creeping barrage; there was not much opposition from the front trench and the German barrage had not begun, but wire held up our right. This wire had been very cunningly sited as it was not open to view from observation posts & aeroplane observers failed to see it. Our patrols had reported its existence & the 18 pounders had been firing on the place where they expected it to be. A few passages had been cut & our men passed through these & captured the trench. Most of the Germans holding up their hands. The whole of the first objective except about 100 yards on our left was captured. At 0+20 the barrage began to creep forward again and our men advanced to the second objective which was on the forward slope of