In the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, Pape was a Colonel commanding the 2nd Guards Infantry Brigade, which he had led since 1863. On December 31, 1866, he was promoted to Colonel-General. On the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/71, he was given the 1st Guards Infantry Division which took St.-Privat-la-Montagne on August 18, then successfully fought in the Battle of Sedan, leading to the siege of Paris and the final victory.