Four companies of the 2nd Rifle Brigade were the troops chosen, with a few sappers and gunners, the whole under the command of Colonel Metcalfe of the same battalion.

A single gun, the 4.7 howitzer upon Surprise Hill, was the objective.

Again there was the stealthy advance through the darkness, again the support was left at the bottom of the hill, again the two companies carefully ascended, again there was the challenge, the rush, the flight, and the gun was in the hands of the stormers.
Here and only here the story varies.

For some reason the fuse used for the guncotton was defective, and half an hour elapsed before the explosion destroyed the howitzer.

When it came it came very thoroughly, but it was a weary time in coming.