being given up for lost by the military brass

[GoodTaste]

On General Douglas MacArthur's orders, a force of 12,000 U.S. Marines were marching north to the Yalu river in late November 1950. These three regiments of the 1st Marine Division--strung out along eighty miles of a narrow mountain road--soon found themselves completely surrounded by 60,000 Chinese soldiers. Despite being given up for lost by the military brass, the 1st Marine Division fought its way out of the frozen mountains, miraculously taking thier dead and wounded with them as they ran the gauntlet of unceasing Chinese attacks.This is the gripping story that Martin Russ tells in his extraordinary book. Breakout is an unforgettable portrayal of the terror and courage of men as they face sudden death, making the bloody battles of the Korean hills and valleys come alive as they never have before.

Source: The Chosin Reservoir Campaign

Does "being given up for lost by the military brass" mean "the high ranking officer had given up the three regiments of the 1st Marine Division by considering that they were lost and could not be found"?

 

[Tdol]

The military brass are the senior officers. The high-ranking officers considered them a lost cause, but they fought their way out without support.

 

[SoothingDave]

Not "lost" like "they can't find their way home." "Lost" like "the Chinese killed or captured them all."

 

[Tdol]

And aren't worth using resources to look for them.