Belgian Policy of “Independence” 1936-1940

By James Quinn - Winning Entry

THE SITUATION IN 1936
From the time she was invaded by Germany in 1914, until 1936 Belgium maintained a military alliance with France. During this time the Belgian and French general staffs jointly planned their defense. Following WWI Belgium, along with France, Britain, Germany and Italy signed the Locorno pact, a treaty obliging all of the signatories to come to the aid of any other signatory who was under attack. Belgium took part in the occupation of the Ruhr valley when Germany refused to make reparation payments following WWI.

Belgium came under more direct threat from Germany in 1936 when the Rhine valley was reoccupied by German troops. Previously this demilitarized zone had given the Belgians a buffer zone. When the German move was not challenged by the Locorno pact nations King Leopold announced that in his view the treaty was, in effect, dead and Belgium would not continue to consider herself bound by its terms.

Belgium saw the high likelihood of a future conflict between Germany and France. Her military was too small and poorly equipped to allow her even to defend her own territory. The Belgian government had to face up to several tough questions.

The Belgian population was divided into two large groups, the Walloons and the Flemish. Sizable portions of the Flemish population felt some connections with Germany and so were unenthusiastic about the close military ties that Belgium had with France.

If Belgium was to remain in alliance with France then she had to be ready for conflict when France found herself at war. The Belgian population had no desire for renewed conflict and was divided on the wisdom of tying their nation’s foreign policy to that of France.

King Leopold saw that there was a pressing need for the Belgian legislature to approve a large increase in defensive expenditures. He felt that proposing these increases while the nation remained divided would not result in a positive outcome. In sum he believed that any significant modernization of the military would have to wait until the nation was more united in its diplomatic outlook.

France was also very interested in the Belgians improving their defenses. If war broke out and Belgium was unable to defend herself, then French troops would have to come to her aid. A weak Belgian ally was more of a burden then an asset.


THE SOLUTION
King Leopold and/or his Minister for Foreign Affairs, M. Spaak, arrived at a radical solution. Belgium would declare itself “independent” of French foreign policy. She would no longer engage in joint defensive planning with the French nor consider herself bound by earlier agreements.

In one fell swoop this diplomatic move solved most of Belgium’s defensive problems. Since the nation was no longer allied with France the whole population would view defensive modernization as being done solely for the benefit of the Belgian people. Unless Belgium was invaded, the military no longer would feel obliged to enter into a war for which it felt unprepared. And should Belgium be invaded, the nation would be able to meet the threat united in the knowledge that it was wholly unprovoked.

Leopold understood that regardless as to whether there was a military alliance or not, France and England would come to her aid if she were invaded as it was to their benefit to do so. French aid to Belgium would hopefully enable the war to be kept off French soil, and British aid would hopefully keep the Channel ports in Allied hands.

While General Gamelin of the French High Command was not fully pleased with the decision of King Leopold, he saw it as superior to the alternative of a continuing alliance with a weak Belgium. Gamelin did expect the Belgian military to maintain ties with their French counterparts and to continue joint planning, however now in secret. Gamelan’s hopes in this regard were partially built on his own good relationship with the Belgian Military’s chief of staff Edouard Van den Bergen. While a secret relationship continued between these two generals it was on what Gamelin found to be a surprisingly limited basis.

Despite this setback, Gamelin continued to accept the Belgian “independence” as the best policy. At least now France could expect Belgium to begin the rearmament process necessary for her own defense. In addition to this, if by chance Germany respected Belgian neutrality then the French army would only have to defend the Franco-German border covered by the Maginot Line, simplifying their task immensely. The only price to pay for these advantages would be the lack prior defensive planning. It seemed a reasonable trade off.


POSTSCRIPT
The severing of military ties with France did accomplish what Leopold had hoped for. Belgium began a large-scale rearmament program that would eventually allow an expansion of the army from six infantry divisions, two cavalry divisions and six reserve divisions into twelve infantry divisions, two cavalry divisions (partially motorized) and six reserve divisions. When fully mobilized Belgium would have a military of 900,000, or 10% of the population. The Belgians also modernized eight of the Liége forts; constructed four new forts included Eben-Emael, and in 1939 began the construction of the K-W line. By 1939 Defense spending constituted 20% of the Belgian national budget. Leopold believed these accomplishments would not have been possible without the change in policy of 1936.

