The Lost Battalion

On October 23rd the 141st Infantry Regiment (Texas National Guard) entered the Foret Domaniale De Champ in the Vosges Mountains. 1st Battalion advanced along a ridge to take the high ground overlooking La Houssiere. The next day saw heavy German …

1944-10-30

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On October 23rd the 141st Infantry Regiment (Texas National Guard) entered the Foret Domaniale De Champ in the Vosges Mountains. 1st Battalion advanced along a ridge to take the high ground overlooking La Houssiere. The next day saw heavy German attacks from both flanks cut through the Battalion, isolating Companies A, B, and part of C plus 443rd Platoon of Company D. Regimental Headquarters received a coded message from one of the rifle companies: "No rations, no water, no communications with (battalion) headquarters... four litter cases." When the other battalions failed to break through, attempts were made to resupply the "Lost Battalion" by air and artillery but the terrain prevented many of the supplies from reaching them. Moreover, the resupply attempts revealed to the Germans how desperate the Lost Battalion was, and the enemy pressed on with their attacks. Though the Lost Battalion was able to beat back the enemy’s attacks, time was running out. Meanwhile, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, made up of second generation Japanese-Americans or ‘Nisei' fought with a total disregard of their own casualties to rescue the Lost Battalion.

Vosges Mountains, Alsace, France

"The Lost Battalion" refers to theist Battalion, 14ist Infantry, which was surrounded by German forces in the Vosges Mountains on 24 October 1944.

Wikipedia: Lost Battalion (Europe, World War II)

German

Americans