WISSEMBOURG: August 4, 1870

1-970014

FORGOTTEN BATTLES series: On the morning of August 4, 1870, the 2nd Division of General Abel Douay deployed on the heights of Wissembourg a few hundred meters from the enemy border. Several Bavarian and Prussian corps moved forward without being spotted by the French cavalry reconnaissance, creating an unequal battle in and around the city that ended with a heroic defense of the castle Geisberg and the death of General Douay. Despite the bravery of the troops, the French were forced to retire towards 'pigeon neck pass' (Col du Pigeonnier), leaving half their force on the battlefield.

Wissembourg is the first battle of the War of 1870. Through extensive research in French and German archives and rare books, Ronald Zins, a recognized specialist of the Second Empire, offers a fascinating synthesis of this event. 80 b/w and color illustrations.