should the web tear the broke runs substantially as in normal operation through the drying group and is downwardly discharged through the above mentioned relatively wide gap the second drying group 12 is constructed in substantially exactly the same way as the first there are again three upper sub groups 16 each having two cylinders the lower row of cylinders also includes three sub groups 17 each having two cylinders thus the first lower cylinder of the second drying group 12 lies beneath the last upper cylinder of the first drying group 11 so that here the paper web can transfer from the first to the second drying group in exactly the same manner the paper web after passing through the entire second drying group 12 transfers from the second cylinder of the last upper sub group 16 to the first cylinder of the first lower sub group 19 of the third drying group 13 this has three lower sub groups 19 each having two cylinders while the upper row of cylinders has two sub groups 18 and a single last cylinder 20 from which the dried paper web 9 runs off it is obvious that the number of cylinders per drying group and or the number of drying groups can be varied at random depending on the requirements of the type of paper and or the operating speed deflection suction rolls 16 39 19 39 felt rolls 26 29 and air blast boxes 21 are also provided in drying groups 12 and 13 a tail cutter provided in the end region.