Battle of Bapaume (1871)

The Battle of Bapaume was a battle during the Franco-Prussian War which defeated French attempts to relieve the besieged city of Prone. The battle was fought on 3 January 1871 near the town of Bapaume.

The Prussian 1st Army had reached Bapaume at the end of December while at the same time the French Army of the North under Faidherbe moved out to break the German siege of Prone. Both sides encountered each other near Bapaume. Although Faidherbe's green troops held their own against the outnumbered but experienced Prussians, they didn't follow up their advantage and retreated. As a consequence, Prone surrendered on 10 January. Soon the Prussians would be reinforced and two weeks later they would meet Faidherbe in battle again at Saint Quentin.