Albert I Biography and Timeline — Page 2

Battle of Belgium, 1st

Termonde (Belgium) taken by German forces

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934

Capture of Termonde

Termonde (Belgium) taken by German forces

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934

Invasion of Belgium

Termonde (Belgium) taken by German forces

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934

Belgian Command Orders Field Army Evacuation

As German heavy guns breach Antwerp’s defensive system, Belgian leaders begin extracting the field army westward. Preserving these troops takes priority over continued resistance within the fortress.

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934

Belgian Army Escapes Antwerp Envelopment

The main Belgian field army moves beyond Antwerp toward Ghent while rearguards delay German pursuit. Its escape permits Belgium to maintain an organized force for subsequent fighting in Flanders.

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934

Capture of Antwerp

Germany captures Antwerp

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934

Capture of Ostend

The Germans capture Ostend

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934

Capital

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

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934

Yser Defensive Line Maintained

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

Role range: 1914-1918

Belgian Army Withdraws toward Flanders

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

Role range: 1914-1918

German Occupation

German forces occupy Bruges during the invasion of Belgium.

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934

Yser Flooding Defence Supported

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

Role range: 1914-1918

Break in Diplomatic Relations with Belgium

Turkey severs diplomatic relations with Belgium

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934

Battle of Yser

Withdraws the Belgian Army west along the coast to Flanders

Role range: 1914-1918

Peace

Wishes to make peace with the Central Powers

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934

Final Flanders Offensive Opens

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

Role range: 1914-1918

Houthulst Forest Positions Captured

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

Role range: 1914-1918

Army Group of Flanders Command Assumed

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

Role range: 1914-1918

Battle of Flanders

Ostend is liberated by the Allies during the Battle of Flanders

Role range: 1914-1918

Capture of Ostend

Ostend is liberated by the Allies during the Battle of Flanders

Role range: 1914-1918

Battle of Flanders

Bruges is liberated by the Allies during the Battle of Flanders

Role range: 1914-1918

Capture of Bruges

Bruges is liberated by the Allies during the Battle of Flanders

Role range: 1914-1918

Liberation of Bruges

Allied advances liberate Bruges near the end of the war.

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934

Capture of Brussels

Albert I re-enters Brussels

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934

Flanders Advance Reaches Scheldt Approaches

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

Role range: 1914-1918

Constitution of Belgium

Begins to make equal the rights of Flemish citizens

Role range: 1909-1934

Commander of Allied Army

Appointed Commander of the Allied Army then recaptures the Belgian coast

Battle of Belgium, 2nd

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.

Role range: 1914-1918

Battle of Belgium, 2nd

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.

Role range: 1914-1918

Battle of Belgium, 2nd

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

Role range: 1914-1918

Battle of Flanders

Albert I & Degoutte have operational command of the Allied forces

Role range: 1914-1918

Capture of Bruges

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.

Role range: 1914-1918

Capture of Bruges

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.

Role range: 1914-1918

Capture of Bruges

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

Role range: 1914-1918

Capture of Courtrai

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.

Role range: 1914-1918

Capture of Courtrai

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.

Role range: 1914-1918

Capture of Courtrai

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

Role range: 1914-1918

Capture of Douai

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.

Role range: 1914-1918

Capture of Douai

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.

Role range: 1914-1918

Capture of Douai

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

Role range: 1914-1918