Evening star., 1941-09-07
British Will Watch
War Games Effect
On u. ). Equipment
Visitors Will Learn
Not Advise at Big
Louisiunu Muneuvers
BY NELSON SHEPARD.

British officer observers assigned
to war games starting in the Louis,
iana-Arkansas area September /:
will report home chiefly on the en-.
durance and performance of Amer.
lean Army equipment under th'
strain Of the greatest traininI
rnaneuvers ever conducted by any
Nation.
Clearing up some misapprehensior
over their mission, War Depart.
men spokesman said last night tha
the Britishers will be on the scent
to learn things from us" instead o1
serving in any advisory capacity un'
Ger American field commanders. Be.
cause most of the group of 18 art
either veterans or skilled observers
of recent actual fighting, the i'm.
preston got around that they were
assigned to advise and instruct ou1
own Army leaders in the ways oi
modern warfare.
The mere suggestion, apparently
was enough to worry general stafl
officers considerably.
u. S. Methods Studied.
The Britishers, ranging in rank
from captains to lieutenant colonels
represent every arm of the service
Each is now taking two weeks
"refresher" course in an Army serv-
ice school of the arm to which he
belongs. They are studying Amer
lean methods and American equip
ment as other classes of student Of
ficers are doing.
Especially, it was said, the Brit
ishers are learning how to handle
American mechanical and motor
ized equipment; how to set them up
and tear them down and about re-
placement parts. Then they will &c
into the maneuvers and apply an
expert knowledge to observing what
such equipment in the way Of tanks
'Jeeps." command cars and motor
drawn artillery can do under sinu-
lated battle conditions.
Great Britain's interest in Amer
ican-made military equipment Is ap-
parent. since her own army will be
dependent on them in greater pro-
portion as the European war con-
tinues. After their training in this
country the observers will go back
to England to instruct their own
officers and men in the best way to
handle them.
Planes Already Prove Worth.
ONLY one of the observers, Com
modore H. N. Thornton, air attache
of the British Embassy, represents
the Royal Air Force.
There is little reason to concen-
trate attention during the maneu-
vers on American fighting planes or
bombers. American aircraft, in
cluding the long flying fort
resses" are proving their worth daily
In R. A. F. raids over occupied
France and Germany and are now
being sent in small, though increas-
ing numbers, to Soviet Russia.
British pilots and technicians are
being trained in this country in the
use of American aircraft. The early
failures resulting through Ignorance
or lack of technical training in
handling American planes or in
putting together the parts have
been corrected. The British do not
intend making the same mistakes
with respect to mechanical. motor
lied or artillery equipment from
this country.
From the American Army the
British observers will be able to
learn much about both mechanical
and motorized units. What the
American Army may lack in guam
tity, War Department officials
claim, is more than made up in
superiority of workmanship.
Nazi Army Respected.
General staff officers in WASH
ington do not conceal the fact that
they regard the German army and
panzer divisions as the best combat
trained forces in eXistence-at the
present time. For the fighting
qualities Of the Nazi soldier they
have the greatest respect. But when
It comes to handling mechanical or
motorized equipment they give the
edge to the trained American
soldier.
1t is only natural that American
boys should be superior to Euro
peans in handling anything on
wheels. Most Of them have been
driving cars since they were old
enough to take out drivers permits.
The average American boy who
drives a car knows enough about its
"insides" to take naturally to a
mechanics job.
While the European armies seem
TO be going in strong for heavy
tanks. sacrificing speed and mobility
Tor bulk and armament, the main
American reliance is on the opposite
type OF tank. That is not to say,
however, that our Army does not
Intend to have what it considers a
reasonable proportion of the
heaviest tanks in time.
Because of American faith in the
superiority of its own mechanical
equipment, including the latest types
OF antl-tank weapons. War Depart
n1ent officials claim the British OBJ
servers in the forthcoming wal
games should have much to learn,
In fact, when it comes to mech.
anization, the attitude seems tt
be that when better tanks are built
the United States will build them.
Half Million to Take Part.
Approximately 100000 men and
hundreds of fighting planes and
bombers will take part in the two
weeks of war games between the
I'd and Sd Armies. What is goins
on now in Louisiana and Arkansa,
are mere preliminary maneuvers
After September IS it will be wha
officials call "free-maneuvers' rs'-eact
army for itself.
England has never had such
extensive maneuvers. No European
army. including the German Army
1t was said, has ever attempted free
maneuvers on the scale that ore