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Horrific Photos of Leuven, Belgium that depict the Destruction and Aftermath of German Reprisal, 1914

German troops invaded Belgium, violating its neutrality, in an attempt to capture France early in World War I. Leuven was captured on August 20 by a hastily mobilized Belgian army. Though Leuven was under German occupation, it lasted only a short period. Units of the German army posted outside the town were taken by surprise and fled back to Leuven. Some Germans in the city mistook their comrades for Belgians and shot and killed them.

When the Germans realized there was no serious attack and that the Belgians had been panicked, they took revenge on the people of Leuven. During the week of August 25th-30th, the occupants set fire to various buildings, completely destroying the 500-year-old Catholic University library and destroying the roof of Saint Peter’s Church. The city theatre was also destroyed. There were over 200 townspeople killed, most of whom were rounded up as “franc-tiereurs” (snipers, i.e., terrorists) and killed. Most were innocent, but some unfortunate enough to be caught with hunting rifles in their homes.

#1 City Hall and St-Pieterskerk from Naamsestraat, Leuven, August 1914

City Hall and St-Pieterskerk from Naamsestraat, Leuven, August 1914

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Horrific Photos of Leuven, Belgium that depict the Destruction and Aftermath of German Reprisal, 1914

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#2 Block of houses between Naamsestraat and Kortestraat completely destroyed. City Hall is on the left, Leuven, August 1914

Block of houses between Naamsestraat and Kortestraat completely destroyed. City Hall is on the left, Leuven, August 1914

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Horrific Photos of Leuven, Belgium that depict the Destruction and Aftermath of German Reprisal, 1914

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#3 City Hall and St-Pieterskerk from Grote Markt side street, Leuven, August 1914

City Hall and St-Pieterskerk from Grote Markt side street, Leuven, August 1914

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Horrific Photos of Leuven, Belgium that depict the Destruction and Aftermath of German Reprisal, 1914

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#4 City Hall and St-Pieterskerk from Naamsestraat, Leuven, August 1914

City Hall and St-Pieterskerk from Naamsestraat, Leuven, August 1914

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Horrific Photos of Leuven, Belgium that depict the Destruction and Aftermath of German Reprisal, 1914

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#5 City Hall and university library ruins. City Hall on left, Grote Markt on right, Leuven, August 1914

City Hall and university library ruins. City Hall on left, Grote Markt on right, Leuven, August 1914

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Horrific Photos of Leuven, Belgium that depict the Destruction and Aftermath of German Reprisal, 1914

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#6 City Hall from Grote Markt with library rubble in the foreground, Leuven, August 1914

City Hall from Grote Markt with library rubble in the foreground, Leuven, August 1914

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Horrific Photos of Leuven, Belgium that depict the Destruction and Aftermath of German Reprisal, 1914

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#7 City Hall guarded by Germans, Leuven, August 1914

City Hall guarded by Germans, Leuven, August 1914

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Horrific Photos of Leuven, Belgium that depict the Destruction and Aftermath of German Reprisal, 1914

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#8 City Hall view of more destruction, Leuven, August 1914

City Hall view of more destruction, Leuven, August 1914

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Horrific Photos of Leuven, Belgium that depict the Destruction and Aftermath of German Reprisal, 1914

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#9 City Hall view of more destruction, Leuven, August 1914

City Hall view of more destruction, Leuven, August 1914

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Horrific Photos of Leuven, Belgium that depict the Destruction and Aftermath of German Reprisal, 1914

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#10 City Hall view of more destruction, Leuven, August 1914

City Hall view of more destruction, Leuven, August 1914

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Horrific Photos of Leuven, Belgium that depict the Destruction and Aftermath of German Reprisal, 1914

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#11 City Hall view of rubble, Leuven, August 1914

City Hall view of rubble, Leuven, August 1914

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Horrific Photos of Leuven, Belgium that depict the Destruction and Aftermath of German Reprisal, 1914

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#12 City Hall view toward St-Jozefskerk, Leuven, August 1914

City Hall view toward St-Jozefskerk, Leuven, August 1914

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Horrific Photos of Leuven, Belgium that depict the Destruction and Aftermath of German Reprisal, 1914

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#13 Destruction along Arendstraat to St-Jozefskerk, Leuven, August 1914

Destruction along Arendstraat to St-Jozefskerk, Leuven, August 1914

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Horrific Photos of Leuven, Belgium that depict the Destruction and Aftermath of German Reprisal, 1914

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#14 Library interior arches, Leuven, August 1914

Library interior arches, Leuven, August 1914

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Horrific Photos of Leuven, Belgium that depict the Destruction and Aftermath of German Reprisal, 1914

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#15 Library shell, Leuven, August 1914

Library shell, Leuven, August 1914

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Horrific Photos of Leuven, Belgium that depict the Destruction and Aftermath of German Reprisal, 1914

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#16 Library wing before the bombing, Leuven, August 1914

