Friday, September 28, 2018

‘Lost Battalion’ Talk by Don Pischner

In honor of the 100th anniversary of WWI, area historian and former legislator Don Pischner will share the epic story of two local doughboys in a presentation at the library on Thursday, Oct. 4, at 7 p.m.
The Lost Battalion is the name given to nine companies of the United States 77th Division, roughly 554 men, isolated by German forces during World War I after an American attack in the Argonne Forest in October 1918. Roughly 197 were killed in action and about 150 missing or taken prisoner before 194 remaining men were rescued.
The battalion suffered many hardships. Food was short, and water was available only by crawling under fire to a nearby stream. Ammunition ran low. Communications were also a problem, and at times they would be bombarded by shells from their own artillery. Despite this, they held their ground and caused enough of a distraction for other Allied units to break through the German lines, which forced the Germans to retreat.
Pischner will relate the experiences of Ruben Hudlow and Irvin Pischner, the speaker’s dad, based in part on their correspondence.
This presentation is offered in partnership with the Museum of North Idaho.

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