SPICHEREN 1870

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FORGOTTEN BATTLES series:

Born to a diplomatic crisis extremely short, the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 sealed the fate of the Second Empire. In three days, from August 4 to 6, the imperial army suffered three major defeats at the battles of Wissembourg and Froeschwiller (Alsace) and the Battle of Spicheren (Lorraine). These defeats ften the gates of France to German troops. Unlike the two battles in Alsace, the Battle of Spicheren, led by French side Frossard and Bazaine, should have been a French victory. In fact at the beginning of the Prussian offensive, and for several hours, one division foe faces three French divisions. 60 b/w and color illust.