Prelude
The salient, which was contained within all the area's available high ground, pointed north-west and was nicknamed the "Sugar Loaf" by the Allies due to its distinctive shape. It was held by the 6th Bavarian Reserve Division. The salient's small size and height allowed the Germans to easily survey and cover no man's land on either flank. The British General Richard Haking, commander of the British XI Corps, drew up a battle plan that called for infantry to rush past the first line of German trenches in a surprise attack during broad daylight, following an artillery bombardment, and to advance a total of about 400 metres to a secondary line.
The Australian 5th Division, under Major General James Whiteside McCay, had arrived in France only a matter of days before the attack, and would assault the left flank of the salient, advancing south. The British 61st Division (also known as the 2nd South Midland Division) would attack the right flank from the west. By the time the attack was ready to be launched, it was too late for it to serve its original purpose as a preliminary diversion to the main action at the Somme. However, Haking was keen to proceed.
Read more about this topic: Battle Of Fromelles
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