The Belgians hoped that their military would be able to accomplish some limited goals. The primary goal of which would be to hinder the German advance long enough for the French and English armies to advance from the South and establish themselves along the K-W line. Once the Allied armies had linked up with the Belgians the home army would then concentrate in the NW sector of the front and be responsible for the defense of a line roughly stretching from Antwerp to Brussels.

The Belgian military that was constructed in the years leading up to the German aggression was able to accomplish these goals in May of 1940. It was events further to the South that sealed the fate of the Nation.


CONCLUSIONS
Belgium’s neutrality has been blamed by some as one of the factors that lead to the Allied collapse of May 1940. I believe there may be some validity in this argument, but not for the reasons that were foreseen.

Factors that argue that Belgium followed the proper policy include that they were in fact able to present a superior army in 1940 then they likely would have been able to had they remained in alliance with France. This improved army did accomplish the mission it was assigned and did allow the Allies adequate time to establish themselves along what was expected to be the primary defensive line.

However, everything that happened north of Givet was ultimately of little consequence to the outcome of the battle. The lack of communication between the French and Belgian armies did lead to some serious problems in the critical Ardennes sector. The French expected the Belgians to offer a more determined resistance in this sector. The Belgians ordered their two “Chasseurs Ardennais” divisions to perform some demolition work, and then evacuated to the West. They carried out these orders and had left the Ardennes prior to making contact with any German units. For this reason the German advance hit the French 2nd and 9th armies sooner and with more surprise then they would have been capable of had they encountered earlier resistance. This may have been a precipitating factor in the early Meuse crossings.

King Leopold’s decision of 1936 was far-sighted and achieved its goals. However its one drawback, that of severing military communication between France and Belgium, may have cost both parties dearly.


I gathered information from these sources:
1. “Belgium, The Official Account of what happened 1939-1940” by the Belgium Ministére des affaires étrangéres (1940)
2. “The Breaking Point: Sedan 1940 and the Fall of France” by Robert A. Doughty (1990)
3. “The Republic in Danger: General Maurice Gamelin and the Politics of French Defense 1933-1940” by Martin S. Alexander (1992)

A Filipino’s Memoir of the Japanese Occupation during World War 2

By "Gino2kchronic"

     As this was a story told by my Father's recollection who experienced what it was like during the Japanese Occupation of the Philippines as a young child. 

     It was tough times back then, even more tougher when you are a 6 year old child back in 1944 when you have to leave your Town where you grew up in.  Leaving your home, your neighbors that you see everyday and the children you played with.  And relocating into a new and different environment, not seeing the same trees, grass or houses.  Moving into some remote caves in the mountains several miles from the town to avoid persecution, gave anybody an eerie and melancholy feeling. 

     It was dark, damp and moist in those caves.  Not comfortable for living by any human being.  Kind of hard to imagine during the stone age this is where our ancestors lived,  but what choice do you have?  My father asked his dad ignorantly, "Why are we hiding Daddy?" he responded "We must flee, other wise they'd get us!"  "Who Daddy, who will get us?" asked my father again in a naive fashion.  "The Japanese!" my grandfather responded.  "Why Daddy?  What did we do wrong?" My father asked again, at this point my Grandfather had a blank look on his face, didn't have an answer.  It is hard to explain war, let alone explain it to a 6 year old level of understanding.  I could not imagine what was going on through my Grandfather's head, how can you explain something like this to a child?  Fleeing your home to avoid capture, torture and possibly death.  They really don't know the exact reason why they had to flee, but from what the local rumor among Filipinos spreading across to, is that the Japanese were plundering and looting every Village they came across with, and whoever resisted was either shot or beheaded and the incidence of rape was also increasing. 

     It gave anybody a lot of reason to flee their homes and take their valuables.  So my Grandfather decided what most people did, is to pack up and bring whatever valuables they can carry.  They did not exactly carry everything, they only carried their essential things such as clothing, food and water.  The rest they buried it in their back yard in large containers.  Namely Silverware and Jewelry.  As my father later explained some of these were from the Spanish-era antiques.  Not only priceless but had a sentimental value.  Some were inherited through great-great grandparents, passed on from one generation to the next.  Sadly as it is, that was the last time my father ever saw those valuables, because one of my Grandfather's biggest mistakes was that, they asked the help of a friend in the digging process.  And after the war, it was dug-up and gone.  I guess my Grandfather trusted people very easily.

