The Franco-German War 1870-71
The following is a contributed article. The author, Andreas Kopp, M.A., has his own web page. It is a biographical page of the major players in the Waterloo Campaign, it can be found on our links page. This is his second contribution to the HäT web site, his first dealt with the Austro-Prussian War of 1866.
Most of us know this as the Franco-Prussian War but it may more accurately be called the Franco-German War as it was more than just the Prussians against the French, the other German states weighed in as well. The name Franco-Prussian War may have alluded to the fact that the Prussians engineered the war, well, maybe to be completely accurate we should be calling it the Franco-Bismarckian War, as you-know-who was the instigator. What's more to say? It was a time of high militarism and nationalism, and the protagonists couldn't wait to get at each other. It was also the beginning of one empire and the end of another. For Germany, the empire lasted until the end of WWI (about 50 years), but the Germany as we know it now is the Iron Chancellor's legacy. For France, the Republic endures to this day. Here is the article, produced verbatim.
It was a sunny day in the little city Bad Ems, Germany, on the 13th of July 1870. The prussian king William I., unusually dressed in a civilian coat, wearing a top-hat, still he was teaking a cure, haven't had a haunch of what will happen in the next time. He was walking along the promenade and suddenly the french ambassador Benedetti came along. Two days later Germany and France waged war. What happened?
After the German war of 1866 Prussia was the leading force in Germany. In 1867 the northern states of Germany founded a confederation the so-called "Norddeutscher Bund" (i.e., federation of northern germany). The southern german states stood aside, but they had connected themselves to the new federation with several military alliances refering to a cause of war. French plans of annexation after the war of 1866 had inforced this step.
In the following years the relationship between France and Prussia remained strained. In 1870 the spark became a flame.
In 1868 the spanish queen Isabella lost her crown. The deserted throne was offered to Prince Leopold of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, a representative of the catholic branch of the prussian dynasty. The heir apparent accepted the choice, but than the protest in france gushed over. So he dismissed But this wasn't enough for France. So ambassador Benedetti got the order, to gain from king William a guarantee, that also in future no prussian prince will access to the throne in Spain. The above mentioned walk along the promenade followed.
King William informed directly his chancellor Otto von Bismarck. Bismarck, knowing that there was the chance to resolve the german problem, edited the so-called "Emser Depeche" in a way, that it was a hit in the face of France. In Paris the nationalists and the warheads took their stand. The Marsellaise, the famous revolutionary song, sounded through the streets of Paris, also a poem of Musset were cited: "Votre Rhin allemand... Où le père a passé, passera bien l'enfant "( Your river rhine, german,... which was crossed by the father, will also be crossed by the son). In Berlin were a similiar rumour: "Zum Rhein, zum Rhein, zum deutschen Rhein. Wir alle wollen Hüter sein." (To the rhine, the rhine, the german rhine. We all want to be your protector.) On the 14th of July France started the mobilisation. A day later Prussia followed. The remaining european states remained neutral.
Like four years before in Austria similiar difficulties occured during the french mobilisation. The french secretary of war Le Boef planned to accelerate the mobilisation. He wanted to combine the mobilisation and the concentration of troops. The result was a total confusion. Troops marched to the german border without equipment and replacements. On the 18th of July three french corps stood along the german-french border (IV. Corps with General Ladmirault, General Frossards II. Corps and Marshall Bazaines III. Corps). Marshall MacMahons Corps was formed around Straßburg in Alsace. General Failly and his V. Corps stood in Sarreguiemenes and Bitche (i.e. think this city sounds a little bit funny in the ears of my english readers) and connected the forces in Metz with those of Marshal MacMahon in Straßburg. General Bourbaki and the guard of Emperor Napoleon III.marched from Paris to Nancy. From there he was ordered on the 23rd of July to approach versus Metz. In the interior the VI. Corps of Canrobert gathered in Chalons sur Marne, and General Douays VII. Corps in Belfort (Alsace). The 28th of July saw emperor Napoleon in Metz to take command of the troops.
The german marching-up proceeded rapidly. On the 16th of July Bavaria and Baden began to mobilise their troops, two days later Württemberg followed. More than a million of men wanted to go for war, 362.000 were recruited. The right wing of the german force formed the 1st army under General Steinmetz. In the middle stood the 2nd army, consisting of 6 corps, under Prince Friedrich Karl. The left wing, 3rd army, was led by the prussian Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm.
