1914, reached a point
within range of Antwerp's farthest outer forts.

In order to understand the record of the following successive steps in
the siege of Antwerp, a description of this city's position and the
location of its double circle of forts is necessary. Antwerp was
considered one of the most formidable strongholds in the world. The
elaborate defenses of Antwerp evolved from the original fortifications
of thirty years ago through continual additions. The location of the
city offers very many natural advantages for its defense, and the
engineering genius controlling the work made full use of these
opportunities. From the north Antwerp has access to the sea by the river
Scheldt, of which the arm nearest to the city is narrow, with six strong
forts on each bank, including the citadel.

[Illustration: Liege Forts, Showing German Attack.]

[Illustration: Siege and Fall of Antwerp.]

Any armies approaching from the south must cross the rivers Rupel and
Nethe, which practically, in the shape of a semicircle, swing around the
city to the south at a distance varying from about six to twelve miles.
Within this circle of flowing water, and about two miles from the city,
is another circle, formed by twelve powerful forts. At a point almost
due east from the center of the city and commanding the railroad to
Holland, by way of Turnhout, is located the first of eight forts,
designated by numbers. From there they swing to the south and west, with
fort eight very close to the Scheldt and directly south to the village
of Hoboken. On the other side of the river are Forts de Cruibeke and
Zwyndrecht, the latter commanding the railroad to Ghent. Further north
and right on the banks of the Scheldt are Forts St. Marie, la Perle, and
St. Philip, the first two on the left bank and the last on the right,
all three opposite the new harbor and docks. In the northeast Fort de
Merkem guards the railroad to Rotterdam. Outside of this circle and in
the south, outside of the Nethe-Rupel line, there is another complete
circle of nineteen even stronger forts, at a distance from the city
varying between five and ten miles. Starting again in the east--due east
from fort one--and swinging south, these forts are named: Oeleghem,
Broeckem, Kessel, Lierre, Koningshoyckt, Wavre St. Catherine,
Waelhem--the last two only a few miles north of Malines--Breendonck,
Liezel, Bornem, Rupelmonde, Haesdonck, Doel, Blauwgaren--the last two
guarding the Scheldt