<– Part 170 – October 21, 1917 | Part 171 – October 28, 1917 | Part 172 – November 4, 1917 –>
The Ottoman army, marching to retake the Hedjaz Railway, was ambushed at Wadi Musa, in Jordan, October 23, by 700 Arabs. The Ottomans lost 400, with a further 300 captured, before retreating.
A French attack towards the village and fort of La Malmaison on October 23 was wildly successful, after a four day battle. The Germans elected to defend their far forward trenches, rather than more secure areas farther back – a critical mistake. Although the Germans were aware of the timing of the attack – 5:45 am – the French intercepted a German transmission telling troops to be ready by 5:30, so the French attacked at 5:15 am. The French artillery destroyed the German guns, pinpoint fire spotted by French aircraft destroyed German strongpoints, and French gas hanging over low-lying areas behind the forward German lines prevented reinforcements, medical assistance, or resupply from reaching the German defenders. The village and fort were captured by the French on October 27. The French lost 13,000, while the Germans suffered 38,000 casualties and an additional 12,000 prisoners.
The German High Command has sent assistance to the Austro-Hungarian Empire in Italy, fearing that a failure to end the Italian theater will eventually remove Austria-Hungary from the war. After surveying the area for a gas attack, the quiet village of Caporetto was chosen. On October 24, at 2 am, poison gas was dropped onto the Italian trenches, killing 600 and causing the rest to flee. German artillery destroyed Italian trenches, and bombs placed by sappers were detonated under the Italian’s strong points. A new infantry force of “storm troopers,” armed with shotguns, machine guns, and flamethrowers, surged forward and found the Italian lines nearly undefended. The Italians have been ordered to regroup and counterattack, but have been unable to gain momentum.
On October 26, at the third battle of Ypres, another attack at Passchendaele has been launched by the Canadian and ANZAC forces. Heavy mud has called for extra preparations, and the rolling barrages are slower, allowing the men to move through the mud. The objectives have been taken, while stronger German pillboxes have been held with defensive flanks. The first stage has been successful, and the Allies are preparing for a second push. Allied casualties are estimated 10-20,000, with the Germans losing 21,000.
A British force south of Gaza, positioned along the Buqqar Ridge to prevent Turkish artillery from stationing there and firing on the critical railroad in the area, repelled a larger Turkish force on October 27, despite odds of 20:1 in places. The British lost 90, with the Turks losing 50.
Recent Comments