History

Here you can find a number of articles on various historical topics. Heavily featured is the First World War and its impact on Belgium, such as How did it all begin, and What happened after the Armistice?

I also cover the rise and fall of the Flemish cloth industry, and various processions that commemorate historical events, such as the procession of the Holy Blood in Bruges. Much more is covered; just browse and see!

Augusta Chiwy: World War Two Nurse

The uplifting story of Augusta Chiwy, a nurse who displayed great courage in Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge.

During the Wereth Massacre on December 17, 1944, 11 captured black US soldiers were shot by German SS troops.

A guest post on the topic of “Women and Horses in the First World War” by military historian Lucy Betteridge-Dyson.

The construction of the Menin Gate took place between 1922 and 1927 It commemorates Commonwealth soldiers who died during World War One.

Ypres was totally destroyed in the First World War yet took only 10 years to rebuild. Here’s the story of the Reconstruction of Ypres.

The Flemish village of Boortmeerbeek is the only place in Europe where a train transport of Jews was stopped by resistance fighters.

One of the most bizarre stories in European history concerns a small patch of land in eastern Belgium

I pay a visit to a mysterious megalithic stone circle deep in La Forêt de Soignes just outside Brussels.

On November 11th 1918, at 11 a.m., the First World War came to an end. What happened that day in Belgium? And afterwards?

The history of the Menin Gate and the Last Post, an overview of Remembrance Day events, and where to see the LEGO Menin Gate!

Discover 17 points of interest on the Waterloo Battlefield in this 14 km walk.

The fascinating story of the Belgian Expeditionary Corps of Armoured Cars is now available as an e-book.