Beaumont-Hamel had been fortified by the Germans from the time they had taken up positions in the area in September 1914.

South west of the village was the Hawthorn Redoubt, a particular strong point that overlooked the Beaumont-Hamel to Auchonvillers road and the infamous ‘Y’ Ravine, an unusual natural land formation about 500 yards long and 40 feet deep used by the Germans as a main support position.  The ‘Y’ Ravine was heavily fortified and riddled with tunnels.