War Losses (Belgium) ... : War Losses (Belgium) ...

The Belgian situation was unique in the sense that military losses were relatively limited compared to neighbouring countries due to the wait-and-see strategy pursued by King Albert I and a less successful mobilisation of the army in the first weeks of the conflict. The invasion and occupation of its territory led to significant civilian losses, which gave rise to a specific form of commemoration. About 40,000 Belgian soldiers died during the Great War; one-third due to illness. 8,756 civilians died, 6,453 during the first weeks of the invasion. Demographers add 78,665 deaths due to a higher m... Mehr ...