Hell's Half Acre - The True Story of the Lost Battalion - Robert Laplander
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
- On the evening of Oct. 2, 1918, Major Charles W. Whittlesey of the 77th Division led nearly 700 men under his command into the narrow Charlevaux Ravine, deep in the heart of the Argonne Forest in northeastern France. That night the German occupied the high ground behind them, surrounding them and cutting them off a kilometer ahead of the American lines. Five days later, just 194 survivors walked out of the ravine... and into history. This is their story.
Robert J. Laplander, Author of 'Finding the Lost Battalion: Beyond the Rumors, Myths and Legend of America’s WWI Epic'
Lecture given as part of the National WWI Museum and Memorial's 2018 Symposium, 1918: Crucible of War.
Symposium presenting sponsor: Pritzker Military Museum & Library - www.pritzkermil...
For more information visit theworldwar.org
My goodness, I've rarely if ever heard a better storyteller tell an amazing story. Just wow
The psychological pressure on Charles Whittlesey is difficult to imagine and must have been tremendous. Aside from his own personal trauma from the experience in the forest and the predictable "survivor's guilt", he reportedly received constant pleas from his men or their survivors after the war, pleas that he could do little about. And, only a few days before he boarded that boat, he served along with Sgt. York as a pall bearer at the burial of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery. His was a heroic but very sad story.
My friend used to live in the commander's old home in Florence Wi, my hometown. It's now an antique shop with an apartment upstairs. Feel free to contact me if you have an questions, perhaps I can be of some help in some way. I'm an Air Force veteran, loved my time in, love my country, love the men who came before me. Dig this presentation. Anyone who starts their speech out with "I might suck" is a presenter I'm totally ready to hear. I knew youd be good, you didnt disappoint.
Thanks. I've spent a great deal of time in Florence. The Whittlesey home was sold only twice after they left town and the last owners had it torn down around 1983. There is a double wide on the spot now. I have a photo of the original house, which his father Frank built, and can point out where Charles' bedroom was. If you should visit the town again, they have a neat little historical museum. I donated a few things we recovered from the Charlevaux Ravine a few years back. They are VERY proud of Charles up there. I am, working on his biography now and it should be out the middle of 2021. Again, thanks for the nice praise - means a lot.
MY UNCLE LT MARK HAGERMAN WAS ONE OF 194 MEN THAT SURVIVRED FROM THE 77TH BATTALION. WHEN HE RETIRED HE BECAME GENTLEMEN FARMER .THE FARM IS LOCATED IN THE NORTHERN PART OF PENNSYLVANIA FRENCH ASYLUM MY GREAT GRAND FATHER PURCHASED IN 1836 FROM MR JOHN LaPORTE WHO WAS SENT HERE BY MARIE ANTONINETTE TO BUILD HER HOUSE CALLED La GRANDE MANSION. SHE WAS EXPECTED TO EXILE TO.HER 300 ACRE ESTATE. SHE NEVER MADE IT TO PENNA . THE HOUSE BECAME KNOWN AS THE LaPORTE HAGERMAN HOUSE. MY UNCLE MARK LIVED UNTIL I WAS ABOUT 12 YEARS OLD EVERY SUMMER MY FAMILY WENT TO A COTTAGE THAT WAS 100 YARDS DOWN A DIRT ROAD. FROM THE MAIN HOUSE. BOTH PROPERTIES WERE WITH IN 200 YARDS NORTH BRANCH OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER HE TAUGHT US HOW TO MILK COWS BAIL HAY DRIVE TRACTORS. HE TALKED ABOUT A LOT OF THINGS BUT HE WOULD NOT TALK ABOUT THE WAR.
Amazing!
This is an amazing story and really brought to life by Mr Laplander, thank you for putting this where I could find it. . My grandpa was in the 77th. He was 308th infantry, company G, and he was a cook. I first leared of the Lost Battalion from my Dad who had my Grandpas (his dads) war diary. It was a little red book with simple daily entries in it. I was a young boy and asked lots of questions but got mainly the story of being surrounded by the enemy, and Cher Ami, and the shortage of food and water. My Grandpa did not talk about his war experience with his grandchildren but he was one of the survivors who walked out of that forest. I have since come to know that alone was an amazing feat. He was a regular at the 77th reunions in New York that Mr Laplander mentioned. 1975 He passed away in 1975 at age 83. A member of the 77th came to his funeral and read the soldiers prayer at his grave side. Quite a moving experience for our family and
especially for me.
Awesome lecture man. I would love to hear you give one on the battle of Verdun.
Thank you so much. Marvelous lecture.
Great presentation!
My grandmother was a nurse at Camp Upton. I have her photo album.
Great presentation 👍. I love history and this man's knowledge was amazing.
"Taking tremendous casualties"Nice way to put it consodering the way they did trench warfare then, most battles can be reenacted pretty accurately throwing ripe tomatoes into a desk fan.
By the time we attacked into the Argonne, trench warfare was pretty much done. The purpose of the offensive was to get up and moving. The AEF actually spent very little time in trenches as opposed to the French, British and Germans. Their war was another story.
Excellent story and great presentation...thank you
Excellent !
My Grandfather was one of the 194. Didn't walk out because he was wounded (twice).
Finally got his P H in the 70's. Look it up: J C Phelps.
