Evening star., 1942-11-15

&B = s.a ak sg
1T. GEN. McNAIR. d.. >,
A. p. Photo.
nations. Comparatively speaking, both
always have been at war or preparing for
it. They are have-not nations and have
no intention of remaining so. Their SOL
diers of today were born and brought up
in the military tradition.
The German Army certainly-and the
German people probably-never looked
upon the Armistice of 1918 as other than
just that. There was no question that
the war would be renewed, because they
would renew it. The only questions were
Of ways and means, of how and when.
The German soldier was born to the
goose-step-and do not think lightly of
that goose-step, for it is symbolic of the
highest and sternest in military training.
The German training always has been
of the finest, as Americans learned full
we'll in the World War. So extensive and
thorough was their military training
prior to the present war that it was
reported that during the winter 1939-4O
they created divisions ready for battle
in six months, enabling them to expand
their strength enormously during the
period just before the fall of France.
Their preparations for the opening CAM
paign in Poland were carried out by
several diplomatic coups, which involved
extensive troop movements, together
with elaborate maneuvers in the field at
home. AS result, the Polish campaign
proceeded with clocklikev precision, and
at the same time afforded them valuable
battle training at nominal COST The
French campaign of 1910 was prepared
equally thoroughly and was combined
so swiftly that enormous results were
achieved with lightning rapidity.
German Is No Superman.
In Russia things have not gone so
smoothly for the Germans. The Rus
slams have profited by the fate of Poland
and France. Then too the great strength
OF the Red Army, their marvellous fight
ing spirit, and their sound strategy and
tactics have matched the German might.
The situation goes to show that, great
as is the German Army, the German
soldier is no superman; he has ceiling,
even though it is an elevated one.
The German training has paid divi-
dends other than victory to German
arms. Let us consider the World War
figures. The total battle deaths of that
war have been stated as roughly eight
millions, of which 81 per cent were Ger
man, and So per cent Allied. In other
words, the Allies lost about IS per cent
more than did the Germans. The diff
terence in numbers is more than one
and one-half million men; that is, Ger
many gained that number of men. as
compared with the Allies, as a result of
the war; Since the Germans attacked
almost continuously on one front or
another until near the end of the war,
and the attack is more costly than the
defense, the difference in battle losses
must be attributed to superior German
training and leadership Need we argue
as to the need of training?
Let us consider Japan. The modern
Japanese Army was built on a founda-
ton OF German tutelage, although be-
yond doubt the Japanese national char
acteristics and ancient military back
ground afforded the German teachers
some very apt pupils. The Japanese
have been considered by maryland
military men among them-as merely
lmltators. They do initiate well-too we'll
those foreign offerings which they de-
clde after deliberation are worth imitat-
ing. But in addition, they originate
diabolically from the military viewpoint.
AS the first year of our war passes. and
the Japanese strategy unfolds, who is
there to call it amateurish? If imita-
tions are discovered. they are of sound
and proved principles. Their strategy
Is being shaped precisely to fit Japan,s
interest, full of boldness, boundless in
scope, and deadly in execution.
Our Foes Are Formidable.
Training of the japanese soldier ap-
parently is comparable in thoroughness
with that of the German. Like the
German, the Japanese troops are war
hardened-in their case by the Chinese
War. Their physical stamina is of the
highest. Young Japanese American
soldiers now in our Army are displaying
physical qualities which you Americans
must take seriously They run about as
much as they walk, and for surprising
distances.
The Jap is hard, relentless fighter
killer. He fights with every available
means, including treachery. Apparently
he has no fear of death. His fighting
tactics are sound and clever. He uses
every weapon he has His clothing,
equipment, weapons and tactics are Sc
lected for the task at hand, and re-
semble European standards only as
those suit his needs. He attacks
habitually, endeavoring always to en-
circle his adversary by stealth and
speed, or else to Alter through openings
along the 'front.' His speed on foot in
| jungle terrain Is remarkable He travels
| li1ht In everything except veanons and