B. App. 1.
Berlin, January 21st, 1915.
Official Report.
On the afternoon of August 20, 1914, I received the command to march from Coutisse to Andenne with the brigade (1st and 2nd Guard Reserve Regiment and Guard Reserve Jäger Battalion); from there we were to cross the pontoon bridge over the Meuse. In the industrial town of Andenne we had to call a halt of about ten minutes, during which the inhabitants standing before their houses in the narrow streets willingly gave us water and behaved in a remarkably friendly manner. Just as I had crossed the bridge at the head of 1st Guard Reserve Regiment, we heard suddenly and simultaneously a furious rifle-fire coming from the heights opposite the bridge and from the houses. Not only men fired at us, but also—as I was informed—isolated women. Our men pressed into the houses from which the firing proceeded, and shot down the armed inhabitants. By my order the houses, from which firing had proceeded, were set alight. These measures were helpful; the rifle-fire gradually decreased and finally ceased altogether, but was renewed later against the troops that followed my brigade. Marvellous to relate, our losses were insignificant; the francs-tireurs had aimed badly. I saw no single French or Belgian soldier in the town or in the surrounding neighbourhood. The fire directed on us came solely from the civil population. Later it was reported to us that a document had been found—on the next day, I believe—with the Commandant of the town, showing the attack of the civil population to have been minutely planned, with a fixed hour for its commencement. Shortly before the prearranged time all the inhabitants, who had met us with such friendliness in the streets, locked themselves in, and at the given minute the fire was opened upon us. No cruelties of any sort were practised by the troops under my command, and all inhabitants found without weapons in the streets were especially spared; if they seemed to us to be of a suspicious character they were arrested.
Signed: Freiherr von Langermann.
B. App. 2.
Berlin, November 21st, 1914.
War Office.
Military Court of Inquiry into the Violation of Military Law.
Present at the Court:
Dr. Wagner, as Judge.
Secretary to the Court, Pfitzner.