Maps 143.cc.20

Imprint: Photographe Anstalt von Ch. Winter in Strassburg. Gegen Nachdruck geschützt. Lith. Anst. C. Fassoli Strasbg [1870].

Quarto, Red quarter leather and buckram British Museum binding, measuring 431 x 374 mm, containing printed title page and 20 albumen prints mounted on card one to a page (recto only), with lithographed captions and photographer's credit. Each folio is printed with the overall series title 'Belagerung von Strassburg 1870' at the top, with the title specific to each image and photographer's credit beneath each print. The translation of the lithographed title-page reads as follows: 'The Siege of Strasbourg 1870. 20 leaves of photographs of breaches, bridges, gateways and other important military views. Taken on the instructions of the General commanding the Siege Corps between the 1st and 3rd of October 1870 under the direction of Engineer Major Albrecht. Photographic Institute of Ch. Winter, Strasbourg. Copyright protected. Lithographic Institute of C. Fassoli, Strasbourg.'These photographs of the battered fortifications of Strasbourg were taken only a few days after the capitulation of the fortress on 28 September 1870. The advancing Prussian force had originally attempted to bombard the civilian population into surrender and, after a formal warning had been presented to the French commander, a massive bombardment was commenced on the night of 23 August. This unrelenting fire was continued for four nights and wrought massive destruction in the town, destroying many of the principal public buildings, as well as the treasures of the celebrated city library and art gallery. By 26 August the German commander Werder learned that his ammunition supplies were insufficient to continue at this intensity and started instead to lay formal siege to the town. On the night of 29 August the Germans opened their first parallel, 500 metres from the French outworks, and with the addition of further parallels even closer to the French fortifications, subjected the walls and buildings of the fort to a punishing fire, which by 17 September had created a breach in the outer walls. On 19 September the Germans captured their first outwork and were able to bring heavy fire to bear on the ramparts. On 27 September the French commander Uhrich was advised that the fortress was no longer defensible and on the following day surrendered the fortress, its materials and defenders to the Prussian forces. Another copy at Maps 17.e.24.