SUCCESSFUL SORTIE FROM ANTWERP

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2256, 16 September 1914, Page 5

SUCCESSFUL SORTIE FROM ANTWERP

ENEMY'S PLANS FRUSTRATED GERMANS CONCENTRATING" AT LOUVAIN. Antwerp, September 14. It is officially stated that the object of the Belgian sortie from Antwerp was attained, inasmuch as the Belgians prevented two .German . army corps proceeding to France, where they were pressingly needed. Ostend, September 14. The newspaper "Gazet van Gent" (published at Ghent) states that Russian troops reinforced the Belgians during the fighting at Cortenberg. Tho London "Daily News" correspondent confirms this. ~ /'■ FIGHTING IN THE RUINS OF LOUVAIN, (Rec. September 15, 8.50 p.m.) Antwerp, September 14. Official.—The fighting within the Brussels-Louvain-Malines trianglo lasted four days. The Germans held a stroug position, and had called up all their available reinforcements, including two army corps recalled' from the south,' Landwehr and 'Landsthurn troops from the region southwards of Brussels, and 16,000 marines from Brussels. Fioroe encounters took place on Friday and during the night hi the ruins of Louvain; The Belgians twice penetrated to the centro of. the town. • _ The German concentration at Louvain then necessitated a Belgian retirement to Antwerp. The Belgians achieved tho object of their sortie by immobilising two army corps which had previously been sent towards France. The, losses on both sides were heavy. Rifle-lire brought down a German aeroplane which was'hovering over Antwerp, arid'the aviator was killed. ENEMY'S APPEALS FOR ASSISTANCE. ; (Rec. September 15, 10 p.m.) 1 Amsterdam, September 14. , During the fighting the Belgians tapped telegraph messages from Louvain asking Brussels to send assistance. Brussels replied: ''Have no more guns," arid advised the Louvain garrison to seek assistance elsewhere. , The following cablegram, dated September 15, 12.30 a.m., has been received by the Prime Minister ((Right Hon" W. F. Ma6sey) from the High Commissioner for New Zealand:— . ... "The Government Press Bureau authorises the Press to state that' # there is no truth whatever in the rumours that Russian soldiers havo landed iiij or passed through, Great Britain on the way to Franco or Belgium. The statements that Russian troops are now on Belgian.'or French soil should bo discredited." ,