Fort Campbell, KY – Here is a copy of the letter sent to Soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division during the World War II’s Battle of Bastogne which occurred during the 1944 Christmas Season.
The original letter imaged here is from the memorabilia of Private William (Bill) Wheeler, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne Division who participated in the action.
The letter reads:
Merry Christmas
HEADQUARTERS 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION
Office of the Division Commander
24 December 1944What’s Merry about all this, you ask? We’re fighting – it’s cold we aren’t at home. All true but what has the proud Eagle Division accomplished with its worthy comrades the 10th Armored Division, the 705th Tank Destroyer Battalion and all the rest? Just this; We have stopped cold everything that has been thrown at us from the North, East, South and West. We have identifications from four German Panzer Division, two German Infantry Divisions and one German Parachute Division. These units, spearheading the last desperate German lung, were headed straight wear for key points when the Eagle Division was hurriedly ordered to stem the advance. How effectively this was done will be written in history; not alone in our Division’s glorious history but in World history. The Germans actually did surround us, their radios blared our doom. Their Commander demanded our surrender in the following impudent arrogance:
December 22nd 1944
“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 Ourthe near Ortheuville, have taken Marche and reached St. Hubert by passing through Homored-Silbert-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 the proposal should be rejected the German Artillery Corps and six heavy A.A. Battalions are ready to annihilate the U.S.A. Troops in and near Bastgone. The order for firing will be given immediately after this two hour’s term.
All the serious civilian losses caused by Artillery fire would not correspond with well known American humanity.
– The German Commander”
The German Commander received the following reply:
22 December 1944
“To the German Commander:
N U T S !
– The American Commander”
Allied Troops are counterattacking in force. We continue to hold Bastogne. By holding Bastogne we assure the success of the Allied Armies. We know that our Division Commander, General Taylor, will say: “Well Done!”
We are giving our country and our loved ones back at home a worthy Christmas present and being privileged to take part in this gallant feat of arms is truly making for ourselves a Merry Christmas.
/s/ A. C. McAULIFFE
/t/ McAULIFFE
Commanding.
