The German invasion on the 10th May triggered the deployment of Franco-British forces in Belgium. In the south of Namur, the defence, secured by the French 9th Army was preceded by cavalry. According to the French theory, these forces would have to face a weak German attack. The French position was therefore very vulnerable since the Germans were not expected until 14 May. The reality was very different, because the Germans were planning a powerful offensive through the Ardennes. Through Sankt-Vith, the XV.Armeekorps of General Hoth made up of 2 Panzer-Divisionen advanced across the Meuse sooner than expected. Despite the destruction, the resistance of the Chasseurs Ardennais and the efforts of the French cavalry, German progress was very rapid. Late in the afternoon of 12 May, the German vanguards had already reached Yvoir. Even though the Belgian army destroyed all the bridges, the arrival of the panzers surprised the French army (5th Motorised Infantry Division and 18th Infantry Division) in its installation.

The position in front of the islet by Houx was so lightly guarded that in the evening of 12 May, reconnaissance soldiers from the Panzer Division had already crossed the Meuse there. At dawn on 13 May, the infantry of the two Panzer Divisions attacked in rubber dinghies on the Houx bridge and lock between Anhée and Bouvignes. The French fought courageously but they were pushed back. Nevertheless they succeeded in establishing a front through Moulins,Haut-le-Wastia, Hontoir, Rostenne and Onhaye.

The 129th R.I. had difficulty occupying hill 222, the present site of the Memorial. Despite several french counter-attacks, the Germans held two bridgeheads by the evening. During the night General Rommel of the 7. Panzer-Division pushed his infantry towards Onhaye. On the morning of the 14th, the French attacks were successful. After very hard fighting Haut-le-Wastia was recaptured and 40 Germans were taken prisoner. Surinvaux Wood was also recaptured. This was a short-lived success because the threat of German infantry to the north and to the South and Rommel's assault on Onhaye forced a withdrawal.

In a final attempt, the 1st French Armoured Division had to counterattack the northern flank of the German divisions at Flavion. Low on fuel after securing their position, the French heavy armoured vehicles faced the panzers in poor conditions. Meanwhile, Rommel, supported by Stukas (dive-bombers), went deep into the valley into the French divisions and broke down any organised resistance. General Corap in the 9th Army was then relieved of his command. On the evening of 15 May, the German breakthrough was achieved. The XV.Armeekorps, flanked by the Infanterie-Divisionen, had destroyed 5 of the 7 French divisions facing it. The last 2 divisions, completely dispersed and worn out, disappeared over the coming days.

On the 17th May, Rommel's panzers broke through the last defences. The Hoth's motorised corps had fulfilled its mission by protecting the northern flank of the main German attack through the Ardennes. It extended the bridgehead across and beyond the Meuse and was able to launch its 2 Panzer-Divisionen to the west to cover the Guderian breakthrough to the English Channel, in what became one of the largest encirclement manoeuvres of the second world war. 

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