A proportion of Tanks was allotted to each of the Armies taking part.
1. With the First Army (“D” Battalion) to the North:
Eight Tanks were to operate against Vimy Heights and the village and heights of Thélus, considered amongst the most formidable enemy positions in France. Tanks were to play a subsidiary part, as the soil here was a soft heavy loam, highly unfavourable to Tanks.
2. With the Third Army (“C” Battalion):
Forty Tanks were to operate, some north, some south of the river Scarpe. This sector contained several notorious strong points, such as the Harp and Telegraph Hill. The ground here was hard and chalky and afforded good going for Tanks, though it was intersected by old trench lines and had been heavily crumped.
3. With the Fifth Army (“D” Battalion):
Twelve Tanks were to operate in the region of Lagnicourt. Here the ground conditions were bad. The roads especially had been destroyed, and it was found impossible to bring up sufficient artillery for a preliminary bombardment. Therefore, on this sector Tanks were to play a leading part, preceding the infantry and largely replacing the barrage. This action was not to be launched till about forty-eight hours after that on the other two sectors. Zero day was to be April 9, and the attack was to be made at dawn.
III
Till the night before the battle the work of preparation had gone smoothly.
Maps had been issued, stores stood ready, pack animals and limbers were at hand to form advanced dumps.