Battle of Le Bourget

Infobox Military Conflict


caption=
partof=Franco-Prussian War
conflict=Battle of Le Bourget
date=27-30 September, 1870
place=Le Bourget, France
result=German victory
combatant1=Prussia
combatant2=France
commander1=Albert of Saxony
commander2=Carey de Bellemare
strength1=Prussian Guard
strength2=
casualties1=378 total
casualties2=1,200 captured|

The Battle of Le Bourget was part of the siege of Paris during the Franco-Prussian War.

Background

General Carey de Bellemare commanded the northern section of Paris defenses which in the vicintity of Saint Denis, which was considered the strongest point of the defenses. Facing de Bellemare was a German salient at the town of Le Bourget held by the Prussian Guard of the Army of the Meuse. The salient at Le Bourget left the Guard isolated and vulnerable much to their displeasure. De Bellemare grew restless at the inactivity of the Paris defenses under overall command of Louis Jules Trochu.

The battle

On September 27 without authorization from Trochu, de Bellemare attacked Le Bourget. Taken by surprise the Prussian Guard fell back from the city. News of the de Bellemare's victory was greatly welcomed by the citizens but when de Bellemare asked for reinforcements to hold the position Trochu refused. Ironically both sides felt the same way about the village of Le Bourget. Both Trochu and the Prussian Guard felt the village offered no strategic advantage and was vulnerable to enemy artillery. To the Guardsmen the end of the war was in sight and felt that a counter attack would only cause more bloodshed over an unnecessary objective. However the commander of the Prussian Army of the Meuse, Crown Prince Albert of Saxony felt otherwise. He ordered the city retaken on September 30. Despite their reservations about the counter attack the Prussian Guard fought well. Three columns converged on Le Bourget, one in the center and two flanking columns. The French were driven through the streets and lost 1,200 captured to the Prussians.

Aftermath

Parisians had rejoiced at the news of the capture of Le Bourget and were now even more disheartened to hear that it had fallen back into the hands of the Prussians. Even though he had never wanted an attack on the village, Trochu received much of the blame for the defeat. Even worse news than the defeat at Le Bourget began to fill the streets of Paris; that of the fall of Metz. With these two defeats French morale began to sink greatly within Paris.

ources

*Howard, Michael "The Franco Prussian War" ISBN 0-415-26671-8