When Germany launched the Ardennes offensive on 16 December 1944, this Belgian road junction became its key obstacle. The 101st Airborne Division and armoured units were surrounded from 20 December in freezing cold; asked to surrender on 22 December, General McAuliffe replied 'Nuts!'. Patton's 4th Armored Division broke through on 26 December, and fighting around the town, including at Foy, lasted into January 1945.
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Battle
When the Germans surround Bastogne, Patton promises to turn his army north in 48 hours and prays for clear weather.
Here in the story
Battle
Without winter clothing or enough ammunition, the men hold foxholes in the frozen Bois Jacques and later attack the village of Foy.
Here in the story
Battle
Digging foxholes in the snowy woods outside town, the squad faces German infiltrators, shelling and hunger while waiting for the skies to clear.
Battle
Germany launched a surprise winter offensive through the Ardennes to split the Allies and retake Antwerp. American troops held key points such as Bastogne, and the failure used up Germany's last reserves in the west.
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