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DISTRIBUTION LIST

No. of Copies

Secretary of War 1Under Secretary of War 1Assistant Secretary of War 1Assistant Secretary of War for Air 1Chief of Staff, U.S. Army 2Deputy Chief of Staff, U.S. Army 1

Secretary General Staff 2Chief, Staff Communications Branch 1 Chief, Strength Accounting and Reporting Office 1Chief, Statistics Branch, CCS 1

Assistant Chief of Staff, G-l, WDGS 3Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2, WDGS 5Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, WDGS 3Assistant Chief of Staff, CH4, WDGS 3Assistant Chief of Staff, OPD, WDGS 5The Inspector General, WDSS 2Director, Budget Division, WDSS 2Director, Civil Affairs Division, WDSS 1Director, Special Planning Division, TOSS 1Director, New Developments Division, WDSS 1President, War Department Manpower Board, WDSS 1Chief, Legislative and Liaison Division, WDSS 2Director, Bureau of Public Relations 2Commanding General,- Army Ground Forces 11Commanding General, Array Air Forces 20Commanding General, Aray Service Forces 14Joint War Plans Committee 1Joint Production Survey Committee 1 Commanding General, Military District of Washington 1Commandant, Army Industrial College 1

<MMdMM^

92

Classified SECRET Auth: DC/S Date: 7 May ' Initials:

GENERAL COUNCIL MEETING OFFICE OF'THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF

1130,

PRESENT: General Handy, Deputy Chief of Staff General Berry, G-l General Weckerling, G-2General Edwards, G-3 General Tompkins, SPD General Maxwell, G-k General Borden, NDD General Craig, OPET General Bradford, TOMB Lt. Col. Cabell, OPD General Thompson, MDW Colonel Warner, BPR General Owens, AAF General Richards, BOWD General Christiansen, AGF General Hilldring, CAD General Lutes, ASF General Peterson, IGD Colonel Heiss, OUSW Colonel Parker, L&LD General Hodes, ODCS

REMARKS OF THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF

1. War Department Staff Training for Young Combat Officers,~T We should be training a larger number of young, combat-

experienced officers on the War_pepartment staffs. The Army should have a_pjool of battle-experienced young officers, trained i^ijTartime^procedures of the War Department^lihd^the major commands from/which to draw key staff officers in later years. We should be training for these positions now, officers who could be used up to twenty years from today 9 The average age of the group should probably not exceed 30 years*

Some action has been taken in this matter already. The Assistant Chief of Staff, G-l, in cpllaboration with War De partment Staff and major commands, should take additional appro priate action as necessary.

A number of qualified officers should be available for training v^y^soon .after^R-Day,

REPORT OF THE G-3 DIVISION

1. Training in Use of Japanese Equipment for Redeployed Personnel.

Nisei personnel selected for 1-5 AGF Mobile Intelligence Training Units have arrived at Camp Ritchie, Maryland, to enter a two months' training course. These 15 teams are the first of 38 teams needed to fulfill requirements of AGF, ETO and MTO for train ing personnel scheduled for redeployment in the use of Japanese equip ment. Most of the important items of Japanese equipment for the 15 teams is available. Additional captured Japanese equipment has been assigned a high priority by G-U for shipment to the United States.

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REPORT OF THE G-U DIVISION

1. Convalescent Hospital Beds in European Theater of Operations.Additional convalescent hospital beds equivalent to 20%

of the authorized fixed hospital beds have been authorized for the European Theater of Operations in order.to clear convalescents from general hospital beds and to release hospitals for early redeployment. The Commanding General, European Theater of Operations has agreed to staff the new convalescent hospitals and beds with personnel now available in the theater.

2. Criteria for Army Air Forces and Army Service Forces Convales cent Hospitals.

Approval has been given to standard criteria for provid ing and maintaining facilities at Army Air Forces and Army Service Forces convalescent hospitals.

3. Air Evacuation. (Z of I),.A plan of the Commanding General, Army Air Forces for

the air evacuation of approximately 1/3 of the patients returned by water from overseas theaters has been approved. This plan will- decrease the load on rail transportation within the Zone of the Interior.

U. Procurement and Distribution of Tobacco Products.Publication of a War Department circular to put into

effect a cigarette, cigar, and smoking tobacco rationing plan for the Zone of Interior and a cigarette allocation plan for theaters' of operations has been directed. The Zone of Interior plan, effect ive 3 June 19U5, will permit an initial weekly maximum issue of six (6) packages of cigarettes, twenty-four (2lj) cigars, or four (U) ounces of smoking tobacco per individual, military or authorized civilian. The overseas allocation plan, effective 1 June 19U5, will permit greater control by ports of embarkation, and is based on an allocation computed from established consumption factors and pro jected strengths. The plans are being coordinated with Legislative and Liaison Division for clearance with the Mead Committee prior to release.

5. Adjustment of Requirements.Successful progress of the European War has permitted

modification of the directive for the computation of requirements contained in the Supply Supplement to the War Department Troop Deployment to establish 1 May 19U5 as the date after which require ments will not exist for a two-front war.

6» Return of Excess Critical Items of -Equipment.The Commanding General, European Theater of Operations,

and the Commanding General, Caribbean Defense Command have been directed to return to the United States all stocks of 21 critical items of equipment which may be excess to theater needs. Equipment thus obtained will be used in equipping troops upon redeployment.

7. Allocation of Ammunition.Reduced ammunition expenditures in the European and Medi

terranean Theaters of Operations have permitted the discontinuance of the present system of issuing letters allocating firm credits of ammunition. In the future,critical ammunition types will be handled through normal supply procedures.

8. Post-War Requirements for Equipment and Installations.

The Commanding Generals of the major commands have been directed as follows:

a. To compute requirements for a War Department War Reserve of suffibient equipment to equip the difference between an M-Day Force and a force of U,5>00,000 men, and the requirements to place the M-Day Force on a wartime footing.

b. To compute requirements for equipment for an operating level and an operating reserve for the Peacetime Army, and

c. To compute requirements for command installa tions (including sit facilities) for the Peacetime Army, reserve complements, trainees, and £0$ of the U,500,000-man force.

An Organization Plan for Post-War Supply was provided, consisting of a Troop List' giving units by type for a post-war army, organized reserves, National Guard and the ultimate force of U,500,000 men. The directives, together with the Organization Plan, will pro vide a basis for determining what equipment and installations it will be necessary to retain under the control of the War Department and will provide the only sound basis upon which determination of sur pluses can be made.

REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC RELATIONS

1. Release on Redeployment Plans.On Saturday, 5 May 19U5, there was released a comprehensive

statement on the War Department's redeployment plans. As the state ment itself indicated, the release was made after information which had been given by members of the War Department General Staff to the House Military Affairs Committee in executive session had leaked, and had appeared in a partial and garbled form in the press on the morning of Saturday, 5 May 19U5.

Because of past experience, the Bureau was of the opinion that the testimony given in executive session before the House Military Affairs Committee on Friday, h May "L9h$, would in various forms become

available to the press and, therefore, was prepared to issue a com plete release when such leaks became evident.

The necessity for issuing the release changed the previous plans whereby the Chief of Staff and Admiral King were to present redeployment plans to the entire Congress.

The War Department release on redeployment received prac tically one hundred per cent press and radio coverage throughout the United States. The full text of the statement was carried over the press association wires and was featured, for the most part, on the front pages and in sufficient detail to 1 give adequate under standing .

Up to the present time, the Bureau is not aware of any adverse criticism of the release. Reporters have expressed them selves as pleased by the comprehensiveness of the statement. Re quests from members of Congress for copies of ,the release may be expected one Senator (Maybank, South Carolina) has already asked for five hundred copies..

li, is too early to gauge editorial reaction to the state ment, but it is anticipated that it will evoke wide-spread comment from editorial writers, columnists and commentators. It is also expected that the release will serve as source material f or months to come. It will serve in this ,respect the same function as did the War Department announcement of last September on the point plan of partial demobilization.

No comments have been noted on the leak after the h May Executive session of the House Military Affairs Committee and the garbled stories resulting therefrom. However, many papers did carry the statement, attributed to Chairman May, that any Committee member who had given out information after the Executive session should re sign from the Committee and that any Committee member who would not agree to keep secret the information to be given in future Executive sessions would be asked not to attend.

