There is a saying that politicians wage war
and the commoners fight it. King Albert the First of Belgium however
was the exception to the rule. When Germany replied to his moral stand by invading Belgium,
Albert himself took command of the defense lines and regained his country by fighting from the
front. Today, Nutty History brings you the story of a monarch who led the troops on the battlefield
during the First World War to help save the freedom of his nation. Before we charge into
battle though, hit subscribe and the bell for more incredible stories throughout history.
Albert became the King of Belgium in 1909. Only a few years later,
the Great War engulfed nearly all of Europe. During his early and rather peaceful years,
King Albert and his wife Elisabeth established themselves as a good,
moral, and happy royal family who cared for the masses of their nation. But the main
factor contributing to Albert’s popularity was his benevolence as a ruler. His wife, the queen, also
actively participated and encouraged charitable programs and causes from the royal residence,
gaining approval and admiration from the entire nation. When the Germans declared war on France,
the German King sought passage to France through Belgium but King Albert wasn’t about to allow
German troops to march through his territory. He refused. Infuriated, the German Emperor instead
annexed Belgium just a day later. The Belgians were caught off guard and hit hard. And though
they were no match for Germany’s massive army, the Belgians still offered outstanding resistance.
From a defiant population and stubborn snipers in every town Germany invaded.
Germany responded to this incredible display of defiance in the worst way. Killing civilians,
as well as prisoners of war, burned towns, and destroyed historical landmarks.
In a hugely unprecedented move, King Albert joined the Belgian troops on the defense lines and led
his country’s defiance from the front. The siege of Antwerp was King Albert’s first challenge.
It was the most fortified city in Belgium and Albert knew that it must be protected for as
long as possible. The Germans were bombarding the city. Surrounding forts with some of the largest
artillery shells the world had seen. But Albert surprised the German army by frequently sending
raiding parties to the south. These unexpected attacks severely disrupted German plans to invade
France and their focus turned to provide more reinforcements in Belgium. The Belgians and
their allies ultimately had to retreat, but they held the Germans at Antwerp long enough to make
a second front at the Yser River. This was the last remaining westernmost sliver of Belgium.
King Albert and the rest of the Belgians put up a heroic display of defense at the Battle of Yser.
The Yser River and the towns along it were the last of the standing Belgian territory
and Belgium paid the price of resistance with a high number of casualties. Germany was constantly
attacking and after a few weeks, the Belgians and French resolved to flood parts of the river
to create a more impenetrable barrier. This halted Germany for good and they were forced to settle
into trench warfare, creating what was known as the Yser Front. King Albert made the tough
choice to set up the Belgian government under Charles de Broqueville in France to work in exile.
But Albert himself remained at the front for the remainder of the war.
While the King led his army in the battles, Queen Elisabeth took command of the hospitals
and donation collections. She managed a nursing unit and served as a nurse herself.
Elisabeth was of German descent, but her service and patriotism for Belgium never let anybody among
the troops and people doubt her. In fact, wherever she visited the soldiers, they cheered and
loved her presence. Prince Leopold, who would become King after Albert, was only 14 at the
start of the war. But with permission from his father, he served as a private till the war ended.
Belgium was brought to the brink in the first world war but Albert never gave up on his country.
He did everything to secure peace but when that failed, he led his troops to regain his country
back at the end of the great war. Albert worked hard to rebuild Belgium from the ground up.
He fought against racism and segregation in his country and advocated for fair justice for all
across the globe. For Belgium, he is remembered as not only a king but a national hero. What do you
think? If you were king, would you have rushed into battle like Albert did? Let us know in the
comments below and be sure to subscribe for more harrowing and heroic tales from Nutty History.