Evening star., 1942-09-05
U. 5. Army
In Britain Holds
Hope
Munpower Shortage Makes
Invasion by English Alone
Physically Impossible
BY IVES GALLAGHER.
Wide World.

LoNDON, Sept. 0.-AlleQ nOpeS
of opening a second front and deal
ing Germany a Knockout blow in
this fourth year of war rest largely
on the shoulders of young and
growing American Army. That
is the combined opinion of qualified
military observers-and figures bear
them out.
With population half as large
as Germany's, Britain has an air
force that now stacks up as equal
to or better than the Reich's, and
Britain's Navy is far superior to
anything Hitler can offer. But it
is physically impossible to put a
British Army in the field to match
the German war machine.
Britain has drained her manpower
and womanpower reserves In the
last three years. Military experts
usually estimate that country can
mobilize 10 per cent of its popula-
tion for the fighting forces, basis
which figures 100000 fighting men
for Britain.
$4,000 Sent Abroad.
Prime Minister Churchill an
nounced In his last speech in Com
mons that at least 950,0O0 soldiers
had been sent abroad, and at last
accounts another million were in
the RAF No one except the Ad-
miralty knows how many are in the
navy, but there are certainly at
least a half million, and this does
not include the many thousands. in
the merchant marine.
This leaves about 100000 for
the army in the European theater,
about half of whom would be need
ed IN behind-th Lines supply serv-
ices. Many thousands of home
guards-over and under age men
could be mustered for defense
| against i'lvasion, but these would
be of slight use in any offensive
action.
The general public has had an
| impression that colonial flyers, SOL
diers and sailors are doing most of
the fighting, possibly partly because
of an Raj rule that, while the ex-
ploits of Canadians, Australians,
New Zealanders and South Africans
may be mentioned freely, no British
pilot or crewman should be men
toned by name unless he has been
decorated for bravery. A similar
rule exists in the navy.
Colonial Exploits Stressed.
In the army any one may be men
toned in the press, but it has been
the policy to give more details on
the exploits of colonial troops, al
though the British are in the ma
| jority, particularly in the Near East
and India, and also were predomi-
nant in Malaga and Singapore.
Any Allied force invading the
continent should number at least
100000 combat troops, in the opin-
ion of military men-and that is
why the American Army must be
called on for a major role.
| That the United Nations com
mand fully recognizes the situation
is shown by the large numbers OF
American troops which are being
poured into the British Isles every
month in an ever-increasing tide.
The United States Army Air Force
also is preparing to shoulder a bis
burden.
The tide of war forced Britain te
concentrate on production of fight.
ers at the outset-for defense. Then
because of the great distance be.
tween Britain and Germany. pro.
duction turned largely to the bi,
! four -motored night bombers.
To support an invading arm,
thousands of light bombers, recon
naissance and ground support air,
craft would be needed in addition
to the clouds of fighter ships-ane
these are types in which the Unitee
States eXcels.
u. S. to Give Daylight Support.
Under the division of operation
which this indicates the Raj woult
deal npnderous blows at the hear
of Germany and clear the skie
with fighters. The American All
Force would be called on for sup
port OF the amy in daylight opera
tions.
The greater part of the transpor
: job for invasion would necessaril,
} go to the Royal Navy. The Ameri
can task force now in these island
undoubtedly would take part, bu
British and American authorize
agree that the major assignment
: of the United States sea forces
: keeping the japanese subdued in tn
Pacific.
t Next to the United States an,
J. Britain Canada probably would b
!, the biggest contributor to an in
vasion force. The Canadians hav
a well-trained Commando arm,
= which Ottawa announcements hav
placed at more than 10000. Ex
lied governments in London woul
= contribute little more than tokel
forces to big-scale invasion.