The Lost Battalion
Poster
Country
Error creating thumbnail: File missing United States
Directed by
Burton L. King
Release Date
July 2, 1919
Language
Silent
Studio
MacManus Corporation
Distributor
W. H. Productions Company
Main Cast
Character
Actor
Lt. Col. Charles W. Whittlesey
Himself
Major-General Robert Alexander
Himself
Major George McMurtry
Himself
Captain William J. Cullen
Himself
Private Abraham Krotoshinsky
Himself
The Lost Battalion is a 1919 American silent World War I film directed by Burton L. King and produced by Edward A. MacManus. The movie describes the events of the encircled units of the U.S. 77th Division by German forces in the Argonne Forest in 1917. The movie features many actual soldiers, including the commanding officer Major Charles W. Whittlesey who portrayed themselves.
In 2001, the movie was remade by Russell Mulcahy .
The following weapons were used in the film The Lost Battalion :
Handguns
Colt M1911
The Colt M1911 is used by U.S. officers including Major (then Captain) George McMurtry.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Colt M1911 (dated 1913) - .45 ACP
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Capt. McMurtry holds the Colt in his left hand while giving orders.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A dead officer seen on the right still grips the pistol.
Unknown Revolvers
Some American and German soldiers can be seen with unknown revolvers.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The U.S. officers on the left and right running with their revolvers.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A closer view of one revolver.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A German soldier of the MG crew fires his gun.
Rifles
Springfield M1903
During their time in the barracks in the U.S., the soldiers wield M1903 Springfield rifles.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Springfield M1903 Mk 1 - .30-06.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing During an announcement, the doughboys present their Springfields.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing After dismissing, they march back to their accommodations.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Three doughboys have a conversation.
Enfield M1917
As the men of the 77th Division are stationed in France, they are seen using M1917 Enfield rifles with M1905 bayonets. This is correct since the Enfield was more massively produced in World War I as the Springfield M1903 was in short supply when the US entered the war. The Lost Battalion may be the first movie ever to feature this rifle (except for war footage), since the Enfield M1917 was first issued only two years earlier.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing M1917 Enfield - .30-06 Springfield
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Three Enfields stacked together next to the resting doughboys.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Two soldiers aiming their rifles. Note the striking "ears".
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A doughboy struggles with the bolt handle, which offers a view of the opened chamber.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Another two doughboys defending their position.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The rifle of this soldier lies upside-down next to him.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A closer view of one Enfield gives a look at the bolt handle.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pvt. Bowden lies with his Enfield in a foxhole, imagining an angel. Note the fixed M1905 bayonet.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing This soldier carries his rifle over his back.
Gras Mle. 1874
The majority of German soldiers are armed with Gras Model 1874 rifles, standing in for the more period correct Mausers .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Gras Mle 1874 M80 with Mle 1874 sword bayonet - 11 x 59mm Gras.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing German soldiers in a trench await the attack. Note: the Stahlhelm lacks the front armor which identifies it as an M18 variant for tank drivers.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A view of the rear sight, chamber, and the bolt handle.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The side-mounted bayonet seen seems to be the Mle. 1866 Yataghan sword bayonet for the Chassepot 1866 rifle.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A German soldier takes aim at the homing pigeon Cher Ami (French for "dear friend").
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The soldier gets upset because he missed.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A sniper hides his position. The lock mechanism can be seen.
Krag-Jørgensen M1899
Some American and German soldiers appear to use Krag-Jørgensen Model 1899 Constabulary Carbines with side-mounted sword bayonets.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Krag-Jørgensen US Model 1899 Constabulary Carbine - .30-40 Krag
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The doughboy on the left stabs a German counterpart with the bayonet. Note the Typical Krag-Jørgensen turned bolt handle and loading gate.
Krag-Jørgensen M1898
Full-length rifles that appear to be Krag-Jørgensen M1898s are also used by the soldiers.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing US Model 1898 Krag-Jørgensen Rifle - .30-40 Krag
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A German and a doughboy during the melee.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The unusual position of the bolt handle may be due to the opened bolt.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The Yankee succeeds in disarming his enemy.
Beaumont-Vitali M1871/88
At least one of the German soldiers is briefly seen with a Dutch Beaumont-Vitali M1871/88 rifles
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Full-length Beaumont-Vitali M1871/88 rifle - 11.3x50Rmm
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The soldier flees from charging American troops. Note the trigger guard and box magazine beneath his forearm.
Unknown Rifles
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Machine Guns
BAR M1918
The Browning Automatic Rifle is used by one soldier of the Lost Battalion. Like the M1917 Enfield, this is most likely the first film that features this gun.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Early-version (M1918) Browning Automatic Rifle - .30-06
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A promotional picture depicting a BAR gunner on the right.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing "The guy that invented this gun ought to be pinched for aiding the enemy. " The soldier reloads his BAR while complaining about the low magazine capacity.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The soldier opens fire at charging Germans.
Hotchkiss M1914
What appears to be a French Hotchkiss M1914 machine gun is used by German soldiers.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing M1914 Hotchkiss Machine Gun with tripod - 8x50mmR Lebel / 7.92x57mm Mauser / 11mm Gras
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The gunners inform their officer of an American spotted crawling to a water hole.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing They open fire at the doughboy.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The same MG fires at a U.S. Captain lying on an open field.