Liège, Battle of

At the start of World War I, German siege operation to capture the Belgian city of Liège, a principal centre of Belgium's defence against German invasion. The city's forts were reduced by the German ‘Big Bertha’ 42-cm howitzers and Liège fell 17 August 1914.

A notable centre of gunmaking, the city was heavily protected by a ring of forts and had a garrison of about 30,000 troops under General Gérart Leman. The defences were attacked by a force of about 100,000 German troops 5 August 1914. When a simple infantry assault failed, artillery bombardment began and a small German force managed to penetrate the ring and occupy part of the city. On 12 August the 42 cm ‘Big Bertha’ howitzers were brought up and began reducing the forts one by one. The last forts fell 16 August 1914, General Leman was wounded and captured, and on the following day the city was occupied, remaining in German hands throughout the war.