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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110023-8

FIGURE 16. Multiple border obstacles along the Berlin Wall (C) (photo)

2. Sea (C)

The Baltic Sea coast of East Germany is generally unfavorable for large-scale amphibious operations because of obstructed and restricted approaches and dunes, bluffs, or poorly drained terrain backing the coast. Seaward of the 5-fathom curve, approaches are predominantly clear, but shoreward, approaches are encumbered in many places by islets, islands, shoals, rocks, shifting bars, wrecks, and groins and piers. In addition, littoral drift and stream discharge cause considerable shoaling in the long, narrow, shallow channels, necessitating frequent dredging if navigable depths are to be maintained. Sea ice forms during most winters, ranging from very small amounts in the more protected bays during mild winters to a nearly complete cover in exceptionally severe winters. Ice may seriously hinder to prevent navigation near the Baltic shore for as long as 30 days between January and April. Although tidal ranges are negligible throughout the year, water levels may be raised or lowered as much as 7½ feet by winter storms in the Baltic. Surf 4 feet or higher seldom occurs. Nearshore bottom materials are mostly sand mixed with mud or gravel; bottom slopes are predominantly mild. Beach gradients are mostly mild to steep between the low-water and high-water lines and predominantly steep in the high-water zone. The beaches suitable for amphibious landings are concentrated along the western half of the mainland coast and on the seaward coasts of the islands. The major beaches range from 800 yards to 7½ miles long and from 10 to 150 yards wide; there are only slight width variations between low water and high water. Beach materials consist of sand with some gravel and are generally firm in the wetted area and soft where dry. Backing the beaches in many places is a nearly flat to rolling plain covered by low field crops and patches of forest; there are scattered low hillocks and numerous lakes, marshes, peat bogs, ditches, and streams. Exits from the beaches would be by tracks, trails, and streets of Warnemunde, or cross-country to nearby roads; conditions for cross-country movement range from good in a few places to poor or unsuited in most places. The amphibious landing area shown on Figure 15 provides access to a route leading to the East Berlin strategic area.

The best amphibious landing area in East Germany is a 26-mile stretch of coast extending west and northeast of Warnemunde. This area includes six beaches with a total usable length of about 9 miles. The tidal range is negligible, and the beaches range from 800 yards to 2¾ miles long and 15 to 150 yards wide. Surf 4 feet or higher is most frequent during July through September, when it may occur as much as 10% of the time. Nearshore bottom slopes are flat to mild, and bottom materials are sand, gravel, and clay. Beach materials are sand and sand mixed with gravel; beaches are firm in the wetted areas and soft were dry. The beaches are backed by a nearly flat to gently rolling, mostly cultivated plain that contains patches of forest and marsh, numerous streams, and scattered low hillocks. Exits from the beaches would be by loose-surfaced roads to a two-lane bituminous-surfaced road that parallels the coast about 5 miles inland.

FIGURE 17. Checkpoint of the Berlin Wall. Baffles slow and control traffic. View toward East Berlin. (C) (photo)

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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110023-8