Battle of Sedan
1870 · Sedan, France · World · Modern
The Prussians encircled Sedan; the French army surrendered and Napoleon III was captured.
Belligerents
Prussia
- Commanders
- Moltke, William I
- Strength
- About 200,000, superior artillery
France
- Commanders
- MacMahon, Napoleon III
- Strength
- About 120,000
Background
In the Franco-Prussian War, a French attempt to relieve Metz was checked; the army withdrew into the fortress of Sedan and was surrounded by the Prussians.
Course of the battle
- EncirclementThe Prussians swung around both flanks to seal off the exits from Sedan.
- Artillery dominanceMassed heavy guns on the heights pounded the French in the basin below.
- SurrendersWith no hope of breaking out, the emperor raised the white flag and surrendered.
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 1870 |
|---|---|
| Place | Sedan, France |
| Result | The Prussians encircled Sedan; the French army surrendered and Napoleon III was captured. |
| Winner | Prussia |
| Casualties | French casualties were about 17,000, with over 100,000 captured; Prussian casualties were about 9,000. |
| Territorial change | The Second French Empire collapsed, and the German Empire was soon to be unified and founded. |
Impact
It brought about German unification and sowed lasting enmity between France and Germany.
See the world in 1870 on the map →