The Lost Battalion (1919)

thumb The Lost Battalion is the 1919 film about units of the 77th Infantry Division (the "Lost Battalion") penetrating deep into the Argonne Forest of France during World War I. The soldiers under the command of Major Charles Whittlesey are then trapped and surrounded by German soldiers. Despite repeated attacks and an assault by special German stormtroopers — 197 were killed in action and approximately 150 missing or taken prisoner before 194 remaining men were rescued — they held out and American and French units are able to break through to them and breaking the German line for good. Whittlesey and a number of actual soldiers from the 77th portrayed themselves in the film. The film was directed by Burton L. King and was released July 2, 1919 in North America. Conrad Wells (as Abraham Fried) was the cinematographer. The film was remade in 2001 by Russell Mulcahy.

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