Library wing before the bombing, Leuven, August 1914

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Horrific Photos of Leuven, Belgium that depict the Destruction and Aftermath of German Reprisal, 1914

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#17 Library wing gutted, Leuven, August 1914

Library wing gutted, Leuven, August 1914

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Horrific Photos of Leuven, Belgium that depict the Destruction and Aftermath of German Reprisal, 1914

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#18 Moonlight tower in background, Leuven, August 1914

Moonlight tower in background, Leuven, August 1914

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Horrific Photos of Leuven, Belgium that depict the Destruction and Aftermath of German Reprisal, 1914

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#19 Naamsestraat rubble closer to City Hall and St-Pieterskerk, Leuven, August 1914

Naamsestraat rubble closer to City Hall and St-Pieterskerk, Leuven, August 1914

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Horrific Photos of Leuven, Belgium that depict the Destruction and Aftermath of German Reprisal, 1914

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#20 National Bank (Tafelrond quondam et futuris) gutted, Leuven, August 1914

National Bank (Tafelrond quondam et futuris) gutted, Leuven, August 1914

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Horrific Photos of Leuven, Belgium that depict the Destruction and Aftermath of German Reprisal, 1914

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#21 Oude Markt from Stadhuis, Leuven, August 1914

Oude Markt from Stadhuis, Leuven, August 1914

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Horrific Photos of Leuven, Belgium that depict the Destruction and Aftermath of German Reprisal, 1914

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#22 Rubble behind City Hall, Leuven, August 1914

Rubble behind City Hall, Leuven, August 1914

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Horrific Photos of Leuven, Belgium that depict the Destruction and Aftermath of German Reprisal, 1914

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#23 Rubble behind St-Pieterskerk, Leuven, August 1914

Rubble behind St-Pieterskerk, Leuven, August 1914

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Horrific Photos of Leuven, Belgium that depict the Destruction and Aftermath of German Reprisal, 1914

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#24 Rubble between City Hall and St-Pieterskerk, Leuven, August 1914

Rubble between City Hall and St-Pieterskerk, Leuven, August 1914

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Horrific Photos of Leuven, Belgium that depict the Destruction and Aftermath of German Reprisal, 1914

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#25 Rubble near twin towers and velocipede shop, Leuven, August 1914

Rubble near twin towers and velocipede shop, Leuven, August 1914

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Horrific Photos of Leuven, Belgium that depict the Destruction and Aftermath of German Reprisal, 1914

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#26 Rubble with twin towers and velocipede shop, Leuven, August 1914

Rubble with twin towers and velocipede shop, Leuven, August 1914

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Horrific Photos of Leuven, Belgium that depict the Destruction and Aftermath of German Reprisal, 1914

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#27 Shrapnel-pocked building interior, Leuven, August 1914

Shrapnel-pocked building interior, Leuven, August 1914

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Horrific Photos of Leuven, Belgium that depict the Destruction and Aftermath of German Reprisal, 1914

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#28 Shrapnel-pocked building interior, Leuven, August 1914

Shrapnel-pocked building interior, Leuven, August 1914

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Horrific Photos of Leuven, Belgium that depict the Destruction and Aftermath of German Reprisal, 1914

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#29 St-Pieterskerk before arson, Leuven, August 1914

St-Pieterskerk before arson, Leuven, August 1914

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Horrific Photos of Leuven, Belgium that depict the Destruction and Aftermath of German Reprisal, 1914

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#30 St-Pieterskerk bombed corner with holy family, Leuven, August 1914

St-Pieterskerk bombed corner with holy family, Leuven, August 1914

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Horrific Photos of Leuven, Belgium that depict the Destruction and Aftermath of German Reprisal, 1914

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#31 St-Pieterskerk from Groote Markt with rubble in foreground, Leuven, August 1914

St-Pieterskerk from Groote Markt with rubble in foreground, Leuven, August 1914

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Horrific Photos of Leuven, Belgium that depict the Destruction and Aftermath of German Reprisal, 1914

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#32 St-Pieterskerk shattered bell, Leuven, August 1914

St-Pieterskerk shattered bell, Leuven, August 1914

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Horrific Photos of Leuven, Belgium that depict the Destruction and Aftermath of German Reprisal, 1914

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#33 Theatre ruins, Leuven, August 1914

Theatre ruins, Leuven, August 1914

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Horrific Photos of Leuven, Belgium that depict the Destruction and Aftermath of German Reprisal, 1914

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#34 Theatre ruins, man in basement, Leuven, August 1914

Theatre ruins, man in basement, Leuven, August 1914

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Horrific Photos of Leuven, Belgium that depict the Destruction and Aftermath of German Reprisal, 1914

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#35 Big funeral on Naamsestraat, Leuven, August 1914

Big funeral on Naamsestraat, Leuven, August 1914

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Horrific Photos of Leuven, Belgium that depict the Destruction and Aftermath of German Reprisal, 1914

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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