ARMY BEING REDUCED

Chronicle (Levin), 10 March 1948, Page 5

ARMY BEING REDUCED

(N.Z.P.A.—

-Reuter,

But Britain Wili laintain Adequate Forces -

Covyright)

Received Wednesday, 10 a.m. LONDON, March 9. The British Army would be reduced to 527,000 men and women by April 1, and 339,000 by March, 1949, said the Secretary for War, Mr. E. Shiny* well, in presenting the Army Estimates in the House of Com- . mons today. It was hoped that 200,000 of the total strength would be volunteers to the Regular Army. "Since the end of the war 2,645,000 offieers and men have been demobilisecl, .but 1948 will see the end of demobilisation. We must now look to the future. We canno.t hope, if war comes, to gain breathing space ,in which to build up and train our land forces. The shock will be sharp and sudden." Mr. Shinwell said that the Government, therefore, had decided to maintain the Army's strength by stimulating the fiow of trained and disciplined men from national service units to the territorial Army. The National Army would thus be ' composed of regulars, territorials and a national service element. Mr. Shinwell warned against the idea that the discovery of modern and more cleadly weapons had destroyed an army's value. "Scientists may have produced weapons of mass destruction, but none of which so far obviates the need for land fighting. The idea that in a future war all that will be needed is to press a?button is not supported by any evidence we have." If another war came, con-j tinued Mr. Shinwell, the country must rely on the territorials to provide the bulk of Britain's anti-aircraft and coast defence, reinforcements for overSbas g&rri.sons ancl probably an equipped field force foT service 1 anywhere. Neither the regulars nor the national servicemen • were sufficient by themselves to provide adequate forces to defend the United Kingdom. Mr. Shinwell added that Britain's inescapable overseas comriiitments would continue for some time, and it would be .foolish not to take precautions to safeguard her interests both at h o m e a_nd a b r o a d .