September 30

The Antwerp waterworks are destroyed by the Germans.

The 26th Brigade RFA remains in position, with no firing taking place.

Punch publishes a cartoon of the Kaiser entitled "The Great Goth". It shows a suggested "design for a strained-glass window in a neo-gothic cathedral at Potsdam". The Kaiser is shown as a grotesque angel holding the smoking ruins of Rheims Cathedral (see 20 September) on the left, whilst further battle "honours" are listed at his feet: Malines, Louvain (see 25 August) and Termonde.

September 29 - The "Angels of Mons"

Arthur Machen

The London Evening News publishes "The Bowmen" by Arthur Machen. The article was inspired by accounts that Machen had read of the fighting at Mons and an idea he had had soon after the battle. Machen set his story at the time of the retreat from the Battle of Mons and described phantom bowmen from the Battle of Agincourt summoned by a soldier calling on St. George, destroying a German host. The story is believed by many and forms the basis of one of the most enduring myths of the First World War.

German and French forces reach a stalemate in the Battle of Albert. Hostilities continue as trench warfare, whilst the remaining gap in the front line starts the so-called "Race to the Sea".


The 26th Brigade RFA remains in position, with no firing taking place.

On the Eastern Front, the Russians clash with German and Austro-Hungarian forces in the Battle of the Vistula River (also known as the Battle of Warsaw). The battle continues until the end of October.

September 28

The bombardment and siege of Antwerp begins. German guns are directed by observers in fixed balloons.

The defences of Antwerp

The Admiralty publishes a statement of losses in shipping since the outbreak of war: German 1,140,000 tons (387 ships); British 229,000 tons (86 ships).

The 26th Brigade RFA remains in position, with no firing taking place.

September 27

The 26th Brigade RFA remains in position, with no firing taking place.

September 26

The first troops from the Indian Expeditionary Force arrive in Marseilles, having travelled from India via the Suez Canal. This is the first time Indian troops have set foot on European soil.

Indian troops marching through Marseilles

 
The SMS Emden begins four days of activity off Ceylon during which she claims six prizes.

The 26th Brigade RFA remains in position. Two damaged guns  of 117 and one of 118 are withdrawn from Paissy during the night of 26-27.

September 25

At 3am the 26th Brigade RFA is relieved by the 51st Battery and retires to Pargnan. By 4.30am four guns of 117 and two guns of 118 are entrenched in positions west of Pargnan. At 4pm these guns are shelled by heavy howitzers.

September 24

The siege of Przemysl begins with Russian forces surrounding the fortress town held by Austro-Hungarian forces. The siege proves to be the longest of the war, the garrison managing to hold out until 22 March 1915.

The siege of Przemysl

The 26th Brigade RFA remains in position with both batteries engaged all day and shelled by heavy howitzers.