The first phase of the most intensive training Programme in the army's peacetime history ended recently at Fort Benning, Georgia, when the Fourth Corps, commanded by Maj.-Gen. Walter C. Short, formerly in command of the First Division at Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn, completed corps manœuvres.
Almost 40,000 men of three newly-reorganized "triangular" divisions, the First, Fifth and th, participated with supporting troops in the exercises which stressed mobility and featured many innovations in American field training. Among the points they specifically emphasized were: development of the operations of the specially-organized corps cavalry regiment: practice in advancing large units when under danger of air attack; development of the operations of a corps in an enveloping attack, or in a mobile defence on a wide front; internation of artillery and heavy weapon fire into the scheme of manceuvre; tactics of a corps supported by mechanized Units and combat aviation; test of administration, and supply; development of anti-mechanized defence.
The exercises were the most intensive field tests of the new "triangular" division yet held, and hence General Short's comments that the extent of motorization of the new triangular division was justified only if it resulted in greater celerity of action were received with much interest.
Commenting on new weapons tested and new tactics developed during the manœuvres, General Short stressed that time, not distance, is the determining factor in war today and that the modern "doughboy" will travel by "shank's mare" only when compelled to do so by enemy fire. Speed in reconnoissance, in decision, in issuance of orders and in their execution was stressed. Once the battle is joined, decentraliz~ ation of authority is essential, he said.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.