I fully understand small and/or weak military nations attempting to remain neutral. But there comes a point of naivety. The moment Germany invaded Poland, and the cooperation of the Soviets with Germany became known, common sense should have been to band together. Even if Belgium wasnt confident in France, they knew France & the UK would stick together, the Maginot line was in place as a deterrent and there was historical presidence for Germany to maneuver through the low countries to get to France. It quite possibly (probably) wouldnt have saved Belgium (or the Netherlands) but those were clearly blunders on both their parts.
I agree with Opanashc but there are two issues here. One is that no one wanted to go to war hence the French (and UK) allowed Germany to get away with alot. And Two once Poland was invaded War was declared, now there really was no reason not to ally with the the UK and France. Surely if Belgium had no faith in the Allies they had to know that in one way or another they would be a target, at somepoint. If they thought by allying it would have brought them into conflict fine, but did they think if they remained neutral and Germany defeats the Allies or even France that they now isolated would be allowed to remain neutral? Its amazing Switzerland was allowed to remain neutral tucked in between Germany and Italy as they were (there actually were discussions of taking Switzerland by both nations). Remaining quiet in the corner was a very bad strategy. Then again the Allies unwillingness to deal with the Soviets prior to German aggression was equally bad.
I agree with Opanashc but there are two issues here. One is that no one wanted to go to war hence the French (and UK) allowed Germany to get away with alot. And Two once Poland was invaded War was declared, now there really was no reason not to ally with the the UK and France. Surely if Belgium had no faith in the Allies they had to know that in one way or another they would be a target, at somepoint. If they thought by allying it would have brought them into conflict fine, but did they think if they remained neutral and Germany defeats the Allies or even France that they now isolated would be allowed to remain neutral? Its amazing Switzerland was allowed to remain neutral tucked in between Germany and Italy as they were (there actually were discussions of taking Switzerland by both nations). Remaining quiet in the corner was a very bad strategy. Then again the Allies unwillingness to deal with the Soviets prior to German aggression was equally bad.
