Information Board 14-18 Sambre Rouge - The Forgotten Battles of the Sambre

Information Board at the entrance of the cemetery in Erquelinnes.

The Forgotten Battles of the Sambre

On 4 August 1914, the German staff launches more than 700.000 men on the assault of Belgium. The 2nd German Army, commended by General Karl von Bülow, reached Maubeuge passing through Belgium. The Aim was to invade France and to topple Paris. The 5th French army was commended by General Charles Lanrezac. The meeting of these two armies occurred from 21 tot 24 August at various locations on either side of the Sambre.

On 24 August 1914 Montignies-Saint-Christophe

The Battle of Charleroi came to its most bloody conclusion in Montignies-Saint-Christophe. Facing the French infantry, the German artillery pounded the village and its surroundings for more than ten hours. The main regiments involved in this day are the 278th, the 306th, the 332th, the 254th and the 48th Foot Chasseurs regiment. On this day, 111 dead and 90 missing were counted on the French side. In Hantes-Wihéries, sheltering in the cellar like many other inhabitants, Aline Thomas was killed by a shrapnel blast. Havin received the order to no longer engage with the enemy the following day, the French army proceeded with its retreat on the Philippeville-Beaumont-Maubeuge line.

Boasting a major honour lawn for the combatants, this military cemetery contains the graves of 60 English, three French but also 11 German soldiers. On the tomb of the German soldiers, there is only the mention: "EIN DEUTSCHER SOLDAT".

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