eventually, the reformed division, which numbered roughly 11,000 estonians and 2,500 germans, returned to the front line in late february, just in time for the soviet vistula-oder offensive. this offensive forced the german forces back behind the oder and neisse rivers. the division was pushed back to the neisse, taking heavy casualties. the division was then trapped with the "xi. armeekorps" in the oberglogau - falkenberg/niemodlin area in silesia. by february, the division was so depleted that it was referred to as a "ss-kampfgruppe", not as a division. on 17 march 1945, the "kampfgruppe" launched a major escape attempt, which despite making headway, failed. on 19 march, it tried again, this time succeeding, but leaving all heavy weapons and equipment behind in the pocket.