The capture of the centre of Geel

On 10 September, the British occupied a large part of the town centre with the help of the Sherman tanks of the Sherwood Rangers Regiment. The Allied forces could then advance through the Pas and the Markt to halfway down Stationsstraat. There they encountered problems. They wanted to surround the Germans, but were themselves caught in a pincer movement. The German soldiers had support from Jagdpanthers, mobile tank destroyers, which eliminated the British tanks one by one. There was also heavy house-to-house fighting. The British were forced back to the Albert Canal. By 11 September, the Germans had regained control of the centre of the town.

On 12 September, the 15th Scottish Infantry Division relieved the 50th Northumbrian Division. The next day they entered the town centre. The Germans were nowhere to be found. They had made a tactical withdrawal to behind the Kempen Canal in Ten Aard. With this move the Germans shortened their defensive line and made it easier to deploy their troops at various locations. The heavy fighting in September 1944 left its mark on the centre of Geel. Both sides had used enormous amounts of artillery. Many streets and houses were destroyed. Saint Amand Church and Saint Dymphna Church were both severely damaged. It was a portent of the hell of Ten Aard.