The Battle of Châteaudun was a battle in northwestern

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

during the Franco-Prussian War, which took place on October 18, 1870. In this battle, the

Imperial German Army The Imperial German Army (1871–1919), officially referred to as the German Army (german: Deutsches Heer), was the unified ground and air force of the German Empire. It was established in 1871 with the political unification of Germany under the l ...

led by General Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig von Wittich attacked the city of Châteaudun and captured the city. During the nine-hour battle the attackers defeated forces that included

Francs-tireurs (, French for "free shooters") were irregular military formations deployed by France during the early stages of the Franco-Prussian War (1870–71). The term was revived and used by partisans to name two major French Resistance movements se ...

led by Ernest de Lipowski who was of Polish origin. Although it ended in defeat,Châteaudun
/ref> the resistance of the French army at Châteaudun is recorded by one document as legendary. The fighting at Châteaudun was immortalized by a painting by Philippoteaux (the original of which is now located in the Châteaudun mayor's office).

The Battle

Obeying orders, General Wittich, commander of the German 22nd Division advanced from Orléans to the northwest, and attacked Châteaudun on the Loire which was defended by Lipowski's irregular forces. Wittich's forces had the overwhelming advantage in numbers, and each French soldier fought 10 Prussians, while enduring heavy and fierce fire of the Prussian artillery. At around 6 p.m., the French obstacle course Rue Galante (Rue de Civry) was isolated and had to be given up. The advance of the Prussian army could not be repelled. French snipers retreated into the center of town even though it was dark. The Prussians were determined to capture the market place at

Châteaudun Châteaudun () is a commune in the Eure-et-Loir department in northern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department. It was the site of the Battle of Châteaudun during the Franco-Prussian War. Geography Châteaudun is located about 45& ...

, and they attacked in droves. A terrible battle broke out in the night, in which the two sides fought hand-to-hand. The Prussians were forced to capture each house one by one. Three times the French repelled the Prussians at Rues de Chartres (Rue Jean Moulin) and d'Orléans (Rue de la République), and dead bodies were piled up on the battlefield. Finally, the German army claimed victory, partly due to the strength of their artillery.Edmund Ollier, ''Cassell's history of the war between France and Germany, 1870-1871'', Page 394 Faced with a hopeless situation, Châteaudun was bombarded by the Germans and burned to ashes. The French irregulars holding Châteaudun then conducted a retreat, leaving behind a number of prisoners in the hands of the German army. In retaliation for the resistance of the Franc-tireurs guerrillas and the French National Guard at Châteaudun, General Wittich bombarded Châteaudun and neighboring villages. Many houses were destroyed and some non-combatants, including women, were massacred. On October 21, 1870, Wittich's division attacked Chartres, where their batteries repelled a French advancement, and Chartres surrendered to the Germans. As one of the fiercest generals in the Prussian army, Wittich was nicknamed "The Butcher of Châteaudun".Emma Maria Pearson, Louisa Elisabeth McLaughlin, ''Our adventures during the War of 1870'', Episode 2, Page 355 The French retook Châteaudun on November 6, 1870.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Battle of Chateaudun 1870 in France

October 1870 events Massacres in France