The french army seemed to be a fiercefull opponent. The troops had fought in the crimean war, in Italy and Mexico, and their experience in Algeria wasn't to be underestimated. Here, a new tactic was born. The closed ranks in battle were abandoned, movable columns came along. New troops were raised, skirmishers and snipers, the so-called Zouaves, Spahis, Turcos and Chasseurs d'Afrique. Not to forget the famous foreign legion. The french ministry of war aimed on a improvement of quality instead of quantity. The result was in fact that the french troops were often outnumbered by the germans in 1870. The french equipment was also outstanding. In 1866, as consequence of the German War, a famous breech-loader was introduced, the Chassepot. This rifle was better than the prussian "Zündnadelgewehr", double range. Ironically the french tactic wasn't so developed to profit by this new weapon. The french artillery consisted of muzzle-loader canons, a handicap, that couldn't be equalized by the Mitrailleuse, a primitive machinegun (often shown in action in the western films of Clint Eastwood). Also the french staff and the commanders were not so trained like their german opponents.
Instead the pussian-german army had the experience of 1866. Above all the famous general staff led by General von Moltke was able to absorb the disadvantage of the weapons. The german troops reacted faster; mobilisation, logistic, the whole military organism, were better organized. And the german artillery was well equiped with the breech-loader cast-iron canons of Krupp.
The Franco-Prussian War of 1870/71 started with a french victory. On the 2nd of August General Frossard tooks Saarbrücken. Three days later the 1st army of General Steinmetz recaptured the city. In the afternoon of the 6th the battle of Spichern started. The first german assaults were repulsed, but the germans attacked more and more, so in the evening, general Frossard ordered the retreat. Marshal Bazaine stood aside, although his troops were able to reach the battlefield.
The german 3rd army crossed the french border on 4th of August near Weißenburg. The french Marshall MacMahon asked emperor Napoleon for reinforcements. Napoleon gave orders to Faillys Corps, but only one division approached to MacMahon. Similiar to the case of Bazaine the coordination between the french leaders was disastrous. In the morning of the 6th the 3rd army attacked MacMahon. At 4.30 p.m. the french resistance broke down. The brave Zouaves and Turcos couldn't prevent the french withdrawal. Failly, informed about the battle, ordered his troops to Pfalzburg. The casualties for both sides were heavy, but the moral of the german troops were not so shattered.
On the 9th of August the french cabinet resigned. New primeminister became Count de Falikao. In the west of France the french withdrawal continued. The I., VII. and the mayor part of french V. Corps approached to Luneville, from here to Chalons. The french troops were divided. On the 12th the french emperor gave command to Marshall Bazaine. On the 15th the german 2nd army crossed the river Moselle in the south of Metz. The following day two german corps attacked the french vanguard near Mars-la-Tour. A terrible fight showed Bazaine that a break-out to the west wasn't possible. So he took position between St. Privat and Gravelotte. Here he was confronted on the 18th with the german army. 188.332 Germans with 732 guns stood in front against 112.800 Frenchs with 520 guns. The german 2nd army stood in the focus, the 1st army attacked the french left wing. The prussian guard approached to St. Privat disregarding the french Chassepots and Mitrailleuses. In a few hours 307 officers and 7932 were killed or wounded. In the evening hours the french army retreated to Metz. On 27th of octobre the whole army leaved the city as P.O.W.
Napoleon for himself stayed in Chalons, with the I.,V., VII. and the new XII. Corps. This so-called Chalons army under the command of Marshal MacMahon set on 23th of August in motion to help Bazaine in Metz. The army camped in the night from the 24th and 25th between Vouziers and Rethel.
Meanwhile the german commander in chief Moltke regrouped the army. The 2nd army became divided. The Crown Prince of Saxony gained the command over the new established Maas army, consisting of the prussian guard, the IV. and the XII. Corps. Prince Friedrich Karl besieged Metz with the remaining four corps of the 2nd army and with the whole 1st army.
On the 23rd of August the german advance began once more. In the afternoon of the 26th the Maas army met MacMahons right wing near the small city of Grandpré. Three days later the german V. and the french XII. Corps encountered at Noualt, and on the following day Failly was taken by surprise at Beaumont. General de Wimpfen detached Failly and Marshal MacMahon ordered the withdrawal to Sedan, a small fortress in the ardennes. On the 31st of August MacMahon placed his troops: Douay stood on the hillside between Floing and Illy, Ducrot on the northern side round Givonne. Lebruns XII. Corps stood in the village of Bazailles, connecting his line with Ducrot. The V. Corps remained as reserve.
Moltke ordered the Maas army to attack Sedan from the eastside, whereas the 3rd army advanced from south. In twilight of the 31st the germans captured the bridges of Donchery and Bazailles. The commander of the french I. Corps, Ducrot, knews what happened: "Nous sommes dans on pot de chambre et nous y serons emmerdés (We are sitting in a chamber-pot, and they will shit on us).
The battle of Sedan started on 1st september 4.00 a.m. with the attack of the bavarian 1st corps on Bazailles. The french were desparetly defending their position. Around 6.00 a.m. MacMahon was wounded. Ducrot took over command. He ordered an immediate withdrawal , but General de Wimpfen appeared and canceled the order. He had a mayor order to take command over the whole army after the wounding of Marshal MacMahon.
