Liberation of Belgium

Liberation of Belgium

2 Sep 1944 - 2 Nov 1944

ww2dbaseWith northern France just won, Allied troops under general command of the Canadians pushed into Belgium in early Sep 1944. Major cities of Brussels and Antwerp were liberated quickly, and the V-1 rocket launching bases nearby fell along with the cities. German troops attempted to hinder the usefulness of the Antwerp port by attacking with V-1 and V-2 rockets, but the rockets were not accurate in their attacks and the port facilities remained standing. The city itself, however, bore the burden of the rockets that ran astray.

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Last Major Update: Nov 2006

Liberation of Belgium Interactive Map

Liberation of Belgium Timeline

2 Sep 1944	Canadian troops crossed into Belgium.
3 Sep 1944	In Belgium, British Second Army captured Brussels and US First Army captured Tournai.
4 Sep 1944	British 11th Armoured Division captured Antwerp, Belgium.
5 Sep 1944	US Third Army crossed the Meuse River while the British forces reached Ghent, Belgium.
7 Sep 1944	British 11th Armoured Division crossed the Albert Canal in Belgium.
8 Sep 1944	In Belgium, US First Army captured Liége and Canadian forces captured Ostend.
10 Sep 1944	Allied patrols in Belgium crossed the German border near Aachen, Germany.
11 Sep 1944	Scottish 15th Division crossed into the Netherlands near Antwerp, Belgium.
2 Nov 1944	Canadian forces captured Zeebrugge, which was the last pocket of German occupation in Belgium.
4 Feb 1945	Belgium was reportedly free of German forces as of this date.

Photographs

Prince Felix of Luxembourg, General Bernard Montgomery, French Colonel Candeau, and Brigadier General Christopher Peto at 21st Army Group headquarters at Blay, Normandy, France, 1 Sep 1944.

German prisoners of war, captured by men of US 82nd Airborne Division, Sep 1944

Men of the 8th Infantry Regiment attempted to move forward but were pinned down by German small arms from within the Belgian town of Libin, 7 Sep 1944

M4 Sherman tank covering the advance of men of US 60th Infantry Regiment, Belgium, 9 Sep 1944

See all 7 photographs of Liberation of Belgium

Maps

Map depicting the western front of the European War, 1 Sep 1944

Map depicting the dispositions of the US 3rd Army at the evening of 5 Sep 1944

Map depicting the Allied campaign toward Germany, 26 Aug-14 Sep 1944

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Visitor Submitted Comments

1. john cuddy says:
5 Nov 2009 01:54:43 AM

my uncle patrick cuddy was in the 2nd world war and was involved in the liberation of belgium i wud b gratefull if any one could give me more information about my uncle my number is 07514085487

2. Charles Lundsberg says:
29 Oct 2011 10:01:39 PM

My grandfather was one of the first Americans to set foot in Brussels having been forced to land his B-17 there Sept 12, 1944. Am looking for any pictures of the crew or the B-17. The B-17 Serial # was 42-97307 and it sat on the runway until it was scrapped in March of 1945. Crew had nose art of the plane on their jackets - Plane was called Flak Shak.

3. John Henley says:
24 May 2014 02:31:36 PM

My dad was James B. Henley from Camden, Arkansas. He was a military policeman in Liege during the war. Any information would be great! Thanks

4. Anonymous says:
19 Oct 2016 01:19:59 PM

My great uncle Dennis Goodwin was apart of the liberation of Antwerp I believe he was in the 11th Armoured Division but I'm not sure if anyone could provide some information that would be greatly appreciated.

5. Mikey says:
2 Nov 2016 03:16:33 PM

My dad - Thomas Arthur Watson - was present in Brussels during the liberation and met up with a Belgian family. Anyone have any further information??? Thanks

6. Anonymous says:
2 Apr 2017 04:38:10 PM

My English grandfather helped liberate Belgium and was looked after by the Goossens - who remained firm family friends thereafter. I'd love to trace the Goossens family. I have names and an address - so I can verify. I won't post it all here though.

7. Anonymous says:
27 May 2017 07:06:37 PM

my father was a US Army soldier in Belgium in civilian clothing prior to liberation. Pictures confirm, he received Bronze and Silver Stars. That's all i know. Find out more?

8. Charles says:
20 Jun 2017 01:13:13 PM

My Grandfather landed his crippled B-17 around or in Brussels. Looking for people that remember his crew and have pics of the plane that remained there for the next 5 months before being salvaged. Please was "Flak Shak" and had square G on tail from 385th with 297307 serial number.

9. Anonymous says:
25 Mar 2018 03:36:37 AM

Hi my grandad was a gunner in the first tank to liberate Antwerp

10. Anonymous says:
3 Jul 2018 03:24:46 AM

Does anyone knows when and who liberated the town of Heusy in Belgium?
My grandparents hosted a solider and remain friend after the war. I’d like to find his family to give them letters and phtotos taken by my family and off course thanks them.

11. Geo Colson says:
26 Nov 2021 02:21:38 PM

end 1944 and 1945, US soldiers were billeted in a plant and a castle in the small village Nerem (or Neerem, previously also named Nederheim) near the town Tongeren in Belgium. I am searching for information about the Unit or Units of the Us Army billeted in this village where I was born on June 11, 1944. I have a photograph of the plant taken at the end of the forties.

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Liberation of Belgium