The Tanks were as usual moved up during the night before the action. It was very dark, with heavy thunder clouds hiding the moon.
[24]“The last part of the approach march will never be forgotten by those who took part in it.
“The enemy took it into his head to bombard with lachrymatory and other gas shells, and the night was so black that it was impossible to keep gas-masks on the whole time.
“So with streaming eyes, with no sort of light, with Tank Commanders and drivers coughing and spluttering, the Tanks forged ahead over this area of unseen trenches, barbed wire and shell-holes, the men buoyed up by the knowledge of the shock the Hun would receive in an hour or so.”
Zero hour was to be at dawn.
Somewhere north of Wytschaete a German dump had caught fire, and the red flames streamed up against the pale summer sky.
It grew lighter, and our aeroplanes and balloons began to go up, dark against the dawn.
Our unusual activity in the air did not escape the watchful enemy, and his suspicions were soon thoroughly aroused.
He began to send up rockets calling for barrage fire, and soon his guns were responding with growing emphasis.
At seven minutes past three our artillery stopped, and the rattle of machine-guns stood out in the comparative silence.