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{{Short description|Siege during the Franco-German war in 1870}}
{{more citations|article|date=March 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox military conflict
{{Infobox military conflict
|image=Strassburg vom Steintor aus 28 Sept 1870.jpg
|image=Strassburg vom Steintor aus 28 Sept 1870.jpg
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|partof=the [[Franco-Prussian War]]
|partof=the [[Franco-Prussian War]]
|conflict=Siege of Strasbourg
|conflict=Siege of Strasbourg
|date=15 August – 28 September 1870<br />({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|month1=08|day1=15|year1=1870|month2=09|day2=28|year2=1870}})
|date=14 August – 28 September 1870<br />({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|month1=08|day1=14|year1=1870|month2=09|day2=28|year2=1870}})
|place=[[Strasbourg]], [[Second French Empire|France]]
|place=[[Strasbourg]], [[Second French Empire|France]]
|result=German victory
|result=German victory
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*{{flagcountry|Prussia|1803}}
*{{flagcountry|Prussia|1803}}
{{flag|Baden|1871}}<br>{{flag|Württemberg|kingdom}}
{{flag|Baden|1871}}<br>{{flag|Württemberg|kingdom}}
|combatant2={{flagicon|France}} [[Second French Empire|French Empire]]
|combatant2={{flagicon|Second French Empire}} [[Second French Empire|French Empire]]
----{{flagicon|France}} [[French Third Republic|French Republic]]
----{{flagicon|French Third Republic}} [[French Third Republic|French Republic]]
|commander1={{flagicon|Prussia|1803}} [[August von Werder]]
|commander1={{flagicon|Prussia|army}} [[August von Werder]]
|commander2={{flagicon|France|republic}} [[:fr:Jean-Jacques Uhrich|Jean-Jacques Uhrich]]{{Surrendered}}
|commander2=[[Jean-Jacques Uhrich]]{{Surrendered}}
|units1=[[XIV Corps (German Empire)|Siege Corps]]
|units1=[[XIV Corps (German Empire)|Siege Corps]]
|units2=Strasbourg fortress
|units2=Strasbourg fortress
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|strength2=23,000 men<br>1,277 artillery pieces
|strength2=23,000 men<br>1,277 artillery pieces
|casualties1=936
|casualties1=936
----177 killed and died of wounds<br>715 wounded<br>44 missing<br>78 horse casualties
----177 killed and died of wounds<br>715 wounded<br>44 missing<br>78 horses
|casualties2=23,000 military
|casualties2=23,000 military
----'''Personnel'''<br>861 dead<br>Thousands wounded<br>Thousands dispersed<br>17,562 captured<br>'''Material'''<br>1,277 artillery pieces<br>140,000 rifles<br>50 locomotives<br>captured<br>448 houses destroyed<br>'''Civilian'''<br>341 killed<br>600–2,000 wounded<br>10,000 homeless
----'''Personnel'''<br>861 dead<br>Thousands wounded<br>Thousands dispersed<br>17,562 captured<br>'''Material'''<br>1,277 artillery pieces<br>140,000 rifles<br>50 locomotives<br>captured<br>448 houses destroyed<br>'''Civilian'''<br>341 killed<br>600–2,000 wounded<br>10,000 homeless
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{{Campaignbox Franco-Prussian War}}
{{Campaignbox Franco-Prussian War}}


The '''Siege of Strasbourg''' took place during the [[Franco-Prussian War]], and resulted in the [[Second French Empire|French]] surrender of the [[fortress]] on 28 September 1870.
The '''siege of Strasbourg''' took place during the [[Franco-Prussian War]], and resulted in the [[Second French Empire|French]] surrender of the fortress on 28 September 1870.


After the [[North German Confederation|German]] victory at [[Battle of Wörth|Wörth]], troops from the [[Grand Duchy of Baden]] under [[Kingdom of Prussia|Prussian]] General [[August von Werder]] were detached to capture [[Strasbourg]] with the help of two Prussian ''[[Landwehr]]'' [[division (military)|division]]s which had been guarding the [[North Sea]] coast. This 40,000-strong [[siege]] [[corps (military)|corps]] reached the fotress on 14 August and began to immediately bombard it. The defenses were largely obsolete and 7,000 of the 23,000-strong French garrison were [[National Guard (France)|National Guard]] [[militia]]men. Desiring a quick surrender, the Germans began a terror bombardment to destroy the [[morale]] of the [[civilian]] population on 23 August. Explosive and [[Incendiary device|incendiary]] [[shell (projectile)|shell]]s were rained down on the city for four days and entire [[Quarter (urban subdivision)|quarter]]s were reduced to ash. Panic developed among the civilians but there was no capitulation.{{sfn|Howard|1991|p=217}}
After the [[North German Confederation|German]] victory at [[Battle of Wörth|Wörth]], troops from the [[Grand Duchy of Baden]] under [[Kingdom of Prussia|Prussian]] General [[August von Werder]] were detached to capture [[Strasbourg]] with the help of two Prussian ''[[Landwehr]]'' [[division (military)|division]]s which had been guarding the [[North Sea]] coast. This 40,000-strong [[siege]] [[corps (military)|corps]] reached the fortress on 14 August and began to immediately bombard it. The defenses were largely obsolete and 7,000 of the 23,000-strong French garrison were [[National Guard (France)|National Guard]] [[militia]]men. Desiring a quick surrender, the Germans began a terror bombardment to destroy the [[morale]] of the civilian population on 23 August. Explosive and [[Incendiary device|incendiary]] [[shell (projectile)|shell]]s were rained down on the city for four days and entire [[Quarter (urban subdivision)|quarter]]s were reduced to ash. Panic developed among the civilians but there was no capitulation.{{sfn|Howard|1991|p=217}}


