The Yser Front - The Belgian Front During the First World War

[@HistoryHustle]

WHY WW1 BROKE OUT: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJDLYWageb2oe9k GERMAN INVASION OF BELGIUM (1914): kzbin.info/www/bejne/qX7CdWekjM9rfZY BELGIUM ARMY 1914: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYSclZqCoZWXrck

[@tng2057]

Thanks for the video. Thanks for letting everyone knows the heroic effort of the Belgian king which is not known to many. For years I had been wondering how the Entente power managed to defend this small part of Belgian territory throughout WW1 and I now know.

[@Pikkabuu]

Well this defense plus the fact that the Germans got what they want from Belgium and taking over the last bit wasn't important.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your comment.

[@mammuchan8923]

King Albert I of Belgium - what a legend!I greatly admire the man for leading the very courageous defence of his small but very brave country. He is one of my favourite historical figures. Looking forward to more videos filmed in Belgium🇧🇪

[@HistoryHustle]

Yes, his son was a legend in his own way. More on him later. Thanks :)

[@rtwfreak]

Nice that you are showing something about this almost forgotten part of WW1. In Belgium they luckily do not forget this battle. You should also check out the Belgian series called "In Vlaamse Velden" (In Flemish Fields). It's about this period in Belgium and the first battles, but also the Yser Front are shown.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your reply. And yes, I've seen that series a while back. Great production!

[@sensibleshinchan1019]

Belgiums work is often overlooked in ww1

[@letoubib21]

Yeah, they were really tough *. . .*

[@HistoryHustle]

Indeed. Soon more on the Belgian Army in WW1.

[@erikcastro5605]

For king and for country, we are flooding the river Our stand at Yser will be, the end of the race to the sea The last piece of Belgium is free, we're keeping a sliver A cog in the war machine, October of 1914 For king and for country, we are flooding the river Our stand at Yser will be, the end of the race to the sea We're free! For king and for country we are flooding the river No more of our country lost, the line will be held at all cost!

[@HistoryHustle]

Nice poem.

[@erikcastro5605]

@@HistoryHustle, thanks. Credits to Sabaton's new album and songs, of course.

[@davidbarr9343]

I learnt about WW1 in History class at school which included a brief study of Belgium's efforts. Thank you for making clear the sacrifices that were made by and heroism of the Belgian forces during the long occupation of most of Belgium by the Germans. "Lest we forget".

[@ArnoutVI]

I still have an old sigarbox from my great-grandfather, a soldier in the Belgian army. the "special" thing about this box that it has a bullet hole in it, my great-grandfather was shot and wounded in on of the last days of the war.

[@davidbarr9343]

@@ArnoutVI You should be very proud of his service for your country. Thank you for your reply.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for watching, David!

[@gibraltersteamboatco888]

Excellent video, great details. Thanks Bz. Few years back I read an article about the Korps der Congolese Vrijwilligers in the battle of Tervate.

[@HistoryHustle]

Could be interesting too, thanks 👍

[@laszlokaestner5766]

I know this part of the world well having traveled through it many times. It really is flat and featureless, an absolute nightmare to defend.

[@HistoryHustle]

Indeed.

[@kencoleman7762]

Thanks for another enlightening video. The wind noise on your microphone added the sense of battle noise in the background. Nice touch.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks!

[@robertm.8653]

Another awesome video as always! Mad respect for the Belgian King and his men who did all they could to hold onto their last stretch of nation until the end.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for watching.

[@alexamerling79]

"For king and for country we are flooding the river, our stand at Yser will be the end of the race to the sea. The last piece of Belgium's free, we're keeping a sliver, a cog in the war machine , October of 1914."

[@HistoryHustle]

Sabaton?

[@kornaros96]

@@HistoryHustle race to the sea, the war to end all wars (2022)

[@misterivanhoe]

Mijn grootvader was erbij, van '14 tot '19 (bezetting Rijnland). Verloor wel twee broers in '18. In WO II zat hij nog in het verzet, toen al de vijftig naderde. De brieven uit Wo 1 en het ooggetuigenverslag van de dood van één van de broers hebben we nog...

[@HistoryHustle]

Ongelooflijk! Bedankt voor het delen.

[@crazysandz9095]

The background foto at 2:26 is a photo that the belgians had Made on the wat from Sint-Truiden to Tienen (Tienen is also my city where I was Born and where I live)

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for sharing this.

[@RolandPeteur]

As a Belgian, thx man!🇧🇪🇳🇱

[@HistoryHustle]

👍

[@RolandPeteur]

​@@HistoryHustlehey Stefan. Al ooit gedacht om wat Lage Landen overwinningen uit wo2 te bespreken. Ik denk dan aan Ypenburg en de acties vd Ardense Jagers in Bodange en Vinkt. Gr. Topkanaal!

