First World War.com - A multimedia history of world war one























German troops entering Brussels, 20 August 1914Vintage Video: German Troops Entering Brussels, 1914
 Updated - Saturday, 13 December, 2003

On 2 August 1914 Germany issued an ultimatum to neutral Belgium requesting permission to march through the country en route to Paris.  Germany assured the Belgian government that Belgium would suffer no territorial loss as a consequence of permission being granted.

Unsurprisingly Belgium, under King Albert I, refused Germany's demands; in consequence German troops invaded Belgium in any event, an action which brought Britain into the war in defence of Belgium.

Click here to view footage of German troops entering Brussels on 20 August 1914 (Windows Media, 16 seconds, 449KB).

The "Blue Max" was a reference to the prestigious German Pour le Merite medal.

Original Material © Michael Duffy 2000-07, SafeSurf Rated