#lost battalion

Pigeon Message from Major Whittlesey to the Commanding Officer of the 308th Infantry

Record Group 120: Records of the American Expeditionary Forces (World War I) Series: Records of Divisions File Unit: Field Messages - 32.16

This is a message delivered by pigeon from the commander of the "Lost Battalion" to the headquarters of the 308th Infantry requesting a halt of the artillery barrage that was causing numerous friendly fire casualties.

Since forming in 1999 and kicking off their career with their second album, ‘Primo Victoria’ in 2004, the Swedish heavy metal band has rocked the world with songs of historical events of war and heroism.  

It has been seen in recent years that many people, young and old, are forgetting major historic events such as the holocaust or believe them to be false/exaggerated. This unfortunately plays into the saying ‘Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it’ today as we see such atrocities being repeated once more. 

However, that is not to say that is inevitable. Despite what is said, many are aware of the history of our past and continue to learn with each passing day. It is with this concern though that Sabaton’s music is more than just great music, but a medium to which we can grasp history and learn from it. The band has stated that “People have told us that they passed their history exams in school because of our songs." 

A claim that is easy to see when one listens to their songs and the lyrics. However, as there are numerous songs that I could happily talk about such as the song about the all-female Russian bomber regiment, ‘Night Witches’ or the song of Germany’s first Bismarck-class battleship, ‘Bismarck’, I will instead talk about the songs in the album ‘The Last Stand’. However, if you’re interested in the historical context behind their songs that are not mentioned, you can visit their website to learn more. From here on all though, all the songs that I will be going over the first five songs of the album cover at the top of this blog post. 

Sparta is the first song of the album that blares out with a roar of chants and drums. The main singer retelling the Battle of Thermopylae as the choir that follows into the chorus soon after gives you the vibe of a legion of warriors standing defiantly against the horde of Persians. 

This song is based upon the story of the ‘300 Spartans’ that was recorded by the Greek historian about the defense of the Greek army’s retreat spearheaded by the Spartans against the chasing forces of the Persian army. 

Last Dying Breath follows Sparta with a blaze of glory much like the defenders of Belgrade in their ferocity to protect their homeland at all costs. A fitting followup from the previous song from the distant past to a more modern representation of the will to protect their homeland. The song is based on Dragutin Gavrilović, a Serbian major in WWI who issued a last stand against the Austro-Hungarian army at Danube. 

Blood Of Bannockburn appears next in the album with bagpipes, guitars, and drums with an upbeat, rock tone in a pump up manner. The music is quite fitting as the lyrics tell of the Battle of Bannockburn where the Scottish clans united to rebel against the English crown.

Diary Of An Unknown Soldier which transmissions smoothly into The Lost Battalion sets the groundwork of the struggle of the 77th Division behind the German lines as they find themselves cut off from all sides. The situation was hard as their supplies dwindled, but the music along with the lyrics greatly portray their determination to stay strong even in such a dire situation and persevere until they were saved by a pigeon delivering a message to their allies. 

Rorke's Drift is the last song to cover and it starts with a quickening beat that soon turns into a torrent as the lyrics come around. The song is based on the  Battle of Rorke's Drift where the British forces of around 150 men defended against the 3000 Zulu warriors as they streamed down upon the encampment. The beat and drums set the tone of an intense defensive versus offensive assault as both sides struggle to overcome the other. 

All of these songs showcase major events in history and of the heroics of those who committed acts of courage in the face of certain defeat. Needless to say, I believe Sabaton is one of the greatest bands in modern times due to not just only their music, but the telling of historic events that many would otherwise have never heard of. 

Sources:

The Last Stand by Sabaton

Primo Victoria by Sabaton

Holocaust Study Claims People Are Forgetting by David Rancken

China Uighurs: A model's video gives a rare glimpse inside internment by BBC’s John Sudworth

Sabaton: "People have told us that they passed their history exams in school because of our songs" by guitarworld.com

Night Witches Pt. 2 – Female Soldiers – Sabaton History 069 by Sabaton

Bismarck by Sabaton

Wikipedia Links: 

Battle of Thermopylae

Dragutin Gavrilović

Battle of Bannockburn

Lost Battalion (World War I)

Lost Battalion Memorial, Binarville France, December 2018.

