The Battle of Le Mans was a German victory during the Franco-Prussian War that ended French resistance in western France.

The first French attempt to relieve Paris was defeated by the Germans at Orléans from 2 to 4 December by Prince Friedrich Karl of Prussia's Second Army.

[4] The city had no significant geographical or fortified defenses and Chanzy's maintenance of his position was dependent on German supply difficulties south of Paris.

[5] The German General Staff was able to overcome these deficiencies and prepare Friedrick Karl's army for an offensive to destroy the Armée de la Loire.

[7] With the benefit of the improved supply situation, on 1 January 1871 he ordered Friedrich Karl to advance west between Vendôme and Chartres and destroy Chanzy's forces.

[7] Friedrich Karl arranged his army on a broad arc to encircle the French at Le Mans and began the offensive on 6 January.

[9] Chanzy was angered by the speed of the German offensive and on 8 January gave his most trusted lieutenant, Admiral Bernard Jauréguiberry, command over the forward columns to shore up their retreat.

[9] These delaying actions could not stop the Germans and on 10 January Chanzy launched a general counter-attack to buy time for his defensive preparations in Le Mans.

Friedrich Karl's supply lines were stretched thin and his army also was so exhausted from its campaign along the river Loire that he did not pursue Chanzy.

[10] Chanzy continued to plan further attacks but his hungry and fatigued army was incapable of offensive action and the fighting around the Loire came to an end.