[@HistoryHustle]

Zie kanaal. Ypenburg en Vinkt is behandeld. Ff zoeken 👍

[@RolandPeteur]

@@HistoryHustle merci kerel! 10 mei 1940 zijn meerdere NL soldaten doodgeschoten door Belgische soldaten. . Zij vluchtten de Maas over en de Belgen zagen hen voor Duitsers. Staat monument in Meeswijk. De gesneuvelden uit Maaseik liggen in NL Limburg vlak over de grens.

[@Zombiecane]

Been hoping for this one! Excellent!

[@HistoryHustle]

Good to read!

[@logya]

Hi , nice channel and nice vid . I am french and i am living in Douai witch is on the map you showed in the vid so it's really interesting for me to learn about all those things . Thanks . ; )

[@HistoryHustle]

You're welcome👍 Thanks for your reply.

[@XHollisWood]

Stefan thank you for sharing your knowledge with us, you’re always a refreshing look into history’s forgotten battles ❤️

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks, Jesse!

[@coling3957]

Being a Briton i will of course have to pronounce Yser as WHY-ser. thankyou. Another great video about lesser known aspect of a campaign that seemed to be like a blitzkreig in summer 1914... after German victory in 1871 they must have fought the 1914 war would be just as rapidly ended.

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

Why?

[@gumdeo]

The German plan was to defeat France in about six weeks, but they did not expect the Belgians to resist on such a scale.

[@letoubib21]

@@gumdeo Jerry expected the right of passage through Belgium *. . .*

[@HistoryHustle]

Wyser, Wipers!

[@letoubib21]

@@HistoryHustle I remember when I heard this _"Wipers"_ for the first time in *"Oh! What a Lovely War" . . .*

[@JohnnoDordrecht]

i was there in 2018 , very interesting indeed

[@HistoryHustle]

👍

[@philipryan25]

Thank you 👍

[@HistoryHustle]

You're welcome👍

[@dansmith4077]

For the algorithm good video.

[@HistoryHustle]

😎👍

[@jscatt6123]

Stefan, thanks for another fantastic on location video!

[@HistoryHustle]

👍👍👍

[@Artur_M.]

I knew a little about this topic but it's certainly interesting to learn some more details. For example, it was surprising to hear about the ways Ferdinand Foch was "motivating" King Albert. BTW fun fact about Foch; he technically was a marshal of three nations: France (since 1918), the UK (since 1919) and Poland (since 1923).

[@HistoryHustle]

Interesting, thanks for sharing!

[@wiljantoonen3324]

I've been to the 'dodengang' myself. Very impressive to see this and walked in to this 'gangs'. The museum there was also interesting.

[@HistoryHustle]

The museum sure is interesting. Actually, I wasn't able to visit the Dodengang because it was closed. Therefore I resorted to recording the video in front of it. I wish I could've walked through the trenches. Too bad.

[@ArnoutVI]

@@HistoryHustle that's sad because it is really worth visiting. Near Ypres you could visit the "Yorkshire" trenches they are smaller, but you still have a trench feeling.

[@RickJZ1973]

I'm early to the presentation. Second one! Very interesting lecture.

[@HistoryHustle]

😎👍

[@23ADJ93]

This guy was a bad ass, sounds like one of the allied leaders I have the most respect for in this chaotic war

[@HistoryHustle]

Indeed.

[@ipsylon7297]

Interesting. Thank you.

[@HistoryHustle]

👍

[@jamesgibbs7872]

Very fascinating facts behind different actions in WW1.

[@HistoryHustle]

👍

[@nickpapagiorgio5056]

Wonderful video professor Stefan as usual! The Belgians were severely out matched against the Germans in the eyes of most people but in my opinion they should be considered one of the toughest armies of its time for what they were able to accomplish at Yser and also for their knowledge gained over years of being a formidable colonial power.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks Nick!

[@nickpapagiorgio5056]

@@HistoryHustle my pleasure!!!!

[@RolandPeteur]

Yes ! The time that the Belgians delayed the Germans gave the Allies their well needed time to bring in the reinforcements. Germany counted on 2-3 days but lost 4 weeks in Belgium!

