The 2nd New Zealand, and 4th Indian Divisions now replaced the withdrawn American units. The New Zealand Corps was commanded by the well known, respected, and experienced veteran of North Africa, Lt. Gen. Bernard Freyberg. The 8th Army would pickup where the Americans had left off, eventually occupying the positions slightly north of the abbey near point 593, and the town of Cassino itself. Early on however, Freyberg had informed his superiors that he believed there was no better than a 50% chance of success for the offensive.