Armée de la Loire
Encyclopedia
The Armée de la Loire was a French army of the Franco-Prussian War
. It was formed in October 1870 by Léon Gambetta
, interior minister and minister for war in the Government of National Defence, then taking refuge in Tours
after the French defeat at Sedan
on 2 September 1870. It was formed out of francs-tireurs
recalled from the French colony in Algeria
, soldiers in depots and reservists, which formed the 15th army corps under Joseph Édouard de la Motte Rouge. The Army had few officers with fighting experience, insufficient artillery, and its troops were under-trained. It fought at the Battle of Orléans (1870) and Battle of Le Mans
(1871) and was dissolved on 14 March 1871.
On 10 October, at Artenay
(Loiret
), the armée de la Loire unsuccessfully met the first Bavarian Korps under general von der Thann
, protecting the south flank of the German forces besieging Paris. The Armée had to abandon Orléans
on 11 October and Léon Gambetta sacked La Motte-Rouge and replaced him with general Louis d'Aurelle de Paladines
, who set up base in Salbris
, in Sologne
. The Armée's 70,000 men and 150 guns reinforced the 16th corps of general Antoine Chanzy and of 17th corps under Louis-Gaston de Sonis
. It beat the Bavarians at Coulmiers
(Loiret) on 9 November and retook Orléans, but the Bavarians were reinforced by Frederick Francis of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
who had besieged Toul
and later by the contingents of prince Frederick Charles of Prussia, made available by the surrender of marshal Bazaine at Metz
(27 October).
Gambetta reinforced the armée de la Loire with the 18th army corps of general Billot
and 20th corps of general Crouzat. These were beaten on 28 November at Beaune-la-Rolande
(Loiret) by the Prussians and fell back on Orléans. On 1 and 2 December, 16th and 17th corps were the victors at Villepion and Terminiers
(1 December, against forces led by Prince Leopold of Bavaria
) but beaten at Loigny
(2 December). Orléans
was re-taken by the Germans on 4 December in the Second Battle of Orléans
.
, under general Bourbaki
- was based at Gien
and Salbris
in order to send help to Belfort
then resisting the Germans.
The other part, 16th and 17th corps, commanded by Chanzy, set up base in Beaugency
and thus became the second armée de la Loire. To it were also added the 19,000 poorly-equipped troops left over from the closure of Camp Conlie
in December 1870. It met the Prussians at Josnes
and Villarceaux on 7 and 8 December, at Beaugency
on 8-10 December, then at Fréteval
and Château-du-Loir
(Sarthe
) on 14 and 15 December. Although reinforced by 21st corps under general Jaurès
, it lost the battle of Le Mans
to the southwest of Le Mans
on 11 and 12 January 1871, with 7,000 of its troops dead or wounded, 22,000 captured and 50,000 deserters. The battles continued at Sillé-le-Guillaume
(Sarthe) on 15 January and at Saint-Mélaine on 18 January. The armée thus retrenched behind the River Mayenne until the armistice signed by the provisional government on 28 January 1871. On 14 March 1871 the Armée was dissolved.
Franco-Prussian War
The Franco-Prussian War or Franco-German War, often referred to in France as the 1870 War was a conflict between the Second French Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia. Prussia was aided by the North German Confederation, of which it was a member, and the South German states of Baden, Württemberg and...
. It was formed in October 1870 by Léon Gambetta
Léon Gambetta
Léon Gambetta was a French statesman prominent after the Franco-Prussian War.-Youth and education:He is said to have inherited his vigour and eloquence from his father, a Genovese grocer who had married a Frenchwoman named Massabie. At the age of fifteen, Gambetta lost the sight of his right eye...
, interior minister and minister for war in the Government of National Defence, then taking refuge in Tours
Tours
Tours is a city in central France, the capital of the Indre-et-Loire department.It is located on the lower reaches of the river Loire, between Orléans and the Atlantic coast. Touraine, the region around Tours, is known for its wines, the alleged perfection of its local spoken French, and for the...
after the French defeat at Sedan
Sedan, France
Sedan is a commune in France, a sub-prefecture of the Ardennes department in northern France.-Geography:The historic centre is built on a peninsula formed by an arc of the Meuse River. It is around from the Belgian border.-History:...
on 2 September 1870. It was formed out of francs-tireurs
Francs-tireurs
Francs-tireurs – literally "free shooters" – was used to describe irregular military formations deployed by France during the early stages of the Franco-Prussian War...
recalled from the French colony in Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
, soldiers in depots and reservists, which formed the 15th army corps under Joseph Édouard de la Motte Rouge. The Army had few officers with fighting experience, insufficient artillery, and its troops were under-trained. It fought at the Battle of Orléans (1870) and Battle of Le Mans
Battle of Le Mans
The Battle of Le Mans was a Prussian victory during the Franco-Prussian War which ended French resistance in western France.-Background:After the victory at the Battle of Orleans , Prince Friedrich Karl of Prussia marched his army further to the west towards Le Mans. Antoine Chanzy had under his...
