Apart from the Fosse itself, where the fortifications and their strength
were practically unknown, the Redoubt alone was a very strong point. It
formed a salient in the enemy's line and both the Northern area, "Little
Willie," and the southern "Big Willie," were deep, well-fortified
trenches, with several machine gun positions. Behind these, ran from
N.E. and S.E. into the 2nd line of the Redoubt, two more deep trenches,
"N. Face" and "S. Face," thought to be used for communication purposes
only, and leading back to "Fosse" and "Dump" trenches nearer the
slag-heap. The last two were said to be shallow and unoccupied. In
addition to these defences, the redoubt and its approach from our line
were well covered by machine gun posts, for, on the North, "Mad Point"
overlooked our present front line and No Man's Land, while "Madagascar"
Cottages and the slag-heap commanded all the rest of the country. The
scheme for the battle was that the Staffordshires on the right and our
Brigade with the Monmouthshires on the left would make the assault, the
Sherwood Foresters remain in reserve. Before the attack there would be
an intense artillery bombardment, which would effectually deal with "Mad
Point" and other strongholds. In our Brigade, General Kemp decided to
attack with two Battalions side by side in front, 4th Leicestershires
and 5th Lincolnshires, followed by 4th Lincolnshires and Monmouthshires,
each extended along the whole Brigade frontage, while, except for one or
two carrying parties, he would keep us as his own reserve. The date for
the battle had not been fixed, but it would probably be the 10th.

Reconnaissances started at once, and on the 8th Col. Jones and all
Company Commanders and 2nds in Command went by motor 'bus to Vermelles,
and reconnoitred our trenches, held at the time by the Guards Division.
Our first three lines, where the assembly would take place the night
before the battle, were all carefully reconnoitred as well as the "Up"