SIEGFRIED DEFENCES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 November 1939, Page 5

SIEGFRIED DEFENCES

PHOTOGRAPHED IN DETAIL WORK OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE DISCOVERY OF HIDDEN AERODROMES. INFORMATION KEPT UP TO DATE. By Telegraph—Press; Association—Copyright. LONDON; November 1. The “News Chronicle” says the seemingly purposeless flights by the Royal Air Force over the German lines have resulted in the location and photographing of secret German aerodromes hidden in the woods. The whole of western Germany, as far as Berlin, has been surveyed and enemy air bases have been '.listed. The Siegfriend Line and road and rail communications have been photographed in detail. Continued flights are keeping the information up to date.

NEUTRALS ON GUARD FLANKS OF THE WESTERN LINE. MARTIAL LAW IN PROSPECT ■ IN HOLLAND. LONDON. November 2. It is officially stated in Amsterdam that martial law will shortly be introduced in certain parts of Holland in connection with the possible flooding of the areas and other military measures. The Swiss Federal Government has sanctioned decrees informing the population of its rights and obligations in the event of an invasion of part of Swiss territory and also dealing with the juidical aspect of the transfer of industrial and commercial undertaking situated near the frontier. The decisions, though not alarming, are regarded as significant. The Amsterdam correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph Company says that German trains, even on short journeys, are hours late, due to military movements to the west. Trains are carrying motorised units in an effort to save petrol. Travellers describe a fear of air raids throughout the country, even in small remote towns. The Amsterdam correspondent of “The Times” says a state of siege was proclaimed by a Royal Decree on November 1 in certain municipalities along the frontiers, including the inundation zones. It is unofficially reported that a quantity of water has already been released into the area that would be immediately flooded in the event of the country being attacked. This is done with the object, of thoroughly soaking the ground so that if the sluices are raised and the dykes blown up the water will rapidly pour over the land, converting it into a sodden marsh over which no transport would be passable. One report says the province of Utrecht is already flooded.