1910 | 1911 | 1912 | 1913 | 1914 | 1915 | 1916 | 1917 | 1918 | 1919
1920 | 1921 | 1922 | 1923 | 1924 | 1925 | 1926 | 1927 | 1928 | 1929
1930 | 1931 | 1932 | 1933 | 1934 | 1935 | 1936 | 1937 | 1938 | 1939
1940 | 1941 | 1942 | 1943 | 1944 | 1945 | 1946 | 1947 | 1948 | 1949
17 Jan 1917
Germany
- Robert Greim was promoted to the rank of Oberleutnant. ww2dbase [Robert von Greim | CPC]
22 Jan 1917
- 150,000 workers marched through Petrograd, Russia and tens of thousands did so in other Russian cities. Most were demonstrating about their hunger, but a minority carry banners bearing political demands. ww2dbase [AC]
26 Jan 1917
- Robert Saundby was transferred from No. 24 Squadron to the No. 41 Squadron RFC. ww2dbase [Robert Saundby | CPC]
United States
27 Jan 1917
- Georg von Bismarck was promoted to the rank of Oberleutnant. ww2dbase [Georg von Bismarck | CPC]
- Ferdinand Schörner was awarded the Iron Cross 1st class. ww2dbase [Ferdinand Schörner | CPC]
29 Jan 1917
United States
- Henry Arnold's son Henry Arnold, Jr. was born. ww2dbase [Henry Arnold | CPC]
30 Jan 1917
United States
- Henry Arnold was ordered to travel to the Panama Canal Zone in search for locations to build a new airfield. ww2dbase [Henry Arnold | CPC]
1 Feb 1917
United Kingdom
3 Feb 1917
- The United States broke off Diplomatic Relations with Germany. ww2dbase [AC]
United Kingdom
- The first prototype Medium Mark A Whippet tank was completed in Britain. ww2dbase [Medium Mark A Whippet | CPC]
5 Feb 1917
United States
- Henry Arnold assumed command of 7th Aero Squadron in New York, New York, United States; the squadron was destined for the Panama Canal Zone. ww2dbase [Henry Arnold | New York | CPC]
13 Feb 1917
Georgia
- Ivan Bagramyan enrolled at the Praporshchik Military Academy in Tiflis, Russia (now Tblisi, Georgia). ww2dbase [Ivan Bagramyan | Tiflis | CPC]
15 Feb 1917
- Quintin Brand was promoted to the rank of captain and became a flight commander of No. 1 Squadron of the British Royal Flying Corps. ww2dbase [Quintin Brand | CPC]
19 Feb 1917
United Kingdom
- The US Ambassador in London, England, United Kingdom was briefed by Reginald "Blinker" Hall, head of the top secret Room 40, about the contents of the intercepted Zimmermann telegram. ww2dbase [London, England | AC]
20 Feb 1917
- Robert Saundby became the flight commander of No. 11 Training Squadron RFC at Scampton near Lincoln, England, United Kingdom. ww2dbase [Robert Saundby | CPC]
26 Feb 1917
- The 4th Company of the Pavlovsky Regiment of the Russian Imperial Guard mutinied and came out in support of workers demonstrating against the regime in Petrograd, Russia. ww2dbase [AC]
27 Feb 1917
- One day after the 4th Company of the Pavlovsky Regiment of the Russian Imperial Guard mutinied, other reserve guards units joined the revolution in Petrograd, Russia. Defying orders to surrender their arms the mutineers wrecked the police barracks and by noon several public buildings were in flames and there was outbreaks of sporadic shooting throughout the city. ww2dbase [AC]
28 Feb 1917
- The revolutionaries were in full control of Petrograd, Russia. A Revolutionary headquarters was set up in the Tauride Palace and as the rebellious units of the Russian Army made their way they expected to ally themselves with the State Duma (the Parliamentary institute established following the 1905 revolt, but which Tsar Nicholas had now ordered to be dissolved). It was soon apparent however that the real power at the Tauride Palace laid in the hands of the Soviet (council) of Workers' and Soldier's Deputies, who despite a show of support for Alexander Kerensky's Provisional Government, had an agenda of their own. News of the insurrection in Petrograd reaches the Tsar, who was away on a tour of inspection of front-line units. He hastily set out to return to the capital but his train was diverted to Pskov, the Headquarters of General Russky's Northern Army Group. Unknown to Tsar Nicholas, Russky, who the Tsar believed to be a loyal subordinate, had been given secret orders by Rodzianko, the President of the Dumo (supported by some members of the General Staff) to persuading the Tsar to abdicate. ww2dbase [AC]
