 Complete the following phrase:  On 10 October, hostilities began between German and French republican forces near Orléans. At first, the Germans were victorious but the French drew reinforcements and defeated a Bavarian force at the Battle of Coulmiers on 9 November. After the surrender of Metz, more than 100,000 well-trained and experienced German troops joined the German Southern Army. The French were forced to abandon Orléans on 4 December, and were finally defeated at the Battle of Le Mans . A second French army which operated north of Paris was turned back at the Battle of Amiens 27 November, the 