Information board 1914-1918 Sambre Rouge - Battle of 22 August 1914 Collarmont

Information board at the entrance of the new cemetery in Anderlues concerning the battles of the Sambre at the beginning of the First World War.

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 commanded by General Charles Lanrezec. The meeting of these two armies occurred from 21 to 24 August at various locations on either side of the Sambre.

Battle of 22 August 1914 Collarmont.

On 6 August, the Sordet cavalry corps entered Belgium coming from Sedan. A long ride toward Liège, back toward Wellin, up to Fosses-le-Ville, Hottomont, Gembloux, led the French cavalry to the Charleroi-Brussels canal in Luttre on 21 August. Threatened with encirclement, the cavalry corps fell back to the south, and arrived at Anderlues-Carnières in the evening. The 24th Regiment arrived at the location during the night, in order to protect the retreat. At 8 am on the 22, the battles took place at Bois des Vallées, around the farm of Viernoy and the wood of Chèvremont-Warimez.
These harsh confrontations resulted in between 2.500 and 3.000 dead, injured or disappeared. After the fighting, as a first step the German nurses took charge of the injured from the two fields. The Red Cross was only authorised to go the sites 48 hours afterwards.

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