Martin Antonenko
A Fixture
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2008
- Messages
- 8,994
Belgium Is Getting A Little Bigger...!
On March 8, 1925, the so-called "Belgian East Cantons", often also called "New Belgium", finally became part of the Kingdom of Belgium...:
These are the canton of Malmedy (marked in green on the map) and the cantons of Eupen and St. Vith (both marked in yellow).
The Germans, whose national territory previously included the predominantly German-speaking areas, therefore usually speak of "Eupen-Malmedy".
As early as 1919, the Treaty of Versailles stipulated that Germany had to cede these areas to Belgium...:
During a transition period...
...after five years, however, the cantons were to be administered by a high commissioner whom they appointed victorious powers.
The High Commissioner is Belgian Lieutenant General Hermann Baltia..:
...and he has the written order from Belgian Prime Minister Léon Delacroix:
"Take care that everything runs smoothly and that the costs are within reasonable limits. You will be able to act like the governor of a colony that will report directly to the fatherland."
Baltia's first official act makes it clear to everyone what the bell has now rung:
A 1904 monument commemorating the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/1871 in his residence city of Malmedy is being demolished!
The transitional period should avoid "unnecessary hardship", as it was officially said. The victorious Allies hoped that as many German-speaking (and/or German-born) residents as possible would emigrate to the German Reich.
According to the Treaty of Versailles, Baltia, who has since been appointed baron, must also hold a referendum. Residents who do not agree with the state transition of the cantons to Belgium - they call it "annexation" - should put their names on a public list!
But only 271 of the 33,726 eligible voters affected between January 26 and July 23, 1920 have the courage to do so! Everyone else ducks away, fearing later reprisals.
And of these 271, most are civil servants from the German Reich who will continue to do their job during the transitional period and know that they will ultimately be recalled to Germany!
Well, on February 6th, the High Commissioner packs his bags and locks up his office.
Belgium just got a little bit bigger!
Here the Belgian King Albert II and the former High Commissioner Baltia accept the thanks of the inhabitants...:
End of the story? No!
In World War II, the Nazis will try to turn back the wheel of history!
On May 10, 1940, German troops move into Malmedy - and the pictures show us that the residents were not exactly unwilling to see it...:
In May 1945 the Nazi-German interlude is over again...:
And on the same facade of the town hall of Malmedy where four years earlier "Führer, we thank you!" you can now read "Thanks to the Allies, our liberators!"...:
Yes, if such a house facade could speak - it could tell (hi)stories...
On March 8, 1925, the so-called "Belgian East Cantons", often also called "New Belgium", finally became part of the Kingdom of Belgium...:
These are the canton of Malmedy (marked in green on the map) and the cantons of Eupen and St. Vith (both marked in yellow).
The Germans, whose national territory previously included the predominantly German-speaking areas, therefore usually speak of "Eupen-Malmedy".
As early as 1919, the Treaty of Versailles stipulated that Germany had to cede these areas to Belgium...:
During a transition period...
...after five years, however, the cantons were to be administered by a high commissioner whom they appointed victorious powers.
The High Commissioner is Belgian Lieutenant General Hermann Baltia..:
...and he has the written order from Belgian Prime Minister Léon Delacroix:
"Take care that everything runs smoothly and that the costs are within reasonable limits. You will be able to act like the governor of a colony that will report directly to the fatherland."
Baltia's first official act makes it clear to everyone what the bell has now rung:
A 1904 monument commemorating the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/1871 in his residence city of Malmedy is being demolished!
The transitional period should avoid "unnecessary hardship", as it was officially said. The victorious Allies hoped that as many German-speaking (and/or German-born) residents as possible would emigrate to the German Reich.
According to the Treaty of Versailles, Baltia, who has since been appointed baron, must also hold a referendum. Residents who do not agree with the state transition of the cantons to Belgium - they call it "annexation" - should put their names on a public list!
But only 271 of the 33,726 eligible voters affected between January 26 and July 23, 1920 have the courage to do so! Everyone else ducks away, fearing later reprisals.
And of these 271, most are civil servants from the German Reich who will continue to do their job during the transitional period and know that they will ultimately be recalled to Germany!
Well, on February 6th, the High Commissioner packs his bags and locks up his office.
Belgium just got a little bit bigger!
Here the Belgian King Albert II and the former High Commissioner Baltia accept the thanks of the inhabitants...:
End of the story? No!
In World War II, the Nazis will try to turn back the wheel of history!
On May 10, 1940, German troops move into Malmedy - and the pictures show us that the residents were not exactly unwilling to see it...:
In May 1945 the Nazi-German interlude is over again...:
And on the same facade of the town hall of Malmedy where four years earlier "Führer, we thank you!" you can now read "Thanks to the Allies, our liberators!"...:
Yes, if such a house facade could speak - it could tell (hi)stories...
