Belgium

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 8, 27 August 1914, Page 5

Belgium

TWENTY DAYS' FIGHTING.

Antwerp, August 25

Five hundred men tit the first battalion of the 34th Regiment from Liege arrived at Namur on Saturday ifrom between the Chaudfontaine and iDembourg forts. The Liege battalion 'had not received orders to evacuate 'the position which the rest of the Liege army received. Hence they found themselves isolated in the midst of a German army with a strong fort on either flank. The Germans were aware of their presence, but were puzzled as to their actual strength and were contented with a reconnaisance in which a battalion was beaten off. The Belgians held the position for eight days, sleeping in the trenches and fed by the peasants, repulsing constant attacks. Shells showered on the camp, but the battalion was well dug in. When food ran short tne battalion managed to reach the woods and scattering escaped through the German lines. After failing to enter the Longuin foi't they reached Namur after 20 days' fighting. London, August 25. Paris messages states that on Saturday afternoon the Germans from Eghezee placed Heavy siege gnns in position before a Namur fort, which replied with such a murderous and accurate fire that in less than an hour the German battery was silenced and half the guns demolished. The Daily Chronicle opines that it is impossible for, Nanrfir to be rushed. The Allies' lines either at Charleroi or near Uinant have rendered it impossible to keep troops betwen the forts at Namur.

i (A previous cablegram stated that Xamur had fallen, but the report was not generally believed.) The French Embassey state* that two army corps attacked and drew a murderous fire, but held their ground until the counter-attack of the Prussian guards compelled them to retreat after the French had inflicted enormous losses, in which the German corps d'elite were seriously tried.

The French east of T?ie Meuse advanced through! very difficult country, where they were vigorously attacked in the outskirts of tm forest and forced to retire south of the river. General Joffre tileS ordered the French and British to retire upon their covering lines, which were only left, because of the brave Belgian effort. The cavalry did not suffe.. The French artillery proved its sup priority. FRENCH APPRECIATION OF BRITISH SOLDIERS.

London, August 25. The French Embassy, describing th< >attle says that the British arm'.

was admirable under file and resist the enemy with its usual coolness.

FRENCH TROOPS TRASFERRED TO BELCJUM.

Paris, August 25

The War Office announces that the Germans seem to have resumed the offensive where action was suspended yesterday, but are being held by the French and British forces.

Official communiques show that the mass of the French troops never reached the Sambre. The greater part oi the French forces was originally directad against Alsace and Lorraine. It had now been necessary to t r & ns f er them to the north. FIERCE HAND-TO-HAND FIGHTING. Paris, August 26. Details published in Paris show that the three French armies between Charleroi and Longwy, in addition to the British and African Zouaves and Tirailleurs, occupied the front lines. At one time they were masters of the situation west of the Meuse, and broke the German line, forcing them to summon tip the Prussian Guards. Fierce hand-to-hand fighting followed. The African troops, weakened by heavy losses, retired upon their commander's orders, but the Prussian Guards were decimated. It appears that the French took the offensive under unfavorable conditions. They advanced upon entrenched troops, and merely failed to drive them out. BRITISH ARTILLERY FIRE. Ostend, August 20. The British artillery shooting wm magnificently accurate, forcing the Germans to beat a hasty retreat. The physique and athletic qualities of the British troops produced an immense impression in Belgium, w*:ere the sol diors are generally small. Every increase in Lord Kitchener's army, and every offer from the British colonies, is chronicled in largo type in the Belgian newspapers.

OPERATIONS AT MONS

Paris, August 26.

Officers from the front stato thai the shooting of tbe British infantry was wonderful. Every time a German's head showed above the trenches the shooting was as cool and calculated as of a prize rifleman at a disappearing target. An eye-witness states that tlio British artillery wrought terrible loss amongst the massed Hermans. The latter's gunnery was badly directed, and rarely bit the mark.

London, August 26. Severe censorship is exercised in

eonn«etion wifck tke epwaiwaai aft. Mons and Charleroi. . Juu- Maxwell, Daily Telegrapk cer-| respondent, who reached Moms en Fri-j day, states that Major-General Allanby's cavalry division marched to thej .north, covering Mons, Fontaine and' Levaquo west of Charleroi, threatening; the left flank of the advancing Germans. The British army advanced on Mona on .Saturday night, but did not j attempt to make any dofensive works. There were few of the Allies beyond j Valenciennes, but Prussian patrols j swarmed over the country. j

On taking up their position in the vicinity of Mons, the British blew up the churches and the railway station at Jitappes, which were in the line o! fire; also the canal bridges. They fired the Bandour Forest, adjacent to the canal, and established a wiveless station behind Quievraiu. The German

approach was apparently earlier than had been expected. The inhabitants of all the villages were roused by tlis tocsin. Ail i'ne men, and many of the women, were engaged in throwing up trenches behind Quievraiu along the canal, and also round Mons and Valenciennes. The workers were paid in English sekl- Thereafter, the civilians were ordered to retire.

When German aeroplanes appeared British aeroplanes chased them away.

UHLANS GET "SURPRISE OF THEIR LIVES"

Paris, August 26

A German officer, who was taken prisoner, said: "We never expected anything like it. It was staggering when the cavalry charged. The Uhlans had the surprise of their lives."

GERMANY LEVIES £18,000,000 ON

BRABANT PROVINCE.

London, August 26.

The Germans have imposed a levy »f £18,000,000 sterling on the province of Brabant, of which Brussels is the capital. A German with a Red Cross badge vas found shooting Belgian wounded vhile ostensibly treating them. He was captured and shot. German residents in Belgium are assisting the invaders greatly as scouts, assisting to create panics in frontier towns. The Belgians lost 40 killed and wounded in the Uhlans' raid at Ostend. Tha latter suffered morn severe-