Previous Stories

"Remembering Bastogne" 69 years later

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Rusty Frank
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany --  War often produces long lasting memories throughout history.

For a small town in Belgium, the cold sacrifices of the winter months of 1944-1945 still resonate to this day.

The people of Bastogne, Belgium, hosted thousands of people during the 36th Bastogne Historic Walk throughout the city Dec. 14-15.

This year's walk marked the 69th anniversary of the siege of Bastogne and the Battle of the Bulge, two key engagements between Allied and Axis powers during World War II.

"It's an opportunity for people to remember those of us who have gone ahead and laid the ground work for the Air Force," said U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Harry Stone, 52nd Fighter Wing inspection superintendent.

During the cold winter day of Dec. 21, 1944, German forces surrounded the U.S. Army in the town of Bastogne. The Germans soon sent a negotiator to present terms of surrender for the U.S. forces in the town.

"The German forces wanted the general to surrender," Stone said. "General McAuliffe's answer, as most people know, was 'Nuts,' which meant 'Go to hell."

The siege lasted until Dec. 26-27, 1944, after U.S. Army Gen. George Patton pushed through the German line, creating a gap for the Americans to escape. The siege marked the German Army's last major offensive of the war.

During the walk, participants could march along seven-, 13-, or 21-kilometer distances which marked the American lines throughout the battle.

In the afternoon, a parade passed through the center of the town and to memorial sites dedicated to both Generals McAuliffe and Patton. Many members, some dressed in era-appropriate clothing, also placed wreaths at the sites, honoring the American's involvement during the siege.

After the parade concluded outside city hall, people threw walnuts in homage to McAuliffe's reply.

Apart from the opportunity to march around the city and possibly toss nuts, the walk also allowed participants a time to reflect on the past.

"I thought it was important to come and remember the efforts of the airlift and the history of the Air Force during the war," said Tech. Sgt. Wade Young, a 726th Air Mobility Squadron quality assurance inspector.
 


Previous Story
Next Story