Biffontaine | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 48°12′43″N 6°48′18″E / 48.2119°N 6.805°ECoordinates: 48°12′43″N 6°48′18″E / 48.2119°N 6.805°E | |
Country | France |
Region | Grand Est |
Department | Vosges |
Arrondissement | Saint-Dié-des-Vosges |
Canton | Bruyères |
Intercommunality | Val de Neuné |
Government | |
• Mayor | Denis Henry |
Area1 | 8.88 km2 (3.43 sq mi) |
Population (2006)2 | 436 |
• Density | 49/km2 (130/sq mi) |
Time zone | CET (UTC+1) |
• Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) |
INSEE/Postal code | 88059 /88430 |
Elevation | 456–660 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. 2Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once. |
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.
Biffontaine is a commune in the Vosges department in Grand Est in northeastern France.
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. The story is detailed in U.S. Samurais in Bruyeres by Pierre Moulin.