The German invasion of Belgium was part of the German offensive against the Low Countries and France in the spring of 1940. German forces crossed the border without warning, together with attacks on the Netherlands and Luxembourg, and paratroopers and glider troops captured the strong fortress of Eben-Emael, a key to the Belgian defenses on the Albert Canal. British and French armies moved into Belgium to support its army, but the main German thrust came through the Ardennes farther south, and cut them off. The Belgian army fought for eighteen days before King Leopold III surrendered, a decision that was controversial, as the government went into exile in London. Belgium remained under German occupation until 1944.
Before and after
- 16 April 1940Birth of Margrethe II of Denmark
- 25 April 1940Birth of Al Pacino
- from 10 May 1940 to 25 June 1940Battle of France
- from 10 May 1940 to 15 May 1940German invasion of the Netherlands
- from 10 May 1940 to 28 May 1940German invasion of Belgium
- 14 May 1940Rotterdam Blitz
- 15 May 1940Founding of McDonald's
- 20 May 1940Construction of Auschwitz
- 24 May 1940Birth of Joseph Brodsky
More in Wars, politics & history
- from 25 April 1915 to 9 January 1916Gallipoli Campaign
- 4 June 1917Pulitzer Prize
- from February 1919 to March 1921Polish–Soviet War
- 24 July 1923Treaty of Lausanne
- from 7 December 1941 to 2 September 1945Pacific War
- from 6 June 1944 to 29 August 1944Normandy landings
The era
This moment belongs to the Modern era (1914 CE to 1945 CE), world wars and a changing world. You can also browse everything in the 20th century.