buried by the Germans.
The public therefore ask why Zeppelins can be destroyed in France and not in England. Quite possibly the best of explanations exists, but it ought to be made known, and preferably in Parliament. Friday night’s experience did not come up to expectations, and the authorities would do well to give further details in order to allay public feeling.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2017-10-20/register/flying-mens-adventures-in-east-africa-l8nqqcwk6
october 20, 1917
Flying men’s adventures in east Africa
Details of a series of adventures which befell Flight-Commander Edwin Roland Moon, DSO, RN, of Southampton, who was at first reported killed in East Africa, but is now a prisoner in the hands of the Germans, and Commander the Hon Richard Bridgeman, DSO, RN, who lost his life, have been received.It appears from the story of a captured German merchant captain and from native sources that a seaplane carrying the two officers was forced to land on the delta of the Rufigi River owing to engine trouble. As they could not repair the damage the officers burnt their machine. Flight-Commander Moon swam across a stream which swarmed with crocodiles with a view to finding a boat or canoe, but failed in his quest. The next day he again crossed the river, but was carried downstream by the tide before he could land, and had to force his way back through the mangroves. Apart from coconuts the officers had had nothing to eat or drink since leaving their station. At nightfall, after much weary marching, they discovered an empty house, and were able to make a raft on which they set off. Their only relief from the mosquitos was to dip their heads under the water. The coconut milk which they carried in bottles had turned sour by this time, and by the evening of the third day both were completely exhausted. Commander Bridgeman, indeed, was almost insensible. The tide carried the raft out to sea and the raft became waterlogged, so that Flight-Commander Moon had to support his comrade in his arms in order to keep the almost unconscious man’s head out of water. The two spent 13 hours on the raft on the fourth day, and for at least nine hours were on the open sea. Again and again Commander Bridgeman was washed off the raft and rescued again by his brother-officer, until at last he died of exhaustion and exposure. During the afternoon of the fourth day the tide carried the raft back to within a short distance of the shore, and the survivor managed to regain the land. In his final struggle to shore his face, hands, and feet were severely cut by the rocks. A native conducted him to two Germans who were living near, and there he collapsed. He soon recovered, however, and is now quite well. Commander Bridgeman’s body was washed ashore a few days later and was buried by the Germans.
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