Because of the delaying actions east of Bastogne, the 101st Airborne Division was able to enter the town. The first to arrive was the 501st Para Regiment on Tuesday December 19. At once it was sent to Neffe, where it would cover the retreating 9de Armoured Division. The 1st Bat. 506th Para Regiment arrived early in the afternoon and was directed to Noville, passing Foy. The next day, December 20, Bastogne was closed of by the Germans when they overrun the road to and from Neufchateau. Just an hour earlier, Brigadier-General Anthony McAuliffe came over this route into Bastogne. He would take the command for the troops in Bastogne. His headquarters was in the army barracks which were (and still are, but under threat to be torn down) located across the local cemetery.

In and around the town under siege were American units from Combat Command B (of the 10th Armored Divison), the 101st Airborne Division and pieces of units that were retreating from the east. This fighting force stood against a large German army who were not able to penetrate the thin line. Team O'Hara was giving fierce oppostion near Marvie. Pantzer Lehr was, coming form Wiltz, split into two units and tried to break through the defences. But the exhausted Team O'Hara got reinforcements of the 2nd Battalion 327th Glider Infantry Regiment. Around noon on Wednesday December 20, a heavy attack was done on this unit. However the attack was persuaded by Panzer Lehr, every vehicle was destroyed by the Americans. Around 13.00 hours the attack came to an end when this part of the Panzer Lehr was destroyed. At least thirty Panzer Grenadiers were killed and some thirty were made prison. The Americans lost twenty men, of which five were killed. North of Bastogne, Noville could not be held and it was left to the Germans. It took to much time to take Bastogne, so General von Lüttwitz ordered his troops to move around Bastogne. That Wednesday the weather turned, it became colder and snow was coming down.

The Defence of Bastogne consisted of some 18.000 Americans, eleven sections of artillery, mechanized guns and around forty medium tanks. The Germans were sure they could taken Bastogne, so they tried to make a deal. Friday, December 22 at 11.30 hours four Germans came down from Remoifosse under a white flag. They came to a halt at the position of F Company, 327th Glider Infantry Regiment. Here, T/Sgt. Oswald Y. Butler of the 327th sent Ernest D. Premetz of the 327th Medical Detachment, towards them because he could speak German.

The German delegation consisted of a Major, a Captain and two soldiers. The Captain spoke English and told Butler; 'We are parliamentarians'. The Germans were blindfolded and brought to the command post in Marvie. Here contact was made to the headquarters in Bastogne and told that they had a couple of Germans who were willing to talk about a surrender. A rumour spread that the Germans had enough and they wanted to surrender.

The spot where the Germans were brought to, still exist, but can not be visited, it’s on private property. It is known as the 'Kessler Farm', and can be found just south of Bastogne. It is located east of the highway N4. Because there is no place to stop on the highway, I recommend you to use the eastern road parallel of the N4.

Major Alvin Jones brought the terms to General McAuliffe. During a little meeting the staff asked McAuliffe what the conditions were. He read from the paper: ‘Within two hours the Americans had to surrender, or Bastogne was destroyed. The American, renowned for their compassion, would never allow such bloodshed towards the people of Bastogne’. McAuliffe burst out into a laughter,… ‘Aw, NUTS!" He was certain, together with his men, that he was giving the Germans a big whooping. But he had to say something to the Germans. Colonel Kinnard suggested he should give the first respond of the General, just the word ‘NUTS’ on the paper. A spontaneous applause came from the little party around the General. Colonel Harper brought the response back to the Germans (he was anxious to see the expression, ’it will be a lot of fun’).

Harper walked up to the waiting Germans: ‘I have the American answer’. The German Captain asked if it was a written reply or an oral one. He was told, it was on paper. The German Captain translated it to his Major. The Major did not understand the message,… was the demand excepted or reclined? Harper lost his patients: ‘The reply is decidedly NOT affirmative!’,... and added,...’If you continue this foolish attack, your losses will be tremendous.’ The Major nodded stiff. Harper brought the Germans back to the meeting point. He told the Captain: ‘If you don't understand what 'NUTS' means,... in plain English it is the same as,... 'Go to Hell!',... and I will tell you something else,... if you continue to attack, we will kill every goddamn German that tries to break into this city." The Captain replied that many Americans would die; ‘This was war’. Colonel Harper nodded and said:’ On your way Bud,... and good luck to yah’. He looked at his watch, it was 13.50 hours and he regretted he had wished them good luck,…

And so the chaotic fighting continued around Bastogne. The losses on both sides were dramatic. At the end of Friday, December 22, the American artillery were almost out of shells. The bandages and medicine were short in supply. Also fuel and food was needed. On Saturday the 23rd all the reserves were in action to hold the town. It were the most dramatic hours for Bastogne. Everywhere Germans were trying to break through. Especially in the east, the pressure was enormous and Marvie was difficult to hold for Team O'Hara.