Warsaw falls, Russians cross the Vistula

While the Red army was retreating in Rumania, the constant allied attacks in southern Germany finally forced the Germans to reduce their defence in the east. Russian intelligence reported that elite German units in Poland had been replaced by Rumanians who were understrength and badly motivated. The time had come for a massive Russian assault.

The attack, when it came, shattered the Rumanians in Poland. By the 4th of January Warsaw, now a pile of rubble, had fallen, the Red Army were over the Vistula in strength and heading west. Before them many of the Rumanian forces simply crumbled, and by the 13th of January a swathe of Poland west of the Vistula had fallen before the Russians exceeded their supply capability. German high command now had to decide upon their defence of the core of the Thirda Reich.