Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1918-04-19
FIRST MOTORIZED
ARTILLERY THRILLS
CAMP CUSTER CHIEFS
Colonel II. f. Cloke Use the Famous
"Hot-Spot" in U. s. Horse
less Battery
By CHRISTY WALSH.

Camp Custer, Mich, April Sth,--
(delayed) All dressed up in regula-
ton camoufage, and capable of going
into position while under fire, the first
motor-hauled battery Of field artillery
in America and perhaps in the world,
chugged itself past General Kennedy
and staff on the parade grounds here
this week. The event was the first
brigade review in honor Of General
Kennedy, now commandant at Camp
Custer.
The first car in line was a famous
Hot Spot Chalmers equipped with
wireless standards and other recon-
Nuisance attachments. The other car.
including tractors and trucks, were
covered with heavy roofing paper in
such cunning manner as to perfectly
simulate the armored fighting car.
Improvised periscopes and ugly rifle
muzzles prodded their way through
the open turrets, and the general i'm
preston is observed by the alleged
correspondent was one Of genuine ter
ror. But terror was not the only sug-
gestion for the sight was a tribute
to the great American Automobile
Industry, and indeed noted accom-
plishment for the farsighted and pro-
gressive energy of Col. II. E. Cloke
commanding the 330th Field Artil-
lery, and acting Commander of the
160th Brigade.
Although the experiment has been
in progress for nearly ninety days,
the Brigade Review was the first Of
fetal appearance of model motor
lied battery completely armored and
capable of moving forward in trench
warfare as do the famous British
tanks. So practical have been the re-
suits and so startling the possibilities
that it is generally conceded this pi-
oneer unit may be definite step to-
ward permanently sweeping the stale
mate trench system into a swift NOV
ing conflict of automotive artillery.
Notwithstanding it Is generally ad-
mitted that it costs the United States
Government more to support one
horse than it does to sustain fight
ing man and despite the miracles al
ready performed by motor cars in
battle, three-quarters of our army Of
ficers are still skeptical and inclined
to place little confidence in the motor
hauled battery and especially of one
of such type proposed.
348 Motors in Regiment.
A heavy artillery regiment, COM
pletely motorized, would contain three
hundred and forty-eight motor We
Mcles, including trucks, high-speed
cars and tractors, all heavily armored.
The 330th Field Artillery at Camp
Custer is equipped with 155 nm. how
tiers, a very powerful artillery weap-
on having a range Of miles and con-
sidered one of the hardest light field
pieces to manipulate.
A famous Hot-Spot Chalmers has
been converted into what is called a
Reconnaissance and Instrument Car,
and its performance and economy over
the sandy Terrain of Battle Creek
has earned it much praise from the
officers in command. In actual war
fare it would be armored, and carry
"A special built body on the regulation
Chalmers chassis. This car, entrusted
with the serious commission of estab-
fishing communication lines, main
tanning fire control, and securing fir
ing data for the line of batteries,
above all must be a machine equal to
any emergency, and dependable I'M
der the most adverse circumstances.