ABSTRACT

It is evident that the Russian armoured spearheads must have driven very fast and far indeed after they had broken through on the Vistula. As early as 16 January the Soviet armoured and mechanised forces had reached objectives which had originally been set for much later in the operation. STAVKA therefore exploited the breakthrough by ordering Konev and Zhukov to push on west and north-west in the direction of Breslau and Posen. By pressing on without a halt, the armoured and mechanised troops were to meet and overthrow any German reserves and prevent the enemy from consolidating on the river lines. Konev (who had less far to go) was going to be the first to reach German territory and arrive at the natural barrier of the Oder.