Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-04-05
THE STRENGTH OF OTHERS
Help We Can Expect
From NATO Allies

Britain's Army, due to drop to a
strength of 100000 by April /, is
being refitted with a new family
of small weapons, vehicles and
other equipment.
Under it's five-year plan an
nounced in 1857, Britain will end
National Service (conscription in
1862. BY that time it is hoped
that each of the services will be
an all-regular force, able to main
tain it's manpower strength
through voluntary enliStments.
One of the key contributions
the British people make as an
ally is their unshakeable spirit in
the face of adversely.
Under the leadership of Gen.
de Gaulle. France appears des-
tined to become more important
military power. He is determined
to make his country "a member
of the atomic club" and doubtless
will. France is the principal sup
ply base for NATO forces and
through it run the vital military
fuel pipelines.
Although the bulk Of it still Is
tied down in Algeria, the French
army of 100000 men is the largest
in NATO, outside the United
States. Most of the heavy equip
ment of the 100000 combat
experienced French troops in AL
geria remains in France and the
French say that in the event Of
war in Europe they can speed
these forces back home.
On the missile front, the French
have developed the outstanding
SS-10 and SSH anti-tank rockets
which the United States and other
NATO countries are planning to
purchase. The SS-10 helped the
Israeli army in its blitz Of Egyp-
tan armor during the Sinai CAM
paign in 1856. The French also
are developing air-to-air rockets
but have no program for ballistic
weapons of their own.
The French Fleet
The French feet, the command
of which Gen. De Gaulle wants
to retain for France. is undergoing
steady build up. Admiral Jerauld
Wright, NATO naval commander
for the Atlantic, calls 1t a very
effective force. Two new carriers,
Foch and Clemenceau. are under
construction.
Prosperous, technically advanced
West Germany is the NATO nation
with perhaps the greatest military
potential. After a popular reluc-
lance to build new armed forces,
a psychological reaction to World
War II, the Germans are moving
along on land, sea and air.
The main German contribution
to NATO is to be IL Army divisions
and so air squadrons. Seven Of
these divisions albeit UNDER
strength already have been
turned over. Five more are ex-
pected to be ready within the next
few years. The divisions actually
are going to be reorganized into
armored and motorized infantry
brigades of 3.000-4, 900 men. The
Bonn Air Force will be made up
Of fighter bomber. reconnaissance
and transport wings.
Within the last month or so.
the Germans announced that they
would build, under licensing ar
rangements, 200 Lockheed F-l04
all-weather fighters and more
than 100 Italian Fiat G-91 close
support fighter-bombers.
The fledgling German Navy
has as its key missions anti-sub-
marine and anti-mine defense in
the Baltic Sea.
Just last week. NATO military
power got another boost when
Italy agreed TO base American
intermediate-range ballistic mis-
siles probably two squadrons Of
the Army developed Jupiter on
her soil. Many targets in South
ern, Russia will be within range
Of these 1.500-mile hydrogen
tipped rockets.
Turkey, whose tough 100000
man Army is NATO's anchor in
the Middle East, Is expected to
be the next country to take Amer.
lean IRBMs. probably one squad
ron Of Jupiters.