 The New Zealanders suffered many casualties and were forced under cover short of the first objective; another attempt after dark was cancelled because of the full moon and sight of German reinforcements reaching Polderhoek Château.German counterattacks were repulsed over the next few days and the New Zealanders handed over to troops of IX Corps.The Germans used an observation balloon accurately to direct artillery-fire and on 14 December, the ground was re-captured by a German counterattack.