Two principal subjects remain to be covered to provide the public with the proper understanding of the situation that will exist after VE-Day. The first is production and logistics. It is planned that an extensive presentation of this subject will be given by General Somervell at a press and radio conference Tues day, 8 May.

The second subject on which extreme public interest exists is the value of the point scores to be used in connection with par tial demobilization. This information will not be divulged to the press before it is given to the troops. However, in order that the correspondents may have sufficient knowledge on the manner in which the point system works, it is planned that General Tompkins hold a press and radio conference on Wednesday, 9- May, and show the film, "Two Down and One To Go" at that time. This would serve as valuable background for the correspondents and insure a more informative handling by the press of the point scores.

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REPORT OF THE BUDGET DIVISION

1. Payment of Troops in Europe in Foreign Currencies.Under the guidance of the Budget Division, the State, War and

Treasury Departments prepared a report on House Resolution l£0 which re quired all the facts concerning:

a. Payment of military personnel abroad in other than United States dollars;

b. Control of exchange rates in France and Italy;c. Method of acquisition of French francs and of Ital- i

ian lirejd. Disposition of the dollar counter-values; ande. Agreements with French and Italian authorities with

respect to exchange rates. \The report is a factual presentation of all pertinent matters

affecting the payment of U. S. soldiers in Europe in foreign currencies.

2. Expenditures Made by U. S. Troops in China.The Secretary of War has reaffirmed to the Secretary of the

Treasury that responsibility for coordination with the Treasury of War Department policy with respect to settlement with the Chinese Government of U. S. Army expenditures in China, rests with the Chief of the Operations Division, WDGS, and the Director of the Budget Division, WDSS. Officers of the Operations Division and the Budget Division have been maintaining close liaison with the Treasury.

3. Chinese Currency for Air Crew Kits in the Pacific Theater.The Army is securing through the Navy all Chinese currency

shipped by the Army from"the United States to the Pacific Theater. The Treasury Department is handling the actual negotiations with"local repre sentatives of the Chinese Government; but for security purposes,, the Navy Department appears to be the initiator of all requisitions. This proced ure was adopted because the Navy had already been securing Chinese cur rency through the Treasury Department from the local representatives of the Chinese Government.

h. Payment of Missions in the Balkanso *- The British have proposed that rates of exchange be fixed from

time to time with respect to Hungary, Bulgaria and Roumania. As far as the United States Army is concerned, there are only small missions in this area. Currency in these countries is quite unstable. Hence it is believed the fixing of rates of exchange from time to time would work a hardship on the personnel of the missions. Consequently, the War Department proposes to continue [paying the personnel of these missions in yellow seal dollars. This conforms with current implementation of the three armistice agreements, does not preclude ultimate reimbursement from the host government, and has \ not created the necessity for granting any special allowances which might I become necessary if fixed rates' of exchange were prematurely adopted. J^

5. Depreciation of New Greek Drachma ,In November 19UU the currency in Greece was stabilized by the

issuance of a new drachma worth 50 billion old drachma and with a rate of exchange of lit.0 to the $1. The new drachma has now depreciated to such an extent that in the free market £00 new drachma can be secured for $1.

6. Nonappropriated Funds*A conference was held in the War Department from 21 to 27 Ap

ril to coordinate the Nonappropriated Funds of the War Department and the overseas theaters. Representatives from practically all overseas the aters were present. The conference resulted in a fruitful exchange of ideas and a coordination of the operation of the various Nonappropriated funds. Appropriate instructions will be issued from time to time to implement the necessary decisions.

REPORT OF THE CIVIL AFFAIRS DIVISION

1. Military Government Situation on Okinawa at Close of First Month' s' Operations

110,000 civilians are under Military Government care at the close of first month's operations on Okinawa* Military Govern ment reconnaissance on lagachi Shima disclosed a leprosarium with 8^0 patients in charge of two qualified and cooperative Japanese doctors. All lepers found on Okinawa will be sent there thus alleviating a difficult problem in the camps. A large portion of the population is infected with Filariasis. Military Government has uncovered suitable headmen for camps and villages from former postmasters, teachers and merchants who have proved cooperative and effective.

2* Summary of Civil Affairs Field Operations/Germany and the Netherlands.

In a recent summary of Civil Affairs field operations for Germany and the Netherlands, SCAEF stated that in the Nuerenberg area of Germany many civilians admit to membership in the Nazi Party and belief in its philosophy which he said was opposite to the attitude in Western Germany. The condition of the people in the newly liberated areas of the Netherlands is far better than anticipated. Farms are in good shape and some livestock remains. However, western areas are in dire need of relief.

3. Civil Affairs Policy for Borneo.The Combined Chiefs of Staff agreed that when enemy occupied

territory of U.S. or U.K. is recovered as a result of operations, combined or otherwise, the directive to the Force Commanders will include civil affairs policies formulated by the government which exercised authority over the territory before enemy occupation. Consequently, on 28 April the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff forwarded to General MacArthur the civil affairs policy formulated by the U.K. Government for his information and guidance in the liberation of Sarawak, North Borneo, Brunei and Labuan.

REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL

1. Survey of Pacific Ocean Areas.Generals Brown and Cooke, who have been conducting a survey

of matters relating to replacements, rotation, psychoneurosis, dupli cation of facilities, etc., in the Pacific Ocean Areas, have returned to Washington. Their reports on each phase of their survey are being submitted.

2. Supply Inspection in Pacific Ocean Areas •A group of officers headed by Col e William A. Carroll, IGD,

has also returned from the Pacific Oeoan Areas where an inquiry has been conducted into supply levels md procedures as established under the directive of the Daputy Chief of Staff of 1 January Reports of this inquiry are in course of preparation*

3. Medical SurveyoGeneral Snyder , assisted by other inspectors general and

by representatives of the Office of The Surgeon General and the Air Surgeon, has just completed the field work of sa iaquiry into Zone of Interior hospitalisatione Report of this inquiry will be submitted in the near future.

U. POM Inspection in ETQ 0Colonel David B. FalkB IGD, has just returned from a visit

to the European Theater of Oparations where he assisted in the estab lishment of a system of POM inspections in that theater for troops to be returned to the Usited States or to be redeployed to other theaters* He also arranged for the assignment to ETO of certain key officers from the Office of The Inspector Gsneralo Tbss© officers are being sent to ETO because of their familiarity with th© POM inspection system as employed in the Zone of

REPORT OF THE LEGISLATIVE MQ LI4ISQI DIVISION

1. Hearings in fixeeutiv© Ssasion before House Military Affairs Conaittee.In response to a written r©qu©st by tha Chairman of the House

Military Affairs Committe© to the Secretary of War* War Department nit- nesses appeared before that Comraitt©© in exaeutiv© session on k May and gave the Any 8 s plans for redeployment against Japan, readjust ment of personnel aft©? to® defeat of Germany and the general policy and planning principles for th© post-war Axay0 -

On U Hay, the Oommitt®® expressed its thanks for the full and frank testimony of War Bspartmeat wLtra@s@©g® Several members, however, must have discussed tte tostimosy givea at this executive hearing with representatives of tte press immediately after the morning session of U May, as all of tto moraiag papers of 5 May carried the War Department's r©d@pl©ya@Qt aad readjustment plans in partial and garbled form.

The Legislative and Liaison Division learned of the leak in the afternoon of U May and definit© attempts w@re then made through the Bureau of Public Relations aad ths Offi©© of Censorship to stop publication of th© stos=l©So Etas® war® -not successful since there is apparently no authority to stop publication of news given out directly by Members of Congress 0

- 7

Representatives of the Legislative and Liaison Division conferred with the Chairman of the Committee and attended an in formal session "with eight members of the Committee on 5 May at which time those present expressed sincere regret and definite anger over the leak. The Chairman decided to continue the hearings in executive session on 7 May but limited the testimony to the subjects of the Reserve and National Guard components of the post-war Army, and stated definitely that the witnesses would not be required to furnish any classified information although the hearings will be continued in executive session. The Chairman also suggested in the public press that the Committee members who disclosed the Army de mobilization plans "should resign at once".

2. Universal Military Training.Chairman Woe-drum of the House Select Committee on Post-War

Military Policy has announced that the public hearings on universal military training will begin on k June and continue through 16 June. The second (and' last) week of the hearings will be devoted to tes timony by War and Navy Department witnesses.

