Battle of Wörth

Battle context

The Battle of Wörth was fought in the opening stages of the Franco-Prussian War and resulted in a decisive German victory over the French forces of Marshal MacMahon in Alsace. The North German Confederation committed roughly 125,000 troops against a French force of approximately 46,500, achieving a significant numerical advantage. French casualties of over 15,000 against German losses of around 10,500 underscored the lopsided outcome despite the cost to the victors. The defeat of MacMahon's army near the Sauer River represented an early and damaging blow to French defensive capacity in the east, exposing Alsace and opening the way for deeper German advances into French territory in the weeks that followed.