Battle of Borny–Colombey

August 14, 1870 · Metz

Result French victory

German troops attacked the French Army of the Rhine as it withdrew through Metz. The fighting delayed the French retreat and helped the Germans trap the army at Metz.

On the map Contemporaries

Germany

France

North German Confederation

Kingdom of Prussia

France

Karl Friedrich von Steinmetz military commander

François Achille Bazaine military commander

Strength and losses

Strength: 50,000c. 58,000
Casualties: 4,906–5,222c. 5,000
Killed: c. 1,200
Wounded: c. 3,600
Missing: c. 200
Guns: c. 204

Strength: c. 84,000
Casualties: c. 3,800
Killed: c. 430
Wounded: c. 2,770
Missing: c. 600
Guns: c. 288

Units

VII Corps (German Empire) 13th Division (German Empire) 14th Division (German Empire) 18th Division (German Empire)

Army of the Rhine (1870)