TANKS FOR RUSSIA

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 76, 26 September 1941, Page 5

TANKS FOR RUSSIA

EFFORT NOT LIMITED

TO A WEEK

TRANSPORT PROBLEM

(Rec. 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 25. / This week's apportioning of thte British tank output to Russia is no mere flash-in-the-pan effort. This is made clear in an authoritative statement to the effect that the •assistance will continue after tfhis week, and on an increased scale. "More to follow" will be the slogan for the future. ; The Government has ali?teady planned for the delivery of tanks to Russia in increasing quantities over the next nine monthi, and there are reserve plans for 'extension of this programme for eighteen months or two years. Before -long, it is hoped, British tanks wpll be in , active service on the Russian front. The sending of British teciinical staff to Russia and of a reciprocal number of Russian experts is at pi^esent under discussion in order that Russian military authorities may / get used to handling the British ty£jes as quickly as possible. /

The type of tank Britain is at present sending Russia, following the request of the Russian military authorities, is of. proved reliability, and has been sufficiently long in production for spares to be available with delivery, and it can be easily handled by the Russians. ■ ;

Britain has alrearijy made a very substantial contribution to Russia in raw materials, and is committed to a much heavier monthly programme of munitions and material.

At present there is being sent to Russia the max.imum of supplies that can be got th/ere by any system of transport now /open.

It was pointed out that tanks from Britain must be shipped with guns and anjmunition, to make them useable, and that the; tanks will make a substantial call i upon all armament production, because the weapons will be of calibrejs 'for which no Russian ammunition as'available. Britain will have to make equivalent weapons and ammunition because of the difference in calibre. ' } ■

The number of tanks being sent to Russia constitutes a heavy sacrifice on the part 61 Britain, Railways and roads in the M/iddle East are being developed so that 'there can be greatly increased traffic on this front and with a view to mudh greater assistance for Russia.

REFjfIERCUSSIONS OF DRIVE ON '. INDUSTRY.

Thejj Ministry of Supply states that not c*3y has-the work of tank assembly been/ speeded up, but also that the thousands of components and accessories are being turned out at a greatly increased rate. Machine-gun mountings and engines are pouring out from thie component factories. The big drive is; reflected right through to the f/Oundries producing the castings and iihe rolling mills turning Out the Armour plate.

: In fact, the speed-up is having a repercussion throughout the whole armaments industry. This magnificent effort of the workers, states the Ministry, has acted in the same way as a gigantic foot being pressed hard down on an accelerator pedal, and there can be no doubt that the spurt will be maintained for many weeks to come.—~B,O.W.