26 Sep 08
Originally posted by nihilismorThis aint' no term paper for home economics class. If you don't believe the quote then just cut/paste it into google and you'll find it if you really want it.
I have noticed that there have been too many quotes that I like to ask for the citation of.
Is it too much to ask that people cite their quotes?
26 Sep 08
Originally posted by WulebgrFrom wikipedia - The German commander requested Bastogne's surrender.[13]When General Anthony McAuliffe, acting commander of the 101st, was told, a frustrated McAuliffe responded, "Nuts!" After turning to other pressing issues, his staff reminded him that they should reply to the German demand. One officer (Harry W. O. Kinnard, then a Lieutenant Colonel) recommended that McAuliffe's initial reply would be "tough to beat". Thus McAuliffe wrote on the paper delivered to the Germans: “NUTS!” That reply had to be explained, both to the Germans and to non-American Allies
he did not capitalize all the letters in his famous note
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Bulge
I don't know if he capitalized all the letters or not. They seem to think that he did.
26 Sep 08
3 edits
Originally posted by CliffLandinTry a historical source and some wisdom.
From wikipedia - The German commander requested Bastogne's surrender.[13]When General Anthony McAuliffe, acting commander of the 101st, was told, a frustrated McAuliffe responded, "Nuts!" After turning to other pressing issues, his staff reminded him that they should reply to the German demand. One officer (Harry W. O. Kinnard, then a Lieutenant Colonel)
I don't know if he capitalized all the letters or not. They seem to think that he did.
A source (number 2 behind Wikipedia when you search with Google, and far more reliable): http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/bulge/sfeature/sf_footage_04.html
Wisdom: typists in 1944 were trained in correct use of capitals and lower case letters. The practice of all caps so prevalent today did not exist.
Then, one could also look at the document that preceded the typed copy: http://www.universityarchives.com/websiteimages/50221-001.jpg. Of course, he wrote that in 1946 to commemorate the event.
But, even so, Wikipedia might be right. A lot of accounts use the caps.
26 Sep 08
Originally posted by WulebgrAnd you think that is the actual note. Didn't he write, not type “To the German Commander, “Nuts!” The American Commander.”
Try a historical source and some wisdom.
A source (number 2 behind Wikipedia when you search with Google, and far more reliable): http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/bulge/sfeature/sf_footage_04.html
Wisdom: typists in 1944 were trained in correct use of capitals and lower case letters. The practice of all caps so prevalent today did not exist.
Then, o ...[text shortened]... memorate the event.
But, even so, Wikipedia might be right. A lot of accounts use the caps.
I am pretty sure that the German commander didn't think "Oh, this is a historical document. I should keep this." He probably threw it on the ground and fifty tanks ran it over.
But thanks for the wisdom.
27 Sep 08
1 edit
Originally posted by CliffLandinRead my post again. I stated that McAuliffe wrote the one in the image in 1946 as a commemorative. But. it may have been later. It is written over the top of a 1946 postage stamp. Obviously it is not the original note.
And you think that is the actual note. Didn't he write, not type “To the German Commander, “Nuts!” The American Commander.”
I also acknowledged that many accounts other than Wikipedia use all caps. It would be interesting to track down the quotes over time and see how long it has been presented in capitals. Although it seems unlikely, it may have been typed that way in 1944.
Read the PBS link--an interview with a veteran who was present--regarding the relationship between the written and typed documents.
Here's most of the text:
On the 22nd of December, when the division was and had been totally surrounded by the Germans, the intelligence officer and I decided that we had to take this to General McAuliffe. We first took it to the chief of staff, and the three of us, and Colonel Harper then went in, woke up General McAuliffe who was taking a bit of a nap, and told him that we had a surrender ultimatum. And that Tony McAuliffe had first thought that the Germans were trying to surrender to us. But, we told him no, not so. That they want us to surrender to them, and they go on to say all the bad things that they're going to do if we don't do this. And he said, Tony McAuliffe then said, "I surrender, ah nuts!" And then he sort of pondered about whether he should answer or should it be in writing, and so forth. And everybody agreed that there should be a written answer. And Tony McAuliffe then said, "Well, I don't know what to tell them." And I spoke up and said, "Well, what you first said would be hard to beat." And Tony said, "What do you mean?" And I said, "You said nuts!" And all of us in the room sort of thought that was a good answer. So Tony sat down and wrote out with a pencil, "To the German Commander, Nuts! A.C. McAuliffe, Commanding." Had his secretary type it out.
27 Sep 08
Originally posted by CliffLandinWe all know Wiki cannot be trusted. Only I can be trusted. ðŸ˜
From wikipedia - The German commander requested Bastogne's surrender.[13]When General Anthony McAuliffe, acting commander of the 101st, was told, a frustrated McAuliffe responded, "Nuts!" After turning to other pressing issues, his staff reminded him that they should reply to the German demand. One officer (Harry W. O. Kinnard, then a Lieutenant Colonel) ...[text shortened]...
I don't know if he capitalized all the letters or not. They seem to think that he did.