REARMING IN GERMANY

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28314, 27 June 1957, Page 16

REARMING IN GERMANY

Further Slowing Of Progress “The Press’* Special Service (Rec. 9 p.m.) LONDON, June 26. The West German Federal Government has decided on a further slowing down of the process of organising its armed forces, says the Bonn correspondent of the “Manchester Guardian. ’ ’ An official spokesman stated that it was not proposed to begin the task this year of equipping and training personnel for any new division other than the seven which are already being formed. These include three light armoured and two tank divisions, and one mountain and one airborne division. The manpower target for the armed forces is still at the minimum of 120,000 for the end of this year and a maximum of 135,000. There are at present 96,000 men under arms including more than 40,000 members of the old German forces. The slowing down of rearmament brings no appreciable changes to the plans for the first phase which ends in the middle of next year. By July 1 three light armoured divisions will be fully formed, although they are not fully trained. They at present have 80 per cent, of their full complement of officers and men.

Two tank divisions will be in the same state of readiness by the end of this year and the airborne and mountain divisions should reach the same stage next spring.

The Federal Republic is still committed to producing 12 divisions in all as its N.A.T.O. contribution.

It was originally hoped to have 11 of these ready by the end of this year but the programme will not now be fulfilled before the end of 1959.

The change in plans is based partly on a lack of sufficient instructors, partly on the prevailing impression that troop training has been pushed ahead too fast, and partly on the absence of a decision as to whether the armed forces are to be equipped with tactical atomic weapons.

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