Gen. Anthony McAuliffe and Col. Harry Kinnard
December 1944. As Christmas approaches, the beleaguered German army suddenly tries to punch its way out of the circle of Allied Forces surrounding it. As part of the Battle of the Bulge, General Heinrich Freiherr von Lüttwitz leads a force that traps the American 101st Airborne Division in its fortifications at Bastogne, Belgium. Lüttwitz sends a note to the American commander, Anthony C. McAuliffe, demanding his surrender. A rare general who disdains profanity, McAuliffe replies with a one-word answer: “NUTS!”
Though vastly outnumbered by the Germans, McAuliffe’s men hold out for four days until they are relieved on the day after Christmas by the American 4th Armored Division.
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The featured image is a photograph of Brigadier General Anthony C. McAuliffe, left, and then-Col. Harry W.O. Kinnard II at Bastogne, after victory in the battle. This file is in the public domain and appears here courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
The 101st would disagree that they were “rescued”. They were merely resupplied, perhaps reinforced. I think the Germans were rescued by the 4th – that gave them the excuse to fall back. Clearly – one of our finest moments. Not quite Midway, but still one of our best.
“Relieved”?