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The Lost Battalion
The following firearms were used in The Lost Battalion:
Background
The Lost Battalion was a made-for-television movie in 2001 for the A&E Network. It chronicled the plight of an American World War I battalion who was trapped behind German lines in the Argonne Forest, France in October of 1918.
- Note: There are two famous instances of 'Lost battalions' and people tend to get them confused. One is the World War I event portrayed in this movie, and the second is the World War II event, when 1st Battalion, 141st Infantry, 36th I.D. (Texas) became trapped behind German lines in France. In the World War II incident, the Japanese-American 442 Regimental combat team fought through to save them and this battle became particularly famous due to the massive losses incurred by the "Nisei". (442 RCT) I Company went in with 185 men only eight walked out. K Company began with 186 men and ended up with 17 men. As for the Lost Battalion, 230 men were rescued. The 442nd were all named 'honorary' Texans by the Texas state legislature for their actions.
- In the World War One Incident, United States 77th Division (with 554 men) were surrounded by German forces. Of the total force, 197 were KIA, 150 were either MIA or POWs, and only 194 were rescued.
Handguns
Colt M1911
The Colt M1911 is the main handgun carried by American officers in the film. The hammer spur is small enough to indicate that they got the weapons right for the period by using a Colt M1911 rather than a 1911A1. Used By Major Charles Whittlesey (Rick Schroder), Captain George McMurtry (Phil McKee) and Captain Nelson Holderman (Adam James).
M1917 Revolver
The M1917 Revolver is seen used by American officers including Lt. Leak (Jay Rodan).
Luger P08
The Luger P08 can be seen used by one of the German soldiers firing on the messenger bird.
Rifles
M1917 Enfield
M1917 Enfields are used by the American troops. It is evident from the bolt handle which projects back and then down rather than out and down that it is a M1917 rather than a M1903. It's correct to see them carrying M1917s as M1903s were shorted in numbers so the M1917 was manufactured and massively produced in World War I. ( Real life U.S. Soldiers in World War I were armed with either M1917 Enfield or Springfield M1903 )
Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I
Several soldiers use Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I s, and while it would be possible for an American to use a No.1 Mk.III, the use of the WW2-era No.4 is an error for use in this period film.
Mauser 98/22
Used by the German troops. These have long hand guards and flat tangent sights, suggesting they're Czech Model 98/22 rifles rather than actual German Gewehr 98s. This is a better substitute than the more commonly used Turkish model.
Machine Guns
M1914 Hotchkiss Machine Gun
M1914 Hotchkiss Machine Guns are seen used by American machine gunners Pvt. Nat Henchman (Anthony Azizi) and Pvt. Lowell R. Hollingshead (George Calil).
Browning M1917
The Browning M1917 is seen mounted in the Allied trenches.
Chauchat
The Chauchat is first seen when Sgt. Gaedeke (Jamie Harris) and Pvt. Jacob Rosen (Michael Goldstrom) show it to the new arrivals in the trenches, declaring it to be 'a piece of garbage' (a sentiment felt by those unfortunate enough to use it in combat). During the battle, Pvt. Abraham Krotoshinsky (Arthur Kremer) carries the Chauchat. The US carried it because of a shortage in LMG's.
Other
Flammenwerfer
German troops are also seen using the Flammenwerfer, the German version of the flamethrower.
