McAuliffe and Nuts

The words

1. Courage

   Bastogne’s defenders faced the surrender threat while cut off. They held the perimeter, sharing supplies while awaiting relief.

   Ch. XIX, pp. 460–461 and 466–467, shortages, isolation and the ultimatum · Army history: Bastogne’s defense (opens a new tab)

2. Defiance

   The typed answer rejected surrender without negotiating terms. It was addressed to the German commander and signed simply “The American Commander.”

   U.S. Army: the surrender demand and reply (opens a new tab)

3. German Envoys

   Two German officers and two enlisted men approached under white flags. The officers were blindfolded before being escorted to an American command post.

   U.S. Army: the surrender demand and reply (opens a new tab)

4. Harper

   Colonel Joseph Harper delivered the written reply to the envoys. He and medic Ernest Premetz helped explain the American slang.

   U.S. Army: the surrender demand and reply (opens a new tab) · Army history: Harper’s regiment (opens a new tab)

5. Leadership

   McAuliffe consulted his staff before choosing the formal answer. Harry Kinnard suggested repeating the commander’s first reaction.

   U.S. Army: the surrender demand and reply (opens a new tab)

6. Luttwitz

   Heinrich von Lüttwitz commanded XLVII Panzer Corps. Cole records that he acknowledged responsibility for the ultimatum in 1960, after earlier denying it.

   Ch. XIX, pp. 450–451 and 467, note 14 · Army history: Bastogne’s defense (opens a new tab)

7. McAuliffe

   Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe rejected the demand. His staff turned his initial response into the formal message delivered to the Germans.

   U.S. Army: the surrender demand and reply (opens a new tab)

8. Moore

   Lieutenant Colonel Ned Moore informed McAuliffe of the demand. As acting chief of staff, he also briefed the headquarters staff.

   U.S. Army: the surrender demand and reply (opens a new tab)

9. Nuts

   An emphatic refusal.

   The reply was typed on a full sheet of paper. Its single-word answer required an explanation for the German officers.

   U.S. Army: the surrender demand and reply (opens a new tab)

10. Relief

    The first armored linkup brought access rather than instant security. Fighting continued around Assenois before trucks and ambulances could enter Bastogne.

    Ch. XXI, pp. 554–555, linkup and clearance of the road · Army history: the relief of Bastogne (opens a new tab)

11. Resolve

    Holding Bastogne required more than a refusal. McAuliffe’s staff regrouped paratroopers, armor and other units to strengthen a thin perimeter.

    Ch. XIX, pp. 471–472, defensive reorganization · Army history: Bastogne’s defense (opens a new tab)

12. Stand Fast

    General Troy Middleton’s order was to hold Bastogne. Its western road connections made the town valuable to the German advance.

    Ch. XIX, p. 444, the order and westward roads · Army history: Bastogne’s defense (opens a new tab)

13. Surrender

    The envoys asked for the surrender of Bastogne’s encircled forces. McAuliffe’s answer left the American defense in place.

    Ch. XIX, p. 467, demand and rejection · Army history: Bastogne’s defense (opens a new tab)

14. Third Army

    General George Patton’s Third Army attacked north toward Bastogne. Its 4th Armored Division opened contact with the garrison on December 26, 1944.

    Ch. XXI, pp. 508–509 and 554–555, mission and contact · Army history: the relief of Bastogne (opens a new tab)

15. Ultimatum

    The German demand allowed two hours for surrender. It threatened artillery fire if the Americans refused.

    U.S. Army: the surrender demand and reply (opens a new tab)