One hundred years ago on 9 June 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. Enemy Artillery active, special attention being paid to VIMY, probably in an effort to damage our Batteries. Aerial activity was engaged in by both sides. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: Fort George – Visibility very poor. Extremely quiet. Ammunition Expended. A.11469. AX 2869. BX 2604. Guns in Action. 84. 18.pdrs. 20.4.5” Hows. 2” T.M.2 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Artillery Group. Their war diary records: Responded to S.O.S Call at 4.09 am. Fired 7 Rounds on ELEU DIT LEUVETTE and Trench System to South East. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Cabaret Rouge – Fairly quiet. Harrassing fire programme carried out. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field – Weather, fine and sunny, warm. Nothing to report. 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. I'm not sure who R Duck was, but I came across a rather appropriate poem for those that have worked on the 25 pounder.
One hundred years ago on 8 June 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. Wire cutting carried on throughout the day. Our zones now appear well cleared of wire. Our Raid was carried out successfully tonight. In all we captured 30 prisoners, bombed a large number of dug-outs and captured several Machine Guns with their crews. Our casualties were slight. Our Barrage opened promptly and the Infantry reports it quite effective. Enemy’s Counter-barrage was weak and ineffective at the start and rapidly lessened until it became a mere scattered shelling. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: Fort George – Visibility poor to fair. The 3rd. C.D.A. and the 179th Brigade co-operated with the 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade and the 11th Canadian Infantry Brigade, and attacking German Line. See O.O. 96 and 97. Our preparitory work and barrage for the operations were very highly praised by the Infantry we supported. Ammunition Expended. A.5467. AX 322. BX 499. Guns in Action. 18.pdrs. 84. 20.4.5” Hows. 2” T.M.2 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Artillery Group. Their war diary records: To-day we engaged three M.G.Es. Fired 120 rounds on M.G.E. at T1a90.36. F.O.O. Shoot was observed from Group O.P. and results were reported as satisfactory. F.O.O sent to war F.L.T. could not get communication through to Battery. Fired 15 rounds on M.G.E. at T1a2.8. This point was very difficult to identify and shoot had to be abandoned. Fired 50 rounds on M.G.E. at T2B3.0. Shoot was successful. Obtained 1 direct hit on Concrete House which tore a large hole in building. Many rounds fell close and building was badly damaged. 8.27 pm to 9.10 pm, fired 53 rounds on Houses in ELEU DIT LEUVETTE and Trench System immediately S.E. in response to S.O.S. Call. 11.45 pm to 1.18 am. June 9/17 fired 251 rounds on Houses in ELEU DIT LEUVETTE and Trench System immediately S.E. Infantry Operation. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Cabaret Rouge – Wire and trench destruction in front of AVION and ELEU-DIT-LEAUVETTE. Carried out barrage in support of 46th. Division Operation at 5.33 p.m. Carried out barrage in support of 11th Cdn. Inf. Bde. Operation which proved very successful, mobile charges being used and many prisoners captured. Very active day. Batteries responded to requests for retaliation as well as carrying out numerous pre-arranged tasks General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field – Weather, warm, bright sun. Operation detailed in Artillery Order No. 28 by G.O.C. R.A., dated 27-5-17, in conjunction with operations by L.Corps on the left, were carried out successfully at 11.45 p.m. tonight. Artillery orders Nos. 28 to 34 inclusive cover this operation. The operation was carried out as a raid on a large scale, our troops remaining in the enemy’s lines for some little time before returning. Point of attack was the THELUS – VIMY Line – LA COULOTTE Brewery – N.31.central, ELECTRIC GENERATING STATION, Map 3660 S.W. , 1:20000. Artillery supporting attack consisted of 3rd C.D.A. and 1 Brigade from 1st C.D.A., Reserve D.A. , with 2 Brigades from 2nd C.D.A. , and Canadian Corps Hy. Arty. Prisoners taken were 145, and 3 M.G.s 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. The 15th Field Artillery Regiment Band Saxophone Quartet was back at the Burnaby Village Museum on Victoria Day. Check out the photos in the 2017 Yearbook.
