18th Infantry Division (Belgium) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 18th Infantry Division |
|
|---|---|
| Active | 1940 |
| Country |  Belgium |
| Branch | Belgian Army |
| Type | Infantry Division |
| Role | Infantry |
| Size | Division |
| Part of | IV Corps |
| Garrison/HQ | Kasterlee |
| Engagements | |
| Disbanded | 28 May 1940 |
The 18th Infantry Division was a group of soldiers in the Belgian Army during the Second World War. This division, made up of infantry (soldiers who fight on foot), played a part in the Battle of Belgium in 1940.
Contents
History of the 18th Division
The Start of World War II
The 18th Division was part of a larger group called the IV Corps. Like another division in this corps, the 18th was made up of older reserve soldiers. This meant they didn't have a lot of modern, heavy weapons. For example, they lacked anti-aircraft guns (to shoot down planes) and anti-tank guns (to stop enemy tanks). Their foot soldiers often used older weapons from World War One.
Because of this, the 18th Division was first placed along the Schoten-Dessel Canal. Their job was to act as a "covering force." This meant they would slow down any enemy advance, giving other Belgian forces more time to get ready. Even for this job, the division was considered quite strong. So, one of its infantry groups, the 3rd Grenadiers, was sent to the coast. Another group was kept as a backup for the IV Corps. Some faster units from other parts of the army were added to the 18th to help them move around more easily.
First Days of Battle
When the war began on May 10, 1940, the 18th Division had an important task. They were supposed to blow up the bridges over the Schoten-Dessel Canal. This would stop the German army from moving forward quickly. However, General Six, who led the division, heard that the French 7th Army would be coming through their area to help the Dutch.
Even with the French coming, the bridges east of Turnhout were still destroyed. This made the French soldiers unhappy when they arrived at the canal later that evening.
Because the French army was arriving, the 18th Division was told to stay at the canal longer than planned. General Six had to work closely with the French as they set up their positions. At the same time, the first German scout units crossed the border into Belgium.
Fighting and Retreat
The first fight for the 18th Division happened on May 12 near Arendonk. Soldiers from the 3rd Carabiniers were involved. Meanwhile, General Six found out that the bridges over the Albert Canal had been blown up. This cut off his planned escape routes.
By May 13, the 3rd Carabiniers and their French allies were in a tough battle at the Schoten-Dessel Canal. As night fell, the order came for a general retreat. The division was told to pull back to the Antwerp defense line. Sadly, one group of soldiers from the 3rd Carabiniers didn't get the order in time and many were captured.
Later, after a major German breakthrough at Sedan, the 18th Division received new orders. They had to retreat again, this time towards the city of Ghent. Their new job was to defend the eastern parts of Ghent. By this point, some soldiers were starting to lose discipline due to the constant retreats.
On May 21, the 39th Line Regiment had its first fight against German scouts. But the very next day, as German forces reached the English Channel, another retreat order came. The division was to move towards the Lys River.
Ghent and the Lys River
Again, the 18th Division, which was weaker by now, had a covering role. They were to take positions inside Ghent itself. While the 3rd Carabiniers and the 39th Line Regiment were setting up, German negotiators came under a white flag, asking the city to surrender. Some even managed to put a German flag on the Belfort tower.
With pressure from some city residents and local police, several units of these regiments surrendered. They went against the orders of their officers. Only one group from each regiment managed to retreat to the Lys River.
However, the Germans broke through the Lys defense line near Kortrijk. This meant the weakened 18th Division was ordered into action again. They moved to an area near Ursel, where another division had been. Parts of that division had been moved to try and stop the German breakthrough. As the 18th Division took its place, it came under heavy artillery fire. This suggested a big German attack was coming soon.
Final Days
On May 26, the German attack indeed came. By noon, the Germans had crossed the Lys canal and were pushing towards Maldegem. The remaining soldiers of the 39th Line Regiment tried to counterattack, but the fast German advance easily stopped them. By the end of the day, what was left of the division pulled back to Maldegem. There, they made a final attempt to defend the town.
Belgium surrendered on May 28, 1940. During the fighting, at least 108 officers, non-commissioned officers, and enlisted soldiers from the 18th Infantry Division were killed.
How the 18th Division Was Organized
Before the Battle of Belgium began, the 18th Infantry Division was set up like this:
- 18th Infantry Division
- Headquarters, located in Kasterlee
- 3rd Carabinier Regiment (Carabiniers were a type of infantry)
- 3rd Grenadier Regiment (Grenadiers were another type of infantry)
- 39th Line Regiment (Line regiments were standard infantry units)
- 26th Artillery Regiment (Artillery units used large guns)
- 18th Bicycle Squadron (A unit that used bicycles for quick movement)
- 15th Engineer Battalion (Engineers built and destroyed things like bridges)
- 18th Signal Battalion (Signal units handled communications like radio and telephone)
- 18th Divisional Supply Battalion (Supply units brought food, ammunition, and other necessities)
- 18th Divisional Field Hospital Battalion (Field hospitals provided medical care)
- 18th Divisional Quartermaster Company (Quartermasters managed supplies and equipment)
- 18th Divisional Military Police Unit (Military police kept order and managed traffic)
See also
