Surgeon-General Treherne, who had served with me on the Indian Frontiers, had arranged the medical side of the operations with a thoroughness that could not have been exceeded, and which earned the gratitude of the Indian soldiers; and last, but not least, my Chief of Staff, General Hudson, had worked out all plans and orders with such scrupulous care that when the battle commenced I felt it was already half over, for each and all knew what was to be their share in it. A readjustment of our line had been carried out during the night of 28th February/1st March, whereby the front of the Corps extended from Chocolat Menier Corner through Port Arthur to the La Bassée-Estaires road. This front was occupied by the Meerut Division with one Brigade, the two others being in reserve. The Lahore Division, less one Brigade in Army reserve, was in Corps reserve. About this time the heavy artillery of the Indian Corps (excepting the 2nd Siege Battery, 6-inch howitzers), and with certain additions, was grouped under Brigadier-General Franks, R.A., as No. 1 Group G.H.Q. Artillery. This group was ordered to support the operations of the Indian Corps. The remainder of the Artillery of both Divisions was gradually brought into action into positions selected by Brigadier-General Scott, R.A., attached to Corps Headquarters. The moves were completed by the evening of 7th March. The system under which the artillery was disposed was as follows: 3 18-pr. Brigades to cut wire on front to be assaulted. 2 18-pr. Brigades to cover the southern section, which was not attacking. 1 18-pr. Brigade partly building curtain of fire on roads and approaches from the Bois du Biez, and partly in observation. 1 Brigade 4·5-inch Howitzers destroying enemy trenches. 1 Brigade 6-inch Howitzer destroying enemy trenches. Siege Battery destroying enemy trenches. 1 Section 2·75 inch actually in fire trenches for close support of Infantry attack. The above were the objectives for necessarily the first phase, but the subsequent objectives laid down did not involve a change of position for the batteries. Considerable engineering preparations had been made in advance, such as provision of cover for the assaulting Brigade to form up in, improvements to communications, and provision of light bridges, etc., for crossing obstacles. The Lahore Division had moved forward on 7th March and concentrated in the area Calonne-Lestrem-Robecq, the Meerut Division concentrating its troops still farther forward in order to provide the necessary accommodation. By the morning of 9th March the Corps was disposed as follows: CORPS HEADQUARTERS. Report Centre, La Cix Marmuse. MEERUT DIVISION. Report Centre, Vieille Chapelle. Dehra Dun Brigade, La Couture. Garhwal Brigade, Richebourg St. Vaast. Bareilly Brigade, Holding front line.