Belgian War Cemetery Champion

The Battle of Namur was a five-day battle in the August days of 1914.
After the attack on Liège - where the Germans misjudged the resistance of the Belgians - they were only able to turn the situation in their favor after bringing in a few Fat Bertha's.
They wouldn't make this mistake in Namur again.
Their heaviest artillery was deployed and from August 20, 1914, the forts around Namur were destroyed.
The lighter artillery took the positions between the forts under fire and after several days of intense bombardment, a storm attack was launched on the Belgians.
The Belgian troops had no choice but to leave the fortress and withdraw towards the French border.
Many fallen soldiers remained behind on the battlefield and were only given a final resting place at the military cemetery in Champion after the Armistice.

This Belgian military cemetery has an area of 81 ares containing 491 Belgian graves and 32 French graves from the First World War.
Of the 491 Belgian soldiers, 178 have not been identified.
Most of the soldiers here died in the vicinity of the Fort of Marchovelette in August 1914.

The cemetery contains 1 Belgian grave from the Second World War.
There is also a memorial stone for 10 unknown French soldiers:
"1914 - RF - 1918
Here rest 10 unknown French soldiers, who died in defense."

The cemetery was inaugurated by King Albert I in 1923.
The air shaft of the fort can still be seen from the cemetery. This place was specially chosen for that reason.