Growth of Artillery in BEF - Field V Heavy Artillery
Just been looking at the growth of the artillery from 1914 to 1916, and as part of that how the doctrine and focus changed from mobility to firepower
When the BEF deployed in 1914, 72 field, 5 horse artillery and 6 heavy batteries provided the artillery support.The ratio of field to heavy batteries / artillery is 13 to 1. The doctrine is one of mobility and close support of infantry and cavalry.
Role on a year and the arrival of the Territorial divisions and the first of Kitcheners New Army divisions. This sees an additional 50 + guns each time a new division deploys.Additional heavy batteries now reduces the ratio of field to heavy batteries 10 to 1. The stalemate of the trenches and the move to positional warfare, creates a demand for siege artillery, 6 inch guns / howitzers and above. Siege batteries are formed. 26 are deployed to the BEF by August 1915. Looking now field artillery and the ratio with heavy artillery as a whole, the relationship is 6 to 1.
On the eve of the Battle of the Somme, the Kithchener divisions in K3, K4 and K5 have added additional field artillery. However, the expansion in heavy and siege artillery has been greater the field to heavy artillery being 3 : 1.
The doctrine now centeres more on creating the conditions for infantry to attack. The 18 pounders being used to cut wire emplacements, 4.5 inch howitzers to destroy trenches and fortifications, with the heavy artillery engaging targets in depth and providing counter battery fire.
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