‘MISMANAGING’ OF LUFTWAFFE

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31152, 31 August 1966, Page 13

‘MISMANAGING’ OF LUFTWAFFE

(N.Z. Press Association— Copyright)

BONN, August 30.

The German Defence Minister, Mr Kai-Uwe von Hassel, yesterday accused the German Air Force of mismanaging its fleet of 700 FIO4G Starfighter fighter-bombers and hiding the true situation from him.

Mr von Hassel said that the dismissal of the chief of the Air Force last week would be followed soon by the early retirement of several other officers he considers incapable of coping with modern aircraft. “I have all three armed services firmly in my hands,” the Minister said. He said he saw no reason for his own resignation. Mr von Hassel yesterday met a dozen leading generals

of the Air Force to outline the reasons why he suspended and then retired LieutenantGeneral Werner Panitzki, Inspector of the Air Force since October, 1962. Met Generals

Later he met about 30 generals and admirals from all branches, to explain the Panitzki case and also the resignation of General Heinz Trettner, the senior officer in Germany’s 500,000-man armed forces. Mr von Hassel also gave his version of the events leading to General Panitzki’s and General Trettner’s retirement. He said he had discovered that three detailed reports from general officers concerning flight safety and survivability had been stopped before reaching either General Panitzki’s or his own desk. In all cases, he said, they were held up by officers who did take certain action suggested in the reports, but did not consider it necessary to inform their superiors.