Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1914-08-14
FIGHTING UNDATED
GERMANS ART BEATEN BACK IN
EVERY ASSAULT ON THE
BELGIAN FORTS.
GERMAN LOSSES ARE HEAVY
Belgian's Fire Well PIaced-German
Artillery Is Badly supported-The
German General Demands Sur
render, Which Is Refused.

Paris.-While the battle between the
German forces and the Belgians is still
in progress around Liege, and the fin
al outcome is not yet known, an Off
cial detailed account of the engage
ments covering a period between Au-
gust and has been issued. In sum-
marking the operations the account
says:
1.-THE Germans lost 5000 dead. Twen-
ty-four guns were captured, and one
general was made prisoner.
1.-The German forces numbered 120,
600; the Belgian defenders 10000.
"The German attack lacked cohesion
On the contrary, the Belgians utilized
their reserves with consummate skill.
The German artillery in general was
badly supported by dense attacking
columns. The guns were badly served
and inaccurate.
"The Belgian forts are intact. Not
one soldier was killed and not one
wounded during the three hours bam-
bardment of Fort Evagnee, the steel
cupola of which was not damaged.
1.-The Belgian fire was well placed
and accurate, proof of which was the
destruction of two German heavy ar
tillery pieces. German air craft, to
deceive the Belgians, carried Belgian
flags.
"The German columns crossed the
Belgian frontier during the night be-
tween August and A.
German cavalry came into contact
with the Belgian advanced posts to
the east of the forts at 2 o'clock in
the afternoon of August A.
THE plan of attack developed dur
ing the day of August 5. Each Ger
man column had different objective,
Forts Fleron, Barchon and Evgne, con-
stituting the northeastern section,
being the first point, while the second
column attacked the southeastern sec
ton comprising Forts Boncelles and
! Embourg."
THE operations of the Germans
were based on the hypothesis of rapid
success. Consequently they were or
ganized with little regard for provi
, sioning the army. The Belgians re
, tarded the advance for 70 hours, with
the result that their army was in
creased with troops destined to re
enforce Liege.
? "The first attack of the northeastern
= German column was made on the left
) 1t attacked Fort Fleron itself and the
, intervening space between Forts
e Fleron and Evgne and also the in
terval between Forts Fleron and
Chandfontaine.
"The Belgian attack from the in
tervals between the forts was ener'
: getic. The German offensive move
ment soon was checked and the en-
gagement then became an artillery
, duel, the Belgian guns having dead
ly effect on the German forces.
"a German column attacking Fort
Barchon spread out into fan-shaped
formation to the extreme right and
! followed around the fort. 1t made for
r the city, but Belgian reserve brigade
delivered a prompt counter attack and
J threw the Germans back in great dis
I order. Their losses were enormous.
: 1.-The German heavy artillery fire
+ was concentrated against Fort Bar
; chon, but seemed badly directed. The
heavy Belgian artillery dominated the
= German fire and destroyed two of their
heavy guns.
: 1.-The German central column at
: tackled Fort Evgne. The Belgian
/ reply was two actions-artillery cross
8 fire from Forts Fleron and Barchon
/ supported by a counter attack by the
! Belgian infantry. The German ad
3 vance was stopped.
. AT this moment General Won EN-
mich sent a flag of truce, demanding
surrender He informed the com
2 mandant Lieut.. General Leman, that
IL he did not surrender Immediately a
, Zeppelin dirigible would drop an ex
I plosive upon the headquarters of the
q general staff.
. THE refusal was as summary as the
, request. The fire from the forts re
opened heavily, and the offensive also
! was taken by the Belgians. The Ger
: mans abandoned their positions and
retired for a distance of six miles. The
Belgian troops followed up their ad
vantage without delay and the Ger
man retreat was accelerated.
"Coincident with these events on tho
! northeastern forts the second part o.
, the German attack was being carried
! out upon the southeastern defenses
! The German troops sought to make
their way between the Belgian posi-
! lions on the Huy side. They also at
tackled Forts Boncelles and Embourg
but they encountered ENHANCEMENT.
which had been numerously placed anc
were appreciably retarded. They con
tinued their advance and made a di
rect attack. which failed. Their losses
were heavy.
; "The Belgians defending the inter
+ val numbered only 1900, and they fel
D back a mile and a quarter. This was
Q critical moment. General Lemar
q threw all his troops which we're MOI
engaged upon that part Of the de
" tense and $4,000 men massed against
. f~h 10.