 Extensive deception operations, and the rapid tempo of advance meant that the German command was largely unaware of the switch in forces, or the true direction of the impending assaults.For much of the time they were under the impression they were facing a major armored thrust while the 2nd Guards Tank Army was replaced in line by the 5th Shock Army, including the preparation of 136 T-34 mock-ups.These deceptive measures were hampered by the previous deception conducted by Zhukov in the final stage of the Vistula-Oder Strategic Offensive Operation.