C JNFIDEN TI " L - -- .. _ -- ..... ·- ...... ------

AND THE RHINE ;nv:m FURNISHED BY GENERAL TAWdf.:.' ------.._ -- ...... -...... - --.-.. ..,

L The vosm;s ms

2. ThEl Pl2 in of LLSLCE

III. DEI'AILED ;_'(1~~0'-i-)t:.fLICL.L STUDY OF TIIE VOSG.:0 J?":DIJ ·r·!E

Bl~LLON d 1L.LS1.CI:; .'0 S.tWERNE GAP CWSIDBRT•-G DOEJ:i.Li .. ING

IV. TOPOGRll.PnY .b. J. ::U EOVK1Erfi', T:-m PU.Ii~ OF l~LSACE

V. TI-lE RHI~"E

f

:Reproduced ~ VI Corp:,, G Cctob0r 1944, \ Y't!, J:. 0. C 0 iii F ~ - D .' I 'l' ; L L

RG Stack Row DECLASSIFIED ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~r~IAu~ori~ ~~~ O(J ~~::--..l...!=;~~~~-~===.;:;:::::::~.-~=::::;:::-~~:-;:-:-""~~ B~RA Date ~ ..---co-=

Color Control Patches Green Yellow Red Magenta White J.. MOUNTLINS. 'rhe 11eatho:c· is of a very changeable netFTe through­ out t.he whole area~ but, in general, the follottdng description holds true.

The fall rains may be expected to begin at any time 8.fter 1 Oc c. ober. Sno•.7 1;1ay be expected in Novelilbcr c. nd Decenber, but the period having :jhe most snm! is during the nonths of J·r.nue.ry and Februar;~r. Apart from occc.sj_ onal snow drifts, the snovl presents no grec-:0 ohs ';e.cle to move:-aent either for .i •• F .V. on the ro2.ds or for infantry 8Cross-·co"L1r.t"0ry; the o.verage depth bei11g Z'JJ:0roximately 10 cu9 . In the case of snow drHts blocking the road it has been fm,nd necessary to employ either motorized oT r.m~se-draun sno'"i-ploughs which e J~i:s · tec1 in the region, but the snow rarely for11 s ::'.n ilitp nssable obstac le.

Snow- falls and freezing toi·J·,) erc.ture are frequently followed by Uw.w s 'TJhicb hs.ve a detri::1ental effect, on ';he road surfnce. If there is C'. ryea.t deal of ·::. r e.ffic over the roe.ds at the -Gi, .. e of the thnws, the r oad-surfr.ce ~ s defaced, c.-u:t.s are c reated and the roads bee ode jJ.1passo.ble. During such t~1c.ns it was the prcct].ce of the French l ... rmy in the last vro.r to forbid extensive c :,_rculr tion on tJ.1e ro2.ds for severnl deys o.t o. ·i:,j_L18 in order to prevent their destr t'.ction. This practice was found to be necessr.'.ry occo.sionolly during Novm :~ ber .:'.nc!. Dececbor, but most particulnrly dnring J r:,nu:, ry, Fe1Jrunry, end fJDrch.

l~nother conseqt,ence of the frequent thews and quantity of rd.n is the treacherous nature of the terrain elongside the roads.

Fog does not occur ·.!itb. o.ny frequency :l.n the VOSGES, although it will be 1.. ot v1ith occnsionr.lly. Tho •nn~er in the VOSGES is cold, b1 ~t Cj:oss-country Love1;1ent of infantry 1H ill not requiro e.ny speciol equipment ( such o. s sno\J-shoos) o·C.hor th.an we.rm clothing.

