3rd Army prepare
30th August 1914, Rochefort.
Colonel General von Hausen was surprised by the sudden change in plans, his 3rd Army was moving up along the line of the Meuse river. The French and Belgians had not threatened his advance and he was still planning on forcing the river at Dinant. His four corps were spread out with the Army Heavy artillery supporting the attack on Namur, XI Corps was holding the southern bank of the river Meuse. With XIX Corps holding the line of the river as far south as Givet, the bridge at Givet had been blown up as soon as the Germans arrived. A number of locks existed along the river between Givet and Dinant and they may prove suitable places to force a crossing of the river. If a crossing could be forced his army would be able to get behind Namur forcing the French Fifth army to either retreat or be captured.
Colonel General von Hausen was surprised by the sudden change in plans, his 3rd Army was moving up along the line of the Meuse river. The French and Belgians had not threatened his advance and he was still planning on forcing the river at Dinant. His four corps were spread out with the Army Heavy artillery supporting the attack on Namur, XI Corps was holding the southern bank of the river Meuse. With XIX Corps holding the line of the river as far south as Givet, the bridge at Givet had been blown up as soon as the Germans arrived. A number of locks existed along the river between Givet and Dinant and they may prove suitable places to force a crossing of the river. If a crossing could be forced his army would be able to get behind Namur forcing the French Fifth army to either retreat or be captured.