Battle of Beaune-la-Rolande
Encyclopedia
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 Prussia
n 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. The battle is notable for demonstrating the fragility of a conscript army when faced with seasoned, regular troops even when numerically superior and for the involvement of impressionist
painter Frédéric Bazille
and electrical engineer Alexander Siemens
.
n army had begun its invasion of France in August and was already laying siege to Paris
. The recently appointed General Aurelle
and his Army of the Loire ordered the XX Corps under General Crouzat to the Orléans
area to push aside the Prussian X Corps, led by Prince Friedrich Karl
, which was posted to Beaune-la-Rolande
to provide early warning of a French relief force for Paris. The three Prussian brigades at Beaune-la-Rolande were under the command of Konstantin Bernhard von Voigts-Rhetz
and were resting after pursuing retreating French forces. The nearest reinforcements were ten miles away at Pithiviers
under General Constantin von Alvensleben
.
General Crouzat had a force of 60,000 men and 140 guns against the Prussian's 9,000 and 70 guns. The French force were equipped with the Chassepot rifle which had almost double the effective range of the Prussian Dreyse and also held the element of surprise. With this in mind an attack was launched at 11.30am against the village which was protected only by a small walled churchyard and a six foot wall along its south side, the French committed two brigades (6000 men) to this charge.
regiment which left 700 dead and wounded men on the field before breaking. Every one of General Crouzat's staff officers were killed or wounded whilst encouraging the attack.
A sortie
from Paris was intended to coincide with the battle but this was delayed until November 30, news of the delay not reaching Aurelle until after the battle due to poor winds for the hot air balloon
s used as messengers. Upon receiving news of this sortie the Army of the Loire wheeled to the right to bypass Beaune-la-Rolande and march on Paris.
The French impressionist
painter Frédéric Bazille
, serving as an enlisted man in the 3rd Zouaves, was killed in action at Beaune-la-Rolande whilst leading his unit in the first attack, his officer having been injured. Alexander Siemens
, the German electrical engineer who would later found the Society of Telegraph Engineers and Electricians, also fought in the battle as a private but in the Prussian army, received a wound and was awarded the Iron Cross
for courage.
and had seen a series of defeats, German occupation of their land and the siege of the capital. In addition Aurelle was known to be a harsh commander who, for the twenty days preceding the battle, did not permit his troops to be billet
ed in towns or villages, instead forcing them to bivouac
and live off the land. This was intended to improve discipline and harden up the troops but simply reduced their morale.
It is cited as one of the first occasions where the fragility of a large conscripted army was demonstrated. The Garde Mobile
could only be relied upon when defending a fortified position and were almost useless for an attack launched in the style of the Napoleonic Wars
, however almost the entire French regular army was already lost at the battles of Sedan
and Metz
. This was one of the primary reasons that the Prussians were victorious in the Franco-Prussian War
following a string of unexpected French reverses, of which Beaune-la-Rolande was the most spectacular.
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...
, won by Prussia. In an attempt to relieve the Siege of Paris
Siege of Paris
The Siege of Paris, lasting from September 19, 1870 – January 28, 1871, and the consequent capture of the city by Prussian forces led to French defeat in the Franco-Prussian War and the establishment of the German Empire as well as the Paris Commune....
, French General
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
Crouzat's XX Corps launched an attack against three Prussia
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
n brigades resting in Beaune-la-Rolande
Beaune-la-Rolande
Beaune-la-Rolande is a commune in the Loiret department in north-central France.On 28 November 1870 it was the site of a battle during the Franco-Prussian War, in which the noted French impressionist painter Frédéric Bazille was killed....
. 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
Garde Mobile
During the crises that led up to the Franco-Prussian War, Adolphe Niel, Minister of War for France under Louis-Napoleon attempted to bolster French military might by bringing into existence a service which would provide reserves to be added to the French army...
, 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
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
. 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. The battle is notable for demonstrating the fragility of a conscript army when faced with seasoned, regular troops even when numerically superior and for the involvement of impressionist
Impressionism
Impressionism was a 19th-century art movement that originated with a group of Paris-based artists whose independent exhibitions brought them to prominence during the 1870s and 1880s...
painter Frédéric Bazille
Frédéric Bazille
Jean Frédéric Bazille was a French Impressionist painter. Many of Bazille's major works are examples of figure painting in which Bazille placed the subject figure within a landscape painted en plein air....
and electrical engineer Alexander Siemens
Alexander Siemens
Alexander Siemens was a German electrical engineer.Siemens was born in Hanover, then a kingdom within the German Confederation, to Gustav and Sophie Siemens. His father was a judge and a cousin of William Siemens the famous electrical engineer...