(1871) and was dissolved on 14 March 1871.
October and November 1870
Artenay
Artenay is a commune in the Loiret department in north-central France....
(Loiret
Loiret
Loiret is a department in north-central FranceThe department is named after the river Loiret, a tributary of the Loire. The Loiret is located wholly within the department.- History :...
), the armée de la Loire unsuccessfully met the first Bavarian Korps under general von der Thann
Ludwig Freiherr von und zu der Tann-Rathsamhausen
Ludwig Samson Arthur Freiherr von und zu der Tann-Rathsamhausen was a Bavarian general.-Early life:Born at Darmstadt, on the day of Waterloo, Ludwig von der Tann was descended from the old family of von der Tann, which had branches in Bavaria, the Alsace and the Rhine provinces, and attached his...
, protecting the south flank of the German forces besieging Paris. The Armée had to abandon Orléans
Orléans
-Prehistory and Roman:Cenabum was a Gallic stronghold, one of the principal towns of the Carnutes tribe where the Druids held their annual assembly. It was conquered and destroyed by Julius Caesar in 52 BC, then rebuilt under the Roman Empire...
on 11 October and Léon Gambetta sacked La Motte-Rouge and replaced him with general Louis d'Aurelle de Paladines
Louis d'Aurelle de Paladines
Louis Jean-Baptiste d'Aurelle de Paladines was a French general.He was born at Le Malzieu-Ville, Lozère, educated at the Prytanée National Militaire and St Cyr, and entered the army as sub-lieutenant of foot in 1824...
, who set up base in Salbris
Salbris
Salbris is a commune in the Loir-et-Cher department of central France....
, in Sologne
Sologne
Sologne , a region of north-central France extending over portions of the départements of Loiret, Loir-et-Cher and Cher...
. The Armée's 70,000 men and 150 guns reinforced the 16th corps of general Antoine Chanzy and of 17th corps under Louis-Gaston de Sonis
Louis-Gaston de Sonis
Louis-Gaston de Sonis was a French Army officer who particularly distinguished himself in the battle of Loigny during the Franco-Prussian War, where he lost a leg.-Bibliography:...
. It beat the Bavarians at Coulmiers
Coulmiers
Coulmiers is a commune in the Loiret department in north-central France....
(Loiret) on 9 November and retook Orléans, but the Bavarians were reinforced by Frederick Francis of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Frederick Francis II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Frederick Francis II was a Prussian officer and the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, reigning from 7 March 1842 until 15 April 1883.-Biography:...
who had besieged Toul
Toul
Toul is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France.It is a sub-prefecture of the department.-Geography:Toul is located between Commercy and Nancy, and situated between the Moselle River and the Canal de la Marne au Rhin....
and later by the contingents of prince Frederick Charles of Prussia, made available by the surrender of marshal Bazaine at Metz
Metz
Metz is a city in the northeast of France located at the confluence of the Moselle and the Seille rivers.Metz is the capital of the Lorraine region and prefecture of the Moselle department. Located near the tripoint along the junction of France, Germany, and Luxembourg, Metz forms a central place...
(27 October).
Gambetta reinforced the armée de la Loire with the 18th army corps of general Billot
Jean-Baptiste Billot
Jean-Baptiste Billot - 31 May 1907, Paris) was a French general and politician.-Life:Jean-Baptiste Billot entered the École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr in 1847, and on leaving it in 1849 joined the staff with the rank of sous-lieutenant...
and 20th corps of general Crouzat. These were beaten on 28 November at Beaune-la-Rolande
Battle of Beaune-la-Rolande
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...
(Loiret) by the Prussians and fell back on Orléans. On 1 and 2 December, 16th and 17th corps were the victors at Villepion and Terminiers
Terminiers
Terminiers is a commune in the Eure-et-Loir department in northern France.-Population:-References:*...
(1 December, against forces led by Prince Leopold of Bavaria
Prince Leopold of Bavaria
Leopold Maximilian Joseph Maria Arnulf, Prinz von Bayern was born in Munich, the son of Prince Regent Luitpold of Bavaria and his wife Archduchess Augusta of Austria...
) but beaten at Loigny
Battle of Loigny-Poupry
The Battle of Loigny-Poupry was a battle of the Franco-Prussian War. It took place on 2 December 1870 during the Loire Campaign near the town of Loigny...
(2 December). Orléans
Orléans
-Prehistory and Roman:Cenabum was a Gallic stronghold, one of the principal towns of the Carnutes tribe where the Druids held their annual assembly. It was conquered and destroyed by Julius Caesar in 52 BC, then rebuilt under the Roman Empire...
was re-taken by the Germans on 4 December in the Second Battle of Orléans
Second Battle of Orléans (1870)
The Second Battle of Orléans was a battle of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. It took place on December 3 and 4, 1870 and was part of the Loire Campaign...
