<– Part 141 – April 1, 1917  | Part 142 – April 8, 1917 |  Part 143 – April 15, 1917 –>

On April 2, Australian Lieutenant Colonel John Gellibrand ordered an attack by 2nd Division on Noreuil, expecting it to be vacated due to the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line. In fact, said withdrawal was completed some time last week, so he suffered intense casualties in a disastrous assault. Gellibrand’s career is already checkered, as his landing at ANZAC Cove on Gallipoli was mishandled, his pride continually clashes with his superiors, and he is often criticized for having his headquarters over 3 miles from the front. Nevertheless, the German withdrawal has given the Allies more territory in the last few weeks than they had taken the entirety of the war since September 1914.

British machine gunners firing on German planes at Arras

The same day, US President Woodrow Wilson delivered a message to Congress at 8:32pm, asking the House of Representatives to declare war on the German Empire. The United States ended is neutrality April 6, declaring war, and entering the war.

At Arras, a bombardment of a front only 24 miles wide has been ongoing the last week, with German trenches having been reduced to mere “nests of men.” Allied troops have been seen massing, while aerial reconnaissance and underground tunneling (some tunnels large enough to accommodate light rail, and tens of thousands of troops), indicate a large, upcoming offensive.

French forces at Monastir have been unable to dislodge Bulgarian and German troops from the positions. In Russia, rumors have arrived that exiled communist Vladimir Lenin has arrived to oppose the Provisional Government. At Samarrah, British attacks on the Ottoman garrison continue.