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SOVIET BASE IN BALTIC
NEW YORK. Friday;
The Soviet Union is' der
veloping a new naval and
air base on the island of
Rifegen, off the German
coast, Hanson Baldwin,
military correspondent of
The New York Times,
* writes. to-day as
Regent is only 80 miles
from Copenhagen
in an article outlining what he
describes as Soviet attempts to
turn the Baltic into a Russian
Iflke, he says that evidence indicates
that the Soviet Union is
undertaking a five or six year
construction programme alt Rue
gen.
He said that one airfield was
being built and another, constructed
by the Germains, was
being improved.
Three canals are being dug
into) the inner Jake at Regent to
provide ' entrances to a sheltered
anchorage for light craft, Mr,
Baldwin adds. He
says that there are sizeable
detachments of Soviet anti-aircraft
troops at Ruegen, and one
of the newly formed East German
divisions is nearby. ,
Detachments of Soviet marines
and coastal artillery an station-
ed at Peenemunde and Swine
muscle. , >
Ruegen, thought unfinished as
a base, occupied an important
strategic position, Mr Baldwin
says.
He adds that it is potentially
an ideal small submarine and
small craft' base, plus a, base for
airpower.
It advanced the Soviet system
in the Baltic Sea many miles, to
the west, and dominated the
Western Baltic
Mr. Baldwin says that the Soviet
Union is believed to be basing
more than 100 submarines,
most of them small coastal vessels,
J in the Baltic, plus one or
more of the new Severely type
of cruiser, seVerE bf ~ the "older
Kirov type and numerous- sales-,'
travers. -.'.;? . ... " ' ;
Between 700 and 800, Soviet
'naval aircraft are believed to be
stationed in the Baltic area, as
well as sizable Soviet, air i force
units in East Germany'and'Pol-;
and.' as.-? v ' ,; .??.?. .? ' .;."'..'.'???.:
He says. that' the Soviet objectives:
are threefold. ? ' I".; C"'
T.' Security. the the Norther.n
area, the ;C6mniuniste/8)ppai¥htIy!
plan to make the 3 similar coastal
limit a fait accompli by force,
Closing of the Baltic entrance to
non-Baltic powers; appears to obey
the ultimate objective.
2. neutralisation of the Scandinavian
powers. He said that
diplomatic warnings and. inspired;
rumours are intended' to ?? make
Sweden adhere to her traditional
neutrality. ?: ..." ?.. '«?
23.. Strengthening of the Russian
military disposition in the entire
Northern Area.' - The Soviet,
naval position in, the north is being
strengthened with a view to
submarine and limite';! cruiser op-
rations from the- - Parent sea
base.
$