Detailed arrangements for the appearance of War Department witnesses will be worked out this week in conference with Mr. Woodrum by representatives of the Special Planning Division, War Department's Coordinator for the presentation of Universal Military Training plans, and Legislative and Liaison Division.

3. Congressional Action Last Week.~ su The House sustained President Truman's veto of H.J.

Res. 106, The purpose of this resolution was-to reaffirm and strengthen the Tydings' amendment to the Selective Training and Service Act, pro viding occupational deferments of registrants engaged in essential agriculture. The veto was recommended by the War Department.

b. The House by a vote of 176-1*0 passed H.R. 693 which pro vides for discontinuance of land grant rates in the transportation of government traffic by railroads. The bill now goes -to the Senate.

c. The Senate and House Military Affairs Committees sent out to the Senate or House floors several bills in which the War De partment is interestedo These bills will be reported to the General Council when action is taken on the floor of either legislative body.

U. Congressional Action This Week.a. On Monday, 7 May, the House will consider H. Con. Res, 39,

a resolution stating the intent of Congress as to apprehension and pun ishment of Axis war criminals.

b. Senate committee hearings on S. 227, the Puerto Rican independence bill will probably be concluded this week. Secretary of the Interior Ickes will be among the witnesses. The opposition to the bill is now presenting a unified front which appears to be having

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considerable effect on the committee. The War Department report recommending retention by the United States of complete freedom of action in Puerto Rico for military purposes -will be transmitted to the committee this week.

c» Senate Civil Service Committee hearings will be concluded on S. 807, the bill to improve salary and wage administration in the Federal Service. The House Civil Service Committee will begin hear ings on companion bills on lU May. The Director, Civilian Personnel, Office of the. Secretary of War, has appeared before the Senate Committee and will testify to the House committee on 15 May.

5. Drafting of Nurses.No action is expected to be taken this week on the Senate

floor on the nurse draft bill.Representatives of the Legislative and Liaison Division last

week conferred with the acting majority leader of the Senate who told them that an informal poll of the Senat'e indicated defeat of the bill if it were brought to a vote in the immediate future. Further action will await return.of the Chairman of the Senate Military Affairs Com mittee who is now in Europe0 At the request of Legislative and Liaison Division, the Surgeon General is preparing a revised survey of his need for nurses which will be submitted to the Military Affairs Com mittee Chairman upon his returne

6. Treatment of Prisoners of War0The War Department's affirmative presentation of its.handling

of prisoners of war continued before the House Military Affairs Com mittee on 1 May (open session) and on 2 and 3 May (executive session). On the first day, Brigadier General Bryan^, Assistant The Provost Mar shal General, submitted to questions arising in connection with his prior testimony^ and Mr0 Pate s American Red Cross s and Mr. Bishop, State Department, also testified from their respective points of view. On 2 and 3 May, General Bryan and Lto Colonel Davison explained in great detail the Array's reorientation program for prisoners of war and sub mitted to questions., More members of the Committee were favorable to, than adversely critical of, this reorientation program, the dis closure of which provoked great interest and naturally divergent views. It is not the present intention of the Committee to hold further hearings. Chairman May believes that the presentation of the subject, as a whole, has been so satisfactory to the Committee that he may decide that no trip by members of the Committee to inspect German prisoner of war camps in this> country is necessary*

It is apparent from the questions which were asked by certain members during the hearings that further inquiry will be made.by the Special Committee looking into Communist activities in the Army' and that certain members of the Committee may press for an inquiry into the activities of the Information and Education Division, ASF.

It is expected that the Senate Military Affairs Committee will decide on 8 May whether or not it desires to have the subject of prisoners of war similarly presented to it 0

- 9

7. Congressional Travel.a. As the result of a conference with Senator Hill; who was

appointed as Chairman of a Senate Military Affairs Committee sub committee to visit the European and Mediterranean theaters, it is now believed that this visit •will be postponed indefinitely.

b. A representative of the Legislative and Liaison Division conferred last week with Senator Tydings who is the head of a mission appointed by President Truman to visit the Philippines and announced in the public press on 6 May. This conference was to make plans for the trip of the mission which, as announced by the President, is to assist him in dealing with Philippine problems. It is expected that the mission will leave Washington about 15 May.

REPORT OF THE SPECIAL PLANNING DIVISION

1« Commission Status of Officers upon Release from Active fluty <,"The following policies concerning the commission status of

all officers except Regular Army on relief from active duty received War Department approval on 30 April 191*5*

a. That on relief from active duty all officers-in the AUS (except those of the Regular Array), who are physically qualified and with satisfactory and honorable service, be offered appointments as reserve officers for an initial period of five years in the highest temporary grade held at the time of relief from active duty,,

b. That wide publicity be given to such policy at the earliest practicable time.

In certain instances adjustments in grade may have to be made when reserve officers are ordered to extended duty fo'r training with Regular or National Guard components.

2. Post-War Research and DevelopmentsThe House Select Committee.on Post-War Military Policy on

2 May 19^5.submitted its second report on military research and development. The report endorses the present Research Board for National Security, currently set up within the structure of the National Academy of Sciences. The report states that this Board "if adequately supported, will result in carrying the work along". The report further suggests legislation providing for direct appro^ priations of funds to the National Academy of Sciences for use by the Research Board. The Director of the New Developments Division, WDSS, is forwarding copies of this report to War Department repre sentatives on the Board.

3. Hearings onJJni versa! Military Training.The House Select Committee on Post-War Military Policy

will begin hearings on universal military training on h June 19li5. The hearings will continue through 16 June. It is contemplated that civilian groups and agencies will present testimony during the first week, and that the second week^ll be devoted to presentations

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by the War and Navy Departments. Hearings will be conducted in the House Military Affairs Committee Room, 1310 New House Office Build ing. Morning sessions will run from 1000 to 1200 hours and afternoon sessions from iLUOO to 1700 hours. The public will be admitted to the hearings.

U. Brochure on Universal Military Training.A brochure entitled "The War and Navy Departments' Views

on Universal Military Training" has been approved by the Secretaries of War and Navy. It describes the broad plans and basic policies with respect to the program of Universal Military Training sponsored by the two services. In addition, it contains questions, answers thereto and charts showing the operation of the system.

The brochure with the designation "Advance Copy11 will be distributed this week to appropriate officers of the War Department as guide material on the official War and Navy plan for Universal Military Training. No copies will be distributed outside the War Department except as directed by Assistant Secretary McCloy and General Weible.

5. ETO Version of Pamphlet "Two Down and One To Go".Due to special conditions that will exist in the European

Theater of Operations after R-Day, that theater requested permission from the War Department to write their own version of the pamphlet "Two Down and One To Go". The draft of their pamphlet was received and reviewed by representatives of G-l, Special Planning Division and Information and Education Division, ASF. Notification of approval of the pamphlet subject to the War Department revisions has been dispatched to ETO. The theater will print pamphlet over there, thus conserving transportation space and distribution time.

REPORT OF THE NEW DEVELOPMENTS DIVISION

1. War Department Policy on Research and Development.A directive concerning War Department policy on research

and development has been issued to the three major commands. (See Appendix A)

REPORT OF THE MILITARY DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON

!• The Military Police Blotter for April 19U$.The following figures represent the" breakdown of the

Military Police Blotter for the month of April

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FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL

AWDL' Cases Traffic DrunkMisc. Cases Totals

1IDW DELINQUENCIES - 102 OUTSIDE MDW CASES - h96

AAF AGF ASF TO Totals v AAF AGF ASF Totals—o095

Ih

~T0ii3

"552

171085

~0"0000

—372

2716

102

ooo2 22 a8 6 18

69 229 198

o 1*532

U96

FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH 19U5 (Listed for the purpose of comparison.)

