Col de la Chipotte battle, Vosges, WWI

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From 26th August to 10th September 1914 , the pass of "la Chipotte", (col de La Chipotte, 453 m) was a key position on the road from Rambervillers to Raon - l'Etape. It has been the scene a violent battle: the pass changed 5 times in the hands of the French and Germans and saw fall 4.000 French soldiers and at least as many Germans.

History and description

From 24th to 26th August 1914, the German try to push the French lines in the direction of Charmes, which is a not fortified sector. After an initial success near Bayon at the centre of the front, the resistance on the wings cause the German reflux. Then, the German staff decided to tackle the wings. This will be the battle of the Haute-Meurthe at the East and the battle of Grand-Couronné, near Nancy.

The battle of Haute-Meurthe: At the German left wing, the 7th Army (General Von Heeringen) is facing the French 1st Army. (General Dubail). The German cross the Meurthe river, and reach Baccarat and Thiaville (August 25th). Raon - L’Etape is taken on the 27th, threatening the defenders of La Chipotte pass. The Saint Benoit La Chipotte village is temporarily occupied by the German, but returns to the French on the 29th.

From the 30th, troops are picked on both sides to participate to the more decisive Marne battle. In the sector of Saint Benoît La Chipotte, murderous fighting continue, often "body to body", because the enemy lines are so close...

On September 5th, a last German attack rejects the French 27 DI back to Brouvelieures, threatening again the back of the Saint Benoît village defenders.

From the 10th, General Dubail repels the Germans to the North of the Meurthe river: Saint-Dié is taken on the 11th and Raon - L’Etape on the 12th. The front is stabilized, standing in the same position for 4 years, on a line going from Badonviller, the Chapelotte pass to Celles sur Plaine.

In total, the Chipotte pass battle effectively broke the German offensive.

Highlights 1:

A national necropolis hosts 1.899 French soldiers, including 893 bodies in 2 ossuaries. The necropolis has a 0.7 hectares area, and was established in 1919.

Highlights 2:

Aside from the necropolis, a monument is dedicated to the glory of French "Chasseurs" of the 86th Brigade.

Highlights 3:

A few hundred metres at the north, at the intersection of roads going down ton Raon - l’Etape and the other to Étival-Clairefontaine, stands a monument dedicated to the French 5th and 6th colonial infantry regiments.