Towards the end of the year 1942, the Belgian Minister of Defence decided to combine infantry, artillery, armoured vehicles and engineering into a homogeneous fighting unit. It becomes the 1st. Belgian Independant Brigade under the command of Major Jean Piron.

It was an unorthodox formation that could act rapidly and independently because of its composition, since all kinds of weapons were available, as well as their own transport, supply and engineering. It was largely motorized and possessed a superior firepower to that of an infantry unit of the same strength. It was outstandingly capable of harassing the enemy as well as fast pursuit.

The Belgian Forces had been formed during the summer of 1940 in Tenby. Later, the Headquarters and the training units were sent to Leamington Spa where they remained. The fighting units were send to Wales to stay at Chepstow, Crickhowell, Llanelly, Carmarthen and Great Malvern before being transferred to East Anglia, at first to Clacton-on-Sea where the 1st. Battalion was formed and then near Lowestoft.

During all this time, they were training in smaller and bigger groups together with the British Units. The Belgian Brigade proved to have great endurance and this was so appreciated by the English command that it was integrated into the 21st. Army Brigade during its creation. In January 1944, the Brigade was sent to Ramsgate in Kent to be trained for the landing operations. After months of waiting, this movement revives the hope for action. The disappointment is felt greatly when, on June 6, the Brigade is sent to the Great Yarmouth area. But in July, it is sent to the waiting zone between Cambridge and Newmarket.

FRANCE

Finally the first Belgian Brigade; composed of three independent motorized units, an armoured squadron, an artillery group, an engineering company, ambulance units and provisioning and transport units; is sent to Normandy where it lands on August 7 and 8 in Courseulles (Arromanches). It is transferred to the 6th. Airborne Division of the 1st. Canadian Army, commanded by Maj. General Mange and takes over at the frontline from the 5th. Commando Brigade on the right bank of the Orne, the Pegasus Bridge sector.

Since June, the enemy has had the time to organize its defences. As soon as the Brigade arrives, it comes under intense mortar bombardment and artillery fire. It reacts well and begins with concentrated patrol activity.

On August 17th. the Division attacks. After a substantial artillery preparation, the Brigade begins its advance towards Franceville by occupying the stronghold of Moulin du Buisson, and Franceville is occupied in the evening. The enemy had mined all the roads and paths and the Brigade loses a lot of time clearing these obstacles.

On August 21st. the advance continues without the armoured squadron, which cannot proceed in the mined zone, and it is attached to the 6th Airborne Division (Recce). At 11:00, Cabourg is taken but all the bridges across the Dives were destroyed. While the engineers, helped by civilians, bustle to build a bridge, the infantry crosses on an improvised pontoon bridge, taking Houlgate and then making their way towards Auberville. It is here that a platoon, guided by an Officer of the French Resistance, walks right into an ambush, losing six men, amongst them the Officer of the Resistance. In the evening, a second attack of the 1st. Motorized Unit, with the support of the artillery, removes the advance posts of the enemy. During the night, the defence is broken and the enemy sounds the retreat. At dawn, the advance resumes with the help of the armoured vehicles, which had crossed the Dives at night over the new bridge.

In the afternoon of August 22nd. Villers-sur-Mer is taken and, moving on, the Brigade occupies Deauville in the evening and reaches la Touques. General Gale congratulates Colonel Piron for the fast advance of his Brigade. Here as well, the bridges across la Touques were destroyed and the enemy, who now occupies the heights on the east side over the river, holds the Belgian Unit down in their position with mortar and artillery fire. On August 24th. the advance starts again. The infantry, under enemy fire, crosses la Touques on an improvised bridge, while engineers build a transporter bridge with material brought by the civilians.

Although mines and craters blocked the coastal road and slowed down the advance, the Brigade reaches Honfleur at the end of evening, 8 km ahead of the Divisional front (Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry Regiment) toward the south. The Ox. and Bucks reach Honfleur during the night, to the right of the group. The Belgium Brigade crosses the city the following morning. On the other side of the estuary of the Seine, Le Havre is clearly visible.

In the morning of August 26th. the advance units are subjected to intense artillery fire from the hills of Foulbecq on the other side of the Risle. The armoured squadron joins the Brigade there, having rendered excellent service to the divisional reconnaissance regiment, facilitating the capture of the Pont-Audemer. The unit re-groups and passes under the command of the 49th. British Division, as the 6th. Airborne Division returns to England for rest and reorganization after almost 3 months of combat. General Gale writes to the Colonel Piron:

"It is with deep regret that your magnificent Brigade passes from my command. Your men have fought splendidly throughout this time, at Cabourg and in the subsequent advance. It has been an honour to have fought beside you. May God speed you in your advance to your gallant country."

