10. On Thursday, Aug. 10, at Vootem, near the Fort of Loncin, a
group of German infantry hoisted the white flag. When Belgian
soldiers approached to take them prisoners the Germans suddenly
opened fire on them at close range.
* * * * *
II.
Report on Aerschot.
Antwerp, Aug. 28, 1914.
The commission of inquiry on violation of the laws of nations and the
laws and customs of warfare, after an impartial and careful
investigation, can make the following report of its findings:
It appears from precise and concurring testimony that in the entire
region of Aerschot the Germans have committed veritable atrocities. The
majority of the population fled in terror. On their passage the German
troops set fire to farms and houses and furniture, shooting inoffensive
citizens whom they found along the road or who were working in the
field.
At Hersselt, north of Aerschot, thirty-two houses of the village were
set on fire; the miller and his son, who fled, and about twenty-one
other persons were killed; and all this while no Belgian troops were
visible.
The German troops penetrated into Aerschot, a town of 8,000 inhabitants,
on Wednesday, Aug. 19, in the morning.
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