Battle of Orléans
Historical Overview
The Second Battle of Orléans of Battle of Vaumainbert was fought during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. It took place on December 3 and 4, 1870 and was part of the Loire Campaign. The Germans recaptured Orléans, which had been retaken by the French on November 11, 1870 after the Battle of Coulmiers, and divided the French Army of the Loire in two. Future king of Serbia, Peter, took part in the battle on the French side. The French lost 20,000 men in two days of combat, including 18,000 captured or missing, as well as 74 guns and four gunboats. German manpower losses amounted to 2,000, of which 400 killed and 1,600 wounded. The Germans lost 368 horses, including 175 killed, 183 wounded and 10 missing.
Quick Facts
Kingdom of Prussia
- Commander: Friedrich Karl
- Strength: ca. 45.000
- Casualties: ca. 1.700
French Republic
- Commander: Aurelle de Paladines
- Strength: ca. 80.000
- Casualties: ca. 20.000
Strategic Context
Protecting the Siege of Paris against relief from the south.
Related Literature

Frühling der Revolution: Europa 1848/49 und der Kampf für eine neue Welt
Christopher Clark

Risorgimento! Italiens Kampf um die Einheit im 19. Jahrhundert
Historical Locations
Interactive map requires third-party cookie consent.





