After the German attack on Belgium on 4 August 1914, he was ordered by king Albert I of Belgium, the commander-in-chief of the army, that he must hold Antwerp by all means.
Efter det tyske angreb på Belgien den 4. august 1914 fik han af kong Albert 1. af Belgien - den øverstkommanderende for hæren - ordre til at holde Antwerpen med alle midler.