C-47s Drop Vital Supplies to the 101st Airborne Defending Bastogne, 1944

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This photo was taken by a U.S. Army Signal Corps photographer on 26 December 1944 in Bastogne, Belgium as troops of the 101st Airborne Division watch C-47s drop supplies to them. Jeeps and trucks are parked in a large field in the near distance.

After moving from France into the Bastogne area on December 18-19th by truck, the 101st Airborne took up the duty of defending this key junction from further German advance. The defense and relief of Bastogne soon became the key to stopping and reversing the German gains, the key action in the battle now known as the Battle of the Bulge. Heavy snow, wind and sub-freezing temperature made the life of the 101st troopers miserable as German units completely surrounded Bastogne by the 22nd and launched heavy attacks. On the 24th the Germans demanded surrender, but Gen. McCauliffe gave his historic reply: "Nuts!" German attacks intensified.

If there was any hope for the 101st, it had to depend on resupply by air. The weather made that almost impossible, but C-47s made the difficult drops every time there was a patch of clear air. This was just enough to keep the defense alive until finally relieved Tuesday, 26 December by the 4th Armored Division of General Patton's Third U.S. Army.

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