Courage in the Argonne: The Lost Battalion

The Lost Battalion: Courage in the Argonne tells the gripping true story of more than 500 American soldiers who were cut off, surrounded, and left to fend for themselves in the dense Argonne Forest during the final weeks of World War I. Led by Major Charles Whittlesey, these men of the 77th Division held their position under constant German attack, with no food, no water, and little ammunition — all while being mistakenly shelled by their own artillery. For six harrowing days, they refused to surrender. In this episode, we explore:

• The chaotic Meuse-Argonne offensive that led to their isolation
• Personal accounts from trapped soldiers
• The bravery of carrier pigeons like Cher Ami
• How their endurance turned them into legends
• The physical and emotional cost of their survival

This is a story of grit, brotherhood, and heroism in the face of impossible odds — a story too powerful to be lost to history.