     Life is interesting in a cave, and there were numerous of them in the Philippines as my father later explained it in his life, and a lot of the Town's people have relocated in these caves in the mountains, it was kind of like a first come first serve basis.  Most of the caves were in the mountains.  It was very treacherous and if you are not familiar with it you can easily get lost in that thick vegetation on the way there, full of tall trees such as Coconut trees, bushes and grass.  It wasn't just them dwelling in that particular cave, but a few of our relatives too, his uncle and his wife, a couple of cousins and a goat.  "And a goat?"  I curiously asked.  He responded, "Goat provided milk, and your Uncle Junior was only two at that time and this is the best thing we can come up with.  Hey it's better than nothing?" 

     They decided not to cook at night, as the fire would certainly draw attention from Japanese patrols.  They pretty much cooked during when the sun was out, to avoid detection.  And lucky for them, there was a small fresh water stream a few miles down the mountain which provided them with fresh water daily and some fishes which provided some nourishment if they were lucky to catch any that is.  This is when my Grandfather placed important values on not to waste food on my father.  My father hated to waste food later in his life.  I guess when you know what it is like to be hungry 24-7 you learn it the hard way on how to value the importance of food.  Sleeping at night was the toughest, comfort was not a priority.  All you have is your bag packed with your clothes and use it as a pillow, the rest of your body lied down on a ground full of rocks, pebbles and dirt.  Insects was another problem, mosquitoes was the worst, not to mention other pests such as bats, gnats and fireants.  But mosquitoes is the harbinger of Malaria.  Signs and symptoms included fever, vomiting, headache and other flu like symptoms.  But where can you get medical attention and supplies in a time like this?  All the priorities were with the military, civilians took a back seat.  And if they did catch one, they did their best in their power to control the fever.  Quinine was the biggest help, but unfortunately civilians are not rationed with one.  Malaria was one of the biggest killers during the Pacific campaign.

     My Grandfather at night prayed the Rosary with his family, my father later claimed.  They prayed that this awful mess would soon be over.  He said, nobody liked war, I don't think anybody does.  It only brings death and destruction, except to those who profits from it like the Weapon suppliers and manufacturers.  But in actuality nobody wins.  It leaves a carnage of dead bodies, shattered houses and broken Military equipment.  Who wants to see it done to their homes or Town?  It is littered everywhere, the stench of death.  Sometimes the living envy the dead.  Not only they might have gone to a better place, but the pain and  suffering is somewhat too much to bare.  Hunger and thirst is just to name a few that drives a man crazy, desperate and sometimes suicidal.  It's a good thing that my family has got some good coping skills with stress otherwise I wouldn't be here to tell this tale, My father added.  And I asked, "what was it?"  He replied "Faith and Hope."  "Faith in God, and Hope that all of this will soon be over with."  And plus we had each other.  My father was a bit teary eyed of this recollection that I stopped asking. 

     But he further added that we still had chores, even living in that cave.  Such as gathering fresh water for everybody every morning by the stream, collecting dry twigs and small branches to start a fire for cooking and looking for fresh coconuts.  Since the Philippines has a lot of natural resources such as Coconut trees, it was a blessing.  The Coconut Juice provided water while the meat provided food.  It was like killing two birds with one stone, but there was one problem, it was usually 20-50 feet high hung up in the air, not recommended for people with fear of heights.  And the only way to get it, is to climb all the way up there and chop it off from its roots.  My father was an expert at that, his light weight gave his body excellent speed and mobility.  And one day as he was doing this daily chore, he managed to witness an incredible thing, while he was on top of the Coconut tree 30 feet high up in the air ready to chop the fruit off, what got his attention rough!

ly 2-3 miles up in the sky was an aerial dogfight between a Japanese Zero Fighter slugging it out with an American Fighter!  As he explained, this Japanese Zero Fighter was fleeing, and this American Fighter was chasing on his tail with his guns blazing!  He didn't know the fate of this Japanese Zero, all he saw was that they both disappeared in the horizon.  "How many people do you know that have witnessed such a thing?" he later asked me.  "Talk about front row seats!"  I added.  After that he climbed down the Coconut tree, rushed back to the cave and eagerly told his Father what he witnessed.  But unfortunately, what he saw wasn't met with great optimism.  His father was still upset due to the fact he came rushing home empty handed!  As his father said to him, "What you probably saw was the most amazing thing, but we don't exactly benefit from it.
    

