Revision as of 16:01, 24 January 2012

The Lost Battalion (2001)

The Lost Battalion is a 2001 made-for-television movie by the A&E Network. It chronicled the plight of an American World War I battalion, the 308th Infantry Regiment of the 77th Infantry Division, who were trapped behind German lines in the Argonne Forest, France over six days in October of 1918.

The following firearms were used in The Lost Battalion:

Note

Note: There are two famous instances of 'Lost battalions' and people tend to get them confused. One is the World War I event portrayed in this movie, and the second is the World War II event, when 1st Battalion, 141st Infantry, 36th I.D. (Texas) became trapped behind German lines in France. In the World War II incident, the Japanese-American 442 Regimental combat team fought through to save them and this battle became particularly famous due to the massive losses incurred by the "Nisei". (442 RCT) I Company went in with 185 men only eight walked out. K Company began with 186 men and ended up with 17 men. As for the Lost Battalion, 230 men were rescued. The 442nd were all named 'honorary' Texans by the Texas state legislature for their actions.

In the World War One Incident, United States 77th Division (with 554 men) were surrounded by German forces. Of the total force, 197 were KIA, 150 were either MIA or POWs, and only 194 were rescued.

Handguns

Colt M1911

The Colt M1911 is the main handgun carried by American officers in the film. The hammer spur is small enough to indicate that they got the weapons right for the period by using a Colt M1911 rather than a 1911A1. It is used By Major Charles Whittlesey (Rick Schroder), Captain George McMurtry (Phil McKee) and Captain Nelson Holderman (Adam James).

Original Colt M1911 (dated 1913) - .45 ACP

Major Charles Whittlesey (Rick Schroder) carries the M1911 as he leads the charge.

Captain Nelson Holderman (Adam James) fires a Colt M1911.

Captain George McMurtry (Phil McKee) opens up with an M1911.

A high amount of muzzle flash is visible as Captain Holderman fires.

Major Charles Whittlesey (Rick Schroder) draws his M1911.

M1917 Revolver

The M1917 Revolver is seen used by Lt. Leak (Jay Rodan). Since Lt. Leak is a Texan officer whom somehow ended up with a New York unit, it could be his personal sidearm of choice.

Colt M1917 Revolver (Military issue with lanyard ring) - .45 ACP

Lt. Leak (Jay Rodan) fires his Colt M1917 revolver.

Luger P08

The Luger P08 can be seen used by German soldiers on two occasions.

Luger P08 9x19mm. This is a 1917 dated handgun, thus it is a World War I firearm.

A Luger P08 carried by a German soldier as he shakes hands with Private Lowell R. Hollingshead (George Calil). Notice the black plastic grips.

Rifles

M1917 Enfield

M1917 Enfields are used by the American troops. It is evident from the bolt handle which projects back and then down rather than out and down that it is a M1917 rather than a M1903. It's correct to see them carrying M1917s as M1903s were shorted in numbers so the M1917 was manufactured and massively produced in World War I. (Real life U.S. Soldiers in World War I were armed with either the M1917 Enfield or the Springfield M1903.) Major Charles Whittlesey (Rick Schroder) notably uses one during the final battle.

M1917 Enfield - .30-06

Soldiers from the 308th lay down covering fire with their M1917 Enfield's.

Pvt. Lipasti (André Vippolis) cleans his M1917. Note the rear sights have been flipped up.

American soldiers from K Company, 307th Infantry aim their Enfield's.

The M1917 Enfield as carried by Pvt. Phillip Cepeglia (Daniel Caltagirone) and Pvt. Jacob Rosen (Michael Goldstrom).

The shape of the bolt handle on Pvt. Jacob Rosen's (Michael Goldstrom) Enfield is obvious here, distinguishing it from the M1903.

Pvt. Abraham Krotoshinsky (Arthur Kremer) struggles to load a 5-round stripper clip into the chamber of his rifle. This scene, including Major Charles Whittlesey's (Rick Schroder) encouragement, is reminiscent of Episode 3, Carentan, in Band of Brothers, when Captain Winters (Damien Lewis) trys to help Pvt. Albert Blythe (Mark Warren) fire his M1 Garand during the Battle of Bloody Gulch.

Pvt. Krotoshinsky succeeds in firing. Close inspection shows that the rifle has not yet been rechambered for another round.

Sharpshooter Pvt. Bob Yoder (Rhys Miles Thomas) takes aim at a nuisance German sniper. Note the rear sights have been flipped up.

Satisfied with a successful kill, Yoder works the bolt on his Enfield.

Major Charles Whittlesey (Rick Schroder) fires an M1917 Enfield at German Sturmtruppen.

An over-the-shoulder view of Major Whittlesey as he works his Enfield.

Pvt. Lipasti fires at German Sturmtruppen with his M1917.

Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I*

Several soldiers use Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I*. Although some AEF troops assigned to Commonwealth forces carried the Lee-Enfield, the No.4 seen in the film is anachronistic, as any WW1 Enfields would have been the No.1 Mk.III*

Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I* - .303 British

A Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I* carried by an American soldier. Notice the hole in bolt handle and length of hand guard. Also you can just see the mag behind the sling by his hand.

