Was the neutrality of Belgium a blessing or a curse for the allied troops at the beginning of WWII?
On July 20 1936 the Belgian government declared Belgium a neutral nation. Up until september 1939 Belgium refused any military cooperation with Britain and France. On 4 september 1939, one day after Britain and France declared war to Germany, Belgium mobilized its forces. In november 1939 Belgium asked the French for assistance in case the country would be attacked by Germany. On 10 januari 1940 the Belgians got hold of the German invasion plans and on 10 May 1940 the Germans invaded.
If Belgium wouldn't have become a neutral country the British and French could have send forces into Belgium in 1939 waiting to counter the German invasion.
On the other hand the defeat could have been far worse and maybe missing a Dunkirk escape.
What do you think?
On July 20 1936 the Belgian government declared Belgium a neutral nation. Up until september 1939 Belgium refused any military cooperation with Britain and France. On 4 september 1939, one day after Britain and France declared war to Germany, Belgium mobilized its forces. In november 1939 Belgium asked the French for assistance in case the country would be attacked by Germany. On 10 januari 1940 the Belgians got hold of the German invasion plans and on 10 May 1940 the Germans invaded.
If Belgium wouldn't have become a neutral country the British and French could have send forces into Belgium in 1939 waiting to counter the German invasion.
On the other hand the defeat could have been far worse and maybe missing a Dunkirk escape.
What do you think?