The n orst •~ e c.thor in ·t.l:-1C on~.i r o VOSGES is to be encountoroc1 ~· t GE:l..f.RDliER, >There, in :; he winter , ·t-, horo ero Jchroc or fo11r months of snm!, 2.nd rQin :::' or days fl:i:. n ti1.1 G,

2. The ,.LSJ.CE Plain.

The wenther in the i.LS:.cr:; Plc.in is considerably milder i:. hc-.:1 ·c. h ~ t of tho VOSGES. Heavy rains mny bo ox:.Jocted at this tlmo of year· oxco~>~ :l. n tho vicJ.nLy of COLM1.R v1 hich ha s loss rc·il1 ·.hnn tho remr.indor of tho c.l'Cr. . Foe occu.rs '.·!:i.th crcat frequency. This foEs :1.s v.:.;ry thick? ospecie>.lly S. of S.. '\ ..'.SB01' RG9 o1Js·crl'c·i;in~ v i sion on the groui.1C:. o.nJ. co:mpletoly obstructing visl'.,c.l r.!.1d photo­ e r e.!Jhic roc onnc:.issnnco from tho air. iihen tho sky is ovorcr.st <:.':o fog YJ ill ru .. 2.i:c1 ln t, ho nir for sevcrc.l c~rys. On sunny clcys it is usually c"liss:Lpetod by

L-...~on.

Tlhroughout tho VOSGES 0.nd the .hLSl.SE Plein tho rninfnll. hcs considerr.blG lllfl 1.1';nco ron tho pass8.bilH,y of ·t;rJc stroc:.;s nnd riveJ:s. '.rhis ,.JiJ.l ''o discussed lnC.Ol' in tl"!le consideration of torJO g rc. ·'"i~1i cF • :. obst". clos.

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RG Entry Stack Row Shelf \

Color Control Patches Green Yellow Red Magenta White g_ .Q h f. I D E N .~ J. 1l .1!

In the area col'ltaine c~ by .c~·IL~L (V-040535) - RELIR:t::;I;o,r_,l (I\.-175440)­ S'!.' WE (V -41565 5) - GERARD'\tE.:.l. (V-X<'l;.l5) - LA SCHLUCHT (V -464397); r:: elds which appem· at firs·(, sight to be fi:;_~. 1 "'l}]_ not supo:•ort vehicles, and ::.·~ :•.s nt all tii tes risky for vehicles to leave ·:·.>o roads for fear that they :'CJ.:'T '>Gcome 11 bogged down".

The treacherous natuJ::•e o/ ';he terrain applies even to -:.l1o crests in this vicinity, as high as 4000 :fc:.1e·~. ~)otween LE COL DU BONHQ:.:;:E (V- 5.:':..353 7) and the SCHLUCHT Pass (V - 4691~.08). Al.so '8-.,tioned as h?.ving treacho:c•ons ·!~errain o.re MARc.i:!;fPRE (V-382453), GERBEPAL (V··J95503), S'J:' RUPT (V-245467), a116 LA DAFFE (·v -- J3,_r..2o). :; :; _ , u1· ·c,· h e v1.c· 1.111.· · ~ · y 01" _;_,J~~~·-· _1_ 1 ... L· . ..,,c. ne au.,1- umn ra1.ns• d o no-c.· go .. 1m:·~1...... 11 y prevorit. the fording of the w:.::.::GI .. ~, "tn( its subsidiary, confh~ e;rt·. ''t~.~Tca in s-:··}.'e8TlS, the river bed being a? f .l' cr-:vol e.nd h.wing an aver2.::;e ~u····-,~1 of one

ine:~.·':·~ . These conflue:J.t strea ~B; o? b:i.ch LA VOLOGNE is one 9 :Jl..'JY 1-,o :(oTded after :ceco ,na~.ssance at e.hlof>'G an::.'· ~oou;.·:·, e:--:ce~Jl:. during heavy rains; '.L" .; ::oc:onnaissance ·:iW.~.e (·:or'Jly necessary by the c;1: ;1: c: ... ··,:,_lic.y of the gravel r-iver-l•oc~.. 1tT5.. :lg ~1.8c'· .. " r\:;;.j_ns the rivers '·~_ll r:i se rc.. ,·.ic1ly and becorn.e torrentia.l. Co:;_· several dqys Cc1ll.~:· ;!C~ 2 shifting of the g:~· avGl · '~ri.clJ. frec:nently ren,oves preu:ton.J.~ · c':isting :fol·,-_r; . 'I'l~e assurance of civilians conce:·nlng these fords will no~ ~10 c1ependa1Jle, sinco ·l~he effect of the moun.ta:'.n ·l;orrents on the r:Lver-·bec~ :i.s no·:·. -.,;:-o..-'c:i.ctr:.ble .

