The 8th Armored Division landed in France on January 5, 1945, assembled near Bacqueville, and moved to Pont-a-Mousson for training before entering combat in the Moselle-Saar salient. Combat Command A was detached to Koenigsmacker on January 19 to operate with the 94th Infantry Division, recapturing Nennig on January 23 and taking Berg two days later. After further movement through Simpelveld and Roermond, the division launched a diversionary attack on February 19 that helped push German forces north of the Heide Woods and east of the Roer.

The division crossed the Roer at Hilfarth on February 27. Combat Command A attacked toward Wegberg and overran Tetelrath, while Combat Commands B and R crossed the following day. In the drive north, CCA took Wachtendonk on March 2, CCB captured Aldekerk, and CCR crossed the Niers at Muelhausen. Most of the division was then withdrawn, but CCB remained with the 35th Infantry Division for the drive on Lintfort and Rheinberg. That fight was no token pursuit: CCB took Lintfort and entered Rheinberg on March 5 after severe tank losses, then Task Force Murray fought around Ossenberg from March 7 to 9.

After crossing the Rhine on March 26, the division fought for Dorsten, taking the road and rail center on March 29, and then turned into the Ruhr Pocket. Beginning April 3, its combat commands advanced through Elsen, Erwitte, Overhagen, Ost Oennen, Werl, and Unna as resistance within the pocket contracted. The division was relieved by the 95th Infantry Division on April 13 and moved to the Wolfenbuettel area in reserve, still mopping up local resistance.

Its final operations came at the eastern edge of the Harz Mountains. Combat Command B attacked through woods south of Derenburg on April 18, and the division moved against the Blankenburg area on April 20. By the next day its elements had reached Michaelstein and Cattenstedt. On April 23 the division passed to security and occupation duty in the Harz region, where it remained when hostilities ended on May 7.