0:00:00 > 0:00:00- Subtitles
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:00:03 > 0:00:08- The First World War started - a hundred years ago, in 1914.
0:00:09 > 0:00:14- The war changed the lives of men, - women and children forever.
0:00:15 > 0:00:19- Children and young people - from all over Europe...
0:00:19 > 0:00:23- ..described their experiences - in diaries or letters.
0:00:23 > 0:00:28- These are the stories - of the Great War through their eyes.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31- One of them was - a thirteen year old girl...
0:00:31 > 0:00:37- ..from a village in Belgium near - the Dutch border, Justine Verbeek.
0:00:39 > 0:00:43- "You must not steal," - my mother always says.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46- "Even though you're really hungry...
0:00:46 > 0:00:49- "..you don't touch - other people's things!"
0:00:49 > 0:00:51- But this is different.
0:00:51 > 0:00:55- If we don't take them, - they will rot.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59- So basically, this is not stealing, - but "tidying up".
0:01:00 > 0:01:02- DISTANT GUNFIRE
0:01:14 > 0:01:16- THE ESCAPE
0:01:23 > 0:01:25- In August, 1914...
0:01:25 > 0:01:28- ..the German army attacked Belgium.
0:01:28 > 0:01:34- The goal of the German Schlieffen - Plan was to conquer France.
0:01:34 > 0:01:39- After drawing the French army - deep into Alsace-Lorraine...
0:01:39 > 0:01:43- ..the Germans would march - through Belgium, attack Paris...
0:01:44 > 0:01:45- ..and then win the war.
0:01:46 > 0:01:50- Belgium was neutral - and not involved in the war.
0:01:50 > 0:01:55- The Germans thought all they had - to do was march through Belgium...
0:01:56 > 0:01:57- ..to reach France.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02- But the Belgian king said, - "We are a country, not a road."
0:02:02 > 0:02:07- He fought alongside his soldiers - and refused to yield...
0:02:08 > 0:02:12- ..even when everyone thought - the German army was unstoppable.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18- But the Belgians - had a secret weapon - the sea.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23- If they opened the floodgates, - the sea would flood their land.
0:02:24 > 0:02:28- It was too deep to cross - and too shallow for boats.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32- This was how the German army - would be stopped.
0:02:34 > 0:02:39- Despite their efforts, the Germans - couldn't totally conquer Belgium.
0:02:39 > 0:02:43- But the Belgians and their allies - France and Britain...
0:02:43 > 0:02:47- ..couldn't drive the Germans - out of the country.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50- The war halted in the west...
0:02:50 > 0:02:54- ..when both sides - began to dig trenches.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58- The war developed - into a new form of static warfare.
0:02:59 > 0:03:04- The soldiers dug miles of trenches - and tunnels to protect themselves.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08- The trenches were so deep, you could - walk in them and not be seen.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11- As a result, - the war lasted in Belgium...
0:03:12 > 0:03:14- ..much longer - than the Germans wanted.
0:03:15 > 0:03:20- This angered the German soldiers. - They were cruel to the people.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23- Leave them, they're my soldiers!
0:03:24 > 0:03:26- Let them be, Antoin, please!
0:03:27 > 0:03:29- But they're my soldiers!
0:03:31 > 0:03:33- Mamma! Antoin!
0:03:34 > 0:03:35- Justine!
0:03:36 > 0:03:38- Why so shy?
0:03:47 > 0:03:48- Hands up!
0:03:49 > 0:03:50- All of you!
0:03:50 > 0:03:52- You too!
0:04:00 > 0:04:01- What is that?
0:04:04 > 0:04:06- What do we have here? A thief!
0:04:07 > 0:04:09- Since the outbreak of war...
0:04:10 > 0:04:16- ..German soldiers attacked - and looted Belgian houses and shops.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18- Nothing was safe.
0:04:19 > 0:04:23- The army stole knives and forks, - mattresses, blankets...
0:04:23 > 0:04:27- ..not to mention chickens, - horses and cattle.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32- They particularly liked - church clocks and bells...
0:04:32 > 0:04:36- ..because metal could - be used to make weapons.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38- And in addition...
0:04:38 > 0:04:39- Take her!
0:04:40 > 0:04:44- ..many Belgians were imprisoned - and made to work for the Germans.
0:04:45 > 0:04:46- I don't want to go!