A shell shortage forced Werder to lower the intensity of the German fire on 26 August and switch to formal siege operations. The Germans dug their way closer to the fortress through [[trench]] parallels and destroyed specific sections of the defenses with concentrated bombardments. The siege progressed rapidly, French [[sortie]] attempts were defeated and by 17 September the ''[[enceinte]]'' wall had been breached. At the same time, the defenders' morale was lowered by news of the [[battle of annihilation|annihilation]] of the [[Army of Châlons]] at [[Battle of Sedan|Sedan]] and the [[encirclement]] of the [[Army of the Rhine (1870)|Army of the Rhine]] in [[Siege of Metz (1870)|Metz]].{{sfn|Howard|1991|p=218}}
A shell shortage forced Werder to lower the intensity of the German fire on 26 August and switch to formal siege operations. The Germans dug their way closer to the fortress through [[trench]] parallels and destroyed specific sections of the defenses with concentrated bombardments. The siege progressed rapidly, French [[sortie]] attempts were defeated and by 17 September the ''[[enceinte]]'' wall had been breached. At the same time, the defenders' morale was lowered by news of the [[battle of annihilation|annihilation]] of the [[Army of Châlons]] at [[Battle of Sedan|Sedan]] and the [[encirclement]] of the [[Army of the Rhine (1870)|Army of the Rhine]] in [[Siege of Metz (1870)|Metz]].{{sfn|Howard|1991|p=218}}


On 19 September the Germans captured their first [[outwork]] and began a devastating close-range bombardment of the [[bastion]]s. With the city defenseless and a German assault imminent, the French commander Lieutenant-General Uhrich surrendered the fortress, 17,562 troops, 1,277 [[artillery]] pieces, 140,000 [[rifle]]s, including 12,000 [[Chassepot]]s, 50 [[locomotive]]s and considerable stores of supplies into German hands on 28 September. The French National Guards were allowed to disperse. The Germans lost 936 troops. The besiegers expended 202,099 shells, with a weight of about 4,000 tons. Some 861 French soldiers died from all causes by the end of the siege and thousands were wounded. A total of 341 civilians were killed by the bombardment and a further 600–2,000 wounded. An estimated 448 houses were completely destroyed and 10,000 inhabitants were rendered homeless. The German siege operation was successful in clearing up railway lines to German forces in the French interior and freed up several divisions and a corps for operations along the [[Seine]] and in the [[Siege of Paris (1870)|siege]] of [[Paris]].{{sfn|Moltke|1892|p=139}} The deliberate German targeting of civilian morale presaged the [[total war]]s of the 20th century.{{sfn|Howard|1991|pp=218–219}}
On 19 September the Germans captured their first [[outwork]] and began a devastating close-range bombardment of the [[bastion]]s. With the city defenseless and a German assault imminent, the French commander, [[Lieutenant-General]] [[Jean-Jacques Uhrich]] surrendered the fortress, 17,562 troops, 1,277 [[artillery]] pieces, 140,000 rifles, including 12,000 [[Chassepot]]s, 50 [[locomotive]]s and considerable stores of supplies into German hands on 28 September. The French National Guards were allowed to disperse. The Germans lost 936 troops. The besiegers expended 202,099 shells, with a weight of about 4,000 tons. Some 861 French soldiers died from all causes by the end of the siege and thousands were wounded. A total of 341 civilians were killed by the bombardment and a further 600–2,000 wounded. An estimated 448 houses were completely destroyed and 10,000 inhabitants were rendered homeless. The German siege operation was successful in clearing up railway lines to German forces in the French interior and freed up several divisions and a corps for operations along the [[Seine]] and in the [[Siege of Paris (1870)|siege of Paris]].{{sfn|Moltke|1892|p=139}} The deliberate German targeting of civilian morale presaged the [[total war]]s of the 20th century.{{sfn|Howard|1991|pp=218–219}}


==Background==
==Background==
After the [[Battle of Wörth]], [[Frederick III, German Emperor|Crown Prince Frederick]] detached [[August von Werder|General August von Werder]] to move south against the [[fortress]] of [[Strasbourg]]. The city commanded a bridgehead across the [[Rhine]], threatening southern Germany.{{sfn|Moltke|1892|p=132}}
After the [[Battle of Wörth]], [[Frederick III, German Emperor|Crown Prince Frederick]] detached [[August von Werder|General August von Werder]] to move south against the fortress of [[Strasbourg]]. The city commanded a bridgehead across the [[Rhine]], threatening southern Germany.{{sfn|Moltke|1892|p=132}}


==Opposing forces==
==Opposing forces==
===German===
===German===
Werder's force was made up of 40,000 troops from [[Kingdom of Prussia|Prussia]], [[Kingdom of Württemberg|Württemberg]] and [[Grand Duchy of Baden|Baden]], which lay just across the Rhine from Strasbourg. Werder's force eventually included the ''[[Landwehr]]'' Guard, the 1st Reserve [[division (military)|Division]], with one [[cavalry]] [[brigade (military)|brigade]], 46 [[battalion]]s, 24 [[squadron (cavalry)|squadron]]s, 18 [[field artillery|field]] [[battery (artillery)|batteries]], a separate siege train of 200 field guns and 88 [[mortar (weapon)|mortar]]s, 6,000 foot artillerymen and ten [[company (army)|companies]] of [[sapper]]s and miners.{{sfn|Moltke|1892|pp=132–133}} The artillery parks at [[Vendenheim]] and Kork had a total of 366 guns and mortars, with 320,404 shells, [[case shot]] and [[shrapnel shell|shrapnel]] provided.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=13‡}}
Werder's force was made up of 40,000 troops from [[Kingdom of Prussia|Prussia]], [[Kingdom of Württemberg|Württemberg]] and [[Grand Duchy of Baden|Baden]], which lay just across the Rhine from Strasbourg. Werder's force eventually included the ''[[Landwehr]]'' Guard Division, the 1st Reserve [[division (military)|Division]], with one [[cavalry]] [[brigade (military)|brigade]], 46 [[battalion]]s, 24 [[squadron (cavalry)|squadron]]s, 18 [[field artillery|field]] [[battery (artillery)|batteries]], a separate siege train of 200 field guns and 88 [[mortar (weapon)|mortar]]s, 6,000-foot artillerymen and ten [[company (army)|companies]] of [[sapper]]s and miners.{{sfn|Moltke|1892|pp=132–133}} The artillery parks at [[Vendenheim]] and Kork had a total of 366 guns and mortars, with 320,404 shells, [[case shot]] and [[shrapnel shell|shrapnel]] provided.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=13‡}}


