page_title: 39th (Deptford) Divisional Artillery
section_title: German Spring Offensive
hierarchical_section_title: 39th (Deptford) Divisional Artillery / Western Front / German Spring Offensive
caption_attribution_description: English: The German Spring Offensive, March-july 1918 18-pounder gun batteries of the Royal Field Artillery in action in the open during the First Battle of Arras. Albert area, 28 March 1918.
context_page_description: The 39th (Deptford) Divisional Artillery was a Royal Artillery force raised as part of 'Kitchener's Army' in early 1915. Recruited in Deptford, South London, the units served with the 'Pals battalions' of the 39th Division on the Western Front for two years. They saw action at the Somme, Ypres, and the German Spring Offensive, including the Battle of the Avre, described as 'one of the finest artillery stories of the whole war'. The units then operated as an independent artillery formation during the Allied Hundred Days Offensive.
context_section_description: 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. Next day the Germans continued to advance and at 08.15 16th (Irish) Division was ordered to retire, covered by the guns of 39th DA. At 09.00 CLXXIV Bde was also ordered to withdraw, but with the exception of D (H) Bty they were unable to get limbers up to the gun positions, and therefore remained in action until the infantry had withdrawn past them, firing at whatever targets they could see. Eventually, with the enemy working round both flanks and harassed with machine gun fire, the detachments withdrew, taking their breech blocks and sights, having to abandon 16 18-pdrs. Having withdrawn, D Bty brought its howitzers back into action and continued to fire on the advancing enemy troops. Two remaining 18-pdrs of C Bty had been in the workshops, and these were brought into action in a fresh position alongside guns and howitzers of another brigade. Meanwhile CLXXXVI Bde's limbers had been closer, and the brigade was able to withdraw, having remained in action until the enemy infantry were within 300 yards (270 m).
  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.
  The Germans made a major effort on 27 March (the  Battle of Rosières). 39th Divisional Artillery had XLVI Bde of 14th (Light) Division and a battery of CCLXXXII AFA Bde also under command, but could only assemble 53 guns. The artillery engaged the attackers with observed and barrage fire, but the right flank having been pushed back, CLXXXVI Bde had to retire again, after inflicting considerable losses to the enemy over open sights. Several successful local counter-attacks were made during the afternoon with artillery support. Next day 39th DA gave supporting fire to 'Carey's Force' – the remnants of several shattered units and engineer companies collected by Brig-Gen G.G.S. Carey. At 21.00 both field brigades reported that the infantry were withdrawing through their battery lines, but they continued to inflict punishment on the attackers before withdrawing themselves. On 29 March Maj-Gen E. Feetham,commanding 39th Division was killed, and Brig-Gen Thompson took temporary command while Lt-Col Brooke resumed command of 39th DA.
  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 D
caption: 18-pounder battery in action in the open during the Spring Offensive.
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