This is a chronological overview of the dates at which the liberation by the Allies in World War II took place of a number of Belgian cities and towns.
Date | Location | Notes | Reference |
---|---|---|---|
2 September 1944 | La Glanerie | First settlement to be liberated. An American motorcyclist arrived in the village after unknowingly crossing the Belgian border, and later returned with his battalion to liberate the village. | [1] |
2 September 1944 | Mons | Battle of the Mons pocket | [2] |
2 September 1944 | Tournai | ||
3 September 1944 | Halle | [3] | |
3 September 1944 | Aalst | [4] | |
3 September 1944 | Geraardsbergen | [5] | |
3 September 1944 | Zottegem | [6] | |
3 September 1944 | Brussels | Belgium's largest city and de jure capital. The allied liberation of this city allowed the Belgian government in exile to return to the country on 8 September. | [7] [8] |
3 September 1944 | Ronse | [9] | |
3 September 1944 | Ath | ||
3 September 1944 | La Louvière | ||
3 September 1944 | Ronse | ||
3 September 1944 | Aalst | ||
3 September 1944 | Ninove | [10] | |
3 September 1944 | Liedekerke | [11] | |
3 September 1944 | Herne | [12] [13] | |
3 September 1944 | Gooik | [14] | |
3 September 1944 | Asse | [15] | |
3 September 1944 | Leest | [16] | |
3 September 1944 | Grimbergen | [17] | |
4 September 1944 | Waterloo | [18] | |
4 September 1944 | Buggenhout | [19] | |
4 September 1944 | Oosterzele | [20] | |
4 September 1944 | Wetteren | [21] | |
4 September 1944 | Ename | [22] | |
4 September 1944 | Antwerp | [23] | |
4 September 1944 | Edegem | [24] | |
4 September 1944 | Sint-Katelijne-Waver | [25] | |
4 September 1944 | Leuven | Battle of Leuven (1944) | [26] |
4 September 1944 | Mouscron | [27] | |
4 September 1944 | Mechelen | ||
4 September 1944 | Lier | ||
4 September 1944 | Kortrijk | ||
4 September 1944 | Breendonk | ||
4 September 1944 | Avelgem | [28] | |
4 September 1944 | Beervelde | [29] | |
4 September 1944 | Zeveneken | [29] | |
4 September 1944 | Lochristi | [29] | |
4 September 1944 | Kapelle-op-den-Bos | [30] | |
4 September 1944 | Ternat | [31] | |
4 September 1944 | Willebroek | [32] | |
4 September 1944 | Mariakerke | ||
4 September 1944 | Dendermonde | [33] | |
4 September 1944 | Nijlen | [34] | |
4 September 1944 | Boom | [25] | |
4 September 1944 | Bertem | ||
4 September 1944 | Affligem | [35] | |
5 September 1944 | Waregem | [36] | |
5 September 1944 | Oudenaarde | [37] | |
5 September 1944 | Haacht | [38] | |
5 September 1944 | Heist-op-den-Berg | [25] | |
5 September 1944 | Aarschot | [39] | |
5 September 1944 | Kortenaken | ||
5 September 1944 | Eppegem | [40] | |
5 September 1944 | Zemst | [40] | |
5 September 1944 | Tervuren | [41] | |
5 September 1944 | Walshoutem | ||
6 September 1944 | Eindhout | [25] | |
6 September 1944 | Bilzen | ||
6 September 1944 | Vorst | [25] | |
6 September 1944 | Veerle | [25] | |
6 September 1944 | Zaffelare | [29] | |
6 September 1944 | Ingelmunster | [42] | |
6 September 1944 | Ghent | [43] | |
6 September 1944 | Namur | [44] | |
6 September 1944 | Charleroi | [44] | |
6 September 1944 | Herselt | [45] | |
6 September 1944 | Meldert | [46] | |
6 September 1944 | Beauvechain | [46] | |
6 September 1944 | Diest | [47] | |
6 September 1944 | Beringen | [47] | |
6 September 1944 | Geetbets | [48] | |
6 September 1944 | Schulen | [49] | |
6 September 1944 | Berbroek | [49] | |
6 September 1944 | Alken | [50] | |
6-9 September 1944 | Deinze | [51] | |
7 September 1944 | Bovelingen | [52] | |
7 September 1944 | Donk | [49] | |
7 September 1944 | Herk-de-Stad | [49] | |
7 September 1944 | Schakkebroek | [49] | |
7 September 1944 | Gavere | [53] | |
7 September 1944 | Hasselt | [54] | |
7 September 1944 | Ypres | [55] | |
7 September 1944 | Wavre | [55] | |
7 September 1944 | Huy | [55] | |
7 September 1944 | Tienen | [56] | |
7 September 1944 | Glabbeek | [57] | |
