Daily Kennebec journal., 1917-08-17

Gently announced division re- organiza-
ton plan is to be carried down into the
regiments and companies.
Infantry Unit to Be 25e
The administrative unit of the in
fantry arm hereafter will be COM
pany with 250 enlisted men and six
commissioned officers, in place OF
something over 100 men and three Of
ficers. The company will be divided
into four platoons. each in command
of lieutenant There will be two
captains, as first and second in COM
mand, one first lieutenant and three
second lieutenants. Reports of the re-
view of American troops in France
yesterday show this plan has already
been carried in Gen. Pershing's for
ceS.
The purpose of designating two cap
tains to each company, it is under
stood, is to provide against disorgani-
zation of the unit through loss of its
commander The second captain, und-
er the European system. does not go
into the battle line with the company,
if his senior is present. He is held
as reserve to reorganize the company
ii necessary.
Under the new plan regiment will
have three battalions Of four companies,
making a total of 1000 men each. Sup
plemented by the regimental headquar-
ters. supply and machine gun organiza-
tions the strength of the new regiments
will be brought up to app oximately $500
men as against a little more than 1000 in
existing war strength regiment.
The unit organization of the field artil
lery and other arms of the service has
not been changed. rs result of reduc-
ing the number of regiments In a divls-
ion the division instead of 8ooo men
will total hereafter about 1900 men. 5000
of them infantry.
The advantages Of he system, in addi-
ton to the better adaptation Of the divis'
ional unit to trench warfare. lie chiefly
in the reduction in overhead expense
One colonel and his regimental staff IN
Guiding his three battalion commanders,
will now handle $500 men instead Of lite
more than 20Q0.
22 New Infantry DIVISIONS
Totals orders show that provision has
been made for organization Of % new in
fantry divisions in addition to the regular
divisions out of troops already called to
the colors. including the first increment OF
6s7, 900 drafted men.
A system of numerical designations
has been worked out under which any
division numbered below IS will be
regulars; between 2S and 75 national
guard. and IS and above national ar
my. Regular infantry brigades will be
numbered from one to 30 inclusive; ma
tional guard. from 81 to $50 and ma
tional army from 151 up. Regular regi-
ments will be numbered from l TO 100.
national guard from 101 to 300 and ma
tional army from 3nl up.
Assignment of brigade, regiment or
other numerical designation will be
in accordance with the numericai order
Of divisions with the result that any
person familiar with the system will
know that the 355th infantry for in
stance, is attached to the 18th brigade
Of tie saith infantry division. and that
/, is composed Of national army troops,
while the 300th infantry regiment, by
the same process. would be in the 150th
brigade and the 18th division, COM
posed Of national guards.
The Collar Insignia
The department approved today COL
lar insignia to designate the three ele-
ments Of the army. Regulars will wear
the standard L. S. monogram. Ma
tional guards will wear a similar mon
ogram with the initials n. G. super