Antwerpen14-18_Antwerp builds bridges ENG

Panic in the city
Luggage left
behind on the
quays in
Antwerp.
12
““The steam ferry worked all night to
bring masses of terrified refugees to the
other side of the Scheldt and the military
pontoon bridge supported a seemingly
never-ending train packed with cars,
carriages and munitions wagons.
After the German Commander Von Beseler
had sent a member of parliament
to the Commander of the fortress for
a second time, demanding surrender, a
demand which was rejected, the bombardment
resumed with unabated fury.
South of the city munitions stocks exploded,
and in the harbour area of the
city and close to the Palace of Justice,
more fires broke out under the intense
shelling. Still capable of greatness as
well as tragedy, Antwerp was resolutely
defended.”