Evening star., 1949-09-14
Tank Battle Shapes Up
In Germany as Climax
OF Joint Maneuvers
By the Asseeiotsd Press

BY the Assoeiotsd Press
NUREMBERG, Germany, Sept.
IA big tank battle was shap-
ing up today as the climax Of
Exercise Harvest" the American
Joint commands first field ma
neuvers.
In gray, rainy weather, 1st Di-
vision troops continued their pur-
suit of "aggressor" forces, the
American constabulary, who are
in retreat northward from the
Danube River.
Today, 1st Division troops be-
gan probing the "enemy's" out
post defense line flung around the
i"aggresSor" base at Grafenwoehr.
Staff officers predicted the two
forces will join near Grafenwoehr
soon in a final. all-out battle in
Ivolving some 500 light and me-
dium tanks.
The maneuvers are scheduled
to end Saturday afternoon. but
staff officers indicated they may
continue into Sunday. depending
on the progress of the Grafen-
woehr fight.
Disc0rd Reports Denied.
The American joint command
in Germany denied that discord
between high ranking Army and
Air Force officers is disrupting
their big combined training
maneuvers.
The denial was issued jointly by
1t. Gen. Clarence R. Huebner,
Army commander; 1t. Gen. John
K. Cannon. Air Force commander,
and Rear Admiral J. K. Wilkes,
naval commander.
Their statement said:
THE joint maneuvers staff for
exercise Harvest has been working
together for three months with
enthusiasm and determination to
make a joint Army, Navy and Air
T VI &c dCtlOIl Cl4CStAfC.
Yesterday reporter for the
United Press who was present in
the large brief1ng room at maneu-
yer headquarters overheard an
earnest discussion between an
Air Force general and the chief
umpire of the maneuvers over an
umpire's decision.
THE reporter used this oppor-
tunity to write that discord be-
tween high ranking Air Force
and Army officers is disrupting
the maneuvers.
Cooperation Lauded.
This story is completely mis-
leading.
I'm our opinion. this joint exer-
else has demonstrated more clear
" than ever before that the Army.
Navy and Air Force can work to-
gether as an integrated team in
perfect and complete accord with
one another.
Every division of this maneuver
headquarters Is stated by Air
Force, Army and Navy personnel
and we have been highly gratif1ed
at the fine spirit of cooperation
that exists throughout the COM
mand."
The argument referred to was
hatueen Brig. Gen. Philip GAL
lagher, the chief umpire, and
Brig. Gen. Charles Born, air chief
of staff.
Gen. Born objected briefly when
he thought proper credit was not
given the Air Force. ..
Gen. Gallagher. in brieflng
Monday. had praised the tactical
achievements of troops. Just after
he stepped off the platform. he
exclaimed: Gosh, I forgot to
mention the air.
Oversight Held Unintentional.
The Air Force general re-
marked that If war came the
Russians would not be able to
forget United States air power.
Gen. Gallagher quickly explained
that his oversight was uninten-
tional and followed with a formal
announcement that air power had
caused unbelievable" damage to
the aggresSor.
Commenting on the joint COM
mand statement, Walter Rumble,
United Press manager in Ger
many, said:
This exchange between the Air
Force and Army generals was
more than an earnest discus
sion" as the joint command calls
it.
THE argument was witnessed
not only by two reporters but also
by several foreign military observ-
ers who were plainly astounded.
THE United Press feels that the
apologies made publicly by the
Army the next day support its
-