Battle at Lummen (Belgium) 12-13 may 1940

[Vestingjager]

Hi,

My grandfather fought with the Belgian Army (38th Line Infantry Regiment) on the Albert Canal near Lummen. On May 12-13, 1940, the 38th Line together with the 36th Line were attacked by the German Army's 14th and 19th Infantry Divisions. At least 36 Belgians died during this small battle.

I am searching for any information on the German units in action in and around Lummen on those two days. Any information is more than welcome: unit histories, personal stories, casualty lists,.....

I was wondering if any body could help me out, here.....

Thanks a lot!

Niko.

[Prosper Vandenbroucke]

Hello Niko,
I found out ( in Peter Taghon's book Mai 1940 page 71) that it was the I.R. (Infanterie Regiment) 53 who takes the town of Lummen in the afternoon of the 12th of may 1940.
This I.R. passed trough the lines of the 1st and 2nd batallions of the 36th Belgian Line Regiment
Kindly regards
Prosper
P.S. Sorry for my poor english.

[Vestingjager]

Ok, it has been a while, but I am still searching for any additional information on the German units involved.

I only found out today that my grandfather fought at the bridge of Viversel as part of the 3 Company, 1st battalion, 38th Regiment de Ligne.

I was wondering if any of you has a detailed after action report or unit history of the 53. Infanterie Regiment of the 14. Infanterie Division on the battles from may 10 to May 14 near the Albert Canal. If possible, any verlustliste would be a great asset also.

Otherwise, any incline where I might be able to obtain any of this, is also helpfull.

Thank you!
Niko.

[Prosper Vandenbroucke]

Hello Niko,

Am 12. Mai 1940 wurde der Albert-Kanal überschritten, welcher in der Nacht von den Belgiern geräumt worden war. Beim Übersetzen erhielt das Regiment daher nur noch MG-Feuer und erlebte seinen ersten Luftangriff im Westen. Der feindbesetzte Ort Lummen blockierte das weitere Vorgehen des Regiments und konnte erst gegen Abend unter Verlusten genommen werden. Am nächsten Tag wurde der Regimentsstab bis nach Tienwinkel vorgezogen. Das Regiment gliederte sich in seine Brückenkopf am Albertkanal zur Verteidigung, da die Einheiten rechts und links noch nicht über den Kanal gekommen waren. Doch schon am späten Abend stieß das Regiment weiter nach Westen vor

Have a look over here:
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... r/IR53.htm

You will also find an "Verlustliste" for the wohl western campaign (Belgium and France)

Kindly regards
Prosper
P.S. Sorry for my poor english

[Vestingjager]

Thank you Proser, but this is the information I already have. I need to dig deeper.....

[daveh]

shows some details...including the german 53rd I.R.
from http://www.ablhistoryforum.be/viewtopic ... lit=lummen

[Vestingjager]

I have the book.....

[tigre]

Hello Vestingjager ; just in case you did not stumble with..................

12 May 1940.

On May 12, Pentecost Sunday, the I. / IR 11 got in contact with the 1./ IR 53. Major Schultz, the leader of the advance guard (Vorausabteilung) 53, came across strong enemy resistance and asked the 1st Battalion, to rescue the trapped bicycle squadron in Lummen, because it lacked of heavy weapons. The 1st Company led by Hauptmann Habicht the attached IG Platoon of Leutnant Berger and s. MG-Platoon Bahmann come to help the IR 53. The enemy resistance was broken despite strong hostile artillery fire and the encircled parts taken out of the trap. At the cost of low German losses, 71 Belgian prisoners, including 3 Officers were captured.

The patrol leader Leutnant Jäckel was wounded during the dispersal and pursuit of a hostile IG Company. He, as like as Leutnant Overhoff and one Uffz. and two Gefreite of the 1st Company were decorated on that day with the EK II, because of their relentless actions in the undertakings on the Albert Canal. Due to bravery in the field R. Schmidt of the 1st Company was promoted to corporal.

More here (German): http://home.hccnet.nl/e.kooistra/fortzetzung8-9-10.html

Cheers. Raúl M .