Wednesday 30th August 1916

Front line trenches east of Ploegsteert Wood

In preparation for the planned gas attack, officers of the Battalion conducted a gas helmet inspection in the morning. There was heavy and persistent rain throughout the day but the with the wind veering round to the west, conditions became more favourable for the proposed gas attack and trench raids and, after a final check on conditions at 10 pm, orders were confirmed for the release of gas in the early hours of 31^st August.