Belgian Beret

The beret of the 8th Line Regiment (8 Line) of the Belgian Armed Forces is a powerful symbol of infantry tradition.

Key Features:

• Beret Color: As is customary for the Belgian infantry ("de Linie"), the beret is brown (often referred to as "tobacco").
• Beret Badge: The badge features the number 8 and the text "Ca Va" in silver, surrounded by a wreath of laurel and oak leaves. The Belgian royal crown is at the top.
• Background: Unlike some other units, the de Linie badge is worn directly on the beret, without a colored felt background (flash).
• A.B.L.: This stands for the bilingual abbreviation of the Belgian Army: Armée Belge / Belgisch Leger. This is the standard ownership marking of the Ministry of Defence.
• COFABEBA: This was a well-known Belgian manufacturer from Brussels (full name: Compagnie de Fabrication de Berets et Articles de Coiffure). For decades, they were the main supplier of berets to the Belgian armed forces.

Historical context:

• Merger: The 8th Line Regiment had strong ties to the city of Brussels and was later merged with the 1st Line Regiment to form the 1st/8th Line Regiment (based in Spa).
• Current status: Since 2011, this unit has been incorporated into the Liberation Battalion - 5th Line, but the traditions and emblem of the 8th Line are still cherished by veterans' associations.

Dated: 1963
Size: 54