On August 29st. the Brigade proceeds to the south of the Seine for clearing operations in the Forest of Brotonne, where so many Germans were trapped. Then it receives the order to cross the Seine and to besiege Le Havre. A Belgian non-commissioned officer crosses the Seine during the night and, with the help of three Resistance fighters, makes a detailed reconnaissance of the ground behind the enemy lines during that day. He returns the next night with valuable information.

On August 31st. the Brigade crosses the Seine. The operation is strenuous because the transporter bridges are difficult to operate in the rapid current and the troops lack experience. Fortunately, the German resistance is weak. When the units reach the opposite riverbank, they re-group and march west towards Le Havre.

BELGIUM

In the afternoon of August 31st. the armoured squadron is already in contact with the enemy and the motorized units get ready for the attack when the order is given to stop these preparations and to leave the front to go northward, leaving the 49th. Division. On September 2nd. Colonel Piron is summoned to the headquarters of the XXXth Corps in Beaumetz-les-Loges in the southeast of Arras. He leaves his Brigade while it is in full movement and reports to General Horrocks who tells him laconically:

"I intend to enter Brussels tomorrow evening. Our tanks will open the road and you will follow by eliminating any resistance along the way."

Like, in a dream, the march towards Belgium begins with the Division of Guards. The troops had had no rest for 2 days, there were no roadmaps, there was little food and fuel became rare but each man had regained his vigour: they returned home! And no vehicle fell out of order, except for lack of petrol.

On September 3rd. at 16:36, the "command car" of Colonel Piron crosses the Belgian border in Rongy, in the South of Tournai. Brigadier-General Stainier of the 231st. British Brigade shakes his hand, saying:

"I am happy and proud to greet you in the name of the British Army at the moment that the Belgian troops return home into their country."

The Brigade continues in the trail of the tanks of the Guards, passing Ath and reaches Enghien in the evening, approximately 30 km from the capital. At that moment, the first tanks of the Welsh Guards reach the centre of Brussels and receive a delirious reception.

In the morning of September 4th. Colonel Piron contacts the mayor of Brussels and announces the arrival of the Belgian Forces. At 15:00, General Adair and an armoured squadron of Guards open the way to Colonel Piron and his brigade, victorious after four long years. The reception of the population is an unforgettable memory. Permission is granted for one or two days of leave to those whose family is living on already freed territory; which is not the case for all because of the faster advance in the centre of the country. The rest of the Brigade participates in some cleaning operations in the surrounding areas of Brussels.

On September 8th. Field Marshal Montgomery is welcomed in the City Hall of Brussels and decorates numerous officers and soldiers for their bravery in Normandy. He reassures Colonel Piron that his brigade will not be left behind for insignificant rearguard missions, but instead will be used for the continuation of the operations.

On September 11th. the Brigade leaves Brussels and is placed under the command of the 8th British Armoured Brigade with the order to advance to the zone of Bourg Léopold - Happen. Early in the morning, the Albert Canal is crossed in Beringen, where the Dutch Princess Irene Brigade holds the bridgehead. At 17:00 they reach Bourg Léopold.

Between September 12th. and 17th. the Brigade slowly advances towards the northeast. The artillery supports an attack by the Guards Armoured Division around the region of Neerpelt. The Brigade passes under the command of the VIIIth Corps.

On September 18th. new orders are received:

"A big operation is being prepared. The XXXth Corps will advance into Holland in the direction of Zuyderzee with the support of numerous airborne divisions while the Americans will progress in the direction of Cologne. The VIIIth. Corps will be placed between both Brigades and will gradually advance towards the Meuse. The Belgian Brigade will occupy the zone between Peer and Bree. The armoured squadron will protect the advance force towards the canal (Canal of Campine which follows the Belgian border between the Meuse and the Schelde). "

On September 20th. the Brigade occupies Kaulille, Bocholt and Bree and cleans the south bank of the Canal of Campine.

On September 22nd. the 2nd. Motorised Unit sends out a motorized patrol, which, at 18:35, reaches Maaseik, 16 km to the East. A patrol of the 1st. Motorised Unit reaches the Willems-Sud canal.

On September 23rd. the 2nd Motorised Unit is in contact with the Americans in Maaseik. On September 24th. the Brigade receives the order to advance to the junction of the Zuid Willems Vaart and the Meuse. Engineering builds a bridge in Bree.

NETHERLANDS I

In the early evening of September 25th. the 1st. Motorised Unit is in Neeritter, the 2nd. Motorised Unit occupies Thorn and the 3rd. is in Maaseik. The Brigade is in Holland. On September 28th. the 1st Motorised Unit advances on the left towards Hunsel and gets into contact with the 4th British Armoured Brigade. The Brigade then passes under the command of the 1st. US Corps and receives the support of tanks for an attack on Wessem, at the junction of the canal with the Meuse, in coordination with an American advance towards Echt and Susterel on the German border. Both attacks fail. The German resistance had extraordinarily well reorganized in the second half of September.

