For seven days during
World War II, from 6 to 12 September 1944, the town of Hechtel became the front line between German and British troops in what is known as the battle of Hechtel. German troops consisted of the 2nd
Hermann Göring Tank Regiment. The 1st battalion was in Hechtel, with the 2nd placed 2km to the east in
Wijchmaal. British forces were from the 1st and 2nd Battalion
Welsh Guards,
Irish Guards,
Scots Guards 'X'-Company,
Grenadier Guards and other supporting units. During the battle, 62 British and 127 German soldiers were killed with another 250 captured. Thirty-five civilians also lost their lives with most being executed by German troops. The town centre was heavily damaged. The battle ended on 12 September when the Irish Guards flanked the Germans, took a strategic bridge isolating the German forces. and was previously at the
Imperial War Museum London. The battle is commemorated every year on the 2nd Sunday of September. Hechtel was the site of the death of the famous Anglican priest
Hugh Lister, who served as a combatant officer in the
Welsh Guards. ==References==