Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-22
RIFLE PRACTICE STARTS
FOR CAMP LEE SOLDIERS
Men" Of Depot Brigade Mako Good
Showing on Still Incom-
plcte Range.
-FOUR SETS OF TARGETS
Firing Facilities to BE Ample to
Permit All Regiments to Practice
simultaneously Will Not Per-
init Marksmcu to Qualify.
Inx a STAFF corresncnden,.l


CAMP LEE, VA. December 2l.-ln
spite OF the TACT that Carnp Lees rine
range is not yet complete. a detail OF
$50 men from the depot brigade were
detailed TO the range for instruction in
riie target practice and to-day finished
their firss period OF instruction. Though
some OF the men were not experienced
with tho use OF the rife. the work Of
the command was considered excellent,
and before any man was aliowed TO
discontinue his daily practice he had
made "A certain designated score. AL
though the range is OF such construc-
ton that the necessary Examination
couio be made for expert ma-ksmen.
none OF the men at the camp will be al
lowed 10 qualify as marksnen. which
designation carries with It increased
pay.
The range is easily one OF the best
in the Cn!ted States. II has a 'front.'
age OF 1900 yards and, although tho
more distant targets are 1000 yards.
all land three miles IN the rear OF the
range is controlled by the government.
There are four sets Of tarkcts. each
containing ranges OF ZOO. 600. 500 and
400 yards. Only men who show evil
dence OF being good ~markSmen at these
distances will receive training on the
500. 500. 500 and l~.o0o-yard arxets
These men will be selected by the Of
ficers who arc in charge OF the firing.
The men hre from a prone position al
the lno-yard targets. but all other
shots arc made while standing. with
tho gun resting on the top OF the
trench. The four sets Of ~tarfrts will
enable four regiments to visit the
range In practice at the same time.
The depot brigade was honored with
the firing OF the first shots. because
the infantry battalions in that brigade
did not contain as many men as were
contained in any ono Of the four in
fantry regiments OF the division.
The range will not be completed un-
til the first OF the year. and until then
none OF the infantry regiments will re-
ceive target practice.
FIRING UNDER DIRECTION
OF CAPTAIN THOMAS RICE
The work this week has been under
the direction Of Captain Thoiras Rice.
AS officer in charge or firing. who has
been assisted by the officers from the
division school of arms. These officers
all appeared On the range with their
steel helmets. which weigh ono and
one-half pounds. The officers OF III.
range are: division range officer. Lieu
tenant-Colone Albert ". Foreman: as
sistant range officer. ajor Hiram N.
Cooper; ordnance and supply officer.
Lieutenant Henry r. Ringing: medical
officer. Lieutenant Alvah Ramsey.
The m~achinc-Eun section Of the
range is one OF its most intcrcstinr
features. On the l.oc0-yard range,
IN" targets are reduced, and placed on
moving alleys. The men can get
straight firing. a%mbulatins or barrage
hrc. The anbulatinG fire In obtained
by placing the guns on the opposite
side Of tho mail woods and Gri,c
through the woods. II is such diff
hculties as these that arc encountered
in all phases Of work at the camp that
makes it such an ideal location. The
machine guns will also use the lonEe-
range targets.
The rifle range is three miles from
headquarters, but the revolver range
is only three hundred yards. from,
where the biz things happen in tho
division. This range is one NJ particu-
lar interest. or course the genera
public realizes that the officers. ser
Scants and members Of the headouar.
ters troops and other organiza tions o-
individuals that do not carry rifles will
nrc at bulls eyes and Set targets, but
the section which is the most inter
eStinS is that part where the men will
fire under difficulties. The officer. vii,
frc while advancing. and while ad.
'anclnG there arc Il number OF bitches
that must be crossed. Frequently a.
ne Jumps over these, he will see there
IN A target in the shap pc Of A ma
which he must fire at. The targets II
front OF him must be fired at a certain
lumber OF times. and while advancinr
he must reload his gun 1, is realized
that when d man needs to use hi.
pistol for his protection that neither
nc nor the man he is firing at will be
stationary ahd Tor that reaso- this
particular typo OF practice is pccn..
sary.