The jumping-off trench for the 36th (Ulster) Division ran along the face of the wood, from whence they were to advance onto the Ancre Heights. From this vantage point somewhere amongst the German second and third line of trenches, it is clear to see how exposed to enfilade were the young Ulstermen as they advanced up the long slope. The initial rush had carried the first wave into the German trenches facing the wood, but thereafter the defenders recovered their composure and flayed the follow-up waves with rifle, machine gun and artillery fire from all sides, including this position, and others on the Beaucourt flank on the far side of the Ancre valley, even from their rear from Thiepval Spur, where the British attacks had already broken on the ferocious defences. The losses were so grievous that this land remains hallowed ground to the people of the Province of Ulster, for some 2000 of her households were plunged into grieving during the following days, as the dreadful tidings filtered home. There are two CWGC cemeteries here, Connaught and Mill Road, the latter just out of view to the right.