Imagine it’s December 22, 1944 and you are in the 101st Airborne Division, surrounded by the Germans at Bastogne, in what would later be called the Battle of the Bulge. You’re cold, hungry, and it’s almost Christmas.
Acting Division commander Brigadier General McAuliffe, receives a message from German General Heinrich Freiherr von Lüttwitz delivered under flag of truce.
It says:
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.
McAuliffe responds with a single word that forever guarantees his place in history:
To the German Commander.
NUTS!
The American Commander
For a more in-depth version of this event, including some feather colorful language used to amplify the message to the Germans, visit www.army.mil/article-amp/92856/the_story_of_the_nuts_reply
