[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

anywhere else in the world; but it is a fact that we cannot have adequate navy defense
for all American waters without ships ships that sail the surface of the ocean, ships that
move under the surface and ships that move through the air. And, speaking of airplanes
that work with the Navy, in 1933 we had 1,127 useful aircraft and today we have 2,892
on hand and on order. Nearly all of the old planes of 1933 have been replaced by new
planes because they became obsolete or worn out.
The Navy Is far stronger today than at any peace-time period in the whole long history
of the nation. In hitting power and in efficiency, I would even make the assertion that it
is stronger today than it was during the World War.
The Army of the United States: In 1933 it consisted of 122,000 enlisted men. Now, in
1940, that number has been practically doubled. The Army of 1933 had been given few
new implements of war since 1919, and had been compelled to draw on old reserve
stocks left over from the World War.
The net result of all this was that our Army by l933 had very greatly declined in its ratio
of strength with the armies of Europe and of the Far East.
That was the situation I found.
But, since then, great changes have taken place.
Between 1933 and 1940 these past seven fiscal years your government will have
spent $1,292,000,000 more than it spent on the Army the previous seven years.
What did we get for this money?
The personnel of the Army, as I have said, has been almost doubled. And by the end of
this year every existing unit of the present regular Army will be equipped with its
complete requirements of modern weapons. Existing units of the national Guard will
also be largely equipped with similar items.
Here are some striking examples taken from a large number:
Since 1933 we have actually purchased 5,640 airplanes, including the most modern type
of long-range bombers and fast pursuit planes, though, of course, many of these which
were delivered four, five, six or seven years ago have worn out through use and been
scrapped.
We must remember that these planes cost money a lot of it. For example, one modern
four-engine long-range bombing plane costs $350,000; one modern interceptor pursuit
plane costs $133,000; one medium bomber costs $160,000.
In 1933 we had only 355 anti-aircraft guns. We now have more than 1,700 modern anti-
craft guns of all types on hand or on order. And you ought to know that a three-inch anti-
aircraft gun costs $40,000 without any of the fire control equipment that goes with it.
In 1933 there were only 24 modern infantry mortars in the entire Army. We now have on
hand and on order more than 1,600.
In 1933 we had only 48 modern tanks and armored cars; today we have on hand and on
order 1,700. Each one of our heavier tanks costs $46,000.
There are many other items in which our progress since 1933 has been rapid. And the
great proportion of this advance consists of really modern equipment.
In 1933, on the personnel side we had 1,263 Army pilots. Today the Army alone has
more than 3,000 of the best fighting flyers in the world, flyers who last year flew more
than one million hours in combat training. That figure does not include the hundreds of
splendid pilots in the national Guard and in the organized reserves.
Within the past year the productive capacity of the aviation industry to produce military
planes has been tremendously increased. In the past year the capacity more than
doubled, but that capacity is still inadequate. However, the government, working with
industry, is determined to increase that capacity to meet our needs. We intend to harness
the efficient machinery of these manufacturers to the government's program of being
able to get 50,000 planes a year.
One additional word about aircraft, about which we read so much. Recent wars,
including the current war in Europe, have demonstrated beyond doubt that fighting
efficiency depends on unity of command, unity of control.
In sea operations the airplane is just as much an integral part of the unity of operations
as are the submarine, the destroyer and the battleship, and in land warfare the airplane is
just as much a part of military operations as are the tank corps, the engineers, the
artillery or the infantry itself. Therefore, the air forces should continue to be part of the
Army and Navy.
In line with my request the Congress, this week, is voting the largest appropriation ever
asked by the Army or the Navy in peacetime, and the equipment and training provided
for them will be in addition to the figures I have given you.
The world situation may so change that it will be necessary to reappraise our program at
any time. And in such case I am confident that the Congress and the Chief Executive
will work in harmony as a team as they are doing today.
I will not hesitate at any moment to ask for additional funds when they are required.
In this era of swift, mechanized warfare, we all have to remember that what is modern
today and up-to-date, what is efficient and practical, becomes obsolete and outworn
tomorrow.
Even while the production line turns out airplanes, new airplanes are being designed on
the drafting table.
Even as a cruiser slides down the launching ways, plans for improvement, plans for
increased efficiency in the next model, are taking shape in the blueprints of designers. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]