75th (Highland) Heavy Regiment, Royal Artillery

The 1st Aberdeenshire Artillery Volunteers was a part-time unit of the British Army raised in Aberdeenshire and neighbouring counties in Scotland in 1860. Its successor units served with 51st (Highland) Division through many of the major battles on the Western Front during World War I. In World War II one of its regiments escaped the surrender of the 51st (Highland) Division in 1940 and went on to serve as heavy artillery in the Italian Campaign. The other regiment served with the reconstituted division at Alamein, in Sicily, Normandy and through North West Europe to the Rhine Crossing and beyond. It served on in the Territorial Army until 1967.

Volunteer Force

The enthusiasm for the Volunteer movement following an invasion scare in 1859 saw the creation of many Rifle and Artillery Volunteer Corps composed of part-time soldiers eager to supplement the Regular British Army in time of need. Seven Artillery Volunteer Corps (AVCs) were formed in Aberdeenshire:Beckett, Appendix VIII.Frederick, pp. 648, 650, 661.Grierson, pp. 154–8.Litchfield & Westlake, pp. 20–2.
* 1st (Peterhead) Aberdeenshire AVC formed on 13 March 1860
* 2nd (Peterhead) Aberdeenshire AVC formed on 13 March 1860, shortly afterwards absorbed into 1st AVC as 2nd Battery and disbanded 1864
* 3rd (Aberdeen) Aberdeenshire AVC formed on 2 May 1860 as an artisans' battery raised from employees of the shipbuilders and ironfounders Thomson, Catto, Buchanan & Co, who contributed funds to the corps
* 4th (Town of Aberdeen) Aberdeenshire AVC formed on 14 April 1860 as a citizens' battery, the members clothing and equipping themselves
* 5th (Fraserburgh) Aberdeenshire AVC formed on 15 February 1860
* 6th (Aberdeen) Aberdeenshire AVC formed on 9 February 1860 as an artisans' battery raised from employees of the shipbuilders and ironfounders Blaikie Brothers
* 7th (Aberdeen) Aberdeenshire AVC formed on 23 September 1861, second battery raised 19 July 1865
On 24 October 1860 these units were brought together as the 1st Administrative Brigade, Aberdeenshire Artillery Volunteers based in the city of Aberdeen, to which Lieutenant-Colonel William Cosmo Gordon of Fyvie (former captain in the Madras Artillery) was appointed commanding officer (CO) on 21 May 1862.''Army List'', various dates.

In 1863 the AVCs raised in neighbouring Kincardineshire were also included in the 1st Aberdeenshire Administrative Brigade:Litchfield & Westlake, p. 103.
* 1st (Stonehaven) Kincardineshire AVC formed on 10 January 1860, absorbed 5th Kincardineshire AVC as 2nd Battery in 1861 and moved to Cowie
* 2nd (Johnshaven) Kincardineshire AVC formed on 14 August 1860
* 3rd (St Cyrus) Kincardineshire AVC formed on 30 July 1860
* 4th ( Bervie) Kincardineshire AVC formed on 29 October 1860
* 5th (Cowie) Kincardineshire AVC formed mainly from fishermen on 29 January 1861, absorbed into 1st Kincardineshire AVC and disbanded 1875.

In 1874 the 3rd, 4th, 6th and 7th Aberdeen AVCs were combined into a new 3rd Aberdeenshire AVC of five companies (the 7th providing two companies), with a sixth added in September 1877 and a seventh in 1877–78. In 1876 the AVCs in North East Scotland were reorganised. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th Kincardineshire AVCs were transferred from the 1st Aberdeen to the 1st Forfarshire Administrative Brigade, and replaced by the units of the 1st Banffshire Administrative Brigade:Litchfield & Westlake, p. 29.Grierson, pp. 133–7.
* 1st ( Macduff) Banffshire AVC formed before October 1859
* 2nd ( Banff) Banffshire AVC formed on 29 December 1859
* 3rd (Gardenstown) Banffshire AVC formed on 13 November 1875
* 4th (Portsoy) Banffshire AVC formed on 8 October 1860
* 5th ( Cullen) Banffshire AVC formed on 18 February 1861
The 1st Kincardineshire AVC at Cowie remained with the 1st Aberdeen.