===French===
===French===
At the time, Strasbourg (along with [[Metz]]) was considered to be one of the strongest fortresses in France. [[Marshal of France|Marshal]] [[Patrice de MacMahon]] evacuated [[Alsace]] after Wörth and left only three battalions of regulars to hold Strasbourg.{{sfn|Moltke|1892|p=132}} Stragglers from Wörth, various other remnant forces, 130 [[Troupes de marine|marine infantrymen]] and elements of the ''[[Garde Mobile]]'' and [[National Guard (France)|National Guard]] [[militia]] improved the [[garrison]]'s strength to 23,000. The fortress had at least 1,277 guns but no [[military engineer]]s.{{sfn|Chrastil|2014|p=110}}{{sfn|Moltke|1892|p=132}} The French commandant was the 68-year-old Lieutenant-General [[:fr:Jean-Jacques Uhrich|Jean Jacques Alexis Uhrich]].{{sfn|Moltke|1892|p=132}}
At the time, Strasbourg (along with [[Metz]]) was considered to be one of the strongest fortresses in France. [[Marshal of France|Marshal]] [[Patrice de MacMahon]] evacuated [[Alsace]] after Wörth and left only three battalions of regulars to hold Strasbourg.{{sfn|Moltke|1892|p=132}} Stragglers from Wörth, various other remnant forces, 130 [[Troupes de marine|marine infantrymen]] and elements of the ''[[Garde Mobile]]'' and [[National Guard (France)|National Guard]] [[militia]] improved the [[garrison]]'s strength to 23,000. The fortress had at least 1,277 guns but no [[military engineer]]s.{{sfn|Chrastil|2014|p=110}}{{sfn|Moltke|1892|p=132}} The French commandant was the 68-year-old Lieutenant-General [[Jean-Jacques Uhrich]].{{sfn|Moltke|1892|p=132}}


==Siege==
==Siege==
[[File:Kehl Nordbatterie 24 Pfr.jpg|thumb|A German battery of 24 [[pound]]er guns at the siege of Strasbourg]]
[[File:Plan-zur-Belagerung-von-Strassburg.jpg|thumb|400px|Detailled map of the siege]]
On 11 August, Baden's force put Strasbourg under observation. They occupied the nearby town of [[Schiltigheim]], fortified it, and captured the Strasbourg [[suburb]] of Königshofen.{{sfn|Moltke|1892|p=132}} Werder understood the value of capturing the city, and ruled out a lengthy siege of starvation. He instead decided on a quicker action, bombarding the fortifications and the civilian population into submission.
[[File:Bombardement de la cathédrale de Strasbourg la nuit du 24 août 1870.jpg|thumb|The bombardment of [[Strasbourg Cathedral|Strasbourg cathedral]] on the night of 24 August 1870.]]
On 11 August, Baden's force put Strasbourg under observation. They occupied the nearby town of [[Schiltigheim]], fortified it, and captured the Strasbourg suburb of Königshofen.{{sfn|Moltke|1892|p=132}} Werder understood the value of capturing the city, and ruled out a lengthy siege of starvation. He instead decided on a quicker action, bombarding the fortifications and the civilian population into submission. The first shells fell on the city on 14 August.{{sfn|Chrastil|2014|p=61}}


===Terror bombardment===
On 23 August Werder's siege guns opened fire on the city and caused considerable damage to the city and many of its historical [[landmark]]s. The [[Archbishop of Strasbourg|Bishop of Strasbourg]] went to Werder to beg for a [[ceasefire]], and the civilian population suggested paying 100,000 [[French franc|francs]] to Werder each day he did not bomb the city. Uhrich refused to relent, and soon enough Werder realized he could not keep up such a bombardment with the amount of [[ammunition]] he had.
On 23 August Werder's siege guns opened fire on the city and caused considerable damage to the city and many of its historical landmarks. The [[Archbishop of Strasbourg|Bishop of Strasbourg]], [[Andreas Räss]], went to Werder to beg for a [[ceasefire]], and the civilian population suggested paying 100,000 [[French franc|francs]] to Werder each day he did not bomb the city. Uhrich refused to relent, and by 26 August Werder realized he could not keep up such a bombardment with the amount of [[ammunition]] he had.{{sfn|Chrastil|2014|p=109}} On 24 August, the Museum of Fine Arts was destroyed by fire, as was the Municipal Library housed in the [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] former [[Temple Neuf, Strasbourg|Dominican Church]], with its unique collection of [[medieval]] [[manuscript]]s, rare [[Renaissance]] books and [[ancient Roman]] artifacts.{{sfn|Chrastil|2014|p=214}}


