X Corps' task was to advance astride the River Ancre to capture the high ground in front, with 36th (Ulster) Division attacking up the river valley towards the Schwaben Redoubt and 32nd Division assaulting Thiepval and the Leipzig Redoubt before advancing to Mouquet Farm ('Mucky Farm').Becke, Pt 4, pp. 99–109.Becke, Pt 4, pp. 193–7.Edmonds, 1916, Vol I, pp. 394–9, Sketch 22. The bombardment programme was to extend over five days, U, V, W, X and Y, before the assault was launched on Z day. The strenuous work of firing the heavy guns was divided into 2-hour periods to allow the gunners to rest, Forward Observation Officers (FOOs) to be relieved, and the guns to cool. 14th Heavy Bty's task was to cut the barbed wire near Mucky Farm and Thiepval. The bombardment began on 24 June, but on several days the weather was too bad for good air or ground observation and the programme was extended by two days (Y1 and Y2).Anon, War Diary, p. 37.Edmonds, 1916, Vol I, pp. 299–305.Farndale, pp. 144–9.
