Photographed while living in Belgium 1999 by M. Couturier The Battle for Dinant 1914 Photographed while living in Belgium 1999 by M. Couturier

The Battle for Dinant Dinant is a modest Belgian city along the strategic Meuse River, between Liège and Mons. It is also located close to both the German and French borders. Capturing and holding this city had significant strategic advantages.

The Battle for Dinant

The Battle for Dinant Ironically, the city had been protected for centuries by a citadel built by the Holy Roman Empire, also known as the First German Reich. The aim was to not only to capture the city, but to capture the citadel and control the area.

The Battle for Dinant

The Battle for Dinant

The Battle for Dinant

The Battle for Dinant Despite Belgium declaring its neutrality, both German and French soldiers entered the country and in August of 1914, they would meet here (in Belgium) for the first time. The French arrived first, down this road. They sent a small contingent to inspect the citadel above.

The Battle for Dinant

The Battle for Dinant

The Battle for Dinant The French contingent found the citadel abandoned by the Belgians who had fought long and hard in the defence of Liège. The French therefore prepared to defend the citadel and the valley below.

The Battle for Dinant

The Battle for Dinant The French believed that the Germans would arrive along the lower valley along the road from Liège. To their surprise, an entire battalion of Germans arrived from the upper cliffs to the right.

The Battle for Dinant

The Battle for Dinant The French had therefore neglected to defend the main rear entrance to the citadel, which is where the Germans entered. The French panicked and retreated.

The Battle for Dinant

The Battle for Dinant Unfortunately, in the heat of the moment, they retreated into the wrong passageway.

The Battle for Dinant

The Battle for Dinant A passageway which led into a dead-end.

The Battle for Dinant

The Battle for Dinant It is therefore, in this tunnel, that the first battle between the French and the Germans on Belgian soil occurred. Imagine the deafening echoes of the gunshots.

The Battle for Dinant

The Battle for Dinant When the battle was over, all 80 men of the French contingent were killed, along with 12 Germans. This rock marks the spot where their bodies were incinerated.

The Battle for Dinant

The Battle for Dinant This German monument, which still stands today, marks the site where the ashes of the dead were placed.

The Battle for Dinant