Note 104 — THE LAST PHASE

The frontage attacked by the twelve battalions of General von Winckler’s Guard Division, far from being held by two British Divisions was held from north to south by the 1st Infantry Brigade, now reduced to some 800 bayonets, a battalion of Zouaves and the left brigade of the 3rd Division, little over 1200 strong. Even if the whole of the 3rd Guard Regiment may have been absorbed in the task of covering the main attack from the British troops lining the southern edge of the Polygon Wood, the superiority of the attacking force was sufficiently pronounced.