Franco-Prussian War

The Kingdom of Prussia was a German kingdom from 1701 to 1918. Until the defeat of Germany in World War I, it comprised almost two-thirds of the... area of the German Empire. It took its name from the territory of Prussia, although its power base was Brandenburg. Since 1618, the Electorate of Brandenburg and the Duchy of Prussia were ruled in personal union by the House of Hohenzollern . In the course of the Second Northern War, the Treaty of Labiau and the Treaty of Wehlau-Bromberg granted the Hohenzollern sovereignty in the Prussian duchy. Thus, in return for an alliance against France in the War of the Spanish Succession, Elector Frederick III crowned himself King in Prussia as Frederick I in 1701. Technically, no kingdoms could exist in the Holy Roman Empire except for Bohemia. However, Frederick took the line that since Prussia had never belonged to the Empire and the Hohenzollerns were fully sovereign over it, he could elevate Prussia to a kingdom. The title "King in Prussia" was adopted because they were still only electors within that portion of Prussia that was still part of the Holy Roman Empire.
more

The Battle of Wörth, also known as the Battle of Reichshoffen or as the Battle of Fröschweiler, should more correctly be called the second... battle of Wörth, as the first one occurred on 23 December 1793. This second battle of Wörth took place on 6 August 1870 in the opening stages of the Franco-Prussian War. Troops from Germany commanded by Crown Prince Frederick and directed by his Chief of Staff, General Leonhard Graf von Blumenthal, defeated the French under Marshal Mac-Mahon near the village of Wörth in Alsace, on the Sauer, 10 km north of Haguenau. During 5 August 1870 the French were concentrated in a selected position running nearly north and south along the western banks of the Sauer Bach on the left front of the German III army, which was moving south in an attempt to find them. The French position was marked from right to left by Morsbronn, the Niederwald, the heights west of Wörth and the woods northeast of Fröschweiler. East of the Sauer the German III army was moving south towards Hagenau, when their cavalry found the French position about noon.
more

The Battle of Beaune-la-Rolande on 28 November 1870 was a battle of the Franco-Prussian War, won by Prussia. In an attempt to relieve the Siege of... Paris, French General Crouzat's XX Corps launched an attack against three Prussian brigades resting in Beaune-la-Rolande. These brigades were from the Prussian X Corps which was detailed to guard the flanks and rear of the force besieging Paris and provide early warning of any French counter-attacks. The French committed a force of 60,000 men, largely conscripts of the Garde Mobile, and 140 guns against the Prussians 9,000 men and 70 guns, mostly drawn from regular troops. Despite the overwhelming superiority of numbers the French attack failed to take the village and was ultimately forced to retreat by Prussian reinforcements. Prussian losses amounted to 817 soldiers and 37 officers with the French losing around 8000 men and 100 taken prisoner. The French XX Corps changed its plan of attack, bypassing the village, but was unsuccessful at relieving the siege of Paris, which surrendered on 28 January 1871 and ended the war.
more

Battle of Amiens on November 27, 1870 was fought during the Franco-Prussian War, ending in a Prussian victory. The French under General Faure fought... the Prussians under Edwin Freiherr von Manteuffel in Amiens, France. Having already capitulated at Metz, the French were compelled to leave the city of Amiens. About 1,383 French soldiers were killed and wounded, and about 1,000 were declared to be missing. The Germans lost 1,216 soldiers and 76 officers.
more

The Battle of Bellevue on October 18, 1870 was fought during the Franco-Prussian War and ended in a Prussian victory. The French forces under Marshal... François Achille Bazaine attempted to break through the lines of the Prussians investing Metz. They were unsuccessful and were driven back into the city with a loss of 1,193 soldiers and 64 officers. The Prussians lost 1,703 soldiers and 75 officers.
more