The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-24
In the target butts.

for the mines, landed battalions of sea-
men, and made sham attacks. all the
features that would probably be en-
countered in wartime were tried and
thrashed out The professional advan-
tages thus gained by the officers and
men were inestimable.
Three months after this landing Of
seamen and marines and advance base
drilling at Culebra the same fleet and
same men We're called upon to land at
Vera Cruz under really hostile condi-
tons, and the excellent manner in
which the work at that port was ac-
complished can in all probability hc
claimed as largely due to the experience
and practice had at Culebra previously.
The landing at Culebra was the prelude
of that at Vera Cruz The taking OF
Vera Cruz was the repetition, under
fire, of the landing al Culcbra.'
\ still better idea of the importance
of the exercises at Culebra year ago
can be gathered from part of the report
made SIR rtly afterward 10y Admiral
Badger He said:
"The Commander in chief believes
that the joint exercises were of great
benefit. Opportunity was given for
exercise in the control of gunfire, both
day and night; mine control, mine de-
! fence, operation of searchights, exer-
else IT signal parties and tests of lines
Of communication; also exercise of the
mobile regiment, including the landing
Of gun batteries incidentally the eXpe-
rience gained by the fleet during these
drills was of considerable value, espe-
cially with respect to mine sweeping
and landing the regiment. The de-
stroyers received valuable experience in
plotting and deserve much credit for
their able handling in the restricted
waters about Culebra.
FINALLY, the commander in chief de-
sires to express his appreciation OF the
excellent work Of the advance base bril-
| gade as a whole. In particular, COM
mendaton is due for their thoroughness
of preparation, for the successful estab-
| lishment Of the base in the time al
lowed in spite Of serious difficulties en-
countered, and for the excellent dispo-
sitlon of the various features or the de-
fence. The discipline and spirit of the
| brigade was admirable.
"The experience gained will be OF the
| greatest value in the development bl
methods and material, and 1t Is recon-
| mended that opportunity be given as
often as possible for work of this kind
TO include carrying out target practices
incidentally the construction work done
by the brigade this winter in the estab-
| lishment of gun placements, roads
trenches, &C. will greatly facilitate the
| reestabishment of the base at Culebra'
either as a peace exercise or for war
| service"
Lest the taxpayer doubt the wisdom
| of spending money in this kind of war
game let him digest what the chief OBJ
server reported after the man1uvres
| were done:
attention is invited to the fact that
the strategic location of Culebra makes
il probable that in any war with a
| EurOpcan Power il would almost GER
| tainly have To be used by our fleet as
a base. either permanent or advance
| The value of the recent manGuvres is
| therefore apparent
| "A great variety of military work was
| required Of officers and men, Rifle pits
| and hombproof shelters have been dug
| inch and inch guns have been landed
! IN transports DRAGGED M steep doCllYl-