1914_0815_01s: A Crossing at Dinant - FWWC 01 France '14

Dinant, Belgium, 15th August 1914: As the French became increasingly aware that the German Army was conducting a sweeping movement through Belgium, Larenzac detached General Mangin's 8e Brigade to work loosely with Sordet's Corps de Cavalerie. The 143e RI of the 8e Brigade was thus ordered to move to and secure the Meuse crossings at Dinant, while the brigade's 45e RI went with the Corps de Cavalerie to provide infantry support. To Mangin's south was the entire Ier Corps d'Armée deployed along the Meuse from Givet to Mezieres. With the exception of Sordet's Corps de Cavalerie racing around the country side, Mangin was largely holding the French extreme left flank. Mangin quickly occupied the strategic old citadel located above Dinant and awaited the German attack. After German cavalry was spotted in the vicinity, Mangin received some much needed support in the form of the 3e Brigade from the Ier Corps. On 15 August, von Richtofen's H.K.K.1 converged upon Dinant and attempted to force a crossing. [Size: small] *See the notes document for information on scenario design decisions and historical notes.