The Lost Battalion (1919)

The Lost Battalion Poster Country United States Directed by Burton L. King Release Date July 2, 1919 Language Silent Studio MacManus Corporation Distributor W. H. Productions Company Main Cast Character Actor Lt. Col. Charles W. Whittlesey Himself Major-General Robert Alexander Himself Major George McMurtry Himself Captain William J. Cullen Himself Private Abraham Krotoshinsky Himself

The Lost Battalion is a 1919 American silent World War I film directed by Burton L. King and produced by Edward A. MacManus. The movie describes the events of the encircled units of the U.S. 77th Division by German forces in the Argonne Forest in 1917. The movie features many actual soldiers, including the commanding officer Major Charles W. Whittlesey who portrayed themselves.

In 2001, the movie was remade by Russell Mulcahy.

The following weapons were used in the film The Lost Battalion:

Handguns

Colt M1911

The Colt M1911 is used by U.S. officers including Major (then Captain) George McMurtry.

Colt M1911 (dated 1913) - .45 ACP

Capt. McMurtry holds the Colt in his left hand while giving orders.

A dead officer seen on the right still grips the pistol.

Unknown Revolvers

Some American and German soldiers can be seen with unknown revolvers.

The U.S. officers on the left and right running with their revolvers.

A closer view of one revolver.

A German soldier of the MG crew fires his gun.

Rifles

Springfield M1903

During their time in the barracks in the U.S., the soldiers wield M1903 Springfield rifles.

Springfield M1903 Mk 1 - .30-06.

During an announcement, the doughboys present their Springfields.

After dismissing, they march back to their accommodations.

Three doughboys have a conversation.

Enfield M1917

As the men of the 77th Division are stationed in France, they are seen using M1917 Enfield rifles with M1905 bayonets. This is correct since the Enfield was more massively produced in World War I as the Springfield M1903 was in short supply when the US entered the war. The Lost Battalion may be the first movie ever to feature this rifle (except for war footage), since the Enfield M1917 was first issued only two years earlier.

M1917 Enfield - .30-06 Springfield

Three Enfields stacked together next to the resting doughboys.

Two soldiers aiming their rifles. Note the striking "ears".

A doughboy struggles with the bolt handle, which offers a view of the opened chamber.

Another two doughboys defending their position.

The rifle of this soldier lies upside-down next to him.

A closer view of one Enfield gives a look at the bolt handle.

Pvt. Bowden lies with his Enfield in a foxhole, imagining an angel. Note the fixed M1905 bayonet.

This soldier carries his rifle over his back.

Gras Mle. 1874

The majority of German soldiers are armed with Gras Model 1874 rifles, standing in for the more period correct Mausers.

Gras Mle 1874 M80 with Mle 1874 sword bayonet - 11 x 59mm Gras.

German soldiers in a trench await the attack. Note: the Stahlhelm lacks the front armor which identifies it as an M18 variant for tank drivers.

A view of the rear sight, chamber, and the bolt handle.

The side-mounted bayonet seen seems to be the Mle. 1866 Yataghan sword bayonet for the Chassepot 1866 rifle.

A German soldier takes aim at the homing pigeon Cher Ami (French for "dear friend").

The soldier gets upset because he missed.

A sniper hides his position. The lock mechanism can be seen.

Krag-Jørgensen M1899

Some American and German soldiers appear to use Krag-Jørgensen Model 1899 Constabulary Carbines with side-mounted sword bayonets.

Krag-Jørgensen US Model 1899 Constabulary Carbine - .30-40 Krag

The doughboy on the left stabs a German counterpart with the bayonet. Note the Typical Krag-Jørgensen turned bolt handle and loading gate.

Krag-Jørgensen M1898

Full-length rifles that appear to be Krag-Jørgensen M1898s are also used by the soldiers.

US Model 1898 Krag-Jørgensen Rifle - .30-40 Krag

A German and a doughboy during the melee.

The unusual position of the bolt handle may be due to the opened bolt.

The Yankee succeeds in disarming his enemy.

Beaumont-Vitali M1871/88

At least one of the German soldiers is briefly seen with a Dutch Beaumont-Vitali M1871/88 rifles

Full-length Beaumont-Vitali M1871/88 rifle - 11.3x50Rmm

The soldier flees from charging American troops. Note the trigger guard and box magazine beneath his forearm.

Unknown Rifles

Machine Guns

BAR M1918

The Browning Automatic Rifle is used by one soldier of the Lost Battalion. Like the M1917 Enfield, this is most likely the first film that features this gun.

Early-version (M1918) Browning Automatic Rifle - .30-06

A promotional picture depicting a BAR gunner on the right.

"The guy that invented this gun ought to be pinched for aiding the enemy."
The soldier reloads his BAR while complaining about the low magazine capacity.

The soldier opens fire at charging Germans.

Hotchkiss M1914

What appears to be a French Hotchkiss M1914 machine gun is used by German soldiers.

M1914 Hotchkiss Machine Gun with tripod - 8x50mmR Lebel / 7.92x57mm Mauser / 11mm Gras

The gunners inform their officer of an American spotted crawling to a water hole.

They open fire at the doughboy.

The same MG fires at a U.S. Captain lying on an open field.