The Belgian Army in World War I (Men-at-Arms)

While small in numbers, the Belgian Army played a vital role in World War 1 that is often overlooked. Germany's invasion of neutral Belgium, which led Britain to declare war in August 1914, should have been swift and fierce yet the unexpected heroic defense, against great odds, of Belgian fortresses, frustrated the German Schlieffen Plan for a thrust to Paris and a lightning victory. The plucky Belgian resistance proved successful in buying time for French and British troops to mobilize and report to the front, where the Belgians would then go on to fight, stubbornly defending the northern end of the Allied trench line for the rest of the war. Discover the story of this determined Army, from their organization and commanders, to their uniforms and equipment. The only main combatant army of World War I not previously covered by Osprey, this volume will be an important addition to any enthusiast's collection, accompanied by detailed artwork and archive photographs.

While small in numbers, the Belgian Army played a vital role in World War I (1939-1945) that is often overlooked. Germany's invasion of neutral Belgium, which led Britain to declare war in August 1914, should have been swift and fierce yet the unexpected heroic defense, against great odds, of Belgian fortresses, frustrated the German Schlieffen Plan for a thrust to Paris and a lightning victory. The plucky Belgian resistance proved successful in buying time for French and British troops to mobilize and report to the front, where the Belgians would then go on to fight, stubbornly defending the northern end of the Allied trench line for the rest of the war. Discover the story of this determined Army, from their organization and commanders, to their uniforms and equipment. The only main combatant army of World War I not previously covered by Osprey, this volume will be an important addition to any enthusiast's collection, accompanied by detailed artwork and archive photographs.

While small in numbers, the Belgian Army played a vital role in World War 1 that is often overlooked. Germany's invasion of neutral Belgium, which led Britain to declare war in August 1914, should have been swift and fierce yet the unexpected heroic defence, against great odds, of Belgian fortresses, frustrated the German Schlieffen Plan for a thrust to Paris and a lightning victory. The plucky Belgian resistance proved successful in buying time for French and British troops to mobilize and report to the front, where the Belgians would then go on to fight, stubbornly defending the northern end of the Allied trench line for the rest of the war. Discover the story of this determined Army, from their organization and commanders, to their uniforms and equipment. The only main combatant army of World War I not previously covered by Osprey, this volume will be an important addition to any enthusiast's collection, accompanied by detailed artwork and archive photographs. COVER......Page 1 CONTENTS......Page 2 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND......Page 5 THE MILITARY SITUATION IN 1914......Page 6 The defence plan......Page 8 The German ultimatum......Page 9 INVASION......Page 10 The defence of Liege, August 1914......Page 11 The defence of the Gette and Namur, August 1914......Page 12 The defence of Antwerp, August-October 1914......Page 14 The 'Race to the Sea': the battle of the Yser......Page 16 20-25 October......Page 19 Opening the sluices......Page 21 REBUILDING THE ARMY......Page 22 THE WATCH ON THE YSER, 1915-17......Page 25 The Kaiserschlacht, March-July 1918......Page 36 The counter-offensive, September-November 1918......Page 38 THE BELGIAN AIR FORCE......Page 40 On mobilization, 1914......Page 42 On the Yser, 1914-15 (blue uniform)......Page 43 On the Yser, 1915-18 (khaki uniform)......Page 45 SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 46 PLATE COMMENTARIES......Page 47 INDEX......Page 50 COVER......Page 52 While small in numbers, the Belgian Army played a vital role in World War I that is often overlooked. Germany's invasion of neutral Belgium, which led Britain to declare war in August 1914, should have been swift and fierce yet the unexpected heroic defence, against great odds, of Belgian fortresses, frustrated the German Schlieffen Plan for a thrust to Paris and a lightning victory. The Belgian resistance proved successful in buying time for French and British troops to mobilize and report to the front, where the Belgians would then go on to fight, stubbornly defending the northern end of the Allied trench line for the rest of the war. Discover the story of this determined Army, from their organization and commanders, to their uniforms and equipment While small in numbers, the Belgian Army played a vital role in World War 2 that is often overlooked. This work presents the story of this determined Army, from their organization and commanders, to their uniforms and equipment.