MAGINOT LINE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20094, 14 November 1939, Page 2

MAGINOT LINE

IMPREGNABLE DEFENCE FRENCH WAITING VISITORS IMPRESSED “It is a pity that we cannot invite German executive officers to see all this—the advanced posts, them supporting lines, and, finally, tills foitress,” said a French officer escorting British journalists over the Maginot Line.

He added that a trained German would understand the hopeless futility of attacking this impregnable line. “Here we are waiting: let them come,” the French officer added. The journalists were tremendously impressed with the Maginot _ Line, which they compared with a line of battleships, immobile along hillcrests, and with colossal submarines coming to the surface. The party were able to motor to the line, and they saw villagers carrying on in the immediate vicinity, which bears out the statements that the enemy artillery at present is unable to shell the district, although there is evidence that most of the civilians have evacuated it.

Underground System

The Maginot Line is a marvel beyond conception. Below ground is a most remarkable system of communications between canteens, kilenens, dormitories, hospitals and arsenals, while the ventilation system ensures pure air, even during the most intense gas attack. Above are the turrets, which can be elevated or depressed, and which house field guns, machine-guns, _ automatic grenade throwers, and anti-tank guns which are capable of penetrating any known armour. Right at the top is the observation post, from which, by telescope, the Siegfried Line and many villages beyond are plainly visible. The journalists were escorted to the forward posts during darkness. The officer guiding them insisted that they should hold on to each other’s coat tails, remarking: “We can’t have any of you taken prisoner.” The party obeyed implicitly, despite the rough going and heavy mud. An advance post soldier stated: — “Ahead are patrols who, when the Germans come, ring the ‘front door bell,’ which is us. We ensure that the bell rings loudly. Then, if the attack is very heavy, we retire to the first support line, where a ‘fire bell’ rings if the Germans come up. -Our ‘fire engines’ answer the bell quickly and effectively.” The party declared that the most impressive of all was the bearing of the personnel, which suggests the highest possible morale.