. . After disembarking at
Le Havre the units moved by train and road to the concentration area at
Blaringhem. Almost immediately the brigades were sent up to the line to be attached to experienced units for instruction: CLXXIV and CLXXIX on 9 March and CLXXXVI (H) on 12 March, all to
Estaires with
8th Divisional Artillery; CLXXXIV on 12 March to
Steenwerck to join
34th Divisional Artillery. The brigades attached to 8th DA returned to their waggon lines on 23 March while CLXXXIV returned on 24 March. Next day they moved to the
St Venant area, where they completed their equipment. The brigades went up for a second period of instruction 2–3 April to 14 April, three with
33rd (Camberwell) Divisional Artillery in the
La Bassée area often used to train new arrivals, and CLXXXIV with
38th (Welsh) DA. 39th Divisional Artillery was then deemed ready to take over its own section of the line, and it relieved 38th (W) DA in the
Festubert–
Givenchy area between 14 and 16 April.
Reorganisation The field artillery of the
British Expeditionary Force (BEF) was undergoing reorganisation in the light of experience so far in the war. On 21 March the division was ordered to form a brigade of three medium trench mortar batteries (TMBs) under a Divisional Trench Mortar Officer (DTMO). In 39th Division the men were provided by the RFA gun brigades and DAC; X/39, Y/39 and Z/39 Medium TMBs were each equipped with four
2-inch medium mortars. On 20 May the BACs were absorbed by the DAC and on the same day the field brigades were reorganised as three batteries of 18-pdrs and one of 4.5-inch howitzers: During June 39 DA HQ moved to
Béthune and some of the batteries were moved around for special shoots, but in early August they were pulled out for rest before being sent south to join the Somme Offensive. From 23 September 39th DA cooperated in the
attack on Thiepval Ridge, firing from its flanking position on the Ancre against the river crossings and into the German rear. The assault on 26 September was partially successful, but the Germans retained possession of the Schwaben Redoubt. A follow-up attack on 28 September, again supported by 39th DA, captured part of this position, and attack and counter-attack fought over the ground until 30 September, the Germans suffering serious casualties from the British artillery. Meanwhile, the TMBs had been engaging targets in their immediate front, suffering their own casualties from return fire. At the beginning of October the batteries were repositioned south of the river for the
Battle of the Ancre Heights. The TMBs were strongly reinforced for a special wire-cutting operation in front of Beaumont-Hamel on 9–10 October, firing over 3000 rounds; 24 out of 48 mortars were put out of action by retaliatory fire, but casualties to the men were not heavy. The
Capture of Schwaben Redoubt was completed by 39th Division on 14 October. This was a difficult operation for the artillery, most of the targets being invisible from the OPs and the weather preventing much air observation. Two enemy counter-attacks next day and another on 21 October were broken up by barrages from 39th DA in response to the infantry's SOS signals. The complete
Capture of Stuff Redoubt was achieved in half an hour on 21 October: the wire had been systematically cut by a methodical bombardment, and 39th Division advanced behind an 'excellent'
Creeping barrage. Observation was better here, and enemy troops massing for counter-attack were heavily shelled. Further attacks on the Somme front were delayed by bad weather and the difficulty in bringing up ammunition – pack horses had to be used in place of waggons – but the final
Battle of the Ancre was launched on 13 November. Artillery support was now massed and sophisticated creeping barrages employed. 39th Division carried out a carefully prepared attack on St Pierre Divion at 06.15. Fog in the river valley caused problems to the attackers, but also meant that some of the defenders were caught by surprise. Cut off by the barrage, they were in no condition to offer much resistance, and the village was reported secured at 08.32.