In 1880 the Volunteer Force was consolidated into larger units. The 1st Aberdeenshire Administrative Brigade became the 1st Aberdeenshire AVC on 10 May 1880, with the subtitle 'Aberdeen, Banff and Kincardine'. The former 1st Kincardineshire battery at Cowie was disbanded at the end of 1880 and replaced by a new No 14 Battery raised at Aberdeen out of the 7th Battery. The three other Kincardine batteries returned to the 1st Aberdeen in May 1882 and the Banffshire batteries (including No 1 (Peterhead) and No 5 (Fraserburgh) Batteries) became an independent unit once more. The 1st Aberdeenshire then dropped the 'Banff' part of its subtitle and had the following organisation:
* Nos 1–7 Batteries at Aberdeen (former Nos 2–7 and 14 Companies)
* No 8 Battery at Johnshaven (former 2nd Kincardine AVC)
* No 9 Battery at Ct Cyrus (former 3rd Kincardine AVC)
* No 10 Battery at Bervie (former 4th Kincardine AVC)

In 1885 a new No 8 Battery was formed at the University of Aberdeen and Nos 8–10 Batteriies were renumbered 9–11; a new No 12 Battery was formed at Stonehaven in December 1886.

Position Artillery

The AVCs were intended to serve as garrison artillery manning fixed defences, but a number of the early units were semi-mobile 'position batteries' of smooth-bore field guns pulled by agricultural horses. The War Office (WO) refused to pay for these batteries and they died out. However the concept was revived in 1888 when some Volunteer batteries were reorganised as position artillery to work alongside the Volunteer infantry brigades.Litchfield and Westlake, pp. 3–6. On 17 January 1889 the 1st Aberdeenshire AVC was issued with a position battery of 40-pounder Rifled Breech-Loading guns, which were staffed by Nos 5 and 8 Batteries. On 1 November 1892 these were amalgamated as the 1st Position Battery and the remaining garrison batteries were redesignated companies (Nos 2–7 at Aberdeen, 8 at Johnshaven, 9 at St Cyrus, 10 at Bervie and 11 at Stonehaven). In 1893 the Johnshaven and St Cyrus companies merged and Nos 10 and 11 were renumbered. A 2nd Position Battery was raised on 1 April 1901 and No 2 Company was renumbered 8, with Nos 8–10 renumbered again.

Royal Garrison Artillery

In 1882 all the AVCs were affiliated to one of the territorial garrison divisions of the Royal Artillery (RA) and the 1st Aberdeenshire AVC became part of the Scottish Division. In 1889 the structure was altered, and the corps joined the Southern Division. In 1899 the RA was divided into separate field and garrison branches, and the artillery volunteers were all assigned to the Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA). When the divisional structure was abolished their titles were changed, the unit becoming the 1st Aberdeenshire Royal Garrison Artillery (Volunteers) on 1 January 1902. The position batteries were re-armed with 4.7-inch guns and redesignated as heavy batteries, giving the following organisation:
* 1st Heavy Battery (from 2nd Bty 7th Aberdeen AVC and University Bty)
* 2nd Heavy Battery (raised 1901)
* No 3 Garrison Company (from 4th (Citizens) Aberdeen AVC)
* No 4 Garrison Company (from 6th (Artisans) Aberdeen AVC)
* No 5 Garrison Company (from 1st Bty 7th Aberdeen AVC)
* No 6 Garrison Company (raised 1877)
* No 7 Garrison Company (raised 1880)
* No 8 Garrison Company (from 3rd (Artisans) Aberdeen AVC)
* No 9 Garrison Company at Johnshaven (from 2nd and 3rd Kincardine AVCs)
* No 10 Garrison Company at Bevie (from 4th Kincardine AVC)
* No 11 Garrison Company at Stonehaven (raised 1886)

