South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-08-14
ADVANCE NOTED
BY AEROPLA LANES;
BELGIANS READY
Germans Are Met by Enemy at
DieSt and Are Driven Back.
Loss to Invaders is 1000
Says Brussels.

LONDON, Aug. 14.-An Exchange
Telegram from Brussels contains a re-
markably graphic description Of the
lighting at the battle Of Diest, where
the first severe engagement between
the troops Of the Germans and the
allies took place.
In this clash the Belgian left wing
gained a decisive advantage over the
Germans whose forces numbered more
taan 10000 composed OF cavalry. ar
ti-ery and a small supporting force
OF infantry The Belgian forces con-
sisted OF one cavalry division and a
mixed brigade having several rapid
IRE guns. Their total lighting strength
vas about 1000.
The apparent aim OF the Germans
was To hurl themselves through the
north Strond road at Tirelmont in
order 20 turn the Belgian army.
Early Wednesday the Germans drew
up their forces between Hasselt and
Strond and thence proceeded in the
direction OF Diest, chiefly by way Of
StevOOrt and HaTck Laville. The Ger
man wings, however, came up from
different directions. Across the front
from Strond to Herck Laville their
left wing guarded the road from
StrOnd to TirelmOnt on the one hand
and the heights OF Orsmael and Guss-
enhoven on the other. Their right
protected the road from Hasselt to
Diest.
Was Aware OF Advance.
The Belgian commander, fully
aware OF this movement, from aero
plane and cavalry reconnaissance. al
lowed the enemy TO advance while he
Unanswered the Belgian troops to the
most favorable positions.
This country is divided into three
parts by tributaries Of the River De-
4
Nelpe, flowing south 10 north. To
reach Diest it was necessary for the
enemy to cross the Gethe at Haelen.
Here the Belgians took up their prin-
Cipal position and erected barbados
and entertainments behind which ar
tillery was stationed and the guns
pointed in the direction Of the en-
emy's advance.
Towards II o'clock in the morning
the Germans appeared on the road
from StevoOt 10 Haelen and the first
shots were exchanged between the ad-
vance guards OF the opposing armies.
The Belgians, however, fell back and
allowed the enemy TO advance slow
~.
The firing quickly became a fierce
artillery duel with both sides enter
ing vigorously into the fray, but as
the battle progressed It became no
ticeable that the German artillery did
not appear in the least sl6illful and
therefore its fire had little effect.
The Belgian fire on the other hand
was deadly at a range Of 1000 me
tiers, and played havoc with the Ger
man cavalry, which continued it's adj
vance on Haelen.
At Cortenaken the battle became ire
mendously hot and by ? p. m. firing
was raging furiOusly all along the
line.
Charge German Cavalry.
The Belgian cavalry charged the
German cavalry, but the confOrma-
ton Of the country hindered a proper
charge and the Belgians were forced
TO proceed in little bands across the
fields.
The Belgians displayed great cour-
age and daring.
In an endeavor 20 carry the barri-
Cades the Germans hurled themselves
against them, but the Belgians shot
the Germans down with GOODNESS and
precision.
Just as savage as the assault on the