https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/register/more-hospital-ship-outrages-7z3k99bq3
The Guildford Castle, like the Rewa — sunk on January 4 — and the Glenart Castle, was attacked in the Bristol Channel, which is what is known as a “free area”. The Germans, in defiance of international law, have asserted their right to sink British hospital ships in the English Channel on the false ground that they were being used to transport troops and military supplies. But this presumptuous edict never applied to the Bristol Channel. When the Rewa was torpedoed early in January the Germans asserted that the engine of destruction must have been a mine, because, in the words of a semi-official statement which they issued, “in competent quarters it is regarded as impossible that the vessel could have been torpedoed by a submarine”. They attempted no such excuse in the case of the Glenart Castle, and the evidence that the Guildford Castle was attacked by torpedo before nightfall on Sunday is overwhelming.
march 15, 1918
More hospital ship outrages
German submarine commanders continue to attack British hospital ships, well knowing what they are doing. On February 26 the Glenart Castle was sunk in the Bristol Channel, with appalling loss of life. On Sunday an attack was made on the Guildford Castle, homeward bound with more than 400 wounded on board. She was “flying her Red Cross flags, and in addition had all her hospital lights on”.The Guildford Castle, like the Rewa — sunk on January 4 — and the Glenart Castle, was attacked in the Bristol Channel, which is what is known as a “free area”. The Germans, in defiance of international law, have asserted their right to sink British hospital ships in the English Channel on the false ground that they were being used to transport troops and military supplies. But this presumptuous edict never applied to the Bristol Channel. When the Rewa was torpedoed early in January the Germans asserted that the engine of destruction must have been a mine, because, in the words of a semi-official statement which they issued, “in competent quarters it is regarded as impossible that the vessel could have been torpedoed by a submarine”. They attempted no such excuse in the case of the Glenart Castle, and the evidence that the Guildford Castle was attacked by torpedo before nightfall on Sunday is overwhelming.
Germany’s notice that she would sink hospital ships in the English Channel was a barbarous defiance of the law of nations. But she has broken the word she gave when she announced that resolution. There is only one reply to ruthlessness of this kind. German officer prisoners of high rank should be in each British hospital ship. In the Franco-Prussian War, when German troop trains in occupied French territory were wrecked frequently by unknown persons, the Germans seized prominent French citizens and put them on the engines of trains to prevent their being wrecked. This measure was effective. An adaptation of it to meet the latest development of German savagery is an obvious expedient and needs no justification.
● News in brief
Three German prisoners of war who escaped from Bramley Camp, Hampshire, have been recaptured.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2018-03-14/register/airmans-death-from-burns-qzj5jrskh
Details are now published of the four Gothas brought down — two near Chateau Thierry, at Etrepilly and Essome, one at Mareuil, on the Ourcq, and the fourth near Soissons. At Essome the enemy aeroplane was shot down aflame while returning to its base. Two of its occupants were burnt to death, and the third, Captain Schobler, of Munich, was severely burned and died at Chateau Thierry Hospital. He attempted to escape with his clothes on fire, but was stopped by a French soldier, and a general who was passing in a motor-car took him to the hospital. Schobler asked to be well tended, and the general replied: “You are wounded, and a wounded man is sacred to us French. We would only like to know that our men are equally well looked after in Germany.” He continued: “You had a mission to fulfil. Did you fulfil it, or were you on your way to do so?”
● News in brief
Three German prisoners of war who escaped from Bramley Camp, Hampshire, have been recaptured.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2018-03-14/register/airmans-death-from-burns-qzj5jrskh
march 14, 1918
Airman’s death from burns
The question of the protection of the public during air raids absorbs attention in Paris. The panic in the last raid, which cost 66 persons their lives at a refuge on the tube railway, shows that there is yet much to be done. A Juge d’Instruction has been charged to open an inquiry.Details are now published of the four Gothas brought down — two near Chateau Thierry, at Etrepilly and Essome, one at Mareuil, on the Ourcq, and the fourth near Soissons. At Essome the enemy aeroplane was shot down aflame while returning to its base. Two of its occupants were burnt to death, and the third, Captain Schobler, of Munich, was severely burned and died at Chateau Thierry Hospital. He attempted to escape with his clothes on fire, but was stopped by a French soldier, and a general who was passing in a motor-car took him to the hospital. Schobler asked to be well tended, and the general replied: “You are wounded, and a wounded man is sacred to us French. We would only like to know that our men are equally well looked after in Germany.” He continued: “You had a mission to fulfil. Did you fulfil it, or were you on your way to do so?”
