Hacking Through Belgium

A detailed contemporary account of the German invasion and the Belgian response during the opening phase of the First World War. It traces diplomatic demands for military passage, the Belgian government's refusal, and subsequent fighting around fortresses and cities such as Liège, Namur and Antwerp. The narrative examines the Belgian army's conduct, the tactical significance of its resistance, episodes of German occupation and reported atrocities including the destruction of Louvain, and the political and moral repercussions for Europe. Interspersed with chronology and analysis, the work emphasizes civilian suffering, military movements, and the sustaining value of national resolve.