In 1899 the unit built a new HQ and drill hall in North Silver Street, Aberdeen, with 5-inch and 6-inch guns for training the garrison companies. These companies carried out their live firing at Torry Point Battery, which had been rearmed with modern guns. For musketry training the unit used the Seaton Links Rifle Range belonging to the 1st Volunteer Battalion, Gordon Highlanders. Annual camp and training for the heavy batteries, was carried out at Buddon. In 1904 the garrison companies won the King's Cup at the Scottish National Artillery Association's camp at Buddon. During the Second Boer War 13 volunteers from the 1st Aberdeenshire served with various units in South Africa.

Territorial Force

When the Volunteers were subsumed into the new Territorial Force (TF) under the Haldane Reforms of 1908, the personnel of the 1st Aberdeenshire and 1st Banffshire RGA (V) were distributed to two new units:Litchfield, pp. 270–1.
* North Scottish RGA, a defended ports unit at Broughty Ferry, with additional batteries from the 1st Fife RGA (V), 1st Forfarshire RGA (V) and Highland RGA (V)
* I (or 1st) Highland Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (RFA), with one battery from the 1st Banffshire RGA, giving the following organisation:
* HQ at North Silver Street, Aberdeen
* 1st City of Aberdeen Battery
* 2nd City of Aberdeen Battery
* Banffshire Battery
* 1st Highland Ammunition Column (including Banffshire Small Arms Ammunition Section)
In 1911 the Banffshire battery was disbanded and replaced by a 3rd City of Aberdeen Battery.

The I Highland Brigade was the senior field artillery unit in the TF's Highland Division. The batteries were each issued with four 15-pounder guns.Becke, Pt 2a, pp. 101–7.51 (H) Division at Long, Long Trail.
/ref>51 Divisional RA at Long, Long Trail.
/ref>

World War I

Mobilisation

A warning order of the imminence of war was received at the Highland Division's HQ on 29 July 1914, and the order to mobilise was received at 17.35 on Tuesday 4 August 1914. Mobilisation began the following day at unit drill halls. On 12 August the division was ordered to concentrate at Bedford and entrainment began on 15 August. Concentration was completed by 17 August and the division formed part of First Army (Home Forces) in Central Force.

On the outbreak of war, units of the Territorial Force were invited to volunteer for Overseas Service: the majority of men in every unit of the Lowland Division did so. On 15 August the WO issued instructions to separate those men who had signed up for Home Service only, and form these into reserve units. Then on 31 August the formation of a reserve or 2nd Line unit was authorised for each 1st Line unit where 60 per cent or more of the men had volunteered for Overseas Service. The titles of these 2nd Line units would be the same as the original, but distinguished by a '2/' prefix. In this way duplicate batteries, brigades and divisions were created, mirroring those TF formations being sent overseas.

1/I Highland Brigade

During the winter of 1914–15 the 1st Line units underwent war training, and a number left to join the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) on the Western Front. The division was warned for overseas service on 13 April and on 3 May it crossed to France, the artillery embarking at Southampton for Le Havre. The Highland Division completed its concentration at Lillers, Busnes and Robecq by 6 May and on 12 May it was officially numbered as the 51st (Highland) Division.

Western Front

The raw division was soon in action at the Battle of Festubert (18–25 May). The 51st (Highland) and 1st Canadian Division together formed 'Alderson's Force', which relieved the attacking divisions at the end of the first day's fighting. It was also engaged at the Battle of Givenchy (15–16 June). Afterwards the division was moved to a quiet front to gain more experience. 1/I Highland Bde's old 15-pounders were replaced with modern 18-pounder guns on 24 August.

On 14 April 1916 1/I Highland Bde formed an additional battery (D Bty). Then on 15 May the TF brigades of the RFA received numbers, the 1/I Highland becoming CCLV (255) Brigade, and the old batteries were redesignated A, B and C. D Battery was then exchanged for 1/1st Renfrewshire (Howitzer) Bty from the CCLVIII (III Highland) Howitzer Bde, which became D (H) Bty, equipped with 4.5-inch howitzers. The brigade ammunition columns were abolished at the same time, and absorbed within the divisional ammunition column.Frederick, p. 687.

