BELGIAN COAST DEFENCES.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 348, 28 December 1915, Page 3

BELGIAN COAST DEFENCES.

These bombardments of the Belgian coast are periodical, and though we do not often hear of important and definite results, there' are good reasons behind them. For one thing, if the Germans were not constantly interfered with this way they would dot the coast with bases for submarines and Zeppelins, and obviously the nearer they can put such bases' to the British Isles the better chance they will have. Admiral Bacon, and before him Admiral Hood, with their heterogeneous squadron, have to take care ."• ', ;. i,i sort of thing does not go far i lough to be dangerous, and they have taken care. The last "bag" was the destruction of the base that had been for so long under construction at Zeebrugge, so that the Germans, according to cabled reports, at last saw it was no good, and abandon' ed their attempt. But there is another big reason for Admiral Bacon's activity. In order to relieve the other parts of the western front it is advisable to keep as many German troops as possible hanging about the Belgian coast. It has been all been entrenched, and though most of the work may have been done by Belgian forced labour, Germans have to be used to guard the trenches. It may be that the defences will never be needed, but Germany dare not take the risk. Although the Allies are hardly likely to try to land men between Nieuport and Holland, they might possibly attempt an advance parallel, with the coastline covered by the ships' guns. It would be an awkward business, and to get big guns through the slush and water along the area dominated by the ships' fire would be almost impossible, though less so. perhaps, at midwinter than at any other time. At any rate, the Beligan coast must be included in the list of arer.f among which the Allies will have tr choose for their ndxt attack. To turn the German line would be important. eevn here, with Holland not so far ' front; only the Germans would have to be driven south-east instead of east.