Across the Meuse - The Matrix Games version of West Front

Dinant, 80km SE of Brussels, Belgium: [Best played as Axis] By 13 May, following the German invasion of France and the low-countries, Rommel's 7th Panzer Division had reached its objective at Dinant on the Meuse River. Unfortunately for the Germans the bridges across the watery barrier had been blown up practically in their faces. French reinforcements were on their way to reinforce the defenders so for Rommel there was no other option, the 7th had to get across the Meuse quickly and that meant a river assault! While the 6th Rifle Regiment attacked at Houx, the 7th Motorized Rifle Regiment pushed their rubber rafts and boats into the river near Leffe. From the tree covered bank on the western side troops of the French 66th/18 Infantry Regiment poured deadly small arms and artillery fire onto the attackers. Rommel called for artillery and armor to support the attack and with the aid of Stukas the supporting fires began to have a telling effect. Soon the French fire began to slacken, allowing the first companies to reach the western bank. The 7th Panzer had a toehold across the Meuse, but the price had been high!