The Forgotten Battles n°14 - Wissembourg 1870 (in French)

On the morning of August 4, 1870, General Abel Douay's 2nd division was in position on the heights of Wissembourg, a few hundred meters from the enemy border. On the other side, several Prussian and Bavarian corps advance without having been spotted by the reconnaissance of French cavalry. An uneven battle in and around the city begins during which General Douay is killed. The battle of Wissembourg ends with a heroic defense in the castle of Geisberg.

Despite the bravery of the lignards and the turcos, the French were forced to retreat in the direction of the Col du Pigeonnier, abandoning half of their strength on the battlefield.

Wissembourg is the first battle of the war of 1870. Thanks to research in French and German archives and rare works, Ronald Zins, recognized specialist of the Second Empire, offers a fascinating synthesis of this event.