6 o'clock
General Haig scribbled hastily , and then passed several documents to Hal . `` Deliver these immediately , '' said the British commander . Hal and Chester saluted , left the tent , mounted their horses , and dashed rapidly away . They reported to General Sir Julian Byng at 6 o'clock . The advance of the British troops under Sir Julian Byng , who was to win in this engagement the sobriquet of `` Bingo '' Byng , marked a departure from rules of warfare as it had been conducted up to date in the greatest of all conflicts . Heretofore , heavy cannonading had always preceded an advance in force . Heavy curtains of smoke from the great guns had been flung over the enemy 's lines to mask the movements of the attackers .