Somme

In July 51st (Highland) Division joined in the Somme Offensive. An attack on 14 July had failed to capture the dominating ground of High Wood, and 51st (H) Division was tasked with renewing the attack on High Wood a week later. A night attack was to be tried: the bombardment began at 19.00 on 22 July, under the direction of low-flying artillery observation aircraft. German sources reported that the shelling was of 'painful accuracy' and prevented the troops in High Wood from being relieved, despite the number of casualties. At 01.30 the following morning the division attacked, but by 03.00 they were back on their start line having suffered heavy casualties. British gunners had difficulty supporting attacks on High Wood, because they had to fire over Bazentin Ridge. The low elevation of the guns meant that shells skimmed the British trenches, the margin for error was small and numerous complaints were made that British infantry casualties were caused by friendly fire. Worn guns, defective ammunition and inaccurate information about the location of British infantry positions were blamed for short-shooting. The setback seemed to confirm the division's nickname of 'Harper's Duds' (from their commander, Major-General George Harper, and their 'HD' formation badge). The division was withdrawn from the front on 7 August for rest and reorganisation. On 23 August CCLV Bde was reorganised again: the former D Bty rejoined from CCLVIII Bde together with the Right Section of C/CCLVIII Bty, to bring A, B and C Btys up to six guns each.

The division returned to the front in October for the Battle of the Ancre Heights, the final series of actions of the Somme Offensive. A mass of guns was assembled, with the artillery of no less than eight divisions and eight heavy artillery groups supporting 51st (H) Division's attack on Beaumont-Hamel, which had been an uncaptured objective on the first day of the offensive on 1 July. The operation was planned for 24 October, and the batteries began firing to cut the barbed wire on 20 October, but it was postponed several times because of bad weather. Eventually 13 November was chosen. H hour was 05.45, when the 18-pounders started a Creeping barrage (a recent innovation) moving in front of the infantry at every five minutes. A quarter of the 18-pounders deliberately fired short of the barrage line – this would have suppressed German outposts sheltering in shell craters in No man's land. The attack was helped by a dense fog, which screened the infantry from retaliatory shellfire as they struggled through the mud towards their objectives. The barrage halted for an hour on the first objective before moving on. Some of the infantry were held up by machine guns in the notorious 'Y Ravine', which had caused so much trouble on 1 July, but reserves were employed and both attacking brigades had reached the third German trench line (the Purple Line) by 07.50. The Green Line was next taken, but the fourth wave of attackers lost the barrage on their way to the final (Yellow) objectives and had to pull back to the Green Line to consolidate a position in captured trenches. Beaumont Hamel had finally fallen, and 51st (Highland) Division had gone some way to shaking off the 'Harper's Duds' slur.

On 25 January 1917 the Right Section of C (H) Bty of CCLX (1/I Lowland) Bde joined to bring D Bty up to six howitzers C (H)/CCLX had originally been 535 (H) Bty, formed in the UK in 1916). CCLV Brigade then had the following organisation until the end of the war:
* A (1/1st Aberdeen + half D Bty) – 6 x 18-pdrs
* B (1/2nd Aberdeen + half D Bty) – 6 x 18-pdrs
* C (1/3rd Aberdeen + half C/CCLVIII Bty) – 6 x 18-pdrs
* D (1/1st Renfrewshire (H) + half 535 (H) Bty) – 6 x 4.5-inch howitzers

Arras

For the Battle of Arras opening on 9 April, the biggest concentration of guns yet seen was assembled, all working to a single plan. 51st (H) Division was in XVII Corps, where the field batteries were placed from to yards behind the line. The 18-pdrs began firing a creeping barrage at Zero hour to protect the infantry advance while 4.5s laid down a standing barrage on each objective in turn. The barrage lasted for over 10 hours, advancing at a prescribed rate onto the final objective, over from the guns, some of which were moved forward during the day. Overall, XVII Corps' attack was a great success, even though some of 51st Highland's men were held up by unsubdued machine guns and drifted away from their barrage. After the first day the successes were harder won: the British guns had to move up through appalling conditions, and the follow-up attacks were less well planned and executed.

