The 6th Division were fortunate in being in woods and destroyed villages.
No unusual activity on ground or in the air was allowed, no guns registered as had been usual, even the Home mails were stopped for a short period, and a screen of the troops which had held the line for some time was kept in front trenches to the last.

Under General Byng's initiative the difficulty of tanks crossing the wide Hindenburg Line trenches was overcome by each tank carrying on its brow a huge faggot which it deposited in the trench at its selected crossing-place, and which gave its tail a purchase to enable it to climb the opposite side of the trench.

The ground was very suitable for tanks, as it was moderately hard grass land, and the first portion of the attack on much of the front was downhill.
The III Corps (Lt.-Gen.

Sir W.Pulteney) was on the right, and consisted of the 12th, 20th, and 6th Divisions, which attacked in the order named.

The left corps (IV) consisted of the 51st and 62nd Divisions.