y. We
have seen, in fact, how he came to be near a desperate need at Bruges,
and only the heavy reenforcement of Von Boehn enabled that general to
deliver a final defeat to the Belgian field army at Weerde. Whatever the
cause of change of plan may have been, important forces attached to or
intended for the armies of the Duke of Wuerttemberg and the crown prince
were withdrawn to support the armies of Von Kluck and Von Buelow. These
forces went to form a unit under General von Hausen, a veteran of
Sadowa. This change left the Saxon army of the crown prince with hardly
sufficient strength for a main attack on the French line at Sedan, but
still formidable enough to feel its way cautiously through the Ardennes
to test the French concentration on the central Meuse's west bank. When
the German right had finally settled Liege, the Saxon army could then
join in the united great movement on Paris.

Early on the morning of August 15, 1914, a French detachment of half an
infantry regiment, thrown into Dinant, was surprised by a mobile Saxon
advance force of cavalry, infantry and artillery. Dinant lies across the
Meuse eighteen miles south of Namur. It is a picturesque ancient town,
the haunt of artists and tourists. In the vicinity are the estates of
several wealthy Belgian families, particularly the thirteenth-century
chateau of Walzin, once the stronghold of the Comtes d'Ardennes. A
bridge crosses the Meuse at Dinant, which sits mainly on the east bank
within shadow of precipitous limestone cliffs. A stone fort more
imposing in appearance than modern effectiveness crowns the highest
cliff summit overlooking Dinant. The Germans came by way of the east
bank to occupy the suburbs. They presently captured the fort and hoisted
the German flag. Meanwhile the French took possession of the bridge,
being at a considerable disadvantage from German rifle fire from the
cliffs. The solid stone abutments of the bridge, however, enabled the
French to hold that position until strong reenforcements arrived early
in the afternoon. While French infantry cleared the environs of Germans,
their artillery bombarded the fort from the west bank. Their shells
played havoc with the old fort defenses, soon compelling its evacuation
by the Germans. One of the first French artillery shells blew into
shreds the German flag flying triumphantly over the fort, thus depriving
the French of the satisfaction of hauling it down. Toward evening the
Germans retreated