Immediately after crossing the Belgian frontier the XII. Army Corps had difficulties with the civilian population of Belgium, which reached their climax in and around Dinant. For the advance of the Army Corps Dinant had especial importance, since here it was that the crossing of the Meuse was to take place. The town with its suburbs, Leffe and Les Rivages on the right bank of the Meuse, and Neffe, St. Médard, and Bouvignes on the left bank, lies along the river in a deep section of the valley. Both banks rise up in terraces, steep and frequently rocky, to a height of some 70 metres, the right bank somewhat higher than the left. On the right bank about the centre of the town stands the fortress, about 100 metres in height. Close by, to the north, the high road from Sorinnes enters the town. Two further approaches from the east are found in the deep-cut flanking valleys which come to an end in Leffe and Les Rivages.
On August 15th, 1914, the operations of the German cavalry, in which among others Jäger Battalion No. 12 took part, led to the temporary occupation of the right bank of the Meuse. Owing to superior enemy forces, it was again evacuated on the same day; numerous dead and some wounded were left behind.
On August 17th the enemy forces on the left bank of the Meuse withdrew. From this time onward Dinant, Leffe, and Les Rivages were free from the presence of any regular enemy troops.
On August 21st the XII. (1st Royal Saxon) Army Corps engaged in operations before Dinant. The 2nd Battalion of Rifle (Fusilier) Regiment No. 108, together with a company of pioneers, undertook on the evening of this day a strong reconnaissance towards Dinant. As the first houses on the road coming from Sorinnes were reached, the sound of a signal shot was suddenly heard. The next moment there came a rattle of musketry from all sides. Shots were fired from all the houses, and the slopes were lighted up with the flashes. The houses were firmly barricaded, so that rifle-butts, hatchets, and hand-grenades had to be used to force an entrance. Trip-wires were drawn across the road. Numerous wounds were inflicted on our men by the discharge of small shot. They were even pelted with stones (Apps. 2-5).