1st Cavalry Division (Belgium) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 1st Cavalry Division |
|
|---|---|
| Active | 1940 |
| Country |  Belgium |
| Branch | Belgian Army |
| Type | Cavalry Division |
| Role | Combat Support |
| Size | Division |
| Part of | Group K (Belgium) |
| Garrison/HQ | Saint Hubert |
| Engagements | |
| Disbanded | 28 May 1940 |
The 1st Cavalry Division (French: 1ere Division de Cavalerie) was a special military group in the Belgian Army. It was made up of soldiers who rode horses or used fast vehicles. This division bravely fought against the German Army during the Battle of Belgium in World War II.
Contents
The Division's Story
Before World War II
The 1st Cavalry Division as we know it today wasn't fully formed during World War I. Back then, some of its units were part of a different group called the 1st Cavalry Brigade. This brigade was based in Brussels. It included two important groups of soldiers: the 1st and 2nd Guides Regiment.
Fighting in World War II
When the 1st Cavalry Division was called into action in late 1939, most of its soldier groups were ready. However, two important groups, the 3rd Lancers regiment and the 1st Cyclist regiment, left the division in 1940. This made the division a bit weaker. The 1st Cavalry Division was positioned near the Ardennes forest, close to the Belgian border.
When Germany started its attack, most of the 1st Cavalry Division was near Neufchateau. Their main goal was to meet up with other Belgian groups that were retreating. But there were delays, which made it harder for them to move forward.
The 1st Cavalry Division sent its 4th Lancers regiment to help the 2nd Cavalry Division. In return, they got help from the 2nd Regiment Gidsen. The way the division was organized changed a lot during this time.
The German army moved very quickly. They broke through the strong K-W defense line. This forced the 1st Cavalry Division to retreat towards the west. They were ordered to fall back to the Scheldt River. But the Germans moved too fast and took over those positions too. The situation became very difficult. The Belgian and other Allied armies were surrounded near Northern France and Flanders.
By May 25-26, the soldiers who were still fighting were reorganized. They tried to defend a new line called the Sluis Middelburg line. But this line was also broken. The 1st Cavalry Division had to pull back again. They tried to defend a quickly built line called Strobugge-Maldegem-Oostwinkel. But the Germans kept advancing. After this last defense was broken, the division had to surrender.
How the Division Was Set Up in 1940
Here's how the 1st Cavalry Division looked just before the Battle of Belgium:
- Headquarters: Located in Saint Hubert
- Commanding General: Lieutenant-General Maurice Keyaerts
- Soldier Groups:
- 1st Regiment Guides
- 2nd Lancers Regiment
- 3rd Lancers Regiment
- 3rd Regiment Carabiners -Cyclists
- 1st Regiment Carabiners-Cyclists
- 17th Artillery Regiment
- 25th Battalion Engineer (for building and fixing things)
- 28th Battalion of Transmission Forces (for communications)
See also
- Battle of Belgium order of battle
- Army Group B
- 2nd Cavalry Division
- K-W line
