One hundred years ago on 17 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: Enemy aeroplanes were very active all day, some of them crossing our front line. 3 balloons were also up. The enemy intermittently shelled our whole zone and fired about 100 rounds of 8" on the Dressing Station on the BETHUNE ROAD. At 9.42 pm an S.O.S. was sent up on our front and the enemy laid down a heavy barrage on the whole brigade ? Considerable movement of men was seen coming from VERDIN towards the BOIS DIN-NUIT. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: BRAQUEMONT - Visibility good; in the early morning the enemy made an attack on our right front covered by a heavy barrage. This was broken up by our artillery. Enemy and British artillery were active all day. Enemy aeroplanes flew low over our lines attempting to make reconnaissances of our new front. Much movement was observed, mostly in ones and twos moving quickly. Some larger parties were engaged by our field guns. LOOS was heavily shelled by the gas shells, both poisonous and the new "mustard" gas. Nearly 500 casualties were reported, about 4% fatal. An S.O.S. was being fired at the time the enemy were shelling with gas which accounts for the casualties among the gunners. Two S.O.S. signals were responded to. Ammunition expended A.5639., AX.1546., HX.1328., N.900. Guns in action 33 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 – Carried out usual program of trench destruction and harassing fire. 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. Cloudy. Visibility fair. Fairly quiet during early part of day. A number of successful destructive shoots carried out during the day. A number of ground observation shoots carried out successfully together with a fairly active day on general neutralization and harassing fire. Ammunition expended:- 60-pr. 8”How 6”How 9.2”How 4.5”How 1097 564 818 327 1522 General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field - WEATHER: Overcast, some showers - rather warm. 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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