At the start of the war on May 10th 1940, the 9th division occupied one of the central sections of the Albert Canal line. In this position, it was not directly affected by the breakthrough at Eben-Emael for the first days of the war. Instead, the soldiers of the 9th witnessed fleeing civilians and advancing vanguards of the French 7th army passing through its lines. As a precaution, however, General Vander Hofstadt ordered the 17th and elements of the 16th regiments to take up a position along the Nete river, guarding the division's flank. Troops from these units saw panicking units of the 6th Division passing its line, causing unrest among the troops.