18th Infantry Division (Belgium): Difference between revisions
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The '''18th Infantry Division''' ''(18de Infanterie Divisie)'' was an infantry [[Division (military)|division]] of the [[Belgian Army]] that fought in the [[Battle of Belgium]] against the [[Wehrmacht]] during the [[Second World War]]. |
The '''18th Infantry Division''' ''(18de Infanterie Divisie)'' was an infantry [[Division (military)|division]] of the [[Belgian Army]] that fought in the [[Battle of Belgium]] against the [[Wehrmacht]] during the [[Second World War]]. |
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== World War Two == |
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== The preparation and The Battle of Belgium == |
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Source:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://18daagseveldtocht.be/grote-eenheden/divisies/18de-infanteriedivisie/|title= based on the review of divisional and regimental histories at 18daagseveldtocht.be}}</ref> |
Source:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://18daagseveldtocht.be/grote-eenheden/divisies/18de-infanteriedivisie/|title= based on the review of divisional and regimental histories at 18daagseveldtocht.be}}</ref> |
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Like the 15th Division, part of the same IV Corps, the 18th was composed entirely of regiments of the older reserve. As such, it mostly lacked heavy weaponry such as AA guns and anti-tank artillery. Its infantry units were equiped with antiquated weapons of World War One vintage. Therefor the 18th was, at the start of the campaign deloyed alongside the canal of Schoten-Dessel as a covering force for the Albert Canal line. Even in this role, the entire division was deemed to strong, so that one infantry regiment (the 3rd Grenadiers) was transferred to the coast and another was used as reserve for the Corps. Some mobile units from other formations were attached to make it fit for a more mobile role. |
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After the [[Phoney War|Phony Wars]], the Germans have had enough time to gather an sufficient amount of their forces near the [[Rhineland]] and smashed into [[Battle of Belgium|Belgium]] and the [[Battle of the Netherlands|Netherlands.]](via May 1940)The 18th Infantry Division was mainly composed of Militiamen and conscripts since it was part of the second reserve, and unlike the divisions of the first reserve, they have a lack of [[Anti-tank warfare|towed anti-tank weapons]], and [[Machine gun|machine guns]]. As a result, there won’t be heavy resistance to enemy tanks. Eventually, on September 1939, the 18th Infantry Division was reinforced with the 15th Engineer Battalion from the [[15th Battalion (Belgium)|15th Battalion]], which would become the only Battalion of engineers for the entire division. The 18th Infantry Division didn’t have an medical Corp due to the lack of personnel and equipment. |
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At the start of hostilities, the 18th was supposed to blow the bridges of the Schoten-Dessel Canal to slow down the German advance. But when the war started on may 10th, General Six got word the French 7th Army would pass through its sector to assist the Dutch. Still, the bridges east of Turnhout were destroyed, much to the dismay of the French, who would arrive by the evening at the canal. |
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By October 1939, the 18th Infantry Division was sent to guard the coast. The division would be stationed there for the next month. In November, the division returned to become the potential reserve for the entire army. In early January 1940, the 18th Infantry Division moves to [[Alken, Belgium|Alken]] to man the Kuringen-Hasselt-Diepenbeek sector of the Albert Canal. By the end of January, the 18th Infantry Division was reinforced with the 26th Artillery Regiment, was then replaced with the fully motorized [[Iste Group of the 17th Artillery Regiment.]] By February, the Division was sent to relive the [[9th Infantry Division (Belgium)|9th Infantry Division]] in Kempen and so, becomes part of [[IV Army Corp Belgium|IV Army Corp]]. This Corp was placed behind the Albert Canal and is also responsible for securing areas of the Belgian Dutch Border. The 18th Division was deployed along emergency posts and behind the Dessel-Turnhout-Schoten Canal. |
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Due to the arrival of the French, the 18th Division was ordered to stay longer at the canal then planned. As the 7th Army deployed, General Six was to co-ordinate his efforts with those of the French. At the same time, the first German scouts crossed the Dutch border into Belgium. |
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|The 15th Division withdrew all the way to the coast, where it was assigned a role in the rearguard. First, it was to prepare the north of [[Zeelandic Flanders|Zeeuws Vlaanderen]] from a possible German attack across the Scheldt while the remaining troops of the French 7th Army withdrew from the region. |
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First contact was made by the 3rd Carabiniers near Arendonk on the 12th. Meanwhile, General Six found out the bridges over the Albert Canal were blown up, effectively cutting his prepared lines of retreat. By the 13th the 3rd Carabiniers were engaged in a pitched battle at the Schoten-Dessel Canal. By nightfall, the order for a general retreat to the Antwerp position was given. One batallion of the 3rd did not receive the orders in time and was largely captured. |
