Biffontaine

Biffontaine
Commune
Biffontaine

Coordinates: 48°12′43″N 6°48′18″E / 48.2119°N 6.805°E / 48.2119; 6.805Coordinates: 48°12′43″N 6°48′18″E / 48.2119°N 6.805°E / 48.2119; 6.805
Country France
Region Grand Est
Department Vosges
Arrondissement Saint-Dié-des-Vosges
Canton Bruyères
Intercommunality CA Saint-Dié-des-Vosges
Government
  Mayor Denis Henry
Area1 8.88 km2 (3.43 sq mi)
Population (2006)2 436
  Density 49/km2 (130/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
  Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
INSEE/Postal code 88059 /88430
Elevation 456–660 m (1,496–2,165 ft)
(avg. 465 m or 1,526 ft)

1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Biffontaine is a commune in the Vosges department in Grand Est in northeastern France.

History

In the World War II, it was liberated from German occupation by soldiers of the Japanese-American 442nd Regimental Combat Team in late October 1944, who then defended it from fierce counterattacks. It is perhaps best known as being near the location of the rescue of the "Lost Battalion" of soldiers from 1st Battalion, 141st Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, who had been surrounded by German forces but were rescued by the 442nd. The story is detailed in U.S. Samurais in Bruyeres by Pierre Moulin.

See also

References

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