===Formal attack===
On 24 August, the Museum of Fine Arts was destroyed by fire, as was the Municipal Library housed in the [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] former [[Temple Neuf|Dominican Church]], with its unique collection of [[medieval]] [[manuscript]]s, rare [[Renaissance]] books and [[ancient Roman]] artifacts.
On 26 August, Werder decided to go ahead with formal siege operations against the fortress.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=62}} On 27 August, he sent a report to royal headquarters on his intention to open the first parallel on the night of 29–30 August.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=62}} The Germans had carried out preparations for the formal siege even as the bombardment proceeded.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=62}} These included entrenching tool depots at Bischheim and Suffelweyersheim and the platforms, artillery parks and materiel of the siege artillery at Kork, [[Kehl]], Neumühl and Vendenheim.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=62}} By 24 August, the infantry had trained in the building of trenches by engineer officers.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=62}} To reconnoiter the fortress more closely and cover the main approach, the German lines of outposts moved forward on 27 August after dark between Königshoffen and the [[Aar (Ill)|Aar]] to within 300 meters of the glacis.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=62}} There was no French resistance.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=62}} On the morning of 28 August, the lines of outposts were withdrawn back to their previous positions after pioneers had constructed sufficient cover in the rain.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=62}}


[[File:Meyers b6 s0189b.jpg|thumb|400px|left|Map of the siege.]]
Werder continued bombing the city, this time targeting selected fortifications. The German siege lines moved rapidly closer to the city as each fortress was turned into rubble. On 11 September, a delegation of Swiss officials went into the city to evacuate non-combatants. This delegation brought in news of the defeat of the French at the [[Battle of Sedan]], which meant no relief was coming to Strasbourg. On 19 September the remaining civilians urged Uhrich to surrender the city, but he refused, believing a defense was still possible. However, that same day Werder stormed and captured the first of the city's fortifications. This event caused Uhrich to reconsider his ability to defend the city. On 27 September Uhrich opened negotiations with Werder, and the city surrendered the following day.
At 1000 on 28 August, the French garrison opened up with rifle and artillery fire.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=62}} At 1200, two French companies sortied out from the covered way near the Stone Gate.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=62}} A company of the Schneidemühl Landwehr battalion repulsed the attack with some support and skirmished with the French until dark.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|pp=62–63}} French [[wall piece]]s and infantry fired from the No. 44 lunette against the Prussian position at Kronenburg.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=63}} A French detachment of several hundred men momentarily captured the outermost Prussian trenches but was then thrown back by the Prussian infantry's file-fire.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=63}} Two Landwehr battalions from the Guard Landwehr Division occupied this line of trenches in the evening.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=63}}

On the night of 28–29 August, the line of trenches was extended to cover the entire attack sector and communications were established along the line.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=63}} Werder ordered the island of Wacken taken to cover the left flank.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=63}} A company of the Konitz Landwehr Battalion crossed a pontoon bridge that had been erected by pioneers and threw out the French outposts on the island.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=63}} A French company from Jars island attempted a counterattack on the morning of 29 August, but was defeated by the Landwehr company with the help of some troops of the Deutsch-Krone Landwehr Battalion.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=63}} The Landwehr company sent some skirmishers to pursue the French to Jars island but these were withdrawn by 9 am back to Wacken.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=63}}

Baden picket lines at Weghäusel, Meinau and [[Neuhof, Strasbourg|Neuhof]] were thrown forward to Neudorf and the Schachen Mill.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=63}} Detachment from [[Illkirch-Graffenstaden|Illkirch]] approached the glacis and skirmished with the French to distract the garrison of the real axis of attack.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=63}} A detachment from [[Lingolsheim]] could not make it to the gorge of the Paté Lunette as the bridges had been destroyed.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=63}} The French outwork maintained a continuous fire on the German siege batteries at Königshoffen and the outposts at Lingolsheim.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=63}} French inhabitants attempting to escape Strasbourg to the south were sent back to the town by the Baden soldiers.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=63}}

Werder continued bombing the city, this time targeting selected fortifications. The German siege lines moved rapidly closer to the city as each fortress was turned into rubble. On 11 September, a delegation of Swiss officials went into the city to evacuate non-combatants. This delegation brought in news of the defeat of the French at the [[Battle of Sedan]], which meant no relief was coming to Strasbourg. On 19 September the remaining civilians urged Uhrich to surrender the city, but he refused, believing a defense was still possible. However, that same day Werder stormed and captured the first of the city's fortifications. This event caused Uhrich to reconsider his ability to defend the city. On 27 September Uhrich opened negotiations with Werder, and the city surrendered the following day.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=91}}


==Aftermath==
==Aftermath==
[[File:German Medal 1870 Siege of Strasbourg, Alsace, in the Franco-Prussian War (obverse).jpg|thumb|left|German Medal 1870 Siege of Strasbourg, [[Alsace]], in the Franco-Prussian War (obverse). On French arms standing [[Germania (personification)|Germania]] l. holding a sword, the double headed Imperial Eagle on a shield at right. In the background a view of Strasbourg.]]
[[File:German Medal 1870 Siege of Strasbourg, Alsace, in the Franco-Prussian War (obverse).jpg|thumb|German Medal 1870 Siege of Strasbourg, [[Alsace]], in the Franco-Prussian War (obverse). On French arms standing [[Germania (personification)|Germania]] l. holding a sword and a stump, the double headed Imperial Eagle on a shield at right. In the background a view of Strasbourg.]]
[[File:German Medal 1870 Siege of Strasbourg, Alsace, in the Franco-Prussian War (reverse).jpg|thumb|left|The reverse of this medal has a part citation of the [[Rütlischwur]] featured in the play [[William Tell (play)|William Tell]] (Wilhelm Tell) by [[Friedrich Schiller]]. It shows the desire for the [[unification of Germany]] that actually became a reality later in [[1871]] in [[Versailles]] as a result of the Franco-Prussian War.]]
The capture of Strasbourg and the [[Siege of Toul|fall]] of [[Toul]] advanced the railway terminus from Germany to the siege lines of Paris considerably to the west.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=95}} Werder's troops were freed for operations in the French interior against the newly-raised Republican armies.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=95}}
The capture of Strasbourg and the [[Siege of Toul|fall]] of [[Toul]] advanced the railway terminus from Germany to the siege lines of Paris considerably to the west.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=95}} Werder's troops were freed for operations in the French interior against the newly-raised Republican armies.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=95}}


