Battle of Bellevue

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Battle of Bellevue
date October 7, 1870
place Bellevue, France
output German victory
Parties to the conflict

North German ConfederationNorth German Confederation North German Confederation

Second empireSecond empire France

Commander

North German ConfederationNorth German Confederation Rudolf von Kummer

Second empireSecond empire François Bazaine

Troop strength
? about 30,000 men
losses

1,780 dead, wounded and missing

1,257 dead and wounded

Battles and Sieges of the
Franco-German War (1870–1871)

The battle of Bellevue on October 7, 1870 between the French army on the Rhine under Bazaine and the German army of defenses near Metz was a battle of the Franco-German War . Also referred to in some sources as the Skirmish or Battle of Ladonchamps.

Since August 20, 1870, the Rhine Army with around 180,000 soldiers had been enclosed in the fortress of Metz . On August 31 and September 1, 1870, at the Battle of Noisseville , an attempt by the French army to break out had been successfully rejected by the German units.

On October 2nd, another failure was directed against Ladonchamps, Ste.-Agathe, St.-Remy and Bellevue. The Germans (parts of the III. Army Corps under Lieutenant General von Alvensleben ) had to withdraw from the outermost line, the towns of Ladonchamps and Ste.-Agathe, but were able to maintain the fortified second line. In the further course of the fight the Prussians succeeded in driving the French back to their starting positions.

The last attack by the Rhine Army began on October 7, 1870 near the villages of Bellevue, St.-Remy, Grandes Tapes and Petites Tapes. The aim of the attack was no longer to break out with the union with other associations, but to procure food. The army's mobility was already too much restricted by the slaughter of the horses for such a long-range advance to have any chance of success.

At around 2 o'clock in the afternoon on October 7, 1870, French infantry columns with 2-3 batteries with a total strength of approx. 30,000 men advanced against the named places on the left bank of the Moselle and threw the outposts of the 3rd Reserve Division under General v. Grief after stubborn defense from these localities. Numerous soldiers were also taken prisoner by the French.

Lieutenant General von Alvensleben from III. Army Corps sent the 9th Infantry Brigade under Major General von Döring against the woods of Woippy for support, General von Voigts-Rhetz sent the 38th Infantry Brigade to follow. The German units were thus in a semicircular position and were able to take the attackers under flank fire from three sides. This situation forced the French to retreat, and when dusk fell, all positions they had lost in the meantime were regained.

A war correspondent reported that the French did not even get into the area of ​​the German main forces' rifle fire. Before they could reach this critical point, the fire of the artillery from several sides and the outpost lines had broken up their ranks: "The thick columns at first wavered and then broke apart." (Quoted from Engels, see below)

Note on the date

In various sources this battle is scheduled for October 18, 1870, or the battles of October 2 and October 7 are confused.

Used French forces

Imperial Guard
  • 1 he régiment de voltigeurs de la Garde impériale
  • 2 e régiment de voltigeurs de la Garde impériale
  • 3 e régiment de voltigeurs de la Garde impériale
  • 4 e régiment de voltigeurs de la Garde impériale
  • Regiment de zouaves de la Garde impériale
  • Battalion de chasseurs de la Garde impériale
Line infantry
Hunters on foot
  • 5 e battalion de chasseurs à pied
  • 11 e battalion de chasseurs à pied

swell