Antwerp falls to Germany

Refugees arrive in Ireland

Eleven refugees from the Belgian city of Antwerp arrived in Cork this week.

The men, women and children fled the city after it fell to Germany and arrived in Ireland on a steamship from Rotterdam. One of the refugees, M. Kloeck said yesterday that they had escaped from Antwerp a week ago when the German onslaught on the city was at its peak.

Belgian refugees arriving in Cork. (Image: Irish Life, 9 October 1914. Full collection of Irish Life available from the National Library of Ireland.)

The city was being shelled by German artillery and Zeppelins were flying overhead, causing people to rush for protection in cellars and basements for fear of falling bombs.

M. Kloeck said: ‘As the boat on which we were escaping from Antwerp was putting down the river crowded with refugees, the shells from the German guns were exploding around us with great fury.’

Many other people fled from Antwerp with only the clothes they were wearing and walked through the night towards Holland. Behind them the city burned in the darkness, with shells bursting out as if they were thousands of shooting stars. Amongst the people who fled to Holland were 60 people from the lunatic asylum, brought to Eindhoven by monks.

Plan showing the defences of Antwerp. (Image: Irish Life, 9 October 1914. Full collection of Irish Life available from the National Library of Ireland)

It is reported that in cities and towns such as Rotterdam, The Hague and Amsterdam the streets were filled with refugees from war, who had nowhere to sleep.

Camps have been established in various cities and people - having initially slept in the open - are now housed in tents and in beds provided for them by the Dutch people. All along the border, Dutch villages are overflowing with refugees seeking shelter.

Refugees fleeing Antwerp. (Image: Irish Life, 16 October 1914. Full collection of Irish Life available from the National Library of Ireland)

The population of Antwerp on the eve of war amounted to some 500,000 people. The city fell after a siege of 11 days during which the German army repeatedly shelled the city.

Announcing the victory, German war headquarters in Berlin simply said: ‘The entire fortress of Antwerp is in our possession.’