The Meuse-Argonne was a part of World War I’s final Allied offensive, and it was one of the attacks that brought the war to an end. It lasted from September 26 to November 11, 1918, when the Armistice was signed. But did you know the story about the Lost Battalion?
The Lost Batallion of World War I was when soldiers from the United States 77th Division launched an attack in the Argonne forest, believing they had the support of the French on the left and more Americans on the right. Ally support was halted, and the 77th advanced so far that they were cut off.
The Lost Battalion and Major Charles Whittlesey
Charles Whittlesey served in France as a captain with the 308th Infantry Regiment, 77th Division. He was promoted to major in time to take part in the Meuse-Argonne offensive, the largest and bloodiest American offensive of the war, and is best known as the commander of the so-called Lost Battalion, which was neither a battalion nor lost.
The Lost Battalion consisted of two understaffed battalions and two attached companies from the 307th Infantry. The 2nd Battalion was led by Captain George McMurtry, a veteran of the Spanish American War who rode with Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders. Whittlesey was the commander of the 308th’s 1st Battalion, but as the senior officer present, he took command of the trapped units.
On the other hand, the American regimental commander ordered them to proceed regardless, to which Whittlesey replied.
All right, I’ll attack, but whether you’ll hear from me again, I don’t know
Major Charles Whittlesey, Captain of the 308th Infantry Regiment, 77th Division
The 1st and 2nd Battalions arrived at their destination after heavy fighting, but French and American units on both flanks were stopped, allowing the Germans to surround Whittlesey and McMurtry’s units.
With insufficient communication means, couriers, cables that couldn’t be run through the dense forest, and carrier pigeons, they could not communicate their location and were presumed lost. In reality, the unit was exactly where it should have been. When they were finally located by air, they were misidentified as enemy forces and were attacked by American artillery. Whittlesey sent the message using the last of his eight carrier pigeons,.
Cher Ami (French for Dear Friend), We are along the road parallel 276.4. Our artillery is dropping a barrage directly on us. For heaven’s sake, stop it.
Major Charles Whittlesey, Captain of the 308th Infantry Regiment, 77th Division
(Source: Congressional Medal of Honor Society)
The Temptation to Surrender and Winning
One of the couriers was captured by the Germans and returned with a surrender demand, which Whittlesey rejected. According to the American press, Whittlesey responded, “Go to Hell!”. Whittlesey later denied this claim. Surrender must have been appealing because his supplies of food and ammunition were running low; he was still surrounded, and no relief was in sight. American headquarters attempted to alleviate the burden by flying what is believed to be the country’s first aerial resupply mission. Food, supplies, and ammunition were airdropped, but most landed outside the perimeter and into German hands.
The Germans were forced to retreat after five days, and approximately 190 men could walk out of the site on the sixth day. Over 350 people were killed, wounded, or missing due to the Lost Battalion. For his leadership over the course of five days, now-Lt. On December 24, 1918, Colonel Charles Whittlesey was awarded the Medal of Honor. (Source: Congressional Medal of Honor Society)
Image from Worldwar1Centennial