Lost Battalion

Lost Battalion. (France - Vosges Mountains). The 1st Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, "Texas Division", Texas National Guard, was surrounded by German forces in the Vosges Mountains in France on 24 October 1944. They are known as the "Lost Battalion - Vosges Mountains". Against the advice of his senior officers, the 1st Battalion was committed to an engagement by Major General John E. Dahlquist. On 23 October 1944. The 1st Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment spearheaded an attack against retreating Germans in eastern France. Unfortunately, the Germans had captured a map with the 36th Divisions battle plans and ordered a swift counter attack that cut off the 1st Battalion. 275 men from the 1st Battalion were cut off two kilometers behind enemy lines. Two failed attempts were made to rescue the 1st Battalion. For the next six days the 1st Battalion courageously fought off repeated attacks by the German Grenadier Regiment 933. A third rescue attempt was conducted by the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment, a unit made up of Japanese Americans. The 100th Infantry Battalion fought from 26 October to 30 October 1944 to rescue the Lost Battalion and sustained incredible casualties. The 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment broke through German defenses and rescued 211 men. The 442nd sustained 814 casualties. The 442nd infantry regiment is the most decorated unit in US military history for its size and length of service. The 100th Infantry Battalion earned the nickname the Purple Heart Battalion. The motto of the 442nd Infantry Regiment is, "Go for broke". Of the 3,000 soldiers from the German Grenadier Regiment 933, only 80 survived. This is a testament to the brutality of the fighting and the heroism of the soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division and the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment.