8th Infantry Division (Belgium)

The 8th Infantry Division was a military formation of the Belgian Army that existed during the interwar period and World War II. It was mobilized as part of the Belgian field army in 1939 and participated in the Battle of Belgium in May 1940. The division was primarily composed of reservists and was tasked with defending a sector of the Albert Canal.

During the German invasion, the 8th Infantry Division faced heavy fighting and suffered significant casualties. It attempted to hold its assigned positions against the advancing German forces but was eventually forced to retreat. The division participated in the general withdrawal towards the West and was involved in defensive actions along the Lys River.

Following the Belgian surrender on May 28, 1940, the 8th Infantry Division, along with the rest of the Belgian Army, was disbanded. Its personnel were either taken prisoner of war or demobilized. No significant reorganization or reconstitution of the 8th Infantry Division occurred during the remainder of World War II. The division played a limited role in the overall Belgian military effort due to the rapid collapse of the country’s defenses.