The German siege artillery expended 202,099 shells before the city, weighing about 4,000 tons.{{sfn|German General Staff|1884|p=205}} Werder was promoted to [[General of the Infantry (Germany)|General of the Infantry]] and his Siege Corps was formed into [[XIV Corps (German Empire)|XIV Corps]] on 30 September.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=93}} The Guard Landwehr division was sent to the siege of Paris by a railway line that had been opened by the fall of Toul.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=93}} The 1st Reserve Division remained behind as Strasbourg garrison, the siege artillery was relocated to Vendenheim and the [[pioneer (military)|pioneer]]s and fotress guns remained in the city and its vicinity in readiness for future deployments.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=93}} The rest of XIV Corps, including the Baden Field Division, the 30th and 34th Prussian Regiments, two regiments of Reserve Light Cavalry and three batteries from the 1st Reserve Division, began their march toward [[Châtillon-sur-Seine|Châtillon]] and [[Troyes]].{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=93}}
The German siege artillery expended 202,099 shells before the city, some 4,000 tons of ammunition.{{sfn|German General Staff|1884|p=205}} Werder was promoted to [[General of the Infantry (Germany)|General of the Infantry]] and his Siege Corps was formed into [[XIV Corps (German Empire)|XIV Corps]] on 30 September.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=93}} The Guard Landwehr division was sent to the siege of Paris by a railway line that had been opened by the fall of Toul.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=93}} The 1st Reserve Division remained behind as Strasbourg garrison, the siege artillery was relocated to Vendenheim and the [[pioneer (military)|pioneer]]s and fortress guns remained in the city and its vicinity in readiness for future deployments.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=93}} The rest of XIV Corps, including the Baden Field Division, the 30th and 34th Prussian Regiments, two regiments of Reserve Light Cavalry and three batteries from the 1st Reserve Division, began their march toward [[Châtillon-sur-Seine|Châtillon]] and [[Troyes]].{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=93}}


Strasbourg was ceded to Germany in the [[Treaty of Frankfurt (1871)|Treaty of Frankfurt]] on 10 May 1871.
Strasbourg was ceded to Germany in the [[Treaty of Frankfurt (1871)|Treaty of Frankfurt]] on 10 May 1871.{{sfn|Chrastil|2014|p=217}}


===Analysis===
===Analysis===
The French commandant surrendered the fortress despite plentiful stocks of food and ammunition.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=94}} The French garrison did not possess sufficient aggressiveness to disrupt the German preparations and left the most probable avenue of attack unprepared.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=94}} The fortress and the city lacked accommodations capable of withstanding the powerful German breech-loading guns and the French fortress artillery, despite its numerical superiority, was quickly silenced and reduced to simple harassment fire.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=94}}
The French commandant surrendered the fortress despite possessing plentiful stocks of food and ammunition.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=94}} The French garrison did not possess sufficient aggressiveness to disrupt the German preparations and left the most probable avenue of attack unprepared.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=94}} The fortress and the city lacked accommodations capable of withstanding the powerful German breech-loading guns and the French fortress artillery, despite its numerical superiority, was quickly silenced and reduced to simple harassment fire.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=94}}


The Germans, in contrast, made thorough preparations for every eventuality.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=94}} While the initial terror bombardment was underway, arrangements for a regular siege operation continued undisturbed.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=94}} The German siege lines were pushed energetically every day and failings were constantly critiqued and quickly corrected.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=94}}
The Germans, in contrast, made thorough preparations for every eventuality.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=94}} While the initial terror bombardment was underway, arrangements for a regular siege operation continued undisturbed.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=94}} The German siege lines were pushed energetically every day and failings were constantly critiqued and quickly corrected.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=94}}


===Casualties===
===Casualties===
The French lost 17,562 troops, 1,277 [[artillery]] pieces, 140,000 [[rifle]]s, including 12,000 [[Chassepot]]s, 50 [[locomotive]]s and their supplies captured.{{sfn|Moltke|1892|p=138}} The French National Guards were dispersed.{{sfn|Moltke|1892|p=138}} The Germans lost 936 officers and men, including 177 killed and died of wounds, 715 wounded and 44 missing. Horse losses were 78, of which 37 killed or died of wounds, 29 wounded and 12 missing.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=13‡}} Some 861 French soldiers died from all causes by the end of the siege.{{sfn|Chrastil|2014|p=110|loc=of which 270 killed in action, 445 died from wounds, 146 of sickness}} The German General Staff estimated 2,500 French combatants killed or wounded.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=93}} A total of 341 civilians were killed by the bombardment and a further 600–2,000 wounded.{{sfn|Chrastil|2014|p=220}} An estimated 448 houses were completely destroyed and 10,000 inhabitants, including refugees, were rendered homeless.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=93}}{{sfn|Moltke|1892|p=138}}
The French lost 17,562 troops, 1,277 [[artillery]] pieces, 140,000 rifles, including 12,000 [[Chassepot]]s, 50 [[locomotive]]s and their supplies captured.{{sfn|Moltke|1892|p=138}} The French National Guards were dispersed.{{sfn|Moltke|1892|p=138}} The Germans lost 936 officers and men, including 177 killed and died of wounds, 715 wounded and 44 missing. Horse losses were 78, of which 37 killed or died of wounds, 29 wounded and 12 missing.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=13‡}} Some 861 French soldiers died from all causes by the end of the siege.{{sfn|Chrastil|2014|p=110|loc=of which 270 killed in action, 445 died from wounds, 146 of sickness}} The German General Staff estimated 2,500 French combatants killed or wounded.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=93}} A total of 341 civilians were killed by the bombardment and a further 600–2,000 wounded.{{sfn|Chrastil|2014|p=220}} An estimated 448 houses were completely destroyed and 10,000 inhabitants, including refugees, were rendered homeless.{{sfn|German General Staff|1880|p=93}}{{sfn|Moltke|1892|p=138}} The German government compensated three quarters of the costs of the siege and occupation to the city.{{sfn|Chrastil|2014|p=217}}


