Evening star., 1939-11-19
German Web of Tiny Forts Was
Inspired by French General
Siegfried Line Difused System Built After Hitler
Studied Criticism of Maginot's Huge
FOrtifcation Works
By Louis L0chner

BERLIN Correspondence Of the Asso-
ciated Press).-The fundamental idea
underlying the construction of the West
Wall, or Siegfried Line, was that Of diff
fusing rather than concentrating Ger
manys far-flung defense system, which
extends along border Of almost 375
miles and reaches from opposite Switzer-
land past France, Belgium and Luxem-
bourg to Holland.
Hitler is reported by his encourage to
have become sold" to this idea after re-
ceiving, through his secret service, copy
of memorandum on the Maginot Line
written by disgruntled French general,
who criticized his countrys fortification
systems in detail.
Hitler's subordinates say he sat
throughout one night studying transla-
ton Of the French officers observations
and, when they found him still at his
desk at z am, he told them he had now
made up his mind on the kind of system
necessary for Germany.
Illustrates Idea to Staff.
In later talks with general staff officers
he is said to have placed china platter
beside l0-pfennig piece and to have
asked them, Gentlemen, what is harder
to hit-the plate or the coin?" To which
they obviously replied "the coin"
The West Wall is an intricate system
of small units, subterraneously connected
with each other, but difficult to hit from
the opposite side and from the air The
Maglnot Line is system of huge fortifi-
cations. The German general staff is of
the opinion that, if once a breach were
forced in the Maginot Line, the enemy
troops could pour into the country. In
the case Of the West Wall it is claimed
than an immense number of shells
would have to be wasted to hit the rela-
lively small marks offered by the cupolas
OF pill boxes and armored bunkers; and
in the second place, the destruction of
even number Of these miniature forts
would make no real difference.
Another principle beside that of diff
fusion is that OF criss-crossing the gun
ranges Of the various bunkers or other
defense works. The way it works out is
this:
Usually three or four bunkers consti-
tute one defense battery. They are so
placed at different levels and the en-
brasures or loopholes so constructed that
each machine gun or cannon can shoot
sharply past the bunker on the right or
left, but never hit it directly.
Prevents Capture.
Hence, If the enemy should succeed in
silencing and successfully shelling one
bunker, the two adjacent bunkers could
so completely cover this bunker that the
enemy could not enter it.
Another principle is that of placing
so many distractions ahead of the forti-
flcations proper that tanks and infantry
would have Hard time of it even ap-
preaching the bunkers or "panzerwerke. I"
Directly before the enemy frontier
mines have been laid in profusion
Then follows complicated system of
barbed wire entanglements. 1t has
meant the ruination of many vineyard
in the Rhine region and the putting out
of practical use many a piece of forest
land. But military necessities overruled
all other considerations.
Next comes an almost diabolical ar
rangement of concrete and steel OBJ
structions which look like dragons teeth
irregularly sprung from the earth. 1t is
claimed that no tank can run over these.
In addition. on wooded hillsides over
which the enemy might come-for in
stance, in the Forest of Palatinate-
motorized saws cut of all timber for say
Is feet from the bottom of the hill up
wards, so that the unsuspecting tank
driver, should he succeed in getting over
the hill, may suddenly slide down Is feet
and turn somersault.
Other Tricks Employed.
Or, the enemy may be moving slowly
up an incline that looks quite harmless.
AS he reaches the top he finds a deep
ditch of water yawning directly under
him, too late to turn back-at least so
the general staff figures.
Still another surprise is series of
steel ribs that look like the ribs of a
ship, into which the unsuspecting tank
or armored car is supposed to run and
then turn turtle while from right and
left the bunkers open fire on him.
Only after all these obstructions have
been passed, can the direct attack on
the bunkers, pill boxes and "panzer-
werke" begin.