The Seward gateway and the Alaska evening post., 1917-09-05


 cumstances lose track of these articles while on field duty. So long as you possess them, you are an armed sol dier capable of defending yourself and of performing effective service. With out them you are for all practical purposes helpless. Of course, this statement does not apply strictly to those men who are armed in some other way, such as those who are serv- ing artillery or machine guns.
 The rifle is the soldiers closest friend. His first thought should be to guard it and care for it above all his other possessions. He expects it to take care of him in emergencies. In ordinary times he must take care of it.
 In caring for a rife it is especial ly important to keep the bore clean. In so doing be sure to avoid injur- ing the delicate riAing which causeS the bullet to spin as it is forced out and thus greatly increases the accu- racy of firing. Never put away a rifle that has been fired or exposed to bad weather without first cleaning it. Never lay rife flat on the ground. Rest it securely against something. In lowering the rife to the ground, whether during drilling or at any Oth- CT time, see that it touches the ground gently.
 Don't play with your rife. A rife or revolver, whether loaded or unload ed, should never be pointed at a per son unless you fully intend to shoot that person, if necessary, in the per formance of your duty. When a fire. arm is put into your hands you are intrusted with a great responsibility for its proper use.
 Anybody in normal physical cOndi- tion can learn to be a good shot. Two of the most important points to re member are to take a deep breath just before completing your aim so that | you may hold the rifle with perfect steadiness, and squeeze the trigger SC 1 that the gun will not be jerked from its aim at the moment of firing Wher you become an expert marksman, pro. vided you have also the courage which permits you to remain cool and col lected on the battle field, you vii have added immensely to your value as a citizen soldier. The simple fact that you qualify as a marksman vii give you more self-confdence anc self-control
 The amount of ammunition which an American infantryman carries int, battle is usually 22O rounds. Tn ar advanced firing position, where it i. difficult to bring up reserves of am munition, it is necessary to be eco rom;caI, Bear this in mind during your target practice and learn tC make every shot count.
 In modern warfare the intrenchinl tool is an essential part of your fight ing equipment. The eight men il each squad carry these 8 tools: 4 shov els, pick mattocks, polo or han, axe, and 1 wire cutter. In ordinary soil you can quickly throw up a shal low trench which will protect you t, great extent from the enemy's fire ] After trench has once been started it can be deepened and extended, ever in the face of the enemy, without tn, soldier exposing himself to direct fire
 Don't look on practice in diggin6 trenches as if it were drudgery. Skill in seeking and making cover iron the enemy's fire is far from being sign of weakness on the soldiers part Rather, it is a sign of the determin ation and courage that mark a really efficient fighting force. The day hal gone by when either officers or mer 1 are expected to stand out in the open They should use every effective meth
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