Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-05-14
Training Maneuvers
Ordered as -Four New
Divisions Are Set Up
Summer Practice for
Army to Be Staged in
South and Southwest

Secretary of War Stimson an
nounced today the Army had Or
dered formation Of four more in
fantry divisions and the staging
this summer of large scale, realistic
field maneuvers which will place
emphasis on the offensive"
The divisions, latest Of 80 to be
added this year to the expanding
land forces, will be organized in
September. Six others already are
in process of formation.
The new units and their posts are ::
Oath Division, Fort Custer, Mich;
98th, Camp Breckenridge, Morgan
field, KY; 102d, Camp Maxey, Paris,
Tex, and 104th, Samp Adair, Cor
wallis, Greg.
All are reserve divisions, heretofore
existing only on paper. The nucleus
for each will be organized about
June IA and assigned to parent
divisions for training until about
August l, when they will be avail
able for their own divisions.
Most Thorough Training.
Secretary Stimson said the Army
field maneuvers would provide "the
most thorough training ever de-
veloped for American troops"
stressing air-ground operations,
desert fighting, jungle fighting, op-
erations by small task forces and
night maneuvers.
Instead of large maneuvers such
as were held last year, when several
hundred thousand troops in two
field armies struggled in mimic war
fare over extensive battleflelds, this
years exercises will be limited to
troops within Army corps. This is
expected to save time for vital COM
bat training.
Newly formed divisions will not
take part, but will continue basic
training.
Beginning the last week in May
and extending through the first
week of November, the intensive
training scheduled was arranged so
that the use of Army air forces and
the armored force would not con-
flict. Four maneuver areas will be
used-the Southwest desert training
center, Louisiana maneuver area,
the North and South Carolina alea
used last fall, and Camp Forrest,
Tenn, and vicinity.
To Test Joint Missions.
Secretary Stimson said the troops
would be trained to operate smoothly
in joint missions with both air and
armored forces, the stress being put
on effectiveness of so-called task
forces. Another primary aim, he
said, will be to tougher soldiers
physically and mentally for any type
OF war operation.
Every unit will be required to
demonstrate ability to make con-
tinuous foot march of Is miles with
full equipment. At least one-third
of the training will be at night.
Plans to coordinate the scientific
talent Of the country to keep the
general stats for the Army and
Navy abreast of new weapons for
modern warfare also were disclosed
by Mr.. Stimson.
A committee headed by DR.. Van
nevar Bush, director of scientific
research for the Carnegie Institu-
ton, has been formed, he said, to
coordinate the work of the War
Departments office Of scientific re-
search.
As Army and Navy representatives
on this committee, Brig. Gen. Ray
mond G. Moses and Rear Admiral
Willis A. Lee have been appointed.
Characterizing this as a most i'm
portant step in the direction Of long
range planning, Mr.. Stimson said
the purpose is to bring into regular
working relations with the Army
and Navy scientific inventive genius
from private life.
THE principal object is to make
sure the general stats will think
about the possibility of new
weapons" he added.