MDW DELINQUENCIES - 135 OUTSIDE MOW CASES - 776

AWOL Cases Traffic DrunkMisc. Cases Totals

AAF AGF ASF WD Totals2 ~53 o

1000 8 ]U

19

1 26 11 22 0U HI 1

13627

135

AAF AGF ASF Totals"HI 3SB" 1ST "" 60CT000 0h U3 29 76U 8 88 100

59 379 338 776Of the April total of 598 delinquencies, 75£ involved white

personnel and the remaining 2$% were colored*

REPORT OF THE ARM! GROUND FORCES

1. Additional Training.The following plan Till be used to give replacements under

19 years of age the two months additional training they will need as a result of passage of the six months training requirement for men inducted under 19 years of age: All infantrymen will be sent to one of three camps—Rucker, Howze or Maxey. The IRTC's in these camps •will be discontinued as soon as those now undergoing this training complete the training* Thereafter, the camps will have only the additional training to give these men. In field artillery it is planned to have all of the advanced training given at Fort Sill as soon as it is possible to work this out. At present the courses will be conducted at both Sill and Bragg. All other replacements will receive the advanced training at their ETC location.

2. Equipment for Redeployment Training.In order that Army Service Forces may have advanced

information as to where training equipment for redeployment train ing will be needed. Army Ground Forces has given them the stations

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where it will locate the earlier divisional and non-divisional units to be returned* This will enable them to move equipment and have it ready as units arrive. It is hoped that this will enable units to have complete equipment for training when they arrive at their new stations* Units returned for training must have 100$ equipment in order to get the full value out of the redeployment training period.

3. Army Ground Forces Coordination with ETO.Army Ground Forces is working with ETO to insure that AGF 1 a

redeployment training program is fully coordinated with ETO'a* Last week AGF sent two officers with its proposed training directive to ETO so that they could discuss it in detail with the headquarters to be charged with redeployment training in ETO.

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REPORT OF THE ARMY AIR FORCES

1. General Baker Succeeds Genefral Giles in Headquarters Army Air Forces.

Lieutenant General Ira Co Eaker has been appointed Deputy Commander, Army Air Forces and Chief of the Air Staff. He succeeds Lieutenant General Barney M. Giles who has been designated as Deputy Commander, Twentieth Air Force and Commanding' General, Army Air Forces in the Pacific Ocean Areas,

2. Revision of Very Heavy Bombardment^ Program,A revised and balanced Very Heavy Bombardment Program

has been planned and approved within the Army Air Forces and will be submitted to the Joiiat Chiefs of Staff as a revision of JCS £21/12, The program as now proposed provides for ijO Very Heavy Bombardment groups ultimately consisting of four squadrons each with unit equip ment and reserve aircraft totaling 1920 airplanes* This revision was required as a result of the greater capability of the B-29 aircraft which lead to high©? operating rates than formerly anticipated. In order to bring about a balance between bomb production facilities^ gasoline availability, port facilities, shipping requirements^ and trained personnel and crew availabilities, it was necessary to plan to deploy a smaller force without re duction in operational ©ffectiveness 0 This revised program was explained to the Joint Production Survey Committee on U May 19U5, in response to their request to the War Department for a defense of increasing bomb requirements,, A representative of the Office of War Mobilization and Conversion was present at the hearing. With this raduced program, the total scheduled production, in cluding projects not yet completed, of high explosive and in cendiary bombs, will be sufficient to take care of world wide tonnage requirements»

3. Test of 10g mm Gun in tha AjraThe 105 mm aircraft gun, T?d was fired in the air for

the first time from an A-26B airplane on 10 April 19i£* Firing was single shot, hand loaded, pending development of a 30-round feed mechanisms A total of 16 rounds -were fired in the air during the tests, under various conditions* It was observed that the recoil increased as the gun was elevated but the air plane was not affected structurally*

U» Greater Accuracy Life for Aircraft Machine Guns*An increase in the accuracy .life of «50 caliber machine

gun barrels is provided by the development of two new types of barrels thus furnishing in combination an accuracy life for the barrel essentially equal to that of the machine gun itself* This development, therefore, is an important contribution to the supply problem as the normal life of a 9 f>0 caliber machine gun barrel

in combat is about 1500 rounds}-each heavy bomber carries ten, or more, and each fighter at least 6 machine guns that must be replaced at the end of their accuracy life* Then, too, present offensive tactics require greater use of machine guns for strafing, and computing guri sights permit gunners to fire more frequently on targets. Both of these factors tend to increase the rapidity with which machine gun barrels wear out.

The first of the mentioned types is a standard caliber .50 machine gun barrel, counter-bored at the breech to receive a special liner made of Stellite, a cobalt steel alloy, which retains its strength and hardness at extremely high temperatures. The Stellite barrel will permit 300 rounds to be fired in a continuous burst before key-holing occurs, as contrasted with a maximum burst of 165 rounds from a standard barrel. Thus, it is estimated that the Stellite barrel gives an accuracy life of from two to five times that of the standard barrel.

The second type is a standard barrel electro-polished to remove a portion of the bore and then chromium-plated in such a manner as to provide a constant taper toward the muzzle* With this type of barrel longer bursts can be fired with accuracy than with the Stellite barrel.

The two types of barrels are now in limited production by the Ordnance Department. Approximately 30,000 Stellite barrels have been supplied to overseas theaters, mostly to the Twentieth Air Force for use in B-2ol s« Chromium-plated barrels have been shipped in smaller quantities, approximately 2000 of them having been sent to overseas theaters, mainly in the Pacific theater for use in strafing aircraft.

5« Japanese Air-to-Air Bombing Tactics with Hollow Charge Bomb,For some time past, the Japanese have released small

hollow charge fragmentation bombs from steel containers carrying as many as 76 small bombs weighing less than a pound each. These bombs are carried in cylinders of two types, one weighing 110 pounds carrying 76 small bombs and another weighing 66 pounds carry ing 36 bombs. One to two seconds after the release from aircraft the cylinders break open and spill out th© small bombs which fall like rain. This ordnance was designed primarily for employment against personnel and light equipment on the ground.

A recently captured Japanese document outlined a training program for the tactical employment of these containers and small bombs in air-to-air bombing of Allied aircraft in flight. Ex tensive tables figuring the trajectory of the cylinders and ejected bombs were listed. Tactical doctrine for the employment of this ordnance in air-to-air bombing calls for release during a dive at a predetermined speed and angle from approximately 1,500 feet above the moving target.

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B-29 units have reported attacks on their formations by this type of ordnance employing the above tactics* To date damage to Allied aircraft by these small bombs has not been great although the incendiary and penetrating effects of the individual small bombs are considerable.

6. Zone, of Interior Training Readjustment to One-Front War Basis.In anticipation of the end of the European war and in

view of the fact that training pipelines for a two-front war were filled, the Army Air Forces issued directives on 3 May 19U5 to the domestic commands which make operational the plans for the Zone of Interior training readjustments from a two-front to a one-front war basis* Readjustment of heavy bombardment training had been approved previously.

7. Air Transport Command's Expansion of Activities in the Pacific.The expansion of Air Transport Command activities in

the Pacific during the past six months and the further expansion estimated by the Pacific Division as necessary to meet indicated theater requirements for air lift in March 19k6 is summarized in the following tablet

Aug I9lh Feb 19U5 Mar 19U6 (estimate) Military PersonnelAssigned ....... Ui,250 22,288 U2,287Aircraft AssignedC-$U's ........ 30 108 21AC-l*7's ........ 12U HOi 1U7

Ton Miles Flownto Foreign Destinations 13,3UO,000 2$,OUO,000 £2,000,000

Passenger Miles Flown 56,100,000 10£,b60,000 21^,000,000 Patients Evacuated. . . 2,687 7,13l» 12,000

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HEPORT OF THE ARM! SERVICE FORCES

1. Cut-off of Shipments Against French Rearmament Program.Based on an ETO estimate that a number of units in the

current French Rearmament Program will not be equipped in time to be employed against German Forces, the theater has reported that no further shipments need be made against this program. Accordingly, ASF has taken steps to discontinue further shipments and also deter mine the status of unshipped equipment to enable the theater to de lete appropriate units from the program.

2. Cancellation of Cargo Shipments to MTO.In view of the fact that the German forces in North Italy

have surrendered to the Allies and all organized resistance has come to an end, ASF advised MTO that all cargo in the U.S. marked "STO" is being stopped, and all requisitions and shipping directives bear ing "STO" marking are being cancelled. The theater was asked to re view its operational projects with a view to cancelling projects in whole or in part. Previously, the theater had requested cancellation of shipment of all Ground Force ammunition and other combat items required for operations.

