The Dinant Bridgehead ETO (id:#56316)

Avalon Hill (AH:ASL Annual `93b ID: A 65)   [next]   [previous]

Prior Publication: SL 27

Houx, Belgium 1940-05-13 (56 others)

Overview:

The River Meuse was the last major natural obstacle preventing an armored breakout from the Ardennes. It was imperative for the Germans that a number of viable crossings be established before the Allies could re-group. One of three such crossings on the 13th occurred just below Dinant, where Rommel’s 7th Panzer Division breached the defenses. During the night of the 12th, a German motorcycle patrol had crossed the river, sans cycles, on an intact weir near the village. Once they were discovered, the weir was destroyed behind them and bitter French counterattacks threatened to eliminate the tiny bridgehead. The Germans were so shaken by their heavy casualties that Rommel took personal command of the 2nd Battalion of the 7th Regiment to resume the crossing attempt during the morning. . .

Defender: French (18ème Division d'Infanterie)  

Errata (source)