The German Army in Belgium, the White Book of May 1915Germany. Auswärtiges Amt
History
The German Army in Belgium, the White Book of May 1915
Germany. Auswärtiges Amt
World War, 1914-1918 -- Atrocities; World War, 1914-1918 -- Belgium
Our horses broke loose, our waggon was struck by a hand-grenade, the
horses were thrown to the ground, the waggon was overturned, and, the
following waggons driving into it, a wild confusion ensued. As the
waggon was overthrown, I fell out and crushed the calves of my legs.
We immediately returned the fire, for it had been recommended to us,
and we were prepared in consequence. Before the munition column could
be set in order again and proceed, we had to endure half an hour of
continuous firing, until the defence guard came to our help.
On account of my wound I was just taken to the market-place, and then
lay for two days in the house of a doctor, who was, however, absent.
After that I was cared for in the schoolhouse, which had been turned
into a hospital. Some German families, who had lived in this place for
a considerable time, looked after us here. These told us that the whole
attack had been planned, and that the clergy had issued directions from
the pulpits.
Read over, approved, signed.
Signed: HUGO ROLEFF.
Signed: STACK.
Signed: RUDOLF WESSELMANN.
B. App. 4.
NAMUR, _January 8th, 1915_.
REPORT of the Inquiry into the alleged atrocities in Andenne.
At the command of the Imperial Military Government of Namur I went,
on the 5th inst., to Andenne, in order to obtain information from the
Mayor Emile de Jaer regarding the atrocities of war that were said to
have occurred in Andenne. He only knew that on August 20, at 7 o'clock
in the evening, a murderous fire was opened on our troops, who wanted
to cross the bridge leading to Seilles. At my request he handed me over
a list of those who had been shot; it contained 234 names. On examining
this list it turned out that only 196 persons had been shot without any
doubt whatsoever; 28 were missing. I instructed the Mayor to procure a
number of trustworthy witnesses, who in his opinion were in a position
to give information concerning the events.
Thereupon appeared:
1. Hermann Frerand, Place du Perron, merchant. He could give no
evidence, as he had been a prisoner from August 21 to 23.
2. Alexander Wery, Rue Brun, merchant. He declared that he had kept in
hiding during the days of agitation. He therefore knows nothing, but
only heard reports.
3. Léon Lambert, Place des Tilleuls, merchant. He knows nothing of the
events, as he had been in hiding in his cellar.
4. Florent Sebrun, factory director, Rue Wouters. On the evening of
August 20, at 7 o'clock, he was in the garden of his brother-in-law,
Dr. Melin, Grande Rue. A large aeroplane appeared at a great height,
and the German troops immediately fired at it. Suddenly fire opened
from all sides of the town.
5. Madame Ermine Blanchart, Rue de l'Hôtel de Ville, will state
personal grievances, but knows nothing of the events.
6. Ernest Thys, Rue Brun, merchant, hid himself for five days in his
cellar.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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