Americans and Belgians mark 70th anniversary of Battle of the Bulge

theguardian.com ^ | Saturday 13 December 2014 11.43 EST

[DeaconBenjamin]

Belgium’s King Philippe, right, and Queen Mathilde throw nuts to the public, during the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, in Bastogne, Belgium, on Saturday. The tradition dates from when the Germans asked for the US surrender in Bastogne, to which General Anthony McAuliffe answered: ‘Nuts!’ Photograph: Yves Logghe/AP

Braving snowy weather, Americans and Belgians gathered in the Ardennes on Saturday to mark the 70th anniversary of one of the biggest and bloodiest US battles of the second world war, the Battle of the Bulge.

Jean-Claude Klepper, 62, of Virton, Belgium, said “we must never forget what happened in 1944. Many American soldiers came here to defend Europe. We must honour them for what they did.”

The British prime minister, Winston Churchill, hailed the ultimate result as “an ever-famous American victory”. But it came at a high cost: 80,987 US casualties, including 10,276 dead, 47,493 wounded and 23,218 missing, according to the US army’s official history.

Total German casualties are estimated at 81,834, including 12,652 dead and 30,582 missing.

In the town of Bastogne, where soldiers of the 101st Airborne held out despite being cut off and surrounded, shops and windows were decorated Saturday with American and Belgian flags. One local restaurant posted a drawing of an American flag and the message “thank you”.

[DeaconBenjamin]

I bet the king and queen are happy McAuliffe didn't say bovine excrement.

[RS_Rider]

She throws like the imposter.

[hondact200]

She throws like a young woman. the impostor throws like a girl. Is it possible that Obama is actually a girly man child!

[riverdawg]

There are some reports that Gen. McAuliffe actually replied “F___ you!”, but his reply was sanitized for the Allied public.

[central_va]

She’s pegging the hot meter. Not guilty.

[RS_Rider]

“Is it possible that Obama is actually a girly man child”

You’re going to get a visit from Captain Obvious!

[libstripper]

Quite appropriate that it’s snowing, that being how it was during the battle.

[Timocrat]

There are some reports that Gen. McAuliffe actually replied “F___ you!”, but his reply was sanitized for the Allied public.

My understanding was that he did make reference to "Nuts" but not the sort they are throwing at the public.Nevertheless a great way to commemorate a great american victory.

[tanknetter]

In before the usual “Patton rescued the 101st” nonsense ...

[BatGuano]

Ooohh yeah, she does indeed! She is a very pretty Queen.

[Talisker]

She throws like the imposter.

She's a girl, she gets to throw cute.

Obama, on the other hand... well let's just say he doesn't.

[SunkenCiv]

The Siege and Relief of Bastogne During the Battle of the Bulge
http://www.shsu.edu/~his_ncp/Bastogne.html

General George S. Patton and the Battle of the Bulge
http://www.historynet.com/battle-of-the-bulge

Cavalry to the Rescue: Patton’s Cavalry in the Relief of Bastogne
http://www.ospreypublishing.com/articles/world_war_2/cavalry_to_the_rescue/

[Bigg Red]

The tradition dates from when the Germans asked for the US surrender in Bastogne, to which General Anthony McAuliffe answered: ‘Nuts!’

***
Lovely! I had not heard of this tradition. Nice to read a good story.

[CatherineofAragon]

Bookmarking-—thank you.

My dad was there-—99th Infantry Division.

[clearcarbon]

"The British prime minister, Winston Churchill, hailed the ultimate result as “an ever-famous American victory”. But it came at a high cost: 80,987 US casualties, including 10,276 dead, 47,493 wounded and 23,218 missing, according to the US army’s official history."

It's remarkable what those soldiers were willing to sacrifice just so their grandkids could grow up to be enslaved by the government.

[ansel12]

"On 16 December, the Germans launched a surprise offensive through the Ardennes Forest which became known as the Battle of the Bulge. Two days later the 82nd joined the fighting and blunted General Gerd von Rundstedt's northern penetration of American lines. During this campaign, PFC Martin, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, told a sergeant in a retreating tank destroyer to, "... pull your vehicle behind me—I'm the 82nd Airborne, and this is as far as the bastards are going!""

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

I met a man last year...said his name was Joe. He was eating dinner at a local buffet type restaurant near Laguna Hills in California where I was traveling for business.

On his table was an 82nd Airborne insignia cap. I stopped and asked him about it. He said he was with the 82nd at Ardennes. We talked for quite a while. In the end, I shook his hand, thanked him for his sacrifices and bought his dinner for him. I also arranged for a $50 gift card for him after the manager told me he was a regular there. Quite a guy. Quite an experience.

[exit82]

During this campaign, PFC Martin, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, told a sergeant in a retreating tank destroyer to, "... pull your vehicle behind me—I'm the 82nd Airborne, and this is as far as the bastards are going!""

PFC Martin, wherever you are, thank you and may God's Light ever beam upon your face.

[exit82]

Good on you, Sam.

Would love to hear more of your conversation.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

He told tales of some really nasty fighting at the BoTB...hand to hand at times. He also was deployed to the Pacific with the 82nd. He finished his military career as an ‘advisor’ at the Pentagon. He was 98 when I met him.