Invasion of Belgium 1914

[Dikke Bertha]

Hello

Does anybody know of any books in English dealing with the invasion or occupation of Belgium other then Leon van der Essen's excellent account written in 1917.

Or any books dealing wth the activities of the Belgian army from 1914 to 1918?

Seems to be very ltiile in English anyway.

Thanks

[paul guthrie]

US Branch WFA gave it's prize for best WW1 book in English 2 years ago to German Atrocities 1914 1918 A History of Denial. Superb book, documentation as good as it gets. Much of book is Belgium 1914. Book is by 2 Trinity College profs.

[salientpoints]

There is 'The Rape of Belgium: The Untold Story of World War I'

Here's the synopsis - ISBN 0814797040

"In August 1914, the German Army invaded the neutral nation of Belgium, violating a treaty that the German chancellor dismissed as a "scrap of paper". The invaders terrorized the Belgians, shooting thousands of civilians and looting and burning scores of towns, including Louvain, which housed the country's preeminent university. "The Rape of Belgium" recalls the bloodshed and destruction of the 1914 invasion, and the outrage it inspired abroad. Yet Larry Zuckerman does not stop there, and takes us on a harrowing journey over the next 50 months, vividly documenting Germany's occupation of Belgium. The occupiers plundered the country, looting its rich supply of natural resources; deporting Belgians en masse to Germany and northern France as forced labourers; and jailing thousands on contrived charges, including the failure to inform on family or neighbours. Despite the duration of the siege and the destruction left in its wake, in considering Belgium, neither the Allies nor the history books focused on the occupation, and instead cast their attention almost wholly on the invasion. Featuring extensive archival research, including previously untapped Belgian government archives, "The Rape of Belgium" draws on a little-known story to remind us about the horrors of war. Further, Zuckerman shows why the Allies refrained from punishing the Germans for the occupation and controversially suggests that had the victors followed through, European history might have taken a very different course over the next several decades. "

[Dikke Bertha]

Hello

Thanks to both of you for suggestions.

You will see from another thread that I am halfway through "The Rape of Belgium" and I have seen the book on German atrocities but did not buy it.

I am really looking for a book on the actual invasion from a military point of view.

Any other suggestions out there??

[andigger]

Thanks Salient for the synopsis. I want to buy the book, but am waiting for it to come out in paper back. I read a few pages the other day in the store, and wondered if it was an easy to follow read. It seems to be.

Andy

[Dikke Bertha]

Hello Andigger

You will see under book reviews that I have opened a thread looking for opinions on this book but have received no responses so far. I have to say that I am wading slowly through it.

Unless this is your specialised interest then I think you are right to wait for the paperback.

[Chris_Baker]

I can tell you - having been interested in the Belgain Army for some years - that there is virtually nothing published in English dealing with the military operations of that army.

[robertb]

Dikke,

There is an account, by a surgeon, working in Belgium during the invasion. An interesting read, with many opinions on the effects of the war on the people of Belgium:

The book's details are:

Souttar, H.S. A Surgeon in Belgium. Published 1916. London, Edward Arnold.

There are a number of photographs, which make interesting viewing.

Cheers,

Rob

[Dikke Bertha]

Hello

Thanks to all who responded.

I will have to sharpen up my French or Dutch.