Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Belgium's Leopold

In a moving and informative article published November 25, 1940, in LIFE magazine, John Cudahy, former U. S. Ambassador to Belgium, defended King Leopold III from the charge of betraying the Allies by surrendering prematurely to the Nazis after 18 days of courageous fighting on May 28, 1940. Cudahy concluded that the King's capitulation, under the circumstances, was "the only action compatible with honor and duty."

Here is a lovely tribute to this much-maligned monarch.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's heartening to know that in his life-time, King Leopold III had his defenders who bravely went on the record with the truth. He knew his conscience was clear.

Those who scorned and berated him seemed to do so for political reasons, or out of ignorance. Very sad.

May said...

Thank you for your comment. Yes, I also think he had that inner serenity coming from a clear conscience. There are a number of his intimates who have described how he seemed at peace with himself, and even at peace with the world, despite everything.