South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-08-22

/ fridge be't. and 8u iutreuchiuc tool.
other weapons or dcfenses needed
IN modern trench warfare viii be re-
ferred 10 later DO not under any
circumstances lose track of these al
ticles while on field duty 80 lonE
as you possess them. you are au
armed soldier capable OF defending
yourself and Of performing effective
service. without them you are Tor
all practical purposes helpless or
course. this statement does not APP
ply strictly 20 those men who are
armed in some other way such as
those who are serving artillery or
machine guns.
The rife is the soldiers closest
friend HIS first thought should bs
90 guard il and care for II above
all his other possessions He ex-
poets il 20 take care of him i'm emer-
gencies. In ordinary times he must
take care OF IT,
In caring for rife IL is especial
ly important 10 keep the bore clean.
In so doing be sure 90 avoid injur-
ing the delicate rifing. which causes
the bullet 20 spin as it lis forced
ont and thus greatly increases the
accuracy of firing. Never put away
"A rifle that has been fired or exposed
10 bad weather without first clean
ing IT, Never lay a rifle flat on tho
ground. Rest IL securely against
something Tn lowering the rifle 20
the ground, whether during drilling
or at any other time see that it
touches the ground gently.
Don't play with your rife. a rife
or revolver. whether loaded con un-
loaded. should never he pointed ~
a person unless YOU fully intend o.
shoot that person. IL necessary. 30
the performance OF your duty. when
a frearm is put into your hands yolt
are intrusted with a great responsi-
bility for its proper use.
Anybody in normal physical con-
ditiOn can learn 10 be a good shot.
Two of the most important points 90
remem her are TO take "A deep breath
Just before completing your aim So
that YOU may hold the rifle with
perfect steadiness, and TO squeeze
the trigger so that the gun will not
be jer1ed from it's aim at the mo-
ment Of firing When YOU become
an expert marksman provided you
have also the courage which per
mits YOU 10 remain cool and collect
ed on the battlefield YOU will have
added immensely 10 your value as
citizen soldier. The simple fact that
YOU qualify as a marksman viii give
YOU more self-confidence and self
control.
The amount Of ammunition which
am American infantryman carries
into battle is usually go rounds.
In an advanced firing position.
where il is difficult 10 bring up re-
serves of ammunition. il is neces-
sary 70 be economical Bear this
i'm mind during your target practice
and learn 10 make every shot count.
In modern warfare the intrench-
ing tool is an essential part Of your
fighting equipment The eight men
in each squad carry these eight
tools: Four shovels, two pick mat
tocks enc polo or hand-aX. and one
wire-cutter. In ordinary soil you can
quickly throw up a shallow trench
which viii protect YOU 20 great
extent from the enemys FIRE. After
a trench has once been started. IL
can he deepened and extended. even
i'm the face Of the enemy, without
the soldier exposing himself 20 di-
rect fire
Don't look on practice in digging
trenches as If il were drudgery-
Skill I'm seeking and making cover
from the enemys fire is far from
being a sign OF weakness on the SOL
dier's part Rather IL is sign Of
the determination and courage that
mark really efficient hghtine
force. The day has gone by when
either officers or men are expected
20 stand out I'm the open. They
should use every effective method
Of self-protection so long as il helps
to gain and defeat the enerEs>