British Naval Brigade.

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

British Naval Brigade.

THEIR PART IN DEFENCE AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS. GALLANTRY OF BELGIAN COMMANDER IN RETREAT. Wellington, October 12. Tbe Premier has received the following from the High Commissioner dated London, 10th (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 brigades witli heavy naval guns, and a detachment of the Royal Navy. Till Monday night the last of the Belgian army and the Marins' Brigade successfully defended the line of the Nethe river. Early on Tuesday morning the Belgians on the right of the Marines were forced to retire, and in consequence the whole of the defence .was withdrawn to the inner line of forts. The inner line of defences was maintained on Wednesday and Thursday. During a ruthless bombardment, the behaviour of the Royal Marines and naval brigades was praiseworthy. The losses wore probably under 300 out of a total of 8000. The defence could have been maintained for a longer period, but not long enough to allow of adequate forces being sent to the relief without prejudice to the main strategic situation. The Belgian and British military authorities in Antwerp decided to evacuate, and the British offered to cover the retreat, but General Deljuise desired they should leave before the last division of the Belgians. After a long night march to St. Gilles, three naval brigades entrained, and two of the brigades arrived at Ostend, but owing to circumstances unknown, the greater part of the first naval brigade was cut off by a German attack north of Lokeren. 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 with the heavy guns were brought away. The retreat from Ghent onwards of the naval division and the Belgian army was covered by strong British reinforcements.”