New-York tribune., 1918-03-10
Organization of
First American
Field Army Begun
Five or Six Army Corps to
Form Complete Fight
ing Unit
On 100 Mile Front
BY 1919 U. S. Will Hold
Longer Line Than Did
British in Two Years

WASHINGTON. March 9. - With
men. material and supplies moving
forward to General Pershing in full
accordance with the prearranged sched-
ule, the War Department has taken
up the organization of the first field
army, the largest tactical unit used
in modern warfare. Until General
Pershing has under command a COM
plete field army. no further organiza-
ton of fighting units will be started.
1t was originally the intention of the
department to form the typical" field
army by combining three army corps.
but 1T is understood this plan has been
abandoned for one which calls for
tive or six. The purpose of this is to
reduce the number of men required
tor organizing the army troops-the
special units attached specifically to
the field army for use in controlling
the lines of communication from the
ports Of debarkation to the army
corps railroads
The army troops include also the
great artillery reserve of eight, ten
and twelve-lnch guns, both Of fixed
emplacement and mobile type, the anti
aircraft guns and the other units
which the commander in chief is given
to throw against an enemy offensive.
An army corps under ordinary con-
dltlonS OF terrain can be expected to
hold slxteenmile front of trenches.
or about nine miles of geographical
front. The first American field army
| therefore may be able to take over
one hundred miles of French line.
| Censorship regulations prohibit the
publication Of the approximate date
upon which this may be expected. If
the present schedule is maintained.
however, it is safe to say that by
January, 1919, or earlier American
troops will be holding a longer stretch
of front than was held by the British
after more than two years of war
Under the six corps field army plan
auxiliary troops numbering more than
100000 would be required. each army
corps having about 10000 and the
field army 10000 The same num-
4 Der OF fighting men under the three
corps plan would have required be-
tween 100000 and 100000 corps and
army troops.
While it should be stated that no
definite plan Of organization has vet
been approved. it is known that Gen
! eral Pershlng has expressed himself
IN favor of the larger unit.
May Appoint Wood
Selection of the commander Of the
first field army under General Pershinl
has not yet been discussed, it was sale
to-day. There was some speculation
IN this regard, however, the names 0.
Major Generals Leonard Wood. Frank
lin j. Bell and Hunter Liggett having
been prominently mentioned. 1t j:
| practically certain that the man as
signed will be given the rank of lieu
/ tenant general, provided in recent ac
of Congress.
Brigadier General Guy Carleton ha.
/ been assigned to the duty of organizing
the cavalry units included in the corp:
troops. Camp Wadsworth, South Caro-
lima, probably will be the mobilization
point of these forces. and the War De
partment already is moving to provide
the necessary regimental and squadron
officers. Graduates of the officers
J training camps who, after having beer
/ initlaly commissioned in the cavalry
arm, have been recommissioned in tielt
artillery or infantry are being recalled
to the cavalry. Additional officers are
/ to be secured by divisional commanders
recommending those especially fit fol
the mounted service.
/ Beyond the fact that the present pro
/ gramme calls for not less than one
squadron for every division. publica
tion of details of the construction O,
the corps cavalry units is withheld fol
military reasons