Fighting again continued throughout the day, but without success, and it was evident that the enemy meant standing his ground and that this was not a rearguard action as it had at one time been thought.

The enemy's artillery was very strong, and, with the thick Hindenburg wire in front of it, was placed close to their front line, and was enabled thus to do considerable execution on our back areas.
The successes of other Divisions in the south of the British zone had been constant and fairly easy for some time, so that the partial success which the Division had obtained was very disappointing to all ranks.

They were much cheered, therefore, to get the following wire from the Army Commander (General Sir H.Rawlinson):--"Please convey to the 6th Division my congratulations and warm thanks for their success of yesterday.

Though all objectives were not attained they carried through a difficult operation with great gallantry and determination.
I offer to all ranks my warm thanks and congratulations." All units had heavy fighting, in which some had incurred considerable losses, and all were tired and in want of reorganization.

It was therefore decided not to renew the attack for a few days, and to devote the interval to a proper artillery preparation (the heavy artillery put 1,000 shells on the Quadrilateral in one day), the reorganization of battalions, and the construction of a jumping-off position, in the execution of which the R.E.