Battle of Gravelotte

Quick Facts: Who was Battle of Gravelotte?

Subject:

Battle of Gravelotte

Known for:

The largest battle of the Franco-Prussian War, fought near Metz in 1870.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Battle of Gravelotte (or Battle of Gravelotte–St. Privat) on 18 August 1870 was the largest battle of the Franco-Prussian War. Named after Gravelotte, a village in Lorraine, it was fought about 6 miles (9.7 km) west of Metz, where on the previous day, having intercepted the French army's retreat to the west at the Battle of Mars-la-Tour, the Prussians were now closing in to complete the destruction of the French forces. The combined German forces under King Wilhelm I were the Prussian First and Second Armies of the North German Confederation with 210 infantry battalions, 133 cavalry squadrons, and 732 heavy cannons totaling 188,332 officers and men. The French Army of the Rhine, commanded by Marshal François Achille Bazaine, dug in along high ground with their southern left flank at the town of Rozerieulles, and their northern right flank at St. Privat. On 18 August, the Prussian First Army under General Karl Friedrich von Steinmetz launched its VII and VIII Corps in repeated assaults against the French positions, backed by artillery and cavalry support.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

All attacks failed with enormous casualties in the face of French infantry and mitrailleuse firepower. The French did not counter-attack Steinmetz's weakened army. On the Prussian left, the Prussian Guards attacked the French position at St. Privat at 16:50 hours. With the support of the Prussian II and Saxon XII Corps of Prince Friedrich Karl's Second Army, the Guards conquered St. Privat by 20:00 hours after heavy losses, pushing back the French right wing. Bazaine's Army of the Rhine withdrew into Metz fortress on the morning of 19 August.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The German victory at Gravelotte ended Bazaine's army's last chance of retreating west to Verdun. After a siege lasting over two months, the Army of the Rhine surrendered on 27 October 1870. The German Second Army, commanded by Prince Friedrich Karl of Prussia had met the right wing of the French Army of the Rhine, commanded by Marshal Bazaine, at the Battle of Mars-La-Tour — both sides claimed victory. Marshal Bazaine's four corps of the French Army of the Rhine retreated in vile weather along the road toward Verdun. The Germans were on their heels, pressing hard to prevent the Army of the Rhine from linking up with French forces at Sedan.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1870: 1870 Milestone — Privat) on 18 August 1870 was the largest battle of the Franco-Prussian War.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Battle of Gravelotte

True or False: “The French forces at Gravelotte were able to successfully counter-attack the Prussian Guards after capturing St. Privat.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): General Bourbaki refused to commit the reserves of the French Old Guard because he recognized the overall situation as a defeat.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adam Lindsay Gordon — Historical peer (Died in 1870) (1870): Pioneering British-Australian poet, horseman, and politician of the Victorian era.
• Adolf Loos — Historical peer (Born in 1870) (1870): Pioneering architect and theorist of modernism, known for his critique of ornamentation.
• Battle of Grunwald — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Decisive 1410 battle marking the rise of Polish-Lithuanian power over the Teutonic Order.
• Battle of Guilford Court House — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: A pivotal battle in the American Revolutionary War that marked a strategic turning point.
• Battle of Hampton Roads — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: The pivotal 1862 naval clash that inaugurated the age of ironclad warships.
• Battle of Hastings — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Decisive 1066 battle marking the end of Anglo-Saxon rule and beginning the Norman Conquest.

Frequently Asked Questions about Battle of Gravelotte