No question RN, what I guess I didn't make clear was this:
The Poles and the Czechs will not drop out of the war, not with the threat of a resurgent Germany. NATO stops at the Oder in December 1996 for a variety of reasons:
1) To let their logistical structure catch up with their armies
2) Because river crossings in a European winter aren't the easiest thing to pull off..ask the US Army with the Sava River.
3) Because in some corners, there would be a feeling that there should be a pause to attempt a political solution to the fighting in Europe. Basically, present the Soviets with a fait accompli and assure the Poles and Czechs (as well as some reluctant NATO allies) that Germany was going to be kept in check via NATO (although how successful that had been is now a matter for debate, no?)
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