Global InformationCouillet Treaty information
 Plaque commemorating the Treaty of Couillet signed on August 23rd, 1914. | |
| Context | World War I |
|---|---|
| Signed | 23 August 1914 |
| Location | Couillet, Belgium |
| Parties | Imperial German Army represented by Max von Bahrfeldt and the city of Charleroi represented by Émile Devreux. |
| Language | German |
The Couillet Treaty details the heavy war reparations imposed by the Imperial German Army on the Belgian town of Charleroi and its surrounding communes, in retaliation for the action allegedly carried out by francs-tireurs against its soldiers as they entered Charleroi.
On 22 August 1914, during the Battle of Charleroi at the start of World War I, German General Max von Bahrfeldt, commander of the 19th Reserve Division, set himself the objective of taking the bridges over the Sambre located at Charleroi and Couillet and held by soldiers of the French 3rd and 10th Corps. As they advanced through the town, the German soldiers were rarely fired upon by the French soldiers. Convinced of the presence of snipers, the Germans took civilians hostage and set fire to houses.
On 23 August, fearing that the town would be completely destroyed, a group of Carolorégian notables, including the burgomaster Émile Devreux, went to meet the general to negotiate. He accused the civilians of firing on his soldiers. Under threat of cannon fire, he forced the members of the delegation to sign the "Treaty of Couillet", which stipulated the payment of a hefty war indemnity in money and other assets, to be settled at 6 p.m. that same day.
The toll of German atrocities was 41 civilians killed and 159 homes burnt down in Charleroi itself. Around 250 civilians were killed and 1,300 buildings were destroyed throughout the Charleroi region.