The Lost Battalion

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The Lost Battalion is a 2001 made-for-TV war movie. Set in October 1918, it tells the true story of a U.S. Army battalion, which becomes trapped behind German lines. Rather than surrender to the German troops, the American troops decide to hold out until reinforcements arrive. It stars Rick Schroder as Maj. Charles Whittlesey, who earned the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle.

Tropes used in The Lost Battalion include:

• A Father to His Men: Maj. Whittlesey and Capt. McMurtry both deeply care for their troops.
• Anyone Can Die:
• Blatant Lies: Despite what Gen. Alexander tells Maj. Whittlesey, no Allied troops are supporting his flanks.
• The Cavalry Arrives Late: At the end of the movie, Gen. Alexander finally arrives with reinforcements, only to discover that the battalion has singlehandedly repulsed all enemy attacks, and more than half of the trapped soldiers have either been killed or captured.
• Fake American: Most prominent among the cast are Sgt. Gaedeke and Pvt. Cepaglia (both English) and the "Texan" Lt. Leak (South African).
• General Ripper: Gen. Alexander sends Whittlesey's battalion on a suicidal assault against the German lines, and wants them to hold their position even after other U.S. and French troops have retreated to the Allied lines. He is deeply shocked however when he discovers that his own artillery is firing on the trapped battalion. The German general is by comparison much worse, sending wave after wave of troops against the enemy, without any artillery or air support.
• Kill It with Fire: After all else fails, the Germans decide to use flamethrowers to flush out the remaining U.S. troops. This tactic fails too.
• Ludicrous Gibs: During the artillery bombardment, Sgt.Gaedeke is blown to pieces by an artillery shell, leaving only his helmet.
• Only a Flesh Wound: During the artillery bombardment, Capt. McMurtry receives a large piece of shrapnel in his shoulder. He doesn't even notice it until another soldier points it out to him. He decides to leave it in.
• Ragtag Bunch of Misfits: The captured Lt. Leak tells Maj. Prinz, "What you're up against, Major, is a bunch of Mick, Pollack, Dago and Jew gangster boys from New York City. They'll never surrender." They also have a Chinese field phone operator and a Native American runner.
• Southern-Fried Private: Lt. Leak, a Texan officer with a heavy accent, who claims he can't understand the New York City accent of his troops.
• War Is Hell
• Worthy Opponent: Maj. Prinz, a German officer, comes to consider the American troops as this, and even wants to give them free passage back to their own lines.