Metz, Battle of

In the Franco-Prussian War, Prussian victory over the French August-October 1870. Metz was a major fortress in Lorraine, about 280 km/175 mi east of Paris, guarding the approaches from southern Germany. The fortress surrendered on 27 October, complete with the entire 173,000-strong French Army of the Rhine, who became prisoners of war. Metz, together with the département of Lorraine, was ceded to the Prussians as part of the peace settlement when the war ended.

After the battle of Vionville-Mars la Tour, General François Bazaine fell back on Metz and took up a strong position on a ridge to the west of the city. The Prussian army attacked and defeated the French here at the battle of Gravelotte on 18 August 1870 and Bazaine pulled the remains of his army back into the fortress. The Prussians besieged Metz the following day. Bazaine attempted to make a sortie from the fortress in order to join up with the rest of the French Army but was easily driven back by the Prussians. He made another half-hearted attempt to break out to the east on 7 October, which also failed, and on 27 October was forced to surrender.