Dec 09
22
Hang Tough Bastogne: December 22, 1944
The Battle of the Bulge: The Siege of Bastogne. Location: Bastogne, Belgium. General Anthony McAuliffe, 101st Airborne, commanding. With the 101st surrounded, hungry, low on ammo, without proper clothing, and outnumbered by 15 divisions of German troops, McAuliffe received the following note from the German Commander Hasso von Manteuffel:
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.
The German Commander.
General Anthony McAuliffe’s now famous response to Hasso von Manteuffel was as follows:
“NUTS!”
That note had to be explained to von Manteuffel several times. The translator then told him it basically meant “Go to Hell”. By the end of the battle, the US had lost over 1,000 soldiers and the Germans close to 7,000.
Until a few weeks ago, and I hate to use these words, to me this was just a great battle story read in history books and seen on the screen. That is however, until I had a chance to meet the men that fought so bravely in that battle that we are still talking about it 65 years later. Today, raise a glass and toast those brave men that fought and died for our freedom, and the freedom of the world.
A little about me: My name is Frank Barrett. I am a husband, father of two great boys, and a computer guy. Three things I hold dear: my family, my country, and the Dallas Cowboys. 
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