On 6 June , the outcome of the war in Western Europe changed radically because of the Normandy landings. Following D-Day, the armies faced a gruelling advance through occupied France.
They only reached the Belgian border on 2 September. British, American and Canadian forces liberated Belgium at a surprisingly brisk pace. After just ten days, they had driven the Germans out of most of the country. Although the Allies initially regarded Belgium as a transit country, they were soon forced to reconsider.
Ultimately, Belgium served as a base for military operations against the Germans. As a result, there was still an Allied presence in the region months after the liberation. Antwerp and its port played a key role as a logistics and economic hub. This marked a new phase in the war for the city and its population.
On 4 September , the people of Antwerp spotted their liberators for the first time. A frenzied crowd welcomed the troops of the British Third Royal Tank Regiment, who were the first to enter the city.
People hugged and kissed the British soldiers, sharing whatever food and drink they had left with them. People pulled out all the stops in a show of gratitude. Since , the Belgians had felt nothing but admiration for Great Britain, which had bravely resisted Nazi Germany.