0:04:46 > 0:04:49- Not my daughter, please! - She's only a child!
0:04:50 > 0:04:51- Aah!
0:04:51 > 0:04:54- Thieves must be punished.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57- Let me punish her!
0:04:57 > 0:04:59- You should have done so before.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03- She will never steal again, - I promise!
0:05:04 > 0:05:06- She can shovel coal for four months.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08- She can shovel coal for four months.- - She'll never survive that!
0:05:10 > 0:05:11- One less thief.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14- Mamma!
0:05:14 > 0:05:18- You can have everything, - but not my child.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21- Not my child, please!
0:05:29 > 0:05:30- Alright.
0:05:37 > 0:05:38- Thank you!
0:05:39 > 0:05:41- Two thousand francs.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47- How much?
0:05:47 > 0:05:52- Two thousand francs in two days, - or I will take your daughter.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59- Where will I find that much money?
0:06:03 > 0:06:05- Two days.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10- Untie her!
0:06:21 > 0:06:22- Justine.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32- Antoin.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35- The Germans plundered Belgium.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39- The Belgians had to pay taxes too.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42- Where could they find the money?
0:06:42 > 0:06:47- In the first weeks of the war, - thousands of Belgians were shot.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51- Their villages were - razed to the ground.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54- The whole country - was being destroyed.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57- German soldiers - burnt down many houses...
0:06:57 > 0:07:00- ..and destroyed - libraries and schools.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04- In Dinant, for example, - they killed 700 ordinary people.
0:07:04 > 0:07:09- The Germans were furious because - they weren't winning the war.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11- They wanted someone to blame.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15- Our neighbours collected - corncobs as well.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17- I told you not to do that.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19- I told you not to do that.- - They weren't for me!
0:07:19 > 0:07:21- Stealing is stealing!
0:07:21 > 0:07:26- They were for you and Antoin, - because you're so hungry.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29- That's why I gathered the corncobs.
0:07:34 > 0:07:38- Two thousand francs! How on earth - will I find that much money?
0:07:38 > 0:07:40- Can we sell something?
0:07:41 > 0:07:43- What can we sell?
0:07:44 > 0:07:46- They've taken everything.
0:07:46 > 0:07:52- Is that just? The Germans steal what - they want and no-one does anything!
0:07:52 > 0:07:57- You've done enough. You will - stay indoors. Is that clear?
0:07:57 > 0:07:58- It's not fair.
0:07:59 > 0:08:00- Is that clear?
0:08:07 > 0:08:11- Only our neighbours can help us now.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22- Hey, my soldiers!
0:08:22 > 0:08:25- Our neighbours have no money either.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28- They were with me in the field...
0:08:31 > 0:08:33- ..collecting corncobs.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35- What will you do?
0:08:36 > 0:08:37- I'll go to the Netherlands.
0:08:37 > 0:08:38- I'll go to the Netherlands.- - No!
0:08:39 > 0:08:40- Yes!
0:08:42 > 0:08:46- Justine wasn't - the only one who did this.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48- After the German attack...
0:08:49 > 0:08:53- ..thousands of Belgians - fled to neutral Netherlands...
0:08:54 > 0:08:58- ..with their money, valuables, - and all they could carry.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02- Their neighbouring country - wasn't part of the war.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08- As well as children, - women and the elderly...
0:09:09 > 0:09:13- ..Germans soldiers fled - to the Netherlands too.
0:09:13 > 0:09:17- They didn't want to fight. - They left the army.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21- The longer the war lasted, - the more soldiers left.
0:09:22 > 0:09:27- For this reason, the German army - guarded the Dutch border carefully.
0:09:27 > 0:09:28- This wasn't easy.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33- It was a difficult area to guard, - with many forests and rivers.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37- If the Germans wanted - to stop the fugitives...
0:09:37 > 0:09:39- ..they had to think of a new plan.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55- "You must not tell lies," - mother always says.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58- And she's right. Lying is bad.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03- I would never do it, - certainly not to my mother.
0:10:03 > 0:10:08- But this is different, - because now there's a war.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10- I have to cross the border.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18- In 1915...
0:10:18 > 0:10:23- ..the Germans built a fence between - the Netherlands and Belgium...
0:10:23 > 0:10:26- ..from the North Sea - to the German border.
