The German Army Reaches Brussels on May 17, 1940

On May 17, 1940, during the Western campaign of World War II, Nazi German forces reached Brussels, the capital of Belgium. This event was a part of the broader German military strategy known as the Blitzkrieg, which emphasized rapid, concentrated attacks using a combination of armored and air forces.

Background

The German invasion of Belgium, known as the Battle of Belgium, began on May 10, 1940, during the early stages of the German Campaign in the West, or Case Yellow (“Fall Gelb”). The goal of the Germans was to bypass the heavily fortified French frontier along the Maginot Line by advancing through Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg — a tactic also used in World War I.

The Advance to Brussels

After crossing the defensive positions of the Belgian Army, notably at Fort Eben-Emael, German panzer divisions made their way westward. Their advance was facilitated by the Allies’ decision to move into Belgium to meet them, which the Germans had anticipated. By May 17, after less than a week of fighting, German forces entered Brussels virtually unopposed, as the Belgian government had declared Brussels an open city to avoid its destruction.

Wider Strategic Impact

The capture of Brussels was instrumental in the German strategy, as it allowed them to continue their push into France more effectively, obscuring their actual target — a swift movement towards the English Channel. The rapid fall of the Belgian capital demoralized Allied forces, contributing to their eventual encirclement and the subsequent evacuation at Dunkirk.

Consequences

The fall of Brussels marked a critical juncture in the early stages of the Western Front of World War II. The rapid German advance through Belgium underscored the effectiveness of the Blitzkrieg tactics and set the stage for further German victories in France. On May 28, Belgium officially surrendered, further solidifying German control over the region and paving the way for the ensuing Battle of France.

The German occupation of Brussels continued until its liberation by Allied forces on September 3, 1944. The events of May 17, 1940, demonstrated the vulnerability of Western Europe to the swift and brutal German military strategies early in the war.