The Lost Battalion

For a generation the Lost Battalion exemplified the best of America’s involvement in World War I. Until World War II pushed the Lost Battalion out of the national memory with its own scenes of horror and heroism, mention of the unit’s name summoned up what America admired in its soldiers: unpretentious courage, dogged resistance, and good cheer and adaption under adversity. In October 1918, the 77th American Division attacked in the Argonne. One mixed battalion of companies from two regiments got as far as it could. Germans closed in the rear, surrounding 600 men. Six days later, after incredible hardships, the wounded and an unharmed 194 were relieved. The authors reconstruct every hour of the six-day siege, aiming to correct myths and clean up official whitewashes.