The Battle of Geel

Antwerp had been liberated, but the Germans had dug in behind the Albert Canal. The commanders of the British 50th Northumbrian Infantry Division decide to cross the canal at Geel. The British stationed one brigade in Geel-Punt and another in Geel-Stelen.

After the smooth advance through France and the rapid liberation of Antwerp, the Allies expected the crossing to be easy, but they were wrong. The Germans had reorganised and were waiting for the British. The large number of casualties, the massive destruction and the intensity of the fighting made the ‘Battle of Geel’ one of the fiercest battles on Belgian territory during the liberation.

On the night of 7-8 September, the British launched their offensive from a point a kilometre to the east of Geel-Punt. The first attempt to cross the Albert Canal at Stelen commenced at 6.30 in the evening. The Germans immediately opened fire from the other side. Despite coming under fire and suffering multiple losses, the British brigade was able to cross the canal in storm boats.

The Germans counter-attacked on the evening of 9 September. What followed was a hellish, chaotic night. There were skirmishes between small groups of German and British soldiers. The German infantry received support from armoured anti-tank vehicles. Nevertheless, the Germans could not make a breakthrough.

The two British brigades were eventually able to connect their bridgeheads on 10 September. Their line then ran from Poiel via Doornboom to Wilders. The next step was to retake the centre of Geel.