Behind is the wood called the Grosser Wald, while the hamlet is flanked on the south and in front by an outlying wood, the Niederwald.

Behind the Grosser Wald the ground sinks away to the valley in which runs the Bitsch-Reichshofen railway.

In front of MacMahon's position lay the village of Woerth, deep in the valley of the Sauerbach.
The invader would therefore have to carry this village or cross the stream, and press up the long open slopes on which were ranged the French troops and batteries with all the advantages of cover and elevation on their side.

A poor general, having forces smaller than those of his enemy, might hope to hold such a position.

But there was one great defect.