DEPOSITION of Reservist Hermann Behnke, 11th Company, Reserve Infantry
Regiment No. 86, received by Pastor Friedrichs in the reserve field
hospital at Hagen, on September 21st, 1914.
On August 25th we arrived at Louvain station in a military transport
train. We heard brisk firing, so that we assumed that a battle between
our troops and the Belgian troops was taking place. However, when we
arrived in the town, we saw that civilians were firing from the houses
and from trees. We noticed that German troops were fighting a regular
street battle with these civilians. We went to the assistance of our
troops. The civilians were requested to leave the houses from which
firing had taken place. These houses were then set on fire.
Proceedings at Hagen in the Office of the reserve field hospital,
Hochstrasse 45, on November 28th, 1914, placed at the disposal of the
Royal War Ministry, Military Examination Office for infringement of
military law.
There appears Hermann Behnke, reservist, 11th Company, Reserve Infantry
Regiment No. 86, and declares:
The above is my correct name. I was born on February 28th, 1887, at
Neuhof in Mecklenburg-Schwerin; Protestant; married.
Admonished to speak the truth, I make the following statement:
I maintain as correct the deposition made on September 21st before the
Protestant minister, Wilhelm Friedrichs. This deposition is true in
every respect, and it has been read over to me.
Behnke is then sworn.
Signed: HERMANN BEHNKE.
The correctness of the above is certified by:
Signed: Dr. JOTEL, Chief Regimental Surgeon.
Signed: WINAND ENGEL, Clergyman of the field hospital.