.
Background
The PrussiaPrussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
n army had begun its invasion of France in August and was already laying siege to Paris
Siege of Paris
The Siege of Paris, lasting from September 19, 1870 – January 28, 1871, and the consequent capture of the city by Prussian forces led to French defeat in the Franco-Prussian War and the establishment of the German Empire as well as the Paris Commune....
. The recently appointed General Aurelle
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...
and his Army of the Loire ordered the XX Corps under General Crouzat to the 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...
area to push aside the Prussian X Corps, led by Prince Friedrich Karl
Prince Frederick Charles of Prussia
Prince Friedrich Carl Nicolaus of Prussia was the son of Prince Charles of Prussia and his wife Princess Marie of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach . Prince Frederick Charles was a grandson of King Frederick William III of Prussia and a nephew of Frederick William IV and William I...
, which was posted to Beaune-la-Rolande
Beaune-la-Rolande
Beaune-la-Rolande is a commune in the Loiret department in north-central France.On 28 November 1870 it was the site of a battle during the Franco-Prussian War, in which the noted French impressionist painter Frédéric Bazille was killed....
to provide early warning of a French relief force for Paris. The three Prussian brigades at Beaune-la-Rolande were under the command of Konstantin Bernhard von Voigts-Rhetz
Konstantin Bernhard von Voigts-Rhetz
Konstantin Bernhard von Voigts-Rhetz was a Prussian general who served in the Austro-Prussian War and the Franco-Prussian War....
and were resting after pursuing retreating French forces. The nearest reinforcements were ten miles away at Pithiviers
Pithiviers
Pithiviers is a commune in the Loiret department in north-central France. It is twinned with Ashby-de-la-Zouch in Leicestershire, England....
under General Constantin von Alvensleben
Constantin von Alvensleben
Reimar Constantin von Alvensleben was a Prussian general.Born at Eichenbarleben in the Province of Saxony, Alvensleben entered the Prussian Guards from the cadet corps in 1827...
.
General Crouzat had a force of 60,000 men and 140 guns against the Prussian's 9,000 and 70 guns. The French force were equipped with the Chassepot rifle which had almost double the effective range of the Prussian Dreyse and also held the element of surprise. With this in mind an attack was launched at 11.30am against the village which was protected only by a small walled churchyard and a six foot wall along its south side, the French committed two brigades (6000 men) to this charge.
First attack
The Prussians, coming under heavy French artillery fire, withdrew all bar 13 companies of infantry (1200 men) from the village and awaited the assault. Opening fire at 200 paces the repeated French assaults were halted again and again at the edge of the village, its roads now protected by barricades. The most successful attack was made by the 3rd ZouaveZouave
Zouave was the title given to certain light infantry regiments in the French Army, normally serving in French North Africa between 1831 and 1962. The name was also adopted during the 19th century by units in other armies, especially volunteer regiments raised for service in the American Civil War...
regiment which left 700 dead and wounded men on the field before breaking. Every one of General Crouzat's staff officers were killed or wounded whilst encouraging the attack.
Second attack
A second attack was sent at 1.30pm with the Prussians running low on ammunition. The defenders held their fire until the French were almost upon them, unleashing a volley which was followed by half an hour of frenzied close combat before the French were repulsed once more. The remaining Prussian forces, including all of the artillery, which had pulled back from the village were reformed at nearby Romainville where they joined with reinforcements from Alvenleben's unit under Wolf Louis Anton Ferdinand von Stülpnagel and attacked the French on the eastern side of the village, finally driving the attackers off.Third attack
Crouzat, determined to take the village, ordered one more attack in total darkness. This attack was delivered straight along the road into the village and came close to breaching the outer defences but was again driven back by the concentrated volleys of Prussian fire. The French had lost heart for the battle and the majority of the men refused their officers orders to close with the enemy and simply discharged their rifles at the enemy before running away.Aftermath
French casualties amounted to around 8,000 soldiers killed and wounded and 100 taken prisoner. The Prussian lost 817 soldiers and 37 officers killed.A sortie
Sortie
Sortie is a term for deployment or dispatch of one military unit, be it an aircraft, ship, or troops from a strongpoint. The sortie, whether by one or more aircraft or vessels, usually has a specific mission....
from Paris was intended to coincide with the battle but this was delayed until November 30, news of the delay not reaching Aurelle until after the battle due to poor winds for the hot air balloon
Hot air balloon
The hot air balloon is the oldest successful human-carrying flight technology. It is in a class of aircraft known as balloon aircraft. On November 21, 1783, in Paris, France, the first untethered manned flight was made by Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier and François Laurent d'Arlandes in a hot air...
s used as messengers. Upon receiving news of this sortie the Army of the Loire wheeled to the right to bypass Beaune-la-Rolande and march on Paris.
