The Lost Battalion (2001 film)

The Lost Battalion is a true 2001 madefortelevision film about the Lost Battalion of World War I, which was cut off and surrounded by German forces in the Argonne Forest during the MeuseArgonne Offensive of 1918. The film was directed by Russell Mulcahy, written by James Carabatsos, and starred Rick Schroder as Major Charles Whittlesey. The film was shot in Luxembourg. It is an AampE Original Movie, premiering on the network in 2001. It is also played on AampEs sister networks such as The History Channel. It was released on home video in January 2002.

After several days and numerous repelled attacks, the Americans are still holding on, despite desperately low supplies, forcing them to reuse bandages and other medical supplies and take food off dead soldiers. The Germans capture two Americans, one of them wounded, and begin using them to try to negotiate with Whittlesey. The uninjured prisoner, Lt. Leak, receives good treatment from a German officer who speaks fluent English, having lived in America for several years. He tries to convince the lieutenant that there is no hope, to which the American responds, What youre up against, Major, is a bunch of Mick, Dago, Polack and Jewboy gangsters from New York city Theyll never surrender. Later, the second American eventually agrees to take a message from the Germans to Whittlesey urging surrender after his captor says he wants to save lives. The Germans then send him escorted by a German soldier with a white flag back to the American line with the message. Whittlesey responds by throwing the flag back towards the Germans. The Americans continue to hold despite relentless attacks and low supplies.Eventually, an American pilot is sent out to search for the force, and flies right over their position. Realizing it is an American plane, the Americans make noise to try to get the pilots attention. The Germans prepare to shoot at the plane, but their commander tells them to hold their fire because if the pilot knew the Germans location he would also know the Americans. The pilot locates the Americans and signals to them, and the Germans begin firing at him. The pilot is critically wounded, but manages to circle the location on his map and navigate back to the airfield, dead by the time he lands. The men at the base see his map and take it back to headquarters. After six days, reinforcements finally arrive at the American lines. The Germans retreated after the fifth day. Major General Robert Alexander arrives in a car, telling Whittlesey that there will be commendations and pr

Source: Wikipedia