One hundred years ago on 10 August 1917
31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of the 9th Canadian Field Artillery Brigade in the 3rd Canadian Division. The 9th Brigade war diary records: Visibility good. Three enemy planes were up over their own lines during the day. Enemy artillery has been fairly active against our front line and communication trenches and on counter-battery work in rear areas. An unusual amount of movement was observed in the rear areas between MUERCHIN and CARVIN consisting of many motor trucks and horse drawn lorries and several trains. There was also a great deal of enemy movement around the BOIS DE QUATORES all of which was fired on and a considerable number of casualties inflicted. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: BRAQUEMONT - Visibility good. A great deal of movement was seen, nearly all out of range 20 motors, horse transport and trams were seen. The enemy shelled our heavy batteries in MAROC and was active on our front most of the day. There was little aerial activity on either side. In accordance with 3rd. Canadian Division Order O.212 a skeleton brigade of artillery under command of Major Syer, two wagons representing each battery, left BRAQUEMONT to take part in manoeuvres. Ammunition expended HX.383. Guns in action 32 18-pdrs., 4 13-pdrs., 12 4.5" how. 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group for administration and under command 2nd Canadian Heavy Artillery Group for Counter-Battery. Their war diary records: ANGRES - During the month of August the Battery took part in the capture of Hill 70, also the taking of the Green Crasier and all the fighting on the Lens front. During this time the Battery was twice heavily shelled by 8” and on several occasions we were bombarded with Gas Shells. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Cabaret Rouge – Chicory, Alpaca, Aconite and Oihnibar trenches fired on during day. 2nd Canadian Heavy Artillery Group was placed in tactical control of 5th Canadian Siege Battery for counter battery work. The 2nd CHAG war diary records: X.23.b.1.5 - Fair with occasional showers. Visibility indifferent. Carried out Operation Order 40 in support of raid by 4th Div. at 2.34 a.m. Engaged on concentration shoot on LENS at 8 p.m. all guns. A number of destructive shoots completed. One of our balloons cut loose by H.V. gun and two ohers hit. Ammn. 60-pr-829 : 8”How-101 : 6”How-949 : 9.2”How-252 : 4.5”How-628. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field - WEATHER: fair, bright intervals - rather cool. The 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA perpetuates the following sub units: 31st Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 68th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, North Russia Expeditionary Force, was not authorized to be formed until 3 August 1918, and 85th Battery, Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force was not authorized to be formed until 12 July 1918. |
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