Western Front
Royal Flying Corps: The 41st Wing is renamed VIII Brigade.
France: In February 3 Italian Caproni bomber squadrons arrive (until February 19), fly 68 operations for 22 casualties by Armistice. Royal Flying Corps 41st Wing becomes 8th brigade. 4 Gotha bomber squadrons raid Paris, 45 die.
During February the French Army adopts lighter, more comfortable ARS gas mask (5 million made).
A funeral for a French officer at the front:
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...758076491976704
Britain: Prince Albert (future King George VI) joins RNAS HMS Daedalus at Cranwell, Lincs, becomes OC No 4 Squadron Boy Wing (Captain in RAF from April 1). RFC fighter squadron aircraft establishment increased from 18 to 24; Sopwith Camel squadrons thus by March 21.
Germany: JG 2 (Captain Adolph von Tutschek) formed from Jastas (each 14 aircraft) 12, 13, 15 and 19 plus JG 3 (Captain Bruno Lorzer) from Jastas 2, 26, 27 (Goering) and 36. Another 12 Jastas including Nos 68-75 formed in February.
North Sea: US Air Service takes over Dunkirk seaplane station.
Artois: New German Seventeenth Army formed under Otto von Below.
Occupied Belgium: At Charleroi Bavarian Captain Bomschlegel restores during February 30 British Cambrai Mk IV tanks to an operational state for German use.
Eastern Front
5 German divisions transfer to Western Front during February.
Russia: Yeremeyev forms Soviet I Corps at Petrograd.
Southern Front
During February new high-speed Italian Ansaldo SVA5 two-seater introduced (1,200 built), improves long-range and photo reconnaissance work.
An Italian SVA5 flies a reconnaissance mission:
https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...-flug.jpg?ssl=1
Salonika: During February RFC now have up to 8 SE5as enabling it to destroy up to 4 German aircraft (January 31 and February 5).
Naval and Overseas Operations
Sir E. Geddes (inaccurately) states submarines being sunk as fast as Germany can build them.
Channel: From February High Seas Fleet U-boat flotillas abandon Dover Straits route due to mine barrage, but 29 Flanders boats use route in February.
North Sea: Royal Navy minelayers lay a deep minefield off the Skaw (Kattegat).
France: In February physicist Langevin begins sea test of quartz transducer off Toulon,
detects submarine for first time at up to 5 miles-this is what was later known as ASDIC or active sonar.
Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Extension of the British East Persia Cordon into Khorasan begins. [In relief of Russian forces withdrawn by Bolshevik Government.] (see July 29th, 1915)
Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Austrian Naval mutiny at Cattaro. Initial demands for better treatment were soon replaced by political demands and a call for peace. Sailors initially demand better living conditions, then peace without annexation, and demobilization, but fail to win army garrison or German U-boat personnel. Mutiny collapses on ultimatum and arrival of 3 battleships from Pola. 3 leaders flee to Italy in seaplane, c.800 men removed from ships, 40 tried and 4 executed. Emperor Charles sends Archduke Admiral Stephen to conduct inquiry.
Germany: German strikes die down.
Ukraine: Central Powers recognise the Ukraine Republic (see 9th, and November 20th, 1917).
United Kingdom: British Foreign Office rejects Centrobalt idea of Britain paying Russian fleet.
United States: U.S. currently spends $39 million a day on the war, of which $15 million is used as loans for the Allies.
Greece: Mutiny of Greek troops at Lamia suppressed; M.M. Skouloudhis and Lambros arrested. King Alexander visits, refuses clemency to ringleaders and orders shooting of 2 who plunder a village.