Show V Ef ESSENTIALS ron FOR OUR oun POSTWAR SAFETY Convinced that German robot attacks on the Continental United States are entirely possible and that If It any aggressor ag Rg- again attempts world conquest this nation will bo be attacked first the War and Navy Departments are working on postwar defense defenso plans now So says Thomas M. M Johnson close student of military affairs and war correspondent with armies armies' In an exclusive article in fn the Readers Reader's Digest The reason our military authorities expect such an attack Is plain he be says We have twice shown the world that we have greater war power than any other nation on earth when given time timeto timeto timeto to mobilize It So a future aggressors aggressor first goal must be to crush us before he attacks anyone else elite and not give us what we have always needed In other emergencies emergencies time Su SuCh a blow Is possible Mr Johnson believes because we are no longer out of reach airplanes cross oceans on routine operations Tomorrow the 29 B which can drop a big bomb load on targets 1000 miles distant and come home will home will be superseded by planes with much longer range lange dropping more powerful powerful power power- ful bombs bombe Planes dragging gliders glider laden with airborne troops will be able to fly Dy from Europe or Asia and land men to seize Pittsburg steel mills or the Mississippi Miss Miss- River bridges In the foreseeable future Suture are Improved Invasion craft which I could land troops and supplies on our coasts There will be ro root robot ot bombs of Increased power longer range and greater great great- I er accuracy launched from planes from carriers from islands Islands even from other continents We may be struck out of the blue by we did not know existed In the Digest article which was prepared prepared prepared pre pre- pared after a long series of consultations consulta consulta- dons with military and naval leaders L i Mr Johnson outlines the rough first draft of a postwar defense being framed as best beat suited for our country by such outstanding officers as 81 Admiral H E E. Yarnell who Is fa In charge of postwar r planning for the Navy Major General William F. F Tompkins heading the Army group and Major General Harold L. L George representing the Air Force In their opinion he writes our primary need 1 S. S to guard against 8 surprise at att attack at- at t tack ck by establishing a better Intelligence than service than ever before because weBS we as BS urgently as anyone shall need to know what the worlds world's armies navies and air forces are doing and planning The other needs the article continues are to have not the biggest but the most modern army navy and air force and outposts well equipped as bases for our armed forces and as warning stations against surprise attack The bomber line now la le considered the front line and Army and Navy leaders are said to want It pushed out as far as possible to protect protect protect pro pro- the home front Our air force they Insist must always be ready to I take off with better planes and fliers filers than anyone else has If It only because of ot the great distances we must cover For that reason It is fa stated the Air Force believes we should encourage private vate vote flying Dying and air transport and supply planes to schools S to train youth to fly ny The training of manpower manpower also alao Is one I of the primary plans the article goes on on stating that these plans plana are built on the assumption that Congress will pass a law providing that every bodied able-bodied young American shall be trained for one year to defend his coun coun- try After training these men would be e reservists ready to return to active duty If emergency required The aim is 18 above all 1 not to retreat to the days before Pearl Harbor when our entire mobile army would not have filled the Yankee Stadium In preparing preparing- our backlog of future defense equipment It Is pointed out that today's weapons be tomorrows tomorrow's junk and that we must replace them with new new on on a range long-range plan according accordIng accordIng accord- accord Ing to the rate of scientific development Mr Johnson reminds us that the French kept not only airplane engines but much else after 1018 1918 and that though they saved some money In 1940 their antiques helped lose them their liberty Always we have pursued a policy of saving pennies In peace Mr Johnsons Johnson's I article states state and in War squandering dollars and dollars and the lives of at our bravest and I best To help our people under understand and this and how to stop It the students of I war who are our actuaries of peach peB e have drawn a final clause for the peace Ini Insurance insurance In- In i they would present for our approval ap I lIe He finds that they would keep bureaus of public relations of the Army Navy and Air Mt Ir Force to show our people through prose press radio and other media the practical way to avert wars or at least to shorten them and cut their dreadful cost In lives and treasure It Is their contention according to the article that our Influence In any International International Inter Inter- international national league for peace will be directly proportionate to our armed strength and such a league will have a much better better better bet bet- ter Chance of success If backed by power and power that Is ready to be unleashed on the Instant |