While we were practising this, on the 25th the troops in the line made further progress, somewhat lightening our task, but not necessitating any alteration in our plans of attack.  The battle was ordered for the 28th June, and the previous evening we moved up Assign trench to our assembly positions, Boot and Brick Trenches on the slag heap.  We were to relieve partly Lincolnshires and partly Monmouthshires, and for some reason or other there was confusion among the guides.  Those detailed for “A” Company wanted to lead them to the right instead of the left of the assaulting frontage, while “B” Company had “A’s” guides.  Fortunately Capt.  Petch was able to catch his platoons in time, and, dismissing the guides, sent each to its correct position.  Serjeant Putt, who had started first, he could not warn in time, but fortunately this N.C.O. knew enough of the plans to know that he was being led wrongly, and so retraced his steps and rejoined the rest of his Company on the slag-heap.  “A” Company were in position by 10.0 p.m., but the other companies were seriously delayed and wandered about most of the night under guides, who took them the wrong way.  To add to the confusion our liaison with the Canadians again broke down, and without any warning the Division on our right suddenly launched an attack.  Barrages followed by both sides and the noise continued throughout the night.  Long after the attack was over the noise went on, for every few minutes some post would get nervous and send up an S.O.S. signal, immediately calling down a barrage, to which the other side would reply in kind.  All this took place on the other side of the Souchez river, but we came in for much shelling, and the relief was not finally complete until 5.0 a.m.  At dawn we were all in position.  “B” Company (Marriott) was on the right with a frontage from the Souchez river to the Southern edge of the mine buildings; “A” (Petch) was on the left, with the length of the buildings as their frontage; “D” (Shields) assembled under the slag-heap behind them.  Zero was ordered for 7.20 p.m.

The original plan had been for the assaulting Companies to leave their assembly trenches a few minutes before Zero, and, moving forward carefully, to form up for the attack a few yards in front.  At 7.0 p.m. it was still, of course, bright daylight; the enemy had two observation balloons up, and there were several aeroplanes about.  It seemed that any such movement must be noticed.  However, fate was on our side, and at 7.13 p.m. a rain storm burst over the country, completely obscuring the view, and by Zero the assaulting troops were lying out ready.  They had not been seen.