Evening star., 1940-07-28

The objective is a trained Army
OF million men. thoroughly
equipped and supported by vast
stores OF arms and ammunition, if the
urgent need continues. The ceiling
has been taken off regarding mill
tary aviation, with 1000 planes
under order and $4,000 personnel by
next year Modelled after the effec-
tive panZer division of the German
invasion, the Army already has a
new combat unit-an armored corps
of two divisions. already equipped.
which will be expanded just as soon
as heavy tanks can be turned out
Vast quantities of munitions and
materiel of all sorts are being pro-
vided not only for equipment of
the expanded Army, but for a great
reservoir. The world has been
secured for tremendous quantities
of strategic raw materials, which
are now coming in for storage
against possible future needs.
After 20 years of preparedness
holiday for the Army, and six years
behind the start of the Navy build
ing program in 1888. the drive to
make the Army ready is now in full
swing and industrial production will
grow in momentum. 1t must be
clearly understood that only a frac-
ton of the tremendous appropri-
ations now being made for the
Army go into increasing the actual
fighting force. This enormously eX-
panded program entails innumer-
able collateral eXpenses-such as
housing, air corps technical con-
struction, extension Of production
facilities, new tooling, enlarged
training programs-all in addition
to housekeeping and maintenance
costs.
Nations Biggest Force.
The United States today has the
largest peace-time fighting force it
ever had-an authorized Army of
375,0O0, with 145,0O0 to be recruited
during the coming year $4,000 for
the ground forces and 47,000 air
corps enlisted mem, all of whom
will be thoroughly equipped within
two years. To illustrate how the
expansion has been made by leaps
and bounds-the Army started in
June, 1899, with a fighting force of
$4,000 men, Congress said, Well
give you S2l0000"; then in Sep
tember the President asked for
227,000: in May Gen George C.
Marshall, chief of staff, said he
should have $4,000 more: the Sen
ate added enough to make it $780,
900, which was estimated to be the
correct size of the standing Army
in peace time; the last supplemental
appropriation bill added $4,000 men
100000 of whom are for the air
corps by giving money to increase
the Army to 375.000 But these are
not concentrated in a fighting unit.
Gen. Marshall estimates that he
needs 10000 men for overseas duty
in Puerto Rico, Panama, Hawaii.
the Philippines and Alaska for sea-
coast defenses, anti-aircraft ground
force to protect aviation and naval
bases. Also must be deducted 95 900
in the air corps and another 10000
Tor general housekeeping. overhead,
schools, instructors and on duty
with the National Guard, R. o. T.
c. and recruiting.
This is a total Of 225 .0O0, leaving
only 10000 for striking force of
ground troops. The Regular Army
has 1880 officers. About 5000 Re-
serve officers are to be called to eX-
tended active duty with troops of
the Regular Army by a selective
process to fill particular posts for
which they have special technical
training. The National Guard is
to be expanded to 1900 officers
and 235 900 enlisted men. The pres
ent strength of the Officers Reserve
Corps is approximately 1250OO, in
including about 5000 who were grad
uated this year from the senior R.
o. T. c. courses. approximately
10000 of these are considered
available for active duty assign
ments in the event of an emergency.
The Regular Army Enlisted Reserve
consists of about $4,000 men, all of
whom have served at least one en-
listment in the Regular Army.
Ways of Protection.
AS the Navy building program
places emphasis on Navy aviation.
so also does the Army preparedness
program consider development of
super air corps imperatively urgent.
and that land-based aviation is the
air force Of defense. Navy aviation
goes with the fleet, as its "eyes." for
scouting duty and to protect the
fleet Military aviation protects the
naval bases, the overseas insular
and territorial possessions-as well
as being a most important combat
arm in modern warfare. Military
aviation is divided into two branches:
% Goes with the Army particularly
for scout duty and for quick mes
senger service; (2) actually fights
against the air force of an enemy
nghts what comes over the fleet.
Aid Combat Supplies
The Army now has on hand about
5000 serviceable military airplanes.
In addition, Congress has approved
funds to provide for aircraft-and
all necessary technical and extreme
ly expensive scientific equipment
In sufficient numbers to bring the
total airplane strength up to 1000
by 1912. This contemplates 1913
tactical squadrons OF the total only
1000 are scheduled for use at one