51st (H) Division attacked again at Gavrelle on 23 April under a full barrage (the 2nd Battle of the Scarpe), with the chemical works and village of Roeux as its objectives, but could not hold Roeux itself. The divisional artillery supported an attack by 34th Division on 28 April (the Battle of Arleux). The fire was not as effective as had been hoped, failing to cut the barbed wire or subdue all the enemy machine guns, although a German counter-attack was 'mown down by the 18-pounders firing shrapnel'. 51st (H) Division distinguished itself in the eventual capture and defence of Roeux.

Ypres

An even greater concentration of guns was massed for the Third Ypres Offensive, but the circumstances were less favourable. Gun batteries were packed into the Ypres Salient, where they were under observation and counter-battery (CB) fire from the Germans on the higher ground. Casualties among guns and gunners were high even before Zero hour on 31 July (the Battle of Pilckem Ridge). Two thirds of the field guns fired a creeping barrage, the other third and the 4.5-inch howitzers provided the standing barrage. 51st (H) Division reached the German second line and was consolidating when it was hit by a German counter-bombardment followed by a counter-attack. The British guns fired their pre-arranged protective barrages and destroyed the counterattack. Gains had been made, but now the rain came, and the guns had to move up through shell-churned mud to fresh positions before the attack could be renewed, and continued to suffer badly from German CB fire. 51st (H) Division was relieved on 8 August.

The division was back in the line for the Battle of the Menin Road Ridge starting at 05.40 on 20 September. This was a limited attack made with massive artillery support. 51st (H) Division attacked towards the Poelcappelle Spur with one brigade ( 154th (3rd Highland) Brigade), supported by 22 batteries of 18-pdrs and six of 4.5s. At first the going was heavy and there was strong German resistance at 'Pheasant Trench', but thereafter there were no problems and the brigade had occupied its final objective across the spur by 08.25. A heavy German bombardment in the afternoon was followed by a counter-attack, but this was completely destroyed by the British artillery.

Cambrai

51st (Highland) Division was then moved south to take part in Third Army's surprise attack with tanks against the Hindenburg Line at Cambrai on 20 November. There was no preliminary bombardment, but for the attack the divisional artillery was reinforced, firing a lifting barrage of smoke, high explosive (HE) and shrapnel shells. The initial attack was a brilliant success, but on 51st (H) Division's front the advance stalled once the tanks crossed the Flesquières ridge, where many were knocked out by unsuppressed enemy guns. Artillery support could not be requested because of broken communications. The fight at Flesquières went on all afternoon, but the Highlanders made little ground. However, the defenders in the village were almost cut off, and withdrew during the night. By now the division's guns were moving up into the former No man's land. They began a bombardment at 07.05 the following morning and at 07.30 the Highlanders moved on across the Graincourt road, but could not take the village of Cantaing until tanks came up. Although 51st (H) Division took Fontaine by 23 November, German opposition was stiffening, and the troops had to consolidate a line.

The infantry of 51st (H) Division had been relieved by the time the German counter-attack came on 30 November, but the divisional artillery remained in the line, supporting 59th (2nd North Midland) Division. The attack against the 59th was easily broken by the guns of 51st (H) and Guards Division. But breakthroughs elsewhere meant a scrambled retirement to a line further back.

