Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-30
NATO Navy

n
The November 16 article
by Earl N. Voss in regard to
the cost of missile bases and
the forthcoming discussions
in Paris regarding further
development of NATO de-
lenses offers some gratuitous
remarks regarding the Ital-
ian Navy. ascribing his posi-
ton to some officials here"
In my position as Com
mander-in- Chief of Allied
Forces Southern Europe, I
am in continuous contact
with the development of over
all NATO plans which affect
the forces of the countries
of Italy, Greece and Turkey,
and am naturally most cog
infant of the repercussions
generated in these countries
which emanate from loose
statements originating in the
press of the United States. I
can assure you that this
article has done a great
injustice to the people of
Italy and their navy in par
ticular. Italy among all of
the NATO nations in Europe,
I might point out, has been
one of the first to enter upon
q planned modernization pro-
gram of their navy, paid for
by their own budget and
aimed at maintaining an eff
fective navy Of ship types best
fitted for a war Of the fore
seeable future.
1t should be pointed out
that regardless Of new weap-
ons for the future the great
problem I face in the defense
of all Of these countries is
their resupply in time of war.
The only avenue of entry ca
pable of carrying the food
stuffs and military resupply
requirements is by water
through the Mediterranean.
These supply ships must be
protected, not only across the
Atlantic but within the Medi-
terranean Sea, and protected
not only from submarine at
lacks but from air attack as
well. All nations of the
Southern NATO command
are expected and will be re-
quired to furnish the protec-
ton and control of vital con-
voys entering this area, and
no one nation, including the
united States will have suffi-
cient existing escort and con-
voy tonnage to do the Job for
them.
Italy has no prestige
ships" All Of the World War
II types not capable of effec-
tive operation in a future
war have been or are being
strapped, with the proceeds
OF this process being applied
70 new construction of mod
ern, effective ships in the de-
stroyer, corvette and mine
sweeping classes.
l can assure you they are
a well-trained navy and will
become more so as these new
snips enter the forces afioat
which are assigned to the
NATO naval commanders for
the purpose of insuring that
supplies, not only to italy
put TO other nations of the
southern Command, will get
through.
The article also stresses
the rapid shift to guided mis-
slles with the implication
they will be cheaper and will
require less personnel than
DO conventional forces. I
know Of no statement by anv
military man which indicates
that guided missiles within
the foreseeable future will
supplant the conventional
forces presently required 10
maintain the forward de-
lenses Of the NATO line. They
viii be welcome in any guam
tity we may obtain, as an adj
junct to present forces. How
ever, their high cost in
money, men and industrial
capacity will certainly re-
strict them for use against
hieh-priority targets which
cannot easily be taken care
OF by conventional forces
My experience OF over 40
years active service. in which
I have seen many new weap-
ons come into use. indicates
that new weapons almost
always require additional
forces, principally in support.
with little reduction in the
mum bers of conventional
forces previously required.
Lest there be some impress
sion that ! am against guided
missiles. in any form, I wish
to reiterate that we must
have them and have them in
quantity and in types. But I
feel 1t is q mistake TO sell the
plan for new weapons TO the