Couillet Treaty

Lore & Background

On 22 August 1914, during the Battle of Charleroi, German General Max von Bahrfeldt's 19th Reserve Division advanced toward the bridges over the Sambre at Charleroi and Couillet, held by French soldiers. Convinced of the presence of snipers, the Germans took civilians hostage and set fire to houses. The next day, fearing complete destruction, a delegation of Carolorégian notables led by burgomaster Émile Devreux met the general, who accused civilians of firing on his soldiers. Under threat of cannon fire, he forced them to sign the 'Treaty of Couillet,' which demanded a hefty war indemnity payable that same day.

Reader's Guide

The Couillet Treaty exemplifies the harsh retaliatory measures imposed by the Imperial German Army during the invasion of Belgium in 1914, driven by a widespread fear of franc-tireurs (civilian snipers). This fear, rooted in the Franco-Prussian War and amplified by factors such as inexperience, exhaustion, and religious fanaticism, led German forces to perceive Charleroi as a 'nest of franc-tireurs.' The treaty's imposition under duress reflects the broader pattern of German atrocities in the region, which resulted in 41 civilians killed and 159 homes burnt in Charleroi, and around 250 civilians killed and 1,300 buildings destroyed throughout the Charleroi region. The event underscores the vulnerability of civilian populations in modern warfare and the use of forced agreements as a tool of military coercion.

Did You Know?

• The Couillet Treaty was signed under threat of cannon fire on 23 August 1914.
• German General Max von Bahrfeldt commanded the 19th Reserve Division during the Battle of Charleroi.
• The treaty required payment of a hefty war indemnity in money and other assets by 6 p.m. on the same day.
• The German army's fear of franc-tireurs was influenced by the Franco-Prussian War of 1870.