SPEED-UP NEEDED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 November 1941, Page 6

SPEED-UP NEEDED

IN AMERICAN PRODUCTION OF WEAPONS OUTPUT NOT YET GREAT. HOPES OF BIG EXPANSION SHORTLY. Britain, alive to the possibility that the hope of an early peace may be won or, lost on the Eastern Front in the next few weeks, has sent part of her Air Force there and promises that all tanks produced next week will go to Russia, says the “Christian Science Monitor” of September 16. If Russia's millions of men are to continue to keep the Nazis busy—how much Americans unconsciously count on their being busy!—they must have machines from Britain and America. It is against this background that

President Roosevelt’s report on operation of the Lend-Lease Act should be read. In terms of dollars allocated — nearly all of the original 7,000,000,000 —it shows good progress. In terms of production some months hence —work - started on 1,000,000,000 dollars’' worth ; of bombers —it gives a promising pic- - ture of what American industrj r can s do once it gets rolling. The prospect - justifies the President’s assurance that - “the flow of aeroplanes, tanks, guns ; and ships” will increase “until the ) stream becomes a river, and the river a torrent, engulfing this totalitarian ■ tyranny.” But in terms of weapons actually delivered, the . stream is still a trickle. The military and naval material exported under the Lend-Lease Act totals only 72,373,132 dollars—only about one-hundredth part of the money appropriated. It is with machines, not money, that the men in the front lines have to fight. The picture is even worse when the whole American defence effort is measured in terms of machines available. The British could help the Russians indirectly by more intensive bombing operations, which would really make a new Western Front. They must rely chiefly on the heavy fourmotored bombers. In one night they lost nine. In June, America produced 12, in July 14. The Russians have stopped the Nazis temporarily several times with tanks. They are reported to have had tens of thousands. America has produced slightly more than 1000 light tanks—of little use against heavy ones —and is producing only 100 medium tanks a month. Of anti-tank guns, not the heaviest type, 72 were produced in July and 160 in August. Cities and merchant ships could use scores of anti-aircraft guns for every one they are getting.

The lag in American production is explained on the ground that it takes time to tool-up for mass production; and there is hope that the preparatory work already done will soon be showing big results. The trickle should become a river by spring. But before that there is a long “until.” All concerned should take to heart the mistakes that have been made and redouble efforts to correct them and speed production.