==Citations==
==Citations==
Line 76: Line 86:


==References==
==References==
{{Refbegin|20em}}
{{Refbegin|30em}}
*{{Cite book |last= Chrastil |first= Rachel |year= 2014 |title= The Siege of Strasbourg |location= Cambridge, MA |publisher= [[Harvard University Press]] |isbn= 978-0-674-72886-8 |ref= harv }}
*{{Cite book |last= Chrastil |first= Rachel |year= 2014 |title= The Siege of Strasbourg |location= Cambridge, MA |publisher= [[Harvard University Press]] |isbn= 978-0-674-72886-8 }}
* {{cite book |author=German General Staff |title=The Franco-German War 1870-71: Part 2; Volume 1 |publisher=Clowes & Sons |location=London |year=1880 |ref=harv }}
* {{cite book |author=German General Staff |title=The Franco-German War 1870-71: Part 2; Volume 1 |publisher=Clowes & Sons |location=London |year=1880 }}
* {{cite book |author=German General Staff |title=The Franco-German War 1870-71: Part 2; Volume 3 |publisher=Clowes & Sons |location=London |year=1884 |ref=harv }}
* {{cite book |author=German General Staff |title=The Franco-German War 1870–71: Part 2; Volume 3 |publisher=Clowes & Sons |location=London |year=1884 }}
* {{cite book |last=Howard |first=M. |authorlink=Michael Howard (historian) |title=The Franco-Prussian War: The German Invasion of France 1870–1871 |year=1991 |orig-year=1962|publisher=Routledge |location=New York |isbn=0-415-26671-8 |ref=harv }}
* {{cite book |last=Howard |first=M. |authorlink=Michael Howard (historian) |title=The Franco-Prussian War: The German Invasion of France 1870–1871 |year=1991 |orig-year=1962|publisher=Routledge |location=New York |isbn=0-415-26671-8 }}
* {{cite book |last=Moltke |first=H. |title=The Franco-German War of 1870-71 |publisher=Harper |location=New York |year=1892 |ref=harv }}
* {{cite book |last=Moltke |first=H. |title=The Franco-German War of 1870-71 |url=https://archive.org/details/francogermanwar00fiscgoog |publisher=Harper |location=New York |year=1892 }}
{{Refend}}
{{Refend}}


{{Authority control}}
{{coord|48.5848|N|7.7506|E|source:wikidata|display=title}}

{{Coord|48.5848|N|7.7506|E|source:wikidata|display=title}}


[[Category:Battles of the Franco-Prussian War|Strasbourg, Siege of]]
[[Category:Sieges of the Franco-Prussian War|Strasbourg, Siege of]]
[[Category:Sieges involving Prussia|Strasbourg 1870]]
[[Category:Sieges involving Prussia|Strasbourg 1870]]
[[Category:Sieges involving France|Strasbourg, Siege of]]
[[Category:Sieges involving France|Strasbourg, Siege of]]
[[Category:1870 in France]]
[[Category:1870 in France]]
[[Category:History of Strasbourg]]
[[Category:Military history of Strasbourg]]
[[Category:August 1870 events]]
[[Category:August 1870 events]]
[[Category:September 1870 events]]
[[Category:September 1870 events]]
[[Category:Battles involving Württemberg]]
[[Category:Battles involving the Grand Duchy of Baden]]

Latest revision as of 19:32, 21 May 2024

Siege of Strasbourg
Part of the Franco-Prussian War

Strasbourg in ruins after the siege
Date14 August – 28 September 1870
(1 month and 2 weeks)
Standort
Result German victory
Belligerents

 North German Confederation

 Baden
 Württemberg

Second French Empire French Empire


French Third Republic French Republic
Commanders and leaders
Kingdom of Prussia August von Werder Jean-Jacques Uhrich Surrendered
Units involved
Siege Corps Strasbourg fortress
Strength
40,000 men
366 guns and mortars
23,000 men
1,277 artillery pieces
Casualties and losses

936


177 killed and died of wounds
715 wounded
44 missing
78 horses

23,000 military


Personnel
861 dead
Thousands wounded
Thousands dispersed
17,562 captured
Material
1,277 artillery pieces
140,000 rifles
50 locomotives
captured
448 houses destroyed
Civilian
341 killed
600–2,000 wounded
10,000 homeless

The siege of Strasbourg took place during the Franco-Prussian War, and resulted in the French surrender of the fortress on 28 September 1870.

After the German victory at Wörth, troops from the Grand Duchy of Baden under Prussian General August von Werder were detached to capture Strasbourg with the help of two Prussian Landwehr divisions which had been guarding the North Sea coast. This 40,000-strong siege corps reached the fortress on 14 August and began to immediately bombard it. The defenses were largely obsolete and 7,000 of the 23,000-strong French garrison were National Guard militiamen. Desiring a quick surrender, the Germans began a terror bombardment to destroy the morale of the civilian population on 23 August. Explosive and incendiary shells were rained down on the city for four days and entire quarters were reduced to ash. Panic developed among the civilians but there was no capitulation.[1]

A shell shortage forced Werder to lower the intensity of the German fire on 26 August and switch to formal siege operations. The Germans dug their way closer to the fortress through trench parallels and destroyed specific sections of the defenses with concentrated bombardments. The siege progressed rapidly, French sortie attempts were defeated and by 17 September the enceinte wall had been breached. At the same time, the defenders' morale was lowered by news of the annihilation of the Army of Châlons at Sedan and the encirclement of the Army of the Rhine in Metz.[2]

