857.24/102
The Norwegian Embassy to the Department of State
From an economic as well as from a political point of view the Norwegian Government attaches the greatest importance to the question of rebuilding the fertilizer plant at Herøya, which by accident was damaged and put out of operation during the bombing raid last summer. The Norwegian people had willingly and even cheerfully carried all the burdens which present conditions impose upon them, and they have never objected to destruction of lives and property in their country as long as it served our common war aims.
They will find it hard to understand, however, that they should not be permitted to rebuild a factory which was not the objective of the bombing, and which does not produce for the benefit of the enemy.
It must be considered out of the question that the articles needed for the rebuilding of the factory—and which are now awaiting export license from Sweden—will be sent to Germany. It is a question of special machinery and spare parts for same, exclusively manufactured and destined for Herøya. On the contrary, German industry will be deprived of important material, as most of the articles in question, viz. pumps, pipes etc., all made from iron, originate in Germany. What Germany cannot furnish, which is chiefly acid resistant material, will be bought in Sweden.
Information which has been received indicates that the factory could be rebuilt in time to produce for this year’s harvest.
Nitric acid was produced at Rjukan only, and not at Herøya. The acid was exported mainly to Sweden and possibly a very small quantity to Finland, but not at all to Germany, which covers its own needs. Heavy water likewise was only produced at Rjukan. It may be mentioned that according to reports now received, the heavy water production at Rjukan has been stopped until after the war. Sulphuric acid was not yet produced at Herøya. A factory for the production of sulphuric acid was under construction, but far from finished. The production of soda ash at Herøya was not sufficient for Norwegian consumption. The greater part of the soda ash produced was used in the soap industry. Only a very small part was used by the aluminum industry.
It should be added that the rebuilding of the fertilizer factory at Herøya would employ a great many people whom the Germans might otherwise use for their own purposes.
It is true that the nitric acid factory was, and still is, on the list of bombing objectives. It is understood, however, that this by no means signifies that this factory was to be bombed. The list of objectives is very long and comprizes all kinds of objectives. The fact that an objective has been made part of the list is understood to be indicative [Page 1196] of a certain control only, and that a factory will be actually bombed only whenever specific reasons are present. It would seem that it is the priority which is decisive, and not the fact of inclusion in the list. The factory in question did not have a priority, and it is generally agreed that the destruction of the nitric acid factory was “accidental”.
With regard to the risk of the enemy destroying the rebuilt factory in connection with the evacuation of Norway, this would, of course, be a very deplorable thing. Norway, however, is ready to run that risk and take the consequences thereof. The importance of the rebuilding now of this factory overshadows all such risks.