Freddie Mercury During School Days in Panchgani 1958

 Freddie Mercury During School Days in Panchgani 1958

Brazilian merchant ship Parana was sunk by U-32 off Barfleur.

4 April 1917, on its way from Rio de Janeiro to Havre, the Brazilian merchant ship Parana was sunk by U-32 off Barfleur. On 11 April, Brazil broke diplomatic relations with Germany. Subsequently, the Brazilian government amended its constitution to enable it to declare war on 26 Oct 1917.

 

First test flight of SPAD S.XIII, a French biplane. Within months, it entered service with Aéronautique Militaire. Used later by Americans.

4 Apr 1917, the first test flight of SPAD S.XIII, a French biplane. Within months, it entered service with Aéronautique Militaire. Used later by Americans. Among the most successful WW1 fighters. Noted for its robust construction & ability to dive at high speed. 8,472 built by end of the war.

US President Wilson asked a special joint session of Congress to declare war on German Empire

 2 April 1917, US President Wilson asked a special joint session of Congress to declare war on German Empire, saying that the war would "make the world safe for democracy" and be a "war to end war". Four days later, Congress obliged. It was only the fourth time it had declared war.

Gunpowder mill at Uplees, Faversham.

2 Apr 1916, an explosion at a gunpowder mill at Uplees, Faversham. 200 tons of TNT detonated after empty sacks caught fire. 115 deaths, including all Works Fire Brigade. Corpses were buried in mass graves at the local cemetery. One of the worst explosions in the history of the UK explosives industry.

 

British flying ace, Lt Alan Jerrard

30 Mar 1918, British flying ace, Lt Alan Jerrard, engaged in heroic combat, then shot down & taken captive in Italy. His Sopwith Camel had 163 bullet holes! Awarded Victoria Cross. Educated at oundle school & unibirmingham. Enlisted S Staffordshire Regt then into RFC. Died 1968.

 

WW1 Hospital Ship

30 Mar 1917, WW1 Hospital Ship, The Gloucester Castle, torpedoed on the route from Havre to Southampton. 399 patients, including 300 cot cases, onboard. All were saved by other ships, but 3 died during transfer. The ship was eventually towed into port. Sunk in South Atlantic by Germans in 1942.

 

President Zia Dies In Air Crash in 1988

 President Zia Dies In Air Crash in 1988

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Hanged 1979 , Death Sparks Rioting In Kashmir

 Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Hanged 1979 , Death Sparks  Rioting In Kashmir

Accused In Mahatma Gandhi Murder Case Smiling In Court in 1948

 Accused In Mahatma Gandhi Murder Case Smiling In Court

Ostriches In Government Garden , Karachi

 Ostriches In Government Garden , Karachi

Arthur Zimmermann, German State Secretary of Foreign Affairs

29 Mar 1917, Arthur Zimmermann, German State Secretary of Foreign Affairs, admitted in Reichstag that his telegram to ambassador von Eckardt was genuine & it was the nation’s intention to propose an alliance with Mexico against the US. A key factor in the US declaring war on 6 April.

 

Liverpool to Sierra Leone, SS Falaba was torpedoed & sunk by U-28, 38 miles off the Welsh coast.

28 Mar 1915, on way from Liverpool to Sierra Leone, SS Falaba was torpedoed & sunk by U-28, 38 miles off the Welsh coast. 104 of 242 on board died, including US citizen Leon Thrasher. The event is sometimes known as the ‘Thrasher incident’. Cargo included 13 tons of cartridges & gun cotton.

Brig-Gen Harry Fulton

29 Mar 1918, Brig-Gen Harry Fulton CMG DSO, Commander NewZealand Rifle Brigade, died of wounds, aged 48. Buried Doullens Military Cemetery. Born India. The family emigrated to NZ. 1892, enlisted in British Army. Fought in 2nd Boer War & in WW1 in German Samoa, N Africa & Flanders.

Boris Becker - Famous German Tennis Star

Boris Becker is accused of failing to hand over 9 trophies, including 2 of his 3 Wimbledon singles titles, an Olympic gold medal, his 1991 and 1996 Australian Open trophies, and his Davis Cup trophy and a gold coin. Becker was trying to shore up assets by selling the silverware.