THE WINTER PINCH

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 106, 31 October 1941, Page 5

THE WINTER PINCH

SHORTAGES IN GERMANY

REQUIREMENTS FOR RUSSIAN

CAMPAIGN

RUGBY, October 29

There is an accumulation of evidence that Germany has been caught unprepared for a Russian winter campaign, it is stated authoritatively in London. Among the signs are an eleventh-hour decree requisitioning tents and camping equipment in Norway, and it has been reported that Norwegian fishermen have been given paper sleeping-bags in exchange for their sheets. There has also been a house-to-house collection of ski-boots.

Many of the blankets which have been seized in German-occupied territory have probably • been needed to afford protection for the large number of horses being used by the Germans in Russia.

There is also evidence of an acute shortage of leather in the Axis countries. This is borne out by the fact that six Axis ships which were intercepted by the British Fleet between June and August during attempts to reach Europe from, South America all had leather as the principal item of their cargo. Incidentally, these attempts not only show where the shoe pinches in Germany but also probably indicate that the Axis people are extremely short of ships as a result of the British air and submarine attacks.

It was stated that last year the German army's need of leather was covered only at the expense of the civilians.

INSUFFICIENT COAL FOR INDUSTRY.

It is also stated that the coal output is insufficient for industrial needs, let alone domestic heating. It is expected that even industries working for Germany will be obliged to close down, since Germany has declared that she is unable to supply enough coal to meet the requirements of her own foundries and steel works.

The. French paper "Le Temps" warns its . readers to expect a deterioration of the present scarcity of coal, oil, steel, wood, and non-ferrous metals. Nor can "collaboration" be expected to improve matters.

The German High Command, according to the Swedish newspaper "Ny Dag," Jias announced that recently sabotage has taken place in 74 foundries, and that 1800 lorries carrying war material have been destroyed, 30 ammunition dumps have been blown up, and 194 trains derailed.

The newspaper declares . that, though the Germans are having fighter aircraft repaired under special police control, a large majority of these aircraft have later crashed after a few hours of trial flight. The majority of the engines delivered by France : are also unserviceable, and tanks repaired at the Renault and Citroen works break down after a few miles.

Sabotage and passive resistance of the workers in the mines aerodromes, railways, telephone and telegraph services, engineering shops, and farms are increasing, it states, in spite of the executions and the offers of rewards to informers.—B.O.W.