Moro River Campaign - XIII Corps Attacks Orsogna

XIII Corps Attacks Orsogna

On 23 December, XIII Corps launched a new attack to push back the German line from Orsogna. In the afternoon, the British 5th Infantry Division attacked on the right wing of the Corps front toward the Arielli stream. Their objective was to secure the flank of the New Zealand Division, which was in turn to attack northwest and west from the salient in order to roll up the Orsogna defences from the north.

After the 5th Infantry Division had achieved its objectives, the New Zealand 5th Infantry Brigade attacked at 04:00 on 24 December. Despite intensive artillery support (272 guns on a 3,500 yd (3,200 m) front), the tired and understrength New Zealand battalions struggled to make progress. By the afternoon, it had become clear to the New Zealand commander—Bernard Freyberg—that the stubborn defences of the 26th Panzer Division would not be broached. He is reported to have remarked, "It is not a question of further advance, it is a question of holding on to what we have got". The XIII Corps front was effectively deadlocked and settled into a posture of active defence and patrolling.