100 Years Ago Today on 28 October 1917

​One hundred years ago on 28 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 day was dull and the visibility poor.  Three enemy balloons were observed at daybreak but descended in a short time.  Enemy aeroplane activity was below normal, but at 11 am 10 Gothas flew around the area from WIELTJE to YPRES and dropped many bombs on the roads, inflicting some casualties.  Enemy artillery was more active today putting heavy barrages on the main roads.  Our artillery fired about 1500 rounds during the 24 hours. 
 
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:
No 92919 Gunner Saerran G. E.  wounded in the leg. 
Major T.W.F. MacDonald  was admitted to hospital leaving Lieut. DJ. Maxwell in command of the Battery. 
Fired Barrage of 8 Rounds on Battery Lanes.  Battery heavily shelled by 5.9”s and No 1 Gun received direct hit putting it permanently out of action.  The loading derrick of No 2 Gun was blown off and the gun was out of action for 24 hours.  This put the Battery completely out of action until following evening when No 2 Gun was put in action again and No 3 Gun went into action the following morning in the time for the advance on October 30, 1917.
 
1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records:
Aerial activity above normal hostile planes carried out aerial bombing raids during the day and evening, bombs dropping in close proximity to ? shell penetrated one of the ? this evening ? ?  During the day ? rounds all calibers were expended during the day by batteries of this group. 
 
General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records:
Art'y Order #95 issue.  Siege groups engaged woods, houses, roads and strong points.  Barrages and harrassing fire also carried out.   Counter-battery work:  four successful destructive shoots; three concentrations and gas bombardment of hostile positions.  30 N.F. calls responded to; 15 hostile btys. harrassed.  Hostile art'y normal.  At 03:30, S.O.S. from right division, no attack followed.  During the day heavy shelling of our forward areas and bty.  positions, which continued until after 18:00.  1st C.D.A. HQ opened at POPERINGHE, coming under the orders of C.R.A., 3rd Cdn. Divison.  8th Army Bde.  C.F.A. arrived at wagon lines, Cdn. Corps area, from 1st Army.  42nd H.A.G. left Cdn. Corps. area for 1st Army. 
 
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.