FEARSOME EFFECTS OF THE SHELLS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8965, 12 October 1914, Page 4

FEARSOME EFFECTS OF THE SHELLS.

THE GUNS' DREADFUL CHORUS

REFUGEES' PITIFUL PLIGHT,

(B-ecoived October 12, 8.45 a.m.)

AMSTERDAM, October 10

When tho first .shell boomed over Antwerp city tho dark and empty s.tjceetß suddenly became alivo with! peophy women and children crying and flocking in every direction.

There was ii quarter of an hour's lull, then the booming of big guns, each shot being followed by a, weird, long-drawn-out din, and then the final explosion, the most fearsome- of all.

This/continued till dawn, when there was' a respite' of two hours, and then it recommenced^ fiercer than ever, with the fortress guns and . field batteries joining in the chorus. Flames were breaking out everywhere and buildings crashing, creating, an inferno.

Meanwhile', fugitives, many /half naked, thronged through the streets, tho young dragging the old and infirm. There was no time to take any property. Numbers of women fainted

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ii their frantic efforts to reach the.trains. Fugitives clung- to every available part, and sat on the footboardsand roofs, and oven 'in the tendon,. Others •swarmedi the boats along fh t . quay. Thousand were left behind, «ndproceeded on a v. eary march to the i rentier, which they reached in an exhausted state. f

A patliL-lic sight is a munbiv uf escaped luuiitics ranging the country.

■Tho " Haudol>bh.d'/.' says!— "The possession of-Aniuei-p may be a satisfaction to Gorniuny, hub the Gonium object failed. The destruction •oi th© garrison nas ol tuoro importance-than tho capture of 11uv fortress.'.' •