100 Years Ago Today on 18 August 1917

​One hundred years ago on 18 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.  Enemy aeroplanes were very active all day, crossing our lines 9 times.  The enemy balloons were observed during the day.  Enemy artillery was very active throughout the day on our front line and supports.  LOOS and the rear areas, and in the night between 1.00 am and 3.00 am several thousand gas shells were fired on our battery positions.  Our heavy artillery was very active during the day, bombarding the BOIS DE  QUATORES, BOIS DIX-NUIT and the enemy front line.  There was a marked increase in enemy movement in the front area.  Considerable traffic of motor trucks and transports were observed on the MUERCHIN-GAVEN road.  During the night the enemy used three search lights at different times, trying to pick up our aeroplanes.
 
3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records:
BRAQUEMONT - Visibility misty at first, becoming clear later. LOOS and vicinity were shelled during the early morning with gas. The enemy also barraged our front line on dirrerent occassions. Enemy ballloons were up and their aeroplanes were active. Our planes were active and our heavy artillery bombarded enemy trenches and supports all day. G.574/9 dated 14-8 was cancelled 17-8-17, and the skeleton battery under Major McKinnon D.S.O. returned to duty today. Ammunition expended A.5771., AX.1850., HX.1284., N.779., NX.309. Guns in action, 28 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 – Successful aeroplane shoots by 72nd SAHA on Aconite trench.  Gas courses started at Canadian Corps Gas School, Mine buildings, near Hersin.  These courses last six full days and 1 to 2 officers and N.C.O's are detailed weekly to attend. 
 
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, high wind. At 4.35 a.m. supported attack by 4th Div. against positions in N.13.a. & c. reported successful. A number of destructive shoots with aeroplane observation reported successful. A great deal of general neutralization fire throughout day. 4 SOS. Answered to stop heavy hostile shelling. Enemy shelling very active.
Ammunition expended:-    60-pr.    8”How     6”How     9.2”How     4.5”How
                                                  836       405         1026              -                666
 
General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records:
In the Field -      WEATHER:            Cloudy with some rain - cooler. instructions from General Staff, preparations to be made for continuance of the offensive at an early date. See Artillery Orders No's 64 and 65 issued 16th & 18th inst.
 
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.