A correspondent of the _Dernière Heure_ sent back to Brussels from the
front writes of the fighting he saw as follows:
“The fighting started at Geetbetz at dawn. At 3.30 A. M. a German
aeroplane flew low over our front. Several volleys were fired and the
aeroplane fell within the German lines. After several feints the attack
developed about 6 o’clock. Strong forces of German cavalry and infantry,
supported by artillery, including machine guns, poured down on the
village and a furious battle was soon raging all along the seven-mile
front.
“While the Belgian cavalry were acting as infantry behind the earthworks
part of the German cavalry got behind them and shot the horses. Inch by
inch the ground was fought. Hundreds of Germans were slain. In the
relentless move forward the Belgian defenders suffered rather serious
losses.
“At Bubingen the resistance was equally praiseworthy. In a trench where
seven cavalrymen were making a great fight, Lieut. Count Wolfgangen
Durel was struck by a bullet in the head. His companions pressed around
him as he fell. ‘It’s all up with me,’ he said. ‘Leave me and do your
duty.’ He breathed his last a few minutes later.
“At this point two Belgian squadrons, about 240 men, showed magnificent
bravery. They held 2,000 Germans back. In spite of the superior numbers
the enemy had no distinct advantage over this handful of determined
fellows. They would have died to a man, but their mission of holding the
enemy in check for a few hours terminated when the retreat was sounded.”