5. JOB TVOI MATJ
DANZIG, GERMANY, March 28, 1945: In the east, a lull had occurred whilst the city of Warsaw rose in revolt and the Germans crushed it - both dictators were well pleased with the results. As the New Year commenced a massive Soviet offensive was launched along the entire frontline in Poland. Facing this offensive in the north was Army Group Weichsel under the command of Heinrich Himmler. By March, General Rokossovsky's 2nd Belorussian Front had captured Warsaw and driven northwest to the Baltic Sea isolating Danzig which contained almost a million refugees from East Prussia. The defenders received their orders from the Führerbunker, "Each square metre of Danzig must be defended to the end". Enforcing this order, groups of SS roamed the city dispensing summary justice. Soon "cowards", " traitors" and "deserters" were dangling in the streets. To combat these grim defenders, the Russians formed assault groups from amongst the 65th Army. One such group consisted of vehicles of the 510th Independent Tank Regiment and infantry from the 108th Rifle Division. Intensive training was conducted with captured Panzerfausts and explosives. The assault commenced on March 27 and immediately the fighting descended into brutal contests for each building. The next day as the flame-throwing tanks of the 510th Tank Regiment continued to advance within the city, a painted slogan was sighted on a building, "Danzig bleibt Deutsch" (Danzig remains German). An infantyman, upon learning the slogans meaning, leapt to his feet and shouted, "Job Tvoi Matj", sparking a ferocious Russian assault on the nearby buildings.