Which US troops were stationed in Antwerp, Belgium? And where exactly were they located?

Hi!

I'm from Antwerp, Belgium myself and being greatly interested in WW2 I started researching some stories that took place in my hometown. I already know Camp Tophat was founded somewhere in May '45 but I'm especially looking for camps, bases and billets for US soldiers somewhere around fall/winter '44. Did many US soldiers sleep at the locals' homes? Or were they located in certain hotels? If so, does anybody know which ones?
I know some of them were placed in bases in and around Antwerp, but I would really like some details on the exact location, if someone has them.
Of course I'm also very interested in exactly WHICH regiments, batallions... were stationed in Antwerp. I already ran into some names while looking on the internet but Google isn't really doing much for me... please help! Unfortunately my grandparents can't help me much on this one.

Thank you very much for your help,

Sincerely,
Kelly

 

Kelly,

I'm also researching Antwerp Belgium. My great uncle Sgt Ralph J. Massart was stationed there from Dec 1944 - June 1945 as an MP with Company D of the 793rd MP Battalion. According to info found online his company was performing "port security" operations. I don't have any other info about him in regards to camps or other activities in the area. He didn't talk about the war much however some relatives do recall when he did talk about the war most of his stories were from Antwerp. I do have what looks like a business card with the name:

Cafe' RHAPSODIE
Bantuelle Emile
Schuttershofstraat, 22 Antwerpen

and a hotel Receipt and Key Stub:

A.E.F. Club N
Thats all it says and I'm note sure if that's somewhere in Antwerp also or when he was stationed in Marseille, France.

He also has a bunch of picture cards he must've bought to write back home but never used them. They look like small postcards with places of significance in Antwerp.

If you would like pictues of these things reply to me with your email and I'll take pictures and send them to you. Ralph died when i was pretty young, too young to appreciate what he and many others like him did. Now that I'm older I wish I could sit down with him and talk about where he'd been and what he did!!!

Hope any of this helps. If you ever come across info on his unit please forward it too me.

Thanks
jamie
JTlachac@aol.com

 

Thanks a bunch, fireres908!
I've already e-mailed you

 

Camp Tophat was near Antwerp, but maybe that is later than you are interested in.
http://www.ww2f.com/living-history/21375-camp-tophat-near-antwerp.html

 

Antwerp was primarily in the British sector so the only US troops that would have been there would be COMZ (commuications zone) ones associated with the port services for the most part. These troops would have operated the port in part and provided things like truck drivers and MPs for security and control. The USN would have had SeeBee (construction engineers) along with salvage crews working the port as well. There may have been some US Army engineers there too specializing in port construction and operation also.

 

@ SPGunner: Yes, I know about Top Hat, thanks for the link!

@ T.A. Gardner: Indeed you are right. I already figured that most of the US troops around there would be involved in logistics and such. Would you have any information about which regiments worked at the harbour perhaps? And where they would probably be staying? Thanks.

 

Much of my research has focused on the US troops in Antwerp. My grandfather's unit, the 519th Port Bn., served in Antwerp November 1944 to the end of the war. They were under the 13th Major Port Group in the American sector of the city. They lived in Tampico Flats, which I assume was an apartment building. I have a ton of photos of the place if you are interested. Some are already on my blog.

The Port Companies in Antwerp moved supplies off ships and guarded the supplies as they were sent to the front. I found a brilliant 1945 TIME article about the conditions in Anwerp during the V-bombing:
519th Port Bn in WWII: Antwerp, City of Sudden Death

 

Thank you very much, 519th Andrew!
I have never heard of Tampico Flats before but I will surely visit your blog to find out which building that is and where exactly it is (or was) located. That link you gave me was very interesting too!

If you like, you can always e-mail further info to the_one_kelly at hotmail.com

Greatly appreciated!

:waving:

 

Did you get my email? I attached an image, so maybe it went into your spam folder. I'll post some Tampico Flats Antwerp photos soon.

 

I replied to your e-mail!

 

For anyone else following this post: I recently discovered that the US Army's 487th Port Battalion, 517th Port Bn., 105th Port Marine Maintenance Company, and 517 Medical Detachment also served in Antwerp along with my grandpa's 519th Port Bn. Alot of these guys lived in Tampico Flats and the Luchtbal Barracks in the North part of the port.

 

My dad was stationed in Antwerp from some time in 1944 until late 1945. He was a driver in the motor pool in the 517th Port Battalion.

Here are a few of his pictures (I haven't scanned most of them yet):

"This is a common sight in Antwerp. They use dogs like we use horses."



Dad and his buddies


A streetcar pulling a truck


Dad and his "Tin Lizzie", I guess in front of Tampico Flats


Tampico Flats, with a parade in front

 

Wonderful post, Troysterr, thanks a lot! That picture was indeed taken at Tampico Flats never heard anything about the dogs, though. Probably because the Germans killed or took all our horses when they left.

 

Yes, that's definitely Tampico Flats. My grandpa stayed there too. The building is easily recognized by the distinctive tile-work on the ground level. I have a bunch of photos of that apartment building. I really need to post those on my blog. Qoa was good enough to point out that the building was in the Luchtbal area of Antwerp. Tampico Flats was only a mile or so from the Luchtbal Barracks, another place Port Companies stayed.

 

My Grandfather was stationed there during the war. Thats where he met my Grandmother.They were married at ST.Pauls right after the war an still are happily married. I can ask them an get the information you need. I have been to Antwerp, I must say it is the most beautiful city I have ever been to. ALot of history in the city.

 

FLHowcroft,

I'm glad you like our city and if you could get some more information, that would be wonderful! Thanks!

xxx

 

I"m trying to find out more about my Father. Arthur A Brand he was a Lieutenant in the 3521 ordnance Co. that held Antwerp from 44-45. The US lost all records in a fire and I want to pass his history on to my children and grandchildren. The family story goes that he has a plaque at city hall----just wondering if it is just a story.

 

Kelly
I hope you can help me. My Father was Lt. Arthur A Brand. And I'm trying to get more history for my children on him. He never spoke of the war except for the funny stuff. I have found out he was with the 3521st ordnance co. that I believe held Antwerp from Oct 44 til March 45. And that the city honored him in some way. There are no records here as there was a fire that destroyed them all. The reason this is real important to me is I am Arthur Jr. and my son is Arthur III

 

My Father-in Law was in Battery C 407th AAA Gun BN (SM) they were the "Buzz Bomb Kings" destroying 200 V1 rockets attacking the port of Antwerp. I will have to ask him were exactly they were located. I do believe he told me that there were very close to Antwerp. View attachment 17294