The Lost Battalion

The Lost Battalion was a made for television movie in 2001 for the A&E Network. It chronicled the plight of an World War One American battalion who was trapped behind German lines in the Argonne Forest, France in October of 1918.

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.

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.

M1917 Enfield

M1917 Enfields 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.

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Enfield 1917 used by the American troops.

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The shape of the bolt handle is obvious here, distinguishing it from the M1903.

M1911

Used by the American officers. The hammer spur is small enough to indicate that they got the weapons right for the period by using a M1911 rather than a 1911A1.

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M1911 pistol used by the American officers.

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A high amount of muzzle flash is visible in this picture.

Gewehr 98

Used by the German troops. The bolt handle does not turn down, indicating the chronologically-correct Gewehr 98 rather than the later K98K.

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Gewehr 98 used by the German troops. The straight bolt handle is visible on the rifle on the right.

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Line of German troops firing their Gewehr 98 rifles with fixed bayonets.

M1917 Revolver

M1917 Revolvers are used by American officers.

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Colt M1917 revolver used by the American officers.

M1914 Hotchkiss Machinegun

M1914 Hotchkiss Machineguns are used by American troops.

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M1914 Hotchkiss machinegun used by the American troops.

Browning M1917 Machine Gun

Mounted on the Allied trenches.