Moltke's aim was to hold as many of the French to the neighbourhood of the fortress, while his left wing swung round it on the south.

The result was the battle of Colombey on the east of Metz (August 14).

It was a stubborn fight, costing the Germans some 5000 men, while the French with smaller losses finally withdrew under the eastern walls of Metz.

But that heavy loss meant a great ultimate gain to Germany.

The vacillations of Bazaine, whose strategy was far more faulty than that of Napoleon III.