World: The Hole in the Doughnut

Bastogne (normal pop. 4,500) suddenly became important. If the left prong of the German offensive were to be slowed in its thrust toward the Meuse it would have to be done there, where the Liège-Arlon highway meets six other roads.

To Bastogne, soon after the German offensive began, hurried parts of two U.S. armored divisions—the 9th and 10th of Lieut. General George S. Patton's Third Army. In speeding trucks came almost the full strength of the 101st Airborne Division, the "Screaming Eagle" paratroops and glidermen whose toughness and contempt fot danger are legendary. Back...

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