DEFENCE OF LIEGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15686, 13 August 1914, Page 7

DEFENCE OF LIEGE.

STRENGTH OF THE FORTS. ACTIVITY OF GERMANS. FIGHTING IN SERAING. * Brussels, August 11. A report that the smaller forts at Liege have been captured has not yet been confirmed. One fort had apparently been silenced, but when the German infantry advanced upon it a hail of bullets drove them back. While the men in the front ranks us>;d cutters to remove the barbed-wire entanglements guarding the approach to the forts, others in the rear rank lay down in front of the forts. The forts rained grapeshot, on the attackers, and sharpshooters picked off the men who were working upon the entanglements. Experts consider that the Liege forts are not likely to withstand siege guns. Lord Sydenham is of opinion that a few hours' bombardment by 8501b projectiles would reduce them to a shapeless mass. A force of Germans has reached Houffalize, a small town on the Ourthe, 35 miles south of Liege. King George has telegraphed to King Albert of Belgium a tribute to his gallant army. A clash between a body of 100 Germans in the streets of Seraing, an important manufacturing town four miles from Liege, is reported by the newspaper Echo du Peuple. The enemy was forced to retreat hastily before a superior force. When they reformed, it was discovered that Prince Leopold, the ruler of the principality of Lippe, and his son had fallen. The bodies were surrendered to the Germans, and buried in Seraing cemetery. The rivers far. from the scene of action at Liege arc stained with blood. INVESTING ARMY'S LOSSES. ONLY TWO THOUSAND KlLLED(Received August 12, 7.35 p.m.) Brussels, August 11. The War Office has announced that 2000 Germans have been killed at Liege. Twenty thousand have been wounded and 9700 prisoners have been captured.