0510_04A: The Approach to the Meuse - PzC 12 France '40

Crossing the Ardennes, 10 May 1940: Originally an unimaginative recreation of the Schlieffen Plan
of 1914, Fall Gelb was altered repeatedly throughout the Phoney War and by spring of 1940 had
reached its final form: Heeresgruppe B would execute a diversionary maneuver in northern Belgium
and the Netherlands while Heeresgruppe A conducted a massive assault against the Allied defenses
on the Meuse River from Sedan to Namur. With three field armies and seven of Germany's ten
Panzer Divisions, Heeresgruppe A was a formidable force. Panzergruppe Kleist, leading the
advance of 12. Armee, was to make the main effort at Sedan, 4. Armee, with two Panzer divisions,
would make supporting attacks to the north, and the infantry divisions of 16. Armee would cover
the Maginot Line along Luxembourg's southern border and the southeast corner of Belgium. To
reach their objectives the Panzers and infantry of Heeresgruppe A would have to traverse the
Ardennes. This hilly, wooded landscape was easily defensible, but the Allies had hardly considered
the possibility that the Germans would risk making a major effort through this unforgiving terrain...
[Size: Medium] Design Note: Aside from carrying out demolitions and fighting a few small
rearguard actions, the Belgian Ardennes Chasseurs and cavalry did not seriously contest the German
crossing of the Ardennes and retreated north of the Meuse. In this historic version of the scenario,
the Belgians in the Ardennes are withdrawn in increments througout May 10th and early on the
11th.