After bitter fighting, the 6th New Zealand Infantry Brigade captured Castle Hill on March 15th. The advance on Cassino was slowed. German paratroopers had to be pried from virtually every heap of rubble by bomb or bayonet. In an attempt to solidify the still precarious and isolated position of the New Zealanders, 5th Indian Brigade and a battalion of the Essex Regiment were sent in during the night as reinforcements. Fighting was at such close quarters that often the Germans would hold one floor of a building, while the New Zealanders occupied another. During the late afternoon, another attempt was made to take Hangman's Hill.
Attacker: German (Elements of the 1st Parachute Division and 1st Panzer Division)
Defender: New Zealand (Elements of the New Zealand Corps)
