Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-04-28
No Easy Time for
u. S. Doughboys at
CnhlenZ. Germany

Coblenz. April 11.-(The Associated
Press).-If Americans at home mag
inc that the life of the soldiers COM
! POSING the American Army Of Occupa-
ton on the Rhine is one of idleness
they will be long way from the
truth.
The little fighting force Of 10000
men has to be kept hard. trained and
ready for quick action. and that means
work-eight hours of 1t a day at drill.
study, target practice or manGuvers,
| for it is the purpose of the General
staff here to maintain union hours.
| Most of the American doughboy' s
ieight-hour day is spent in drill which
! occupies from three to five hours daily,
varying according to the circumstances
( and needs of the different units.
| A visitor to this American COM
munity transplanted into the center of
Europe would find the American boys
just now preparing for summer of
grim war maneuvers. for the open
training season has just commenced
and win continue until october 81.
The regular target season. which is
now in full swing, will last until July
81. It is being held on the target
ground ranges built by the Germans a
few miles east of tia fortress of
Ehrenbreitstein. 1t includes known
distance practice, combat firing and
company proficiency tests.
Problems, terrain exercises and
maneeuvers including night operations
and eombats in woods for units up to
and including a company are also part
of the days work.
Field work for the battalion will
commence as soon as battafions have
completed all firing.
The second period from August 1 to
September Is will include, battalion.
regimental and brigade maneuvers
/ and terrain exercises. During this
period, one week for each brigade will
/ be reserved for battalion combat prob
lens with live ammunition and in con-
junction with auxiliary arms. AS
General Allen puts it: I'VE do every
thing that is done in war except kill
men" During this period, units will
volving movements on short notice to
distant locations. followed by the oc-
cupatton or attack of positions.
/ The third period from September Is
to September so will be taken by
manauvers of the full Army of Occu-
patton and the result expected at the
close of the period IS thorough
preparation for war of the American
Forces in Germany.
{ During the fourth period, from Oct5-
Der 1 to October 81, brigade and sep
arate unit commanders will correct de-
ficiencies noted during the previous
field training
Il During the past winter months
special courses in educational and vo-
cational training We're taken by sol
dicrs. They included commercial
training. shorthand. typewriting, and
accounting: mechanical training. in
Guiding automobile driving. pipe fitting
plumbing: also a cooks and bakers
school which had a large attendance
in an effort to live down Marshal Fay.
olle's famous criticism of the Ameri
can army; that they could not cook
An engineers school and horscshpers
school were also filled to capacity
About so soldiers to each company
were permitted to employ three hours
of their eight-hour day to the pursuit
of these studies but from now on, all
educational and vocational trainins
will be suspended and it will be wal
! manauvers for the American soldier
With the schedule enumerated above