Battle of Liege

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 70, 12 August 1914, Page 5

Battle of Liege

I THOUSANDS SACRIFICED "THE BELGIANS SAW KED." GERMAN MASSES TURNED AND RAN KILLED I.IKE CATTLE. TERRIFIC <V.NN-.\ADTNCt FOI! TWO DAYS. THE IXVA!:;:ilS OUT-CENERALLED. Brussels, August, 9. At Liege, the Belgians charged repeatedly. They saw red. Every time they charged, the Germans turned and ran and were struck in the back and killed like cattle. Then the cavalry charged them, Another account stated that the Germans gained a footing on the glacis under the great guns, and believed themselves safe, utterly forgetful of tlw machine guns. In a moment the glacis was swept clear and it ran with Wood. Belgians in the trenches, not satisfied with firing their rides at fifty yards, demanded bayonet charges. At the sight of steel, many Prussians ran awa/y. Others held up their hands and surrendered. Others were courageous enough but were beaten by bad leadership. The attack proved that the days of the automatic machine army have gone. The attack continued unabated throughout Thursday. Thousands of broken bodies were massed on the fields, which were ploughed by terrific cannonades. A Zeppelin airship and an aeroplane assisted in the attack. It is reported that a, Belgian airman lost his life destroying the Zeppelin witli his aeroplane. Nhots destroyed several aeroplanes. Torrential rains 011 Thursday night added to the suffering of the wounded. 'The bombardment of the forts lasted 48 hours without relaxation. Thirteen 15-centunetrc (6 inch) cannon and 15centimetre mortars produced no effect on the cupolas. The Germans are no* awaiting mortars of the 28-centimetre type. Even rf the cunolas are put out of action, the excellent disposition of the losses and counterscarps will enable the lorts to continue their resistance. JVI. Leiman prepared a field with mines of Li( '" e a nd sent a detachment to the north of the field. The Germans immediately fell into the trap and attempted to cut off the small force The current was then switched on and the whole German force destroyed. Similarly the death and capture of two Uhlan patrols was due to M. Leiman's ruse in making Uhlans believe that thev would capture him. • f ,J' 1 !' oerraa ns on Thursday evening found spaces between the forts open CenerJl r S ™ all Partips ' ine '"ding General von Emmich and his staff. <Vt Cover™ t 7" Em,nich informed the Government burgomaster that unless J. _ to "" s an<i surrendered, the Germans would bombard and raze tV Behrian°p'' I< ' t<l ' V °" °'' ders fronl the Me town VCrnnU ' tho G ° Vernor left I, sovon tcen notab'cs laded bv the Bishop and several deputies and senators, begged von Emmich not to bombard the town. The whole Till r' m WIS llpt! "' ne(1 as hostages. 1 he Germans admit that, there were to pan.es at Liege, and that the Gcrmistake their co,nrail " s by LIEGE TAKEN. ■ BUT FORTRESSES HOLD OUT. m„ Brussels, August 10. Ten thousand Germans have entered & a Thn hC f ° rts 0f Eri *" c ° »'«! iltTon. They are now living in the university, schools and public buildings. The Belgian staff consider that the German occupation of the to,v>, 0 f Liege is not important while the forts control the approaches and the Germans are too weak to attack the forte. The Belgian army is rapidly advancing from Louvain. Three gardeners who fired upon two hundred Soiron wore shoi; and the inhabitants' of the village killed. The Germans are advancing chiefly through' Esch-sur-Alzette. They razed Merle. • A large depot of arms of German origin has been discovered af Antwerp. The best estimates state that the Germans lost K.OOO at Liege. Accounts of tlie lighting State that the Germans yore gloomy, bewildered, and fearful regarding the' terrible Cossacks who were about to enter and devour their country. The suller army met the Belgians, animated bv passionate patriotism. Incredible as' it seems, the Germans were marched to death shoulder to shoulder. A might fussilane opened upon men who were being driven forward bv their officers, their terror dividing itself between discipline and death. Iresli detachments were rushed upon the trenches, but recoiled shattered and yet again like sheep were driven ruthlessly to the slaughter according to time-table, without the slightest allowance for the changed circumstances. A wounded Belgian lancer states that it was,tragic to see the Germans driven up to the guns. They came in massed formation, but so reluctantly that it was evidently under compulsion. They were only live paces apart with fifteen paces between (he ranks, a solid mass which a woman would have hit. Our guns cut long avenues in t.lieir ranks. Port. Arthur was nothing to it. The General staff report that the position of the German troops mis hardly changed since Saturday. Their advaiue cavalry retreated under irresistible pressure from the French troops, wen a:v in considerable force in the i ''iiiitry south of the Meiise. which they ;ne. clearing of Germans. The French ano Belgians will take the offensive simun • m'ouslv. I'.nissels is one vast hospital. Motels, private houses, and public institution? have heen placed at the disposal of the ••cd Cross A great crowd, silent and eheaded. watched I lie drctehers enter (he lied ( ross depots. .Uanv wounded show marks of the German 'cavalrv on their faces and bodies. ~ „ , ton 'oM, August II). Mr. Donohoe, war <•••; it Brussels, says that Fort r .acelles kt the extreme south bore hie brant as the ground was more favorable for the attackers. The attack in mass recalled the early days of the siege of Port Arthur. when General Yogi sacrificed thousands. The attack on Liege failed corn,of the mere handful of Belgian defenders. The Germans finally "ran Short of ammunition. Towards tlie end " P'rral attack, the men, despite th< threats and exhortations of the offlC. rs, refused to face the Belgian fire. for wi W an Tr° Un,iWl beSf?ed Piously ( twort 7 W<> l e WithoUt food for , to tho W 6 a HJ y h t avin K bee " rushed

