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<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Hey John....read my signature below.
You ban my guns, that's what it will take.
"Molon labe".
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>
<i>Here is a similar sentiment from the more recent past.</i>
“On your way, Bud!”
101st Airborne Division had established head quarters a few miles outside the city of Bastogne, a small town but a transportation centre with many crossing roads and therefore quite important to keep in control.
It was December the 22nd and the battle was commencing on its sixth day.
The time was precise 11.30. The American soldiers could in the distance see four dark spots appearing. It was German soldiers carrying a white flag. One of the Germans, a captain, could speak English. He said that they were parliamentarians and that they would deliver a message to the American commander.
McAuliffe was handled the paper and was informed: “We have a surrender ultimatum from the Germans”. McAuliffe asked: “You mean they want us to surrender?” McAuliffe laughed and said: “Aw, Nuts!” The demand was absurd for McAuliffe. He read the note:
“To the American Commander:
The fortune of war is changing. The American forces in and near Bastogne have now been encircled by strong German armoured units.
There is only one possibility to save you from total annihilation: To surrender with honour. A term of two hours will be given from presenting this note. If this should be rejected heavy artillery corps and battalions will immediately after the two hours respite annihilate the American troops in and near Bastogne.
Signed:
The German Commander
"What on earth shall I say?" asked McAuliffe his men.
"Well, that first remark of yours would be hard to beat," said Lt. Col. Harry Kinnard.
"What did I say?" asked McAuliffe, who him self wasn't aware of what he had said.
"You said Nuts!" replied Kinnard and all other soldiers voiced their approval.
“That’s it!” beamed McAuliffe.
The response was perfect. Typically American: Go to Hell we won’t give up! Even though many of McAuliffe’s men had only around twenty rounds of ammunition!
And so it was:
22 December 1944
<u><b>To the German Commander:
“NUTS!”
The American Commander.</b></u>
McAuliffe asked Col. Harper to arrange that the message were given to the Germans.
“I’ll handle the note over myself – it’ll be a lot of fun!” said Harper.
The German leader did not understand the reply, because he didn’t know what the idiom meant. He asked wheatear the answer was negative or affirmative and Harper said: “It is definitely negative. If you don’t understand the phrase it means something like: Go to Hell!”
The Germans said that they would kill many Americans, but Harper saluted: “On your way, Bud – and good luck to you!”
New energy!
McAuliffe’s redundant reply was the buzzword, the energizer and morale-booster to all troops. McAuliffe’s spirit gave that little extra courage which made it impossible for Hitler’s men to even dream of a victory.
McAuliffe was originating Brigadier General Artillery commander of the 101st Airborne Division, but acting divisional commander in the absence of Major General Maxwell D. Taylor who was on leave in The United States.
General Patton and his men were on their way from a southern position.
Having heard of the difficulties in Bastogne, Patton at once said that he and his men could be in Bastogne within three days. Nobody else thought that they could be there so fast, but Patton had another opinion. Some of his soldiers have told afterwards, that “we didn’t even take time to have a leak…”
Unfortunately Patton had difficulties caused to the alarming bad weather, snow, frost, ice and fog. But McAuliffe and the rest of the US Army just said Nuts! And continued to fight!
When Patton had heard of McAuliffe’s reply he immediately answered: “Any man who is that eloquent deserves to be relieved. We shall go right away!”
THE CRAPTOR ENGINEERING TEAM <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
"The F-22...It's the poo"
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