By the end of 1914, the Belgian army was exhausted and decimated. Only 85000 of the original 117000 soldiers of the field army and the 80000 Troupes de Forteresse reached the river Yser. Regiments split on mobilisation to form a second unit had to be rejoined to keep up their strength. The army was desperately in need of new recruits.

In a first appeal (26 October 1914) King Albert asked every Belgian male between the age of 18 and 30 to volunteer. The government in exile decided on March 1 1915, that every male between the age of 18 and 25 and living in Belgium, France or England was obliged to enlist. Another governmental decision (21 July 1916) extended this to the age between 18 and 40. Many Belgians living abroad enlisted. An example, a short while ago I received the following E-mail from Mr. Keith R. Wood :

I am located in British Columbia, Canada and have been researching the names on our War Memorials in communities in the interior. ..... One person is Raymond Van Eetvelde (also spelled Van Eetveldt) who is listed on the Vernon War Memorial. I found his name on an August, 1914 enlistment roll for B Squadron, 30th British Columbia Horse, a local cavalry militia unit. However, his name is missing from later lists and it appears he left the country to enlist. His age was 28.

With the help of Mr. Patrick Dewolf we found Raymond van Eetvelde. He enrolled in the Belgian army, 15° Régiment d'Artillerie and died on 17 august 1918. We don't know the cause of death. He is buried on the military cemetery at De Panne in grave AO125.

Others, living in occupied Belgian territory, made a risky journey across the Belgian - Dutch border to enlist. This journey was extremely dangerous and many were shot by German patrols. They fired without warning and on sight. Eventually the Germans erected electrified fences on the entire length of the border. This didn't stop the brave young man and many died of electrocution in the attempt to flee. From Holland they went to England and to training camps in France.

These new recruits gave the possibility to reorganise the army.

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Belgian officers held at the prisoner of war officers camp at Gutersloh. The card was mailed shortly before Christmas of 1915 (23 december 1915). The officer in the middle is Lieutenant-Général Deguise.
Contributed item by Mr. Michael Allard, thank you!

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The Belgian army, 1917

(Situation in the spring of 1917)


Commander : H.R.H. King Albert I