“Every time I get a new star I get attacked. And every time you get attacked, I pull you out.”—General Dwight D. Eisenhower speaking to General George S. Patton
By all accounts, December 16, 1944, should have been a good day for the United States Army, as it was about to fully enter Germany. Eisenhower had recently been promoted to his fifth star as General of the Army, and only three years earlier he had been a lieutenant colonel. Now, he was leading the final phase of the “Great Crusade” into the Third Reich. The Western Supreme Commander had been awarded the Polish Medal of Honor and even served as best man for his orderly, Mickey McKeogh, to whom Eisenhower gave a war bond as a wedding gift.
Eisenhower’s “Broad Front” campaign entered German territory as Hitler’s Third Reich was assaulted day and night through a massive Allied bombing campaign, while a vengeful Soviet military rapidly approached from the Eastern Front. While Germany was greatly threatened, flaws existed within the Allied campaign. Long supply lines, a lack of cold-weather clothing, and noticeable manpower shortages strained operations. The Allied forces were a mix of exhausted veterans who had fought since Normandy and inexperienced “green” replacements holding critical positions along the front.
The Germans launched a final effort to oppose the Allies through the Wehrmacht’s planned operation Autumn Mist. Their objective was to split Allied forces, drive them back across the Meuse River in France, and ambitiously retake Antwerp, Belgium. Though Germany appeared defeated, the enemy secretly assembled 250,000 soldiers and nearly a thousand tanks, exploiting one of the largest Allied intelligence failures of the war. Reports given to Eisenhower continually emphasized German weakness, but Patton was among the few American commanders who believed the enemy was still capable of major offensive action. While some anticipated a limited German attack, the conservative-minded General Omar N. Bradley famously declared, “Let them come,” believing Germany was finished.
Along the seventy-five-mile front created by the opening of the Battle of the Bulge, Eisenhower faced poor communications, brutal weather, and diminished resources. Messages decoded by Field Marshal von Rundstedt confirmed that an “all-out offensive” was underway. Eisenhower quickly grasped that Hitler had launched a major attack that threatened to erase Allied gains and created the dangerous western “bulge.” When Bradley angered Patton over altered troop movements, Eisenhower responded through Bradley, “Tell him that Ike is running this damn war.” While awaiting delayed reports with Bradley, Eisenhower played cards and drank Scotch to celebrate his historic promotion.
The 101st Airborne Division, along with elements of the 10th Armored Division and fragments of other units, raced ahead of the Germans to occupy the strategic road junction town of Bastogne, Belgium. Brigadier General Anthony C. McAuliffe led the surrounded American forces. When the Germans demanded his surrender, McAuliffe famously replied, “Nuts.” With Commanding General Maxwell Taylor back in the United States, McAuliffe directed the defense that became a symbol of American resolve under dire conditions.
McAuliffe entered West Point in 1917 and graduated in 1918 through an accelerated wartime program. He narrowly missed combat in World War I and instead served in Europe on occupation duty. During the interwar years, he attended the Command and General Staff School and the Army War College. In World War II, he commanded the 101st Airborne’s artillery, jumped into Normandy, and later landed by glider in Holland during Operation Market Garden. By the time of Bastogne, McAuliffe was a seasoned, battle-hardened officer who fully grasped the stakes. Despite limited supplies, no reinforcements, and no airdrops due to severe weather, McAuliffe’s leadership prevented the collapse of this vital position.
Patton was furious over the cancellation of the Saar offensive and fully understood the danger posed by the German attack. “What the hell, we’ll still be killing Krauts,” he told Bradley. On December 19, Eisenhower convened a meeting at Verdun, France, with senior American and British commanders. Surveying the room, Eisenhower declared, “The present situation is to be regarded as one of opportunity for us and not of disaster. There will be only cheerful faces at this conference table.”
German momentum overwhelmed unprepared American units, with more than 20,000 soldiers captured. Adding to the chaos, German special forces dressed in American uniforms sowed confusion and attempted to assassinate senior Allied commanders. American troops challenged one another with questions about baseball championships, city names, and cultural trivia to identify impostors. Some officers failed these tests, creating suspicion even among allies. Near Bastogne, Patton ordered military police to guard all road signs to prevent sabotage and maintain momentum.
At the conference, Patton’s bravado drew laughter, but he alone immediately answered Eisenhower’s request to relieve Bastogne. Despite past controversies such as the “Slapping” and “Knutsford” incidents, Eisenhower relied on Patton’s drive and aggression. Colonel Oscar W. Koch, Third Army intelligence chief, had earlier warned Patton that the Ardennes could be used as a German invasion route. Patton informed Eisenhower that the Third Army was already prepared to pivot toward Bastogne.
Patton proposed attacking with the 4th Armored Division and the 26th and 80th Infantry Divisions. While Eisenhower preferred to delay for a more powerful blow, Patton refused to grant the Germans additional time. Determined to preserve surprise, he pressed for immediate action. Writing to General George C. Marshall, Eisenhower later noted that the Germans were now “in the open” and vulnerable to destruction. As Patton departed, he declared, “Brad, the Kraut’s stuck his head in a meat grinder, and this time I’ve got hold of the handle.” He later wrote his wife Beatrice, confidently stating, “…We should get well into the guts of the enemy and cut his supply lines…”
Executing a daring ninety-degree turn in brutal winter weather, Patton drove his forces toward Bastogne at full speed. Bradley was furious when the First and Ninth Armies were placed under Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery’s command. Though Bradley offered his resignation, Eisenhower refused, creating a lifelong rift between the two men. Tensions simmered over Eisenhower’s perceived preference for Montgomery, prompting repeated warnings from Marshall not to damage American military prestige.
Patton’s successful relief of Bastogne demonstrated the power of the Third Army and reaffirmed the wisdom of Eisenhower and Marshall in keeping Patton in combat command. The battle validated Patton’s tank doctrine and leadership, prevented the destruction of the 101st Airborne Division, and marked a defining moment for one of America’s most controversial yet effective commanders.