The 1st Moroccan Division shared the defense of the Deûle canal line, east of La Bassée, with British Territorials of the 139th Brigade, 46th Division. The Allies held the canal line with a thin defense, only concentrating at a handful of potential crossing locations. German troops probed across the canal on the night of the 25th, and at 0330 German artillery opened its preliminary bombardment. The attackers – veterans of the Polish campaign – would begin their assault crossing soon.

During the night, the Germans had slipped a small force across the canal, and heavy fighting accompanied the new day. Throughout the morning, the Germans slowly advanced despite heavy fighting. By 1030 the Allied forward posts had been overrun and the Germans began to infiltrate between the isolated British and French companies. The British claimed that the dispirited French colonial troops gave way and withdrew first while, on the contrary, the heroes of Gembloux insisted their companies, now reduced to 50 men, battled until the end and that it was the British who withdrew. Whatever the truth of it, the situation became desperate for the Allies and although both British and Moroccan soldiers sold their lives dearly, the Germans had overcome their defenses by 1530.

Swallows of Death may be played with the 1st edition pieces and maps from 1940: Fall of France.

When a French piece in the order of battle was apparently Moroccan and was in the Division Marocaine set, that piece was used in the order of battle list. Substitute equivalent French Army pieces Moroccan pieces when the Moroccan piece is unavailable.