Treadway bridge across the "Albert Canal", at Hasselt, Stokrooije, Belgium on Sept 12, 1944 - 17th Armored Engineer Battalion in World War 2

Constructed by:

17th Armored Engineer Battalion, Company “C”, with help from 246th Engineer Battalion

Date:

12th of September 1944

Build in time:

Two hours time

Place:

Stokrooije, Albert Canal near Hasselt, Belgium

Length:

130 or 180 Foot

Original bridge before the war

Albertkanaal boogbrug Stokrooie — Albertkanaal arcbridge Stokrooie, built in 1937, Belgium, before the war.

A Blanckart photo of the bridge across the Albert Canal at Stokrooie, Belgium, before the war (Source: erfgoedplus.be)

Treadway bridge layed by the 17th Armored Engineer Battalion, attached the 246th Engineer Battalion

Treadway bridge built in South Holland near Maastricht, at Stokrooie, across the Albert Canal. (Source: Book: “A History of the United States Second Armored Division 1940-1946”)

Temporary bridge built at the end of 1944

The tempory steel bridge built after Stokrooije being libarated, in 1944 (Source: Kuringen Sint-Jansheide Schimpen Tuilt Stokrooie / Warm aanbevolen (2004), p. 20)

Information sources:

After Action report 17th Armored Engineer Battalion Company D september 1st, 1944 to september 29th 1944

12 September, 1944 – Company removed 9 #1 teller mines from R. R. Crossing at 325645 (HASSELT).
Company less 3rd platoon held north end of bridge at STOCKREGE
*(Stokrooie, Belgium)
13 September, 1944 – Company moved to 306698. 1st Platoon swept area east of HASSELT road for mines.
14 September, 1944 – Company guarded bridge over ALBERT Canal at HASSELT.
15 September, 1944 – Company relieved from bridge guard and removed mines and road blocks on roads branching north and north east from ASCH.
*(As, Belgium)

Source: newpaper article 6/13/1945:

Article about Co E, 17th Armored Engineer Battalion from Paper Hell on Wheels June 13 1945 Photo.( Courtesy Dave Ketchpaw):

Article about Co E from Hell on Wheels June 13 1945 Photo. Courtesy Dave Ketchpaw

Exerpt from Article:

“….During 1944, a total of 2449 feet of treadway was laid in tactical operations. This includes the 705 foot bridge across the Seine near Meulan, France 29 August, with Co. “C”, 82nd Engrs, the 180 foot span over the Albert Canal near Hasselt, Belgium on 12 Sept, with Co. “C”, 17th Engrs, the 600 foot bridge over the Meuse at Maastricht, Holland 14 Sept. and 160 foot span over the Albert Canal at Canne, both built with the help of the 246th Engr Bn”

Source: Unit History: Phase II – Western France

…..Part of the 82^nd Rcn Bn. crossed the Albert Canal to the east and required a bridge in the division sector for operational needs. The Engr. Bn. Hq. And Col. ”C” had moved into a wooded area southeast of Hasselt 9 September. Co. ”C” was given the job of bridging the canal, Co. ”E” moved its equipment near the bridge site, and on 12 Sept. Capt. Novonty and all three platoons of Co. ”C” constructed a 130 foot Treadway over the canal northeast of Hasselt in two hours working time. The bridge was left in for two days…..

Bridge at Kanne, Belgium (source historyarmymil.com) — Bridge at Hasselt, Belgium (source historyarmymil.com)

Current location:

Research M. Brandjes 2019; edited October 2020, June 2021

Treadway bridge across the “Albert Canal”, at Hasselt, Stokrooije, Belgium on Sept 12, 1944