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| King Albert Memorial Nieuport IJ |
Situated overlooking the Ganzepoot lock gates on the River Yser at Nieuport, is a memorial to King Albert 1st, King of the Belgians during WW1.
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King Albert Memorial Nieuport
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Albert came to the Belgian throne in December 1909. He was a progressive monarch who tried to bring social change to the country and stop exploitation in the Belgian Congo. He also brought about reform to the Belgian Army including the introduction of conscription.
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| King Albert I Belgian Army |
On 2nd August 1914, Germany issued an ultimatum to Belgium demanding safe passage through the country for the German Army. The ultimatum was issued on the pretence that this was a defensive measure, as the Germans had information that the French were about to invade Belgium to attack Germany. King Albert issued a refusal on the 3rd August. The same day the German Army invaded Belgium, and Belgian forces mobilised.
The Germans swept through Belgium, the capital Brussels being occupied 20th August. The British and French armies were pushed back to the River Marne, before withdrawing to the River Aisne. The Belgian Field Armies withdrew to the National Redoubt in Antwerp. In October 1914, the Germans attacked Antwerp and the city fell on the 10th October. The Belgian Field Army withdrew to the area from Dixmuide to Nieuport stablishing a defensive line. The the Germans launched an assault on the Belgians on 18th October. The Battle of Yser would result in the German advance being halted by the sector being flooded.
The Belgians would continue to fight to ensure that the last remaining part of the country remained free from occupation.
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| King Albert I stands up to German aggression |
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| German occupied Belgium WW1 |
The King would lead his troops throughout the war serving on the frontline.
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| King Albert on the frontline 1914-15 |
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| King Albert 1 in the Trenches |
The Belgian Queen, Elisabeth, served as a nurse .
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Queen Elisabeth Queen of the Belgians
serving as a nurse WW1
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King Albert was killed in a mountaineering accident in the Ardennes near Namur 17th February 1934.
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King Albert 1
1875 to 1934
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The monument to commemorate King Albert 1st was inaugurated on 24th July 1938.
The circular monument is 30 metres in diameter with a 100 metre circumference. At the centre of the memorial is a statue of King Albert mounted on a horse. A bronze plaque on the monument shows Queen Elisabeth nursing a wounded soldier.
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| King Albert Memorial Nieuport |
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| King Albert Memorial Nieuport |
Adjacent to the King Albert Memorial is the British Nieuport Memorial.
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| King Albert Memorial / British Memorial Nieuport |