Grand Forks daily herald and the evening times., 1914-08-18
Say Germans Wore Uniforms Of
Belgians as Decoy--Detais Given
By Newspaper Man From Brussels
(By Martin H. Donohue.)

Brussels, Aug. 49, have just re-
turned from an automobile tour in
eastern Belgium, where I found the
popular new national game of Uhlan
hunting in full swing.
Stray parties. of German cavalry
which have lost themselves in the
country between Waremme and the
Belgian line were being chased from
pillar to post by Belgian scouts, who
took a considerable number Of pris-
oners. Some of the captives all Of
whom were suffering from acute hun.
ger, had not the slightest idea of their
whereabouts. Many, indeed, were UNI
der the impression that they had
reached France.
The accommodating forces seemed to
be wholly unprovided with comforts.
One German patrol, which ran into
the Belgian outpost, was quite con-
WINGED until it was fired on, that it
was making its way back to the Ger
man position, whence it ha dstarted
two days before. The horses of these
men were thoroughly exhausted.
A great deal of desultory fighting
took place along the northern portions
of the line on Sunday. There was an
engagement in the country southwest
Of Louvain. 1 arrived at the spot in
time to witness the end of an encoun-
ter In which the cavalry on both sides
were fiercely engaged. The force of
Prussian cavalry, consisting Of Uhlans
and Hussars, with a mounted machine
gun section. the strength of which I
estimated to be from 1000 to 1900
men, came from the direction of st.
Trond with the intention, apparently,
of efecting a surprise. 1 am informed
that they have recours to a ruse Of
war, which, if true, is worthy of con-
dign punishment. The advance guard
OF the party were wearing the uni
forms of Belgian ~gendarmes. 1t is
supposed these uniforms were taken
from gendarmes who were made pris-
oners at Liege. when the Germans
entered the city. The Germans were
consequently able to approach close
to the Belgian line without exciting
suspicion.
Were Enjoying Sunday.
A number Of the inhabitants of the
district Joined the Belgian soldiers and
several parties were picnicking in the
woods close to the outposts. Suddenly
a terrific fire was opened by the Ger
mans. who were advancing under the
guise of friends.
The dismounted Belgian cavalry
were thrown into momentary confu-
sion by the ~suddenness of the attack:
They rallied at once. however, and
with drawn sabres, charged the enemy
without a moments hesitation. The
psuedo gendarmes turned and fled,
leaving the brunt Of the charge to be
borne by the German dragons and
Hussars. the latter belonging to the
Seventeenth regiment.
The gallant little Belgians literally
cut their way to the German mass,
piercing the cavalry line until they
came under the machine-gun fire of
the enemy. This ploughed many gaps
In the ranks of the Belgians but quite
undismayed. they reformed and
wheeled about, dashed afresh into the
German cavalry, battering them right
and left.
1t might have gone hard with the
Belgian horsemen, but at the psychol-
ogical moment a battery of artillery
came into action in. support of the
cavalry. The guns fired on the Ger
mans, who being absolutely without
cover, were in a few minutes thrown
into complete disorder and retreated
pell nell.