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[[File:LocatBelgium.png|thumb|Belgium location]] |
[[File:LocatBelgium.png|thumb|Belgium location]] |
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| − | '''Belgium''' was an European country located near [[Germany]] and the [[Netherlands]]. It was taken over in 1940 during the [[Invasion of Belgium]]. |
+ | '''Belgium''' was an European country located near [[Germany]] and the [[Netherlands]]. Together with the Netherlands and [[Luxembourg]], it is classed as one of the [[Low Countries]]. It was taken over in 1940 during the [[Invasion of Belgium]]. |
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| + | ==Involvement in World War II== |
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| + | Belgium became directly involved in the conflict when German forces invaded the Low Countries on 10th May 1940, on the grounds that this action was designed to prevent a planned Anglo-French attack on [[Germany]]. The German government claimed to possess 'irrefutable evidence' of the planned attack, and stated it was to have been launched via the neutral territories of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, and that the governments of Belgium and the Netherlands were directly conspiring with the Allies on action that would threaten Germany. Belgium responded by protesting German violation of their neutrality, stating that all the information and documents in their possession proved the German attack to have been per-meditated. The [[United States of America]] responded to the German invasion by freezing the assets of the Low Countries, and applying the [[Neutrality Act]] to them.<ref name="WW2 Almanac p112">{{WW2 Almanac}} Page 112</ref> |
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==Belgian personnel during World War II== |
==Belgian personnel during World War II== |
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===Axis Forces=== |
===Axis Forces=== |
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| − | Significant numbers of Belgian citizens served with the Axis forces. Approximately 9,000 Flemmings and 6,000 Walloons volunteered for service with the [[Schutzstaffel|Waffen-SS]], while others joined the [[Wehrmacht]], the [[Kriegsmarine]] or auxiliary formations. in 1944, 2,000 Belgians formed the [[Flamische Flakbrigade]] (Flemish AA Brigade). However, former members of the Belgian Air Force and the airline Sabena who decided to join the Axis were normally barred from flying with the [[Luftwaffe]] on operations.<ref name="Europe Skies p268"> |
+ | Significant numbers of Belgian citizens served with the Axis forces. Approximately 9,000 Flemmings and 6,000 Walloons volunteered for service with the [[Schutzstaffel|Waffen-SS]], while others joined the [[Wehrmacht]], the [[Kriegsmarine]] or auxiliary formations. in 1944, 2,000 Belgians formed the [[Flamische Flakbrigade]] (Flemish AA Brigade). However, former members of the Belgian Air Force and the airline Sabena who decided to join the Axis were normally barred from flying with the [[Luftwaffe]] on operations.<ref name="Europe Skies p268">{{Europe Skies}} Page 268</ref> |
==References== |
==References== |
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<references/> |
<references/> |
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| − | ==Bibliography== |
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| − | Neulen, Hans Werner. Crowood Press. 2000. ISBN 1-86126-326-0 |
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[[Category:Countries]] |
[[Category:Countries]] |
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[[Category:Allied Countries]] |
[[Category:Allied Countries]] |
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Revision as of 13:36, 16 April 2013
Belgium location
Belgium was an European country located near Germany and the Netherlands. Together with the Netherlands and Luxembourg, it is classed as one of the Low Countries. It was taken over in 1940 during the Invasion of Belgium.
Involvement in World War II
Belgium became directly involved in the conflict when German forces invaded the Low Countries on 10th May 1940, on the grounds that this action was designed to prevent a planned Anglo-French attack on Germany. The German government claimed to possess 'irrefutable evidence' of the planned attack, and stated it was to have been launched via the neutral territories of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, and that the governments of Belgium and the Netherlands were directly conspiring with the Allies on action that would threaten Germany. Belgium responded by protesting German violation of their neutrality, stating that all the information and documents in their possession proved the German attack to have been per-meditated. The United States of America responded to the German invasion by freezing the assets of the Low Countries, and applying the Neutrality Act to them.[1]
Belgian personnel during World War II
Allied Forces
Axis Forces
Significant numbers of Belgian citizens served with the Axis forces. Approximately 9,000 Flemmings and 6,000 Walloons volunteered for service with the Waffen-SS, while others joined the Wehrmacht, the Kriegsmarine or auxiliary formations. in 1944, 2,000 Belgians formed the Flamische Flakbrigade (Flemish AA Brigade). However, former members of the Belgian Air Force and the airline Sabena who decided to join the Axis were normally barred from flying with the Luftwaffe on operations.[2]
References
- ↑ Goralski, Robert. World War II Almanac 1931-1945. Hamish Hamilton Ltd. 1981. ISBN 0 241 10573 0 Page 112
- ↑ Neulen, Hans Werner. In the Skies of Europe - Air Forces allied to the Luftwaffe 1939-1945. The Crowood Press. 2000. ISBN 1-86126-326-0 Page 268