U.S. MANPOWER NEEDS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 17 October 1942, Page 5

U.S. MANPOWER NEEDS

ARMY OF 7,500,000 NEXT YEAR YOUNGER MEN WANTED Washington, Oct. 15. Stressing the importance of lowering the draft age to 18, the Secretary of War, Mr Stimson, told the Military Committee of the House of Representatives that the manpower needs of the army in 1943 were 7,500,000 approximately 3,250,000 more than the present strength. He added that these included 2.200,000 for the air forces, 3,300.000 for organised ground units, LOGO.OOO for the training and supply services, and 1,000.000 for actual duty with the supply services. “The United States wants in 1943 the largest air force, with sustaining units, which production and transportation permits,” he said. “We want 2,200,000 for the air forces at a conservative estimate. Any changes will be upward." Mr Stimson explained that plans for the induction of younger men were based on the history of experience. “All major wars in which the United States has engaged in the past have been carried through by men under 20 and single,” he said. “The fact is they are better soldiers and never in our history have we so much needed exceptional soldiers. Youth constitutes the indispensable kind of men necessary to win this war.”

“ARMY GETTING TOO OLD" Mt Stimson warned the committee that statistics show that the army is getting too old, with too great a percentage of men over 40 who ought not to do the kind of fighting the American armies are doing now.” The men at present were allowed a minimum of 12 months’ training compared with two years in Germany, “because we think Americans train more quickly than Germans. It Isn’t pleasant for me to consign the sons and grandsons of my friends to the hideous character of modern war, but if we want to save civilisation that’s the only road to follow.” The Army Chief of Staff, General Marshall, said that the average age in the combat army had risen to a point unacceptable to the War Department. He was investigating the possibility of releasing older draftees from the army, after drafting younger men. General Marshall opposed the provision in the Bill that men under 20 must be given a year’s training before being sent into combat. He explained that unexpected emergencies might require shortening of the period. EXPANDING AIR FORCE The American Air Force will be more than doubled in 1943. said General McNarney, Deputy Chief of Staff, before the Military Committee. He added that the total strength of the Axis armies is estimated at from 8,755,000 to 11.400,000. General McNarney refused to reveal the comparative strength of the forces of the United Nations. Brigadier-General Hershey, Administrator of the Selective Service Act, said that a draft of 18 to 19-year-old groups would yield 1,200,000, but an additional million married men will be called up to meet the demands of the army in 1943. Boys of 18 and 19 are crowding recruiting stations throughout the nation. Tlie tempo of recruiting has accelerated to a marked extent as plans were speeded up in Washington for drafting 18 and 19-year-old youths. The acceleration is most noticeable at the army offices, but the navy authorities said that the bulk of their enlistments were youths in their teens The House Military Affairs Committee unanimously approved of legislation to lower the draft age to 18 years. —P.A.