Christmas 1944, when we said NUTS to the enemy

smithsk.blogspot.com ^ | December 17, 2011 | smithsk

[NEWwoman]

December 1944

World War Two was in overdrive. The major powers were slugging it out about the world - in Europe, Africa, and in the Pacific for 5 long years already- since 1939.

The United States had entered the fray when the US Congress had declared war on Japan (December 8, 1941) for attacking Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941).

Then on December 11, 1941, Germany and Italy had declared war on the United States. We were in the war for the long haul.

Early December 1944, we had thought the war, at least in Europe, would be over in a few weeks and we'd be home for Christmas.

But Adolf Hitler had other plans and fought back with everything he got.

.....

[NEWwoman]

Great link! Thanks.

[NEWwoman]

Seen some clips on YouTube. Got to get that movie.

[A_Former_Democrat]

Why, you virile Bad Boy, you :-)

Merry Christmas to the family

[NEWwoman]

Thanks GGG - good stuff.

[NEWwoman]

I’m sure you are making the world a better place for your son. We all must. And as Churchill said - Never, never, never give up.

[jmacusa]

To set the record straight on General Anthony McAuliffle’s ‘’Nuts’’ reply. He was in his command post in Bastonge when a note was bought to him by one of his subordinate officers. It was a note from the Germans demanding the surrender of the town. As somewhat harried and frustrated McAuliffle simply said at first ‘’Aw nuts’’. He then polled his staff on their opinions or an answer to the demand. Lt. Col Harry kinnard, the 101st.’s operations officer said “That first remark of yours could be hard to beat’’.The rest of McAuliffles officers agreed and so that reply was sent.

[NEWwoman]

Saw that article tweeted on twitter. Bookmarked it.

[AlexW]

“Why, you virile Bad Boy, you :-)”
_________________________________

Yes, it is common here in the Philippines, and he will compliment my 28 year old daughter, back in Memphis :)
Little Alex is now a dual citizen.

Merry Christmas to you, too.

[Ax]

Did you mean “cOjones?”

[CrazyIvan]

Now - I’m asking for some friendly advice, so I can be a better FRer. I had been adviced not to put excerpts for blogs. (I did if for its hard to get many hyperlinks & embedded clips in the body.)

Is that breaking any rules? Is it a major turn off? Any opinion?

I really don't know. It certainly is a turn off to some here. It hasn't come up with me. It seems that the hot button is when someone is using this site to promote their own blog rather than engage in serious discussion. I would contact one of the site administrators and ask them.

[Ax]

Maligayong Pasko to you and yours, Alex.

[Tupelo]

James Whitmore had the performance of his career as Kenny. That alone is worth the admission price.

[AlexW]

“I’m sure you are making the world a better place for your son.”
______________________________________

I wish, but saving the world is a bit above my pay grade :(
My greatest fear is what the world will be like when little Alex becomes a man....If the world last that long.

[aposiopetic]

Patton ping

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

You are the eternal optimist.BRAVO SIR, BRAVO.

[AlexW]

“You are the eternal optimist.BRAVO SIR, BRAVO.”
_____________________________________

Spoken like a true FReeper, thank you sir.
Many, however, would call me the eternal fool, haha.

[SunkenCiv]

I meant whatever Monkey Face meant.

[SunkenCiv]

My pleasure, and thanks for the kind remarks.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

I thank you for the compliment Sir.I stand by my opinion of you. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[US Navy Vet]

On December 22, 1944, through a party consisting of a major, a lieutenant, and two enlisted men under a flag of truce that entered the American lines southeast of Bastogne (occupied by Company F, 2nd Battalion, 327th Glider Infantry), General von Lüttwitz sent the following ultimatum to Gen. McAuliffe:

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.

McAuliffe square BastogneAccording to various accounts from those present, when McAuliffe was told of the German demand for surrender he said “nuts”. At a loss for an official reply, Lt. Col. Harry Kinnard suggested that his first remark summed up the situation well, which was agreed to by the others. The official reply was typed and delivered by Colonel Joseph Harper, commanding the 327th Glider Infantry, and his S-3, Major Alvin Jones, to the German delegation. It was as follows:

To the German Commander.

NUTS!

The American Commander

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_McAuliffe