The French impressionist
Impressionism
Impressionism was a 19th-century art movement that originated with a group of Paris-based artists whose independent exhibitions brought them to prominence during the 1870s and 1880s...
painter Frédéric Bazille
Frédéric Bazille
Jean Frédéric Bazille was a French Impressionist painter. Many of Bazille's major works are examples of figure painting in which Bazille placed the subject figure within a landscape painted en plein air....
, serving as an enlisted man in the 3rd Zouaves, was killed in action at Beaune-la-Rolande whilst leading his unit in the first attack, his officer having been injured. Alexander Siemens
Alexander Siemens
Alexander Siemens was a German electrical engineer.Siemens was born in Hanover, then a kingdom within the German Confederation, to Gustav and Sophie Siemens. His father was a judge and a cousin of William Siemens the famous electrical engineer...
, the German electrical engineer who would later found the Society of Telegraph Engineers and Electricians, also fought in the battle as a private but in the Prussian army, received a wound and was awarded the Iron Cross
Iron Cross
The Iron Cross is a cross symbol typically in black with a white or silver outline that originated after 1219 when the Kingdom of Jerusalem granted the Teutonic Order the right to combine the Teutonic Black Cross placed above a silver Cross of Jerusalem....
for courage.
Analysis
Military analysts were shocked at the news of the defeat of 60,000 men by 9,000 and many attempts were made to explain why it could have happened. The low morale of the French forces is often cited; the majority were recent conscripts of the Garde MobileGarde Mobile
During the crises that led up to the Franco-Prussian War, Adolphe Niel, Minister of War for France under Louis-Napoleon attempted to bolster French military might by bringing into existence a service which would provide reserves to be added to the French army...
and had seen a series of defeats, German occupation of their land and the siege of the capital. In addition Aurelle was known to be a harsh commander who, for the twenty days preceding the battle, did not permit his troops to be billet
Billet
A billet is a term for living quarters to which a soldier is assigned to sleep. Historically, it referred to a private dwelling that was required to accept the soldier....
ed in towns or villages, instead forcing them to bivouac
Bivouac shelter
A bivouac traditionally refers to a military encampment made with tents or improvised shelters, usually without shelter or protection from enemy fire or such a site where a camp may be built. It is also commonly used to describe a variety of improvised camp sites such as those used in scouting and...
and live off the land. This was intended to improve discipline and harden up the troops but simply reduced their morale.
It is cited as one of the first occasions where the fragility of a large conscripted army was demonstrated. The Garde Mobile
Garde Mobile
During the crises that led up to the Franco-Prussian War, Adolphe Niel, Minister of War for France under Louis-Napoleon attempted to bolster French military might by bringing into existence a service which would provide reserves to be added to the French army...
could only be relied upon when defending a fortified position and were almost useless for an attack launched in the style of the Napoleonic Wars
Napoleonic Wars
The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars declared against Napoleon's French Empire by opposing coalitions that ran from 1803 to 1815. As a continuation of the wars sparked by the French Revolution of 1789, they revolutionised European armies and played out on an unprecedented scale, mainly due to...
, however almost the entire French regular army was already lost at the battles of Sedan
Battle of Sedan
The Battle of Sedan was fought during the Franco-Prussian War on 1 September 1870. It resulted in the capture of Emperor Napoleon III and large numbers of his troops and for all intents and purposes decided the war in favour of Prussia and its allies, though fighting continued under a new French...
and Metz
Siege of Metz
The Siege of Metz lasting from 19 August – 27 October 1870 was fought during the Franco-Prussian War and ended in a decisive Prussian victory.-History:...
. This was one of the primary reasons that the Prussians were victorious in the Franco-Prussian War
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...
following a string of unexpected French reverses, of which Beaune-la-Rolande was the most spectacular.