[@midsue]

Interesting 👍

[@HistoryHustle]

👍👍👍

[@Flandersfieldscollector]

EINDELIJK BEDANKT voor dit te maken ik leef dicht bij ze ijzer en ik had zin om aan u te vragen of je naar west-vlaanderen zou komen ik heb dat dan niet gedaan en ik heb nog een verhaal van mijn overgrootvader: Dus in 1917 was mijn overgrootvader 3 jaar oud en hij ging naar buiten om aardeappelen te nemen maar hij werd geschoten met een sniper in zijn hoofd. ECHTWAAR bedankt ik hou van dit kannaal

[@HistoryHustle]

En dat heeft hij dus overleefd? Ongelooflijk. Dank voor het delen.

[@Flandersfieldscollector]

@@HistoryHustle Ik weet dat het raar klinkt iedereen zegt dat maar de kogel was niet door zijn hersenen maar aan de zeikant van zijn hoofd door het bot maar niet door een belangrijk orgaan

[@micromancer9920]

Great video!

[@HistoryHustle]

👍

[@shawnflynn1713]

This is a great video with amazing background stort. And your scarf is so cool! Keep up the good work.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks. Actually, it's a Latvian scarf!

[@shawnflynn1713]

@@HistoryHustle so very cool my friend. Keep up the awesome work.

[@georgekaragiannakis6637]

Thanks again Stefan for an insightful video. King Albert was indeed an astute leader to refuse to participate in the slaughters of the futile frontal attacks, excelled at by Field Marshal Haig. But then again as you point out he had only 50,000 men that would’ve lasted a couple of days, if they were lucky!

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your reply George!

[@whyjnot420]

Found you commenting on a video from TIK earlier today. Going against the grain of what I usually do (in the context of random people commenting on youtube), I decided to see what the channel was like. Scanning the videos, it seems like this might lead to a bunch of new starting points for further learning. Going to check a couple more videos now, if I like them, as I did this, there will be one more sub. Also, one of my goals as of late has been to increase the number of historians I listen to, who are from outside of the US or UK/commonwealth. The only real hindrance to this is that aside from English, the only other language I am fluent in is vulgarity >_>. Granted, Frisian aside, Dutch is about as close as you can get to English in terms of language. But each new place, a new vantage point, something I never really understood back when "history" was that standard western civ that is ubiquitous. Only really starting to appreciate it when I first started to take in world history (that didn't shy away from or try to take away from the achievements of any one time or place that is)...... Taking a breath and a step back in order to look at things in a wider scope.... that is a concept which applies to so many things. caveat: That said, the parts of history which interest me the most, would not be out of place in a western civ course. For the most part anyways.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your reply and welcome to the channel!

[@gunner678]

Nice summary Stephan! If you want an interesting read, a mix of history, with a bit of a travelogue (on horseback) read 'Riding the Retreat' by Richard Holmes. I don't know if it's translated but it's certainly an informative and enjoyable book.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for sharing!

[@gunner678]

@@HistoryHustle another good accessible historical work is Liddel Hart's History of the First World War. It looks beyond the jingoistic hype and into the often uncomfortable truth of events. It's been around for years, but it's still an excellent work.

[@rogerdarthwell5393]

Great video, but what about the Belgian government during World War 1? Did they go into exile?

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for answering JD.

[@bouli3576]

@@The_OneManCrowd Actually the Belgian Government had moved for the duration to Sainte-Adresse, a suburb of Le Havre.

[@rogerdarthwell5393]

@@bouli3576 Really?

[@thes.a.s.s.1361]

Who heard the song “Race to the Sea” by Sabaton?

[@HistoryHustle]

I did.

[@thes.a.s.s.1361]

@@HistoryHustle I learned more about WW1 history from Sabaton than I did in highschool. But in the USA it's taught over a period of about 3 days. Rise of nationalism, Serbia breaks away from Ottoman empire, an archduke is killed, secret military alliances are honored, Europe is at war. Lots of people get killed. Lusitania is sunk killing Americans, America is outraged declares war on Germany. Battle of Bellau wood is huge for the Marine Corps, US Army fights in Meusse Argonne forest. Germany sues for peace. Treaty of Versailles. That's how WW1 is taught in American high schools.

[@sirdarklust]

The Belgians should have just left out tons of beer, stoofvlees, frieten and mayonnaise for the Germans, who would have been so stuffed on food and drunk that they wouldn't have been able to move. Ding dong and take care.

[@HistoryHustle]

👍

[@JornFoto]

Came here from Sabaton's "Race to the Sea"

[@5tarSailor]

For King and for country We are flooding thr river Our stand at Yser will be The end of the race to the sea The last piece of Belgium free We're keeping a sliver Our cog in the war machine October of 1914

[@HistoryHustle]

Sabaton yes.

[@kornaros96]

@@HistoryHustle get used to this.

