The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1914-10-15
STRONGEST FORTRESS FALL
GERMANS TAKE ANTWERP.


After continued fighting be-
tween the Allies and Germans for
several weeks, the first victory
of any Importance has been in
favor of the Germans, when they
reduced the fort ut Antwerp. a
city of 100000, in Belgium. The
capture of Antwerp is signifi-
cant inasmuch as il was the
strongest fortress in Europe.
The first shot was fired Sept.
Is. On Oct. | the first forts
were taken by assault. The river
Netie was crossed Oct. 8 and l.
On the 7th Antwerp was notified
that "a bombardment was immi-
nent, and this was begun at 1880
a. m, Oct 5. simultaneously an
attack was made on the inner
forts.
On Oct. 9 two of the inner
forts were taken. At 2;30 p. m,
Antwerp was occupied by Ger
man infantry without opposition.
However, the effect of the Ger
man artillery, infantry and ma
rine division in the first attack
was such that resistance was flu
tile.
A large quantity of supplies
was taken by the Germans.
In official circles it is recog-
nize that the fall of Antwerp may
prolong the war. The Germans
are certain TO rebuild the forts,
which will become a base for Yep
pelin attacks against the British
coast.
In the form of dairy, the
story of the siege of Antwerp
and the German plan of attack
are given in the following dis
patch:
Saturday, Sept. 26.-Belgians
retired from positions east, south
and west of MailGes TO the line
of outer forts.
Sept. q. -Bombardment of
Forts de Waeihem, de Wavre St
Catherine and others on southern
line by ll-inch howitZers.
Sept. 29.-Magazine of Fort
Waelhem blown up by shell fire
Fort de Wavre st. Catherine put
ont of action; forts at Llerre
b0mbarded.
Sept. 30.-Forts de Waelhem
and Wavre st. Catherine com
pletely destroyed. Water works
behind Forts de Waelhem blown
up. Belgian infantry continued W
hold their entrenchment in the
face of a veritable hell of shell
fire. The water supply in Ant
werp is greatly eurtailed.
"Oct. l-Lierre forts destroy
ed. German infantry attacks
were repulsed with heavy losses.
Oct q There was a heavy
bOmbardment of the Belgian
trenches. The Belgians retired
at night in good order and lined
the River Nethe. The Germans
began TO occupy the outer ring of
forts. A German aeroplane flew
over the city and dropped pam
phlets urging the inhabitants TO
surrender and save thmselves
suffering.
Oct. 3.-Arrival of fresh Brit
ish troops who relieve fatigued
Belgians on the southeastern sec
ton. Here the Germans concen-
trate their attack, which is now
almost exclusively an artillery at
tack.
"0ct. Quiet until evening
when the Germans began a furi-
Gus bombardment of the Lierre
and the river bank trenches
"Oct. j.-The Germans cross
the river and occupy Lierre and
Duffel. The main Belgian army
began retirement westward.
"0ct. departure of King
Albert, the government and the
foreign ministers. Heavy BON.
bardment of the allied position.
The allied troops retired during
the night on second line of forts.
Oct. Gov. Gen. de Guise
announces that bombardment OF
the city is imminent. The Ger
mans emplace batteries for their
purpose. and at midnight a heavy
bombarlment begins.
"Oet. S.-Exodus of the popu-
lation. The bombardment of the
town is continued with violence.
The petrol tanks are ablaze. Ber-
chem, a southern suburb. is in
flames. as also many houses N
that city. The defending troops