Following its withdrawal from the Orsogna area, the 2nd New Zealand Division was one of a number of divisions that were transferred from the British Eighth Army to the U.S. Fifth Army, then engaged on the western side of the Apennines. This was part of an overall strategy to breach the Gustav Line and break an otherwise deadlocked Italian front. Together with the 4th Indian Division and supporting British and American artillery, the division became part of the newly formed New Zealand Corps, under the command of the New Zealand divisional commander, Lieutenant-General Sir Bernard Freyberg. The corps moved to Cassino, the defenders of which had resisted American forces for several weeks. In the interim, the 25th Battalion had rested for several days in the Volturno valley, from Cassino. During this time it received some reinforcements, although these were not enough to bring it up to full strength.