One of the most dramatic episodes of the Ardennes campaign took place in
the small crossroads town of Bastogne, Belgium. The defense of the town
was entrusted to the 101st Airborne Division which carried no heavy
artillery or tanks and yet was surrounded by a steel ring of three
German panzer divisions that massively outgunned the paratroopers.When
the German commander of the besieging forces demanded surrounded from
American leader, General Anthony McAuliffe, he received one of the most
famous replies in military history: "Nuts."
The American s held on desperately to the town for more than three days.
On Christmas day, the Germans tried one last massive offensive against
the tired troops. The airborne troopers, using the last of their meager
weapons with bravery, heroism and determination, stopped wave after wave
of white-clad Germans until clearing weather allowed Allied planes and
Patton's tanks to finally lift the siege.
Drawing on eyewitness accounts, this excellent book paints a graphic
picture of the battle that was at the very center of Hitler's last
gamble. Numerous photos through the text illustrate then and now scenes
and bring to life the epic battle.