GERMANY’S GIBRALTAR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1288, 25 August 1914, Page 4

GERMANY’S GIBRALTAR.

HELIGOLAND FORTIFICATIONS. STRONG SEA FORTRESS. The points of the greatest stategical importance to Germany in the North Sea are three in number: the mouth of the Elbe, which gives access to Hamburg and to the western entrance of the Baltic and North Sea Canal; the naval harbour of Wilhelmshaven ; and the mouth of the Wese.- with Bremen. These three points are admirably defended by permanent land fortifications of great strength, and by the sea fortress of Heligoland, which is likely to play a very important part in any naval war of defence in which Germany may be engaged.

Heligoland is a rock some 150 ft. high, and not much larger than a park of moderate size, such as Hyde Park. It is almost exactly equi-distant from the mouth of the Elbe with Hamburg and the entrance to the Baltic and the North Sea Canal, from the mouth of the Wcser with Bremen, and from Wilhelmshaven. Therefore Heligoland provides a most excellent advanced point of observation. It is amply provided with signal stations, and with appliances for wireless telegraphy, and it Is connected by cable with Cuxhaven and Wilhelmshaven. Besides, Heligoland serves in war as a base for torpedo-boats, which can lie in its shallow harbour whilst larger ships will be able to anchor close to Heligoland sheltered by the “Dune,” and there to take in ammunition and coal. Heligoland is so strongly fortified that it is not only secure against a coup de main, but that it would be a very awkward antagonist to all ships within reach of its heavy gnus and howitzers. Heligoland lies about 40 miles in front of the German coasts, but, owing to the extensive shallows already referred to, it lies only about 15 miles in front of the open sea zone of Germany. Consequently, its guns are able to cut very effectively into the manoeuvring field of a hostile fleet, whilst they would give an invaluable support to a German fleet issuing from the mouth of the Elbe or from Wilhelmshaven or retiring to one of these points. Lastly, all merchantmen going to or coming from Hamburg must pass close to Heligoland. Consequently, Heligoland makes the blockade of Hamburg difficult, and facilitates the protection of merchant shipping going to, or issuing from, that point. Thus Heligoland serves at the same time as an advance point of observation, and as a powerful floating battery which covers the most vulnerable spots of Germany in the North Sea.