2 Mar 1917
Russia
- Tsar Nicholas of Russia reluctantly agreed to abdicate and renounced his son's right to the throne in favour of his brother, The Grand Duke Michael, and signed the abdication documents. Five hours later Rodzianko telephoned Russky and bluntly told him that the abdication manifesto was useless as the people did not want Michael any more than they wanted Nicholas. It was only then that Russky and the other Army Commanders, realized that they had been nothing more than blind instruments in the hands of forces beyond their control. ww2dbase [AC]
3 Mar 1917
Japan
- Chiaki Matsuda returned to Japan after completing his midshipmen cruise. ww2dbase [Chiaki Matsuda | CPC]
United Kingdom
- The first prototype Medium Mark A Whippet tank participated in a trial with other models at Oldbury, central England, United Kingdom. ww2dbase [Medium Mark A Whippet | Oldbury, England | CPC]
8 Mar 1917
- In Russia women textile workers took to the streets demanding bread. By the afternoon they had been joined by metal-workers from the war industries whose protests were aimed at the Government and the war. Within two days 200,000 workers would be on strike. ww2dbase [AC]
11 Mar 1917
- In Petrograd, Russia the soldiers in the Pavlovskiy barracks mutinied, and by the following morning 20,000 of them were protesting on the streets. ww2dbase [AC]
20 Mar 1917
United Kingdom
- Dame Vera Lynn, the popular World War II singer and actress, was born at East Ham, London, England, United Kingdom. ww2dbase [London, England | AC]
21 Mar 1917
France
- British No. 100 Squadron RFC, the first RFC squadron specifically trained for night operations, moved from Hingham, Norfolk, England, United Kingdom (where it was formed) to Saint-André-aux-Bois in France. The unit's first aircraft were twelve F.E.2Bs. ww2dbase [Saint-André-aux-Bois, Nord-Pas-de-Calais | AC]
28 Mar 1917
- Chuichi Nagumo was attached to the Third Fleet. ww2dbase [Chuichi Nagumo | CPC]
31 Mar 1917
- Yamashiro was commissioned into service. ww2dbase [Yamashiro | CPC]
- Destroyer Kashi was completed and entered Japanese naval service. ww2dbase [Kashi | CPC]
1 Apr 1917
- Quintin Brand was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. ww2dbase [Quintin Brand | CPC]
Japan
- Kichisaburo Nomura was promoted to the rank of captain. ww2dbase [Kichisaburo Nomura | CPC]
3 Apr 1917
- King Karl of Austria-Hungary and his Foreign Minister Ottokar Czernin visited the German Kaiser, ostensibly to complain about the declaration of unrestricted U-boat warfare, but secretly to press for the need for peace. ww2dbase [AC]
United States
- USS Arizona completed post-shakedown overhaul and departed Brooklyn Navy Yard, New York, United States. ww2dbase [Arizona | Brooklyn, New York | CPC]
4 Apr 1917
United States
- USS Arizona arrived at Norfolk, Virginia, United States and joined US Navy Battleship Division 8. ww2dbase [Arizona | Norfolk, Virginia | CPC]
5 Apr 1917
France
- Overnight, the British No. 100 Squadron RFC, the first British purpose-trained night operations squadron, flew B.E.2E aircraft during its first operation with two raids on Douai airfield in France, at that time home to the notorious Manfred von Richtofen's Jasta 11 "Flying Circus". ww2dbase [Douai, Nord-Pas-de-Calais | AC]
Japan
- Chiaki Matsuda departed for a training cruise. ww2dbase [Chiaki Matsuda | CPC]
Photo(s) dated 5 Apr 1917
6 Apr 1917
- The United States declared war on Germany. ww2dbase [AC]
- HMS Effingham was laid down at Portsmouth Dockyard, England, United Kingdom. ww2dbase [Effingham | CPC]
11 Apr 1917
United States
- Milton Miles enlisted in the United States Navy. ww2dbase [Milton Miles | CPC]
13 Apr 1917
- Kasuga was relieved as the flagship of Destroyer Squadron 3. ww2dbase [Kasuga | CPC]
United States
- The battleship New Mexico was launched at New York Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York, United States, sponsored by Margaret De Baca, daughter of a former governor of the state of New Mexico. ww2dbase [New York Navy Yard | New Mexico | Brooklyn, New York | CPC]