3. Use of Command Installations During the Redeployment Period.As tiie redeployment period approaches, the problem of staff

ing, supplying, and equipping stations to receive the redeployment training load is becoming acute. An immediate problem is the designa tion of stations which will receive first occupancy together with es timated strengths and types of units. It is also necessary to estab lish a priority list, so far as practicable, of all stations to be reoccupied during the redeployment period. These matters have been under study in ASF headquarters for many months. In order that ap propriate planning data may be made available to all interested agen cies the forth-coming issue of Section 1J>, MPR (dated 30 April 19U5) will carry, as a supplement, estimated personnel loads by quarters through the next twelve months. These estimates will be based on the latest redeployment planning data available to ASF headquarters at the present time.

U* Personnel for Emergency Ammunition Storage.Instructions as prepared by Troop Units Branch, Mobiliza

tion Division, Army Service Forces have been dispatched by The Ad jutant General dated 28 April 19h3> for the organization of twenty-one Ordnance Ammunition Companies for the purpose of providing personnel for emergency handling and storage of ammunition.

These units will be organized provisionally on 7 May 19U5 and lit May 19kS by the commanding officers concerned at the follow ing stations:

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Mo, of Units Station

#5» Army Service Forces Training Center, FortFrancis E 0 Warren, Tfyoming

#U Army Service Forces Training Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland

#2 Sierra Ordnanee Depot, California

#1 Umatilla Ordnance Depot, Oregon

2 Black Hills Ordnance Depot, South Dakota

2 Sioux Ordnance Depot, Nebraska

1 Red River Ordnance Depot, Texas

li Tooele Ordnanee Depot, Utah

These units -raill each hav© a strength of five (5) officers and two hundred sixty-nine (269) enlisted men and will be provided with a special authorisation of equipment, as approved by Director of Supply, Army Service Forces and authorized in letter 27 April 19k$s SK&OO (26 Apr 1|£) OB->S-SFDD!>Mo

fh©s© units will provide the required additional personnel as indicated by the Chief of Ordnance necessary for ©sa@rg@ney handling of ammunition enroute on ?-=E day and subsequently thereto, ijhieh must be immediately diverted from current routing and stored at Ordnanc® Ammunition Depots„

* Negro enlisted personnel ,

5« The United States Army-Navy Ocean Shipping Procedures.Envisioning the neied f or a common basis of operation in

connection -with increasing movements to the Pacific theaters, the Arxagr Service Forces has jointly prepared with the Navy Department, and- the War and Navy Departments have approved and issued Army-Navy Maaual, TM 38=1*12 and.OPMA? 39=83 o This msaml outlines procedures to provide a standard and uniform system regulating the flow of shipping instruc= tion covering shipments from the .Uait@d States to oversea theaters and bases, between oversea theaters and bases, and from oversea theaters and bases to the United States <, To ths .extent practicable, the pro cedures apply to both Army and Navy, but •rahere divergencies are neces sary these are shown separately for each Armed Service so that all instructions will be available between the covers of one book 0 Stand=> ard manifesting procedure is prescribed for the Navy along lines developed by the Army 0 The Navy will thus operate under a uniform procedure, and the standard manifest form -will replace 12 different local forms previously in use 0 On return and inter-theater shipments, the Army' manifest will tie in -with the Theater Shipping Document pre=

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scribed in War Department Manual, TM 38-1*13. Under this arrangement, uniform shipping procedures for the Army become operative throughout the world under a standard set of forms. For the first time, stand ard passenger and baggage information is developed, making it possible for each Armed Service to embark and discharge passengers with a mini mum amount of confusion.

6. Relaxation of Conservation Controls.The Technical Services are currently reviewing actions

proposed to be taken on VE-Day with respect to some fifty general dir-. ectives, in the form of War Department and Army Service Forces cir culars and memoranda, relative to conservation of certain materials and other production factors. In general, directives for conserva tion of textiles, leather,.lumber, certain chemicals and materials, such as tin, will be kept in force. Those directives covering steel, copper, zinc, and certain other materials will be kept under surveil lance for possible relaxation. The remainder will largely be revoked.

7. 19U5 Truck Program.Following are the major changes in programmed Procurement

for the ASF 19U5 truck program as reflected in the 31 March issue of MPR-ORD-20:

28 February 19U5 31 March 19U5 Difference

Light 226,293 181*,1*32 1*1,861Medium 35,753 3k,29k 1,1*59Light-Heavy 256,207 231,079 25,128Heavy-Heavy 58,960 50,131* 8,826

Total 577,213 It99,939 77,271*

The reduction authorized in the 31 March MPR-20 indicates that all facilities planned and authorized to meet the program as outlined 28 February may be cancelled, with the exception of the Hercules Motors Company and the Clark Equipment Company. These two facilities were expanded to meet the needs for engines and trans missions required primarily for the l|-ton 6x6 and l*-5-ton l*xl* series trucks, the objective for which remains at quantities approved 28 February.

8. WPB Plans for Period One.Among other tentative provisions submitted by WPB to af

fected Government agencies for relaxation of controls and steps to aid reconversion of industry after VE-Day is a proposal to cancel all present assigned priority ratings, after a transition period, and to institute two bands of priority. The highest band will be reserved almost exclusively for military procurement. Any rated essential civilian procurement will be placed in the second band rather than sharing the military bands as at present.

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9. Industrial Equipment Redistribution Board,The Industrial Equipment Redistribution Board will

be established by a memorandum executed by the War Department and the Defense Plant Corporation, dated 2U April 19U5 and signed on 28 April 19US by Mr. Patterson in behalf of the Tfer Department. It is anticipated that the Navy Department irill sign it shortly. The Board -nil! be composed of a Chair man, appointed by the Defense Plant Corporation, two Vice- Chairmen, appointed by the War and Navy Departments, respectively, and a representative of each Army Technical Service, the Army Air Forces and each Navy Bureau. The Board will be responsible for the redistribution of idle Government-owned machine tools and production equipment,

10. Bomb, General Purpose, i+2,OOP-PoundjL T12.In order to utilize to the maximum "the carrying

capacity of the XB-36 Airplane, the development of a U2,000- pound general purpose bomb has been undertaken. The XB-36 Airplane will have two bomb bays with a space capacity for a bomb approximately 60 inches in diameter and 390 inches in length. The airplane will be capable of carrying a bomb load of approximately '80,000 pounds. The design of the bomb will be similar to the 12,000-pound and 22,000-pound "Tall Boy" bombs in order to retain the ballistic qualities of the ^Tall Boy" bombs and to achieve maximum velocity and earth penetration. Approximately UO percent of the total weight of the bomb will be the weight of the explosive. In addition to the two T12 Bombs, the XB-36 Airplane will be equipped with 16 20mm Guns, T31. It is proposed to have flight test models available by 1 July 19U5.

11. V-Mail.Effective 2$ April 19U5, the V-mail station at

Port Moresby, New Guinea, has moved to Leyte, P.I. This movement should effect a marked reduction in the overall transit time of V-mail for troops in, the Philippines«

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BEPOHT OF THE 0-2 DIVISION

1. Situation on the Western Front.The past week marked the complete disintegration of German

resistance against Anglo-American forces. The announcement of Hitler's death in Berlin on 1 May and the fall of the Reich's capital on the following day were the prelude to large-scale capitulations on the part of German armies in contact with Anglo-American troops. After the assumption of command by Admiral Doenitz, he immediately announced intentions to continue the fight against the Soviets and to resist Anglo- American forces only in so far as they interferred with the struggle against Bolshevism,

By 5 May, the German forces in Holland, Northwest Germany, Denmark, the Frisian Islands and Helgoland, surrendered to the Allied Twenty-First Army Group, The surrender of these German forces in the North included the Twenty-Fifth Army of seven divisions in West Holland, the First Parachute Army of five divisions in Northwest Germany, and the forces in Denmark, consisting of six divisions plus miscellaneous units, in addition to the Frisian Island and Helgoland garrisons,

By 6 May, German Army Group G, comprising the First and Nineteenth Armies, surrendered to the U«S, Sixth Army Group, These German forces, located in southern Germany and Austria from the Line area west to the Swiss border, consisted of 12 nominal divisions plus miscellaneous GHQ, and training units0

At the end of the week@ only five nominal German divisions, three in Atlantic coastal garrisons and two in Czechoslovakia, confronted the Anglo-American forces on the continent. About 11 German divisions remain in Norway, but their capitulation appears to be imminent,

2. Situation on the Mediterranean Front-In Italy, on 2 May, the German armed forces surrendered

unconditionally, after the complete collapse of resistance to the Allied offensive. By that time, Army Group C which three weeks previously comprised 21 of the best divisions of the German Army, had lost nearly 200,000 prisoners of war and had virtually disintegrated as a fighting force. The Fascist Ligurian Army, composed of four Italian divisions, had surrendered unconditionally on 1 May on orders of Marshal Graziani. Thus ended the Italian Campaign which began at Salerno, 9 September 1943.

