Today in military history: US says ‘NUTS’ to German demand for surrender

Updated Aug 25, 2022 5:12 AM PDT

A black and white photo of ten men in military uniforms sitting around a square table with a white tablecloth. The table is decorated with a centerpiece made of evergreen branches and ornaments, including a star on top. Plates, cups, and utensils are arranged on the table, and the men appear to be gathered for a meal or celebration. The setting looks like a simple room with a plain wall and a small table in the background.

On Dec. 22, 1944, during the Battle of the Bulge, the Americans delivered an epic reply to German demands for surrender.

The 101st Airborne Division and part of the 10th Armored Division were encircled by German forces at the town of Bastogne. The fighting was brutal, and the Germans were confident that success was near.

On Dec. 22, a group of four German soldiers approached under two white flags and demanded to deliver a written message.

The note was long-winded and promised total annihilation, but the gist of it was to surrender or die. Read it for yourself here:

Typed letter dated December 22nd, 1944, addressed to the U.S.A. Commander of the encircled town of Bastogne. The letter states that U.S.A. forces in and near Bastogne are surrounded by strong German armored units. It warns that more German units have crossed the river Ourthe near Ortheuville and taken Marche, reaching St. Hubert through Hompre-Sibret-Tillet, with Libramont in German hands. The letter offers a two-hour term to consider an honorable surrender to save U.S.A. troops from total annihilation. It threatens that if rejected, German artillery and six heavy A.A. battalions will annihilate the U.S.A. troops in and near Bastogne, with firing orders to be given immediately after the two-hour term. It also mentions that civilian losses from artillery fire would not align with American humanity. The letter is signed by "The German Commander." A label at the bottom identifies it as a second copy of a request to surrender Bastogne to the Germans dated December 22, 1944.

When Brigadier General McAuliffe, still half asleep, received the message, he had a clear answer:

“NUTS.”

He literally had the word “NUTS” typed up, centered on a full sheet of paper, from the American Commander to the German Commander, and delivered to his enemy.

The German commander didn’t understand, so the American messenger elaborated and told the Germans to take a flying shit. His translator however, instead chose to tell them it meant “go to hell.”

The next day, the Allies inflicted heavy damage on the German forces, and on December 26, General Patton’s 3rd Army arrived to turn the tide of the battle.

Featured Image: Brig. Gen. Anthony McAuliffe and his staff gathered inside Bastogne’s Heintz Barracks for Christmas dinner Dec. 25th, 1944. This military barracks served as the Division Main Command Post during the siege of Bastogne, Belgium during WWII. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)