EYES TO THE EAST

Evening Star, Issue 23270, 19 May 1939, Page 7

EYES TO THE EAST

HOWi GERMANY GUARDS EAST PRUSSIAN COASTLINE Along the coast of East Prussia, which is divided from the rest of Germany by the Polish Corridor, a system of defences has grown up embracing naval, military, ? and air force measures, which is the sequel of the new lino of German fortifications in the west, writes the Berlin correspondent of the ‘ Scotsman.’ East Prussia’s coastline, which is approximately 125 miles in length, is the sole possible “ direct ” point of contact, it is pointed out, between Germany and Soviet Russia. A “ steel ” system of coast defence has therefore been evolved which, through co-opera-tion of all three services, is “ proof against any strain.” More than two-thirds of East Prussia, including the whole of the coastline and a hinterland extending right across to the Polish frontier, is included in the recently announcedforbidden areas,” access to which is forbidden to serving members of any foreign armed force. Within this system are coastal forts, naval bases, and seaplane bases, as well as an elaborate system of anti-aircraft defences. Along the low-lying sand dunes on the Frische Nehrung, which forms the eastern boundary of the Bay of Danzig, and of the Kurischer Nehrung, one-half of which belongs to Memel, is stationed the first mine-sweeping flotilla of the Reich navy, consisting 'of six vessels. On land, the marine artillery is entrusted with shore batteries, under the direction of the most easterly headquarters of the German coastal defence, stationed at Fort Pillan, which commands the entrance to the Frisches Naff—a stretch of water 50 miles long, landlocked except at this point.

AN " IMPREGNABLE ” BASE. The fortress at Pillau is one of the strongest points in Germany’s coastal defences. From this base, which is described as “ impregnable,” all operations off the East Prussian coast are directed. A curtain of fire, it is stated, can be dropped by the batteries all along the coastline at a word of command from headquarters. Predominance in the air is regarded as an absolute necessity in this area, and Pilian is defended by a special anti-aircraft company armed with modern anti-aircraft guns and A.A.' ma-

chine guns. Working in conjunction with these defensive units are squadrons of aeroplanes and seaplanes. These are stationed at a large naval air base which is springing up at Neutief, formerly a small fishing village near Pillan. t .

Operating from here are all-purpose machines, torpedo-carriers, and bombers, and seaplanes. They have a fleet of rescue vessels of their own should any aircraft be forced down on the sea. _ _ ' So important is the naval defence of this coast in the eyes of the German authorities that the first of the new series of 24 minesweepers of the M class, the Ml, has been sent there for duty. It is pointed out that if enemy vessels were to lay a minefield along the East Prussian coast the inhabitants might be starved out, owing to ladk of sea-borne supplies. For this reason, particular stress is laid upon the mine-sweeping flotilla, the vessels of which, besides - carrying machine guns, nre armed with guns of rather more than 4in calibre. Since ■ the completion of the Midland Canal linking the Rhine with the Elbe, further extensions of Germany’s inland waterways svstem are now being planned by Dr Dorpmuller, German Minister of Transport. The cost of the programme is estimated at nearly £200,000,000. WIDENING OPERATIONS. In North Germany the DortniundEms Canal, connecting the‘Ruhr industrial area with the port of Emden and the North Sea, will be widened to take ships up to 1,600 tons. The River Weser will be canalised between Minden, Westphalia, and the port of Bremen, to permit the passage of 1,000ton ships, to and from the Midland Canal. Work will soon begin in the Hansa Canal to link Hamburg by the shortest possible, route with the industrial areas of ' Western Germany. This waterway will be made wide ■ enough for 1,500-ton ships. Most important of all for German trade will be the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal, which will provide an inland route from the North Sea to the Black Sea. This, in turn, will be linked with the Midland Canal system, and thus with the big Baltic ports by a WerraMain canal. It is significant that in discussing the Danube project, economic circles are for the first time speaking openly of Field-Marshal Goering’s “ second Fouryear Plan.” This confirms the prediction that the countries of Southeast Europe, which, since the annexation of Czech areas, have come completely undfer German economic domination, are to be included in the framework of the new plan now being worked, out by Field-Marshal Goering. Further building projects will link up almost every corner of Germany with the main waterways system. Aachen, on the Belgian frontier, will be connected with the Rhine oy a canal, and on the other side of Germany, in Silesia, the Adolf Hitler Canal will join Gleiwitz and the Upper Silesian industrial area with the Oder. Hand in hand with these schemes go plans for regulating the Oder and the Elbe. These will involve the construction of numerous sluices and dams.