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United States Army general (1898–1975) who commanded the force defending Bastogne, Belgium, during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II, most famous for his brief reply to a German surrender ultimatum: 'Nuts.' TLS signed “A. C. McAuliffe,” three pages, 8 x 10.5, June 8, 1948. McAuliffe prepares a memorandum for the "Director, Public Information Division" with his "Comments on Battleground, Original Screen Play by Robert Pirosh." In part: "My general reaction is favorable. This is a simple yet powerful and moving story. The characteristics are generally good and the soldier conversation excellent. There are a number of historical errors which I shall discuss in numbered paragraphs that follow:
1. Page 22. RP 32. The peaceful scene here depicted is not at all accurate. The 101st arrived at Bastogne after dark, December 18. As the 101st moved in, American stragglers from cut-up units, with some military vehicles, were trying to get out. Accompanying them were panicky Belgian civilians with carts, goods, cows, children and dogs. Roads were packed. Confusion was great. This should make a great mob scene in a movie, and true. Anyone who was there will never forget it.
2. Pages 112 and 115…These scenes, celebrating a supposed German surrender, are ridiculous and unbelievable. Nothing like this ever happened. Why not stick to the facts to attain the same effect? When the Germans approached with the white flag, Americans came out of their holes, shaved, cleaned up and exposed themselves in the open for the first time. A shot could be made of sudden shelling and the men diving for their foxholes.
3. Page 24. RP 37. The scene with German plane strafing the truck column is not historically true and is most improbable. If the Germans had known of this move they would not have dropped leaflets. Suggest a conversation showing the German knowledge of the 101st move…
4. The story has the men ignorant of the breakthrough and even that they are in Belgium. All knew at Camp Mourmelon that there had been a German breakthrough. I think all knew that they were in Belgium.
5. Page 125…All German bombing was after dark. I suggest this should be the Christmas morning (3:00 A.M.) German tank and infantry attack from the West, our rear.
6. This play follows the formula by making all lieutenants dumb dopes. Lt Wall is not at all typical. In the paratroopers there was a close comradeship between lieutenants of Infantry and their men, and everyone knew that the percentage of casualties among Infantry lieutenants was much higher than among any other group…
7. Page 109…This is a preposterous scene and should be stricken. Planes could not fly in fog and if they could their first mission would be re-supply for Bastogne. Remember, the Air Force did a great job for us there.
8. Page 15…Shoulder patchers were not removed for move to Bastogne. I think all should wear them throughout, as they did actually…
I have several general suggestions as follows:
1. There is no clear delineation between the periods of low supply and full supply. On December 22 the ammo and food were very low. Air Force dropped supplies on December 23 and on subsequent days. We were well supplied thereafter. Suspense could be built up by showing ammo and food diminishing. It would make parachuting scene more effective and could provide striking contrast between combat scenes before and after resupply.
2. After the hospital was captured on December 19, we used Belgian women volunteers to assist with the wounded. Among these was a registered nurse named Rene LeMaire. She was capable, efficient and most helpful. She was killed on Christmas Eve when the Germans dropped a bomb on an improvised hospital in town. It strikes me she could add a great deal to the hospital scenes in the play, a 'cute' scene something like the scene between Henry V and Katherine in Shakespeare's Henry V.
3. After snow fell, all units borrowed sheets, white tablecloths, etc., from Belgians to camouflage soldiers and tanks. Some items were of fine linen, hand-embroidered. This suggests possibility of scene showing a grandmother parting with heirlooms or Belgian girl sadly rifling her hope chest." He goes on to offer a few more detailed comments on the screenplay.
In fine condition, with toning along the edges.
Written by Robert Pirosh and directed by William Wellman, the World War II drama Battleground was released in 1949. It follows the Battle of the Bulge through the eyes of a weary squad of American infantrymen trapped near Bastogne, focusing on the daily hardships of the soldiers—cold, hunger, fear, and dwindling supplies—rather than grand strategy or heroics. Featuring an ensemble cast including Van Johnson, John Hodiak, and Ricardo Montalban, it presents a gritty, realistic portrayal of combat life. Widely acclaimed for its authenticity, Battleground earned six Academy Award nominations and won for Best Screenplay and Best Cinematography. McAuliffe, the hero of the defense of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge, was eager to assist Pirosh in the film's creation, and attended its premiere in Washington, D.C.
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