Page:NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SURVEY 7; DENMARK; MILITARY GEOGRAPHY CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110018-4.pdf/17

 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110018-4

'''FIGURE 14. Most of the coasts of the Faeroe Islands are bordered by steep, rocky cliffs. These almost vertical walls in western Sudhuroy rise 1,500 to 2,400 feet above sea level. (U/OU)''' (photo)

but there are large nearly level upland surfaces and long smooth highland slopes where there are few possibilities for concealment. Villages (Figure 13), which are mainly located along the coasts and usually at the head of fjords, farmhouses, stonewalls, ditches, and embankments are the only other sources of concealment from ground observation. Food is available but only in limited quantities from small vegetable gardens near villages and farms; sheep are fairly numerous, and fish are in surrounding seas. Trees are rare, and there are no timber and only limited supplies of firewood. Movement on foot would be possible in most places, but sheer cliffs are numerous. The population is sparse, and there are few roads and no railroads. Supply of irregular forces by air would be hindered by rugged terrain, high winds, and low clouds. Supply by sea would be restricted by the remoteness of the islands and by obstructed approaches, particularly in the nearshore zone, rocky shores, and cliffed coasts (Figure 14).

The coasts of this region are generally unsuited for large-scale amphibious operations because of restricted approaches, rocky shores, rugged terrain backing the coast, and poor exits. Offshore approaches are generally clear, but nearshore approaches are restricted to fjords and are encumbered by scattered shoals and rocks. Nearshore bottom material consists of sand and gravel and some mud. Beach gradients are generally steep in both the low water to high water and high water zones. Tides are semidiurnal with a spring range of 4 feet. Surf 4 feet or higher may occur at any time along the unprotected stretches of coast. The few beaches are short and narrow and consist of sand, silt, cobble, and pebble. The beaches are generally located at the heads of fjords along the eastern coasts of the islands. Exits from the beaches would be poor.

C. Strategic area (C)

The most strategic area in Denmark is the Danish Straits area (Figure 19). It contains the three important straits through the Danish Archipelago, a major part of the industry, the largest urban area, and

'''FIGURE 13. Built-up areas are one of the few sources of concealment from air observation in the Faeroe Islands, which are covered primarily by a grass-moss growth less than a foot high. This view shows part of the village of Torshavn. (U/OU)''' (photo)

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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110018-4