EXTRACT from the Report of the (Guards) Grenadier Regiment No. 100.
_August 23rd, 1914._
During the descent towards Dinant all three companies of the 1st
Battalion received losses through the fire of civilians--portions of
the populace, amongst whom were women and children--and presumably also
from Belgian soldiers in civilian clothing, who obstinately defended
themselves with every possible kind of weapon. In the streets the
companies encountered a murderous fire. In parts every single house had
to be fought for with the use of hand-grenades. The civilians wore no
military badge or uniform; if they were caught with weapons in their
hands, they were shot. The remainder of the population were led away
to the town gaol. The Grenadier Guards pressed farther on, all the
time being fired at by the treacherous inhabitants. A great number of
buildings were provided with flags bearing the Geneva cross, yet from
these the troops were fired on with special violence.
Grenadier H., thrice wounded, nevertheless continued to take part in
the fighting, while he called his comrade's attention to the houses
from which the inhabitants were firing.
Late in the afternoon, since the whole place was not yet in our hands,
the artillery bombarded the town, which now, for the most part, became
enveloped in flames.
Towards 8 o'clock in the evening the house-fighting in the midst of the
burning streets broke out once more for a short time.
The civilians detained in the prison were brought out. Old men, women,
and children were released; the men were led by up to Marche as
prisoners.
On the morning of August 24th, after the pontoons had been repaired,
the regiment began to cross in pursuit of the retreating enemy. While
this was going on, shots from different houses struck the marching
column.