Show Got Army Gadget Prepare for Real Tests By ny DAVENPORT STEWARD NEA Service Correspondent FORT BENNING Ga Only Only men fr from m Missouri figuratively speaking are members of the army infantry board Th That's ts t's because this little known group of regular army officers examines tests modifies modifies modifies modi modi- fies and designs equipment for forthe forthe forthe the infantry of the United States army army and and they say Show me They see to it that a new article is not only as good but better than equipment already In use Board Formed Because of the existence ce of this board established in 1920 no infantryman will ever take into the field weapons or other equipment still in the experimental experimental tal stage One of the members members- of the board from 1927 until 1932 was the same George C. C Marshall who today is chief of staff of the United States tates army It is composed of a varying number of field officers none of whom has had less than 18 y years years' ears ears' service service service ice and one of these heads the test section The present director is Colonel Matthew J. J Gunner who wants no yes men under him Board 4 members must have analytical minds have the courage of their own convictions and be open- open minded The board operates on the theory that perfection is is worth striving for but while waiting for perfection you might as aswell aswell well weB use the best available Roundtable discussions of the board sometimes turn i into n t o 0 heated arguments with accompanying accompanying accompanying thumping table-thumping a and n d bursts of invective Lunch Together Brigadier General Leven C. C Allen who as commandant of the infantry school also serves as president of the board says its it's s quite educational to see the members at each others other's throats one morning and at lunch to together together together to- to gether not long afterward Although the board can adopt no equipment for the Infantry it itcan itcan itcan can and does speak up for or against any proposed changes It voted against shorts for field duty because no matter the theother theother theother other arguments a foot soldier in shorts cant can't get about in briars heavy undergrowth and the sharp-edged sharp grasses found in tropical countries notably the Philippines It recommended the new roll- roll collar shirt but at the same time urged retention of long sleeves as protection against sharp grasses stubble and rocks The infantryman often often has has to throw himself prone without having time to pick where hes he's going to flop and short sleeves can result In some nasty wounds Think of Tests The war department sends new Ideas or suggestions to the boards board's director who then assigns assigns assigns as as- signs one officer to go gu into the matter exhaustively He Ite also turns models over to the chief of the test section and what the test officer and his assistants cant can't think up in m the way of I tests isn't worth bothering with Any new gun would get the same tests as did the M 1 Garand Garand Gar Gar- and semiautomatic rifle The Theold Theold Theold old Springfield was a good rifle tested battle-tested and dependable Could the Garand stand the same abuse the Springfield stood in the mud of France for example example example ex ex- ample The foot soldier worms worms his way along on the ground frequently getting dust sand mud or water into the working p parts of his weapon What he wants and needs is a gun which can take abuse and still be ef ef- ef Give Gl It Business So they took the Garand out outon outon outon on the range and gave it the business Sand was poured into the magazine blown out and the piece fired Mud was dumped in wiped out hastily and the piece fired Water was poured in m and the gun was fired It was dropped carelessly on the ground with the magazine open it was pushed along ahead of a soldier advancing in a prone position po po- po- po Still it worked just like the inventor said it would All new equipment proposed I for the infantry is tested under similar battle conditions It must be able to stand abuse and still stilt perform effectively The board found that the rubber heels were dandy for soldiers marching on pavement but in the field leather leath leath- er is just as good Here at Fort Benning the board is housed in the Infantry school building which dominates dominates dominates domi domi- nates the grounds The board has shops of its own staffed by skilled officers and men and there are endless facilities for testing Thousands of troops are available for use as guinea pigs The board not only wants to see how the Infantryman can use proposed new equipment but It wants to know his reaction reaction reaction tion to it |