Evening star., 1941-08-24
By Richard L. Stokes.

pheels haul big guns and men through
Voroshilov, now commanding in the
Leningrad sector. A large part of the
increase was due to added artillery, and
in particular to mitigating weapons, such
as grenade guns and mortars. The Rus
slams planned their divisions to surpass
similar units of the French and German
armies in firepower by as much as Is per
cent
As if foreseeing the armored force
to use in Poland, the Russians developed
as main combat unit rifle corps, con-
sisting of three divisions of about 10000
men, with tanks and artillery in addition
to infantrymen, with motor transport
and all sorts of auxiliary services. The
corps was designed for independent and
self-contained action If encircled by
a loop of enemy mechanical forces, it
would be able to stand siege for a period
or even fight its way out. The cavalry
arm was doubled in strength, and heavily
equipped with artillery. machine guns
and anti-aircraft cannon.
In artillery, beginning seven years ago,
stress was placed on howitzers as an
improvement on Trajectory field
pieces, while the fastest pace OF all was
required in provision of anti-airraft,
arti-tank and tank guns. Self -propelling
mounts for cannon were developed in
great numbers for attacking armored
vehicles.
Flying Force Strengthened.
The air force was reorganized by re-
ducing the proportion of light bombers
and doubling that of long-range bombers
and lighting planes Between 1894 and
1889, according to latest figures available,
the flying force increased 100 per cent
in number of plans, 1873 per cent in per-
sonnel, 213 PEI cent in horsepower and
208 per cent in one-f1ight bomb-load.
Motorization of the army as whole in
creased 260 per cent There have no
doubt been further large increases since
the invasion of Poland.
AS unique factor in morale building.
the Russian staff boasts that its soldiers,
unlike those of bourgeois" countries, are
encouraged, instead of forbidden, to take
part in political activities private in
uniform may vote or be elected to office.
For his edification as a citizen soldier,
the government has developed what is
known as the "cadre system" To each
regiment is assigned a group of picked
specialists, trained both in military sci
l,tA
Of equal Importance.
They teach not merely combat tech
nique, but the Marx-Lenin-S Stain ide-
ology. The purpose is to create mono
hthic" army, homogeneous in political
spirit and faith Whether the doctrine
record, to have provided the Russian
soldier with cause which he believes
worth fighting for to the death. The
function of the Soviet's famous political
commissars" is partly that of morale
officers in the American Army.
The supply of officers has been culti-
waited for many years. In 1899 the Red
Army had IA military academies and
six military faculties In civil universities
for training higher officers and technical
experts. 1t had 63 schools for gradual
ing lieutenants in the various ground
arms, with thousands of students; 80
flying and aeronautical engineering
schools, with more than 10000 students
annually; and regimental schools for
non commissioned officers, with a ca
pacity of several hundred thousand each
year. Social and political branches were
required courses at all these institutions.
Exploit Accomplished.
Heavy reverses suffered by the Rus
slams during the last few days must not
conceal the fact, it is declared, that their
troops have accomplish an exploit which
probably no other army on the globe
could have equaled. The Germans struck
by surprise, with a maximum of strength
and desperate ferocity. They possessed
advantages which can never again be
repeated.
Eight weeks of monumental fighting
have ensued. The Nazis have won vast
territories and inflicted as well as suf-
fered titanic losses. But their triumphs,
up to this writing, have been purely
tactical Since June % the Russians
have prevented the mightiest war ma
chine in history from attaining stra-
tegic decision. The Soviet armies are
still intact; and their line, though thrust
far inward. has failed to break. 1t is
agreed that unless Germany can totally
crush the Soviet Union as q military
power within the next two months. then
the former might as well say farewell to
its dream Of world dominion.
Since the German timetable demand
ed the capture Of Leningrad, Moscow and
Kiev In three or four weeks, and al