They were to seize the crossings of the Steenbeek and establish posts beyond it.
On the 18th Corps front the ground between our front line and Steenbeek was cut up and sodden. The Steenbeek itself was a difficult obstacle, and the only good crossing was at St. Julien, thus forming a dangerous defile.
Thirty-six Tanks belonging to the 1st Brigade were held in Army Reserve.
Such was the battle order of the Tanks.
Zero was fixed for 3.30 a.m. on July 31. By the last week in July misty weather with often a drizzle of rain at night had set in.
Our preparations were complete, but it was perhaps not without a certain anxiety that our commanders awaited the issues of the engagement.
By none might such an uneasiness have been felt with better reason than by General Elles.
The Army had staked much upon a gamble, but at least it had not been forced to stake its prestige. General Elles must have been conscious that the very existence of the Tank Corps might hang upon the fortunes of the coming attack.