In June 1943, they created a formal plan to raise 18 battalions of soldiers in Belgium once the territory was regained.

The core of the new force would be six battalions of front-line infantry to augment the existing Independent Belgian Brigade, known popularly as the "Piron Brigade" which had originally been formed in exile, and six battalions of fusiliers, intended to serve in auxiliary roles such as guarding lines of communication.

Supply constraints, however, meant that the original targets were subsequently revised to create 12 battalions of fusiliers and four of pioneers, making a total of 6,000 men.

[3] The creation of the new units began after the liberation of Belgium in September 1944 and 12 battalions had been raised by the end of the year.

A further four battalions of pioneers were created, as well as 34 companies of road transport and smaller auxiliary units.