Brave Little Belgium— Poor Little Belgium

Overview

The four-part documentary series tells the full story of Belgium in the First World War from August 1914 to November 1918. The series deals with the war in all its aspects: civil, military, occupation, technical and medical developments, refugees, etc. It shows the impact of the war in our modern society and tells the historical story of the First World War in a contemporary way, including with the help of drones for aerial photography, CGI and 3D animation.

Current EpisodeSeason 1 • Episode 1Aired: 2014-08-05

1. Poor Little Belgium

1914. Europe lives in prosperity, but war is in the air. That war starts when the Austrian Crown Prince Franz-Ferdinand is killed in Sarajevo by a Serbian student. Germany chooses the side of Austria and wants to attack France. Belgium refuses free passage which causes Germany to invade Belgium in the early morning of August 4th 1914. The invasion happens very violent. Luik falls, Leuven burns. The Belgian Army retreats to the fortified Antwerp. When German 'Big Bertha's' destroy the forts around Antwerp, The Belgians have to retreat and abandon Antwerp. Behind the river Ijzer they will keep ground.