Belgium in the Second World War

This WWII history sheds light on Belgian resistance and fighting from the battle against Nazi invasion through its occupation and liberation.

When the Nazis invaded neutral Belgium in May of 1940, the Belgian armed forces held out against a vastly superior enemy for eighteen grueling days. The elected Government went into exile in London but King Leopold III controversially remained with his people as a prisoner.

In this authoritative history, Jean-Michel Veranneman discusses how many brave Belgians continued the fight both outside and inside their country.

While the Colonial Army fought in East Africa, the Belgian Brigade fought from Normandy to Germany. The Belgian Resistance organized escape routes, sabotaged their occupiers’ activities, and spied for the Allies. Veranneman also covers those who collaborated and fought for the Nazis, many of whom were later tried for war crimes. He also delves into the loss of roughly half the Jews in Belgium with many stirring stories of courage and tragedy.

Belgium in the Second World War is an overdue and honest account of one nation’s varied experiences during five years of Nazi occupation and oppression.