periods in reserve. On 3 July the units were transferred by rail to reserve positions behind Ypres, subsequently taking their turn in the line under various formations of Second Army. Hundred Days' Offensive On 22 August 39th DA began moving south by rail to join First Army in the Arras area and on 25 August it was placed under Canadian Corps for the Battle of the Scarpe. The guns were pre-positioned on 24/25 August, then the detachments moved up late on 25 August. The following day's assault was made at 03.00 behind an 'excellent' creeping barrage of 18-pdrs with the 4.5inch howitzers firing in front. The attack was successful, and the guns moved up in close support on 26 and 27 August. On 27 August Lt-Col Lord Alfred Browne commanding CLXXXVI Bde was killed in action. The Canadians advanced behind another creeping barrage on 28 August, and the guns continued to follow in support on 29 and 30 August, breaking up several counter-attacks. The forward movement continued in early September (the Battle of the Drocourt-Quéant Switch Line), with most batteries providing a section ready to take on any fleeting target that presented itself. 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