OUTPUT DOWN TO ONE-QUARTER

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 190, 10 May 1944, Page 5

OUTPUT DOWN TO ONE-QUARTER

Ploesti Oil Refineries (British Official Wireless.i RUGBY, May 8. The productive capacity of the Ploesti oil refining system has been reduced to less than 25 per cent, of its normal output as a result of attacks by Allied bombers. states a Naples correspondent. General Eaker in a congratulatory message to General Twining states that since the landings in North Africa and up n May 5 more than 200,000 tons of bombs have been dropped in the Mediterranean theatre. General Eaker added that the bombing iu the Balkans lias, bud a significant effect ; the Ploesti refineries', with a capacity of over 9,500,000 tons annually, bad been supplying 30 per cent, of

Germany’s needs, and their destruction would have an immediate adverse effect on the German war effort. In the last six weeks, said General Eaker. over 14,000 tons of bombs have been dropped, and in addition to the destruction of oil refineries great damage has been done to vital enemy transport and industrial installations. Bucharest is now the most bombed city in the Balkans. As the focal point for the massing of German resources against the impending Russian assault and as the distribution centre for the Ploesti oil, Bucharest is a target of unique importance. \ German night fighters were over the city in considerable strength in last night’s attack by R.A.F. heavy and medium bombers. *