On 19 September the Germans captured their first outwork and began a devastating close-range bombardment of the bastions. With the city defenseless and a German assault imminent, the French commander, Lieutenant-General Jean-Jacques Uhrich surrendered the fortress, 17,562 troops, 1,277 artillery pieces, 140,000 rifles, including 12,000 Chassepots, 50 locomotives and considerable stores of supplies into German hands on 28 September. The French National Guards were allowed to disperse. The Germans lost 936 troops. The besiegers expended 202,099 shells, with a weight of about 4,000 tons. Some 861 French soldiers died from all causes by the end of the siege and thousands were wounded. A total of 341 civilians were killed by the bombardment and a further 600–2,000 wounded. An estimated 448 houses were completely destroyed and 10,000 inhabitants were rendered homeless. The German siege operation was successful in clearing up railway lines to German forces in the French interior and freed up several divisions and a corps for operations along the Seine and in the siege of Paris.[3] The deliberate German targeting of civilian morale presaged the total wars of the 20th century.[4]

Background

[edit]

After the Battle of Wörth, Crown Prince Frederick detached General August von Werder to move south against the fortress of Strasbourg. The city commanded a bridgehead across the Rhine, threatening southern Germany.[5]

Opposing forces

[edit]

German

[edit]

Werder's force was made up of 40,000 troops from Prussia, Württemberg and Baden, which lay just across the Rhine from Strasbourg. Werder's force eventually included the Landwehr Guard Division, the 1st Reserve Division, with one cavalry brigade, 46 battalions, 24 squadrons, 18 field batteries, a separate siege train of 200 field guns and 88 mortars, 6,000-foot artillerymen and ten companies of sappers and miners.[6] The artillery parks at Vendenheim and Kork had a total of 366 guns and mortars, with 320,404 shells, case shot and shrapnel provided.[7]

French

[edit]

At the time, Strasbourg (along with Metz) was considered to be one of the strongest fortresses in France. Marshal Patrice de MacMahon evacuated Alsace after Wörth and left only three battalions of regulars to hold Strasbourg.[5] Stragglers from Wörth, various other remnant forces, 130 marine infantrymen and elements of the Garde Mobile and National Guard militia improved the garrison's strength to 23,000. The fortress had at least 1,277 guns but no military engineers.[8][5] The French commandant was the 68-year-old Lieutenant-General Jean-Jacques Uhrich.[5]

Siege

[edit]
Detailled map of the siege
The bombardment of Strasbourg cathedral on the night of 24 August 1870.

On 11 August, Baden's force put Strasbourg under observation. They occupied the nearby town of Schiltigheim, fortified it, and captured the Strasbourg suburb of Königshofen.[5] Werder understood the value of capturing the city, and ruled out a lengthy siege of starvation. He instead decided on a quicker action, bombarding the fortifications and the civilian population into submission. The first shells fell on the city on 14 August.[9]

Terror bombardment

[edit]

On 23 August Werder's siege guns opened fire on the city and caused considerable damage to the city and many of its historical landmarks. The Bishop of Strasbourg, Andreas Räss, went to Werder to beg for a ceasefire, and the civilian population suggested paying 100,000 francs to Werder each day he did not bomb the city. Uhrich refused to relent, and by 26 August Werder realized he could not keep up such a bombardment with the amount of ammunition he had.[10] On 24 August, the Museum of Fine Arts was destroyed by fire, as was the Municipal Library housed in the Gothic former Dominican Church, with its unique collection of medieval manuscripts, rare Renaissance books and ancient Roman artifacts.[11]

Formal attack

[edit]

On 26 August, Werder decided to go ahead with formal siege operations against the fortress.[12] On 27 August, he sent a report to royal headquarters on his intention to open the first parallel on the night of 29–30 August.[12] The Germans had carried out preparations for the formal siege even as the bombardment proceeded.[12] These included entrenching tool depots at Bischheim and Suffelweyersheim and the platforms, artillery parks and materiel of the siege artillery at Kork, Kehl, Neumühl and Vendenheim.[12] By 24 August, the infantry had trained in the building of trenches by engineer officers.[12] To reconnoiter the fortress more closely and cover the main approach, the German lines of outposts moved forward on 27 August after dark between Königshoffen and the Aar to within 300 meters of the glacis.[12] There was no French resistance.[12] On the morning of 28 August, the lines of outposts were withdrawn back to their previous positions after pioneers had constructed sufficient cover in the rain.[12]

Map of the siege.

At 1000 on 28 August, the French garrison opened up with rifle and artillery fire.[12] At 1200, two French companies sortied out from the covered way near the Stone Gate.[12] A company of the Schneidemühl Landwehr battalion repulsed the attack with some support and skirmished with the French until dark.[13] French wall pieces and infantry fired from the No. 44 lunette against the Prussian position at Kronenburg.[14] A French detachment of several hundred men momentarily captured the outermost Prussian trenches but was then thrown back by the Prussian infantry's file-fire.[14] Two Landwehr battalions from the Guard Landwehr Division occupied this line of trenches in the evening.[14]

On the night of 28–29 August, the line of trenches was extended to cover the entire attack sector and communications were established along the line.[14] Werder ordered the island of Wacken taken to cover the left flank.[14] A company of the Konitz Landwehr Battalion crossed a pontoon bridge that had been erected by pioneers and threw out the French outposts on the island.[14] A French company from Jars island attempted a counterattack on the morning of 29 August, but was defeated by the Landwehr company with the help of some troops of the Deutsch-Krone Landwehr Battalion.[14] The Landwehr company sent some skirmishers to pursue the French to Jars island but these were withdrawn by 9 am back to Wacken.[14]

