Two-Year Report

The history of one of the great U.S. achievements of World War II--the building of the Army--was brought up to date. This week General George Catlett Marshall, Army Chief of Staff, laid the most dramatic chapter on the desk of Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson. It covered the two years in which the Army came of age and was blooded in battle.

To able, imperturbable George Marshall, U.S. participation in World War II began four years ago when the strength of the Army stood at 200,000 officers and men. Two years ago, in a report covering the two first phases of growth (ending with Germany's attack on Russia), George Marshall could report progress.

In this week's report he covers the third phase--U.S. preparation up to Pearl Harbor; the fourth--painful defensive deployment until the U.S. could rally; the fifth, in which growing offensive power is being used to crush the enemy from the ground and from the air.

In these two years the Army's growth was phenomenal. Most striking examples: the Air Forces expanded 3,500%; the Corps of Engineers, 4,000%.

Like George Marshall the report was soldierly, sober, soundly optimistic. Its main points:

Third Phase. In the summer of 1941 German troops were rolling into Russia, menacing Britain and the Atlantic area. Japan was clearly preparing for war.

Prime U.S. problem at this critical moment: to keep its Army (then 1,500,000) from disintegrating. This was accomplished by legislation* extending military service beyond the original one-year period. Next job was to organize unprecedented maneuvers for 900,000 troops. The Army:

> Switched No. 1 priority for troops and material from Hawaii to the more vulnerable outposts of Alaska and the Panama Canal.

> Established air bases and garrisons in the Caribbean and Newfoundland.

> Stripped squadrons in the U.S. to get modern warplanes to the Philippines.

> Recalled General MacArthur to duty as Far East commander.

> Pleaded (in vain) for Congressional appropriations for defense construction in the Philippines.

Pearl Harbor. When the Jap struck, the Army had six troopships and nine cargo vessels at sea; all save one cargo ship made their way safely either to home ports or friendly ports. Supply routes were hastily reorganized, planes flown to Australia via Africa and India in ten days. But the ground crews and materiel to keep them flying had to go out the slow way--ten weeks or longer.

In spite of all that had been done, the U.S. was tragically short of everything, but particularly of time. Gambles had to be taken. Example: the U.S. cut its reserve supply, gave The Netherlands East Indies 7,000,000 rounds of .30-caliber ammunition--the expected daily output of a plant due to get into production more than a month later.

Fourth Phase. U.S. war plans went into effect at once. First moves: > Forces were hurried to Alaska and Panama. In the first five weeks 600,000 troops were moved.

> In ten days, two fast convoys were organized and sent to plug the Hawaii gap.

> Work was speeded on the Alaska Military Highway.

Next major problem, organization of joint Allied strategy, was tackled in conferences with Winston Churchill and the British Chiefs of Staff. General Marshall believes that no other Allied action has so greatly affected the successful conduct of the war.

New facts reported by George Marshall mostly from the Fifth Phase:

> Because of the desperate Pacific situation, not until the summer of 1942 did the U.S. have enough shipping to send more than a single division to the British Isles.

> At the Casablanca conference, plans were made not only for the North Africa and Sicily campaigns, but for occupation of Kiska and Attu and other Pacific engagements yet to come.

> The decision to invade North Africa was made in July 1942. Operations were planned for early fall but delayed for lack of landing boats and other ships. Some of the larger vessels became available only a week before the convoys sailed.

> Total size of the North African Allied invasion force was 107,000. Not sure whether the French would fight, the Allies had a code signal ("Play Ball") to signalize a full-blast offensive. Only a few minutes before the all-out assault on Casablanca was to be launched, Darlan's order to surrender reached the city.

> Opening the Mediterranean was equivalent to adding 240 ships to Allied shipping.

> U.S. Eighth Air Force (England) heavy bomber strength as of July stood at 1,000 plus. Because of strong German fighter and ack-ack opposition, each mission now calls for a minimum of 300 planes.

> As of June 30, the U.S. had 1,065 generals, an average of one per 6,460 officers and enlisted men; as of that date 50 combat divisions had been activated since July 1941.

> U.S. troops are now stationed at 52 places outside the U.S.

> Attu was invaded by troops from the reinforced 7th Infantry Division. U.S. losses: 512; Jap losses: 2,350.

> Strength of the U.S. Army as of July 1: just under 7,000,000 men, including 521,000 officers. Air Forces alone has 182,000 officers, 1,906,000 men.

"The end is not yet clearly in sight," cautioned George Marshall. "But," he concluded, "victory is certain."

*General Marshall tactfully refrained from mentioning that the House passed the bill by a one-vote margin.

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