TANK TRAPS ON THE GERMAN DEFENCES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 26 November 1938, Page 3

TANK TRAPS ON THE GERMAN DEFENCES

THE FORTIFICATIONS DESCRIBED MODERN WESTERN LINE The first pictures and first descriptions of the Western line of fortifications that Chancellor Adolf Hitler has named "Limes.” have been published in the German Press. The pictures show machine-gun emplacements and artillery bunkers driven into mountains; underground connecting passages equipped with miniature railways and cars; underground living quarters equipped with modern sanitary arrangements, and permanent trenches and barbed-wire entanglements, with some of the latter so heavy that they resemble electric power cables (says the "New York Times”). ROWS OF TANK TRAPS Huge tank traps stretch in seemingly endless rows against the landscape. They resemble some prehistoric dragon with an endless tail that disappears over the horizon: The traps apparently consist of four ! uneven rows of closely spaced humps of steel and concrete. They vary in height perhaps from four to six feet and are connected with one another by a concrete foundation. These humps, which are being painted grey green and which are termed "gravestones of tanks.” are reinforced by steep inclines and deep camouflaged ditches. 500,000 MEN WORKING Roads apparently will be blocked by enormous concrete obstacles now stored on roadsides on rails so that they can be quickly moved into position. In charge of construction is Fritz Todt. who hitherto was in charge of building new automobile roads. He has 500.000 men working day and night to complete the job; according to present indications, they are expected to finish it by spring. The German Press notes that General Marie Gustave Camelin, French Chief of Staff, is reported to have said during the recent crisis that he was confident of being able to break through the German wall. MAGINOT LINE WRONG? German comment declares that this was a bold prophecy and asserts that the Limes system is far better than the French Maginot Line, because it is more modern. The mere fact that the Maginot Line apparently demands specially trained troops is taken as proof of vital mistake? in construction. The Germans say that fortifications are built not to tie down troop? but to liberate them for other purposes.