Escape
The Atlas V arrived at about midnight, at the beginning of Coronmeuse, on the left bank in the north of the city. It was carried by the current, passing through the populated localities of Herstal and Jupille without encumberment. The boat was discovered only near Argenteau/Hermalle-under-Argenteau, and attacked by a car-boat. This sank in its wake. The Atlas V then proceeded at 45 km/h, and encountered heavy fire all along the river, lit by powerful lights. Later, the tug boat broke the railway bridge downstream of Visé, then tore off the electrified chain and wire which barred the river. It ran into a pontoon armed with machine-guns and escaped from intense fire. It approached the right bank of the Meuse at Eisden in the Netherlands (opposite Ében-Émael) around one in the morning, with the sound of Brabançonne and Belgian flag to the wind.
The boat was recovered by its owner in Liege 4 days later.
The family of Jules Hentjens, suspected of assisting in the escape, were arrested and given long prison sentences.
Read more about this topic: Atlas V (tugboat)
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—Willa Cather (1873–1947)
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