Units of the Belgian Army in the United Kingdom 1940-1945

After the cease-fire in Belgium on May 28,1940, many military refused to accept the defeat,
and consequently tried to reach the United Kingdom by all means.

After the French defeat in June 1940, and the hesitation of the Belgian Government in France
to join their British counterparts in their fight against Nazi Germany,
many soldiers didn't know what to do, and returned to Belgium.

When a few months later the Belgian Government finally decided to join the United Kingdom,
only a few Belgian military were present in Great Britain.

Nevertheless the Belgian Government in Exile decided that the military had to be be reorganised,
and all military power would be put at the disposal of the Allies.

London Eaton Square, seat of the Belgian Government in exile.

Lieutenant-General VAN STRYDONCK DE BURKEL
First Commander-in-Chief of the Belgian Army in the United Kingdom.

Belgian Navy personell joined the Royal Navy, and several Army units were created.

The Belgian Government in Exile also decided to call under arms
all male Belgians under 45, dispersed over the whole world.

Belgian Army in the United Kingdom
Call Up letter


Cornwall 1942, inspection of the Belgian Forces by Lieutenant-General MARSHALL

Tenby, UK, 1941. Belgian soldiers training with small mortar.

Little by little the Belgian Forces grew, and on D-Day, June 6th 1944,
the Belgian Forces in the United Kingdom consisted of : :

The 1st Belgian Independant Group called "Brigade Piron"
The 2nd Group
The 3rd Group
The 1st Belgian SAS Squadron
The Belgian Commando Troop 10th InterAllied Commando
The RAF Belgian Section with 2 fighter squadrons
The Royal Navy Belgian Section with 2 corvettes and a minesweeper flotilla


London, 21st July 1942, Belgian National Day Parade. In front of the detachment Captain DANLOY, who was to become the C.O. of the Belgian Commando's.

London, July 21st 1943, Belgian National Day Parade. Passing by of the Belgian Royal Navy and RAF detachment.

Most of those units fought in France and some participated in the liberation of Belgium.

Once Belgium liberated, in September 1944, the Belgian Government started to recruit volunteers,
not only for raising new units, but also for upgrading the existing units.

New recuits were mixed with veterans, the units underwent complementary training,
and beginning 1945 they were ready for battle.

The Belgian Government honoured its commitments, and these units were put into action.

They took part in the Germany campaign, and participated in the occupation of defeated Germany.