American soldiers are preparing to open fire with an 81-mm M1 mortar, from next to an abandoned bunker in France.

Mortar crew

A US 7th Armored Division 3-inch M5 towed antitank gun covers the approach road near the Railroad crossing at Vielsalm, Belgium.

23rd of December 1944

The Battle of St. Vith was part of the Battle of the Bulge, which began on the 16th of December 1944, and represented the right flank in the advance of the German center, 5th Panzer-Armee, toward the ultimate objective of Antwerp.

“…….fortunately for the Americans, the weather came to their assistance for the first time in the campaign. What the Americans called a “Russian High” began blowing on the 23rd of December. A cold wind from the northeast, and clear weather, froze the ground, allowing the free movement of tracked vehicles and the use of allied air superiority. American forces were able to escape to the southwest, cross country to Crombach, Beho, Bovigny, and Vielsalm west of the Salm River. The Americans were able to outrun the panzers, and join forces with XVIII Airborne Corps by 24 December 1944″

(Colourised by Jared Enos from America)

Warhistoryonline

Vielsalm,Ardennes

Captured in the fighting in the Anzio area, German and Italian prisoners come ashore in Naples on board the American landing ship LST-351.