​​The QOR worked quickly alongside the FFI (Free French) to gather intelligence on the state of the German forces that had begun to carry out the ‘Festung’, fortress order. This order was to fortify and defend the port area to prevent it being used by the Allied forces, which in the end meant it became unusable. Defences on the approaches to the north, east and south of Boulogne were constructed in depth. These ranged from minefields and anti-tank obstacles to concrete emplacements.

​It was assessed on 6 September that the German garrison was estimated to be around 5,000 to 7,500 men of all ranks.

​Over the coming weeks the QOR carried out patrols to probe the German defensive lines. This also included coming under regular shellfire from the German forces.

​On 8 September the men of the QOR had the chance to visit a mobile bath unit. They were able to have hot showers, which was appreciated, and clean shirts and new socks were issued. That evening at 20:00, Captain John Price from Toronto, Canada was killed by enemy shrapnel, a loss that was felt by the battalion. The following day a service took place where the captain and two others who were killed were buried. Local civilians attended and placed flowers on the Canadian men’s graves. In 1945, Price was reburied at Calais Canadian War Cemetery, Plot 6, Row B, Grave 11.

​Constant shelling continued, whilst on reconnaissance patrols the QOR encountered and captured German forces for interrogation. On 11 September, army cooks traded 60 cans of the disliked ‘bully beef’ for a 200-pound pig, and the men enjoyed fresh pork as well as bread, buns and even doughnuts.

​On 12 September the QOR left the town of La Capelle-les-Boulogne and moved to new positions at Wierre Effroy, to the north of La Capelle-les-Boulogne. From there the plans of attack on how to advance on Boulogne continued to be drawn up.​