R.A.F. Causes Heavy Decline In Production Of German Factories

Northern Advocate, 27 September 1943, Page 5

R.A.F. Causes Heavy Decline In Production Of German Factories

'(Rec. 3.30 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 26. The R.A.F. is bracketed with the Red Army as Germany’s public enemy No. I. rays the Swedish journalist. Gunnar Pihl, who was the last trained observer to leave Germany.

In an acount of conditions in Germany published in the “Daily Telegraph,” Pihl says that production _ in German war factories mis year has fallen 15 to 20 per cent short of the peak reached in the autumn of 1941. Workmen at the Blohm and Voss Shipyards, Hamburg, remained idle because Krupps at Essen could not deliver steel plates for U-boats. Workmen elsewhere complain of the poor quality of tools and delays in the supply of coal, spare parts and raw materials from the Ruhr and Rhineland.

Germany, during the winter of 1942, suffered a shortage of tanks. Tank factories in western Germany have been thrown out of gear by bombing. The new-62-ton Tiger tank was only beginning mass production. Lengthy Repairs Showing how long it takes to repair damaged factories, Pihl cited Zehlendorf Metalworks, in south-west Berlin, which were badly damaged on March 1 and repairs were not completed by August 8. The R.A.F. that night so badly damaged the factory that it closed down. Pihl, who left Berlin last month, refers to German rocket-guns already installed on the French Chanel coast. They are gigantic, with 100-foot barrels and a reputed range of 125 miles. They are intended to bombard London. The rocket travels through the stratosphere and is fitted with wings and rudders. Experiments have shown that the barrel only withstands 25 to 30 shots and it takes almost a week to change barrels.