It was anticipated that the physical destruction and shock value of a short, intense preliminary bombardment would greatly weaken the German defense so in addition to divisional artillery, Army- and Corps-level units would provide support, including nine heavy, five medium and seven light artillery battalions.
Det forventedes, at den fysiske ødelæggelse og chokværdien af et kort, intenst, forberedende bombardement ville svække det tyske forsvar stærkt, så udover divisionernes eget artilleri ville artilleri fra korps og armé yde støtte, herunder 9 tunge, 5 middeltunge og 7 lette artilleribataljoner.