Traveling Tuesday:
Belgium
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| Map of Belgium during WWII |
Belgium is nestled between Germany, France, Luxembourg, and
the Netherlands. Their population of eleven million people is culturally split
in two-the Dutch-speaking, Flemish communities (59%), and the French-speaking
population (41%). There is a tiny-group of German-speaking people along the
German border. Originally part of the Netherlands, Belgium seceded in 1830.
Worn out after WWI, Belgium had no desire to be involved in
a war in Europe. The country declared itself neutral when the hostilities
began. As such, they signed a neutrality agreement with Germany and pulled
themselves out of the Locarno Treaty of 1925. The military reorganized into a
defensive unit, and fortifications were built along the country’s borders.
However, their force was no match for the Germans who invaded Belgium on May
10, 1940 as part of its campaign to capture France.
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| Belgium occupation WWII |
Realizing his cause
was lost, King Leopold III, surrendered on May 28th, and was held a
prisoner during the remainder of the war. The Belgium government fled to
England, and the military fought alongside the Allies. The King became the focus
for the Belgium Resistance-their slogan “The king is captive! Long live the king!”
rallied people to the cause. During the occupation, Germany instituted a tax to
handle the cost of governing the country. Reports indicate that nearly
two-thirds of Belgium’s national income was paid out for these charges.
It is surmised that almost five percent of the population
(Both Dutch- and French-speaking) was involved in the Resistance. In addition
to sabotage of the military infrastructure, activities include assassinations
of collaborators, publication of underground newspapers, gathering of
intelligence, and maintaining escape networks to help Allied airmen. Resistance
work was dangerous, and nearly twenty-five percent of the group lost their
lives by the end of war.
The Allied liberation of Belgium began in September 1944,
and the country was fully liberated by February 4, 1945.
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