7 September 1944 | Verviers | ||
7 September 1944 | Mopertingen | [58] | |
7 September 1944 | Kortessem | [59] | |
8 September 1944 | Liège | [60] | |
8 September 1944 | Ooigem | [61] | |
8 September 1944 | Roeselare | ||
8 September 1944 | Hooglede | ||
8 September 1944 | Tielt | ||
8 September 1944 | Ruiselede | ||
8 September 1944 | Aalter | ||
8 September 1944 | Jodoigne | ||
8 September 1944 | Wingene | [62] | |
8 September 1944 | Oostkamp | ||
8 September 1944 | Sint-Truiden | [63] | |
8 September 1944 | Tongeren | [64] | |
8 September 1944 | As | ||
8 September 1944 | Wihogne | [65] | |
8-9 September 1944 | Assenede | [66] | |
9 September 1944 | Lokeren | [67] | |
9 September 1944 | Viersel | [25] | |
9 September 1944 | Punt | On this day, the allies launched an offensive to breach the Albert Canal in this area, successfully capturing bridgeheads at Punt and north of Stelen . | [25] |
10 September 1944 | Arlon | [68] | |
10 September 1944 | Riemst | [69] | |
10 September 1944 | Poiel | On this day, the allies advanced to unite their bridgeheads at Punt and north of Stelen before proceeding north. In doing so, they liberated these four settlements. The Germans recaptured Geel on the following day. | [25] |
Doornboom | |||
Wilders | |||
Geel | |||
11 September 1944 | Houthalen-Helchteren | [70] | |
11 September 1944 | Leopoldsburg | ||
11 September 1944 | Lommel | [71] | |
11 September 1944 | Peer | [72] | |
11 September 1944 | Visé | [73] | |
11 September 1944 | Aubel | [74] | |
11 [73] or 12 [75] September 1944 | Voeren | With the capture of this municipality by the American 30th Infantry Division, the allies had reached the Belgium–Netherlands border and crossed into the Netherlands. Hence, neighbouring Mesch became the first Dutch village to be liberated on 12 September. | [73] [75] [76] |
12 September 1944 | Malmedy | First liberation of this city; was later recaptured by German forces during the Battle of the Bulge. See also: Malmedy massacre | [77] |
12 September 1944 | Bruges | [78] | |
12 September 1944 | Eisden | [79] | |
12 September 1944 | Adegem | [80] | |
12 September 1944 | Oedelem | [81] | |
12 September 1944 | Beernem | [81] | |
12 September 1944 | Knesselare | [81] | |
12 September 1944 | Sijsele | [81] | |
12 September 1944 | Hechtel-Eksel | [82] | |
12 September 1944 | Kelmis | [83] | |
13 September 1944 | Geel | Second liberation of this city; was recaptured by German forces two days prior. See Battle of Geel | [25] |
13 September 1944 | Zittaart | In the night of 12 to 13 September, German forces withdrew from their defensive positions along this section of the Albert Canal, allowing the allies to bloodlessly capture this settlement the next morning. | [25] |
13 September 1944 | Winterslag | [84] | |
13 September 1944 | Mol | [25] | |
13 September 1944 | Dudzele | [85] | |
13 September 1944 | Berlare | ||
14 September 1944 | Ten Aard | The allies breached the Bocholt–Herentals Canal in this area, but failed to break out of the bridgehead at this village and withdrew south in the night of 20–21 September. The Germans retreated from this village the following day, leaving the destroyed village a no-man's land. | [25] |
14 September 1944 | Stekene | [86] | |
14 September 1944 | Beveren | [87] | |
14 September 1944 | Hamme | [88] | |
14 September 1944 | Gruitrode | ||
14 September 1944 | Genk | [89] [73] | |
14 September 1944 | Lanaken | [73] | |
15 September 1944 | Eeklo | [90] | |
15 September 1944 | Sint-Niklaas | [90] | |
15 September 1944 | Balgerhoeke | [91] | |
15 September 1944 | Sleidinge | [92] | |
15 September 1944 | Herentals | [93] | |
16 September 1944 | Wachtebeke | [94] [ verification needed ] | |
16 September 1944 | Moerbeke | [95] | |
16 September 1944 | Kaprijke | [96] | |
16 September 1944 | Kasteel De Maat ( 51°14′14″N5°11′08″E / 51.23732°N 5.18548°E ) | On 23 September, the allies breached the canal near this place. | [25] |
