The sound of hundreds of marching feet next year will signal the biggest military retreat in Bermuda's history.

But as the Island's `D-Day' approaches, a potential battle royal looms.

And if the opening shots are a guide, the skirmishing could become frenzied.

The battleground? The military bases at Daniel's Head, Sandys, and the United States Naval Annex in Southampton.

The flashpoint? What to do with the land once the forces pull out.

Yesterday The Royal Gazette sounded out the political landscape surrounding the pull-outs.

One message immediately rang out: Any decision over the sites was crucial to Bermuda's future.

Not just for the next few years, but well into the 21st century.

Among a barrage of ideas unleashed by our politicians were a golf course, nature reserve, and parkland.

Others included a community service centre, cottage colony, cheap housing, camping site, container port, and industrial units.

The debate has hotted up with the announcement the Canadian Forces will have all but pulled out of Daniel's Head by May 1, 1993.

A December 31 shutdown date has now been fixed for the 29-acre base.

The US Navy, meanwhile, plans to close the annex next year, and slash its total personnel by 60 percent by the end of 1993.

It means around 1,200 of 3,000 people, including military and civilian staff, and dependents, will abandon the 255-acre base.

And more cuts are also a fair bet, military chiefs have warned.

The partial withdrawal follows fewer operations from Bermuda, and a cost-cutting efficiency drive for the US military and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

Millions of dollars of foreign currency earnings will be lost to the Island's recession-hit economy by the pull-outs.

According to the latest figures, relating to 1987, the bases spent a total of $30 million in Bermuda.

It meant a net impact on the balance of payments of $12 million.

More than 600 jobs were also created for locals, both directly and indirectly.

The Ministry of Finance is updating data about the role of the bases.

And a special Cabinet committee is now being formed to plug the gaping hole which will be left in the Island's economy.

Its brief? To look at possible uses of the sites when they are reclaimed by Bermuda, and how to turn them into a money-spinner.

Heading it will be Government's former Senate Leader the Hon. Charles Collis.

"I am really the last person you should speak to for thoughts on possible use,'' he told The Royal Gazette .

"I don't want to prejudice the outcome of the committee's deliberations.'' Mr. Collis was able, however, to outline the committee's aim: That the sites should become "self-supporting and income producing.'' "It is obviously a very large undertaking and any recommendations are many, many months down the road,'' he said. "The committee's terms of reference have still to be finalised.'' Mr. Collis stressed ideas from the public about how best to use the land would be welcome. "We certainly anticipate submissions,'' he added.

Members of Cabinet, including Transport Minister the Hon. Ralph Marshall and deputy Premier the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto, were unable to comment when contacted.

"It would be inappropriate for me to do so, now we have a Cabinet committee looking into the issue,'' said Mr. Marshall.

Mr. Marshall added, however, he had heard the suggestion from some people a golf course could be an option.

The United Bermuda Party's adopted candidate for Sandys South, Mr. Ted Gauntlett, was not so constrained.

He stressed, however, he could not speak authoratively on the issue.

"I would be very pleased to participate in the committee, if it felt I could be helpful.

"I don't at present know what aspects of the handover of the land may pertain to come up with anything very useful of my own.

"I am sure not too many people have a firm grasp of what the options are.'' One idea, however, he has for Daniel's Head is to build a community service centre there.

It would act as an alternative to Warwick Camp, with youngsters doing community work under supervision.

"It would help instill discipline, and also provide them with positive role models,'' said Mr. Gauntlett.

Mr. Gauntlett believes his idea could tap youthful energy, and help racial harmony.

He added the site could also be developed to boost tourism -- a cottage colony could be built there, perhaps.

"It is a magnificent site, with a waterfront, including beaches.'' Mr. Gauntlett is less clear over possible uses for the annex, although he does suggest developing a park, or an industrial complex.

"It wouldn't impinge on residential areas,'' he said.

Mr. Gauntlett said he understood the widespread worries over the military withdrawal, hoping the Americans would continue to maintain a presence.

"There is concern over the financial side, but we should also look at the cultural side.

"We have benefited a great deal from the participation by people from other countries in our community -- by sharing experiences.'' Shadow Tourism Minister Mr. David Allen was also brimming with ideas, although he emphasised he was speaking for himself not the Progressive Labour Party.

For Daniel's Head he suggested tapping the open space with a nature reserve.

"We could also have a camping site. There is a great shortage of such sites during the summer months.

"Certainly we are talking about a very attractive area, secluded in a peninsular, with beaches.

"A nature sanctuary would be an attraction not only for Bermudians, but also for visitors, and will be beneficial for our tourism industry.'' Mr. Allen said the annex could be suitable for "affordable housing'', or even a container port.

"I would hope both areas will be unltimately translated into something which benefits Bermuda. I certainly support a feasibility study. We have to really look at all the options before rushing into anything.'' But he warned Bermuda had to consider what was best not just for the Island's immediate future -- but well into the 21st century.