Further reorganisation 39th Divisional Artillery was withdrawn on the night of 19 November and marched north to the
Ypres Salient. The horses were so exhausted that they could not pull the ammunition waggons, which had to be unloaded. After two days' march the tired men and horses required two days' rest, and it was not until 28 November that they reached the back areas behind
Ypres for rest and refitting. The BEF's field artillery was now being reorganised into six-gun batteries: in each of 39th DA's brigades C Bty was broken up between A and B Bty, then CLXXXIV Bde was broken up on 30 November, its batteries joining the other brigades (A Bty as C/CLXXIV, B Bty as C/CLXXXVI and D (H) Bty as C (H)/CLXXIX). The surplus officers and men joined the DAC. On 9 December CLXXIX Bde relieved a
Belgian army unit in the line, and the other two brigades and the TMBs moved into the line north of Ypres shortly afterwards. The duties included shooting at enemy strongpoints and reprisals for enemy shellfire, while the men worked to improve the gun positions and waggon lines. There was a further reorganisation of 39th DA between 18 and 30 January 1917 when CLXXIX Bde was broken up: C (H) Bty was split to make up the other brigades' D (H) Btys to six howitzers each. A/CLXXIX Battery joined
CCLXXVII Brigade, RFA, a Lancashire
Territorial Force unit operating as an Army Field Artillery (AFA) brigade; it saw extensive service on the Western Front, supporting a wide variety of formations at Ypres, Cambrai and the battles of 1918 (
see below). Similarly, B/CLXXIX Bty joined
CXIX AFA Bde. D (H) Battery was split between the howitzer batteries of these two AFA brigades. CLXXIX Brigade HQ was absorbed into 39th DAC, which reformed into two gun ammunition sections and one divisional small arms ammunition section. This gave 39th DA virtually its final organisation: • CLXXIV Bde: A, B, C Btys (each 6 × 18-pdr), D (H) Bty (6 × 4.5-inch) • CLXXXVI Bde: A, B, C Btys (each 6 × 18-pdr), D (H) Bty (6 × 4.5-inch) • 39th TM Bde: • X/39, Y/39, Z/39 Medium TMBs (re-equipped with
Newton 6-inch mortars in July 1917) • V/39 Heavy TMB (9.45-inch mortars)
Third Battle of Ypres On 20 February 39th DA was relieved and went into reserve until 1 March, when it took over the
Zillebeke sector. There was little activity apart from artillery cooperation for trench raids while the DAC waggons were employed bring up material for the forthcoming
Third Ypres Offensive. Between 10 April and 5 May the brigades, TMBs and DAC were rotated into reserve and training near the coast. The rest of May was employed in building battery positions for the coming offensive. In the first week of June 39 DA took part in two demonstration bombardments in cooperation with the
Battle of Messines. From their OPs on the higher ground the Germans could see the preparations for the offensive, and carried out their own CB bombardments against the massed British guns, especially around Zillebeke. Late in June C/CLXXXVI Bty was heavily shelled and had to leave its position after two gun pits were set on fire and ammunition blown up. On 28 June CLXXXVI Bde's HQ was also driven out by heavy howitzer shells, and all the other batteries and DAC received 'more than the usual amount of attention from the enemy', losing many men and horses. CLXXXVI brigade HQ suffered another six-hour bombardment on 3 July, and the whole brigades was withdrawn. It was back in the line on 21 July as 39th Division prepared to take part in the new offensive. The offensive opened with the
Battle of Pilckem Ridge on 31 July. Two thirds of the field guns fired a creeping barrage, the other third and the 4.5-inch howitzers provided the protective standing barrage to allow the assaulting troops to reorganise at each objective. The trench mortars fired
Thermite flares and oil bombs at Zero hour (03.00) to help the infantry keep direction in the dark. The attacking brigades of 39th Division took the village of
St Julien and the strongpoints in their front. By 08.00 they had advanced about to achieve their objectives and were consolidating a position along the flooded Steenbeek to provide a defensive flank for the attackers. Several field batteries moved up to the old British line to give closer support, while the reserve brigade pushed beyond the Steenbeek. But it began to rain, and soon it was almost impossible for the exhausted gunners to get their guns forward through the devastation and mud, and further progress was halted that evening. Flanking fire and fierce German counter-attacks pushed the leading battalions back to the line of the Steenbeek. Here the Germans, wading through mud, were halted by the SOS barrage fired by the field artillery. Elsewhere the battle had been a disappointment to the British, and 39th Division was left holding onto the Steenbeek in mud and under constant shellfire until it was relieved on 5 August. The field batteries continued in action under terrible conditions, suffering from CB fire, while the DAC was bombed and shelled at night, and casualties were high. The next attack, the
Battle of Langemarck, was launched on 16 August, with even less success than before. 39th Divisional Artillery was finally relieved on 23 August. 39th Divisional Artillery returned to the front on 1 September and was involved in all the fighting that month, even if the division's infantry were not. The artillery began moving forward on the afternoon of 20 September to prepare for the next phase, the
Battle of Polygon Wood on 26 September. The barrages planned were similar to those at the Menin Road, and practice barrages swept across the German positions every day. 39th Division's infantry sidestepped to relieve
41st Division and make a subsidiary attack to capture the 'Tower Hamlets' spur. However, it failed in this attempt, held up by a strongpoint known as 'The Quadrilateral'. The division's infantry were rested after this attack, but 39th DA remained in the line, supporting other formations during the Battles of
Broodseinde (4 October) and
Poelcappelle (9 October). 39th Divisional Artillery was withdrawn for rest in mid-October, missing the desperate
Second Battle of Passchendaele in which the division's infantry played a minor part. While it was out of the line Brig-Gen Gilson, the CRA who had commanded 39th DA since it landed in France, was promoted to be CRA for
X Corps. He was replaced by Brig-Gen G.A.S. Cape. 39th Divisional Artillery returned to the front between 4 and 18 November, and again from 22 November, participating in harassing fire against the enemy. Although the gun detachments had some cover from the weather and enemy fire in captured
pillboxes, the battery positions were in mud-filled shell craters and guns could scarcely be moved, and the waggon lines were under periodic shelling.
