Antwerp Harbour, Belgium During World War I, the city became the fallback point of the Belgian Army after the defeat at Liège. The Siege of Antwerp lasted for 11 days, but the city was taken after heavy fighting by the German Army, and the Belgians were forced to retreat westwards. Antwerp remained under German occupation until the Armistice. Photo from album which possibly belonged to Lt Reginald Vigars Prenter (RVP), 72nd Bn.