Quote:
Originally Posted by Legbreaker
Unlike the last days of WWII, neither side has the upper hand and therefore the idea of Polish forces defecting to the winning team is irrelevant.
Yes, the 5th was seemingly out of place, but I believe I've already addressed this in http://forum.juhlin.com/showpost.php...5&postcount=14 Same goes for the 8th.
Reset was an SF operation. The unit tasked with it's retrieval were using the 5th as a cover and unofficial escort to the area before splitting off and entering Lodz on their own. ...
Realistically, the XI Corp was not overextended according to the plan, however due to hold ups in northern Poland and the soviet counteroffensive, the follow on units for the 5th ID never made it, stranding it hundreds of kilometres from friendly lines, the 8th ID moved too far and the 2nd MARDIV, not to mention the rest of XI Corp, pulled back from their easternmost positions further increasing the apparent overreach of the two infantry divisions. |
Right, they were not overextended
by the plan. I think you and I are just differing about the inputs that led to the plan in the first place-- I am adding that the Polish Free Congress tantalized NATO with the idea of mass defections of Polish formations. Given the anti-Soviet feeling known to exist in Poland, I can see that as a big lure.
The extraordinary mobility of the Fourth Guards Tank Army, and the unreliability of the PFC's agents, were additional elements of sand in the gearbox that collapsed the plan.