Biffontaine

Biffontaine
Commune
The church in Biffontaine
Coat of arms
Location of Biffontaine
Biffontaine Show map of France Biffontaine Show map of Grand Est
Coordinates: 48°12′43″N 6°48′18″E
Country	France
Region	Grand Est
Department	Vosges
Arrondissement	Saint-Dié-des-Vosges
Canton	Bruyères
Intercommunality	CA Saint-Dié-des-Vosges
Government
• Mayor (2020–2026)	Denis Henry[1]
Area ^1	8.88 km^2 (3.43 sq mi)
Population  (2021)[2]	394
• Density	44/km^2 (110/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00 (CEST)
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 km^2 (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

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

• Communes of the Vosges department

References

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.