March 1945

Eastern Front

The 49th Army breaches the VII Panzer Corps line at Zoppot and reaches the Baltic, isolating the garrison of Danzig from that in Gotenhafen. Vasilevsky prepares to begin the systematic destruction of both pockets. To the east the 4th Army is pounded relentlessly at Heiligenbeil.

The 8th Guards and 5th Shock Armies (1st Belorussian Front) launch fierce attacks against Busse's 9th Army around Kustrin. After heavy fighting the two armies link up near Golzow, isolating 2,000 men in Kustrin. Heinrici orders Gen Busse to relieve the garrison.

The 4th and 9th Guards and 6th Guards Tank Armies overwhelm the 6th Army and sweep into the rear of the 6th SS Panzer Army. Realizing the danger this posed to his force, Dietrich orders his men to fight their way west, out of the developing pocket. Bloody fighting rages as the Germans struggle to escape, abandoning much of their heavy equipment as they flee.