“On continuing our march we suddenly entered a wide vale.  The horizon was blood-red and huge clouds of smoke drifted heavenwards.  On all sides the villages were in flames.  In the last village before Louvain the sight was terrible in the extreme; houses ablaze; pools of blood in the street; here and there a dead civilian; pieces of Belgian equipment, haversacks, boots and trousers lay around; while the inhabitants stood about with their hands raised above their heads.

“It was said that hostile cavalry had hidden in the village and together with a part of the inhabitants had fired on our troops.  We only saw the consequences.

“After a long rest before Louvain we entered the town at 7 p.m.  Our artillery had taken up a semi-circular position on the heights around and directed their cannon on to the town."[107]

[Footnote 107:  Ibid., pp. 22-3.]

The above events occurred on August 19th, exactly six days before the sack of Louvain.  It strikes one as remarkable that the German cannon were even on that day directed against an unfortified city.

Risse was among the first German troops to enter Brussels.  “Our route took us through some of the principal streets, and various splendid buildings including the Royal palace.  Joy shone in our faces and a feeling of pride swelled our breasts at being the first to enter Belgium’s capital.  These feelings found expression in our talk and shouts.  The man behind me shouted to every bewildered, staring Belgian whom we passed:  ‘Yes, young fellow, you are astonished, you blockhead!’ On we marched with the air of victors.

“The inhabitants were exceedingly kind, so that one had not at all the feeling of being in the capital of an enemy.  They brought us water, lemonade, beer, cigars, cigarettes, etc., without asking for any payment."[108]

[Footnote 108:  Ibid., pp. 26-7.]

The same writer refers to similar hospitality in various parts of his book.  After passing through Brussels he continues his diary:  “Sunday, August 23rd.  Nothing came of our hopes for a rest-day.  Shortly after 5 a.m. we were ready for the march.  A fine rain was falling as we passed through village after village.  We saw the villagers with frightened faces hurrying to church, carrying prayer-books.  Notices from the Belgian Government were placarded on the houses, warning the people to avoid every kind of hostility towards the Germans."[109]

[Footnote 109:  Ibid., p. 31.]

From the last sentence it is evident that the Belgian authorities did not incite the civilian population to resistance.  Other German war-writers state that the Belgian and French Governments had organized a franc-tireur warfare long before, and this accusation is one of the pillars of Germany’s defence for the destruction of Louvain.

“Soon after crossing the frontier we saw the first ruined house.  Our route led us down the same road on which a few days before the violent and bitter struggles had taken place between German troops and Belgian soldiers, aided by the inhabitants.  The Belgians have supported their troops in a manner which can only be described as bestial and cruel.  From the houses they have shot at troops on the march, and of course their homes have been reduced to ashes.