15 Apr 1917
United States
- Harold George joined the Aviation Section of US Army Signal Corps as a cadet. ww2dbase [Harold George | CPC]
20 Apr 1917
- Peter Drummond was awarded the Military Cross medal. ww2dbase [Peter Drummond | CPC]
24 Apr 1917
China
- Zang Xilan was born in Gouya Village (now Laoshan District of Qingdao), Shandong Province, China. ww2dbase [Zang Xilan | Gouya, Shandong | CPC]
26 Apr 1917
- Quintin Brand was awarded the Military Cross award. ww2dbase [Quintin Brand | CPC]
1 May 1917
- Quintin Brand was transferred to England. ww2dbase [Quintin Brand | CPC]
- Peter Drummond was promoted to the rank of temporary lieutenant. ww2dbase [Peter Drummond | CPC]
United States
- Henry Arnold began a period of various staff positions in Washington DC, United States. ww2dbase [Henry Arnold | Washington | CPC]
7 May 1917
- British Major Edward "Mick" Mannock RFC (who had been posted to No. 40 Squadron in France on 1 Apr), later the top scoring British Empire ace of the war with 73 kills, claimed his first aerial victory with the destruction of a balloon. ww2dbase [AC]
France
- British Captain Albert Ball VC, DFC & 2 Bars & MC, RFC (43 kills and one balloon) was killed when, in his SE.5a aircraft, he dived into cloud in pursuit of a German aircraft over Lens, France. He was buried by the Germans with full Military honours. ww2dbase [Lens, Nord-Pas-de-Calais | AC]
Japan
9 May 1917
Photo(s) dated 9 May 1917
15 May 1917
- George Patton was promoted to the rank of captain. ww2dbase [George Patton | CPC]
- Friedrich Christiansen scored his first air-to-air victory, a British Pup aircraft, over Dover, England, United Kingdom. ww2dbase [Friedrich Christiansen | CPC]
- George Brett was promoted to the rank of captain. ww2dbase [George Brett | CPC]
- Richard O'Connor was Mentioned in Despatches. ww2dbase [Richard O'Connor | CPC]
- Walther von Brauchitsch was awarded the Knight's Cross of the House Order of Hohenzollern with Swords. ww2dbase [Walther von Brauchitsch | CPC]
20 May 1917
Atlantic Ocean
- The first submarine to be sunk by an aeroplane was the German U-36 attacked in the North Sea by a flying boat piloted by British Flight Sub-Lieutenant C. R. Morrish. ww2dbase [North Sea | AC]
21 May 1917
United States
- Graves Erskine joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve while attending Louisiana State University in Louisiana, United States. ww2dbase [Graves Erskine | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | CPC]
24 May 1917
United States
- Clifton Cates was commissioned into the US Marine Corps Reserves with the rank of second lieutenant. ww2dbase [Clifton Cates | CPC]
25 May 1917
France
- Robert Greim achieved his first kill as a fighter pilot over France. ww2dbase [Robert von Greim | CPC]
Japan
- Crown Prince Yi Un graduated from the Japanese Army Academy. ww2dbase [Yi Un | CPC]
United Kingdom
- A fleet of 23 German Gotha G.IV bombers commanded by Hauptmann Ernst Brandenburg set out to bomb London, England, United Kingdom, but on reaching the Thames River ran into bad weather and diverted to find an alternative target. The English coastal town of Folkestone was thronged with shoppers when the German aircraft struck. Ninety-five civilians were killed and the air raid cause widespread panic among a populace who now believed that Germany could rain death from the skies over Britain unopposed. The Germans lost two aircraft. ww2dbase [London, England | AC]
3 Jun 1917
Photo(s) dated 3 Jun 1917
4 Jun 1917
- George Giffard was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. ww2dbase [George Giffard | CPC]
- Roger Backhouse was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George. ww2dbase [Roger Backhouse | CPC]
13 Jun 1917
United Kingdom
- At midday German Gotha bombers launched from bases in Belgium bombed London, England, United Kingdom, killing 162 civilians and injuring 432. Daily air raids would continue for a month, largely unopposed by the RNAS and Royal Flying Corps. The effect on civilian morale was considerable and damaging, and worker's productivity levels plummeted. The psychological impact was perhaps as damaging to Britain as the loss of life and physical destruction caused by the falling bombs. ww2dbase [London, England | AC]
