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In spite of all these difficulties, the Grusonwerk has succeeded, on
a work-hour basis, in keeping up with German competition in all products, and
in surpassing them in many lines by careful preparation of work and a system of
incentive payments. Our developmental work in the fields of Widia tools, the
boring of gun barrels and especially the casting of Pearlite shells, in which
we had the leading position for some time, was recognized by the military
authorities. For its active work in the saving of labor in the manufacture of
8.8 cm. high explosive shells, the Grusonwerk received from the Minister for
Armament and Munitions (a letter of congratulation and thanks which is attached
hereto as annex 2).*
Accomplishments in ship construction
In the field of submarine construction, the Germaniawerft, which
belongs to our firm, is the recognized birthplace of the German submarine and
after a preparatory and developmental period of nearly 40 years reached the
full unfolding of its capacities in this war. The beginning of the war brought
an almost unprepared and sudden change from limited to mass production of a
submarine fleet which in its size had never existed previously. Design and
construction were built up in the main on the experiences of the Germaniawerft.
The Germaniawerft also received the leadership in the industry by the
assignment to it of a large number of shipyards and also assisting plants in
the interior of Germany as licensees. In the course of the war the number of
types increased to an extent not previously known. The Germaniawerft succeeded
by excellent planning and direction of details in reducing the construction
period to two thirds and to achieve a high rate of construction while, at the
same time, the maintenance of quality remained the most important principle. We
can certainly maintain that without the giving of the experiences and without
the participation of the Germaniawerft as planning and leading shipyard, the
powerful program of the navy could not have been carried out with the precision
with which it is now being furthered.
To these unprecedented
accomplishments of the Germaniawerft must be added that important machinery and
equipment of the submarines, especially the Diesel engines for all types made
by the Germaniawerft, were also designed by the latter and are being built
under their licenses by shipyards and engine plants.
The Germaniawerft
has also taken a leading part in the building of surface vessels. As a special
accomplishment we refer here to the successes which the shipyard gained after
the change- […over] |
__________
* The letter of
congratulation mentioned was not included in the exhibit.
335 |
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