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Western Defences.
19. In spite of the advanced state of construction and the undeniable strength of the Siegfried Line on the outbreak of war, work has been carried out unceasingly during the past five months. It is clear that the intention is to make the "West Wall impregnable, even if held by a minimum number of troops. On the outbreak of war the Siegfried Line extended from 25 miles north of Aachen to Basle, the area south of Aachen and the Saar front being the strongest parts.
The German estimate of the density of the fortifications required appears to be very high. No area which depends for its protection on artificial fortifications, and in which woods and rivers do not form part of the system, has less than ten forts per square kilometre. These are fronted by a continuous belt of barbed wire and, in most places, by an anti-tank obstacle with a minimum of four rows of concrete elephant's teeth." The average depth of the system is three to
66
four kilometres.
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In the early months of the war, the strengthening of the existing system took priority over extending the line. More forts were added and, in many places, elephant's teeth obstacles were increased from four to eight rows. The line in the area south of Trier, between the Rivers Mosel and Šaar, and the Saar front were the first to be strengthened, but later reports showed that the work was being carried out uniformly over the whole line.
In the middle of October a further fortified line was being prepared 25 to 30 miles in rear of the front line to block the main avenues of approach to Central Germany.
Towards the end of 1939 work was in progress on a northern and southern extension to the main Siegfried Line.
A recent report indicates that a reserve position may be under construction between Frieburg and Kehl in the Upper Rhine area.
Soviet Russia.
20. The morale of the Red Army, though never high, shows no immediate sign of cracking; propaganda about the dreadful treatment which the Finns mete out to their prisoners is still sufficiently effective to prevent any tendency to surrender freely. On the other hand, conversations with Russian prisoners make it clear that there is no enthusiasm about the war, and that political Commissars are very unpopular with the army.
Secret reports suggest that a general feeling of uncertainty and fear is appearing among Red Army officers in the distant Trans-Caucasian Military District as a result of the failures in Finland. Every officer mistrusts his fellows and all fear a renewal of the purge. It is probable, therefore, that this feeling of uneasiness is fairly widespread throughout the Red Army.
The morale of the civil population is also depressed. Leningrad is drastically blacked out, so much so that there is hardly enough light to read in the hotels; the only entertainment provided comes from loud speakers which constantly blare out patriotic songs. Food in the hotels is scarce and bad; coffee, beer, vodka and mineral waters are unobtainable. Trains are hours late, and not even tea is obtainable on them. Reports from Moscow indicate dissatisfaction at the food shortage, and some apprehension at the number of wounded appearing. This feeling is probably not confined to Moscow, as wounded are being sent to hospitals in most of the big towns within 150 miles of the capital. There is, however, no sign of any general unrest.
Italy,
21.
There has been little military activity in Italy during the week under review. All reports indicate an increasing state of nervous anticipation as to what may happen in the spring, and rumours of a spring mobilisation continue to circulate.
Work on the defences of both the Italo-German and Italo-Yugoslav frontiers is proceeding with some haste. Work on defences south of the Brenner Pass is being carried on day and night.
No confirmation has been received of reports of the move, or projected move. of formations from Libya, although the employment of some of the largest liners of the Lloyd Triestino Line for trooping purposes indicates that this possibility still exists.
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