Starting again in the
east--due east from fort one--and swinging south, these forts are
named: Oeleghem, Broeckem, Kessel, Lierre, Koningshoyckt, Wavre
St. Catherine, Waelhem--the last two only a few miles north of
Malines--Breendonck, Liezel, Bornem, Rupelmonde, Haesdonck, Doel,
Blauwgaren--the last two guarding the Scheldt at the point of its
entrance into Holland, one on each bank--Stabroek, Ertbrand, Brasschaet,
Schooten, and Gravenwezel. Between these outer forts there were
redoubts of considerable strength, which were armed with 4-inch
guns. The forts of the inner ring are placed at regular intervals
of 2,200 yards and at a distance of about 3,500 yards from the
enceinte of the city, which itself had powerful defenses as well.
[Illustration: LIEGE FORTS, SHOWING GERMAN ATTACK]
[Illustration: SIEGE AND FALL OF ANTWERP]
Add to these defenses the important fact that the entire district
surrounding Antwerp was subject to inundation to such a depth that
all approach to the city could be made impracticable to an enemy
force with heavy cannon and ammunition. Military authorities held
Antwerp to be of incomparable strength and as nearly impregnable
as engineering genius could make it.
During the latter part of September, 1914, several of the outer
forts were subjected to bombardment, and many of these had become
useless as defenses.
General von Beseler's advance was still barred by the river Nethe,
upon the opposite bank of which the defense was concentrated.
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