Winter 1917–18 During the winter of 1917–18 the commanders of both field gun brigades were replaced, with Lt-Col Lord Alfred Browne, younger son of the
Marquess of Sligo, taking command of CLXXXVI Bde. During December this brigade provided No 2 Group of field artillery for 33rd (Camberwell) DA in the line. Meanwhile, the DAC and TMBs were engaged in salvaging ammunition and derelict guns from the battlefields. On 7 February 1918, Z/39 was split between X and Y Medium TMBs to bring them up to six 6-inch mortars each, and V/39 Heavy TMB was transferred to Corps.
German Spring Offensive The opening bombardment of the
German spring offensive on 21 March 1918 found 39th Division in reserve. The units and formations in
Fifth Army's Forward Zone were overwhelmed in the first hours and the reserves were sent up before the end of the day: 39th Division went to assist the hard-pressed
16th (Irish) Division, with 39th DA racing up to help. 39th and 16th Divisions fought on throughout 23 March as they retired towards the
River Somme, the field brigades withdrawing to new positions from time to time as they covered the infantry, inflicting serious casualties on the Germans. One gun of C/CLXXXVI was destroyed by a shell, but five stray guns of another brigade attached themselves, and men from CLXXIV Bde helped to man the guns of a heavy battery supporting 39th Division.
CCLXXXII Army Field Artillery Bde distinguished itself in support of 39th Division on 23 March, firing on the advancing Germans until the last moment before pulling out. 39th Division and the guns then crossed the Somme before the bridges were blown up. For the next two days the British fought to
defend the Somme Crossings. The 'batteries took full advantage of the many opportunities offered in engaging the advancing enemy with observed fire, and one section of A/186 did particularly good work over open sights'. The batteries fired an average of 3000 rounds each on 24 March, and continued firing during the night. The Germans were less visible on 25 March, but all possible crossing places were kept under constant fire overnight. However, the line of the Somme had been turned by the Germans and the retreat was resumed, with covering fire from the field guns. Some reorganisation was achieved: Brig-Gen W.G. Thompson took over as CRA, and the heavy battery returned to its group. There was now a lull in the fighting. The badly depleted infantry of 39th Division were relieved and sent north to the Ypres area, but 39th DA remained in the line as an independent formation comprising both field brigades, the two TM batteries, the DAC, No 1 Horse Transport Company of the Divisional Train (284 Company,
Army Service Corps) and an ammunition section of 39th Division Motor Transport Company (495 Company, ASC). These formed a sub-group under 16th (Irish) DA, along with CCLXXVII AFA Bde (including the former A/CLXXIX (Deptford) Bty), all supporting 14th (Light) Division. The Germans began a new phase of their offensive on 4 April (the
Battle of the Avre), starting with a violent bombardment in the early hours. The initial bombardment fell behind the artillery, but the Germans shortened the range as the attack started and they began shelling the battery positions with high explosive (HE) and
gas. Casualties were heavy and the signallers were constantly engaged in trying to repair broken telephone lines, but visual signalling was used once the mist cleared. The Germans broke through the front line, but the CRA of 14th (L) Division ordered the guns to stand firm and stop the waves of German infantry with artillery fire alone. Apart from B/CLXXXVI, which was driven behind the crest by the intensity of fire, the batteries were pushed forward boldly to the crests and remained in position until nightfall, bringing attacks to a standstill with their
shrapnel fire. A forward section of C/CLXXIV Bty was overrun, but the two guns were recovered after dark. During this action 39th DA lost three officers, 70 other ranks and 110 horses. This attack must and can be stopped by artillery fire. If any battery can no longer effectively stop the enemy from its present position, it will at once move fighting to a position on the crest, to engage the enemy over open sights. It is essential that the artillery should hold the line and they will do so –
