Norwich bulletin., 1918-02-23
The D9ense of Liege
(continusd From Page Five,)

 giant guns. So Liege contributed to a | certain extent to the victorious defense of Ferdun. II Concerning monstrous guns, it will probably be interesting to you to learn that while the forts of Liege were de- stroyed by German 16-inch howitzers the forts at Namur were b0mbarded by Austrian batteries.
 picked up this information myself as well as thousands of Belgians from German official placards posted up at L1ege during September 1914.
 Austria a Treacherous Nation. So while we were at peace with Austria Hungary, while Austrian am bassador accredited z to our govern ment was always friendly in Brussels Austrian shells were thrown by Aus trian crews on our forts at Namur.
 I state that treacheroils behavior of Austria, only in order to show you how prudent it was for the United States to declare war on that nation.
 At Liege, events followed each other so quickly and simultaneously on so many different theatres of operations that it is difficult to give a general and accurate view of it's defense.
 I shall endeavor to summarize the facts
 German ultimatum was expiring on Monday, Aug. 3, 1914, at ' o'clock a. m. r. During this morning an immense army under the leadership of General Von Emmich penetrated into Belgium Following the same method as during the F'ranco-Prussian war in 1870, the Germans sent far away in front Of their troops isolated cavalrymen.
 The sudden appearance of these raiders in towns where their pres ence was unexpected was intended to throw the population into confusion.
 Let US come back to the defense of Liege. One column of Won Emmich's army reached Wise and tried to bridge the Mouse at Lixhe at the very border of Netherland. This bridge when re- peatedly built was destroyed by guns of Fort of Pontisse
 Other troops went in touch with forts of Barchon and Evegnee. First shells of the war were thrown by guns of fort of Barchon. The two above named forts were bombarded. but their concrete and turTets resisted perfectly well the German shells
 During the night between Aug. 3 and the Germans tried to break through the intervals between forts of .Barchon, Evegnee and Fleron | Bloody battles took place there, but | overwhelmed, the Be1gians had to give up some ground However, forts ot Chaudfontaine and Embourg went into action.
 Near Barchon the German pressure was so high that Belgian troops gave way in spite of the grim determina- tion.
 Captain of Cavalry de Menten dc Horne, scion of one of old oldest and noblest Belgian families, being on pa. trol duty with a platoon (25 mem I found himself suddenly, when pene- l trating into glade. in front of one l German squadron. Without hesitating a second, the officer led the charge one Belgian having to struggle witt l five Germans. The enemy Squadror was shattered.
 l But Few Survived. l From that platoon which sacrificed itself survivors may be counted or the fingers of one hand; the others followed their captain to a gloriou. l death; to every one of that platoon dead or alive, we owe a very deeI l gratitude.
 On that day Comedies was stor1net but without result for the Germans as troops who had so brayely tough near Barchon had been rushed toward 1 Comedies, We are now at the terribl, night between Aug and 6, when tht Germans attacked in every direction. l Sky Red With Fire. From the highest parts of the cit, of Liege inhabitants could see in ever. direction burning villages on the eas bank of the River Mouse: The six, was red and the roar of guns wa deafening.
 1 Many deeds of hepoism were per
 formed. during that night in the dark
 ness, nobody can tell. General Le
 man had no more tfoops to send wher
 it was most necessary. It was i'm } possible for one Belgian to resist seve
 Germans. Retreat was ordered heroi
 rear guard actions with the help 0 iforts giving the troops time to eros } the city and rejoin in Louvain the re
 maining divisions of the Belgian army l The third division had heroicall performed it's duty; Liege had Il more defenders but forts.
 Without Warning: Without Excuse.
 As soon as the Germans reached tn edge of the slopes of River Meus
 they bombarded the city withou : warning and. without excuse, the las Belgian soldier having crossed the cit
 at that time. Shells began to fall
 the most inhabited part of the city an
 special attention was paid by German
 to gas holders. They hoped to brin on a deadly explosion. Several shel hit these gas holders, but they wei empty. Main pipes having been broke . several hours before when a brids S was. blown up by the Belgians. ? The city of Liege surrendered c Aug. 6 at o'clock in the afternoo, ' after General Leman went into tt
 fort of Lonoin, from which he we
 hoping to be able to lead the defens This was a very difficult thing, as u
 Germans having cut all the telepho1
 wires, forts could only communica : : by optical signalization. @ However, in spite of being surround ed, forts were always interfering vii :, the transportation of munitions; the }, were not willing to surrender, so u Germans condemned them to destru,
 t6-inch. howitzers.
 No fort, however strongly bui U could resist shells weighing IS pounds and carrying 300 pounds of
 N. T. Forts which previously stot very well bombardments flew in
 pieces. On Aug. 9th the fort of Ba chon was destroyed; it had fired u
 first shells: it was the first to be d. istroyed. One after another forts
 the right bank of the River Meu
 were demolished. Without means . communication, forts were not able
 locate German batteries, SO they d
 not make an exchange with their e1 u emies.