In January 1945 the Sandomierz-Silesian offensive operation started, carried out by the troops of the 1st Ukrainian Front which included the 4th Tank Army. As a result of hard fighting, it became possible to clear the south of Poland from the Nazi troops and reach the banks of the Oder river. Then they had to fight in Germany. The war returned to those who started it. For participation in this operation Senior Lieutenant Stepan Grishin was awarded the Order of the Red Star.