L1k·.c n t.:.nt s of the region, 1.' 1ho :,ne>' the terrain well, hr,ve beej1 (.'.l:'O' :'.•.nd in a··:co .nbs to cross at a lc10vm .ford ·rhich the current had S'.·Jeot EX ·c.y, }_e;:.vin[?· in l'GS _rl8ce a hole in -~he riv' er 1Jed. In gener,: 1, i~he ground on :~ '·!D :.. · .YCT h-:-n~w is gone\; o.ild th0 rivm.·-bed is solid m1ough for tanlcs.

In the VOSGES !Iounta:\..ns ·'·b8re are 11. gre-:>t many paths •!11J.ch, in the

ho<.vi1y •1ooded terrain 9 ""re ex:;re;;ol· · deco;·yt.i.ve . The forests ~.. !l -:·.;J.l s area, being

coi·l'Josed of pine with lit+.le t'.nci_e:;..·')rush 9 i<1a;<{ be nenetrated u.t any ·•oin~; by L.lfa.ncry, Orientation by coupass _.,_s v:i.tal throw~hout the· VOSG.~, · .l1ere p<.ths winC:ling through Hooded areas ca.u.se even Deople ''lho }:now the sectm: ··.o lose their wr.y.

'I'he valleys in the VJ.SGI'.:.S r>re usuaHy ·d.de enough for :·.bo ~1r::_dges to be c ons-:.-.ructed at a lovJ level in tho v-::.J.lcy,3 :~hc:.;1solves, rather the.11 s·:1·;ming re.v:1.nes end deep cuts. For th,··t. rrJo.r:;on the hridges are co;,:p:-re:civ~~~~-" eas~r to r01JJ_i::',C0 $ for Which '01.1I'OOSe :ile•tor:i.a~- :i_::> c.'\·:; bc.nd J.n the form of (.rcon c'i1d lnmb:;:;r fl·o;•t ·:.he nm1orous saYJ milJ s, J.. n r\( c1:·_-:·.ion to tho normal road b2~id.)os, smaJ.l foot­ bridges~ not necessarily con:1ec e _ ~- ·'' 0he ro::;,d net•:Jork~ are ·C.o bo :C'onnd. Co.'-'. :'LO.l should be u.secJ in tho 11.:30 0.". ··~18 l;~tter 9 bccanse ·i:.hey T') ")!.·;1.v<.teJ.y c 'ns·0ructed for the convoniencu o:· ·.,:·,c~ locc=tl i.nhabitants; and, :'.oC. :•.'Occiv:i n::; the S<'. o c~-Jgree of maintenance rcts ·;·.h : : •l'H~:n:os on :·.he l'J8tional Bighc•a~rs: -:.·e often ~--~ o···. - ~~ 011 .

E:.ubjoc·:~ to incidentuJ. o:·-c.y,;J..ous, the follo1r.'ing 1.~u 1o s ·o·.J:·:'~l move:;ent i~l 1'. v-osc~; Infantry r.,a_y :)OHC~-,J.', ::.:_~ '~ Pll points . Vehicles ~:~o t'.8 1 ~c

]yy r<:' liorre.in 9 and evc:;Ty7here I'C!~-:jT.'Ict.ed b:r tl1e ·woods.

The sup·;-.ly ·of via:ter 1 .':tll nev r bo a problem, since :,.-;:; :!.;~ ··1lc:nL~iful evc;: .. ·yY:iwre, oven near ·t,ho S1X•;_ ,i·t-.s .

