DESTROYED HUN WORKS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 148, 12 March 1918, Page 5

DESTROYED HUN WORKS

EFFECT ON MUNITIONS SUPPLY. On November 22 it was reported that tho groat Electron chemical factory at Griesheim, near Frankfort, had been destroyed bj an explosion, i The extreme care taken to prevent full accounts from leaking out and the onforced silence of the German Press are evidence of the German Government's anxiety to conceal a serious loss. It is nofr certain that the explosion caused the complete destruction of one of the greatest munition factories in the world. The factory had an extensive frontage on the River Main. It consisted of a group of great buildings covering over 54 acres. Possessing as it did installations for electro-chemical production, it was of prime importance ( as a source of synthetic nitrates, and its splendidly organised research laboratory enabled it to play a leading part in the production of poison gas. It had been producing saltpetre for tlie manufacture of black powders at tffe rate of 1000 tons a day. To such an extent had its output of soda nitrate and concentrated sulphuric acid been developed that it suppljod the wnole demand of five nitro-glycerine and dynamite factories, as well as two powder works, including that of Rottweil, one of the most important in Germany. Another explosive, which it manufactured in large quantities, was tonito, through its facilities for matting synthetic phenol, and consequently picric acid, from which acid iTiis explosive is derived. Even if tho loss can be replaced, the problem of collecting miscellaneous quantities or explosives and acids from various quarters is hound to complicato further tho transport difficulty. It is improbable tliafc the works can ho reconstituted during the war.