Editing Battle of Monte Cassino (section)

===Background===
Freyberg, with U.S. VI Corps under heavy threat at Anzio, was under equal pressure to launch a relieving action at Cassino. Once again, therefore, the battle began without the attackers being fully prepared. Furthermore, Corps HQ did not fully appreciate the difficulty in getting the 4th Indian Infantry Division into place in the mountains and supplying them on the ridges and valleys north of Cassino. This was evidenced in the writings of Maj. Gen. [[Howard Kippenberger]], commander of New Zealand's 2nd Division, after the war:

{{blockquote|Poor [[Harry Kenneth Dimoline|Dimoline]] (acting commander of 4th Indian Division) was having a dreadful time getting his division into position. I never really appreciated the difficulties until I went over the ground after the war.|Kippenberger<ref>{{harvnb|Majdalany|1957|p=128}}</ref>}}

Freyberg's plan was a continuation of the first battle: an attack from the north along the mountain ridges and an attack from the southeast along the railway line, and to capture the railway station across the Rapido less than {{convert|1|mi}} south of Cassino town. Success would squeeze out Cassino town and open up the Liri valley. Freyberg had informed his superiors that he estimated that the offensive had a 50 percent chance of success, given the circumstances.<ref>{{harvnb|Majdalany|1957|p=107}}</ref>