In 'Finding the Lost Battalion' author Robert J. Laplander meticulously chronicles what would become one of the most famous events of American participation in World War One, discovering the truths... More > behind the legend. Drawing on hundreds of sources - many never before seen - and spanning eight years of research, including four trips to the sight of the action in France, Mr. Laplander leads the reader through the events in the Charlevaux Ravine during early October 1918, and the circumstances leading up to it, virtually hour by hour. In this way the book does not merely tell the story itself, but explains why it all came about in the first place. The end result is the single most factual acounting of the Lost Battalion and their leader, Charles W. Whittlesey, to date, told in an entertaining, fast moving style. Never dry or boring, as some military tomes can be, this one is sure to quickly become a favorite on your shelf and the benchmark against which all further work on the Lost Battalion will be measured.< Less
The Beyond The Wire Series is a collection of book reprints and studies relating to the experiences of prisoners of war from the First World War.
Volume #1 contains two stories:
"Behind Boche... More > Bars", by Ernest Warburton, in which
a wounded British infantry officer is captured on the Western Front and tells the story of his imprisonment in several German prison camps and of his eventual exchange, and "Brother Bosch: An Airman's Escape From Germany", by Gerald F. Knight, where the author is a Royal Flying Corps pilot shot down and captured on the Western Front. This story details his several escape attempts, the last of which was successful. Both decently introduce the reader to the subject of the series.< Less
In 'Finding the Lost Battalion' author Robert J. Laplander meticulously chronicles what would become one of the most famous events of American participation in World War One, discovering the truths... More > behind the legend. Drawing on hundreds of sources - many never before seen - and spanning eight years of research, including four trips to the sight of the action in France, Mr. Laplander leads the reader through the events in the Charlevaux Ravine during early October 1918, and the circumstances leading up to it, virtually hour by hour. In this way the book does not merely tell the story itself, but explains why it all came about in the first place. The end result is the single most factual acounting of the Lost Battalion and their leader, Charles W. Whittlesey, to date, told in an entertaining, fast moving style. Never dry or boring, as some military tomes can be, this one is sure to quickly become a favorite on your shelf and the benchmark against which all further work on the Lost Battalion will be measured.< Less
About Robert Laplander
Robert J. Laplander: Military Historian. World's leading authority on the 'Lost Battalion' of the 77th Division during WW1. Born: 23 February 1966 in Tuscon, Arizona. Married to: Trinie Liz. Three children: John, Joy and Jack. Lives in Tichigan, Wisconsin. Former Captain with the Wisconsin Military Cadet Corps, HQ CO/339th BN/84th DIV. Recipient of the Certificate of Excellence from 77th Sustainment Brigade, US Army Reserve. The only living civilian awarded the privilidge of wearing the patch of the 77th Infantry Division, at the behest of the final divisional commander, Major-General William Terpeluk, in recognition of his outstanding work in recording a major event in their history during WW1. Recipient of the Robert G. Brewer award from the Wisconsin Civil Air Patrol for excellence in achievement in recording the history of the 50th Aero Squadron during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive in WW1. Delivers professional development lectures on leadership under fire to the U.S. Army and ROTC.
Author Spotlight
