The Second World War (1940-1945)

On September 1, 1939, during the general mobilization, the 2nd Grenadiers Regiment was reconstituted and based in the Prince Albert barracks. The 2nd Grenadiers had more or less the same structure as the 1st Grenadiers (no band, another model of mortar, older rifles). The regiment was commanded by Colonel Herbiet and all ranks had previously served in the 1st Grenadiers. 80% of the officers were reserve officers but the Grenadiers were from older classes (1935; 34; 33 and even 32). I Bn, II Bn, III Bn and V Bn were Dutch-speaking while IV Bn was French-speaking. The regiment, together with the 2nd Regiment Carabiniers and the 18th Regiment of Line, was part of the 7th division under the command of the General Michiels.
On April 26 1940, the 2nd Grenadier Regiment received orders to leave its position at Halle - Ninove and take up a new position around the fort of Eben-Emael, with the mission of defending the locks at Lanaye (southern fort) and the bridge at Kanne (north of the fort).
At about 04:00 hours on May 10, 1940, the German invasion started and the 2nd Grenadiers were amongst the first Belgian units to engage the enemy. German elite airborne troops, landed by glider, had the role of conquering the fort of Eben-Emael and seizing the bridge at Kanne. They German airborne troops were posed with their gliders in the sector of 2nd Grenadiers. Fortunately for 2nd Grenadiers the Kanne bridge was destroyed in time. Subjected to an intensive air raid and the repeated attacks of the 151 Regiment of Infantry and 15th Battalion of Pioneers, the 2nd Grenadiers put up strong resistance. Unfortunately German tanks had crossed the Albert channel at the bridges of Vroenhoven and Veldwezelt, which had fallen intact into enemy hands, circled round to the northern side of 2nd Grenadiers and attacked. On the evening of May 11th the 2nd Grenadiers, totally surrounded and out of ammunition, surrendered. Before he was taken prisoner the following day, Colonel Herbiet hid the regimental colours in a cave. He recovered it after his return from captivity and, as a safety measure, entrusted the colours to the Royal Army Museum where they were hidden for the duration of the occupation.

10 officers and 207 Grenadiers sacrifice their lives at Kanne. The remains of the regiment moved towards the fortified position of Liege and from there to the gathering point for the remainder of the 7th division at Heysel stadium (now known as the King Baudouin stadium) in Brussels, arriving on May 13. From there it was necessary to move towards Asse, Aalst and Lede which was reached on May 16. At this time, the regiment had approximately 600 men (it had begun the war with 3,695 Grenadiers). They then moved by road towards Poperinge where, on May 19, the order was given to leave for France. After wandering through France, the remainders of 2nd Grenadiers were in Sauboires and Cravencères, north and south of Manciet, between Auch and Mount-of-Marsan on June 24 1940.

On June 25, the armistice was signed between France and Germany. After painful negotiations, the Grenadiers were permitted to return to Belgium. On August 26 they arrived, by train, in Brussels. They were not interned and could join their families. On June 4 1940, Captain Kaekenbeek made the first contacts necessary create a secret resistance army from the disbanded Grenadier regiment. This group, in collaboration with other movements, carried out many missions for the Allies.

100 Grenadiers were killed in action or died in concentration camps for their resistance to the enemy.

The defeat of the Grenadiers at Kanne was complete but honourable. By the Royal Decree of March 17, 1952, the quotation CHANNEL ALBERT - KANNE was added to the regimental flag.