Battle of Flirey
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Flirey was a First World War battle fought between the 19th of September and 11 October 1914. It resulted in a German
Army
victory against the French
Army. The battle cut most of the roads and railways to the strategically important fortified city of Verdun
, and was to have a large effect on the course of the war.
, south to the French city of Toul
, and was a common route of attack between Germany and France. The plain is flanked on the eastern side by a series of mountain ranges (the "Hauts de Meuse") alongside the Meuse River, and along the western side by the a series of mountain ranges alongside the Moselle River.
Pre-war, a series of German fortifications were built along the Moselle River (especially around the city of Metz
), while across the boder, a matching set of French fortifications was established along the Meuse River around Verdun
and Toul
.
In the first months of the First World War, the German High Command were the first ones to realise the increased effectiveness that artillery and machineguns gave to the defense, and as a result seized various terrain features that would be easy to defend. As a result, recognising that it is easier to defend the heights alongside the Meuse River (as opposed to the plain between the Moselle and Meuse rivers), a German attack was planned to seize these heights, and so deny access to the Woevre Plain to the Allies. In addition, this would isolate the fortified city of Verdun and reduce the ability of the French to attack German territory.
- Martincourt
area. Flirey
, the woods around the village and Seicheprey
were quickly captured.
French reinforcements arrived on the 22nd, but could not stop the Germans from advancing. The German advance then changed direction, moving from the previous southerly direction, to a south-westerly direction.
By September 24, the village of Saint-Mihiel
was captured, despite the French villages of Flirey, Seicheprey and Xivray being recaptured.
More French reinforcements arrived on the 27th, but as the Germans were now firmly entrenched, French counterattacks (between Flirey and Apremont) resulted in little change in the front line. French counter attacks continued until October 11.
Of the two roads and one railway that led to Verdun, all bar one minor road were rendered impassable by the Germans. This imposed a serious logistical handicap to the French defenders around Verdun. In addition, it resulted in Verdun being encircled on three sides, and effectively neutralised Verdun as a base to any French offensives.
The area was to see much fighting over the rest of the war. However, despite numerous attempts by the French to reduce the salient (such as the First Battle of Woevre (5 April to 5 May 1915) and the First and Second Offensive Battle of Verdun), the salient wasn't reduced until the Franco-American attack in September 1918 (the Battle of Saint-Mihiel
).
German Empire
The German Empire refers to Germany during the "Second Reich" period from the unification of Germany and proclamation of Wilhelm I as German Emperor on 18 January 1871, to 1918, when it became a federal republic after defeat in World War I and the abdication of the Emperor, Wilhelm II.The German...
Army
Wehrmacht
The Wehrmacht – from , to defend and , the might/power) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the Heer , the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe .-Origin and use of the term:...
victory against the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
Army. The battle cut most of the roads and railways to the strategically important fortified city of Verdun
Verdun
Verdun is a city in the Meuse department in Lorraine in north-eastern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department.Verdun is the biggest city in Meuse, although the capital of the department is the slightly smaller city of Bar-le-Duc.- History :...
, and was to have a large effect on the course of the war.
Background
The Woevre Plain stretches from the city of LuxemburgLuxembourg (city)
The city of Luxembourg , also known as Luxembourg City , is a commune with city status, and the capital of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. It is located at the confluence of the Alzette and Pétrusse Rivers in southern Luxembourg...
, south to the French city of Toul
Toul
Toul is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France.It is a sub-prefecture of the department.-Geography:Toul is located between Commercy and Nancy, and situated between the Moselle River and the Canal de la Marne au Rhin....
, and was a common route of attack between Germany and France. The plain is flanked on the eastern side by a series of mountain ranges (the "Hauts de Meuse") alongside the Meuse River, and along the western side by the a series of mountain ranges alongside the Moselle River.
Pre-war, a series of German fortifications were built along the Moselle River (especially around the city of Metz
Metz
Metz is a city in the northeast of France located at the confluence of the Moselle and the Seille rivers.Metz is the capital of the Lorraine region and prefecture of the Moselle department. Located near the tripoint along the junction of France, Germany, and Luxembourg, Metz forms a central place...
), while across the boder, a matching set of French fortifications was established along the Meuse River around Verdun
Verdun
Verdun is a city in the Meuse department in Lorraine in north-eastern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department.Verdun is the biggest city in Meuse, although the capital of the department is the slightly smaller city of Bar-le-Duc.- History :...
and Toul
Toul
Toul is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France.It is a sub-prefecture of the department.-Geography:Toul is located between Commercy and Nancy, and situated between the Moselle River and the Canal de la Marne au Rhin....
.
In the first months of the First World War, the German High Command were the first ones to realise the increased effectiveness that artillery and machineguns gave to the defense, and as a result seized various terrain features that would be easy to defend. As a result, recognising that it is easier to defend the heights alongside the Meuse River (as opposed to the plain between the Moselle and Meuse rivers), a German attack was planned to seize these heights, and so deny access to the Woevre Plain to the Allies. In addition, this would isolate the fortified city of Verdun and reduce the ability of the French to attack German territory.
The battle
The attack commenced on the 19th of September, with German cavalry from Metz skirmishing with the French defenders in the DieulouardDieulouard
Dieulouard is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France. Dieulouard is located between Pont-à-Mousson and Nancy, on the left bank of the Moselle River. It is the location of the Gallo-Roman city of Scarpone.-See also:...
- Martincourt
Martincourt, Meurthe-et-Moselle
Martincourt is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France.- See also :* Communes of the Meurthe-et-Moselle department*Parc naturel régional de Lorraine...
area. Flirey
Flirey
Flirey is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France.-See also:*Communes of the Meurthe-et-Moselle department*Parc naturel régional de Lorraine...
, the woods around the village and Seicheprey
Seicheprey
Seicheprey is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France.-See also:*Communes of the Meurthe-et-Moselle department*Parc naturel régional de Lorraine...
were quickly captured.
French reinforcements arrived on the 22nd, but could not stop the Germans from advancing. The German advance then changed direction, moving from the previous southerly direction, to a south-westerly direction.
By September 24, the village of Saint-Mihiel
Saint-Mihiel
Saint-Mihiel is a commune in the Meuse department in Lorraine in north-eastern France.-History:Saint-Mihiel was captured by the Germans in the first year of World War I, and was re-captured during the Battle of Saint-Mihiel from 12 September to 19 September 1918, during World War...
was captured, despite the French villages of Flirey, Seicheprey and Xivray being recaptured.
More French reinforcements arrived on the 27th, but as the Germans were now firmly entrenched, French counterattacks (between Flirey and Apremont) resulted in little change in the front line. French counter attacks continued until October 11.
Aftermath
The battle resulted in a salient (the "St. Mihiel Salient") being projected into the French lines south of Verdun.Of the two roads and one railway that led to Verdun, all bar one minor road were rendered impassable by the Germans. This imposed a serious logistical handicap to the French defenders around Verdun. In addition, it resulted in Verdun being encircled on three sides, and effectively neutralised Verdun as a base to any French offensives.
The area was to see much fighting over the rest of the war. However, despite numerous attempts by the French to reduce the salient (such as the First Battle of Woevre (5 April to 5 May 1915) and the First and Second Offensive Battle of Verdun), the salient wasn't reduced until the Franco-American attack in September 1918 (the Battle of Saint-Mihiel
Battle of Saint-Mihiel
The Battle of Saint-Mihiel was a World War I battle fought between September 12–15, 1918, involving the American Expeditionary Force and 48,000 French troops under the command of U.S. general John J. Pershing against German positions...
).