THE BIG BUILDUP: Marshall's Savvy Saves Pre-WWⅡ Army Expansion

摘要

Eighty years ago, the Army witnessed its largest-ever peacetime expansion, before the nation's entry into World War Ⅱ. This expansion came amid great controversy and political rancor. The Army was able to expand and prepare for war in that challenging environment due to the foresight and influence of Gen. George Marshall, the service's chief of staff. His example of navigating a tricky political climate while juggling competing demands provides lessons in the U.S. civil-military relationship for today's leaders. The Army welcomed Marshall as its chief of staff on Sept. 1,1939- the day Germany invaded Poland to start World War Ⅱ in Europe. The Army numbered only 174,000 soldiers scattered in Panama, the Philippines, Hawaii and 100 stateside posts. The Army stood 19th in the world in size. It was poorly equipped; much of its equipment consisted of World War Ⅰ relics. But this Army would grow to 8.25 million strong, and soldiers would see a marked improvement in armament during the war.