https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2018-02-13/register/trotsky-excuses-for-surrender-hm320zcx0
February 13, 1918
Trotsky’s excuses for surrender
M Trotsky is endeavouring to carry off with a high hand the humiliation of Bolshevism at Brest-Litovsk. In a characteristic message addressed to the world in general he explains that the tacit acquiescence of the Entente bourgeoisie enabled the German capitalists to impose upon the Bolshevists terms which they could not accept. At the same time the Bolshevists could not think of continuing to make war against their German and Austrian “comrades”. Orders have accordingly been issued for the complete demobilization of the Russian Army. The disciplined mind of the German bureaucracy, confronted with a vacuum, is beginning to exhibit symptoms of irritation, and M Trotsky is threatened with direct consequences if he persists in his refusal to “sign”.The following Russian Wireless message, addressed “to all whom it may concern”, was received in London yesterday: Comrades, The peace negotiations are at an end. German capitalists, bankers, and landlords, supported by the silent cooperation of the English and French bourgeoisie, submitted to our comrades, the members of the peace delegation at Brest-Litovsk, conditions such as could not be subscribed to by the Russian Revolution. The Governments of Germany and Austria desire to possess countries and peoples vanquished by the force of arms. To this the authority of the Russian peoples of workmen and peasants could not give its acquiescence. We could not sign a peace which would bring with it sadness, oppression, and suffering to millions of workmen and peasants. But we also will not continue a war which was begun by Tsars and capitalists in alliance with Tsars and capitalists. We will not, and we must not, continue to be at war with Germans and Austrians — workmen and peasants like ourselves. We are not signing the peace of landlords and capitalists. Let German and Austrian soldiers know who are placing them in the field of battle, and let them know for what they are struggling. Let them know also that we refuse to fight against them. Russia, for her part, declares the present war with Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey, and Bulgaria at an end.
(Signed) L. Trotsky, President of the Russian Peace Delegation, and Commissioner for Foreign Affairs.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2018-02-14/register/the-last-fight-of-the-mary-rose-k90xpt9z7
february 14, 1918
The last fight of the Mary Rose
HMS Mary Rose left a Norwegian port in charge of a convoy of merchant ships in the afternoon of October 16. At dawn on the 17th flashes of gunfire were sighted astern. The captain, Lieutenant-Commander Charles Fox, supposed it was a submarine, and turned his ship to investigate; all hands were called to action stations. In a short time three light cruisers were sighted coming at high speed. Mary Rose challenged, and, receiving no reply, opened fire with every gun that would bear, at a range of about four miles. The German light cruisers appear to have been nonplussed by this single-handed onslaught, as they did not return fire until the range had closed to three miles. The Mary Rose held gallantly on through a barrage of bursting shell until only a mile separated her from the enemy.
As the British destroyer turned to bring her torpedo tubes to bear, a salvo struck the engine-room, leaving her disabled. All guns, except the after one, were out of action, and their crews killed or wounded, but the after gun continued in action as long as it would bear. The captain came down from the wrecked bridge and passed aft, encouraging his deafened men. He stopped by the wrecked remains of the midship gun, and shouted to the survivors of its crew, “God bless my heart, lads; get her going again; we’re not done yet!”
The enemy were now pouring a concentrated fire into the motionless vessel. One of the boilers exploded, and through the inferno of escaping steam and smoke came that familiar, cheery voice, “We’re not done yet.”
Realizing that the 4-inch gun could no longer be brought to bear, the captain gave the order, “Abandon ship.” The Mary Rose sank at 7.15am, with colours flying. The captain, first lieutenant, and gunner were lost with the ship, but a handful of survivors made the Norwegian coast some 48 hours later.
There is no record of what was in the mind of the captain when he made that single-handed dash in the face of such preposterous odds. When he realized that it was to meet not a submarine, but three of Germany’s newest and fastest light cruisers, it is conceivable that the original rescue plan was not replaced by considerations of higher strategy. He held on unflinchingly, and he died, leaving a glorious episode to the annals of his service.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2018-02-15/register/american-batteries-first-action-dllg8mplb
American batteries cooperated with the French troops in an operation among the Champagne hills. The scene of the operation, which, although described as a coup de main, was really a minor attack, the object being to bite off and retain a salient in the enemy’s line which had become troublesome to the French, was in the sector between Tahure and the rugged mass of the Butte du Mesnil, the barrier against which the French waves of assault were brought to a standstill in September, 1915. The nature of the ground rendered especially difficult the task of the assaulting companies, the salient being situated in a sort of saucer among the hills, overlooked by the ridge plentifully sown with German guns. The attack was carried out under a curtain of fire and rain which speedily converted the powdery chalk underfoot into an abominable sticky white mire known and hated by all who experienced winter fighting in Champagne Pouilleuse. The attack was launched after six hours’ bombardment, which pulverized the enemy’s defences. Infantry swarmed over the enemy’s line, occasionally breaking the centre of resistance with grenade attacks, but meeting no opposition capable of checking them until they reached the final objective. The news was signalled by aeroplane to the French command an hour after the men had started. Our artillery, and the French and American guns, worked with splendid precision.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/register/destroyer-raid-in-the-straits-p2f79jrgg
february 16, 1918
Between 12.30 and 1.30am residents of south-east coast towns were awakened by violent gunfire in the Channel. This continued for about an hour. From the high ground the flashes of the guns could be plainly seen through the darkness. Vessels of the Dover Patrol were engaged with the enemy craft, but the results of the action cannot yet be fully ascertained. The enemy craft are believed to have belonged to the Zeebrugge flotilla.
