Once Mametz, Trones and Bernafay Woods had fallen, the way was clear for the British forces to launch their assault on the German second line in the central Somme sector. A daring and unprecendented nightime attack was planned, preceded by a considerably more concentrated artillery barrage than that of 1st July. Launched early in the morning of the 14th July, the assault was a complete success, and by nightfall British forces had penetrated High Wood, or Bois de Forceaux, which stood on a ridgeline overlooking the German rear areas. However, the success was shortlived, and the British were rapidly ejected from the wood by fresh German reinforcements. It was to be another two months before High Wood finally fell, at enormous cost in blood to both sides.