BASTOGNE

BASTOGNE, a town in the Belgian Ardennes, scene of an epic defense by American troops during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. Controlling a vital road network, Bastogne was an obvious goal when German armies on 16 December 1944 launched a surprise counter-offensive. The Allied commander, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, rushed infantry divisions to the area to en-sure that the Tenth Armored Division's tanks would reach Bastogne ahead of the Germans. Contingents of the Fifth Panzer Army encircled Bastogne the night of 20 December, but because the main German objective was to cross the Meuse River to the west, all-out attack was delayed. When the Germans on 22 December demanded surrender, the American commander, Brigadier General Anthony C. McAuliffe, responded with derision: "Nuts!" That same day, the U.S. Third Army began to drive to Bastogne's aid, and clearing weather on 23 December enabled American planes to drop supplies. Although the Germans attacked strongly on Christmas Day, the defenses held, and on 26 December tanks of the Fourth Armored Division broke the siege. Heavy fighting nevertheless continued as the Germans for another week tried desperately to take the town. Reinforced by more troops of the Third Amy, the defenses held, so that on 3 January 1945 the Third Army was able to begin an offensive aimed at eliminating the "bulge" the Germans had created in American lines. After the war the Belgians erected a monument (Le Madrillon) at Bastogne in tribute to the American stand there and elsewhere in the Battle of the Bulge.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Cole, Hugh M. The Ardennes: Battle of the Bulge. Washington, D.C.: Center of Military History, U.S. Army, 1965. Re-print, 1994.

Elstob, Peter. Bastogne: The Road Block. New York: Ballantine Books, 1968.

Marshall, S. L. A. Bastogne: The Story of the First Eight Days. Washington, D.C.: Infantry Journal Press, 1946. Reprint, Washington, D.C.: Center of Military History, U.S. Army, 1988.

Charles B.MacDonald/a. r.

See alsoBulge, Battle of the .

Bastogne, battle for, Belgian town held by the US Army during the German Ardennes offensive of December 1944. A vital centre of the area's road network, its defence fatally weakened the Fifth Panzer Army's drive to the River Meuse.

Having lost the race to reach the town before the 101st Airborne Division, commanded by Brig-General Anthony McAuliffe, and part of the 10th Armoured Division had thrown a defensive ring around it, the Germans left behind forces to besiege it which they needed for their drive westwards. By 22 December the defenders were low on ammunition and snow started falling. But when McAuliffe heard that 4th Armoured Division of Patton's Third US Army was racing north to break the encirclement his laconic reply to surrender demands was ‘Nuts!’

Ammunition air-dropped on 23 December helped frustrate a German attack on Christmas Day and Patton's armour then broke through. But the Germans were desperate to capture this centre of resistance in their 95 km. (60 mi.) bulge into the Allied front. They attacked twice more, unsuccessfully, with increased forces, but were eventually forced to withdraw.

Bastogne , Du. Bastenaken, town (1991 pop. 12,187), Luxembourg prov., SE Belgium, in the Ardennes and near the border of the duchy of Luxembourg. It is a rail junction and market town noted for its hams. In World War II during the Battle of the Bulge (Dec., 1944-Jan., 1945), it was held mainly by a smaller U.S. division against overwhelming bombardment by the Germans, until eventually relieved by the U.S. 3d Army. Nearby are military cemeteries and the Mardesson monument to the U.S. soldiers who died in battle.

Bastogne town in Belgium, near the border with Luxembourg. In World War II, during the Battle of the Bulge (1944–45), it was held by the 101st U.S. Airborne division against overwhelming German bombardment, until relieved by the U.S. 3rd Army. Nearby there are several military cemeteries and a monument to fallen U.S. soldiers.