Western Front
French troops working at a heavy artillery repair park at La Neuville-Sire-Bernard:
http://imgur.com/PX4Dq3b* © IWM (Q 78229)
British falsely claim that German air losses during February are twice those of Allies.
Aeroplane raid on Broadstairs: six injured.
Southern Front
The ruined town of Leskovik on the Albanian-Greek border:
http://imgur.com/RpbY7m7
Naval and Overseas Operations
While under construction, the battlecruiser
HMS Furious is ordered to be converted into an aircraft carrier.
During March an average of 40 U-boats at sea per day and maximum of 57. Shipping entering British ports in February and March is only 25% of February to March 1916 levels. 16 British oilers (Fleet tankers) sunk March to September. Germany announces end of safe period for sailing ships in Atlantic.
British hospital ship
Glenart Castle damaged by mine between Le Havre and Southampton (see February 26th, 1918). Further mine or torpedo disasters to hospital ships on March 20 (
Asturias; 14 killed), March 30 (
Gloucester Castle, no lives lost); April 10 (
Salta, 52 killed); April 17 (
Lanfranc, 35 killed including 20 German PoWs) and ambulance-transport (red crosses and distinctive marks dropped)
Donegal (41 killed). Germans convinced, probably erroneously, that the hospital ships were carrying munitions and radioing U-boat positions, both blatant violations of international law. This excuse was used to explain Germany’s blatant violations of the same when attacking hospital ships.
Mediterranean: From mid-April British hospital ships sailing zigzag course and get 2 destroyer escorts. French embark 70 German officer PoWs as hostages (April 15 to c.August 15) in 5 hospital ships and notify Berlin (which sends 200 French officer PoWs to Western Front areas shelled by Allies). Again, these last two acts were both blatant violations of international law, and were further illustrations of the stupidities of tit-for-tat tactics.
First weekly statement of shipping sailings, arrivals and losses issued.
Germany announces end of safe period for sailing vessels in Atlantic.
Political, etc.
Austria-Hungary: Arthur Arz, Baron von Straussenburg, succeeds Franz Conrad as CoS.
Germany: Speech by Herr Arthur Zimmermannn on torpedoing of neutrals.
Colonel Richard Hentsch (Marne decision) made CoS German Romania military occupation.
United Kingdom: British government announces that during February, it captured 2,133 German prisoners, including 33 officers.
A remotely controlled bomber is tested unsuccessfully at Upavon.
Government of India's offer of £100,000,000 towards cost of war accepted.
Turkey: The Ottoman Empire realign its Rumi calendar to the Gregorian calendar, although years are still based on Muhammad’s migration (Hegira).
United States: Wilson hands press Zimmermann Telegram. The Zimmermann telegram produces widespread condemnations of Germany among U.S. politicians, press, and the public.
In March DW Griffith sails for Europe to make two British-funded films on Western Front.
(listed for yesterday): U.S. House of Representatives pass a law 276 votes to 143, imposing prohibition of alcohol in Washington D.C.
(Also listed for yesterday): President Wilson meets with pacifist groups at the White House and promises he would do everything to avoid war.
Switzerland: Rice and sugar rationing cards issued (2 meatless days per week since February 12).