The barrage, moreover, had passed over the German trenches by the time the infantry advanced; the latter had, consequently, to attack up the glacis-like slopes without any artillery support except the bombardment.

This, owing to the enemy's trenches not having been accurately located, was ineffective.
The 16th Infantry Brigade attacked on a battalion front--one company of the Bedfords bombing up the trench from Leuze Wood, and the remainder over the open to the north against the south-west face.

The Buffs and York and Lancasters supported the attack, but in spite of the greatest gallantry could not take the Strong Point.
The 1st Leicesters and the Norfolks, passing through the entrenched Foresters and Suffolks, attacked the Quadrilateral from the north-west with equal drive, but they too failed.

Some ground, however, was made, and by 10 a.m.the 16th Infantry Brigade on the south, and the 71st Infantry Brigade on the north, were digging in close to the enemy's wire and trenches.
During the day constant reports arrived that the Guards had gained their objectives, and that tanks and cheering men were moving through Lesboeufs.

It was not until the following morning that this report was proved to be incorrect, and that it was Flers which had been captured.