Mark Souder: “Sixty years ago, the forces of the Third Reich pushed forward into the mountainous and heavily forested Ardennes region…”

“Sixty years ago, the forces of the Third Reich pushed forward into the mountainous and heavily forested Ardennes region of Luxembourg and Belgium. Since the landing of Allied forces in Normandy six months before, the war had not gone well for Germany. This offensive represented the last desperate gasp of Germany to save itself from total defeat. The Nazi goal was to reach the North Sea, hamstring Allied armies, and force a negotiated peace on the western front. The offensive failed. Although the Nazis surprised the Allied forces, American troops gave no ground without a fight. Perhaps the most famous story demonstrating American tenacity is the story of General Anthony McAuliffe. Although surrounded by German forces demanding his surrender, General McAuliffe replied with a single word: Nuts. Despite continued German attacks, McAuliffe's determination and stubbornness had been demonstrated and the American lines were not broken. American and Allied bravery during the Battle of the Bulge cannot be doubted. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers fought during this battle bravely to bring peace and freedom to Europe. Over half a million Allied soldiers, the bulk of whom were American, took part in the battle. During the month and a half long battle 81,000 Americans were injured and 19,000 killed. The Battle of the Bulge sealed the fate of Germany on the western front.”