155-MM. GUN M1A1, with its barrel camouflaged by white cloth, firing in the Ardennes. The junction of First and Third Armies at Houffalize marked the achievement of tactical victory in the Ardennes. On 17 January the First Army reverted to 12th Army Group, but the Ninth U. S. Army remained under 21 Army Group. With the enemy withdrawing from the Ardennes the Allies resumed their advance toward the Rhine.
BELGIUM
TWO GERMAN PRISONERS BEING BROUGHT IN (top). Papers of a U. S. vehicle driver being checked by a guard at a road intersection (bottom). During the fighting in the Ardennes some German paratroopers were dropped behind the U. S. lines. Others dressed in U. S. uniforms and driving U. S. vehicles were operating behind the American lines.
GERMANY
“KING TIGER” OR “ROYAL TIGER” (Pz. Kpfw. VI (B) “Tiger” with 8.8-cm. Kw. K. 43) (top). This tank, weighing 75 tons and designed for defensive warfare or for penetrating strong lines of defense, made its appearance in combat in 1944. It had heavy frontal armor and an 88-mm. gun which could traverse 360 degrees. Germany heavy tank, the Panther (Pz. Kpfw. with 7.5-cm. Kw. K, 42-L/70) (bottom). This tank, introduced in 1942, weighed 47 tons and had sloping frontal armor and a 75-mm. high-velocity gun.
FRANCE