This week’s pick is the 2001 A&E original The Lost Battalion directed by Russell Mulcahy (Highlander) which tells the story of the U.S. Army’s 308th battalion, 77th Infantry Div. and their amazing five day struggle against fierce German opposition in the Meuse-Argonne offensive during the tail end of World War I. The story was written by James Carabatsos (Hamburger Hill).
Rick Schroder turns out a rather good performance as Major Charles Whittlesey, a New York lawyer turned citizen soldier who led his men to victory in this almost forgotten moment in history. The film also stars Phil McKee (Capt. George McMurty), Jamie Harris (Sgt. Gaedeke), Jay Rodan (Lt. Leak), Adam James (Capt. Nelson Holderman, K Company, 307th Inf. Div.), Daniel Caltagirone (Pvt. Phillip Cepeglia), Michael Goldstrom (Pvt. Jacob Rosen), and Wolf Kahler (General von Sybel).
In October 1918, U.S., French, and British armies were beating back the Germans after nearly four years of everlasting trench warfare which stretched from the Swiss border to the North Sea. After only just one year of fighting, the United States had suffered thousands of casualties and was gaining a reputation as “fierce and unpredictable” by their German adversaries. American intelligence believes that the Germans are planning a major offensive in the Meuse-Argonne sector, and plans are underway to cut them off before they can overrun the American lines.
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