The Battle of St. Quentin took place during the Franco-Prussian War when Prussian forces defeated French attempts to relieve the besieged city of Paris.

While the Prussian armies under Wilhelm I besieged Paris, the Prussian I Army, now under the command of August Karl von Goeben was sent to deal with French forces north of Paris.

After a first attempt to relieve Paris had been checked at the battle of Bapaume, the French were planning another relief effort.

On 19 January the Prussians attacked and decisively defeated the French forces.

The same day General Trochu attempted a breakout of Paris but it too was defeated.