The Lost Battalion

In October 1918, Major Charles Whittlesey is ordered by Major General Robert Alexander to lead roughly 550 soldiers of the 77th Infantry Division into the Argonne forest to repel the German advance. Alexander mocks his status as an 'overeducated New York lawyer' and labels the men as 'acceptable losses'. Whittlesey is supported by Captain George McMurty and Lieutenant James Leak as they prepare the mission.

Whittlesey's unit fights their way through the German line only to discover that American and French flanks have failed to advance with them. The battalion finds itself completely surrounded as retreating forces have pulled back. They must contend with continuous German pressure while lacking reliable contact with headquarters.

Captain Nelson Holderman and his riflemen reinforce the 77th, strengthening the defense against German assaults. The new support helps stabilize the position, but supplies and communication remain dire. The battalion continues to hold at the edge of exhaustion.

Whittlesey attempts to send runners to headquarters, but none return, leaving the unit without a reliable line of contact. With this, he turns to carrier pigeons to communicate with Alexander, who already knows the retreat but orders the battalion to push on. The communication challenges test leadership under fire.

American artillery begins to fall on its own troops, causing heavy casualties along the 77th's line. Whittlesey manages to send a pigeon requesting the artillery to cease, and the bombardment ends. The respite is short as German forces press the attack immediately afterward.

For several days the battalion holds their position against relentless assaults. Supplies become dangerously low, forcing them to reuse medical materials and even take food from dead soldiers to survive. The defenders endure extreme hardship while clinging to their line.

The Germans capture Lieutenant Leak and a wounded soldier, using them to try to persuade Whittlesey to surrender. Leak is treated by a German officer who speaks fluent English and urges surrender, but Leak insists his men will never yield, calling them 'New York gangsters'.

The second prisoner accepts delivering a message from the Germans urging surrender after his captor claims the move would save lives. The German entourage sends the prisoner back to the American line with a white flag bearing the message.

Whittlesey rejects the idea of surrender, tossing the white flag back toward the Germans. The 77th remains steadfast, continuing to repel the relentless attacks without capitulating. The stalemate persists as reinforcements linger.

An American pilot is sent to locate the 77th and flies over their position. The Germans open fire, but the pilot manages to signal the battalion's location before being mortally wounded. The pilot's map reading helps guide potential relief efforts.

After six days, reinforcements finally reach the 77th. Five days after the relief arrives, the German forces retreat, lifting the siege with the battalion still low on supplies. Major General Alexander arrives to acknowledge the sacrifice and outcome.

Alexander travels to Whittlesey's position to deliver praise and explain the strategic impact of their hold. Whittlesey refuses to abandon his men, opting to stay with them rather than returning to headquarters. The alignment of leadership with his soldiers defines the unit’s legacy.

Approximately 197 of the 550 men survived the ordeal. World War I ends about three weeks later. Whittlesey is awarded the Medal of Honor and the Lost Battalion earns iconic status in American memory.