3. Situation on the Eastern Front.In East Prussia, Soviet forces continued to advance along

the Frisches Nehrung toward the remaining German pocket holding out on the Vistula River Delta plain.

Farther to the west, the fied Army advance on a broad front in the province of Mecklenburg continued uninterrupted until a junction with British forces was made along the line, Wiamar-Wittenberge. Two German pockets were thus created —> one in the Mecklenburg province, east of the line Wiemar-Wittenberg©e and the other in the Brandenburg province, west of Berlin. The elimination of these pockets is rapidly

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progressing due to Soviet pressure, and the mass surrender of German troops*

On 2 May, after eleven days of stubborn resistance, the remaining garrison of Berlin surrendered to the Bed Army while south east of the German capital the pocket, from which the German Ninth Army endeavored unsuccessfully to break through to Berlin in the early days of the siege, was eliminated by the Soviets.

Toward the end of the week, the seldom-mentioned Soviet paratroops landed on the by-passed Baltic twin-islands of Wollin and Usedom. The paratroops mopped up the remainder of the German forces there, atd captured the port of Swinemunde as well as the island and seaplane base of Eugen, to the northwest.

In Moravia, the Bed Army captured Moravska Ostrova and fdrced an entry into the Moravian Gap, farther to the southwest, Soviet gains were made in the Morava Biver Valley, east of Brno, This Soviet pincers effort through the Moravian corridor forced a withdrawal of the German salient in the east. A general withdrawal into Bohemia appears to be now underway.

South of the Danube, according to German reports, Marshal Tolbukhin's Third Ukrainian Army advanced along the Danube from St, Polten toward Llnz and a junction with American forces only 35 miles to the west,

In Yugoslavia, Tito's Partisans made substantial gains around the entire perimeter of the German salient. The surrender of German forces in Italy and Austria to the Allies exposed the rear of the re- malning German units in Yugoslavia, and the rapidity of their withdrawal indicated that they were attempting to evacuate Yugoslavia before the Partisans were in a position to strike from the rear and block their retreat. Partisan operations in Istria succeeded in clearing almost all of the peninsula and the important ports of Flume, Fola and Trieste were captured. Advancing to the northwest, the Partisans reached the Isonzo Biver at Monfalcone and Gorizla, where they made a junction with the Allied forces moving eastward in Italy. Continuing their operations, the Yugoslav forces by-passed Udia® and reached Gemona,

The entry of New Zealand troops into Trieste and their claim to its capture precipitated a protest on the part of the Yugoslav govern ment which is laying a political claim to the entire Italian territory of Istria.

GAT ACTIVITYWestern European Theater. For the first part of the period

and prior to the envelopment of the area between the Elbe and the Baltic by Allied ground troops, GAF aircraft operated up to 50 defensive sorties dally. On 4 Hay, about 25 aircraft in Czechoslovakia were active on the defense. The GAP overall effort in this theater for the week did not exceed 225 sorties. Losses in the air were 64, while Allied ground forces captured 85 planes on the ground including 10 Jets.

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Mediterranean Theater. Axis air activity in this theater was limited to a single mission. On 1 May about 25 aircraft bombed and strafed Bongo, apparently in reprisal for the disposal of Mussolini by Partisans.

Eastern European Theater. The total German sorties on this front for the week did not exceed 125, with only 46 lost in combat. Soviet claims of capture on the ground amounted to 912 planes.

Soviet aircraft were active in support of ground operations in Berlin and to the north, while Swinemunde was heavily bombed by night. The latter half of the period showed no Soviet air action,

CmBMAlT COITTHOLLED ANTI-^IHCSAFT MISSILES. (See Appendix "B" )The following information from documents captured in Cologne

indicates that the Germans, as late as January 1945, were expending considerable effort in an attempt to develop and produce practical guided anti-aircraft missiles*

The Hs-298 is a small, controlled, winged-projectile design ed by Henschel to be launched from carrier rails fitted to fighters. A two-stage rocket motor, using a lbng**burning solid propellant, gives an initial thrust of 320 Ibs.for five seconds, followed by a thrust of 110 Ibs. for an additional 20 seconds. Tests of the Hs-298 were carried out successfully at altitudes up to 20,000 feet. The manufacture of this weapon was placed on a high priority in April 1944.

The X-4, another winged-projectile smaller than the Hs-298, has also been produced by an unidentified manufacturer. The propulsion unit is known to be a rocket motor, probably using a bi-fuel rocket system of fuming nitric acid and either gasoline, diesel oil, or an alcohol. The total capacity of the motor is 5,520 Ibs. and assuming the burning time to be 10 to 20 seconds, the missile would have a somewhat higher speed than the Hs-298. The information in the captured documents does not reveal whether the Xr-4 is radio-controlled or fitted with a homing control.

The Hs-117, a radio-controlled missile, can be launched either from aircraft or from the ground. It appears to be a large version of the Hs—298 and may have a rocket motor operating over a longer period of time. In addition to the rocket motor, assisted take- off is provided by two solid propellant rocket units each having a thrust of about 8,000 Ibs. for 4.5 to 5 seconds, which are subsequently Jettisoned. This missile was developed with a priority slightly less than that allotted to the Hs-298

Reports from a few U. S 0 bomber formations suggest that several experimental attacks with these weapons have been carried out.

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4. Situation in the Central Pacific 0Okinawa; Heavy Japanese opposition was met on 29 April by US

forces completing the capture of Machinate Airfield and occupying Kochi in a slow general advance along the entire southern front. On 1 May Japanese-held heights overlooking Yonabaru Airstrip were by-passed as U.S. forces entered Kuhazu and continued their advance to Gaja in the face of fierce Japanese resistance e On the night of 3-4. May Japanese attempted a series of coordinated attacks. These included a frontal attack near Gaja in regimental strength with tanks, preceded by an artillery barrage; amphibious landings behind our lines on both sides of the island with the object of infiltrating to our CPs 9 artillery positions and airstripj suicide boat and air attacks against our naval forces. All the attacks were frustrated with heavy enemy losses, though some minor shipping was destroyed and a slight withdrawal near Gaja was necessitated. Japanese resistance continues heavy and well organized with only slight signs of slackening.

5. Situation in the Southwest Pacific.Luzon: In the ncrth, Japanese resistance VJ of Baguio was broken,

but the Japanese continue to oppose our advance 6 miles north of the city. Heavy losses were inflicted against unsuccessful enemy counterattacks in the Balete Pass area. East of Manila moderate Japanese opposition continues. The enemy hold on Mt. Malepunyo was broken on 1 May. In southern Luzon only scattered pockets remain.

Visayas t Japanese resistance in ncrth and south Negros declined rapidly during the week. Japanese troops in northeastern Cebu continued to oppose U.S. advances, but in the northwest, east of Tabuelan, enemy resistance weakened.

Mindanao and Sulu: Only light Japanese resistance was encountered by U.S. troops who, following the advance to Davao Gulf, marched northward into Davao. In the city, heavy-Japanese opposition, including house to house fighting, finally developed. A heavily mined area 1 mile northeast of the city was encountered by advancing U.S. forces. The Japanese lost three airfields in the vicinity of Davao and Japanese soldiers and civilians were reported to be withdrawing to hills north of Davao following the U.S. penetration of the city. Light and scattered Japanese opposition met U.S. troops proceeding northward along Sayre Highway to Kibawe. No Japanese opposed the guerrilla seizure of Talikud Island in Davao Gulf, but heavy resistance was encountered inland by U.S. troops landing on Sibago Island in the 2araboanga Area.

