As to Person: My name is Friedrich. I am 26 years old; Protestant;
hairdresser.
As to Case: On August 5th, 1914, I found myself near the campaign
baggage of the company. In the afternoon we reached Esneux, where we
halted in the village street. The inhabitants were very friendly to us,
and the people came out of the houses and gave us food and cigarettes
without taking payment.
Towards evening we left this place and marched in the direction of
Liège. We then noticed that the people looked at us from the windows
and laughed ironically. About a kilometre in rear of Esneux we had to
halt. Suddenly fire was opened upon us from some ground near us on our
left, whereupon we received the order to turn back. Up to the present
only single shots had been fired at us, but as soon as we regained the
village a hot fire was opened from the houses. Shots came from almost
every house; it was impossible to select any in particular. From the
sound of the shots one could recognise that the guns were of different
patterns. Several of us were wounded, one horse was shot dead, another
was wounded. We searched the houses and found guns of various kinds. I
did not see any of military pattern.
Read over, approved, signed.
Signed: FRUTH.
The witness was sworn.