Evening star., 1953-06-25
By John A. Giles

411C Al 144J 4ld0 kOAA NOAASASoo
that Gen. Matthew B. Ridg-
ways success in defending west
ern Europe with military forces
at his disposal may depend upon
the ability to deliver atomic
projectiles in close support Of
troops.
In support of that petition,
Army witnesses told the House
Military Appropriations subcom-
mite in closed-door hearings
that their studies indicated their
own 280-millimeter atomic can
non was the key to Europe's
defense. The testimony was re-
leased today.
The witnesses, from Gen. j.
Lawton Collins, Army Chief of
Staff, down made a strong and
spirited defense Of the 85-ton
gun which has been the subject
of some congressional criticism
because of it's cost and alleged
immobility.
Permanent Need Seen.
They admitted it might not
be the most economical form
of delivery" of atomic projectiles
but maintained there always
would be a need for it. Further
more. the Army said the Air
Force did not set about the de-
velopment of their capability (to
deliver the atom bomb in close
support of ground troops until
we started with the 280-milli-
meter gun"
Excluding the price of the
atomic shell itself. the subcom-
mittee was told, the transporta-
ton of the gun to the Nevada
Proving Ground and the person.
mel to operate it on its first nu-
clear fission firing last May Is
cost $165, 200. The whole series of
10 atomic tests March 17-May
25 cost the taxpayer more than
$2.7 million, not including the
bombs, according to the statis-
tics.
II might say that while this
gun is a big piece and some
people have raised the question
as to whether we could conceal
it and as to whether it would
not be perfectly obvious to an
enemy that this was something
that should be attacked" Gen.
Collins testified. II would like to
point out that we have other
pieces of equipment which are
just as big as this. It can be
camoufaged just like we cam
oufaged any of our standard
pieces of artillery.
Mobility is Defended.
There has been some ques-
ton as to how mobile it is" he
continued. land whether we will
have special bridges built for it.
.. It can cross any bridge that
a medium tank can cross.
I'VE have landed this gun from
an LSU, one of the landing ships
of the Navy. It has gone right
through easier than a 212-ton
truck. We have moved it into
position on an unimproved road.
We have gone off the road into
what was a plowed field without
any difficulty and put the gun
into position"
Maj. Gen. Kenneth D. Nichols.
chief Of Research and Develop
ment, said that in battle "the
time factor is important :.
and we want no danger of hitting
our troops. HAN "a sSs z g
I'VE recognize the $50 is not
the last word in the way to de-
liver atomic weapons but it is
the flrst and always will be the
best for certain missions"
Satisfied with Tests.
Gen. Collins said in battle, I'VE
could have the position surveyed
and have all the computations
made and then put it into po-
sit1on at the last minute"
He added he was quite sat
isfled with the Nevada test which
went of without any hitch
whatsoever"
The Army also went. into some
details as to its guided missile
program and the application of
atomic warheads to them. How
ever, much OF this testimony was
censored.
The witnesses said survey of
land needed for permanent sta
tions of Nike anti-aircraft mis-
siles battalions around cities
would be completed about Au-
gust /. It was revealed that