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C 0 1~ F ~ D E Q T J ll1

RG Entry Stack Row Shelf Box-Fofder DECLASSIFIED J Authority Nfl{) 7Jj_QJJ_ ~&t"--==f:~--;-:.._,-~..,.---=~"i=~F=:=r===:--~~~~~-~ B~RA Date ~

Color Control Patches Green YeHow Red Magenta III. DErAILED TOPOGRAPHICAL STUDY OF THE VOSGES FROM THE· BALLON D 1AI..S.ACE (V-330142) TO THE SA VERNE GAP (Q-720158), CONSIDERING DOMINATJTG TERRAIN AND MOVEJ\1ENT.

Attention is brought to the existence of five forts in the southern part of the sector. These, the forts of BALLON DE SERVANCE (I\-336244), CP,ATEAU LMIBERT (K-296271), RUPI' (K-313332), PARI.Io:NT, and ARCHE (V- 074481), a1·e oJ.d, having.-b~en constructed in approximately 1879. Though they may non be in dilapidated condition, they were nevertheless constructed on domina·cing terrain which the Germans may choose to fortify. They likewise furnish good shelters •

. The fort of BALLON de SERVANCE (K-336244) was built expross1y to control the BALLON d 1ALSACE (V·-330142). It can best be attacked from tho di:i.·odion of CHATEA. U LA. r'IBERT (K-296271), whence there is a good road leading toHards it under cover of the woods, The roads in this area, and throughout all ·[~he Hooded parts of the ·VOSGES, iend themselves favorably to ambushing tactics by the Enemy.

Between GRANGES (V ... 298~.9 5) & GEHARDMER (V- 360415), a defUo restricts the movement of tanks to the road. This defile consists of a rocky V-shaped valley which was origi~ally a glacier bed.

The BRESSE VALLEY (V-35g340), t hrough which flow the JI OS J.:;LarTE and the CHAJOUX, has slopes of solid, comparo:t ::i .vely bare . ground, and would be useful in an attack tovJards LONGELIER (V-4084JO) from the south. In this area the crests · are sharp, but they are at all po:tnts practicable for infantry, Tho road through SAULXURES (K-308371), and the short-cut through PLANOIS (K-303418) (bot h practicable for tanlcs), load into the BRESSE VALLEY.

Bot ween REI' OURNEMER (V -4.3G393) and the SCHLUCHT PASS (V - 4694013) at a place called the 11 ROCHE DU DIABLE" (V-44[)404), there is a tunnel 50 r.J e·c eTs long. It is constructed entirely through ·:j he Tock, and, should it be blo.Jl1; 1.Iould cons"tiGuco a serious obstacle. A secondary road from REI'OURNE~ ,1ER (V-~.3 8 393) which Tojoins the main road after by-passing the tunnel may be used as a detour~ · Thoro aro no bridges along this secondary road and it is practicable for tan~s.

:':' he COL DE LA SCHLUCHT (V-464397) is very steep, One (1) Kn N of REI'OURIJEIIER (V-358340) thoro is a summit; Hhich dominates it. The SEl"l. ICHAi':iP heights (V-452458), a barren table land difficult of access during uinter, J i.kovlise dominates tho COL DE I.A SCHLUCHT, and furnishes an excellent O.P. It is possible, though difficult, to haul artillery up to this plateau. There are tr1o tunnels through the rock about 500 meters E of the SCHLUCHT PASS, '.7hich 9 if blovm· .9 \7ould creat·e an obstacle around vrhich there would be no inunodia-Ge detour. .

