Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe and his men—many from the 101st Airborne Division, along with some stragglers from Pennsylvania’s 28th Infantry Division and the 9th Armored “Phantom” Division—spent Christmas Day surrounded by German troops in the city of Bastogne in Belgium. Three days earlier, McAuliffe received a message from the German commander telling them that they were surrounded and demanding that they surrender or face the consequences and that no mercy would be shown to them.
Meanwhile, far away, a meeting was being conducted on what they should do. General George Patton claimed he could free the city in just four days, despite some of the worst conditions imaginable. Despite facing ridicule, General George Patton remained steadfast until he received permission to proceed with the attempt. No doubt no one believed he could do it, and almost as many hoped he would fail.
Brigadier General McAuliffe responded with a single, historic word: “Nuts.” Here is the message he sent to his troops:
What’s Merry about all this, you ask? We’re fighting—it’s cold, we aren’t home. All true but what has the proud Eagle Division accomplished with its worthy comrades, the 10th Armored Division, the 705th Tank Destroyer Battalion, and all the rest? Just this: We have stopped cold everything that has been thrown at us from the North, East, South, and West. We have identifications from four German Panzer Divisions, two German Infantry Divisions, and one German Parachute Division. These units, spearheading the last desperate German lunge, were headed straight west for key points when the Eagle Division was hurriedly ordered to stem the advance. How effectively this was done will be written in history; not alone in our Division’s glorious history but in World history. The Germans actually did surround us, their radios blared our doom. Their Commander demanded our surrender in the following impudent arrogance:
To the U. S. A. Commander of the encircled town of Bastogne.
The fortune of war is changing. This time the U. S. A. forces in and near Bastogne have been encircled by strong German armored units. More German armored units have crossed the river Ourthe near Ortheuville, have taken Marche and reached St. Hubert by passing through Hompres-Sibret-Tillet. Libramont is in German hands.
VISIT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELThere is only one possibility to save the encircled U. S. A. Troops from total annihilation: that is the honorable surrender of the encircled town. In order to think it over a term of two hours will be granted beginning with the presentation of this note.
If this proposal should be rejected the German Artillery Corps and six heavy A. A. Battalions are ready to annihilate the U. S. A. Troops in and near Bastogne. The order for firing will be given immediately after this two hour’s term.
All the serious civilian losses caused by this Artillery fire would not correspond with the well known American humanity.
The German Commander
The German Commander received the following reply:
22 December 1944
“To the German Commander:
N U T S !
The American Commander”
Allied Troops are counterattacking in force. We continue to hold Bastogne. By holding Bastogne we assure the success of the Allied Armies. We know that our Division Commander, General Taylor, will say: “Well Done!”
We are giving our country and our loved ones at home a worthy Christmas present and being privileged to take part in this gallant feat of arms are truly making for ourselves a Merry Christmas.
Patton arrived the day after Christmas and drove the Germans away, freeing McAuliffe and the town from the German threat.
