Antwerp was, and still is a very important place in Europe. Mainly because of its huge harbor and good location. In the middle ages it was one of the most important cities in the world.
The quote "a dagger pointed at the heart of england" Is from the middle ages and usually refers to the Spanish Netherlands. In the 16th century what is now Belgium was controlled by Spain. Spain and England at war means Antwerp would the closest port Spain could use to launch their armada. Antwerp was huge, for that time the biggest and most important port in Europe.
i think Napoleon once called Antwerp a dagger pointed at the heart of England.
Ireland has been called a dagger pointed at the heart of england too![]()
The quote "a dagger pointed at the heart of england" Is from the middle ages and usually refers to the Spanish Netherlands. In the 16th century what is now Belgium was controlled by Spain. Spain and England at war means Antwerp would the closest port Spain could use to launch their armada. Antwerp was huge, for that time the biggest and most important port in Europe.
i think Napoleon once called Antwerp a dagger pointed at the heart of England.
Ireland has been called a dagger pointed at the heart of england too![]()
Weren't some using that phrase in WW1 too?![]()
It's a logistic-strategic location that in theory would provide a naval base to strike directly at the core of British naval strength. In practice it's one of those military nostra that never really held true in any scenario as the sheer weight of the Royal Navy in its own ground is too great for any one enemy to overcome, while the idea of a joint Franco-German-Russian alliance against the UK is too improbable given all the many PODs required to make this remotely possible.
I do love the Franco-Russian landing in England in a book, complete with an endorsement by an Admiral that this could easily happen, "if naval funding was cut". The Russians landing several hundred thousand soldiers in the midlands in only 10's of hours in 1900 was quite enjoyable.
I think a lot of the fear of German attacks in WW1 and WW2 was due to fear mongering by Admirals in times of peace. The Admirals knew there was nothing like a good scare to get more funds for new battleships.
Before WWI there was more reason to worry about it than before WWII. On paper at least the High Seas Fleet was one of the most powerful naval forces of the day, and one that would have the potential to strike directly at the British Isles.
Agreed, the lack of powerful air wings, radios, and radar makes planning an operation much easier. Still, these books used to scare the public were way over the top. Could Russia really put 250,000 soldiers on ships in 1900? Much less supply them.
A gun pointed at the heart of England.i think Napoleon once called Antwerp...
Agreed, the lack of powerful air wings, radios, and radar makes planning an operation much easier. Still, these books used to scare the public were way over the top. Could Russia really put 250,000 soldiers on ships in 1900? Much less supply them.