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OUTPUT OF WEAPONS

INCREASING LAG IN U.S.A.

WASHINGTON, August 2. Increasingly critical lags in the production of 320 vital war items threaten to deprive the United States armies of the wherewithal to deliver a knockout punch against Germany, said the Commander of the Army Service Forces, Lieut.-General B. B. Somervell, at a Press conference. The armies in all theatres had driven so far beyond schedule that civilians were under the impression that the war was' nearly over and consequently man-power was drifting away from essential jobs, and each month this year had seen a more drastic drop m the production'schedule. General Somervell asserted that the day Germany capitulated war requirements would drop approximately 50 per cent. Meanwhile area commanders were clamouring for sufficient muni-] tions and supplies to finish the enemy. | The heavy artillery which had overwhelmed the Germans in Italy and France would vanquish them completely if the withering barrages could be maintained. However, artillery pro- j duction was almost 50 per cent, under j this year's schedule, and lacking a sub- j stantial increase the Allies must resort to smaller shells and even, rifle and machine-gun fire, entailing closer fighting and greater loss of life. ' Other: critical shortages included rubber tyres, radio and radar equipment, tractors, bulldozers, and portable flame-throwers.

This cablegram does not tell the whole stoi'y of the situation relating to big weapons. The position is that last May a tremendous increase in the number of big guns manufactured was ordered by the U.S. army. For weapons of 155 mm., or bigger, ammunition orders were increased from 400 to 500 per cent. For some .sizes the orders were 1000 per cent, above current schedules. 'Production of such weapons as the 155 mm. howitzer, the 155 mm. gun or "Long Tom," the Bin gun and 240 mm. weapon was also ordered' to be increased.

Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19440803.2.47

Bibliographic details

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 29, 3 August 1944, Page 6

Word Count
307

OUTPUT OF WEAPONS Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 29, 3 August 1944, Page 6

OUTPUT OF WEAPONS Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 29, 3 August 1944, Page 6

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