Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-05-18
NAT0 Weakest
In Air Power,
Ridgway Says
General Stresses
Need for Germans
In Defense Setup
By J. A. O'Leory

commander of North Atlantic
Treaty forces, told Congress to-
day that airpower is still the
weakest link in Europe's de-
lenses.
Testifying before the House
Foreign Affairs Committee on
the proposed $50 billion foreign
aid program for 1854. the gen.
eral declared:
Despite the substantial gains
in numbers of aircraft and
trained pilots deriving from the
United States mutual defense
assistance program, our air
forces today are still inadequate
to carry out their assigned
tasks"
Gen. RidgWay added:
To-day, as a year ago, air
power is still the weakest link
in our defense. . There are still
major deficiencies, for example,
in support units, logistical es-
Establishments and stocks of am
munition."
He also declared he has seen
no evidence that Soviet peace
talk is sincere.
1.-THE military threat based on
capabilities has remained I'M
changed" the officer said.
Gen. Ridgway's testimony
came soon after the Republican,
administration announced plans
to cut the Air Force.
Truman Goal Belittled.
The administration has scaled
down it's Air Force goal to 100
wings from the earlier objective
of 143 wings. Defense officials
have contended that the goals in
the Truman administration were
only paper goals and that more
effective defense can be obtained
at the new level.
Under questioning by Repre-
sentative Harrison, Democrat, of
Virginia, Gen. Ridgway, who has
been named Army chief of staff,
said he is not familiar with
recent Pentagon proposals to re-
duce Air Force goals.
Pressed by Mr.. Harrison for
his military judgment on such
cuts, in view of his testimony
about air weakness in Europe,
Gen. Ridgway finally said:
IF those reductions would re-
suit in any reduction in our
minimum requirements Gin West
ern Europe) I would deplore see
ing that reduction made"
Gen. Ridgway, in his first ap-
pearance here since taking
charge in Europe, also en-
phasized:
/. The Importance of bringing
German manpower into the
NATO defense by ratification of
the European Defense Com
munity treaty.
2. The possibility of providing
stronger defense for Western
Europe with new weapons now
being studied by the allied
command in Europe.
Special Weapons Fund.
The pending foreign aid bill
contains a new item of $3.50
million to encourage the develop
ment of special weapons" in
this country or In Western
Europe.
Although it is too early to
anticipate the outcome of this
study, we can be sure that new
weapons will have a powerful
effect on combat operations. -
said Gen. Ridgway. while
these weapons will contribute
materially to our defensive
strength, they will also introduce
new factors of vulnerability. At
the moment I am not in a
position to say what effect new
weapons will have on the mill
tary requirements for allied COM
mand Europe"
Gen. Ridgway made it clear,
without seeming to dictate to the
committee, that he thinks it
would be a mistake to cut the
$50 billion asked by the admin
istration. This is already $1.8
billion less than former Presi-
dent Truman recommended in
January.
Cites Russian Strength.
Gen. Ridgway told the Repre-
sentatives that he cannot afford
to plan his defense by speculat-
ing on RuSSia's intentions. He
said he must not rely on attempts
Ito fathom the minds Of the
men in the Kremlin." He said
he also cannot speculate on time,
because of all the basic prin-
ciples of war, none today has
more devastating effect than
that of surprise.
Gen. Ridgway listed Russia S
strength at ITS army divisions,
10000 front-line aircraft and a
navy including $50 submarines
He said the Soviet has 30 di-
visions in occupied Europe, "of
which the % in East Germany
constitute an ever-present threat
to our forward forces"
He said the combat effective
ness of their ground forces is
rated high and their equipment
good-in some types, excellent
In the air. ne continued. the
Soviet has made significant
progress in re-equipping its
forces with high-performance
jet aircraft. and in increasing
overall combat efficiency.
THE Soviets' well-known dis
regard for their own casualties
further increases their offensive
capabtlity." said the general.