South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-06-28
WHY A FLEET DOES
NOT RAID GERMANY
Tremendous Difficulties i'm an In
yasiOn of the German Coast,
Briefly But Plainly
Set Forth.

Why does the British navy bonn
bard the German coast? This is a
question multitudes Of persons have
been asking Tor the last three years
and more. The largely successful
naval assaults upon Ostend and
Zeebrugge on the Belgian coast, have
perhaps increased the wonder of
many who nave not made study
OF the difficulties involved that real
German territory is left immune
from the guns of the great English
fleet
The following facts may serve as
an answer: In the first place the
coast from the Dutch border TO the
mouths OF the Weser and Elbe. is
comparatively short. and some two
thirds of il does not consist Of the
mainland but of a chain of islands
some distance out, with narrow
channels between.
With one or two exceptions. these
islands are sparsely settled with no
towns of Importance. so that even
if shelled by long-range fire, little
damage would be done, certainly
not sufficient TO have an influence
on the war
Emden and WilheImshafen are sit
uated far from the open sea, up
shallow and tortuous channels,
within easy range OF land fortifca-
tions. The waters along this coast
are extremely shallow and full of
sandbars; therefore only small ships
with guns of low calibre could draw
near. Big ships would have to lie a
long way out, and that too on the
erge Of a mine-feld which would
render maneuvering most hazard
GUS
Far out at sea stands the sentinel
Of Heligoland. armed with many of
the greatest guns Germany has pro-
duced. And Heligoland is but one
OF many almost impregnable de-
lenses that would have to be over
come i'm an attack from the sea-
In the west of Friesland at the
mouth OF the Ems, isc Emden-nest
of torpedo craft-and also strong
" fortified
A canal joins the Ems with VIII
| helmshaven, this and kiel being the
two most important German naval
/ bases. The approach OF Wilhelm
shafen, which is Of quite modern
/ growth, is not easy to navigate, and
locks give entrance TO the harbor
and TO the dockyard which has turn
ed out some of the largest ships in
/ tGe kaisers fleet.
Continuing along. the next strong
point is Bremenhafen. a ship build
ing center protected by modern
forts. though not so strongly de
Tended as several Of the others.
Some distance 10 the north. right
at the estuary Of the Elbo, is Cux-
hafen. very powerfully fortified anJ
forming an important link in the
coast fortifications
In conjunction with Brunsbuet-
tel, higher up on the opposite shore.
IL denies entrance to the Elbe.
should any raider have intentions
against Hamburg and should he be
able 10 get so far. which is extreme
ly doubtful Shoals and sandbanks
form natural defeuses. and the only
channels are commanded by pow
erful guns. Thus is provided an
almost impregnable barrier against
'nvasion OF the Kiel canal.
Along the North Tristan coast 10
the Danish border. the same condi-
tions are met.
An attempt TO force the Baltic
would be just as much forIorn
hope for even if mine-sweepers
could open the channel under the
supporting guns OF a strong fleet,
heavy losses would be inflicted and.
having entered. II would be any
thing but an easy matter 10 set out