Heinrich Freiherr von Lüttwitz

Heinrich Diepold Georg 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.

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. Lüttwitz'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.

He received the following reply from McAuliffe:

To the German Commander. NUTS! The American Commander

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

Awards

 * Iron Cross (1914)
 * 2nd Class (18 May 1915)
 * 1st Class (2 June 1918)
 * Panzer Badge in Bronze
 * Wound Badge in Gold
 * German Cross in Gold on 19 December 1941 as Oberstleutnant in the Schützen-Regiment 59
 * Clasp to the Iron Cross (1939)
 * 2nd Class (20 September 1939)
 * 1st Class (1 August 1941)
 * Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
 * Knight's Cross on 27 May 1942 as Oberst and commander of Schützen-Regiment 59
 * 571st Oak Leaves on 3 September 1944 as Generalleutnant and commander of the 2. Panzer-Division
 * 157th Swords on 9 May 1944 as General der Panzertruppe and commanding general of the XXXXVII. Panzerkorps