Spring Offensive

In March 1918 it was clear that the Germans were planning a major offensive on the Western Front. Air photos revealed signs of these preparations on 51st (H) Division's front, including numerous rectangular mounds in the valley of the River Agache that the staff dubbed 'lice'. The divisional artillery probed these curious mounds by firing a 4.5-inch howitzer at one: it exploded, revealing the lice to be ammunition dumps. A divisional shoot was therefore carried out, exploding over a hundred of these dumps to explode. Probing fire revealed similar dumps in all the known German gun positions, whether or not they were occupied. To meet the anticipated attack, 51st (H) Division deployed its guns in depth. Each RFA brigade (CCLV was supporting 152nd (1st Highland) Bde in the division's centre) deployed nine 18-pdrs and four 4.5s forward, with the remainder of the guns in the main battery positions back. In addition 51st Divisional Artillery deployed seven single 18-pdrs and two old 15-pdrs as anti-tank guns in the support and reserve line where they could cover the main approaches over open sights. On the afternoon of 20 March a patrol observed large numbers of German troops in fighting order entering their trenches, obviously preparing for an attack. All the available divisional and corps guns opened fire on these assembly trenches and the Agache Valley.

The German spring offensive was launched on the misty morning of 21 March 1918 with a massive bombardment from 05.00. This was particularly severe on the left of 51st (H) Division and the neighbouring 6th Division. All the battery positions, whether they had been active or silent, and the HQs were shelled with HE and Mustard gas. Within 15 minutes almost all communications had been knocked out, and the mist prevented observation. Most of the forward and anti-tank guns were destroyed by shellfire. One gun of A/CCLV Bty fired over 100 rounds into the advancing enemy over open sights before the survivors of the detachment destroyed their gun and withdrew to Doignies, which came under heavy attack. The German bombardment slackened off on 51st (H) Division's front after 07.00, but remained intense on 6th Division. The mist had cleared about midday and despite their heavy casualties the batteries could now fire at observed targets. On 51st (H) Division's front the attacking Germans described the British artillery fire as 'unbearable'. However, the division's flank had already been turned, Doignies was captured and the division had to swing back to a 'switch' line. All of B/CCLV Bty's guns had been destroyed, and attempts to withdraw A and C Btys were defeated by heavy machine gun fire. Only D Bty of the brigade got away, after a daring piece of work by Capt Manuel. By nightfall 51st (H) Division was still manning a continuous line in the rear of the main battle zone.Middlebrook, pp. 210–1.

During the night reinforcements came up from 25th Division, and CCLV Bde was allocated two batteries of CXII Bde to make up its losses.

The Germans maintained the pressure on the following day, attempting to widen the hole in the division's flank. large numbers of Germans were seen at range and the British guns did great execution among them. At dusk CCLV Bde slipped away to the new line being taken up by 51st (H) Division. That night 51st (H) Divisional Artillery received 17 new guns to replace those it had lost. Over the next two days the division retired slowly, its units becoming increasingly tired and reduced in numbers. On 23 March the very weak 152nd Bde threw back three attacks with rifle and artillery fire. Next day the division pulled back into the Red (fourth) Line behind other formations that took over holding the Green (third) Line, covered by 51st (D) Division's guns. On 24 March all the artillery of the divisions in IV Corps was pooled, CCLV Bde forming part of 'Right Group'. About 14.00 the infantry in front began to give way, and the artillery group had to withdraw, CCLV Bde going between Irles and Puisieux. 51st (H) continued to hold the Red Line all day, forming a defensive flank, before falling back during the night. On 25 March 51st (H) Division was presented with some remarkable targets of German masses at long range, which were prevented from closing, but the enemy continued to move round the flank. However, reserves came up, and the exhausted 51st (H) Division was finally withdrawn that evening for rest.

51st (H) Division was sent north to First Army, absorbing drafts of reinforcements ''en route''. The divisional artillery arrived on the evening of 9 April, just after the second phase of the German offensive (Operation Georgette) had struck First Army (the Battle of the Lys). The division's infantry had already been thrown into the gap left by the defeat of the 2nd Portuguese Division. The infantry and artillery together held the line through the next critical days. That evening Germans were observed collecting for a new attack, and the artillery laid down harassing fire on their approach roads through the night. Soon after dawn the battery positions became untenable, so they opened rapid fire on the advancing enemy as each battery in turn withdrew to its new position and resumed covering fire for the others, CCLV Bde ending up near the eastern edge of Pacaut Wood. During 13 April 51st (H) Division was able to patch up a defence line, which it held for the next 10 days.

