100 Years Ago Today on 19 August 1917

One hundred years ago on 19 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 in the morning but quieter in the afternoon.  There were no balloons up.  Enemy artillery was quieter than usual confining his shelling to bursts of fire over a wide area and some counter-battery work in the afternoon.  At 3.25 pm an S.O.S. signal went up on our front to which all batteries responded promptly and during this time the enemy shelled our front line and supports heavily.  During the morning considerable enemy movement was seen around the BOIS DE QUATORES all of which was fired on.  There was also a great deal of train and transport movement between MUERCHIN and CARVIN. 
 
3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records:
BRAQUEMONT - Visibility good. Our aeroplanes were active all day particularly in the morning. The enemy artillery was normal except for the early morning when a barrage was put on our front line and supports, and some gas shells fired on LOOS and some heavy counter battery shoots on the 1st. C.D.A. Our artillery responded to an S.O.S. in the early morning. the usual movement was observed in the enemy back areas. In accordance with G.559/69 dated 18-8-1917 "B" Battery, R.C.H.A. Brigade was withdrawn from control of C.H.A. 3rd. C.D.A., being attached to Ralston's Group. Redistribution of artillery was also notified by this letter, taking effect on the night of 18th/19th, August 1917. Ammunition expended A.4472., AX.1169., HX. 523. Guns in action 31 18-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 – Two men of the 9th CSB., wounded by shell fire.  Aloof, Aconite, Alpaca and Cinnibar Trenches fired upon during the day also several concentrations took place on Cite Du Nord, Noyelles and Cite du Grand Conde.
 
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 and cloudy. Visibility good. 5 CSB. Detached from Group. 2nd Section 70th Siege Bty. Attached for tactics. A number of successful destructive shoots carried out and a large number of hostile batteries silenced with ground observation. Supported a minor offensive on 4th Div. front reported successful. Considerable neutralization and harassing fire throughout day and night.
Ammunition expended:-    60-pr.    8”How     6”How   4.5”How
                                                  468       735          792           1206
 
General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records:
In the Field -      WEATHER: Mainly fair, cloudy - warmer. Artillery concentrations and feint barrages carried out by all available artillery of Canadian Corps.
 
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.