 The attack on Orsonga began at 3 : 30 pm , following a half @-@ hour artillery bombardment , and marked the battalion 's first battle on Italian soil . Although initially some progress was made , the Germans managed to hold Orsonga throughout December amidst intense hand @-@ to @-@ hand fighting . Finally , the Māoris were withdrawn from the line on the night of 15 / 16 January 1944 when they were relieved by an Indian unit . Over the course of the battle , they had lost 11 men killed and 222 wounded . 
