100 Years Ago Today on 13 August 1917

​One hundred years ago on 13 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 fair.  A few enemy planes patrolled their own lines during the morning.  Four enemy balloons were up.  The enemy appears to be working on his front  line trenches which have been badly knocked about by our fire.  Less enemy movement seen than usual.  Considerable traffic was again observed in the rear areas and several trains were also seen going into CARVIN.  An enemy anti-aircraft battery was observed near VERDIN and our heavies took it on and caused a large explosion.  
 
3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records:
BRAQUEMONT - Visibility good.  Enemy planes crossed our lines several times during the morning, and his balloons were up but none were seen in the afternoon.  Our planes were active all day.  Artillery on both sides was below normal.  Enemy anti-aircraft batteries were very active firing on our planes whenever they came within range.  Ammunition expended. A.42., AS.19., HX 491, Guns in action 32  18-pdrs., 4 13-pdrs., 12 4.5" Hows.
 
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 – Trench and wire destruction being carried out.  Hostile artillery active on our battery positions in ANGRES and LERVIN.  This evening hostile artillery shelled our positions with high explosives and gas shells.  The object being to enable those gas shells to explode undetected.   Mustard gas is being used.  One man of 3rd. Canadian Siege Battery died from the effects of this gas.  5th Canadian Siege Battery were heavily shelled today and three cases of shell shock occurred from the concussion of shells which obtained direct hits on the dug-outs.   
 
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 but cloudy with light showers. Our batteries under intermittent fire all day but little damage. A number of successful aeroplane shoots carried out and hostile batteries silenced with ground observation. Visibility good. A large number of N.F. calls received during late hours of daylight. Enemy very jumpy, putting down two early morning barrages – one at 4.0 and the other at 4.25. Ammn. 60-pr-826  :  8”How-324  :  6”How-891  :  9.2”How-Nil  : 4.5”How-640.
 
General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records:
In the Field -      WEATHER:  mainly fair & bright - warmer.
 
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.