THREE TYPES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 90, 17 April 1941, Page 6

THREE TYPES.

INVASION BARGES.

TROOP AND TANK CARRIERS.

By day now, as well as by night, the R.A.F. sweep across the Channel to drop some of their biggest and beet bombs on the invasion ports.

One of their constant targets is the collection of bariges which Hitler has placed ready to hand for the time when, and if, he decides to make the most momentous assault in history.

Yes, we have read and heard a lot about these 'bargeg in the past six months. We have pictured German designers sketching them in ofliees in the Fatherland, and German carpenters and boabbuilders making them in quiet yards in subjugated Holland, Belgium, and France.

We have imagined them stealing along inland waterways towards the ports. And then we have read of our 'bombers blowing some of them to pslinters. A few of us have even watched the spectacle from afar. What do these bargep look like ? Are they modelled on those 'buxom craft we have seen so often passing lazily along our own canals? Or are they something new and special —something produced with German thoroughness for the big job for which they are intended?

I think I can give you some idea of the lines 011 which the minds of Hitler's henchmen have been working (says a writer in the "Daily Mail.").

First, we may take it that there are several ty]>es of invasion barge. Some aro self-propelled. Some are designed to carry tanks as well as troops. All would need a calm sea for the trip across the Channel, and, it is reasonable to assume, could only set out after the Luftwaffe had established at least local air superiority covering their route.

The accompanying diagrams, coupled with the descriptions given below, give a rough idea of the appearances and purposes of three types which might be used against us:

BARGE NO. 1

This is the "lialf-barge" type. The stern is a stout door, with hinges at its base. The door is made watertight by rubber running round its edges.

The interior of the craft is divided lengthwise into two compartments to accommodate tanks and their crews.

When (and if) one of these barges lias >been towed across the Channel it will be beached stern first. Down will conic the hinged door to form a platform and out will rumble the tank from the lower compartment.

Then, by some means which is not disclosed, the tanks from the top compartment follow.

No. 2 is a self-propelling barge. In shape and structure it is like an ordinary commercial barge. It, too, carries tanks as well as troops. Its hinged door is cut into its side.

After crossing the Channel it would be beached Down would come the door and out would come the tanks and troops.

No. 3 is intended to make a "crash" landing on a steep beach. Its bow is raised and so shaped that it would wedge itself more or less flush with the angle of the beach. This is also a selfpropelling barge. It is thought to be purely a troop-carrier.

It is believed that barges of the No. 2 type have a secondary purpose. After making their landings and discharging their cargoes of tanks and men they would line nip to form a pontoon linking the shore with deeper waters so that vessels of greater draught and carrying ibig loads of roon and materials could discharge without going aground.