Diary October 19, 1917

10-1917, Diary WWI, War Diary, Year 1917 / 1 minute of reading

This is the gondola of L54, which was to take part in the famous raid by 13 Zeppelins on this day, only to be scattered by high winds.

World War One Diary for Friday, October 19, 1917:

Air War

Britain – The ‘Silent Raid’: 13 German naval Zeppelins (5 lost) fly disastrous high-altitude mission against Northern England industrial centres (78 defence sorties cost 4 wrecked aircraft). L45 by chance bombs London (83 of 91 casualties total), 660lb bomb hits Piccadilly Circus, remainder dispersed by unpredicted 60mph northerly gales; 4 airships blown across to France, L50 disappears over Mediterranean; L44 shot down by French anti-aircraft fire from 19,000ft, L45 crash lands and burnt by crew west of Sisteron (Provence); L49 falls into French hands at Bourbonne-Ies-Bains near Langres (night October 19-20).

Africa

East Africa: Deventer cancels another attack, replaces Beves with Cunliffe as GOC Linforce. Lettow gains respite.

Politics

USA: Embargo on trade with Northern European Neutrals.

Neutrals

Spain: British films not allowed public screening.

About The Author

Kretaner

My name is Norman 'Kretaner' and since my childhood I am interested in history and strategy games. Later, I have learned programming and the development of computer games, and finally with the Internet, also web design. I'm in the fortunate position to combine all my interests with my work and to live on a place of my choice, on Crete. All information, figures, specifications and statistics used here had been compiled from a variety of sources and the large, over decades collected, library of the author about military history, WW2 and weapons.