Training emphasised the need for units to "hug" the creeping barrage and form offensive flanks to assist troops whose advance had been halted by the defenders. Infantry that got forward could provide enfilade fire and envelop German positions, which were to be left behind and mopped-up by reserve platoons. Every known German position was allocated to a unit of the left in the battalion, to reduce the risk of unseen German positions being overrun and firing at the leading troops from behind. While the Somersets were out of the line, the 10th and 11th battalions, the Rifle Brigade edged forward about beyond the Steenbeek, which cost the 10th Battalion On 15 August an attempt to re-capture the Au Bon Gite blockhouse, beyond the Steenbeek, which had lost to a German counter-attack on 31 July failed. It was decided that the infantry for the general attack, due on 16 August, would have to squeeze into the ground beyond the river in front of the blockhouse for the attack on Langemarck.