On the afternoon of 8 October, 1918 194 officers and men of the “Lost Battalion” walked out of the Pocket in Charlevaux Ravine.  This represented a casualty rate (killed, wounded/sick, or missing/POW) of nearly 72%.  Seven Medals of Honor were awarded for this one five-day event–more than would be given out for any single modern combat event until the famous U.S. Army Air Forces raid on the Ploesti oil fields in 1943…

Well-known historian and author, Robert J. Laplander, was generous enough to provide a well-written essay on the plight of the Lost Battalion to the webmaster.  However, because of its length, the webmaster has decided to make the article a webpage in the Features / Articles section of the website.  Please use this link to the article: “Enemy in All Directions:  A Brief History of the Lost Battalion.”

Robert has been studying the experiences of Charles Whittlesey and his men for over 20 years nw.  During that time he has amassed the largest collection of Lost Battalion information in the world.  He is currently preparing a refresh of his book:  finding the Lost Battalion:  Beyond the Rumors, Myths and Legends of America’s Famous WW1 Epic.  He lives in Waterford, Wisconsin with his wife Trinie, their three children, and a tall, skinny dog.