17th Infantry Division (Belgium)

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17th Infantry Division
Active	1940
Disbanded	28 May 1940[citation needed]
Country	Belgium
Branch	Belgian Army
Type	Infantry Division
Role	Infantry
Size	Division
Part of
Garrison/HQ	Ekeren
Engagements	Battle of Belgium (World War II)

The 17th Infantry Division (Dutch: 17de Infanterie Divisie) was an Infantry Division of the Belgian Army that fought against the German Armed forces in the Battle of Belgium.

World War II[]

Source:^[1]

As part of the second reserve, the 17th Infantry Division, like its counterparts, were armed with antiquated weaponry from World War I and were from the older reserve classes. Deployed in the fortified positions of Antwerp along with the 13th Infantry Division, the 17th Infantry Division was part of the defense of the Scheldt Canal.

At the event of the German attack, the 17th Infantry Division fortified Antwerp. The surrounding countryside was turned into a firing field as the crops were mown down, and the grass were scattered. But north of Antwerp, the Germans advanced steadily, taking a heavy toll on their French counterparts. Retreating from the frontier, the scattered French managed to arrive at Antwerp, then continued a headlong retreat,

But now with the front weakening, the Germans advanced in a rapid pace, now with its intentions clear. They are hoping to threaten the flanks of Antwerp, and coordinate an encirclement. The 17th Infantry Division took minor casualties, as their sector of Antwerp was relatively quiet.

After the capitulation of the Netherlands, the entire northern front came under attack. The Germans manage to gain a few provinces north of Antwerp. The K-W line south was overrun, and threatened the flanks. Antwerp had to be abandoned. The 17th Infantry Division was sent to the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal to be part of its defense. They were deployed in the centre.

After the allied forces in Flanders and Northern France have been encircled, the situation in Belgium was going from bad to worse. The line had been breached as the 17th Infantry Division was ordered to retreat back to a new defense of the Leie Diversion Canal.

The 17th Infantry Division regroups, joining with the 6th Infantry Division, and occupy the area near Strobugge. The canal defense of Leie was reorganized, with the 17th Infantry Division receiving the II and III battalions of the 39th Line Regiment.

A German attack on the 17th Infantry Division breaks through, and the division falls back to Male. The command orders that Infantry Divisions make no further contact with the enemy if possible, with the enemy slowed down by motorized units and artillery.

The situation has gotten into a really desperate stage by this point, and soon, surrender was declared official.

Structure 1940[]

Structure of the division at the eve of the Battle of Belgium.

•Headquarters, at Ekeren^[2]

•Commanding General, 17th Infantry Division -Major- General Raoul Daufresne de la Chevalerie

°

°

°

°25th Artillery Regiment

°

°17th Company of Transmission Troops

°Cyclists Group 17ID(to the 17th Infantry Division)

See also[]

• Battle of Belgium
• Army Group B
• 13th Infantry Division
• 2nd Cavalry Division
• K-W line

References[]