After a while, the 1st Carabiniers were summoned back to the Albert Canal to cover the general retreat alongside units of Group Ninitte and the Cavalry Division.

Apart from some skirmishes by patrols and armored vehicles, there were no major clashes until the order for a second retreat towards the Canal of Ghent-Terneuzen was given.

When the Germans reached the English channel, a third and final retreat was ordered, this time to a small canal near the Lys river.

But after the German breakthrough around Kortrijk, two of its regiments were summoned to plug the hole and take up position around Roeselare for a desperate last stand.

The 1st Grenadiers and 9th Line saw particular heavy fighting the 27th of may, when they fended of two major attacks thanks to the effective deployment of mortars, artillery and T-13 tank destroyers.

As it became clear the bridgeheads to its north could not be contained, its remaining units withdrew to Maldegem where they tried a last stand before the surrender of the army.