In the case of General McAuliffe's message, the Germans encircling Bastogne sent men with two white flags to approach the American lines (those of F Company, 327th Glider Infantry Regiment). They were a Major Wagner of the 47th Panzer Corps, Lt. Hellmuth Henke of the Panzer Lehr Division Operations Section, and two enlisted men from the 901st Panzer Grenadier Regiment. Henke (who spoke English) carried a briefcase with two copies of the surrender request, one in English and one in German. The two enlisted men were detained near where they entered the lines. The two officers were blindfolded and taken by a roundabout way to the company CP.

The message was then carried to the 101st division headquarters by Maj Alvin Jones, the 327th Operations Officer. Jones was sent back to tell the Germans they refused, but the Germans expected a formal reply. McAuliffe then summoned the 327th Regiment CO, Col Bud Harper, who then returned with the famous brief but written reply.