Second Battle for Cassino, Italy.

The Second Battle of Cassino was fought by the recently formed New Zealand Corps under command of General Mark Clark's US Fifth Army. Commanded by General Sir Bernard Freyburg, the Corps consisted of the 4th Indian Division and the 2nd New Zealand Division.

The 4th Indian Division attacked Monastery Hill and The New Zealand Division attacked across the plain to take the town of Cassino. Freyburg persuaded General Alexander to bomb the monastery (Abbey of Saint Benedict of Nursia) as it dominated the top of Monte Cassino. It was a request and decision that was to remain for ever controversial as the Germans had not in fact been occupying the monastery. Poor coordination by Freyburg's ad hoc Corps Heaquarters meant that the lack of syncronisation between the air attack and the movement of the Indian Division offered the Germans the opportunity and time to occupy the ruins before the attack came.

Both Divisions were beaten back by the tenacious German defenders and the battle cost the Indian Division 590 casualties and the New Zealanders 226. The German losses in the first three weeks of February amounted to 4,470 casualties and they were most probably incapable of withstanding another heavy attack; however they were saved by the weather which resulted in the Third battle for Cassino being delayed until 15 March 1944.