Editing Richard Winters (section)

==== Winter 1944–45 and spring 1945 ====
On December 16, 1944, German forces launched a [[counter-offensive]] against the Western [[Allies of World War II|Allies]] in Belgium, starting the [[Battle of the Bulge]]. The 101st Airborne Division was trucked to the [[Bastogne]] area two days later. Still serving as XO of the 2nd Battalion, Winters helped defend the line northeast of Bastogne near the town of [[Foy, Belgium|Foy]].<ref name="Band" />{{rp|179–212}} The entire 101st Airborne and elements of the [[10th Armored Division (United States)|10th Armored Division]] battled about 15 German divisions, supported by heavy artillery and armor, for nearly a week before Lieutenant General [[George S. Patton|George Patton]]'s [[United States Army Central|U.S. Third Army]] broke through the German lines surrounding Bastogne, reopening ground supply lines.<ref name="Band" />{{rp|179–212}}

After being relieved by Patton, the 2nd Battalion attacked Foy on January 9, 1945.<ref name=Band/>{{rp|205}} On March 8, 1945, the 2nd Battalion was moved to [[Haguenau]] in [[Alsace]], after which Winters was promoted to major.<ref name=Beyond/>{{rp|200}} Shortly afterwards, Robert Strayer, now a [[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|lieutenant colonel]], was elevated to the regimental staff and Winters took over as [[Acting (rank)|acting commander]] of the 2nd Battalion.<ref name=Band/>{{rp|221}}<ref name=Beyond/>{{rp|202}}

In April, the battalion carried out defensive duties along the Rhine before moving to [[Bavaria]] later in the month.<ref name=Beyond/>{{rp|209–213}} In early May, the 101st Airborne Division received orders to capture [[Berchtesgaden]].<ref name=Beyond/>{{rp|216}} The 2nd Battalion set out from the town of [[Thale]] through streams of surrendering German soldiers and reached the alpine retreat at noon on 5 May 1945.<ref name=Beyond/>{{rp|217}} Three days later, the war in Europe ended.<ref name=Beyond/>{{rp|224}}