answersLogoWhite

0

A little narrative explaining it.

We got into Bastogne late on the night of 18 December, 1944. We were not well equipped, having just gotten out of combat in Holland. We were particularly short of winter clothing and footwear. On the 21st of December we became completely surrounded by Germans and our field hospital was overrun by a German attack. We had put the hospital in what would normally have been a safe place, but no place is safe when you are completely surrounded. At this time, we were not able to receive air resupply because the weather was absolutely frightful. It was very, very cold and snowy. Visibility was often measured in yards. Our lack of winter gear was partially offset by the citizens of Bastogne who gave us blankets and white linens that we used for camouflage.

While we were still surrounded, on the morning of December 22, a German surrender party, consisting of two officers and two NCOs, and carrying a white flag, approached our perimeter in the area of our Glider Regiment, the 327th. The party was taken to a nearby platoon command post. While the enlisted men were detained the officers were blind folded and taken to the command post of the 327th where they presented their surrender ultimatum. The ultimatum in essence said the 101st's position was hopeless and that if we elected not to surrender a lot of bad things would happen.

The message was brought in to the Division Headquarters by Major Alvin Jones, the S-3, and Colonel Harper, the Regimental Commander. They brought the message to me, the G-3 and Paul Danahy, the G-2. My first reaction was that this was a German ruse, designed to get our men out of their fox holes. But be that as it might, we agreed that we needed to take the message up the line. We took it first to the acting Chief of Staff of the Division, Lt. Col. Ned Moore. With him, we took the message to the acting Division Commander General Tony McAuliffe. Moore told General McAuliffe that we had a German surrender ultimatum. The General's first reaction was that the Germans wanted to surrender to us. Col. Moore quickly disabused him of that notion and explained that the German's demanded our surrender. When McAuliffe heard that he laughed and said: "Us surrender? Aw, nuts!" the date was December 22nd, 1944

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

What was General Anthony McAuliffe's one-word reply when asked to surrender at Bastogne during World War II?

General Anthony McAuliffe's one-word reply when asked to surrender at Bastogne during World War II was "Nuts."


What are some of the famous quotes spoken by soldiers in World War 1 and World War 2?

One is "Through all my years in war, this the worst." "Nuts" the reply to German forces surrounding the soldiers in Bastoine when asked to surrender. (not sure of the spelling)


Who were famous people after World War 1?

dis nuts


What was the quot at to the Germans in World War 2 at bastien?

Nuts


Who said "Nuts" during World War II?

During World War II, General Anthony McAuliffe famously said "Nuts" in response to a German surrender ultimatum at the Battle of the Bulge.


Who said "Nuts" at Bastogne during World War II?

During World War II, General Anthony McAuliffe famously said "Nuts" in response to a German demand for surrender at the Battle of the Bulge in Bastogne.


During world war 2the v-shaped hand sign ment victory in the 60s what did it stand for?

PEACE


What political movements emerged in Latin America after World War 2?

These Nuts


What mahatma gandhi ment by satyagraha as active resistance?

By active resistance gandhiji ment 'War without voilence'.


Where did the World War II British seaforth highlanders fight?

North Africa as part of 8th army, Sicily and into Italy, Operation Overlord, and through into Germany itself, This reply is very understated, the were hard as nails and used to crack the toughest nuts, damn shame they are not around any more !


What was the issue that caused world war 2?

Hitler invaded belgium to beat the french and briton went to war and japan bombed pearl harbor which ment the Americans then got involved.


Who said "nuts" when asked to surrender?

General Anthony McAuliffe, during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II, famously replied "Nuts" when asked to surrender by the German forces.