Here in our little part of the world as it nears Christmas day, we shop, we bake cookies and prepare for the festivities that will arrive on Dec. 25. The preparation begins after Thanksgiving dinner. Thoughts of presents, delectable foods and the coziness of being together with family are the thoughts of the season. It was the same in the minds of the folks on the home front in December 1944. Across the Atlantic Ocean the mindset was a bit different.

As the allied forces mainly the Americans 101st Paratroop division, reached the Ardennes in Belgium and found that movement in the cold and muddy conditions was a bit trying, they still made work of chasing the Nazis who made a quick retreat from Eastern Europe.

As the Armies clashed in the heavily wooded forests of this region the allies stretched the forward battleline in a wide path to catch any straggling German units that could sabotage our push into Germany.

As the 101 reached the city of Antwerp, the season became true winter. Thoughts of any R &R (rest and relaxation) or Christmas joy was quickly being extinguished as the German Army took to the offensive and began to push the allied line back around Antwerp. Seemingly cut off from the rest of the allies the 101st stood their ground In the town of Bastogne and fell under siege by the Germans who were intent on making a valiant push at the U.S. forces. This would prove to be the last time the Nazi horde would take an offensive position during the remainder of World War II. Commanding the U.S. 101 Paratroops was Gen. Anthony McAuliffe. He ordered his troops to defend the city at all costs and that is what they did. This created a bulge in the forward battle line with the 101st division trapped inside. For over 30 days and through Christmas the U.S. Forces held off the German elite Fifth Panzer division commanded by Field Marshal Manteuffel.

At one point during the siege a letter was sent to General Mc Auliffe asking for his unconditional surrender. He returned the paper with a one word in reply, he scribed “Nuts!” At hearing this the men of the 101st were renewed with stamina to fend off all the Germans advances. The weather remained the most hindering part of the Battle of the Bulge, as it continued to snow and Air support was rendered nonexistent. Streaking across France to reach the weary soldiers of Bastogne, was General Patton with his Third Army in hopes of breaking through the enemy line thus liberating the 101st. Around Jan. 25, 1945, as skies cleared and planes from the U.S. Army Air Corps could make sorties into the snow-stricken Ardennes the town of Antwerp and Bastogne were liberated when Patton’s tanks rolled onto the streets and the Germans again made a quick retreat.

So many times, we view our holiday season as always being a merry one but in The Christmas season of 1944 and the coming of a new year in 1945 our soldiers didn’t experience that joy. They did make attempts to keep the Christmas spirit and shared thoughts of peace and goodwill towards all men even though they were constantly being shelled with artillery and had their positions charged by the German Army. When we think of warmth on a snowy December evening it is of a fire in the fireplace, a warm meal or those fuzzy cozy socks. These men endured a month of cold wet freezing weather with little warm food, no fires to stay warm and the cozy clothing for winter was not on their backs or feet.

Supply of thermals and winter wear had not been able to reach the “Bastards of Bastogne” so they made do with whatever they could find to keep warm and avoid frostbite or trench foot. The endurance of these brave men was recognized far and wide and was even remarked by their foe how valiant they were.

As our Christmas season continues and our winter becomes a time of fun in the snow, think kindly and respectfully of the brave men who survived one of the most brutal battles of the Second World War.

Kirk L. Miller is past Commander 2023-24 of the Chautauqua County American Legion, Eighth District Department of New York