The passage identifies the interval between the British barrage lifting and the infantry reaching the German front line as a critical danger. Russian saps dug across no man's land could have placed attackers closer to their objective before they emerged, shortening their exposure. Corrigan notes that this option demanded considerable work and risked giving away surprise. Assault waves only about 100 yards apart created another problem because a delayed first wave left the second already exposed in no man's land. Infantry and artillery also had to follow a set timetable. Fire-control methods in 1916 did not yet allow the responsive on-call plans that would have made the attack easier to adjust after it began.
Chapter · 14:21-15:07
Somme assault timing: barrages, Russian saps, and wave spacing
Corrigan's Somme analysis identifies the exposed interval after a barrage lifts, then weighs Russian saps, wider wave spacing, and flexible fire control as possible remedies.