Battle of Bapaume (1871)

Battle of Bapaume

Part of the panoramic painting "Battle of Bapaume" of Charles Édouard Armand-Dumaresq showing General Faidherbe.

Date	3 January 1871
Location	Bapaume, France
Result	Prussian strategic victory

Belligerents

Prussia

France

Commanders and leaders

Edwin Freiherr von Manteuffel

Louis Faidherbe

Strength

18,000

33,000

Casualties and losses

750 soldiers
52 officers

1,569 soldiers
53 officers

Franco-Prussian War

Wissembourg Spicheren Wörth Borny–Colombey Strasbourg Toul Mars-la-Tour Gravelotte Metz Beaumont Noisseville Bazeilles Sedan Bellevue Coulmiers Havana Amiens Beaune-la-Rolande Villepion Loigny et Poupry Beaugency Hallue Bapaume Villersexel Le Mans Lisaine St. Quentin Paris Belfort Belgian reaction

The Battle of Bapaume was a battle during the Franco-Prussian War which defeated French attempts to relieve the besieged city of Prone. The battle was fought on 3 January 1871 near the town of Bapaume.

The Prussian 1st Army had reached Bapaume at the end of December while at the same time the French Army of the North under Faidherbe moved out to break the German siege of Prone. Both sides encountered each other near Bapaume. Although Faidherbe's green troops held their own against the outnumbered but experienced Prussians, they didn't follow up their advantage and retreated. As a consequence, Prone surrendered on 10 January. Soon the Prussians would be reinforced and two weeks later they would meet Faidherbe in battle again at Saint Quentin.

Coordinates: 50°06′16″N 2°51′07″E / 50.1044°N 2.8519°E / 50.1044; 2.8519

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