[@aidanalvarez5486]

🎵WE’RE KEEPING THE KINGDOM FREE!🎵

[@HistoryHustle]

ok

[@gameknightjek2640]

@@HistoryHustle it's a music, about this event. "race to the sea" by sabaton

[@otisfreeman8766]

Super interesting, 👍🍺

[@HistoryHustle]

👍👍👍

[@Jarod-vg9wq]

Albert one one the most unique Royal 🤴 rulers of Europe for being so down to earth and willing to lead his kingdom in war at the frontlines even when his homeland was mostly conquered.

[@HistoryHustle]

I agree. A unique person.

[@JoelArtandScience]

Thanks for this story. I did not know these details of the confrontation in Belgium. Especially about King Albert's order to shoot anyone who tries to retreat. The same order was given by Joseph Stalin in 1942, this is known as "Order No. 227" or "Not one step back!" Terrible times lead to terrible decisions.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for replying.

[@hendriktrappeniers2916]

it is worth to mention that the Belgians did 2 sorties (attacks) from Antwerp to help the allies in the Battle of the frontiers and later to support the allies in the Battle of the Marne. Hard needed German re-enforcements could not leave for the Marne while being attacked in their flank.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for sharing.

[@davehopkin9502]

Good Video - Can you do one where the Yser Front ended at Nieupoort and the sea, how did the line actually end on the sea? how was it protected from flanking attacks etc?

[@HistoryHustle]

Good question. Don't know. I've only seen a picture.

[@davehopkin9502]

@@HistoryHustle Yes there are a few photos but they dont give enough detail to answer the question sadly..... a little project for you perhaps?

[@Libre_et_Pratique]

Thanks! ;)

[@HistoryHustle]

You're welcome👍

[@shrirang68]

Hi Stefan. Love watching your videos. There's an iconic picture of a Soviet p.o.w looking straight in the eyes of Himmler. Can you tell his story ? Thanks in advance

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your reply. I know the picture, yet not the story. I vagualy believe Mark Felton covered this years ago. Not sure!

[@shrirang68]

@@HistoryHustle maybe. I would love to hear your narration on it. It's a request

[@jeroenburlage8906]

Vorige week was ik er nog , er lag bij de stroom paal een grote bom . Om op gehaald te worden

[@HistoryHustle]

Interessant gebied!

[@marcoskehl]

If I remerber correctly, Niel Fergusson says in his book The Pity of War: Explaining World War I, that it was a worthless war for Great Britain, in spite of the courage of the Belgians. He defends Great Britain should never had sent soldiers to help Belgium in the ground, Is that so? Obrigado! 🇧🇷

[@HistoryHustle]

I can understand this. Think WW1 was a worthless war for all.

[@dilloncrowe1018]

I wish i could find the specific casualties of the Yser Front, I want to know how many Belgians and Germans were killed there between 1914-1918.

[@HistoryHustle]

Don't have the time to research that atm as I am traveling.

[@dilloncrowe1018]

@HistoryHustle oh, don't take it as a demand or anything, you do more than enough for us as it is.

[@romanbrough]

Many Belgian refugees went to the UK. The most famous was of course. Hercule Poirot.😄

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for sharing.

[@8000296]

Top it is Wednesday!

[@HistoryHustle]

Yeah!

[@der_Exilant]

You have forgotten: "Operation Strandfest" ,1917.

[@nerozero8266]

👍

[@HistoryHustle]

👌

[@akk-nd3vj]

why would foch have anything to say of belgian kings position after war?

[@HistoryHustle]

It was just a threat.

[@akk-nd3vj]

@@HistoryHustle thx for answer

[@berndf.k.1662]

"Belgium": I have never understood the sense of such a state neither what makes people to fight for it. So maybe sometimes you can make a video about the real and ideal Belgian identity.

[@HistoryHustle]

Hope to cover more on Belgium in the future. For now I have this video for you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWK3qX2Nl7F9eZI

[@berndf.k.1662]

@wim caubergs For this status thanks to you and Stefan.

[@RolandPeteur]

Ridicilous comment. Why fight for your home and country? Why would anyone do such a weird thing😅?

[@SHAHIDKC]

Was the dissolution of the USSR undemocratic?

[@HistoryHustle]

How is this relevant to the topic of this video?

[@SHAHIDKC]

@@HistoryHustle I just really wanted to know you should do a video on the dissolution of the soviet union.

[@jokodihaynes419]

The king of Belgium was a hero in ww1 too bad they didn't have a great king like that in 1940 Belgium

[@HistoryHustle]

In a way I do have respect for Leopold III. More on him later.

[@RolandPeteur]

He didn´t run like a chicken like the pro nazi Dutch Royals...

[@stansfieldmcelroy]

obligatory comment

[@HistoryHustle]

😎