Battle of Spicheren

Infobox Military Conflict


caption=
partof=the Franco-Prussian War
conflict=Battle of Spicheren
date=August 6, 1870
place=near Saarbrücken, Germany
result=German victory
combatant1=Prussia
combatant2=France
commander1=Karl Friedrich von Steinmetz
commander2=Charles Auguste Frossard
strength1=27,000
strength2=24,000
casualties1=2,871
casualties2=4,000|

The Battle of Spicheren, also known as the "Battle of Forbach", was a battle during the Franco-Prussian War. The German victory compelled the French to withdraw to the defenses of Metz.

The battle was not intended by Moltke, who wished to keep Bazaine's army on the Saar River until he could attack it with the II army in front and the I army on its left flank, while the third army was closing towards its rear. The aging General Karl von Steinmetz made an overzealous, unplanned move, leading the I army south from his position on the Moselle. He moved straight toward the town of Spicheren, cutting off Prince Frederick Charles from his forward cavalry units in the process.

While the French army under Patrice MacMahon engaged the German III Army at the Battle of Worth, the German I Army under Steinmetz advanced west from Saarbrücken and attacked the French 2nd Corps under Frossard, which was fortified between Spicheren and Forbach.

The French were able to stall the German I Army until the German II Army under Prince Friedrich Karl of Prussia came to the aid of their compatriots and routed the French. The German casualties were relatively high due to lack of planning and the effectiveness of the French chassepot rifle. Frossard retreated to Metz where he planned to withdraw and move to the fortress of Verdun, but once again he was attacked by Steinmetz at the Battle of Borny-Colombey.

ee also

* Forbach

References

* "Compton's Home Library:" Battles of the World CD-ROM
* http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/mcnelly/vb/scenarios/spicheren.htm