The Lost Battalion is a 2001 made-for-television movie by the A&E Network. It chronicled the plight of an American World War I battalion, the 308th Infantry Regiment of the 77th Infantry Division, who were trapped behind German lines in the Argonne Forest, France over six days in October of 1918.
The following firearms were used in The Lost Battalion:
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. It is used By Major Charles Whittlesey (Rick Schroder), Captain George McMurtry (Phil McKee) and Captain Nelson Holderman (Adam James).
The M1917 Revolver is seen used by Lt. Leak (Jay Rodan). Since Lt. Leak is a Texan officer whom somehow ended up with a New York unit, it could be his personal sidearm of choice.
The Luger P08 can be seen used by German soldiers on two occasions.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingLuger P08 9x19mm. This is a 1917 dated handgun, thus it is a World War I firearm.Error creating thumbnail: File missingA German soldier fires his Luger P08 at a carrier pidgeon. Said pidgeon was Cher Ami, who, despite being wounded, managed to return to H.Q. and inform them that US Artillery Batteries were firing on the 308th.Error creating thumbnail: File missingA Luger P08 carried by a German soldier as he shakes hands with Private Lowell R. Hollingshead (George Calil). Notice the black plastic grips.
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 the M1917 Enfield or the Springfield M1903.) Major Charles Whittlesey (Rick Schroder) notably uses one during the final battle.
Several soldiers use Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I*. Although some AEF troops assigned to Commonwealth forces carried the Lee-Enfield, the No.4 seen in the film is anachronistic, as any WW1 Enfields would have been the No.1 Mk.III*
The VZ-98/22 Czech Mauser is used by the German troops. These have long hand guards and flat tangent sights, different to the Mauser Gewehr 1898. However, appearance wise, they make a better substitute then the 1903 Turkish Mauser used in many World War I films.
The Chauchat is first seen when Pvt. Phillip Cepeglia (Daniel Caltagirone) 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. Lowell R. Hollingshead (George Calil) carries it in the Argonne Forest, although Pvt. Abraham Krotoshinsky (Arthur Kremer) can be seen with it at one point.
German Sturmtruppen are also seen using the Flammenwerfer M.16, the first ever version of the flamethrower.
File:M.16.JPGFlammenwerfer M.16. This was the first flamethrower used in combat.Error creating thumbnail: File missingGerman Sturmtruppen using the Flammenwerfer M.16, the first ever version of the flamethrower.
