December 1944.

In the city of Bastone, Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge, American soldiers, primarily

from the 101st Airborne Division, but also from the 969th Artillery Battalion and Combat

Command B of the 10th Armored Division were surrounded by Germans. They were outnumbered

by approximately 5 to 1. They were lacking in cold weather gear. They were short on ammunition

and low on food and medical supplies. The weather was horrible due to heavy cloud cover

resupply from the air was not possible. They appeared to be doomed. That is certainly

what the Germans thought. So on the 22nd of December, the German sent a message with two

young German officers offering an opportunity for the Americans to surrender. The message

red to the USA commander of the encircled town of Bastone. The fortune of war is changing.

This time, the USA forces in and near Bastone have been encircled by strong German armored

units. More German armored units have crossed the river Orthu, near Orthuville, have taken

March and have reached St. Hubert by passing through Ombre, Cébré, Telet. LeBromot is

in German hands. There is only one possibility to save the encircled USA troops from total

annihilation. That is honorable surrender of the encircled town. In order to think

it over, a term of two hours will be granted, beginning with the presentation of this note.

If this proposal should be rejected, one German artillery corps and six heavy AA battalions

are ready to annihilate the USA troops in and near Bastone. The order for firing will

be given immediately after this two hours term. All the serious civilian losses caused

by this artillery fire would not correspond with the well-known American humanity. Signed

the German commander. The American commander, General Anthony McCollough upon hearing this

offer, didn't like the idea at all. In fact, his initial response was simply nuts. After

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