We're still hungry and we needed those Coconuts for food and water, go back and retrieve them!"  He turned around, felt bad for what he did and finished where he left off.  He couldn't understand why his father was upset with him at that  time.  Because what he saw was so extraordinary to him, to me that it was like a future war movie, that pretty much captivated every World war 2 buff in the coming future (like Tora! Tora! Tora! Or Pearl Harbor), but still the grim reality of food and nourishment was the main priority at the time and not entertainment.

     The Filipino civilians were full of fear and anxiety living in those caves.  One is fear of detection, due to the fact that some Filipino informant would tell their whereabouts.  These Filipino 'informants' are just your average civilian defectors to the Enemy, going to the side of the Japanese in exchange for their services they were rewarded with food, shelter and valuables.  Other fear is just plain discovery by a Japanese scout or patrol,  I asked my father "what have you got to be afraid of, you have nothing to hide?"  He responded "For fear of capture doesn't mean you did anything wrong, they could put you into slave labor, beat you up for no reason at all for their own personal enjoyment, or just plain and simply take our women away as Sex Slaves."  If you ask me, nobody wanted to take a chance with their fate when the Japanese Army came rolling into town, everyone fled!  Except for a certain stubborn few.

     Like there was this mansion by the center of the town my father recalled.  They particularly had a nice view of this mansion from the mountain top where their caves were.  It was owned by a wealthy businessman that owned Rice Fields and Sugar Cane Plantations.  He was actually one of the wealthiest people in that town, pretty much everybody knew him, but due to his stubbornness and greed, he refused to let go of his material possessions, such as his mansion so he stayed behind.  That was a very juicy opportunity for the Japanese Commander to turn that mansion into a Japanese Garrison.  Nobody really knew what exactly happened.  They only knew that after the war they found the Businessman's body beheaded in his own backyard in different stages of decomposition.  Conclusions came from the town's people that most likely the Japanese Commander wanted to occupy his mansion, predictably he refused so...that was his grim fate.

     During the later stages of 1944, particularly in October was interesting for the Filipino people.  The people who were hiding in these mountain caves overlooking the Mansion which was converted into a Japanese Garrison  were awakened by the commotion down there.  But my father who had the curiosity of a cat closely observed the Garrison down the mountain.  It was roughly 5 Miles down that mountain, and he quickly noticed the movement of the troops down there.  He seemed to observe that they were packing and stuffing crates behind a convoy of cargo truck with haste.  What was in these crates?  Ammunition?  Supplies?  Spoils of war?  Valuables?  Who knows, but it seems like they're leaving!  Within a few hours the Japanese occupants were gone.  Nobody was quite sure what was going on, but they were just happy to see them leave. Till later that day news spread that General Douglas Macarthur landed off the Eastern Coast of Leyte.  Everyone was ecstatic about the news.  Are we liberated?  Are the Japanese forces gone for good?  Can we go back home and resume our lives?  Everybody was unsure on what to do next.  Till within a few days they noticed an American Patrol coming to their town.  "Boy" my father said "We were sure happy to see them."  Tanks and Jeeps came rolling in with their famous big and bold White Star on their side was somewhat a welcome sight for these people. 

 Everyone that was hiding in the mountain top ran down towards the village to greet their new Liberators.  My father who came up to an American G.I. staring at this stranger, handed him a Hershey Bar, this was the first time my father ever tasted chocolate, and he knew in his child's heart everything was going to be alright......

     This story was told to me by my father as a bed time story every night when I was a child.  How much was fact and how much was fiction?  I really don't know.  My father died in March 1992, but at the dinner table especially during Thanksgiving he would tell the whole family the same story every year.  In which the moral of it is, don't take everything for granted.  We are sitting here right now enjoying this nice Turkey Dinner, and many people have lost their lives that way we can live like this.  Be grateful, NEVER forget them. 

I was interested in writing his experiences before I forget.  This is from a rare glimpse of a Filipino child witnessing war unfolding before his very eyes.  Not a lot of Filipino Veteran's or civilian's experiences were noted, written or taken special notice during the Japanese occupation.  I would like to let other people know that we too have suffered, fought and died during this occupation.  Thank you for reading.

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