Duncan Posted January 5, 2023 Share Posted January 5, 2023 Can someone tell me the award criteria/dates for the following bars please - Escaut, Winterbeek, and Canal de Wessen. Many thanks, Duncan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hendrik Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 Hello Duncan, The bars for the Belgian WW2 Commemorative Medal reflect unit citations and thus presence in the unit(s) cited during the specific battles would be the criterium. ESCAUT The Belgian Section of the Royal Navy received a citation in 1945 for its glorious participation in the liberation of the island of Walcheren (Netherlands) which was to lead to the opening of the branches of the Schelde river (Escaut in French) and the port of Antwerp. WINTERBEEK Three units were cited in 1947 for extending the defensive Gete river line northwards and withstanding enemy pressure on their Winterbeek rivulet positions. The 2nd Guides Regiment, the 1st Regiment of Cyclist Carabineers and the IInd Group of the 19th Artillery Regiment thus allowed the redeployment of units in their sector to the KW-Line (i.e. Koningshooikt-Waver line, an anti-tank line protecting Brussels). CANAL DE WESSEM In 1945 the Brigade « Libération » was cited for having maintained the liaison between the British and American armies by holding an extended and very exposed front with its meagre forces and using offensive and defensive actions to misguide the enemy as to its strength. The brigade successfully made the first attack in the offensive that lead the British 2nd Army from the Wessem Canal to the Meuse. Regards, Hendrik Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan Posted January 6, 2023 Author Share Posted January 6, 2023 11 hours ago, Hendrik said: Hello Duncan, The bars for the Belgian WW2 Commemorative Medal reflect unit citations and thus presence in the unit(s) cited during the specific battles would be the criterium. ESCAUT The Belgian Section of the Royal Navy received a citation in 1945 for its glorious participation in the liberation of the island of Walcheren (Netherlands) which was to lead to the opening of the branches of the Schelde river (Escaut in French) and the port of Antwerp. WINTERBEEK Three units were cited in 1947 for extending the defensive Gete river line northwards and withstanding enemy pressure on their Winterbeek rivulet positions. The 2nd Guides Regiment, the 1st Regiment of Cyclist Carabineers and the IInd Group of the 19th Artillery Regiment thus allowed the redeployment of units in their sector to the KW-Line (i.e. Koningshooikt-Waver line, an anti-tank line protecting Brussels). CANAL DE WESSEM In 1945 the Brigade « Libération » was cited for having maintained the liaison between the British and American armies by holding an extended and very exposed front with its meagre forces and using offensive and defensive actions to misguide the enemy as to its strength. The brigade successfully made the first attack in the offensive that lead the British 2nd Army from the Wessem Canal to the Meuse. Regards, Hendrik Hello Hendrik, thank you very much for the information, it's very much appreciated. Kind regards, Duncan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graf Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 13 hours ago, Hendrik said: Hello Duncan, The bars for the Belgian WW2 Commemorative Medal reflect unit citations and thus presence in the unit(s) cited during the specific battles would be the criterium. ESCAUT The Belgian Section of the Royal Navy received a citation in 1945 for its glorious participation in the liberation of the island of Walcheren (Netherlands) which was to lead to the opening of the branches of the Schelde river (Escaut in French) and the port of Antwerp. WINTERBEEK Three units were cited in 1947 for extending the defensive Gete river line northwards and withstanding enemy pressure on their Winterbeek rivulet positions. The 2nd Guides Regiment, the 1st Regiment of Cyclist Carabineers and the IInd Group of the 19th Artillery Regiment thus allowed the redeployment of units in their sector to the KW-Line (i.e. Koningshooikt-Waver line, an anti-tank line protecting Brussels). CANAL DE WESSEM In 1945 the Brigade « Libération » was cited for having maintained the liaison between the British and American armies by holding an extended and very exposed front with its meagre forces and using offensive and defensive actions to misguide the enemy as to its strength. The brigade successfully made the first attack in the offensive that lead the British 2nd Army from the Wessem Canal to the Meuse. Regards, Hendrik Nice information Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ostprussenmann_new Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 Sometimes you see this medal on US uniforms after the war or during immediate occupation time; any thoughts on that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hendrik Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 Hi, Has anyone ever seen an award document for this medal to an American ? Theoretically non-Belgians could be awarded the medal provided they served meritoriously and with good conduct in the Belgian armed forces, armed resistance, clandestine press, intelligence services or on sea on the side of the allies between 10 May 1940 and 7 May 1945 (included). Their number must be quite limited. Regards, Hendrilk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan Posted January 9, 2023 Author Share Posted January 9, 2023 Could someone also please tell me the award criteria to for the bars La Gette and Flandre 1940 too please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hendrik Posted January 13, 2023 Share Posted January 13, 2023 Hello Duncan, LA GETTE For their defence along the small Gete river (Gette in French), a number of units, mostly belonging to the 2nd Cavalry Division and the Mounted Cavalry Brigade as well as some attached artillery units, transmission troops, etc. were cited (1946) for this rearguard mission in which they withstood several violent enemy attacks on 13 and 14 May 1940 until ordered to withdraw. FLANDRES 1940 Awarded (1946 citation) to the 1st, 5th and 6th groups of the 1st Aeronautic Regiment for heroism and dedication by its air crews while performing reconnaissance flights without fighter protection and opposed by enemy aviation and anti-aircraft fire. Regards, Hendrik Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan Posted January 17, 2023 Author Share Posted January 17, 2023 On 13/01/2023 at 08:16, Hendrik said: Hello Duncan, LA GETTE For their defence along the small Gete river (Gette in French), a number of units, mostly belonging to the 2nd Cavalry Division and the Mounted Cavalry Brigade as well as some attached artillery units, transmission troops, etc. were cited (1946) for this rearguard mission in which they withstood several violent enemy attacks on 13 and 14 May 1940 until ordered to withdraw. FLANDRES 1940 Awarded (1946 citation) to the 1st, 5th and 6th groups of the 1st Aeronautic Regiment for heroism and dedication by its air crews while performing reconnaissance flights without fighter protection and opposed by enemy aviation and anti-aircraft fire. Regards, Hendrik Hello Hendrik, thank you again for your kind help. Kind regards, Duncan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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