The Imperial German Government believe that by the publication of the material contained in this work they have proved in a convincing manner that the action of the German troops against the Belgian civil population was provoked by the illegal guerilla war, and was required by the necessities of war. On the other hand, they level a solemn and emphatic protest against a population which has, by the most despicable means, waged a dishonourable war against the German soldiers and still more against a Government which, in complete perversion of its duties, gave rein to the senseless passions of the population, and now does not scruple to endeavour to free itself from its own heavy guilt by mendacious libels upon the German Army.
APPENDICES 2-66--DOWN THE EASTERN FRONTIER
Statement of Lieutenant of Reserve Max von Amelunxen, Jäger Battalion No. 4 (at the time attached to the Headquarters Staff, 2nd Army).
I took part in the sudden outbreak of hostilities at Liège as Reserve officer of my battalion. When during the advance upon Liège a stoppage occurred on the line of march, I rode out through the village of Battice to discover the cause. At the very first houses, I was fired upon, and saw clearly two civilians shooting from a window in the roof, whose fire I returned. One of them I must have killed with my Mauser carbine, for he fell to the ground at once. I believe I hit the other also. At the same time from different sides--in my estimate there were at least from 15 to 20 guns--fire was opened on myself and the cavalry men, who had in the meantime arrived on the scene. I received a light gunshot wound in the lower part of my body, while many pellets passed through my valise. The persons who fired were certainly civilians. The houses, from which they had been fired at, were set alight by the troops who had arrived. I myself had meanwhile ridden on farther. The incident must have occurred on the 4th or 5th of August.
During later motor-car journeys on military duties I was fired at by civilians on countless occasions. In France up to the present nothing of the kind has ever happened to me.
STATEMENT of Colonel von Gottberg, Infantry Regiment Freiherr von Sparr (3rd Westphalian), No. 16, 14th Division.