One hundred years ago on 9 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: Eight enemy balloons up this morning. One of our planes crossed the enemy lines and brought down one balloon in flames and forced two others to descend. No enemy planes up. Enemy artillery very active on counter-battery work about Maroc and the rear areas. Considerable movement observed in the rear country. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: BRAQUEMONT - Visibility during the morning was good, but became poor during the afternoon with heavy rain. The enemy shelled our back areas during the early morning; a number of high velocity shells falling around slag heaps, BRAQUEMONT. Enemy planes flying very high came well over our lines during the morning. Enemy balloons were up and one was brought down by a British plane. Artillery was active on both sides, and considerable movement was observed and fired on. Ammunition expended A.82., AX. 28., HX.427. Guns in action 32 18-pdrs., 4 13 pdrs., 12 4.5" how. 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group for administration and under command 2nd Canadian Heavy Artillery Group for Counter-Battery. 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 – Shoots carried out on Commotion, Alpaca, Salve, Meander and Chicory trenches with usual night firing. 2nd Canadian Heavy Artillery Group was placed in tactical control of 5th Canadian Siege Battery for counter battery work. The 2nd CHAG war diary records: X.23.b.1.5 - Morning fair, becoming overcast with light shadows. Hostile aeroplanes very active during early morning. At 4.15 a.m. supported a raid by 4th Div. At 11.30 a.m. concentrated shoot carried out on CITE ST AUGUSTE. One gun 1st C.H.B. burst – destroying gun and wounding 5 men. A number of destructive shoots attempted but visibility too poor to complete. A great deal of harassing fire carried on throughout day. Ammn. 60-pr-829 : 8”How-101 : 6”How-949 : 9.2”How-252 : 4.5”How-628. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field - WEATHER: unsettled, overcast with fair intervals. 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. |
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