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.
