Battle of Buzenval

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Battle of Buzenval
Part of the Siege of Paris and the Franco-Prussian War

Defence of Longboyau's gate, château of Buzenval, October 21st 1870; painted by Alphonse de Neuville.
Date 21 October 1870 & 19-20 January 1871
Location Rueil-Malmaison, Garches, and Saint-Cloud, France
Result German victory, heavy German casualties sustained
Belligerents
German Empire German Empire France France
Commanders and leaders
German Empire Crown Prince Frederick[citation needed] France Louis Jules Trochu
Strength
28,000-34,000 5,000
Casualties and losses
7,879 4,070

The Battle of Buzenval is the name given to two separate battles in the communes of Rueil-Malmaison, Garches, and Saint-Cloud, in the département of Seine-et-Oise in the fall and winter of 1870-1871, that were part of the siege of Paris during the Franco-Prussian War.

First Battle of Buzenval (1870)

The First Battle of Buzenval took place on 21 October 1870 under the orders of French General Auguste-Alexandre Ducrot, whose objective was to take the hamlets of Malmaison, la Jonchère, and Buzenval defended by the Prussian army's 3rd Division of the 5th Corps, with part of the 4th Corps and a regimental guard. The French attack was made by three groups of infantry under General Berthaut, General Noël, and Colonel Cholletou, with two groups of reserves. The goal of the French command was reached, however, the French troops were exposed and suffered considerable losses, including 32 dead and 411 other casualties. Total losses to the Prussian forces in the first battle are unknown.

Second Battle of Buzenval (1871)

The Second Battle of Buzenval, is also known as the Battle of Mont Valérien. On 19 January 1871, the day after Wilhelm I was proclaimed German Emperor, Louis Jules Trochu attacked the Germans west of Paris in Buzenval Park. The attackers seized the town of Saint-Cloud coming close to the new Emperor's headquarters at Versailles. Trochu was able to maintain his position at St. Cloud for most of the day but the failure of other French forces to hold their positions left him isolated and the Crown Prince's army was able to force Trochu's salient back into Paris by the next day. This was the last effort to break out of Paris. Trochu turned over command of the Paris defenses to Joseph Vinoy who surrendered the city 10 days later.

Sources

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