So begins the last gasp offensive of the German Wehrmacht, Dec. 16, 1944. This message received December 22, 1944 by the beleaguered troops holding the Belgian crossroads of Bastogne and the American response are forever etched in history.

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.


Gen. McAuliffe's reply:

To the German Commander.
NUTS!
The American Commander.

Something tells me that "**** them, lets go kick them in the NUTS" is what was really said.