Evening star., 1946-05-12

units that spearheaded the thrust
into Germany, the Constabulary is
designed, War Department officials
said yesterday, to meet any emer-
gency or uprising with its ultimate
force of $4,000 picked men.
Completely motorized, with its
own communications system and a
strong aviation arm, the crack out
fit is expected to be able to strike
anywhere in the American zone
with lightning effect.
The military role and character
of the Constabulary is evidenced in
the three words chosen for its mot
to-: Mobility. Vigilance, Justice"
Strength Already at $4,000.
Troop strength of the new force
already has reached a figure of ap-
proximately $4,000 and officials here
say it will be in full strength by
July l to take over its new security
role.
At the head Of the constabulary
is tough fighter, Maj. Gen. Ernest
N. Harmon, who led the End (Hell
on Wheels) Armored Division in
France and Germany, and rose to
corps commander Headquarters
are established in Bamberg and the
constabulary is being formed there
as an integral part of the 3rd Army,
which is commanded by 1t. Gen.
LucIan K. TruScott. The Bird Army
is the only remaining major Amer
lcan field force in Europe.
The Operations Division of the
General Staff in Washington, where
the idea of the force originated
places much faith in this new con-
stabulary. However, direction comes
not from Washington but from the
commanders in the field.
Imbued With High Spirit.
Already imbued with a nigh esprit
d'corpS for unit still in training,
1t is planned as an elite force among
the combat troops of the United
Nations in Germany, a force in
which the individual soldier is
proud to serve. 1t is equipped with
the latest field weapons and the
men will wear a distinctive uniform
to set them apart as a special unit
Discipline is the archstone on which
the constabulary is building.
While officials here do not say so
openly, it is known that the War
Department is depending on this
special unit to restore in the eyes
of the German civilians the some
what damaged prestige of the
American Army of Occupation. Of
flcials say it will be able to COM
nland and enforce respect. In repri-
manding American forces recently
for lowered morale and lapses in
discipline, Gen. Joseph T. Nc
Narney commanding general in Eu-
rope, did not have the Constabulary
in mind, it was believed here.
There are some misconceptions in
this country about the role of the
new Constabulary in Germany. It
is not being formed, officials said,
to take charge of the entire mill
tary occupation of the American
zone nor was 1t organized solely to
SCp tOuSlI Will Viz SCl llt1ll pSO.
pie, many Of whom are beginning to
get out of hand. Reports of Amer
ican soldiers being shot from am
bush are becoming frequent.
Primarily a Police Force.
The Constabulary is primarily a
combat police force that is being
trained to fight with smashing
blows, if necessary, or to exercise
firmly and justly the ordinary
functions of military and civilian
police.
The force is now organizing
in eight cities, according to a dis
patch to the Army and Navy Journal
from constabulary headquarters
The eight cities are Kitzingen, Bad
Mergentheim, karlsruhe, Waisloch,
Mannheim, Weinhelm, Anerbach
and Darmstadt. Other units are
being formed at Heidelberg.
So advanced are constabulary
plans that the Lightning Bolt" its
official GI newspaper, reports that
the first shipment of $50 depend
ents of constabulary troops have al
ready arrived from the United
States. Others are~expected to ar