Partof: | the Franco-Prussian War |
Conflict: | Battle of the Lisaine |
Date: | 15–17 January 1871 |
Place: | near Héricourt, Lizaine River, France |
Result: | German victory |
Combatant1: | German Empire |
Combatant2: | French Republic |
Commander1: | August von Werder |
Commander2: | Charles Denis Bourbaki |
Units1: | XIV Corps |
Units2: | Armée de l'Est |
Strength1: | 40,000–45,000 146 guns |
Strength2: | 110,000 |
Casualties1: | 1,800 killed or wounded 400 captured |
Casualties2: | 4,000 killed or wounded 500 captured |
The Battle of the Lisaine, also known as the Battle of Héricourt, was fought from 15 January to 17 January 1871 between German and French forces. The French were led by Charles Denis Bourbaki, and were attempting to relieve the Siege of Belfort. The Germans prepared XIV Corps and several other divisions, some 40,000–45,000 men, to halt the French advance of about 110,000 men. The Germans had their outer posts overran quite swiftly but the Prussians forced back and counterattacked the French forces, breaking the morale of French troops and leaving them to either die or retreat. In the end their efforts failed, and they were forced to flee into Switzerland where they were all interned soon after.