World War One Diary for Saturday, April 28, 1917:

Western Front

France: PETAIN APPOINTED CHIEF OF FRENCH GENERAL STAFF; Paris anxious to restore confidence and apply a break to Aisne offensive without sacking Nivelle (Haig still supports); Fayolle to command Centre Army Group.

Artois – Battle of Arieux (until April 29): Canadian 1st Division (c.1,000 casualties) capture village and 450 PoWs from German 111th Division in 2-hour, 1,000-yard advance despite numerous MG nests in three sunken roads, but, to south, 3 British divisions fail with heavy losses including 475 PoWs.

Air War

Western Front: Royal Flying Corps loses 12 aircraft including 10 on contact patrols.

Home Fronts

USA – Conscription decided: Congress passes Army draft Bill to raise 500,000 men for U.S. Army.

Germany: Interior Minister Reichstag speech claims over 1.6 million tons Allied shipping sunk in first 2 months, urges Germans to hold out.