BERLIN DEFIANT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21632, 8 February 1945, Page 5

BERLIN DEFIANT

“WORK GOES ON” THREAT OF A FAMINE FOOD TRUOT SHORTAGE GO a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 7. Although the people of Berlin fear famine, reports from Stockholm say there is no indication of any weakening in their determination to hold the city to the last. Famine threatens Berlin because of a break-down in the German transport system, says the Daily Express’ correspondent in Stockholm. The civil administration in the German capital is completely disorganised. 'Thousands of housewives, seeking their weekly rations, tramp from shop to shop and return home emptyhanded. The main reason for the food shortage is lack of railway trucks. Of the 350,000 trucks needed to supply food to the German civilian population 180,000 have been seized by the German Army to rush men and material to the Eastern Front. No trains are arriving at Basle from Berlin and ail exit permits have been cancelled at a few hours’ notice.

According to prisoners captured on the Italian front, all leave has been stopped in the German Army. This is the first complete stoppage enforced by the army in this war.

Broadcasting to the -German troops, Gerhard Schacht, deputy gauleiter of Berlin, said: “You are all wondering what life in Berlin is like. It just goes on. There are new problems and additional hardships, particularly after Saturday's raid, but the work continues.”

Dr. Ley, leader of- the Labour Front, told Berlin factory workers: “You may be certain that all the necessary measures have been taken to ensure Berlin’s efficient defence. Neither Berlin nor Brandenburg will waver for a moment in execution of the day’s work.”