"Alan Minyard" wrote in message
...
On 19 Oct 2003 15:11:17 -0700, (robert arndt) wrote:



Because they HAD to. They were cut off from all natural sources.


Well yes and no

They started building those plants a long time before the war began
so as to be independent of foreign suppliers, memories of the
blockade of WW1 were doubtless a significant factor but
its worth recalling that similar plants were built in Britain which
wasnt cut off.

In those days both Germany and Britain had ample coal reserves
so being less reliant on foreign oil suppliers was seen as good
strategy.

Keith