GERMANY'S BARRIER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23262, 3 February 1939, Page 9

GERMANY'S BARRIER

WESTERN AIR DEFENCE UNPRECEDENTED STRENGTH armour-plate and concrete Independent Cable Service BERLIN, Feb. 1 Writing in "Der Wehr Macht,'' the official organ of the German High Command, Lieutenant - General Kitzinger, commander of the western fortifications, says Germany's air defences, constructed under Field-Marshal Goering's personal direction, constitute a barrier of a size and strength never before achieved. All the hangars, anti-aircraft batteries and searchlights are protected by armour backed with concrete. The air defences run parallel with and just behind the entire length of the fortified zone. OFFICIAL DETAILS IMPENETRABILITY CLAIMED BRITISH CRITIC DISSENTS (Received February 3, 12.30 n.m.) BERLIN. Feb. 2 The German High Command has released details of the Siegfried Line air defences on the western frontier. They are 40 miles deep and are armed with motorised anti-aircraft guns, balloon barrages and pursuit aeroplanes. The entire zone is covered by searchlights. The officer commanding, General Kitzinger, states that attackers would either bo annihilated or forced to retreat. On the contrary, the Daily Telegrap's aviation writer, Group-Captain Payne, says no country has been yet able to create an impenetrable zone of air defence. The evasion powers of aeroplanes are increasing rather than decreasing, owing to new aids to navigation by night and in bad weather.