At the outbreak of hostilities, the 7th Division occupied the easternmost section of the Covering Position at the confluence of the Albert Canal and the Meuse river.

As such it directly bordered the Netherlands, implying few obstacles existed between the German onslaught and its lines since the Dutch army did not defend the Maastricht area of Limburg province.

The 7th Division was to prevent an early breakthrough of the Albert Canal line by destroying the bridges of Kanne, Veldwezelt and Vroenhoven as soon as the invasion began.

By the early morning the Germans, supported by Stuka dive bombers, established wide bridgeheads on the West bank of the Albert Canal.

Minor counterattacks, among others by the division's tank destroyer company, were easily repulsed by turning captured anti-tank guns against the Belgians.