Summary of Heinz Guderian's Achtung Panzer! - E-book - ePub

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 The German invasion of Belgium began on 5 August, when 2nd and 4th Cavalry Divisions crossed the Meuse River at Liège and headed toward the Dutch-Belgian border. They encountered many Belgian troops who were dug in east and south-west of Tirlemont. The Germans decided to outflank them to the north, and the two divisions were temporarily disengaged and pulled back to the area east of Saint-Trond. #2 The 2nd Cavalry Division marched to Steevort, on the Haelen road, and formed up in line ahead.
The 4th Cavalry Division was ordered to open the passage of the Gette at Haelen, with 2nd Cavalry Division leading the charge and securing the ground northwards in the direction of Lummen. #3 The German cavalry was deployed to attack Haelen, and was met by Belgian skirmishers, machine guns, and batteries. The attack was shattered by a hail of defensive fire. The German losses were extremely heavy. #4 The Belgian cavalry division had been positioned behind the Gette between Budingen and Diest with the purpose of holding that sector and pushing reconnaissance patrols in the direction of Tongres, Beeringen, and Quaedmechelen.
The villages of Budingen, Geet-Betz, and Haelen had been put in a state of defense, and all the bridges over the Gette had been destroyed except for the two at Haelen and Zelck.