This week's hero is...
Gen. Anthony McAuliffe
Anthony Clement McAuliffe was born on July 2, 1898 in Washington D.C. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1919. During World War II, McAuliffe took part in the North Africa campaign and the Normandy invasion where he commanded the artillery of the 101st Airborne Division. His leadership and tactics played a major role in the capture of the city of Carentan during the Breakout from the Normandy landings and the liberation of France. McAuliffe also participated in Operation Market Garden. However, General McAuliffe is best known for his heroic stand at the town of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge.
In December of 1944, the Western Allied forces (American, British, and Canadian) were positioned along the German border in the Ardennes Forest (101st Airborne Division included). Most of the soldiers took the time to have some R&R and believed that the Germans were doing the same. Unfortunately that was not the case. The German Army was ready to launch a massive offensive to drive a wedge between Allies in Belgium, capture the port city of Antwerp, and eventually push the Allies back into the sea.
The Germans launched their attack on December 16. The Americans were caught completely off guard and suffered terrible casualties. In just a few days, the Germans pushed nearly all of the Allied soldiers out of the Ardennes. However, their advance quickly stalled. This was due to the fact that they had advanced so far and so rapidly that they left isolated pockets of American soldiers who were still fighting. The most strategic of these was the small Belgian town of Bastogne. Bastogne was a road junction that connected all the way to the port city of Antwerp. Therefore it was a critical position for the Allies. On December 18, elements from the 101st Airborne, 10th Armored Division, 705th Tank Destroyer Battalion, the 333rd (an African-American unit) and 755th Field Artillery Battalions under the command of General McAuliffe fell back to the town and established a strong defensive perimeter. On December 20th, the German army completely surrounded the American defenders of Bastogne. Thus began one of the most famous sieges in World War II.
For the next two days Germans launched attack after attack on the defenders at Bastogne. The defenders were continuously bombed by the Luftwaffe and German artillery. They faced attacks by German tanks and infantry and both sides suffered severe casualties. Yet the Americans were determined to hold Bastogne and beat off everything the Germans threw at them. On December 22, General McAullife received news that the American 4th Armored Division (led by George S. Patton) was making a drive north to rescue the defenders of Bastogne. That same day, he received a demand from the German commander demanding he surrender Bastogne. General McAuliffe responded with a simple word in reply, "NUTZ". In other words, "You can go to Hell!" The general's act of defiance was heard by his soldiers who were further inspired to continue holding Bastogne. Through acts of stubbornness and bravery (and some help from the weather) the defenders of Bastogne continued to hold off the Germans for the next four days. The siege of Bastogne officially ended when Patton's 4th Division pushed into the Germans from the south and forced them to pull back.
The Battle of the Bulge would continue on until January of 1945. Ultimately the German attempt to drive the Allies out and capture Antwerp failed. As a result the Allies emerged victorious. This was the last major offensive ever launched by the German military during World War II.
The heroic stand at Bastogne resulted in many units (namely the 101st Airborne) to awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. General McAuliffe received the Distinguished Service Cross for his role in commanding the garrison. He continued to serve in the military until he retired in 1956 at the rank of a four star general. He resided in Chevy Chase, Maryland until his death on August 11, 1975 at the age of 77. He was interred in Arlington National Cemetery.
General Anthony McAuliffe was one of the best generals in American history. He used his tactics and leadership to inspire his soldiers to hold a key position against major odds. Like many before and after, they not only survived, they won. His leadership and courage truly is the stuff of legends. I believe that he was one of the biggest heroes of the last great war who should never be forgotten.
Further Information:
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Anthony-C-McAuliffe
http://www.military.com/Content/MoreContent/1,12044,ML_mcauliffe_bkp,00.html
https://ww2db.com/person_bio.php?person_id=79
http://biography.yourdictionary.com/anthony-mcauliffe
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