Battle of Borny-Colombey 1870 • Modern Era
Discovering the battle
14 August 1870 Indecisive battle

Battle of Borny-Colombey

Franco-Prussian War · Borny-Colombey, east of Metz, Moselle, France

Summary

The Battle of Borny-Colombey (Colombey-Nouilly on the German side) was fought on 14 August 1870 east of Metz during the Franco-Prussian War. It was a clash between the rear guard of the Army of Metz under Marshal Bazaine and the advance elements of the German 1st Army under General Steinmetz.

Historical context

On 14 August 1870 Bazaine's Army of Metz crossed the Moselle while the Guard and III Corps covered the withdrawal on the Borny plateau. Steinmetz's Prussian 1st Army pursued at a distance; von der Goltz's brigade made unexpected contact at Colombey despite initial orders to avoid engagement.

Tactics

The German vanguard attacked Colombey in late afternoon; the French III Corps turned about and stabilized the front in the Borny woods. IV Corps threatened to outflank the Germans north of Nouilly. Darkness ended fighting around 9 p.m.; both sides resumed withdrawal or tactical pullback.

Consequences

Losses were heavy on both sides (about 3,600 French and 5,000 Germans per Wikipedia estimates). The battle delayed the Army of Metz's retreat and is widely seen as a missed opportunity for the French to defeat the Prussian 1st Army.

Location

Place : Borny-Colombey, east of Metz, Moselle, France
Coordinates : 49.11113056°N, 6.25456944°E

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