March 19 was planned for the decisive blow in the town and on the monastery, including a surprise attack by tanks of 20th Armoured Brigade working their way along a northern track from Cairo to Albaneta Farm.

The 20th NZ tank regiment advanced along what was called the Cavendish Road which ran in a ravine north of point 593 in an attempt to reach the Abbey. The German infantry in the area managed to knock out the entire regiment by mid-afternoon using mines, panzerfausts, and direct infantry assault.