Cut Bank pioneer press. [volume] (Cut Bank, Mont.) 1909-current, 1914-08-14
UNDATED
GERMANS ART BEATEN BACK IN
EVERY ASSAULT ON THE
BELGIAN FORTS.
GERMAN LOSSES ARE HEAVY
BeIeian's Fire Well Placed-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 ALL
gust 3 and 5 has been issued. In sum-
marizing the operations the account
says:
"The Germans lost 5000 dead. TWEEN
ty-four guns were captured, and one
general was made prisoner.
"Tbe German forces numbered 1870,
900; the Belgian defenders 10000.
1.-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 we're 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.
"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 8 and 4.
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 4.
THE plan of attack developed dur
ing the day Of August 5. Each Ger
man column had a 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."
1.-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 F1eron itself and the
intervening space between Forts
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 a dead
ly effect on the German forces.
"a German column attacking Fort
Barchon spread out into a f~an-shalyed
formation to the extreme right and
followed around the fort. 1t made for
the city, but a Belgian reserve brigade
delivered a prompt counter attack and
threw the Germans back in great dis,
order. Their losses were enormous.
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
fire from Forts Fleron and Barchon
supported by a counter attack by the
Belgian infantry. The German ad'
vance was stopped.
"At this moment General Won EN-
mich sent a flag Of truce, demanding
surrender. He informed the com
mandant, Lieut.. General Leman, that
If he did not surrender Immediately q
Zeppelin dirigible would drop an ex'
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 the
northeastern forts the second part Of
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 entanglements
which had been numerously placed and
were appreciably retarded. They con
tinued their advance and made a di
rect attack, which failed. Their losses
were heavy.
1.-THE Belgians defending the inter
val numbered only 1900, and they fell
back a mile and a quarter. This was
a critical moment. General Lemar
threw all his troops which were not
engaged upon that part Of the de
fepsa and TX O. men massed a~gains,