British and Belgian soldiers retreating from the defense of Antwerp. The Belgian Army and the British forces that had come to defend the city evacuated on October 7 and 8, 1914.
Cliché Chasseau-Flaviens1914.. Blessés Anglais à la défense d'Anvers1914.. English wounded from Attwerp's defense16me Série16th SeriesLogo: ELD
"Strong French and English forces had already reached the Yser during the first ten days of October — the English had been withdrawn altogether from the old front near Rheims — and were trying to get into touch on the eastern bank with the Belgian divisions which were retreating from Antwerp. Our forces had not been sufficient to prevent the withdrawal of these troops before the fall of the fortress. Although the Belgians were in extremely miserable condition they would soon be able to attack again if supported by English or French formations. There was no doubt about the resolute offensive intentions of the English and the French. Not only had that danger that the Germans would be finally cut off from the Belgian coast again become acute, but also the danger of an effective encirclement of the right wing."
Excerpt from the memoirs of German Commander in Chief Erich von Falkenhayn on the situation immediately after the fall of Antwerp on October 9, 1914 and final surrender on October 10. As the German and the Allied forces tried to outflank each other in the Race to the Sea, the Belgian Army, bolstered by British and French forces, retreated along the coast to connect with the Allied armies.
General Headquarters and its Critical Decisions, 1914-1916 by Erich von Falkenhayn, page 31, copyright © 1920 by Dodd, Mead and Company, Inc., publisher: Dodd, Mead and Company, Inc., publication date: 1920
1914, October, 1914-10-10, Falkenhayn, Antwerp, Fall of Antwerp, Siege of Antwerp
