0513_03: Crossing the Meuse River_Alt - PzC 12 France '40

Along the Meuse River at the edge of the Ardennes, 13th May 1940: This is the most important phase of the operation, the crossing of the Meuse in time will determine the success or failure of the invasion of France. The majority of the Panzer divisions are ready to cross the river Meuse. The 5th and 7th Panzer divisions are already crossing in the north. 32nd Infantry Division's objective is Givet. The other Panzer Divisions are coming: 6th Pz will attack through Monthermé, 1st, 2nd and 10th Pz will attack around Sedan. The second wave composed of infantry divisions will support the attack. On the French side, the army is in a state of panic, the German Panzers have passed the Ardennes and the High Command can't believe it! The 9th and 2nd Armies (composed of reservists for the most part) have the difficult task of defending the area against the largest concentration of Panzers since the beginning of the campaign. These two armies, according to the French Plan, were supposed to guard the Meuse and stop any weak attempts to cross the river. But no German force of this size was planned for by the French command. The main German assault was expected to be in the plain of Belgium. [Size large]