The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-05-12
CLIMATIC MAPS
ASSURE CTS OF
RIGHT CLOTHING

washington - (UP) This Is
the story Of how geography and
weather conditions were rolled into
q thing called climatology and got
into the war to affect the Quarter
master Corps clothing designers.
1t was told recently after the
War Department had announced
that Americas army of 100000
men is the best-dressed in the
world.
To begin with, climatology out
lines by maps the average type OF
climate to be found In a locality
at a certain time. It takes the
view that climate is dynamic and
moving force. BY the concept OF
moving climates" one can follow
on maps how the January climate
of Florida moves upward to become
the July of middle Canada and
then recedes in the fall.
Supply Limited
In July, 1912, a climatology unit
was added to the research and de-
velopment branch Of the quarter
master Corps. 1t was set UP because
corpsmen realized CT. Joe on the
fighting front couldn't choose
clothing from a large wardrobe.
What he wore had to travel across
supply line thousands of miles
long, and there could be no ex-
changes.
Moreover, when a Joe is in the
battle zone and dressing for an
OCCASION" he probably has a date
with an automotic rifle and a
German. Joe wants and needs pro-
lection from severe weather and
external discomfort, and it Is the
job of the Quartermaster Corps to
see that his clothing will do that
as much as possible.
BY referring to climatology maps
designers in the research and de-
velopment branch Of the corps can
ascertain what sort of weather a
soldier is likely to encounter at
certain time In a certain area.
Clothing can be planned accord
ingly.
Series Totals 80
Today a series of 80 climatic
maps has been prepared, showing
average conditions of rainfall, every
month on the six continents. Gil
matte maps Of the oceans have
been made on a seasonal rather
than monthly basis. Additional
and more detailed maps of the
United States round out the series.
: Each climatic zone represented
on a map shows a condition in
which one general type Of clothing
may be worn.
The same scale of coloring used
on all maps facilitates the COMPARE
son OF one region with another.
Altogether IS different climatic
zones are shown. ...
The information given by these
maps has proved valuable not only
to the Quartermaster Corps, but
also to military strategists in plan
ming campaigns, for weather is a
major consideration in battle.
Extensive Preparation
Preparation of a climatology
map is extensive and so highly
specialized that most workers have
college degrees in geographical or
weather work. The starting point
Is a base map which defines the
area to be included. BY long and
complicated development - maps
are prepared to show precipitation
for each month and IL others to
show the average monthly tempera-
lures of the area. With q topo-
graphical map to aid in defining
attitudes, the final results are
drawn to be published by the Army
map service.
No one person can take credit
for the development of this type
Of map. In the War Department
unit about 10 persons are needed
for each one, but thousands of per-
sons throughout the world must
contribute analyses of weather and
topography.
In addition to the series Of 80
climatic maps, the unit has pre-
pared special ones for other pur-
poses. For example, some show
mans daily water requirements in
different sectors Of the world; others
how long a man on a life raft can
survive without provisions: and still
others to facilitate fuel estimates in
various regions.