Baden picket lines at Weghäusel, Meinau and Neuhof were thrown forward to Neudorf and the Schachen Mill.[14] Detachment from Illkirch approached the glacis and skirmished with the French to distract the garrison of the real axis of attack.[14] A detachment from Lingolsheim could not make it to the gorge of the Paté Lunette as the bridges had been destroyed.[14] The French outwork maintained a continuous fire on the German siege batteries at Königshoffen and the outposts at Lingolsheim.[14] French inhabitants attempting to escape Strasbourg to the south were sent back to the town by the Baden soldiers.[14]

Werder continued bombing the city, this time targeting selected fortifications. The German siege lines moved rapidly closer to the city as each fortress was turned into rubble. On 11 September, a delegation of Swiss officials went into the city to evacuate non-combatants. This delegation brought in news of the defeat of the French at the Battle of Sedan, which meant no relief was coming to Strasbourg. On 19 September the remaining civilians urged Uhrich to surrender the city, but he refused, believing a defense was still possible. However, that same day Werder stormed and captured the first of the city's fortifications. This event caused Uhrich to reconsider his ability to defend the city. On 27 September Uhrich opened negotiations with Werder, and the city surrendered the following day.[15]

Aftermath

[edit]
German Medal 1870 Siege of Strasbourg, Alsace, in the Franco-Prussian War (obverse). On French arms standing Germania l. holding a sword and a stump, the double headed Imperial Eagle on a shield at right. In the background a view of Strasbourg.

The capture of Strasbourg and the fall of Toul advanced the railway terminus from Germany to the siege lines of Paris considerably to the west.[16] Werder's troops were freed for operations in the French interior against the newly-raised Republican armies.[16]

The German siege artillery expended 202,099 shells before the city, some 4,000 tons of ammunition.[17] Werder was promoted to General of the Infantry and his Siege Corps was formed into XIV Corps on 30 September.[18] The Guard Landwehr division was sent to the siege of Paris by a railway line that had been opened by the fall of Toul.[18] The 1st Reserve Division remained behind as Strasbourg garrison, the siege artillery was relocated to Vendenheim and the pioneers and fortress guns remained in the city and its vicinity in readiness for future deployments.[18] The rest of XIV Corps, including the Baden Field Division, the 30th and 34th Prussian Regiments, two regiments of Reserve Light Cavalry and three batteries from the 1st Reserve Division, began their march toward Châtillon and Troyes.[18]

Strasbourg was ceded to Germany in the Treaty of Frankfurt on 10 May 1871.[19]

Analysis

[edit]

The French commandant surrendered the fortress despite possessing plentiful stocks of food and ammunition.[20] The French garrison did not possess sufficient aggressiveness to disrupt the German preparations and left the most probable avenue of attack unprepared.[20] The fortress and the city lacked accommodations capable of withstanding the powerful German breech-loading guns and the French fortress artillery, despite its numerical superiority, was quickly silenced and reduced to simple harassment fire.[20]

The Germans, in contrast, made thorough preparations for every eventuality.[20] While the initial terror bombardment was underway, arrangements for a regular siege operation continued undisturbed.[20] The German siege lines were pushed energetically every day and failings were constantly critiqued and quickly corrected.[20]

Casualties

[edit]

The French lost 17,562 troops, 1,277 artillery pieces, 140,000 rifles, including 12,000 Chassepots, 50 locomotives and their supplies captured.[21] The French National Guards were dispersed.[21] The Germans lost 936 officers and men, including 177 killed and died of wounds, 715 wounded and 44 missing. Horse losses were 78, of which 37 killed or died of wounds, 29 wounded and 12 missing.[7] Some 861 French soldiers died from all causes by the end of the siege.[22] The German General Staff estimated 2,500 French combatants killed or wounded.[18] A total of 341 civilians were killed by the bombardment and a further 600–2,000 wounded.[23] An estimated 448 houses were completely destroyed and 10,000 inhabitants, including refugees, were rendered homeless.[18][21] The German government compensated three quarters of the costs of the siege and occupation to the city.[19]

Citations

[edit]
  1. ^ Howard 1991, p. 217.
  2. ^ Howard 1991, p. 218.
  3. ^ Moltke 1892, p. 139.
  4. ^ Howard 1991, pp. 218–219.
  5. ^ a b c d e Moltke 1892, p. 132.
  6. ^ Moltke 1892, pp. 132–133.
  7. ^ a b German General Staff 1880, p. 13‡.
  8. ^ Chrastil 2014, p. 110.
  9. ^ Chrastil 2014, p. 61.
  10. ^ Chrastil 2014, p. 109.
  11. ^ Chrastil 2014, p. 214.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j German General Staff 1880, p. 62.
  13. ^ German General Staff 1880, pp. 62–63.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m German General Staff 1880, p. 63.
  15. ^ German General Staff 1880, p. 91.
  16. ^ a b German General Staff 1880, p. 95.
  17. ^ German General Staff 1884, p. 205.
  18. ^ a b c d e f German General Staff 1880, p. 93.
  19. ^ a b Chrastil 2014, p. 217.
  20. ^ a b c d e f German General Staff 1880, p. 94.
  21. ^ a b c Moltke 1892, p. 138.
  22. ^ Chrastil 2014, p. 110, of which 270 killed in action, 445 died from wounds, 146 of sickness.
  23. ^ Chrastil 2014, p. 220.

References

[edit]
  • Chrastil, Rachel (2014). The Siege of Strasbourg. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. ISBN 978-0-674-72886-8.
  • German General Staff (1880). The Franco-German War 1870-71: Part 2; Volume 1. London: Clowes & Sons.
  • German General Staff (1884). The Franco-German War 1870–71: Part 2; Volume 3. London: Clowes & Sons.
  • Howard, M. (1991) [1962]. The Franco-Prussian War: The German Invasion of France 1870–1871. New York: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-26671-8.
  • Moltke, H. (1892). The Franco-German War of 1870-71. New York: Harper.

48°35′05″N 7°45′02″E / 48.5848°N 7.7506°E / 48.5848; 7.7506