Click to view a High Resolution image
Click to view a High Resolution image
Click to view a High Resolution image
Return to Frank Erickson Page 1 | Return to Frank Erickson Page 2 | Return to Frank Erickson Page 3
h o m e
m a r k e r i c k s o n p a i n t i n g s Frank Severin Erickson Ernest Julius Erickson Andrew Anders Sebran Erickson American Expeditionary Force 1918 - 1919 Out West & North Dakota
|
Robert J. Laplander's 'Finding the Lost Battalion: Beyond the Rumors, Myths and Legends of America's Famous' WW1 Epic,' is undoubtedly the most complete book on the 77th Division's 'Lost Battalion.' Robert's research was extensive and completed over a near decade of concentrated work. He has dedicated significant time and energy to the various projects related to the 'Lost Battalion Boys' of the 77th. The Lost Battalion: Return to the Charlevaux is another good example of the stories from the Meuse Argonne of the early October days of 1918. Robert's re-edited publication of 'Lost Battalion - Survivors From Minnesota and the Northwest By Carl J. Peterson' was an incredible addition to the myth and legend of the Lost Battalion. 'Survivors' gave a chance for many in my family to rediscover a book that was rare in it's existence, but a jewel on the shelves of a just a few. It offers personal stories from the men that survived and their specific exploits of the days trapped in 'the pocket.' Included are photographs of my grandfather Frank and his story of being a runner for Lt. William J. Cullen, the commander of Company H.
The term the 'Lost Battalion' came about early in the siege in the Argonne, coming
ironically from a short descriptive phrase in a sentence written by a newspaperman
in one of his dispatches sent to his newspaper back in the states. It soon caught on as
the term for the Regiment in all the newspaper articles that were circulating around the
world. To this day the very term brings images of one of the most unique stories in
military history. Even though the men were really never lost. One of the most unfortunate, yet historic episodes of the American involvement in the first world war, was the story of the Lost Battalion that began on October 2nd, 1918. It climaxed when 194 of the original 554 men of the 77th were able to escape from 'the pocket' of the Argonne Forest on October 8th. The men had withstood countless aggression's by the Germans, hand-to-hand assaults, sniper attacks, grenades lobbed into their positions, German and friendly fire artillery barrages and the cold dark nights huddled in their trenches. Along with a lack of food and water, the men dealt with severe and intense situations which they handled with valor and bravery. My grandfather Pvt. Frank G. S. Erickson was the main runner for Lt. William J. Cullen, Company H's commander. The written documentation of one of Frank's exploits on October 3rd, 1918 puts into focus one of the actions he performed during the bleak days in the Argonne. I personally enjoy how the author wrote the line referring to Frank as he entered into the chaos of the moment. The whole passage and story is attached below. "Still, more men were continuing to pour into the wounded area when Private Frank Erickson, Lt. Cullen's primer runner, came tearing up with a salute and message from Lt. Cullen."
The message that Frank delivered read: The 'Lost Battalion,' consisted of Companies A, B, C of the 1st Battalion 308th Infantry Regiment, E, G, H Companies of the 2nd Battalion 308th Infantry, K Company of the 3rd Battalion of the 307th Infantry Regiment and C, D Companies of the 306th Machine Gun Battalion. All of these Companies belonged to the 154th Infantry Brigade of the 77th Infantry Division. They had a strength of approximately 545 men which was a battalion-sized force. Major Charles Whittlesey was the battalion commander of 1st Battalion 308th Infantry Regiment and was the senior officer present during the early October period when they advanced into the Argonne. He assumed command of the entire force once he realized it was surrounded. Despite it all, the serious loss of men, running seriously low on food, water and ammunition the men of the 77th held their ground. They caused enough of a distraction for other Allied units to break through the German lines, which forced the Germans to retreat. In that very action, the 'Lost Battalion' moves in our minds from myth to legend. Their many accomplishments during their arduous time in the Argonne will never be forgotten.
Below the images of Robert J. Laplander's 'Finding the Lost Battalion: |
h o m e