When you hear the term nuts during a WW2 documentary, the first thing that comes to mind is probably the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army. Also known as “The Screaming Eagles”, this highly decorated unit has a long and distinguished history of service in World War II, Vietnam, and many other conflicts. Let’s take a closer look at the events of that day, the German dude who got the Americans really mad, and what does nuts really mean.
1. About the 101 Airborne in WW2
The 101st Airborne Division was an elite unit of paratroopers during World War II. The division’s original goal was to parachute into enemy-held territory and disrupt German lines of communication prior to a full ground invasion.
In its first major operation, the Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6th, 1944 (known as D-Day), the 101st dropped behind Nazi lines in order to block reinforcements from joining the fight at Utah Beach. This daring maneuver allowed for the massive Allied force assembled on the beaches of Normandy to push onto France successfully.
Throughout Europe, the 101st played a key role in many important battles, including Operation Market Garden in Holland, the Battle of Bastogne during the Battle Of The Bulge and the legendary quote from Anthony Clement “Nuts” McAuliffe, and the initial crossing of the Rhine River.
After Germany’s surrender in May 1945, the 101st helped maintain order during occupation duty before returning to the United States. The division was officially deactivated after World War II, but continued to serve for another 62 years until 2007 when it was finally decommissioned.
In recognition of its exemplary service during World War II, the 101st Airborne Division was awarded two Presidential Unit Citations and two French Croix de Guerre with Palm. Six members of the 101st Airborne also received Medals of Honor for extraordinary heroism on battlefields throughout Europe.
The legacy of the 101st Airborne lives on today through items held at various museums across the United States, including the 101st Airborne Museum in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Many of its former members have gone on to serve their country in other capacities, and some are still active today as part of the Airborne community.
The 101st Airborne Division will always be remembered for its courage, heroism, and selflessness during World War II and the legendary words Nuts. It remains an outstanding example of service, bravery and dedication to our nation.
2. About Heinrich Freiherr von Lüttwitz, the Man Who Got Nuts
The illustrious Baron Diepold Georg Heinrich von Lüttwitz, known as the receiver of the nuts, was a renowned Prussian Junker and German officer who made his mark in both World Wars as General der Panzertruppe was an Olympic equestrian on the 1936 Summer Games team. Despite their best efforts, they left Berlin without a medal that year. Hitler went nuts because of this, so the Nazi regime thoroughly condemned his failure, leaving him to live in professional obscurity for a short while. Later on, he was appointed to lead two Panzer Divisions and the XLVII. Panzerkorps (47th Panzer Corps), and became notorious for requiring the surrender of the American 101st Airborne Division.
From a young age, Lüttwitz was an exemplary student and passionate equestrian enthusiast. He had been planning to pursue professional horsemanship when the First World War erupted. Although his family boasted centuries of military legacy and his father had formerly served in the Army, he could not secure their approval to enlist as an officer. Undeterred, he joined up as a Private at just seventeen years old in August 1914!
His mother, from the prominent von Uruhde Junker military family, used her influence to have him brevetted to Leutnant in December. After graduating from officer training, he was posted to the 48th (5th Brandenburg) Infantry Regiment of the 5th Division. Thereafter began a tug-of-war between himself and his father, an influential veteran of the Franco-Prussian War.
Likely due to his father’s influence, the younger Lüttwitz was assigned a post at the rear of the unit, far from any front lines. Undeterred and determined, he began writing letters to his superiors requesting a transfer onto active duty. In 1917, this insistence paid off when he was appointed commander of an infantry platoon. Before receiving severe wounds that forced him back home for recovery in Germany, he earned both Second-Class and First-Class Iron Cross awards.
When he regained his health in May 1918, Lüttwitz’s family once again used their relationships and influence to get him assigned to the elite 1st Ulan Schützen Regiment. This cavalry unit was trained in utilizing breakthroughs created by Sturmtruppen, a tactic that had worked early on in the year but became obsolete when Lüttwitz joined them. He spent most of the rest of WWI marching around with no fight until November 11th whereupon he returned home with his regiment after Armistice Day.
Unlike the majority of units in the Army that had started to disintegrate, Lüttwitz’s regiment was kept intact and joined Germany’s new Reichswehr as its 8th Cavalry Regiment for the 2nd Cavalry Division. Thus, he got to continue his military career.
In 1939, the Invasion of Poland was underway, and Lüttwitz was kept from the frontlines until it had already been decided. However, three days later, he endured a gunshot wound at the hands of a Polish sniper.
Five years later, in 1944, during one of WWII’s most renowned battles – The Battle for Bastogne – his XLVII Panzer Corps surrounded US forces under Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe at Bastogne, an incredible feat considering their limited resources compared to that of their adversaries.
3. Events of 22nd December
On the 22nd of December, food became scarce, and artillery ammunition was limited to a mere 10 rounds per gun daily, making the day before looking easy. Fortunately, the following day brought with it clear skies that allowed for supplies (mainly ammo) to be dropped off on four out of five days thereafter.
German forces were relentless in their attack on the perimeter, but their efforts were ultimately thwarted. Prior to commencing their attack on the town, Lüttwitz issued an ultimatum to US forces through his 26th Volksgrenadier Division. His demand for surrender was as follows:
To the U.S.A. Commander of the encircled town of Bastogne. 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. All the serious civilian losses caused by this artillery fire would not correspond with the well-known American humanity.
After attending to other matters, his staff reminded him that they should address the German demand. Lt. Col. Harry Kinnard thought it was impossible to come up with an answer better than what McAuliffe had in mind, so he wrote “NUTS!” on a piece of paper and sent the response off to Germany—a move that inspired not only his troops but many others as well!
It was important to clarify that response, as both the Germans nor the international allies didn’t understand it. When translated, this reply was essentially equivalent to telling them to go to hell.
Because of this quote, this legendary chad was nicknamed Nuts for the rest of his life.
Starting December 21st, the 2nd Panzer and Panzer-Lehr divisions proceeded onwards from Bastogne with only the 901st Regiment of Panzer-Lehr Division remaining to collaborate jointly with the 26th Volksgrenadier-Division in their objective to secure the crossroads.
On Christmas Eve, the 26th VG Division was bolstered by a Panzergrenadier Regiment from the 15th Panzergrenadier division to charge forth in an assault on Christmas Day. Unfortunately, due to its lack of resources and fatigued troops, it could not launch a simultaneous attack across all sides of the perimeter. Therefore, XLVII Panzerkorps opted for a more strategic approach, concentrating their efforts on individual locations along one side of the perimeter instead.
On the 26th of December, General Patton’s 4th Armored Division and the 26th (Yankee) Infantry Division successfully infiltrated American lines despite a successful assault by enemy tanks. The determined effort resulted in an opening that allowed access to Bastogne. All enemy tanks were destroyed as a result of their failed offensive attack, which probably drove the Germans nuts. Pun intended.
This event is very popular in modern media, being mentioned in shows and movies like Band of Brothers, or made popular by Sabaton which perfectly described the battle:
“Chill of the winter bite to the bone and Christmas is drawing near
Soldiers are freezing, the death toll increasing
They’re dying in their holes
There’s no surrender, there’s no retreat, the Wehrmacht is drawing near
There’s no reinforcements, they’re fighting all alone
Sent from the skies ended up in Bastogne
As easy, as hard as they get
Nazi command request and demand
Offered surrender – declined
Nuts! The general’s word echo clear
Nuts! The Nazis shall hear”
