100 Years Ago Today on 27 October 1917

​One hundred years ago on 27 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:
The visibility was good today and seven enemy balloons were observed on our front.  Enemy planes were also very active during the morning and at about 10.00 am nine enemy planes flew around WIELTJE area dropping many bombs.  This activity of enemy artillery was below normal today.  Our own batteries fired about 2000 rounds in the 24 hours.  Operation Order #115 was issued today referring to the new preparatory barrages and harassing fire.
 
3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records:
Visibility was good – Aircraft were active on both sides patrolling lines and observing for Artillery; during the morning the enemy Bombed WIELJTE aand area between WIELJTE and YPRES. During the night the area in vinity of our forward and rear headquarters was heavily bombed. Artillery was active on both sides, most of the fire being harassing. A practice barrage was fired in the afternoon. Enemy appeared nervous and was active during the night.
No. of guns in action – 124 – 18-pdrs. 45 – 4.5” Hows.
Ammunition expended AX.11548, A.s. 2661, BX.4134, BCBR.100, BS.148.
 
5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group. Their war diary records:
Fired ?2 Rounds Barrage on Battery lanes and 54 Rounds on a Pill Box at V 29 d 30.60  by Aeroplane observation.  During the afternoon fired 12 Rounds as Bursts of Fire on Valour Farm and D.5 Central.  At 3.15P.M. we fired 20 Rounds barrage on Battery Lanes.  During the night Bursts of fire were kept up and 38 Rounds expended.
 
1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records:
 Barrages, bursts of fire and concentrations in ? carried out ? rounds all calibers being expended. 
 
General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records:
66th Divisional Art'y relieved by 2nd C.D.A.  Personnel of 158th Army Bde. R.F.A. arrived in Cdn. Corps area and were attached to 4th C.D.A.  Our siege groups engaged Crest Farm, just west of PASSCHENDAELE; m.gs, strong points, houses in PASSCHENDAELE, cross roads and railway station.   All calibers fired barrages, concentrations and harassing fire.  Counter-btys. had two successful destructive shoots.  Enemy ammunition train was engaged by our 60 pdrs. and blown up; also a dump near by.  Five hostile btys. concentrated on.  Hostile art'y below normal.  ZONNEBEKE and YPRES shelled by H.V. gun. 
 
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.