THE 4TH FUSELIER BATTALION

1944 - 1945

 

 

SHORT HISTORY

 

The 4th Fuselier Battalion was raised at Tervuren, Belgium, on October 11 1944.

On December 8 1944 the battalion came under the operational command
of the 9th US Army of the 12th US Army Group.

Elements of the 4th Fuselier Battalion entering Germany onJanuary 5 1945
Guarding German POW's at Geilenkirchen, Janaury 1945.

After 1 month of guard duties on the Lines of Communications in Belgium,
the battalion entered Nazi Germany on January 5 1945,
 following the 9th US Army on its advance into Nazi Germany.

Erkelenz, Brüggen, Kaldenkirchen are some of the places occupied by the Battalion.

The battalion crossed the Rhine on March 25 1945 in the vicinity of Driessen.

Crossing of the Rhine Crossing of the Weser.

Poster informing the citizens of Leuven of the burial
of fuselier VERLOOY, 4th Fuselier Battalion.
Fuselier VERLOOY was the first Belgian soldier killed
on the east bank of the Rhine.

Fuselier Alfons VERLOOY.
KIA March 16 1945.

Once the Rhie was crossed Gütersloh, Hameln, Bielefeld, Bodenwerder, Töndern were occupied.

The Weser was crossed on March 30 1945.

Hameln, April 1945.

  

After guard duties in P.O.W. Camps in Germany, the battalion returned to Namur, Belgium, on June 13 1945.

The battalion is adminstratively attached to the 19th Fuselier Brigade "PASSCHENDAELE" on August 2 1945.

On September 2 1945 the battalion moves to Tielt.

Main tasks : guarding vital installations in the Province of Western Flanders
and guarding German POW's at the 2226 POW Camp at Zedelgem.

Namur, June 18 1945.

Guarding of German POW's at the POW Camp 2226, Zedelgem.

Lonzée, august 8 1945.
The battalion welcomes his new Commanding Officer,
Major NICAISE.

Tielt, October 10 1945.
Parade for the 1st anniversary of the battalion.

The 4rd Fuselier battalion was disbanded on December 31 1945.

 

Commanding Officers :
Lieutenant-Colonel DE POSH until August 6 1945
Major NICAISE from August 6 1945 until October 8 1945
Major VAN ESPEN from October 8 1945 until disbandment.

 

Lieutenant-Colonel DE POSH
First Commanding Officer 4th Fuselier Battalion.

Major VAN ESPEN
Last Commanding Officer 4th Fuselier battalion.

 

 

FORMATION BADGES AND INSIGNIA

 

 

As the 4th Fuselier Battalion was assigned to the 9th US Army,
the battalion was allowed to wear the formation badge of the 9th US Army.

A white capital "A" in a white shamrock, the whole on a scarlet polygonal nine-sided patch.

 
Formation Badge of the 9th US Army.   Belgian made badge.
 
Belgian made badge.   Belgian made badge.

Adjudant CHAILLY, CSM of the 3th Company.
Watch the 9th Us Army badge of Belgian origin.

Adjudant TILLOY, RSM of the battalion.
The Formation Badge of the 9th US Army is clearly seen.

From october 10 1945 until disbandment the 4th Fuselier Battalion had to wear
the Formation Badge of the 19th Fuselier Brigade on the left armsleeve
and the Formation Badge of the 9th US Army on the right armsleeve.

Formation Badge of the 19th Fuselier Brigade PASSCHENDAELE".

First Sergeants of the 4th Fuselier Battalion
wearing the Formation Badge of the 19th Fuselier Brigade.

Some other badges were made and worn by the battalion.

 
Badge of the 1st Platoon of the Staff Company.
A worm on a green leaf, on a orange background
with a grey circle
.It was worn on the left breast pocket.		   Breast pocket badgeof the 3rd Company.
A figure "3" flanked by two heraldic lions, with the Royal Monogram above and the term "CA-VA" beneath.
The whole in a oval with the Royal Crown above it all.
Breast pocket badge of the 4th Company.
A Donald Duck in British Battle Dress,
sitting on a dice, the whole in a black oval.
July 16 1945, Gembloux, Belgium, members of the Staff Company.
The two on the left are wearing the breast pocket badge of the 1st Platoon.
The two on the right are wearing the badge of the 9th US Army
on the right arm sleeve.
October 10 1945, Tielt, Belgium, the 4th Company parading.
They all wear the "Donald Duck" breast pocket badge.
Lapel Badge worn on civilian clothing.