As it was not intended that we should go into trenches until the night
before the assault, only very few of the N.C.O.'s and none of the men
would have any opportunity of previously studying the ground. In order,
therefore, that all might be made familiar with the general appearance
and proportionate distances of the various objectives, a small scale
model of the Redoubt and Fosse 8 was built opposite Divisional
Headquarters at Gosnay, and Sunday afternoon was spent in studying this
and explaining full details to all concerned. In the evening the Corps
Commander, General Haking, spoke to all officers of the Division in the
Chateau courtyard, and told us some further details of the attack. We
were to be supported by the largest artillery concentration ever made by
the British during the war up to that time, and there would be 400 guns
covering the Divisional front. Under their fire we need have no fear
that any machine guns could possibly be left in "Mad Point,"
"Madagascar," or any of the other points due for bombardment. At the
same time he told us that if the wind were in the right direction we
should be further assisted by the "auxiliary." In this case there would
be an hour's bombardment, followed by an hour's "auxiliary," during
which time the guns would have to be silent because High Explosive was
apt to disperse chlorine gas. At the end of the second hour we should
advance and find the occupants all dead. Attacks at dawn and dusk had
become very common lately and seemed to be expected by the Boche; we
would therefore attack at 2 p.m.

During the next two days we spent most of our time throwing Mills
grenades, and certainly found them a very handy weapon, which could be
thrown much further than our previous patterns. We also had to make
several eleventh hour changes in personnel, Major Bland and Lieut. Allen
were both compelled by sickness to go to Hospital--the former to