A retreat up the Ancre valley was contemplated by Ludendorff and Rupprecht but rejected, due to the lack of better defensive positions further back, in favour of counter-attacks desired by Below the 1st Army commander. Gallwitz noted in early October, that so many of his units had been transferred north of the Somme, that he had only one fresh regiment left in reserve. The German counter-attacks were costly failures and by 21 October, the British had advanced and taken all but the last German foothold in the eastern part of (Regina Trench). From British attacks were postponed due to rain and fog.