0:10:27 > 0:10:28- It was 150 miles long.
0:10:28 > 0:10:33- It went through forests, - villages and lakes.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37- It was a barbed wire fence, - with searchlights.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42- Anyone who approached the fence - was shot dead by guards.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46- If anyone tried to climb it, - they'd get an electric shock...
0:10:47 > 0:10:49- ..from the electrified wire.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53- Many Belgians weren't - used to electricity.
0:10:53 > 0:10:58- Every day, someone was killed as - they tried to climb over the fence.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02- That's why the Belgians - called it the wire of death.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02- To cross the wire of death safely...
0:12:03 > 0:12:06- ..fugitives came up - with the most amazing methods.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11- They put wood under their feet, - or tried to go over it on stilts.
0:12:11 > 0:12:15- Some people glued broken crockery - to their shoe soles...
0:12:16 > 0:12:20- ..or wore rubber clothing - as protection from the electricity.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24- Not all the plans were successful.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28- Although it was very hard - to go to the Netherlands...
0:12:28 > 0:12:31- ..the flow of fugitives - did not stop.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36- Justine, come here!
0:12:36 > 0:12:37- Justine!
0:12:39 > 0:12:41- Come here at once!
0:12:41 > 0:12:44- Justine, where are you?
0:12:45 > 0:12:48- I told her she had to stay indoors.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52- I don't understand. - Antoin, where is Justine?
0:12:53 > 0:12:54- FOOTSTEPS
0:13:02 > 0:13:05- Do I have to remind you?
0:13:14 > 0:13:16- In the Netherlands.
0:13:17 > 0:13:18- Oh, no!
0:13:19 > 0:13:21- Don't complain.
0:13:21 > 0:13:26- Two thousand francs by tomorrow - or I take you with me.
0:13:26 > 0:13:27- Stay here.
0:13:53 > 0:13:59- At first, Belgian fugitives - were welcomed in the Netherlands.
0:14:06 > 0:14:11- I am so sorry but I have - to sell Antoin's soldiers...
0:14:11 > 0:14:13- ..to get these 2,000 francs.
0:14:14 > 0:14:18- The only Belgians with money left - have fled to the Netherlands.
0:14:23 > 0:14:28- But so many arrived, the Dutch - government had to build camps...
0:14:29 > 0:14:32- ..where there were - schools, hospitals...
0:14:32 > 0:14:34- ..and even theatres and cinemas.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38- These camps were called - the Belgians' Villages.
0:14:40 > 0:14:41- Hey, sonny!
0:14:42 > 0:14:43- Hey, sonny!
0:14:47 > 0:14:49- Look over here.
0:14:50 > 0:14:51- I have tin soldiers.
0:14:53 > 0:14:57- If you buy them from me, - you can play with them.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59- Who is this, Gilbert?
0:14:59 > 0:15:02- Fabiola. I'm selling - this tin soldier.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07- He is hand-painted and very old. - That's why he costs 100 francs.
0:15:07 > 0:15:13- I have more, but they're so special - I can only sell them one at a time.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16- Do you like it?
0:15:16 > 0:15:19- If she says they're special, - they're special!
0:15:20 > 0:15:23- Belgians don't lie to each other.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27- If we lie and steal, - we're as bad as the Germans.
0:15:27 > 0:15:32- No, Belgians help each other, - especially in hard times.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37- Fabiola, how much for the whole box?
0:15:38 > 0:15:40- My name is Justine.
0:15:40 > 0:15:46- The Germans have taken everything - and they still want 2,000 francs.
0:15:46 > 0:15:52- You wouldn't get - 2,000 francs for those.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59- Do you know what? I have an idea.
0:16:00 > 0:16:01- Stay here!
0:16:06 > 0:16:09- The letters, bring the letters here!
0:16:09 > 0:16:11- In many areas...
0:16:12 > 0:16:16- ..the Germans prohibited people - from sending letters by post...
0:16:17 > 0:16:22- ..in case they revealed secrets - about the German army to the enemy.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27- Here are 2,000 francs - and the letters...
0:16:27 > 0:16:31- ..to our relatives - and friends back in Belgium.
0:16:34 > 0:16:35- Will you take them?
0:16:36 > 0:16:38- Every country feared spies.