17 September 1944 | Bocholt | [97] | |
17 September 1944 | Kaulille | [97] | |
19-21 September 1944 | Bree | [98] | |
20 September 1944 | Hamont-Achel | [99] | |
22 September 1944 | Schilde | ||
23 September 1944 | Malle | [100] | |
24 September 1944 | Dessel | [25] | |
24 September 1944 | Arendonk | [101] | |
24 September 1944 | Turnhout | [102] | |
24 September 1944 | Retie | [25] | |
24 September 1944 | Gierle | [25] | |
25 September 1944 | Kinrooi | [103] | |
25 September 1944 | Maaseik | [103] | |
29 September 1944 | Merksplas | [25] | |
29 September 1944 | Sint-Lenaarts | [25] | |
1 October 1944 | Brecht | [25] | |
2 October 1944 | Damme | ||
2-4 October 1944 | Schoten | The allies breached the Albert Canal in this area. | [25] |
3 October 1944 | Merksem | When the allies entered Antwerp on 4 September, the inhabitants of this district expected the allies to relieve the German occupation in a matter of hours and plundered the locality. However, allied advance halted at the Albert Canal, leaving the district under German occupation for the rest of September. Only after the canal was breached at Schoten on 2 October could this district be liberated. | [25] |
3 October 1944 | Brasschaat | [25] | |
3 October 1944 | Ravels | [25] | |
3 October 1944 | Poppel | [104] | |
4 October 1944 | Kapellen | [25] | |
4 October 1944 | Hoevenen | [25] | |
7 October 1944 | Putte | [25] | |
7-22 October 1944 | Kalmthout | Advance in this settlement was very gradual due to heavy German resistance. | [25] |
16 October 1944 | Watervliet | [105] | |
20 October 1944 | Wuustwezel | First liberation of this settlement; was recaptured by German forces the next day. | [25] |
22 October 1944 | Wuustwezel | Second liberation of this settlement. | [25] |
22 October 1944 | Nieuwmoer | [25] | |
22 October 1944 | Essen-Hoek | [25] | |
22 October 1944 | Essen | [106] | |
23 October 1944 | Hoogstraten | [25] | |
1 November 1944 | Westkapelle | ||
2 November 1944 | Heist-aan-Zee | ||
2 November 1944 | Ramskapelle | ||
3 November 1944 | Knokke | The capture of these two settlements concluded Operation Switchback. | [107] |
Zeebrugge | |||
8 January 1945 | Malmedy | Second liberation of this city; was earlier recaptured by German forces during the Battle of the Bulge. | |
23 January 1945 | St. Vith | Second liberation of this city; was earlier recaptured by German forces on 16–21 December 1944 during the Battle of the Bulge. | [108] |
4 February 1945 | Krewinkel | Last settlement to be liberated. | [109] |
Bob Peeters is a Belgian football executive and former player and manager. He currently serves as sporting director of Challenger Pro League club Beveren.
Big Brother is the Belgian version of the international reality television franchise Big Brother produced by Endemol. The show aired in Flemish Region of Belgium on Kanaal Twee and has had a total of nine seasons. There have been six regular seasons, two celebrity seasons and one all-stars season. The first season of the show aired in 2000.
ASWH, short for Altijd Sterker Worden Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht, is an association football club from Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht, Netherlands. The club was founded in 1929. It won section championships in 1949, 1959, 1961, 1970, 1883, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2005, and 2024. In 2005 ASWH also won the Dutch Championship of Amateur Soccer and the Dutch Championship of Saturday Soccer. Ascending gradually through the ranks, ASWH played 2019–2022 in the semi-professional Tweede Divisie. In 2023, it joined the Vierde Divisie, after relegating twice for the first time in the club's history. In 2023–2024, ASWH operates 70 teams in competitions.
Kommil Foo is a Flemish cabaret duo, existing of two brothers Raf and Mich Walschaerts.
