CARNAGE AT LIEGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15685, 12 August 1914, Page 8

CARNAGE AT LIEGE.

DEATH OR ESTREAT

TERRIBLE GERMAN LOSSES

DRIVEN TO SLAUGHTER

FIERCE BAYONET CHARGES.

TROOPS TRAPPED BY MINES

PANIC-STRICKEN GERMANS.

Brussels, August 10.

The most Pliable estimates place the German losses at Liege at 15,000.

Accounts of the fighting state that the Germans were gloomy, bewildered, and fearful regarding the terrible Cossacks, who they believed are about to enter and devour their country.

This sullen army was met by the Belgians animated by passionate patriotism.

Incredible as it seems, the Germans were marched to death almost shoulder to shoulder. .A mighty fusillade opened upon the men, who were being driven forward by their officers. Fresh detachments were rushed upon the trenches, but recoiled, shattered.

Yet again, like sheep driven ruthlessly to the slaughter, according to time-table and without the slightest allowance for changed circumstances the German troops were marched up to be driven back again by a fearful hail of lead, Worse than at Port Arthur. . A wounded Belgian lancer states: *' It was tragic to see the Germans driven up to the guns. They came in massed formations, but so reluctantly that they were .evidently under compulsion. They were only five paces apart, with fifteen paces between t£e ranks, a solid mass which a woman could hit. Our guns cut long avenues through their ranks. Port Arthur was nothing to it." '

Mr. Martin Donohue, the Daily Chronicle's war correspondent, telegraphing from Brussels, said that Fort Boncelles, in the extreme south of Liege, bore the brunt of the attack, as the ground there was more favourable for the attackers. The attack 'in mass recalled . the early days of Port Arthur, when Nogi sacrificed thousands. The attack on Liege failed lamentably, thanks to the undaunted courage of a mere handful of Belgian defenders. '.• The Germans finally ran' short of rifle ammunition. Men Refuse to Face the Guns. Towards the end of the general attack, the men refused to face the Belgian fire, despite the threats and exhortation of their officers. The German wounded begged piteously for water. They were without food for two days, the army having- been'- rushed to the front without waiting for supplies. Torrential rain on Thursday night added to their suffering. Machine Methods Hopeless. : :; Telegrams from Liege state that during the attack the Belgians charged repeatedly. They "saw red," : and nothing seemed to stop them. : 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 states that the Germans gained a footing on the glacis under the great guns and believed themselves safe, utterly forgetful of the machine guns. In a moment the glacis was swept clearit ran with blood.

The Belgians in the trenches were not satisfied with firing their rifles at fifty yards, and demanded to be permitted to make bayonet charges. At sight of the steel many Prussians van, while 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 are gone.

The attack continued unabated throughout Thursday. Thousands of bodies were massed in the fields, which were ploughed by the terrific cannonade.

A Zeppelin and an aeroplane assisted in the attack. It is reported that a Belgian airman lost his life in destroying a Zeppelin with his aeroplane, Shots destroyed several aeroplanes.- . , Waiting for Heavier Guns. , The bombardment of the forts ; lasted forty-eight hours without reI laxation. Thirteen 15-centimetre I cannon and 15-centimetre mortars S produced no effect on the cupolas. ; The Germans are now awaiting morI tars of the 28-centimetre type. Even | if the cupolas be put out of action, '■ the excellent disposition of the fosses I and counter-scarps will enable the I forts to continue their resistance. if General Leiman prepared a field with mines to the north of Liege,' and 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 switched on and the whole German force was destroyed. Similarly the death and capture of two Uhlan patrols was due to Gene- ' ral Lieman's ruse in making the Uhlans believe that they would capture him. The Germans admit that their forces were twice panic-stricken at Liege, and that the German soldiers fired upon their comrades in mistake. First Entry Into Town. ., r . ■ The Germans on Thursday evening found the spaces between the ;;.. forts open, and entered in small '•, parties, including General von Em- ' mich and his staff. At the citadel General von Emmich informed the

Burgomaster that unless' the town and forts surrendered the Germans would bombard and raze the town completely. On the orders of th Belgian Government the Governor left the town. Seventeen notables on Friday night, headed by the bishop and several deputies and senators, begged General von Emmich not. to bombard the town. The whole deputation.was detained as hostages. The report of the surrender of seven German regiments is not confirmed, but it is known that the cavalry was severely handled, and suffered heavy loss. Fighting on the Meuse. The enterprise of the German scouts is amazing. One, who was taken prisoner, had ridden seventy kilometres (43.V miles). The method is to ride in small parties, with the object of seizing the passage of the Meuse, but none of the attempts has succeeded. A German pontoon bridge over the Meuse was shot away, , and the 19th and 21st Regiments, supporting the bridge-builders, were mown down by, the quick-firing guns. Belgian Capital a Hospital. Brussels is one vast hospital, hotel*, private houses, and public institutions having been placed at the disposal of the Red Cross leagues. A great crowd, silent and bareheaded, watched the stretchers enter the Red Cross depots. Many of the wounded show marks of the German cavalry on their faces and bodies.