0:16:39 > 0:16:44- Many were arrested and convicted for - spying although they were innocent.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48- Sometimes, they were real spies.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52- People like the British - nurse Edith Cavell...
0:16:53 > 0:16:57- ..helped injured French soldiers - escape to the Netherlands.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59- She was shot.
0:16:59 > 0:17:04- This was also the fate - of Gabrielle Petit from Belgium.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07- She too was sentenced - to death by the Germans.
0:17:07 > 0:17:13- She had crossed the wire - of death more than twenty times.
0:17:13 > 0:17:19- When Justine brought letters back - to Belgium and distributed them...
0:17:19 > 0:17:24- ..she could expect the same - punishment if she was discovered.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33- Was that what you had in mind?
0:17:34 > 0:17:38- A thief first, then a liar, - now a smuggler too?
0:17:39 > 0:17:41- Or even worse, a spy?
0:17:42 > 0:17:45- Do you know what we do with spies?
0:17:45 > 0:17:47- I have the 2,000 francs!
0:17:48 > 0:17:53- Two thousand francs isn't - enough for smuggling and spying!
0:17:55 > 0:17:57- Here, take it! It's for you!
0:17:57 > 0:17:58- Here, take it! It's for you!- - Stupid child!
0:17:59 > 0:18:00- Stop!
0:18:01 > 0:18:02- Aaah!
0:18:03 > 0:18:04- ELECTRIC CURRENT
0:18:05 > 0:18:10- Even if the Germans take all we have - and destroy our country...
0:18:10 > 0:18:12- ..that was not what I wanted.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15- Did the soldier die because of me?
0:18:15 > 0:18:18- No. It was the stupid war.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26- The terrible situation - in Belgium was no secret.
0:18:26 > 0:18:31- The whole world sympathized with - the Belgians and wanted to help.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35- Many countries - organized collections.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38- Food and clothing - were sent to Belgium.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42- But despite - the whole world's support...
0:18:42 > 0:18:46- ..the Belgians became - increasingly angry...
0:18:46 > 0:18:49- ..at the way - the Germans mistreated them.
0:19:06 > 0:19:07- FOOTSTEPS
0:19:07 > 0:19:11- Come, the two days are over!
0:19:11 > 0:19:13- Mamma, don't go! Stay here!
0:19:14 > 0:19:16- Please, one moment!
0:19:20 > 0:19:23- Aunt Veerle will come for you.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25- I want to stay with you.
0:19:26 > 0:19:31- You must be brave. - You're Mamma's brave boy.
0:19:33 > 0:19:34- Yes.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41- Eat well. Never go - outdoors barefoot.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43- Mamma, I want to go with you.
0:19:43 > 0:19:44- Mamma, I want to go with you.- - Enough!
0:19:53 > 0:19:57- To keep the Belgians in check - and get rid of any opposition...
0:19:57 > 0:20:01- ..the German army arrested - many innocent people.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03- People were imprisoned...
0:20:03 > 0:20:08- ..when some regions refused - to pay taxes to the Germans.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12- Every time German soldiers - were attacked...
0:20:12 > 0:20:15- ..innocent Belgians were punished.
0:20:19 > 0:20:20- Many in Europe...
0:20:20 > 0:20:24- ..wanted to stop - the Germans' terrible conduct.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28- But first, the German army - had to be conquered.
0:20:30 > 0:20:31- Mamma!
0:20:33 > 0:20:35- Don't go!
0:20:37 > 0:20:39- Please wait! Don't go!
0:20:39 > 0:20:41- Mamma, Justine is back!
0:20:42 > 0:20:47- Here, I have the 2,000 francs! - Count it!
0:20:48 > 0:20:51- Yes, we have the money!
0:20:52 > 0:20:53- Justine!
0:20:55 > 0:20:57- I'm sorry for all I've done.
0:20:57 > 0:20:58- You got the money!
0:20:58 > 0:21:00- You got the money!- - I have to distribute these letters.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05- Even better than lying and stealing!
0:21:12 > 0:21:15- Justine brought the soldiers back!
0:21:15 > 0:21:17- Thanks, Justine!
0:21:20 > 0:21:24- Distributing the letters - is a dangerous task, of course.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27- But at least it's an honest one.
0:21:28 > 0:21:34- And maybe it will help bring - an end to this terrible war.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10- S4C Subtitles by Gwead
0:22:10 > 0:22:10- .