From October 4th. to 26th. the front remains unchanged, with numerous patrols on both sides. Three months of losses, casualties and death, had considerably affected the ranks and the 18 km front can no longer be held continuously. The advance posts are pulled back and the troops are rallied in autonomous points of defence. The ground between these points is permanently patrolled. On October 27th. a powerful German raid on the positions of the 3rd. Motorised Unit is repelled. The German toll is 3 dead, 7 wounded and 27 prisoners left behind.

On October 31st., the VIIIth. Corps informs the Brigade Commander that an attack by two armoured divisions and an infantry division is mobilizing between Weert and Wessem. The 53rd. Welsh Division and the 4th. Armoured Brigade arrive from 'sHertogenbosch. The Belgian Brigade passes under the command of the 53rd. Welsh Division. The Division Commander moves the Brigade toward the north between Hussel and Elf and replaces it by the 71st. British Brigade. The troop movement is ended on November 1 and the patrols resume especially at the bridgehead, which is still being held by the Germans on the west bank of the canal.

On November 11th. the Brigade is tasked to eliminate the bridgehead. The attack, led by the 1st. and strengthened by the 2nd. Motorised Unit, is a complete success in spite of heavy losses.

On November 12th. a large-scale British attack breaks down the lines and they reach the suburbs of Roermond and Venlo.

THE CHANGING OF TROOPS

The Belgian Brigade is relieved on November 15th. and moves towards Louvain for a period of rest and reorganization.

On December 20th. the Brigade is transferred towards the southwest of Antwerp and takes its quarters in the triangle St Nicolas - Hamme - Tamise. Its unusual structure, way ahead of its time, is resolved and the Brigade is reconstituted as a classic Infantry Unit.

The armoured squadron becomes the core of the 1st. Armoured Regiment of the new Belgian Army. The Artillery Unit becomes the core of the new 1st. Artillery Regiment. Manned by volunteers, the three motorized units become battalions. After a fast instruction of these men, followed by a comprehensive training, the brigade is ready by end of March 1945.

The Luxembourgers within the Brigade join mainly the Artillery Regiment.

THE NETHERLANDS II

The 1st. and 3rd. battalion move towards the region of Nimègue and pass under the command of the 51st. Canadian Armoured Division. The 2nd. battalion is separately engaged and will join the Brigade only after the victory.

The 1st. and 3rd. battalion take up fighting positions to the South of Waal while the Canadian division faces west on the north bank, forming a right angle with the Belgians. The Canadians prepare an attack westward and the Belgians train at the rear of their positions with the recently acquired assault barges.

On April 12th. the attack plans are abandoned. Both battalions take charge of the Canadian sector on the north bank of Waal, between Waal and Lek (north branch of the Rhine). Everything had been destroyed during the hard fights of the autumn (Operation Arnhem) and of the previous winter; the country was flooded and widely mined.

On April 18th. the 1st. battalion attacks to the right and frees Opheusden on the left, the 3rd. battalion occupies the fortified position of Eldiksenhoek but does not reach its objective: Ochten. Both battalions are stopped by the Grebbe line, built in 1939 by the Dutch and strengthened by the Germans during the winter. On the north bank of the Lek, the 49th. British Division attacks in the West to support the Belgian advance but in retreat on the Belgian line, does not go past Wageningen.

Between April 19th. and 25th. the situation remains unchanged: patrol activities and bombardments. On April 26th. all offensive action is halted in order to negotiate the transfer of food and medicines to the civilian population towards the North.

On May 6th. a "cease-fire" is ordered.

On May 8th. both battalions move 40 km west towards Cullenborg and Leerdam to disarm the 361th. German Division and the 20th. German Brigade.

On May 10th. General Filippi, commander of the 361st. German Division, arrives at the assembly point and he passes under a banner carrying the inscription "MAY 10, 1940 - MAY 10, 1945 ". As for the 2nd. battalion, on April 10th. it had moved towards the island of Walcheren, to take over from the Dutch Princess Irene brigade. However, on April 15th. it was being returned to the front situated on the Meuse, to the North of Tilburg, to relieve the 48th Commando. It then passes under the command of the 17th. Armoured Brigade. Because the enemy was strangely quiet, in the evening of April 22th. an offensive patrol crosses the Meuse to reconnoitre the German positions. It meets a strong German resistance and with heavy losses, falls back to our lines. On May 1th. all offensive operations are stopped to allow passage for humanitarian aid and on May 5 the order for cease-fire is received.

GERMANY

On May 16th. the three battalions advance towards Germany to occupy the zone of Ludenscheid near Munster.

In recognition of its exploits, the Brigade that had become the Infantry Brigade "Liberation", was authorized to inscribe the citations Normandy and Canal of Wessem on its flag. Additionally, the Brigade is awarded the Belgian and French Military Cross.

Extrait du livre: BELGIAN FORCES IN UNITED KINGDOM du COMITE 44-94