Figure 1.-- Here the Brussels Civic Guard after forming to defend the capital is told to stand down. After the fall of Liège, Brussels could not be defended. The magazine caption read, "The Civic Gusrd about to be Disarmed: Preparations had been made to defend Brussels, but by the afternoon of August 17, it was clear that the city bcould not be held, and the Government was transferred to Antwerp. On the 19th, the Bekgian Army retired from louvain, and thzt night M. Max, the Nurgmaster of Brussels, issued a proclamation that it was to be feared the enemy would occupy the city, and counseling the population to remain calm. On the 20th he went out to visit the German military commandant, and was brusquely informed that if the city unconditionlly surrendered, it would not be bombarded. Upon his return the Civic Guard was disarmed. .

The Germans finally took Liège (August 16). The Belgian army retreated north to Antwerp and and south to Namur, but Brussels. Liège and the 'martyr towns' of the Ardennes were badly damaged. The Germans were willing to leave Antwerp in Belgian hands while they poured through Belgium in an effort to force a quick decision in the War by taking Paris. With the fall of Liège and the Germans massing to take Namur, Brussels in central Belgium and in the path of the German Army and without major fortufications would have been suicidal to defend. Brussels surrendered without a fight (August 20). Three German soldiers reportedly were the first to arrive. They appeared on bicycles in the Boulevard du Régent and reportedly politely asked the way to the Gare du Nord. Soon a torrent of marching German soldiers poured through the city streets on the way south. One city resident described a 'unbroken, steel-grey column like a tidal wave or a river in flood. The Germans quickly imposed curfews, identity cards and German currency and censored the press. Flemish administrators and the Flemish language was imposed on the largely French-speaking population. The Germans bypassed Antwerp to the north. It did not impede their march south. The Germans faced another fortifications system at Namur. And here the Belgian Army did fight. The Germans were compelled to lay another brusing siege (August 20-23). Namur was another unanticipated delay. The city was badly damaged, but it bought the Allies 4 more critical days. With the fall of Namur, the cleared the way for the German drive south into France and the seizure of Paris. The defense of Namur was the last critical battle the Belgin Army fought. After Namur the war shifted to the British and French.

Created: 6:46 AM 12/30/2014
Last updated: 6:46 AM 12/30/2014