United States
- Clifton Cates was officially placed on active duty with the US Marine Corps Reserves. ww2dbase [Clifton Cates | CPC]
17 Jun 1917
- Robert Saundby and two other pilots together shot down Zeppelin L48. ww2dbase [Robert Saundby | CPC]
21 Jun 1917
Greece
- Alexandros Sakellariou was dismissed from the Greek Navy due to his royalist political stance. ww2dbase [Alexandros Sakellariou | CPC]
26 Jun 1917
- The US 1st Division (soon to be known as the "Big Red One") consisting of the 16th, 18th, 26th and 28th Infantry regiments arrived in France. ww2dbase [AC]
- Furious was commissioned into service. ww2dbase [Furious | CPC]
27 Jun 1917
- A Sopwith Camel single-seat biplane fighter of No.70 Sqn RFC scored the type's first victory over the Western Front in WW1. ww2dbase [AC]
United States
- Henry Arnold was promoted to the temporary rank of major. ww2dbase [Henry Arnold | CPC]
28 Jun 1917
United States
- J. J. Clark, United States Naval Academy class of 1918, graduated one year early due to the looming WWI. Clark was a member of the Cherokee Nation and was the first Native American to graduate from the Naval Academy. ww2dbase [J. J. Clark | Annapolis, Maryland | DS]
- Miles Browning, United States Naval Academy class of 1918, graduated one year early due to the looming WWI. ww2dbase [Miles Browning | Annapolis, Maryland | DS]
- Clifton Sprague, United States Naval Academy class of 1918, graduated one year early due to the looming WWI. ww2dbase [Clifton Sprague | Annapolis, Maryland | DS]
- Thomas Sprague, United States Naval Academy class of 1918, graduated one year early due to the looming WWI. ww2dbase [Thomas Sprague | Annapolis, Maryland | DS]
1 Jul 1917
- The last Russian offensive of the Great War began. Under the command of General Aleksei Brusilov the South West Army Group attacked with twenty-three divisions (mainly comprising Finns, Siberians and Poles - the Russian being mostly unreliable). At first the offensive went well with an advance of 30 miles being achieved but the main body of Russian infantry refused to follow up and it was not long before a strong German counter-offensive threw the Russians back to the Galician frontier. Brusilov was dismissed and replaced by Lavr Kornilov. ww2dbase [AC]
4 Jul 1917
Photo(s) dated 4 Jul 1917
5 Jul 1917
- Robert Saundby was awarded the Military Cross for being one of the three pilots that together shot down Zeppelin L48 in the previous month. ww2dbase [Robert Saundby | CPC]
United States
- Graves Erskine joined the United States Marine Corps at the rank of second lieutenant. ww2dbase [Graves Erskine | CPC]
6 Jul 1917
- T. E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) with his Arab irregulars under Auda ibu Tayi captured the town of Aqaba, Ottoman Syria. ww2dbase [AC]
9 Jul 1917
United Kingdom
- The Vickers-built Dreadnought HMS Vanguard was lost through an internal explosion at Scapa Flow, Scotland, United Kingdom with the loss of 804 crew. ww2dbase [Scapa Flow | Scapa Flow, Scotland | AC]
10 Jul 1917
- At Maroeuil, France, Captain Allin, commanding the British 42nd Chinese Labour Company, ordered an armed party to fire on the Chinese labourers who were rioting over harsh treatment by their British officers and non-commissioned officers. Five Chinese were killed and 14 were wounded. The company commander was removed from command on 17 Oct 1917 by a court of inquiry. ww2dbase [AC]
15 Jul 1917
- The Provisional government in Russia collapsed and the Bolsheviks tried to take power in Petrograd, Russia. ww2dbase [AC]
17 Jul 1917
- After days of street fighting, Russia's Minister of War, Aleksandr Kerensky, took charge of the Provisional Government. Lenin went into hiding for the moment. ww2dbase [AC]
21 Jul 1917
- In Russia the Provisional Government was reorganized with Alexande Kerensky assuming the post of Prime Minister. ww2dbase [AC]
27 Jul 1917
