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Siege of La Fère

The Siege of La Fère[6] took place during the Franco-Prussian War from 15 November[1] until 26 November 1870, at the fortress of La Fère in France.[7] French troops stationed at La Fère under the command of Captain Jacques Ferdinand Planche resisted the siege from the Imperial German Army, but surrendered the fort after eleven days on 26 November 1870, which resulted in a German victory.[3][5] During the siege, the German army captured thousands of prisoners, most of whom were Garde Mobile soldiers,[5][8] and took control of many French weapons.[5] The German shelling of La Fère took place over the course of two days and severely damaged the town.[3] After the Germans captured La Fère, they used cannons to arm the stronghold of Amiens.[1]

Siege of La Fère
Part of Franco-Prussian War
Date15 November[1] – 27 November 1870[2][3]
Location
La Fère, Aisne, France[4]
Result German Victory
Belligerents
 French Republic

 North German Confederation

Commanders and leaders
Jacques Ferdinand Planche [fr] Major General Von Zhilinsky[5]
Units involved
Garde Mobile
Franc-tireur		 Brigade Infantry No. 4[6]
Strength
2,000 Infantry and about 70 artillery pieces[7] Unknown
Casualties and losses
2,000 people were captured,[8] 113 garrison guns of all sizes, along with ammunition, 5,000 personal weapons sets and many military reserves were seized[5] Unknown

Although La Fère was a small fortress,[1] it still posed a threat to the rear of the German armies advancing upon Amiens.[3] The Brigade Infantry No. 4 of the Corps of Prussia, under the command of Major General von Zhilinsky, was tasked with besieging La Fère. On 15 November, 1870, after a long journey from Metz, the Germans reached La Fère to blockade the fortress.[1][5][6] The French garrison attempted strong assaults on the German army to no avail.[3]

One example of a failed assault took place on 20 November, when six French companies attacked the enemy at Mennessis on the right bank of the Oise river but were crushed by a German battalion.[5] The commanding officer of La Fère decided to send all artillery materials to Lille but locals opposed the idea.[7] On the night of 24 November, the German siege army arrived from Soissons and installed 32 heavy guns and seven batteries on the heights to the east of the fortress. The next day on 25 November, German shelling began.[1][5] Facing the tremendous destructive power of the German barrage, the French garrison resisted fiercely,[5] but German artillery (including 6 mortars) destroyed their opposing artillery and set the town ablaze.[7]

Under siege by the German 1st Army,[9] La Fère was in a very difficult situation, and Captain Planche capitulated.[5] On 26 November, the French garrison surrendered, leaving the German artillery unscathed.[7] German troops entered La Fère on 27 November.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f The Franco-German War of 1870—71 (Helmuth Von Moltke)
  2. ^ Michael Howard, The Franco-Prussian War: The German Invasion of France, 1870-1871, Page 295
  3. ^ a b c d e Edmund Ollier, Cassell's history of the war between France and Germany, 1870-1871, Page 395
  4. ^ Julius von Pflugk-Harttung, Wilfred James Long, Adolf Sonnenschein, The Franco-German war, 1870-1871, Page 550
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "The siege operations in the campaign against France, 1870-71."
  6. ^ a b c Adolph Goetze, The Campaign of 1870-71, tr. by G. Graham, Page 204-209.
  7. ^ a b c d e "The French Campaign, 1870-1871: Military Description"
  8. ^ a b "Bismarck In The Franco German War 1870 1871"
  9. ^ Adolf von Schell, Campaign 1870-1871: The operations of the First Army under General von Goeben; compiled from the official war documents of headquarters of the First Army, Page 2
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