Confusing but fiece fights allong the Meuse river. Duch troops extend their line in to Belgian soil, along the West bank of the Meuse, although are soon forced to with draw behind cannales West. The same happend later more North. Cooperation with the Belgian army turned difficult and confusing in the first days, with later improvements. Mostly due to placing communication officers in to each other General staff. How ever the Dutch Army tend to withdrw North West while the Belgians were planed to with draw West and concentrate on Antwerp.
More North the Dutch 2nd Division at the Ijssel could hold of the German divisions who should push West forcing the Dutch army into "Vesting Holland".
The Dutch division hold the attackers at bay and finaly with drew West behind the Ijssel in good order, and demoslished the rail way lines and bridges. The 1st Division, moved from Holland East by outbreak of hostilities, set up a defense line on the high grounds on the West side of this river. Reiinforced with machineguns from the forts and heavy field guns from the Water line.
(Dutch army possed almost 800 MG, but only a few were mobile, as contemporay doctrine was. Most of them were stationed in the Forts of the Water line. Most modern ones were Schwartzlose 08.
The heavy artilery was acknowledged old and orders were made to replace them by modern pieces, which was prevented due to the outbreak of war.)
Heavy figths took place on the banks of the Ijssel were German troops tried to cross the river but did not manage to consolidadea beach head.
This small piece of the front soon gave an impression of how the front could look like...
More North the Dutch 2nd Division at the Ijssel could hold of the German divisions who should push West forcing the Dutch army into "Vesting Holland".
The Dutch division hold the attackers at bay and finaly with drew West behind the Ijssel in good order, and demoslished the rail way lines and bridges. The 1st Division, moved from Holland East by outbreak of hostilities, set up a defense line on the high grounds on the West side of this river. Reiinforced with machineguns from the forts and heavy field guns from the Water line.
(Dutch army possed almost 800 MG, but only a few were mobile, as contemporay doctrine was. Most of them were stationed in the Forts of the Water line. Most modern ones were Schwartzlose 08.
The heavy artilery was acknowledged old and orders were made to replace them by modern pieces, which was prevented due to the outbreak of war.)
Heavy figths took place on the banks of the Ijssel were German troops tried to cross the river but did not manage to consolidadea beach head.
This small piece of the front soon gave an impression of how the front could look like...