World War I · Film · 2001
The Lost Battalion
A New York lawyer turned major leads more than 500 men deep into the Argonne Forest, where they are cut off and surrounded, and must hold out with no food, no water and shells falling from both sides.
Where it happened
Follow the story across 1 places.
Stop 1: Charlevaux ravine, Argonne Forest
Key location
Pushing through the German line as ordered, Whittlesey's men find themselves alone on a hillside, sending pigeons for help as the enemy attacks from every side.
What really happened
During the Meuse-Argonne offensive, about 550 men of the US 77th Division under Major Charles Whittlesey advanced into a ravine near Charlevaux Mill on 2 October 1918. Flanking units were held back, and the Germans closed in behind them, leaving the 'Lost Battalion' surrounded for six days.
They beat off repeated attacks, including flamethrowers, and endured American artillery falling on them until the carrier pigeon Cher Ami got a message through. Whittlesey refused a German demand to surrender, and on 8 October relief arrived; only about 194 men walked out unhurt. Whittlesey, George McMurtry and Nelson Holderman received the Medal of Honor.
Where to watch
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Full details
- Original title
- The Lost Battalion
- Directed by
- Russell Mulcahy
- Countries
- United States
- Languages
- English, German
- Released
- 2001
- Period
- –
- Theaters of war
- Western Europe
- Themes
- Combat
- True story
