eupon the artillery duel
recommenced.

A hot and oppressive day disclosed woods rent and scarred, standing
wheat fields shell-plowed and trampled, and farm houses set ablaze. The
bringing of the Belgian wounded into Liege apprised the citizens that
their side had also suffered considerably. Meanwhile, the Germans were
reenforced by the Tenth Hanoverian Army Corps, from command of which
General von Emmich had been detached to lead Von Kluck's vanguard, also
artillery with 8.4-inch howitzers.

The bombardment on this 5th day of August, 1914, now stretched from Vise
around the Meuse right bank half circle of forts to embrace Pontisse and
Boncelles at its extremities. In a few hours infantry attack began
again. The Germans advanced in masses by short rushes, dropping to fire
rifle volleys, and then onward with unflinching determination. The
forts, wreathed in smoke, blazed shells among them; their machine guns
spraying streams of bullets. The Germans were repulsed and compelled to
retire, but only to re-form for a fresh assault. Both Belgian and German
aeroplanes flew overhead to signal their respective gunners. A Zeppelin
was observed, but did not come within range of Belgian fire. The
Belgians claim to have shot down one German aeroplane, and another is
said to have been brought to earth by flying within range of its own
artillery.

During the morning of August 5, Fort Fleron was put out of action by
shell destruction of its cupola-hoisting machinery. This proved a weak
point in Brialmont's fortress plan. It was presently discovered that the
fire of the supporting forts Evegnee and Chaudfontaine could not command
the lines forming the apex of their triangle. Further, since the Belgian
infantry was not in sufficient force to hold the lines between the
forts, a railway into Liege fell to the enemy. The fighting here was of
such a desperate nature, that General Leman hastened to reenforce with
all his reserve.

This battle went on during the afternoon and night of August 5, into the
morning of August 6, 1914. But the fall of Fort Fleron began to tell in
favor of the Germans. Belgian resistance perforce weakened. The
ceaseless pounding of the German 8.4-inch howitzers smashed the inner
concrete and stone protective armor of the forts, as if of little more
avail than cardboard. At intervals on August 6, Forts Chaudfontaine,
Evegnee and Barchon fell under the terrific hail of German shells. A way
was now opened into the ci