Fateful Miscalculations ETO (id:#65002)

(ASL 10a - Croix de Guerre ID: DN CGI)   [next]   [previous]

Dinant, Belgium 1940-05-13 (61 others)

Overview:

On the morning of 13 May 1940, the 66th Infantry Regiment of the French 18th Infantry Division, with four of its companies and supporting elements, stood on the west side of the Meuse River at the town of Dinant. Across the river, Infanterie-Regiment 7 (mot.) was poised, along with the lead elements of Pioniere-Bataillon 58 from Panzer-Division 7, looking for opportunities to cross the river. Since the launch of FALL GELB (“Case Yellow”) on 10 May, Panzer-Division 7 had navigated the Ardennes, pushing aside light screening forces of Belgian and French cavalry. Along with elements of her sister formation, Panzer-Division 5, Panzer-Division 7 arrived at the Meuse at almost the exact same moment as the forces now arrayed against it. The task facing both sides was daunting. The Germans would have to make an opposed river crossing without smoke generating equipment and with much of their force still strung out behind them along the roads of the Ardennes. The French 18th Division, holding the west bank, had only just arrived after a grueling 50 mile march. A reserve unit, the 18th had been stripped of most of its transport, could field only 65% of its paper strength, and had no 60mm mortars at all. A scant three 25mm anti-tank guns were provided per regiment, with inferior 37mm short-barreled infantry guns making up the difference.

Defender: French (66ème Régiment d'Infanterie, 18ème Division d"Infanterie)  

Errata (source)