One hundred years ago on 31 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 cloudy with poor visibility. There were no enemy balloons today observed and only several odd enemy aeroplanes. Three S.O.S. signals were sent up during the early morning at 4.05 am, 5.30 am and 5.40 am. Apparently there were two counter-attacks on different fronts but these were effectively broken up. Another S.O.S. was sent up at 5.40 pm in the afternoon but this counter-attack was also broken up and our infantry still held all positions taken in the attack. Operation Order #117 was issued today referring to further preparatory barrages and harassing fire. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: Visibility was very good and aircraft were active, our planes patrolling and scouting and the enemy bombing our rear areas in the morning and during the night. The enemy Artillery shelled our battery positions and roads during the day and shelled in the vicinity of the of the batteries during the night with gas and G.E. Harassing fire and practice barrages were carried out by Field Artillery. No. of guns in action – 127 – 18-pdrs. 46 – 4.5” Hows. Ammunition expended A.18611, AX.14654, AS. 36, AS.36, BCBR.200, BS.40.. 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group. Their war diary records: At 5 A.M. 25 Rounds were fired on barrage and 10 on S.O.S. lines. At 1.45P.M. a shoot was commenced on Valour Farm by Aeroplane observation but Plane gave C.I. after 2 rounds had been fired. Bursts of fire were kept up during the afternoon and 20 rounds fired on S.O.S. lines. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Bursts of fire and S.O.S. lines fired on during day, 1??? rounds all calibers being expended. From dusk till dawn hostile planes in relays bombed our position and railway lines in vicinity. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: Art'y Order #99 issued. Personnel of 158th Army Bde. R.F.A. relieved personnel of 64th Army Bde. R.F.A. Siege groups engaged wire, strong points, houses and roads in enemy's line. Counter-bty. work: 7 concentrations on hostile btys. 35 N.F. calls. 43 hostile btys. harassed. S.O.S. from left division front, but no developments. Hostile art'y very active, shelling our bty. positions, forward areas and roads. 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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