THE DESTRUCTION OF THE IMPERIAL ARMY: Volume 1 - The Opening Engagements of the Franco-German War 1870-71

1-238670

First in a four-volume series covers the opening months of the Franco-German War between Napoleon's Imperial Army and King Wilhelm's German armies when within the space of four weeks in summer 1870. The basic narrative is taken from the numerous volumes French official account, La Guerre de 1870-71, published by the Section historique de l'Etat-major de l'Armee, plus an earlier German official history that includes detailed annexes providing copious orders of battle, battle unit reports, and casualty records for almost every engagement.

The first volume in the series covers the background to the conflict, the opposing armies, war plans, mobilization and the opening engagements of the conflict including the combats at Saarbrucken, Wissembourg, Froeschwiller, Forbach, and the retreat to the Moselle.

Subsequent volumes will take a similarly detailed and comprehensive look at the three major encounters around Metz at Borny, Vionville and St Privat; the short-lived campaign of the Army of Ch?lons and the fighting at Nouart, Beaumont and Sedan, and the oft-overlooked sieges of Strasbourg and Metz and the battles of Servigny-Noiseville and Landonchamps.