"NUTS"

Cooking With Carlo ^ | Dec. 20, 2003 | Carlo3b Dad, Chef, Author

[carlo3b]

 

"NUTS"

Battle for Bastogne
 
Suddenly it was Hell.  Encircled since December 20, the people of the Ardennes had their mind set on the first Christmas since the liberation of Belgium, but it was not to be.. The Massive power of the German artillery weapons was unleashing destructive power on the American positions in the Belgian Ardennes. More than 250.000 soldiers, accompanied by over 1.000 tanks started their march through the Ardennes. The goal, First take Bastogne, as they headed for the Meuse river, with the intentions to push to the north of Belgium to take Antwerp and its militarily strategic harbor, with the hopes of turning the tide of the War in Europe.

What had started out as an advance to contact and destroy the enemy had now become a defensive operation out of necessity. The morning of 20 December, 1944, saw the 501st maintaining a defensive sector across Bizory, Neffe, and the small village of Mont. Enemy Artillery and flat trajectory fire was heavy, indicating strong enemy concentrations. In the biggest action of the day F Company repelled a very heavy enemy attack, consisting of a reinforced company of infantry and armor on the ground northeast of Bizory.

Specialist 5 Michael R. Fishcher 50th Military History Detachment, Bozeman Montana

The town of Bastogne had been bombed by the massive German army from the 18th of December. The town  was defended by the 101st Airborne Division under the command of General A.C. McAuliffe. During a six day period, Bastogne underwent an unimaginable siege. Nearby, neighbouring villages of Neffe, Marvie and Champs horrible battles raged during which weary soldiers from both armies fell in the cold snow in hills of the Ardennes. At 11.25 am on December the 22nd, the Germans ask the Commander at Bastogne to surrender. General McAuliffe's answer, though short, was heard loud and clear and became the rallying cry that echoed throughout the military and the world.. The message was simply "NUTS"

During the next 3 days the siege continued, until the Germans successfully overtake the Kessler farmhouse on their way to Arlon, just a stones throw from Bastogne. The city lay heavily bombarded on the eve, and throughout Christmas Day. However, during the following days the 5th Panzer division under General H.E.von Manteuffel failed to take the city, the brave "101" persisted.

The Germans demanded Bastogne's surrender. Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe's replied, "Nuts." The Germans did not understand, so the Americans explained that "Nuts" meant "go to Hell" The Germans redoubled their efforts to destroy Bastogne and its "Besieged Bastards." They did not succeed.

705th Tank Destroyer Battalion

In the meantime, help was on the way. General George Patton's, 3th Army, turned it's entire force of 250,000 men, north.  With a forced march, amid a miserable winter storm, provided the fastest and most dramatic rescue in military history. Bastogne was freed and on the 26th and 27th of December the 101st Airborne Division in Bastogne received its first reinforcements. However, on the 29th the Germans launch a new attack on the city. Thousand of soldiers hold man-to-man fights in the woods around the city. Finally, the Germans, weakened, and abandoned their positions. On January the 14th 1945 they retreated from Foy, a village 5 Km outside of Bastogne, leaving behind thousands of dead and a completely destroyed city.

"White Christmas Red Snow...
As the ground shook under the impact of the heavy shelling, the snow covered battlefield soon became an spectrum of bright flares and deafening explosions and machine-gun tracers .... The attack was on, it was Christmas Day already, lying face down in the bottom of my icy foxhole, I remember praying both in English and Spanish."

Ed Peniche, DMOR 502d Infantry 101st Abn. Division.

Let it be remembered that on that Christmas eve 1944, as the war rained terror on the city, the Lufftwaffe bombed Bastogne not once, but twice. Yet, on that unholy night, history has recorded, an unforgettable Holy mass took place in the town, as wounded Airborne soldiers shed tears as "Silent Night" was sung, and the German POWs were visited by General A.C. McAuliffe himself. When he entered, they were singing "Stille Nacht" and " O Tannenbaum".
He wished them a Merry Christmas!

GOD BLESS AMERICA, AND GOD BLESS OUR AMERICAN TROOPS

[SAMWolf]

You're Welcome.

The Bulge is one of the battles I've read a lot about and the 101st at Bastogne is an excellent example of America's military at it's best.

[carlo3b]

Silent Night

Oh Bennie, what a beautiful story. I am going to tell the grandkids this story on this Christmas Eve.. Thank you sweetheart.. :)

[SAMWolf]

"The poster is a photograph of a dirty, scrappy, tough paratrooper, PFC Vernon Haught, of the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, marching in the dead of that cold, snowy winter with a rucksack on his back. Going to reinforce the retreating American forces in Belgium. His expression leaves no doubt about his determination. He is moving out to go toe-to-toe with the enemy in Belgium. As you look at the poster, it strikes you that nowhere in this photograph do you see a parachute. And you and I both know there doesn't have to be one -- you simply know from the look: he's Airborne.

Dec. 23, 1944 - "Battle of the Bulge" - An entire U.S. armored division was retreating from the Germans in the Ardennes forest when a sergeant in a tank destroyer spotted an American digging a foxhole. The GI, PFC Martin, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, looked up and asked, "Are you looking for a safe place?" "Yeah" answered the tanker. "Well, buddy," he drawled, "just pull your vehicle behind me...

I'm the 82nd Airborne, and this is as far as the bastards are going."

[carlo3b]

...good recipes (unfortunately we are all on Adkins)

Lots of good recipes on these recent threads, enjoy.. this, and this. . . :)

[carlo3b]

I'm the 82nd Airborne, and this is as far as the bastards are going

Real men, no wonder we are still free, it took brave people.. BLESS THEM ALL.. Thank you Sam.

[jellybean]

An interesting note from the link above...

In Austria "Stille Nacht" is considered a national treasure. Traditionally the song may not be played publicly before Christmas Eve, and any commercial use of the 180-year-old carol is verboten.

Merry Christma, Honey!

[LouD]

Actually, it's my brother-in-law who's there right now, but thanks, Carlo.

[carlo3b]

Give him a THANKS for me Lou, and Merry Christmas to you, and your family.. :)

[MeekOneGOP]

Thank YOU and please thank your sons and all your family for serving this great country !!

[Democratshavenobrains]

I think McAuliffe was just giving a brief summary of the 2004 Democratic nomination candidates.

[Fawnn]

Holiday bump!

[carlo3b]

Good Morning Chef.. :)

[Tony in Hawaii]

This is for you.

I was crying in my beer when suddenly I remembered this.