Sunday, January 14, 1945. Retreat in the Ardennes.

M-25 light tank in operation, probably in Belgium, January 14, 1945.

Hitler granted von Rundstedt permission to carry out a drastic retreat in the Ardennes.

The Americans won the Battle of Foy.

The US 8th Air Force resumed strategic operations after a month-long pause caused by the Battle of the Bulge.  Their missions encounter heavy German fighter resistance in spite of German losses over the past month.

German POWs in the Ardennes, January 14, 1945.

The Red Army engaged in offensive action nearly everywhere on the Eastern Front, save for Hungary where the Germans were still attempting to relieve Budapest.

The Battle of Ramree Island began off Burma.

The British Second Army began Operation Blackcock with the goal of clearing the Germans from the Dutch towns of Roermond and Sittard and the German town of Heinsberg.

The Twin Star Rocket entered service with the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad.  It was the only new streamlined train permitted to enter service in the US during World War Two.

African American actress Vonettta McGee was born in San Francisco.  She had beat Hodgkins Lymphoma at age 17 and went on to university to seek a career in the law, before switching to acting, in which she had a wide variety of roles, including appearing in The Eiger Sanction.  She died in 2010 of cancer at age 65.

Last edition:

Saturday, January 13, 1945. Stiff German resistance.

Labels: 1940s, 1945, Belgium, boats and ships, Kamikaze, Philippines, Proskurov–Chernovtsy Offensive, Prussia, World War Two