The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1946-02-21
PLANS PROPOSED
TO DOUBLE ONG
STRENGTH IN '46
Famous 37th Division
Remains Activated In
New Organization

Washington, Feb. 21-The Ohio
National Guard would be nearly
double its prewar strength in the fut-
ure if plans submitted by Maj. Gen.
Butler B. Miltonberger, chief of the
National Bureau, to the governors
of 48 states today are approved by
the state and congress.
The postwar proposal of Gen. Mil
tonberger contemplates a National
Guard strength in Ohio of 22,5O3
officers and men, as compared with
the indicted strength of 1873 in
the Ohio Guard in 1910.
At the anne time, Gen. Milton
berger disclosed that the army plans
to keep activated the famous 37th
Ohio Infantry Division in the newly
organized National Guard, as well as
create new military groups in the
state. This includes the unit in Noble
county.
Largest expansion in the new
plans would be in the realm of air.
which before the war had a total of
less than 5000 personal. The current
PROPOSALS would bring 2751 air
officers and men to Ohio alone in a
47,60O natioral air program involving
the formation of Sd squadr0ns.
In addition to the 37th Infantry
Divi~io Ohio would be the home of
the 55th Air Wing Headquarters ard
headquarters squadron, two control
squadrons, one light bombardment
squadron and three fighter squadronS
Eliminated from the postwar N"t-
ional Guard plans are all cavalry
units, which would automatically put
an end to the long and colorful his
tory of the 107th Cavalry Regiment
at least as horse equipped unit.
Famed National Guard Divisions,
many Of whom won their SPURS in
two World Wars, would keep
their identity under the new post
war plans, but the 18 infantry div
isions inducted into federal service
in 1910, would be jumped to %, and
in addition, the plan calls for the
formation of two armored divisions,
and 18 regimental combat teams.
If approved by the state governors
the overall plan, approved by the
War Department would bring the
strength of the National Guard from
an inducted strength of slightly
more than 100000 officers and men
to an all time high total of 622, TO0
officers and men, the equivalent of
80 divisions Of troops and II air
force wings.
The tentative state allotments
forwarded to the governors of the
states and insular possessions in
cluded a request by Gen. Milton
berger for immediate state surveys
and capabilities for recruiting and
respective allotments.
Under War Department policy it is
the responsibility of the state to nro-
vide storage facilities and maintain
as we'll as the recruiting
If officers and men.
The huge expansion planned for
the air forces, which may involve
ae manv as $500 planes will undoubt-
edly keep many Army air fields in
operation for National Guard units,
f the current rlans win approval.
Proposed policies governing the
oostwar National Guard, were ap-
proved last October bv the Secretary
If War, and are currently under dis
:ussion by an eight-man sub-com-
nittoe Of the House Military Affairs
Committee If subsequently approved
he postwar National Guard person
lol would be patterned even more
closely on the regular Army model.
The nlane contemplate age in grade
,recifications, comnarahle with the
'r~rlar Army for officers, and would
out both regulars and National
Tuardsts in the same caegory in re-
yard to physical condition. These
.rnc ficotiors reflect condition dis
covered in the 1941 maneuvers, when
ranv National Guard officers were
deprived of their commands because
hey failed to measure rp to profess
onal standards.