Eisenhower sent the US 101st Airborne Division to the Belgian town of Bastogne with orders to hold it against the enemy offensive.
The German Fifth Panzer Army surrounded and besieged the town. When the German commander sent a surrender ultimatum, the US commander, General Anthony McAuliffe, gave a memorable reply.
- Listen now:
Playlist:
Fanfare
Opening War Theme
“The Army Goes Rolling Along”
Music composed in 1917 by John Philip Sousa. Public domain.
Performed by the United States Military Academy Band. Public domain recording.
Closing War Theme
Except when otherwise indicated, the contents of this podcast are © and ℗ 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 by Mark Painter, all rights reserved. Some music and sound effects used by arrangement with Pond 5.