Signs of Shortage Naval 6. German Sea Transport in the Baltic, now of immense importance but already disorganised by shortage of coal, has been further crippled by shortage of heavy diesel oil, of which it is now known that there are practically no stocks in Germany. Oil fuel is also in short supply and has restricted both escorting and bombarding operations by the German surface fleet. Furthermore, the working-up of U-boats in parts of the Baltic has been to some extent impeded. Army 7. The German army is today suffering from greater shortage of liquid fuel than ever before.