The Dinant Bridgehead

The Meuse River was the last major obstacle preventing a major armored breakout from the Ardennes. It was imperative that the Germans establish a number of viable crossings before the Allies could regroup. One of three such crossings on the …

1940-05-13

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The Meuse River was the last major obstacle preventing a major armored breakout from the Ardennes. It was imperative that the Germans establish a number of viable crossings before the Allies could regroup. One of three such crossings on the 13th occurred just below Dinant where Rommel's 7th Panzer Division breached the Meuse. During the night of the 12th, a German motorcycle patrol had crossed the river, sans cycles, on an intact weir near the village. Once discovered, the weir was destroyed behind them and bitter French counterattacks threatened to eliminate their precarious foothold. Attempts to reinforce the bridgehead by boat were repulsed by heavy artillery fire and flanking small arms fire . The Germans were so shaken by their heavy casualties that Rommel himself had to take over personal command of the 2nd Battalion and resume the crossing attempt.

Houx, Belgium

The Battle of Belgium or Belgian Campaign, often referred to within Belgium as the 18 Days' Campaign, formed part of the greater Battle of France, an offensive campaign by Germany during the Second World War. It took place over 18 days in May 1940 and ended with the German occupation of Belgium following the surrender of the Belgian Army.

Wikipedia: Battle of Belgium

German

French