THE HERO OF LIEGE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 71, 17 December 1917, Page 5

THE HERO OF LIEGE

RELEASE REPORTED. (Rcc. December 16, 5.5 p.m.) Berne, December 14. Prisoners from Germany state that General Loman, the hero of Liege, has been released, and will arrive in Switzerland to-morrow.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable fin tho German invasion, of Belgium, Liege offered effective resistance, it was defended by 12 forts in ft ring of 33 miles' circumference, and witn intervals of 3or 4 miles between each. Tho forts wore of tho circular, disappearing cupola type, designed by General Brialmont. The garrison was inadequate to hold the wide spaces tetween the forts against overwhelming forces. But General von Emmicli, to whom was entrusted tho task of tho reduction of the city with some.Bß,ooo men from tlio 7th and 10th German •Vrmv Corps, underestimated the resolute defence. Flinging his troops in closo formation against tho exposed, sloping sides of tho forts in the endeavour to rush them by assault, lie saw them mowed down in hundreds It v-ns not until ho liad reinforced his army with the 9th Army Corps, and had an army of 120,000 at disposal, that liewas able to force a way between the forte to the city itself. This was on the night of August 7, 1914. Ho was not able to prevent the withdrawal, of the garrison to join tho mam Belgian Army under the personal command <>r King Albert. Nor had the forts been reduced. This was not effected, until August 13, and then only with the aid of tho immense 42 cm. (16.4-inch) howitzers, the existence of which was a surprise asset on the part of the barmans. These huge siege guns, witn a range of a dozen miles, working on concrete bases secretly prepared beforehand, rendered ineffective fortress defences hitherto considered capable cr withstanding prolonged assault, and tno ability of the Germans to bring them up from time to time had an important effect in the campaign. Requiring each some thirteen traction engines .tor transport, and of small service against the mobile fores in tho field, their sheer hattering power meant that, m the Western theatre, the forts against which thev wore brought were overwhelmed. Tlva gallant General Leman was captured insensible m one of tno ruined Liege forts.]

NAVAL ALLIED COUNCIL CREATED TO ENSURE CO-ORDINATION OF EFFORT. (Rcc. December IG, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 15. The Admiralty announces that a Naval Allied Council has been created to watch and report to tho respective Governments on tho general conduct of the naval war, and ensure coordination of effort. It consists ot tho Ministers of Marine and ducts of Naval Staffs. Tho Admiralty adds that America and Japan wil bo rcprosentcd, and the various Admiralties will furnish to tho council tho information necessary for its work.—Aus.N.Z. Cable' Assn.-Routcr.

(The cable news in this issue accredited to tho London "Times" has appeared n that journal, but enly where expressly stated la ntioh news the editorial opinion of "Tint Times.")