German military operations in Belgium were intended to bring Bringing the 1st , 2nd and 3rd armies into positions in Belgium from which they could invade Attack France , which , after the fall Motion_directional of Liège on 7 August , led to Causation sieges Besieging of Belgian fortresses along the Meuse river at Namur and the surrender Surrendering of the last forts ( 16–17 August ) .

The operation required Imposing_obligation the seizure of the bridges by airborne troops across the Meuse River , two arms of the Rhine ( the Waal River and the Lower Rhine ) , together with crossings over several smaller canals and tributaries .