Evening star., 1941-11-16
Invasion Of Europe
Not Now Contemplated
By OUen L. Scott.

| that hope still is placed in the prospect
that victory can be had through air and
naval action
Stain is asking that a second front be
opened so that enough German troops
will have to be withdrawn from Russia
| to permit the Russians to assume the
| offensive, but the Russian ruler Is re-
ceiving no encouragement in response
to his request One look at a few figures
discloses why it is that Russia can ex-
pect little help from the British-Amer-
lean land forces.
First Of all, Great Britain possesses no
more than so divisions OF troops, most
of them inadequately equipped and not
fully trained. The bulk Of these troops
must be kept in England to guard
against any invasion attempt. Most OF
the remainder must be used to guard the
outpostS Of the British Empire in Africa,
the Middle East and in the Far East
Australia and Canada can supply about
20 divisions, but those troops likewise
must be widely dispersed.
The United States meanwhile is busy
trying to create 80 divisions of combat
troops, including six armored divisions
This force Is no larger than required to
man American outposts in the Pacific
and Atlantic and to provide an adequate
force TO fulfill the commitments that the
United States has in this hemisphere.
The American land Army remains only
partially armed and partially trained.
1t is without combat experience.
According to American Army officials,
the German Army today consists of 800
divisions. Most Of these divisions are
trained in combat and armed with
weapons created by eight years of Ger
man effort and others conquered through
occupation Of Europe. The most that the
United States and the British Empire
could bring to bear against the German
force, II all OF their other defenSeS were
stripped, would be 1l3 divisions. Those
would be less we'll trained and less well
armed divisions than the Germans pos
sess and would be seeking to take the
offensive.
OF course. Russia right now is pinning
down the bulk Of the German Army
There is, at least temporarily. the chance
that Great Britain and the United
States could bring together during the
next six months an exped!tionary force
that might be able to effect landing in
Europe. But that is a long chance and
1t is gambling on a Russian resistance
that may not continue indefinitely.
Cnrf2lnlv fHpro tc ouiHprca %
suggest that this countrys leaders are
thinking in terms of any early use of an
expeditionary force
Rather both in Britain and here, the
emphasis continues to be placed upon
naval and air power. The British air
force Is growing to very impressive pro-
portions. So is the American air force.
Both Of these nations already possess
undisputed preponderance Of strength at
sea, except in limited area around
Japan and in the Mediterranean.
This emphasis upon air power sug-
gests very strongly that Hitler, one OF
these days. will be given a taste of air
bombardment on a scale never before
witnessed. Air attack and blockade thus
remain the two weapons on which this
country and Britain are depending to
provide them with victory in the pres
ent war. Russian resistance is counted
upon to prevent Hitler from breaking
the blockade by developing Russian re-
sources for his own use
Right now, however, reports are heard
in Washington that the War Depart
ment is making plans for an American
Army of at least 100000 men.
The fact is that the Army is making
plans for future armies of many sizes 1t
probably is planning for an Army that
would tax American man power as the
German Army is taxing German man
power. Such an Army would be one of
about $4,000 900 men. Plans of that kind
are on paper and are fitted to eventuali-
ties. The actual fact is that the Army
today is trying to get arms for a force
Of 100000 men and to build up re-
serve large enough so that it could supply
force of 100000
To build and equip force of 100000
men at the same time that this country
tried to serve as the arsenal for British,
would be an extremely formidable task.
1t appears not to be in the cards right
now. In fact, the United States probably
will do we'll during the next year to COM
plete equipment Of an army of its pres
ent size While fulfilling commitments to
the armies of other countries.
Is there, then, little chance that the
American Army now building will see
action?
Hardly. In fact. there are growing
signs that at least some parts of 1t will
see action. There always is the chance
that Germany might make foray
against Iceland, where American troops
are located. Certainly, the Army units
in the Philippines cannot be assured that
they will be permitted by Japan to live
In peace during the months ahead.
Then there are two other situations
that must be taken into account.
One of these is in the British Isles. If
Hitler should attempt to invade England,
there certainly is chance that an Amer
ican expeditionary force would soon be
on its way to aid the British in their
fight. The forces that are being built up
in Iceland would be handy for that pur-
pose. However, this could become q
much bigger operation than one Of mov-
ing troops from an outlying base.
The other situation is in Africa. If
Hitler should start to move through
Spain or by some other route, with West
Africa as his goal 1t is hardly likely that
the United States would sit idlv hv ubile