Among the weaknesses in the defense of Liège were the lack of sufficient soldiers to man the forts, and the long distances between the different fortresses, as well as the lack of support by rifle entrenchments. The fortresses did not prove impregnable because they were built to withstand a horizontal fire, while the German howitzers dropped shells from above. The three German army corps under General von Emmich made attack after attack. On the third day they lost twenty-five thousand men, some of the crack regiments from Berlin suffering heavily. The forts held out long after the town was occupied by the Germans for the reason that they were built to defend the river approaches rather than the town, and until August 5th the Germans were unable to cross the Meuse. It was difficult for the Germans to get the proper range for their big guns, and the story is told that a German soldier with a white flag of truce walked towards a fort in order to get the correct distance. His white flag was respected until he arrived at a spot where he signaled back to his comrades. It is needless to say that he was then killed. From the moment when the Germans were able to get the proper range with their heavy siege artillery, the fate of Liège was sealed. Toward the end of August, all the forts were occupied by the Germans. "The resistance of Liège is not only one of the most magnificent achievements in military annals;--it is also one of the decisive events in the world's history." It has already been the inspiration of much poetry and prose. The following extract is taken from the poem called, "HOW LIÈGE HELD THE ROAD"[13] We were pounding at the anvils when they pounded at our gate; "Open," cried the German squadrons; "let us pass, or meet your fate! We are millions; dare deny us and Liège is but a name." But we chose to die in honour than to buy our lives in shame. So we banked our eager fires, and we laid aside the sledge, Recking only that our sires had endowed us with the pledge To maintain an ally's honour, to uphold the Belgian code, And we answered with our cannon, THAT LIÈGE WOULD HOLD THE ROAD! [13] From the volume of poems entitled "The Song of the Guns," by Herbert Kaufman. Here are a few of Verhaeren's remarks on the fall of Liège: