Round About Antwerp

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 45, 9 October 1914, Page 5

Round About Antwerp

CERMANS BEGIN THE BOMBARDMENT ON WEDNESDAY

ACCOUNTS OF THE FICHTiNC IN NEIGHBOURHOOD.

IBy Emotbio Tbijwbaph— jCopyeight] [United Pbess Association.] (Received 8.50 a.m.) London, October 8. Germans, under the white flag; at 7.30 yesterday morning announced their intention of beginning the bombardment of Antwerp at 9.30. Many fugitives crossed the Dutch borders, and others, including the Government went to Ostend. The bulk of the populace remain. The Germans fiercely bombarded the village of Luith, the Belgians only evacuating when the village was in flames. At Lierre, the heavy German artillery is telling, but the Belgians made some progress at Rumpst and Heyndruck. Southwest of the city the Germans retired a couple of kilometres. The Germans are placing guns on every high building on the line they expect the enemy to advance when crossing the JNethe. It is reported that it cost the Germans 20,000 men. The, Belgians fought the Germans to a standstill. On the south, the Belgian artillery is pouring shells into Malines. .i : ' In a fight near Schoonaerde, 2200 Belgians held a position for twenty-four hours. When ordered to retire, thirty-eight left including the commandant, but eventually German gun after German gun was put out of action. Only once did the Germans advance towards the.bridge, when they were 411 shot down. Fighting progressed, simultaneously near Termonde, where the artillery duel was fierce. Belgian guns destroyed the locks, flooding a portion of the country and hindering the German advance, and compelling the infantry to retire. Later the Germans brought up artillery from Alost, and fiercely shelled the Belgian position. Two out of four of the latter's batteries were destroyed, and every man killed or wounded. The Germans moved their guns south to Schoonaerde, only to share in the general repulse after a futile attack. The High Commissioner, cabling from London under date the 7th inst. (6.15 p.m.), sends the following official announcement:— • The Germans are attacking Antwerp, and have pushed forward their positions against considerable resistance by the Garrison.