Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1914-10-30
BY jacques obeIs.

News
Antwerp, Belgium have just
reached Antwerp after an absence of
20 days, II of which passed as 9 pris-
oner in the hands of the Germans in
Brussels. find scattered patches of
this city either knocked down by shells
or burned. but it is impossible at the
moment to estimate the damage. The
town is dead. the total Belgian popula-
ton amounting only to about five hun
dred. However, refugees are return
| ing slowly, the trains which are bring
Ing them arriving internationally from
HoIland. The Germans are running
service OF motor cars from Brussels 20
Antwerp and came here on one of
these cars.
Sees Malines Bombardment.
My experiences since leaving Client
include, besides Imprisonment, walk
ing with half dozen other civilians
before column of German infantry
! streets of Malines, while the bullets
whistled about us and while shells
from the kaiser's heavy artillery
screamed overhead and doomed
against Fort Waelhem. l was an eye
witness of the bombardment of Ma
lines, the details of which l will give
as my story progresses.
/ On riding out from Antwerp on
bicycle 20 days ago as the battle on
the plain was beginning / heard the
heaviest firing in the direction of Ma
lines. l asked responsible Belgian
commander If it would be safe for me
to go to Malines. YES" said he, "for
we shall hold the town at least until
tonight"
Runs Into German Army.
Thereupon / rode rapidly toward
Malines, around which Numbered
heavy guns Entering the town with
the full assurance that it was held by
Belgians, / suddenly found myself face
/ to face with column of German in
fantry keeping close to one side of a
street on the other side of which
shell fire was bringing down quantities
| of brick and stone. This shell fire pro-
ceeded from the Belgian guns at Fort
Waelhem. At the other end Of the
| town saw the last of the regiments
| of Belgian infantry backing stubborn
ly out of the bullet-swept streets.
Rides on His Wheel to Front.
But must return to the beginning
of my story Every day, beginning
with September IL, | rode on my BIZ
cycle from Antwerp to the fighting
front, which extended in a wide semi
circle well beyond the outer ring of
forts. On the 18th. 18th and 18th the
! Belgians fought series of battles so
| determined and brilliant that the Ger
mans are still talking admiringly of
! them. Then they were driven within
the outer forts and the Germans be-
| gan Immediately to prepare positions
| for their great guns by levedng the
| ground and building concrete plat
forms. Saturday, September &C.. the
| Belgians made desperate sortie for
| the purpose of blowing up the German
intrenchments and concrete emplace-
ments.
They persisted In this attempt all
| day Saturday and Saturday night, but
early Sunday morning found them in
| full retreat. | reached the foremost
| trenches, where the final stand was
| made prior to the return within the
forts. The Belgians had fallen back
from Buggenhout and were making
their stand along the high road to Ma
| lines and Termonde. Their trenches
| were hastily dug and manned and ma
| chine guns were hurried into position.
! The Germans hidden in the wood
| opened heavy rife fire and this was
so hot that the Belgians launched
| cavalry movement to clear the wood.
Sees Marvellous Workmanship.
When the cavalry had covered about
half the distance / witnessed marvel
Gus feat of craftsmanship by the. Ger
mans. Their artillery was in position
about two and quarter miles behind
their advance troops. The Belgian
charge having been signaled, the Ger
man artillerists fired one shell, which
dropped in the very midst of the Bel,
gian horsemen, killing and wounding
many and sending the others into
headlong fight for shelter. Afterward
the Germans came quickly upon us
with their bayonets. charging reck-
lessly through our rife fire. So many
were there that we were forced to fee
for our lives.
Witnesses Artillery Duel.
The next day. Monday, September
%. went to Wildebroek. An artillery
duel ragged along the whole length OF
the line and the incessant scream of
the shells deafened one and made
ones head ache.
Pushing on to Malines, l fell into
the hands of the Germans, as previous
ly told. They ordered me to take my
place with other civilians at the head
of column OF infantry. pointed to