It took a major miscalculation to get those GIs into such a situation. And it took a major sacrifice to get them out of it.
The latter was made by the 100th/442nd Regimental Combat Team, a unit consisting almost entirely of second-generation Japanese Americans, known as Nisei.
The 100th/442nd would earn a record six Presidential Unit Citations during World War II, and become the most decorated unit of its size in U.S. military history. The rescue in the Vosges was the 100th/442nd's most famous exploit, but it cost the unit dearly.
The "Lost Battalion" consisted of men from the 1st Battalion, 141st Regiment of the 36th Infantry. The 36th, a former Texas National Guard unit, suffered severely in Italy – most notably in the ill-fated crossing of the Rapido River in January, 1944.
And it would be placed in harm's way again in France.
Battalion Stranded in the Vosges
The 36th, under Maj. Gen. John E. Dahlquist, was waging a fierce fight against the Germans in the Vosges Mountains in eastern France. On Oct. 23, 1944, Dahlquist ordered the 141st to take high ground overlooking the town of La Houssiere.
The 1st Battalion lacked sufficient flank support, but moved ahead as ordered. It was six miles beyond its lines when the Germans counterattacked and moved into its rear. By the evening of Oct. 24, some 275 men -- two full companies of the battalion, and portions of two others -- were surrounded.
A platoon-sized patrol had been sent out to establish contact with other units, but only five men returned. Attempts to break through by the 141st's 2nd and 3rd Battalion had failed as well.
So the "Lost Battalion" did the only things it could. It strengthened its hilltop position, pooled its supplies, and hoped for the best.
100th/442nd Enters the Fight
The 100th/442nd had been promised rest after sustaining severe casualties in eight days of continuous fighting for the towns of Bruyeres and Biffontaine. But that was cut short when Dahlquist ordered the RCT to break through to the "Lost Battalion."
So Col. Charles Pence, the 100th/442nd commander, sent forward 3rd Battalion and 100th Battalion for the main attack, while the 2nd Battalion was utilized to seize ground on left to secure the flank.
Meanwhile, the German 933rd Grenadier Regiment had linked up with the 736th Regiment behind the stranded Texans, and two battalions of specialized mountain troops had also moved into the area. The terrain was well-suited for defense, marked by steep hills and thick forests.
Still, Dahlquist expected quick results. The 100th/442nd kicked off its advance early in the morning of Oct. 27, and by that afternoon, he was asking Lt. Colonel Alfred Pursall, the 3rd Battalion commander, why his men had not reached the "Lost Battalion."
German Resistance Stubborn
The Nisei had to overcome deadly artillery and mortar fire, tanks, and well-entrenched enemy. Plus, foul weather hampered attempts at air support. But they kept slogging forward in cold, wet conditions, sustaining heavy casualties while advancing just yards at a time.
The situation was becoming bleak for the 'Lost Battalion." The unit, commanded by Lt. Marty Higgins, had repelled a series of German attacks. But food and ammunition were running short. Attempts to air drop supplies had only minimal success, and casualties were mounting.
On Oct. 29, Dahlquist showed up at the 100th Battalion command post, demanding more aggressive action. But that simply resulted in Dahlquist's aide, Lt. Wells Lewis, being killed by sniper fire. Lewis, the son of Nobel Prize-winning author Sinclair Lewis, died in the general's arms.
The Nisei, though, were dying by the dozen, and things got worse before they got better.
The Attack on Banzai Hill
Despite help from the 752nd Tank Battalion and the 522nd Artillery Battalion, the Nisei infantrymen were still suffering heavily for small gains.
The turning point came on the afternoon of Oct. 29 when men from Companies I and K of the 3rd Battalion found themselves on an exposed ridge, taking heavy fire from Germans on a hill top. Suddenly, small groups of men began rushing forward, and then scores followed.
Accounts still vary over what sparked the charge up what is now known as "Banzai Hill" or Suicide Hill." But there is agreement that the Nisei leaped on German positions in a fury, rushing on despite severe losses, breaking resistance and capturing the hill.
One of the heroes was Pfc. Barney Hajiro, who killed two snipers and wiped out two machine gun positions in actions that would gain him the Congressional Medal of Honor.
"Banzai Hill" turned out to be the key to the Germans' encirclement of the "Lost Battalion." And the next morning, a Company I patrol led by Sgt. Takashi Senzaki reached the Texans.
Private First Class Matt Sakumoto was the first to make contact, being greeted excitedly by Sgt. Eddie Guy of the 141st. Sakumoto non-chalantly asked Guy if he needed any cigarettes.
The "Lost Battalion" was lost no more. But it had lost 64 of its 275 men.
Ordeal Continues for 100th/442nd
Things were worse for the 100th/442nd, which suffered hundreds of casualties in the operation. And it wasn't even over yet.
After rescuing the "Lost Battalion,” the Nisei were ordered to keep moving forward and they would stay in combat until Nov. 12.
The 100th/442nd went into the Vosges with 2,943 men. Before it came out, it had lost 161 killed and 2,000 wounded – 882 seriously. Forty-three were missing.
Five members of the regiment – Hajiro, Pvt. George Sakato, Pvt. Joe Nishimoto, Tech Sgt. James Okubo and Staff Sgt. Robert Kuroda – would be awarded the Medal of Honor for their heroism in the Vosges.
Sources
Steidl, Franz; Lost Battalions: Going for Broke in the Vosges, Autumn 1944; Presidio Press
Tanaka, Chester; Go For Broke: A Pictorial History of the 100th/442nd Regimental Combat Team, Presidio Press
Yenne, Bill; Rising Sons: The Japanese American GIs Who Fought for the United States in World War II, St. Martin's Press
Jon Matsune - Jon Matsune is a free-lance writer based in Northern California. He has 25 years of experience in newspaper journalism, mostly as a sports ...
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