Episode 4,3
From Bismarck's Wars - Blood and Iron by Paul Kendrick
December 20, 2025 · 20 min · Season 4 · Episode 3
About this episode
The episode discusses the retreat of the French Army of the Rhine and the formation and destruction of the Army of Chalons during the Franco-Prussian War.
As a result of the battle of Gravelotte, the French Army of the Rhine is forced to retreat back to the fortress of Metz, where it is besieged by the Prussians. A new French Army, the Army of Chalons is formed to rescue the French of the Rhine but it is not just defeated but destroyed at the Battle of Sedan. The French Emperor Napoleon the Third becomes a prisioner of the Prussians.
People in this episode
Host: Paul Kendrick
Topics covered
- Franco-Prussian War
- military strategy
- historical battles
- Napoleon III
- siege warfare
Keywords
- Gravelotte
- Metz
- Sedan
- French Army
- Prussians
- Napoleon III
- military history
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: French Army of the Rhine, Prussians, Army of Chalons
Places: Metz
More episodes of Bismarck's Wars - Blood and Iron
- Episode 4.10 · February 14, 2026 · 20 min
- Alsace - Lorraine · January 31, 2026 · 21 min
- Episode 4.8 · January 24, 2026 · 20 min
- Episode 4.7 · January 17, 2026 · 21 min
- Episode 4.6 · January 10, 2026 · 20 min
- Episode 4.5 · January 3, 2026 · 20 min
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