FIERCE MIDNIGHT ATTACK ON FORTS OF LIEGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15689, 17 August 1914, Page 5

FIERCE MIDNIGHT ATTACK ON FORTS OF LIEGE.

BRAVE DEFENCE MAINTAINED BY BELGIAN GARRISONS.

ENEMY'S SOLDIERS MOWN DOWN BY MACHINE GUNS-

ANCIENT DEVICES USED IN EFFORT TO SCALE OUTWORKS. ("Received August 16, 5.5 p.m.)

Brussels, August 13. The Germans at Liege arc devoting their energies to the forts on the loft bank of the Mouse, particularly the fort nearest to the river on the north side of the town Pontisse, as it prevents the free use of the Hersta] bridge, >

An attempt was made in the middle of Thursday night to rush the fort by main force. The fight developed with gre&t fierceness, the Germans hoping to profit by the few hours of darkness to gain their object. However they were not able to advance further than the glacis, before they were mown down by the guns of the forts. Bundles of wood and mattresses were carried by the Germans to fill the ditches, but the soldiers were unable to use them. Fort Licrs, the next on the north side, boldly assisted Pontisse, all the forts fighting bravely.

During the attack on Pontisse, Germans armed with hand grenades and huge wire-cutters, reached the outworks, but their presence was detected by the Belgians, the whole neighbourhood was illuminated by star-shells fired by the German artillery. Machine guns were directed against tho advancing enemy, and its columns were decimated.

The attacking force was also provided with steel shields and hand bags containing entrenching tools, in order to dig themselves into cover as was done by the Japanese at Port Arthur.

No attack was reported on Friday. Reconnaissances show that tho Uhlans have fallen back on tho main body, except in the extremenorth, where a few daring raiders close to tho forts defending Antwerp retreated before Belgian cavalry, which attempted to cut off the Uhlans.

DEATH OF GERMAN COMMANDER AT LIEGE REPORTED

NAME OF HIS SUCCESSOR PUBLISHED IN LONDON, (Rewired August IG, 5.5 p.m.)

London, August 15. Rumours have been current for several days that General von Emmich, the commander of the German Army at Liege, has been killed in action.

The statement has been confirmed by the Exchange Telegraph Company, one of the London news agencies, and it also states that General Barwiz succeeds the late commander. It is reported that General von Emmich committed suicide. He wrote a letter to his wife in which he said he knew Liege would be his tomb and he preferred to die by his own hand.