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After the Germans reached the English Channel and the Allied forces in Flanders were effectively cut off, the 15th Division was positioned along the Yser facing West against a possible German breakthrough over the British sector. As the [[Battle_of_the_Lys_(1940)|Lys Battle]] unfolded and the Germans decisively punctured the Belgian defences at the river, the units of the 15th Division were called in to serious action for the first time. |
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After breakthrough at Sedan, orders came for a second retreat towards Ghent. There, it was to take position between Oostakker and Destelbergen, effectively covering the eastern approaches to the city. By that time, there were signs discipline was starting to fray. |
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The 31st line regiment was detached from the Division on 25 may to man a makeshift line over the Roeselare-Ypres railroad. It took position between Frezenberg and Passendale, on the old World War One battlefields. By the 26th of may the regiment found itself in the front line. After several preliminary bombardments, the Germans succeeded in destroying several companies at the first attack, successfully envelopping the remainder of two of its batallions. |
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At the 21st, the 39th was engaged for the first time against German scouts. But the following day, as the Germans reached the English Channel, orders came for yet another retreat towards the Lys River. |
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The 42nd line regiment was the last to remain on the Yser. As the situation at the Lys became desperate, Army Command was throwing the last remaining reserves into the fray. On the 26th of may, the regiment was hastily transported towards Tielt. As the Belgians embarked on their buses, the Luftwaffe attacked, leaving 20 dead and 75 wounded. By the time the regiment arrived in Tielt, it's morale had taken a serious beating. On the 27th of may, its batallions were deployed under constant Luftwaffe strafing. In the afternoon, shortly after taking position, they found themselves suddenly on the frontline. After a brief fight, they were quickly overwelmed, either surrendering or retreating in disarray. |
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Again the weaker 18th was to play a covering role, taking position in Ghent itself. While the 3rd and the 39th took op position, the Germans send several negotiators under the cover of a white flag to demand the surrender of the city. Egged on by unwilling city-dwellers and local police officers, several units of these regiments surrendered en masse, defying the orders of their superior officers. Only a few battallions of each regiment conducted a retreat to the Lys river. |
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The 43rd line regiment followed the 31st almost immediately to the position behind the railroad. It took position near Passendale, covering the flanks of the 31st and the 4th of the line. During the night of the 26th it was gradually reinforced by cyclists, machine and AA gun companies from different units. |
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Still, due to the breakthrough of the Germans a the Lys near Kortrijk, the weakened 18th was ordered into action at the former sector of the 9th Division near Ursel. Parts of that Division were withdrawn in an attempt to contain that breakthrough. As the 18th took up position next to the 7th Chasseurs, it quickly came under sustained artillery fire suggesting the Germans would soon attack their sector in force, too. |
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As the disaster in the area of the 31st unfolded, the 2nd batallion of the 43rd quickly became involved in the fighting, too. Although it attempted to contain the breach on its right, by noon the Germans struck the town of Passendale in force. One by one its companies were defeated, losing several officers as well as its Major Phillippart. By the end of the day only 2 batallions were more or less in fighting condition, conducting a successful fighting retreat inland. |
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On the 26th of may, that attack came indeed. By noon, the Germans gained a foothold on the Belgian side of the Lys canal and pressed on towards Maldegem. An attempt at counterattack by the remaining 39th was easily stopped in its tracks by the quick German advance. By the end of the day what was left of the Division pulled back to Maldegem where a last ditch defense of the town followed. |
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By the Belgian surrender on the 28th of May, at least 108 officers, NCO and enlisted were killed in action.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://18daagseveldtocht.be/|title= Figures compiled using regimental records by 18daagseveldtocht.be}}</ref> |
By the Belgian surrender on the 28th of May, at least 108 officers, NCO and enlisted were killed in action.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://18daagseveldtocht.be/|title= Figures compiled using regimental records by 18daagseveldtocht.be}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 18:56, 25 February 2021
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2020) |
| 18th Infantry Division | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1940 |
| Disbanded | 28 May 1940[citation needed] |
| Country |  Belgium |
| Branch | Belgian Army |
| Type | Infantry Division |
| Role | Infantry |
| Size | Division |
| Part of | IV Corps (Belgium) |
| Garrison/HQ | Kasterlee |
| Engagements | Battle of Belgium (World War II) |
The 18th Infantry Division (18de Infanterie Divisie) was an infantry division of the Belgian Army that fought in the Battle of Belgium against the Wehrmacht during the Second World War.
