Chapter 1: The Die is Cast
Geon
Donor
This TL is based on a thread I started a week ago entitled Albert Capitulates. I would encourage everyone who reads this to first seek this thread out and read the discussion there and add to it if you like @Michel Van being a present native and knowledgeable of Belgian history I would especially appreciate your insights. On that note I humbly present, Let them Pass.
In August 1914 the German Army was preparing to invade France using a modified version of the Schlieffen Plan. The plan called for the German Army to swing through neutral Belgium and attack the French on their vulnerable left flank. The Belgians led by King Albert I refused to allow the Germans passage through their nation. As a result, the Germans declared war on Belgium on August 3rd and invaded the next day. The invasion of Belgium and the atrocities committed by the Germans both real and concocted by propaganda later in the war shocked the world. Britain would declare war on the Central Powers using Belgium as a partial casus belli and the “rape of Belgium” would serve as one influence to the United States to declare war in 1917. However, what if Albert had made a different decision.
August 2nd, 1914, Brussels, Belgium: King Albert I officially receives an ultimatum from the German ambassador informing him that the Germans have “discovered” a plot by the French to launch a strike into Belgium to attack the Germans. For this reason, the Germans have decided to preempt the French by entering Belgium first. The ultimatum indicates that Germany will respect Belgian territory and will withdraw once peace has been established. The ultimatum also warns that if Belgium decides to impede the progress of the German Army then Germany will regrettably have to decide this matter by “military force.” Despite this threat however the document emphasizes that if Belgium allows the Germans free access the German Army will behave itself and pay any indemnities it may incur while in Belgium territory and even negotiating a fee for the use of Belgian railways through that nation.
King Albert I had just last month been invited to Germany. While there he had watched the German Army during maneuvers and seen its abilities. His German hosts wanted to clearly show Albert the force he and his people would be facing if they thought to oppose Germany. Albert is considering what he saw at that visit. If he refuses the Germans will invade and his nation will be facing a military powerhouse with only five barely battle-ready infantry divisions and one equally unprepared cavalry division, all of which had mostly antiquated equipment and barely enough ammunition for a few days fighting.
For King Albert and his ministers his next decision may either save his nation or seal its doom.
There are many in his government who would urge a heroic stand against the Germans. But what would this accomplish? Albert looks at the German ambassador and asks, “if we agree to this will we have the Kaiser’s guarantee that he will honor the terms of this agreement, all of them?” The German ambassador assures him that the Kaiser will do exactly that. Albert then tells the ambassador to return later that night and he will have his answer.
At a late-night meeting of the King’s cabinet including leaders from Parliament there is a brief but fierce discussion. After an hour of debate a vote is taken. It is decided that Belgium will honor the German ultimatum and allow German troops to pass through the country. But the Belgian army will be placed on alert and will be under orders to maintain order along the German line of march. The Germans will not be hindered but if there is any sign of looting or harassing of the civilian population the army will act appropriately.
Later that night the German ambassador is summoned again. Albert tells the ambassador that Belgium will comply with the German ultimatum but with the condition that the Belgian Army will be active and prepared to defend Belgian territory if German units should act in “any hostile manner.”
After the ambassador leaves several of the cabinet angrily state that Albert has just doomed Belgium. Albert I wearily sighs and says, “Which is better going down in one last noble and futile battle or standing at the end knowing we did all in our power to save this nation?”
Let Them Pass
A timeline/story by Geon
A timeline/story by Geon
In August 1914 the German Army was preparing to invade France using a modified version of the Schlieffen Plan. The plan called for the German Army to swing through neutral Belgium and attack the French on their vulnerable left flank. The Belgians led by King Albert I refused to allow the Germans passage through their nation. As a result, the Germans declared war on Belgium on August 3rd and invaded the next day. The invasion of Belgium and the atrocities committed by the Germans both real and concocted by propaganda later in the war shocked the world. Britain would declare war on the Central Powers using Belgium as a partial casus belli and the “rape of Belgium” would serve as one influence to the United States to declare war in 1917. However, what if Albert had made a different decision.
August 2nd, 1914, Brussels, Belgium: King Albert I officially receives an ultimatum from the German ambassador informing him that the Germans have “discovered” a plot by the French to launch a strike into Belgium to attack the Germans. For this reason, the Germans have decided to preempt the French by entering Belgium first. The ultimatum indicates that Germany will respect Belgian territory and will withdraw once peace has been established. The ultimatum also warns that if Belgium decides to impede the progress of the German Army then Germany will regrettably have to decide this matter by “military force.” Despite this threat however the document emphasizes that if Belgium allows the Germans free access the German Army will behave itself and pay any indemnities it may incur while in Belgium territory and even negotiating a fee for the use of Belgian railways through that nation.
King Albert I had just last month been invited to Germany. While there he had watched the German Army during maneuvers and seen its abilities. His German hosts wanted to clearly show Albert the force he and his people would be facing if they thought to oppose Germany. Albert is considering what he saw at that visit. If he refuses the Germans will invade and his nation will be facing a military powerhouse with only five barely battle-ready infantry divisions and one equally unprepared cavalry division, all of which had mostly antiquated equipment and barely enough ammunition for a few days fighting.
For King Albert and his ministers his next decision may either save his nation or seal its doom.
There are many in his government who would urge a heroic stand against the Germans. But what would this accomplish? Albert looks at the German ambassador and asks, “if we agree to this will we have the Kaiser’s guarantee that he will honor the terms of this agreement, all of them?” The German ambassador assures him that the Kaiser will do exactly that. Albert then tells the ambassador to return later that night and he will have his answer.
At a late-night meeting of the King’s cabinet including leaders from Parliament there is a brief but fierce discussion. After an hour of debate a vote is taken. It is decided that Belgium will honor the German ultimatum and allow German troops to pass through the country. But the Belgian army will be placed on alert and will be under orders to maintain order along the German line of march. The Germans will not be hindered but if there is any sign of looting or harassing of the civilian population the army will act appropriately.
Later that night the German ambassador is summoned again. Albert tells the ambassador that Belgium will comply with the German ultimatum but with the condition that the Belgian Army will be active and prepared to defend Belgian territory if German units should act in “any hostile manner.”
After the ambassador leaves several of the cabinet angrily state that Albert has just doomed Belgium. Albert I wearily sighs and says, “Which is better going down in one last noble and futile battle or standing at the end knowing we did all in our power to save this nation?”
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