BRAVE LITTLE BELGIUM

BELGIUM
Neutrality was guaranteed by the treaty of 1839, signed by all of the countries that would eventually become the chief belligerents of the Great War of 1914-1918.

BELGIAN MILITARY
Unprepared Army
By July 1914, the Belgian army was approximately 190,000 strong.
The armament and equipment of the army reflected decades of stringent financial budgeting, only 93,000 rifles, 6,000 swords, 324 field guns and 102 machine guns. There was virtually no mechanised transport, the army relying on horseand dog-power. There were also serious shortages of engineers stores, minor equipment, and even uniforms. Officers had never commanded large bodies of men in the field.

BELGIAN STRATEGY
Overall defensive neutral posture. At the outbreak of war, not one significant decision had been taken over the deployment of the army, should Belgium be attacked from Germany or France. King Albert -concentrate the army on the left bank of the Meuse, prepare a second line along the Gette, and be based on Antwerp. The final decisions were taken on the 2nd of August, as the Germans were rolling into Luxemburg.

GERMAN INVASION
Aug 2, 1914-Germany occupied Luxemburg, without opposition. An order sent out to all border posts along all Belgian frontiers, - open fire on any hostile troops attempting to cross into Belgium. Aug 4th Schlieffen Plan; the destruction or capture of Liege. German units crossed into Belgium at six different places. 'Le terroire Belge avait t envahi par les troupes Allemandes!'

LIEGE
Liege was ringed by twelve forts, at a rough distance of 7km from the centre, six on each bank of the Meuse (Maas). Each consisted of a massive concrete crown, surrounded by a wide and deep moat. The fortresses were occupied by most experienced soldiers.

The Germans planned to knock out the forts and capture Liege inside three days
With more artillery, and constant bombardment, the final Belgian resistance to save Liege was overcome by the Germans on Aug 16th

GERMAN TERROR CAMPAIGN THE BEAST IN BELGIUM

Germans outraged at the unexpected resistance of the Belgian army, and also civil resistance. German newspapers called for retribution. The headlines read: 'The beast in Belgium'; 'From savage Belgium'; 'Liege atrocities'.
The terror was wild and needless, and not at all systematic. Thousands executed, civilian property destroyed, universities and libraries burned down. There can be no conclusion but that the German command allowed the troops their fun. Unfortunately for the Belgian people, it was just a foretaste of 4 years of severe treatment. Belgium remained occupied by Germany until 1918.

PROPAGANDA