Here is a fascinating photo series from World War II, showing American soldiers in Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge. These images were taken on January 24th, 1945. This was the same day a horrific war crime was committed by the Nazis, who executed 14 men, including AP war correspondent Joseph Morton. The execution happened under Hitler’s Commando Order of 1942 (Kommandobefehl), which stipulated the immediate execution of all captured Allied commandos without trial.
Here is a portion of the wreckage in St. Vith, Belgium, after units of the 7th Armored Division, took the town.
Yanks trudge through snow from Humpange, Belgium to St. Vith. Soldiers are with Co. Co. 23rd Armored Bn., of the 7th Armored Division.
Lined up in a snow-covered field, near St. Vith, Belgium are the M-4 Sherman tanks of the10th Tank Bn.
American soldiers man a dug-in mortar emplacement near St. Vith, Belgium. Left to right: Pvt. R. W. Fierdo, Wyahogn Falls, Ohio, S/Sgt. Adam J. Celinca, Windsor, Conn., and T/Sgt. W. O. Thomas, Chicago, Ill.
Snowsuited soldiers walk through the snow-covered streets of St. Vith, Belgium. These men are with the Co.C, 48th Bn, 7th Armored Div.
Source: U.S. National Archives