LAST WEDNESDAY'S ASSAULT. ' BELGIAN FORT SILENCED. PERFECT GUNNERY PRACTICE Of ATTACKERS. Received 12, 12.10 a.m. j London, August 11 (morning). The Telegraph's Liege correspondent reports that heavy cannonading began at l'l .30 on Wednesday night, under the full moon. The German attack was directed against Fleron and Boncelles. Tlheir artillery practice was perfect, i Shell alter shell exploded fairly on the ramparts. It was not possible to judgev tiie effect of the Belgians' return fire, as the German gun positions were admirably concealed. Apparently no siege guns were used. The Germans used a high explosive shell, bursting with extraordinary vividness. At three, o'clock in tlhe morning, infantry fire commenced on the woods on the west of the river Ourthe, between Embourg and Boncelles, held by the ninth and fourteenth Belgian infantry regiments, the ninth bearing the brunt of the attacks, which were repulsed all . along the line. At daybreak they could see the Germans in close ordei. The engagement reached its fiercest stage at five o'colck, when Fleron was silenced. He heard afterwards that the German fire smashed much of the medhanism of the disappearing gun carriages. Small parties of German cavalry were seen at intervals 'between infantry battalions, but there wa# no attempt at cavalry attack. Towards eight o'clock came a lull in the a-ttack, which was checked all along the line. Battalion after battalion was tlhrown 'back biv the Belgians, whose ninth regiment fought like demons. Received 12, 12.55 a.m. Brussels, August 11 (morning). It is doubtful how many Germans are remaining in Liege. 'One report says i 120,000, but probably only a few him- j dred are left to control the citizens as it_ would be madness to put a large force within a circle of uncaptured forts. The Belgians will not shell the Germans, not desiring to risk the destrucI tion of the city. j German troops outside are recovering J their spirits and strength, and are rc- ! victualling. An almost continuous 'bombardment of j the forts continues. j WHEN ABE THE ENGLISH COMING? j THE VITAL QUESTION AT/LIEGE. I Received 12, 1.50 a.m. _ Brussels, August 11 (morning). In Liege the question in every mouth was, When would the English come? The brigade was supplied with wine and food by the Boy Scouts. The loss of Belgian officers was out of all proportion to the loss of the rank and file. This was due to their distinguishing -headgear, which is now beJ i*g remedied. - FORTS COMMAND THE ROADS. GERMAN CAVALRY CROSS THE / MEUSE. Received 12, 1 a.m. Brussels, August 11 (morning). The Belgian General Stuff points out ,that the Liege forts command the three principal roaxls whereby the Germans can advance. It is impossible for tiliem to receive supplies of ammunition or armaments. PaTis, August 11.- ■ German cavalry, in some strength, crossed the 'Mouse and reached Tongres. FRENCH ARMIES ADVANCING. BELGIANS IN SPLENDID SPIRITS. Received 12, 2 a.m. Paris, August 11. The French armies in Belgium are advancing methodically. The commander of one fort at Liege reports that the works are intact, arid the men are in splendid spirits. GERMAN ARTILLERY. CONCENTRATING AT NAMUR. | Amsterdam, August 10. The Germans aro concentrating at Herstal, where they have rebuilt a pontoon under heavy fire to permit the passage of siege 'guns. Some are already at Liege, and others. ha,vq gone to Nannir, where the German artillery is concentrating. ' THOUSANDS OF PRISONERS. TAKEN BY BELGIANS. Received 11, 7.50 p.m. ' Brussels, August 10 (evening). It is officially stated that eight thousand German prisoners were captured. Prince William of Lieppe and his son wcro killed during the assault on Liege. THE CZAR'S ADMIRATION. Times and Sydney Sun Services' Received M, 5.10 p.m. St. Petersburg, August 10. The Czar telegraphed to the King of the Belgians expressing admiration for his valiant soldiers.