Today in 1944, near Bastogne, Belgium

Six days in to what later became known as the “Battle of the Bulge,” attacking German forces called for the surrender of encircled U.S. forces, and General Anthony McAuliffe responded with a one word answer: "Nuts!"

General McAuliffe famously replied, "Nuts!"

On December 16, 1944, the Germans had launched their largest offensive of the war on the Western Front with the dual goals of (1) capturing the Belgian port of Antwerp and (2) driving a wedge between the British and American armies. The town of Bastogne is strategically located at the center of the road network of within the Ardennes Forest and the Germans referred to it as a "road octopus" since the most roads in the area pass through the town. Without its early capture, the offensive would be doomed to failure. Of course, the Allies also realized Bastogne’s importance and General Eisenhower dispatched the 101st Airborne Division to hold the town at all costs.

The Germans enjoyed initial success

Once Bastogne was encircled, the local German commander sought a surrender, ostensibly to minimize further bloodshed but also intended to place the strategic town under German control,  and sent an emissary with the following message,


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.

 

The ultimatum made it up the American chain of command until it reached General McAuliffe who sent back the following message,
 

To the German Commander,

Nuts!

- The American Commander.
 

American troops defending the line

The German offensive eventually failed due largely to American resistance around St. Vith, on the northern shoulder of the Bulge, and by American forces holding Bastogne on the southern shoulder of the Bulge. American forces held out until relieved by units of General Patton’s Third Army driving north.