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. 39th Divisional Artillery had been relieved for rest on 22 December. When it returned to the forward area in January there had been heavy falls of snow, and the units could only move slowly along the roads into position. The guns were 'in action' for 8 January, and came under heavy German bombardment on 11 January: although casualties were low, several guns were damaged. The batteries were withdrawn again on 23 January and moved by rail to the southern part of the BEF's front, occupying the line in the Bray-sur-Somme area, while the brigades went by turns for training. The sector was relatively quiet, but Brig-Gen Cape was killed on 18 March while conducting a Staff ride as acting divisional commander, and Lt-Col E.W.S. Brooke of CLXXIV Bde took temporary command of 39th DA. 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. 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Bty they were unable to get limbers up to the gun positions, and therefore remained in action until the infantry had withdrawn past them, firing at whatever targets they could see.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