During the First World War the Germans entered and occupied a small Belgian town. Seeking to keep the occupants of the town under control, an officer of the German Army called all the citizens to the town hall and insisted that they take a formal oath of allegiance to German Emperor.
One particularly obstinate fellow refused to be intimidated, and kept boasting about the brave defense the Belgians put up against the superior German force.
Finally the German officer lost all patience and screamed, "Take this oath or you'll be shot!"
Faced with this alternative the man gave in and took the oath.
"That's the spirit," the said German officer, "now you may come and go as you please. You are one of us."
With a sly grin on his face, the Belgian turned and said, "Say, didn't those Belgians give us a hell of a fight?"
