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
In Andenne itself 25 houses were destroyed, 12 in the suburb Peau
d'Eau, together therefore 37, while Andenne contained 1900 houses. Not
a single factory was destroyed or burnt. Naturally, as is unavoidable
in street-fighting, many houses were damaged by gun-shots, but not so
severely as to cause the owners any considerable losses. It is true
that a large number of window-panes were shattered when the cannon
fired from the market-place.
According to the statement of the schoolmaster Belin, the population
of Andenne is rather a simple-minded one, which accounts for the
incredible rumours abroad in the town.
Signed: GOETZE, Lieutenant.
APPENDIX C.--DINANT
App. C.
War Office.
Military Court of Inquiry into the Violation of the Laws of War.
BELGIAN CIVILIAN WARFARE IN DINANT FROM AUGUST 21ST TO AUGUST 24TH,
1914.
_Summary Report._
Immediately after crossing the Belgian frontier the XII. Army Corps had
difficulties with the civilian population of Belgium, which reached
their climax in and around Dinant. For the advance of the Army Corps
Dinant had especial importance, since here it was that the crossing
of the Meuse was to take place. The town with its suburbs, Leffe and
Les Rivages on the right bank of the Meuse, and Neffe, St. Médard, and
Bouvignes on the left bank, lies along the river in a deep section of
the valley. Both banks rise up in terraces, steep and frequently rocky,
to a height of some 70 metres, the right bank somewhat higher than
the left. On the right bank about the centre of the town stands the
fortress, about 100 metres in height. Close by, to the north, the high
road from Sorinnes enters the town. Two further approaches from the
east are found in the deep-cut flanking valleys which come to an end in
Leffe and Les Rivages.
On August 15th, 1914, the operations of the German cavalry, in which
among others Jäger Battalion No. 12 took part, led to the temporary
occupation of the right bank of the Meuse. Owing to superior enemy
forces, it was again evacuated on the same day; numerous dead and some
wounded were left behind.
On August 17th the enemy forces on the left bank of the Meuse withdrew.
From this time onward Dinant, Leffe, and Les Rivages were free from the
presence of any regular enemy troops.
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