On the night of August 21st, 1914, my company was sent on a reconnaissance towards Dinant in Belgium. The 2nd Battalion, Rifle Regiment No. 108, marched with us. When we had arrived in the town we were briskly shot at from the houses, and, indeed, chiefly with small shot. We stormed a number of houses, and saw that the marksmen were civilians without any military uniform or badge. We then withdrew.
On August 23rd, 1914, the 23rd Division advanced to the attack on Dinant. Here, also, we were vigorously fired on from the houses, and certainly only by civilians, of whom a number were killed. It was here that I received a shot in the thigh.
I then got into the hospital which had been established in the Château of Sorinnes. In the night the Château of Sorinnes was attacked and fired at by the inhabitants of the place. The inhabitants were, however, beaten off before they could force their way into the château.
Signed: Dr. ILLING, Chief Counsellor of the Military Court.
Present: President of the Court, SCHWEINITZ. Secretary, LIPS.
In the examination concerning the events in Dinant the under-mentioned witness appeared and stated:
As to Person: My name is Herbert Max Reinhard Brink. I am 22 years old; Protestant; Lieutenant in the 1st Field Company, Pioneer Battalion No. 12, XII. Army Corps.
As to Case: I was leader of the platoon of the 1st Field Pioneer Company which took part in the reconnaissance in force on the night of the 21st-22nd August 1914. In Dinant, on that occasion, we were briskly fired at from the houses. I did not see the marksmen; certainly they were not soldiers. I conclude this from the numerous injuries from small shot which our wounded had. During the street-fighting a little old cylinder-revolver, from which one shot had been discharged, fell on my head. No officer and, still more, no soldier would have been likely to use such an antiquated weapon.
On August 23rd, 1914, I marched into Dinant with a part of the 1st Field Pioneer Company, and joined up with the detachment of Count Kielmannsegg. We were fired at very vigorously from the houses, among others also from those on the bank of the Meuse, but not at all from the opposite bank. The marksmen were civilians without any military badge. I myself saw several civilians with weapons in their hands. A woman also fired down at us from the stairs as we were forcing our way into a house. She was immediately shot down from below.