The Lost Battalion (1919)

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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. including Major (then Captain) George McMurtry.

Colt M1911 (dated 1913) - .45 ACP

Capt. McMurtry holds his Colt as he is under fire.

Unknown Revolvers

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

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.

The doughboys present their Springfields.

Enfield M1917

As 77th Division is stationed in France, the doughboys are seen using M1917 Enfield rifles. 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 issued two years earlier.

M1917 Enfield - .30-06 Springfield

Gras Mle. 1874

The majority of German soldiers are armed with Gras Model 1874 rifles.

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

German soldiers in a trench await the attack. Note the missing front armor of the Stahlhelm.

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

The side-mounted bayonet is seen.

Unknown Rifles

Machine Guns

BAR M1918

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

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

Promotional Picture of the BAR on the right.

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

The soldier open 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