THE FIRST SHOCK.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 169, 22 August 1914, Page 9

THE FIRST SHOCK.

LOUVAIN THE WEAK SPOT.

HERMANS ATTA'CK WITH THIRTY

MILE FRONT

LONDON, August 20,

The ; Germans. have occupied Brussels. The first shock was . encountered at Mest, where the old forts and a water sioat proved * small protection against the heavy shell fire of the Germans. The garrison retreated .and the Germans advanced cautiously, fearing a surprise. x The Belgian cavalry, whieh ■was covering the retreat as a rearguard, lad several brushes with the enemy, who repeatedly sought to cut them off. The Belgian fcavatty's impetuosity led them to charge the enemy, in wliich they incurred heavy losses. The Germans then . attacked; fliOUvain, . whence the Belgian headquarters had been removed 011 Wednesday. > The occupation of Brussels was due to the Germans throwing an army corps against Louvain, which was the weak point in the line. The force had a front of thirty miles, and was covered by a great cavalry screen, with which the French &,nd the Belgians were hotly engaged on Tuesday. " ■ . The French Dragoons repeatedly penetrated the cavalry screen, but when they pentrated beyond the advanced posts th'ey discovered a large force of Infantry and retired in good order with practically no loss. On Wednesday the fierman army corps advanced steadily.