One hundred years ago on 24 October 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: Operation Order #114 was issued with reference to the first stage of the capture of PASSCHENDAELE to take place on the morning of the 26th instant. The visibility was good throughout the day and many enemy aeroplanes were observed, some of them flying very low and sweeping our forward trenches with machine gun fire. Ten Gothas flew across our lines and flew around the rear areas dropping many bombs. Several enemy balloons were also up in the morning. We fired about 1200 rounds during the day. Enemy artillery was very active, mainly on our communication roads, firing about 700 rounds mostly 5.9’s. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: Visibility was good and activity in the air and of the artillery was above normal on both sides all day. About 1p.m. sixteen Gothas came over our lines and dropped bombs in our area from the battery positions to YPRES, Our Anti-Aircraft and Machine Guns did not seem to have any effect on them. The enemy replied to both of our preparatory barrages. Our barrages were reports to be well placed. No. of guns in action – 109 – 18-pdrs. 42 – 4.5” Hows. Ammunition expended A.3605, AX.3554, BX.1952 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group. Their war diary records: No 1257815 Gunner MacFarlane W. P. Seriously wounded and No 1257868 Gunner Gorham E. R. Slightly wounded. Fired 143 rounds on strong points by visual observation and 48 Rounds Bursts of Fire and Harrassing. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Barrages carried out at 07:00 and 13:30; 1007 rounds all calibers ? during the day. Harrassing and ? carried out intermittently during the day with 3098 rounds being expended. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: Art'y Order # 93 issued. 99th Siege Bty. R.G.A. relieved by 3rd Canadian Siege Bty. 129th Siege Bty. R.G.A. relieved by 1st Cdn. Siege Bty. 57th Siege Bty. R.G.A. relieved by 6th Cdn. Siege Bty. Our siege groups cut wire, engaged cross roads, posts, concrete structures and co-operated in barrages. Counter-bty. work: three successful destructive shoots, one concentration, two bursts of fire on MOORSLEDE, and 36 hostile batteries engaged. Hostile art'y showed considerable activity during the night, particularly against our bty. positions. 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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