Evening star., 1942-01-15
U. S. Army Of 100000 Men
This Year Planned by Stimson;
Air Corps Will Add 2,0CO, 900
81 New Divisions
Of Infantry Part .
Of Expansion
By NELSON NJ. SHEPARD.


Secretary of War Stimson an
nounced today the Army would
be expanded from 100000 men
to 100000 by the end OF this
year.
This vast increase, authorized
to lay the groundwork for the
1943 victory effort. will necessi-
tate doubling the air combat
units, doubling the armored
units and adding 80 additional
triangular divisions before the
end OF this year.
Secretary Stimson also outlined at
q press conference. other measures
being taken to increase various
units of the Army for combat pur-
poses and the launching Of gigantic
construction program to house the
rapidly expanding personnel.
He made it clear, however. that
the expansion plan does not follow
exactly the procurement program
announced by President Roosevelt,
since a great deal OF the equipment
Is going to other nations allied to
the United States.
1000, 900 for Air Corps.
Plans already being made ahead
Of time for the larger expansion OF
the Army in 1943. Mr.. Stimson
stressed. are based on the same bal
anced requirements the Army has
tried to follow in the past. BY that
he meant that the ratio OF such
units as the air forces. armored. in
fantry, cavalry, etc, will be main
tanned much as at present.
In the expansion OF the Army, the
air forces will play a very large part,
he said While the present program
of air combat units will be more
than doubled, the War Department
Is lowering the age of aviation cadets
to ID years in an effort to speed up
the enlistment of 1000 900 additional
men for air crews and ground forces.
In addition, the new Army pro-
gram calls for a tremendous in
crease in the number Of enlisted
men who can attend officers train
ing schools after four months pre-
liminary training. Starting with
program of 10000 last July, Mr..
Stimson reported today 10000 en-
listed candidates will be given
chance now to try out for commits
sions as second heutenants. 1t was
expected that at least $4,000 of
these Qualified men will be commits
stoned during the current year.
Mr.. Stimson said the Army is now
proceeding to put into effect the
augmentation in its strength which
President Roosevelt has authorized.
80 Divisions Of 15.eoo.
The 80 new triangular divisions.
all infantry, will consist OF about
$1,000 men each. A large propor-
ton Of these divisions will be mo-
torized to provide for rapid move
ment There will also be con-
siderable increase in anti-aircraft.
engineering and other special units
of the Army. Owing to wartime re-
strictions. he did not designate the
number OF additional combat units
Of all kinds that will be required.
Authorize ton for so or more
military police battalions also is in
cluded IN the program to replace
recruits now guarding Government
property in every section OF the
country. The men so replaced will
be able to return to their active
training duties in existing units.
The Army training centers also
will be expanded. Mr.. Stimson said,
to provide for the huge number
Of requirements and trained men
needed for the 1943 objective pro-
gram.
The present strength of the Army
is estimated at approximately l.700.-
600 men. The addition of units now
being organized and the vast ex-
pansion IN the air forces, Mr.. Slim
son said, is expected to bring the
total enrolment figure to 100000
during this year, or more than
double tne present strength.
50 Days Ahead of Time.
Mr.. Stimson said that the new
divisions to be created will be or
ganized so days ahead of the plain
laid down in the pre-war mobiliza-
ton program. The earlier mobili-
sation plan. worked out during
peacetime, created a time schedule
which provided that the first three
reserve divisions would be organ
lied 160 days after the date of
mobilization.
If we take December 7 as our
M-day,' the first three divisions We
are now organizing will be created
30 days ahead of schedule" Mr..
Stimson said.
The commanders of the new
divisions already have been assigned
and training units assembled. Re-
quirements for three divisions of
$4,000 men each will be ready by
March IS, he estimated.
Such 4 tremendous expansion of
the Army Is now contemplated will
require . great deal Of new con-
struction for housing purposes, the
War Secretary pointed out.
Nine new camps. each accommo-
(see ARMY, Page A-6J