Gunfight at Flavion - The Matrix Games version of West Front

Flavion, 25km SW of Namur, Belgium: [Best played as Axis] Once across the Meuse River at Dinant, General Rommel was typically impatient to be on the move again. By May 14th there was considerable evidence that the French 9th Army was withdrawing from its defensive line along the Meuse. However, with most of the infantry and support troops of the 7th Panzer Division still waiting to cross the river, only the tanks of Colonel Rothenburg's 25th Panzer Regiment were available to pursue. For Rommel this was enough. Early on the 15th he instructed Rothenburg to strike west through Philippeville to the Cerfontain area and prevent the French from establishing another defensive line. As the leading panzers moved past Flavion they stumbled into elements of the French 1st Armored Division, refueling after a night march to cover 9th Army's withdrawal. The following close range action resembled a gunfight more than a tank battle, as the lighter armed and faster panzers maneuvered to engage the monster B1 tanks.