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Battle of Geel
Part of the Western Front of World War II
The British Army in North-west Europe 1944-45 BU868
Destroyed German Jagdpanther near Geel, 13 September 1944.
Date8 September 1944 – 23 September 1944
LocationGeel and surrounding area
Coordinates: 51°09′53″N 4°59′23″E / 51.164768°N 4.989791°E / 51.164768; 4.989791
Result Allied Victory
Belligerents
Flag of the United Kingdom United Kingdom Flag of German Reich (1935–1945) Nazi Germany
Units involved
50th (Northumbrian) Division
15th (Scottish) Division
Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry
II. Fallschirmjäger Regiment "Freiherr von der Heydte"
Panzerjäger Abteilung 559
Strength
Unknown (at least 2 divisions) Unknown (at least 3 regiments)
Casualties and losses
1700-2000 dead, wounded and captured 2000-2500 dead, wounded and captured
130 civilians killed

The Battle of Geel, also known as the Battle of the Gheel Bridgehead, was a major battle between British and German troops in Belgium during the Second World War. It occurred between 8–23 September 1944, in and around the Flemish city of Geel, and was one of the largest and bloodiest battles to occur during the liberation of Belgium.

Battle[]

The first phase of the fighting took place at the Albert Canal and in the centre of Geel itself from 8-12 from September. On the 12th, the Germans briefly recaptured the center of Geel. The German forces in the area - supported by elite Fallschirmjägers and Jagdpanther tank-destroyers - inflicted heavy losses on the British forces in the town. During the night of 13 September, the Germans pulled back behind the Maas-Scheldt Canal in the village of Ten Aard.

Bridgehead[]

On that same day, the 50th (Northumbrian) Division was replaced by the 15th (Scottish) Division. Their aim was to form a bridgehead in order to give the Royal Engineers the chance to create a pontoon bridge and to ferry heavy equipment. After 8 days of heavy fighting[1] took place until the final withdrawal on 23 September.

Aftermath[]

The exact casualties during the battle are unknown. At least 130 civilians were killed[citation needed], mostly due to allied and German artillery fire. The total number of deaths was probably between 1000-1100[citation needed], with the number of wounded significantly higher.

References[]

  1. "TRAGEDY AT THE GHEEL BRIDGEHEAD". Guns and Bugles: The Story of 6th Bn KSLI-181st Field Regiment RA. http://www.gunsandbugles.co.uk/tragedyatbridgehead.htm. Retrieved 1 May 2013. 
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