United States
- J. Edgar Hoover began working at the US Justice Department as a law clerk. ww2dbase [J. Edgar Hoover | CPC]
30 Jul 1917
- Quintin Brand was appointed a flight commander of No. 112 Squadron of the British Royal Flying Corps. ww2dbase [Quintin Brand | CPC]
31 Jul 1917
- The third battle of Ypres (also known as Passchendale) began. It was a British offensive designed with the aim of breaking through the German trench lines to the German submarine bases in Belgium and to relieve pressure on the collapsing Russian army in the east. Neither of these objectives was achieved. For much of the three months battle successive attacks by Gough’s Fifth army and Plumer’s Second army foundered in terrain that had been turned into a swamp by intensive artillery bombardment, thus precluding the use of tanks. The limit of the British advance was five miles, at a cost of 250,000 casualties. ww2dbase [AC]
China
- Lieutenant General Yujiro Nakamura succeeded Lieutenant General Akira Nakamura as the Governor-General of Kwantung Leased Territory in northeastern China. ww2dbase [CPC]
1 Aug 1917
- Karl Wiligut was promoted to the rank of colonel. ww2dbase [Karl Wiligut | CPC]
2 Aug 1917
- British Squadron Commander E. H. Dunning achieved the first RNAS landing on a ship under way at sea when, in a Sopwith Pup, he touched down on the deck of the aircraft carrier HMS Furious. ww2dbase [Furious | AC]
5 Aug 1917
United States
- Henry Arnold was promoted to the temporary rank of colonel. ww2dbase [Henry Arnold | CPC]
6 Aug 1917
Japan
- Kenkichi Ueda was attached to Japanese Army cavalry command. ww2dbase [Kenkichi Ueda | CPC]
Korea
- General Satoshi Matsukawa was named the commanding officer of the Japanese Chosen Army in occupied Korea, relieving Yoshifuru Akiyama. Matsukawa named Lieutenant General Kentaro Ichikawa as his chief of staff. ww2dbase [CPC]
8 Aug 1917
- Edward Brooks was made a second lieutenant in the US Regular Army. ww2dbase [Edward Brooks | CPC]
16 Aug 1917
- Richard O'Connor was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. ww2dbase [Richard O'Connor | CPC]
France
- Robert Greim achieved ace status while fighting in France. ww2dbase [Robert von Greim | CPC]
17 Aug 1917
- Francis Tuker was promoted to the rank of lieutenant; this was back dated to 1 Sep 1915. ww2dbase [Francis Tuker | CPC]
Japan
- Chiaki Matsuda returned to Japan after completing a training cruise. ww2dbase [Chiaki Matsuda | CPC]
19 Aug 1917
- Chiaki Matsuda was assigned to battleship Haruna. ww2dbase [Chiaki Matsuda | CPC]
22 Aug 1917
- Omar Bradley was promoted to the rank of captain. ww2dbase [Omar Bradley | CPC]
25 Aug 1917
United States
26 Aug 1917
- Friedrich Ruge was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class medal. ww2dbase [Friedrich Ruge | CPC]
28 Aug 1917
- Clifton Cates was assigned to the 96th Company of 2nd Battalion of US 6th Marine Regiment. ww2dbase [Clifton Cates | CPC]
30 Aug 1917
Japan
- Kenkichi Ueda was assigned the concurrent duty with the Japanese Army Technical Bureau. ww2dbase [Kenkichi Ueda | CPC]
31 Aug 1917
- George Giffard was awarded the Croix de Guerre medal of France. ww2dbase [George Giffard | CPC]
1 Sep 1917
- Friedrich Christiansen was named the commanding officer of the German naval air station at Zeebrugge, Belgium. ww2dbase [Friedrich Christiansen | CPC]
Latvia
- The German 8th Army attacked Riga, Latvia in an attempt to bring about the downfall of the Provisional Government and force Russia to sue for peace. Apart from some resistance by one division whose commander had somehow managed to rally his men, most Russian soldiers refused to fight and melted away (their officers being killed by the deserters on frequent occasions). ww2dbase [Riga | AC]
2 Sep 1917
- Wolfgang Kapp and Alfred von Tirpitz established the Fatherland Party with the aim of rekindling the militaristic spirit of 1914 by appealing for National unity to achieve a German victory. ww2dbase [AC]
3 Sep 1917
- Four Gotha bombers attacked Chatham, England, United Kingdom. One bomb fell on a naval barracks killing 131 ratings. ww2dbase [AC]
