The Russian Campaign. Report by J.I.C.

Moreover, the river is some 500 yards wide and in the first 250 miles from the sea there are only three single—track permanent rail bridges, (two being at Rostov) and a variety of temporary bridges of wood which could be easily destroyed. The river is, however, usually frozen from mid-December to mid-march. The Germans may attempt to gain a footing in North Caucasia by combined sea and air operations across the Kerch Straits. The marshy nature of the land and the lack of communications would make maintenance of any considerable German thrust across the Straits extremely difficult.