Exhausted 2 RUR withdraws through Brussels

After the German advance had closed up to Leuven (Louvain) on 14 May 1940, the 2nd Battalion The Royal Ulster Rifles were in continuous contact with the enemy for the next two days. Despite attempts to cross the canal, the Battalion kept the enemy from capturing the town.

At dawn on 15 May, under cover of an artillery barrage, the Germans penetrated the Battalion position; a counter attack restored the situation. Despite the Battalion's local success, defeats in other areas caused the Brigade to issue orders for a night withdrawal on foot for a distance of 20 miles on paved roads.

By 0600 hours on 17 May, the Battalion was moving through Brussels after what had been a very tiring night march; for the first time men had been sleeping on the march. Soon afterwards, vehicles met the column of footsore soldiers and carried them to their new positions at Leeuwergem.