Evening star., 1943-03-04

pointed out are faults which were
preached against in our earliest ma
neuvers of 1899 and 194O Others are
attributable to the situation of men
being under actual fire for the first
time.
Secretary Stimson took occasion
last week to correct what he said
was a widespread conception that
our men in North Africa are green
troops" He pointed out that our
forces were highly trained even to
actual experience under fire, but that
military men know there is no sub
stitute on the training field for con-
ditions which exist on the battle
front.
Military observers in Tunisia. how
ever, are reporting back on the COM
mon mistakes observed by combat
and supply forces at the front, and,
all such mistakes will be made clear
during training maneuvers now IN
progress. Corrective measures al
ready are being put into effect in
training in the United States, Gen.
McNair reported.
Leadership Is Praised.
Gen. McNair gave an encouraging
report on the leadership shown by
commanders at the front.
I'm general" he said, personal
leadership by commanders has been
OF the highest order and there have
been many examples of the personal
bravery of officers and non commits
stoned officers inspiring their men to
Superhuman efforts
Gen. McNair declared the solution
to the problem of avoiding battle
errors is "the inculcation of such a
state of discipline that men will, in
the excitement of battle, instinctively
do the things which they have been
taught to do in the classroom, on the
drill field and on maneuvers."
Some of the mistakes noted, such
as men failing to take proper cover
under fire, were ones which early
fighting during the last World War
soon corrected when the men real
lied that these faults were the cause
OF unnecessary battle losses. Prompt
digging OF fox holes and proper use
OF cover and concealment, therefore,
are points which will be stressed
particularly in future training.
Gen. McNair also noted that
some OF the troops on the Tunisan
front failed to take full advantage
OF existing cover or to improvise
camouf1age speedily when it was
needed.
Warns Of "Booby Traps"
Souvenir hunting" is another
error encountered which must be
corrected during pre-combat train
ing, Gen. McNair pointed out.
"Booby traps are being employed
extensively by the enemy" he as
serted. Anything left lying about
on the ground which has just been
gained, considered a good souvenir,
should be studiously avoided"
The Germans In North Africa are
using the same kinds of BOBBY traps
they have been using since the in
vasion of Poland-fountain pens.
pencils. attractively colored balls
and other instruments that catch
the fancy of troops who do not
know the danger they hold.
One lesson which must be drilled
painstakingly into troops now in
training, Gen. McNair pointed out.
is the Importance of dispersion. In
this way the effect of enemy bomb
ing can be reduced materially at
the front.
Despite earlier field maneuvers
observers have reported that motor
transports and route reconnaissance
are being mishandled at times
Truck columns have been operated
on the roads in broad daylight, some
times closed up, it was reported,
when the movements could have
been made at night Thus, they
presented targets for enemy aircraft.
The memorandum also disclosed
some unnecessary loss OF motor
equipment by failure to make a
route reconnaissance or failure on
the part Of officers to appreciate
true conditions along the route
selected.