The 8th Division, on the left of the 20th, was to attack the German line from about La Boutillerie to Le Bridoux. Its further objective was the capture of Bas Maisnil, Le Bridoux and Ferme Houssain, to prepare the way for a possible advance of the whole corps to the Aubers-Radinghem ridge. This operation was to be carried out in the first instance by the 25th Brigade. Between these two operations the 20th Division was to co-operate:-- (1) By making a smoke screen along the whole front, so as to conceal the true points of attack. (2) By covering its own front and the advance of the assaulting columns on its flanks by fire. (3) By cutting wire at certain points, both to deceive the enemy and to facilitate a possible advance. (4) By being prepared to assault the enemy’s line on the right or left and to press forward in the centre, according to the progress made by the divisions on the flanks. The attack was preceded by a four days’ bombardment of the enemy’s lines. His front and support trenches were badly damaged; strong-points and houses in and behind his line were breached and lanes cut in his wire. Although considerable damage was observed to have been done, the enemy made very little retaliation. During the bombardment, various means were adopted with the idea of deceiving the enemy as to the actual time of attack. Rapid fire was opened by the artillery as if for the final bombardment, and searchlights were turned on to the enemy’s parapet which was then brought under fire. One night, having fired a rocket, the troops in the front trenches immediately began cheering, showing bayonets over the parapet and throwing empty jam tins into the wire in order to induce the enemy to man his parapet. One round was then fired by each gun on the enemy’s front line. On the night of the 24th/25th, headquarters of brigades proceeded to their advanced report centres, and units in reserve were moved up to support and assembly trenches which had been dug close behind the front line so as to be ready, if necessary, to assume the offensive. One battalion of the 59th Brigade was kept at Laventie to form, with the 11th D.L.I. and the Divisional Mounted Troops, the Divisional reserve. Of the two attacks on the flanks of the 20th Division the first to be launched was that on the left. At 4.30 A.M. the 8th Division advanced and soon gained a footing in the enemy trenches, with the exception of a detached force (on the immediate left of the 61st Brigade) which was unable to get forward. The 59th and 61st Brigades found the line opposite to them strongly held by the enemy, whom they engaged with rifle and machine-gun fire. No advance was possible on this part of the front.