Battles & Campaigns · 1914
Siege of Namur
Namur, Belgium
What happened
German forces reached Namur, which was protected by a ring of forts. They waited a day for heavy siege guns and then bombarded the forts, attacking some from behind. Belgian troops withdrew south on 23 August, and the last fort surrendered on 25 August.
Why it matters
A French defeat nearby at Charleroi meant no help could reach Namur. The Germans took the fortress faster than Liège, partly by waiting for their siege guns before attacking.
What came next
The surviving Belgian troops went by sea from Le Havre to Ostend and rejoined the Belgian army at Antwerp.
Did you know?
Some forts fell to ordinary heavy guns because of flaws in their concrete.
Timeline
- 16 Aug 1914The last fort at Liège surrenders.
- 20 Aug 1914German forces reach Namur.
- 21 Aug 1914Battle of Charleroi begins.
- 25 Aug 1914The last fort at Namur surrenders.