Full photo gallery online here.

Lost Battalion Memorial

On October 2 1918, US Major Charles W. Whittlesey of the 308th Infantry Regiment/77th US Army Division led nearly 700 men under their command into the Charlevaux Ravine. The objective was to take up a position along the Binarville-La Viergette Road and form a line with the 307th Infantry Regiment on their right and French forces on their left. The flanking forces had been unable to keep up and by nightfall Whittlesey unit was almost a kilometer ahead of the line. They dug into the northern slope of the ravine and created a positon that would become famously known as “The Pocket”.

By 10:00am the next morning German forces had surrounded The Pocket and began pounding the Americans with trench mortar and machine gun fire from the north and south. Whittlesey sent out a strong patrol to attempt a breakout but suffered heavy casualties. With carrier pigeons as the only means of communication, Whittlesey kept his Regimental Headquarters informed of the rapidly deteriorating situation as best he could. By the evening of October 3 all medical supplies had been exhausted and all food had been consumed. German machine guns kept the Americans away from Charlevaux Brook, the only available water supply, and 20% of Whittlesey’s forces had been killed or wounded. Whittlesey himself had been shot in the knee.

On October 4 the Germans continued their attack. American forces attempted to reach Whittlesey’s unit without success. The 152nd Field Artillery Brigade attempted to fire a “barrage of protection” around The Pocket to ward off the Germans. But an error in map coordinates resulted in artillery shells landing directly upon the trapped Americans. Whittlesey released his last carrier pigeon, named Cher Ami, with a plea:

We are along the road parallel 276.4

Our own artillery is dropping a barrage directly on us.

For heaven’s sake stop it.

Whittlesey, Major 308

Twenty-two minutes later, missing an eye, a leg and shot through the breast, Cher Ami got through with the message. The artillery brigade had already realized their error and lifted fire, but 80 men had been wounded with 30 killed by the friendly fire.

By October 5 the men in The Pocket were out of supplies, fighting off continued German attack as well as infection and rain. Airplanes of the 50th Aero Squadron attempted to supply the Americans by air, the first such large scale endeavor in history. Back in the United States newspapers were already reporting the plight of “The Lost Battalion”, despite the fact that they were not lost and not a single battalion.

On October 6 the casualty rate at The Pocket was approaching 70%. Efforts to supply Whittlesey’s men by air would continue with three planes being lost to enemy fire. None of the supplies would reach The Pocket.

The final German assault on The Pocket began on October 7 at 5pm. The fierceness of the attack was matched by the stubbornness of defense, despite the exhausted state of Whittlesey’s men and ammunition. Battle farther up and down the line had put intense pressure on German troops and at 7pm the German’s abruptly withdrew from the area. Relief finally broke through to The Pocket shortly thereafter. Whittlesey was immediately promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He would also be awarded the Medal of Honor.

Of the 687 men that went into Charlevaux Ravine on October 2 only 194 were able to walk out on the afternoon of October 8.

Medal of Honor recipient Lieutenant Colonel Charles W. Whittlesey in 1918, photo Wikipedia

Three years to the month after the Armistice, Charles W. Whittlesey, a hero of the Great War but unable to cope with the torment of his memories, jumped over the side of a ship bound for Cuba. His body was never found. He had said to a friend prior “Not a day goes by but I hear from some of my old outfit, usually about some sorrow or misfortune. I cannot bear it much more.”

Cher Ami at the Museum of American History, photo Wikipedia

Whittlesey’s carrier pigeon Cher Ami was saved by Army medics that October day in 1918. She was awarded the Croix de Guerre Medal for heroic service and died in New Jersey on June 13 1919. She is currently on display at the National Museum of American History in Washington D.C.

It is simply not possible to walk around sites like this, especially as an American citizen, and not feel the weight of history.

U.S. Army veteran Astro “Al” Tortolano, 97, was and is one of the few survivors of WWII’s “Lost Battalion.” The rescue of the Texas battalion while trapped by German troops in the Vosges Mountains of northern France is a legendary WWII story.

To honor the Santa Clara resident for his life-long service to his country, community and fellow veterans, Santa Clara American Legion Post 419 named its Legion Hall after Tortolano at a ceremony on Feb. 16. He is the recipient of the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and other medals.