In the evening towards 7 o'clock I marched with my detachment from Dinant to Les Rivages. On the way, at the last houses in Dinant we again received a brisk fire from the houses. We had no time to stop and clear these houses, as we had strict orders to evacuate Dinant immediately on account of the impending bombardment of the place. As we entered Les Rivages the bridge-building was in progress.
We remained at this place a further two days. After the completion of the bridge, we noticed repeatedly on August 24th that our columns, which had crossed the bridge and were marching downstream on the west bank of the Meuse, were fired at from Dinant.
Read over, approved, signed.
Signed: Brink, Lieutenant.
The witness was hereupon sworn.
Signed: Schweinitz. Signed: Lips.
C. App. 6.
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.