World War Two
Source:[1]
Like the 15th Division, part of the same IV Corps, the 18th was composed entirely of regiments of the older reserve. As such, it mostly lacked heavy weaponry such as AA guns and anti-tank artillery. Its infantry units were equiped with antiquated weapons of World War One vintage. Therefor the 18th was, at the start of the campaign deloyed alongside the canal of Schoten-Dessel as a covering force for the Albert Canal line. Even in this role, the entire division was deemed to strong, so that one infantry regiment (the 3rd Grenadiers) was transferred to the coast and another was used as reserve for the Corps. Some mobile units from other formations were attached to make it fit for a more mobile role.
At the start of hostilities, the 18th was supposed to blow the bridges of the Schoten-Dessel Canal to slow down the German advance. But when the war started on may 10th, General Six got word the French 7th Army would pass through its sector to assist the Dutch. Still, the bridges east of Turnhout were destroyed, much to the dismay of the French, who would arrive by the evening at the canal.
Due to the arrival of the French, the 18th Division was ordered to stay longer at the canal then planned. As the 7th Army deployed, General Six was to co-ordinate his efforts with those of the French. At the same time, the first German scouts crossed the Dutch border into Belgium.
First contact was made by the 3rd Carabiniers near Arendonk on the 12th. Meanwhile, General Six found out the bridges over the Albert Canal were blown up, effectively cutting his prepared lines of retreat. By the 13th the 3rd Carabiniers were engaged in a pitched battle at the Schoten-Dessel Canal. By nightfall, the order for a general retreat to the Antwerp position was given. One batallion of the 3rd did not receive the orders in time and was largely captured.
After breakthrough at Sedan, orders came for a second retreat towards Ghent. There, it was to take position between Oostakker and Destelbergen, effectively covering the eastern approaches to the city. By that time, there were signs discipline was starting to fray.
At the 21st, the 39th was engaged for the first time against German scouts. But the following day, as the Germans reached the English Channel, orders came for yet another retreat towards the Lys River.
Again the weaker 18th was to play a covering role, taking position in Ghent itself. While the 3rd and the 39th took op position, the Germans send several negotiators under the cover of a white flag to demand the surrender of the city. Egged on by unwilling city-dwellers and local police officers, several units of these regiments surrendered en masse, defying the orders of their superior officers. Only a few battallions of each regiment conducted a retreat to the Lys river.
Still, due to the breakthrough of the Germans a the Lys near Kortrijk, the weakened 18th was ordered into action at the former sector of the 9th Division near Ursel. Parts of that Division were withdrawn in an attempt to contain that breakthrough. As the 18th took up position next to the 7th Chasseurs, it quickly came under sustained artillery fire suggesting the Germans would soon attack their sector in force, too.
On the 26th of may, that attack came indeed. By noon, the Germans gained a foothold on the Belgian side of the Lys canal and pressed on towards Maldegem. An attempt at counterattack by the remaining 39th was easily stopped in its tracks by the quick German advance. By the end of the day what was left of the Division pulled back to Maldegem where a last ditch defense of the town followed.
By the Belgian surrender on the 28th of May, at least 108 officers, NCO and enlisted were killed in action.[2]
Structure 1940
Structure of the division at the eve of the Battle of Belgium:[3]
- Headquarters, at Kasterlee
- Commanding Officer, 18th Division – Lieutenant-General Henri Six
- 3rd Carabinier Regiment
- 3rd Grenadier Regiment
- 39th Line Regiment
- 26rd Artillery Regiment (Belgium)
- 18th Bicycle Squadron (to the 18th Division)
- 15th Engineer Battalion
- 18th Signal Battalion
- 18th Divisional Supply Battalion
- 18th Divisional Field Hospital Battalion
- 18th Divisional Quartermaster Company
- 18th Divisional Military Police Unit
See also
- Belgian Army order of battle (1940)
- (The forces opposing the 18th Infantry Division in charge of taking the Low Countries, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands) Army group B.