On the 1sy July 1916, the northernmost area of the main Fourth Army assault was allocated to VIII Corps. The plan was for 31 Division to capture the village of Serre, then wheel north to establish flank protection. The 4th Division would secure ground between the 31st Division and the 29th Division.
The 29th division were tasked to capture Beaumont Hamel. To assist the 29th Division, a mine containing 40,000 pounds (18,150 kg) of explosives had been dug under the Hawthorn Redoubt.
At 07:20, 10 minutes prior to zero hour, the mine under the Hawthorn Redoubt was blown. In the vicinity was Lieutenant Geoffrey Malins who was filming the events of that day.
