67,500 83,500 Result Tactical French victory | Date 14 August 1870 Location France | |
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1,200 dead,
4,900 wounded 400 dead,
3,500 wounded Combatants Kingdom of Prussia, Second French Empire Similar Franco‑Prussian War, Battle of Hallue, Battle of St Quentin, Battle of Beaune‑la‑Rolande, Battle of Amiens | ||
The Battle of Borny–Colombey (August 14, 1870) was a minor battle of the Franco–Prussian War. It saw the escape route of the French army under François Bazaine blocked when they encountered the First Army under von Steinmetz. The outcome of the battle itself was indecisive though saw the French make good their escape to Metz.
As most of the early battles of the war, Borny was one that neither side had planned or wanted. For the French, the battle had dire consequences as they neglected to use their numerical superiority to force a passage and it delayed the Army's retreat out of Metz for twelve precious hours. This gave the Prussians the time to bring up their Second army under Prince Frederick Charles and assured that after the battles fought in the following days (Mars-la-Tour and Gravelotte) France's premier army would be trapped at Metz.