Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-08-03
DELAWARE TROOPS
HARD At WORK At
CAMP CHANDLER
Field Wet and Muddy, But the
instruction Program is Being
Carried On.
LEARNING DEFENCE METHOD

Staff Correspondents of Every Evening.
Camp John A. Chandler. August b.
After continuous downpour OF rain
for nearly "a hours. this camp today
presents a field of mud. with practi-
cally every regulation tent undermined
by steady flow OF water. A true
realization of the hardships of sol
dier's life are realized.
Although no serious damage has re-
suited from the heavy rains of yester-
day and this morning, the camp sched-
ulc of training has been greatly affect
ed. The military grind. however. will
be- continued and for today n program
OF indoor instruction has been arrang-
ed by the chief of stafr. The vets"
and rockies" are standing the test
well. according to Adtutant John j.
Dugan. The health of the camp IL
excellent and despite unfavorable
weather conditions the enlisted per-
sonnel is being gradually hardened TO
the life OF soldier.
One of the most important courses
of instruction will be that of anti-air-
craft warfare. The great truth ex-
plotted in the preparedness course is
that the scientific method of research
has wrought veritable miracles by this
method of destruction. The far-reach-
ing Importance of bringing up to the
height of efficiency Delawarefs anti
aircraft regiment as a result of the
radical plans Of future warfare. ag-
ressive and defensive, was explained
this morning by Captain Ben II. Blair,
an instructor at the camp and an
authority on anti-aircraft defense.
Captain Blair is one OF the few regular
army officers who has seen active SER
vice in anti-aircraft work with the
American Expcditionary Forces.
Most Effective Army Branch.
This new branch viii become the
most effective in coming wars as
serted Captain Blair. From the
standpoint OF defense the only prac-
teal weapon against modern form OF
invasion will be the anti-aircraft gun
he said.
Interesting statistics proving the
worth OF the anti-aircraft branch was
furnished by Captain Blair. outstand-
ing in this data is the fact that while
prior to 1918 il required loo. 900 rounds
of ammunition to bring down an air
plane. at the close OF that year planes
were hit within the use OF s.aoo
rounds. To appreciate the full i'm
portanee OF anti-aircraft development.
war records offer some startling in
formation
IL is declared by army experts that
a new gas has been developed. IL is
even more powerful than Lewisite gas
and can bring about sudden indis-
criminal ting rush of death.
Captain Blair further explained that
training to fight aircraft is imperative
inasnuch as the army plane has in
creased its speed twofold since the
close of the World War. American
anti-aircraft guns brought down 4I
planes with 225.ll5 shots. or an aver
age OF $50 shots for each plane. The
Importance Of the searchlight with
relation 10 the anti-aircraft gun was
also brought out by. Captain Blair. A
powyrful searchlignt. such as used
during the World War, is an asset in
the work of the gunner.
A light of this nature not only caus-
es a state of confusion in the air, but
adds considerably in helping locate the
enemy plane. while at a high altitude.
Instruction in searchlight work will
also be given in conjunction to the
anti-aircraft course.
Health Precaution.
Yesterday was day much dreaded
by the soldiers. The entire command,
officers and enlisted men, received their
first anti-typhoid shot in the arm.
As "a result, two-thireis of the enlisted
personnel today are recovering from the
after effect of the innoculation. To the
vets of byegone wars, the scene was
a common one, but not so for the
rocky" who is new with the ways of
the army. Practically every company
registered from ten to twenty men on
the hunks, and before guardInount last
night it is estimated that 800 had
measured the soggy ground.
In several instances the men were
seen to fall fat on their backs and
others took the count while standing
for guardnount or inspection. Whether
OF not the men will be given another
shot" could not be aScertained. Dur
ing the World War many of the sold
iers received the innoculation from
three TO IS times.
Guard mount last night at Ais, the
first since the opening of the outdoor
military academy, proved a stirring
spectacle. Despite the drizziing rain
and soggy ground. the soldiers went
through the for1nalities without a.
hitch Retreat at $40 was impressive
as well. This program will be a daily