In an attack against COL:IAR (V-730430), tho ~ W11STER VALLEY ~J resents . tho most suitalbe approach. Tho terrain to the N., in the vicinity of LE LINGE

(V-570425), is particularly difficult 9 being rugged, and containing ;Jany old defense positions v1hich could again be utilized to '.J.dvantago by the Gormans.. The ROUTE DES CREI'ES (ridge road) which connects the COL DU BON HOf 'IT IE (V-543537) and COL DE LA SCHLUCHT (V-464.397) is e. good read, but vehicles could leave the roa-d only up to the crest, the torrc>.in east of tho crest boing too precipi·cous for · vehicular movement . There ·is lit·c l o vogot 2;~ i on along ·che ROUTE D:CS CRETES.

Stack Row Box-Fofder 170 Lf()~

Color Control Patches Green Yellow Red Magenta White C O£f~ Q!:!li!I!1~

11 11 The (V-5L1..33:37) is not formidable, o. Col fc.cile • The road is good, through wo ods, but not as winding as most. Throughou~ t he nholo area t horo remain old fortified posH. ions do.ting from tho last rJar .

Tho COL de Ste MARIE (V-565599) is easy of access, thoug11 slightly steeper than tho COL DU BONHOIJ','!E (V-543537) . There is only one bric~go, at Gill.ill.INGOUTTE (V-5!5617), but as this only crosses o. stream, its destruction uould create no groat obstacle. The mountain road leading S.E. from Sto r:IARIE (V-590608) is good, but contains munerous hairpin bonds. Tho road E from Ste MARIE is very· good, hc:.ving only small bridges . On the ne1il rail:coad leading S .E. to Sto l'ilARIE, there is a very lc:.rgo tunnel. In this vicinity tl1e:ro o.re three pract.ice.ble roads leading to SELESTAT (V-785625): . from Ste Jl:'IARIE :i!::c.st , from Sto f1U1.RIE S.E., and from LUBINE (v-568687) .•

'rho SAALES Pb.SS (V-533722 ) is the easiest pass in tho VC\SGES • . It is dominc.. :.ed by the high ground at C1If:I01iT (V-528720), to tho S .E., and by the FER.:;.E DE BROUQUES (V-512727) on C.hl.; road from CHATAS (V-48073 8), to tho 1-1. Bet\Joon l'IOT.:i:Ni'10Ul' IER (V-390758) and SAl:..LES (V-5.32722)the terrain is co!apnratively bo.rl~en . The road from rJOYENJ:iOU.c'I.r).1 through BEL VAL (V ... 494790 )is o. good ono ~ the COL DU H/i.Nl'Z (V-517778 ) being easily passable. There are no tunnels ol~ bridges o.nd tho road passes through ·.roods .' 'l'l1e SAALES position may be ontflo.nkod by rw.y of tho LUBDm PASS (V -568687) • A pproxiDe.toly 1t miles S. 9f Sl:J:..L:;::;s t hero is

en ii.lportant. bridge, but one nhich, if blm-;n 1 \J ould not bo very difficult to replnco. ·

From SMLES (V -532722) ~ 6 IAOLSHEII'.l (V - 820937) ·thoro is 2. t;ood rand 1 rdth some bridges, running through a ;_,J.do valley, Ylhioh also contr'.ins ·cho ma.in railroad to STRii.SBOURG (W- 005980) •. Thoro. nrc no road tunnels, 2nd only small bric1c;os .

The high ground known o.s ·11 LE DPNON1 1 (V--585910 ) constil:.t~t os_, in the op:unon of tho general, the key posil~ion to tho northern · part of tho VOSGES. and t].to ::ppronches to (i'J- 005980) from tho West . It is a point 2t which mo.ny rands convorgo. ThO general lc:Gor stated that LE DONON did not afford diroct observation .of tho SAALES (V-53272Z), SCHIRLECK (V-615866), I.TIJLSHEIM (V- 820937) rand. LE DONON (V-585910) is in the form of a to.blo-lnnd, almost cl.oo.r of vegetation.

