Albert I Biography

Birth of Albert I, son of Philip Count of Flanders

Marries Duchess Elizabeth of Bavaria

A failed assassination attemp to kill Albert I

Succeeds as King of Belgium

Withdraws the Belgian Army west along the coast to Flanders

The Belgian Army retreats from the Gette on Antwerp

Germany demands passage through Belgium

The German Government send ultimatum to Belgium demanding passage through Belgian territory

The German Government send ultimatum to Belgium demanding passage through Belgian territory

Germany demands passage through Belgium

The German Government send ultimatum to Belgium demanding passage through Belgian territory

Belgium rejects Germany's demands for passage through Belgium

The British Government guarantee armed support to Belgium should Germany violate Belgian neutrality

Germany invades Belgium & is stopped at Liege

Belgium rejects Germany's demands for passage through Belgium

The British Government guarantee armed support to Belgium should Germany violate Belgian neutrality

Germany invades Belgium & is stopped at Liege

The British Government guarantee armed support to Belgium should Germany violate Belgian neutrality

German troops cross the Belgian frontier and attack Liege

Germany declares war on Belgium. Belgium severs diplomatic relations with Germany

Germany declares war on Belgium

German troops cross the Belgian frontier and attack Liege

Germany captures Liege

The Belgian capital is moved from Brussels to Antwerp

The Belgian Army retreats from the Gette on Antwerp

The Belgian Army retreats from the Gette on Antwerp

The Belgian Army retreats from the Gette on Antwerp

Germany captures Brussels

British and French Governments guarantee to Belgium the integrity of her colonies

Austria-Hungary declares war on Belgium

Austria is at war with Belgium

Albert directs the Belgian Army toward the Yser after Antwerp falls and the northern front contracts.

German forces occupy Bruges during the invasion of Belgium.

Belgian forces use controlled flooding to hinder German movement across the Yser plain in Flanders.

Termonde (Belgium) taken by German forces

Termonde (Belgium) taken by German forces

Termonde (Belgium) taken by German forces

Germany captures Antwerp

The Germans capture Ostend

The Belgian capital is moved from Antwerp to Le Havre, France

Albert's army holds the Yser sector while German pressure threatens the last unoccupied part of Belgium.

Turkey severs diplomatic relations with Belgium

Wishes to make peace with the Central Powers

By this time the Army Group of Flanders (GAF) comprised a total of 28 divisions from the Belgian, British and French Armies under the command of King Albert I of Belgium.

The Battle of Courtrai, also known as the Battle of Roulers or the Second Battle of Belgium (14th - 19th October 1918) followed on after a pause of a couple of weeks from the end of the Allied Flanders Advance.

The successful advance recaptured a number of Belgian towns including Menin, Courtrai, Roulers (Flemish name: Roeselare), Ostend, Bruges, Zeebrugge, and the French towns of Lille and Douai. Units of the advance reached the Dutch border by 19th October

Albert I & Degoutte have operational command of the Allied forces

By this time the Army Group of Flanders (GAF) comprised a total of 28 divisions from the Belgian, British and French Armies under the command of King Albert I of Belgium.

The Battle of Courtrai, also known as the Battle of Roulers or the Second Battle of Belgium (14th - 19th October 1918) followed on after a pause of a couple of weeks from the end of the Allied Flanders Advance.

The successful advance recaptured a number of Belgian towns including Menin, Courtrai, Roulers (Flemish name: Roeselare), Ostend, Bruges, Zeebrugge, and the French towns of Lille and Douai. Units of the advance reached the Dutch border by 19th October

By this time the Army Group of Flanders (GAF) comprised a total of 28 divisions from the Belgian, British and French Armies under the command of King Albert I of Belgium.

The Battle of Courtrai, also known as the Battle of Roulers or the Second Battle of Belgium (14th - 19th October 1918) followed on after a pause of a couple of weeks from the end of the Allied Flanders Advance.

The successful advance recaptured a number of Belgian towns including Menin, Courtrai, Roulers (Flemish name: Roeselare), Ostend, Bruges, Zeebrugge, and the French towns of Lille and Douai. Units of the advance reached the Dutch border by 19th October

By this time the Army Group of Flanders (GAF) comprised a total of 28 divisions from the Belgian, British and French Armies under the command of King Albert I of Belgium.