“I had accomplished it, General.”
“Did you go to Paris?”
“Yes, General.”
“Wretch, you have killed women and children.”
“I was acting under orders, General,” replied the airman.
Schobler’s great anxiety was that he should be well treated. He kept repeating, “I am an officer.” He refused to state the squadron that he belonged to, but from his pocket-book it was seen that he was attached to the Third Squadron of the Seventh Army. His machine still carried two bombs, one of which exploded when the aeroplane fell, and the other was still intact.
The Etrepilly Gotha fell in a small wood, and the three men aboard — a sub-lieutenant, a cadet, and a non-commissioned officer — after setting fire to the machine and hurriedly concealing their Brownings, &c, took to flight across country, but at 2 in the morning they stumbled into a gendarmerie station on the Soissons road and were taken prisoners. The third, the Mareuil Gotha, had two non-commissioned officers, who are now also lodged at Chateau Thierry, and the third occupant, who was wounded, was taken to hospital.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2018-03-13/register/the-growth-of-air-warfare-9xtnlh8tx
During the present moonless period, London was visited on Thursday night, Paris on Friday and Monday, Naples on Sunday. These attacks show that darkness is no longer any real protection against raiding aircraft, as our own airmen, indeed, had proved by operations on dark nights behind German lines. It is obvious that the enemy intends to make a dead set at Allied capitals on every night, dark or moonlit, when the weather favours him.
“Did you go to Paris?”
“Yes, General.”
“I was acting under orders, General,” replied the airman.
Schobler’s great anxiety was that he should be well treated. He kept repeating, “I am an officer.” He refused to state the squadron that he belonged to, but from his pocket-book it was seen that he was attached to the Third Squadron of the Seventh Army. His machine still carried two bombs, one of which exploded when the aeroplane fell, and the other was still intact.
The Etrepilly Gotha fell in a small wood, and the three men aboard — a sub-lieutenant, a cadet, and a non-commissioned officer — after setting fire to the machine and hurriedly concealing their Brownings, &c, took to flight across country, but at 2 in the morning they stumbled into a gendarmerie station on the Soissons road and were taken prisoners. The third, the Mareuil Gotha, had two non-commissioned officers, who are now also lodged at Chateau Thierry, and the third occupant, who was wounded, was taken to hospital.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2018-03-13/register/the-growth-of-air-warfare-9xtnlh8tx
march 13, 1918
The growth of air warfare
This country — and particularly London, which has learnt to know what air raids mean — will give full sympathy to Paris for the heavy price exacted by German airmen on Monday night. The casualties actually caused by the bombs were not so heavy as those in the raid of January 31. But they were greatly increased by one of those tragic incidents which are liable to happen, in spite of every precaution, when human beings are subjected to a sudden and heavy strain. There was a panic at the entrance to one of the refuges in the Metropolitan Railway, which cost 66 lives, mostly of women and children. These deaths far outnumbered those which the enemy raiders were able to cause.During the present moonless period, London was visited on Thursday night, Paris on Friday and Monday, Naples on Sunday. These attacks show that darkness is no longer any real protection against raiding aircraft, as our own airmen, indeed, had proved by operations on dark nights behind German lines. It is obvious that the enemy intends to make a dead set at Allied capitals on every night, dark or moonlit, when the weather favours him.
What the German is doing under the shield of night to London, Paris, and Naples, British airmen are doing in broad daylight to German towns. On Saturday Mainz was raided, on Sunday Stuttgart and yesterday Coblenz. It is like the German to give out that the raids on Paris are by way of reprisal for the exploits of British airmen — one of his childish expedients for sowing dissension between the Allies. We can well imagine the scorn of our French Allies at this typically German blunder in elementary psychology.
