ction.

In command of the Belgian forts at Liege was General Leman. He had
served under Brialmont, and was pronounced a serious and efficient
officer. He was a zealous military student, physically extremely active,
and constantly on the watch for any relaxation of discipline. These
qualities enabled him to grasp at the outset the weakness of his
position.

If the Germans believed the refusal to grant a free passage for their
armies through Belgium to be little more than a diplomatic protest, it
would seem the Belgian Government was equally mistaken in doubting the
Germans would force a way through an international treaty of Belgian
neutrality. Consequently, the German crossing of the frontier discovered
Belgium with her mobilization but half complete, mainly on a line for
the defense of Brussels and Antwerp. It had been estimated by Brialmont
that 75,000 men of all arms were necessary for the defense of Liege on a
war footing, probably 35,000 was the total force hastily gathered in the
emergency to withstand the German assault on the fortifications. It
included the Civic Guard.

General Leman realized, therefore, that, without a supporting field
army, it would be impossible for him to hold the German hosts before
Liege for more than a few days--a week at most.

But he hoped within such time the French or British would march to his
relief. Thus his chief concern was for the forts protecting the railway
leading from Namur down the Meuse Valley into Liege--the line of a
French or British advance.

On the afternoon of August 4, 1914, German patrols appeared on the left
bank of the Meuse, approaching from Vise. They were also observed by the
sentries on Forts Barchon, Evegnee and Fleron. German infantry and
artillery presently came into view with the unmistakable object of
beginning the attack on those forts. The forts fired a few shots by way
of a challenge. As evening fell the woods began to echo with the roar of
artillery. Later, Forts Fleron, Chaudfontaine and Embourg were added to
the German bombardment. The Germans used long range field pieces with
powerful explosive shells. The fire proved to be remarkably accurate. As
their shells exploded on the cupolas and platforms of the forts, the
garrisons in their confined citadels began to experience that inferno of
vibrations which subsequently deprived them of the incentive to eat or
sleep. The Belgians replied vigorously, but owing to the broken nature
of the country