Later. Distressing scenes were witnessed this afternoon when the bodies of the men killed in the action were landed and conveyed in naval motor-lorries to the Market Hall, which had been converted into a temporary mortuary. Covered with Union Jacks, the bodies were reverently conveyed by comrades into the hall, where sympathetic help was rendered by members of the police force. A large crowd of onlookers, including many naval men’s relatives, gathered about the Market Hall and showed the deepest sympathy. For the most part the men had been killed by shell fire, and all are said to belong to the trawler and mine-sweeping section of the Navy.
The enemy were now pouring a concentrated fire into the motionless vessel. One of the boilers exploded, and through the inferno of escaping steam and smoke came that familiar, cheery voice, “We’re not done yet.”
Realizing that the 4-inch gun could no longer be brought to bear, the captain gave the order, “Abandon ship.” The Mary Rose sank at 7.15am, with colours flying. The captain, first lieutenant, and gunner were lost with the ship, but a handful of survivors made the Norwegian coast some 48 hours later.
There is no record of what was in the mind of the captain when he made that single-handed dash in the face of such preposterous odds. When he realized that it was to meet not a submarine, but three of Germany’s newest and fastest light cruisers, it is conceivable that the original rescue plan was not replaced by considerations of higher strategy. He held on unflinchingly, and he died, leaving a glorious episode to the annals of his service.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2018-02-15/register/american-batteries-first-action-dllg8mplb
february 15, 1918
American batteries’ first action
The American Army’s first offensive action occurred on Wednesday, when American batteries participated in the artillery preparation for the French attack at the Butte du Mesnil. The attack was on a front of about 1,600 yards, and the French infantry penetrated a mile into the German trenches. The artillery preparation lasted six hours, the American batteries effectively destroying German trenches, wire entanglements, and fortifications. When the French infantry leaped to the assault at 4.15, the American batteries took part in the rolling barrage preceding the infantry. American barrages also cut off the rear communications of the Germans. When, at 5.15, an aeroplane reported that all objectives had been captured, American batteries lengthened the barrage, protecting the French infantry in their new positions.American batteries cooperated with the French troops in an operation among the Champagne hills. The scene of the operation, which, although described as a coup de main, was really a minor attack, the object being to bite off and retain a salient in the enemy’s line which had become troublesome to the French, was in the sector between Tahure and the rugged mass of the Butte du Mesnil, the barrier against which the French waves of assault were brought to a standstill in September, 1915. The nature of the ground rendered especially difficult the task of the assaulting companies, the salient being situated in a sort of saucer among the hills, overlooked by the ridge plentifully sown with German guns. The attack was carried out under a curtain of fire and rain which speedily converted the powdery chalk underfoot into an abominable sticky white mire known and hated by all who experienced winter fighting in Champagne Pouilleuse. The attack was launched after six hours’ bombardment, which pulverized the enemy’s defences. Infantry swarmed over the enemy’s line, occasionally breaking the centre of resistance with grenade attacks, but meeting no opposition capable of checking them until they reached the final objective. The news was signalled by aeroplane to the French command an hour after the men had started. Our artillery, and the French and American guns, worked with splendid precision.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/register/destroyer-raid-in-the-straits-p2f79jrgg
february 16, 1918
Destroyer raid in the straits
A swift raid was made by a flotilla of large enemy torpedo-boat destroyers at about 1am on our patrol forces in the Dover Straits. After having sunk these vessels the enemy destroyers returned rapidly to the north before any of our forces could engage them.Between 12.30 and 1.30am residents of south-east coast towns were awakened by violent gunfire in the Channel. This continued for about an hour. From the high ground the flashes of the guns could be plainly seen through the darkness. Vessels of the Dover Patrol were engaged with the enemy craft, but the results of the action cannot yet be fully ascertained. The enemy craft are believed to have belonged to the Zeebrugge flotilla.
Later. Distressing scenes were witnessed this afternoon when the bodies of the men killed in the action were landed and conveyed in naval motor-lorries to the Market Hall, which had been converted into a temporary mortuary. Covered with Union Jacks, the bodies were reverently conveyed by comrades into the hall, where sympathetic help was rendered by members of the police force. A large crowd of onlookers, including many naval men’s relatives, gathered about the Market Hall and showed the deepest sympathy. For the most part the men had been killed by shell fire, and all are said to belong to the trawler and mine-sweeping section of the Navy.
The German raid was entirely favoured by the darkness and haziness of the weather in the Channel, and was evidently another attempt to cut the lines of communication with France, and to sink transports or hospital ships. No success of this kind, however, was attained.
We learn from a well-informed source that the crews of the drifters, thus suddenly overwhelmed by the guns of the German destroyers, behaved with the greatest gallantry. Naturally, most of the incidents that occurred will never be known, but one may be mentioned as typical. Two men, from the crew of one of the drifters which had been set on fire, succeeded in getting into a boat and pushing off. When the destroyers had gone they determined to try to get back on board. Not only did they succeed in doing this, but they were able to put out the fire and to bring the drifter safe back into port.
We learn from a well-informed source that the crews of the drifters, thus suddenly overwhelmed by the guns of the German destroyers, behaved with the greatest gallantry. Naturally, most of the incidents that occurred will never be known, but one may be mentioned as typical. Two men, from the crew of one of the drifters which had been set on fire, succeeded in getting into a boat and pushing off. When the destroyers had gone they determined to try to get back on board. Not only did they succeed in doing this, but they were able to put out the fire and to bring the drifter safe back into port.
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