2nd Infantry Division (Belgium)

The 2nd Infantry Division (Dutch: 2e Infanteriedivisie) was an Infantry Division of the Belgian Army that fought in the First World War (1914-18) and in the Battle of Belgium (1940) during the Second World War.

History

First World War

At the start of World War I, the 2nd Infantry Division was known as ‘2nd Division,’ since they were one of only seven active divisions of the Belgian Army in 1914. Commanded by Lieutenant-General Émile Dossin, the 2nd Division had its headquarters in Antwerp, and were initially composed of the 5th, 6th, and 7th Mixed Brigades, all of which are formed from Regiments of-the-line. Cavalry support came from the 4th Chasseurs Regiment, and artillery from the 2nd Artillery Regiment..

In January 1915, Émile Dossin was replaced by Lieutenant-General Honoré Drubbel, who stayed in command until 04 October 1919.

Second World War

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At the start of the war on May 10, 1940, the 2nd division was assigned the southernmost portion of the Fortified Position of Liège. Along with the 3rd and 7th divisions it occupied the linchpin of the Belgian 'covering position', whose aim was to hold the Albert Canal and Meuse lines giving the French and British armies time to deploy along the K-W Line. The 2nd took up well-prepared positions between the modernised fortresses of Boncelles, Embourg and Chaudfontaine, disposing of several bunkers positioned in two lines.

However, when war broke out it became soon clear that the 7th division to its far north suffered a major defeat and that the two divisions of the III corps were in imminent danger of encirclement. By the end of 10 May, its units were summoned to immediately withdraw to the K-W Line.