Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-08-08
ARMY UNITS
CONTINUED from Page one)



The war department order was an
nounced in a statement issued by the
public information committee tonight
as follows:
"A general order made public by the
adjutant generals Office today pro-
vides for important changes in the or
ganization of the army.
The ratio of artillery strength to
infantry is greatly increased. A d.
vision will hereafter include only four
infantry regiments in two brigades in
place of the old division of three bril-
gades, each comprising three regi-
ments of infantry. There will be three
regiments of field artillery in each
division. Thus in the new organiza-
ton there will be three regiments of
field artillery to every four regiments
of infantry instead of the ratio of three
to one. In addition to a trench mortar
battery is attached to each division.
Machine Gun Arm Bigger
The machine gun arm is also ma
terially enlarged. A machine gun bat
talon of four companies has been
made unit of each division. in addi-
ton to the three machine gun compa-
MES included in each regiment.
The American division will be made
by this order to conform practically
to the units utilized by the Entente
allies, among whom a division num-
bers approximately 10000 men. The
reason for the change is that the di-
vision a heretofore made up of about
$4,000 men is too unwieldly for the de-
mands of trench warfare With so
large a unit, sure and swift commune
cation with all parts is difficult. The
problem to be met was basicallv of
mobility for the peculiar needs of
fighting on the western front
Provide Reserve BattaIions
The smaller sized divisions call for
the maintenance of all units at fighting
strength. For this purpose reserve bat
talions will be provided. These will
consist of 612 men each and are list
cd in the general order at Separate
training battalions.' The number of
these battalions has not been made
public. Details of regimental organiza-
ton are also withheld for military
reasons.
THE new order calls for army corps
and armies. units which have practi-
cally existed only on paper since the
Civil War. Corps were organized dur
ing the Spanish war, but were not ac-
tually operated as such to any great
extent.
Each army corps will consist Of three
infantry divisions. corps headquarters
and certain army corps troops not
specified. Each army will normally
eSc% ~
army headquarters and certain army
troops not specified.
Under the new order each infantry d.
vision will be composed as follows, the
changes from the present organization be-
ing al indicated:
zone division headquarters (same as at
presently.
"One machine gun battalion Of four
companies (new).
1.-Two infantry brigades Of two reE-
ments and one machine gun battalion
four companies) each. (The present d.
vision is three infantry brgades of three
regiments each.)
"One field artillery brigade Of three
regiments and one trench mortar battery
(same except trench mortar battery Is
new.
lone field signal battalion (same)
lone train headquarters and military
police (same).
zone ammunition train (same).
zone supply train (same)
lone engineer train (same except that
pontoon and searchlight sections are not
included In new plan).
zone sanitary train Of four field hos
pital companies and four ambulance COM
panies (same).
No Cavalry Units
THE new organization provides for no
cavalry. while the division as at present
constituted calls for one regiment of cav
airy. The present division also calls for
one aero squadron, while the new calls
for none. the air craft units being other
wise provided for.
THE order specifies is divisions OF tho
national army to be organized and num-
bered from IS to 81. both inclusive, and
states the numbers to be given to each
of the different units in each division. 1t
provides that the IS divisions of the ma
tional guard now organized shall be re-
organized to conform to the new plan as
soon as practicable after their arrival In
the training camp.
THE regular army the national guard
and national army will all conform to
the same PLAN