Have you spoken to this speaker Robert Laplander? He’s written at least 2 books about the Lost Battalion. I’m sure he’d be very interested to talk to you if you haven’t already. And I’m sure you’d be fascinated to talk to him. He’s on Facebook.
Arthur Guy Empey " over the top"
The all-black 369th infantry regiment entered combat on April 15, 1918, after Pershing gave them to the French 16th on March 10th. I guess they weren't a national army division though.
The 369th was assigned to the French in April but did not begin active combat operations until May 8, 1918. They also were not assigned to a US division until later and were a New York National Guard regiment - not a National Army division. Thanks for watching!
Actually know the guy good friend nice guy
Omar Richards was my great grandfather 🙂
I have been in contact with your family recently. If you are on Facebook stop by the Finding the Lost Battalion page and join us!
The quintessential American attitude… I ain’t heard No bell.
After the war started in 1917? ........ IT STARTED IN 1914.
That`s an insult to the British and all our loyal allies who joined us when the war started. The Aussies, Kiwis, Cannucks, South Africans, etc.etc.
The war began for America in 1917 - this story concerns the AEF.
That was a truly great presentation. Wish I'd been there (at the presentation, not the ravine.)
my great-grandfather William Hahn served in the Argonne Campaign in 1918.
Well, well, well, this man can tell a story! What an amazing presentation, truly gave a voice to the men of the 77th. I will be watching this a few times over. Many thanks!
I have my great, great uncles ww1 uniform. He was an infantry soldier in the 77th and 1st reg , it's in almost mint condition..the statue of liberty and 2 bronzed color chevrons on the same lower sleeve. He had the #1 with two rifles crossed on it . It's incredible I also have his cover or cap.
That’s fantastic!
m.th-cam.com/video/aLnweK8poL0/w-d-xo.html
Superb! Superb! Superb! A natural speaker and a first-rate presentation. Inspired me to go back to France and study this area in detail. The Argonne Forest is like a time capsule; as if the ruins were only abandoned a year or two earlier.
I am curious if there is a small risk walking on ground where WWI or II took place. Once in a while, there are news stories about unexploded munitions being discovered in Europe.
I obviously need to learn more…Laplander speaks like a warrior (he is a former Marine) captivating and engaging. I felt like I was in the battle at times.
Great presentation, my late wife's grandfather was in F Co 306th Inf in WWI.
There’s a Swedish metal band called Sabaton that did a song about this from their album The Great War. Someone did a video with clips from the 2001 movie. They also have one on that album about Sgt.York called 82nd all the way.
m.th-cam.com/video/aLnweK8poL0/w-d-xo.html
m.th-cam.com/video/ZgfCUxFE7XA/w-d-xo.html
Devil Dogs as well
m.th-cam.com/video/EVCtCWXB2W4/w-d-xo.html
I had the honor of going to high school with Robert Laplander
Less we forget, less we forget!
Great story of amazing men. These fine men are top notch heros
You are a greater presenter!! Thanks
Outstanding presentation.. there are stories from all battles that leave you wondering ..and mesmerized
Maybe commanders shouldn't call a place "dead man" before they arrive😐 just a thought.
The Germans and French had already named those places during the fighting there in the three years prior. There had been considerable fighting there. The mill was a German mustering point for battle and was considered the 'lst stop' before many became dead men.
I could have listened for hours to this guy’s style and he basically just gave us the meat and potatoes, I bet he could make the most intricate detail fascinating great job
Great Lecture!
History and rhymes of the last battalion " buck private " McCollum
Laplander does such a great job talking about the Lost Battalion, he just draws you in!!
Liked and shared and rightly so. Thanks for posting.
really enjoyed this, real history, you can tell this host is a bad azz haha
This was a tremendous presentation. I hope you continue to offer such speeches to "keep green their memory."
Outstanding
That was a fascinating presentation. Thank you!
Best speaker I've heard,
Please send me a reading list!
Great presentation! I was with the old 77th Division (77th ARCOM) in 1983-93 with the 237th Maintenance Co, 695th Maint Bn, and the 301st ASG, stationed at Fort Totten, Queens, NYC. The Lost Battalion has a marker on Queens Blvd in NYC.
Incredible
Man can tell history better than 99% of anyone alive
I'm only 9:49 in and I'm hooked what a great lecture.
Billy is such a good boy
Thank you
My heart broke when he said socialist u.u
This is form wiki "Whittlesey spent several years as a member of the American Socialist Party before resigning his membership in disgust over what he viewed as the movement's increasing extremism."
@@Autobotmatt428 Absolute right. His buddy Eastman was a committed socialist, but turned into a fervent anti-communist. Whittlesey caught on to that quicker then Eastman , even though they were buddies. I'm proud of my cousin. Charlie. you did good. Rest easy.
@@ctbaw9484 yeas, he had turned from the party but he was still committed to the socialist ideals and believed until the end that they would make the world a better place. I am working on his biography now and it should be out in mid-2021, in plenty of time for the anniversary of his death.
@@Autobotmatt428 while he did resign himself from the party, the socialist ideal was still what he believed in down deep and was committed to until his death. I am working on his biography now and it should be out by mid-2021.
@@TheJonesJunkie Can you explain to your American readers that Socialism and Communism are two different things. 🤣
I’ve spoken to this speaker, Robert Laplander. He’s a very friendly guy and will answer any questions you have about WWI no matter who you are. Very cool dude.