ESNS is an annual four-day music showcase festival and conference held in January in Groningen, the Netherlands. The first three days of the festival (Eurosonic) feature artists from all over Europe, the last day of the festival (Noorderslag) features only Dutch artists. The conference is held during all four days of the event. Several awards are presented during Eurosonic Noorderslag: the Music Moves Europe Talent Awards, the European Festivals Awards, the Buma Cultuur Pop Award (Popprijs), the Pop Media Award, The Feather, the "Iron Venue and Festival Animals" and the Buma Music Meets Tech Award.
Sint-Barbaracollege in Ghent, Belgium, is a public Jesuit school, founded in 1833. It currently includes primary and secondary education.
The bombing of the Bezuidenhout took place on March 3, 1945, when the Royal Air Force mistakenly bombed the Bezuidenhout neighboorhood in the Dutch city of The Hague, resulting in the death of 532 people.
Lucas Van den Eynde is a Belgian actor. He has acted in theater films and television programs and also dubbed animated films in Belgian Dutch.
Swaffelen is a Dutch term meaning to hit one's soft or semi-hard penis - often repeatedly - against an object or another person's body. Swaffelen was named as the word of the year in the Netherlands and Belgium in 2008.
The Belgian Basketball Cup, for sponsorship reasons the Lotto Basketball Cup, is the top tier national basketball cup competition in Belgium. The tournament is played in a knock-out format, in which teams are drawn against each other. Oostende is the most successful club in the competition's history, as it won 19 titles. Antwerp Giants are the last team to have won the Cup, having won the 2023 edition.
The Belgian Prayer of the Year is an annual Basketball League Belgium Division I award given to the best player with a Belgian nationality. The award is organised by the Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad.
Lotte Kopecky is a Belgian road and track racing cyclist, who rides for UCI Women's WorldTeam Team SD Worx–Protime, and the 2023 UCI Elite Women's World Road Race Champion. She is a multiple world champion on the track, having won six gold medals across four UCI Track Cycling World Championships; she won the madison in 2017 and 2022, the points race in 2021 and 2023, and the elimination race in 2022 and 2023.
Gert Tony Hubert Verhulst is a Belgian presenter, entrepreneur, singer,director, actor, screenwriter, composer, film producer, and business magnate. As a prominent figure within the children's entertainment industry in the Benelux, he is regarded as a Flemish cultural icon, known for his influence and contributions to children's entertainment in the Benelux and founder of Studio 100.
The Dutch Athlete of the Year is an annual award given to the most distinguished competitor in the sport of athletics from the Netherlands by the Royal Dutch Athletics Federation (KNAU). A shortlist is drawn up by a group of federation officials and sports journalists and then goes to a vote to the public. The award is presented at the annual end-of-year gala of the federation.
The Masked Singer is a Belgian reality singing competition television series based on the Masked Singer franchise which originated from the South Korean version of the show King of Mask Singer. It premiered on VTM on 18 September 2020. The first two series were hosted by Niels Destadsbader. The winner of the first series was Sandra Kim. The winner of the second series was Camille Dhont. The third and fourth series are hosted by Jens Dendoncker.
Plopsaqua is a chain of waterparks in Belgium, owned and operated by Plopsa. It currently consists of two waterparks: Plopsaqua Hannut-Landen in Hannut, Liège in the French-speaking Wallonia which opened in 2021, and Plopsaqua De Panne, which is part of the Plopsaland De Panne complex in De Panne, West Flanders in the Dutch-speaking Flanders, which opened in 2015.
The Noord-Nederlandse Golf & Country Club is located on the historical De Poll estate in Groningen, Netherlands. The site is known for its beauty and is covered by the Dutch national 'Natural Beauty Act' (Natuurschoonwet).
Knokke Off is a Belgian fictional television series created by Anthony Van Biervliet which first aired in 2023. It tells the story of a group of young people and their parents who spent their summer in the Belgian coastal town of Knokke.
Big Brother 2024 is the fourth cooperation season of the Dutch and Belgian version of Big Brother. It is the tenth regular version of Big Brother in both Belgium and the Netherlands. In addition, it was an anniversary edition, as it was 25 years since the first version of Big Brother aired in 1999 in the Netherlands. The show is broadcast on RTL5 in the Netherlands and Play4 in Belgium beginning on 15 January 2024. Live streams are available 24/7 on Videoland for Dutch viewers and on GoPlay.be and Telenet for Belgian viewers.
Bevrijding van Luik, 8 September 1944
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link){{cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires |journal=
(help)