Evening star., 1944-07-23
Navy Needs $4,000
More Men by Dec. 81,
ForrestaI Reports
Another ls9. 900 Required
By June, l945, as Poetic
War Poce Quiekens

The Navy will need an addi-
tional 1914 900 enlisted men be-
fore December 81 and probably
another 10000 by June 80, l945,
Ito assure successful operations
on the revised timetable" in the
Pacific, Secretary Of the Navy
Forrestal announced yesterday.
The increased demand for men,
the Navy said, will be reflected FIRST
in October draft calls which will be
raised from 22.o00 to $4,000 men.
The planned increase, Secretary
Forrestal revealed. win raise the
total strength Of the Navy to s.
$50 900 men by June 80, 1045 from a
previously authorized strength OF
1,oes 90 usn.
Rresrsas b AcceleRAtsd.
while the war in the; Pacific Is
By no means Approaching an end,"
he sAid, n has been possible 10
strike 1t Jspans inner defenses ana
to bring the war to the doorstep
Of the enemy sooner than expected.
We have moved faster than we had
expected in the Pacific.
Additional personnel are es-
sential to keep pace with the ac-
celeration OF operations in that
theater. Men who might not have
been needed until late next year
must now be drawn into service be-
tween October, 1914. and July, l945,
to assure successful operations on
the revised timetable"
While Secretary Forrestal was an
nouncing stepped-up draft calls,
Col. Francis v. Keesling, Selective
Service liaison officer, reported to
the House Military Affairs Commit
tee that most draft needs could be
filled from the n1anpower pool of
men under rs. since the armed
forces have already reached their
authorized strength"
Secretary Forrestal said 1t has
been apparent for several months
that the previously. authorized Navy
strength would be inadequate for
needs late this year and In 1s45 but
he added: -
Since top strength was expected
to be sufncient to satisfy require
ments through September, 1874, firm
estimates of the numbers to be re-
quested through Selective Service
were not made until major opera
tons then pending in both the Pa
cific and Atlantic could be assessed
IN the light of accomplishment.
1T was not deemed desirable
In view OF the rnanpower shortage
to draw men from civilian pursuits
until their induction was clearly
necessary and until the numbers
needed could be firmly established. y
No Relief for Navy.
The possible effects of defeat Of
Germany. he said, were taken into
consideration but it was determined
that the end Of hostilities In Europe
will provide no measurable relief to
the Navy's personnel problem for
two reasons. ,<s
First and most important" he
explained, the Pacific war has pro-
gressed 30 rapidly that personnel
which may be released from the
European theater cannot be counted
on definitely for transfer to the
Pacific before the peak Of personnel
requirements in that area will have
been reached.
Second 4 substantial number Of
personnel on duty IN the European
theater will be immediately en-
gagged, whenever the conclusion Of
hostiitiee there corfes, IN the task
OF transperting military forces.
Twelve sthoaasand ave hundred
miles sof ocean separate Europe from
Guam. Moving menAnd their equip
ment over. such vast distances will
in itself, put. q heavy strain on the
Navy. The time which such move
|ment would require further kasei1s
the possibility Of prompt use In the
Pacific sot personnel which might
eventually BE released In Europe"
For the most part, he said, the
additional personnel are needed tc
man new amphibious craft and aux
iliary vessels going into commission
next year.
Transfer 1s1. ~ = Sea Duty.
Although : total Of $4,000 add
tionaf personnel is needed to pro-
vide crews for ships, planes and
bases and men for projected opera
tions by June OF next year, Mr.
ForrestAl said, approximately 197, 7,OOo
|men ~ sxpactsd to b made avail
able NJ transfer frcln other duties