Evening star., 1942-04-17
20-3O Million Men
Believed Under Arms
In Nations at War
Statistics on Forces,
Air Strength Guorded
As MiIitory Secrets

3, the Associated Press.
Nations at war today have more
than 10000 900 men under arms.
The total may even be as high as
SC, 900 900, for such figures have long
since become jealously guarded mill
tary secrets and in the case of some
nations the last available military
statistics are several months old.
When the war began for the
United States on December 7, 194l,
this country had an army of ap-
proximately 100000 men, with 80
divisions.
3.600,000 Men, U. S. Goal.
OF these, 18 were National Guard
square" divisions of approximately
10000 men each, nine were Regular
Army triangular" divisions of ap-
proXimately $4,000 each, two were
cavalry divisions and four were ar
mored divisions, the latter contain
ing upward of 10000 men. The
square divisions have been reduced
in size and reorganized along the
lines of the Regular Army divisions.
Since then the United States pro-
gram has been increased with the
idea of an eventual goal of $500, 900
men, including 100000 in the air
forces. Three additional armored
divisions already have been organ
lied and three more are to be formed
in the next few months Moreover,
the Army plans to activate 80 new
infantry divisions during 1912 and
some of these already have been
organized.
Reports on the armed might of
other nations have been obscured by
the fog of war, and estimates of
their strength vary sharply. Recent
figures are lacking from the War
Department.
SOTO British Divisions.
Most recent Official and unofficial
estimates, based on $4,000 men per
division, give this picture:
Great Britain: From 10000 to
3,500,000 men under arms. These in
clude the equivalent of from 80 to 10
divisions, or approximately 10000
f1rst-line troops. The others for the
most part are territorials or home
guard forces.
Russia: No very accurate figures
are available. but at the time Ger
many attacked Russia, the latter
probably had about 232 divisions and
an army of around 100000 men.
New troops have been trained. but
casualties also have been heavy.
China: At least 100000, possibly
as many as 100000 men under
arms. but no information available
on the number of first-line divisions
or equivalent organizations.
Germany's Strength.
Germany: From 5000, 900 to 8,OOO-
900 men in the army, with about 300
divisions, nearly 200 of which are
probably employed against the Rus
slams. In addition, Germany has
called. to a greater or lesser degree,
VII UIlC ltlCo SJL CilSGil Vi SoUSAh "
Central European nationS-Hun-
eary's 100000 Ia 100000 men and 10
to 20 divisions, Finland's 25o, 900 men
and IA divisions, Bulgaria's strength
roughly the same as Hungary's, and
Rumania's army of more than 800,-
900, containing sc or more divisions.
Japan: Probably about 3,000,0 900
in the army, but military observers
have said that Japan lacked the
capacity to provide complete equip
ment for more than 66 divisions,
which with corps, army and other
troops not organized as divisions
would give her a first line force of
around 100000, comparatively few
of whom have been employed in her
Southwest Pacific operations.
Italy: At one time probably
100000 men, with go divisions.
Air Forces Kept Secret.
The strength of the various air
forces is even more dubious today.
The number Of planes now in use
by the United States and her allies
is a closely guarded military secret.
Estimates last December placed our
air strength at between 5000 and S.
900 planes, Great Britain's between
$500 and $500, China's at not more
than 200, and the Netherlands
Indies at about 500. RuSsia's air
strength was an unknown quantity.
Estimates of Germany's strength
in planes ranged from 5000 to
$500, Japan's at about 5000. and
Italy's somewhere between 1,500 and
5000.