The British began Process_start a desultory bombardment Attack on 31 August and the shelling Use_firearm became Becoming intense from 13 September , to `` soften Cause_change_of_strength '' the German defences , except in the area of the Fifth Army ( General Hubert Gough ) , where the slow bombardment Attack continued until before zero hour , when a surprise hurricane bombardment Attack was to be fired Use_firearm .

After a desultory naval bombardment Attack on 19 January that again had little effect on the port 's defences Defending , they withdrew , and decided Deciding instead to attack Attack Guadeloupe , home to a significant body of French privateers .