Belgium was invaded by Nazi Germany during the Second World War on 10 May 1940. This led to swift and fierce attacks from the Luftwaffe, causing destruction to airports and other strategic locations. The Belgian population was shaken by this sudden and violent turn of events, as they were caught off guard from prolonged periods of ambiguous warfare. The German forces occupied Brussels on 17 May 1940, leading to the Belgian government relocating and a division between Prime Minister Pierlot and King Leopold III. This was a result of a bill proposed in February by Minister of Public Education, Eugene Soudan, which called for mandatory military service for all men. The Belgian army during this period was ill-prepared and faced major challenges against the well-equipped German army.