December 26
Western Front, Ardennes
The US First and Third Armies launch counterattacks against the north and south of the German 'bulge' into the Ardennes. The US Third Army's 4th Armored Division relieves Bastogne as Hitler is informed by his generals that Antwerp can no longer be reached by his forces. The only hope of salvaging any sort of victory in the Ardennes is to swing the Fifth and Sixth Panzer Armies north to cross the Meuse west of Li�ge and come in behind Aachen. However, this presupposes the capture of Bastogne and an attack from the north to link with the panzers - both are increasingly unlikely.

December 30
Western Front, Ardennes
At Bastogne, General George Patton, his forces swollen to six divisions, resumes his attack northeast toward Houffalize. At the same time, General Hasso von Manteuffel, commander of the German Fifth Panzer Army, launches another major attempt to cut the corridor into Bastogne and take the town. The fighting is intense, but Patton's forces stand firm and defeat the German attack.

Abandoned German Panther and Panzer IV tanks ni the Ardennes in late December

December 31
Politics, Hungary
The Provisional National Government of Hungary, set up under Soviet control in the city of Drebrecan, declares war on Germany.

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