Fighting Frenchmen - The Matrix Games version of West Front

Hannut, 35km W of Liege, Belgium: [Best played as Axis] A key element in the Allied plan to defend against a German attack in the west was to rush the French First Army and the British Expeditionary Force into Belgium to occupy prepared defensive positions along the Dyle River, east of Brussels. The French Cavalry Corps, commanded by General Prioux, was given the task of delaying the Germans east of the Dyle, but when Prioux reached the river line he found that the Belgians had done next to nothing to construct obstacles or fortifications! Realizing that his mission to buy time would be even more critical, Prioux headed his divisions east to meet the enemy. By May 12th the French 2nd Light Mechanized Division had taken up defensive positions west of Hannut. Having faced only light resistance from the Belgians, the 5th Panzer Brigade, spearheading 4th Panzer Division's advance, was given the task of brushing the Frenchmen aside and opening the route west for the rest of Hoepner's XVI Pz Corps. However, these Frenchmen were ready to fight!