A DAY IN HISTORY – AT 1:52 P.M. ET:   I'm a sucker for American military history.  We recall that Christmas of 1944 was hell for American forces in Europe.  The Nazis surprised us with a major, desperate offensive, soon to be called the Battle of the Bulge.  From Daily Caller: 

Today, December 22, marks the 74-year anniversary of American Brig. Gen. Anthony C. McAuliffe’s legendary reply to the Germans during the Battle of the Bulge.

During the Battle of the Bulge, German forces had surrounded the Americans holding Bastogne and the area around the town.

German forces approached the men of the 101st Airborne Divison to demand their honorable surrender or face annihilation. In the absence of General Maxwell Taylor, McAuliffe was in charge of the 101st. The German message was delivered to him around noon, and read in part:

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 Ourthe 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.

What did McAuliffe do? Did he order his men to throw their weapons down and surrender to the Germans, who had them outnumbered and encircled?  Did he cave to the enormous threat from the enemy?

No, he simply replied with one word: NUTS! His full message read:

December 22, 1944

To the German Commander,

N U T S !

The American Commander

What happened next was unbelievable — and one of the greatest accomplishments in the history of American warfare. The American forces defended Bastogne, pushed the Germans back and didn’t give a damn inch to the enemy.

COMMENT:  Read the whole thing.  It's terrific.  And it harks back to a time when Americans really did believe in themselves and their country, flaws and all.

I'm sure there are many who, today, regard themselves as "educated" or "sophisticated," and who chuckle at that moment in American history.  They are neither educated nor sophisticated.  They're just childlike fools.

December 22, 2018