19 March was planned for the decisive blow in the town and on the monastery, including a surprise attack by tanks of 20th Armoured Regiment working their way along the track ("Cavendish Road") from Cairo to Albaneta Farm (which had been prepared by engineer units under the cover of darkness) and from there towards the abbey.
Den 19. marts var planlagt som dagen for det afgørende slag i byen og mod klosteret, herunder et overraskelsesangreb med kampvogne fra 20. pansrede brigade, som arbejdede sig vej langs sporet fra Cairo til Albaneta gården (som var blevet forberedt af ingeniørtropper i ly af mørket) og derfra mod klosteret.