The Battle of Spicheren August 6th 1870

by G.F.R Henderson

Overview

This account, penned by a noted British military historian of the late 19th century, remains one of the best narratives of a 19th century battle yet published.

The Battle of Spicheren was fought in early August 1870, and like many of the battles in the opening phase of the Franco-Prussian war, could be termed an encounter battle. Fighting over very difficult terrain, German forces dislodged the French II Corps after a heroic defense.

Henderson not only drew on the General Staff works and other official sources available to military historians of the late 19th century - the value of his work is that he also utilized many other accounts, including regimental histories. He presents an extremely detailed narrative of the battle. Following a full discussion of the events of 6 August 1870, he also discusses the tactics of the battle, and training and other characteristics of the troops involved.

This new edition not only includes all of the maps from the original, but also features a new essay outlining the life and military writings of Henderson, by Duncan Rogers, as well as added illustrations and a bibliography of the Battle of Spicheren.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781909982611
Publisher:	Helion and Company
Publication date:	05/03/2015
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	6.40(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Henderson was born in Jersey in 1854. Educated at Leeds Grammar School, of which his father, afterwards Dean of Carlisle, was headmaster, he was early attracted to the study of history, and obtained a scholarship at St John's College, Oxford. But he soon left the University for Sandhurst, from where he was commissioned into the 84th Foot in 1878.

Table of Contents

List of illustrations vii

List of maps ix

G.F.R. Henderson ? his life, work and legacy: A new introduction by Duncan Rogers 10

Preface 27

Introduction 31

Chapter I The mobilization and concentration of the armies 33

Chapter II The characteristics of the armies 49

The infantry 56

The cavalry 59

The artillery 60

The Mitrailleuse 60

The staff 61

The term of service in 1870 62

Chapter III The Combat of Saarbrucken 64

Chapter IV The French dispositions from August 3rd to August 6th 80

Chapter V The German advance to the frontier 86

Ihe news of the action of Saarbrucken, and measures adopted in consequence 89

The First Army 90

The news of Saarbrücken, and measures proposed in consequence by von Steinmetz 92

The measures ordered by von Moltke 94

German movements on the 4th August 95

First Army 95

Second Army 96

The cavalry on 4th August 96

Movements of Second Army on the 5th August 98

Chapter VI The Battle of Spicheren 101

Orders for Second Army - Morning of the 6th 101

Orders for First Army - Morning of the 6th 104

Advance of the First Army 105

Advance of the Second Army 108

Strength and distribution of the German Cavalry 109

Reconnaissances of the 5th & 6th Cavalry Divisions 109

The Battle, 10-11 a.m. 112

Action of the 14th Infantry Division 112

Occupation of the Saarbmcken Ridge by the Advanced Guard of the 14th Division 113

French dispositions 119

Ihe French position 123

The interior of the plateau 123

The Valley 124

The advantages 127

The disadvantages 128

Distribution of the French troops 131

Defensive works 132

Advance of the 27th Brigade 134

The right attack - 12 noon?2.30 pm 136

The left attack - 12 noon to 2.30 pm 138

The central attack - 1.10 pm-2.30 pm 141

The state of the engagement at 2.30 pm 144

French troop movements 147

German troop movements ? First Army 148

German troop movements - Second Army 149

The battle on the plateau - 2.30-3.30 pm 152

The battle in the Valley - 2.30?3.30 pm 156

Chapter VII The Battle of Spicheren - continued 163

The battle on the plateau - 3.30-5 pm 163

The battle in the valley - 3.30-5 pm 172

The centre 172

The right wing 175

Turning movement of the 28th Brigade 176

The battle on the plateau 5?6 pm 180

Chapter VIII The Battle of Spicheren - continued 187

The battle in the valley - 5-7.30 pm 187

The battle on the plateau ? after 6 o'clock 193

The battle in the valley after 7 o'clock 204

The turning movement of the 13th Division 209

Prussian outposts after the battle 212

The performance of the French high command 213

Chapter IX The tactics of the battle 220

Chapter X The training of the troops, and their tactical leading 241

Appendix I 251

1.1 Strength of the Prussian forces at the Battle of Spicheren 251

1.2 Strength of the French forces at the Battle of Spicheren 252

1.3 Prussian losses 252

1.4 French losses 254

1.5 Numbers engaged 255

1.6 Percentage of loss 255

1.7 Note 255

Appendix II German Order of Battle 256

French Order of Battle 259

Appendix III Questions to be worked out by the reader 260

Further reading 262