VZ-98/22 Czech Mauser

The VZ-98/22 Czech Mauser is used by the German troops. These have long hand guards and flat tangent sights, different to the Mauser Gewehr 1898. However, appearance wise, they make a better substitute then the [Mauser_Rifle_Series#1903_Turkish_Mauser|1903 Turkish Mauser]] used in many World War I films.

BRNO VZ98/22 Czech Mauser - 7.92x57mm Mauser

German soldiers climb out of their trenches with VZ-98/22 Czech Mauser rifles. The straight bolt handle is visible on the rifle on the right.

A line of German troops firing their VZ-98/22 rifles with fixed bayonets.

Mauser Gewehr 1898

An apparently authentic Mauser Gewehr 1898 rifle, fitted with a telescopic sight, is used by a German sniper in the Argonne Forest.

Post WW1 weimar reissue Scharfschutzengewehr98 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

Machine Guns

Chauchat

The Chauchat is first seen when Pvt. Phillip Cepeglia (Daniel Caltagirone) and Pvt. Jacob Rosen (Michael Goldstrom) show it to the new arrivals in the trenches, declaring it to be 'a piece of garbage' (a sentiment felt by those unfortunate enough to use it in combat). During the battle, Pvt. Lowell R. Hollingshead (George Calil) carries it in the Argonne Forest, although Pvt. Abraham Krotoshinsky (Arthur Kremer) can be seen with it at one point.

Chauchat Light Machine Gun - 8x50mmR Lebel

The Chauchat, seen in the hands of Pvt. Abraham Krotoshinsky (Arthur Kremer).

M1914 Hotchkiss Machine Gun

Pvt. Nat Henchman (Anthony Azizi) uses an M1914 Hotchkiss Machine Gun in the Argonne Forest, with Pvt. Lowell R. Hollingshead as his assistant gunner.

M1914 Hotchkiss Machine Gun with Tripod - 8 x 50mmR Lebel

Pvt. Nat Henchman (Anthony Azizi) and Pvt. Lowell R. Hollingshead (George Calil) firing an M1914 Hotchkiss Machine Gun at charging German soldiers.

Maxim MG08

German Machine Gunners use the Maxim MG08 when the 308th goes "over the top".

Maxim MG08 on 'sledge' mount - 7.92x57mm Mauser

Grenades

Mills Bomb

Sgt. Gaedeke (Jamie Harris) and other US troops use the Mills Bomb when they go "over the top".

Mills Bomb - High-Explosive Fragmentation Hand Grenade

Model 24 Stielhandgranate

German troops use the Model 24 Stielhandgranate in combat.

Model 24 Stielhandgranate "Potato Masher" - High-Explosive Fragmentation Hand Grenade

Other

Flammenwerfer M.16

German Sturmtruppen are also seen using the Flammenwerfer M.16, the first ever version of the flamethrower.

File:M.16.JPG

Flammenwerfer M.16. This was the first flamethrower used in combat.

German Sturmtruppen using the Flammenwerfer M.16, the first ever version of the flamethrower.

