GERMAN DEFENCES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23105, 2 August 1938, Page 9

GERMAN DEFENCES

LEFT BANK OF RHINE LINE OF FORTIFICATIONS / LONDON. July 31 A decree has been issued proclaiming the left bank of the Bhine to be inaccessible to any foreign soldier, says the Berlin correspondent of the Daily Mail. A military attache draws attention to the extent and speed of the construction of fortifications in western Germany. i The decree covers Baden, parts of Hesse, Bavaria, Wurtemburg and Hohenzollern. Experts consider that the system will enable cross-fire to be directed on any invaders. It is estimated that 300,000 men'are engaged on the work. This is creating a labour shortage in factories and in the building trades. ROADS AND BRIDGES CLOSURE BY FRENCH FRONTIER ACTIVITIES PARIS, July 25 The construction of German fortifications on the Moselle border has caused the French military authorities to close bridges over the river Lauter. The river forms the border line for a considerable distance in the east of the Moselle district. The French will also close a number of roads leading to German territory. Only the largest international bridges will be left open to general traffic, which will be strictly supervised. The Paris newspaper Midi on July 11 claimed that the Germans were working day and night to strengthen their 'fortifications on the frontier of the Duchy of Luxemburg, which lies between France and Germany. Barbed-wire entanglements were being erected, it was stated. The comment was strengthened by the action of the Germans in closing the road between Luxemburg and Germany.