Through the Ruined Town

The German offensive in the Ardennes opened on December 16, 1944, in fog and snow, and for six weeks the war in the west was fought through Belgian and Luxembourg towns that changed hands more than once. Artillery and air strikes from both sides did the rest.

American infantry moved through those towns in wool overcoats and whatever they could find to keep their feet dry. Trench foot took men out of the line by the thousand. Rifle companies were often down to half strength before they ever saw a German.

The bulge was closed on January 25, 1945. It had cost the U.S. Army about 19,000 dead, more than any other battle it fought in the war. The street is quiet now, and still smoking.

A file of riflemen in long overcoats walks up a street of gutted houses, snow in the ruts and black smoke pouring into the sky above the roofs. The lead man is close, rifle slung low, eyes forward. In the left foreground a soldier crouches against what is left of a café wall and raises a hand — halt, or come on. The sky takes up two thirds of the picture, and the pale light off the snow is the only brightness. The mood is cold, tired and alert.