The Chasseurs Ardennais facing the breakthrough

The Belgian defence of the Ardennes rested on a long-standing calculation: the massif was reputed to be difficult, and the army did not intend to wear itself out there. The Chasseurs Ardennais and the cavalry were deployed there as a covering force, tasked with destroying the bridges and roads and then falling back quickly on the main fortified position (the Albert Canal, the K-W line), where the real battle would be fought.

On the morning of 10 May 1940, the German attack fell precisely where the terrain had been judged unrewarding. The general staff had to decide on the tempo of the withdrawal. Pulling the covering units back quickly would spare forces for the main position, but would surrender — almost without a fight — terrain where a few determined men might win precious hours. Conversely, letting them delay the enemy to the utmost would disrupt the advance of the Panzers — at the risk of sacrificing isolated detachments.

Communications were already poor, and the order, whatever it was, would not reach everyone. The choice bore on the ability of the Belgian army — and of the Allies preparing to enter Belgium — to gain time against the armoured rush through the Ardennes.