We should beware of making much of enemy attacks upon civilian populations at the expense of understanding the important developments in air warfare. The first favourable days of an unusually clement spring have filled the air with swarms of fighting aircraft, to say nothing of bombing machines and those used for the more prosaic art of military photography. Friday and Saturday were good days for air fighting — mist has been troublesome since — and on these two days our airmen are reported to have brought down the astonishing total of 43 German machines, while our own losses numbered only five.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2018-03-12/register/allenbys-new-success-7m50f9n3q
march 12, 1918
Progress was made to a depth of about 3,000 yards on a front of 12 miles, the high ridges overlooking the north bank of the Wadi el Jib (west of the road) being secured, and three counter-attacks launched against the important section of these ridges between Sheikh Saleh and Burj el Lisaneh (east of the road) being repulsed. Further east our new line north of the Wadi Auja (Jordan Valley) has been consolidated.
We should beware of making much of enemy attacks upon civilian populations at the expense of understanding the important developments in air warfare. The first favourable days of an unusually clement spring have filled the air with swarms of fighting aircraft, to say nothing of bombing machines and those used for the more prosaic art of military photography. Friday and Saturday were good days for air fighting — mist has been troublesome since — and on these two days our airmen are reported to have brought down the astonishing total of 43 German machines, while our own losses numbered only five.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2018-03-12/register/allenbys-new-success-7m50f9n3q
march 12, 1918
Allenby’s new success
The War Office issued the following announcement last night concerning the operations in Palestine: During the night of March 9 and the following day the northward advance of our troops astride the Jerusalem-Nablus [Shechem] road was continued through precipitous and difficult country and in the face of obstinate resistance, the enemy employing numerous machine-guns from concealed positions.Progress was made to a depth of about 3,000 yards on a front of 12 miles, the high ridges overlooking the north bank of the Wadi el Jib (west of the road) being secured, and three counter-attacks launched against the important section of these ridges between Sheikh Saleh and Burj el Lisaneh (east of the road) being repulsed. Further east our new line north of the Wadi Auja (Jordan Valley) has been consolidated.
Throughout March 10 our aeroplanes co-operated by engaging enemy troops and transport with machine-gun fire and bombs at various points on the Nablus road. Operations continue.
In the communique published yesterday, it was announced that the British had captured, east of the Shechem road, Selwad, Tel Asur, and Kefr Malik, places on the crest of the main ridge between Jerusalem and Shechem. West of the road the British line had also been swung forward. The direct route north, the scene of Saturday night’s and Sunday’s fighting, is by a very rocky descent from the hill-crest, and is notoriously the most difficult part of the whole road between Jerusalem and Shechem. It abounds in facilities for ambushes. At the foot of the descent lies the Wadi el Haramiyeh — the Robber’s Valley. This is shut in by steep hills, partly clothed with olive trees, and is traversed by a torrent-bed leading to the Robber’s Spring. From this point onward the country becomes more fertile and attractive. It leads in a mile or two to Seilun, the ancient Shiloh, the spot where the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant stood in the time of the Judges.
The Burj el Lisaneh (the Tower of the Tongue) is a ruined building of the 12th century on the top of a high hill overlooking the Robber’s Valley. Here in ordinary times a garrison was maintained to defend the pass from brigands. The British forces are now about 12 miles from Shechem.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2018-03-10/register/the-new-womens-institutes-l9qmcxcnz
MARCH 10, 1918
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-attack-on-the-capital-3kh8rm0x3
In the communique published yesterday, it was announced that the British had captured, east of the Shechem road, Selwad, Tel Asur, and Kefr Malik, places on the crest of the main ridge between Jerusalem and Shechem. West of the road the British line had also been swung forward. The direct route north, the scene of Saturday night’s and Sunday’s fighting, is by a very rocky descent from the hill-crest, and is notoriously the most difficult part of the whole road between Jerusalem and Shechem. It abounds in facilities for ambushes. At the foot of the descent lies the Wadi el Haramiyeh — the Robber’s Valley. This is shut in by steep hills, partly clothed with olive trees, and is traversed by a torrent-bed leading to the Robber’s Spring. From this point onward the country becomes more fertile and attractive. It leads in a mile or two to Seilun, the ancient Shiloh, the spot where the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant stood in the time of the Judges.