The particular area surrounding LE DONON (iZ-5 85910) is one of very unfavore.blo terrain, baing hoo.vily '.!oodod, its crests being sh·'.rp, C'.nd communica­ tions bot;.. mon tho valleys being very difficult. Thoro is only one :Jro.nsvorsal Toad from Routo NEJ.tionalo 392 to Route Nationnlc 424, by r:ay of ·c.ho COL DU fiQUSSE (V-470035 ) • . Tho most diffiqult .terrain in tho VOSGES lios botrwon LE DONmT (V-585910)· and SAVERNE (Q-720158). Tho forest of LA LA DELEDJE is' ~'2r~i culo.rly cUed o.s bc;;ing ;i.mpassablo ( 11 inextrictlble 11 ).

'J.'he approach to the SAVERNE PASS from tho southwest is very good, through opron country VJhich is not s ::.oGp o.nd not heavily Hooded' Hor:cvcr' tho mc.J..~sl:y cro.F. roughly contaimd, by SAR.i.l.EBOURG (Q-500150), RECHICOURC (Q- 340076) DBUZE (Q-:250240), and FENEI'Rf:..NGE (Q-470270) is useless for milit2.ry oporat:l.ons, ·

o:x:ccpt, as rlJ.n excollont · dofonsivo r:roo. for tho Germans 9 being , moro ttickly u oodod "l:.hc.n tho VOO.SGES . -4-

r

RG Entry stack Row ., DECLAssrFIED ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Au~ori~ ~~~~0(] .:;IJ...L~~~~~:!._,..,...;;;;~=~~=-r--~~....,.-T--=~~~ B ~RA Date 1/1211

Color Control Patches Green Yellow Red Magenta White Between SA~~SBOURG (Q-500150) and PHALSBOURG (Q-640180) the going is good. The entry is narrow, but the hills on either side are low. As this road approaches SAVBRlffi the hills on either side become ~uch~steeper~although the road remains good. The road from HANGWILLER (Q.-680230) to DCSTENHEIM (Q~750230) is good, but runs along a narrow, steep valley. The road from ST LOUIS (Q-598130) to SAVEhNE likewise runs through a narrow steep valley. The road from HAZENviLLBR (~-610090 to R01MNSVILLER (~-750050) is good, not being restricted in a valley. The general pointed out that the terrain immediately east of SAVERNE provides a strong defensive position against attack from the SAVERN~ Gap.

The LEMBACH (Q.-720480) - BITCHE (Q.--770590) area is very wooded. It is not as high as the central VOSGES, having appro~imately the same altitude as the EPHTAL area. It is made difficult by reason of a lack of roads.

IV. TOPOGRAPHY A,ID l'10VEII!2El\IT, PlAIN:

The steep slope on the Eastern side of the VOSGES furnishes innumerable OP 1 s having an excellent view of the ALSACE PlAIN. The most remarkable of these is at vrr ST ODILE (V-745826), from which the spires of STRASBOL!RG may be seen. ST PIERRE - BOIS (V-720.700) is another excellent OP. · There is J:?.O visual obstacle b~tween the Ea~tern · slopes of the VOSGES and the Black Forest.

Tp~ forest N. of HAGUEI~U (R-040240) is easily passible. Defenses probably. exist therein, but terra:h favors an attack from the -vvest, which .would achieve success more- rapidly than an attack from the South. The soil in the· forest and the surrounding region is sandy. , The remainder of the plain is very fertile, open country, where deploymE>nt is possible.

From MOLSHEIM (V-820937) to STRAS30UttG (W-005980), N. of the road and s. of the :ORDCHE Hiver, there is a line of H.G. positions and casemates constructed in 1914 which are sunk into the ground ih such a way as to make them almost impossible to see.

The River ILL, which joins the RHIIffi just N. of STlli~SBOURG, is from 50 to 60 meters wide , and will require ponton bridges. It must be considered us un obstacle. LA BRUCHE, LE ZORN. und the MODER are not greut obstacles, since they can be forded at many points.

Between the River ILL and the RHONE-hlUNE Canal the terrain is suitable for the deployment of·vehicles, although many brooks and streams exist b8tween the ILL and the llliiNE.

