Heinrich Freiherr von Lüttwitz

Infobox Military Person
name=Heinrich Freiherr von Lüttwitz
born=birth date|1896|12|6|df=y
died=death date and age|1969|10|9|1896|12|6|df=y
placeofbirth=Krumpach in Silesia
placeofdeath=Neuberg


caption=
nickname=
allegiance=flagicon|German Empire German Empire (to 1918)
flagicon|Germany Weimar Republic (to 1933)
flagicon|Nazi Germany Nazi Germany
serviceyears=
rank=General der Panzertruppe
branch=Heer
commands=
unit=
battles=World War I
World War II
awards=Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
laterwork=

Heinrich Freiherr von Lüttwitz (6 December 1896 – 9 October 1969) was a German general of the Panzer troops, serving during World War II. His cousins Smilo Freiherr von Lüttwitz and Hyazinth Graf Strachwitz von Gross-Zauche und Camminetz were also decorated with the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords, the latter also received the "Diamonds" [Berger 2006, p.196] .

Battle of the Bulge, "Nuts!"

In 1944, in the Battle of the Bulge, Lüttwitz's troops had surrounded the US forces commanded by US General Anthony McAuliffe. Lüttwick's demand for the US troops to surrender was the following:

To the U.S.A. Commander of the encircled town of Bastogne.
The fortune of war is changing. This time the U.S.A. forces in and near Bastogne have been encircled by strong German armored units. More German armored units have crossed the river Our near Ortheuville, have taken Marche and reached St. Hubert by passing through Hompre-Sibret-Tillet. Libramont is in German hands.
There is only one possibility to save the encircled U.S.A. troops from total annihilation: that is the honorable surrender of the encircled town. In order to think it over a term of two hours will be granted beginning with the presentation of this note.
If this proposal should be rejected one German Artillery Corps and six heavy A. A. Battalions are ready to annihilate the U.S.A. troops in and near Bastogne. The order for firing will be given immediately after this two hours term.
All the serious civilian losses caused by this artillery fire would not correspond with the well-known American humanity.
The German Commander.

McAuliffe's reply, "Nuts!" was explained to the German negotiators as the equivalent of "go to hell!"

Awards

* Panzer Badge in Bronze
* Wound Badge in Gold
* German Cross in Gold
* Iron Cross 2nd and 1st class
* Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
** Knight's Cross (27 May 1942)
** 571. Oak Leaves (3 September 1944)
** 157. Swords (9 May 1944)

Notes

References

* Berger, Florian. "Mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern. Die höchstdekorierten Soldaten des Zweiten Weltkrieges". Wien, Austria: Selbstverlag Florian Berger, 2006. ISBN 3-9501307-0-5.
* Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer. "Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945". Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas, 2000. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.