On 4 August 1914, Germany invaded Belgium, initially leaving Neutral Moresnet as "an oasis in a desert of destruction". "As a proof of German preparation, war had come automatically at 7:00 a.m., 3 August 1914. At 11:00 p.m. (Belgian time) the outposts on the main roads holding Pepinster, Battice, Herve and smaller hamlets, were attacked and forced back to the fortified lines of Liège. The towns defended near the frontier were soon flaming ruins, the quaint neutral territory of Moresnet rising as an oasis in a desert of destruction".