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September 1917
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First test of General Plumer's 'bite and hold' strategy. In early attacks the British have broken through the lightly defended German front line, but then been defeated by well organised counterattacks.
Plumer suggested that the British could take advantage of the German plan. The Briitsh would attack on a small front, advance 1,500 yards into the German lines and then dig in ready to face the German counterattack. The Germans would run into a well prepared defence instead of the disorganised attacking force they had found in previous battles,
The first attack using this method began on 20 September and was a great success. All but one of Plumer's divisions achieved their first day objectives and then fought off the inevitable German counterattacks. This new tactic caused great concern in the German high command which saw there elaborate defensive structure turned against them.