Publisher’s note: Rickey submitted this story to the Vernon Parish Journal the same week the 101st Airborne from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, was training at Fort Johnson. It was also the coldest week of weather here in a year. Your perspective on how tough this week was may change upon reading this story.
Wintertime brings back many memories of Christmases past, of sitting near a nice warm fire, enjoying warm refreshing drinks, and of being with family and friends. Let’s look back to 1944 and remember that Christmas season with some of our World War II heroes.
By December 1944, the British and American armies thought that victory was nearly in their grasp. The German army had “broke and run.” American G.I.s were thinking that they would all be home for Christmas!!! The Germans were whipped. Or were they? Allied High Command did not know it, but Hitler was about to launch one final attempt to break through the Allied lines and make a break to re-capture Antwerp and its port facilities. New equipment and fresh troops were gathered and hidden. When the attack order came on December 16th, the Germans wiped out all opposition in their pathway. American units were decimated. Hundreds of Americans were captured in the very first day of fighting as the German onslaught emerged from the Ardennes Forest. Just what could stop this onslaught?
Resting after 73 days of combat in Holland at Mourleon-Le-Grand near Rhiems France was the veteran 101st Airborne Division. This famous division had landed on the night of D-Day in Normandy and had just come from Holland and the ill-fated Operation Market-Garden. The Allied High Command alerted the Headquarters of the 101st and advised that unit to immediately begin to move for the front. The men of the 101st were awakened in the twilight hours and were told to hurry up and get loaded. The night was cold and rainy with everyone hurrying to get loaded in the big army 6 x 6’s. There were to be many more cold, dreary nights to come.
Moving out with the 101st was the late Corporal Joe Dixon of Anacoco La. with his machine gun section, and with the 327th Glider Infantry was the late PFC. Ernie Premetz, a medic, of Tampa Florida. As the trucks began rolling the men were advised they were going to a town called Bastogne in Belgium to stop the German advance. Upon arrival at Bastogne there was a shortage of everything. Corporal Dixon and his gun set up near Division HQ to cover it from German air attack with just a few rounds of ammo. Pfc Premetz was caring for wounded soldiers from other units left in the town.
By December 22nd the town of Bastogne was completely surrounded by German units. All the roads leading into the town were in German hands. Fighting was furious all along the lines as the Germans kept attacking in their attempt to overrun the Americans. Ernie Premetz was on the lines taking care of American wounded on December 22nd when just before noon he was astonished to see 4 Germans approaching the American positions under a white flag. Often called on to translate due to his knowledge of German, Ernie was instructed to walk out and meet the oncoming Germans. The Germans had a note that they wanted to deliver to the “USA Commander of the encircled town of Bastogne”. Ernie and his commander blindfolded the Germans and took them to headquarters where they met with General Anthony McAullife, commander of the 101st. When General McAullife read the ultimatum from the German Commander, he muttered “Aw, Nuts!” He tried to think of a response to the letter, but one of his officers suggested to use his original statement, so he wrote one word on the paper: NUTS!
Colonel Joseph Harper, Ernie’s commander, handed the reply to the Germans. One of the Germans looked up puzzled and asked what it meant. “Is it affirmative or negative”. Definitely negative was the reply. Colonel Harper advised Ernie to convey the message and explain what “NUTS” meant. He thought a minute and replied “Du kannst zum Teufel gehen,” which in English meant, “You can go to hell”. The Germans left in a huff.
The coldest winter in over 40 years on the European Continent was 1944. The Screaming Eagles of the 101st were down to their last few rounds of ammunition and their last few K Rations when, on December 24th, the snow fog broke and American C-47s filled the skies. The C-47 dropped tons of much needed supplies to the garrison, and fighter planes swept the Germans from the roads. General George Patton’s Armored Divisions had turned and were attacking in an attempt to relieve Bastogne and were within five miles of the perimeter.
Corporal Dixon and his gun crew were now on the south end of Bastogne trying to cover one of the main roads coming into town. After receiving more ammo, at 8 a.m. on Christmas morning Corporal Dixon and his men started receiving heavy machine gun and mortar fire. After about 20 minutes the Germans, clad in snow suits, started attacking. After three attempts to overrun the position, the Germans fell back.
Early on the morning of December 26th, Corporal Dixon and his men heard tank engines approaching. They ducked into their emplacement, expecting a German tank to appear. Instead, they heard someone shout “Hey, 101st! Stick your head up and be recognized!” They replied back, “To hell with you! You stick yours up and be recognized!” Guess what! It was the lead tank, nicknamed Cobra King of the American 4th Armored led by Lt. Col. Creighton Abrams.
Bastogne was relieved! Tanks and men began pouring into Bastogne. The siege was broken. The Battered Bastards of Bastogne, the 101st Airborne Division, had held against the full onslaught of the German Army. A legend had been born.
So, as you sit back on a cold winter day in your nice warm home, with a wonderful meal on the table, stop and think back to the Christmas of 1944 that the men of the 101st Airborne spent in Bastogne, and give thanks to these brave men who helped fight for the cause of freedom under such terrible conditions.
Thank you, Screaming Eagles, for your service to our great and wonderful nation and for the sacrifice made by this command in time of war.
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Rickey Robertson retired from Louisiana State Police and upon his retirement became a historical researcher/writer for Stephen F. Austin State University. Rickey is a proud Peason Ridge Heritage Family member and currently is Pastor of Cold Springs Baptist Church in Anacoco, Louisiana. Rickey has written many articles on the Louisiana Maneuvers of 1941 and speaks to groups on this great historical event that affected our state and nation. He and his wife reside in Peason, Louisiana.