BELGIUM'S FATE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24070, 15 September 1941, Page 8

BELGIUM'S FATE

ANALYSIS OF CAUSES KING LEOPOLD DEFENDED SEDAN BREAK DECISIVE LONDON, Sept. 12 The story of the 18 days' campaign, in which the Nazi war machine over-ran Holland and Belgium, has "been told from the Belgian point of view in a book issued to-day by the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, states the British official wireless. This authoritative document is both of immediate and historical interest, as it presents clearly the motives and course of Belgian policy in those critical years from 1936 to September, 1939, as well as the policy of neutrality after the outbreak of

war. Immediate interest naturally centres in the latter period, and the document makes it plain that, while implementing loyally her declaration of neutrality, made in September, 1939, tho Belgian Government vigorously pursued the task of putting the country in a state of defence. The Belgian Army was trained to face Germany and an attack from that quarter. The plan of defence consisted of two lines, the first an advanced line running from Antwerp along the Albert Canal to a pivotal point at Ebenlimael, and thence back through Liege to Namur. The tecond main defensive position was constructed on the model of the \laginot_ Line, and ran from Antwerp through Louvain and Wavre to Namur.

Dislocation of Plans Tho plan was to hold the advance lino long enough to give British and French troops time to occupy positions in the main defensive position. This plan was put. into operation when Hitler invaded .Belgium early on the morning of May 10, but was dislocated at the outset'by the brilliant German actions against the advanced bridgeheads and by the successful use of air-borno troops. , Belgian opinion attributes King Leopold's capitulation entirely to tho Nazi break-through at Sedan, and whether this will also be tho verdict of history must remain undecided until the British and French reports are available. One of the main features ol the Belgian documents, which subsequent reports are likely to confirm, is that the King's conduct was above reproach. After the French Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Forces had ordered the abandonment of the advanced line, the position of the King's Army appeared even more hopeless and, as early as May 20, he informed the French and British liaison officers that isolation might have serious consequences. Defiance in Captivity "On May 25 the King informed his troops, 'whatever may happen, I share your fate,' and on May 27 lie telegraphed Lord Gort that 'the Belgian Army is losing heart' and the time was approaching when it would be unable to continue the fight." states the document. "The same afternoon the King decided to ask for an armistice, and communicated his decision at once to the British and French missions."

Commenting on the King's personal actions the document states: "As lie had proclaimed in order to strengthen the courage of his soldiers at the height of battle, its Commander-in-Chief has since linked up his future with that army. By his defiant attitude in the captivity to which he condemned himself. by his refusal to recognise the accomplished fact, he has shown himself to he the incarnation of a people which will not accept servitude."

NEW ZEALAND COMPOSER (Rerd. 7.35 p.m.) LONDON, Sept, 13

It is revealed that a voting chaplain serving with an anti-aircraft unit, formerly a New Zealand sheep farmer, wrote the religious song, "Your Finest Hour," which was sung throughout Britain and by the armed services on the national day of prayer. The composer has received many congratulatory letters.