THE 1ST BELGIAN
FIELD ENGINEER COMPANY

1943 - 1945

SHORT HISTORY

The 1st Field Engineer Company was raised at the same time of the creation
of the 1st Belgian Independant Group, on January 3 1943.

	Preston, United Kingdom, December 1943. Men of the 1st Belgian Field Engineer Company
Pictures taken by Corporal DE VLIEGER of the 1st Field Engineer Company.
	Preston, United Kingdom, December 1943. Men of the 1st Belgian Field Engineer Company Some of the men are wearing the "Belgian Army in UK" Breast Pocket Badge.

The Company lands on the coast of Normandy, France, on August 8 1944.

The main tasks of the company were to repair bridges and roads,
so that the brigade could advance without major problems.

	August 1944, Trouville, Normandy, France. Men of the 1st Field Enineer Company in front of the destroyed bridge over the river Toucques.
Pictures taken by Corporal DE VLIEGER of the 1st Field Engineer Company.
	August 1944, Trouville, Normandy, France. The destroyed bridge over the river Toucques.

They lost several men, their CSM Adjudant HARBOORT included, defusing mines.

The company was responsible for the crossing of the River Seine by the whole brigade.

The 1st Field Engineer Companty entered Brussel on September 4 1944,
together with the other units of the 1st Belgian Independant Brigade "PIRON".

	September 10 1944, Brussel, Barracks of the Guide Regiment. Men of the 1st Field Engineer Company with Lieutenant LEFEVRE, 2nd in command of the Company.
	September 1944, Brussel, Barracks of the Guide Regiment. Morning call.

The company continues to fulfill its tasks during the Liberation of Belgium and the South of the Neteherlands.

On October 17 1944 the 1st Field Engineer Company leaves the front for Leuven, Belgium.

The Company is billeted at Belgian Coast, Duinbergen on December 16 1944.

The 1st Field Engineer Company is integrated in the 1st Belgian Army Engineer Battalion,
beginning January 1945, as the 1st Company "Liberation".

Commanding Officer :
Captain SMEKENS

Commanding Officer : Captain SMEKENS

FORMATION BADGES.

The 1st Belgian Field Engineer Companywore the Formation Badge
of the 1st Belgian Infantry Brigade "PIRON".

The first Formation Badge was created in 1943 in the United Kingdom.

A yellow lionhead, facing front, in a black turned upside down triangle with a large red border.

1st Formation Badge of the 1st Field Engineer Company		variant

When the Company left for the Belgian Coast end 1944, the second Formation Badge came into use.

A yellow lionhead, facing front, in front of a red cross, the whole on a black shield.

2nd Formation Badge of the 1st Field Engineer Company		variant

When the Company was integrated into the 1st Army Engineer Battalion as the 1st Company "Liberation",
they were allowed to wear two Formation Badges !!!

The Formation Badge of the 1st Belgian Infantry Brigade "PIRON", and the Formation Badge of the 1st British Corps,
because the 1st Army Engineer Battalion was assigned to the 1st British Corps,
and thus allowed to wear the Formation Badge.

Integration of the 1st Field Engineer Company into the 1st Army Engineer Battalion. The Corporal wears both Formation Badges !!!		Corporal DE VLIEGER wearing the 1st Formation Badge. On his béret he also wears, unauthorised, the insignia of the Belgian engineers.