70 years ago on December 16, 1944, Nazi German forces surprised the Allied forces on the Western front. Their goal was to recapture Antwerp, Belgium as well as to prevent the loss of the war to the Allies. This long-running battle, which raged on until January 25, 1945, was termed by the press "The Battle of the Bulge" to describe the advancement of German forces into Allied territory.
Photo: defense.gov
One very important target for the Germans was the town of Bastogne. The Germans likened the town to an octopus because of the many roads that spread out from the town. On December 20, the Siege of Bastogne began. US forces held control of the town and continued to fight, forcing the Germans to surround the town.
The Americans were at a clear disadvantage: they were outnumbered, they did not have adequate clothes for the winter and, due to the weather, they could not be re-supplied. December 22, a German surrender party arrived in the besieged town with terms for an American surrender.
The acting commander at the time was Division Commander General Tony McAuliffe. When presented the terms of surrender, McAuliffe simply said "Nuts." He was at a loss as to how to officially respond and it was suggested that he keep his original reaction. Despite encirclement and demands of a surrender, the U.S. Troops in Bastogne continued to fight until on December 27, reinforcements managed to break the encirclement by the Germans and aid the men in the town.
Photo: arlingtoncemetery.net
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