The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-11-06
MAN IN TRENCH
CITED AS STILL
WINNING WARS
Colonel Miller Holds High
Priced Mechanisms
Largely a Waste

ANN ARBOR, Mich. Nov. c.
(UP)-Col. Henry w. Miller,
chief of American heavy artillery
during the World war, finds proof
in the Chinese and Spanish wars
of his contention that bombers
and tanks and other high-priced
instruments of modern warfare
are largely waste of money.
Miller now is head of the Uni
verSity of Michigan department
of mechanical and engineering
drawing and is considered an au-
thority on artillery.
War in China and Spain has
demonstrated, he believes, that
the common soldier with his rifle
or machine gun still is the deter
mining factor in winning battles.
He points to China's surprising
stand against Japan as proof that
giant bombing planes, spectacular
flame-throwers, motorized cavalry
and artillery are useless against
an entrenched force Of infantry.
"You may law down a barrage
of heavy artillery until it seems
no living thing could survive"
Miller said, "yct the enemy will
appear in force from the ground
to meet your infantry advance.
TROOP BOMBING
INEFFECTIVE
Bombing ground troops from
the air is more costly, and even
less effective. Bombers should be
used only against cities, factories,
rail centers, munition depots and
concentration camps"
Miller predicted that the "hu-
man factor" eventually would de-
eide the Sino-Japanese war.
81 think that military men will
agree" he said, that the Chi
nese soldier in his padded coat,
holding his trenches with ma
chine gun and hand rifle, accus-
toned to the North China climate
and to poor food and little of it,
is in a better position tactically
than is the Japanese.
IF the defending force can
keep up supply Of food and
small ammunition, the result may
surprise those who favor pro-
gram Of mechanization and mo-
torization."
Miller weighed the new instru-
ments of warfare against what he
considers the four actors essen
tial to O successful army and con-
cluded that they were virtually
useless. The four necessary quail
ficationS are:
|. Ability to obtain and trans
nit intelligence.
.. Ability to deliver force,
either by surprise or by impact.
3. Ability to hold gains.
4. Ability to service troops III
the field.
NOT ENTHUSIASTIC
OVER TANKS
Miller believes that, as far as
these essential functions OF an
army are concerned, such weap-
ons as airplanes, giant guns,
"wheeled fortress" tanks and
bombing devices have little prac-
tical value.
He conceded the airplane's ex-
tensive usefulness in obtaining in
formation, but insisted that its
field should be limited.
Both of the wars now in prog
ress, Miller believes, already have
demonstrated the overwhelming
Importance of the man in the
trench-his ability to withstand
the hardships of warfare, his i'm
munity to disease and his fighting
spirit. -
"Japan's present desperation"
he said, sis understandable. In
addition, Oriental face-saving de-
mands an early and decisive VIC,
tory Yet it is extremely doubtful
whether the war machine which
Japan has elaborated at such
pains and cost will gain much
Roadway over several hundred
thousand coolies in their muddy
trenches.
"China's good earth has a new
and very definite meaning from
the military point of view," Mil
Ter said.