.
Reorganisation 5 December 1870
After the defeat at Loigny and the reoccupation of Orléans by the Germans on 4 December, the armée de la Loire found itself separated into two groups. Gambetta thus decided to reorganise its troops into two armées and to dismiss general d'Aurelle de Paladines. One part - regrouping 15th, 18th and 20th corps to form the armée de l'EstArmée de l'Est
The Armée de l'Est was a French army which took part in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–71...
, under general Bourbaki
Charles Denis Bourbaki
Charles Denis Sauter Bourbaki was a French general.He was born at Pau, the son of Greek colonel Constantin Denis Bourbaki, who died in the War of Independence in 1827...
- was based at Gien
Gien
Gien is a commune in the Loiret department in north-central France.Gien is on the Loire River, from Orléans. The town was bought for the royal property by Philip II of France. The town is twinned with Malmesbury in England.-Sights:*Faience de Gien...
and Salbris
Salbris
Salbris is a commune in the Loir-et-Cher department of central France....
in order to send help to Belfort
Belfort
Belfort is a commune in the Territoire de Belfort department in Franche-Comté in northeastern France and is the prefecture of the department. It is located on the Savoureuse, on the strategically important natural route between the Rhine and the Rhône – the Belfort Gap or Burgundian Gate .-...
then resisting the Germans.
The other part, 16th and 17th corps, commanded by Chanzy, set up base in Beaugency
Beaugency
Beaugency is a commune in the Loiret department in north-central France. It is located on the Loire river, upriver from Blois and downriver from Orléans.-History:...
and thus became the second armée de la Loire. To it were also added the 19,000 poorly-equipped troops left over from the closure of Camp Conlie
Camp Conlie
Camp Conlie was one of eleven military camps established by the Republican Government of National Defense under Léon Gambetta during the Franco-Prussian war. It became notable because of events which have led to it being described as a "concentration camp", in which troops from Brittany were...
in December 1870. It met the Prussians at Josnes
Josnes
Josnes is a commune in the Loir-et-Cher department of central France....
and Villarceaux on 7 and 8 December, at Beaugency
Battle of Beaugency (1870)
The Battle of Beaugency was a battle of the Franco-Prussian War contested between the army group of the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg, and the French Armée de la Loire, won by the Prussians. It lasted from 8 to 10 December 1870 and occurred on the left bank of the Loire River to the northwest of the...
on 8-10 December, then at Fréteval
Fréteval
Fréteval is a commune in the Loir-et-Cher department of central France.-Fréteval forest:The Fréteval forest is of thick woodland south of Paris. In World War II it was used to hide Allied airmen who were on the run in a camp with the codename of "Sherwood". The route from Paris involved the...
and Château-du-Loir
Château-du-Loir
Château-du-Loir is a commune in the Sarthe department in the Pays de la Loire region in north-western France.-References:*...
(Sarthe
Sarthe
Sarthe is a French department, named after the Sarthe River.- History :The department was created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790, pursuant to the law of December 22, 1789, starting from a part of the province of Maine which was divided into two departments, Sarthe to the east and...
) on 14 and 15 December. Although reinforced by 21st corps under general Jaurès
Benjamin Jaurès
Constant Louis Jean Benjamin Jaurès was a 19th-century French Admiral and Senator, who was active in Japan during the Bombardment of Shimonoseki and the Boshin war ....
, it lost the battle of Le Mans
Battle of Le Mans
The Battle of Le Mans was a Prussian victory during the Franco-Prussian War which ended French resistance in western France.-Background:After the victory at the Battle of Orleans , Prince Friedrich Karl of Prussia marched his army further to the west towards Le Mans. Antoine Chanzy had under his...
to the southwest of Le Mans
Le Mans
Le Mans is a city in France, located on the Sarthe River. Traditionally the capital of the province of Maine, it is now the capital of the Sarthe department and the seat of the Roman Catholic diocese of Le Mans. Le Mans is a part of the Pays de la Loire region.Its inhabitants are called Manceaux...
on 11 and 12 January 1871, with 7,000 of its troops dead or wounded, 22,000 captured and 50,000 deserters. The battles continued at Sillé-le-Guillaume
Sillé-le-Guillaume
Sillé-le-Guillaume is a commune in the Sarthe department in the region of Pays-de-la-Loire in north-western France, named after Guillaume de Sillé....
(Sarthe) on 15 January and at Saint-Mélaine on 18 January. The armée thus retrenched behind the River Mayenne until the armistice signed by the provisional government on 28 January 1871. On 14 March 1871 the Armée was dissolved.