Battle of La Suffel facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of La Suffel
Part of the Hundred Days
Date 28 June 1815 Location Souffelweyersheim and Hoenheim, France 48°38′08″N 7°44′30″E / 48.6356°N 7.7417°E / 48.6356; 7.7417 Result French victory
Belligerents
French Empire	Seventh Coalition: Austrian Empire Württemberg
Commanders and leaders
Jean Rapp Henri Rottembourg	Crown Prince of Württemberg
Units involved
V Corps	III Corps of the Upper Rhine Army
Strength
About 20,000	About 40,000
Casualties and losses
~3,000	75 officers and 2,050 men

The Battle of La Suffel was a big win for the French army against Austrian forces. It was the very last time France won a major, planned battle during the Napoleonic Wars. This important fight happened on June 28, 1815, near Strasbourg, in places called Souffelweyersheim and Hoenheim.

What Was the Battle of La Suffel?

This battle took place during a time known as the Hundred Days. This was when Napoleon Bonaparte, a famous French leader, returned to power after being sent away. Many European countries formed an alliance called the Seventh Coalition to stop him.

Napoleon's Return: The Hundred Days

After being exiled, Napoleon escaped and returned to France in March 1815. He quickly gathered support and took control again. This period, lasting about 100 days, led to new conflicts across Europe. Other countries were determined to defeat him for good.

General Rapp's Important Mission

During the Hundred Days, a French general named Jean Rapp stayed loyal to Napoleon. He was put in charge of a group of about 20,000 soldiers, known as the V Corps or the Army of the Rhine. General Rapp's main job was to watch over the French border near Strasbourg. He also had to protect the Vosges mountains.

The Armies That Fought

The Battle of La Suffel involved two main groups of soldiers. One was the French V Corps, led by General Rapp. The other was the Austrian III Corps, part of a larger army called the Upper Rhine Army.

French Forces: General Rapp's Army

General Rapp's army had around 20,000 soldiers. They were ready to defend France's eastern border. Their goal was to stop any enemy forces trying to enter.

Austrian Forces: Crown Prince William's Army

The Austrian army was much larger, with about 40,000 soldiers. They were led by the Crown Prince of Württemberg. This army was part of the Seventh Coalition, aiming to defeat Napoleon's forces.

The Battle Itself

The battle happened just ten days after the famous Battle of Waterloo. General Rapp's army was not at Waterloo. Instead, they met the Austrian forces near Strasbourg. Despite being outnumbered, the French army fought bravely. They managed to defeat the larger Austrian force. This was a significant victory for the French.

Why Was This Battle Important?

The Battle of La Suffel was the last time French forces won a major, planned battle during the Napoleonic Wars. Even though Napoleon himself was defeated at Waterloo, this battle showed the determination of some French armies. It was a final moment of success for France in a long series of wars.