THE FORESTRY UNITS
1945 - 1948
SHORT HISTORY
After the
liberation of Belgium, in September 1944, the Belgian Government
faced the problem
of the neglected coalmines.
It was of the
upmost importance, for the Belgian industry,
that the production
in the coalmines was hugely increased.
This meant that the coalmines had to be repaired.
As security
in the coalmines depended on well build shafts,
it was necessary
to obtain large amounts of wood.
Therefore a first Forestry Unit was raised on February 27 1945 at Chimay.
Commanding officer : Senior Captain LAGAGE.
The unit worked in the Ardennes.
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| Belgium, Ardennes, May 1946, men of the 3rd Forestry Unit in action. |
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| Ardennes, May 1946, men of the 3rd Forestry Unit returning to barracks at the end of a work day. |
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| Belgium, April 26 1946. The 3rd Forestry Unit moves to the Ardennes after finishing their instruction. |
A few months
later the Belgian Government received the authorisation from the
British High Command
to exploit the forests in the German area of Wenau, Monschau, Höffen,
Gemund and Schleiden.
The exploitation of this area meant that several other Forestry units had to be raised.
As a first step the Forestry Company was reorganised into the Forestry Unit on April 1 1945.
4 Forestry Units had to be raised.
The Forestry Unit became the 1st Forestry Uit on December 13 1945.
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| 1946,Germany, near the Belgian border. Staff of the 3rd Forestry Unit. |
In 1945 68.782 m3 of wood were delivered to the coalmines.
In 1946 the production reached 185.974 m3.
The exploitation of the forests was ceased on September 15 1948.
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| Letter from the 4th Forestry Unit. |
| UNIT | RAISED | DISBANDED | COMMANDING OFFICERS |
| 1st Forestry Unit | December 13 1945 | December 31 1948 | Major LAGAGE Major SCOHY Major PANIER Major DERY |
| 2nd Forestry Unit | January 1 1946 | February 17 1947 | Major DIEPERINCK Major NIHOUL |
| 3rd Forestry Unit | January 1 1946 | January 1 1949 | Major DANLOY |
| 4th Forestry Unit | February 10 1946 | October 1 1946 | Major PANIER Senior Captain MINNE Senior Captain LECOMTE Senior Captain L'ENTREE Senior Captain PINCHART Major DERY |
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| Major
DANLOY, Commanding Officer of the 3rd Forestry Unit. This picture was taken in 1950 when Major Danloy was already Lieutenant-Colonel. |
INSIGNIA
The Forestry Units had no formation badge or arm title of their own.
As far as known they also wore no formation badge of a Allied unit.
They had specific insignia which were worn on the shoulder straps of the Battle Dress blouse.
A hunting-horn on three oak leaves.
White embroidered badges and metal badges were both worn.
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| Embroidered version | ||
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| Bronze metal version | Brass metal version | |
Belgian Rank Insignia were worn.
On the left sleeve a white "BELGIUM" title was worn.
On the right sleeve the Belgian National Colours were worn, black facing front.
