This clash formed part of the opening struggle for the Gembloux Gap. As the Allies advanced into Belgium under the Dyle Plan, the French First Army moved to occupy the Gembloux position, while Prioux’s Corps de Cavalerie pushed ahead to screen its deployment and delay the German advance.
On the Hannut axis, 3e Division Légère Mécanique spread across the road net west of the frontier. Its reconnaissance regiment, 12e Régiment de Cuirassiers, operated with Panhard 178 armoured cars, while the division’s tank strength lay with 1er Régiment de Cuirassiers and its Somua S35s, and 2e Régiment de Cuirassiers with Hotchkiss H35/H39 tanks. Opposing them were the forward elements of Aufklärungs-Abteilung 7, probing ahead of 4. Panzer Division with reconnaissance troops and light tanks from Panzer-Regiment 35. What followed was a sharp advance-guard action, fought to gain information, impose delay, and shape the larger battle soon to be fought across the Gap.
Deployment Zones: Units and Blinds are deployed in their respective Deployment Zones.
Roads: Wheeled vehicles move 100% faster on roads.
Woods: Broken Ground (half-speed) and provide light cover (+1D).
Hedges: Cost a Fixed Move to cross and provide light cover (+1D).
Buildings: Each building provides medium cover (+2D) and can hold one infantry platoon.
Objectives 1 & 2: French held objectives – see the Mission Briefings for more information.
