Evening star., 1937-08-15

ton OF the Infantry division is neces-
sary because OF rapid advances in
weapons and mechanizat ton. just as 1t
has been necessary in the Cavalry.
The reorganized I'd Division. 1t is
anticipated, will be able to utilize to
the utmost the advantages Of motor
ization. mechanization and increased
fire power
Two primary objectives were
stressed" the War Department ex-
planned Every facility was to be
given to increasing the strategical
and tactical mobility Of the Army and
also mechanical power was to be
utilized to the greatest possible extent
in order to economic in manpower."
THE new division is marked de-
parture in several directions from that
which We now have. One of the main
purposes which actuated its formation
was the desire to remove from all
organizations the so-called "contin-
gent duties and supply. Instead of
being prepared at the expense Of large
numbers Of men and great volume of
material to be all things unto them
selves. in the future all arms and serv-
ices must trust one another to per
form their assigned functions.
Command Unified.
'In the proposed division, the Signal
Corps will furnish all signal communi-
no
troll.
The Ordnance Department will be
responsible for ammunition supply to
combat units
The Artillery will be responsible for
all artillery support, high explosives
and chemical
The size. organiza ton and equip
ment Of combat units will be such as
will permit maximum fire power. max
imum tactical maneuvera bility, rapid
strategical movement with reliable and
rapid means of control during active
operations of the combined arms.
The organization OF component
units of the different arms will be such
as to permit ready creation Of subordi-
nate Infantry Artillery combat teams,
with a flexible organizat ton of the
service units which will permit the
attachment OF special groupings Of
services to such combat teams"
Acceleration OF operation in open
warfare, it was explained. requires
that the number Of command echelons
be reduced to the minimum. that
reconnaissance and security elements,
motorized or or mechanized. be pro-
vided for divisions; that the size Of
staffs. headquarters units and service
units be no larger than needed for
effective coordination Of combat and
administrative functions, and that the
certainty and speed Of communication
be increased. For this reason, the
brigade and infantry section within
the divisions will be eliminated and
headquarters units and service units
will be combined.
Some Weapons to Be Pooled.
Economy requires that weapons.
services. personnel and equipment not
always required. but needed only under
certain contingencies, be pooled. it
was explained Such pools will include
mechanical forces, motor transporta-
ton, bands, reserves Of supplies, in
cluding ammunition. requirements,
reinforcing artillery, engineer, medical
and quartermaster units. Due to the
open warfare situation for which the
organizat ton is designed, an organic
reconnaissance unit has been added.
A new type of tricycle.. with two rear
driving wheels, is proposed for the
reconnaissance squadron. 1t will carry
a. driver and machine gunner. For
the present motor cycles with side
cars will be employed. The squadron
scout car will be armored to with
stand rifle and .3O-caliber machine
gun fire, and even glancing fire OF
.50-caliber guns.
The new Garand semi-automatic
shoulder rife or weapon Of similar
type is to replace the ordinary In
fantry rife
The purpose Of the Texas tests, In
brief, War Department officials sum-
married, Is:
"To test the organization Of the
proposed division and that Of its
component and attached units, to
determine their suitability to execute
division missions In accordance with
modernized tactical doctrines Of the
Army.
ITO develop the technique Of en-
ploying q division and component and
attached units organized under the
new division set-up and to conduct
practical experiments with view to
determining facts and recommended
tions upon which the War Depart
ment can prescribe an organization
best suited for the Army's purposes
in modern warfare.
"To determine If, and to what ex-
tent, the proposed division is ma
terially better than the present d.
vision organisation for war At an
approximate strength Of $4,000, or
II the new division is better than
the existing division Of the unit now
in use were moderniaed. motorized and
reduced IN strength - approximately
1900 e68oees and Dsa."