LOST BATTALION

LOST BATTALION, a misnomer applied to part of the U.S. Seventy-seventh Division that was surrounded by German troops in Charlevaux Ravine during the Meuse-Argonne offensive in World War I. Under the command of Major Charles W. Whittlesey, the force comprised six companies from the 308th Infantry, one from the 307th Infantry, and two platoons from the 306th Machine Gun Battalion. Adjoining French and American attacks launched on 2 October failed, whereas Whittlesey penetrated to his objective and was promptly encircled. For five days, from the morning of 3 October until the evening of 7 October, he maintained a heroic defense against great odds until American relief troops broke through.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Krohn, Charles A. The Lost Battalion: Controversy and Casualties in the Battle of Hugh. Westport, Conn.: Praeger, 1993.

Robert S.Thomas/c. w.

See alsoAmerican Expeditionary Forces ; Meuse-Argonne Offensive .

Lost Battalion ★★½ 2001

True story based on the heroism of U.S. Major Charles Whittlesey (Schroder), who won the Congressional Medal of Honor during the closing days of WWI. Part of the Army's 77th Division, Whittlesey and his troops find themselves separated from their allies and surrounded by German forces in the Argonne Forest. Whittlesey led his men on a five-day defensive back to Allied lines despite limited supplies and constant battle. 100m/C VHS, DVD . Rick Schroder, Jamie Harris, Phil McKee, Jay Rodan, Adam James; D: Russell Mulcahy; W: James (Jim) Carabatsos; C: Jonathan Freeman; M: Richard (Rick) Marvin. CABLE