the 6th airborne division was called to intervene in the german offensive through the ardennes on 20 december 1944. on the 29th of that month, they attacked the tip of the german thrust and the 3rd parachute brigade was given responsibility for the rochefort sector, which they took after meeting stiff resistance. after several months of heavy patrolling, in belgium and, in february, the netherlands, the division was withdrawn to england.