NAZI TRANSPORT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 June 1941, Page 6

NAZI TRANSPORT

PROBLEM IN GERMANV BIG STRAINS IMPOSED. THE NEGLECTED RAILWAYS. The Battle of the Atlantic may be a serious problem for Britain, but Germany has to face a colossal struggle on the battlefield of Europe in the fight to maintain her communications. The mere existence of a blockade which deprives Germany of the main use of Hamburg and Bremen and closes the Eastern Mediterranean, throws considerable strain on the transport system and the effects are many-sided and cumulative. Germany's transport system, already heavily taxed a year ago, is having to face greatly increased tasks today and report's are reaching this country of chaotic conditions on the railways of the Reich and occupied territories. "For the time being we shall have to reckon with the fact that lhe rolling stock on the Reich railways is insufficient to meet the steadily increasinrg demand." (Berlin “Lokalanzieger” quoting Somerlatter, official of the Reich Ministry of Transport May 11. 1940). The new tasks consist of: (1) Supplying Italy’s vital necessities: (2) supplying the needs not locally served of the army which sprawls from the Arctic to North Africa: (3) supplying raw material for the industries and agriculture of occupied territories in order that they may contribute to Germany’s war effort and to ' feeding Greater Europe.

MEETING THE,PROBLEM. All these tasks must be met by the inland transport systems of Europe, and these roads, railways and waterways are Germany's responsibility. A formidable programme to tax the resources of even the most efficient machine. Moreover, the carrying of goods over land and not by, sea is a most expensive means of transport. "In normal times a tanker carrying 6,000 tons of oil might sail from Constanza to Hamburg. To carry the same quantity overland means that’ twelve trains, each of thirty to thirty-five wagons, must travel a distance of over 1,200 miles. That is to say. to carry the cargo of one ship, the railways must haul an equivalent to 72 Royal Scots from Euston to Glasgow.” (Ministry df Economic Warfare Statement May 9. 1941). A NAZI MISTAKE. The needs of Germany’s mechanised army and considerations of prestige dictated concentration on road building in the Reich at the expense of the railways. This was bound to have serious consequences when economy of petrol became of primary importance.

German railways have been relatively neglected since 1933. As long ago as the winter of 1938 an official announcement was made that £175,000,000 (3,500.000,000 RM.) were to be spent on renewing deficiencies in rolling stock on the railways of the Greater Reich. “None of the chief forms of transport have any reserves of. rolling stock or other supplies and none of them can hope to see their requirements fulfilled during the war.” (In an article entitled “New Indications” in “Das Reich.” February 9, 1941).

Today Germany has so forced her economy that she has little opportunity to divert her productive resources from the immediate demands of the war machine in order to improve her transport. Inland waterways become, therefore, of relative importance, but her shortage of barge space is making itself felt. The shortage is further increased by the need for repairing “Invasion barges” which are constantly bombed by the R.A.F. “New construction in 1940 has proved insufficient to compensate for losses due to wear and tear in inland water vessels engaged on the Oder. It is, therefore, necessary to revolutionise the boat building yards engaged in this work. The increased intensity of the traffic on the Oder has accentuated the shortage of harbour facilities.” “Breslauer Neueste Nachrichten." February 21, 1941).

Germany has tried to ease her problem by the wholesale plunder of rolling stock from occupied countries. “The transport difficulties of last winter will not occur this year, because trucks and locomotives are constantly being delivered from occupied countries.” (“Magdeburgische Zeitung,” December 2, 1940). This is a shortsighted policy, for occupied territories, if they are to work for Germany, must themselves be provided with sufficient transport. OUTSIDE INTERFERENCE.

The R.A.F. contrives to make Germany's already heavy transport, problems almost' insuperable. Frequent references to the “marshalling yards at Hamm." io the “rail centres" Cologne, Mannheim, Osnabrueck and Gelsenkirchen, to the Dortmund-Ems Canal and the “inland ports" Duisberg, Ruhrort and Ludwigshaven testify to the great attention which the R.A.F. is paying Germany's lines of communications.

Sabotage in occupied countries adds 10 Nazi embarrassment. “Since the outbreak of war it has been found necessary to arm the employees of the German railways, particularly in the eastern and western occupied territories. It is now announced that all railway employees throughout the Reich are to be given now uniforms of more military pattern with revolvers or sidearms. Higher officials will wear daggers." (“Bremer Nachrichten," April 27. 1941). “There have been a number of derailments during the past few weeks on the Bergen-Oslo railway line. On February 13 a large German military train was derailed by a loose rail being placed across the track." (“Davensnyheter,” Stockholm, February 18, 1941). FUTURE PROSPECTS. The outlook for Germany in the Battle of Communications is a gloomy one. As the R.A.F. grows in striking power, and resistance in occupied territories gains courage and strength from persistent onslaughts on Germany's war machine, so will the Nazi transport difficulties grow. The outlook for Britain in the Battle of the Atlantic Is far more encouraging. The sinking of the Bismarck. Germany's newest and most powerful battleship, means a considerable simplification of the problem, while active and increasing help from the United States combines with British naval superiority to ensure our victory. “Our patrols are helping now to ensure Ihe delivery of needed supplies io Britain. All additional measures will be taken. The delivery of supplies is imperative. It can be done. 11 must be done. It shall be done. (President Roosevelt, May 27. 1941).