This may be my favorite Christmas story of all time.
December 22 1944 – Encircled by German forces at the Battle of the Bulge, the 101st Airborne Division, under acting commander Brigadier General McAuliffe received a message from German General Heinrich Freiherr von Lüttwitz delivered under flag of truce.
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 Our near Ortheuville, have taken Marche and reached St. Hubert by passing through Hompre-Sibret-Tillet. Libramont is in German hands.
There 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 one 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 hours term.
All the serious civilian losses caused by this artillery fire would not correspond with the well-known American humanity.
His response was perfect.
To the German Commander.
NUTS!
The American Commander
NUTS! Merry Christmas all!
Double cracked NUTS! Merry Christmas.
This reply is legendary. The 101st stand at Bastogne helped stop the entire German advance, once the weather broke the last gasp of the German military was over.
this guys safe space is being surrounded by the Nazis. Conceptualists rhat in modern times. If Hollywood drew this is no one would believe it.
Thanks SSD for the refresher and the smile that came along with it.. to all of us keeping our Homeland safe today, Merry Christmas.
Great historic moment. Unfortunately it has become a bit mythologized into the Screaming Eagle’s Epic Stand. Here’s a few unknown/lesser known units that defended Bastogne:
* The 705th Tank Destroyer Battalion, that checked the initial German surge & allowed the 101st to deploy their men.
* The 333rd Artillery Battalion, a segregated unit that fought as infantry & did a fine job holding the line.
* Combat Command B of the 10th Armored Division, which provided the armor assets without which Bastogne would have been a speedbump.
But, they weren’t the Elite of the US Army then. The majority of troops in Bastogne were Paratroopers.
Reminds of the AFN commercial…
/shudder