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LOST BATTALION

LOST BATTALION, a misnomer applied to part of the U.S. Seventy-seventh Division that was surrounded by German troops in Charlevaux Ravine during the Meuse-Argonne offensive in World War I. Under the command of Major Charles W. Whittlesey, the force comprised six companies from the 308th Infantry, one from the 307th Infantry, and two platoons from the 306th Machine Gun Battalion. Adjoining French and American attacks launched on 2 October failed, whereas Whittlesey penetrated to his objective and was promptly encircled. For five days, from the morning of 3 October until the evening of 7 October, he maintained a heroic defense against great odds until American relief troops broke through.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Krohn, Charles A. The Lost Battalion: Controversy and Casualties in the Battle of Hugh. Westport, Conn.: Praeger, 1993.

Robert S. Thomas/C. W.

See also American Expeditionary Forces; Meuse-Argonne Offensive.