British Involvement In German Civil War

During the 1914 German invasion and occupation of Belgium, many atrocities were committed by occupying German forces. The treatment of civilians from 1914 -1918 is sometimes referred to as “The Rape of Belgium.”

Germany needed to maneuver her troops through Belgium in order to outflank, surround and force France into “a battle without tomorrow.” Belgium would not allow Germany a free pass through her land and made fortifications. War was declared on August 4th 1914 and by August 17th, Germany had plowed through and began to overrun the country.

The British began printing propaganda highlighting and exaggerating civilian losses. As a result, British support for the war grew immensely. While most stories were faulty or just plain untrue, many atrocities did happen. Over 60,000 civilians were lost and an estimated 6,000 were executed. Over 120,000 people were forced into labor and almost half of them were used close to the front lines or building military roads

Anyone within 500 meters of the fence who could not clarify their presence was executed. Some 2,000 – 3,000 died because of the 125 mile long construction.

In the town of Dinant on August 23, The Germans attacked the city labeling anyone there a “francs-tireur.” Houses were set ablaze, in the end 674 unarmed Belgians were murdered. Before leaving and looting town, Dinant's public and historical buildings were destroyed. Similar events happened in the towns of Andenne and Leuven.

Due to the amount of the false reports by the allied press during the war some truths will never be known as it actually hindered intelligence. One thing is however certain, innocent lives were taken in a brutal and horrific manner. Women were raped. Towns were looted and burned to the ground and even churches were not spared. Mercy was not shown and to the liberal west and this could not be