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On
September 2, 1944 at 08 p.m., the colonel Piron is received with the
bosses of the greats units in Beaumetz by the general HORROCKS, commander
of the XXXth British Corps. The Armoured Division of Guards commanded by the general
ADAIR, of whom is a part at the moment the Belgian Group, receives the
order to go to the axis Arras, Douai, Tournai, Hal and … Brussels. The
Group collects in Arras's citadel and spends there the night.
On September 3 at 08.30 a.m., the squadron leaves Arras for Tournai. It
opens the walking to the column of ghosts which go into their country
after four years of exile. In the row of vehicles, are people for whom one
did not wait any more, whom the family considered dead for a long time.
The
first vehicle crosses the Belgian border in Rongy at 04.36 p.m.. Where
also waits the general Sir Alexander Stanier of the Armoured
Division of Guards.
The frenzy of the freed Belgian populations welcome the Brigade to
Antoing, Leuze and Ath, until Enghien where they should wait for the
instructions of the general ADAIR. The Group spends there the night.
September 4, at 09.30 a.m., commander of the division sends his orders for
the entrance to Brussels. Two thousands men of the brigade are closely
shaved, and impatient persons .. The Division of Guards precedes the
Belgian Group, so are indeed English who free Brussels. However, two small
squad of the Belgian Group accompany the division of Guards. At 03.00
p.m., the head of column of the Belgian penetrates into the first suburbs
of Brussels. A delirious crowd welcomes them. The excitement rises to
reach its highlight "Porte de Namur". The population gradually
seems to wake up from four years of torpor. By the place of Palaces, the
column gets back to the Royal street where the colonel Piron decorates
with flowers the grave of the Unknown Soldier. Schaerbeek's door, the
column falls to pieces and the units of the Group take their districts:
the 1st Unit in the barracks of the " Small Castle ", the 2nd
Place Dailly, the 3rd Melsbroeck's airfield, squadron in Etterbeek's
barracks.
The Staff in the barracks of Grenadiers, but this one is invaded by a
crowd of Resistance fighters and German prisoners. The next day, the Staff
settles down in a building of the university. The battery of artillery
occupies the barracks of the 6th of Artillery.
If Brussels was freed, German still occupied some cities. On September 8,
Troop of the squadron participates in the liberation of Liège. Teams of
Reconnaissance leave for Tirlemont, Roosbeek and Saint-Trond. The Belgian
column goes back up the American front guard and reaches Ans. The local
population takes them for French Canadians: how much little of Belgian
suspected that they were going to be freed by Belgians! By the right bank
of the Meuse, Reconnaissance leave for Fléron and Visé.
During this time, in Brussels, missions are confided to the various units
of the brigade. The 1st Unit is to keep bridges on the canal and the rest
of the brigade to defend the North of Brussels.
On
September 8, The colonel PIRON is summoned to the City hall of Brussels:
the Marshal MONTGOMERY is on official visit. The officers of the Belgian
Group are presented to him. The Marshal congratulates the troops of the
Group on the exploits that they showed during the campaign of Normandy.
After 6 days of reunion and holiday, the colonel Piron sought British
authorities, the license to continue under their command and to go to
fight in Limbourg. This deserving decision reflected the spirit of all the
members of the Group.
On September 10 in the night, the column re-forms in the various districts
of Brussels.
On September 11 in the day rise, the Piron's Brigade leaves the capital to
pass under the orders of the 8th British Armoured Brigade within the XXXth
Corps (General HORROCKS). It has mission to take the city of Bourg-Léopold.
The Armoured Squadron in head, followed by the 1st Motorized Unit bores
towards Louvain, Diest and crosses the canal Albert to Beringen at about
01.30 p.m..
From 02.50 p.m., Troops of the squadron is in place in front of Bourg- Léopold:
Lt SAUVAGE's Troop is to the right in the north border. DEWANDRE's Troop
is in the center of the device whereas VERHAEGEN's Troop is to the left,
in the crossroads of Baelen's road. At the time of moving to take the
city, the German defences riposte. Daimler of the leader BIHAY is reached
by two direct knocks. BENOOT and SIMOENS are killed, BIHAY is seriously
wounded.
The squadron groups together in the entrance of Bourg-Léopold. The men of
the 1st Unit joined them and open the doors of the prison camp and free so
has more than 900 prisoners and arrest SS which kept them. The 3rd Company
leaves Beverloo and enters Heppen where they meet strong German positions.
Leo VAN CAUWELAERT is wounded. During this time, English and German kill
each other to Hechtel where SS retake the village twice.
September 13, Germans Artillery rearguard are always firm. The 3rd
Squadron sends a patrol of fight towards Oostham's wood, but their leader,
the younger Louis GOETS is a victim of a sniper. The next day, the strong
position is taken and German are arrested, but after they massacred about
twenty civilians, absolutely innocent.
On September 16, the Group receives for mission to clean the ground up to
the canal of crossing. Armoured cars seize Baelen and Maat. The
Germans show themselves still very active and counter-attack in front of
this last village. Passing during some days under the command of the
famous 50th Scottish Division, the Group seizes, alternately , Himmer and
Oostham and throws back German to the North of the canal of crossing.
On September 17, the Belgian Group passes under the orders of the VIIIth
Corps ( general O' CONNO), while the battery of artillery remains attached
to the XXXth Corps, it takes position to Neerpelt and participle in the
preparation and in support of the attack executed by the Guards Armoured
Division.
Begin then the tremendous push in Holland. The British Armoured Ddivisions
rush the length the axis Hechtel-Nimègue to operate their connection with
the airborne troops. The Group, in direct support of the VIIIth Corps has
mission to assure the right side of the starting point.
On September 19, the Armoured Squadron leaves Hechtel in scout in the
direction of the canal the Meuse - Escaut. German withdrew behind this
line of water. The colonel PIRON settles his PC to MEEUWE.
On September 20, the 2nd Unit rushes towards Brée, the 1st towards
Bocholt and the 3rd towards Caulille. All these municipalities are freed.
The squadron reassembles to Ellikom.
German remain active. The 3rd Unit arrests some parachutists.
The Group holds a 15 kilometre front. It is opposite to parachutists'
regiment " Grasmehl " and " Hardegg ". They are very
aggressive and push patrols inside the Belgian lines.
September 22 at 11.57 a.m., first elements of the Group cross the Dutch
border. The Belgian Group receives the license to cross the canal and to
grow towards Wessem and towards Maaseyk. Once again, the Belgian Group
filled well its mission. The colonel PIRON receives from the general
commander the VIIIth Corps, a message of congratulations. |
Col Piron voice about the
Liberation
