Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172 Posted December 24, 2016 Share Posted December 24, 2016 As we enjoy the season's gifts, perhaps it would be good to reflect on those that came before us and gave us the freedom to enjoy those gifts. http://battleofthebulgememories.be/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=565%3Athe-night-before-christmas-bastogne-1944-&catid=1%3Abattle-of-the-bulge-us-army&Itemid=6〈=en Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Posted December 24, 2016 Share Posted December 24, 2016 (edited) And another document of the same place and time. Headquarters 101st Airborne DivisionOffice of the Division Commander 24 December 1944 What's Merry about all this, you ask? We're fighting - it's cold - we aren't home. All true but what has the proud Eagle Division accomplished with its worthy comrades of the 10th Armored Division, the 705th Tank Destroyer Battalion and all the rest? Just this: We have stopped cold everything that has been thrown at us from the North, East, South and West. We have identifications from four German Panzer Divisions, two German Infantry Divisions and one German Parachute Division. These units, spearheading the last desperate German lunge, were headed straight west for key points when the Eagle Division was hurriedly ordered to stem the advance. How effectively this was done will be written in history; not alone in our Division's glorious history but in World history. The Germans actually did surround us. their radios blared our doom. Their Commander demanded our surrender in the following impudent arrogance. December 22nd 1944To 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 Ourthe near Ortheuville, have taken Marche and reached St. Hubert by passing through Hombres 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 The German Commander received the following reply: 22 December 1944 To the German Commander: NUTS! The American Commander Allied Troops are counterattacking in force. We continue to hold Bastogne. By holding Bastogne we assure the success of the Allied Armies. We know that our Division Commander, General Taylor, will say: Well Done! We are giving our country and our loved ones at home a worthy Christmas present and being privileged to take part in this gallant feat of arms are truly making for ourselves a Merry Christmas. A. C. McAuliffe Edited December 24, 2016 by Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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