The Sentinel=record., 1914-10-11

4 . ".
werp and the forts surrounding the
city are i'm complete possession of the
Germans, but the greater part of the
Belgian army has escaped
1t took the Germans just eleven
days to capture the strongest fortress
in the world.
The fall of Antwerp is evidence
that even the most powerful forts are
no match for the colossal Howitzers
which the invaders nave successfully
employed against every fortified
place that stood in their way. These
huge guns opened gays through
which the besiegers find am entrance
for their field artillery and infantry.
The Germans after Smelling the city
| Itself for many hours, making it un-
tenable, entered the town through
the suburb of Bercaem, to the east.
They had made a breach in the outer
line of forts, some of which were de-
stroyed by their big guns and others
blown up by the defenders. The Ger
mans followed similar plans in deal
ing with the inner belt of forts and at
the same time threw shells into the
city which set afire many places.
The inner forts, like those further
out, soon succumbed to the enormous
shells and before morning several Of
these forts had fallen opening the
way for the Germans into the city.
BY midday they were in occupation of
the town and at 2;30 p. m. the war
banner on the cathedral was replaced
by white flag.
When the Germans arrived yester-
day they found that the Belgian fled
army and at leas. part of the garrison
had anticipated them and, like the
king and royal family, had escaped.
The death roll resulting from the
attack on and defense of Antwerp has
not been compiled and probably the
full details never will be known, but
all accounts describe it as being ter
ribly heavy. The Germans, although
their big guns cleared path for
them, had to sacrifice many lives in
crossing the rivers and canals and in
driving out the defenders.
The stubbonness of the Be,gians
and of those who went to their as
sistance cost them dearly; also both
sides will hae lonvg casualty lists.
Crowds of refugees arrived in Lon
don tonight. Most of them left Ant
werp Thursday night and their ac-
counts of the attacks are confused.
The Belgians themselves, besides
destroying forts blew UP steamers az
the docks and set fire to the petrol
stores and everything useful to the
invaders. They also took away wha,
the transports could carry.
Berchem, where the military and
other hospitals, the orphanage and
some public buildings are situated, is
reported to be destroyed. Even if
this is an eXaggeration it must be
sadly damaged as it was burning at
least two days.
The Antwerp railway stations also
made marks for the shells from the
big German guns, but according to
some refugees here, the cathedral.
which is on the other side of the city
near the Scheldt while struck was not
badly damaged. The inmates Of the
hospitals and other institutions were
removed Thursday or earlier so that
they were well out of the way before
the Germans arrived.
A question now arising is as to the
effect upon the general campaign of
the German occupation of Antwerp
The Belgian garrison or the greater
part of it escaped and is reported to
be engaged with the Germans.
The strategic importance of Ant
werp consisted in its menace to the
German lines running through Bel
gium. Now matters have been re
versed and the allies will have to take
their turn in keeping forces before
the city to prevent the Germans from
Antwerp attacking their flank or rear
should they be able to advance The
Germans propose, according to the
Berlin reports, to use the city as a