of their line to the south of Pontruet. As a part of this operation the 46th Division was allotted the task of capturing Pontruet and the medley of trenches and strong-points which were based on this village.
The main attack was to be carried out by troops detailed from the 138th Infantry Brigade, two companies of which were ordered to advance from the forming-up line along the Vadencourt-Bellenglise Road from St. Helène eastward for 500 yards; their object being to outflank the village of Pontruet and establish strong-posts due east of it. The advance was to be covered by a creeping barrage fired by the five Brigades of Artillery covering the front of the Division.
Meanwhile, two other companies of the same battalion were detailed to clear Pontruet itself, and the 139th Infantry Brigade were ordered to provide a mopping-up party to deal with certain trenches south-west of the village. The Artillery, in addition to the creeping barrage covering the assault, were to concentrate on Pontruet village and strong points in its immediate neighbourhood during the early part of the assault. It was thus hoped to pin the enemy to his positions until the outflanking party had succeeded in reaching their objective, when he would be compelled to retreat under enfilade fire from these companies. Tactically, the attack, although on a small scale, was very prettily conceived; and it was hoped that the whole of the garrison of Pontruet and the trenches round it, which were known to be held in force by the enemy, would be either captured or killed.
All preparations having been completed, zero was fixed for 5 a.m. on the 24th. At that hour the barrage opened and the two companies of the 5th Leicesters, to whom was allotted the task of outflanking the village, advanced to the attack. At the same time the 5th Sherwood Foresters made an assault on Beux and Leduc