At 6.30 a.m. the Maas army advanced on the right wing. A line of 72 guns raked the defenders of Daigny. The left wing of the german 3rd army with V. and XI. Corps approached to Floing and Illy. The attempt of the french cavalry (V. Corps) to counterattack failed. The commander and the majority of his troops became captured. Meanwhile the artillery of the 2nd bavarian Corps smashed the ramparts of Sedan.
The terrible canonade all over the front demoralised the french troops more and more. Ducrot asked for an attack at Floing. He gaves his orders to the division Chasseurs d'Afrique let by General Margueritte. Rapid fire of the german infantry stopped the attack. So at 15.00 p.m. the white flag was shown on the ramparts of Sedan. On the following day the whole french army surrendered. The french emperor Napoleon saw himself as P.O.W.
The French lost at Sedan 17.000 men and 21.000 P.O.W., the capitulation increased this number about 83.000. Also 449 guns, 139 fortressguns, 1072 vehicles, 66.000 rifles and 6.000 horses were in the hands of the german army.
The germans lost 9.000 men, killed or wounded. The important role of the artillery is obvious.
The capture of emperor Napoleon was the end of the 2nd empie in France. On the 4th of september a "government of national defense" became established by the republicans Favre and Gambetta. Shortly after Sedan the siege of Paris started. Gambetta fled in a balloon (!) organising a guerilla war in France, with the so-called Franctireurs. The newly raised republican armys had no chance against the german troops. In January Paris surrendered. On the 28th of January 1871 an armistice were signed, and in May the peace treaty of Francfort set an end to war: France lost Alsace-Lorraine and had to pay 5 billion Francs. The last Franc were paid in September 1873 and the last german soldier left France.
The main result of the war was the founding of the german 2nd empire on the 18th of January 1871. Germany was united. The prussian king became the german emperor, and Bismarck the first german "Reichskanzler" (i.e.primeminister). His plans were fulfilled.
Look here on my article Austro-Prussian War, but there will be a remark:
In 1870 the new "Pickelhaube" were established. So forget the colonial helmet of the Esci troops: Buy Häts Germans WWI.
The troops of Baden wore the same uniforms like the prussian army. Here you find also the "Pickelhaube", the blue uniform and the black throusers.
As body you can take the ACW figures, also the colonial troops of Esci. The helmet was similiar to the austrian napoleonic helmet (see Esci and Italeri). The colour of the uniform was middleblue, with red distinguishing marks.
As cavalry you can refer on the french carabiniers of Italeri and the british light dragoons of Esci:
The 1st bavarian Cuirassier Regiment wore the same helmet like the carabiniers (with black crest). Black top-boots and a middleblue uniform. The collar was red.
The 5th and 6th bavarian Cheveaulegers Regiments wore a uniform hussard style. Brown, nearly black, busby with a red wing. The colour of the uniform were darkblue with gold laces. The sash in bluewhite.
Artllery men wore the same uniform like the infantry, but the colour were darkblue.
The troopers of this small german state looked like their french opponents. Darkblue uniform, grey throusers, and redblue caps. The Württemberg rifleman wore the same uniform in green with black throusers and green-black cap. Without conversion you can use here all ACW figures.
As cavalry you can refer on the Scots Greys of Esci. Cut here the shako so that it looks like the french officers shako (You know the cap of General de Gaulle?). At the front of the shako you have to fix a plume. The colour of the uniform is the same like that of the infantry and artillery.
On the 1st may 1854 emperor Napoleon renewed the famous french imperial guard.
The cuirassiers wore the same uniform like their predecessors, but with a red greatcoat. The line cuirassiers had red overalls and a blue greatcoat. I think you kow the figures of Airfix and Esci.
The dragoons of the empress looked also like their predecessors. The linedragoons lost their green uniform in 1869, the colour changed to blue. Here you can use the announced dragoons of Hät.
The carabiniers are the Italeri Carabiners with a middleblue uniform, red distinguishing colours and white breeches.
The lancers of the guard looked like those of Esci with the newly styled Tschapka (see my last article). White uniform, middleblue corsage, red breeches. The line lancers looked like the infantry. You can take here the prussian Uhlans of Hät with the heads of ACW figures.
The Chasseurs a cheval looked like those of Revell with red breeches.
As hussards and Chasseurs d'Afrique you can take the Hussards of Italeri and the British Light Dragoons of Esci with the heads of the ACW figures. The uniform was sky-blue, the breeches red, the cap sky-blue with a red top.
The french infantryman of 1870/71 looked like the soldiers of the ACW. So you can use all those figures including the french foreign legion of Esci and Airfix. The uniform blue, red throusers, redblue cap and white gaiters. The colour of the greatcoat was greyblue.
Also you can use the Zouaves of Hät and Italeri.
The french artillery is still the same like the Union Artillery of 1861-65.
This is the end of my report about the german wars of unification. My next article will let you to another point of history. But, at this moment, I'll keep it as my secret.
Author: Andreas Kopp, M.A.
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