100 Years Ago Today on 23 August 1917

​One hundred years ago on 23 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 planes not so active today but several during the early morning flew very low over our front line.  One enemy balloon was observed.  Enemy artillery was much quieter today but intermittently shelled LOOS and some of our battery positions with 4.9s. During the night there was considerable artillery fire on both sides on the zone to our right.
 
3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records:
BRAQUEMONT - Visibility, aerial activity normal. Artillery on both sides normal except for an S.O.S. on our right which was fired on by our guns at 3.00 a.m. All normal at 4.00 a.m. At 10 a.m. 23-8-17 artillery supporting 2nd. Canadian Division came under orders of C.R.A., 3rd. C.D.A. Ammunition expended A.1954. AX.2209. HX.716. HSK.93. BPS.115. Guns in action 64 18-pdrs., 24 4.5" Hows.
 
5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group. 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 – Fourth Canadian Division attacked Green Crassier at 3 a.m. today all batteries of this group co-operating in the barrage.  A most strenuous day for all batteries as the fierce fighting taking place necessitated our batteries firing on and frustrating assembling hostile troops.  S.O.S. lines repeatedly fired on.  Approximately 900 6" and 250 rds. 9.2" shells were expended during the day.  The objectives are being held in spite of a repeated strong counter attacks being made by the enemy upon which our guns are inflicting heavy casualties.  Five men of the 5th C.S.B. were gassed during the night after an intense gas bombardment  on Lieven and Angres lasting 2 1/2 hours.
 
General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records:
In the Field - WEATHER: Unsettled with some showers - cooler.
3.15 am From CCHA Everything appears to have started all right.
3.16 am From 2nd CDA SOS on 2nd Canadian Division front.
3.30 am From 2nd CDA SOS quiet again, probably Boche Red rockets mistaken for our.
5.15 am From 2nd CDA SOS started up at 5.00 am has quietened down but still going on 4th Canadian Division front.
5.45 am From 4th CDA We are reported to be on the GREEN CRASSIER and consolidating.
6.15 am From 4th CDA Fire quietening down. Our men can be seen on the GREEN CRASSIER. German plane brought down. 1.07 pm From 2nd CDA Right group have been requested by the infantry not to do any shooting for a while.
 
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.