of the northern forts of Liege, and two were seen rolling over the field
of Waterloo. The Germans remained silent upon the subject, and nothing
definite about their first discharge was disclosed. But unquestionably
their fire was capable of demolishing into ruin any fort on earth within
a short period. It is certain, however, the Germans brought against
Namur their 28-centimeter guns, and probably some of 21-centimeter
caliber. These artillery weapons were quite formidable enough to reduce
the Namur forts. The former threw a shell of 750 pounds from a range of
three miles--beyond the reach of the Namur guns. The latter projected
shells of 250 pounds. The Germans are said to have employed thirty-two
of the heavier caliber guns, and a large number of 21-centimeter.

Thus Namur was doomed before the bombardment commenced. Von Buelow's
left wing advanced up the Meuse north bank from Huy, some part of it
crossing to the south bank at Ardenne, where it came in touch with the
Saxon army.

At sundown of August 20, 1914, Von Buelow was in position before Namur,
three miles from its defenses. Darkness fell upon a hot and sultry
August atmosphere. Presently the flashes and boom of the German guns
began a bombardment of the trenches between forts Cognelee and
Marchovelette. It continued through the night. But the Belgian fortress
guns were outranged. It would have been a mere waste of ammunition to
reply. Neither could the Belgian infantry venture on a counterattack,
for the Germans were clearly observed in overwhelming strength. At the
outset the Germans devoted their efforts to clearing the trenches of the
Belgian infantry, leaving the forts for subsequent demolition. The
unfortunate Belgian infantry, therefore, could do nothing but fire
intermittent rifle volleys, without any effect upon the Germans. They
bravely bore this storm of shells for ten hours. Not a man who lifted
his head above the German machine gun-swept parapets but was not
instantly killed or wounded. Thus the majority of the officers were
killed, and the ranks within the trenches decimated.

Toward morning on August 21, 1914, the Belgians could stand the tornado
of death no longer. The demoralized troops fled from the trenches,
leaving the gap between forts Cognelee and Marchovelette open. The
Germans then opened fire on the forts. In comparison with the new German
siege howitzers, the old-fashioned Belgian guns proved to be weak
weapons. The tremendous poundi