100 Years Ago Today on 31 August 1917

​One hundred years ago on 31 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 fair and good at intervals.  Only two enemy planes were up for a short time in the morning.  No enemy balloons observed today.  Very little movement observed in front areas but there was the usual motor and horsed transports seen on the MUERCHIN-CARVIN road; also very heavy train movement in and out of CARVIN.  Enemy artillery more active today, barraging our front line and supports at different times.  During the early morning an S.O.S. was sent up on our front and the enemy tried to raid our front line.  Our artillery opened up very quickly and the enemy was forced to retire.
 
3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records:
BRAQUEMONT -  Visibility indifferent owing to rain. Aerial activity almost nil. Our artillery answered three S.O.S. calls during the night 30/31st. Enemy artillery much more active shelling back country and barraging our front line at different times heavily. The usual movement in back country was observed and reported.  Ammunition expended A.5000. AX.2912. BX.2118. Guns in action 79 18-pdrs., 21 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 – Policy now ordered for the Siege Artillery in this area, until further orders, is that of harassing the Bosch especially in and around Lens and neighbourhood of Fosses No.21 and 22.
 
General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records:
In the Field - WEATHER: Mainly fair - some showers - warmer. Instructions for Artillery Reliefs issued.
 
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.