December 22 in Military History — On This Day

⚔️📍 Bastogne, Belgium1944

'Nuts!' — McAuliffe Defies German Surrender Demand at Bastogne

Surrounded by German forces during the Battle of the Bulge, American General Anthony McAuliffe received a German ultimatum demanding surrender 'to save unnecessary bloodshed.' McAuliffe's entire written reply was one word: 'NUTS!'

McAuliffe's defiance became one of WWII's most celebrated moments; Bastogne held until Patton's Third Army broke through to relieve it three days later.

Outcome

Bastogne holds; Patton arrives December 26

Operation Horev

Israel's final major offensive pushes into Egyptian-held Sinai to encircle and destroy remaining Egyptian forces. Israeli columns advance deep into Egyptian territory before British ultimatum and US pressure force withdrawal. Egypt, facing the loss of its army, agrees to armistice negotiations.

Horev ended serious Egyptian military resistance and forced Egypt to the armistice table. The offensive demonstrated Israel's growing military confidence and strategic depth. The armistice that followed established the Gaza Strip as an Egyptian-administered zone.

Full battle details →