Franco-Prussian War

The naval war

At the outset of the war, elements of the 470-ship French Navy put to sea and attempted a blockade of the north German coast, which the relatively small north German navy (Norddeutsche Bundesmarine) could do little to oppose. Despite this, the blockade was only partially successful as the French navy suffered chronic shortages of coal and the lack of a forward base in the North Sea and Baltic Sea.

Related Topics:
French Navy - Blockade - Norddeutsche Bundesmarine - Coal - Base - North Sea - Baltic Sea

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To take pressure from the expected German attack into Alsace-Lorraine, Napoleon III and others in the French high command planned at the outset of the war to launch a seaborne invasion of northern Germany. It was hoped that the invasion would not only divert German troops from the front, but also inspire Denmark to assist with its 50,000 strong army and the substantial Danish Navy. Prussian junkers in particular feared a French invasion of Pomerania which would incite the ethnic Poles there to rebellion. However it was discovered that Prussia had recently installed formidable coastal defenses around the major north German ports, including coastal artillery batteries consisting of Krupp heavy artillery tubes. The French Navy lacked the necessary heavy weaponry to deal with these coastal defences which made a seaborne invasion of northern Germany impossible.

Related Topics:
Seaborne invasion - Danish Navy - Pomerania - Coastal artillery

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As the autumn storms of the North Sea took their toll on the patrolling French ships, the blockade became less and less effective. By September 1870 the blockade was finally abandoned altogether for the winter, and the French Navy retired to ports along the English Channel.

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The French Marines and naval infantry tasked with the invasion of northern Germany were subsequently dispatched to bolster the French Army of Châlons, where they were captured at the Battle of Sedan along with Napoleon III. Suffering a severe shortage of officers following the capture of most of the professional French army at the Siege of Metz and the battle of Sedan, naval officers were taken from their ships to officer the hastily assembled gardes mobiles or French reserve army units. As a result the French Navy remained in port for the rest of the war.

Related Topics:
French Marines - Naval infantry - Battle of Sedan - Siege of Metz

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