The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1914-10-15
ANTWERP FALLS.
Germans, After Long Siege, Occupy
Belgian Stronghold.

forts surrounding the city are IN
complete possession of the Germans,
but the greater part of the Belgian
army has escaped. 1t took the Ger
mans just eleven days to capture the
strongest fortress in the world. The
city was set afire in places by the
German shells.
The fall OF Antwerp is evidence
that even the most powerful forts
are no match for the colossal howltz-
ers which the invaders have success
fully employed against every fortl-
fed place that stood in their way.
These huge guns open gaps through
which the besiegers find an entrance
for their field artillery and infantry.
The Germans, after shelling the
city itself for many hours, making
it untenable. entered the town
through the suburb of Berchem, to
the east. They had made breach
in the outer line of forts, some Of
which were destroyed by their big
guns and others blown up by the de-
Tenders.
The inner forts, like those further
out, soon succumbed to the enor-
NOUS shells and on Friday morning
several of these forts had fallen,
opening the way for the Germans in
to the city. By midday they were
in occupation of the town and at
2:30 o. m. the war banner on the
cathedral was replaced by a white
flag.
Complete Possession.
A few forts continued to hold out,
and it was not until IL o'clock this
morning that the Germans, accord
ing to their own official report, were
in complete possession Of the city and
fortress. When they arrived yester-
day they found that the Belgian field
army and at least part of the garri-
son had anticipated them, and, like
the king and royal family, had es-
capped.
The death roll resulting from the
attack on the iefence Of Antwerp has
not been compiled, and probably the
full details never will be known, but
all accounts describe it as being
heavy. The Germans, although their
big guns cleared a path for them,
had to sacrifice many lives in cross
ing the rivers and canals and in driv-
ing out the defenders, who held the
entrenchments until the last.
Stubborn Resistance.
The stubbornness of the Belgians
and of those who went to their as
sistanee cost them dearly also, so that
both sides will have long casualty
lists. There is no reliable informa-
ton as to the loss of life in the city
and the damage there.
Crowds of refugees arrived tonight
in London. Nest Of them left Ant
werp Thursday night and their &C
counts of the attacks are confused.
The Belgians themselves, besides de-
stroying forts, blew up steamers at
the docks and set fire TO the petrol
stores and everything useful to the
invaders They also took away what
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
badly damaged, as it was burning at
least two days.
Marks for Shells.
The Antwerp railway station also
made marks for the shells from the
big guns, but, according to some o.
those who have reached here, the
cathedral, which is on the other side
of the city nearer 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 we'll
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 stragetic importance Of Ant
werp consisted in its menace to the
German lines running through Bel
GUM. Now matters have been re-
versed and the allies will have to
take their turn in keeping forces be-
fore the city to prevent the Germans
from Antwerp attacking their flank
or rear. should they be able to ad-
vance The Germans propose. ac-
cording to the Berlin reports, to use