<– Part 167 – September 30, 1917  | Part 168 – October 7, 1917 |  Part 168 – October 14, 1917 –>

Battle of Broodseinde planning map

October 4 was a significant day this past week, with events on both sides of the world boding ill for Germany and the other Central Powers.

No-Man’s-Land following the battle, looking towards the German lines

First, the crew of SMS Seeadler, aboard the captured French schooner Lutece, ran aground on Easter Island as was taken into custody by Chile, thus ending the last gasp of Germany’s Pacific campaign.

Near Yypres, at the Broodseinde Ridge, the new British strategy of “bite and hold,” wherein forces take only the ground they can immediately defend against counterattack, has seen another extremely successful application, with more German territory being taken. The British suffered 20,000 casualties, to the German 35,000. Additionally, “the black day of October 4” has brought an enormous hit to German morale.