The Battle of Courtrai, also known as the Battle of Roulers or the Second Battle of Belgium (14th - 19th October 1918) followed on after a pause of a couple of weeks from the end of the Allied Flanders Advance.

The successful advance recaptured a number of Belgian towns including Menin, Courtrai, Roulers (Flemish name: Roeselare), Ostend, Bruges, Zeebrugge, and the French towns of Lille and Douai. Units of the advance reached the Dutch border by 19th October

By this time the Army Group of Flanders (GAF) comprised a total of 28 divisions from the Belgian, British and French Armies under the command of King Albert I of Belgium.

The Battle of Courtrai, also known as the Battle of Roulers or the Second Battle of Belgium (14th - 19th October 1918) followed on after a pause of a couple of weeks from the end of the Allied Flanders Advance.

The successful advance recaptured a number of Belgian towns including Menin, Courtrai, Roulers (Flemish name: Roeselare), Ostend, Bruges, Zeebrugge, and the French towns of Lille and Douai. Units of the advance reached the Dutch border by 19th October

By this time the Army Group of Flanders (GAF) comprised a total of 28 divisions from the Belgian, British and French Armies under the command of King Albert I of Belgium.

The Battle of Courtrai, also known as the Battle of Roulers or the Second Battle of Belgium (14th - 19th October 1918) followed on after a pause of a couple of weeks from the end of the Allied Flanders Advance.

The successful advance recaptured a number of Belgian towns including Menin, Courtrai, Roulers (Flemish name: Roeselare), Ostend, Bruges, Zeebrugge, and the French towns of Lille and Douai. Units of the advance reached the Dutch border by 19th October

By this time the Army Group of Flanders (GAF) comprised a total of 28 divisions from the Belgian, British and French Armies under the command of King Albert I of Belgium.

The Battle of Courtrai, also known as the Battle of Roulers or the Second Battle of Belgium (14th - 19th October 1918) followed on after a pause of a couple of weeks from the end of the Allied Flanders Advance.

The successful advance recaptured a number of Belgian towns including Menin, Courtrai, Roulers (Flemish name: Roeselare), Ostend, Bruges, Zeebrugge, and the French towns of Lille and Douai. Units of the advance reached the Dutch border by 19th October

By this time the Army Group of Flanders (GAF) comprised a total of 28 divisions from the Belgian, British and French Armies under the command of King Albert I of Belgium.

The Battle of Courtrai, also known as the Battle of Roulers or the Second Battle of Belgium (14th - 19th October 1918) followed on after a pause of a couple of weeks from the end of the Allied Flanders Advance.

The successful advance recaptured a number of Belgian towns including Menin, Courtrai, Roulers (Flemish name: Roeselare), Ostend, Bruges, Zeebrugge, and the French towns of Lille and Douai. Units of the advance reached the Dutch border by 19th October

By this time the Army Group of Flanders (GAF) comprised a total of 28 divisions from the Belgian, British and French Armies under the command of King Albert I of Belgium.

The Battle of Courtrai, also known as the Battle of Roulers or the Second Battle of Belgium (14th - 19th October 1918) followed on after a pause of a couple of weeks from the end of the Allied Flanders Advance.

The successful advance recaptured a number of Belgian towns including Menin, Courtrai, Roulers (Flemish name: Roeselare), Ostend, Bruges, Zeebrugge, and the French towns of Lille and Douai. Units of the advance reached the Dutch border by 19th October

Appointed Commander of the Allied Army then recaptures the Belgian coast

Appointed Commander of the Allied Army then recaptures the Belgian coast

Commands the Allied Flanders Group of armies

Albert takes command of the multinational Army Group of Flanders for the final Allied offensive.

Albert's army group attacks across Flanders as the Allies begin the final liberation offensive.

Belgian forces capture major German positions in Houthulst Forest during the opening phase of the final offensive.

Ostend is liberated by the Allies during the Battle of Flanders

Ostend is liberated by the Allies during the Battle of Flanders

Bruges is liberated by the Allies during the Battle of Flanders

Bruges is liberated by the Allies during the Battle of Flanders

Allied advances liberate Bruges near the end of the war.

Albert's army group pushes eastward as German forces retreat toward the Scheldt before the armistice.

Albert I re-enters Brussels

Begins to make equal the rights of Flemish citizens

Introduces a new monetary system

Death of Albert I, climbing accident