France
- The American 1st Aero Squadron arrived in France. ww2dbase [AC]
Latvia
- The German 8th Army captured Riga, Latvia and pushed on some distance beyond. ww2dbase [Riga | AC]
7 Sep 1917
- The future Group Captain Leonard Cheshire, VC, the highly decorated WW2 pilot and later founder of the Cheshire Homes for the disabled, was born at Chester, England, United Kingdom. ww2dbase [AC]
12 Sep 1917
France
- In Paris, Paul Painlevé replaced Alexandre Ribot as Prime Minister of France. ww2dbase [Paris | AC]
Photo(s) dated 12 Sep 1917
15 Sep 1917
United States
- Harold George was commissioned a lieutenant in the US Army Signal Officers Reserve Corps. ww2dbase [Harold George | CPC]
17 Sep 1917
- Arthur Coningham was awarded the Military Cross medal. ww2dbase [Arthur Coningham | CPC]
18 Sep 1917
- Clifton Cates was promoted to the temporary rank of second lieutenant. ww2dbase [Clifton Cates | CPC]
22 Sep 1917
- Vampire was commissioned into service. ww2dbase [Vampire | CPC]
26 Sep 1917
- Arthur Coningham was awarded the Distinguished Service Order medal of Britain. ww2dbase [Arthur Coningham | CPC]
1 Oct 1917
United States
- Henry Arnold was made the executive officer of the Air Division of the US Army Signal Corps. ww2dbase [Henry Arnold | CPC]
4 Oct 1917
Photo(s) dated 4 Oct 1917
6 Oct 1917
United States
- James Doolittle enlisted in the US Army Signal Corps Reserve as an aviation cadet. ww2dbase [James Doolittle | CPC]
Photo(s) dated 6 Oct 1917
8 Oct 1917
- Charles Burnett was promoted to the temporary rank of lieutenant colonel. ww2dbase [Charles Burnett | CPC]
13 Oct 1917
United States
- Franklin Roosevelt met with US President Woodrow Wilson at 2300 hours in Washington DC, United States. ww2dbase [Franklin Roosevelt | Washington | CPC]
16 Oct 1917
- The keel of submarine R-1 was laid down by Fore River Shipbuilding, Quincy, Massachusetts, United States. ww2dbase [R-1 | CPC]
France
- Robert Greim achieved his 7th kill over France. ww2dbase [Robert von Greim | CPC]
United States
- The keel of submarine R-5 was laid down at Fore River Shipbuilding in Quincy, Massachusetts, United States. ww2dbase [R-5 | Quincy, Massachusetts | CPC]
17 Oct 1917
- The Russian battleship Slava was scuttled after being badly damaged in action with the German dreadnought König. ww2dbase [AC]
18 Oct 1917
United States
23 Oct 1917
- In Petrograd, Russia the central committee of the Bolshevik Party decided that the time was ripe for an armed insurrection to seize power from the Provisional Government. ww2dbase [AC]
24 Oct 1917
- Ferdinand Schörner was awarded the Military Merit Order of Bayern. ww2dbase [Ferdinand Schörner | CPC]
26 Oct 1917
Russia
- In Russia the first Bolshevik Government was established; Joseph Stalin was given the Commissariat of Nationality Affairs with responsibility for preventing the non-Russian borderlands (including his own native Georgia) from seceding from the new revolutionary community. ww2dbase [Joseph Stalin | AC]
7 Nov 1917
- Erwin Rommel led a small force across the Piave River and set a trap that captured 8,000 Italian soldiers at Longarone, Italy. ww2dbase [Erwin Rommel | CPC]
- Edward Brooks married Beatrice Aurora Leavitt. ww2dbase [Edward Brooks | CPC]
- Ernst Udet was made the squadron commanding officer of Jagdstaffel 37. ww2dbase [Ernst Udet | CPC]
Russia
- The Bolshevik revolt overthrew Czar Nicholas and seized Petrograd, Russia. The Provisional Government fell and Prime Alexander Minister Kerensky fled the country. The "Ten days that shook the world" had begun and communist forces began to gain control over Russia. ww2dbase [TH]
8 Nov 1917
- Vladimir Lenin and his Council of People's Commissars proclaimed a Government of Workers and Peasants. Leon Trotsky was installed as Commissar for Foreign Affairs and Josef Stalin, at that time a minor figure in the Bolshevik Party, as Commissar for the Nationalities. ww2dbase [Joseph Stalin | AC]
10 Nov 1917
United States
- James Doolittle was promoted to the rank of private first class. ww2dbase [James Doolittle | CPC]
13 Nov 1917
Germany
