The German obsession had two parts: that Belgian resistance was illegal and that it was organized from "above" by the Belgian government or by burgomasters, priests, and other persons who could be classified as "above." Together the two parts established the corollary: that German reprisals were righteous and legal, regardless of degree. The shooting of a single hostage or the massacre of 612 and the razing of a town were alike to be charged to the Belgian government-this was the refrain of every German from Hausen after Dinant to the Kaiser after Louvain.
( Barbara W. Tuchman )
[ The Guns of August ]
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