 The ramparts of Le Quesnoy clearly made a frontal attack undesirable and artillery could not be used on the town , due to the presence of the civilian population . Instead , it was intended that under the cover of a smokescreen , the town be enveloped from the north and south , thereby encircling it . Two New Zealand brigades were to be involved ; Hart 's Rifle Brigade was tasked with the capture of the town , while the 1st Infantry Brigade , under the command of Brigadier General Charles Melvill , was to push into the Mormal Forest . The division 's flanks were held by the 62nd Division and the 37th Division , on the left and right respectively and these formations were to make corresponding movements forward . 
