Milford chronicle., 1922-08-04
ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT
OF DELAWARE TROOPS
SCENES AT The STATE RIFLE RANGE
RESEMBLE THOSE PREVIOUS TO
The WORLD WAR.
MILFORD co. LEFT MONDAY
LOCAL BOYS ARE GETTING INTENSIVE
TRAINING In MODERN METHODS
OF WARFARE.

The 19Sth Artillery, Delaware Ma
tional Guard, went into annual en-
campment at the State Rifle Range,
near New Castle, on Monday, and the
men and officers of the regiment are
now undergoing intensive training in
modern methods of warfare. Company
G., of Milford, left Monday morning,
under commanded Captain Harry Pet
tyjOhn, and reports from the camp
state that the boys are enjoying their
training activities to the fullest. The
first day was devoted almost eXclus-
lively to getting the camp in order,
but on. Tuesday the real military
training commenced in earnest. Tues
day afternoon the three batteries of
the gun battalion went into simulated
action with the IS millimeter guns,
the masterful artillery pieces that
shattered the German lines on the
Western front.
There was a high pitch of excite
ment prevailing throughout the battal-
ion as preparations were being made
to take the guns out on the parade
grounds for the practice work. 1t is
the first time maneuvers with the
guns have been undertaken on large
scale by the regiment and as they
have been officially adopted by the
War Department as the basic Ameri-
can gun, being of French origin and
design, as the result of their proven
worth during the war, widespread in
terest was taken in the undertaking
by both the men and officers.
The guns were manned by gun
crews of twelve men, drawn from the
batteries in rotation so as to afford
all the men the benefit of the eXper-
ience to be gained by actual work
with the piece. In view OF the fact
that the experience was their first,
the various crews performed their
tasks with an alertness and dispatch
that was highly pleasing to their Off
GERS and reflected considerable credit
on the thoroughness of their indoor
training throughout the year.
To Go On Range
Later in the week or early next
week, the 75's will be taken out on
the range and each of the batteries
in the gun battalion will be given its
chance at the targets. Such practice
will be limited, owing to the size of
the range, which has heretofore been
used mainly for rifle work.
An example of the work being I'M
dertaken at Camp Sparks is shown by
the program on Tuesday, which is
very much like that of each day:
From 8:45 to 1880 o'clock the sew
eral units were given instructions in
the actual line of warfare to which it
would be assigned should the country
be in a state of war. Gun batteries B,
C and D were given artillery instruc-
ton; searchlight Battery A was given
instruction in the construction and
manipulations of the large motor driv-
en- searchlights, mounted on trucks;
machine gun batteries E, F, G and H
were taught to knock down and re-
assemble machine guns and instruct
ed in methods of handling them, as to
finding the range, and loading and
firing.
The members of the band spent the
time in practicing music, both on
march, place assembly and other for
nations found necessary in effective
ly using their instruments in all
places and under all conditions.
Headquarters Battery was given |
practical instruction in establishing |
telephone communication with various
units of the camp. Conducting CONVEX
sations in code over the phones will |
be specialized in during the many in
struction periods of this battery. Sew
eraI other features of this battery's |
work were explained by the instruc-
tor.
Battalion headquarters and combat
train were given a thorough drill in
the construction and repairs of brok-
en- down parts of the engine as well
as the handling of munitions of war
placed in their charge for transporta-
ton.
From 11:30 until 1 o'clock the boys
were on fatigue duty, enjoying mess.
At 1 O'Clock the call for the after
Moons drills took place. All units ex-
cept those detailed on kitchen duties
we're put through more drills in the
work required of them until the fif-
teen minute fatigue call was sounded
at 2 o'clock. At the end of the fatigue
period the units again assembled for
instruction.
The afternoon and evenings pro-
gram included the following instruc-
ion: Gun Batteries B, c, D, automat-
C rifles, motor vehicles, infantry;
Battery A, automatic
,ifes, motor vehicles, infantry;
Machine Gun Batteries E, F, G, H,
machine gun instruction, motor We
licles, infantry; Service Battery, in
antry; Headquarters Battery, auto
natic rifles, motor vehicles and infan-
nv; Battalion Headquarters and Com ,
,at Train, automatic rifles, motor We
licles and infantry; 7:15 to 7:45 p. NJ,
ecture, embracing all units.