The German perspective on Belgian resistance during World War I was deeply influenced by two main beliefs. Firstly, they considered that any form of Belgian resistance was illegal. Secondly, they propagated the idea that this resistance was orchestrated by high-ranking officials and authority figures within Belgium, including government members, local leaders, and clergy. This narrative created the justification for their brutal reprisals, which they deemed righteous and lawful, regardless of the severity of the repercussions.

This rationale allowed Germans to equate various forms of punishment, from executing a single hostage to committing mass killings and destroying towns, all as legitimate actions sanctioned by the alleged complicity of the Belgian government. This belief was a common refrain among German officials and soldiers, reinforcing the view that their actions were lawful responses, thus attempting to legitimize their harsh measures against the resistance.