Borneo; No Japanese reaction to an Australian landing on Sadau Island on 30 April was reported and on Tarakan Island only light Japanese resistance met an Australian advance to the northeast and northwest following a landing on the southwest coast on 1 May. Electrically controlled land mines and strong opposition slowed the Australian advance but the Japanese could not prevent the Australians from reaching Tarakan Town and seizing its barracks and water

installations. Strong Japanese positions were encountered in the air field area which were finally overcome and the A/D captured on 5 May. The Japanese were continuing to destroy oil 'installations although it has been reported that the fields can be reconditioned to produce within a fairly short time.

6. Situation in Southeast Asia. The Japanese hold over Burma has been completely broken and they are now attempting to withdraw to Thailand what remnants of their depleted forces they can salvage. In the eastern sector Japanese rear guard actions proved ineffective against British forces which advanced south from Allanmyo, through the important river, rail and road center of Prome on 3 May, and proceeded south toward Rangoon. An attempted Japanese stand at Pegu was unsuccessful and the British column driving down the railway corridor entered the city on 30 April. One escape route to Thailand was eliminated when the British cut the Pegu- Moulmein road at Waw. The Japanese had apparently evacuated Rangoon in late April as troops of a paratroop landing on 3 May and an amphibious landing on A- May entered the city without opposition and occupied the Mingaladon Airfield ten miles north of the city. It is expected that this port will be operating again within a few days. In the northeast, Japanese withdrawals south to Loi-Lera continued, and a steady movement south from Loi-Lem and Taunggyi toward Loi-kaw was also reported. It seems probable that the remnants of the army that fought in the defense of Mandalay, will attempt to withdraw dom the Salween River and through Papun to Moulmein.

7. Situation in China. The Japanese have mad© no further gains in their effort toward Chihkiang, except for a minor thrust by 1,500 troops south west of liyang. The heaviest fighting is taking place in the Tungkow and Wukang areas where the enemy, is reported to be receiving reinforcements. 20,000 Japanese troops are reported to be committed to the Chihkiang operation with 27,000 in immediate reserve and another 27,000 as a potential reserve. The situation in the Laohokow area also remains static. The Japanese are believed to be building up their rear area strength in the vicinity of Kanyang and Wuyaag and to have a strength of 10,000 in the Hsihsiassuchi area, SO miles north of Laohokow. The Japanese seem reluctant to commit their full strength in these operations and future commitments in these areas are probably contingent on their estimate of the Allied schedule in the Pacific 0 In the Hochih area the Japanese are reported to have burned their warehouses and reduced their garrison to 500.

8. Situation in Japaq. During the w@eks the main air depots and air bases on Kyushu and West Honshu were under constant attack by B-29 l s from the Marianas. The Japanese nevertheless continue to maintain substantial air strength on Kyushu and on 3/4 ^ay they were able to launch a heavy a-ir attack on our forces in the Ryukyus 0 This .operation appears to have been at least as large as the preceding amjer Japanese attack which took place on 27/28 April, but considerably smaller than the attacks of 6 April and 12 April. More than 200 Japanese planes were shot down, but it is believed that further attacks will b® mad®0

-2$

Photo reconnaissance continues to show the bulk of the Japanese Fleet in harbors in the Western Inland Sea, principally at Kure, though some units have been photographed in Sasebo and Nagasaki. At Sasebo and Kure large carriers are being camouflaged both by paint and netting. At Kure the battleship Haruna has had all its turrets removed and flight deck construction is being started. The continued camouflage, modification and immobilization of large fleet units suggests that the Japanese have no offensive plans for their fleet in the immediate future. On 4 May in Tsushima Strait the Japanese lost 4 ships sunk, 3 ships probably sunk and 13 ships damaged in the first attack by Navy land-based aircraft in that area. Three submarine contacts were reported during the past week. One was sighted near Osaka on the 29th. Two Ryukyus sightings (on the 27th and 29th) resulted in attacks and probable kills.

Tokyo broadcasts indicate continued preoccupation with plans to organize the population for defense against expected U.S. landings. The broadcasts also attempt to discount the effects of the German debacle on Japanese morale and war effort.

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REPORT OF OPERATIONS DIVISION

1. European Theater.The cumulative effect of bad weather and lack of suit

able targets served to reduce offensive operations by the Allied Strategic Air Forces to practically nil. Only once during the week were bombardment 'operations carried out—on the night of 2 Llay 132 Mosquitoes bombed Kiel and an airfield near Schleswig. However, a total of 2,000. 3th'Air-Force and 2,500 RAF heavy bomb ers dropped food and other supplies to the civil population in Holland.

The Tactical Air Force, although restricted by weather, flew 9,000 sorties. Principal efforts were directed in support of the advancing Allied armies in Austria and northwestern Germany. The lie d'Oleron, off the French coast southwest of La Rochelle, was also heavilj attacked prior to its reduction. Daring the week we destroyed 253 enemy aircraft; our losses were 45 planes.

Transport planes, flying some 1,550 sorties, continued to supply the Allied armies in Germany and to evacuate repatriates.- Over 3,700 tons of gasoline and other supplies were flown in and 16,600 personnel brought out.

This week marked the collapse of German resistance in northwestern Germany, Holland and Denmark, and in Austria. The only substantial German resistance remaining on the continent is in Norway and in Czechoslovakia. Americans and Soviets are clos ing on the Czechoslovakian pocket from all sides. During the week the Canadian and British Armies, reinforced by an American Corps, • delivered the final blows- to the disorganized German forces fight ing in northwestern Germany. They broke out of the Llbe bridge head east of Hamburg and, after a 55-mile drive, captured the Baltic port of Vilismar on 2 May. Hamburg surrendered and Oldenburg was captured. Realizing the futility of further resistance, the German commander in the north surrendered unconditionally all armed forces in northwestern Germany, Holland and Denmark, includ ing the garrisons on Helgoland and the Frisian Islands, effective at 0800, 5 May.

Our Ninth and First Armies made additional contacts with Soviet troops along the line of the Elbe. The Third Army made a general advance into Czechoslovakia on a 100-mile front extending southeast from Asch. Armored thrusts reached Pilsen and a point eight miles west of Pisek. Farther to the south a column driving down the north bank of the Danube seized Linz and advariced 23 miles beyond. A distance of only 35 miles now separates American and Russian columns 'which are converging in the Danube Valley. South of the river our infantry advanced nearly 100 miles and captured Steyr.

- 27 -

The Seventh Army crossed the Inn River on a broad front and drove nearly 4.0 miles to the east to seize Salzburg and Hitler's former mountain hideout, at Berchtesgaden. Its captures included liunich. To the southwest the Seventh Army drove across the Austrian border to seize^Innsbruck, from which point our infantry pushed through the Brenner Pass and made contact with the Fifth Army at Vipiteno. The French cleared the shores of Lake Constance and entered western Austria. On 6 May, at noon, the German commander of Army Group "G", which controlled the German forces ,in Austria, surrendered.

Off the Atlantic coast-southwest of La Rochelle, the French overcame enemy resistance on the lie d'Oleron.

General Elsenhower's armies have taken more than 3,000,000 prisoners since D-day.

2. . Mediterranean Theater.Only one small mission was flown by the 15th Air Force

during the past week. On 1 '.lay, 27 heavy bombers struck the Salzburg railyards with 80 tons. One of our bombers was lost.

Dad weather interfered with the operations of the Tactical Air Force but 2 S 300 sorties were flown. During the first part of the week operations' were conducted against the re treating enemy columns in northern Italy, but after the surrender on 2 L3ay Allied planes confined their activities to leaflet- dropping and -patrolling to insure that the surrender requirements were being carried out. Coastal and Balkan Air Forces, in /+00 re ported sorties, continued to attack shipping in the Adriatic and harassed enemy road and rail movements on the Istrian peninsula and in northern Yugoslavia. We destroyed 4. enemy planes; our losses were 20 aircraft.

The Allied campaign in Italy reached its climax this week in-the unconditional surrender of German Army Group "C" on 2 Uay. Most of northern Italy is now being patrolled by the Allies who are meeting little resistance in isolated areas.

The Fifth Army made contact with the French west of Genoa. Swift advances west and southwest of Milan reached Biella and Turin, shattering the enemy forces in northwest Italy. On the Army's east flank, a drive to Treviso cut off a large area north of Padua. In a series of rapid thrusts up the Brenta and the Adige Valleys, heavy casualties were inflicted on the enemy and contact established with the Seventh Army at Vipiteno.

