A THIRD WATER BARRIER AGAINST GERMANY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 16, 19 January 1940, Page 5

A THIRD WATER BARRIER AGAINST GERMANY

FRENCH COMPLETE DEFENCES ' i GREAT ARTIFICIAL LAKE ON NORTH (1 BORDER v a NAZIS ELECTRIFY ENTIRE DUTCH FRONTIER I IT ei T By Telegraph—Press Association - Copy. ‘ Q Received Jan. 18,10.35 p.m. LONDON.-lan. 18. St The French have completed flood defences on the north- n ern frontier, as a result of which a great artificial lake can w be created, making virtually impossible the passage of it mechanised and other troops. Machinery has been installed n enabling the French to inundate the broad lowlands between s France and Belgium, creating a third water barrier against Germany with Holland's dikes and Belgium's Albert Canal. I« German troops have begun erecting electrified barbed wire along the entire German-Netherlands frontier. It is reported t , that this is to prevent spies and saboteurs entering Germany and p to prevent a leakage of information about troop movements and " the Siegfried Line extensions. Only a few roads are left open. 11 The wiring cuts through frontier woods and private properties. The state of mobilisation continues in Belgium. Police raided the offices of the Flemish national newspaper Volkenstaat | and publication was forbidden on th'- ground of subversive action, because it stated that the week-end precautions were a prehide to a military dictatorship. The British troops are jubilant over the renewal of limited home leave. Trains carrying soldiers to England started from the railheads to-night. The tension is easier although watch- I fulness is not being relaxed. I The weather is very s'-vere. Thick storm clouds have rolled Up, clinging low like mist to th*- sitow-covered ground.’" Limited leave has been grant' d to the Royal Air Force. A Paris communique states: "It was a quiet day. Our | patrols were active.’’