A continuous three-day bombardment by the British heavy artillery was planned, to cut wire and demolish German machine-gun posts and infantry strong points. The German defences were to be captured by a continuous attack, by one division from Rue du Bois to Chocolat Menier Corner and by a second division north, which was to capture the German trenches to the left of Festubert. The objectives were forward, rather than the depth of advance attempted at Aubers Ridge. The battle was the first British attempt at attrition.