Evening star., 1942-07-13
Lodge
Continued From First Page.)

prolonged journeys over routes
without the usual aids to naviga-
ton. They lived on slim rations.
There was little sleep for any OF us
When the time came to go into
action in situation which was
critical in the extreme they stood
their ground, they did not panic,
they were aggressive, cagy and
smart
And when they were ordered out,
they brought all their equipment
with them, and emerged safe and
sound without scratch. Less might
we'll have been expected from vet
ersns. More could have been asked
from no one"
Detachment Of Volunteers.
Senator Lodge said the detach-
ment was made up of group who
volunteered for service where mem
bers could experience actual tank
warfare.
This took us to the Lbyan
Desert where we stayed in the
thick OF things until we had ac-
complished our mission" he said.
I have seen American equipment
in action, and it has been my privi-
lege to be with American soldiers
on the battlefield" he continued.
1T is good to be able to say to you
that both men and equipment are
first-class.
The severe test which our equip
ment received on maneuvers was in
tensified in battle. Our trucks, our
light tanks and-above all-our
medium tank M-3-the so-called
General Grant-gave good accounts
Of themselves. That they are suscep-
tible of improvement is, of course,
natural and true. In the newer
models these Improvements have
been made"
Senator Lodge said that Divine
Providence" was watching over the
Americans who engaged in the
battle. adding:
within the realm OF human
powers. however, we must conclude
that these boys did what they did
because they were smart and vigor-
Gus young men. They were quick
to learn the peculiarities of desert
war. They were physically sound.
Showed Natural Aptitude.
They had the natural aptitude for
motor mechanics the fair for radio
work and the ability to drive We
hicle with skill which are typical of
our country's youth. They were the
products of our school system, they
were exemplars Of 4 nation which
believes in a high standard OF liv-
ing for all, a nation which wants
every one to be we'll fed.
They were not cannon fodder.
They were not robots"
Senator Lodge pointed out that
while officers could do much before
the battle began to train their men,
counsel with them. and plan for
their survival. when contact was
made, they were often on their own.
The sergeant who commands
tank must have generalship. He
must have sound Judgment and pres
ence of mind. He must know the
broad strategy so that when his tank
punches through he will know -
without being told-what his next
step should be-" he said.
"Our soldiers were OF that kind"
he added.
Senator Lodge said that methods
OF training had much to do with
the satisfactory way in which the
American troops performed under
fire.
II know in my own case I would
not have lasted long If I had not
been trained by our regular army.
and if I had not engaged in sd many
maneuvers over here" he declared.
Army Can Do Big Things.
The Army started its wartime
maneuvers today, with mobilization
OF the 9Th Corps In the Carolinas,
and other troop divisions will un-
dergo field training in Louisiana at
Camp Forrest, Tenn, and at the
Desert Training Center in Califor-
mia. stressing coordination be-
tween air and ground forces.
The War Department said the
maneuvers promise to feature
smashing offensive tactics marked
by teamwork of ground, air and ar
mored forces"
Let us be thankful" Senator
Lodge said, that our training pro-
gram is so realistic that it cuts out
non-essentials, that it trains to do
the stern work in which we are en-
gagged I come home convinced
that we have an army which can do
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