Extraordinary early WWI footage of Belgian army delaying the German advance - aided by bicycles, armoured cars and machine-gun pulling dogs.

These scenes illustrate the efforts and sacrifices of the Belgian Army in the first months of WWI, massively outnumbered and soon overpowered by German forces. The march past the camera, the proud presentation of an early armoured car, and the shot of artillery among the potato fields might seem relaxed, but the footage of monks loading the ambulance car brings home the impact of war.

ACTUALITY. In 1914 the German army made an attempt to cross the Scheldt in order to attack Antwerp, but were repulsed by the Belgians. The film shows Belgian infantry, cyclists and machine guns (drawn by dogs) advancing through the village of Auderghem; an amoured car; the 2nd. Division of Belgian artillery going into action; field artillery in action in a potato field. After the battle, ambulances are loaded, with Belgian monks acting as Red Cross workers. (289 feet)