In two days, 150 years ago, on November 23 and 24, 1870, German troops brought down Thionville, which would not find France until 48 years later. How did the city, shelled and set on fire, capitulate after 108 days of siege?
On the surrender of Metz, October 28, 1870 , the Germans moved most of their 14th infantry division to Thionville, which took up position in front of the city on 13 November. Since August, Thionville was already surrounded by the Prussians, the place, little fortified, being however covered by two lines of heights, floods and swamps.
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Colonel Turnier, commanding the Place de Thionville, does not lack arms, ammunition or food. It has about 200 guns, but barely half can be put into battery and only 77 are recent. The garrison is estimated at 4,000 men , including the 400 sedentary national guards. But the officer considers that these troops are clearly insufficient for Thionville … On November 23, at daybreak, the besiegers go on the offensive and open a continuous bombardment with 85 pieces of artillery, accompanied by an infantry attack which gives little results due to heavy rains. At noon, taking advantage of a lull, the advisers and some notables of Thionville went to Colonel Turnier to beg him to surrender in order to avoid a total destruction of the city. But the colonel and his officers reject the idea of surrender. At 6.30 p.m., the bombardment resumed and lasted all night. On November 24, the firing of the Prussian guns did not slow down. The city defense council finally folds: at 11 am, the white flag is hoisted. The garrison evacuated the left bank of the Moselle on November 25, at 11 a.m., and two hours later were taken to the Bois d’Illange where they left their weapons and equipment.
It seems that some soldiers did not admit having to surrender after the two days of bombing.
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