The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-14
BREAD MAKING OF
FT.RILEYB BAKERS
4 MARVEL OF ARMY
They Bake 5000 LOaves Daily
for Mexican Expedition.
The Field Ovens at Casas
Grandes Never Are Idle.
BIG BASE WELL FORTIFIED
Outpost Guards Intrenched in
Substantial EarthwOrks.
Surprise Attack Would Have
Little Chance of Success.
The Field Ovens at Casas
Grandes Never Are Idle.
BIG BASE WELL FORTIFIED
BY DAMON RUNYON.

In the Field. Mexico. April IA
Temporary field redoubts constructed
BY infantry outposts guarding the Dig
base camp of the punitive expedi-
ton are so cleverly adapted for de-
tense that attackers must outnum Der
The defenders ten to one in order to
carry the outlying positions. A cap
tain commanding company or IN
fantry on outpost duty demonstrated
how quickly his "a men could be as
sembled to repel an attack.
When the correspondent rode into
the small company camp the men
we're lying about the ground. resting
after midday meal The command :
ing officer was asked how long II
would take to arrange his men for
battle in event of a sudden attack. He
answered by raising whistle to ms
bps and remarking: watch, time US
by seconds
There was a shrill whistle and the
camp was transformed instantly into
rushing life.
Ready in 40 Seconds.
Men ran at top speed to stacked
rifles. There was a scrambling for
cartridge belts. A bugler appeared
beside the captain from nowhere in
particular. For a time there seemed
to be only aimless rushing to different
sections of the camp. But all at once
the soldiers settled into rifle pits and
Shallow trenches Some of the men
were shoeless and hatless. But all
were ready for business. 1t may take
long to tell it. but the whole thing
lasted only forty seconds. At the end
of that time every man was in his
appointed place, peering over para
pet of dirt with rifle ready.
The captain explained how each
mans pit was arranged so that he
could cover the largest possible range
of territory without exposing himself.
IL .1-.1 rwe1N
with the surrounding dirt that men
could scarcely be seen 100 feet away.
The individual rifle pits were about
eight feet long and 1 8 inches deep and
the dough boys lay prone in them. At
each end of the string of sirgle pits
was a dirt barricade high as mans
Shoulder and six feet thick. so an
enfilade fire could be silenced. Near
the front line of pits was a circular
hole. about six feet deep and large
enough to hold 40 men. The edges
were trimmed with brush so the posi-
into this the men could retire in case
of a withdrawal from the front posi-
ton.
Communicating Trenches.
r. Crossing the earthworks at varying
angles were a number of shallow
Trenches, so the men could move from
one part of the line to another with
out exposing themselves TO an en-
emy's fire. The entire position COM
handed the country in all directions
Tor half a mile or more. In case it
Became necessary to retreat, a num-
Der Of irrigation bitches leading back
to the road from whence reinforce
ments would come, furnished COM
paratory safe avenue of escape. Judg-
ig from this outposts preparedness
TO repel attack, the camp at Casas
Grandes is absolutely safe against any
surprise, for the whole base is sur
Founded by such positions as these.
The miracle of the loaves and fishes
comes near being duplicated-so far