BRITISH NAVAL BRIGADES AT ANTWERP

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2278, 12 October 1914, Page 5

BRITISH NAVAL BRIGADES AT ANTWERP

2000 MEN INTERNED IN HOLLAND The Prime Minister lias received the following cablegram from the High Commissioner:— „ , London, October 10, 1.30 a.m. The Admiralty announces that in response to an appeal by the Belgian Government we sent to Antwerp during the last week of the attack two Naval Brigadee and a heavy naval guii detachment of the Royal Navy. Until Monday night last the Belgian Army and tlio Marine Brigade had successfully defended the line of the Netho River. Enrly on Tuesday morning the Belgians on the right of the Marines were forced to retire. In consequence the whole defence was withdrawn to the inner line of forts. The inner line defences were maintained on Wednesday and Thursday during a ruthless bqmbardment. ■ ,„,„.. ... The behaviour of the Royal Marines and Naval Brigades was praiseworthy. The losses were probably under .three hundred out of a total of eight 'The defence could have been maintained for a longer period, but not long enough to allow of adequate forces being sent in relief without prejudice to the main strategic situation. The Belgian ahd British military authorities in Antwerp decided to evacuate. The British 1 offered to cover the retreat, but General De Guise desired. that they, should leayo before the last division of the Belgians After a long night march to St. Gilles, the threo Naval Brigades entrained Two brigades arrived at Ostend, but, owing to circumstances unknown, the greater part of the first Naval Brigade was cut off by the Germnn attack north of Lokeren, and two thousand officers ' and men entered Dutch territory in the neighbourhood of Hulst and laid down their arms. The retreat of the Belgian Army was successfully accomplished. The naval armoured trains and heavy guns were brought away. The retreat from Ghent onwards of the naval division and Belgian Army was covered by strong British reinforcements. FOEOED ACROSS THE BORDER. (Ree. October 11, 11.20 p.m.) _~''„ London, October 11. Official.—A British Naval Brigade, with heavy guns,-participated in the defence of Antwerp. Out of eight thousand marines and bluejackets two brigades safely retreated to Ostend with all the guns. The Germans cut ott two thousand of the first brigade, who were forced into Dutch territory, and surrendered to the Duteh. The retreat of the Belgian Army was successful. ■ •