If it had been up to Leopold II, the Netherlands would have been annexed by Belgium long ago. The Belgian Crown Prince Leopold II (1835 – 1909) wanted to invade, overwhelm and annex the Netherlands by surprise. This is apparent from research by the Flemish journalist and historian Kris Clerckx in documents in the Royal Archives in Brussels.
A far-reaching war strategy was already on the table in 1854. “It was a very well handwritten military file,” said researcher Clerckx. According to the plan of attack, the Belgian army had to invade the Netherlands by surprise. Amsterdam had to be conquered within a few days, “so that the news of the attack comes simultaneously with the news of the surrender (by the Netherlands). The European balance is thus preserved” (according to the file).
Nationally healthy
An invasion and surprise by the Belgian army was certainly not unrealistic. Clerckx:“In terms of numbers, the Belgians had an advantage and the material was also available to strike.” The Belgian army had 2127 officers, compared to 1397 in the Dutch army. According to Belgian spies, the latter were also mainly old men. The treasury of the Belgian Ministry of War contained more than 34 million gold francs, the budget of the Netherlands amounted to 29.6 million gold francs. In addition, more than 10 million of the Dutch budget was spent on the navy. An army unit that would be completely sidelined in the event of a Belgian invasion.
Colonel Chauchet, the highest ranking soldier in the spy mission, and other advisers, however, were concerned about the Dutch waterline and patriotism in the Netherlands. The forts of the Dutch waterline were well maintained and “the Dutch soldiers are very nationally healthy” (according to a spy). However, Leopold assumed that the Roman Catholics in the Netherlands would revolt in the event of a Belgian invasion.
Napoleon III
That the second king of Belgium never invaded the Netherlands is due (or due) to the French emperor Napoleon III. For Leopold's success, support from great power France was necessary. But Napoleon saw no point in the plan of attack. After mediation by top diplomat the Prince of Chimay and direct consultation between Leopold II and Napoleon III, the Belgian ruler put his plans on the back burner. We all know the rest of history by now.