14-18 Au Rivage

On 21 August 1914, the 2 bridges of Franière, the 4 bridges of Floreffe and those of Floriffoux are still in the hands of the 3rd Battalion of the 41st Infantry Regiment. It is extremely important that they make it impossible for the Germans to cross the Sambre.
The Dark Ones crossed after the battle of Auvelais and the beginning of the withdrawal from Namur on 22 and 23 August.
How did the inhabitants cross the Sambre at the time?
The railway between Namur and Charleroi meanders through the valley and crosses the Sambre in several places :
on two bridges in Franière, on the border with Mornimont and at the church
in two places in Floreffe, in Hamptia and at the foot of Mauditienne
and in one place in Floriffoux, near the old glass factory
The ordinary crossings were located on the roads between Soye and Franière, between Floreffe and Mauditienne (here) and at the former lock of Floriffoux opposite the castle de Dorlodot.
Since the end of the 19th century, the Sambre has been canalized in different periods and the bridges have been blown up (WWI and WWII) and changes have been made, but the bridges have been rebuilt again and again.

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