Battle of Orléans (December 1870)

December 3–4, 1870 · Orléans

Result German victory

German forces defeated the French Army of the Loire near Orléans and retook the city. The French army split into two parts, and the attempt to relieve Paris failed.

On the map Contemporaries

Germany

France

North German Confederation

Kingdom of Prussia

Kingdom of Bavaria

France

Frederick Francis II military commander

Prince Friedrich Karl of Prussia military commander

Ludwig Freiherr von und zu der Tann-Rathsamhausen military commander

Louis d'Aurelle de Paladines military commander

Strength and losses

Strength: 86,000c. 86,000
Casualties: c. 2,000
Killed: 400c. 400
Wounded: 1,600c. 1,600
Guns: c. 459

Strength: 62,000c. 64,000
Casualties: 3,000c. 21,000
Missing: 18,000c. 18,000
Guns: c. 222
Guns lost: c. 74

Units

III Corps (German Empire) IX Corps (German Empire) X Corps (German Empire) 17th Division (German Empire) 18th Division (German Empire) 20th Division (German Empire) 22nd Division (German Empire) 25th Division (German Empire) 5th Division (German Empire) 6th Division (German Empire)

Army of the Loire