Ever stopped to think about how a street gets its name? Here on Boulevard de la Deuxième Armée Britannique, the story is one of courage and liberation. This long road connects Avenue Van Volxem to Boulevard de l’Humanité. It’s a tribute to the brave soldiers.
Originally, this was simply planned as a ring road. It was intended to extend Boulevard Guillaume Van Haelen. The plan was to stretch it from Avenue Van Volxem. It would cut through the west of the municipality all the way to Drogenbos. Victor Besme developed the initial urban plan. The first plan was approved in 1923. Further modifications occurred in 1927, 1935, 1955, 1960, and 1979. Construction beyond Rue de la Station only began after 1970.
Initially named Boulevard de Ceinture, it was later renamed. It became Boulevard de la Deuxième Armée Britannique. This honors the Allied army. General Dempsey commanded this army. They reached Forest on September 3 1944. The German forces were in retreat.
The Second British Army played a crucial role. They participated in the Normandy landings in 1944. They helped liberate much of Belgium including Brussels. On September 3, 1944 the Second British Army entered Brussels. They came via the Avenue de Tervuren.
For almost its entire length, the boulevard runs alongside the Volkswagen-Audi factory. The first factory was built in 1948. It was known as Anciens établissements d’Ieteren frères. This was near the intersection with the current Rue des Abbesses. Other factories also lined the boulevard back then. As the Volkswagen-Audi factory expanded it acquired these sites. VW took over the factory in 1970. Between 1987 and 1991, it expanded further. It annexed the land of the neighboring Citroën factory. Buildings extending from the Volkswagen-Audi factory gradually covered sections of several streets. A section of Rue des Anciens Étangs disappeared. The boulevard was diverted and shortened. The streets Faraday and du Fondeur were removed. The first section of Rue des Carburants also vanished. Audi later took over the factory. It was modernized and significantly expanded beyond the railway line.
So as you walk this boulevard remember its layered history. From a ring road to a tribute to the Second British Army it has seen much change. It stands as a reminder of liberation and industrial growth in Brussels.