- Ernst Udet was awarded the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern. ww2dbase [Ernst Udet | CPC]
15 Nov 1917
- Ira Eaker, until this point a second lieutenant in the reserve, received a commission in the Regular Army of the United States. ww2dbase [Ira Eaker | CPC]
17 Nov 1917
Photo(s) dated 17 Nov 1917
19 Nov 1917
- The destroyer USS Chauncey was lost after a collision with USS Caya in the Straits of Gibraltar. ww2dbase [AC]
20 Nov 1917
- At the Battle of Cambrai in France, the British Army launched its first full-scale offensive that was designed exclusively to accommodate a new British secret weapon, the Tank (so-called because when the first shipment came from England they were described as water tanks to maintain secrecy). Following a surprise artillery barrage 476 tanks, packed tightly for a mass attack moved against the German lines. Supported by infantry and 289 British aircraft the gains were dramatic, breaching the almost impregnable Hindenberg Line to a depth of 4-5 miles in some places. However, these gains seemed to surprise British High Command equally as much as the Germans and the following cavalry failed to take advantage. Ultimately most of the captured ground would be retaken within a few weeks. Nevertheless, Cambrai demonstrated how a well-thought out attack, combining tanks en masse with surprise, could be used to break the trench deadlock. ww2dbase [AC]
21 Nov 1917
- Lenin ordered General Dukhonin to begin armistice negotiations with representatives of the Central Powers. Dukhonin refused to obey and was dismissed. ww2dbase [AC]
Russia
24 Nov 1917
- In Russia, the old Tsarist courts and legal codes were abolished. Judges were told by Lenin to make use of what they needed from the old legislation but to be guided by revolutionary consciousness when arriving at their judgements. ww2dbase [AC]
Japan
- Masafumi Arima departed for a training tour in the Inland Sea of Japan. ww2dbase [Masafumi Arima | CPC]
28 Nov 1917
- Lenin's new commander in chief, a former Tsarist officer named Ensign Krylenko, ordered all hostilities to end on all fronts. ww2dbase [AC]
29 Nov 1917
Photo(s) dated 29 Nov 1917
1 Dec 1917
- Hiroaki Abe was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. ww2dbase [Hiroaki Abe | CPC]
- Ise was commissioned into service. ww2dbase [Ise | CPC]
- Chiaki Matsuda was promoted to the rank of ensign and was assigned to battleship Kawachi. ww2dbase [Chiaki Matsuda | CPC]
Japan
- Nobutake Kondo enrolled at the Japanese Naval War College. ww2dbase [Nobutake Kondo | CPC]
- Settsu completed a period of refitting and joined Battleship Division 2 of the First Fleet. Captain Sukejiro Inutsuka was named the commanding officer of Settsu. ww2dbase [Settsu | CPC]
Korea
2 Dec 1917
- Russian General Dukhonin and his staff were placed under arrest, ordered by Lenin. ww2dbase [AC]
3 Dec 1917
- Dukhonin released Generals Denikin, Lekomsky, Romanovsky, Markov, Kormnilov, and Krasnov from Bykhov prison. It was soon learnt that these commanders were making their way southwards to link up with General Kaledin's Cossack Union of the Don. Lenin's new commander-in-chief Krylenko arrived at Mogilev, Russia at the head of a contingent or armed sailors to receive Dukhonin's surrender; one of the sailors shoot Dukhonin dead before Krylenko can intervene. ww2dbase [AC]
- Russian and German delegates began formal armistice talks at Brest-Litovsk, Russia. ww2dbase [AC]
- The British Cabinet decided to support Anti-Bolshevik elements in Russia. ww2dbase [AC]
5 Dec 1917
- Ferdinand Schörner was awarded the Pour le Mérite medal. ww2dbase [Ferdinand Schörner | CPC]
6 Dec 1917
- The Destroyer USS Jacob Jones was lost after being torpedoed by a German submarine off the Scillies off the southwestern tip of the Cornish peninsula of England, United Kingdom. ww2dbase [AC]
7 Dec 1917
- The British War Cabinet met to discuss growing reports of prevailing chaos in Siberia, Russia. Agreement was reached that the most effective way of restoring order would be if the Japanese were to intervene. The Japanese however proved to be reluctant to commit themselves without American backing although they were prepared to protect Japanese interests in Vladivostok. ww2dbase [AC]
