Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-06
-NATURED VICTORY
CAPTURED BY sAMM|Es
They Beat Their French Allies In
Grenade Throwing and Firing
Automatic Rifles.
PoMUs ARE WE'LL PLEASED
Delighted by Efficiency OF Men Who
Have Come to Help Them Flight
for France-Heavy Rains Still
Retard Training.
BY DANIEL DILLON.

AMERICAN TRAINING CAMP IN
FRANCE. August 4 tdelayed).-Tho
Snmmies" won a good -natured victory
ove- their French comrades to-day. tho
poilus experiencing no regret over
their defeat, but being rather elatcd
over the efficiency Of their new allies.
The contest was Of two parts. throw
Ing hand grenades and firing automatic
rifles The Americans captured the
honors in both competitions.
The American and French sides were
represented by picked teams from the
American and French camps. and tho
matches were held in the afternoon.
The victory of the "Sammies" In the
grenade throwing competition was Az
cribed TO their baseball training back
In the United states. 1t was noticed
that the Americans threw the hand
weapons tho same as they would a
baseball. and this made them easily
superior at n distance. 1t must DO
said for the French, however. that they
showed splendid accuracy. and the diff
ference between the teams was slight.
In the craftsmanship contest with
the automatic rifles there also was
little to choose between the rival ag-
gregations. The victory. however,
WIS kecUiy pleasing u thc HtHeEiCdH
officers. az the "Sammies'' are not
nearly as we'll acquainted with this
type OF gun as are the Frenchmen
This newly won efficiency on the part
Of the Americans also evoked warm
praise from the French.
Heavy rains continue to retard the
progress OF training maneuvcrs. par
ticularly the cooperative trench work
hA nd n
perry terrain. damp houses. with rain
dripping down upon tho messes. are
giving Sammy" his first unpleasant
experience in France
The American officers are putting In
their time hard at work studying the
tactical war books General Pershing'a
visit has raised the mettie OF the COM
mRnd Reprimands are now being
taken to heart and the discipline is
being frightened. This is being done
more along British lines than French
but, IL is believed. however. that the
French army is the best pattern to be
followed by the Americans.
The spirit that prevails In the
French organization has not escaped
the notice Of the American officers. one
OF whom remarked to-day on the cor
dial relations which exist between the
French ranks and tho French Officer g.
II Is peneNeQ tnaI OIHCeTb WIN ne maze
to impress kindred spirit into the
American organizations.
Tho preparations for housing addi-
tional soldiers continue without a let
up. and the entire country roundabout
has been billeted. All the new men Will
have TO do Ia to arrive and find them
selves comfortably welcomed.
Tomorrow Sunday the Americans
look for considerable amusement. and
interest In competition with larg,
number of poilus. a series OF boxing
bouts and games and field meet are
scheduled, and members OF the Y. NJ
G. A. will be on hand actively to d.
rect the sports program.
The spiritual side Of the Sammy
Is to be well cared for. too. The chap.
lains Of the various units are TO be
organized for more advantageous ar
rangement OF their work. and they will
travel TO the various points OF the
camp holding services.