ABSTRACT
The process of Aryanization, the legalized removal of all “Jewish influence” in the Belgian economy, began, as we have seen, before the introduction of the first anti-Jewish Orders at the end of October 1940. A series of measures concerning enemy property had already been introduced by the occupying power. The first of these came into effect a few days after the defeat, on 23 May 1940.1 The Second Order of 8 July extended the definition of enemy property to include property belonging to Belgians who had fled the country and who found themselves in France or England.2 In addition to establishing compulsory registration and a formal declaration system for enemy property, the Germans set up a regime for the appointment of an administrator (Verwalter) for such enterprises. Because many Belgian Jews had joined their countrymen in fleeing the German onslaught in May 1940, these first Orders dealing with enemy property were applied to property which would, from October 1940, be considered Jewish.
