November 29, 1943

JAN. DRAFT STAYS HIGH
Current-Level Call Expected

WASHINGTON, D.C.—As announced yesterday, the combined draft call for the army and navy will be for 300,000 in January. This figure is roughly twice the previous estimate provided by the War Manpower Commission (WMC). However, this figure is close to the current monthly totals. The draft call must remain at the current level due to a lower-than-expected enlistment rate in the Women’s Army Corp (WAC) and a shortfall of local draft board quotas in October. Previously, it had been expected that the army would require only replacements after the first of the year, but it will be short of the anticipated peak of 7,700,000 men by January. The navy has not been expected to reach its peak until later in 1944.