the river Huisne. The flank was turned and nearly routed until artillery and a counterattack halted the German attack. A bold German attack was launched and overwhelmed the French right flank. Jauréguiberry attempted to rally the broken troops to mount a counterattack but failed to do so. The French defense dissolved, the stragglers falling back into Le Mans. Aftermath The battle had completely ended French resistance in the west. 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. The French retreated first to Alençon and then to Laval on 13 January. Chanzy continued to plan further attacks but his hungry and fatigued horde of an army was incapable of offensive action and the fighting around the Loire came to an end. Casualties More than 25,000 Frenchmen were killed and wounded and 50,000 French soldiers deserted during and after the battle. Friedrich Karl noted German casualties of 3,000 men in his diary. Footnotes References Le Mans, Battle of Le Mans, Battle of History of Sarthe 1871 in France Le Mans January 1871 events