Western Front
Second Battle of Passchendaele phase of the
Third Battle of Ypres begins (see 12th and November 6th and 10th): Franco-British attack east, north-east and north of Ypres. British positions improved from Passchendaele to Poelcapelle.
French capture Draaibank; bad weather.
‘
The enemy charged like a wild bull against the iron wall which kept him from our U-boat bases’ (Ludendorff). Main thrusts against Houthulst Forest (French), Poelcapelle, Canadian Corps (426 guns; 1,558 casualties) attacks (at 0530 hours, in rain) and gains 1,000 yds on 2,800-yd front towards Passchendaele, Bercelaere, Gheluvelt (c.3,500 British casualties) and Zandvorde. Canadians gain rising ground southwest of Passchendaele on two spurs.
Canadian gunners in the mud of Passchendaele:
https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...s-mud.jpg?ssl=1
Australian troops on a muddy road marching towards Passchendaele: © IWM (E(AUS) 1222):
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...221451456512000
Eastern Front
Operation Albion: No new developments inland, but see Naval Operations, below.
Southern Front
Isonzo: Twelfth Battle Of Isonzo, aka, the Battle of Caporetto (until November 9): Bainsizza Plateau evacuated. Krauss’ 3 Austrian divisions cross Stol Ridge (6,467ft) and capture Mt Maggiore. After 12-mile advance Rommel captures Mts Mrzli and Matajur (5,414ft) with 2,700 Salerno Brigade PoWs who defy officers to surrender; 2 German divisions 5 miles from Cividale, headquarter of Italian Second Army. Austrian Second Isonzo Army penetrates Italian Bainsizza second line and First Isonzo Army reports Italian retreat on Carso. Germans claim 60,000 PoWs and 500 guns to date. Lloyd George orders CIGS to send 2 British Western Front divisions to Italy.
Naval and Overseas Operations
Baltic: Operation Albion: German squadron bombards Khainash, 40 miles south of Pernau. Transports appear 12 miles further south.
Political, etc
Brazil: Brazil declares war on Germany. President Braz announces the absurd claim that the Germans were caught in plot to invade.