The Washington herald., 1921-09-27
CRACK RIFLEMEN
COVER VANGUARD
OF ARMY TODAY
Marine Experts to Pro.
tect Advance Against
Enemy"

Enemy"
QUANTICO, Va, Sept. 36.-More
than 100 of the best rifle shots m
the world who make up the marine
rifle team, just returned after win
ming all the national rife and pistol
shooting events. will cover the ad-
vance of the marine eXpediuonary
force into hostile" territory to-
morrow. According to the war
plans, enemy territory will be en-
tered when the column sets out
from its camp at daylight tomorrow
morning, and the best shots will
be sent out to protect the wan
guard.
The rifle team arrived at an op-
perfume time and was promptly or
ganized as a company and assigned
to the famous Fifth regiment of
Belleau Wood fame and put on ad-
vance guard duty.
Many Crack shots.
Probably no force in the history
of war ever had so many crack
shots on its rolls. Among its
members are rifiemen who won su-
preme honors at Camp Perry, Ohio,
last week, where they wrested the
national championship from a field
in which the crack organizations
of the army, navy and national
guard were represented, as well as
the best of the nations civilian
rifemen. The Fifth Regiment team,
winner of the national champion
ship for regimentaI teams, Is also
a part of the force, as are the mem
bers of the pistol team which won
the national pistol championship
and the marines who won the ma
tional individual rife and pistol
championships.
After a strenuous half days hik-
ing. the marine force arrived at
Aquia Creek, Va. the scene of the
camp for the first night at about
promptly at a. m. from Quantico.
when Orig. Gen. Smedley D. But
Ter. force commander, with the
headquarters company of the ex-
peditionary force, swung off on the
road to Fredericksburg. They were
followed at short intervals by the
Fifth and Sixth regiments. the
Sixth Machine Gun battalion and
other infantry detachments.
Three Miles Long.
The last of the marching column
did not get into motion until nearly
$50, when there was a column Of
infantry and machine gunners
nearly three miles in length. taxi
ing more than an hour to pass any
given point.
Following shortly in the rear of
the foot soldiers came the supply
! train. carrying food and equipment,
which consisted of fourteen trucks
pulling rolling kichens. In these
the noon meal was being prepared,
while the column wasy on the
march. Next came the artillery
hauled by tractors and consisting
| of the Tenth Regiment of Marine
| Artillery. equipped with French
| 75's. together with a battery of 15E
millimeter, heavy artillery, capable
of throwing shells about six inches
in diameter. weighing more than
100 pounds.
Specialists Follow.
Following the artillery, came the
First Marine Regiment. made up
of engineers, bridge builders. signal
troops, and other specialists with
their supply train and equipment
and after these the anti-aircraft
guns. Altogether, the moving col
umn covered nearly five miles Of
road, and made up the most pow
erful military array which has been
assembled in America since the
close of the great war.
Because of the prolonged drought
the progress of the column was
marked by thick clouds of dust, tc
which were added the exhaust
gases of the trucks and smoke Of
the kitchens, forming a cloud which
could be seen for miles.
The first elements OF the column
arrived at the camping ground a
IL a. M Two hours later the en-
tire force was encamped, and tn,
midday meal was being served tn,
first arrivals. The afternoon wal
spent in camp, and. was devoted t
organizing the companies and bat
talions. some of which were newl.
formed, for the campaign of tn,
coming week, and preparing for tn
| marches of the next two days
Which WIN oe iOHs anu HdTu-
Big Guns Detour.
The 155-millimeter guns, whicl
weight nearly nineteen tons, are be
ing sent on a long detour to tn
west, as many OF the bridges owe
which the main column marched ar
old. They will cross the Rappahan
, knock az U. S. Ferry, and viii no
rejoin the infantry until the Will
dernessIs reached.
The march will be resumed at
, la. m. tomorrow. and a distance o
eighteen miles win be covered. tn
head of the column reaching Fred
, ericksburg at about p. m. A
fredericksburg the marines VIII
encampAon the fair grounds. wher
, the county fair Is in progress. The,
. will remain in Fredericksburg owe
night, and Wednesday morning will
set ont on their final march to tn
| lYTfIdarnaSS 'ss7