ncc1701e -> RE: Low Countries & Vichy (10/31/2019 1:30:01 PM)
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ORIGINAL: ThunderLizard2 Historically correct that Belgian King refused to discuss with UK/France and vowed to oppose invasion from either direction. Not really true. [:-] Right, the first consequence of Belgian neutrality was to prevent all official contact between the French and Belgian staffs starting 1936. But, early 1939, General Laurent, a French military attache in Brussels, made secret contacts with General van Overstraeten, the King's special military adviser, with the latter's consent. General Laurent communicates valuable information on the Belgian military plans to the "Second office" of the French intelligence service. Moreover, in October 1939, after the declaration of war of France and the United Kingdom to Germany, the king agreed to a reinforced consultation with the French General Maurice Gamelin. The king had a secret correspondence with Gamelin as described in "Servir" the book of General Gamelin. What is also true, given the need to complete the rearmament and the wait-and-see attitude of the Allies, it was necessary for Belgium to avoid any provocation with regard to Germany, as the army was not yet ready to resist a German attack.
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