Brussels, September 1939: a small country's tightrope walk

Since 1936, Belgium has withdrawn from its Locarno commitments and abandoned its military alliance with France in favor of a policy of independence: staying out of the blocs and hoping not to be dragged into a new war. In 1937, the country even received a guarantee from Berlin that its neutrality would be respected.

On September 1, 1939, Germany invades Poland; London and Paris declare war. At once, the French and British governments press Brussels to take their side or, at the very least, to open staff talks to coordinate the defense of Belgian territory in the event of a German attack.

Leopold III and his government must decide: commit openly to the Allies at the risk of provoking Hitler, or maintain strict neutrality while hastily launching the country's mobilization and rearmament.