Tank Battle at Crehen, Pt.1

The German advance in Belgium at the Gembloux Gap was aimed at deceiving the Allies into believing this was the main thrust of the German invasion of France, thereby forcing the French to commit their armored forces far from the …

1940-05-12

35

The German advance in Belgium at the Gembloux Gap was aimed at deceiving the Allies into believing this was the main thrust of the German invasion of France, thereby forcing the French to commit their armored forces far from the real schwerpunkt the Ardennes. On May 12. Oberstleutnant Heinrich Eberbach's 35th Panzer Regiment spearheaded the 4th Panzer Division towards the Hannut-Crehen area. There, a force of two companies of H-39s and another two of S-35s. under Lieutenant Colonel Touzet du Vigier‘s 2e Regiment de Cuirassiers. clashed with the leading elements of Eberbach‘s Regiment. Despite being outnumbered and outclassed. the German forces still managed to defeat the qualitative and numerical superior French due in part to their superior tactical employment. Using effective radio communication and mobility they consistently out maneuvered the French, who employed rigid. static positioning as last seen in World War I.

Crehen, Belgium

The Battle of Hannut was a Second World War battle fought during the Battle of Belgium which took place between 12 and 14 May 1940 at Hannut in Belgium. It was the largest tank battle in the campaign. It was also the largest clash of tanks in armoured warfare history at the time.

Wikipedia: Battle of Hannut

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