Gérard Leman

Gerard Mathieu Leman (Liège January 8 1851 – October 17 1920) was a Belgian general. He was responsible for the military education of King Albert I of Belgium. During World War One he was the commander of the forts surrounding the Belgian city of Liège. The German Forces had to use heavy artillery to break through the defences and capture Leman as a prisoner of War. He was released at the end of the War and died a hero, in 1920.

Association with King Albert I

During the pre-First World War period he was responsible for the military education of King Albert I of Belgium.

Preparing Liège

At the outbreak of war, he was commander of the forts surrounding the Belgian city of Liège. Leman was determined to hinder the German advance as much as possible. Over 18,000 labourers were set to work building fortifications around Liège. During a visit by a Belgian minister, Leman was told that these projects would compromise the neutrality of Belgium. Leman was unimpressed and replied that Belgium would come to thank him if war would break out; if no war came “they could take away his general’s stars”.Fact|date=February 2007

Battle of Liege

During the Battle of Liège German forces under the command of General Otto von Emmich were initially unable to break through his fortifications; only after they used very heavy artillery (Big Bertha and other heavy guns) against the forts did they succeed in knocking them out. Leman was knocked unconscious by the bombardment, and was rescued by the Germans from under the debris of Fort Loncin. He was held as a prisoner of war in Germany until the end of World War I. Leman insisted that the report of his capture mention that he did not surrender but was captured unconscious.

After the War

After the war, he returned to a hero’s welcome in Belgium. He died in 1920.