51st (H) Division was sent back south in July to assist the French in the Second Battle of the Marne. The divisional artillery covered in three days, crossing the Marne near Épernay at 02.00 on 20 July. After a short halt they pushed on, reaching their assembly position near Nanteuil-la-Fosse, and CCLV Bde was in action by 10.00, although they were only engaged in harassing fire during the Battle of Tardenois, while the division's infantry had attacked behind a barrage fired by French and Italian field guns. An enemy counter-attack was expected, so the batteries were withdrawn at dusk, leaving a few guns in close support of the infantry during the night. In fact, the Germans withdrew across the Marne, and when the division attacked again the following morning the information on enemy positions was so poor that the barrage was fired too far ahead to be of use. On 23 and 27 July the division put in better-organised attacks behind barrages fired by its own artillery supported by French guns, against the now-retreating Germans. On 28 July, in the closing stages of the battle, CCLV Bde moved up through the village of Chaumuzy under shellfire, having been misinformed that it was already in friendly hands.

Hundred Days Offensive

In August all the Allied armies began attacking in the Hundred Days Offensive. 51st (H) Division returned from the French sector and joined the Canadian Corps in First Army in late August for the Battle of the Scarpe on 26 August. 51st (H) divisional artillery supplemented by that of 16th (Irish) Division to provide a barrage for its own division's attack on the second objective against little opposition. The division attacked Greenland Hill the following day and failed to capture it, but succeeded two days later behind another barrage from 51st (H) and 16th (I) divisional artillery.

After the Battle of the Selle the Allied armies began a pursuit. By 26 October First Army was lagging behind the advance, and 51st (H) Division was among those given the task of pushing on. The divisional artillery was supplemented by that of 39th Division together with army brigades and heavies. The attack went well, even though in some places the infantry lost the barrage. The Germans were now badly shaken and exhausted, and the campaign developed into a pursuit, although one serious counter-attack was broken up by the guns on 1 November. From 29 October the infantry of 51st (H) Division began to be withdrawn from the line, but the divisional artillery remained in action. On 1 November it supported 49th (West Riding) Division's assault crossing of the Rhonelle (the Battle of Valenciennes), and it remained in action until the Armistice with Germany came into force on 11 November.

After the Armistice the division went into billets and demobilisation began. This was completed by mid-March 1919, and CCLV Bde passed into suspended animation.

2/I Highland Brigade

Recruiting for the 2nd Line unit was good, and 2/I Highland was raised at North Silver Street by the end of 1914.Becke, Pt 2b, pp. 55–9.64 (2nd H) Division at Long, Long Trail.
/ref> 2nd Highland Division formed in January 1915 (numbered as 64th (2nd Highland) Division in August) but the lack of equipment and need to supply drafts to 1st Line units delayed training. The division was not fully assembled around Perth until August 1915, with 2/I Highland Bde at Edzell, moving into Perth for winter quarters in November. In January 1916 the division was assigned to the 'Eighth New Army', and in March it division moved south to Norfolk and joined Northern Army (Home Forces). By May, the artillery brigades had received 18-pounders and that month they were numbered: 2/I Highland became CCCXX (320) Brigade and the batteries became A, B and C. Later, CCCXXIII (2/III Highland) (H) Bde was broken up, with one battery joining CCCXX as D (H) Bty.

In Autumn 1916, A/CCXCIII (2/III County of London) Bty from 58th (2/1st London) Division was temporarily attached to the brigade. In November a new CCCXXII Bde of 18-pdr batteries was raised by V Reserve Bde, RFA, and joined the division, but on 29 January 1917 this was broken up to bring the existing batteries up to six guns each.

By the winter of 1917 the division had become solely a training organisation, with no Highland associations. The artillery were quartered around Norwich, Aylsham and Haveringland

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