THE LOST BATTALION (WWI)

Watching The Lost Battalion, oart of the Adventure Collection, had to stop for an intermission, pretty intense, very sad story so far, not to spoil anything, however what was that war fought for, aside from Russian, French, English and American Masons fighting traditional crowns of Austro-Hungarian, German, and Ottoman empires is all but a mystery to most.

Members of the "Lost Battalion" in late October 1918 near Apremont. (Wikipedia)

The Lost Battalion is the name given to the nine companies of the US 77th Division, roughly 554 men, isolated by German forces during World War I after an American attack in the Argonne Forest in October 1918. Roughly 197 were killed in action and approximately 150 missing or taken prisoner before the 194 remaining men were rescued. They were led by Major Charles W. Whittlesey. On 2 October, the 77th launched an attack into the Argonne, under the belief that French forces were supporting their left flank and two American units including the 92nd Infantry Division were supporting their right.[1] Within the 77th sector some units including Whittlesey's 1-308th Infantry were making significant headway. Unknown to Whittlesey's unit, the units to their left and right had been stalled. Without this knowledge, the units that would become known as the Lost Battalion moved beyond the rest of the Allied line and found themselves surrounded by German forces. For the next six days, suffering heavy losses, the men of the Lost Battalion and the American units desperate to relieve them would fight an intense battle in the Argonne Forest.

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