PBS高端访谈:坦克大决战纪念活动（在线收听）

JUDY WOODRUFF: Seventy-five years ago today, one of the most savage battles of World War II began. John Yang has our look at today's commemoration of the Battle of the Bulge.

JOHN YANG: Memorial trumpets sounded on the solemn ground where U.S. soldiers held off the Nazi war machine's last gasp. In the forests of Bastogne, Belgium, American veterans of the Battle of the Bulge received a hero's welcome. U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper:

MARK ESPER, U.S. Defense Secretary: On this ground, where the outcome of the Battle of the Bulge hung in the balance, American troops fought and forged an incredible victory that assured Hitler's defeat.

JOHN YANG: At dawn 75 years ago today, the German army launched an assault on advancing Allied forces in Belgium and Luxembourg; 1,000 Nazi tanks and 200,000 troops tried to break the Allied line and nearly did, creating a bulge as they pushed defenses. Badly outnumbered U.S. forces bore the brunt. For more than a month, they battled both the Nazis and the bitter cold with meager supplies and low ammunition. At one point, the Germans demanded surrender. The now legendary response from American Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe, a defiant, Nuts. His troops were ultimately reinforced by a soldiers led by General George Patton. Together, they fended off the Nazis and dealt them a paralyzing defeat, but at a brutal cost; 10,000 Americans died, the costliest battle in the entire war. Today, performers honored their sacrifice. Artificial snow fell amid the day's cold rain, a reminder of the battle's frigid conditions. One veteran of the battle, 96-year-old Malcolm Buck Marsh, recounted his experience.

MALCOLM BUCKMARSH, Battle of the Bulge Veteran: It was in blizzard conditions. A Belgian lady with a shawl on came out and had two mugs of hot chicken soup for each of us, best meal I have had, I guess, ever.

JOHN YANG: Marsh and the other veterans laid roses at a memorial for their fallen comrades. The once young soldiers, now among the last remaining survivors of the men who held this line, stood for the national anthem, a salute to and from the greatest generation. For the PBS NewsHour, I'm John Yang.

JUDY WOODRUFF: So remarkable to see the veterans. And we thank them for their service.

朱迪·伍德拉夫：75年前的今天，最残暴的一场战争开始了，这场战争就是二战。下面请听约翰·杨对今天坦克大决战纪念活动发回的报道。

约翰·杨：纪念的号角在神圣的地面上响起，当初美国士兵们就是在这里抵御纳粹战争机器的最后一次侵蚀的。在比利时巴斯托涅的森林中，参加坦克大决战的老兵们收到英雄般的欢迎。

美国国防部部长马克：在这片土地上，坦克大决战的成果昭然若揭，美国军队打造了难以置信的胜利，确保了法西斯的完败。

约翰·杨：75年前今天的黎明，德军对进发的盟军在比利时和卢森堡发动了袭击。1000辆纳粹坦克和20万支部队试着切断盟军的连线，他们也差点得逞了。在他们推动防御的同时形成了突起。美军以少敌多，首当其冲。在一个多月的时间里，他们对抗了纳粹和严冬，但供给品寥寥，军火也不足。有一度，德军要求投降。当时，一位美国陆军准将、现在的传奇人物安东尼·麦考利夫准将顽强抵抗。他的军队最后获得了巴顿将军的支援。他们一起对抗了纳粹，给纳粹以致命一击，但也付出了惨重的大家：1万名美国军人死亡，这是二战中代价最为高昂的一次。如今，表演家们会纪念他们的牺牲。在下着冷冷冰雨的这一天，人工雪也在纷飞，提醒着人们战争的严酷环境。马尔科姆·巴克沼泽是参加了战役的一位老兵，今年已96岁，他重述了自己的经历。

马尔科姆·巴克沼泽，坦克大决战：当时是暴风雪的天气。一位裹着头巾的比利时女士带着热热的鸡汤来给大家喝，那是我一生中喝过的最好喝的鸡汤。

约翰·杨：包括马尔科姆在内的一些老兵为牺牲的战友放上了玫瑰。曾经年轻的士兵现在已经成为战争的幸存者了，他们唱着国歌，对最伟大的一代致敬。感谢收听约翰·杨发回的《新闻一小时》。

朱迪·伍德拉夫：能看到这些老兵，感觉很震撼，我们要感谢他们为国家的服务。