BOMBARDMENT OF NAMUR BY THE GERMANS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15700, 29 August 1914, Page 8

BOMBARDMENT OF NAMUR BY THE GERMANS.

FORTS MASKED WHILE INVADERS CROSS THE MEUSE.

TROOPS LEAVE THE TOWN AND JOIN THE FRENCH. (Received August 28, 8,40 p,m.) Paris, August 27. The Belgian Deputy for Namur states that the bombardment com mcnced on August 14. Unt.il then the inhabitants had hoped that the French and English would arrive and drive off the Germans before they reached the town. The first shell fired by the Germans struck a bridge and fell fnto a group of onlookers, killing five of them. Later, the Uhlans camo in greater numbers. By August 20 the inhabitants were unable to pass the lines of forts. While eleven German army corps were crossing the Meuso into Belgium a powerful force was detailed to mask the fortress, and they kept up a heavy fire, which extended for 10 miles along both banks of the Meuse. The French tried to check the German advance. A German battery, at mid-day on August 21, was placed between two forts and it bombarded the town. The Belgian troops then joined the Frcnch. A message from Ostend says that who has just arrived there from Nanrnr states that the forts are still holding out with the exception of Marcho Velleta and Cognelii. The Belgians fought without assistance for two days previous to the arrival of French reinforcements. When he left a large force of Germans was before Namur, and the Belgians had retreated southwards; leaving the Germans to occupy the town. A large number of the inhabitants were killed.