Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-30

Tomorrow more than $50 airplanes Of
the Army Air Corps, including approx
mately 100 fighting planes, will concen-
trate at Mather Field. Sacramento,
Calf. for three weeks Of what are eX-
pected to be the most important peace
time maneuverS in the history OF the
military air service.
The exercises, 1t has been pointed out
by Mai. Gen. James E. Fechet. chief oil
the Air Corps, will be the fifSt IN the
history of American Army aviation in
which the air units will function en-
tirely as an independent air force. me
lnaneuvers will eliminate with the f1rst
simulated defense of the American coast
by unsupported Army aircraft against
a hostile naval and ground attack.
The groups and SquadronS to particle
pate In the maneuvtTS are TO be Or
ganiZed into the lst Provisional Wing,
which will be commanded by Brig. Gen.
William E. Gilmore, assistant chief OF
the Air Corps in charge of training and
operations.
Tactical Tests Second Week.
The first week is to be devoted to air.
drone discipline, reconnaissance, flight,
squadron and group training. The sec
ond week is to be taken up with tactical
tests. The final weeks operations viii
combine the fruits OF the FIRST TWO
weeks in simulated battle tactics which
will test to the utmost every unit, every
man and every bit of equipment in the
Provisional Wing.
The chronological progress Of the air
problems to be undertaken, as outlined
by Gen Fechet, is to be as follows:
1-Airdrome discipline and familiar
ization with surrounding country, calling
for operations of small elements.
GROUP training, including ground
inspection and aerial review.
3-Tactical employment OF separate
groups. functioning under sealed orders;
4-Simulated attack on Crissy Field
for purposes of rendezvous experience
and timing accuracy.
5-Pursuit attacks against lombard
ment and attack planes and defensive
tactics of the latter
6-Interceptive and communication
problems staged under sealed orders,
which will bring into play the Army
Air Corps latest experimental develop
ment OF radio telephone communication
between ground and planes, as well as
between planes while in flight.
Bridges TO be Attacked.
Engagement of pursuit against
pursuit planes protecting bombardment
and attack planes on their respective
missions.
8. Air force attack on railroad bridges
crossing the MERGED River, north OF
MERGED.
e-Bombardment and attack planes
staging raid on railroad Junction at
Modesto and the highways connecting
Modesto with Turlock and Crows Land
ing. o,o,,,,, ,or,-
bardmant and pursuit alroomes just
before dawn.
11-Simulated attack on shipping at
the entrance to San Francisco Bay 70
illustrate method employed by air force
In operating against hostile feet.
In the defense of San Francisco an
entirely new strategic plan will be en-
ployed. Instead of launching the at
tack against the enemy fleet as soon as
1t comes within range, the attack Will
be postponed until the fleet has arrived
Just off the Golden Gate.
1.-THE attack" Gen. Fechet said, will
be of an unusually spectacular nature
and will be staged within sight OF land
Pursuit will simulate attack against
enemy feet aviatio.-; attack planes VIII
operate against assumed aircraft car
riers, anti-aircraft defenses, range
finding devices and secondary batteries.
while bombardment will concentrate
upon capital ships"
Gen. Gilmore, as commanding gen
eral of the wing, will have on his stan
Lieut.. Col. Frank Andrews, chief OF
staff: Mai. Thomas D. Milling, intelli-
gence; Maj. Willis Hale, operations;
Mai. H. H Arnold, supply, and Maj. M
r. Davis, personnel.
Dawson to Sec Maneuvers.
The provisional wing will function
under the direct command OF Maj. Gen
prank L. Hines, commanding general OF
the 9th Corps Area, in which the field
exercises win take place. F. Trubee
! Dawson, Assistant Secretary of Wal
for Aeronautics, will attend the ma
neuvers, as viii air attaches represent
ing the various foreign countries ane