The New Zealanders reached Tebaga Gap on the night of 20 March 1943. While they managed to capture several Italian positions a cautious Freyberg did not press home the assault immediately and the opportunity for a quick victory was lost. The stalemate was broken with a carefully planned and well-executed attack on 26 March. Operation Supercharge II began with a combined artillery barrage and low-level air attack. An infantry and armoured assault then shattered the enemy defences at Tebaga Gap. Despite the breakthrough, savage fighting continued to the south around Point 209, where the 28th (Maori) Battalion were positioned. It was here that 23-year-old 2nd Lieutenant Te Moananui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu won a posthumous Victoria Cross (VC) – the first by a Maori serving with the New Zealand forces.

"Ngarimu led a platoon of the Maori Battalion up a vital hill in the face of intense mortar and machine-gun fire, personally wiping out two enemy machine-gun posts. The enemy counter-attacked and Ngarimu and his men engaged them man for man. Ngarimu himself killed seven. He was twice wounded but refused to leave the scene of battle. Throughout the night he fought on, driving the enemy back with his tommy gun and even with stones before he was killed. He died on his feet." Peter McIntyre - PMWA: p 189