Evening star., 1950-12-20
BuiId-Up Of Airpower
In Europe Is LikeIier
Than Troop Addition
By John A. Giles

A build-up of American air
power in Europe was predicted
today as opposition arose in Con-
gress to any speedy transfer of
additional ground troops to that
theater.
Oficials at the Pentagon pointed
out that the American contribu-
ton to the combined million man
Western European defense force
would include virtually all of the
strategic air force and a large
portion of the tactical air force.
The United States also will con-
tribute a large portion of the sea
forces along with Great Britain.
At present only some IS per cent
of the Air Force is engaged in the.
Far East, leaving that service
enough men and planes to dis
patch to European defense almost
overnight. At present there are
two fighter groups in Germany
and one fighter group and two B.
80 bomber groups based in Eng.
land.
B-36s to Be Based in u. S.
1t is believed here that, although
the Air Force based in Germany
and England is certain to be in
creased within a short time, none
of the giant B-36 bombers will be
sent there. 1t is pointed out that
the B-36 must be close to its sup
plies as possible and that it could
do it's job efficiently from bases
in this country.
The fact that airpower will be
a main contribution of this coun-
try led to some speculation also
that an airman might be named
head of the North Atlantic Treaty
Organizations air forces and that
Gen. Eisenhower might name 1t.
Gen. Lauris NorStad commander
of American Air Forces in Europe.
There also was speculation that
a Briton would head the sea
forces and that a Frenchman
would be the ground commander
Gen. Eisenhower, who was in
formed by Mr.. Truman today that
''the entire country is whole
heartedly behind" him in his new
post as supreme commander in
Europe, late yesterday named Lit.
Gen. Alfred M. Gruenther, Army
deputy chief of staff, as his chief
of staff for the NATO forces.
Assurances Demanded.
Opposition to Mr.. Humans
announcement that more Ameri-
can soldiers would be sent across
the Atlantic as soon as possible
brought congressional demands
for detailed information on other
nations troop pledges. and as
surances that the United States
will not be stripped of military
reserves at home.
The dispatch of additional
troops to Europe will create al
problem for military planners
here and mean the eventual call
of additional National Guard di-
visions.
Army Secretary Pace, who had
thought he would be able to re-
deploy troops directly from the
Far East to Europe before the
Chinese Communists entered the
picture. said yesterday at Frank
furt that he hoped such reinforce-
mentS could be sent within the
next year"
Senators from both parties said
that Mr.. Pace and Secretary of
State AcheSon-Who declared as
his plane left Brussels for Wash
ington today, that the combined
force was "the only way to main
tain peace in Europe"-would be
called on by congreSsinal commit
tees to report Immediately after
their return,
George Asks About Self Help.
There has been speculation that
5 to 10 American divisions may be
sent to Europe in addition to the
approximately 100000 there.
Senator George, Democrat, of
Georgia, member of the Foreign
Relations Committee, said he
thought that Europe would want
TO know before a single soldier
climbed aboard a transport just
what Western European nations
proposed to do about helping
themselves.
And Senator H. Alexander
Smith, Republican. of New Jersey
said he believed that it would be
a mistake for the President ito
send any more troops to Europe
without at least having the ap-
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