105-MM. HOWITZER MOTOR CARRIAGE M7 of an armored unit on the alert near Bastogne. By 27 December more than thirty-five corps artillery battalions were firing approximately 19,000 rounds of ammunition daily in support of the Third Army. By the end of the year that army was supported by over 1,000 guns of 105-mm. caliber or larger. Christmas night the Third Army’s artillery began using the new proximity fuze, which proved particularly effective in interdicting road junctions and harassing enemy positions.] [Illustration: BELGIUM ENGINEERS UNLOADING BARBED WIRE which was used in defensive measures against counterattacks.] [Illustration: BELGIUM ENGINEER PLANTING AN ANTITANK MINE on the shoulder of a road as a defensive measure during the fighting in the Ardennes.] [Illustration: BELGIUM BASTOGNE CREEK RAILROAD BASTOGNE AND THE SURROUNDING AREA. Although the corridor which had been opened to Bastogne remained in U. S. hands it was far from secure as it was less than 300 yards wide in some places. The Germans were passing to the defensive in other sectors and concentrating on their attacks in the Bastogne area. The mission of the Third Army was to widen the corridor, push attacks on Saint-Vith, and at the same time reinforce its attacking units. During this period of the fighting in Europe adverse weather conditions added greatly to the problems, and the snow-and sleet-covered roads hampered the movement of troops.] [Illustration: BELGIUM SOLDIER TAKES TIME OUT TO WASH HIS FEET and put on dry socks. The cold weather combined with the snow and dampness caused many cases of trench foot during this period. It was difficult when wearing the regular leather shoes to keep one’s feet dry and warm, but frequent washing and changing of socks helped.] [Illustration: LUXEMBOURG AN ENLISTED MAN PUTS ON A NEW PAIR OF SHOEPACS. The shoepac, which was supplied to as many of the troops as possible at this time, helped to overcome the heavy incidence of trench foot among the U. S. troops fighting in cold and extremely wet climates. This shoe was rubber-bottomed with a leather top and was worn with a heavy ski sock and felt innersole.] [Illustration: BELGIUM INFANTRYMEN WEARING SNOW CAPES over their normal clothing. Snow caught the U. S. troops without adequate camouflage, and strenuous efforts were made to improvise white suits out of mattress covers and linen collected from the civilians.] [Illustration: LUXEMBOURG CAMOUFLAGED LIGHT ARMORED CAR M 8 and one that has not been painted white, showing the effectiveness of snow camouflaging (top). A crew member of a 90-mm. gun motor carriage M 36 throwing paint on the bogie wheels after painting the vehicle (bottom). Tanks, vehicles, and guns were camouflaged with white paint.] [Illustration] [Illustration: LUXEMBOURG