| Original caption: “Troops of the United States Seventh Armored Division advance along a road towards Saint Vith in Belgium, as American forces reclaim territory captured by the Nazi Heer (German Army) during the Ardennes Offensive, also known as the Battle of the Bulge.” From the Division’s After Action Report, January 1945: The 7th Armored Division’s stand at Saint Vith, Belgium from December 17-23, 1944, had split [Generalfeldmarschall (“Field Marshal”) Gerd] Von Rundstedt’s (December 12, 1875 – February 24, 1953) Ardennes offensive. Directed to withdraw from the Saint Vith sector, the Division was immediately committed in the vicinity of Manhay, Belgium until relieved on December 30. January, 1945, saw the Division return to Saint Vith. As the month opened the Division was in an assembly area in the vicinity of Aywaille in Corps reserve of the XVIII Corps (Airborne). The Division had not emerged unscathed from the “Battle of the Bulge.” In spite of reinforcements, the effective combat personnel was down to 70%. The Division’s effective medium tanks were 56% of normal strength. The Division absorbed reinforcements, rehabilitated personnel, and carried on maintenance of vehicles and equipment. On January 20, an attack was launched against Saint Vith from the north. The towns of Deidenberg, Born, and Hunningen were taken successively in the course of the drive and Saint Vith was re-entered on January 23. With this important road center secured, the Division continued operations to the South and East of Saint Vith until relieved on January 28. The Division moved into an assembly area in the vicinity of Eupen and on January 29 was attached to the V Corps. As the month closed, effective combat personnel was up to 80%, and medium tank strength was 78.5%. The Division was again in Corps reserve undergoing a period of rest, training and rehabilitation after its operations in the Saint Vith sector. | |
| Image Filename | wwii1822.jpg |
| Image Size | 730.32 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 2936 x 2312 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | United States Army Signal Corps |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | January 20, 1945 |
| Location | |
| City | Saint Vith |
| State or Province | Wallonia |
| Country | Belgium |
| Archive | National Archives and Records Administration |
| Record Number | NLR-PHOCO-A-65640 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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