“There is no government in occupied Belgium… The country has been systematically plundered by the Germans and the population is living on starvation rations” – 10 FACTS ABOUT BELGIUM TODAY issued by the BELGIAN INFORMATION CENTER, 630 Fifth Avenue – A photo and information booklet urgently released by the “Belgian Information Center” in New York shortly after the Nazi occupation of Belgium, based on authentic testimonies from the heart of the local resistance. A factual report intended to counter the lies spread by the Nazis about an alleged “new order” in the occupied country – New York, 1941 – First edition.
An important booklet issued by opponents of the Nazi occupation with the aim of informing the Belgian people of facts the Nazis attempted to obscure, using verified photographs and reports. The booklet is illustrated throughout with photographs taken in Belgium in real time, intended to visually reinforce the credibility of the reports. (The German occupation of Belgium began on May 28, 1940, with the country’s surrender, and continued until the liberation of Belgium between September 1944 and February 1945. During this period, Belgium itself was divided in two—between the underground resistance to the Germans on one side, and the collaborators with foreign forces on the other.)
The booklet includes, photographs of the Leuven Library, which was completely destroyed by the Nazis, and a report about King Leopold III of Belgium: “He is a prisoner of war in his Laeken Castle and refuses to take part in political matters, rejecting proposals to cooperate with the Nazis.” It further states: “There is no government in occupied Belgium. All required administrative functions are being carried out by officials who remained in office under the instructions of the Belgian government. The country has been systematically plundered by the Germans and the population is living on starvation rations.” It also reports on organized resistance to the Nazi occupiers: “Resistance to the ‘New Order’ – the Belgian population strongly opposes the German regime and cooperates with the Belgian government through various sabotage operations…”; “The Belgian clergy is regularly attacked by the Nazi-controlled press and is accused of leading the resistance in Belgium”; and: “The Belgian government, appointed by the King in 1939 and the only legal authority of the country, is in exile in London.” The booklet also reports that the economic resources of the Belgian Congo are at the disposal of the Belgian government in London, a Belgian army is active in Britain, Belgian soldiers are participating in battles alongside the British army at sea and in the air, and more.
[12] pages. Very good condition.
