Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-04-01
BY GEN. HUGH s. JOHNSON

IT ISN'T the business of a
newspaper column to be
boosting another publication, but
maybe it is all right when the
magazines are published purely
IN a public service by a nom
profit organization. Also this
boosting isn't done to help the
magazines themselves, which are
supported by the subscriptions
Of army officers and therefore
do not need il.
This column is written in the
interest of its own customers
because of their intense interest
IN this war toward which we
seem 10 be drawing closer every
day. And of the general lack of
definite information about it.
and especially about the rapid
organization of our very formid-
able defensive forces.
This reference is to the eX-
eellence of the "house organs"
OF the various service journals
IA Afsftteef's7 ordnance and artiI-
lery and especially in this in
stance. the Infantry Journal.
Thls column touched on this
subject a year ago, but appar-
emily 1t did not click.
THE great German victory of
Il western Europe last Spring
was the most spectacular mill
tary operation in all history
dwariing into insignificance even
HannlbaEs perfect" battle of
Cannae or anything Alexander,
Caesar or Napoleon ever did.
Yet, precisely how il was done
or even how it happened or who
were the principal actors is not
yet clear and perhaps will not
be clear for a long time to come.
have read every one of the
iragmentary accounts and re-
ports of It that have come with
IN my reach with a result of
complete confusion, incredulity
and uncertainty.
The leading article in this
months Infantry Journal. on
that swift campaign. is by far
the simplest, most coherent and
understandable explanation of
what otherwise seemed a
miracle.
IT BOILED down to this-the
Frenc h believed. and pub
lished to the world their belief,
that the forest of ArdenneS and
the barrier of the Mouse were
natural obstacles so tough that
the GermanS-eouldn't splash
through it without long prepara-
ton. and accordingly garrisoned
II with a relatively contemplate
force opposing horse cavalry
divisions and some too slender
mt an try and armed troops
against German panzer force.
overwhelming in striking power,
weight of metal and speed.
The Germans, who knew every
inch of that ground, didn't be-
heve that, but did not publish
their disbelief.
There was nothing new about
their tactics or their strategy
The former had been fullv-re-
Neaied in the Polish campaign
The strategy was the same run
around left end of the 1914 at
tempt with only these changes
that Holland. Denmark and
Norway had 10 be violated as
well as Belgium and that there
was no need 10 weaken the
right wing to hold back Rus
Sia. As in 1914.
But all this had been certified
10 the French the year before.
as TO Russia. and the month be-
Tore as TO the Scandinavian
countries.
The primary reason for the
swift defeat of France was not
economic nor political. 1t was
almost incredible stupidity on
The field Of battle.
II IS not the purpose here to
expand the debate on the
battle of France. but again 10
call attention 10 this service
OF easily digestible and expertlv
prepared Information on all
such Subjects Of intense popular
interest luSt now.
Most civilians arc slow TO
tackle such Beading. fearing that
II Is too technical This stuff
IS being dlShed up IN a form so
SIMPLE that the average reader
can take il in his stride without
professional aid
The current revolutionary
changes in the weapons. armor.
organization. tactics. equipment
and methods of our troops are
made equally digestible.
And they are 50 great that
the average civilian observer
can hardly hope To know what
IS going on or may be expected
IN the world without some
knowledge Of them.
These too, are covered in the
modern graphic newspaper style.
We are building a great army.
the fCuaI Of arvthfYc ~, oor,L