The Battle of Haelen.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 100, 18 August 1914, Page 5

The Battle of Haelen.

CAST-IRON TACTICS OF GERMANS WHILE UNDER FIRE. FIGHTING BY THE BOOK. PRIESTS GRANT ABSOLUTION UNDER HAIL OF BULLETS. ‘‘FIGHTING COCKS" AT LIEGE (Received 8.0 a.m.) London, August 17. In the battle at Haelen, thb Germans while under lire used the goosesteo and mass formation. Then-cast-iron tactics greatly increased the casualties.

The bridges over the river where it was crossed by Germans in masses were oiled with the dead.

Priests during the battle heroically accompanied the Belgians in the firing line. They calmly heard confessions and grrfnted absolution to the dying under a hail of bullets and bursting shrapnel. While the Germans were attacking Liege and suffering great hardships. those occupying the city were living like fighting cocks at the expense of tilt, Belgian”.populace. The office/ 3 occupied the best rooms ar the fashionable hotels, demanding oldest’wines and offering I.dLU.’s in payment. The theatres were tfaus-fo-med into stables, and quickfirers were mounted on the balconies commWhlifigj streets. The G'ennans possess hundreds of motor cars. The residents aro allowed only candles, which must he extinguished at nine o’clock when the windows must be closed and the doors opened. >(j .r) ‘I . • •"< I