When did King Leopold III declare neutrality in Belgium?
King Leopold III declared neutrality in October 1936. This decision infuriated the French government and occurred after a pacifist rally gathered in Heysel near Brussels in 1936.
Questions about German invasion of Belgium (1940)
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What happened during the Battle of Hannut on the 12th of May 1940?
The Battle of Hannut began on the 12th of May 1940 when Hoepner's Panzer Corps clashed head-on with Prioux' Cavalry Corps. German tank units contained 486 Panzer Is and IIs which were of dubious combat value given losses in the Polish Campaign, while French tanks possessed superior armor and firepower compared to most German types.
How many vessels from the Belgian fishing fleet assisted Operation Dynamo?
A total of 507 vessels in the Belgian fishing fleet were ordered to assist in evacuating troops from the coast. Most of the Belgian merchant fleet, some 100 ships with 358,000 tons, evaded capture by Germans under terms of a Belgian-Royal Navy agreement.
When did the German Army Group A break defenses at Sedan?
The German Army Group A broke defenses at Sedan on the morning of the 15th of May 1940. This breach allowed them to drive for the English Channel and forced the Allies to consider a wholesale withdrawal from the Belgian trap.
What date did the Belgian Army surrender during World War II?
The Belgian Army surrendered on the 28th of May 1940 ending the battle. This event forced the Allied withdrawal from continental Europe and led to the evacuation of Belgian ports during Operation Dynamo.