Battle of the Bulge. Germany staged its last great attack in December, 1944, when Rundstedt again struck through the Ardennes, scene of the 1940 triumph. Again that area was lightly defended; four divisions were stretched out over a 75-mile (120-km) front to permit offensive concentrations elsewhere. Against the four, Rundstedt brought up 24 divisions. Bad weather prevented air observations of his moves, making his attack a surprise.
The Germans broke through Allied defenses on December 16, causing a great bulge in the battle lines. The quick breakthrough threatened huge Allied supply dumps and even the port of Antwerp. The Seventh Armored Division delayed the Germans at St. Vith and the 101st Airborne Division was rushed to the key point of Bastogne. Although surrounded, the 101st refused to give in. Its acting commander, Brigadier General Anthony C. McAuliffe, replied to a German surrender demand with a single word: "Nuts!"
Patton's Third Army was brought up from the south against the southern flank of the Bulge, while the First Army and the British XXX Corps drove in from the north. Patton's moves were speedy. Two corps were in line by December 22. One of his divisions, the Fifth, was fighting along the Saar River on the morning of December 20; by night it was fighting 69 miles (111 km) away on the Sauer River. The Fourth Armored Division reached Bastogne on December 26 and the Germans were forced to retreat. They lost 120,000 men and 600 tanks.
