In preparation for the attack, the divisional artillery had pre-selected targets and at 09:30 the Leicestershire, Inverness-shire and Somerset Batteries of the Royal Horse Artillery and B Battery, Honourable Artillery Company began a 30-minute preparatory barrage.
Under forberedelsen af angrebet havde artilleriet på forhånd udvalgt mål og kl. 9.30 begyndte Leicestershire, Inverness-shire og Somerset batterierne og B batteriet fra det Honourable Artillery Company en 30 minutter lang artilleribeskydning.