An examination of the battlefield after the 24th September also revealed several narrow sunken roads filled with wire.

The position was one of great natural strength, and in addition the whole of the right was dominated by heights in the area to be attacked by the French.

Lastly, adequate time could not be given to Brigades for reconnaissance owing to the imperative necessity of pushing on to guard the flank of Corps farther north.

Troops had not seen the ground they had to attack over, and rain and smoke obscured the few landmarks existing on 18th September.
On that morning the Division attacked at 5.20 a.m.with the 71st Infantry Brigade on the right, its left directed on the Quadrilateral and its right on Holnon and Selency.
The 16th Infantry Brigade was on the left, with its right just clear of the Quadrilateral and its left on Fresnoy le Petit.

Six tanks were allotted to the Division, but met with various mishaps or were knocked out, and were not of much use.