The Burj el Lisaneh (the Tower of the Tongue) is a ruined building of the 12th century on the top of a high hill overlooking the Robber’s Valley. Here in ordinary times a garrison was maintained to defend the pass from brigands. The British forces are now about 12 miles from Shechem.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2018-03-10/register/the-new-womens-institutes-l9qmcxcnz
MARCH 10, 1918
The new Women’s Institutes
A movement which will have far-reaching results in the reconstruction of rural life is now spreading rapidly through the villages of England and Wales. Societies of women are being formed, known as Women’s Institutes — a name that came from Canada, where the movement had its inception. This name has the disadvantage of conveying the idea of a large building, and new and expensive club rooms. The truth is far from this. A Women’s Institute is a number of countrywomen banded together to promote the good of their country, their neighbourhood, and their own homes. When a successful Women’s Institute exists a great step has been taken towards bringing the educational and social advantages of town life into the country. A meeting is held every month, and a varied programme is arranged. Child welfare, labour-saving in the home, wartime cookery, poultry-keeping, gardening, fruit-bottling and herb collecting are subjects which find a place. A meeting does not consist in listening to a lecture; it is followed by a practical demonstration, by competitions, and by suggestions on a subject chosen by the members. The afternoon ends with tea and an entertainment, and members return to their homes with a new interest in their lives. Various government departments and educational societies send lecturers and demonstrators to meetings. One of the most satisfactory consequences of the formation of a Women’s Institute is the number of village women who learn to give expression to their ideas, and who themselves become lecturers and demonstrators. Activities extend far beyond a monthly gathering. The institutes introduce communal life to a village; coal, seeds, household appliances are bought cooperatively; an allotment is worked, pigs are kept, fruit is preserved, each member getting her share of the profits. Not least among the effects on village life is the drawing together of women of every class and creed. The institutes are self-governing bodies, and elect their own representatives to the Central Committee of the Federation of Women’s Institutes. Lady Denman, the chairman, will give further information to anyone applying to her at the offices of the Federation, which are at 72 Victoria Street.https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-attack-on-the-capital-3kh8rm0x3
march 9, 1918
The attack on the capital
There was a time in the history of air raids when moonlight was welcomed because it gave immunity from the visit of Zeppelins. Then came a period when moonlight lost its charm because it showed the way for aeroplanes, and the belief was held that darkness justified composure. Londoners, therefore, except those whose duty it is always to be on the alert, were completely surprised to hear late on Thursday night, before the moon had risen, the noisy warning of the maroons. Not a few wondered at a glow of light in the northern sky, which grew stronger as the wind rose and swept away the clouds. The explanation came in the morning, when people learned that the glow was the Aurora Borealis. From the coast and from high places outside London it was visible before the raid began, lighting up the sky like the reflection of a distant fire. The aeroplanes, therefore, did not come in the darkness. They were able to cross the sea and find London because of the “Northern Lights”, and it has yet to be proved that the Gotha can get here on moonless nights.
The damage done by the two machines which managed to pierce the outer defences of London is a repetition of the lives destroyed, houses shattered, wounds, rescues and escapes in previous raids. All day yesterday men of the salvage corps, soldiers, sailors, special and regular constables, and ambulance staffs were at work, some seeking to extricate men, women and children buried under the ruins of their homes, and others helping the hurt and the bereaved. A three-storeyed house in a good-class residential thoroughfare in north-west London was demolished. The house and three others, all solidly built, were utterly wrecked. Across the road great branches of plane trees were torn from the stem, iron railings thrown down and smashed, paving-stones torn up, and the contents of half a dozen houses tossed about in broken and tangled litter. Yesterday Lord French visited the scene and watched soldiers and sailors at work among the ruins. While he was there Queen Alexandra arrived with Princess Victoria. Along the stricken road, phlegmatic householders were loading bags into taxicabs and starting off to find lodging in places more habitable than their own windowless and shaken homes.
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