Battle of Spicheren

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Battle of Spicheren

Date	August 6, 1870
Location	near Saarbrücken, Germany
Result	German victory

Belligerents

Prussia

France

Commanders

Karl Friedrich von Steinmetz

Charles Auguste Frossard

Strength

27,000

24,000

Casualties and losses

2,871

4,000

v • d • e Franco-Prussian War

Wissembourg – Spicheren – Wœrth – Borny-Colombey – Strasbourg – Mars-la-Tour – Gravelotte – Metz – Beaumont – Noiseville – Sedan – Bellevue – Coulmiers – Amiens – Beaune-la-Rolande – Hallue – Bapaume – Villersexel – Le Mans – Lisaine – St. Quentin – Paris – Belfort

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.