NAVAL BRIGADE AT ANTWERP.

Otago Witness, Issue 3169, 9 December 1914, Page 24

NAVAL BRIGADE AT ANTWERP.

LONDON, December 5. Sir John French’s despatch to the Admiralty on the Naval Brigade’s as* sistance at Antwerp declares that General Paris, R.M.A., handled the men with great skill and boldness. The fortress was not saved, but the Marines certainly delayed the enemy for a considerable time and enabled the Belgian army to withdraw after destroying war material and ammunition which would have been of great value to the enemy. The Belgians were afterwards a great asset to the Allies on the Yser. Also the moral effect on the Belgian army by this necessarily desperate attempt

at succour was of great value in increasing their efficiency. General Paris reported that when it was evident that the Belgians were unable to hold the fort, in order to avoid disaster he retired under cover of darkness. The roads were crowded with Belgian troops, refugees, cattle, and vehicles. Partly by reason of this and partly on account of fatigue and unexplained causes numbers of the brigade became detached. Meanwhile the main body entrained and effected a retreat. The rearguard entrained later, with hundreds of refugees. The engine was derailed and the enemy opened fire. Considerable confusion prevailed in the darkness, and the agitation of the refugees made the passing of orders difficult. The battalion behaved splendidly and fought its way through, but the loss in missing was upwards of half its numbers.