| Angels of Mons | |
|---|---|
 An photo in Mons, Belgium about sighting angel | |
| Background | |
| Type | Phenomena |
| Continent | Europe |
| Country | Belgium |
| One-Time? | Yes |
| Theories | · Mirage · Supernatural |
The Angels of Mons is a supernatural accounts that emerged during World War I, particularly surrounding the Battle of Mons, which took place on August 23, 1914. This battle was the first major engagement of the British Expeditionary Force against the German Army. The phenomenon is rooted in a combination of wartime stress, national morale, and the power of storytelling.
Description[]
During the Battle of Mons, British forces were heavily outnumbered by advancing German troops. Despite their valiant efforts, they faced significant casualties and were forced into a retreat. The news of this battle reached Britain and stirred public sentiment deeply due to the high losses and the perceived heroism displayed by British soldiers. In this context, stories began to circulate about miraculous interventions that aided the British forces.
The Welsh author Arthur Machen published a short story titled “The Bowmen” in September 1914. This fictional tale described phantom bowmen from the Battle of Agincourt who appeared to assist British soldiers during their retreat at Mons. Although Machen intended it as a work of fiction, many readers believed it to be based on true events. This misunderstanding sparked widespread reports claiming that angels or supernatural beings had intervened during the battle.
Machen himself was surprised by how his story was accepted as fact and later attempted to clarify that it was purely imaginative. However, his assertions did little to quell the growing belief in angelic intervention.
Following Machen’s publication, numerous accounts surfaced claiming sightings of angels or other divine figures during or after the battle. Reports varied widely—from descriptions of medieval archers to luminous clouds—eventually coalescing around visions of angelic warriors. These narratives were often recounted by soldiers returning from the front lines and were further propagated through newspapers and spiritualist publications.
Possible Explanations[]
There are several explanations as to what the phenomenon could be. Theories include:
- A angel
- A miracles
- An Supernatural
Trivia[]
- In May 1915, an article in a spiritualist magazine claimed that a supernatural force had intervened at Mons, leading to even more reports confirming these visions. Many soldiers claimed they had seen angels or other divine figures protecting them during combat.