The Germans did not expect this and were delayed, and responded with systematic reprisals on civilians, killing nearly 6,000 Belgian noncombatants, including women and children, and burning 25,000 houses and buildings.
Orang-orang Jerman tidak ingin itu terjadi, dan menanggapinya dengan pembalasan terhadap warga sipil, sehingga menewaskan hampir 6.000 perompak non-Belgia, termasuk wanita dan anak-anak, dan membakar 25.000 rumah dan bangunan.