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  #1  
Old 29-02-20, 06:41 PM
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Default Belgian Officers Collar Tab, Can you help?

Could any of our members tell me anything regarding the collar tabs worn in this photo? What I know, he is a Lt. in the Belgian Army. However I am unaware of what the M represents. The photograph was taken in Aachen Germany in 1919.

This officers last name is Balestrie. He was a Mounted Cavalry officer early in WW1 and would serve in the Belgian Army into WW2. Reaching the rank of Major General in the post WW2 era. Thanks for any additional help on the tab and if anyone knows more regarding this officer that would also be helpful.

Best
Jack

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Old 01-03-20, 04:40 AM
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Autos Canons Mitrailleurs 1917-19??

The Autos-Canons-Mitrailleuses Corps (ACM) was a unit of the Belgian army during the First World War Consisted of armored vehicles equipped with canon and machine guns.
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Old 01-03-20, 08:10 AM
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Hello Jack

I have found something about Major Marcel Balestrie
He was in Cavalry, Lancers

I hope, it's the same soldier.... ?

2e LANCIERS (2 L) ET LE SOUS-SECTEUR NORD (SSN)

Après avoir roulé toute la nuit, le 2 L arrive à 06 h 00 à Lichtervelde.

A 09 h 30, le colonel Charles d’Orjo de Marchovelette reçoit du commandant de la 2 DC la mission d’organiser et de commander le sous-secteur nord (SSN) de la position Dadizele – Gheluwe.

Il dispose du Ier groupe du 2 L (I/2 L) du major Marcel Balestrie, du Ier groupe du 2 ChCh du major Jean de Brabandère et d’un bataillon du 2 Cy.

L’appui de feu est fourni par le I/18 A dont, par décision de la 2 DC, une pièce par batterie doit être poussée en première ligne en mission antichars. Il est bien établi que, depuis plus d’une semaine, il n’y avait plus de chars devant l’armée belge mais certaines divisions d’infanterie allemandes disposent de lourdes autos blindées de reconnaissance.

Dans ses ordres, le commandant du 2 L, dont le PC est installé 300 mètres au nord du clocher de Dadizele, attribue le quartier nord de son sous-secteur au I/2 L, le quartier sud au I/2 ChCh.

http://users.skynet.be/les.cuirassie...pagne_1940.htm

cordially
Didier
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Old 01-03-20, 09:35 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by irish View Post
However I am unaware of what the M represents.
Photo of M badge from Military Badge Collection :

Auto Canon Mitrailleuse

Unit created at the end of 1914 and disbanded 24 June 1918.

https://www.be14-18.be/en/defence/au...erating-russia
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Last edited by mike_vee; 01-03-20 at 09:40 AM.
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Old 01-03-20, 10:25 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Just View Post
Hello Jack

I have found something about Major Marcel Balestrie
He was in Cavalry, Lancers

I hope, it's the same soldier.... ?

cordially
Didier
Have translated some of your post , hope you don't mind.

"After driving all night, the 2 L arrives at 6:00 a.m. in Lichtervelde.

At 9:30 a.m., Colonel Charles d'Orjo de Marchovelette received the mission from the commander of 2 DC to organize and command the northern sub-sector (SSN) of the Dadizele - Gheluwe position.

It has the 1st group of 2 L (I / 2 L) of Major Marcel Balestrie, the 1st group of 2 ChCh of Major Jean de Brabandère and a battalion of 2 Cy.

The fire support is provided by I / 18 A, of which, by decision of 2 DC, one piece per battery must be pushed to the front line on anti-tank missions. It is well established that, for more than a week, there were no more tanks in front of the Belgian army but certain German infantry divisions have heavy armored reconnaissance cars.


From 6.30 p.m., the Balestrie group was subjected to intense fire, followed by close attacks."
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Old 01-03-20, 11:02 AM
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Mike

Thanks a lot !!
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Old 01-03-20, 01:33 PM
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Thank you very much...Milmed, Didier and Mike. I do believe it is the same officer mentioned.
Jack
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Last edited by irish; 01-03-20 at 01:56 PM.
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Old 01-03-20, 01:40 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by irish View Post
I do believe it is the same officer mentioned.
Jack
Looks like he even visited the U.S.A !

"At the end of May 1918, the corps took part in the Memorial Day parade in New York."
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Old 02-03-20, 05:29 PM
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Cannot confirm if his first name was Marcel. I am seeing Jean and Jacques? However he was a Lt Colonel in 1945 so being a Major in 1940 sounds about right. Here are several additional photos from the group. First photo is in 1913 or 1914. Appears to be Lancers and Guides. Officer Balestrie is in the front row middle of the photo wearing a Czapka and a 3 row button blouse. 2nd Photo shows Officer Balestrie in 1939, center of photo with hands behind back at a memorial ceremony for Antoine Fonck the first Belgian to fall in 1914, who by the way was a 2nd Lancer. Lastly post war late 1940's as a two star general.
Thanks


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