The crossing of the Meuse at Dinant

On 13 May 1940, after crossing the Ardennes, the German armoured divisions reached the Meuse, the last great natural obstacle before the French plain. At Dinant and Houx, General Erwin Rommel, at the head of the 7th Panzer Division, had to force the river against a French defence holding the west bank.

Crossing a river under fire is one of the most perilous operations of all: the first to cross, in flimsy inflatable boats, exposed themselves to deadly fire, and the artillery on the far side could pin down any attempt. Waiting for the heavy artillery to arrive, along with massive air support, would be safer, but would give the French time to reinforce.

Rommel had to choose the tempo. He could launch the crossing in force immediately, paying a heavy price to exploit surprise and the enemy's disorganisation. He could wait for artillery and Stuka support to reduce losses, at the risk of losing momentum. Or he could seek a less defended crossing point upstream. The speed of the breakthrough across the Meuse would decide the fate of the campaign.