The formal fortifications of STl~SBOURG are very old, and have been prc.:;3rved as a monument. In the center of the city is the old city in which the streets are narrow and winding. To the NW and to the SE are the two new cities, Vvhich have"brpad.thoroughfarCJs._ Tho.old 6;ity~of STM.SBOURG.itself' may be·by­ pussed to the SE through the industrial ;district.

Y. THE RHDffi:

Along its entire length from BASEL (A-900850) past _KARLSRUHE ·(R-4904GO) ths RHI~JE runs throu~h a canalized navi~able channel, which is approximato;ly 25 to 30 m wide and 5 m deep. This channel is contained by dykes. Outside the;; first

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Entry Stack Row

Color Control Patches Green Yellow Red Magenta White CONFIDENTIAL

dykes, there is a se cond·dyke .constructed of earthand easily breached, which is almost continuous bet ween -BASEL (A-900850} a·nd KAHLSRUHE (R-490460). · The '· purpose ·or' th<;; .. .s t: cond dyke is to pre:vQnt floodine; of the plain when the channel · overflows , as · it 'do.e s after the spring thaw and occasionally during heavy fall r;ains . Betwe.en the two dyke s the re runs a band of f ore st which varie s in width from l Km to .500 me t e r~. Following the ove rflowing of the channel, andp subsequently, j;;h0 r eturn of wate r to its normal ·le ve l, large ponds of stagnant vva·t e r ,r emain ~n t~e fore st strip. The ground be ing firm, the se pc:mds are not absor'?,e d by the soil, but lie s. on the surface f.or an inde finite pe riod of time· , · stagna:ting. rtoads . and l e vue s lead through this area, but the ground· itself is-' firm enough for movem

Be tween &iSEL (A-900850) and KARLSRUHE (H- 490460), there is only one fblce d road bridg0, which is at STRAS30UHG , the KLHL bridge . The r e are 4 concrete railroad bridge s ·. The r emainde r of the bridge s crossing the RH I NE a r e ponton brid go s~ Tho G0r ma ns hav e e stablisht) d bride;b ht; ads about the Yv. ends of tht; se ponton b ridge s., Th\; dto f e nsivu position in the s e bre dgehe ads we r e construct.;;; d in 1914, an~ hav6 ndve r beon de stroye d .

l'he importa nt fortre ss of ISTEIN (A-850950) dominatt s the 'KEHBS ·DAM (A-830985); the de struction of this dam would cause the JRHI NE to ove r f'J.ow, but the gene.ral did no.t f ee l qua lified to e stimate thE:. ext e nt of the consc.qucncu s of its ~ du structic.n . : ~ ' ~ , · .. .. Tho aut.umn r a ins.mighi{ make the hHIHE a v c. ry se rious obstacl e ~ Tra ffic is a lways intt. rrupt ud in the spring, but not always during thd fallo

. The bost cros sing of the. 1-t..tfi NE i's nt ST LOUIS (A-880880), tr a ditionally~ and p ec ausQ. the t e rra i n is · .fuvorable . In r;t: nJ ral th~ hH INE may b0 cros-se d almost anyvvh~ r e . 'l:r ponton br id g~ s a r e· constructe d across the canalize d channe l a lone , the y will be in . dc.~ n ,;~ r of b< ing swe pt· avmy by the.: ove::rflovving of the cana l which follows h eE< VJ' r uins. In the construction of the so bridgt; s, th0 possible flooded area should be consido rcd o. nd sufficie nt · pontons provide, d. The crossing of the R.BI:lli is cs~entialiy ... an "Affaire de Reconnaissance . " ·

. The most unf&vorable crossin~ would be in t he region of NE1W - BRISACH (v:.s4o350) ' which is domina hd by the -KAISE1J;?TUHL (V..J950550), a good O.P ~ :;~md dofc nsive position f or the Gb rmans.

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RG Entry Stack Row Shelf

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