@@ Line 34: / Line 34: @@
 [[M1917 Enfield]]s are used by the American troops. It is evident from the bolt handle which projects back and then down rather than out and down that it is a M1917 rather than a M1903. It's correct to see them carrying M1917s as M1903s were shorted in numbers so the M1917 was manufactured and massively produced in World War I. (Real life U.S. Soldiers in World War I were armed with either the [[M1917 Enfield]] or the [[M1903 Springfield|Springfield M1903]].) Major Charles Whittlesey ([[Rick Schroder]]) notably uses one during the final battle.
 [[Image:m1917enfield.jpg|thumb|none|500px|M1917 Enfield  - .30-06]]
+[[File:LB M1917.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Soldiers from the 308th lay down covering fire with their M1917 Enfield's.]]
+[[File:LB Lipasti M1917.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Pvt. Lipasti ([[André Vippolis]]) cleans his M1917. Note the rear sights have been flipped up.]]
+[[File:LB Americans M1917.jpg|thumb|none|600px|American soldiers from K Company, 307th Infantry aim their Enfield's.]]
 [[Image:Enfield 1917.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The M1917 Enfield as carried by Pvt. Phillip Cepeglia ([[Daniel Caltagirone]]) and Pvt. Jacob Rosen ([[Michael Goldstrom]]).]]
 [[Image:Enfield 1917 Closeup.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The shape of the bolt handle on Pvt. Jacob Rosen's ([[Michael Goldstrom]]) Enfield is obvious here, distinguishing it from the M1903.]]
+[[File:LB Krotoshinsky M1917.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Pvt. Abraham Krotoshinsky ([[Arthur Kremer]]) struggles to load a 5-round stripper clip into the chamber of his rifle. This scene, including Major Charles Whittlesey's ([[Rick Schroder]]) encouragement, is reminiscent of Episode 3, ''Carentan'', in [[Band of Brothers]], when Captain Winters ([[Damien Lewis]]) trys to help Pvt. Albert Blythe ([[Mark Warren]]) fire his [[M1 Garand]] during the Battle of Bloody Gulch.]]
+[[File:LB Krotoshinsky M1917 2.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Pvt. Krotoshinsky succeeds in firing. Close inspection shows that the rifle has not yet been rechambered for another round.]]
+[[File:LB Yoder M1917 2.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Sharpshooter Pvt. Bob Yoder ([[Rhys Miles Thomas]]) takes aim at a nuisance German sniper. Note the rear sights have been flipped up.]]
+[[File:LB Yoder M1917 4.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Satisfied with a successful kill, Yoder works the bolt on his Enfield.]]
 [[File:TLB 505.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Major Charles Whittlesey ([[Rick Schroder]]) fires an M1917 Enfield at German Sturmtruppen.]]
+[[File:LB Whittlesey M1917 2.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An over-the-shoulder view of Major Whittlesey as he works his Enfield.]]
+[[File:LB Lipasti M1917 4.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Pvt. Lipasti fires at German Sturmtruppen with his M1917.]]
 ==Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I*==
@@ Line 44: / Line 53: @@
 ==VZ-98/22 Czech Mauser==
-The [[Mauser_Rifle_Series#VZ-98.2F22_Czech_Mauser|VZ-98/22 Czech Mauser]] is used by the German troops. These have long hand guards and flat tangent sights, different to the [[Mauser Gewehr 1898]]. However, appearance wise, they make a better substitute then the [[Mauser_Rifle_Series#1903_Turkish_Mauser|1903 Turkish Mauser]] used in many World War I films.
+The [[Mauser_Rifle_Series#VZ-98.2F22_Czech_Mauser|VZ-98/22 Czech Mauser]] is used by the German troops. These have long hand guards and flat tangent sights, different to the [[Mauser Gewehr 1898]]. However, appearance wise, they make a better substitute then the [Mauser_Rifle_Series#1903_Turkish_Mauser|1903 Turkish Mauser]] used in many World War I films.
 [[File:Czech98-22Mauser.jpg|thumb|none|500px|BRNO VZ98/22 Czech Mauser - 7.92x57mm Mauser]]
 [[Image:Mauser K98.jpg|thumb|none|600px|German soldiers climb out of their trenches with VZ-98/22 Czech Mauser rifles. The straight bolt handle is visible on the rifle on the right.]]
@@ Line 55: / Line 64: @@
 =Machine Guns=
 ==Chauchat==
-The [[Chauchat]] is first seen when Pvt. Phillip Cepeglia ([[Daniel Caltagirone]]) and Pvt. Jacob Rosen ([[Michael Goldstrom]]) show it to the new arrivals in the trenches, declaring it to be 'a piece of garbage' (a sentiment felt by those unfortunate enough to use it in combat). Pvt. Lowell R. Hollingshead ([[George Calil]]) carries it in the Argonne Forest, although Pvt. Abraham Krotoshinsky ([[Arthur Kremer]]) can be seen with it at one point. It is never fired, possibly due to a lack of blank ammunition or (unsurprisingly) a jam.
+The [[Chauchat]] is first seen when Pvt. Phillip Cepeglia ([[Daniel Caltagirone]]) and Pvt. Jacob Rosen ([[Michael Goldstrom]]) show it to the new arrivals in the trenches, declaring it to be 'a piece of garbage' (a sentiment felt by those unfortunate enough to use it in combat). During the battle, Pvt. Lowell R. Hollingshead ([[George Calil]]) carries it in the Argonne Forest, although Pvt. Abraham Krotoshinsky ([[Arthur Kremer]]) can be seen with it at one point.
 [[Image:Chauchat.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Chauchat Light Machine Gun - 8x50mmR Lebel]]
 [[Image:Lost Battalion Chauchat.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The Chauchat, seen in the hands of Pvt. Abraham Krotoshinsky ([[Arthur Kremer]]).]]
 ==M1914 Hotchkiss Machine Gun==
-Pvt. Nat Henchman ([[Anthony Azizi]]) uses an [[M1914 Hotchkiss Machine Gun]] in the Argonne Forest, with Pvt. Lowell R. Hollingshead ([[George Calil]]) as his assistant gunner.
+Pvt. Nat Henchman ([[Anthony Azizi]]) uses an [[M1914 Hotchkiss Machine Gun]] in the Argonne Forest, with Pvt. Lowell R. Hollingshead as his assistant gunner.
 [[Image:M1914Hotchkiss.jpg|thumb|none|500px|M1914 Hotchkiss Machine Gun with Tripod - 8 x 50mmR Lebel]]
 [[Image:M1914 Hotchkiss Machinegun.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Pvt. Nat Henchman (Anthony Azizi) and Pvt. Lowell R. Hollingshead ([[George Calil]]) firing an M1914 Hotchkiss Machine Gun at charging German soldiers.]]

Difference between revisions of "The Lost Battalion"