As plans for an invasion into 
Germany fell apart, the French 
Armies began to withdraw back 
into France.  In the confusion, 
the orders to blow the bridges 
over the Saar River was nevered 
carried out.  The French 2nd Corp
was still near the Saar awaiting 
orders, when General Frossard 
fearing encirclement withdrew 
from the river to the Spichern 
Heights, a more defensible 
position. 

On August 6th, 1870, German 
Calvary units spotted the French 
and reported back that they were 
in retreat.  General Kameke of 
the 14th Division, thinking that 
he was only to engage a rear 
guard, ordered his men forward.  
To thier suprise, the Germans 
found themselves fighting a whole
corps, rather than a rear guard. 

For two hours the Prussian 7th 
Corps attacked the heights but 
were unable to make any headway.
Upon hearing the sound of battle,
units of both the 3rd and 8th 
Prussian Corps soon joined the 
fray.  With these additional 
reinforcements, the Germans were 
able to make several dents in the 
French lines. 

General Frossard still controlled
most of his positions, fighting 
the Germans to a standstill.  
Fearing that he would be cut off,
Frossard ordered a retreat, 
giving a perfectly defensible 
position to the Germans.   

The battle for the Spichern would
be the first of a series of 
defeats for the French, not due 
to any tactical skill or bravery 
of the men but due to a lack of 
leadership from the top command.