The Germans arrest civilians at Vis? in Belgium, August 1914, (c1920). 'The Germans' First Attempt to Strike Terror into Belgian Hearts: the invaders at Vis?, with the civilian population (shown in the hollow) under arrest, after the town had been committed to the flames'. Start of the First World War: German forces entered Belgium at the beginning of August 1914, and occupied the town of Vis?. A small group of Belgian gendarmes who opposed them were killed. A few days later German soldiers killed civilians and destroyed buildings. From "The Great World War - A History" Volume I, edited by Frank A Mumby. [The Gresham Publishing Company Ltd, London, c1920]