Evening star., 1939-11-26

sion, therefore, has total of SO guns of
75-millimeter caliber and 16 howitzers Of
l55-millimeter caliber.
The division engineers are organized
into a battalion consisting of a head
quarters detachment and three combat
companies.
The medical battalion, with a strength
of IA officers and 220 enlisted men, is
organized to provide sufficient personnel
and facilities for the care and evacua-
tion of the sick and battle casualties un-
der field conditions. In addition to the
battalion, medical personnel are at
tached to the various units of the divi-
sion.
The quartermaster battalion, consist
ing OF headquarters company and a
truck company, with total strength of
IL officers and 225 enlisted men, is ex-
peeted under the new organization to be
able to handle quickly and efficiently
the supply of the division and to pro-
vide limited facilities for repair and
maintenance of motor vehicles.
The Signal Corps component will con-
slst of division signal company of 7
officers and ITS enlisted men and will
provide communications for organiza-
ions down to the regiments.
Changes in All Services.
Not only infantry and artillery have
undergone basic changes in the compost
ton OF the new divisions-the other arms
and services have undergone or are un-
dergolng changes nearly as profound.
Under the reorganization, the Corps of
Engineers is forming three new regi-
ments, the 21st at Fort Benning, Ga;
the 18th (combab at Fort Devens, Mass.
and the 10th Qight pontoon) at Fort Du
Pont, Del
Each OF the new Army corps is to have
as part of its basic organization one
regiment of engineers (combaO and one
regiment of engineers general service).
1t also has been recommended that one
engineer company (topographicaD, with
peace strength of go and war strength
OF 100, be assigned to each corps.
Assignment Of additional engineer
units to general headquarters is under
study, particularly as regards units for
assignment to the mechanical brigades
and the General Headquarters Air Force.
The cavalry, probably already more
affected than any other arm by the tidal
wave of mechanization, also faces fur
ther changes. AS a result of lessons
learned during the recent 1st Cavalry
Division maneuvers near Balmorhea,
1ey Rrip Gan
sion commander and former commander
of Fort Myer. Va, has recommended to
the War Department several vital
changes.
The size of the cavalry division should
be approximately doubled and its mech
anized strength greatly increased, Gen.
Joyce recommended. Peace strength of
the division should be war strength
IN other words, the cavalry division
should be constantly at full war strength
trained constantly as a team and freed
from "the ruinous dilution that takes
place on the outbreak of war with the
receipt of new officers, brand-new re-
cruits and unframed mounts" He rec
commended the provision of additional
lighting cars to supplement the recon-
naissance cars of the cavalry and the
addition to the cavalry division of a bat
talon of -millimeter howitzers. mo-
torized 37-millimeter pack howitzer units
and facilities for the rapid transporta-
ton of hand grenades.
Gen. joyce, in other words. believes the
cavalry division should be an "M-Dav"
force, constantly ready for action as the
spearhead of the ground forces. on the
same basis of preparedness for emergency
as are the Navy and the General Head
quarters Air Force
The field artillery is organizing eight
additional battalions and one new resi-
ment.
Funds Needed for Equipment
Funds appropriated by Congress dur
ing the past session will half equip an
initial protective force of 100000 with
the latest weapons and transportation by
the end of the 1912 fiscal year. Addi-
t1onal funds to complete the equipment
OF this force unquestionably will be
asked OF Congress this winter.
Congress also will be asked, it is un-
derstood, to consider additional increases,
including the organization of a total of
cavalry divisions, 81 coast artillery
anti-aircraft regiments and 81 sea coast
defense units.
Two new coast artillery anti aircraft
regiments now are being organized.
To keep pace with the field organiza-
ton, the War Department has ordered
that courses at II general and special
service schools of the Army shall be
shortened to permit officer students to
take part in the division and corps
maneuvers of the winter and spring.
The corps maneuvers are tentatively
scheduled to begin about the middle of
May. Theoretical portions of the courses
IN these various schools will be COM
pleted about February l and actual
field service with troops is expected to
round out the interrupted school term.
While the divisions are in the South,
many under tents, the permanent hous-
ing installations in the temporarily va
cant or reduced Northern posts will be
used for the organization of newly-cre-
ated units, which then will be sent to
field stations in the South.
Among the great nations of the earth.
the United States traditionally is most
backward in its plans for national de-
fense. In the face Of world conditions
OF challenging gravity, our defenses now