Liberation of Belgium

The liberation of Belgium from Nazi occupation was completed on 4 February 1945 when the entire country was reportedly free of German troops. The operation began when Allied forces entered on 2 September 1944. The liberation came after four years of Nazi rule. The Belgian government was returned to power on 8 September 1944, after Allied forces captured Brussels four days earlier.

The invasion began with the 2nd Canadian Division entering Belgium on the 2 September. The Welsh Guards landed and join the fight on the 4 September with minimal resistance. The British Second Army captured Antwerp, the coastal city that lies on the border with the Netherlands, on 4 September as well. In the following days and weeks, the Battle of the Scheldt claimed many lives, as the port of Antwerp could not be operated effectively without control of the Scheldt estuary. Antwerp was the first port to be captured by the Allies in near perfect condition, making it very valuable, especially with its deep water facilities. On 6 September, the 4th Canadian Armoured Division crossed the border with Belgium and took areas around Ypres and Passchendaele.

Between the 9 and 11 September, the 1st Polish Armoured Division attempted to capture control of the Ghent canal, resulting in heavy losses for the Poles, after running into fierce resistance over difficult terrain. Further up the river, 3.1 miles (5.0 kilometres) south of Bruges, the 4th Canadian Armoured Division launched an offensive on 8 September and broke through two days later, after coming under heavy mortar fire. A narrow river crossing was opened and extended slowly due to heavy enemy resistance.

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