<– Part 215 – September 1, 1918 | Part 216 – September 8, 1918 | Part 217 – September 15, 1918

German wire at the Drocourt-Queant line

By September 2, the Germans had been forced back to the Hindenburg, the initial start of their Spring Offensive. One decisive battle was at the Drocourt-Queant Line, a defense line between the two French towns. A combined assault of infantry, tanks, and aircraft, broke the German position and helped force them back 40 miles to the line.

The damaged Mount Vernon under escort by an allied ship laying a smoke screen

On September 3, the Austro-Hungarian forces in northern Italy launched operation “Gemse.” A large artillery bombardment against Punta San Matteo, followed by infantry, retook the peak they had last 3 weeks earlier. The Italian, fearing the peak would be taken, began shelling while their forces were still defending, causing friendly-fire casualties. In all, 10 Italians and 17 Austrians were killed. To the north, the Australians have fully taken Mont Saint-Quentin, losing 3,000 over three days, but forcing the German withdrawal.

Damage to the hull from the torpedo

American naval forces had an engagement in the Atlantic ocean off Brittany. on September 5. The Mount Vernon, a formerly German boat (SS Kronprinzessin Cecilie) that was interned at the outbreak of war, and then captured and converted to an auxiliary cruiser when America entered the war, was attacked by the sub U-82. The sub’s periscope was spotted and fired upon, scoring a hit, after which the sub surfaced, fire a torpedo (also a hit), and then withdraw seeing the approaching fast destroyers.

Under repair

With Bapaume taken, the British forces are resting, while their compatriots keep the Germans at the Hindenburg line. At Baku, the defenders are sending out regular airplane patrols, awaiting the next Ottoman advance.

At Ufa, Russia, a group from several different ideologies and political parties have begun meeting in conference, attempting to form a “Provisional All-Russian Government.”