Evening star., 1940-05-19

ular Army's peace quota is 28,850 trucks
and cars of commercial type. About
$4,000 OF these were ordered last Octo-
Der. Deliveries started in January, and
will be completed this month In addi-
ton, the Army began in 1899 a five-year
program, at rate of 81, 300 900 annually,
for the replacement of worn-out vehicles
purchased in 1885 or earlier with P. w
A. funds. Even SO, in case of hostilities
the Army would still have to resort in
part to the shuttle" system, under
which one battalion of regiment is
transported to the front, while the other
two wait their turn.
Vehicles Below Needs.
All of the artillery in the National
Guard is motorized, but in June, l94l, 1t
will have on hand less than $4,000
vehicles out of a peace requirement of
$4,000 There is a five-year program in
the National Guard also for the replace
ment of ancient motors, at a rate of
Sl.731570 annually. According to Gen.
Marshall National Guard divisions are
now tied immobile to the ground. They
Sci1iioo AidllCuSC1 dS ulFlSlOIlS. 1ney
cannot take the field as such, and yet
they are part of the initial protective
force which must be able to move in an
emergency"
Under the head of fixed coast de-
fenses, the United States possesses 81
forts in 10 harbors. In time of peace,
these are mostly in the custody of skeIe-
ton crews of caretakers At the outset
Of war, in addition to some Regular
Army forces, they would be taken over
by IA regiments of the National Guard.
Some Of the equipment dates from the
Spanish American War, and most of it is
confined to 6-inch cannon. On the
Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific shores to-
gether there are perhaps four or five
batteries of 16-inch guns.
Coast Defenses Weak.
BY way of mobile coast defense, the
Army is equipped with very few IL
inch railway mortars and and IA inch
railway cannon. There are no military
highways or railroads, but plans exist
for adapting commercial roads and rails
to Army use. Our coast defenses as a
whole are described as "undermanned,
understaffed and underequipped" For
their modernization the War Depart
ment is asking $95 900, ,0oO-a process
which would require between three and
five years.
The Nations total equipment of COM
bat cars amounts to something like $50
tanks, with orders for 1923 more which
are to be completed late in 1941. OF the
tanks at hand 112 are concentrated in
the solitary mechanical brigade. All are
Of light and medium weight, ranging
from 9 to II tons. Excepting one or
two for experimental purposes. we have
no heavy tanks, for which the Army
sees little prospect of USE Mobilization
day requirements are put at 928 light
and medium tanks. The Regular Army
has five battalions and the National
Guard 10 companies of tank troops.
Outside field artillery, the chief weapon
available for resistance to enemy tanks
is the so caliber machine gun. This Is
to be replaced with a more powerful
arm; the 37-millimeter anti-tank gun.
OF the latter 1855 are needed. Funds
are at hand for IA. leaving q shortage
Of 8l2.
Few Anti-Aircraft Guns.
At present the Army has 1890 planes
in commission, including training and
cargo ships. All of them are already OBJ
solete, to the extent that they have no
armor, anti-leak tanks or 37-millimeter
guns firing explosive shells.
In Europe bombing has been practiced
at heights of from 18,OOV to $4,000 feet.
The American Army has 174 anti
aircraft guns, or perhaps enough for the
defense Of one small city. About 400
more are on order, giving total perhaps
sufficient to protect New York. These
are mostly 3-inch guns, which are not
regarded as effective against targets
more than $4,000 feet above. For defense
against bombers at higher attitudes the