Eighth Army drives were aimed at seizing Trieste and making contact with Yugoslav Partisan forces. The. German garrison in Trieste surrendered the city to the New Zealand forces after heavy fighting. The New Zealanders also effected contact with, Tito's forces.

3. Asiatic Theater.During the week the Eastern Air Command reported

16,800 sorties, of which about 2,200 were offensive. On 1 May 85

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heavy bombers struck targets at Elephant-Point, near the mouth of the Rangoon River. Following this bombardment 45 transports dropped about 800 paratroops along the Rangoon River. The next day 51 heavy bombers hammered gun positions in the same general region. Lighter aircraft continued to support ground troops and attack enemy supply areas and installations throughout the battle area, making their principal effort south of Rangoon. During the period we destroyed 6 enemy planes; our losses were 6 aircraft.

The 14th Air Force flew 650 offensive sorties. Close support was given to Chinese ground troops defending our Chihkiang airfield against the Japanese drive toward this important instal lation, and attacks were made on enemy rail lines, bridges and supply dumps throughout a wide area of northern and central China. On 1 May a heavy bomber sank a large freighter during a sweep over the South China Sea and Tongking Gulf. In all operations we destroyed 7 enemy planes; we lost 4 aircraft.

During the week the Japanese maintained resistance against the southward advar.ce of the Allied forces which were driving in two columns down the main rail lines toward Rangoon from the Pegu and Allanmyo areas. Vfest of the Irrawaddy, other Allied troops broke out of the Salin bridgehead to the west and south.

The enemy offered little or no resistance to the British XV Corps which landed Indian airborne units on the west bank of the Rangoon River south of Rangoon on 1 May and followed up with amphibious landings below the city on the 2nd. Next day, the British entered Rangoon, and by 6 toy had driven nearly ten miles to the north. Fourteen hundred Allied prisoners of war were liberated in the Rangoon area. The port, third largest in the Indian Ocean, was seized intact and will be ready to receive shipping in a few days. Along the rail lines north of the city, the western column seized Prome while the eastern forces drove 17 miles south of Pegu and dispatched a column in purusit of the enemy on the withdrawal route to Moulmein. Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten announced that the Burma campaign had already cost Japan 347,000 casualties, of which 97,000 were counted dead.

4. Pacific Ocean Area.Aircraft based in the Southwest Pacific Area reported

more than 7,100 offensive sorties during the week. Of this total, 3,200 sorties were flown over Luzon, principally in attacks against enemy positions, supply dumps and other installations in the Cagayan Valley. Support was also given to ground forces on Mindanao,•Negros, Cebu and Borneo. Enemy installations on Formosa and at Saigon continued to be heavily attacked; raids on enemy shipping extended from the East China Sea to Borneo and resulted in the flamage or destruction of numerous coastal craft.

During the week our aircraft continued to pound by passed enemy installations in the Central Pacific area; targets in the northern Kuriles were also attacked. On 4 Hay two large

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tankers were sunk near Fusan in southern Korea.The XXI Bomber Command directed its principal effort

toward the neutralization of Japanese airfields and depots on Kyushu. Missions which totalled 520 sorties were flown on five days of the week. Also included in these missions was an attack on 5 l--£y against the Kiro Naval Aircraft Factory at Kure. Five of our superbombers are missing.

On northern Luzon during the week the I Corps mopped up the salient southeast of Baguio and cleared the Kennon Road in this area. North of the city La Trinidad was seized. Several commanding terrain features in the Imugan and Balete Pass sectors were captured, but resistance in both of these areas continued stubborn, north of Laguna de Bay on the Marakina watershed,, the XI Corps reported limited advances against heavy opposition. On southern Luzon all organized resistance in the Camilig .area ceased. Infantry advancing northwest from this general region established contact with cavalry units at Pili, thus clearing highway #1 through the Bicol Peninsula.

On Mindanao, the X Corps drove twenty miles along the coast north of Santa Cruz, forced a crossing of the Davao River and, after house-to-house fighting, secured the city of Davao„ Davao Gulf is now open to our shipping. To the west, a column moving north up the Pulangi River Valley gained 22 miles and captured the town of Kibawe. In the western Moro Gulf a landing was made on Sibago Island.

On 2 May, the I Australian Corps landed on Tarakan Island, Borneo. It cleared the southern section of Tarakan town and seized the 'airfield.

On Negros, we drove eight miles inland from Dumaguete. On Cebu, we continued to drive toward the northern part of the island and to reduce enemy pockets in the central sector.

Australian troops advanced-to within three miles of Wewak (New Guinea) from the northwest»

Army and Marine divisions of the XXIV Corps maintained their assaults against the strong Japanese positions on southern Okinawa. Although supported by a considerable weight of artillery fire from land and Naval units, our gains against the well-forti fied enemy line were modest. Principal advance was the capture of Kochi and the high ground southeast of the'town,, On the west coast, our forces seized the life, chin a to airfield. Under the cover of intense air activity on 3-4- May, the Japanese launched a counteroffensive consisting of amphibious landings on the east and west beaches behind our lines and a tank-supported attack in the area south of Kochi. The attempted landings were repulsed and the attack gained no ground..

By 5 Llay on Okinawa, we had killed nearly 33 S 500 Japan ese and captured 700 more.

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DIVISIONS SUBMITTING NO REPORT

G-1 Division War Department Manpower

Board

THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 123$.

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APPENDIX "A'» Page 1

0 WAR DEPARTMENT0 OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF STAFF

P WASHINGTON

I

WDCSA toO.112 (30 Mar 1+5) 1 May

FOE SHE COMMAEDIH& OEHEEAI,, ARMY AIE FORCESOOMMAHDIHa 03SNEEAL. ASMT GBQUED FOBCBS COMMAHDIN& GEBEEAL, ABMT SEET'ICE TOBCBSt

SUBJECT? War Department Policy on Eesearch and Development

!• She need for contlnooos and aggressive action in research and development activities for the purpose of making the most effective equipment available to our troops is essential in maintaining a super ior military position* It is most important not only to maintain a superior position in materiel new, but also to assure that all possible impetus vill b@ given to research and development of military equip ment in the future. Programs must be scanned continuously to insure that essential activities are carried forward and unprofitable projects are eliminated,,

2* It is desired that the programs of responsible agencies be governed by the following principles:

a* Heseexeh and development must be directed toward main taining superiority of our weapons and equipment over those of the enemy and should guarantee the availability of proven types* superior in all respects to those of other nations* This requires that re search and development be afforded a high priority as a continuing commitment* Only operational needs should supersede this priority*

b. Close liaison must be maintained between the eventual using organization and the developing agency* Of particular import ance are the ideas and recommendations of the user when the develop ment has passed the research stage and the actual construction of the pilot model is begun* She using organization should always participate in the moekup stage of the development. Procedures will be established to keep the using arms and commands aware of the program on new equipment throughout its design and development and to allow them to present in these phases their comments and desires prior to crystallization of the pilot model*

e* Development programs will be based on anticipation of future operational requirements* To accomplish this, guidance should be sought from and be provided by the Assistant Chief of Staff, Opera tions Division, in accordance with the provisions of Var Department Circular 13Ue g April

C 0 PI

APPENDIX "A" Page 2

d. Responsible agencies will initiate action to place their research and developjiej:xt^c^^^iejj)n^_pejcman^ Attention shoSJ^B^gl^n^fo^providing Ifor permanent well-qualified scientific and technical staffs, civilian as well as military.

e. Continued emphasis will be placed on research and develop ment of such devices as guided jniflsiles, rockets, heavy _armored equip ment, large caliber bombs, new applications of electronic equipment and

' equipment r"equl>ed for amphibious f 6r~ airborne and Joint air-ground "operafi ohs . Continued

thought should be devoted to research with the intent of developing equipment and methods for carrying on types of warfare heretofore un known and unexplored.

f. Engineering testing and service testing of new items of equipment will be combined whenever practicable.

/s/ Thos. T. Bandy

TEDS. T. HANDYGeneral 8 OSCDeputy Chief of Staff

APPENDIX "B"

HS 298(ARTIST'S CONCEPTION)

Guides for launching from aircraft

Tail Tracer Unit

Jet Propulsion Unit

LENGTH: Approx. SPAN: Approx.

8 ft. 8 ft.

Note: X-4 and HS 117 probably of similar design but of differ ent dimensions.

UNCLASSIFIED