Flamenpolitik

The German authorities aimed to exploit the longstanding linguistic problems in Belgium, particularly the systematic discrimination towards the Dutch language that existed before World War I.

This plan required a separate Flemish state not subject to Walloon influence, and thus necessitated much more radical measures than had yet been taken.

In the present day, after the federalisation of Belgium, the Flemish Community and Wallonia have the same capitals and almost the same territory as the administrative entities of Flamenpolitik.

As part of this policy, the German authorities decided to release all Flemish NCOs and reservists who were made prisoners of war after the Belgian surrender.

Any soldier of these categories who passed a linguistic test was theoretically entitled to an Entlassungschein, allowing him to return home.

That policy was intended to exacerbate internal Belgian conflicts and foster support for the German occupiers in the north of Belgium.