at the point of its entrance into Holland, one on
each bank--Stabroek, Ertbrand, Brasschaet, Schooten, and Gravenwezel.
Between these outer forts there were redoubts of considerable strength,
which were armed with 4-inch guns. The forts of the inner ring are
placed at regular intervals of 2,200 yards and at a distance of about
3,500 yards from the enceinte of the city, which itself had powerful
defenses as well.

Add to these defenses the important fact that the entire district
surrounding Antwerp was subject to inundation to such a depth that all
approach to the city could be made impracticable to an enemy force with
heavy cannon and ammunition. Military authorities held Antwerp to be of
incomparable strength and as nearly impregnable as engineering genius
could make it.

During the latter part of September, 1914, several of the outer forts
were subjected to bombardment, and many of these had become useless as
defenses.

General von Beseler's advance was still barred by the river Nethe, upon
the opposite bank of which the defense was concentrated. During the
engagements which now ensued the German aircraft kept the commanders
advised as to conditions behind the enemy's lines, now and then dropping
bombs, apparently doing considerable damage.

On October 2, 1914, General von Beseler scattered from "Taube"
aeroplanes a number of printed papers over the entire district. These
circulars contained a proclamation to the Belgian soldiers, advising
them to stop fighting for England and Russia and to return home to their
wives and children, as Germany was ready to help and befriend them.

The Belgian Government, which had established itself in Antwerp after
the occupation of Brussels, decided to leave the city as soon as
possible. Two small steamers were ordered to be held in readiness. The
foreign legations also decided to go with the Government.

Throughout this day a steady fire was kept up on the nearest outer
forts, but the Belgian soldiers contested every inch of ground against
the German advance. This fighting continued throughout the entire day
following, during which two of the minor outer forts were silenced.

Rapid progress by the Germans was very difficult owing to the peculiar
conformation of the course of the river Scheldt at the point of attack.
This made especially difficult the laying of concrete foundations for
the heavy guns.

The first detachment of British troops, numbering about 8,000 marines,
r