Biffontaine

Biffontaine
The church in Biffontaine
The church in Biffontaine
Coat of arms of Biffontaine
Location of Biffontaine
Map
Biffontaine is located in France
Biffontaine
Biffontaine
Biffontaine is located in Grand Est
Biffontaine
Biffontaine
Coordinates: 48°12′43″N 6°48′18″E / 48.2119°N 6.805°E / 48.2119; 6.805
CountryFrance
RegionGrand Est
DepartmentVosges
ArrondissementSaint-Dié-des-Vosges
CantonBruyères
IntercommunalityCA Saint-Dié-des-Vosges
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Denis Henry[1]
Area
1
8.88 km2 (3.43 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
394
 • Density44/km2 (110/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
88059 /88430
Elevation456–660 m (1,496–2,165 ft)
(avg. 465 m or 1,526 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Biffontaine (French pronunciation: [bifɔ̃tɛn] ) is a commune in the Vosges department in Grand Est in northeastern France.

History

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In the World War II, it was liberated from German occupation by soldiers of the Japanese-American 442nd Regimental Combat Team in late October 1944, who then defended it from fierce counterattacks. It is perhaps best known as being near the location of the rescue of the "Lost Battalion" of soldiers from 1st Battalion, 141st Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, who had been surrounded by German forces but were rescued by the 442nd.[3][4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires" (in French). data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 13 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Populations légales 2021" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
  3. ^ Hirai, L. Stuart; Maki, Mitchell T. (11 November 2021). "How a Japanese American Regiment Rescued WWII's 'Lost Battalion'". www.history.com. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  4. ^ Moulin, Pierre (1 January 1983). U.S. Samurais in Bruyeres. Peace and Freedom Trail Editor. ISBN 978-2959998409.