Brig-Gen E. Harding-Newman, CRA 14th (Light) Division After breaching the 'D–Q Line', Canadian Corps advanced against weak opposition towards the
Canal du Nord. This defensive position required a full-scale attack, which was carried out on 27 September. Both brigades of 39th DA supported the attack, the creeping barrage consisting of 50 per cent shrapnel, 40 per cent HE and 10 percent smoke shell; as well as screening the attackers the smoke blew towards the enemy and restricted his observation. The batteries advanced as the infantry progressed through their objectives and the Canadian engineers bridged the canal. The advance continued on 28 September with the field guns providing creeping barrages at short notice as required. On 1 October two brigades of
1st Canadian Division attacked a group of villages under a barrage fired by six field brigades including the two of 39th DA, but the enemy held the
Abancourt Ridge beyond and the villages could not be secured. On 9 October 39 DA bombarded the area around
Cambrai as Canadian Corps made a demonstration in support of Third Army's attack (the
Second Battle of Cambrai) and then advanced to the
Sensée Canal against little opposition. First Army continued the pursuit towards the
River Selle, where there was a pause on 19 October to prepare a set-piece attack. During the
Battle of the Selle 39th DA was among the mass of guns supporting
51st (Highland) Division in its attack over the Ecaillon river towards the Schelde Canal. Zero hour was 06.10, and even though some of the infantry lost the barrage the attack went well: by 10.30 the engineers had two bridges over the Ecaillon for the field artillery to cross. The brigades were withdrawn into reserve on 25 October, but on 30 October they moved into action again and next day fired in support of the Canadians'
assault at Valenciennes. Supplies had to come up a single bad road, but sufficient ammunition was brought up and the attack on 1 November succeeded despite some stout resistance (the guns were forbidden to shell the town itself, in which French civilians were sheltering). The Canadians liberated Valenciennes on 3 November. On 4 November 39 DA was transferred to
VIII Corps and went into First Army Reserve, where it remained until the
Armistice with Germany entered force on 11 November.
Demobilisation began in 1919 and 39th DA and its constituent units were disbanded.
Commanders The following officers commanded 39th Divisional Artillery and its units during the war:
CRA • Brig-Gen C.E. Goulburn, appointed 21 September 1915, to 26 February 1916 • Brig-Gen R.W. Fuller, 26 February to 24 March 1916 • Brig-Gen G. Gillson, 24 March 1916 to 11 October 1917 • Lt-Col C.H. Kilner, acting 11 to 18 October 1917 • Brig-Gen G.A.S. Cape from 18 October 1917, killed 18 March 1918 while acting divisional commander • Lt-Col E.W.S. Brooke, acting 18 to 26 and 29 March 1918 • Brig-Gen W.G.H. Thompson, 26 to 29 March, and from 30 March 1918 to demobilisation
CLXXIV (Deptford) Bde • Lt-Col E.R. Phillips, 19 May 1915 to 11 April 1916 • Lt-Col J.G.B. Allardyce, 11 April 1916 to 17 December 1917 • Lt-Col E.W.S. Brooke, 18 December 1917 to 1 April 1918 • Lt-Col F.E. Spencer, 1 April 1918 to demobilisation
CLXXIX (Deptford) Bde • Col D. Fulton, 3 June 1915 to 5 January 1916 • Lt-Col A.M. Kennard, DSO, 5 January to 11 August 1916 • Col A. Hardley-Wright, 11 August 1916 to disbandment
CLXXXIV (Deptford) Bde • Lt-Col C.M. Rudkin, from 20 July 1915 to disbandment
CLXXXVI (Deptford) Howitzer Bde • Col R. Oakes, 21 August to 10 December 1915 • Lt-Col C.H. Kilner, 10 December 1915 to 30 November 1917 • Lt-Col G.S. Henderson, 30 November to 12 December 1917 • Lt-Col Lord Alfred Browne, DSO, from 12 December 1917, killed 27 August 1918 • Lt-Col R.C. Reeves, 1 September 1918 to demobilisation
39th (Deptford) DAC • Lt-Col A.E.S. Griffin, 26 August 1915 to 10 August 1916 • Col A.H. Carter,
CMG, 11 August 1916 to 11 October 1918 • Col F.W. Boteler, 13 October 1918 to demobilisation
DTMO • Capt O.C.K. Corrie,
North Somerset Yeomanry, 25 April 1916 to 1 June 1917 • Capt T. Mulligan, from 1 June 1917 to disbandment ==137th (Deptford) Heavy Battery, RGA==