8 Dec 1917
Poland
- Wanda Gertz was arrested in Poland for participating in a pro-Polish demonstration; she would remain in jail for six months. ww2dbase [Wanda Gertz | CPC]
10 Dec 1917
- Russian revolutionary forces captured Rostov, Russia. Kaledin's Cossacks refused to fight and he had no choice but to appeal to General Alekseev to help retake the town. ww2dbase [AC]
- Erwin Rommel was awarded the Pour le MĂ©rite. ww2dbase [Erwin Rommel | CPC]
11 Dec 1917
- Friedrich Christiansen shot down the British airship C27 near the Belgian coast. ww2dbase [Friedrich Christiansen | CPC]
- Arthur Coningham was Mentioned in Despatches. ww2dbase [Arthur Coningham | CPC]
12 Dec 1917
- Several Japanese troopships arrived off Vladivostok, Russia, which brought about a strong protest from the US government. A US warship was sent to the scene, although for the moment no Japanese soldier actually set foot ashore. ww2dbase [AC]
British Palestine
- Peter Drummond shot down three German Albatros aircraft near Tull Karem, Palestine. ww2dbase [Peter Drummond | Tull Karem | CPC]
Taiwan
- Vice Admiral Tomojiro Chisaka was named the commanding officer of the Mako naval port at Pescadores islands, Taiwan. ww2dbase [Mako Guard District | Mako, Hoko | CPC]
14 Dec 1917
- The British government agreed to provide Russian General Kaledin with financial support, although ultimately no British finds reached the Cossacks. ww2dbase [AC]
United Kingdom
- F Battalion of the British Army Tank Corps became the first unit to receive the new Whippet medium tanks. ww2dbase [Medium Mark A Whippet | CPC]
15 Dec 1917
- Alekseev's small Volunteer Army recaptured Rostov, Russia. After this the Krug (Cossack Parliament) allowed the volunteers to remain on Cossack soil on the understanding that it came under control of the Don Coalition Government and that it assisted in protecting the western Don from Bolshevik invasion. ww2dbase [AC]
- Chuichi Nagumo was named the commanding officer of destroyer Kisaragi. ww2dbase [Chuichi Nagumo | CPC]
Photo(s) dated 15 Dec 1917
16 Dec 1917
- An armistice between Russia and the Central Powers commenced. ww2dbase [AC]
18 Dec 1917
- USS Mississippi was commissioned into service. ww2dbase [Mississippi | CPC]
- Richard O'Connor was Mentioned in Despatches. ww2dbase [Richard O'Connor | CPC]
19 Dec 1917
United States
- US Navy placed an order at William Cramp & Sons Shipbuilding Company to construct 25 Clemson-class destroyers. ww2dbase [Stewart | CPC]
20 Dec 1917
- The All-Russian Extraordinary Commission for Combating Counter-Revolution, Speculation, Sabotage and Misconduct in Office (VCheKa) was established. The new security force would become a virtual law unto itself during the civil war, when an estimated 250,000 people were executed by its hands. ww2dbase [AC, CPC]
21 Dec 1917
Greece
- Alexandros Sakellariou's 2 Dec 1920 promotion to lieutenant commander was retroactively dated to this date. ww2dbase [Alexandros Sakellariou | CPC]
22 Dec 1917
- The US Vice-Consul, General Poole, and the French representative, Colonel Hucher, arrived in Novocherkassk, Russia. After conferring with both Kaledin and Alekseev both officials urged their respective governments to give support to the Volunteer Army, which was now some 3,500 strong and equipped largely with weapons provided by the Cossacks. ww2dbase [AC]
24 Dec 1917
- A conference at the Supreme Allied Council discussed the possibility of organizing a Ukrainian Army to open a campaign in Romania. ww2dbase [AC]
United States
- James Doolittle married Josephine Daniels. ww2dbase [James Doolittle | CPC]
25 Dec 1917
Japan
- Crown Prince Yi Un was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant in the Japanese Army. ww2dbase [Yi Un | CPC]
30 Dec 1917
United States
Timeline Section Founder: Thomas Houlihan
Contributors: Alan Chanter, C. Peter Chen, Thomas Houlihan, Hugh Martyr, David Stubblebine
Special Thanks: Rory Curtis
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