One hundred years ago on 7 June 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 good. Wire cutting was carried on vigorously by all Batteries today and good progress was made. Considerable movement in back country reported by our F.O.O’s. Enemy Artillery has been unusually inactive. O.O. No. 83 issued tonight. The 4th Canadian Division on our Left, in conjunction with our Division will raid enemy’s trenches at 11.45 p.m., June 8th. Our objectives are: (a) Enemy’s Front and Support Lines from Railway Embankment at T.2.c.90.20. and thence to T.2.c.40.40. to T.1.d.80.90 to T.1.d.05.95. (b) FINAL OBJECTIVE: Enemy’s Strong Point in ruined house at T.2.b.30.10., Westerly along ADEPT TRENCH from T.2.d.20.90 – T.2.a.15.40 thence North-East along AGENT TRENCH to BALSAM TRENCH at T.1.b.90.70. (BALSAM TRENCH inclusive to 3rd Canadian Division) Our troops will remain a total of two hours in enemy’s lines. Our support will take the form of Rolling and Standing Barrages. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: Fort George – 7 Jun 1917 – Visibility good. Field and Heavy Artillery busy again to-day on the enemies wire. Work has been favorably reported by the infantry. Ammunition Expended. A.1209. AX 674. BX 458. BCBR 39. Guns in Action. 84.18.pdrs. 20.4.5” Hows. 2” T.M.2 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Artillery Group. Their war diary records: Fired 150 rounds on Trench T.2.a.1.5 to 4.3. Shoot was very effective. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Cabaret Rouge – Quiet. Trench destruction and T.M.R’s engaged. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field – Weather, fine. Nothing to report. 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. One hundred years ago on 6 June 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. Despite poor visibility and the time taken to get wires to forward O.P’s., our Batteries succeeded in cutting a good deal of wire today. Our 36th Battery, especially, did good as considerable of the wire is so placed as to make it difficult for a Field Gun with its flat trajectory to cut wire. Enemy Artillery was below normal today – there was practically no shelling. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: Fort George – Visibility was fair. Our Artillery was active cutting wire. Enemy seems nervous and has a new flare which is shot a long way back where it burns very brightly for half a minute. Ammunition Expended. A.1347 AX 430. BX 612. BCBR 39. Guns in Action. 67-18.pdrs. 16-4.5” Hows. 2” T.M.2 6 Jun 1917 – Visibility poor. The 3rd. Brigade C.F.A. are very active destroying enemy wire, Over 900 rounds being fired by them to-day. Ammunition Expended. A.925. AX 473. BX 656. BCBR 100. Guns in Action. 69-18.pdrs. 16-4.5” Hows. 2” T.M.2 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Artillery Group. Their war diary records: This evening fired one hundred rounds on Trench Junction T1b9.6 and Trench T1b9.6 to M3144.2. F.O.O reported several rounds falling in trench. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Cabaret Rouge – Quiet. Harrassing fire programme carried out. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field – Weather, fine, bright sun Nothing to report. 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. Open Doors Richmond - 3/4 Jun 2017
One event leads to another event! During our Artillery Day event we ran across Harold Steves while visiting the location of "Fort Steveston." Harold had been the mascot for 58 Battery when he was 5 years old and they went as far as getting a tailor made battle dress uniform for him. Harold mentioned the fact that it had been, "a long time since he'd seen Gunners by his house" and invited us out for the Open Doors event. Check out the 2017 Yearbook for the rest of the story! One hundred years ago on 5 June 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. At 2.35 a.m. enemy opened a heavy barrage on our Group Front. Upon an S.O.S. Signal being put up by our Infantry, we immediately opened fire and kept up a fairly intense rate until 3.05 when enemy barrage ceased. O.O. No. 81 issued today, lays down Zones for Batteries to cut wire in. This is in preparation for a large raid which will take place shortly.. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: Fort George – Visibility was fair. Our Artillery was active cutting wire. Enemy seems nervous and has a new flare which is shot a long way back where it burns very brightly for half a minute. Ammunition Expended. A.1347 AX 430. BX 612. BCBR 39. Guns in Action. 67-18.pdrs. 16-4.5” Hows. 2” T.M.2 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Artillery Group. Their war diary records: Nothing to report. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Cabaret Rouge – Quiet. Carried out tasks on wire and trench destruction. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field – Weather, fine and warm. Artillery Order No.32 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. One hundred years ago on 4 June 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: misty in morning, good in afternoon. Considerable movement was reported in the back country by our F.O.O’s and Heavy Artillery took on a number of these targets with good effect. Artillery activity on both sides below normal today. Very little aerial activity was engaged in by either the enemy or ourselves. 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery war diary records: Fort George – Visibility fair to good. The 3rd Brigade C.F.A was transferred to our front coming under tactical control of C.R.A. 3rd Canadian Division on the nights of 3rd, and 4th and 4th and 5th June 1917. O.O:94 Our S.O.S. Zones covered by Ralston’s Carscallen’s & 179th Bde were changed in accordance with O.O:95.Artillery active on both sides but enemy guns seem to be well back. Ammunition Expended. A.? AX ?. BX ?. Guns in Action. 67-18.pdrs. 16-4.5” Hows. 2” T.M2 5th Canadian Siege Battery, Canadian Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force was a sub-unit of 1st Canadian Artillery Group. Their war diary records: Nothing to report. 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group war diary records: Cabaret Rouge – D.S.O. awarded to Major W.B. Prowse, O.C. 2nd Canadian Siege Battery and Major A.G. Mullins, O.C. 72nd. South African Heavy Artillery. Batteries all very active firing KLEU-DIT-Leauvette FOSAM 3, Central Electric Generating Plant and CANDLE Trench with very successful results. Canadian Corps Heavy Artillery Rest Camp started at DIVION. Lieut. D.J. Maxwell, 5th Cdn.Siege Battery appointed Camp Commandant. General Officer Commanding, Royal Artillery, Canadian Corps war diary records: In the Field – Weather, fine and warm. Artillery Order No.31 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. |
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