AIRBORNE
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Airborne division
office of the Division commander
24 Decembre 1944
What's-merry about all thir,you ask?We're fighting-it's cold-
we aren't home.All true but what has the proud Bagle Division accomplished with its worthy comrades of the loth armored Division,the 705th tank destroyer Battalion and all the rest?Just this:we nave stopped cold everything that has been thrown at us from the North,past,south and west.We have identifications from four German panzer Divisions,two german Infrantry Division and one German Parachute Division.These unite, spear heading the last desperate German lunge,were header straight west for key points when the Eagle Division was hurriedly ....to stem the avance. 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 Command 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 our the near Ortheuville,have taken Marche and feached St.Hubert by passing through romores-sibret-tillet. Libramond is in German hands.
If this proposal should be rejected one German Artillery corps and sin heave A.A Battalions are ready to annihilate the U.S.A Troops in and near Bastogne. The oroer for firing will be given immediately after this two hour's term.
All the serious 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 oner... at home a worthy
Chrismas present and beig privileged to take part in this gallant feet of
arms are trully making for ourselves a MERRY CHRISMAS.
/s/ A.C. McAULIFFE
/s/ McAULIFFE,
Commanding.
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A CURRAHEE!
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A Hoobler,Penkela,Muck.....
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