“WHEN THE FIRST SHELL BOOMED.”

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 47, 12 October 1914, Page 5

“WHEN THE FIRST SHELL BOOMED.”

MODERN BOMBARDMENT MEANS HELL ON EARTH. FAILURE OF THE ENEMY TO CAPTURE THE GARRISON [By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] [.United Press Association.] > * (Received 8.45 a.ra.) Amsterdam, October 10. When the first shell boomed in Antwerp, the city was in darkness, hut the empty streets suddenly became alive with people, women and children crying and flocking 1 in every direc- j tion. There was a quarter of an hour’s lull, and then came the | booming of the big guns. Each shot was followed with a weird i and long-drawn-out din. Then came the final explosion, which was most fearsome. All this continued until dawn, when there was a respite of two hours, after which it re-commenced and was fiercer than ever. With the gunS of the fortresses and the field batteries joined in; the chorus, flames breaking out everywhere and buildings crashing, the place became an inferno. Meanwhile fugitives, many half naked, thronged the streets, the young dragging the old and infirm. They took no property. Numbers of women fainted in their frantic efforts to reach, the trains. The fugitives clung to every available part. They sat on the footboards and roofs, and even in the . tender; others swarmed the boats at the quay. Thousands who were left behind proceeded on a weary march io thy frontier, which they reached exhausted. A pathetic sight is a number escaped lunatics who are ranging the country. The “Handelsblad” says The possession of Antwerp may he satisfaction to Germany, hut the German object failed. The destruction of the garrison was more important than the capture of the fortress. r ENTHUSIASM AND JUBILATION IN GERMANY. Home, October 11. The fall of Antwerp caused unprecedented enthusiasm in Germany, and is regarded as the beginning of the end. Flags were hoisted, demonstrators parading the streets. The wounded soldiers recently arrived at Aix la Chapelle, Cologne, and Dusseldorf, were covered in flowers and given presents. The Tageszeitung states that the capture of Antwerp carried with it the germ of the capture of Paris, and is a most serious blow to England. It is reported that nearly fifty vessels, including thirty-two German steamers, were destroyed at Antwerp. IMPORTANCE OF PRESERVING DUTCH NEUTRALITY. ; *5 .• t *l * ;■ London, October 11. The capture of Antwerp imposes additional duties upon the British Fleet, which will have to see that the Dutch neutrality is not violated. Germans are crossing the Scheldt. THE LAST ACTS OF THE DEFENDERS BEFORE RETREAT. GERMANS CHASING THE GOVERNMENT AT OSTEND. London,. October 11. The field army retired from Antwerp in good order. The retreat, which began several days ago, was completed under the best of conditions. The soldiers were orderecPto leave the forts before they were blown up. They also destroyed the stores of petrol and benzine, and broke up the workshops at the Minerva factory, where the machine guns for the armored trains and the aeroplanes were made during the last month. German Zeppelins and aeroplanes dropped 140 bombs daring the siege. Three hundred thousand Germans participated in the attack. ’o The conduct of King 1 ' Albert throughout was an inspiration to the Belgian troops. He wore the uniform of a private, and shared meals with the men in the trenches. His Highness only left the city when it was impossible to do more. The Central Exchange correspondent at the Hague reports that Germans are swiftly moving on Ostend, hoping to capture the King and the Government. A German official message states that the Germans captured enormous supplies of all kinds at Antwerp. The number of prisoners cannot he. estimated. General Baesdler, who directed the* attack has been decorated. General Baeseler’s proclamation warns the citizens: “Refractory conduct will he punished according to the laws of war. It may lead to the destruction of your beautiful city.” t \ SAFE ARRIVAL OF THE TWO ARMIES AT OSTEND. ARTILLERY FIRE PROVEDLABT STRAW IN DEFENCE ALARMING EXPERIENCES OF THE HOSPITALLED I Ostend, October 11. The Belgian Army and British force with the King f the Belgians arrived safely. The Belgians manned the trenches at Antwerp for seventy-two hours. Headquarters were established in a high tower which was connected by telephone with all the trenches. While the battle was confined to infantry, ihe Belgians easily held their one, but the overpowering and massed artillery fire which was directed from Tauhe aeroplanes was irresistible. The Englishwomen’s National Service Hospital had alarming experiences. It was necessary to rescue 130 patients who were in the direct line of shell fire, and close by was an ammunition building. Those able to walk were allowed to find their way out of the/city. Sixty in the most serious condition were carried to cellars, where -they spent Thursday night, shells bursting above them throughout.