Belgian Army retreats from the Gette on Antwerp
The Belgian Army retreats from the Gette on Antwerp
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1914 in Belgium
Explore 55 historical events and records for Belgium in 1914.
Historical records for Belgium in 1914
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 55 unique records.
55Unique records
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24Named events on this page
1Named people on this page
8Places on this page
July
August
Battle of Belgium, 1st
Germany demands passage through Belgium
Battle of Belgium, 1st
The German Government send ultimatum to Belgium demanding passage through Belgian territory
Diplomatic Ultimatum
The German Government send ultimatum to Belgium demanding passage through Belgian territory
Invasion of Belgium
Germany demands passage through Belgium
Invasion of Belgium
The German Government send ultimatum to Belgium demanding passage through Belgian territory
Battle of Belgium, 1st
Belgium rejects Germany's demands for passage through Belgium
Battle of Belgium, 1st
The British Government guarantee armed support to Belgium should Germany violate Belgian neutrality
Battle of Belgium, 1st
Germany invades Belgium & is stopped at Liege
Invasion of Belgium
Belgium rejects Germany's demands for passage through Belgium
Invasion of Belgium
The British Government guarantee armed support to Belgium should Germany violate Belgian neutrality
Invasion of Belgium
Germany invades Belgium & is stopped at Liege
Political Support
The British Government guarantee armed support to Belgium should Germany violate Belgian neutrality
Battle of Belgium, 1st
German troops cross the Belgian frontier and attack Liege
Break in Diplomatic Relations with Germany
Germany declares war on Belgium. Belgium severs diplomatic relations with Germany
Declaration of War
Germany declares war on Belgium
Invasion of Belgium
German troops cross the Belgian frontier and attack Liege
Capture of Liege
Germany captures Liege
Capital
The Belgian capital is moved from Brussels to Antwerp
Battle of Belgium, 1st
The Belgian Army retreats from the Gette on Antwerp
Capture of Gette
The Belgian Army retreats from the Gette on Antwerp
Invasion of Belgium
The Belgian Army retreats from the Gette on Antwerp
Antwerp National Redoubt Becomes Belgian Base
After the withdrawal from central Belgium, King Albert I establishes the fortified Antwerp region as the principal refuge of the Belgian field army. Its position threatens German communications while preserving a substantial Belgian force.
Capture of Brussels
Germany captures Brussels
British and French Governments guarantee to Belgium the integrity of her colonies
British and French Governments guarantee to Belgium the integrity of her colonies
Declaration of War
Austria-Hungary declares war on Belgium
Belgian Army Prepares First Antwerp Sortie
Belgian formations reconnoitre the approaches south of Antwerp before an offensive designed to distract German units operating against the Allied armies farther south.
Belgian First Sortie Advances from Antwerp
Four Belgian divisions advance from the Antwerp perimeter toward German positions and transport links near Mechelen. The movement seeks to divert enemy troops away from the fighting in northern France.
Belgian First Sortie Ends
The Belgian army abandons its first sortie after learning that the French and British forces are retreating. Its units return to the Antwerp defences rather than risk an unsupported advance.
Zeppelin Raid Strikes Antwerp
A German airship bombs Antwerp during the night of 25 to 26 August, killing civilians and demonstrating the vulnerability of the fortified city to aerial attack.
Declaration of War
Austria is at war with Belgium
September
Second Belgian Sortie Opens
Albert’s field army launches a second sortie from Antwerp toward the German flank in central Belgium. The attack aims to disrupt communications and force German reinforcements to remain in Belgium.
Belgian Cavalry Reaches Leuven Approaches
During the second sortie, Belgian cavalry advances toward Leuven as other formations secure crossings over the Demer and Dyle. The movement puts pressure on German rear-area routes.
Belgian Second Sortie Returns to Antwerp
German reinforcements check the Belgian offensive, and the field army withdraws to its fortified base at Antwerp. The operation has nevertheless compelled German commanders to divert forces.
Final Antwerp Sortie Attempted
Belgian troops advance against German forces near Dendermonde in a final attempt to protect Antwerp’s western communications. German counterattacks and artillery support soon halt the operation.
Antwerp Defence Lines Reinforced
Belgian field formations and fortress troops strengthen the positions between Antwerp’s outer forts during early September. Their preparations anticipate a renewed German assault on the national redoubt.
October
Battle of Belgium, 1st
Termonde (Belgium) taken by German forces
Capture of Termonde
Termonde (Belgium) taken by German forces
Invasion of Belgium
Termonde (Belgium) taken by German forces
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.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.