The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-05-24

rifles no longer are enough.
General George g. Marshall, Army
Chief Of staff, estimates that only
5000 regulars are ready to take
their places In the continental de-
tense scheme. Twenty-Five thou
sand enlisted reserves are available
as quick reinforcements Another
10000 troops, well-equipped and
well-trained, are stationed In the
overseas strongholds Of Puerto
Rico, Panama and Hawaii.
Good Progress Made
Despite the relatively small con-
tinental forces, substantial prog
ress has been made this year in
bringing scattered units together
into actual divisions - few as
they are. One nearly complete
mechanical division was formed
Germany Is believed to have at
least 10. Marshall stressed that
this one division was formed only by
depriving certain infantry and
cavalry units OF vital equipment.
The mechanical division has been
put through Its first test In the
louisiana Texas sector where 10000
regular troops have been concen-
trated In the largest rnaneuvers since
the World War. Similar war games,
involving about 10000 regular, re-
serve and National Guard men, are
scheduled for other sections OF the
country throughout the summer
months.
Although Congress has provided
S4,4i9 100000 for the Army In the
last II years, the Senate has found
II necessary to vote another 81 $685.
252,724 for the fiscal year l94l TO
close vital gaps In the setup.
National policy commits the
United States 10 defend not only It's
own territory but as much as posi-
BILE OF the entire Western Hemis-
phere from the Arctic Ocean to
Cape Horn. The Army Is far from
ready for such assignment
TO Provide Weapons
The new defense program, how
ever, Is designed 10 provide weapons
and other essential materials for
the proposed ,000-man army
that would be sent into the field
under the protective mobilization
plan. Marshall has said 1t Is more
important to provide this material
thsn II Is TO Increase personnel In
tho standing Army.
Lack OF material becomes OF spe-
cial Importance not only because "
takes O long time TO manufacture,
but because lack Of " makes 1t i'm
possible for US TO capitalize on Our
greatest national afSet, that Is, Our
manpower," he told Congress re-
Gently. without adequate mater
ial, q soldier Is In q hopeless, q tragic
situation on the battlefield"
Present Standing Army
The present Standing Army num-
bcrs al 900 -- 227,000 enlisted men
and $4,000 officers. The National
Guard forces total 25l 900 men and
officers. There are 1906 900 reserve
officers and 10000 enlisted reserve
men.
The emphasis this year will be on
material rather than men, although
tho enlisted manpower OF the Army
Is scheduled for an increase TO the
full peace-time authorized total OF
100000.
The number Of semi-automatic
Garand 80 calibre rifles OF which
the Army now has $4,000 and 10000
on order, will be boosted 10 q total
OF 240,650.
Latest model lightweight and
medium. weight tanks, Of which the
Army had 10 and 10 respectively,
on May /, will be boosted TO 1874 and
1914 under the new program. The
Army has more than 300 oid-type
tanks, a few OF which date back TO
World War days.
Boost Car Numbers
In addition, the number Of scout
and combat cars, now totalling 500,
will be boosted 10 1854. The Army
now has 1913 37-mm. anti-tank guns
and this number will be increased
TO 1888 In the new program.
To put the Army on wheels for
quick movement, the total number
OF motor vehicles will be increased
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at the end Of next year.
In addition, almost every item Of
Army equipment will be increased,
with particular emphasis on
bombs, bullets, shells, tanks and
Howitzers, and the formation OF IS
mobile anti-aircraft regiments.
Two thousand more parachutes
will be bought.
The Army will be provided with
$500, 900 yards Of wool cloth for uni
forms, OF which 1t now has none.
Gas masks, now totalling 407 600,
will be boosted to 1,297,000.
ISIS Speeded Up
Modernization Of old French 75's,
backbone Of the light artillery, will
be speeded up. The Army has about
5000 Of these, but only 10l have
been modernized, and 1t Is planned
to improve at least 1882. The Army
now has 90 75-mm. Howitzers and
this number will be increased to
319. 1t possesses none of the
105-mm. Howitzers, but plans to buy
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