of St Quentin). Although the British Forward Zone was quickly overrun, 61st Division held its Battle Zone defences all day. Every time the Germans formed up for an attack, they were engaged by artillery and machine guns and the attacks were broken up, but many field guns were overrun. The following day XVIII Corps was forced to withdraw to the line of the Somme, which was defended on 24–25 March (the Actions at the Somme Crossings). As the 'Great Retreat' continued, XVIII Corps' artillery withdrew towards the French army and found themselves supporting French formations around Montdidier. On 27 March CCXXXII AFA Bde officially transferred to 36th (Ulster) Division, also supporting the French. The brigade was withdrawn for refit on 1 April, which continued for most of the month. It returned to V Corps in Third Army on 25 April, and spent the early summer with various divisions or in Corps Reserve until the end of July when it briefly joined VI Corps before going into GHQ Reserve. Hundred Days Offensive On 6 August the brigade rejoined 12th (Eastern) Division for the Battle of Amiens (8 August), the keynote of which was thorough preparation and execution of the artillery fireplan, and then rapid movement of the field batteries behind the advancing infantry, though 12t Division did not have things all its own way. After another period of rest, CCXXXII AFA Bde joined 40th Division, which was being reconstituted after the disasters of March. After a spell in Corps Reserve, the brigade joined 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division for the Battle of Havrincourt on 12 September. It then switched to the 4th Australian Division for the follow-up attack (the Battle of Épehy), which followed a 'splendid' barrage and made deep inroads into the German positions. On 22 September 1918 the brigade transferred to IX Corps, which had been reconstituted in Fourth Army to take a leading role in the continuing Hundred Days Offensive. IX Corps assigned it to its former parent formation, 46th (North Midland) Division, for the Battle of St Quentin Canal (29 September–2 October) when the division performed one of the great feats of the First World War by crossing the canal and breaking open the Hindenburg Line. Careful artillery preparation and support was an integral part of this success. Sir Hill Child of 46th Division had nine brigades of field artillery under his command, including CCXXXII AFA Bde,